The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-04-10


SAN FANRlsCo, UPPER CAL1FoRoIA,
Jan. 14th, 1850.
DEAR BENroN-Y our letter, dated New Y ork,
Oct 10Th, received on the 10th of the present
month. 1t was great pleasure to me, / assure
you, to peruse that letter; not only for the gra-
tfying intelligence it contained, of the health
of my family and friends; but for the political
you before, had not my time been completely oc-
cupied. For this reason, | have failed to be as
attentive in communication to my family, as
should have been, but l know they appreciate
my situation, and will pardon my neglect-may
your characteristic generosity lead you to per-
form the same bencfcent Office.
Having, as l trust, sufficiently excused my
self, will now proceed to give you some items
with regard to California. Politically, l can
say but little, which you have not already learn
ed through the journals The Legislature are
in session, and have been for about month, but
have shown themselves very negligent of the
public interests for they have entirely failed to
make single law. Indeed, so much dissats-
faction prevails among such of the members as
wish to act, that two of them have already re-
signed, and P. B. Cornwcll, of Sacramento Ci-
tv, will resign on Monday next. An election
for Sheriff will be held in this city in few days
The office is a very lucrative one, which makes
it sought after by many. There will be no less
than six or eight candidates; but the two promi.
nent ones, are Towns and Bryant. Towns has
formerly been merchant in Virginia; & Bryant
is an extensive gambler, with no particular To-
cation home. The contest will be very
fierce one: but notwithstanding the large num-
Der of "profcssional gentlemen" in the city,
think Towns will be elected, providing no poll.
tical issue is made. But should politics be bro't
into the election, and strong effort is making
to bring about this result, Towns (Whig,) will
be defeated by an overwhelming majority, be-
cause this city, as well as the State, is almost
exclusively democratic.
word or two as to this western climate
which has been so generally and so highly ex.
tailed. 1t is certainly the most delightful on
the continent. From the 1st of March until the
1st of Nov, we have no rain. The atmosphere
is perfectly dry, clear and pure. An object can
be distinguished by the naked eye at great dis
lance From March until June, the weather is
pleasant, but not hot. From June, the time the
sun crosses the line, until Sept, the sun sends
forth strong heat, which is severely felt in the
gorges Of the mountains by the miners, but on
the plains is rendered quite pleasant by gentle
@bo ol 4,
snow melts from the mountains, which renders
the waters of the rivers and creeks as cold as
ice water-a delightful bcvcrag in hot day
From Sept. until Nov the weather is pleasant
but not hot From Nov. until Feb. we have al
ternate rain, SNOW and clear weathar-and dur.
ing the month of Feb it rains almost constant
ly. During the dry season, we have no drench-
ing dews, such we are accustomed to in 10.
wa. Hang out wet garment at night, and ii
will be perfectly dry in the morning. To tcs,
the purity of the atmosphere, hang up piece Of
fresh beef, and let it remain a few days where
the sun can strike it, and you will take it down
completely dried and perfectly sweet. But all
this, and much more, presume you have re.
wit: 'sFremont's Reports "Bryant's two years
in California;; "Wearc' History of California, y
and "Two years before the mast by Dana, OF
A word as to the agricultural advantages OF
this country In giving an opinion upon this
subject, it must be limited to the mining region
and the country thro' which | passed in reach,
ing it; for, if 60 beyond this, cannot speak
from personal observation. The. country east
and south of Stockton is a dense sandy plain
which overfows in the wet season, and in the
dry, is unproductive for even moderate supply
weeds. When seventy miles out, you begin to
reach the gold region, when the character Of the
country changes, and becomes extremely noun.
tainous---the valleys covered with sand, and the
mountains with scattering oak and pine. Large
quantities of slate and quarts rock also strcwn
over the mountains. The northern part of Up
per California, | think, is poorly adapted to Ag.
riculture; but the southern part Of Upper, and
parts of Lower California, report says, is admi-
rably adapted to raising everything that the
farmer can desire. n->a. aa ~ 4 .1t.,1 s
|
What can say Of the mines, which has not
already been said, written, and printed Moth
ting; absolutely nothing. l imagine you have
been bored so much with descriptions of the
mines and gold getting, that it would be more
than idle for me to attempt to enlarge upon it
In fact, have written SO much upon this stale
theme, to my friends in Dubuque, that am get.
ting tired oft; but as you have particularly re.
quested description from me, will proceed te
give you what light have upon the subject
What I shall say, must relate to the southern r
mines, for never have visited the northern
mines You will understanding southern'mines
to be upon those rivers and creekseInptying into
the San joaquin; and the northern mines upon
those rivers and creeks cmptying into the sa
cramento. q, In going to the southern mines, you
will get aboard Of steamer in the morning, anf
be at Stockton, distance Of $50 miles, by 10 o.
IL o'clock at night. Stockton is place of a
bout 5000 inhabitants, situated upon level plair
upon the San Joaquin, where the eye can ex
Il