The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-28
.,ta.e, From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
California and New Mexico.

Wilkes, the Hon Mr. Darby and other late travellers.
Upper ca9n'a extends for distance Of ten degrees
along the Facing coast with breadth OF $40 miles
us lower boundary IS al the river Gas about the 32d
degree o. north latitude while its upper is at the Snowy
degree The breadth of Upper California at the river
elias is about 500 miles, but gradually wdens
tends NORTH until ii atains breadth Of its upper
extremity, OF this vast territory occupying an area OF
100000 square miles, but little is known except of that
portion lying along the Pacific coast between the noun
tans and the sea- and which forms strip Of land from
40 to so miles IN width, and extending 600 miles from
north to south The immense tableand, which stretches
eastward from the Pacific chain the lofty peaks Of the
Sierra Madre has been but little explored yet. when
led with salt lakes, reminding the traveller Of the vast
seril plains of Central Asia The population OF this arid
wilderness is composed of few serabe Indians who
manage to subsist on roots, and occasionally on game
The population OF the whole of Upper California did not
contain, at the beginning Of this war, 5o,O 900 souls
the seacoas is comparatively fertile. The tenn
perature here about fifteen degrees higher than in the
same latitude the Atlantic coast. There is little rain
and then only in the rainy season. which extends from
November to Aprl but two years have been known to
eapse without shower. The heavy dews however
which rise from the sea every night prevent the country
from becoming parched Snow falls but rarely Agr-
culture cannot be prohtaby conducted without irriga
tom hence, the country hitherto has been principally
grains thrive we'll There only one really good har
Dor on the coastthe bay of San Francscowhich lies
latitude IS north but this is sufficiently capacious for
the naves of the world. The other probationary
Santa Barbara, and San Pedro-are mere roadsteads
where the anchorage is insecure that the approach
Of norher the vessel that does slip its cable, and
gain ofng In time, to be lost The rivers of
this strip of land generally mountain torrents half
dry in SUMNER which run westwardly into the Pacific;
but there are two streams Of more mportance-the Bue
naventura and Sacramcnto-which north and SOUTH
and emptying into the bay of San Francisco drain that
beautiful valley for extent of four hundred miles
New Mexico is bounded on the west by Upper Caliior
nia and the east by the territories OF the United
States 1t is but comparatively small strip of land,
chiefly confined to the higher waters OF the Rio Grande
ton is not above lOo 900. The capital is Santa Fe The
temperature of New Mexico very cold in consequence
Of its elevation above the sea- and for the reason
the soil is not very fertile The people live in houses of
nburnt brick Their habits are generally primitive
trade between the United States and the richer
and more southern province OF Chihuahua was former
carried through Santa Fe, by caravans ST. Louis,
across the praires OF the great western territory This
trade has been entirely destroyed by the war.
#, as is now almost certain, New Mexico and Upper
California should be permanently annexed 10 the United
States, the whole of those untravelled plains will be
speedily explored by the adventurous spirit OF citi
onized Indeed the work Of colonizns California has
already been begun by the Mormons, settlement of
whom is now established on the southern side OF the
| Bay of San Francisco
| We annex description of this country from Waddy
Thomsons book. AS the minister wrote hearsay,
and always the most reliable, think he has fallen
into plumbers; but give his account, neverthe-
less, correct in the main:
"The inhabitants Of California are, for the part
Indians large propofsion naked savages who not only
|
anuispsahy. ~. 49,.
partment prevents any being sent.
Capt Suer, who was one of Bonapare's officers and,
ment there and the sovereign the country any
certanly de facto, if not dc ne The government
ment, extending her laws and aordng protection, which
alone give to civilized people right to the country OF
as much indebted any other nation Mexco they
only know the government of Mexico by the exactons and
and belongs to the rst occupant Capt suter has two
forts in California, and about thousand persons,
ed and regularly drilled have NO doab, that hi. force
would be more than match for any Mexican force which
will be sent against them He has twice been
ordered deliver up his FORTS and his locanic reply has
BEEN Come and take them
"From all the information which have received-and
have been nqusitve upon the subecIa well satisfied
that there is no. on this continent any country of the same
which combines as many advantages California With
Scarcely any portion Of Oregon which IS nhabab except
for that most worthless of ala hunting populaon--and
the south, the only port the Columbia river and that
no port all, the loss of the Peacock, and other
in California that OF San Francscoi capaoioas enough for
the naves of the world, and shores covered with
enough timber Ca species of the live oak) build those
naves. II man of God climate he would
just such that Of California if he had been
e.S ali the grains as We'll have been told By more
than person whom entirely relied that they had
Tn viii TD not state it The Whole face Of the country
tese the richest mines OF gold and silver have been dscov
cred there and the pearl fisheries have always beer
sources OF the largest profits and than these there
the markets OF India and China, with nothing interview
ing bur the calm and stormless Pacific
rhe distance from the head OF navigation on the Arkan
and Red rivers to navgable point OF the waters OF the
Gulf Of California; is than five six hundred
miles. Let that distance be overcome by railroad and
what vista is opened to the prosperity and power OF ou
coun:ryl have doubt that the time will come when
New Orleans will be the greatest city in the world Thai
period would be incidentally hastened by the measures
which have indicated, which would throw into her LAP
the of China and OF India Great Britain
with that wise and fnrseeng policy for which she is more
practical possession of the ports of the Pacific
ocean-New Zealand and the Sandwich Islands, and very
the Society Islands also We have commerce in tina
ocean than fifty millions OF dollars, and single
place of refuge tor our ships.
81 will not say what policy in regard California
Perhaps is, that remain in the hands OF weak powe
like Mexico, aud that all the maritime powers may ha
the advantage of its ports But thing will sayihat
will be worth OF twenty years TO prevent England
acquiring III which have the best reasons for believing Shit
desires do, and just good reasons for believing tina
she will not do, iii costs with this country. 1t is
perhaps from become a member of the
Union. Ii yet doubtful whether the increase of
rtory will have federal centrniizing tendency
If the latter, have much territory and am b,
meas that another sister republic there, witt
whole, be the best for funited in the
extremies may be remote not receive prope
heat from the cenue at least, thought Mr. Jefferson
who inspired political questions, ifmoral man
was not OF those who have rabid craving 70
more territory; the contrary, believe that we have
enough. know of great people who have not beer
crowded into small space; the Eey pflans the Romans
the Greeks, and another people who have exercised
greater influence upon and his destiny than all other
the Jews; and in time, the English want M
tatrnh