Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-23

| On the north side is high, bod coast, al The
fucl OF which are sumo perforated Sandstone
| ROCKS, resembling in a remarkable degree rem
nants oil Old castles, with ruined poltccs and
afcaways. Alter You pass well into The bay,
you meet with various small islands or round
bold rocks, one Of which is known as Birds
Island. This island is admirably calculated tor
lighthouse or fort, for il perfectly commands
the entrance oil the harbor and could no, have
been better situated for the purposes named, If it
had been located by skiltul engineer. Such is
The entrance OF San Francisco Bay, the best one
on the Pacific coast, and not surpassed for beau
" oI surrounding country, or safely Tor ships al
anchor, BY any in the world.
The Port Of San Francisco Bay has a bold
shore, and high hills for back ground. The mar
row entrance OF The bay looking out towards the
Sea, Is neaulitnl, bounded as il is on both Sides
by bold rocks while he high rrecipices On which
you stand, brings the waves OF Tie ocean at your
very feet
Al the bead of San Francisco is the small Ia y
OF San Putbla, which niuch resembles lake
Vessels entering Il, pass close 10 The western shore
through narrow strait made By small islands
continuing on. you come in The vicinity OF Sono-
ma, The residence Of The Mexican commander Of
The California frontier. Tie towu is situated three
miles from The bay, on The banks OF handsome
creek. In The vicinity ale several Settlements
Sonoma was originally laid of with great taste,
and had the enterprise OF The people built il up
according 10 ihc crgna nlcnlon il would have
BEEN The hancsoncsl place in California. The mi.
liiary barracks ale extensive, and front masnif-
cent plaza. This station has garrison, nomi-
nally consisting OF enc hundred and flly-fve men
rank and file, bu! never mustels more than thirty
or iofly. The business OF he soldiers is 10 scour
The country, End under the pIeence Of keep.
mo Irf in fhpr, nf Iha
property they may from time 10 time accumulate
Enough Of Agricultural enterprise is exhibited Al
Sonoma. 10 enable one 10 judge Of The capacity
OF the soil in The hands Of an industrious popula-
ton. The stock looked fine and The houses were
better than any seen elsewhere on the bay. In
The vicinity OF Sonoma are hot springs, remaIka-
bly, effective in The cure Of rheumatic complains.
Near By them was wafer mill intended for
grinding corn and wheat. bul The machinery al
though exceedingly simple, was 100 complex Tor
The simple Caiicfnians In manage, so il Stood
still, The people being satisfied 10 spend more Time
in preparing orillas for one days consumption
than would have been necessaIyto expend in fix
ing The mill to have enabled il to grind enough
| in one day 10 last month.
Yerhahucna is a small and growing town on
The Southwest side Of San Francisco Bay. The
harbor Offers great facilities Tor unloading yes
sells Of all descriptions, but The place suffers from
The want of good wafer vessels, therefore, are
obliged 10 cross the bay 10 supply themselves
As The country becomes more lhickly settled, a
porl will be opened further South that Ye'babue-
ma which must become Of great importance as
place OF business.
The country between Monterey and San Fran
cisco presents great variety Of level land, well
drained when suf-fins from The rainy season,
and kept moist in The dry one BY The waters 'ha!
come from the mountains and lose themselves IN
The low lands In lhe forests is oak timber Vi
The best qualify for ship building, and all The III
lclior woods used for training houses and domcs
tic purposes. Places of several acres in cx:enl
alc TO be found, occupied By he palmetto and
cactus planis-spoIs Of ground easily cleared,
and possessing The richest possible soil.
Travelling towards Francisco Bay from any
direction, il is observable that, as you approach
il, the country constantly improves in fertility
lis shores are every where lined with mission STA
lions, and private farms the produce Of which,
with The mos, rude cultivation, is almost beyond
belief 10 those who till The soil in less hospable
climates. The yield cl wheat is Oxen hundred
iod, and corn is still mnre prolific.