Daily Alta California, Volume 1, Number 104, 30 April 1850
REPORT FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE
On the Derivation and Definition
of the Names of the several Counties
of the State of California, &c.
Butte. — This is purely a French word, signifying hill or mound of earth. The high hills or peaks situated in the valley of the Sacramento, and seen at a great distance, were so named by a detachment, of hunters, headed by Michael Laframbeau, from the Hudson Bay Company at Columbia river, who visited this country in search of beaver, in the year 1829. Nine years previous to this period they were denominated peaks (picachos) by Captain Luis A. Arguello, who headed an expedition to the Columbia river by order of the Governor of the province. This county contains these peaks, and takes their name.
Coluse. — Is purely an indian word, being the original name of a numerous tribe on the western side of the Sacramento river ; its meaning is not ascertained. The so called county is one of the new counties created by the first Legislature of the State.