The weekly Butte record., 1867-06-08
OR0VILLE, SATURDAY, JUNE stl
Letter from Gen. Bidyven.
The following interesting and timely letter from
Gen. Bidwell appears in the Solano Press:


CHICO. May 9, 1867
Milton Wason-Dear Sir: observed by the pa
pers published in Soano county, that Won were
chosen as Secretary Of meeting composed Of the
settlers the so-calied i.uco grant also. tie Act
of July, 1866 to quiet land titles IN California, Is
sought by some TO he construed as inimicai to the
interests of settlers in your vicinity. Now, know
little nothing about the merits OF the Luco grant;
the law complained Of provides that where persons
in good faith and for a valuable consideration have
purchased lands from Mexican grantees or their as
signs. which grants have been subsequently reject
ed or where the lands purchased have been ex-
cluded from the final survey Of any Mexican grant,
and have used improved and continued IN the ac-
tna possession Of the same according to the lines
of their original purchase and where no valid ad-
verse right or title Except in tue United States)
such purcasers may purchase the same. after hav
ing such lands surveyed unfer existing laws, AT the
minimum price established by law, rpon first max
ing proof of the fact as required under regulations
to be provided by the Commissioner Of the General
Land Office, etc.
IL is well known that there are some men in this
State whose interests il is to keep lands unsettled,
and who designedly put strange and forced con
struction the law. unfairly asserting that so far
from queting titles it would in reality create
claims for titles from two to four deep on the
same land that the law was framed in the inter
est Of the early criminals who forged grants:
and that il the intention OF those who support
cd the measure in Congress to 'wreSt lands from
actual settlers and vest it in the hands OF specula
ting moaopolists for political or pecunlary gain.
A II zach men are If course. opposed To the law
in question. for their occupation Is gone whenever
they tail TO false alarms and toment iitiga-
tion by which they eItort money from those whom
they wi.lfuliy and persstently deceive But defy
even the ingenuity of those men to show, by anv
fair rule If interpretation how this law can iuiurl-
cuSly affect the interests of any. 1t certainly
not So intended. Can any man be benefited by its
provisions who did not purchase land in good
faiti, and for valuable consideration, aud who
L y
possession 1t this law can be 50 con~trued-so
distorted, ! mag say-aS 10 operate adversely to
the rights of bona ide settlers any other class
Of good citizens. then indeed is written law Of TO
avail TO protect the rights Of persons and property,
and poweiless except for evil.
As said before, ! do not pretend to express an
opinion about the LUco any other partiular
grant but do say. that any man who did NOT pnr-
chase IN good talia and Tor valuable con>idtra
ton, continued in actual poSses>iDn and used and
improved the land 50 purchased cannot come with
in the simple and Gnerring provisions oil this law.
II is ;rGe, doubtlesS that Judces make wrong de
eisiuns. think they do. Nothing human is per
feet. am willing to make due allowance tor Gus
toms, habits and pyejudces. Aad then it seems to
before this Act be made bear the inter
probation soueh; To he put upon it, human reason
itself must be dethroned and language utterly Lose
its meaning. In advocating the passage of the bill
! know what were my own intentions, and believe
| know what were those of my colleagues and of
Congress. namely. To secure the just rigets OF ALL
The rights of settlers are well understood by
Congress and esl ecally of Western members. that
every measure affecting them must be scrupulously
guarded before it could pass. But | cannot now
remember that there was single objection to this
provision tseciiOn y of our bill. 1t seemed by
unanimous consent to he entirely ilee from otieo-
ton The great struggle arose in regard TO other
sections OF the bill. and from an attempt on the
part OF the Chairman of the House Committee on
puhlic Lands to carry certain amendment or de-
feat the bill
While At Washington repeatedly cpnversed with
the Commissioner of the General Land Office on the
subject OF land titles in State. No in the
United States understands the operation of the
land laws so well as Commissioner Wilson. \ more
efficient officer cannot he found in any Department
ot the Government. He assured that the law
10 quiet titles TO lands in California sati>facto-
rS and il all land titles would be settled.
know that it has been intnated that had
sympathy for settlers ON the public lands. and the
oaly reason glven or minated has Invariably
been that | was a grant holder. Ii is true | hold
somc parts Of grants-my lands are all fenced
oceupied-l do net hold them Ter speculative pur
posts. Ii have one desire intense than
other. it is to our State filed with ndasiri-
Gus and intelligent population. 1t is the hope OF
our State and Of the United States TO have the
public lands occupied as fast possible and be
cnInes the abode OF wealth aud civilization. |
yield 10 in my devotion tn the homestead
and pre- empuon settler. and my interest IN his wei
fare is not contingent upon fee litigation, in
winch he may be KEEP; involved by the opponents
OF the law IN question.
An can say is that my intentions were good
and the law. II properly administered, WILL am
persuaded, also e good. fear no Investigation.
evade no responsibility. ana submit the Whole Que>
lion 10 the Intelligent Judgment Of your friends and
neghbor> Ii j. my firm belief as wel, a ardent
desire, that the said law will when understood. op
crate henefcialy to thousands and iujuriou>iy to
none. Very respectfully. etc, j. bInwELL-