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.

The United States vs. lStter. 17
Bd question. At the time you have spoken as your arrival at New
Helvetia, viz: in 1843, what improvements were there, if any, and
by whom made, at the place called "Hock Farm?" and state if you
know where Hock Farm is situated.
Ans. "Hock Farm" is situated on the west bank of Feather
river, about sixteen miles above its junction with the Sacramento river. There was at that time a small adobe building, a corral built, and. there was then under way the adobe building the claimant now resides in. Those improvements were put there by and
under the direction and at the charge of Capt. Sutter, the claimant.
4th question. Was there or not any land in cultivation on "Hock
Farm" at the time you speak of, and under whose charge was the
place?
Anrs. I am not sure that there was any in cultivation in 1843, but
I am sure there was in 1844; it was in the charge of Mr. Bidwell,
who superintended for Capt. Sutter.
22 5th question. State if you know the location of the place
called New Helvetia, with reference to other places or rivers
in that section of the country.
Ans. The fort of "New Helvetia" is situated about one mile from
the American river, on the south side thereof, and about two miles
and a half above the junction of the said river with the Sacramento
river.
6th question. How long did you reside at "New Helvetia" after
your arrival above mentioned, and what opportunities have you had
to know its improvement, cultivation, &c., then and since?
Ans. I made New Helvetia my headquarters, and considered it my
home, and was there from time to time up to the spring of 1846.
7th question. State if you know what further improvements were
made, either by Capt. Sutter or by persons settled on the land by
him, south of the American river, or on the west bank of the Feather
river, down to the year 1846.
Ans. There was a house built by a Mr. Montgomery, a blacksmith,
on the American river, south side, built about 1845. There was a
building put by Sutter for the person who was to attend to his shop,
at a place about three miles from fort "New Helvetia," near the
Sacramento river. There was a small place improved on the south
side of the American river, about half a mile from the junction of the
two rivers. The improvements at Hock Farm have been gradually
increasing and extending from the time I first knew the place up to
this time. There was erected by Capt. Sutter at the fort, west side,
a large adobe building for the use and occupation of such emigrants
as came into the country before the settlement.
8th question. Do you know or not of settlements made by Capt.
Sutter of families and individuals on this claim? If yea, state, as well
as you can recollect, the number of such.
Ans. There must have been settled by him fifteen or twenty families
on the land prior to the year 1846.
9th question. State what effect the establishment of Sutter's fort,
[REC. CCLVIIm, D. T. 1862.] —2