Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-03-07
Nj | S C Z l. l. A N Y.


4 correspondent of the Boston Atlas furnishes
some interesting facts in reference TO the pearl fish
cries Of California. He says:-
Something over century ago, there was nearly
as much excitement in New England, in regard 10
California, as at present. but the cause was its a
bundant supply OF pearls not of gold. And The en-
teprisng Yankees Of that day iled out one or more
vessels. / think from Salem and Newport to en-.
gage in the pearl fishery its coast, and having
procured divers, sailed for the Gulf Of California;
Spain at that time was powerful maritime nation,
and guarded the precious products of her colonies
with jealous care.
When the news Of this expedition reached the
ears of the Spanish officials galleon or fleet was
fitted out from Acapulco and, cruising up the Gulf,
| captured the marauding New England ships. and
Condemned their crews to slavery in the mines
Although these persons were engaged in a clearly
Illegal act, and Spain wasjusted in such course,
yet the British Government took umbrage at it, and
1t was for time the subject of negotiation between
the two rival powers, and was, probably, of the
causes of the war that broke out between them in
1879, and was terminated by the Treaty of AK La
Chapee, IN i740, after nine years contest at an
| expense to Great Britain Of over GAG, 00000O
Whether all these facts correctly remember
ed or not, there can be no doubt that for than
two centuries California has produced large quaint
ties OF valuable pearls and have unduubted sio-
ry TO vouch for what follows.
| DR.. Murry says, ",The ,paniar6s long viewed
California as Ell Dorado, their hopes being fed by
pearls found on its shores."-Vol. 8, p. $50. And
Chambers tells us, 'The Spaniards, upon their first
landing in the New World, were surprised to find
the natives decked out with pearl necklaces and
bracelets; and soon afterwards observed that the
comparatively civilized natives Of Mexico were as
eager in the search of pearl Of beautiful form
were the people of Europe"
| Now, we must remember that California is geo
graphically so near Mexico, that pearls would be
readily taken from It's waters to the capital of the
Incas. In fact, it has formed province of Mexico
till coded to us by the recent treaty. Moreover,
we are distinctly told, '.The fishery of the ancen,
kings of Mexico seems TO have been the west
coast"
Among the presents made to Cortez, by Monte
yuma, and which were sent to the Emperor Charles
w., were necklaces garnished with pearls. We
have this on the authority of Prescott. After the
conquest, says Chambers, the Spanards sought fol
them with such success that soon cities there
in spIendor and affluence. Murry adds: Loretto,
from the confluence of Pearl Divers, became quite
a city, but contains only $50 inhabitants
This town is the Gulf of California. While
Las Cases says: ""The wealth and luxury of thei
merchants have been handed down 10 us: but in the
sixteenth century the fishing rapidly diminished
by 1858 it had already ceased-the islands had al
most become unknown, and now not vestige o
their cities remain and downs of shifting sands co
yer the desoae islands" 1t can scarcely be doubt
ed it would have been very different in the hand
Of the enterprising and hardy New Highlander thar
in those of the efiemnate Spanard
Chambers, however, says: 1.-The Quint, or ia!
the Kings officers drew from the produce, was 10,
900 ducats Till 1880, the value Of the pearls sen
(from MeXIco) TO Europe amounted yearly on al
, average TO more than 100000 piastres. In 1887
there was sent to Seville SiJ hundred and ninctl
seuen pounds ,Ucight, amongst which good man
of great beauty were reserved for Philip II. Thi
same monarch had magnificent one sent him fror
the Island of Margareta which weighed $50 ca
rats, and was valued at $50, 600" This island
however is to the eastward Of the coast of Mexico
"Soon after the year 1900" the same auhorii
adds, "ihe fishing in California began to rival III
older established ones, and the pearls found ther
,cere often pcry urge md ofo Ue,ytnc ,cater. rh
Indians and negroes, however, employed in The fist
cries were so i'll paid by the Europeans that III
fishing soon became almost abandoned ; and III
. disturbed slate of those countries has of late yeal
prevented the governments from making fresh e.
ertions."
To come however, 10 modern times. Sever
expeditions have been fitted out, by Englishme
to renew the fishery in California, but not wit
much success In 1S25-ihat great year Of spe
. ulation-one Of these companies, called '''Thc Ge
y eral Pearl and Coral Fishing Association Of Lo
DOM sent out Lieut.. Hardy, r. n 10 examir
the fisheries Of California, and report the prospec
OF success His report is very interesting, and Sc
eral extracts are annexed. lilo stated that good 4
vers were very difficult 10 DO procured-and IecOr
mended the use Of diving bells. where they we
capablo Of being used as a substitute. He found q