The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-16
CALIFORNIA.

udtcs IRON odn rTdnClSCO, from winch we
learn that the Hon. T. BUTLER KING,
shortly after the departure of the steamer,
would start on a journey through the in
habired portion of the territory, with the
view of acquiring information as to its
situation, capabilities, and prospects. The
route selected was from the upper part of
the Sacramento along the foot of the Sierra
Nevada to the upper waters of the San Jo-
aquin, thence on a line nearer the coast to
San Francisco, and afterwards through the
region north of the bay along the sea. Gen
eral SMITH and several officers of the staff,
with DIR. Tyson, an experienced geologist
of Maryland, were to accompany Mr..
KING on the expedition; and Commodore
JONES, if he could be spared from the
coast. We may expect from this expedi-
ton reliable account Of the character of
the country, its capability of cultivation,
its products in minerals and timber, and
much other information of interest.
The crowd of gdd-seekers, we learn,
increases every day, and yet the ratio of
their gains continues about the same as at
first, showing as yet no diminution of gold
in the placers. The history of similar
discoveries shows that, after a period of
from ten to twenty years, such deposites
are so far exhausted as to furnish only the
ordinary profits of labor; but in this case
the extent of the deposites is so unprece-
denied that no such limitation can be as
signed. Many years may elapse before
the usual period of gradual exhaustion be-
gins. As the annual product, in the opin-
ion Of the best-advised observers, may be
estimated at ten millions as the minimum,
it is clear that even twenty years of pro-
duction will furnish capital sufficient to
develope all the other resources of the
country, and give unrivalled vigor to its
trade. If the country should prove capa-
BILE of sustaining a large population, and
of furnishing them, as there is every pros
pect, with most of the materials necessary
for the various branches of industry, its
situation on the Pacific, its excellent har-
bors, and uninterrupted navigation, will
render it the mart of worlds commerce
The expectation prevailed to the latest
moment in California, that some act of the
last Congress had provided for, or at least
defined, its government. 1t was early de-
termined among the people, that, in the
absence of such legislation, they would
form State constitution and present it
at the next session of Congress; when
their admission into the Union as State
would be great cause of political dissen-
sion, and give them the opportunity of
legislating for themselves. The steam
propeller Edith had been sent to Mazatlan
for information on this subject, and, on
her return with the intelligence that no
other than revenue law had been pass
ed, General RILEY issued proclamations
for the election of officers under the exist
ing laws, and recommending the election
of delegates to convention for establish
ing a State constitution. Mr.. KING ar
rived at about the time these proclama-
tons were issued, and by his timely pru-
dence and well-deserved consideration
among the people, an impetus was given
to the projected convention, which leads
us to augur the most favorable conclusion
from the movement
We are gratifed to learn from sources
meriting the highest confidence, that the
plan of forming a State constitution has
met with almost universal appreciation
the only murmpr of dissent arising from
small band of factionists, who are dis
satisfied because the measure did not origi-
nate with themselves.
During the military occupation Of Cali
fornia, moneys were collected as military
contributions. After the news of peace a
revenue was collected conformably to the
existing tariff of the United States. On
the arrival of General SMITH, the acting
collectors ceased to exact duties, but re-
celved moneys on deposites, to await the
action of Congress. The moneys thus
collected, amounting to near half mil
lion of dollars, are now deposited in the
hands Of the quartermaster. The military
contributions, we understand, under late
law, can be paid into the treasury; but
the revenue collected subsequently to the
peace, and up to the 10th of March, is not
money collected according TO law. We
presume, however, it will ultimately find
its way into the treasury, for the benefit of
whom it may concern.
With regard to public works on the Pa
cifc coast, the enormous price Of labor,
which is likely TO continue for several
years, will prove great obstacle to their
erection. To obviate this objection in
part, it has been suggested that houses,
barracks, store-houses, and works of this