USA > California > Alameda County > The centennial year book of Alameda County, California : containing a summary of the discovery and settlement of California, a description of the Contra Costa under Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, biographical sketches of prominent pioneers and public men > Part 40
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At a meeting of the Council held on the 24th of April the Ordi- nance and Judiciary Committee finally reported, refusing the franchise to the Contra Costa Company, assigning as reasons: first, that suffi- cient notice had not been given; and second, that two-thirds of the property-owners along the street had not signed the petition, as re- quired by a former resolution. The report was signed by Messrs. Ford, Miner, and Huntington; and was adopted, with only Sohst voting No. No further effort has since been made to obtain the fran- chise, and the company has not felt justified, in its absence, to further prosecute their enterprise.
General Martin Shuey, a native of Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania, died at his son's residence, Fruit Vale, on the 12th day of February. Deceased was aged ninety years, four months and fourteen days. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and a pioneer of the States of Ohio and Indiana, as well as a resident of this county since 1859, having settled that year in East Oakland. His wife, who was eighty years of age at his demise, survives him. His descendants consist of ele- ven children, twenty-nine grand children, and forty-nine great-grand children, nearly all residing in this State. General Shuey was a devoted member of the Baptist Church.
At the Republican County Convention held April 22d, the follow-
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ing gentlemen were appointed Delegates to State Convention at Sacra- mento, for nominating Presidential Candidates and electors: Ala- meda, Orville W. Ames; Brooklyn, Walter Van Dyke, Hiram Tubbs; Washington, S. I. Marston, E. H. Dyer; Eden, J. B. Mar- lin, M. C. LaGrange; Murray, J. A. Neal, C. J. Stevens; Oakland, J. M. Miner, S. F. Gilcrist, W. W. Crane, Jr., C. B. Rutherford, J. W. Shanklin, John A. Hobart, A. C. Henry, J. W. Pearson, E. Surryhne, F. K. Shattuck.
The following Centennial Fund Collection Committee was appointed at a meeting held in the City Council Chamber, Oakland, April 22d:
Herman Cordes, F. K. Hassinger, W. Graham, B. F. Stillwell, Wm. Sohst, H. Tubbs, W. C. Mason, O. F. Fuller, J. B. Ford, W. Everson, J. W. Pearson, L. Alexander, J. W. Shanklin, D. Hersh- berg, Dr. S. Merritt, L. G. Cole, W. W. Camron, Wm. Searing, J. M. Cronin, W. H. Higby, O. H. Burnham, W. A. Walters, J. Green- hood, A. C. Henry, E. C. Sessions, B. F. Mann, Israel Knox, J. M. Walker, F. J. Brearty, M. de la Montanya, George C. Potter, and D. H. Rand. The Executive Committee consisted of Dr. E. H. Par- dee, J. B. McChesney and J. M. Miner. Their labors did not prove a very great gain to the fund, as their report showed.
An Act of incorporation having been passed in favor of the town of Haywards, by the Legislature of the State, the citizens held a meeting on the 28th day of April to prepare for electing their town officers, when resolutions were passed in favor of preserving the streets at their original width, and retaining all property then belong- ing to the town, according to a map made by William Castro, and filed for record in 1856. Candidates for office were desired to make known their views on the street question and saloon license-whether the latter should be high or low.
William Hillegas, a pioneer of Berkeley and Oakland, died at his residence, near Berkeley, April 26th. Deceased was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1827. He arrived in California, via the Isthmus, in August, 1849. Early in 1850 he associated him- self in business with F. K. Shattuck, and formed a partnership that continued to exist till the day of his death. In 1851 Messrs. Shat- tuck & Hillegas established themselves in the hamlet then known as Contra Costa, and subsequently incorporated as the town of Oakland. Here deceased amassed a handsome fortune, and built himself a handsome residence in the locality since become well known through- out the State as Berkeley-the seat of the State University. Mr.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Hillegas, with his partner Mr. Shattuck, carried on successfully the business of livery-keeping, farming and coal mining. In all his bus- iness and social relations Mr. Hillegas was fortunate and happy. The society of California Pioneers, of which he was a member, passed resolutions of regret and condolence, and attended his funeral in a body.
