The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-22 00:00:00

well as of defence, if necessary ; one where its ships
might enter at any and at _all times, and where those
articles necessary for the support of commerce may be
obtained without the delay of ascending a river r early
100 miles. But especially would it be of importance to
the inhabitants of that territory that no other situation
possessing greater advantages than the Columbia River
should, if in their immediate vicinity, be in possession of
some foreign and perhaps unfriendly po•.rer. That such
a point does exist is easily demonstrated.
" The Bay of San Francisco, in Upper California, pos-
sesses advantages to which the Columbia River can never
aspire. Capt. B. Hall, RN., after having visited Califor-
nia, in 1822, says, ' The harbour of San Francisco is one
,of the best and most interesting, from its security and
magnitude, in the world.' In conclusion he says, I
would remark that California, viewed as a maritime sta-
tion, is unrivalled by any other section of the west coast
of America. The port of San Francisco affords the most
secure aichorage for numerous fleets, with facilities for
establishing wharfs, docks, and arsenals of all descrip-
tions ; the climate is one of the best and most healthy I
have ever visited, and the country is one of the most fer-
tile.' He further states that Upper California is capable
of supporting a population of 21 millions, and from its
geographical position its possesses very great advantages
on account of the. expeditious and easy intercourse which
it can maintain with Japan, China, the Philippine Islands,
India, Australia, and all the islands of the Pacific._

"A late English writer, who has resided in Mexico,
and had visited California, while remarking upon the
proposed ship canal across the Isthmus of Darien, ob-
serves,—' If ever this route shall be observed, California
will then be one of the most interesting commercial situ-
ations in the world. It would in that case be the point
of rendezvous for all vessels engaged in the trade between
Europe and Asia by that route. It is nearly mid-voyage
between these two countries, and would furnish provi-
sions and all naval supplies in the most ample abundance;
and most probably would b,,ome a mart for the interchange
of the three continents. No other station in the course
of the route would be in any way equal to California.
Its coasts are healthy, its harbours excellent, and its ea-
pacity.to produce materials for ship-building and marine
stores is almost without limits. If, therefore, there should
ever exist a sufficient population to maintain a separate
sovereignty, o the occupiers of the country be of a
quality and character capable of taking advantage of
those resources, Mexico, instead of being able to reduce
California, would be obliged to succumb to it. Taking
every circumstance into account, perhaps no country
whatever can excel, or hardly vie with, California in
natural advantages. Its geographical situation is such
as one would point out if he was desired to select the
most favourable situation in the world. Its topographical
relations are also most favourable. It stretches along
the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and thereby enjoys all
the manifold advantages of a maritime country. By its
great extension from north to south settlers have also
the option of selecting a climate suitable to their health
or views. And I think it safely may be asserted that
there is no country of the same extent which possesses
so many natural and local advantages. California is
designed by nature to be the medium of connecting com-
mercially Asia with America, and as the depot of 'trade
between two vast continents, which possess the elements
of unbounded commercial interchange; the one over-
flowing with all the rich and luxurious commodities
always characteristic of the east, the other possess-
ing a superabundance of the precious metals, and
other valuable productions, to give in exchange.
The same writer observes, It has been proposed to the
Mexican Governmet, that it should endeavour to cancel
the English debt, which exceeds 50,000,000 dollars, by a
transfer of California to the creditors. The cession of
such a disjointed part of the republic would be an ad-
uantage to Mexico, and in no case can it ever be pro-
fitable to the Government, as it cannot possibly remain
united to it for any length of time. If California was
ceded for the English debt, the creditors might be formed
into a company, with the difference that they should
have a sort of sovereignty over the territory, somewhat
in the manner of the East India Company. This would
certainly bring a revenue in time, which might. be equal
to the interest of the debt, and under good management,
and with an English population, would most certainly
realise all that has been predicted of this fine country.'
" I have quoted from these English writers for three
objects :-1. To corroborate my own remarks respect-
ing the value of this territory (Upper California).-2.
To show that the English reading community and the,
Government have more information respecting a country 1
which is entirely separated from any of their possessions)
than the people or the Government of the United States;
have, although it borders on their own territory for more
than 800 miles, and from its position and advantages
must ever possess a commanding influence over it. 3.
To confirm the opinion advanced—that England is now
disposed to negotiate with Mexico for the acquisition'
of the Bay of San Francisco and the territory of Upper
California. There cannot be in the mind of any person
intimately acquainted with the bay of San Francisco, a
doubt but that it will become the most commanding point
of all Pacific America, whether we take into consideration,
the productions of its soil, its commerce, or its ma-
ritime power. There is no point of all Pacific America
that unites a moiety of advantages that are to be found
in the bay, and it is free from all objections. It com-
bines the most salubrious climate, produce soil, capacious
and safe harbours, and fine rivers, with the be3t geo-
graphical situation of any point on the Pacific Ocean,
and I might add, (without fear of error), in the
known world.

