History of Tulare County, California with biographical sketches, Part 2

Author: W.W. Elliott & Co
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: San Francisco, Cal., W.W. Elliott & co.
Number of Pages: 322


USA > California > Tulare County > History of Tulare County, California with biographical sketches > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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56


Indian Sweat House


127


Mills, R. .


Hanford 170


Fulgham, John J.


182


Willow Point Raneh. 96 King of the Mountains,


126


Manasse, James


Hanford 170


Foster Bros.


96


Washington Big Tree. 146


Monterey in 1846


33


Murphy, C. H.


Visalia 176


Fisher, James.


Zumwalt, James B. 100


Mount Whitney


1:29


Madden, D. W.


Tulare City 163


Giddings, E. .


64


PORTRAITS.


125


Mart n, W. F. .. ...... Grangeville 177


Gray, H. P .. .


160


Creighton, Thomas


84


118


Mickle, R. L. Porter . . . . .. Hanford 190


Grand Cañon


150


Edwards, E. J.


36


Riding through Fallen Tree.


119


Neff, A. D. .. Tulare City 164


Hays, J. C ..


156


Gilroy, L. .


Scene in the Sierras.


136


Osborne, W. T. Camp Badger 176


Hammond, William H.


176


Gilliam, S. M.


135


Pratt, L. A. .


. Tulare City 164


Jefferds, F. G


186


Jordan, John F


Sierra Waterfall.


120


Pogue, J. W. C.


.. Visala 177


Mills, R ...


172


Manasse, James


24


60 MeQuiddy, Thomas J.


36


San Joaquin River by Moonlight


43


Robinson, J. S. .. .. Grangeville 183


Mount Whitney


140


36


State llouse, San Jose, 1849.


Rice, C. F .. . . Visalia 179


Newport, W. J ..


Pogue, J. W. C


Sierra Canon


116


Sanders, A. H.


Hanford 179


Orange Orehard at Plano.


Rhoads, Daniel.


"Twin Sisters


135


Spangler, Daniel . Hanford 191


Pioneer Store


24


Smith, Seth .


Visitors in the Sierras.


128


Shore, J. H. Hanford 189


Pratt, L. A.


Thornton, G. T.


20


Sharp & Co .. Hanford 170


Pennebaker, W. G.


NAME. POST-OFFICE. PAGE.


Stevens & C'o . Visalia 168


Pioneer Farm ..


40


Wright, J. W. A.


20


Barnett, Madison M. .. . Tulare City 182


Tulare Library Assoc'n. . Tulare City 164 Thomson, William . Plano 171


Palace Saloon. .


172


MAPS, CHARTS, ETC.


Brown & Irwin . Hanford 170


Thyarks, George. Hanford 170


Robinson, W. & J.


64 Chart Showing Size of Counties. 76 Creighton, Thomas P. . . .. . Visalia 177 Urton, Jolm S.


Hanford 184


Russell Bros


SS Map of the State


6 Penny, JJ. E. . Visalia 177


Wright, J. W. A. . Hanford 189


Rice, G. F


72 Map of Tulare County


Dewitt & Richardson. . . Tulare City 165


Young, J. W.


Hanford 190


Rodgers, Frank.


60 Map of Kern County.


198 Foster, W. W. . . Grangeville 190 Zumwalt, James B. . ... . Tulare City 166


INDEX TO KERN COUNTY.


HISTORY.


First Trial Jury.


201 | Sage-brush Lands.


203 | McPherson, A. B. (portrait). 202


Agricultural Resources.


206


First Assessment Roll


201 Small Empires


203


Menzies, D. M ...


76


Agricultural Productions. 209


First Irrigating Canals.


219 |Stock Protection Society. 206


Niedcraur, J. .


Alfalfa Culture. ..


210 First Oil Well


214 |Sumuer Village


214 Petersen, N. P.


GS


Aztec Remains


215 First Farming in Kern


199 Tejon Pass


Tracy, F. A.


214


Agricultural Lands. .


19 Great Kern Valley


19 Tehaehepi


214


Tyler, William (portrait)


202


Buena Vista Lake ..


209 Geographical Features


202 Temperance Bunner, Bakersfield.


217


Union Stables. .