Joseph Becht, an old resident of Oakland, and, at the time of his demise, County Treasurer, died at his residence in that city, on Sun- day, May 7th, aged 47 years and 18 days. He suffered a long and painful illness. Deceased came to California in the month of March, 1850. He settled in Oakland in 1859. He was a native of Bavaria. During the Hecker revolution, in 1849, he came to America to escape conscription. As soon as he had attained his majority he became naturalized, and up to his death he took an active interest in public affairs. Mr. Becht was a public-spirited citizen ; was a mem- ber of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Druids, and Red Men's Associa- tions. He was a steadfast member of the Democratic party, and took an active part in every movement for the benefit of the town, and his personal popularity was very great.
Rev. R. F. Parshall, formerly pastor of the Baptist Church in Oakland, brought an action for slander against one P. H. Sumner, in the Third District Court, and got a verdict for $30,000. The his- tory of this case reveals one of the darkest conspiracies and deep-laid pieces of villainy to injure an innocent man that was ever brought to light. Some time previous the defendant's character and conduct had been publicly exposed, and he suddenly left California for the East. An effort to bring him back to justice failed.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held May 15th, Chas. E. Palmer, late Deputy County Treasurer, was appointed County Treasurer in place of the late Joseph Becht. Mr. Palmer was the Republican candidate opposed to Mr. Becht at the general election. The Treasurer is also Tax Collector. The security bonds required for the former office amount to $200,000, and for the latter, $100,000.
At the Democratic County Convention, held May 21st, in Oak- land, to appoint delegates to the State Convention at San Francisco, the following delegates were appointed : Oakland-J. West Martin, M. V. O'Brien, Theo. Bagge, P. Duffy. Brooklyn-L. Wintringer, Walter Turnbull. Eden-Joseph Demont, John Kauffman. Mur- ray-F. J. Clark, J. F. Black. Washington-Henry Smith, Dr. S. G. Buteau. Alameda-H. H. Haight.
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The following were elected a County Central Committee : Newton Ingram, Murray ; Capt. E. Hackett, J. W. Thurman, Oakland ; Joseph Demont, Eden ; H. E. Wilcox, Brooklyn ; Michael Rogan, Washington ; R. H. Magill, Alameda. Capt. Hackett was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Wilcox, Secretary.
The Republican State. Convention selected E. H. Dyer, of Alva- rado, as one of the delegates to the National Convention at Cincin- nati ; and the Democratic Convention appointed Col. John C. Hays, of Oakland, one of the delegates to represent them at St. Louis.
One of the most lamentable personal events that ever occurred in Oakland, was the suicide of Benjamin F. Ferris, by drowning, in the Sacramento river, about 4 o'clock on the morning of the 20th of May. He had taken passage in the steamer Amador, at San Fran- cisco, the previous afternoon, and when the boat was near Sacra- mento, in the vicinity of what is known as the Chicory Ranch, he threw himself overboard and was drowned. His remains were found in due course and conveyed to Oakland. Deceased was Mayor of the city in 1865, and was Justice of the Peace for several years. He was frequently a member of the City Council, and was one of the founders and the first President of the First National Gold Bank of Oakland. The cause of the rash act was temporary insanity, caused by financial embarrassment.
An anti-Chinese mass meeting was held in Oakland on the even- ing of the 27th of May. It was under the auspices of the Oakland Anti-Coolie Club ; was held in front of the City Hall, and was addressed by E. J. Kelley, the President of the club, Gen. A. M. Winn, Hon. T. P. Ryan and Dr. O'Donnell, of San Francisco, and others. A large number of persons signed the roll of the club, and memorial to Congress, praying for relief from Coolie immigration, was adopted. Also, a series of resolutions. This was the second mass meeting of a similar character.
