years later its probable value might be nearer twice, or perhaps thrice that amount. It was subsequently decided by the Supreme Court, that the sales of the wharves and certain other portions of the city property were legal. This swept away for ever one great portion of the corporation means. The next question was the validity of the redemption above mentioned. It was contended that the mayor and the funded debt commissioners (which parties had made the tender), were not entitled to redeem, especially without instruction from the council boards, that right being only in the city in its corporate capacity. Other legal points of nicety arose, in regard, particularly, to the alleged right of redemption itself. These were long matters of contention, and from the immense pecuniary interests at stake, the action was conducted on both sides with all the talent and chicanery that influence or money could persuade or buy. At length, and while we write (April, 1854), a decision has been given, that the redemption money alluded to was not offered by the parties who alone were entitled to make it, and that therefore the relative sales were legal. This judgment embraced other points of law upon which it was likewise founded, but it is unnecessary here to allude farther to them. These several decisions have had the effect of depriving the city of an enormous amount of property, the possession of which would have much relieved the inhabitants of a great and annually increasing taxation. There is still, as there has long been, much bitter and angry feeling existing in the city respecting the "Peter Smith Titles." San Francisco has somehow lost its best and most valuable property, and individual citizens have gained immense fortunes by the loss. Little or no money has really been paid by these lucky speculators in "the glorious uncertainty of the law." So far as Smith is concerned, it was his undoubted right to make his claims against the city effectual, if he legally could. The same right was in the power of all its other creditors. That they did not exercise their privileges was not the doctor's fault. At the same time it may just be mentioned as a fact, that public indignation was strongly excited against his independent and seek-my-owngood style of action. Still, whatever may be thought of that gentleman's discretion or patriotism in the matter, or of the original nature of his claims, which (perhaps, without that close scrutiny that should have been given), having been sustained by legal judgments, became settled facts, he is not lightly to be blamed for the unfortunate events that afterwards occurred. The same may not be said of certain officials and private citizens who joined and acted with them. Every thing was certainly done to cry down the right of Smith to sell, and thereby was lowered the value of the municipal property. If this effect was foreseen and wilfully intended, as many have not scrupled to assert, in order to allow a clique of grand speculators to prey on the city means, their conduct cannot be too strongly condemned. If their proceedings arose simply from an error in judgment, the sad effects can only be deplored. The foregoing relation of facts seem clearly to show that the commissioners acted in good faith. They were men of reputed integrity, and had already "done the State some service." The general public took the same view of the subject as did the commissioners. They believed the sales to be invalid, and that the titles obtained from them would be worthless. Hence the sheriff had only for bidders and buyers those daring speculators, who either knew the law better, or were determined to "chance it ;" and who, without competition, had the most valuable lots knocked down to them at the cost of an old song. Then, after all, is nobody to be blamed for the unfortunate issue? When millions have been lost in this way to the community, it is hard to convince the citizens that no underhand dealing has taken place; that no corruption, no wilful delay, false statements, gross personal interests and plotting have been at work. It may not be easy to discover and brand the guilty persons, and people may entertain different suspicions as to their names and special concern in the grand game of spoliation. Let every one therefore keep his own thoughts on the business. At this stage of the affair, it is perhaps impossible to get at "the truth-the whole truth-and nothing but the truth." One thing only seems certain-the "manifest destiny" of San Francisco is to be plundered at all hands, and to yield easy and quickly won. fortunes to her "most prominent citizens." + CHAPTER XX. 1852. The Chinese in California.-Act passed to fund the floating debt of the State.-The State Marine APRIL. The immigration of Chinese into California has greatly increased of late. By this month it was supposed that upwards of ten thousand of that people had arrived at San Francisco, while as many more were estimated to be on the way. Considerable public discussion existed at this period on the desirableness of such a vast immigration of the race; and we take occasion to make some general remarks on the subject, as well as upon the present (1854) condition of Chinamen in the city. The manners and habits of the Chinese are very repugnant to Americans in California. Of different language, blood, religion and character, inferior in most mental and bodily qualities, the Chinaman is looked upon by some as only a little superior to the negro, and by others as somewhat inferior. It is needless to reason upon such a matter. Those who have mingled familiarly with "celestials" have commonly felt before long an uncontrollable sort of loathing against them. "John's" person does not smell very sweetly; his color and the features of his face are unusual; his penuriousness is extreme; his lying, knavery and natural cowardice are proverbial; he dwells apart from white persons, herding only with countrymen, unable to communicate his ideas to such as are not of his nation, or to show the better part of his nature. He is poor and mean, somewhat slavish and crouching, and is despised by the whites, who would only laugh in derision if even a divine were to pretend to place the two races on an equality. In short, there is a strong feeling, prejudice it may be,-existing in California against all Chinamen, and they are nicknamed, cuffed about and treated very unceremoniously by every other class. Yet they are generally quiet and industrious members of society, charitable among themselves, not given to intemperance and the rude vices which drink induces, and are reputed to be remarkably attached to their pa rents, revering indeed in all persons advanced years, which are supposed to bring wisdom. The Chinese, or certain large tribes of their nation, are of a migratory disposition. They have long since wandered over the many great and rich islands and countries lying around their own land, and have contrived to secure to themselves a large portion of the most valuable trade and commerce of these places. From Canton to Calcutta and Callao, to Melbourne and Manilla, they swarm in all the ports of the Pacific, and more especially in those of the great Malay archipelago. There seems a vast pressure upon the interior multitudes of China, which forces many thousands annually to leave that densely peopled country, for the sake of a bare subsistence, and to save starvation at home. Little food, and that of the coarsest and cheapest kind, suffices to support the life of Chinamen; and to procure that, they will drudge long and patiently at the most painful task. When in a foreign country they have contrived to amass a small sum, which may be considered a fortune by themselves, they generally seek to return to spend it, and enjoy the remainder of their days among kinsmen. This class of people will perhaps form a large portion of the future population of California, especially if any State encouragement should be given them, and a short notice of their character is not out of place in this work. At present they make one of the most striking peculiarities of San Francisco. From the date of the discovery of gold Chinamen had occasionally appeared in the country; but it was only in 1851 and 1852 that their rapidly increasing numbers began to attract much notice. Considerable apprehension began then to be entertained of the supposed bad effect which their presence would have on the white population. Large bands of Chinese were working at the mines upon conditions which were supposed to be closely allied to a state of slavery. Much misunderstanding arose on the subject. It was believed that the gangs were receiving only subsistence and nominal wages,-some four or five dollars per month for each man,—and that speculators, both yellow and white, were setting them to work on various undertakings which free white laborers conceived should only be executed by themselves. If these vast inroads of Chinese were to continue, the white miner considered that he might as well leave the country at once, since he could not pretend to compete with the povertystricken, meek and cheap "coolie," as so John Chinaman was now called by many. It was true that the latter never sought to interfere with the rich claims which the American miner wrought, while he submitted very patiently to be violently driven away from whatever neglected spot he might have occupied, but which the white man suddenly chose to fancy. It was true also that the Chinaman regularly paid, as a foreigner,-and was almost the only foreigner that did so, his mining license to the State; and was a peaceable and hard-working subject. These things did not matter. Right or wrong, he should be driven from competition with free white men, or his labor should be confined |