The land of gold; or, Three years in CaliforniaColton, Walter
History
The land of gold; or, Three years in California
Colton, Walter
California -- Gold discoveries; California -- History -- 1846-1850
Of these twelve hundred in arms, probably not a hundred have a foot of
land. They drift about like Arabs, stealing the horses on which they
ride, and the cattle on which they subsist. They are ready to join any
revolution, be its leaders whom they may. If the tide of fortune turns
against them, they disband and scatter to the four winds. They never
become martyrs in any cause. They are too numerous to be brought to
punishment. No government has been strong enough to set them at
defiance, or dispense with their venal aid. They have now, however, to
deal with a power too sagacious to be cajoled, and too strong to be
overawed. They will not be permitted to spring a revolution, and leave
its consequences to others. The results will follow them into every
forest and fastness. They have but one escape, and that leads into
Mexico. Men of substance will regret their loss about as much as the
Egyptians the disappearance of the locusts.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5. The second rain of the season fell last night. It came
down copiously for several hours: multitudes forgot their dreams in
listening to its grateful patter on the roof. The effects of the first
shower, which fell a few days since, are visible in the landscape.
From the moist meadow to the withered hill,
Led by the breeze, the vivid verdure runs,
And swells and deepens to the cherished eye.
FRIDAY, NOV. 6. Two Californians were arrested to-day by one of my
constables, charged with having broken open a shop and robbed it of many
valuable articles. The burglary was committed several nights since, but
no clue to the perpetrators could be obtained. By keeping silent on the
subject, one of them had at last the imprudence to offer for sale one of
the stolen articles, which was immediately identified, and led to the
detection of both. Most of the property was found in their possession,
and restored to its owners. The evidence of their guilt being
conclusive, and there being no young lawyer here to pick a flaw in the
indictment, or help them to an _alibi_, they were sentenced each to the
public works for one year. The way of transgressors is hard.
SATURDAY, NOV. 7. In Monterey, as in all other towns that I have ever
seen, crimes are perpetrated mostly at night. The Indian, however,
steals when the temptation presents itself, and trusts luck for the
consequences. And in truth if any being has a right to steal, it is the
civilized Indian of California. All the mission lands, with their
delicious orchards, waving grain, flocks and herds, were once his, and
were stolen from him by the white man. He has only one mode of
retaliating these wrongs. But Californians and foreigners, more wary,
steal at night. It is as true here as elsewhere—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account