The great event of interest in the month of June, was the wonder- ul trip of the lightning train, chartered by the New York theatrical nanagers, Messrs. Jarrett & Palmer, to convey their company, with Lawrence Barrett as star, from New York to San Francisco, in the hortest possible time. The train started from Jersey City, opposite New York, at one o'clock on Thursday morning, the 1st of June, nd crossed Broadway, Oakland, at twenty-two minutes past nine 'clock, on Sunday morning, the 4th day of June. The actual ime occupied in making this unprecedented trip between Jersey
28
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
City and Oakland Wharf was 83 hours 39 minutes and 16 seconds. People were out, lining the front streets of the city, from early morn. ing, looking out for the fast train, which dashed through Oakland at the rate of 50 miles an hour. Cheer after cheer greeted it at every station in Alameda County. This unprecedented journey was looked upon as the greatest railroad feat ever performed.
One of the notable deaths of this year was that of James S. La tham, a pioneer citizen of the State, and a prominent resident of Oakland. News of his death was received in Oakland on the 12th of June, having been telegraphed from Queenstown, Ireland. "Mr. Latham, at the time of his death, was on an ocean voyage, visiting Europe for the benefit of his health, accompanied by his wife. He was forty-four years of age, a native of Ohio, and brother of Milton S. Latham, one of the early governors of the State. He was a mar of wealth, and possessed one of the finest mansions in Oakland. He was a genial and hospitable gentleman, but had lately been suffering much from ill health.
The first Republican meeting of the presidential campaign took place in Oakland on the 19th of June, to ratify the nomination of Hayes and Wheeler. It was held in the open air, in front of the Transcript office, on Broadway. Hon. E. H. Pardee, Mayor of Oak land, acted as president, and the meeting was addressed by S. F Gilerist, Hon. A. C. Henry, D. L. Emerson, Charles N. Fox, L. L Alexander, Henry Vrooman and Hon. J. E. Benton. There was much unanimity shown and satisfaction expressed with the nomina tion.
The Democrats held their first campaign mass meeting on the eve- ning of the 15th of July, when they ratified the nomination of Tilder and Hendricks. Hon. John A. Stanley was president of the meeting The speakers were Judge Robert Ferral and R. W. Clarken, of Sar Francisco, Judge Lamar and Hon. Theodore Bagge, of Oakland.
The Democratic State Convention, to select candidates for Presi dential Electors, was held in San Francisco July 26th, when T. F Bagge, of Alameda, was chosen an alternate elector for the Second Distriet.
One of the most noted bigamists ever known turned up in East Oakland, on the 24th of July, in the person of Henry D. Wakefield who was arrested on a charge of bigamy, on the complaints of two of his recent wives, Emma Graebe and Mary J. Hall, and tried for the alleged offense, when it was proved that he was the husband of
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no less than eight wives, all living. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in San Quentin.
The first section of the Berkeley or Bay Shore Railroad was inau- gurated on the 27th of July, the distance being two miles, from Oak- land Point to the Willows.
At the Republican County Convention, held in Oakland, August 7th, for the selection of delegates to the State Convention at San Francisco, for the nomination of Presidential Electors and a Congress- man for the Second Senatorial District, nineteen delegates were appointed. Resolutions were passed-one pledging 1,500 Republican majority for Hayes and Wheeler; and one endorsing the Hon. Frank Page for re-election to Congress for the Second District. The follow- ing Central Committee was appointed: Oakland, Dr. L. H. Cary, A. W. Collins, W. S. Pelouse, J. J. Porter; Alameda, J. T. McLean ; Brooklyn, W. C. Mason; Eden, C. W. Hathaway; Murray, C. J. Stevens; Washington, J. P. Chamberlain.
Joseph M. Dillon, City Assessor, completed and presented his As- sessment Roll for 1876, in the Clerk's Office, on the 7th day of August. It footed up $22,000,000. Mr. Dillon's first assessment of the city of Oakland, made in 1863, amounted to $240,000, quite a contrast in thirteen years time.
