The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-10-24

beaver, sea-otter, and other furs, COM
prise the most important part Of their
expectations, which, in addition, would
augment the value Of exports to four
hundred thousand dollars per annum.
The greater portion of these items find
their way to the United States, either
direct orvia Sandwich islands or Lima;
the Yankees being the principal parti-
cipants in the trade with California.
No mercantile houses Of any import
ance are yet established in the country,
owing o'the impolitic advantages CIV
en- to foreign navigation, which permit
the coasting trade, and give license for
the disposal Of merchandise without re-
s.riction as oaquantity. Hence each
vessel becomes moving warehouse,
which is despatched about, from port
to port, according to the demand for
their merchandise; and no one thinks
of buying anything on shore. while
these floating conveniences are at hand.
As it may be supposed, this method Of
Inon.protection to home trade, is ofse
rious injury to the country, inasmuch
as it prevents the Introduction of capi-
talists, and the establishment of them
on shore. This detriment to the pros
perity Of California, however, is not un-
known to its government, and It has
made several unsuccessful attempts 10
regulate and reformthe system. Weak
and unstable IN their government, the
Californians have ever wavered from
their DEGREES, and though certain re-
strictions have been levied again and
again upon foreign commerce, they sell
dom continued long enough to give any
encouragement This has been owing
to the poverty of the treasury, and the
lack Of means possessed by the gov
ernment to support itself without the
aid Of foreign commerce, which is the
only source OF revenue whereby it is
sustained. A reform can only be eff
fected by shutting the ports, and I'm.
posing direct tax upon individual
property, which to accomplish, the
government has not sufficient force;
and for that reason California must re-
main as it is, subject TO q thousand
changes, until som Q other and more ell
evated power shall rule its destiny. In
the small villages almosteveTy house is
place for retailing merchandise; and
during the harvest forgrapes, while dis
tilIing aguadiente, all of them become
grog-sLops, and serve out destruction
to the Indians, who, are the principal
consumers. 8sag24e ag 1ats. ra
OF late years the cultivation Of the
grape has become an1important branch
Of agriculture, and almost every inhab-
liant fany note inthe town oflos An
geles has his vineyard. No particular
attention was drawn 10 its culture to
any extent, until Monsieur Louis Wig
ne, a native OF France, successfully un-
dertook the management of partially
abandoned vineyard, which he purchas-
ed for one hundred and fifty dollars.
Mons. Vigne emIgrated to California
in 1884, and six years after wards,
when desirous of ofleaving the country,
he was willing to make sacrifice, and
,oferedhis estate for sale for the sum of
twenty thousand dollars. The soil. he
says, for this kind Of culture, is not sur
passed anywhere; and is infinitely su-
perior TO that OF his avn country
Nothing is wanted but intelligent per-
sons to make wine of an excellentq quail
|ity, which would readily find a market
IN Mexico, and the neighboring coun-
tries where the vine, is, not cultivated.
The climate is well adapted to the
olive, which IS quite abundant, and
when ! wellprepared, not inferior to
that of Europe. 10 some parts Of the
country rice may be raised, and cot
ton and tobacco thrive to perfection.
The natives understand well enough
the art of cultivating them, but are too
ndolent to pay that strict attention
which they require. Many kinds Of
| fruit are produced in their gardens,
such as apples, pears, peaches, plums,
oranges, citirons, lines, pomegranates,
| figs, &c., and in fact, every attempt to-
wards agriculture has succeeded. .,.s
In the spring Of the year, during the
months Of May and June, the plans
and hills are variegated with flowers,
and the whole county becomes gar
den. II is one Of the most enchanting
sights imaginable to look upon its ex-
II - !, .,,,< onrnata1 "a q fhau n 70