The Weekly Placer Herald

The developments of the various claims to the city of San Francisco are progressing apace. M. Lemantour is now confident his chain of title is perfect. His grant is said to be different from others in that it is absolute, without conditions of any kind. He alleges also that it has been confirmed by the Supreme Government of Mexico, authenticated evidence of which he claims to have in his possession. Lemantour's claim, it will be recollected, includes that portion of the city south of Sacramento street. That immensely valuable property, situated between Sacramento and Washington sts., water lots included, is claimed, as we intimated a few days ago, by a Mexican grantee, named Charvis. His claim has not been presented to the Land Commission, and of course cannot be, as the time allowed by law has elapsed. But we understand he takes the ground that it was not requisite, inasmuch as the City has presented her claim, which will include his, before the Board. But as his grant purports to have been made by a Governor and not by an Alcalde, we do not see that he can come in under the City's wings. Several large property holders, however, to save trouble and litigation, have compromised with him—one alone having paid him $5000 down and agreed to pay $25,000 more in case his title should prove valid. He is selling out those who scout at his pretensions. We hear he has already sold to certain lawyers in this city several immensely valuable blocks between Sacramento street and Long Wharf for a mere song.

The complication of titles in our city is peculiarly disheartening. One gentleman has bought up at various times not less than four different and opposing titles to his property; but scarcely had he begun to enjoy his fancied security, than in comes Signor Charvis with another claim to disturb him.—S. F. Herald