The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-09 00:00:00

c'-ixenina Ant:

LONDON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1849

With unmingled satisfaction we notice the ap-
pointment .of Sir HENRY LYTTON BULWER, as
British Minister in the United States. We are
doubly rejoiced by this appointment, for, in the first
place, without disparaging the zeal and abilities of
other diVomatists, we consider the services of the
late Spanish Ambassador to be too valuable to be
easily dispensed with by his country; and, secondly,
we feel assured that Sir HE:sar, himself, must re-
joice in being again restored to the exercise of those
diplomatic functions in which he has been so long
and so honourably distinguished, and from which he
was, last year, released with such compulsory
celerity. Sir HENRY BULWER brings to the office
of Ambassador something more valuable than courtly
urbanity and political finesse. His unswerving ad-
herence to the liberal principles which he professes,
and his conscientious advocacy of popular rights, both
at home and abroad, enables him worthily to main-
tain the honour of his country, and prompts him to
forward, as far as it is in the `power of his ambassi-
dorial influence, the welfare of the people among whom
he may be appointed to dwell. The circumstances
which led to Sir HENRY'S departure from Madrid are
too well known to require recapitulation. Since
that period—since the British Ambassador was sum-
marily expelled from the Spanish capital, England
has had no diplomatic dealings with Spain. It is
said that the difference is in process of being amicably
arranged. Nevertheless, it will be long before the
incident can be forgotten—it will be long before the
English people will cease to remember the insult
offered to their representative, by the Government of
a Sovereign for whom they had lavishly spent treasures
and blood—an insult, moreover, incurred in the
fulfilment of a duty for which the English people,
in espousing the cause of ISABELLA, had rendered
themselves responsible—the advocacy of the rights
of the people, as well as the rights of the Sovereign.
It will be long before this unparalleled incident in the
annals of diplomacy will be forgotten, and, while it con-
tinues to be remembered, the noble bearing of Sir
HENRY BULWER will be the subject of deserved
eulogium. A consideration of these circumstances
causes us to view with satisfaction the appearance of
the name of BULWER, once more, on the list of our
foreign ambassadors.

Very different is the nation to whom Sir HENRY
is now the Envoy. From the head-quarters of Aris-
tocracy—for Spain is, perhaps, the most aristocratic
country in the world—he goes to the nation of
Democrats—from a kingdom whose nobles are as
royal as their Princes, he goes to a people where every
title: is: unknown—from a Court where it is death
for a subject to tiuch a Sovereign, to a country
where there is no manner of po.4sibility of such a law
ever being infringed. Sir HENRY BuLwErt, unap-
preciated and repulsed by the arbitrary Government
of Spain, repairs to we had almost said (to borrow
aphrase from Mr. SMYTHE) "our fellow-countrymen
in America."
o_o, sever strauge it may now appear for a British
c•-;-'4u,b,his-aclor ijti expelled from Madrid, some eighty
,bsek it would have appeared somewhat more
"" - °l;dinar that a British .Ambassador should be
40: . ‘ , y
0 4 14.54.- '
(
0' United States of America ! Yet, marvellous
eveof bad seemed, years have passed, and
13 1 7-Al6".l44actor goes to Washington as readily
as to enremitsi of Europe. Moreover, the English
~
..,

people—the descendants of those who fought
on Bunker's-hill and the heights of Abraham, rejoice
as much—rejoice immeasurably more in their friend-
ship with the independent States of America than
would their ancestors, had they succeeded in crush-
ing that nascent independence. Sir HENRY Will
doubtless find considerable difference between the
capital of democracy and the vicinity of the Alham-
bra. Still he will find more reciprocity of sentiment
among the members of Congress than he ever could
have met with from the employes of NARYAEZ. The
corps of Foreign Ambassadors assembled at Wash-
ington now numbers some new Republicans, but
among that number we doubt if there be one, Repub-
lican though he be, a truer champion of popular rights
or a more resolute assertor of national independence,
than the newly-appointed Ambassador of Monarchical
England.

