Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-12-09

hundred and seventy miles; and of Oregon, includ-
ing the Straits of Fuca of six hundred and fifty miles;
making the whole extent of seacoast on the Pacific
one thousand six hundred and twenty miles, and the
whole extent on both the Pacific and the Gulf OF
Mexico two thousand and twenty miles.
Upper California, irrespective Of the vast mineral
wealth recently developed there, holds at this day
IN point OF valne and importance TO the rest Of the
Union, the same relation that Louisiana did, when
that fine territory acquired from France forty
five years ago. Extending nearly ten degrees OF
latitude along the Pacific, and embracing the only
safe and commodOus harbors on that coast for many
hundred miles, with temperate climate and an ex =
tcnsve interior of fertile lands il is scarcely possible
TO estimate its wealth until it shall be brought under
the government OF our laws, and its resources fully
developed From its position, il must command the
rich commerce of China of ASIA of the islands Of the
Pacific OF Western Mexico, of Central America, the
South American States, and of the Russian posses
SONS bordering on that ocean. A great emporium
will doubtless speedily arise the Californian coast
which may be destined TO rival in importance New
Orleans itself. The depot of the vast commerce
which must exist on the Pacific will probably be at
some point on the bay of San Francisco, and will
cupy the relation the whole western coast of
that ocean, New Orleans does to the valley of the
Mississippi and the gulf Of Mexico. To this depot
our numerous whale ships will resort with their
goes, TO trade, refit and obtain supplies This of
itself will largely contribute TO build up city, which
would soon become the centre of great and rapidly
increasing commerce. Situated on a safe harbor,
sufficiently capacious for all the navies well the
marine OF the world, and convenient TO excellent
timber for ship building, owned by the uutcd States,
II must become our great western naval depot.
1t was known that mines of the precious metals
existed TO considerable extent in California at the
time of its acquisition. Recent discoveries render it
probable that these mines are more extensive and
valuable than was anticipated The accounts Of the
abundance of gold in that territory of such
traordinary character would scarcely command
belief were they not corroboratcd by the authentic
reports OF officers in the public scrvicc who have
VIC tod fha Il
which they detail from personal observation. Re-
luctant TO credit the reports in general circulation
TO the quantity of gold, the officer commanding
forces in California visited the mineral district in
July last for the purpose of obtaining accurate nOT
nation on the subject. His report to the War De-
partment of the result of his examination, and the
facts obtained the spot, is herewith laid before
Congress. When he visited the country, there were
about four thousand persons engaged in collecting
gold. There is every reason TO believe that the
number Of persons so employed has since been aug
mcnted. The explorations already made warrant
the belief that the supply is very large and that gold
found at various places in an extensive district OF
country.
Information received from officers of the navy and
other sources, though not full and minute, confirm
the accounts of the commander of military force
in California. 1t appears, also, from these reports,
that mines of quicksilver found in the vicinity of
the gold region. One of them is now being worked,
and is believed TO be among the most productive in
the world.
rich mineral deposes, and the success which has
attended the labors of those who have resorted to
them, have produced surprising change in the state
of affairs in California Labor commands most exor-
btant price, and all other pursuits but that of search
ing for the precious metals are abandoned. Nearly
the whole of the male popxlation of the country
have gone TO the gold district Ships arriving the
coast are deserted by their crews and their voyages
suspended for want of sailors. Our commanding Of
ccr there entertans apprehensions that soldiers
not be kept in the public service without a large in
crease of paw Desertions in his command have be-
come frequent and he recommends that those who
shall withstand the strong temptation and remain
faithful, should be rewarded.
This abundance of gold and the all-engrossing
pursuit of it, have already caused in California an
rise in the price of the nCcessarcs of
life.
That we NAV the more speedily and fully avail
ourselves of the undeycloped wealth of these mines
il is deemed of vast Importance that branch of the
mint of the United States be authorized to be cstab-
lshed, your present session. in California Among
other signal advantages which would result from
such an establishment would be that of raising the
gold TO its par value in that Territory. branch
mint of the United States at the great commercial
depot on the west coast would convert into our own
coin NOT only the gold derived from our own rich
mines but al so the bullion and specie which orr
commerce NAV bring from the whole west coast of
Central and South America The west coast of
America and the adjacent interior embrace the rich
est and hest mines of Mexico New Grenada Cen
tral America Chill and Peru The bullion and
specic drawn from these countries and especially
from those of Western Mexico and Peru 10 an
amount in value of MANY millions of dollars are now
annually diverted and carried by the shps of Great
Britain TO her own ports to be reconed or used to
sustain her National Bank and thus contribute to in
crease her ability 10 command so much of the com
merce of the world Ifa branch mint be established
At th, great commercial point upon that coast vast
amonnf Of bullion and specie would flow thtber TO be
rrcoin,d. and mass thence TO New Orleans, New
York. and other Atlantic cities. The amount of our
constitutional currency at home would be greatly in
creased while lis circulation abroad wonid he pro
noted. Ii is well known to our merchants trading
10 China and the west coast of America that great
Inconvenience and loss are experienced from the fact
that onr CONS are moi current at their mar vane in
those countries
In authorization of the establishment of regular gov
:" - e.