The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-25
From Li.,sll's Living Age.
California.

From Liitslls Living Age.
California.
Even amidst the revolutionary heavngs of Europe we
have considered the grasp which has been taken OF the Pa
cc 20 be the great event Of Flooded we
been by reports from that region which would MI all our
lndsPenden. q New York, letter which Is thus intro
AT time when every item pertaining to California is
sought for with much avdity, special interest must
attach to these impressions of an observer whose business
and sobrety OF mind, with his large reach OF previous
observation, and his settled habits of accuracy and fidelity
Of statements render him one OF the most reliable report
ers from the gold land of whom we have any know-
edge. We would trust him as would trust our own
eyesght. The letter is dated
On BOARD THE U. s. TRANSPORT MASSACHUSETTS,
AT Benecia, Cal, July l6. lS49.
We made the passage from the Columbia river to the
entrance OF San francisco bay in three days, but did not
enter until the fourth in consequence OF the fog The
Massachusetts, being steam vessel well a wind
craft our captain entered the bay with steam thinking il
perhaps would be safe. We entered this magnif-
cent bay June 20, and 10 anchor at San Francisco
being surrounded by than sixty vessels OF different
nations. Since that period learn that much larger
eet has been at anchor there We spent but two days
there, as our cargo designed for the army depot al
Benecia Taking General Smith and suite ON board,
gether with the Hon. T. B. King, member Of Congress
from Georgia. our vessel proceeded to this place. Bene
ca II Is spoken OF as the future rival OF San Francisco
L is situated on the straits OF Carquinez, about thirty
live miles from the ocean. AT present it contains pop
ulaon of 400 or 500 including the officers and soldiers
Der be obtained Several large vessels lying
here. and two steamboats, in process of construction
The materials for one were brought out in the Leonoe,
and those for the other in the Edward Everett both from
Boston. The saw and hammer are busy piled, and in a
very short period both boats will doubtless be running up
and down this bay and the rivers empyng into Most
certainly never rivers admirably adapted 10
steam navigation than the Sacramento and San Joaquin
Three weeks since ] assembled the latter far the
thriving town OF Stockton, situated (by water some 400
mil fha ap1 M nj panph
ness, though three months since scarcely anything
done there There are only two shinged buildings in
the place but many scores Of tents large and small It
is emphatcally "city of tents Thher resort for
supplies all the miners digging upon the tributaries
OF the San joaquin. When we were there everybody
was in great hurry; business was very brisk. teams
coming and going constantly, vessels arriving and de-
parting spent one Sabbath there, where there
had been clergyman before, sermon preached. I
was most cordially welcomed as minister othe Gospel
and the service was well attended: Among the nume-
rous clergymen just arrived, doubt not that
will be found to locate himself at Stockton, where am
certain ne is needed, and would be well received
From Stockton proceeded by land TO Suffers For,
distance OF nearly seventy miles. The country is quite
level and such parts are wooded covered with
growth OF noble oaks Al this place spent the 4th Of
July. An GRAFTON delivered by DIR. Deal, recently
from Baltimore gentleman of high mind and religious
character He is member OF the Methodist denomination,
and in the absence of clergyman, dictates with much
acceptance Near the fort new and thriving town or CITY
is sprngDg up called Sacramento City, is also place OF
great business Hither resort for supplies the
Inc sacramento river and It's tributaries a
person who has not visited these places have but
very imperfect idea of the Of business daily
acted in them Literally in the very woods, under the
shade of the oak and trees merchants are doing
business thai would do credit to towns Of centurys
growth. Every seems intent upon his own affairs
and everything moves forward in the most quiet and
Derby manner There are mayors aldermen, or other
city officers. neither court houses nor gaols and goods
are everywhere exposed about the Streets yet heard of
no riots and no theils II had seen these things
with my eyes could have been made to believe
here ia he nfafl
self government that in allimporant supplies
the place OF civil organization never had before such
admiration Tor American character have gained
minghng with my countrymen in this new and strange
country To be sure there is much to be deplored but
there is much more do assure you to be admired and
rejoced in. Il may be said that everything is in utter
confusion and disorder and yet every feels safe
left Sacramento S City to vsi, the Mills, or cuonia,
where fourteen months since the gold first discover
ed This Town is situated the south fork of the Amer
lean fork OF the Sacramento river II is place OF con-
siderable importance. There spent Sabbath, and met
the Rev. Mr. Roberts, superintendent Of the Methodist
Episcopal Mission, on the shores OF the Pacific, He
preached in the morning, and followed him in the after
noon We had good audiences. The Methodis,s have
already organized class. The communion was admin
stered during the interval between the services Early
Monday morning left for the Fort and embraced
early opportunity to pass down the Sacramento to this
Tor hundred miles beautifully skrted with over
hanging vines and trees-he tall sycamore the waving
willow, the creeping gape minglng and enwinng
beautiful river We four days in descending from
Sacramento City TO this place. | assure you, from per.
sonal observation that the country waered by the San oa
luin and Sacramento, with their tributaries has
within II the elements OF immense mineral and agrcultu
raj wealth The mighty movements OF the last twelve
months with reference to California are barely comensu
rate with the natural resources OF the country The decree
has gone forth. Here must arise powerful cities-here
must centre vast commerce God has kept this re-
yon with its noble bay, its mnes and its wealth. lock
up from man for 80 many centuries without good and
sufficient cause. The time has now 10 open these L
treasures AMI 10 invite hther a OF enierprising
directed the business and the commerce Of
my nation Vast results must follow. Within sight OF
he deck OF this vessel is nop fitting out an expedition
,r an escort TO accompany engineer who will start,
,bout August ls 10 proceed exploring tour
he Sierra Nevada range OF mountains 10 Salt Lake His
object u.s. TO DISCOVER ~ POSSIBLE, FEASIBLE ROUTE
ron RAILRoADl This mighty undertaking must and ,
will be speedily accomplished. Other enterprises of
similar nature will follow. In view of all must rejoice
,wn. With limited view OF things we may not be
IDLE TO comprehend the mighty designs OF jehovah yet
hereafter we shall surely that flE has been al work
In regard TO the success OF the miners would remark
hat such as patiently and laboriousy work average
bout one ounce OF gold per daysome more and some
ess. Not few get discouraged after a few days, and
ere in disgust Gold digging is no holiday work but
esembes canal and railroad work gold digger gets
erbaps SIC, $40, $780, and may be $780, for his days
lard work, while the of Erin gets shilings but
Il the two the gold digger works the hardest and for
he time being gets much the poorest fare Let no one
hnk Of coming 70 California 10 Dig gold who Is od.
ing 10 work hard, tcork early and late pork the sun
nd in The mud, cook his oea food, rat upon himself
ieep "trTa frlnd," risk his health, and endure an
mount Of hardship that he was probably altogether
tranger to il he lived east OF Hudson rver or dwell in
lch New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania Muiudes will l