California in its geographical history possesses an
attraction second only to its mineral fruitfulness.
And now that its annexation to the territories of the
United States has been effected in compliance with
the fifth article of the memorable treaty ratified on
the 16th of March, 1848, it may not be unimportant
to take a retrospective glance, however rapid, at the
meagre and disjointed records preserved to us by
navigators, by travellers, by adventurers, by specula-
tors, by colonists, and by missionaries, since the periods
of its successive discoveries—first in 1533, by Don
DIEGO BECERRA ; secondly, in L 1534, by HERNANDO
DE GRIXALVA ; and, thirdly, in 1579, by Sir
FRANCIS DRAKE, the Conqueror of the Spanish
Armada. Whether we turn for information respecting
the remarkable locality to the narrative of RALEIGH'S
expeditions, or to that of VANEGA'S wanderings,
we find everywhere indications of thatfertility of
soil apparent, salubrity of climate, and felicitous
novelty of situation, which are now attracting to-
wards it the population of both hemispheres. It still
remains doubtful whether the declaration of HAK-
LUYT as to the metallic wealth of New Albion, or as
it was otherwise called Carolinas and California, is
authentic or apocryphal ; it is still a matter of con-
jecture whether the Historian of the World meant in
his description of Parino to pourtray the topography
of the real Sacramento, or to shadow forth the aspect
of some visionary Cathay—but it is certain that the
many excellent peculiarities of that portion of the
North-American continent were recognised and ap-
preciated from the very earliest times by the different
maritime powers of Europe. Under the Spaniards
California acquired a few ecclesiastical set-
tlers, who afforded the aboriginal Indians
the blessings of Christianity. Under the English—
who, towards the close of the sixteenth century, re-
ceived the sovereignty of the country from the local
chieftains—the inhabitants acquired little advantage
beyond that of a more frequenti intercourse with the
nations beyond the Atlantic. Ultimately California
became an integral part of the Mexican dominions,
and on the occasion of the revolutionary outbreak of
.1822, it readily acknowledged itself a section of the
federative Republic thereupon established. After
havingbeen excited to insurrection by Isaac GRAHAM,
in 1836, reconquered by a handful of convict merce-
naries under ALVAREDO in 1840, and temporarily occu-
pied by Commodore CATESBY JONES, in 1842, it was at
length, in 1848, ceded to the United States by the
fifth article of the celebrated treaty to which we
have already made reference. During the time of
DRAKE, it is an historical fact beyond denial that
California was in the possession of England ;
and, since then, negotiations have frequently been
attempted for the purpose of arranging the transfer-
ence of these gigantic territories from the power of
Mexico to that of Great Britain. According to the
account fnrnished by Mr. FORBES, it was projected
under the Presidency of SANTA ANNA, several years
ago, to yield up the whole of New California to the
English creditors for the liquidation of the debt of
50,000,000 dollars then due from the Mexican Go-
vernment. Circumstances, nevertheless, occurred
which put an end prematurely to these negotiations,
and England has consequently witnessed the seizure
of what was once designated New Albion by the
soldiers dispatched on a mission of spoliation from
the capital of Washington. Russia, at one
time manifestly solicitous to extend her set-
tlements in a southerly direction, has been
compelled to stop short at the entrance of
Nootka Sound. England unwillingly restricts
her possessions on the Eastern shores of the Pacific,
to the northern division of the Oregon, and to that
magnificent island of Quadra (or Vancouver), which
it is actually proposed should be delivered over to the
effete administration of the Hudson's Bay Company.
In New California the United States possesses an
additional province, covering an area of 350,000
square miles, being three times the dimensions of
England and Ireland put together 1 The Union, con-
sequently, commands both oceans in the most central
situation its rivers pouring down eastward into
the Atlantic, and westwards into the Pacific, and its
merchandise floating with unrestricted celerity in one
direction towards Asia, and in another towards Europe.
True, that the newly-acquired country is almost without
anything worthy of the name of a settlement—the
number of whites, or•gente de razon, throughout the
whole of California scarcely exceeding 3000, the half-
breeds barely 2,000, and the Indian population having
dwindled from 30,650, as it was in 1834, down to
15,000 in 1842, both in town and country. Yet,
with the attractions of avarice and the stimulations
of industry, consequent upon the discovery of the
gold and quicksilver in the sand of the Sacramento
and its tributaries, it is not frivolous to anticipate a
rapid and extensive colonization. To the advantages
of a productive and seemingly genial clirnate,:California
(we mean, of course, in every instance, New
California, Old California being a barren penin•
sula still abandoned to the unfortunate Mexicans
as not worthy of immediate occupation), adds the
equally inestimable, and, if that be possible, the
superior advantage of three very excellent seaports—
San Diego, the most southern and the least remark-
able; Monterey, generally regarded as the capital ;
and San Francisco, the most northern, and, perhaps,
the most extraordinary in the whole world. Of the
lesser bays, those of San Barbara, of San Pedro, and
of Trinidad, it is unnecessary to speak in consequence
of their comparative inferiority. Of San Francisco,
it is not too much to say that the navies of both
hemispheres might be moored in its superb harbour
in perfect safety and without confusion. As yet the
two diminutive towns upon its banks, that of San Fran-
cisco and that of Yerba Buena, barely contain 2,200
inhabitants. As yet the English from the United
States barely amount to 360, the English
from Europe to 250, the Irish to 50, the
Spaniards to 80, the French and Canadians to 80,
the Mexicans to 90, and the Hawaians, the High
Dutch, the Swiss, the Italians, and the Portuguese to
90, throughout the length and breadth of Upper
California.the
frontiers
Asarey te.i,ost e
of
fn nearest settlements
osleutintlebmiaenrtisvebre, 600yond
miles distant, and of Puget's Sound and Vancouver's
Island, 800 miles beyond the boundaries. As yet,
the gold regions can only be reached by a dan-
gerous journey overland along the Ohio, up the heads
of the Missouri, and across the Rocky Mountains,
through a barrier of ambuscades, and bowie-knives,
and rifles and tomahawks—or by an expensive line over
the Isthmus by Chagres and Panama—or, lastly, by a
long and circuitous voyage round Cape Horn, touching
alternately at the Falkland Islands and at Valparaiso.
If the present excitement, however, be only sustained
for a brief interval longer it will inevitably remove
all those obstacles for the advancement of the country,
and will transform New California from an unculti
vated and thinly inhabited waste into the productive
and populous regenerator of the Pacific.

