Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1843-01-14
BURLINGTON IOWA, SATURDAY, JANUARY II, 1913.
AMERICAN PARADlsE--cALlFoR.

AMERICAN PARADlSE--CALlFOR.
NIA.-The following communication il
from gentleman who spent last winter
in Upper California, aud plEsrds some
valuable information in relation to that
Louis Rep.
FouRcAE A'RESALr. (Mo) Nov. IL,
l3I9.
GENTLEMSv.-ln answer to the many
inquiries for Information respecting the
route TO, aud country Of Upper California,
take the privilege Of sending you this
imperfect sketch, which, it you think it
will interest any Of your numerous req.
ders you will please insert in your valua-
bic paper.
Upper California lies between the 3ist
aud 32l degrees OF N. L., embracing an
extent Of coast Of about 700 miles, and
extending back to the Zoo. OF the great
mountains, (Which run parallel with the
coast u distance oil from SO to $50 miles.
This great valley is crossed by low hills,
from three 10 ten miles wide, with valleys
OF from 10 10 100 miles wide. Through
these valleys flow larger streams, having
their rise iii the main mountains, with
many smaller streams emptying into
them from those ridges, affordlng many
beautiful sites Tor mills and other machin-
cry. Tho principal rivers are the Joacim
and Sacrament: tho latter is navigable q
considerable distance for vessels Of a
large size They both enter into the
bay of La Francisco. The laud Of these
valleys is equal 10 any in Missouri or
Illinois, the productions are the same as
are found in the lati,ades Of the United
States. Corn yields we'll here: wheat
seems to be perfectly at home, producing
from IS 10 100 land even more) bushels
to the acre. Grain Of every description
succeeds well.
Apples, peaches, pears. oranges, figs,
cherries, &c. &c. come to fine perfection.
Oats aud clover grow spontaneously, and
Of superior qualities to any grown in the
Western country.
With the exception Of narrow skirts
Of oak along the streams, the valleys are
entirely destitute Of timber; they are
covered with oats, clover, and grass, the
most luxuriant the eye ever b.held.-
The ridges, or hills, are covered with
timber OF the finest quality for ship build.
ing and other purposes, and growing to
the enormous height Of 200 feet, and
twenty feet in diameter. The streams
abound a fish, aud the plains are cove red
with thousands Of wild horses elk, deer,
antelope, bear, wild ducks, geese and
brants. The Climate is mild aud rvma rx-
able healthy, there being no disease,
either endemic or epedemic. We saw
green pumkins, lettury. gourds, &c. grow.
MS fiacIy during all the months 81 las,
winter.
Silver and lead are the only mine raj.
yet discovered.
The number Of inhabitants does not ex
coed 5000. They are an ignorant, idol.
ent people, spending the most OF their
time on horseback, in pursuit Of wild
horses and cattle, in whic'; anlasem,,s:..
they take sea, t 60: ,.. The: own i'm.
mense quantities OF cattle, the hides and
tallnw OF which they barter to vessels for
clothing and other uecessaries. It is no,
uncommon for one man to own from niue
to ten, and even forty thousand head
which cost them nothing bu; the clothing
and feeding OF two or three lndians Il
hcid them: the range being so rich thai
they keep perfectly fat during all sea
sons.
Situated, as that country il, on tn.
coast OF the Paciic,-possessed Of many
OF the best harbors in the known world
| "a soil interior to none,-a climate laI
sup rior to any. such country, IN til.
hands ot un Industrious aud euterprisine
people, would, u, no distant day, compar,
with the mos. flourishing countries 0
the globe! The government will Civ,
Liberal grants of lands to persons tina
will take the oath OF allegiance to confor.r
to the doclriues OF the Roman Catholi,
faith.
| Titles can be bought Of citizens Of til,
county for mere trifle, upon which
foreigner can live in the enjoyment ., Iii.
own religious views aud have the righ
to dispose OF his land in any manner h,
may deem proper.
| The lest aud only route that wagon
can be taken into the country is to eros
the Rocky Mountains near the head wa
ters OF the Platte River; thence to the
Soda Springs on Bear River, above tn.
great Salt Lake; thence TO Fort Hall, o.
Lewis or Snake Rive, thence due west L
the north Fork OF Mary's OF Ogden
River, down this River 10 where it form.
the lake at the foot OF the Cal,torni,
Mountains; thence due south along In,
eastern base Of these mountains y dis
lance Of between three aud four hundred
miles TO the gap, through this gap ia on,
day, on the plalas Of the two Lamica.-
There are no hills or mountains .incon
yenient Tor q wagon TO pass, aud the onI,
difficulty in the way is the great quaint
ties Of sand and very stubborn shruI
called wild sage, which will render il al
most impossible for single team to hsu
little else than an empty wagon. Th,
distance through this sand aud sage Is .
bout ten or twelve hundred inilcs.
4 company in this country is now max
ing arrangement for emigrating 70 thi
country the ensuing spring; they az,
composed Of fa.nilies aud young men,
Each person and family Il rennired /,