Gray Letters 1866 09 17

Letter

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Museum of History Benicia

The handwritten letter, dated September 7, 1866, is addressed to Mr. Samuel C. Gray and discusses land claims in Public Lands of California. The author expresses satisfaction with the confirmation of the settlement related to state public land selections and the removal of doubts about the title to the Suscol Ranch. The letter mentions that this land issue had been a concern, but the official confirmation and Congressional approval are reassuring.

The handwritten letter, dated September 7, 1866, is addressed to Mr. Samuel C. Gray and discusses land claims in Public Lands of California. The author expresses satisfaction with the confirmation of the settlement related to state public land selections and the removal of doubts about the title to the Suscol Ranch. The letter mentions that this land issue had been a concern, but the official confirmation and Congressional approval are reassuring.

Name/Title

Gray Letters 1866 09 17

Entry/Object ID

2024.10.1.122

Description

This is a letter from Edward Crocker to Samuel C Gray dated 09/17/1866. The first part of the letter talks about the settlement of the Suscol Ranch question. This was a legal decision which declared that the land purchased in the Suscol Land Grant owned by General Vallejo was not valid. This opened up the land to squatters who claimed sections under an 1841 pre-emption law. This final decision declared those claims invalid and allowed the original landowners the right to buy back their land claims. In the letter it highlights that the Congressional ruling also made valid lands covered by School Land Warrants. They assume this applies to the Hooper Ranch which is a property that Gray and Crocker have money invested. Near the end of the letter Mr. Crocker discusses the difference between Naturalization and "Seaman's Protection". The latter term has to do with ships being required to sail with 1/3rd of their crew being citizens. To this end some seamen were sworn as being citizens and "protected" even though they were not legally naturalized.

Collection

Benicia Historical Museum Collection

Letter Details

Letter Date

Sep 17, 1866