194


Bakersfield Deseribed


215 Glennville Described.


214 Table, Showing Canals


Views in Bakersfield.


76


Bank of Kern County.


217


Gazette, Kern County.


217


Tehachepi Valley.


20 Wear, Geo. W


76


Biographical Notices


220


Havilah, the Old County Seat


213 Vote on County Seat Removal 201


Valley in Native State


206


Court House Constructed.


202 Indian Corn Produced.


Views in Kernville.


213


NAME. POST-OFFICE. PAGE.


County Boundary Settlements.


202 Irrigation from Kern River.


218


Various Plans for Irrigation


218


Baker, Thomas. Bakersfield 216


Cotton Cultivation


210 Kern County Organized. Kern Island


203


202


Crocker, J. C .. Bakersfield 220


Cook, William


. Kernville 213


Canals for Irrigation.


219


Kernville Mines


Walker Valley


20 Chittenden Bros ... Sumner 214


County Seat Contest.


201 Kernville Described.


213


Dumble, E. H Bakersfield 222


Descriptions of Villages. 213 Kernville Hotel.


213


Drury, J. S.


. Bakersfield 217


Delano Gold Mines. Elections in Kern County


Large Ranches


203 C'ook, William


68


Fish, H. H.


. Bakersfield 217


Extent of Irrigation


219 "Loop" (The)


215


Californian Office.


194


Fay, Alvin ..


. Kernville 213


Early Mines.


199 List of Canals.


219


Dumble, E. H.


214 Godey, Alexis


Bakersfield 222, 82


Efforts to Remove Court House.


Evans. R. H


6S


Galtes, Paul Bakersfield 217


Early Stock-raising.


207 Means of Communication.


Fish, H. H.


194


Jewett, S


Bakersfield 220


Effects of Irrigation on Soils


219


Mountain Ranges.


20 Godey, Alexis


112


Kinne, George O


Bakersfield 222


Fruit Crops.


209


Newspapers of Bakersfield.


217 Home Ranch


210


Lightner, A. T Bakersfield 221


First Deeds Recorded.


201 Perilous Passage of Kern River.


205 Kinne, Geo. O.


112


McPherson, A. B. . Bakersfield 221


First County Officers.


201 Progress for Ten Years


20S Kernville House


6S


Miller, E. G.


Bakersfield 217


First Tax Levy.


200 | Petroleum Deposits.


212 Kernville Brewery.


6S Niederaur, J .. Bakersfield 221, 217


First Miniug Operations.


199 Population of Kern County .. 20S Lightner, A. T. (portrait)


202


Petersen, N. P.


. Kernville 213


First Settlers on Kern Island. 199


Rivers and Streams. 206 Maude, A. C., Residence 206


Tyler, William.


Bakersfield 221


First Meeting of Supervisors 200 Remains of Aztecs


215 Maude, A. C., Office


94


Walker, J. R Bakersfield 203


First Court House. 200 Size of Kern County


20 | Mattsou, O. O ..


194 |Wear, George W Bakersfield 217


SS


Palaee Ranch


100


Zumwalt, J. B


100


Buckland, Geo. C ..... . Tulare City 165


. Hanford 182 Tome, Samuel. Thornton, G. T Hanford 191


Rhoads, Daniel


160


Railsback, C ...


32 Chart Showing Wind Currents.


6 Cotton, A. T. . Tulare City 166


29


Rhoads, Daniel.


Lemoore 150


Mickle, R. L. P ..


33


Robinson, W. & J .. Hanford 16S


Mussel Slough Stock Farm


202


63 Russell Bros. . . . Plano 171


Neff, A. D.


Osborn, W. T.


108


Simon, Jacob & Co .. Hanford 170


Oakland Ranch.


176


Robinson, J. S.


20)


Twin Falls.


130


Smith, Seth . Visalia 176


Pacific Hotel


Sutter, John A.


Scoggins, A. J Lemoore


Paddock, Oliver


92


Tyler, William


202


182


Urton. J. S


20 Ayers, A. S. Grangeville 1S1


Savage, J. D. . Visalia 90


Plano Views.


Lightner, A. T.


202


San Juan Mission Buildings


108


Sonoma Mission Buildings


20


Spanish Ox-cart


52 Murphy, C. H .. .


Macpherson, A. B


Sutter's Mill.


