168 ELDORADO 



raised the bed of the streams into which they flowed, 

 impeding, to some extent, the navigation of the Sacra- 

 mento river to its mouth at the bay of San Francisco. 

 Many ranches and orchards were destroyed along the 

 foothihs bordering the streams. The mming and val- 

 ley interests thus conflicting, inspired considerable leg- 

 islation and litigation, and the difficulties were finally 

 partially set at rest by requiring the hydraulic miner to 

 impound the loose earth before it could reach the 

 valley. 



I was caught in Sacramento in the great overflow 

 in January, '52, when all the inhabitants were com- 

 pelled to seek safety in flight, or in the second story 

 of their buildings. A temporary levee had been 

 thrown up along the south bank of the American river, 

 that gave way during the night, and when morning 

 dawned the city presented a scene of desolation. Little 

 Whitehall boats from the vessels moored at the landing 

 were plying in all directions, engaged in relieving and 

 saving persons and property. Some of the people 

 were wading about, up to their waists, or arm pits. 

 The water stood from four to six feet deep over the 

 town with the exception of two or three acres that 

 constituted the old Plaza, between I and J and Eighth 

 and Ninth streets. This was occupied by women and • 

 children, cows, pigs, chickens, household goods and 

 the like. Everybody appeared to be in good spirits 

 and treated the matter as a huge joke. The water be- 

 gan to subside in about thirty-six hours, when things 

 soon assumed their normal condition. While it was at 

 flood tide, however, I hired a boatmen to row me three 

 miles to Brighton, past Sutter's fort, where T tonk a 

 conveyance to my ranch on the Consumnes. 



