The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-17
The New American Territory.

The New American Verr1tOrys
From the London Times, Sept. l61
There is really great deal Of interest to be ac-
quired IN the seizing OF California, inst taken by
the United States. We mean that there is some
thing very amusing in the spectacle OF the most in
quistive and tenacious people II, the world turned
loose into huge, mysterious, UNEMPLOYED region.
1t is something beyond Demon, and his brother So
PANTS IN Egypt, and is almost equivalent to a meet
ing of the British Association in Japan with the
Tree run OF the islands Ii Is certain that, at this
moment, no human being of Caucasian extraction
has any conception OF what may be dlscoverable
on the ten degrees OF the globes surface between
the Rio del Norte and the North Pacific Ocean,
and II is almost IS certain that IN two years time
there will be railroad right across the province,
and boarding houses at every station. II is some
thing in these dull times to have real true terra
ancognita IN store, with americans for adventu-
rers. The truth is, that the Colorado beats the
Oxus hollow; for there was time when Bactrlana
was a civilized and accessible region enough,
whereas there is no certainty that the spot of
ground indicated by lat 36, long. liz, was ever
IOdden by any foot but that of an Indian
horDe-stealer. We say no certainty, because there
is mystery in the highest degree, attached to this
country. A blue book, stamped with all the au-
thOrity OF a Parliamentary warrant, positively
states that "lndependent nations, living in large
towns, and known only by report" are presumed
TO exist within the old domains Of Mexico, and,
as meme such turned up the other day, during the
forays between Santa Fe and Vera Cruz, we must
conclude they lie mewhere hereabouts, If any
charming. The existence OF the cities IN ques-
ton is not exactly so well ascertained as was that
OF paradise by Sir John Vaudeville, who chad
Indeed, reached the spot but had seen the walls
thereof" it bears rather stronger analogy to that
OF Ell Dorado, of which some Indians told Ra-
lelgh's sailors that they had once seen the reflec
uOn in lake. Seriously, though, there is actually
an enormous indefinite area TO be explored and
fifty thousand Adventures ready to rout and ram
sack every of it, like the underakers at the
drawers and cupboards in Hogarth's picture of the
Dead Mlser.
Perhaps our readers would like to learn some
thing of the known state of California, as point
de depart from which to venture into those in
terestng details which will, no doubt, reach
us by every American mail Under the old
Spanish monarchy, Upper or New Califor-
posing the Vicer0yalty Of New Spain. Its
settlement, however, limited to the esta-
bhshment of some eighteen or twenty " missions
located along the coast which were dedicated to
the various saints whose titles still survive between
Francisco and Diego, and which were calculated,
with precision and a certainty attanable by none
but Spaniards, to render the colonization of the
country altogether an imposslblllty. San Diego,
the southernmost of these, and the point where the
new American frontier will debouch upon the
Pacific, was founded in 1869, before which year
there was no European settlement upon the coast.
Between this period and 1900 were founded the
others, all on the same model, and all running the
same course The aspect OF the presidios was not
materially varied underline rule Of the emancipated
republic. When Captain Wilkes landed at San
Francisco, he found at the chief anchorage of this
noble port, a "town," of which the constituent ele-
ments are thus enumerated large frame house,
occupied by an agent of the Hudson's Bay Com
pany; a store kept by an American billiard
room and bar; poop-cabn OF ship, occupied
as adwelllng by an Anglo-Amerlcan captain a
hs decidedly ih0 Se ana most sS famous cooay on as
coast, It would be rather pervertlng the proverb to
say " Er pede Herculem," but we may probably
save ourselves the trouble OF descr: bng San Car
los, or Santa Barbara, or La Purissima Concep-
cion. In these delightful settlements resides the
present white population of the province, number
ing perhaps, about 5000 souls; and some 5000 or
10000 lndians It is calculated, roam abroad In the
mysterious wllds of the interior The whites are
true sons OF Old Spain, with every thing of Cas-
titan but his bravery. But for the presence of
certain English and Americans, the Indians would
infaliby drive them into the sea. Alter calm OBJ
servatlon and mature reflection, Captain Wilkes
ls compelled TO pronounce that "they may be
termed cruel to their wives, in greater degree
still to their slaves and cattle, and exceedingly
ignorant of every thing but extortIon riding horses
and ca tching bulocks."
A true Yankee graft upon this valuable stock
must yield wonderful result and we shall not
be long before we see 1t. We described, lately,
the precautions which have been so promptly
taken to bring the new territory safely under hand,
and it appears that the work of discovery has
already commenced. Atpresent, the great attrac-
ton seems rather IN the bowels Of the earth than
on its surface, and hundreds OF independent citi-
zens are at work with their pickaxes, like trea-
sure seekers In the Hartz mountains. Quick
silver is the main object of search and told,
In semi-official and perfectly serious report, Of
one mine, about l3 miles from San Francisco,
" 80 rich, that the gentleman who surveyed it un-
der the directions Of the government was much
affected by savation,i that his mouth was sore
fer period of ten days after he had concluded
the survey" 1t is anticipated that quicksilver
will thus be an article Of as regular expectation
from the western, as breadstuffs from the eastern
coasts of the States; several mining companies
are already established, and California is even
now spoken OF by Transatlantic journalists in that
phrase which so attracted Mr.. Martin Chuzzlewit,
as zone OF the most remarkable provinces of our
country, SIR
We should rather conceive doubts, from the
confguratlon of this part of the continent, whether
the mineral wealth. so characteristic of the great
spinal plateau of Anahuac did, in reality, extend
far beyond its termination to be met with in
North California. But like the young farmers in
the fable, who dug for treasure and discovered
it in the enrichment of their farm, which had fol-
lowed upon the labor bestowed, the Americans
will, no doubt, find their account in the improve
ment and civilization of this hitherto unproductive
country. With territory, at least In places,
highly fruitful, climate free from the nervousness
wise than eqaable, they can hardly fail of re-
turn for their labor, and, If they do not discover
any New Peru, or any fresh variety of the human
race, they WILL at least, make vast tract of the
earths surface subservent to the increasing wants
of man.
Organization OF the Gcrmanic umpire.
From the Washington Union, Oct 1871
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