Nevada County CA Archives History - Books .....Hungry Convention At Grass Valley 1867
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Book Title: Bean’s History And Directory Of Nevada County, California

THE HUNGRY CONVENTION AT GRASS VALLEY.
BY OLD BLOCK.

  The winter of 1852-53 was very severe. The reads, being new, were at times
impassable on account of mud, the sloughs were full of water and unbridged, and
at one time, a period of ten days elapsed when communication between the mines
of Nevada county and Sacramento City was totally suspended. In consequence of
this forced non-intercourse, provisions and supplies failed to arrive, while the
stocks on hand, of the merchants, were dwindling down "to the shortest span,"
and anxiety was manifested on all hands for future supplies, provisions advanced
to nearly starving prices. Flour went up from twenty-five to sixty cents per
pound, potatoes could scarcely be had for thirty cents, bacon was scarce at
seventy-five cents; and as hungry stomachs increased in number the necessaries
of life grew less. The country was in fact mud-bound. Questions were asked,
which none could answer— "What are we to do?" The prospect of open roads was
distant, and scarcity was present, which seemed fast relapsing into absolute want.

  In times of great emergencies great men always arise. Circumstances seem to
develop greatness, and so in this case, the exigencies of the times brought out
bold spirits. A hurried consultation among individuals resulted hi a proposition
to call a public meeting to consult upon what was best to be done under the
circumstances. Among the most active patriots for the occasion was a gentleman
who held, by some form of law or courtesy, I do not know which, the title of
Judge, who, since the great rebellion, was appointed Military Governor of
Alabama, and another prominent citizen of Grass Valley who had acquired the
soubriquet of "Blue Coat." Both were particularly active in getting up and
managing the meeting to devise "ways and means."

  A public meeting was therefore called, to be held at Beatty's Hotel, on Main
street, and when the eventful evening came the house was filled to overflowing
by our excited and interested miners. Judge Murphy was called to the chair, and
if he has discharged the office of Governor with as much zeal and ability as he
did that of the presiding officer of the Hungry Convention, he deserves the
thanks of unborn millions, and probably will get it.

  After a Secretary was appointed, the meeting was declared duly organized, and
remarks in order. Our old friend, Blue Coat, was eloquent in describing the
startling condition to which we were reduced by the will of God and the
flood-gates of heaven, and declared that desperate diseases required desperate
remedies, a truism which none could deny. Others made telling speeches, and even
the honorable Chairman waved his authority to free his mind, and say that if it
became necessary, rather than starve, we might be forced to help ourselves to
the meager supplies still left with merchants; at all events, they must be
curtailed in asking the ruinous prices which they were demanding, and should be
required to extend a general credit to those who were unable to produce the quid
pro quo. While a few dissented from this view of the case, the majority appeared
to think that rather than starve they would go in for the "loaves and fishes."
Finally, a committee was appointed to draw up resolutions and report to the
meeting—five honorable gentlemen were accordingly named by the Chairman. They
withdrew to another room, and in about five minutes returned with a paper having
a long preamble and resolutions, which it seemed must require not less than an
hour to prepare, leaving the unjust conclusion to be inferred that the
resolutions and committee were all cut and dried before the meeting was
organized; but we will not be so uncharitable as to think so. Upon signifying
that the committee were ready to report, their Chairman, with the dignity which
the solemn occasion demanded, slowly opened his document and began—a portion of
which we transcribe:

  At a meeting of the miners and citizens of Grass Valley, in Convention
assembled, the following Preamble and Resolutions were adopted:

  WHEREAS, When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a
people to protect themselves against want and starvation, when they are at the
mercy of soulless speculators, who demand all their earnings for the support of
life, we deem it right to act in self-defence, and demand provisions for our
need, and at prices which we are able to give. A decent respect for the opinions
of the world induces us to give a catalogue of our grievances, in order to show
the justice of our cause. Therefore, we declare—

  That in consequence of impassable roads we are short of supplies necessary to
the support of human life. That the merchants refuse to sell at reasonable
prices. That there are abundant supplies of flour and other necessaries in San
Francisco, which soulless speculators, taking advantage of our condition, are
holding for exorbitant prices, and refuse to sell. Therefore, be it

  Resolved, That appealing to High Heaven for the justice of our cause, we will
go to San Francisco and obtain the necessary supplies—"peaceably if we can, but
forcibly if we must."

  Gracious Heaven! here was San Francisco, with a population of only forty or
fifty thousand souls, threatened with sack and ruin by a hungry band of miners,
amounting to the overwhelming force of, perhaps, one hundred able-bodied men,
armed with picks, shovels and long-toms. Alas! poor San Francisco, what a
volcano you was reposing on. The wave of revolution was hanging over you from
the mountains. Was there no escape ?

  Both preamble and resolutions met with strong opposition, but the eloquence of
the Judge, of the sage Blue Coat, of members of the committee, and a few
appreciating wretches, who enjoyed the fun, fearless of the consequences,
prevailed, and they passed by a decisive vote. A committee was named to proceed
forthwith to San Francisco, to see if the flour speculators would come to terms,
and send up supplies—mud or no mud; in short, if she would capitulate without
shedding blood, and consent to loose her flour and bacon; but it was discovered
the next day that the committee had no funds to pay traveling expenses, and then
the roads were impassable and they could not get there. So the committee "bided
their time and San Francisco was saved, for the rains ceased by providential
dispensation, and in two or three days thereafter a report reached town that
several teams loaded with supplies lay mud-bound at or near Rough and Ready, and
would be up as soon as they could move. A few days more brought them in, San
Francisco was saved, and at this moment stands, next to GRASS VALLEY, the pride
of the Pacific Coast.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Bean’s History and Directory of Nevada County, California

CONTAINING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, WITH
SKETCHES OF THE VARIOUS TOWNS AND MINING
CAMPS, THE NAMES AND OCCUPATION OF
RESIDENTS; ALSO, FULL STATISTICS
OF MINING AND ALL OTHER
INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES.

COMPILED BY EDWIN F. BEAN.

PRINTED AT THE DAILY GAZETTE BOOK AND JOB OFFICE,
1867.


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