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Show 298 PERSONAL ADVENTURES sive of consequences, expressed themselves in favour of leaving, but the fourth persuaded them to stay. When the Yankees came round to drive them off, this man said that he had been eleven years a resident of the United States, and that he would not budge a step, as he considered himself as good a citizen as any in the " diggins." They might shoot him, or do with him as they pleased, but he was determined not to leave. This exhibition of spirit, on his part, was duly appreciated, and the party were allowed to re1nain. During all the subsequent disturbances, in various parts of the mining districts, there was a wide distinction made between the Europeans gene· rally, and persons tinctured with Spanish blood ; a strong proof that, notwithstanding our complete triumph over the Mexicans in the late war, and the return of peace, a feel· ing of bitter prejudice and animosity still existed. ·when it is considered, however, that from these Spanish races came an im· mense majority of the foreigners in the country, who interfered more particularly with the • IN CALIFORNIA. 299 interests of American citizens, it is not by any means astonishing that these sentiments should have revived in all their force, and been the occasion of much suffering, and, in some subsequent instances, of bloodshed. The Alta-Californians themselves, who are entitled, as natives of that portion of the country ceded by treaty to the United States, to a participation in all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the Americans, were greatly injured by this harsh yet necessary measure. Indeed, I have heard many of them say that they had been deterred from going to the mines by the apprehension that they would be mistaken for Chilians, and their lives and property sacrificed .. The Indiai1s occasionally gave great annoy ·ance to the miners, both Americans and Spaniards. I have been assured, I know not with what truth, that their hatred of the latter is far greater, owing to the persecution they had suffered at their bands. But they inflicted some dreadful outrages upon the former, on various occasions. On the Middle |