The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-15
tn E o MON.
Sketches OF California.

Sketches o California.
From the California Star
YERBA BrrsA AND SAN Francisco BAv.-The only
journal upon which the people at distance rey with
any degree of certainty for facts and correct description IS
the plain but well written work OF Col j. Fremont,
which we recommend 10 every who feels interest
in learning anything IN relation 10 the former history Oh
late condition OF the country
In consequence of the difficulty which Col. Fremont
labored under getting to the different parts OF the
country, he was unable TO give that accurate Information
relative to this part which he could and would have done
under other circumstances To supply the deficiency IN all
these works. (some of which have obtained an extensive
cculatiop so far relates to this part oil California,
we have obtained from the most authentic sources the
description of the town and bay, which follows:
Yerba Buena the name oi our town, which means
GOOD HERB is situated on the southwest side OF the
principal of San Francisco bay, about five miles from
the ocean, narrow neck OF land varying IRON four
TO ten miles in width-the narfowest place being SIN
teen miles southwest Of the town IL rs IN latitude 81
deg As min north. This narrow slip OF land is about
sixty miles in length, extending from the point formed ny
the bay and the ocean To the valley OF San Jose The
site of the town is handsome and COMMUNICATING an
inclined plane OF about mile in extent from the waters
edge to the hills in the rear Two points OF andone
on each side, extending into the bay form crescent or
small bay in the shape OF crescent IN 'front.' which bears
the name of the These points afford fine view
of the surrounding country-,he capped mountains
in the disance-the green valleys beneath ihem--the
beautiful smooth, and unruifed bay IN 'front.' and on
either sde burst upon the eye There rs IN front
of the small island rising high above the surface
of the bay about two miles long and one wide, which Is
covered the greater part OF the year with the most ey-
uberant heritage of untrodden freshness This little
island is about three miles from the shore Between II
and the town is the principal anchorage Here the
sells OF all nations rest in safety and peace, and ter as
are displayed by the aromatic breeze. Two hundred
yards from the shore there twenty -four feet water and
short distance beyond that many iathoms. The
beach Immediately in front of the business part OF
town is shelving; but will no doubt in short time be
filled up and become the most valuable part OF the place
The climate here is, in the winter which rs the RAINY
season. damp and chilly During the balance of the year
it is dry, but chilly, in consequence OF the continual
xipIl nnIn Ihprei
little variation in the atmosphere throughout the year
the thermometer ranging from fity-hve TO seventy de-
grees Fahrenheit.
Yerba Buena is one of the most healthy places on the
whole coast of the Pacific Sickness of any kind
y known among The salubrity of the climate
beauty of the site of the townits contiguity to the
mouth of the bay-the finest harbor the whole coast
in front-the rich and beautiful country around il, all
conspre to render it one Of the best commercial points IN
the world
The town is new, having been laid off in 1899 by
Capt John Vogt; and notwithstanding all the troubles
the country has gradually increased in size and mpor
lance It now contains population OF about hve num- a
about two hundred
Three miles south is the mission Dolores Mission
creek surrounded by small valley of rich and beautiful
land The water from this creek can easily be brought
by means of aqueducts to any point to supply vessels
For the supply of the citizens the best OF well water is
obtained in every part of the town. by boring the dis
In going south from Yerba Buena, the traveller passes
this narrow neck OF and most delightful region
eys rich and beauu-the hills covered with tall pines
red wood and CEDAR that have whstood the tempesis
and whirlwnds of century, and the mountains rising in
male tic grandeur TO the clouds In passing out the val
ley of San Jose opens to the all the loneliness OF
the climate of Italy and beauty Of the tropics This valley
is about sixty miles in length, and ten in width. The
Pueblo (Which means incorporated town. is the prncl
pal place of business for the valley, and is about five
miles from Santa Clara the landing the bay, it
is termed here the embarcadero" Passing from here
northeast the traveller in few hours ride reaches the
straits which separate the Suisun bay, formed by the con-
uence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from
that of San Pablo Here il that the accumulated
waters of thousand years had suddenly rent the opposing
mountain asunder, and flowed with tremendous force
to the great bosom of the deep.
On the north side of the bay from the straits 10 Sous
to, of the finest districts OF country in all Upper
California.
Next TO Yerba Buena Sousto is the best point the
whole bay for commercial town. II is miles
little east OF north from this place. the opposite side OF
the bay and has long been watering point for vessels
An attempt has recently been made TO lay of and
build up at the straits to supersede the two last
mentioned places twill doubt however, be an entire
failure
San Francisco bay being the safest and most commo-
dious harbor the entire coast of the Pacific, some
point it must be the great mart of the western world
does now, all the trade of the surrounding country and
there being already large amount of capital concentrated
here.
The town of Yerba Buena is called, in some OF the
old maps of the country, San Francisco 1t is not known
by that name here, however
The town takes its name from herb TO be found
all around it, which said to make good tea, and pos
sessng excellent medicinal qualities, is called good
herb, or Yerba Buena.