45


Martin, W. F


28


State Capitol ..


10%


186


Hammond, William H.


108


Sierras as Seen from Hanford.


169 | Paddock, Oliver. Hanford 181


Julian Fruit Farm


32


Native Viewing Scenery.


Gibbons, Deming ..


186


Denny, J. E.


36


Plow of the Native Californians.


31 Malone, J. R.


Hanford 170


Evergreen Farmt.


160


Water Works of Tulare City


22


Kern River Cañon Scene


Foster, W. W


190


Thoustrup, Jul.


32


Blue Canon Falls.


Fox & Sweetland Lemoore 171


Spangler, Daniel.


40 Chart Showing Depth of Well. 112


Chart Showing Canals. 198


WOOD ENGRAVINGS.


140


ffilliam, S. M. . . Porterville 182


Burnett, M. M.


48


56 | Chart Showing Valley. 123


NAME. POST-OFFICE. PAGE.


BIOGRAPHY.


County Government Started


200


Increase in Ten Years


208


200


Water Supply of Kern. Walker's Pass.


218


Borgwardt & McCord .... Bakersfield 217 Beal, E. F. Bakersfield 2203


Caliente Station.


214 Kern River.


208


Californian, Kern County. 217


Kern Lake ..


Wonderful Growth


210


212 Kern Valley Bank.


217 Crocker, J. C. 210


Evans, R. H


. Kernville 213


First Grand Jury.


201


Organization of Kern County.


199 Jewett, S. ...


206


Maude, A. C .. Bakersfield 217


Coal Oil Deposits.


212


204, 20 | Wheat Crop. 209 211


ILLUSTRATIONS.


200 Mines of Kern County. 211, 199 210


208


Baker, J. T. Hanford 170


27 Pennebaker, W. G ..... Farmersville 183


Loyd, J. W.


108 Shagoopah Falls.


Johnson, Seymonr.


164


Mounts Abert, Kaweah, etc.


131 McQuiddy, Thomas J. ..... Hanford 187


60


150


92 Lindsey, Tipton Visalia 104, 157


Natural Bridge ..


20


BIOGRAPHY.


. C.


206


219


HISTORY


-OF


TULARE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.


The Great Tulare Valley.


TULARE has its own independent water system its rivers and lakes with no visible outlet, and a pecul- iar climate, dry, warm, and decid_ edly semi-tropical. It is so far from the ocean, from which come the prevailing winds from the vast reaches of the Pacific, that when they reach it they are modified, and sweep over it in temperate and refreshing breezes.


LOCATION OF TULARE COUNTY.


Tulare County lies in the southern portion of California and in the great San Joaquin Valley, about 200 miles from Stock- ton, and 250 miles from San Francisco. It is between the parallels of about 35° 50' and 36° 40' north latitude. It


extends from the summit of the Sierras to the Coast Range Mountains, a distance of about 100 miles, and is about sixty- five miles in width, embracing a vast fertile valley of about 60x80 miles in extent.


Tulare County is situated in the heart of the greatest productive Valley of California, a little south of the center of the State. It is bounded on the north by Fresno County, on the south by Kern, east by Inyo, and west by Fresno and Monterey, Monterey being the only county between Tulare and the Pacific Ocean.


A GREAT WATER RESERVOIR.


If the Sierra were not clothed with immense forests, nearly the whole valley of the San Joaquin would be worthless. The forests hold back the melting snow. It desolves gradually.


By means of the great firs and pines, the snow lasts all summer. The western slope of the Sierra is the great reser- voir of California. Not only does it supply all the mines on this slope, but it makes the cultivation of all the dry places possible, if ever a system of irrigation can be devised which is not too costly. It is evident that the present method of using water is attended with great waste.


Nothing like half the arable land of Tulare County is irri- gated. The great reservoir of the Sierra holds water enough to irrigate all the plains. Yet the system of appropriating water is so wasteful that they never can be irrigated, save in patches here and there.


The west side of the valley is a level plain with a great amount of good soil, but not well supplied with natural water courses. While the east side is abundant with ever-flowing rivers, having their sources high up in the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.


