The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-25

new meNco anu tEe N1lAIOTuluSs
As 1t is highly probable that the result Of our
first Punic war with Mexico will be the acqul-
sition of the Rio Grande as a boundary, up to
81, and the acquisition of the territory of New
Mexico aud the Calilorniss, it may not be amiss
to describe our new territory, its population and
products.
Before doing so, however, we have word to
say on the contest which has resulted, or will,
in all probability, result, in this accession to our
territory; and that is, that every position as.
sumed by Mexico has been given up by her, and
almost every point we insisted upon has been
conceded; that is, Mexico acknowledges the
Rio Grande boundary, and indemni6es US
for the expenses we have been put to IN thrash
inc her into her senses. VIVA. now becomes of
the vile ISLANDERS of the English journals-the
London Times, and its colleagues-in heaping
abuse on the United States We may add, too,
what becomes of the charges of portion of our
own people, who, to forward their own personal
ambitious schemes, or carried away by the
phrensy of partzanship, have echoed the SLAM
ders which the Times and other English jour-
mails emittedl
The province of New Mexico was one of the
first Spanish settlements, and contains popula-
ton of one hundred and fifty thousand, more or
less. 1t comprehends the valley Of the Rio del
Norte, a great portion of which is barren. The
northern portion is very cold; but 1t produces
wheat and corn, and has a great abundance OF
6ne pasture lands The climate OF the southern
portion warm, and the soil produces fruit, prln-
cipally grapes, OF superior quality, In abundance,
and wheat and Indian corn. The chief town
and capital of New Mexico is the somewhat
famous Santa Fe, between which place and the
United States an extensive trade has been car
ried on for number Of years past, by caravans
and mules. The only mineral which 1t is
known to possess Is copper, which is found in
great abundance, III native state, at place call
ed San Juan Guetamo. On the whole, as far as
value is concerned, New Mexico is not very
rich acquisition; but as it is taken in payment of
bad debt, we must be satisfied with 1t, and
make the most of it.
Upper and Lower California, which we acquire
by the same treaty, is of much more importance
and value to us than New Mexico is, and in this
respect make up the difference, the whole form
ing a valuable acquisition. Upper California
embraces an area of four hundred and fifty thou
sand square miles, and the entire country IS
more or less broken by hills and mountains,
some of them several thousand feet above the
level of the sea, and is watered by the Colorado,
ella, and Bear rivers, and contains, also, the
the great Salt Lake, which is one hundred and
fifty miles long by eighty in breadth This part of
California is highly spoken of by all who have
visited it, The Sacramento river and its trbu-
taries water great portion of western Califor-
MA, and measures eight hundred and fifty miles
. 10 for ffa IF al rahl
burthen for distance of three hundred miles. -
So great is the abundance of fish in almost all
the rivers of California, that with an Indian
seine, the natives frequently take fifteen to
twenty barrels at single draught.
But above all things, the noble harbor of San
Francisco stands conspicuous. A recent travel
ler-Mr. Hastings in describing this bay, says :
From the points forming the entrance, the gradu
ally expands eight ten miles In extent from
part Of the vast basin thus formed It's
shores again close IN abruptly 30 as to leave
pass of about two miles in width which forms the
trance to second bay Of stu larger Dimensions From
this gorge their high rocky banks again dverse for some
miles when they st again contract to the narrow
space Of mile and form the passage to third The
latter Is spacious than either before mentioned
and formed In like manner extends twevss miles from
east to and fifteen from north to SOUTH ahordng
the safest and most commodious anchorage
There ia ample water 1t all times for the entrance of
ships Of the largest csse and 1t Is asserted confidently
thst these tbFss ppited RA1s FaHlf aesas JG
vies Of all nations.
We insert the following description of this
part of California, from a work entitled I" Scenes
IN the Rocky Mountains, Oregon, California, &c.
by New Highlander" published in Philadelphia
in 1885,
With such extraordinary facilities for commerce. It
needs prophetic eye to oresee the position Western
CaornA destined to assume befors many years have
rasssd ADD from her position and natural will
be enabled successfully to main tain among tho foremo.
nations Of the always that other
people enterprisiDg and enlightened than the pre-
with their presence take of the country,
develops its energies and bring to light the full beauty
OF it's natural lovslinees
We are now led to speak of the pscularitiss of SOIL
landscape, scenery, climate, productions and mineral
resources Of this interesting country and in 60 doing
tween tina Rio sscram onto and Oregon.
Here We nud the most forbdaing aspect, with one
option any in Western California The soil gene
broken aud billy The streams Of water las in the East
srn dvison) frequently sink and become lost in the
sand or force themselves into the and parent
streams by psrcolation subterrsnean passages.
In many places 70 presented surface Of white SUN
baked clay entirely destitute Of vegetation and in 9th
irou-bound superfces Of igneous rock.
Now and then groves Of pines or frs spread their
ture while here and there valley Of greater or
extent smiles amid the surrounding dssolation.
All tns various streams are skirteo Wild BOTTOM OF
arabic soil ofttm not only large but very fert L.
though pcrhsps unadspted 10 cultivation, account
ofthsir dryness, without a resort to irrigation
Smiths river pursues way, for forty or city e.
through q wide bottom Of rish SOIL most admir- bly,
suited for agricultural purposes 1t not for its In ate
sridty; however, during the season. 1t is 10
limited extent watered from nightly dews which enable
1t to sustain q luxuriant vegetation.
Net onefourth part OF the northwestern portion Of
this section is 1T for tsge That part contiguous to
the coast 10 sandy and far less broken than those
lions less interior.
The Tlameth mountains, pursuing . west .southwest
course from Oregon strike the lat Al north
This has several lofty peaks covered with perpet
adj scent prAiries
There Is one feasible pass through this chain few
miles Inland from the coast that well for the pur
pose Of INSTRUMENTATION with Oregon.
The less elevated parts of these mountains fire.