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have a large practice founded upon a reputation at the bar for learning, and gentlemen who will never condescend to write filibustering opinions for any set of men, for the purpose of securing a retainer. These gentlemen, too, have examined the claim thoroughly, and have no doubt of its final confirmation. And their opinion, compared with that of political lawyers, is regarded by the legal fraternity as "Hyperion to a Satyr."

Mr. Randolph, while indulging so freely in the epithets, "villain," ""black mail" and "robber," with which his legal opinion is so wonderfully larded, should recollect that it is not yet beyond the memory of any of us, that parties with whom he sympathized, went among a peaceable and innocent people, in violation of the laws of his country, and wrested from the hands of our own citizens their shipping and transit franchises on the lakes of Nicaragua. If he offers himself as an umpire to pass upon my rights, or as a censor to sit in judgment upon my motives or actions, I would advise him to stick to his old Nicaraguan profession-one in which he has made a name in the world-one for which he is peculiarly fitted by nature and education-one where his delicate sense of justice and his tender "conscience" can have full scope to ventilate themselves. Not content with countenancing a raid against the innocent and simple minded Spaniards in Nicaragua, carrying consternation and bloodshed into their very homes, he now would advise "settlers" to entertain the same opinion of the rights of Spanish grant holders that he has always entertained of the rights of the Spaniards themselves. It comes with an ill grace from the mouth of such a one to accuse others of being "robbers," when they attempt to assert their just rights.

But, sir, I do not try my law suits in the newspapers, like some I could mention. A retainer is not such a seldom thing with me, as needs to be paraded before the public. The merits or demerits of my case, I shall leave to the decision of an unbiassed tribunal.

It is immaterial to me whether his clients follow his first private advice, or his published one; whether they wish to come in the first instance and buy the land, or “to file an answer and compromise afterwards."

There is a tone about Mr. R.'s opinion which shows that it was written for publication, more for the purpose of intimidating me, than to reassure his clients, whom he admits had become not a little panic stricken. If this is his intention, this "file-ananswer-first-and-compromise-after" opinion, has wholly failed in its

effect.

I would ask Mr. Randolph, if he does not consider the power to libel a person wantonly, and to rob him of his fair name among his fellows, for attempting to assert his just rights, quite as great an evil as any "that afflicts the State this day?"

But whatever may be Mr. Randolph's private or public opinion in regard to my being "an adventurer in the law," I can say, what every one cannot-that I have never used a discourteous expression towards a professional brother without provocation : I have never sunk the gentleman in the blackguard; I never yet have forgotten that the profession which I practice has been dig nified by some of the noblest names in the annals of history, who considered that they were dishonoring themselves and their profession, by ever traveling out of the record to deal in Billingsgate against the opposing client, or his counsel.

With these lights before me, and with the foregoing meagre but impartial statement of the facts of the case, I submit this reply to the public, side by side with the statement of Mr. Randolph, and say to them, "judge ye between us "-which is the most "ridiculous "-the Romero claim, or the opinion of Mr. Randolph ? E. A. LAWRENCE.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 1860.

NOTE.-In U. S. vs. E. E. White administratrix, claimants for the Ranch on which the town of Petaluma now stands. There is in proof a grant from Alvarado in 1840, and proof of possession under it, but no expediente and no record in the archives of any of the title papers. In 1844, Government proved in opposition to the claim that Miranda petitioned for the same land; the Alcalde reported that it was vacant and could be granted, and a grant was issued to him in due form, the expediente of all which proceedings is in the archives. Still the Supreme Court confirmed the Grant of 184 and sent the claim back, in order that the rival claimants might litigate as to their respective rights to the Ranch.

LETTERS

OF

WILLIAM CAREY JONES,

IN REVIEW OF

Attorney General Black's Report

ΤΟ

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

ON THE SUBJECT OF

LAND TITLES IN CALIFORNIA.

SAN FRANCISCO:

COMMERCIAL STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT.

1860.

LETTERS

OF

WILLIAM CAREY JONES,

IN REVIEW OF

Attorney General Black's Report

ΤΟ

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

ON THE SUBJECT OF

LAND TITLES IN CALIFORNIA.

SAN FRANCISCO:

COMMERCIAL STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. 1860.

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