The east side is watered by the Tule, Kaweah, and King's; Rivers, and several minor streams which are sometimes swollen to the magnitude of rivers.


In the western part of this county we also find Tulare Lake, a body of clear, pure water, of about thirty-five miles in length


20


HISTORY OF TULARE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.


by twenty-two in width, abounding with fish and fowl. Two or three islands of considerable magnitude dot the lake, and are made profitable by raising stock on them.


MUSSEL SLOUGH COUNTRY.


Much has been said about the Mussel Slough country in the western portion of this county, but the "half has not been told," nor is it in the power of language to convey an idea of what there exists. It must be seen to be appreciated. The fertility of the soil, salubrity of the climate, and its adaptability to a wonderful variety of productions are unequaled in the world. A considerable extent of country has been irrigated, and the productiveness of the irrigated lands far exceeded the expec- tations of all. Improvements of various kinds are being made in every direction. It will be but a short time until this section will be in a high state of cultivation and present an appearance of prosperity unequaled in the State. No such thing as fail- ure of crops is ever known, as King's River always carries a vast amount of water. The rapid advancement made by the settlers in this portion of the county, together with their many public enterprises, demonstrates the fact that the desert can be made to blossom as the rose.


CHIEF PRODUCTIONS.


The staple products of the county thus far have been wheat, barley, oats, corn and alfalfa ; while flax, rice, cotton, and to- bacco grow luxuriantly.


Of the fruits the most common are, apple, peach, pear, plams, figs, apricots, and grapes; while enough oranges, lemons, limes' pomegranates, nectarines, almonds, quince, cherries, and berries of almost every name and variety have been raised to demon- strate the fact that they can be produced in great quantities and of a choice quality. Vegetables, such as potatces, cabbage, peas, beans, and of almost every other name for which the appetite of man creates a demand, are raised in great abun- dance.


Many of the semi-tropical fruits, such as oranges, lemons, almonds, olives, etc., grow and flourish finely, and could be made very profitable by proper culture. The finest fruit of any kind grows in the foot-hills; also the earliest vegetables. The valleys farther back in the mountains are narrower and altogether different in climate as they approach the crest.


EXTENT AND RESOURCES.


The natural resources of the soil and climate make it a world in itself, to which a bright future looms up more radiant than any clime over which civilization has coursed its way. The distance from the plains to the crest of the mountains, varies from thirty to six miles on the east side of the valley, the high- est peak being about 15,000 feet. Numerous streams course their way westward from the mountains, their branches run- ning in almost every conceivable direction before entering the plains, forming almost numberless valleys and broken hills, varying in height as the distance in the mountain is penetrated.


The valleys are large and more important nearer the plains, and are remarkably healthy, the climate being somewhat milder than in the broad valleys. They are susceptible of a high state of cultivation.


The large extent, varied resources, and known capabilities of the lands of the valley, give assurance that at an early day it will become densely populated by a prosperous people. The cultivation of the soil will always be the principal industry, yet there are numerous opportunities for the establishment of such others as are required to make a community truly inde- pendent and self-sustaining.


This valley is destined to eventually become one of the most prosperous and favored regions on. the continent. Its vast area, favorable climate, fertile soil, and varied mineral and agricultural resources, must necessarily attract the attention of the immigrant and capitalist, and they will unite to develop its latent wealth. Thus far the great work has been barely com- menced.


Nearly every necessary or luxury required by man can be here produced, and the inhabitants of this valley will have all the advantages of a ready access to the principal markets of the world, either for the disposal of their surplus products, or for the purchase of necessary supplies.


VALUABLE UNCULTIVATED LANDS.


Immense tracts of overflowed land that might be reclaimed and made to produce extraordinary crops of wheat, or which could be devoted to the cultivation of other valuable prod- ucts, are as yet unimproved. Thousands of acres of virgin soil remain uncultivated, although capable of returning rich returns for the labor expended upon them. There is room for a much larger population, and no possibility that the labor market can be overstocked for years to come. Manufactories are required to utilize the various products that are now allowed to go to waste; canals are to be dug for irrigating the arid plains; railroads constructed to furnish cheaper transportation; mines and quarries are to be opened, that their products may be rendered available, and numerous new industries inaugurated in order that the resources of this vast region of country may be fully developed.