"If the proposition made to the Mexican Govern-
ment to cede California to the English should be accom-
plished—placing the all-important harbour of San Fran-
cisco in possession of the most powerful naval and
commercial kingdom—one which has now plmost ex-
clusive power on the opposite shore of the Pacific
Ocean,—would it not ruin the prospects of the Orregon
territory
.? Is it not that point which England would be
most anxious to acquire ? a port to which the numerous
ships on the India station might repair, to recoverfrom;the
effect of the. climate of India, and where she might look
over the broad Pacific, and see that all obeyed her com-
mand. Is it not important, then, that, instead of per;
mitting it to fall into the hands of our most dangerous
rivals, it should be united to our own territory ? And,
although I may be accused of presumption, I cannot re-
frain from saying that the present appears a favourable
opportunity for the accomplishment of this desirable ob-
ject, when a negotiation is pending which must leave
Mexico a debtor to this Government—when she is not
in the most favourable situation to cancel the claim, and
wonld probably be glad to transfer California on account
of it. I am cenfident that unless Upper California is
purchased of Mexico, it will cost the United States
greater sum to defeud the Oregon territory from thi
rivalry of California, than the purchase would nolv
amount to. :For we must not suppose that California is
to remain stationary, or under the control of the Mexi-
can Government, while all the parts of the earth are in
movement, if not advancing. It must soon fall to some
snore enterprising nation than the Mexicans.

THE « PRESIDENT" AND THE

PRINT-SHOPS.

Mr. Editor,—l beg leave to call your attention
to conduct which needs but exposure to ensure it
the just condemnation of all classes. When I
say that the mysterious disappearance of the
President steam-ship creates more anxiety than
if a thousand Whig or Tory Ministries were at
stake, I feel assured that I but speak the feelings
of every friend to humanity. How painful, Sir,
it must be to the feelings of the friends and rela-
tives of those on board that unfortunate vessel,
to find print-shops exhibiting the destruction and
total loss of every soul I some are seen with out-
stretched hands imploring aid of Heaven; others
betaking themselves to boats; while, to crown
the awful catastrophe, the sea seems to ope its
ponderous jaws devouring all with relentless fury.
This conduct needs no comment. If really
the case, it would be uncharitable, nay cruel, to
rip open the agonised minds of hundreds. How
much more cruel is the present case?
Thousands clinging to hope—heart-broken
friends, painfully inquiring in every quarter
where hope is likely to cheer them from despair,
no sooner receive consolation than it is damped
by a wholesale, cold, and heartless traffic in the
fate of their dearest friends. And who, Sir, are
those greedy triflers with man's feelings ? The
conductors of cheap periodical papers, who, for a
temporary subsistence, can bend their minds to
any theme of horror • who can draw even the
Swiss valet from his INiewgate tomb, and let him
figure as the hero of his murderous exploits, care-
less of the feelings of his honest friends, upon
whose brow his conduct has stamped alliance with
a murderer. Hoping, Sir, that these few lines
will give consolation to the afflicted,
I remain, your obedient servant,
London, May 20. j". O. R.

Ma. r LUMER WARD-3 NEW NOVEL, ~DE
CLIFFORD ; OR, THE CONSTANT MAN."—Ark from
the refined pen of the author of " Trernaine" and "Del
Irem," cannot fail of exciting the attention and giving
impulse to the hopes of all who remember the rare
merit of his above-named productions. The character
of our every-day novels is generally that of books
written to amuse away a few hours, and then be totally
forgotten. But such is not the view of the present
work. It contemplates a higher aim, and by a happy
union of the agreeable with the argumentative seeks to
give a healthy impulse to the mind, and promote a love
for the pure, the beautiful, and the good. In this aim
the extensive reading, and refined taste of the writer,
enables him, by the most exquisite quotations, to fortify
his own well-defined views, while it draws our atttention
to a class. of literary excellence, the knowledge of which
is conceded to few, save the laborious student. We
earnestly recommend these volumes to all who appre-
ciate this method of conveying the highest example, the
noblest principles, and the sounded' views, in the most
clear and elegant language. Let us add that it is a
work that, after having been perused, may be referred
to again and again, and each time with additional plea-
sure and renewed satisfaction.—Courier.

STEAM REGULARITY.—REMARKABLE CO-
INCIDENCE.-At a dinner at the City of London
Tavern, of Steam Proprietors, on the sth instant,
Wolverly Atwood, Esq., MP., in the Chair, Christo-
pher Claxton, Esq., the Managing Director of the Great
Western Steam Ship Company, in eulogising the excel-
lence of the Great Western's machinery, which had
carried her nearly 130,000 miles, withont a disappoint-
ment, or missing her advertised hour of sailing,
stated that he felt confident in predicting that at half-
past two on the 14th, the Great Western would arrive in
King-road. At that very time, we have been informed
by our Bristol correspondent, her smoke was seen from
the hills in the neighbourhood of King-road, and she
anchored at seven o'clock.