Supreme court of the United States. No. 135. The United States, appellants, vs. John A. Sutter. Appeal from the District court U.S. for the Northern district of California.

184 The United States vs. Sutter.
Answer. I heard him say that he claimed under the Sutter title;
this was about a year ago, at his residence on what is generally called
"the Ridge" or "Poverty Hill." I suppose it is in this
247 city. Myself and a friend went to Fowler to buy a tract of
land within the lines described in Sutter's petition; he refused
to sell that particular farm, as he had selected that for his home, but
he offered to sell any other in that neighborhood which he might desire. He mentioned the price the land cost him, but I don't now
recollect the sum; also named somewhat about the boundaries-said
that he claimed beyond the mounds, and in that case he would include my ranch. I then mentioned that I did not believe I was on
the Sutter claim at all. He said I was, but he would compromise, or
there would be no trouble in compromising by those who had gone
on in good faith. It was my friend who wanted to purchase. Fowler
said that he bought this land from Sutter and had paid a large price for it.
I cannot say positively that he said he bought directly from Sutter,
or from those holding under Sutter.
Cross-examination.
Quest. No. 1. How much land does Fowler hold under the Sutter
claim, or how much since 1852?
Answer. I do not know; I don't know that he holds any: he said
he did.
Counsel for appellee objects to this deposition, on the grounds of
irrelevancy.
G. R. NISBET..
Sworn to and subscribed before me, on this 27th of March, 1856.
SAMUEL CROSS,
Notary Public Sac. Co., Cal.
And now the further examination of witnesses is adjourned until
March 28th, 1856, at 10 o'clock a. m., by consent of parties.
SAMUEL CROSS,
Notary Public Sac. Co., Cal.
Friday morning, March 28th, 1856. Now come the parties by their
attorneys heretofore named, and the examination of witnesses is thereupon resumed as follows:
Deposition of Thos. J. Hall.
Thomas J. Hall, a witness produced on the part of the appellant,
being duly sworn, deposes and says:
248 Quest. No. 1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?
Answer. My name is Thomas J. Hall; age 37 years; residence
Sacramento county, most of the time; my occupation is farming and
mining; I was originally a physician.