The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-20

! am not mistaken that sum was offered Tor
it, has since been sold for twelve thousand
dollars. One great cause for the decline Of
property is no doubt to be found in the TACT
that extensive arrangements have been made
to build up Benecia, and the tide of public
favor particularly among the new corners is
setting strongly toward this place. Com
modore Jones and General Smith, and near
ly all the U. S. officers and other men Of
intelligence whom | have conversed with,
who. are not property holders in San Fran
cisco, are strongly impressed with the supe-
rior advantages Of Beneca. Com. Jones has
been up here several times, once with the
store ship Southampton, and made soundings
all about the harbor and channel, and he
says the harbor is not surpassed by any in
the world. II | mistake not, he has recon-
mended it as a naval station, and General
Smith has selected site near here for mi
litary post. About two months ago came
up to see the place, in the barque Tasso,
which was ths first large merchant vessel
that ever came to Benecia Previous to that
time Mr., B. Philips Of East Windsor, CT,
had purchased Of the proprietors one third Of
the whole place, and bound himself to put
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth
OF buildings and other improvements upon it
in two years. This created some opposition
and no little stir in San Francisco. Various
bug-bears were started in regard to the diff
Guilty of navigation, &C., &C.; but we came
up without the slightest difficulty, and to our
surprise came right alongside Of the Lank,
put out two spars to the shore, and rugged,
IN very short time, staging or temporary
wharf, over which the cargo was discharged
with the greatest facility Since then about
dozen vessels have been up and discharged
in the same way.
At San Francisco the usual landing place
IS quarter Of mile from the shipping, be-
tween which intervenes a mud flat which is
bare at low water, consequently goods can
only be landed at high tide and at great
expense. They are paying now for scows
and launches rom one hundred to one hun
dred and fifty dollars day; while here they
land cargoes without any expense whatever
Vessels from the United States should clear
and be insured for the Bay Of San Francis
co, so that on arriving here and finding so
many inducements to discharge at Benecia
they may feel at liberty to do SO. There is
less risk by far in coming up here than in en-
tering New York harbor. In fact there is
no risk at all This place is situated about
forty miles from the entrance of the bay on
the straits of Carqunas, and within about
twenty miles Of the mouths of the Sacrament
to and San Joaquin rivers. The Suisune
bay intervenes, which is quite large sheet
of water spread over sand bars and mud flats,
without landing places, and with narrow
crooked channel. Vessels of two hundred
tons can sometimes 60 as far as the mouth Of
the Sacramento, but there is no good land
ing and the country is very unhealthy, ow-
ing to the extensive lula marshes surround
hight. Practically" says Com Jones, 'Be-
necia is the head Of navigation for merchant
vessels" The climate Of the place is better
than that Of San Francisco, being entirely ex-
empt from the cold, driving disagreeable fogs
which prevail there in the summer season,
while the severity Of the cold northwest winds
is much mitigated in passing over the inter-
vening country. 1t has also much more ex-
tensive back country, commanding the rich
vallies Of Sonoma, Nappa, and Suisine, and
the entire country watered by the Sacrament
to and San Joaquin, and their tributaries.
1t is also the nearest point to the gold mines
that large ship can approach. In addition
to the extensive arrangements made for
building this season, substantial wharf is
to be made and horse ferry boat put in OPP
GRAFTON very soon. A grant Of land in::the
rear Of the town has been made to the Gene
raj Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church
for the establishment of University. A
primary schools now in successful operation,
and church has been organized. For
building materials, Benecia has plenty of
sandstone, limestone and excellent clay for
bricks. 1t has also bed Of marble ada
cent. The site of the town is very beauti-
full, rising very gradually from the water,
with a gentle undulating surface. With the
advantages have enumerated, it would be
very strange if it should not become large
and important place.
Yours, truly, C.E. w.