Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-31
G A LIFOR RI MA.

Whenever stranger arrives in California his first
sation with the inhabitants and his first questions
ing the climate and the fertility of the SOIL These being
very interesting points, he is naturally led inquire the size
OF common farm in California and the it contains.
Here the person questioned finds himself in difficulty either
because he is scholar else he has
lated and consequently does not bear in his mind the
Der Of contained in the Mexican league and
"We do not farms here by acres only
by leagues "Wha (says the Strangely do oil the farms
in California contain leagues of land " eyes (repies the
arme they all contain from one square league to eleven
Here the stranger looks around with Of increduy
and, after moments surprise, asks What tract of land
OF one league square be worth in specie :" He told
perhaps, one thousand dollars He becomes asonshed
still at hearing of nine square miles Of beautiful fertile land
that produce Kind Of vegetable another The year round
being sold for one thousand dollars
year or little less than year from this time many Of
the most splendid farms in this country will have go by the
board. All the farmers are with very few EXCEPTIONS
deeply IN debt TO American merchants. think may say,
without any fear of exceeding the TRUTH that half million
of dollars would scarcely be sufficient their debts
These people have other means of paving those debts but
by the sale OF their cattle Chat is say those who have cat
e) their farms. There is little doubt that many noble
of land will have to change its owner under the hammer
As IL is almost beyond doubt that Monterey,
count Of its good harbor and central position, will be the
pita of California building lots in this place have for the
last two months been good demand. There are not
than eight ten building lots belonging this present time
to the municipality the rest have all been taken by ndvdu
ais. The land belonging to the municipality Of this
extends two miles from the church, in circle, making da
meter of four miles, and circumference of nearly twelve
miles, all Of which has been sold to individuals.
Monterey chosen by predecessors for the capital
California, though perhaps not with the same views under
the ideas may be expressed in its favor In
first place has good harbor where hundred or more
sells lie anchor well sheltered from any wind that can
blow from twenyeght out of thirty points the compass
and with ordinary good ground tackng There is
son any danger to be apprehended from the other four
Next, it has central position as town than any
other part of California which highly entities il to the prefer
Of being the Of Government the first object all
civilized Governments being, not the personal convenience Of
those In command but the happiness and convenience Of the
persons subject to the Government
In the next place. exclusive Of It's beautiful harbor Monte
rey has splendid site for the rearing of large city, and
immense quantity of back ground support it, All the pro
for hundred miles south Of Monterey, that intended
for expectation must here, as likewise that of thirty
miles north from this place Then, again. the principal
merce in California, way another runs through this
channel and finally the climate is far superior in Monterey
that Of San Francisco There no eves and agues
there there and all contagious diseases are unknown here
There is no doubt that Francisco will be the great COM
mercia point OF California Of its superior internal
resources and the and security cater once entered
its harbor but still the picturesque beauty of Monterey, its
healthy climate and the resources and advantages contains
necessary large city, always attract the attention of the
entcprsng emgrant whilst its commodous and safe harbor
the quantity Of native produce brought to its market and the
wealth of its inhabitants win likewi.e at all tines command
the attention of the hardy mariner.