During the california gold rush how did newcomers from the eastern united states assert

Newcomers came to California not only from Eastern Coast but also from all over the world, including remote countries like China. Their main assertions and claims were 1. Rights to own "private land". Technically, California was still part of Mexico in 1848 and initially forty-niners operated under a confusing combination of Mexican and American rules and laws. 2. Tribunal or court to resolve disputes. Formally, California became a state in September of 1850. In the meantime, conflicts and disputes were mostly solved violently.