Sometimes the brands are skilfully altered by addition or counterfeit.
Suspicious Mexicans are soon in danger. Short shrift is given to
the horse-thief. The State authorities are powerless in face of
the duplicity of these native residents. They feel they have been
enslaved by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The roads became
unsafe. Travellers are subject to a sudden volley from ambush.
The fatal lasso is one trick; the midnight stab, when lodging in
Mexican wayside houses, is another. There is no longer safety save
in the large towns. From San Diego to Shasta, a chain of criminals
leaves a record of bloody deeds. There are broader reasons than the
mere friction of races. The native Californians are rudely treated
in the new courts; their personal rights are invaded; their homes
are not secure; their women are made the prey of infamous attack.
A deadly feud now rises between the Mexicans and Americans. These
brutal encroachments of the new governing race bring reprisals in
chance duels and secret crimes. This organized robbery is a return
blow. The Americans are forced to travel in posses. They reinforce
their sheriffs. They establish armed messengers. In town and county
they execute suspects by a lively applied Lynch law.
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