HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 437 



these mission lands be brought into market with the 

 least possible delay, and also that provision be made 

 by law for the settlement and sale of other public lands 

 in California. And as disputes are almost daily occur- 

 ring between individuals respecting the extent of 

 their several claims, and the validity of their titles, 1 

 would urge upon our government the necessity of 

 immediately taking measures for the speedy and final 

 settlement of these titles upon principles of equity and 

 justice. This is absolutely essential for the peace 

 and prosperity of the country. 



For information connected with this subject, I beg 

 leave to call attention, to the report of Captain Hal- 

 leck, Secretary of State for California, which was 

 forwarded to Washington by my predecessor, in the 

 early part of April last. 



Before leaving Monterey I heard numerous rumors 

 of irregularities and crimes among those working in 

 the placers; but, on visiting the mining regions, I 

 was agreeably surprised to learn that every thing was 

 quite the reverse from what had been represented, 

 and that order and regularity were preserved through- 

 out almost the entire extent of the mineral districts. 

 In each little settlement, or tented town, the miners 

 have elected their local alcaldes and constables, whose 

 judicial decisions and official acts are sustained by the 

 people, and enforced with much regularity and energy. 

 It is true, that in a few instances certain local ques- 

 tions have produced temporary excitements and diffi- 

 culties, but none of these have been of a very important 

 character, or led to serious results. Alcaldes have 

 probably in some cases, and under peculiar circum- 

 stances, exercised judicial powers which were never 

 conferred upon them by law ; but the general result 

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