The Journal of San Diego History - San Diego History Center

Charles C. Painter
Mesa Grande ©SDHS #86: 15752-46. Photo by E.H. Davis.
man, wanted the Indians to take a herd of cattle and have half the increase for
taking care of it. The Captain would not consent. He then went off by himself and
took a small herd of goats which his boy was herding for half the increase, while
he worked out for a white man. The Captain then thought he would take some
cattle on the same terms and demanded that Juaquin [sic] should put off the goats,
and would have had him flogged when he refused but for the man for whom he
was working. He came to see me, and when I explained the severality bill to him,
he went away full of hope that there would at least be a chance for him.
I have since then pondered very seriously some most patent facts. Suppose
we gain the cases as against the owners of these grants, and maintain their right
to occupy the lands on which the Indians live who are on these. In the first place
the amount of land is small; Second, it is for the most part well worn; third, it is
hemmed in by the agent; fourth, they can have only a title of occupancy, which
will inevitable lapse through removals and deaths; fifth, it is a tribal title so far as it
is a title, and perpetuates the tribal relation. 59
I wish you would ponder these several propositions and see what you make of
them.
The school house, I said, is new; if it was not paralleled by some others I have
seen out here, I would only say unique. It stands on a steep hill-side; one side of the
roof is much longer than the other; the seats for the children are two long benches
extending along the wall at one side, out one end, without back or desk. The school
supplies are equal to those accommodations. It makes one ashamed of the Government
when he sees such an outfit for the educational work it has undertaken for
these people.
One of our horses had the misfortune to break his shoe and so injure his hoof
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