Topographical Reports of Lt. George H. Derby (Volume 11)(1932) (5 pages)

120 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY mento had, within a few months, committed three murders upon white men travelling upon the western bank; I was not able, however, to arrive at any details, and am not satisfied that the report was worthy of credence. As far as I could ascertain, by inquiry, from those persons most likely to be best acquainted with their character and habits, all of these Indians are to be viewed with suspicion and distrust; and I found it generally conceded that those termed “Christian Indians,” who, by their intercourse with the whites, had added to their origina! qualification of low cunning some gleams of intelligence, were by far the most dangerous, being invariably found to be the ringleaders in all thefts or other outrages committed by a rancheria. Should the present rapid emigration to this country continue during the ensuing year, the entire valley will undoubtedly be thickly settled with a hardy population, who, attracted by the fertile soil and beautiful scenery of the banks of Feather river and its branches, will brave its sickly climate, preferring to reap a sure and lucrative harvest from agricultural pursuits to enduring the hardships, exposure, and sickness of the mines for a doubtful prospect of immediate wealth. In this case the post at Bear creek, instead of being, as now, on the frontier of civilization, would be surrounded by a population perfectly able and willing to help themselves; and it might become advisable to establish a station further to the north, in the valley, or in advance, upon the “Truckee” road, according as either became finally the main route for emigration. I have the honor to enclose with this memoir a map and copy of the reserve at Bear creek; also, a map and copy of the Sacramento valley, from the American river to the mouth of the Butte creek, which embraces that portion of the country referred to in my instructions. Trusting that they may meet with the approval of the commanding general, T have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, Geo. H. Dersy, Lieutenant Topographical Engineers. Major E. R. S. Cansy, Adj’t Gen., Tenth Military Dep't. NOTES TO LIEUTENANT DERBY’S REPORT ON THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY . 1 Henry Wager Halleck, of New York, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. He was breveted captain in 1847. He resigned from the army in 1854, but returned during the Civil War to be major general in 1861 and Commander-in-Chicf of the Army 1862-64. He died in 1872. Halleck was an active and prominent figure in California during the period immediately following the American acquisition. He was Secretary of State under Colonel Mason and Gencral Riley; he was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1849; he was a candidate for United States Senator, but was defeated by Gwin. He attained a prominent position as a lawyer during the fifties, the firm of Halleck, Peachey and Billings being retained in most of the important lawsuits of the period. In 1861 he was commissioned major general of state militia, and from 1864 to 1869 he commanded the military division of the Pacific. 2 Edward Richard Sprigg Canby, born in Kentucky, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned in the 2d Infantry. He was breveted lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct in the Mexican War. In 1849 he held the permanent Tarot 7 ae a THE TOPOGRAPHICAL REPORTS OF LIEUTENANT GEORGE H. DERBY 121 rank of first-lieutenant, but acted as major. During the Civil War-he became major gencral of volunteers and subsequently brigadier general in the regular army. He was murdered by Modoc Indians April 11, 1873, while engaged in a peace conference. 3 George Clinton Westcott, of New Jersey, was commissioned second lieutenant in the 2d Infantry in 1838. He was breveted captain in 1847 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Chapultepec. He died in 1853. 4 Albert S. Miller, of Tennessee, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1823. He was breveted major in 1846 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, Mexico, and in 1848 attained the permanent rank of major in the 2d Infantry. He died in 1852, 5 Julius Jesse Backus Kingsbury, of Connecticut, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1823 and was assigned to the 2d Infantry. He was promoted to captain in 1837, and in 1849 was advanced to major and was transferred to the 6th Infantry. He died in 1856. 6 Bennet Riley, of Maryland, entered the army in 1813 as an ensign of rifles. By 1839 he had advanced to the permanent rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 2d Infantry, and in January 1850 was commissioned colonel of the ist Infantry. He was breveted colonel in 1840 for bravery in the Florida campaign, brigadier general in 1847 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and major general in 1847 for gallant conduct at the battle of Contreras. He was civil governor of California, 1849-50, and as such called the constitutional convention at Monterey in October 1849, He returned to the East in 1850 and died in 1853. 7 Sutter, or Sutterville, was the small settlement established in 1846 by John A. Sutter on the Sacramento River three miles below his fort. (Bancroft: History of California, 1888, VI, p. 15; “Life in California Before the Gold Rush,” by John Bidwell, in Century Magazine, December 1890, XLI:2, pp. 180-181.) : 8 Hannibal Day, of Vermont, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1823 and was assigned to the 2d Infantry. He was promoted to captain in 1838. At the close of the Civil War he was made brevet brigadier-general. He died in 1891. ° Sheriff H. A. Schoolcraft was elected Alcalde of Sacramento in 1849. (Thompson and West: History of Sutter County, 1879.) 