Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-07-19
California.

California;.
We are indebted to a friend for a copy of the Ala
California. printed at San Francisco, dated May l.,
1913. The paper is mainly filed with advertisements
Of commission merchants, lawyers notices. co-part-
nership notices, land sales, sales of town lots, new
goods, drug stores, sign painting, arrival end depart
ure of ships, SIC. &C., indicating the swift transfer
nation of San Francisco into a great city.
We copy the following editorial articles from the
California;:
LATEST FROM THE MIsEs-In the failure, from some I'M
accountable cause, OF ouI regular correspondence from the
mines, we are compelled TO make up an article from the
meagTe and unauihentcated particulars in general circula-
ton
In most of the rivers where the process of gold digging is
carried on, the waters are still too high to work prOhtably.
In most of the dry diggings the sesrcher is well rewarded,
though we have not asceilained any precise Information as
TO the quantities extracted.
We understand that many of the new corners are sorely
disappointed, and some hom the United States are abont to
return ia the California. We believe their disappointment
DIES not follow so much from any doubts they may have as
to The existence of gieat quantities of the precious ore, as
from the life Of toll, exposure aud piivatiun to which the
gold hunter is subjected.
The most reliable accounts state the number of persons
actually engaged in the mines at about eight thousand and
probably one-half ( these are Americans, and an additional
eighth Californians. The feeling is very general am ,ng the
Americans and Califninians that foreigners should not be al
lowed TO dig for gold. They think that they alone should
be entitled TO all the advantages Of The mines, and they be-
lieve that such couIs, would secure the permanent prosperi-
~ of The country, BY preventing the mines from swallowing
up lis v hole productive industry. Public meetings on The
subject are talked of, and it is proposed that memorials be
sent to Congress, requesting a law granting permits to dig
and authorizing such permits 10 be given TO none but AmeTi-
can citizens.
There has been considerable difficulty in different portions
of the mines between the whites and Indians. 1t is impos-
siole to say who we've the aggessors in the first instance,
but IL is no doubt true that the whites are becoming Impress
ed with the belief that it win be absolutely necessary to
%exterminate the savages before they can labor much longer
in the mines with security.
Two weeks since we published an account Of the murder
of five Oregonians by the Indians. on the Middle Fork, and
gave the names Of two of the men killed. We haze since
learned the names Of the other three they were, Robinson,
Thompson, and English. On the receipt Of this intelligence
at the Saw Mill, a patty of twenty-five Oregonians went in
pursuit Of the Indians, and came upon a large ~rdncherid, on
Webers creek. A fight occurred. in which some fifteen or
twenty Indians were killed, and fifty or sixty taken prison.
ers. The prisoners were driven down TO Culloma, where all
but seven were released. About SHUTDOWN The seven prison.
es made a concerted attempt at escape, when five Of them
were shot, and two succeeded in getting away.
We hear a few complaints Of sickness, but generally, we
believe, the health Of the miners is good.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE CoUNTRY-Wihin the last few
months, many new towns or sites for towns, have been pre-
sented to the citizens Of California for the investment Of
capital, and the town of Benicid. in which the price Of lots
ran up fIom fifty to one thousand dollars each, during the
month of March. has now more than ore rival in its march
of improvement and population. Among the conspicuous oil
the new towns or cities that are in progress between this
and The gold region, is one projected by Col. ]. d. Stevenson
DR.; Wm. c. Parker, George Mcnougal, and Samuel Norris
and if the site selected be worthy the efforts those gentle
men have made to develope its resources, and eligible posi-
lion for a great city, it will indeed be worthy the name they
have given it, NeU York of the Pacific.
The point selected is a beautiful plain, about ,hirty-sever
miles from the ocean, through the Bay of San Francisco and
2 the straits of Carquinez, situated on the south side of the
Bay OF Suisun, aud at its immediate junction with the Rive
San Joaquin, and also at or near the point where the SacIa.
r mento emp,ies into the Bay of suisun. The ground is al
average of five feet above the highest rise of the tie o
river ever known at this point. 1t is said to be a healthy
point of land, and what is by some considered Of the utmos
importance, the river water at this point is always swee
aud pure. Within fOrty-eight hours after the purchase o
his site was made, a contract was entered into between Col
j Stevenson, and Captain Hammond of the u. S. A, one o
the Board Of U. S Commissioners for surveying the river
| and harh0rs of fha rnaef liant w It Ghormap A Ad;f
J General 10 this military division, and Lieut.. James Blair, o
The Navy, who was one Of the exploring expedition, unde
= Capt. Wilkes, for a complete and perfect survey, and buoy
ing out OF the channel, together with sailing directions that
would enable the largest class Of vessels to navigate in safe
~ the Bay of Suisun. The survey has been made and
chart completed so perfectly naked and buoyed, and tb'
channel pointed out so clearly, that The most perfect strange
to the Bay and River, will be enabled to navigate a vesse
Z from the entrance of the Bay to the new city. The char
will be sent 10 the United States by the first steamer TO b,
lthogs sphed. and a sufficient number of copies sent here tC
furnish one to each vessel that will navigate the Bay 70
> years to come. Thus has the enterprise OF Col. Sievensoi
and his associates rendered a more important service TO Cali
fornia than The entire naval force of The country, which ha
: been stationed here for the last two years. The new city i
said to be conveniently laid out. with broad streets (non'
less than 10 or more than 100 feet. and along the entir,
font on the water, Iuns a 100 feet street. OF rather WHAT
beyond which houses or any DISTINCTIONS are never to b,
erected, and vessels can come Immediately 10 this street
for a distance Of two miles, and discharge their cargoes
with but the aid Of a bridge OF stage, the length of a com
c mon plank. We understand that an arrangement has al
ready been made for making this The depot Of two steamer
coming out TO navigate the River Sacramento and San Ja
quin, which will nat come below this new city and ths
{ a large and powerful steam tug is to run daily between tn,
ocean, San Francisco and this new New York. Arrange
/ ments have also been made for the immediate ERECTION Of
large number OF buildings, both for stores and dwellings, a
this point. A liberal portion of the town plot viii be lai
out IN public squares, and portions will be reserved for The
sites OF public buildings, school houses, and churches
We have deemed this extended notice Of this new city
= duty we owe the proprietors thereof, for the pains they
have taken and the expense they have incurred, in makins
m accurate survey of the Bay Of SUisun, and The various
channels leading from il to The rivers Sacramento aud San
Joaquin. They have thereby conferred a listing benefit on
the whole country, and deserve at least, this public acknow
{ Judgement Of their enterprise.
The MARKETS ALI kinds Of piece goods are gradually
falling in price. and the prospects NC that the arrivals daily
anticipated will reduce them still moe, and the general I'm.
preston is that 10 a few mOnfhs merchandise generally will
scarcely bring costs and charges.
+, Ready made clothing, especially the best articles, con
msnd good prices, and will probably continue to do so.
Provisions Of all kinds are in no danger of becoming to-
plentiful.