Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-08-06


Gold--Coal-Pr es-Speculation-Ne, cfties-7Be-
nicia-China Trade
From the Washington Republic.
SAN Francisco, June 30 lSl9
BOUNDARY COMMISSIONERS.
We left Panama on the night Of the 18th ultmo, and
reached this place on the 4t inst We reached San Diego
on the Isl inst and landed Weller, Emery, and their
party Being themselves behind the date fixed in the ea
ty for their meeting San Diego, they greatly
lieved to learn on their arrival that the Mexican commits
soner had been equally tardy in his movements, and
that no tidngs of him to be cleaned any where
Since our arrival here have learned by the Oregon that
the commissioners had sailed from Mazatlan, and it is
probable that by this time he is in San Diego He is Ge-
neral Garcia Condo of Monterey memory. About fifty
dragons under Cmtz waiting at San Diego Tor the
commissioners their escort Emery Is in favor OF com
mencing operations the other side OF the continent and
considers it, | believe, almost mpraceabe to do any
thing this side presume he has laid his reasons Tor
this opinion before the Secretary OF State lie is anxious
to Distinguish himself think, in this undertaking, and his
labors will prove most useful addition to knowledge
OF that country.
had the most horrible passage on the Panama 10 inns
place. that was endured by mortal man. never had
idea ofhe cnelties OF the slavetrade until under
went the packing system adopted oh the Panama. we
had board about three hundred and seventy hive souls
Three and Their baggage were put IN a state-room IN
which there were two nanow berts, and still narrower
settee or lounge Our arc upon the same scale we
divided into three squads TO facilitate the process OF
feeding, and let upon the tables in succession They
were OF eouse duly set each time You may well ma ma
CINE what kind oil etiquette reigned at those tables FOR
my part, slept during the whole passage on deck,
though frequently had sharp discussions to establish my
right my plank of the deck. After sleeping three
nights the panks of the deck it was held that
mans right TO those planks" could not be questioned
AsTATE GOVERNMENT.
The public sentiment throughout the country seems to
be strongly IN favor OF the immediate organization oil
State government.
In this particular place. it is true, however, that some
obstacles nterposed The newspaper published here,
the Alta California;, is wholly under the control OF
few politicians and land SPECTATORS whose interests lie
exclusively in this town. but many OF whom are generally,
not favoraby known in the United States Most OF them
members of the Legislative Assembly OF this dis
rct, and have been the nsgaors of the troubles here
with Genera Riley They control the only presses IN this
country and will not permit anything to be published when
conflicts in the slightest degree with their own notions OF
policy their interests. General Smith, Tor instance,
placed copy OF the treaty with Mexico III the hands OF
the editor some two three months ago. Tor the purpose
OF having number struck off in Spanish tor the lower
country But because does not suit their notions, they
have declined to publish it up to this date upon the most
frivolous excuses. The whole proceeding OF this Legs
atve Assembly of course sustained and PANT
ed up by this paper-has been without law, without the
wishes OF the best disposed citizens and wholly uncaed
Tor by the wants OF the people 1t has been gotten up Tor
the corrupt purposes and has been guilty OF the most
nefaous practises granting, in the most arbitrary man
ner titles to lands already claimed by other persons under
Mexican laws or other words setting itself up as an
instrument to egaze the acts spectators and gamblers
They have been acting alike in conflict with the laws OF
nations and with the spirit OF the Constitution
GENERAL RILEY.
regret that have not the time to set forth in this letter
the merits of this difficulty between Gen Riley and the
people Of this district for it is confined exclusively to the
district of San Francisco. In all other parts OF Calor
nia far have heard General Riley has been sls
tanned in all of his positions. The utmost ignorance OF
the laws OF nations pervades this community ana he de-
signing above mentioned have made OF this igno-
rance through their paper OF urtherng herown interests
here A careful examination Of General Rieys PRO
to the people Of the district of San Francisco the cad
dress OF the Legislative Assembly to the people OF Cali
fornia and the articles in the "Alta California OF the
who is in the right General Riley is sustained by the
people at large here, and if the minds OF people at home
have not been poisoned by the systematic tasehood OF this
clique, he will be supported by the people at home.
