Democratic banner., 1849-03-19
THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO.

by its inhabitants BY the name of Yerba
Buena, is copied from the California Star,
"a paper now discontinued because its con.
ductors have found more profitable employ
ment than the income of their publication
afforded. 1t is apparently the description
of a careful observer, drawn upon the spot,
and therefore may be regarded as an origin
jail authority. .-Jr...r--,-,
Yerba Buena, (San Francisco) the name
IF our town, which means "good herb" 10
situated on The southwest side of the prin-
cipal arm Of San Francisco bay, about five
miles from the ocean, on a narrow neck Of
land, varying from four to ten miles in
width-the narrowest place being sixteen
miles southwest of the town. Its in Lat.
81 40 N. This narrow strip of land is about
sixty miles in legth extending from the
point formed by the bay of the ocean, 10 the
valley of San Jose The site of the town
is handsome and COMMUNICATING an
inclined plane of abou: a mile in extent,
from the waters edge to the hills in the
rear. Two points of land, one on each
side, extending into the bay, forms a cres-
cent, or small bay in the shape of a cres-
cent, in front, which bears the name of the
town. These points afford a fine view of
the surrounding country-the snow capped
mountains in the distance--the green val
ileys beneath them--The beautiful, smooth
and unrufled bay in front and on. either
side, at once burst upon the eye. There
is in front of the town a small Island, rising
high above the surface of the bay, about
two miles long and one wide, which is COW
cred the greater part of the year with the
most exuberant heritage of untrodden fresh
ness. his little island is about three miles
from the principal anchorage. Here ves-
sells of all nations rest in safety and peace,
and their flags are displayed by the sro-
matte breeze.
Two hundred yards from the shore, there
lis twenty-four feet of water, and a short
distance above that as many fathoms. The
beach Immediately in front of the now bust
n ess part Of the town is shelving, but it viii
no doubt in a short time be filled mp and
become the most valuable part of the city.
The climate here is, in the winter, which
is the rainy season, damp and chilly. Dur
ing the balance Of the year it is dry, but
chilly in consequence ofthe continual strong
winds from the north and north west.
There is but little variation in the atmos.
|phere throughout the year; the thermome-
ter ranging from So to 10 degrees Frahren-
|heit. Yerba Buena is one of the. most
healthy. places on the whole coast Of the
Pacific. Sickness of any kind is rarely
known among us. The salubrity of the
climate--beauty of the bay-tle finest har-
Dor on the whole coast in front-thc rich
and beautiful country around it, all con.
'spire to render II one Of the best CONNER.
.cial points in the world. The town is new,
having been laid off in 1889, By Capt. John
Viegel: and Notwithstanding all the troubles
in the country, has gradually increase in
size and Importance. 1t now contains a
.populstion of about 500 permanent citizens.
rwo years ago there were but about 200.
Three miles south is the Mission Dolores.
on Mission Creek, surrounded By a small
valley of rich and beautiful land. The va
ter from this creek can easily be brought
by means of acqueducts to any point TO sup
ply vessels. For the supply of ii citizens
the best Of well water is obtained in every
part Of the town, BY boring the distance oil
forty feet.
In going south from Yerba Buena, the
traveller passes over this narrow neck Of
land; q most delightful region, intcrSpersed
with hills, valleys and mountains--the val
lcys rich and beautiful-the hills covered
with tall pines, redwood and cedar, that
have withStood the tempests and whirl-
winds Of a century, and the mountains
rising in majestic grandeur in the clouds.
In passing out, the valley Of San Jose opens
to the view in all the loneliness of the eli
mate of Italy and beauty of the tropics.
The valley is about sixty miles in length
and ten in width. The Pueblo, which
means an incorporated town, is the princi-
pal place of business for the valley, and is
aboutive miles from Santa Clara, the land
ing on the bay as it is termed here, "the
embarcadaro." Passing on from her north
east, the traveller in a few hours ride,
the Straits, which separate the
bay, formed by the confluence Of
the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers
from that of San Pablo. Here it seems
that the accumulated waters of a thousand
years had suddenly rent the opposing noun
tains ~assunder, and flowed with tremendous
force to the great bosom of the deep. On
the north side Of the bay, from the Straits