1850 American Gold Tycoon

Chapter 85
"But these lands were also promised to us by Congress. We early American immigrants made great contributions to the United States in the war. Without the information we provided, the American army would not have defeated the Mexican army so easily."

Jim said indignantly that he hadn't forgotten to tear off his shirt to reveal the scar on his shoulder.

"This is proof that I shed my blood for America!"

"Now Congress is taking back our land, which is crossing the river and demolishing bridges!" Sutter also agreed, "Texas, New Mexico, and Utah also have land-grants from the Mexican government. If you want to take back the land-grants from the Mexican government, there is no way Justification for recovering land in California only."

The old immigrants were very angry about this. Some of them not only provided intelligence to the American army, but some even directly took up arms and participated in battles.

"Congress makes the laws, and Congress has the power to change the laws. There is gold buried in the land of California. That alone is reason enough for Congress to change the laws. Those are John's words, gentlemen."

Liang Yao imitated John's tone and attitude at that time.

"Mr. Liang, what suggestion do you have, we want to hear your opinion."

Deputy police chief Cai Mingsheng said.

Of the Chinese representatives attending the meeting, only a few early immigrants had mastered English proficiently.

Most of the remaining Chinese representatives have extremely limited English proficiency, only some daily expressions and simple words.Their listening level is not enough to fully understand the content of the meeting.

They mostly guessed what they probably said through the demeanor, expression, and body language of the spokesperson.

But this is not important to them, no matter what the outcome of this meeting is, they will unconditionally stand by Liang Yao's side.

Liang Yao is their food and clothing parents in California, their backbone, and they also believe that Liang Yao's choice is right.

"Everyone has two choices." Liang Yao said slowly.

"The first option is to surrender. It is undeniable that the consortium in the east has a congress to back them up. They are very powerful. They hand over their land and gold, and they live by them.

If you are lucky, you can find a gold panning job with them to support your family, but the gold that is panned out from the land has nothing to do with us, and it will all flow into their pockets. "

"What bastard talk! We were the first to discover this gold!"

"California boys never give up!"

"Whoever wants to steal my gold, I will fight him desperately!"

Emotions were running high among the committee delegates, and no one was willing to accept the option, either for dignity or interest.

And this was exactly what Liang Yao wanted to see.

Liang Yao stood up and suddenly raised his voice.

"The second option, fight to the end for our gold and bright future! Let our voices be heard thousands of miles away in Congress!
Of course, this is a difficult road, and we will face pressure from all sides together, as well as unexpected difficulties, and even threats from the military.

But I'm ready to fight!

Mr. Vanderbilt will lobby the farmers and planters of Texas to support us.

I have also sent people to the Utah area, Nevada area, and New Mexico area to tell them the news.

Congress dares to take back California's legal land today, and tomorrow it dares to take back their Mexican government land grants.

The eastern consortium is a bunch of greedy ghosts with insatiable desires.

In short, we are not alone! "

"Choosing to defend our land and our gold, of course! California is California for Californians."

Sartre, an artilleryman with a hot temper, spoke bluntly.

"If the army dares to step into my territory and illegally occupy my private property, I dare to shoot and blow them to pieces! Until they get out of my territory!"

"I'm with you! My old man! I'll kill these bastards like I killed the Mexican soldiers!" Jim echoed.

"I don't think things will develop to this point, but if the Congress flagrantly violates the constitution, usurps our private property, and tramples on our dignity, I will not sit still. All the employees of the Boston company will also take up arms and fight to the end. .”

Compared with Sartre, Robinson's statement is relatively mild, but their goals are the same.

The views of other gold mining companies are similar to those of Robinson, but they are not as radical as those early immigrants represented by Sartre.

Chinese representatives also expressed their stance to stand on Liang Yao's side.

"Very well, I will fight with everyone. I will send more guards to the Sacramento area to defend our gold and land. Whether it is John or other people from the Eastern Consortium who set foot in the gold-producing area of ​​​​the Sacramento area, I am absolutely welcome .”

Liang Yao made his final statement.

After the meeting, Sutter came to find Liang Yao in private.

"I want to tell you that my land, and the land I sold to you, are not only land grants from the Mexican government, but also land recognized by the American government." Sartre said to Liang Yao.

"Is there any land recognized by the American government?"

This was an unexpected surprise for Liang Yao.

"The gold was first found 64 kilometers from my territory, which is an uninhabited land on the edge of the Sierra Nevada.

At that time, the United States and Mexico were still at war, so I wrote to the commander of California, Colonel Mason, hoping that he would recognize the ownership of the land. "

As he spoke, Sartre took out a letter from his pocket, which was Colonel Mason's reply to Sartre.

The content of the reply letter is also very simple: Mr. Sartre, given that there is no one living within the 64 kilometers nearby, you will not be accused of illegally invading other people's land, and I personally acknowledge your ownership of this land.

It was signed by Colonel Mason, the commander of California, and the rest of the letter was Mason's personal doubts about whether a huge amount of gold was buried in California.

"Just this letter doesn't explain much."

After reading the letter, Liang Yao felt a little disappointed.

"I thought so too at the time. After all, there was gold buried under these lands. I was worried, so I visited Colonel Mason personally and gave Colonel Mason some natural gold nuggets. The biggest nuggets were as big as a fist!"

"Let's focus, Mr. Sartre." Liang Yao said.

"Don't worry, the next thing is the important point. Colonel Mason is a celebrity in Ohio and Kentucky. He and the local congressmen are very good friends. Therefore, part of my land has legal procedures of the United States, and even the seal of Congress!" Sartre said with some pride, "Fortunately, I saved a hand at that time."

"How has Congress so hastily recognized your title to these lands?"

Liang Yao was very surprised. If it was true as Sartre said, part of the land in California had the legal procedures of the United States.

If Congress wants to take back the land in California, the situation is not just as simple as taking back the land granted by the Mexican government.

"No one believed there was so much gold in California at the time except Colonel Mason, and even Colonel Mason's friends thought he was a complete lunatic," Sutter said.

"If that fellow Brannan hadn't spread the word that there's gold in California, there wouldn't be such gold diggers in California now."

"Sutter, thank you very much, I think this is a very useful information."

Liang Yao went back to his study and found out his land deeds, most of which were written in Spanish.

After searching, he finally found some land deeds and procedures written in English, and there was indeed the seal of the Congress on it.

Liang Yao carefully selected a few copies, stuffed them into an envelope, and sent a courier to send this special envelope to Fremont and Gwen in Washington.Hope it helps them.

(End of this chapter)