The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-27
THE UNION.


/ From the Lafayette Rspubhcsn
rnssrssting Letter frsm Cxiafbrsa@.
Through the politeness Of friend. we are favored
with the following extract from letter Just received
from gentleman well known in New Orleans, now
member OF the Legislature OF California II viii be found
contain many interesting facts which have not before
met the eye Of the reader
SAN JOSH. February "a. 1850
would have answered your letter OF DE.
cember 18th by The last steamer; but things 80 fixed
IN this country that u - almost impossible to get letters
out N time % answer BY the return steamer even i YOU
are at San Francisco. Down here have found ii ALTO
geiher impossible, until friend took box for in
time for the steamer which has just in have for
several days At time. double file more than q
turn at the poso window; and believe there is no
doubt that fellows have made speculation OF going
down TO the foot Of the line and selling out when they
got near the top have heard OF high prices paid for
place within something less than hall day Of the place
Of delivery My friends who sent me my letters here
have, OF course, waited until this press was over; and
am now writing in the hall Of the Assembly, in which,
as you doubtless know, have been serving this winter
We are likely TO continue to sit month longer The
amount OF labor to be performed is enormous, and our
means and capacities for lis performance OF the most
limited character. There are very few OF any ability or
industry IN the Legislature; no books and advisers to
resort to- Some lew hangers-on have been about the
place all winter but they are merely blood suckers The
great difficulty we have had TO encounter is in the want Of
money The pressure has become great, that the first
constitution prohibiting every species Of paper money,
has been driven 10 the issue OF promissoy notes in
as small as $780, which pass BY simple delivery They
bear only three per cent per month, and OF
discount IN country where money commands fifteen
per cent. per MONTH There is some hope however OF
their rising when the taxgaherer gets 10 going around
In matters Of law we are likely to make d very poor
tnlng OIL We want to adopt the Louisiana code O.,
The Judiciary COMMITTEES do--wth some changes; but we
dare not propose in the gross and have mott the energy
or capacyto throw It into the shape OF statutes We
have one man on the committee willing and able to work,
and he has nearly killed himself BY oyer-exertion This
man is not me, as you might easily guess. His name
and deserves to be preserved in California annalsis
Crittenden, OF Texas, nephew Of John Critenden
One thing you may rely upon for The legislature and
the whole people, they will pay no attention whatever 10
any refusal the part OF Congress to accept cons
tuition; the State government will 60 on the less
There could not be found any noticeable fraction Of the
population who would be willing to submit to the impo-
sion OF territorial government and yet, viewed as
matter OF ecoiomy simply, It would be greatly TO in
teres The expenses OF our State machinery going
to be enormous and its working very imperfect in many
respects for long time We in though and the acts
OF Congress shall not prevail TO drive us out.
This town s situated in the valley at the southern ex
tremy oil the bay Of San Francisco, fifty sixty miles
from that city. la winter, about eight weeks, il was
nothing but wind rain and mud, and every sort of dis
,1 Pat ls rams ceased ia about the last q January
cession OF bright days and ar OF the temperature OF In
dian summer. The plain is an immense expanse
as d he TSs GaasG asnOs
all summer, is lined by fine treessycamore and
green oaks predominating The Coyote. which goes
in places an occasional grove There are other groves 81
parks scattered through the plain but the greatest lack is
OF trees Five or six miles to the east Of lies the coast
rangeten fifteen miles to the west. the Los Ga.os
the rss gentle declivites green up to their SUBMITS
but altogether without rees-the latter, holder and
rougher, covered generally with scrubby small growth,
but showing occasionally thick cump of the magni-
redwood trees on the side Of some prominent HILL
or line of thorn along some sharp crest There is q
great deal of beauty all around you and the meteor
illogical phenomena in this changing season enhance il
much Light shadows, fogs ranbows, and laterly, the
last few days. the snow left on the hills by the shower
Clouds which have rainsd down here. have made
all fantastic and really beautiful After the middle OF
April May, summer. without change bright, dry,
and with slight breeze from the direction OF the
bayse,s IN, and prevails for six or eight months; the
grass then npens into the richest heavily seeded hay Tin
few weeks hence il win be, they say, matted and mot
tied with fowers the barley and wheat rpen and yield
100 and potatoes 300 TO 400 bushels and every
shrub, rpcns uxmianly, and, il waered, goes to
new and repeat itself.
During this season, this is said to be one Of the
heahest spots in the world. and believe il; in which
respect differs very widely from San Francisco. which
is, by reason Of daily northera deadly piercing wind
one OF the most trying spots on earth 10 weak consttu
able and understandable mudihe winds driving the
mud into your eyes and down your throat in summer in
the shape Of dust Down here winter would be ioera-
able Notwithstanding very liberal supply OF mud, il
had the usual accommodations Of civilized communi-
ties; but this winter il was horrible.
There Is no impression yet made on the immensely OF
the mineral wealth OF this country To say nothing OF
quicksilver. and other valuable products OF the mines
the gold alone viii employ all mankind, that choose to
come here. for centuries This isnow the universal be.
lief Of The country and those who do not like mining
have only togoto farming and all through the north here
they will find the most lovely and fertile places where they
can make more than they ever made or heard Of else
where in the United States. In company with two
others. have purchased 500 acres in this immediate
vicinity, Of which we are endeayorng to cultivate 100
acres | also own a lot In this town. about 40 by 40
yards. When irrgatng comes TO be applicd-and the
means Of doing will soon be discovered-these spots
will be greatly increased in number. and enhanced in
value. and California sustain large and wealthy popu-
laiion even without the mines, the continental rail-
road and China trade, in which. however, mark me down
firm believer.
Since left New Orleans, you cannot imagine how
have been driven in mind and body have barely been
able TO do what absolutely obliged to do. With
thai completely worn out little while since,
that have been obliged to absent myself from the
house about ten days
Yours sincerely Err
From the Savannah Georgian, April "a