The accounts from California respecting the gold
discoveries, and the enormous quantities of the
l
precious metal that may literally be picked up by all
who choose to do so, which at first were looked upon
as gross exaggerations, receive additional confirma-
tion day by day. Every new mail brings further
intelligence, proving clearly and satisfactorily that
the wonderful rumours that were circulated were
fully justified by the facts—that the proeuce of the
diggings more than justify the most sanguine expec-
tations that had been entertained by the treasure-
seekers. The letter from Rear-Admiral Pnirrs
HORN 131", the Flag Officer in command on
the Pacific station, a copy of which ap-
peared in The Sun of yesterday, however,
furnishes additional evidence, which cannot be contro-
verted or denied. When we find a British officer,

of undoubted character, who has risen to the highest
rank in the service of his country, and who has been
selected to fill the situation of Admiral in command
on a very important station, offering his unsolicited
and gratuitous testimony on a point in which he can
have no personal interest, we can no longer refuse the
most implicit credence to his assertions, more par-
ticularly when those assertions are fully borne out by
the further evidence of a distinguished Post Captain
in the British Navy. The paper, the truth of which
is more than confirmed by Captain COURTENAY, of the
Constance, just arrived from California, " states that, at
the lower mines the miners count the success of
the day in dollars, at the upper mine, near the mill,
in ounces, and here in pounds." And it also speaks of
a single piece being found " weighing 13 pounds !"
and of five loads of earth, " which yielded after
washings 16,000 dollars ;" and that " instances have
occurred where men have carried the earth on their
backs, and collected from 800 to 1,500 dollars a day ! !"
If such extraordinary results can be obtained by un-
skilled labour, aided, perhaps, only by " a butcher's knife,
for which 40 dollars was refused," or " a pick, spoon, or
shovel," by merely subjecting the auriferous soil to re-
peated washings in plain water, what may be expected
when extensive machinery, and all the improved appli_
ances of modern art, are introduced ? Quicksilver,
too, the most important agent in separating and puri-
fying the gold may be obtained in the greatest
abundance, and in the very localities where it
will be required. There is no drawback what-
soever, no lack of space to restrict the operations
of the gold seekers. The metal is scattered
over a vast extent of territory, and on the very
surface of the earth, " admitting of simultaneous
labour being applied to an almost indefinite extent,
and labourers ready to proceed thither at their own
expense, in any numbers that may be required."*
It is, therefore, impossible to assign any fixed limits
or to offer more than a mere conjecture as to the
amount that may ultimately be obtained. Of this
only we may be assured, that its value will he
very great, and far beyond anything that
has heretofore been known. Even the fabled splen-
dours of El Dorado scarcely exceed the magnificent
reality.
Under such circumstances it is by no means sur-
prising that multitudes should hasten to the land of
promise to gather the glittering treasure. Thousands
are already busily engaged, and tens of thousands
are proceeding thither with all possible expedition.
Emigrant vessels are starting from almost every port,
crowded with eager expectants, and probably within
the present year one hundred thousand adventurers
will be fully occupied. If each of these persons col-
lect but half an ounce a day (a quantity far short of
the lowest estimate that has been formed), we shall
find that gold to the value of more than
70,000,0001. sterling will be extracted from the soil,
the greater portion of which will be brought into
active circulation.

