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ing about  some  oroad-acred  pelican,  which,  had  dived into the  depths  for  its  possessions,  and  held  them rightfully. He it  was  who  speculated  in  town  lots, staked off  farming  lands,  jumped  mining  claims,  and stole the  nest  of  another  rather  than  build  one  of  his own ; waiting  and  watching  for  opportunities  to  pounce upon the  property  of  others  if  so  be  he  might  escape the law's  penalty.

The squatters  of  Sacramento,  affirming  that  the lands of  Sutter  belonged  to  the  United  States,  re- solved, in July  1850,  to  hold  possession  of  that  which they had  seized,  peaceably  if  possible,  forcibly  if  neces- sary ; and  if  the  bail  of  an  arrested  squatter  should  be refused  simply  because  the  bondsman  was  not  a  land- holder under Sutter,  all  executions  issued  in  consG- quence thereof  should  be  deemed  illegal,  and  the associated squatters  should  "act  accordingly."

A commission  was  appointed  by  act  of  congress, early in  1851,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  and  set- tling private land  claims  in  California. It was  to consist  of  three  commissioners  appointed  by  the  presi- dent, a secretary  skilled  in  the  Spanish  and  English languages, and  not  to  exceed  five  clerks ;  it  was  to continue  for  three  years,  unless  sooner  terminated  by the  president. An attorney  was  to  be  appointed  to attend  the  meetings  of  the  board,  and  guard  the  inter- ests of the  United  States  in  the  premises. The com- mission mio;ht summon  witnesses,  and  administer oaths; and  every  person  claiming  lands  in  California by virtue  of  any  right  or  title  derived  from  the  Span- ish or Mexican  governments,  should  present  the  same to the  commissioners  when  sitting  as  a  board,  together with such  documentary  evidence  and  testimony  of witnesses  as  the  claimant  relied  upon  in  support  of  his claim. Appeals from  the  commission  might  be  made to the  United  States  district  court,  and  thence  to  the United States  supreme  court. Three tedious  tribu- nals, attended by  harassing  and  expensive  litigation, were thus  to  be  undergone  before  the  land-holder  was