Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-08-29
LATE FROM CALIFORNIA.


inst. has the following late and interesting let
ter from California, written, il we mistake not,
by brother Of Hon. James Semple, U. s. Seno.
:or from Illinois and prospective Governor OF
Oregon. 1t gives the clearest and fairest ac-
count of the peculiar advantages aud disadvad-
vantages Of California as country to settle and
live in that we have met with. We have drawn
attention 10 some Of its statements by putting
them in Itnlcs. lie gives plain and distinct
account Of that country, which will benefit those
intending to emigrnte thither.
BEAR RIVER, CALIFORNIA, April TO- 1S46.
DEAN SIR: sit down to redeem my pro.
mise to write after my arrival in this country.
If the California fever should rage as high as
when left, oil information here will be gladly
received. | shall try to give an impartial &C.
count Of the country, and it's political situation,
FIRST, then, the road from Indr rpendenco to the
foot of the California mountains, acorss the
Rocky and Calume: mountains, is about as
good road ns that from st. Charles to Colurn.
wosk. be made good deal better. There is
plenty of water and timber for cooking; there
is no place where water may not be had, at far
,hcst every 25 miles, From The sink Of NTarys
river abou: 80 miles TO fresh water, are several
hot springs and salt springs From where we
strike Trucky's river to it's head. (Trucky's
lake,) at the foot of the California mountain.
the road is rough and rocky, but perfectly safe.
From the lake to the top Of the mountain, a.
bout miles, the ascent is very steep and rocky,
but the last emigrants got their wagons over
without breaking, by packing the load up the
mountains. The descent on this side is about
100 miles TO the plains, 80 of that distance be-
ing very rough and hilly. But there is pro.
position among the foreigners who expect their
friends from the States, to 60 and work on the
road; if 60, we shall make quite passable road
at oil events. Out of the $3.50 miles from lnde.
pcndence, there is about 100 o: bad road. Our
party had no trouble from The Indians and the
emigration had none, except the occasional loss
at some of their stock and one man killed. and
that by rushing on the Indians in fight, for
shooting the cattle. As there is but one tarcrn
or grocery store on the road, (Fort Hall0 !
would advise persons coming 10 this country to
provide themselves with plenty of provisions,
-four, rice cheese, butter, lard and bacon.
The face of the c0uniry.-l can only de.
scribe the great valley of the Sacramento. from
personal observation, and Whatever may say
of the remainder is from information. The
miles wide, crossed by several pretty large ri.
vers. many Of them navgabe to the foot of the
mountain; and from that up, the water tumbles
from rock TO rock, aiording neither navigation
nor valleys for cultivation. On all the rivers
from the mountain to the mouth, there are large
bottoms from one-half to six miles wide, mostly
alluvium, and Of the most fertile character, CO
vered with grass and the richest vegetation
oak, some buckeye, box, elder and willow
The oaks grow very large. 4 to Z feet in diane
ter, but the trunks are very short, seldom more
than or 10 feet, and then it branches int
but poor timber for farming and building purpo
ses We make no fences, but use the ditch
which stands we'll, as there is no rain from A
pril to December to wash them.
The plains. which furm about three.fourth
Of the valley. are photiy unacceptable Of c"l
tipation, from the fact that they arc NOT onf
poor aud barren, bmt Tie dry ,oeather in Sam
'ner could not permit crop TO be raised
They are covered now with small flowers an
} some bunch grass which makes good pastur
until the rainy season sets in, though il is entire
! ly dry by the LIST July. The population ,oi
c forever be con fined to the banks o|the riUer.
9 A gentleman present says, that the plains bt
: tween here and the st. Wsnkine, are muc
more fertile, and that very much of them ma
be wstered and proftsbly cultivated. He cthinl
the lower part Of Upper California much sup'
!, rior to the valley, but the difficulty Of securin
land and the bad character of the lndisns, ha,
= induced many of us 10 stop here. This cou'
sr try. taken together, is greatly inferior TO u
Western States, but those who get situation
J, on the rivers, where they can easily irrign
0. the soil. can do 200 per cent. better than
n Misscuri.-lrrigated lands here will produ'
= =. from 40 TO 60 bushels Of Wheat to the acre e
40 ry year. There is no Ay, nor rust, nor 70
re and the only trouble is to have moisture enoul
70 70 to make il head well. Tobacco, Cotton, Fla
nd Potatoes, Beans, Peas, &c. grow finely, b
lot mot scitkoui catering. While on this subje,