Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1849-02-17

I
ing letter, from lady at San Francisco TO a friend
in SALEM, was written previous to the Gold discovc.
rcs but contains interesting particulars in regard to
the climate aud productions OF the Pacific region:
SAN FRANcIsco, April II, 1913.
When | wrote you last, we expected TO have gone
upon a farm, at beautiful place called San Jose,
abont 90 miles from this, situated on the same bay.
My husband, however, finds that he get along so
well here for the present, that we have decided to
remain, at least few months, where we now are.
San Francisco is pretty place; growing rapidly in
importance as mercantile city, and with perfect
Is healthy climate
Daring the Summer, the mornings warm and
pleasant till II o'clock then strong northwesterly
wind sets in from the sea, which, If you attempt TO
brave, requires you TO put your warmest clothing.
Fires necessary during the evening the whcie
year round. Ram seldom falls during the Summer,
the rainy season being from December TO March -
These uncomfortable north-wCsterS are only felt in
this place. and 10 extent Of about thirty miles in
the neighborhood; beyond that, and al San Jose and
other places Oh the bay, the climate is described
uncqualed by that of far-Iamed Italy. The luXuri-
ancc Of vegetation surpasscs any thing have ever
seen. The fields are Astounding in wild flowers,
equal to any raised in garden, and presenting TO
the eye every variety Of color and form. Yesterday
afternoon rode out about five miles into the
try, and think never any thing beautiful
in my life Such noble hills aud lovely wales!
wish you could have been with us to enjoy the beau
ty Of the scene.
In one direction, far as the eye could reach, the
ground was covered win small NGIIOW blossoms,
which the poured his departing rays upon them,
giistencd like gold. In another spot the ground APP
pcared covered with uusued snow, from the mum
Der of delicate white flowers which grew in wild
protsion while the hills were, many OF them, Of the
richest shade Of purple, from the quantity of wild Ia
pin with which they were covered. Groves Of wild
heliotropc line either side Of the road nearly the
whole distance to the mission periunng the air with
their fragrance Straw berry vines ovcrrun the coun-
try; aud we gathered, few days since, about do
ripe berries. Soon they will be abundant. Wild
gooseOcrry bushes, too grow IN great protuSIon The
fruit is small, but by cultivation would be greatly
improved. By-andby we shall have abundance of
fine peaches, melons, pears and apples.
Living is at present very high; but residents are
turning their attention 10 gardening, raising of
produce, Sc, so that by and-by, we hope TO have
every thing reasonable rates. have been offered
two fine mich cows for an article which cost $40,
and intend to close the bargain soon as can ride
out and choose my cows from herd OF 90 or more
Butter sells at 80 cents pound, Eggs at 10 cents
dozen, Fowls at % cents each. l purchased four
when arrived here, and now have quite young
brood. The great drawback 10 domestic comforts is
the want of servants. The Chinese boy whom
brought with us as cook has been entlcrd away by
the offer Of $50 month"; which is the usual price Of
a good cook. We hope, however, that with the in
Of emigration this evil will also be rerncdied
have found very kind friend in the wife of the
principal physician here, Mrs. r. They are
both persons of intelligence and refnemcnt-South
Caroinians by birth-but the Doctor was educated
in Paris. The society is rapidly improving and is
even now much better than is 10 be met with in most
of our Western States.-Sal Gds.
The Very Latest from observation-disclosures
of the Gold Region Confirmed.
RoBERT ATHERToN, ESQ, merchant of San Fran
CISCO arrived at New York on Sunday last, as we
learn from the Tribune, and took lodgings at the
Clinton Hotel. The same paper then proceeds:
Mr. Anterior has resided for ten years on the Pa
ciic and two San Francisco He left San Francis
CO on the 10th of December, and TO the United
States by way Of Mazatan, Gaudalaxara, Mexico
aud Vera Cruz. The passage from San Francisco 10
Mazatlan occupied 10 days, the vessel touching at
only one port From Mazatlan to Mexico the jour
ncv was made on horcback in six days. Mr. Athcr-
ton has accomplished the whole of this long and
duous trip with remarkable dispatch, having been
only 6l days upon the routes the cost of the WHOLE
from San Francisco to New York, has been about
! 200. He brings intelligence from the Gold Region,
the object OF universal thought and expectation,
thirty four DAYS later than the latest received before
The Interesting and important facts which he reports
as follow:
The gold region is now understood TO embrace
territory a thousand miles in length and three hun
bred in width. The gold is distributed over this
vast extent though by no means equally, parts
being of surprising richness while others compa
rativcly barren Of the precious metal No limit
h., fixed 10 the number of men who may find employ
Iucnt in extracting it TO the length of time for
which good digging may be profitable. There is
room enough for all who may desire TO make their
fortune BY this new sort OF attractive industry and
a sufficient quantity of the glitterng dust in the earth
TO keep them busy indefinitely.
Bu, as we learn from Mr.. Anterior, the business