Iowa
Old Press
Iowa Democratic Enquirer
Muscatine, Muscatine Co. Iowa
March 3, 1849
[re: gold rush companies]
Report on General Regulations
The undersigned and others who may be hereafter associated with
them, agree to observe and abide by the following Rules and
Regulations, for the mutual protection and safety of their
persons and property, to continue from their departure from the
Missouri River to their destination in California:
1. That each Emigrant shall be furnished and equipped with such
teams, provisions, arms, amunition and camp equippage as shall be
required by the committe on outfit.
2. That said committee shall consist of three, viz: ___ ___ ___
Who may be removed by a majority vote of the emigrants hereby
associated, whose duty it shall be to see that each emigrant is
duly supplied with all such things as are necessary or their
comfort, health, safety, progress; and whose duties shall
continue until the termination of this expedition.
3. There shall be a Committee on Regulations, Consisting of ___
___ ___ (subject to removal by a majority) whose duty it shall be
to see that the rules are carefully observed, and to make all
rules to regulate the affairs of the emigrants, as they may deem
advisable, and to adjudicate all questions of dispute and to see
that the rights of each emigrant are protected and enforced.
4. It shall be the duty of each emigrant to obey all decisions of
the said Committee on Regulations, and in default thereof such
recusant emigrant shall be expelled from the protection of this
association.
5. Any emigrant who sahll be afflicted with sickness on the road,
shall be taken care of by some one, to be designated by the
committee on regulations, from day to day; and in case of death
of any emigrant, his effects sahll be disposed of in such manner
as shall be determined by the committee on regulations, and the
proceeds thereof returned to his friends and relatives as
speedily as possible.
6. That in case any team shall fail, or any wagon shall be
broken, or any other casualty happen, not through the negligence
of of the owner, it shall be the duty of each emigrant to
contribute his share of labor, money or property to repair such
injury.
7. If any part ownder of any team or other property pertaining to
this emigration, shall after the day of departure, hereafter to
be fixed and published, wilfully fail to go, aid and participate
in this expedition, the remaining part owners or owner shall
become the proprietors of the whole of such team or other
property, to be paid for in California, or on the return of such
remaining part owners or owner to Iowa; the value to be fixed by
three appraisers appointed by the Committee on Regulation.
8. There shall be a Superintendant of this Association who shall
see that these rules are strictly enforced, and cause all orders
of the Committee on Regulations to be executed; and shall have
command of the daily processions, time of departure each day, and
time and place of encampment at the close of each day,subject to
the orders of the Committee on Outfit.
9. Said Superintendant shall be elected by a majority; and in
executing the duties of his office shall be clothed with military
power, and it shall be the duty of each emigrant to obey him as
such: Provided, that the orders and commands of such
Superintendant may be over-ruled by the Committee on Regulations,
except in cases of actual conflict with opposing adversaries not
members of this Association.
10. Said Superintendant may be removed by a majority of this
Association.
11. No spirituous liquors to be carried by any emigratn, except
for medical purposes.
12. The Association shall observe the Sabbath day, if practicable
and shall not travel on that day, unless absolutely necessary.
13. The Committee on Regulations shall have power to impose fines
and penalties for a violation of these rules.
14. The Superintendant may appeal from the decision of either of
the Committees over-ruling his orders, to the decision of the
Association, when duly assembled.
Report on Outfit.
Each two or three persons joining said company shall be provided
with a good well built wagon, capable of bearing such load as its
owners may see fit to put in; but not to exceed, in any case over
3,000 pounds; with such covers as will turn rain. To have an
extra king-bolt, and two extra linch pins, and two gallons of
tar. For the team they shall have at least one yoke of oxen to
every 700 lbs. but not less than three yokes to any wagon; ages
from 5 to 6 years.
For tent, Osnaburg of sufficient size to accommodate three
persons.
Each wagon should be supplied with tools for repairs, such as an
axe, auger, saw, drawing-knife, two gimblets and a hatchet.
Arms and Amunition- Each man shall be provided with a good
substantial rifle or shot-gun, to carry not more that fifty
balls, to the pound of lead, a good bowie or butcher-knife, 2 lbs
of powder, 18 lbs. of lead and 1,000 percussion caps.
Provisions- Each man shall have 150 lbs of flour, 70 lbs of hard
bread, 30 lbs beans, 150 lbs bacon, 20 lbs dried beef, 10 lbs
lard, 5 lbs sugar, 1 lb tea, 30 lbs salt and 10 lbs soap.
Cooking Utensils- For each mess a camp kettle, a frying-pan and
bread pan.
Cordage- Each man shall have at least 20 feet of good 3-4 rope,
Tackle, chains, yokes, bows, etc., of good quality.
Bedding- Two Blankets, or their equivalent, per man.
[transcribed by C.J.L., August 2003]