Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-04-07

aud roaring pillows below, as if dcigned by
nature TO point out the entrance into that
great bay ofbays. A more admirable and
advantageous position for lighthouse can
scarcely be imagined. and there is no
doubt but that those who visit San Francis.
&C two or three years hence, instead ofses.
ing massive dark rock looking out upon
the mighty deep at the mouth Of that bay
will there behold brilliant luminary of,he
ocean. From what has already been said |,
must be apparent TO all that there are few
bays, if any, in any part Of the world, which
surpasses this for security Of harbor and cx.
tent of anchorage. 1t has been truly said,
that Sin this bay all the fleets and navies Of
the whole wordcould ride imperfect safety"
This hay alone would answer all the com.
mercial purpores Of California il. all time to
come. There is ample water at the en-.
trance for vessels of the largest class wheth-
err during the ebb or flow oflhe tide which
in this bay rises about eighteen feet. All
things being considered am ofthe opinion
that harbor cannot be found equal in all
respects 10 that Of the bay ofSan Francisco.
1t is of the greatest importance not only to
Cl,lornia but to all the commercial govern.
ments of the world whose ships of war and
merchantmen. or whaers, cruise in the Pa
ci6c, as ii affords them the most extensive
anchorage and secure harbor. which is sur.
| rounded by one of the most fertile countries
in the known world, where all necessary
ship supplies may be obtained in any a.
bundance and upon the most favorable
terms.
The sacramento river which emp,ics into
the Bay of San Francisco, rises in the Cali
iiornia mountains and passes through, to.
gether with its branches, the most delight.
| ulporlion Of California. 1t has two distinct
heads-one near latitude Al deg. north and
The other near latitude AZ north. The
couise Of the former of these branches 10
their confluence is south southwest and that
Of the latter is south east. Their junction
is near latitude 40 deg. north and near Ion.
gilude III deg west, above which in their
course they receive innumerable small trih.
uaries both from the north and south which
swell their waters TO immense Volumes
From the junction Of these branches the
general course of the rlver 10 its mouth is
south west receiving in its course, Dry
river from the north, Feather river, the A.
| merriam Entk n.-I-i~ TuIotc nom the
south. Its length is about 500 miles, 800
Of which is navigable without interruption
for vessels and steamboats,; and it may DO
rendered nav gable to much greater extent,
with very little expense.
The Tuare river is to the most I.oted
tributary of the Sacramento and is the Sc.
cond river ofimportance in the northern
port on ofthe country, and is the third river
in California. 1t rises in the California
mountains near latitude SO deg. north and
runs north west and emptes into the Sac
ramento a few miles above the Bay o. San
Francisco. Its length is about 400 miles,
200 of which are navgable for steamboats,.
This river has numerous small tributaries
which water great extent Of fine, rich
country. Just below the junction Of this
river it'll the Sacramento there is an island
about four miles in length, and from its pc
culiar position especially lis contiguity to
| 81 IS nj he, h,
of San Francisco it will eventually be high.
ly valuable.
Feather liver is another tributary Of tho
Sacramento on the south and is about 200
miles in length, so or 60 miles Of which are
navgable for steamboats,.
The next tributary ofimportance is tho
American fork which is about $50 miles in
length and is beautiful clear stream but
not navigable.
waters dry sandy sections, takes its rise TO
the north of the Sacramento in the Kllamet
range OF mountains near latitude 4 deg.
no III whence it runs south east about thirty
m les then forum. semi circle it runs
nearly parallel with the Sacramento but u
the opposite direction, when finally it emp
ties into that river near latitude 40 deg.
north. lis length is about I1O.
There are several other streams which
empty INTO the Sacramento on the north
and mic the bay of San Francisco
both from the north and south none Of
which are navieabe, but they are highly
important as they water al the country in
the vicinity oil the Bay.
From the foregoing statement the great
commercial advantages Of the bay Of San
Francisco must be readily acknowledged.
| Let it be borne in mind that beside The Sc.
cure anchorage for shipping on one Of thu
most important seas on the globe, which Of
iself would make it pre-emineni, tho
streams Of which this Bay il the outlet va.
Ter region Of country capable from lis un-
paraleled fertiliy,of susiaininga dense pop
ulatien. 1t is also circumstance OF the