On the 15th ultimo we pointed out the extraor-
dinary results that followed the discovery of the
mines of Mexico, of Peru , and of the Brazils in the
latter end of the 15th century, and the consequent
alteration in the value of the precious metals. We
also considered the probable consequences of an in-
crease of gold to the value of eight or ten millions of
pounds per annum. We showed that a similar de-
preciation to that which was witnessed in the 16th
century, when the average price of wheat,
the most important article of food for
the people, had increased fivefold within
little more than forty years, must again take place.
What an extraordinary revolution in society will
occur if even 50,000,0001. sterling be obtained. How
soon will the relative value of things be changed.
We shall not hear of a Legislator asking triumph-
antly, " What is a Pound ?" and conceiving that
every moral obligation will be fulfilled by paying to
the national creditor, to the landed proprietor, to the
annuitant, 5 dwts. 3 grs. of gold, then a compara-
tively worthless metal, for every pound sterling which
he is entitled to demand. The word of promise, in-
deed, may be kept " to the. ear, but it will be brolan
to the hope." The gold will be there, but the " pur-
chasing power," that which alone constitutes its
utility, will be absolutely wanting. What melan-
choly and heartrending statements may be made to
the then Chancellor of the Exchequer of blighted
prospects and melancholy reverses ! Helpless widows
and orphans may be stripped of the inheritance pro•
vided for them by the providence of the husband and
the father. Each sovereign in which the divi-
dends would be paid or the jointure satisfied
would undoubtedly be of full weight, and of the stan-
dard fineness. No complaint could be made on that
score ; but where would be its exchangable value ?
Where would be the command over the necessaries
and comforts of life that was conveyed by the posses-
sion of a sovereign, or even of the much condemned
one-pound note, in the average of transactions in
which it MO employed ? " Echo may, indeed, answer
where ?" The unfortunate fundholder would speedily
discover to his cost how futile the expectations he
hail formerly cherished, how delusive the theories
of the bullionists 'He gladly listened to their voice,
when there was a scarcity of gold, and a great ap-
preciation of the value of money, when from want of
a circulating medium -a currency adequate to the
wants and exigencies of the country, industry was
paralysed, employment could not be obtained, and
the working classes were reduced to the utmost ex-
tremity of distress, owing to an_over-strict adherence to
the theories of the currency mongers. Then, indeed,
they could prate glibly about keeping faith
with the public creditor—of the contract being
t 3 pay a certain weight of gold of the re-
quisite standard and fineness—no matter, although
twice the amount of labour might be required, and that
gold, or rather, we should say, the currency was of
double the value that it had been at the time the obli-
gation was contracted. The full pound of flesh
should be returned ; nothing less would be ac-
cepted. Now, indeed, circumstances will altogether
be altered, and the spirit and essence of the agree-
ment will be considered—the intrinsic value, the
purchasing power is that which will be desired.
And we would give it. Ground down as we have
been, overwhelmed with the burden that was so
ruthlessly cast upon us, we would still, as
Englishmen, desire to deal fairly with all ;
to satisfy the claims, the just and equitable
claims, that the public creditor undoubtedly pos-
sesses; but let him be wise in due season—let him,
while there is yet time, be satisfied with an equitable
settlement. Let a currency be introduced that will
not be subject to those violent alternations that have
led to such mischievous results within the last thirty
years. . .

A national note, on a proper basis—on that sug-
gested by the Liverpool Currency Reform Associa-
tion—will do justice to all ; and to that we must
come at last. It may as well be done speedily, and
with a good grace.
" Reflections on the manner in which Property in
Great Britain may be affected by a large influx of Gold
from California, and Suggestions as to the means by
which such effects may be neutralised, and any material
disturbance in the Currency prevented." By a Merchant.
London : Effingham Wilson.

IRELAND.
(BY ELEC rffic TELEGRAPH.)

MR. DUFFY'S TRIAL.

DUELIN, THURSDAY EVENING.—At the sitting of
the Commission Court this morning, the Attorney-
General was heard against the application made by
Mr. Butt, Q.C., on the previous day, to the effect
that the prisoner should not be called on to plead to
the last indictment found against him, inasmuch as
there was a previous indictment pending.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated that the Court in
its discretion should order the prisoner to plead, and
he would then move either to quash the old indict-
ment or enter another nolle prosequi upon it.
Sir C. O'Loghlen having been heard for Mr.
Duffy in support of the motion, the Court ruled
against the application, without thinking it necessary
to hear the Solicitor- General in reply.

The prisoner was then called up for arraignment,
IN hen Mr. Butt, Q.C., handed in a plea of abatement;
it was to the effect that one of the grand jurors who
found the bill, although a resident within the borough
boundary under the Municipal Act, was not a free-
man of the city, or a burgess, or a resident of the
city, so as to qualify him to sit as a juryman.
The Court allowed the Crown some time to inquire
into the first part of the plea, and proceeded with
other business.