10 Nicolaus Altgeler, born in Freiberg, Germany, in 1807, came to America about 1830 and became a trapper for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He came to California about 1839 or 1840 and worked for Sutter, who encouraged him to settle at the junction of Bear Creek and Feather River in order that there might be someone there to run a ferry. Sutter deeded to him a square mile of land in 1842, The adobe house was built in 1847. Derby’s “time immemorial” was, therefore, not more than seven years. The spot is still called Nicolaus. (Thompson and West: History of Sutter County, 1879, in which the name is given as Allgeier; and Bancroft: History of California, 1888, VI, p. 16, in which the name is given os Altgeier.) 11 Johnson’s Rancho, “one of the richest, most extensive, and beautiful tracts of land in this State, . . . situated on Bear River, thirty-five miles above Sacramento, and fifteen from Marysville,” was at this time owned by Eugene Gillespie and Henry E. Robinson. In 1844 Don Pablo Gutierrez, a Mexican, reccived a grant of five Spanish leagues on the north bank of Bear River. Not long after, he was killed, and on April 28, 1845, his grant was sold at auction (by John A. Sutter as magistrate) to William Johnson and Sebastian Keyser, Johnson taking the east half and Keyser the west. In August, 1849, Gillespie and Robinson obtained possession of Johnson’s half, it having in the meantime been deeded to several other purchasers, and in November of that year they also purchased Keyser’s half. One of the main “emigrant” roads passed through Johnson’s Rancho, and from 1845 on it is mentioned frequently in the narratives of immigrants. A portion of the grant was in 1849 set off as a government reserve, and Camp Far West was there established (see Note 15). The rancho passed into various hands, and was for a time overrun by squatters until, on November 18, 1856, the United States District Court confirmed the Mexican grant in the name of William Johnson, thus perfecting the title. In 1866 the town of Wheatland was laid out on a portion of the grant. (Thompson & West, History of Yuba County, p. 80; Alta California, November 20, 1856.) 12 This spelling of Peter Lassen’s name is frequently found in writings of the time and indicates the current pronunciation. 18 Theodore Cordua conducted a stock farm near the site of Marysville. 14 John Rose, a native of Scotland, came to California in 1840. He worked as a shipcarpenter and builder until the discovery of gold, when he went to the mines. In the spring of 1849 he and two others purchased the Nye and Sicard ranch on Yuba River. (Thompson and West: History of Sutter County, 1879.) 15 The post established here was named “Camp Far West.” It was occupied for a time by a detachment of the 2d Infantry, under command of Captain Hannibal Day. Log houses

120 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY mento had, within a few months, committed three murders upon white men travelling upon the western bank; I was not able, however, to arrive at any details, and am not satisfied that the report was worthy of credence. As far as I could ascertain, by inquiry, from those persons most likely to be best acquainted with their character and habits, all of these Indians are to be viewed with suspicion and distrust; and I found it generally conceded that those termed “Christian Indians,” who, by their intercourse with the whites, had added to their origina! qualification of low cunning some gleams of intelligence, were by far the most dangerous, being invariably found to be the ringleaders in all thefts or other outrages committed by a rancheria. Should the present rapid emigration to this country continue during the ensuing year, the entire valley will undoubtedly be thickly settled with a hardy population, who, attracted by the fertile soil and beautiful scenery of the banks of Feather river and its branches, will brave its sickly climate, preferring to reap a sure and lucrative harvest from agricultural pursuits to enduring the hardships, exposure, and sickness of the mines for a doubtful prospect of immediate wealth. In this case the post at Bear creek, instead of being, as now, on the frontier of civilization, would be surrounded by a population perfectly able and willing to help themselves; and it might become advisable to establish a station further to the north, in the valley, or in advance, upon the “Truckee” road, according as either became finally the main route for emigration. I have the honor to enclose with this memoir a map and copy of the reserve at Bear creek; also, a map and copy of the Sacramento valley, from the American river to the mouth of the Butte creek, which embraces that portion of the country referred to in my instructions. Trusting that they may meet with the approval of the commanding general, T have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, Geo. H. Dersy, Lieutenant Topographical Engineers. Major E. R. S. Cansy, Adj’t Gen., Tenth Military Dep't. NOTES TO LIEUTENANT DERBY’S REPORT ON THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY . 1 Henry Wager Halleck, of New York, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. He was breveted captain in 1847. He resigned from the army in 1854, but returned during the Civil War to be major general in 1861 and Commander-in-Chicf of the Army 1862-64. He died in 1872. Halleck was an active and prominent figure in California during the period immediately following the American acquisition. He was Secretary of State under Colonel Mason and Gencral Riley; he was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1849; he was a candidate for United States Senator, but was defeated by Gwin. He attained a prominent position as a lawyer during the fifties, the firm of Halleck, Peachey and Billings being retained in most of the important lawsuits of the period. In 1861 he was commissioned major general of state militia, and from 1864 to 1869 he commanded the military division of the Pacific. 