send you also copy of the cali for mass meeting
few days after arrival here 1t made by the peo-
pie here, who, through committee, waited on Mr. But
Ter King, day two after his ARRIVAL and requested HIM
address them Mr. Kings presence has done much to
give direction and expression to public sentiment IN rela-
ton to State government though thssentment previous
y existed very strongly and still so exists, through the
country at large.
MEASURES OF INTEREST.
The measures which appear the most 10 interest the
ola commission settle the CLAIMS of the
OF California against the General Government which
incurred during the late with Mexico the establish
ment OF commission 10 settle land titles and claims I'M
der the governments and the disposition to be made
OF the mineral ands and the establishment otcustom hou-
ports OF entry post offices and the roads, and military
and naval posts DOCKS &c In relation the first named
commission, would state that have heard that every
species forgery and rascay has been committed to val
erasng, antedatng, &C. and that it will require the
closest examination TO get at the truth In eaton to the
other commission said that such tribunal will be ne
cessay here to decide upon the conflicting grants made
under the Mexican laws both before and the late
These grants in many instances, very loosely given
and other instances the authority itself may be questioned
Upon these vague grants is commended by many here that
have the right to squat and that should be protected
by pre- emption laws All ofthese are questions that will
involve high points OF law, and will require not only the
best talents but the severes integrity, the temptation to
speculation and peculation will be overwhelming. A
knowledge OF the Spanish language and OF Spanish law
will Of course be necessary; and in this view OF the case,
would be well perhaps to appoint one two OF the COM
missioners if the commission be organized by Congress-
from the State of Louisiana 1t has been suggested by
some that heudge OF the supreme court who will have his
circuit in this territory should be exoco OF these
commissioners.
MINERAL LANDS
Two modes ofdisposng of the mineral lands spoken
OF here One consists establishing mint the terrific
ry, and compelling all who dig on the government lands
coin their money here and they propose charge
three four cent above the ordinary yield on the coin
ing The other plan lay off these lands quarter
tons or lots and let them out to companies or individuals
for short periods OF time, and at prices varying with the
richness othe deposites The expenses OF the first system
will consist in the first outlay Tor the establishment OF the
mint the salaries OF its officers, and the salaries OF large
number OF excise officers to prevent the gold from beng
struggled out ofth country The latter plan, besides the
expenses OF surveying the lands will require the organza
ton of body of civil officers similar to the one by which
our public lands are now sold.
GOLD.
of single mans labor per day is much smaller than when
the deposits first discovered We hear daily OF IN
stances OF extraordinary success among lew individuals
but hear omany instances at the same time OF disap-
pontment and distress And many instances have occur
red under eye OF men returning home in disgust
or to their former avocaons. The labor of digging gold
Is represented as being most severe Even old canal dig
gers and railroad excavaors complain OF the severity OF
this sort OF labor In this view of the case is to be
GREETED that so many broken-down gentlemen and nice
young should have emgrated to this country They
entirely useless here themselves the community
Mechanics and laborers the men most wanted here
just now.
The amount OF gold which will be dug this year is
rousy here but the general opnien as far as
make it out, sets down about $l5 100000 The
last discoveries OF any which have been made
the southern branches the San Joaquin and all othe
latter discoveries tend that direction
EXTENT OF THE GOLD REGION.
am satisfied myself, and many here concur with me,
that this whole country, from the head OF the Sa
cramento the Rio Ga and on both sides OF the Sierra
Nevada grand deposit of god but only of sufficient
richness in particular localities warrant mining 1t has
beea discovered several miles in the interior from San
Diego, as also not far from Los Angeles Just before
Id. he