By the first of January, 1852, the so-called settlers, under
pretense of pre-emption claims, had appropriated all Sutter's lands
capable of settlement or appropriation, and had stolen all of his
horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and hogs, except a small portion used and
sold by himself."
"There was no law to prevent this stupendous robbery; but when law was
established, then came lawyers with it to advocate the squatters'
pretensions, although there were none from any part of Christendom who
had not heard of Sutter's grants, the peaceful and just possession of
which he had enjoyed for ten years, and his improvements were visible to
all."
"Sutter's efforts to maintain his rights, and save even enough of his
property to give him an economical, comfortable living, constitute a sad
history, one that would of itself fill a volume of painful interest. In
these efforts he became involved in continuous and expensive litigation,
which was not terminated till the final decision of the Supreme Court in
1858-59, a period of ten years. When the United States Court of Land
Commissioners was organized in California, Sutter's grants came up in
due course for confirmation. These were the grant of eleven leagues,
known as New Helvetia, and the grant of twenty-two leagues, known as the
Sobrante.
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