Caucasians in regard to the property of public enemies, camps shall appraise the loss, pay it immediately to the fullest farthing, and forward receipt and certified copy of such appraisure to the secretary of the encampment.
"A Caucasian who knowingly breaks his pledge as regards public enemies, shall be charged with perjury, and if guilty, declared a public enemy, and if an officer perpetual public enemy."
With no other charge than that an employer had discharged white labor and substituted Chinese, or contemplated doing so, threats were made of fire and death; and humiliating was it to see these free white Americans come forward and disclaim such intention, tacitly admitting the right of the questioners to place them under bonds. The evil effects of this society, besides frequent outbreaks of violence which might be traced directly or indirectly to it, were seen in the bold defiant tone assumed by its members, and in the idlers that crowded the streets and who would not work except at exorbitant wages.
Living at this time in Chico was a launder, John Slaughter, a name significant of celestial achievement, native of Arkansas, born of a Cherokee mother, and aged twenty-three. He was a member of the workingman's association, to join which he discharged all the Chinese in his service, hoping thereby to obtain the patronage of the members. Philip Romles was his partner, and the Chinese w^ashermen ran them a strong opposition.
Not long after John Slaughter had joined the league, a stableman, Henry C. Wright, also a member of the brotherhood, who had killed his man in Nevada, and with H. J. Jones had burned Bidwell's soap factory, informed John Slaughter that he, his brother Cliarles Slaughter, Wright, and F. Conway, were ordered by the council to assist at the burning of the Chinese quarters at a time named, and that all were to take an ironclad oath never to divulge the
