To protest an 1850 mining tax, a rough group of Calfornians decided
they were ready to do what?

Hello.

They formed the "Great Republic of Rough and Ready" and seceded from
the United States.

"Q: Where was the Republic of Rough and Ready, and why did it secede
from the United States of America?
A: It was in the mining town of Rough and Ready, which is now in
Nevada County, California. It seceded on April 7, 1850 after a mining
tax was imposed by the federal government. The Republic lasted for 3
months -- apparently the citizens started feeling left out when the
Fourth of July celebrations started in other nearby towns!"
source: UC Riverside Puzzles:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/puzzles/14.html

Also see:
Rough & Ready Chamber of Commerce 
http://www.roughandreadychamber.com/secession.html

ROUGH AND READY
http://malakoff.com/roughnr.htm

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search strategy:
1850 "mining tax"
"rough and ready" 1850

thank you so much

melisa

how come you need to cheat?

Its not cheating, call marlboro

What you dont realize is that eveyone who googles this question will
now easily find the answer.  I suggest you use less obvious methods if
you really want a chance at winning this thing. DUH!!!!