Tulare County to-day stands pre-eminent among the coun- ties of California in the productions of her soil. The progress she has made within the last ten years has been marvelous. Its resources are great ; its climate, for the most part, delight- ful; its products are of the best ; its people hospitable and magnanimous; its scenery beautiful; its plains fertile; its mountains rich in timber, stone, and precious metals.


The Southern Pacific Railroad runs through the county from north to south, in about the center of the great product- ive valley, in such a manner as to split into two equal parts. Two branch roads run east and west from near the center of the best part of the county.


This. g. I Quidchy


I.S. Robinson


Www.r. wright


Daniel Rhoude.


Is of Themtón 1


J.J. Urtun.


ELLIOTT & CO. LITH. 42| MONT. ST. S.F.


21


A REVIEW OF THE EARLY HISTORY.


A GLANCE AT EARLY HISTORY.


Before entering more fully upon the history of the county it would seem appropriate to take a glance at the early history of the State, and note a little of its progress during a short decade : including the first establishment, rise and decline of the mis- sions; the rapidity and grandeur of its wonderful rise and pro- gress; the extent of its home and foreign commerce ; the dis- covery and astonishing produce of gold. No county history therefore could be complete unless it included some account of the circumstances which brought each county into existence, and from whence came the men who organized and set the machinery of State and local governments in operation. It would thus be well, then, that posterity should know something of the early history of the State as well as of their own immedi- ate neighborhood; and by placing these scenes upon record they will remain fresh in the minds of the people that otherwise, in the lapse of years, must gradually fade away.


RAPID SETTLEMENT AND PROGRESS.


One hundred years ago-almost within the memory of men now living-but very little of California's soil had been trodden by the foot of civilized inan. Up to the discovery of gold in 1848, it was an afar-off land, even to those on the western bor- der of civilization. School-boys then looked upon their maps and wondered if they might ever be permitted to traverse the " unexplored region " marked thereon. About that time, when Thomas H. Benton said the child was then born that would see a railroad connecting ocean with ocean, most people smiled and thought that the day-dream of the old man had somewhat unsettled his hitherto stalwart intellect. No dream of forty years ago, no matter how bright the colors that may have been placed before the imagination, ever pictured the California of to-day-our own, our loved California.


PACIFIC OCEAN FIRST SEEN.


1513 .- The Pacific Ocean was given to the world by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, who looked down from the heights of Panama upon its placid bosom on the 25th day of September, 1513 the same year in which Mexico was conquered by Hernando Cortez. To Balboa, therefore belongs the credit of first seeing the Pacific Ocean. He, however, supposed it to be the great Southern Ocean. In 1520, Fernando Magellan sailed through the straits that bear his name, and finding the waters so little dis- turbed by the storms, he was induced to give it the name of Pacific Ocean.


DISCOVERY OF CALIFORNIA.


1534 .- Cortez fitted out twoships for discovery of the Pacific Coast. One was commanded by Becarra, who was murdered by his crew, led on by his own pilot Ortun, or Fortuño Zimenes.


Zimenes afterward continued the voyage of discovery, and


appears to have sailed westward across the gulf, and to have touched the peninsula of California. This was in the year 1534. He therefore was the first discoverer of the country.


DISCOVERY OF CAPE MENDOCINO.


1542 .- On the 27th of June, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who had been one of Cortez's pilots, left Navidad, in Mexico, under instructions from Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of Spain, 011 a voyage of discovery. On the 5th of July he landed at Cape St. Lucas, in Lower California, and following the coast, he finally entered the delightful harbor of San Diego, in Upper California, on September 28th. This place he named San Miguel, which was afterwards changed by Viscaiño to that which it now bears.


1543 .- He passed by the Golden Gate and reached latitude +4° on the 10th of March, 1543. The cold became so intense that he headed his ship again for Navidad. Cabrillo landed at Cape Mendocino, which he called Cabo de Fortunas (Cape of Perils), from the dangers encountered in its vicinity. This was February 26, 1543. Whatever discoveries may have been made by this navigator, were followed by no practical results.


SECOND EXPLORING EXPEDITION.


