The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-23
.cur,ou. neutrality-suspicious..


We have promised readers to make an extract on
California from the proceedings of the New York His
torical Socety'-Alber Gallatin, esq presidentiust
published The following paper submitted to the
ety on the 10th December last and ordered to be
eed to its records 1t certain that almost all the voy
ayers America soon after the discovery OF this continent
were anxously in search OF the precious metals-the
first founders of Jamestown ncuded-and that they
in the habit of bearing off specimens of having the
appearance of gold and silver The phenomena in
California realize all the indications and predictions
which were formed than 100 years ago by the cap
tain of the Speedwell
Mr. Bartlett foreign corresponding secretary presented
and read the following communication from the Rev.
Edwin F. Hatfield:
New York, December 49, ls4s.
DEAR Sir: previous engagement puts it out of my
power attend the special meeting Of the Historical So
ciety called for this evening" send herewith however,
short communication, which, if you think proper, you may
lay before the Society In these gotdseeking times when
all things else have lost their aten
ton and interest, contribution of this description may
have peculiar value.
Yours, very truly,
EDWIN +. HATFIELD
Recent intelligence from possessions in California,
makes quite certain that the newly discovered aurer-
region OF great 1t is highly probable that
gold will yet be found throughout the whole valley waered
by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, with their
be ascertaned that from Cape
Lucas on south of tho peninsula of California,
to of the sacramento depostes of gold
mingled with the SOIL
This conjecture derives considerable confirmation from
an incident which occurred nearly hundred and thirty
years since 1t related by Capt George Shelvocke in
his of the aventures of the "Speedwel" ship
of "a guns, and IOs men, fitted by certain
London for cruise in the South seas. that sailed Ply
mouth, February 49, 49, in company with the Success"
under the command Of Captain Iohn Clipperton.
After cruising about the Pacific nearly years, Capt
Shelvocke determined proceed the of California
1871, and anchor in the harbor of Puerto Sg1o,
the 18th, in the morning. Here he remained until the
evening Of the 18th, taking in wood and having
and uninterrupted communication with the shore and
the savagss On his departure for China he drew
up of the country in which occurs the follow
ing remarkable passage Having alluded to the problem
not then solved, respecting the junction OF America and
Asia "by OF land to the northward, he OBJ
Leaving however these conJectues 10 De supported or
eonfuted by discoveries shan conhne myself to
fact. and rrpor only what have known Tor the
Information Of the age and of poseriy The
.r 10, at of that part California, which had sight Of
.peor. 10 be baren and sandy, and very
ts .one parts of but nevertheless, the soil about
Puerto s.guro and livery likely in Of the valleys,
rich black mould which, you turn it fresh the
appears if intermngted scih gold daa of which
to wash and purify from the dirt but though
we little preiadiced against the hoAgrs that It
could be possible that this metal should be pronse"onSy
and universally mingled Nth sarth yet we endeav
ored to cleanse and wash the Garth from some OF ana
the did, the it .aHpeared Ike gold In Of