The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-01
sNe,ens. OF c.l,forn,. and the sandwich Islands.

WtHdse Deen favored Win doopy Va ue ioi'"'"o iSs
Ter, which lay before our readers The views which
the writer who has the best opportunities OF obtaining
information presents of the prospects in California are
worthy OF notice They will amuse, if they do not IN
struct, our readers
The author OF the letter describes very fociby the IN
conyenences resulting from the of mail transporta
ton the western coast of the Pacific. He speaks oil
the Postmaster Generals forbearng to furnish such IA
ciies as may be desired in this respect But we must
beg our fellow citizens in Oregon and the Pacific
coast to be patient Elastic our happy government u.s.
still the energy and enterprise of our countrymen are
more than match for it, Everything cannot be done at
once Congress- by OF the last session. establish
ed mail line from Charleston TO Chagres across the
shmus to Panama, and from thence to Astoria, Oregon
touching certain points in CALIFORNIA; but the sum ap
propriaed being only hundred thousand dollars, was
not sufficient for its contamination.
The same Congress authorized the Secretary of the
Navy TO contract for transporting the mail across the
sthmus to Oregon and stipulated annual compensa-
ton for the service but appropriation was made be-
cause the lines of steamers contemplated by the act could
not be put in operation for considerable time. The
most active measures have been taken the subject by
the Navy Department and the facilities much desired by
the author of the letter will doubtless be furnished the
not however, be obtained any reasonable terms, as
to commence the service intended prior to October 1915
Extract Of letter from gentleman at the Sand0ich
Islands 10 has correspondent IN Washington
Honolulu, March IL, 1S47
vessel sails from here in day or two for the coast
of California. Flaering myself that the commander OF
our squadron will have provided some regular convey
for the mails between his station and Panama, ven
ure write few lines by this vessel to be forwarded
on by the commodore.
On the Goth of January last, / wrote via China and
England and on the 18th ultmo wrote again via Mex
co hope these letters will have reached their desna
ton in due time Since those letters were wnen moth
ing OF any Importance has ranspired here. My little TAM
ly all remain in very good health. Next week move
into the house have been building, about mile out OF
town; it will be completed this week.
We all taking the California fever here, IN the nat
ural way send you herewith the latest news received
from there You will perceive that the last battle between
our forces under General Kearny and the Mexican Cal
onians the oth and 9th January last has resulted
most favorably to the Americans, and that, in conse
quence the country is now quiet Fremont has entered
upon the duties of civil governor OF the country; martial
law has given place to the CIVIL and there Is no prospect
of future disturbance from the Mexican Californians.
Several of the merchants from here have been in to the
coast with cargoes of goods, &c and several OF the Old
residents of California have been here after goods, &C
have conversed with most of hen and am in the re-
ceip of letters from there frequently All the lntoma-
ton am able to obtain concerning the country, statistics
me that it is capable of the highest possible improvement
that it offers peculiar inducements for emigration to It
and that its beauties and its advantages OF position, SOIL
climate, II
San Francisco will be the point to which ships will
sort and should the country remain part OF the terri
tory of the United States it will soon be one OF the most
important places on the western coast OF America 1t
possesses the only easily accessible SAFE and commo-
dious harbo at all seasons, on the whole coast II can
be entered at all seasons OF the year, and with almost any
wind When inside, vessels perfectly safe IN all
weather The bay is very large capable OF accommoda'
ting almost any number of ships. The town is at the
southwest extremity OF the bay upon ground gently as
cendng from the water There is also a small town
just commenced upon the north side of the bay and near
y opposite San Francisco also one few miles IRON the
mouth of the Sacramento, at the head OF shpnavgaon IN
the bay The country each side OF the bay and the
Sacramento river and its tributaries, is described as
being beautiful with fine soi admirably adapted Tor
all kinds OF grains, sweet and Irish potatoes, and
fruits of northern atitudes as also for grazing, and
is very easily cultivated South of Monterey can be
tropical climates AT and in the, vicinity OF San Ga
brel, or the City of the Angels" there are extern
sve vineyards and for time they have been engaged
in the manufacture of wine and brandy. The wine has
been brought here. have drunk It, and pronounce 1t
very good. Yankee enterprise and ingenuity Will, OF
course, soon invent introduce improved mode of
manufacture and, of consequence, improved article.
The mines, not far from the coast and easily accessible
said to be rich in OF silver quicksilver lead,
MA south OF IS deg NORTH said to be all that can be
desired, and is quite equal to that OF these islands;
northern men like better It is OF very uniform tenn
peraure, averaging about 65 degrees Fahrenheltnot SO
and more bracng than that OF these islands Far
ther north San Francisco they have colder weather
nothing, however, that would De called winter by
northern man snow, and seldom freezing weather,
but considerable rain during the winter months. Alto
getber, it most inviting region, and, Tor the next live
years. will attract the attention, not only OF the
universal Yankee naon but Of the nations of Europe,
and will astonish them at the rapid development of its
peculiar and great natural and capacities and
its giant strides towards national wealth and distinction
The United States, by retaining as part OF their terri
tory, will have secured most valuable country, and can
greatly aid its advancement Under any circumstances
however it again form portion OF Mexican
SOIL and must be independent of that power; and settled
principally, will be, and already by citizens OF the
United States, it will ego ahead" and be .great coun-
try," whether governed by the laws of the "Unon by
those OF its adoption. So mote It be. Already the
spirit of speculation has infused itself into the nhabt-
ants and hear that towns and cities being surveyed
out, and probably, this, have been autograph
ed, and possibly being auctoned OIL IN blocks
and lots in the principal cities OF the United States
What the next Congress will do in regard to extending
the jurisdiction and laws of the United States over Cali
forna, of course cannot say If, however, peace is ne
goaed with Mexico before their next session, presume
ii will be the condition that California Is surrendered
to the United States in which case suppose, terrific
rial government will be at once organlzedat any rate,
in opinion, such organization should take place
Immediately Ii all the accounts hear of the emigration
into California already, and that which is on It's way
there approxmaes at all to the TRUTH before Congress
meets in December next there will be eight ten thou
sand Americans there
| Whether the lands in California better more
productive than in Oregon, cannot say certain is, they
are Inferior and that the skies of the former country
are much inviting and brighter than those of the
latter.
! In Oregon, west of the Cascade mountains it rains
about nine months in the year. Most excellent wheat,
however raised there and already in large quantl-
ties They have also fine Touring mills in operation,
rharaa llSnfH