The new City Directory of D. M. Bishop & Co., published August 8th, contained 10,260 names. The number of houses was set down at 3,413, and the population estimated at 35,910.
At the Republican State Convention, held August 9th, in San Francisco, John B. Felton, of Oakland, was chosen Presidential Elector for the Second District; and N. W. Spaulding, one of the State Central Committee, and F. K. Shattuck, one of the Executive Committee.
The building of the new wharf at the foot of Broadway, and the construction of the slip, some months in progress, having been com- pleted, the Creek route was re-opened to freight and passengers on the Ist of July, when the rebuilt steamer Capitol, belonging to the Central Pacific Railroad Company, commenced to make regular trips between Oakland and San Francisco, making four trips each way each day. By this route has since been conveyed express wagons, carriages, etc. The rate of passage is the same as by the Point route, and commutation tickets are received just the same. This event was looked forward to with a good deal of interest, especially by the residents of the lower end of the city. The small progress
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
made in dredging the bar, however, was a hindrance to the popularity of the route, as the boat was unable to make her trips as regularly and rapidly as she does now.
THE CENTENNIAL FESTIVITIES.
On the evening of the first of July a grand Centennial Charity Ball was given, in Tubbs' Hotel, East Oakland, under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid Society, of Oakland, which was largely and fashionably attended.
The Centennial festivities were very generally observed throughout the county. Nearly every town and hamlet held its celebration. The attractions of four days' festivities in San Francisco, drew the people over there from Oakland, and consequently the celebration here was not on as extensive a scale as would otherwise be the case. The people of the First Ward, however, did themselves much credit, on account of the spirited manner in which they behaved by getting up a very creditable celebration in their section of the city.
They erected a splendid arch at Centre-street Station, crossing Railroad Avenue, under which all the local trains passed for several days. On the evening of the 3d of July there was a grand display of fire-works on the vacant ground between Seventh and Eighth Streets, on Chester. A stand was erected on the latter street, where literary exercises took place, and in which some of our most talented citizens participated ; and the whole concluded with a ball, in Kohler's Hall. The scene was grand and inspiring, and the attendance very large. Every house was decorated with flags and evergreens ; brilliant colors illumined the sky, and martial music rent the air, while bon- fires blazed along the streets. The morning of the auspicious Fourth was ushered in with the ringing of bells, the screaming of locomo- tives and other exhibitions of the general joy.
During Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the first, second, third and fourth days of July, general business was suspended, and only such traffic as the occasion required was carried on. Broadway in Oakland was greatly thronged during the festivities ; stands for the sale of fire-works were erected at intervals along the street, and the noise and display of pyrotechnics was constant. But one serious accident is known to have occurred in Oakland. This happened to a young man named George Maloon, who had his left hand blown off just above the wrist, while firing off a morning salute with a cannon, near the corner of Broadway and Fourteenth Street. The accident
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was caused by a premature explosion. The brave young fellow stood his sufferings nobly. He was taken to the City Hall, where Drs. Bradway and Rielay dressed his wounds. He is now following his usual avocations.
THE EXERCISES.
The stand was illuminated by Centennial lanterns and draped in the national colors. The exercises commenced with music by Hazel- ton's Band, after which Hon. William Van Voorhies, President of the Day, called the meeting to order in a short, felicitous speech, full of fire and patriotism, which awoke the slumbering spirit of Seventy- Six in the hearts of the gathered masses, and elicited frequent and hearty applause.
The Declaration of the Independence of the United States was read by Dewitt C. Lawrence, editor of the " West Oakland Press," in excellent style. F. M. Campbell, City Superintendent of Public Schools, read " Drake's Address to the American Flag" with thrill- ing effect. A. W. Bishop, editor of the Oakland Transcript, read a lengthy and excellent original poem ; Robert L. McKee, son of Judge Sam. Bell McKee, delivered a fine and spirited oration. After this came the fireworks, and then the ball and supper. Everything went off happily and harmoniously. There was no political distinction ob- served nor preference made, and the people of the west ward had good reason to be proud of their superb celebration.
