The Placer herald., 1858-04-17
The Castro Grant.

A correspondent of the San Francisco
Call writes as follows:
Castro's claim to 10 square leagues of land,
adjoining and lying south of the Peralta
grant, has been finally confirmed, and con.
trary to the expectations of the Settlers. that
landed proprietor has determined to demand
price for the land, which virtually amounts
to compulsory expulsion OF the industrious
farmers whose labor has rendered the district
paradise, and whose thrift has studded its
fertile valleys with well-built farm houses,
enclosed them with substantial fences, and
rendered the soil luxuriant with vegetation.
lie has notified the occupants of all land
within the boundaries of his claim, that he
will only dispose of it at 500 an acre-a
figure which we will not say is exorbitant.
but distressing extortion, which no Just
apprlsement could ever arrive at He, how
ever, offers to lease it for term of years at
a rental of Sc per acre, but the American
farmer is not used to landlords, and would
rather have one acre Of ground which he can
call his own, than till 100 from which he
may be expelled at every whim and caprice
of tyrannical proprietor.
Mr.. Castro refuses absolutely 70 allow the
Settlers any recompense for the improvements
made by them. Many of these sturdy farm
ers, with their families, settled on this land
eight or nine years ago, and, consequently
have made valuable improvements. One
gentlemen has planted 5000 fruit trees
which are just beginning to return him re-
compense for his labor and outlay of money.
Yet he cannot, when he leaves, call single
tree his own. Mr.. Downg, who has i'm
proved large tract, has offered the land
monopolist $50 per acre for the ground up
on which he has settled; but the inexorable
"patroon" will not abate a cent of the price
fixed upon. The only answer to their ap.
pication, is: $500 per acre, or leaver'
In view of the in:ractble disposition of
Castro, some eighty families, who have spent
years of toll in improving his land, have
determined to leave the result of their labors
behind them and seek home elsewhere
They have appointed a gation-among
whom is Mr., Dowling-to proceed to Ore.
gon and select locality there suited to their
wants. These gentlemen proceeded to Ore
gon on the last steamer. The result of the
heartless exactions of Castro will be to force
from our State eighty families, whose indus
try and perseverance have materially a4sisted
in building up a flourishng community.
Castro has given three months notice of
leave to all persons occupying lands which
have not been sown this year. He has not
carried his tyrany so far as to order off those
who have crops growing probably fearing
the evaporation of the settlers in case he
should venture to commit such robbery.
These however, have determined to stand by
each other until this seasons crops will have
been harvested
Great indignation exists over the Bay in
regard to the unreasonable demands made
by Castro. None would object to buy his
title at a sum approXimating to a just valua-
ton; but they cannot-even if they would
submit TO a downright robbery-to pay
for land which owes its value entire to their
own toll and care, price treble AMI quadru-
pie more than is actually worth.
1t must be remembered that many Of these
farmers settled on the land in good faith
supposing it to be public domain, and with
the intention Of purchasing it from Uncle
Sam when it should be thrown into the mar
ket. Many aver, that when they located
there they did so without opposition, and
that not even the pretensions to claim was
set up by anybody. II is makes the case one
of greater hardship, and it is to he hoped
that just counsel will yet prevail with Mr..
Castro, and that lie reconsider his unrighte-
GUS resolution