1579 .- The next expedition along the coast seems to have been that of the English buccaneer, Francis Drake, afterwards knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his success in capturing and destroying the rich Spanish ships. There long existed a popu- lar belief that Drake sailed into the harbor of San Francisco. and that the bay was named for him ; but it is now well settled that the bay he entered was that of Tomales, on the coast of Marin County. This once bore the name San Francisco.


This noted English voyager, Sir Francis Drake, sailed along the coast in 1579. It is said his Spanish pilot, Morera, left him in Oregon, and thence found his way overland to Mexico, a distance of 3,500 miles. The name of New Albion was given to the country by Drake, with the evident intention of securing it for the British crown.


On the 22d of July, after repairing his ship and doubtless taking on board a goodly supply of fresh meat and water, Drake set sail for England, going by way of the Cape of Good Hope, and arriving in Plymouth November 3, 1580, having been gone about two years and ten months. He was the first Englishman who circumnavigated the globe, and was the first man who ever made the entire voyage in the same vessel. He was gra- ciously received by Queen Elizabeth, and knighted. She also gave orders for the preservation of his ship, the Golden Hind' that it might remain a monument to his own and his country's glory.


At the end of a century it had to be broken up, owing to decay. Of the sound timber a chair was made, which was presented by Charles II. to the Oxford University.


Sir Francis Drake died on board ship, at Nombre de Dios, in the West Indies, January 28, 1595.


22


A REVIEW OF THE EARLY HISTORY.


DESCRIPTION OF THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.


1579 .- The following is a highly colored description of the natives, as given by Drake: The natives bringing the Admiral (Drake) a present of feathers and cauls of net-work, he enter- tained them so kindly and generously that they were extremely pleased, and soon afterwards they sent him a present of feathers and bags of tobacco. A number of them coming to deliver it, gathered themselves together at the top of a small hill, from the highest point of which one of them harangued the Admiral, whose tent was placed at the bottom. When the speech was ended, they laid down their arms and came down, offering their presents, at the same time returning what the Admiral had given them. The women remaining on the hill, tearing their hair and making dreadful howlings, the Admiral supposed them engaged in making sacrifices, and thereupon ordered divine service to be performed at his tent, at which these people attended with astonishment.


The arrival of the English in California being soon known through the country, two persons in the character of ambassa- dors came to the Admiral and informed him, in the best manner they were able, that the King would visit him, if he might be assured of coming in safety. Being satisfied on this point, a numerous company soon appeared, in front of which was a very comely person, bearing a kind of sceptre, on which hung two crowns, and three chains of great length. The chains were of bones, and the crowns of net-work, curiously wrought with feathers of many colors.


A MAJESTIC INDIAN KING.


Next to the sceptre-bearer came the King, a handsome majestic person, surrounded by a number of tall men, dressed in skins, who were followed by the counnon people, who, to make the grander appearance, had painted their faces of various colors, and all of the', even the children, being loaded with presents.


The inen being drawn up in line of battle, the Admiral stood ready to receive the King within the fences of his tent. The company having halted at a distance, the sceptre-bearer made a speech, half an hour long, at the end of which he began sing- ing and dancing, in which he was followed by the King and all the people, who, continuing to sing and dance, came quite up to the tent; when sitting down, the King took off his crown of feathers, placed it on the Admiral's head, and put on him the other ensigns of royalty; and it is said that he made him a soleinn tender of his whole kingdom; all of which the Admiral accepted in the name of the Queen, his sovereign, in hopes that these proceedings might, one time or other, contribute to the advantage of England.


ATTEMPT TO POSSESS THE COUNTRY.


1602 .- Then there is another silence conce ning this region, of twenty-four years, when Viscaino comes, exploring more carefully, and searching for harbors.


It was not until 1602 that the Spaniards took any actual steps to possess and colonize the continent. In that year Don Sebastian Viscaiño was dispatched by the Viceroy of Mexico, acting under the instructions of his royal master, King Phillip III., on a voyage of search, in three small vessels. He visited various points on the coast, among themn San Diego.


BAY OF MONTEREY FOUND AND NAMED.


1602 .- It is he who finds Monterey Bay. He gets there December 16, 1602. His object was to find a port where the ships coming from the Phillipine Islands to Acapulco, a trade which had then been established some thirty years, might put in, and provide themselves with wood, water, masts, and other things of absolute necessity.




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