In the month of September the Southern Pacific Railroad was completed from Oakland to Los Angeles and opened to traffic.
The following acts, affecting the city of Oakland and Alameda County, were passed by the Legislature of this year, and have be- come laws in force :
An Act to provide for the payment of certain indebtedness in- curred by the Directors of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum.
An Act entitled an Act to district the city of Oakland into wards.
An Act to fix the time for holding municipal elections in the city of Oakland.
An Act to authorize the Trustees of the First Congregational Re- ligious Society of Oakland to convey certain real estate belonging to said Society in the Township of Oakland and County of Alameda.
An Act to regulate fees in the County of Alameda.
An Act to fix the salary of the Superintendent of Public Schools of the city of Oakland, and to limit the powers of the Board of Edu- cation of said city.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
An Act to fix the salary of the Assessor for the city of Oakland.
An Act requiring the Common Council of the City of Oakland and the Trustees of the Town of Alameda to pay the claim of N. W. Spaulding, for painting the Webster-street bridge, with interest thereon.
An Act to incorporate the Town of Hayward.
An Act to repeal an Act to exempt firemen in Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Alameda and Siskiyou Coun- ties from the payment of poll-tax.
An Act to amend an Act entitled an Act to authorize the City Council of the City of Oakland to improve the streets, lanes, alleys, courts, and places in the said city.
An act to authorize the County Clerk of Alameda County to em- ploy two additional deputies.
An Act supplemental and amendatory of an Act entitled “ An Act to incorporate the Town of Alameda," and an Act amendatory of said Act, approved March 7, 1872; and March 18, 1874.
An Act to provide for opening streets in the Town of Alameda.
An Act to provide for the opening of streets in the City of Oak- land.
An Act to authorize the City Council of the City of Oakland, Ala- meda County, to grant certain privileges to the Alameda, Oakland and Piedmont Railroad Company.
An Act supplemental to an Act entitled an Act to amend an Act to incorporate the City of Oakland.
An Act to appropriate one hundred and ten thousand dollars for the construction of a building for the California Institution for the Edu- cation of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind.
An Act to provide for the first election in the Town of Haywards.
An Act to authorize the City of Oakland to construct a bridge across the estuary of San Antonio, between Eighth Street and East Ninth Street.
An Act to provide for a supply of water for the University and for the Asylum of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind.
An Act to facilitate the construction of a canal for the improve- ment of Oakland harbor.
An Act to authorize the City of Oakland to construct main sewers.
An Act to incorporate the Town of Livermore, Alameda County.
Concurrent and Joint Resolution concerning an additional appro- priation from Congress for the improvement of Oakland harbor.
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UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
THE DAILY
EVENING TRIBUNE
IS THE
LEADING NEWSPAPER
IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
It has more than double the circulation of any other paper published in Alameda County.
It is the only paper in Oakland that receives and publishes the Associated Press Dispatches simultaneously with the San Francisco dailies.
It publishes the latest, fullest and most reliable local reports.
Its editorials are written by the best talent in the State, and its news departments are always full and complete.
It contains a daily epitome of the news of the world.
As an Advertising medium, the TRIBUNE has no equal in Alameda County.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
One Year $6.00
Six Months 4.00
Three Months 2.50
Served by Carriers at 15 cents per Week. R
TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
WM. E. DARGIE, MANAGER.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
LEWIS GREENBAUM. SAMUEL HIRSHBERG.
HIRSHBERG & GREENBAUM,
DEALERS IN
Clothing and Furnishing Goods 871 BROADWAY,
Between Seventh and Eighth Sts., OAKLAND.
A LARGE ASSORTMENT, and the LOWEST PRICES.
THE CALIFORNIA
BRIDGE AND BUILDING COMPANY OFFICE, S. W. CORNER OF SECOND AND GROVE STREETS, OAKLAND.
ALFRED W. BURRELL, President.
