The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-10-09


show the important standing which the missions
held towards sustaining the government and how
enfeebled Il must have become since their ruin.
Since 1886, when the Caifornians drove out the
Mexcans, the country has undergone many changes
Numbers Of new farms have been created by
the division of the mission estates, and hundreds o.
Englishmen and Americans are scattered over the
extent Of their domains. There were very few
farmers previous to $780, whose actual possessions
Of horned cattle did not exceed one hundred thous
and In 1912, there were no less than nlnety-twC
raneheros located between the ports of San Diego and
San Luis Obispo. These persons possessing, on al
average, one thousand bullocks each, making an
aggregate OF ninety-two thousand, From San Luis
Obispo towards the north, the farms are more nu.
merous, and may be supposed TO contain treble the
number ofcattle contained southwark of that point
so we may safely estimate the whole number oil
horned cattle held by individuals in the whole coun-
try, at four hundred thousand.
The yearly number of cattle slaughtered seldom
exceeded fifty thousand, which left large increase
so that with and attention, in very short time
the number must oyeneach that ever held by the
missions even in their most hourishing condition
The value Of the hides and tallow derived from
these annual saughters, may be estimated at three
hundred and seyenty-two thousand dollars. These
two commodities; with the exception of some bea.
YER, sea otter and other furs comprise the most i'm
portant part Of their expectations, which in addi-
ZION, would augment the value of ex ports TO four
hundred thousand dollars per annum. The greater
portion Of these items find their way to the United
States, either direct via Sandwich islands or Lima
the Yankees being the principal participants in the
trade with California.
No mercantile houses Of any importance are yet
established In the country, owing TO the impolitie
advantages given to foreign navigation which permit
the coastlLg trade, and give license for the disposal
OF merchandise without restriction as 10 quantity.
Hence each vessel becomes moving warehouse
which is despatched about, from port 20 port, ac-
eording 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 non-protection to home
trade Is Of serious injury TO the country inasmuch
as II prevents the Introduction Of capitalists and the
establishment of them on shore. This detriment 10
the prosperity Of California, however, is not I'm.
known to It's government, and il has made several
unsuccessful attempts 10 regulate and reform the
system. Weak and unstable in their government,
the Caifornlans have ever wayered from their de-
crees, and though certain restrictions have been
levied again and again upon foreign commerce thew
seldom continued long enough 10 give any encour-
agement This has been owing To the poverty of
tue treasury, and the lack Of means possessed by
the government TO support itself without the aid OF
foreign commerce, which is the only source Of rev.
enue whereby il is sustained. reform can only
be effected by shutting the ports and imposing d.
rect tax upon individual property, which to accom-
pish, the government has not sufficient force; and
for that reason California must remain as il is sub
ject TO a thousand changes, until some other and
more elevated power shall rule its destiny. In the
small villages almost every house is place for re-
failing merchandise; and during the harvest for
grapes, while dlstIling aguardents, all Of them be-
come grog-shops, and serve out destruction to the
Indians, who are the principal consumers
or late years the cultivation of the grape has be-
come an Important branch Of agriculture, and al
most every inhabitant Of any note in the town OF
los Angeles has his vineyard No particular atten-
ton drawn to its culture to any extent, until
Monsieur Louis Vlgne, native Of France, success.
iu,Iy undertook the management of a partially aban-
doned vineyard, which he purchased for one hun
dred and fifty dollars. Mons. VIgne emigrated 10
California ia 1884, and six years afterwards, when
DESTROYS of leaving the country, he was willing 10
make sacrifice, and offered hts estate for sale for
the sum of twenty thousand dollars. The soil, he
says for this kind of culture, not surpassed any
where; and Is infinitely superior that of his own
country. Nothing is wanted but intelligent persons
to make wine Of an excellent quality, which would
readily find a market in Mexico, and the neighbour
ing countries where the vine is not cultivated
The climate is well adapted TO the olive, which is
quite abundant, and when wel-prepared, not infe-
rlor to that of Europe La some parts Of the coun-
try rice may be raised and cotton and tobacco
thrive to perfection. The natives understand well
enough the art fcultivang them, but are too indo-
lent to pay that strict attention which they REQUIRE
Many kinds of fruit are produced in their gardens,
such apples, pears, peaches pums oranges, cit
rons, lines, pomegranates, fgs, &c, and in fact,
every attempt towards agriculture has succeeded
La the spring OF the year, during the months of
May and June, the plains and hills are variegated
with flowers, and the whole country becomes a gar
den Ii il of the most enchanting sights imagin-
able to look upon its extensive pra les carpeted as
they are, with millions of beautiful and fragant bios
SONS; arranged in natures grand Kaleidoscope as
TO call forth admiration from the beholder and his
reverence and love for the great author of such mag
niheence. The air becomes perfumed with their
sweetness, and as the heavy tramp of the travellers
steed presses upon them, an exquisite fragrance
rises, which is borne away by the winds to the hills
and mountains, to mlnge with the sweets which
they exhale. Indeed, there is more loneliness and
beauty In such scene, than my humble self can
dellneate. l recolect spot in the rear of the mis-
sion of San Gabriel where the flowers are of so rich
vermion, as to be seen distinctly from the ships
place of anchorage at San Pedro from whence they
appear like velvet covering to the earth. This is
distance of over thirty miles, and it may seem to
the reader almost incredible but nevertheless it is
truth, and may be Witnessed year after year. with
out any decrease in beauty.
The hills and the woods abound with MANY kinds
of wild fruits, among which gooseberres black
berries, whortleberres, and strawberries The lat
ter vary in their appearance and flavor according to
heir locality; those found in the northern paris of
The country being inferior in size, but sweeter
Raspberres are also to be met WITH in quality equal
10 the English ones; but the most abundant of all is
he mora or blackberry.
The soil of California is rich, and aided by the
mild temperature of its climate, extremely produc-
i've for all kinds of grain; admitting of two crops in
'ne season. From the parallel of San Luis Obispo,
,orthward the highlands are topped with pines,
while the green plains beyond them are plentifully
supplied with oak; the former, in some sections of
he country, growing to an immense size, with long
zones hanging from their branches, containing pi-
zones or seeds, which are collected by the Indians
It their proper season, and become an important ar
ice of their food. Other classes of trees are found
n the forests, of which the ash, beach, and maple,
comprise the greater portion.
The feature of the mountains extending through
California gives dreary aspect to the country, till
rriving near the confines Of Monterey, where they
IRE wooded, and less accompanied with volcanic ap-
'earances. Their average height is about twenty
wo hundred feet, rising in some places almost
rectly from the sea, so as to leave but a narrow
trip between them and the beach. The woods are
bundant in wild game, and the rivers and bays sup
'y the inhabitants with fish of many kinds
California, pietced as maritime station, has not lis