The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-05
VIEW OF
UPPER AND LOWER CALIFORNIA,
One Hundred Years Ago.
VIEW OF


world Is flooded with reports of gold mines, pre-
clous stones, &C., &c, said to have been dis
covered long since IN that region, we have
deemed 1t expedlent to CRAFTY public curiosity on
this head with few extracts from work that has
Just been placed under our observation, and which
was published in Spanish hundred years ago,
at Madrid 1t is entitled GA Natural and
Civil History OF California containing an accu-
rate description Of that country, Its soil, noun
tains, &C., DC, by Miguel Venegas, Mexican
Jesuit" 1t was published In Madrid, in l75s, and
was translated into English and published in 1859,
by Rivlneton Il Fletcher, Oxford Theatre, Pater-
Aoster Row.
The writer divides his treatise into four parts.
In the first, he dscourses of the name, situation
and extent of California, that Is, taking it the
strict sense, of so much of this peninsula as the
Spaniards had then reduced. He gives an
account of the gulf, Its coasts, and islands. He
enlarges upon the soil and climate, the natural his
tory, the pearl fishery, and the mama of this
country, which was a new discovery. Then follows
avery distinct and curious detail OF the nations and
languages, the temper, and manners OF the Cali.
tOrnlans, with their policy in peace and war; and
lastly, he treats OF their religion IN respect to
which he observes, that those who resided on the
continent were, when the Spaniards found them,
entirely Tree from any ldolatrous notions had few
or no ceremonies, and yet had some very singular
speculative opinions; but that it otherwise
the islands, where, through the arts and frauds OF
aparticular of men, the people were grievous-
ly CENTRALIZED IN supe rstitious slavery.
The second part contains the history OF CALI
lorna. from the time of It's first discovery, to the
sending thither the Jesuits. Thus discovery was
made BY order OF the famous Herman Cortes, who
went thither in person In 1886, and landing the
gull bestowed upon 1t his own name, or rather the
great captain, Mar de Cortes, as we'll as the Yer.
million sea, or the gull OF California. Our author
traces very exactly the several attempts that
made, from time TO time, tor obtaining more PER
feet knowledge OF the extent and produce of this
peninsula; the different projects formed for this
purpose, both IN Old and New Spain; their
peated dlsappointments, and the causes OF those
dlsappointments; interspersed with many, judi
cous and sensible remarks, which show the ex-
IRENE difficulty Of executing any great design,
the conduct Of which depends upon the approba-
ton, orders, and Instructions, that are to come
from country at great distance.
The third part cOmprehends the reduction OF
California by the Jesuits, and their transactions
to the present time. He informs that the court
of Spain, and its viceroys in the Indies, tired
with multitude of rutless, expensive, and tedl-
expeditions, had abandoned all further thoughts
OF this matter so that the prosecution of it was
entirely owing to Father Eusebo Francisco Klno
who, being sent as missionary into the adjacent
province OF Sonora, formed a resolution OF trying
to penetrate from thence into this deserted country
The first missionary of this order, however, who
passed over into this region, was Father Saliva
Terra, in 1897; and few years after Father Klno
penetrated, according to his original design, into
California. by land, and became thereby assured
! that 1t was not an island but peninsula. The
Jesults, from that time down to The authors
day, had the sole direction OF affairs in Cali
fOrnla, civil well ecclesiastical, and prose-
GU ed their discoveries, converted the Indians,
made small settlements, cultivated some spots OF
ground near them, and, with great diligence and
perseverance,, brought some little vineyards TO s1cn
perfection az to produce wine not inferior to that
The fourth and last part contains some addi-
voyage Of Captain Sebastian Vizcaino, in 1902, In
which there is a very curious and particular &C
count of the west coast OF California this 10 fol-
lowed by description OF the east coast, from
voyage made IN the year l746. There 10 also
description of California by Captain Woods Ro-
gers, an Enghshman, with an account of his voy-
age to the South sea, In the year ITO.
NAME.
Upon the name, California, the author has the
following observations
that Of California, appsllasion given to at its
hrst discovery Some use the name In tho plural
number calling tn: CALIFORNIA; intending probably
to include that part thought the principal island and
the largest in the world together with multitude q
Lesser islands which surround 1t on oil sides But It
being now known that this country Is NO island, but
Joined the continent Of America - ws shall pre-.
s.nty show propriety requires that the word should
with the military historian above mentioned.
could wish to CRAFTY the reader with the etyno-
bgy and true origin OF the name, which, from the odd
of its sound, the real mfortanss which the fret
lcoverers met with in that country, spd the great
the eurosity q the beth Of New Spain and
Europe Bat In none OF the various dialects OF the
such name bssss given either to the country or even
to sny harbor bay, or small portion OF IT. Nor can
pose this to have been given It by the Spaniards
their feeling unusual heat at their first landing
here and thence CO led the country Cslifor nia oom
pound Of the two Latin words calida forn0s . hot
furnace. ] believe few win think our adventurers
could boast of much literature for though Del Cas-
ro~k~. fc~ IL A~t-~ 49, -
but pe.
degree Of bachelor Of laws we do not Ind that either
their conqussts. am therefore, inclined to think
that this name owed its origin to some accident
understood BY the spsnsrds as happened, according
to very learned American, In the naming Of Peru;
and, ALSO a. We sha shortly show. in giving name to
the nation Of Guaycura.
NATURE OF THE COUNTRY.
With respect to the nature of the country, We
read
The idea, therefore, which, from good authority, Is
to be formed OF California discovered for 800
ithstas ding this country in general rugged
Grassy, and barren and the air dissgreeabe and I'M
may b. greatly improved by agriculture, ana would
produce sl the nece@ariss Of life. The vicinity Of
the sea- with Its vapor. moders.es tho neat Of the AZ
rents Of water without which indeed, sowing would
ofsx fail, account Of the little ram, and the I'M
certainty gift Lastly, IL Is not without plains both
for pasture and tilsge Even In the centre Of Cali
frna there are some valleys aud rt.i.e grounds Of
toefabs soil having springs for drinking and water
ing the grounds In these parts 1t is that the poor
Csfsr have their dwellings, and here likewise,
IL the Cabecerss- of the missions and the villages
within their v.sitations.
NATURAL HIsroRY-DoMRsTIC AND WILD ANIMALS.
On this topic we find the following interesting
remarks.-
In Cal fornia are found all kinds Of domestie
animals commonly used in Spain and Mexico for
though the missionaries met with such they have
skce been transported from New Spain; for horses,
mules, asses. oxe n, sheep, hogs, and goats and
dogs and cats have been found to thrive well in this
country In California there species OF Wild
creatures for hunting, which 1t known In Old or
New Spain The first Is that whieh the Caifor mans
IN the Monqui tongue call Taye IL Is about the big
meas Of calf year and half old, and greatly resm-
Ill asA It,