Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-07-09


the rainy season is rainy weather, the residue Is
which is pleasant and delightful. Wheat is sown
in the Fall and during tae entire Winter, and ma
ny vegetables are to be obtained at any time during
the year. There are several kinds of grain of
which two crops are raised in year; many kinds |
of vegetables are planted end gathered at sny and
every season, As as the ram commences,
vegetation puts fortk anew, and all nature seems
TO a and most enliveniDg aspect. In
the months of December and January vegetation
is in full bloom. II may truly be said ofthis conn
try, that december is as pleasant as Nay
Now the vast herds of beasts, wild and domestic,
instead of roaming frozen and desolaie hills,
or fields of ice aud snow-driven ty the bowling
tempest from side to side, or shiyering 10 the chl
ling cavern frozen stall, believing and bowling
for protection against Natures hard fa,e--are
seen throughout this herbous and delightful region
In herds innumerable, ranging promiscuously from
river TO river, and from hill to dale, cropping the
inexhausTibe and spontaneous vegetation, aud in
the loudes strains of natural language, rejoicing
in Natures happy DEGREES.
need not remark that, as grazing country, II
cannot be surpassed the facts above stated clear
ly establish this. The whole country is literally
covered with immense herds of cattle and horses.
The farmers have generally from 600 to 10000
head of cattle. and usually as many horses. Cat
tie are usually worth from l to dollars per head,
horses from TO 10 dollars per head. In many
parts OF the country, any person who has 10 cattle
wishing 10 procure beef, is at liberty to kill as
many cattle as he pleases, without regard to own
ers, provided he delivers the hide to the owner
The ownership is determined by The brand. if 10
mark is found, whatever proof may be off ered it
belongs, hide and all, to him who killed il, and he
cannot be compelled TO compensate the owner
Cattle are generally raised here merely for the
hides. They are driven latterly, in grenl num-
bers, to Oregon several thousands were driven
last sptng- Many thousands horses have, upon
various occasions, been killed, because of the
country being overstocked. Both the cattle and
horses of this country are of an excellent species.
Sheep and hogs are also raised in great numbers
in many parts Of the country; they produce their
young twice annually.
The greatest abundance of game is found in this
country especially the elk, deer, antelope, bears,
wolves foxes, martins, beavers ,muskras, seals
aud racoons. In travelling through The valleys of
this country have frequently seen many thou
sands Of elk at one view. The antelopes are
equally numerous. During the winier seasons,
the bays rivers, and even the wheat fields aud low
lands throughout The whole country, are literally
ter fowls. Here they have congregated from the
whole northern Country. and their croakng,
sqIeaking aud Tapping Of wings is incessent, and
IN many places very annoying.
There are various rivers of very considerab lie |
importance in the country the largest of which is
the Sacramento. 1t is probably navigable bou |
300 miles without obstruction. and may be render
ed navigable TO a much greater extent. with
very little expense. OF the others, there are the
Russian River. and several others, which may be
rendered navigable. All the rivers and bays OF
this country abound in fish ofthe very best kinds,
among which are the salmon, salmon trout, SUR
geon. cod. carp sole, founders, herring and ray
Shell fish also found IN great abundance. such
as clans, oysters and muscles. The oysters are
of an excellent kind.
The commercial advantages of California are
not surpassed. Bay of St. Francisco. for extent
of anchorage and security of harbor is unparalleled
1t has been well said that in that bay call the ma
ves of the world could ride with perfect safely.
Besides this there several other bays affording
very commodious and safe anchorage, those for
instance Of Monterey, 81. Diego aud Bodego.--
At each of these bays towns have been common
ced, Monterey is the seat of government. Yerba
Buena, near the entrance of the Bay of St. Fran /
CISCO is a fiourishing little town. At some point
that bay is destined, at no very distant day, to
be great commercial city.
The population of Upper California is about
seven or eight thousand. about two thirds of whom
are native Indians the other portion is composed
of Spanards, or Mexcans, las they call them
selves) negroes, and a mixture of every color,
description and grade. With the exception Of the
foreigners, the whole population is in depiora-
bic state of ignorance. The whole knowledge
which they possess, civil, potIcaI. or religious,
they derive from the Roman Catholic clergy, who
are generally learned and intelligent. but the most
dissolute and abandoned characters of the commu- |
nifty. There are about four or FIVE hundred for
eigners 10 California, who are now very well trea-
ted with very few exceptions. Formerly they
were very lily treated; 30 or 40 of them were
taken prisoners and in irons to the city Of Mex
leo, where they we're released. This occurred in
the year 1910. The only pretence for this treat
men; was that the foreigners were suspected of
entertaining some revolutionary designs. Some
of them have received reparation, others have not.
In reference 10 this matter, our citizens there
consider themselves much neglected by our gov |
ernmeDf. 1 |
am informed that there is some doubt enter
taned by our citizens. in reference TO foreigners
L pIs r. To-.