Note to teacher:

Californios who held title to land under the Spanish or Mexican governments understood that their claims would be "inviolably protected" under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe. They were not aware that they also had to submit their titles to a Land Commission for confirmation. 

Petition of Antonio Maria Pico and 49 other petitioners, San Francisco, February 21, 1859, to the Senate and House of Representatives: "Ignorant, then, of the forms and proceedings of an American court of justice, we were obliged to engage the services of American lawyers, paying them enormous fees, [often] compelled to give up part of their property [to cover legal fees]. The discovery of gold attracted an immense number of immigrantsand when they perceived that the titles of the old inhabitants were considered doubtful and their validity questionable, they spread themselves over the land as though it were public property, taking possession of [everything. Once] the richest landholders, today they find themselves without a foot of ground, living as objects of charity." (Weber) 

Luis Peralta's adobe still stands in San José. His Spanish land grant included most of present-day Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Luis Peralta to his sons: "My sons, God has given this gold to the Americans. Had he desired us to have it, he would have given it to us ere now. Therefore, do not go after it, but let others go. Plant your lands and reap; these be your best gold fields, for all must eat while they live." (Wellman) 

Antonio Sunol, rancher and merchant during the Mexican era, when asked about the violent death of his son: "He was killed by a man who had taken possession of a part of my rancho as a squatter, unnecessarily shooting so many cattle, because in order to kill one he would sometimes shoot and wound several. He would keep shooting at them until one dropped. My son told him, when he wanted meat to come to the house and he could have as much as he wanted, but not to shoot cattle in that way. Even to this day we are being robbed; the land is not ours, neither is the grass, nor are the cattle; the squatters hold all, and may even take our lives if we give them the least excuse." (Johnson) 

A letter to the Alta California from a foreigner: "The Mexicans, Chileans and Peruvians, neither of whom are very white must come next [after the Chinese, to be criticized by whites]. They believe in the Pope, and you do not, and moreover, they also like to carry off their pile [take their gold with them]." (Peterson) 

Part II, Resource #2-16

Page 61

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