Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-25

The commercial resources of California
are, at present, founded entirely on her me-
taiiic wcqhh-her vast mineral treasures
remaining undeveloped and her fertile soil
almost wholly neglected.; and this must
continue TO be the case as long as labor,
employed IN collecting gold, shall be more
profitable than III any other pursuit which
can furnish the sinews of commerce.
The day is probably not distant, however,
when her minerals, especially the quicksll-
yer mines, will be extensively and profitably
worked.
Gold is the product Of .he country, and is
immediately available. IN All un.-.ued STATE
for all the purposes of exchange. It. no,
there, as III other countries where the pro-
ducuons of the earth and of art are sent to
markets-tnreign or domeslic-to be ex-
changed for the precious metals, or other
articles of value. There, gold not only
supplies the medium OF domestic trade, but
Of foreign commerce
Al first view, tins state of things would
seem to he uufayorable TO all extensive IN
tercourse with other parts of the world, be-
cause of the want of return frelghts OF home
prodacfioR for the vast number OF vessels
which wlli arrive with supplies.
These vessels, however, making no cal
culdtious on return cargoes, Will estimate
the entTe profits of the voyage on their out
ward frelgnts, and become, on Their arrival,
willing Carriers for u comparatively small
consideration.
Tins tendency in the course of trade, II
would seem, must make San Francisco a
warehouse for the supply, to certain ex
tent, OF all the ports of the Pacific, Amer
can, Asi4tc, aud the Islands.
Almost every article now exported by
them finds d re idy market III California, ant
the establishment of mint Will bring there
also the silver Hon, amounting to mor'
than ten millions per Annum, from the ives
coast Of Mexico, aud, perhaps, ultlmatel
from ChlI and Peru, 10 be assayed an
coined.
Vessels bound round Cape Horn, witt
cargoes for markets o. the American coas
of the Pacific, can, by taking advantage o
the southeast trade winds, and . standln.
broad-off the Cape" make the voyage IL
San Francisco Ia as short time as the
can to Valparaiso or any port south OF Cali
furnla. Vessels have sailed from our Allan
tic ports TO San Francisco In less than JO'
days, and they have been, in more than on
instance, over 100 days III going from Pa
mama to San Francisco.
This astonishing difference, in time ant
distance, was caused by the course of IN
winds, and the "gull-siream" Of the Pacific
mentioned IN my remarks on the climate o
California.
The vessels from our Atlantic ports tool
advantage of the winds by steering from tn
Cape as far INTO the Pacific as to be enable'
10 lake course west of The guli-stream IL
sailing norihward, thus avalling themselves
first OF the southeast, then of the north
west trades" and avoiding opposing cur
rents. f.. llls-a- I.
The vessels from Panama were kept bacl
bv Gains, adverse winds, and currents. i
will be perceived, therefore, that there Ca
be no inducement for vessels bound roun'
Cape Horn, with mlAed or assorted cargoei
TO stop al Valparaiso, Callao, Quay aqnil, o
any other port on the west coast, becaus
the exports of all those places will seek
market at San Francisco; and their suppl
of merchandise, as return freight, will b
delivered at less expense than il can be p
vessels direct from Atlantic ports, Amer
can or European. This tendency OF trad