The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-18
Upper California.
Correspondence of the Herald.]


UPPER CALIFORNIA, Feb II, lS43.
The United States Squadron in Cahfornia-Fine
Counry--Fine ShoOting-Fine Fishing-Fine
Everything.
Mr. JAMES G. BENNETT
SIX
/ imagine you have never had a correspondent
from the "Far West" though you may have thought
you had many; In fact, you have not found out as
yet where the far-famed Scar West" is. You now
know, and so does Commodore Thomas Ap G.
Jones, and the officers of his squadron, who have
all been up here some weeks, supposng Santa Anna
would keep his word, and declare war against the
States; the Commodore took California for his
share, when, seeing by the late Mexican papers it
was not the case he gave up the country to its for
mer owners, IN the same good order and condition
that he found IT
During the time the vessels laid at anchor here the
officers spent their leisure time ashore hunting wild
deer or dancing with the tame dear, both being
plenty in and abont Monterey. For the officer who
is fond of his gun, We have bears, deers, small ami
mails, geese, ducks, and a host of other birds ;
Tor others there are salmon, in their time. What do
YOU think of salmon weighing sixty pounds, and
other fish every day IN the year? We have plenty
of seal, and even offers, whose skins sell here tor
forty dollars each Then they can obtain plenty OF
the real bear OIL and oil of sea otter, the same
as is said to be sold in Boston and New York.
''Quien sabe;" therefore those who go without hair
their heads, or mostachios On their upper lips,
know the reason why; tell it not to the perfumers
&c.
The flag ship, the old United States, sand may
her shadow never be less" had splendid band, 10
whose music the officers Of Monterey and those
from on board, with our ladies', had as many balls
there were Sundays in the months, with watzes,
quadril!es, oas. sons, arabes boero with castners
&c. Bswees Sundays, whenever a few officers
happened to take paseo on shore, each one could
enjoy his favorlte amusement; some who never
danced before danced mere; some who never saw
wild deer before, shot one, and carried him on
board, as proof his skill And now there is neither
shot or ball for SALE 'Twas caution TO deer who
take midday walks" If they had known the con-
tents of Santa Annals powerfully written letter TO
Mr.. Webster, they would have fed the track, and
left so many Lieutenants and ,Midshipmen passed
and to come, 10 enjoy their walks and rides without
waste of powder and ball These things have
ended; so must my letter. While the Commodore
was here, the United States went and returned
from the Sandwich Islands in thirty-one days. Ia
Fifty days very quick passage. Capt. Armstrong
thought he could do 1t in forty-fve; he did not
hurry, not carrying much sail going returning ]
felt at home, when went on board and found my
self shaking hands with Capt. Armstrong and his
officers Again has this proud ship and companions
LETT again do feel the void they have left behind
The United States and the Yorktown are now on
their way to CallaO the latter leaves for home in all
this summer the Cyane has gone TO Santa Barbara
San Pedro, Mazatlan and Oahu, thence TO Califor-
MA the Dale and the Relief are here, the latter
bound 10 Callao the Dale leaves when the
Cyane returns. Ibelieve are hereafter always to
have ship of this coast it is much needed,
and is very good plan unless the Secretary of the
Navy wishes the ships to rot in the Port of Calao.
Our trade is increasing; there is much American
property on this coast; some of it has been taken
and destroyed Forty fifty citizens of the United
States have been taken up, imprisoned In irons, and
some oil them put in the hold of vessel; six, even
eight men chained to bar of iron and shipped out of
the country without cause. Some died in Sn. Bias
and Tepic some went on board other vessels in Sn.
Bias and found their way elsewhere; few found
their way back to California, and have been trying
topick UP their property; have read the Santa Fe
history; it is nothing TO the California affair. The
Supreme Government of Mexico believe often has
regrets for things done by her officers at distant
points, that she cannot prevent without taking mea-
sures not yet taken. What effect the taking OF
Monterey will have on her councils time will tell
She may demand satisfaction from the United States
for the insult offered to her flag but is it possible
that the Commodore would be sacrificed to appease
a nation, who has foryears committed so many out
rageous acts on American citizens. A Commandant
in this country at one time imprisoned Gas above
sfated) fifty American citizens. The government in
Washington in place of having him punished has
witnessed his promotion by Mexico. When Com
modore Jones had possession of Monterey not
man under his command struck even dog belong
ing to the inhabitants, nor was one OF them in
toxcated. There never wasibetter order here.