2 Edward Richard Sprigg Canby, born in Kentucky, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned in the 2d Infantry. He was breveted lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct in the Mexican War. In 1849 he held the permanent Tarot 7 ae a THE TOPOGRAPHICAL REPORTS OF LIEUTENANT GEORGE H. DERBY 121 rank of first-lieutenant, but acted as major. During the Civil War-he became major gencral of volunteers and subsequently brigadier general in the regular army. He was murdered by Modoc Indians April 11, 1873, while engaged in a peace conference. 3 George Clinton Westcott, of New Jersey, was commissioned second lieutenant in the 2d Infantry in 1838. He was breveted captain in 1847 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Chapultepec. He died in 1853. 4 Albert S. Miller, of Tennessee, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1823. He was breveted major in 1846 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several

conflicts at Monterey, Mexico, and in 1848 attained the permanent rank of major in the 2d Infantry. He died in 1852, 5 Julius Jesse Backus Kingsbury, of Connecticut, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1823 and was assigned to the 2d Infantry. He was promoted to captain in 1837, and in 1849 was advanced to major and was transferred to the 6th Infantry. He died in 1856. 6 Bennet Riley, of Maryland, entered the army in 1813 as an ensign of rifles. By 1839 he had advanced to the permanent rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 2d Infantry, and in January 1850 was commissioned colonel of the ist Infantry. He was breveted colonel in 1840 for bravery in the Florida campaign, brigadier general in 1847 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and major general in 1847 for gallant conduct at the battle of Contreras. He was civil governor of California, 1849-50, and as such called the constitutional convention at Monterey in October 1849, He returned to the East in 1850 and died in 1853. 7 Sutter, or Sutterville, was the small settlement established in 1846 by John A. Sutter on the Sacramento River three miles below his fort. (Bancroft: History of California, 1888, VI, p. 15; “Life in California Before the Gold Rush,” by John Bidwell, in Century Magazine, December 1890, XLI:2, pp. 180-181.) : 8 Hannibal Day, of Vermont, was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1823 and was assigned to the 2d Infantry. He was promoted to captain in 1838. At the close of the Civil War he was made brevet brigadier-general. He died in 1891. ° Sheriff H. A. Schoolcraft was elected Alcalde of Sacramento in 1849. (Thompson and West: History of Sutter County, 1879.) 10 Nicolaus Altgeler, born in Freiberg, Germany, in 1807, came to America about 1830 and became a trapper for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He came to California about 1839 or 1840 and worked for Sutter, who encouraged him to settle at the junction of Bear Creek and Feather River in order that there might be someone there to run a ferry. Sutter deeded to him a square mile of land in 1842, The adobe house was built in 1847. Derby’s “time immemorial” was, therefore, not more than seven years. The spot is still called Nicolaus. (Thompson and West: History of Sutter County, 1879, in which the name is given as Allgeier; and Bancroft: History of California, 1888, VI, p. 16, in which the name is given os Altgeier.) 11 Johnson’s Rancho, “one of the richest, most extensive, and beautiful tracts of land in this State, . . . situated on Bear River, thirty-five miles above Sacramento, and fifteen from Marysville,” was at this time owned by Eugene Gillespie and Henry E. Robinson. In 1844 Don Pablo Gutierrez, a Mexican, reccived a grant of five Spanish leagues on the north bank of Bear River. Not long after, he was killed, and on April 28, 1845, his grant was sold at auction (by John A. Sutter as magistrate) to William Johnson and Sebastian Keyser, Johnson taking the east half and Keyser the west. In August, 1849, Gillespie and Robinson obtained possession of Johnson’s half, it having in the meantime been deeded to several other purchasers, and in November of that year they also purchased Keyser’s half. One of the main “emigrant” roads passed through Johnson’s Rancho, and from 1845 on it is mentioned frequently in the narratives of immigrants. A portion of the grant was in 1849 set off as a government reserve, and Camp Far West was there established (see Note 15). The rancho passed into various hands, and was for a time overrun by squatters until, on November 18, 1856, the United States District Court confirmed the Mexican grant in the name of William Johnson, thus perfecting the title. In 1866 the town of Wheatland was laid out on a portion of the grant. (Thompson & West, History of Yuba County, p. 80; Alta California, November 20, 1856.) 12 This spelling of Peter Lassen’s name is frequently found in writings of the time and indicates the current pronunciation. 18 Theodore Cordua conducted a stock farm near the site of Marysville. 14 John Rose, a native of Scotland, came to California in 1840. He worked as a shipcarpenter and builder until the discovery of gold, when he went to the mines. In the spring of 1849 he and two others purchased the Nye and Sicard ranch on Yuba River. (Thompson and West: History of Sutter County, 1879.) 15 The post established here was named “Camp Far West.” It was occupied for a time by a detachment of the 2d Infantry, under command of Captain Hannibal Day. Log houses