F. E. COTTON, Superintendent.
GEO. E. FARWELL. D. S. HIRSHBERG. FARWELL & HIRSHBERG, -DEALERS IN-
GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS, TRUNKS VALISES, ETC. 1103 BROADWAY, bet. Twelfth & Thirteenth Sts. OAKLAND, CAL.
J.W.ORR N.Y.
VIEW OF THE CONTRA COSTA FROM SAN FRANCISCO, WITH MOUNT DIABLO IN THE DISTANCE, IN 1849.
PE
VIEW OF OAKLAND FROM BROADWAY WHARF, IN 1852.
441
OAKLAND CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
OAKLAND CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Spanish Discovery of the Contra Costa-The Grant to Don Luis Peralia-His Sons the First Settlers-Neither Indians nor Squat- ters to Dispute Their Possession-The First American Visitors- Narrative of a Man who Wanted to Buy Oakland-First Actual Settlement at Clinton-The Patten Brothers-Moses Chase-The Redwoods Visited-The Town of Clinton Laid Out-Moon, Car- pentier and Adams Appear Upon the Scene-Other Squatters Fol- low-Outrages Upon the Owners of the Soil-Stealing Land, Killing Cattle and Cutting Timber-An Expedition to Eject the Trespassers Ends in Failure-Smooth but Deceptive Talk-A Town Laid Out and Fraudulently Incorporated - The Water Front Dishonestly Bartered Away to Carpentier-The Town Pur- chased by John Clar, who Associates with him Burra, Irving, Hayes and Caperton-Other Associates Purchase the " Temescal" Lands of Vincente Peralta-Domingo also Sells-Chas. Minturn Starts the Creek Ferry-Oakland College School Commenced- Incorporated as a City-Carpentier First Mayor-An Anti-Car- pentier Council Elected, and the Water-Front Litigation Com- menced-Opening of the Creek-Opposition Line of Steamers- Terminus of the Trans-Continental Railroad-Compromise of the Water-Front Litigation-Who Own the Water-Front-The Clouds on Property Dispelled-The State University Secured-Popula- tion in 1860, 1870 and 1876-Compared with Brooklyn, N. Y. -Great Enhancement of Real Estate Values-Never had a Set- Back from the Elements-Advantages and Facilities-Beauty of Location-Charming Scenery-Ornamentation-Oakland Har- bor-The Northern Limits, and Berkeley.
The Spanish discovery of the Contra Costa dates from November 2d, 1769, when, according to General Vallejo's Centennial Address, a party of hunters, belonging to Portala's land expedition, crossed
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
the San Mateo mountains from the coast, and, for the first time, beheld the beauteous vision of the Bay, and, with admiring gaze, surveyed the Contra Costa from the Punta del Cerro to San Antonio Creek. According to the same authority, a land expedition, headed by Pedro Fages and Father Crespi, soon after passed by the Oak Grove Encinal, on the way from Monterey, via San Pablo and Mar- tinez, to the San Joaquin. This would give the priority of appear- ance on our soil to the latter, instead of Moraga-for whom we have it already claimed-making a difference of about four years in favor of the former.
There is no knowledge of any one settling on our soil prior to 1820. In that year, Don Luis Peralta, a Spanish soldier, who had put in about forty years of service, and was long attached to the Presidio of San Francisco, applied for a grant of land from the Spanish Government, and got it. He claimed it upon the Contra Costa, and in due time secured a tract "commencing at the 'deep creek of San Leandro,' about eight leagues from the Mission of San José, or in a northerly or northwesterly direction along the coast, and from that to a hill adjoining the sea-beach, along the coast in the same course, containing about four or five leagues of land"-a most fortunate selection. But that princely grant was not then con- sidered of any great prospective value, although it embraced the pre- sent townships of Alameda, Brooklyn and Oakland within its ample dimensions. It was easily taken possession of, for there were then no Indians nor squatters to dispute his right and enjoyment, except- ing, perhaps, the Fathers of the Mission of San Francisco, on whose pastureage he was deemed to have somewhat encroached in the direc- tion of San Pablo.
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