The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-03

lowing very important letter from California We have
no room to- day for the comments which il naturally calls
for but in what light does it present the conduct OF
those statesmen in Washington who have defeated the
establishment of efficient government in that distan,
country
This letter is full of deeply interesting information
as to the present condition and uturelprospects of neg
ected California, We hope every one will read il
with care for merits entite it to the most serious
sderaion;
SAN FRANCISCO, California,
January 20, 1919.
My DEAR vessel is to leave for Mazatlan in a
lew days and take the opportunity thus offering for
sending hasty letter:
Since my last private communication nothing has oc-
CURED TO change the general views then expressed in
relation 10 California. Within the last few weeks much
has been said and done in regard the organization of
provincial government for this territory Several villages
have appointed delegates attend convention for the
arrangement OF fundamental laws for the country; and
other elections understood to be takinp pace in
the remote parts of the country 1t proposed TO have
the convention assembled at the Pueblo de San Jose
about sixty miles from this place. the 18th of March
but believe Il Will be found impossible TO assem-
BILE all the delegates at that time; and il will proba
bly, be found expedlent 10 defer the meeting, uni
II is known that the present Congress has not acted
on The question OF Territorial government This
will probably throw the whole question back more or
less and think the meeting will not occur before the
middle OF April and not at all should Congress have act
ed. Al TINS time this is most important question TO
every citizen OF California; for life aHd properly are and
Will continue to be, unsafe in this territory until Congress
gives us stable government The fact is brought feel
lngly home to the apprehension of intelligent man
that there is no government and no law in California A
general feeling OF insecurity depesses the whole popua
ton and operates nuriously upon all classes of so
clety. Crowds OF men tockng from all quarters of
the country, and among them many persons of bad
character and desperate fortunes; and everything about
them affords reasonable assurance that kind of vii
any may be pracsed with mpunity throughout the terri
tory The only tribunals which have attempted any us-
dlcon IN cases OF murder, &c, months past those
formed for the occasion and offenders general
y escape, they taken it is amidst the phrenzy of
popular excitement when the guilty and innocent may be
victims together Several executions have taken place
In pursuance OF this kind OF aw and is supposed that
several others will be announced by the mail from
the south. In the mean time ourages occurring in
all quarters OF the country and the public establishment
mas scarcely subsidized after murder has TRANSFERRED
before another is committed horrible than the first
House breaking thes, and obberes of almost hour
y occurrence. This state of things must continue until
we have the firm and steady rein OF government extend
ed over the territory by Congress- have expectation
that provisional government (should go into opera
ton and this cannot be the case in less than year from
this tme) would be found adequate TO the public wants
Inc materials tor organizing stable government do
exist the country at this time and of such as there
are the best cannot be commanded for the business The
most respectable men who are engaged In lucrative en-
terprises in the country, quite foreign politics. will
not desert their own interests 10 take public stations
which promise to yield little but vexaon and annoyance;
and should the local organization go into operation,
very much doubt if il will produce any relief for the
ills which now atct the country 1t will be temporary
IN its nature, and, having permanent hold upon the
community, it will be only little better than no govern
ment at all Such has been the result OF the provisional
arrangement IN Oregon and such must be It's result every
where In new communities composed of adventures
from almost every cline and country Besides, the ma
uves and foreigners have been accustomed to different
institutions and religons and strong anipathy exists
among the former Tor those whom they look upon as
their conqueros and enemies In the excitement of gold
digging these various and castles brought into
contact under circumstances which have than once
hra nod hrau into h,,y,i Ill
ensuing summer the danger OF such occurrence will
be increased hundred fold consequence OF the aug
mentaton of numbers and the constant accession of emf
grants who are more reckless adventurous and dssoute
than their predecessors If Congress has the we'll being
of this territory in view Immediate organization ought
to take place. and such salaries should be given to the
territorial officers as to the highest order of talent
and integrity Any good workman realize more
from his labor in the mines than is given terrific
rial governors by law, and what would be very ample
compensation in the United States would not afford
decent support iii California believe the experience
OF every public officer who has been in this territory
within the last twelve months will be endorsement
OF what have said.
Within the last five SIX weeks we have had weather
OF extraordinary severity is SAID TO be the coolest
son experienced here since that oil iS2324 In the gold
mines the snow has been four feet deep and al Suffers
Fort ice has formed three inches in thickness Within
two weeks the streets OF this village have been repeat
eddy whitened with snow and hail, and the hills within
sight, the opposite side OF the bay twelve miles dis
tan have been capped with snow for the last fifteen
days Very heavy and proraced falls of rain have now
swept OFT the from all the hills within sight, but
high in the mountains, among the mInes il is thought
that they have had nothing but W. If So it must
have fallen TO very unusual depth. We have cool
winds and occasional rains, but the severity of the lat
ter, Ii Is believed, passed. During the last winter
had here, and only on one occasion (or two
days. there any in sight, and the falls of rain were
much less heavy than those have recently expert
epced.
AS general thing, the operations among the mines
were suspended on the approach of winter; but large
numbers OF persons built log houses in the mountains,
and having lad winters stock of provisions con
nued among the mines for the prosecution of their bust
ness. II is now understood that the extraordinary
verify OF the weather has prevented them from eecng
much, and there can be doubt that much suffering will
be the result Many of the log houses were good, or at
well supplied with provisions and clothing This remark
however, is not by any means of general application
and there be doubt that many are suffering
for food clothing, and shelter. After the winter rains
have once set IN, 1t is almost Impossible to send goods
into the mountains, and large numbers have no doubt
been too reckless and mprovident TO foresee the con-
sequences and provide for them Those who now
in the mountains almost exclusively Indians (nd
genous populaton) and foreigners, emigrants The
Spaniards and Caifonans have retired their ranches
to the various towns about the country, await the
return OF spring. Many of the people who have emf.
grated from Oregon are in the mines
great stagnation in business has occurred since win
ter SET in, and prices gOOIs have fallen consequence
Vessels arriving at this time find nconsiderabe
ket; and it will continue bad until there is tendency
towards the mines IN March, when supplies must go
that direction Within the last ten DAYS six or eia hit
vessels have arrived from Mexico and the west coast of
South America and we hear of more than forty which are
likely TO follow them from Chill and Peru with about 1000
enigants. Every vessel which leaves takes away rich
freight of gold and there still very large Of
II the country satisfied that than SO 900 900
worth of gold has been taken from the mines up this
time, and that 900 900 have been away