The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-15
The south American Republies.


tent that has created great deal of confusion and
disorder The causes which led to this unfortu-
nate state of things, are known only to those on
the spot, and never have been properly understood
by the people of the United States for no accounts
reached us from that region that were not colored
TO suit the purposes of one party or another. Re-
liable information from South America is very
much needed, as in consequence of the addition
If California to our territory, our relations with
the different republics there promise to be very
intimate at early day. With the view, there
FORE of placing before our readers reliable and ac-
curate views Of matters and things in the South
American republics, we have made arrangements
with gentleman travelling in that country to act
as our espondent and will, from time to time,
write this paper, and depict the actual state of
things there. An exceedingly interesting letter
from HIM will be found in this days paper.
CaIifoI MIA and its Political Phenomena.
Although il may seem almost ludcrous to make
a comparison between California and the colony
OF Plymouth Rock, yet there are more points of
resemblance between the two than would be likely
10 occur at first blush TO the common reader.
Driven from the old world by political despotsm
and religious intolerance, one of the most extra
ordinary companies Of men that ever associated
themselves together in the world, started for the
newly discovered continent of the West, mainly
inspired by the desire Of enjoying liberty, since
grown more common, OF worshipplng God accord
ing to the dictates of ones own conscience. Ig.
Iorant OF the country they were about to make
their home, and with correct knowledge even
OF Its Atlantic coast they drifted, by accident
than design, into Massachusetts bay, and made
their landing On Plymouth Rock. II was the cold
est period OF the year, and one OF the most barren
and iorblddiBg points OF the continent, covered
with snow, greeted their eye. Supplied only with
the scan'iest means of subsistence, and for a very
short period only; surrounded by hostile Tribes of
barbarous red men, who, with the keen sagacity Of
high spirited and superior aboriginal race, fore
saw IN these new Adventures the future masters
Of their soil, they suddenly began the great work
OF founding colony, under circumstances more
inauspiclous perhaps, in SEINE respects, than was
ever known before. The colonies, which had
been at early periods Of the worlds history, found.
ed by PhGnica, Greece and Rome, were es-
tablishcd under the favor of and sustained by the
maritime aud military powers Of their parent
countries. Their favored citizens were assigned,
in these new seas Of future empires, posts Of ho-
nor and Of control, and the early exigencies OF the
colonsts carefully supplied by the of the
mother county. IL had indeed been In later
tmes. even with the British government. 1t was
go with those enterprises foot IN the time of
Elizabeth, having for their object the exploration
a. the coast OF America, and the establishment Of
colonies. Ii was co with France; and more par
ticularly inis policy illustrated in the history
at Spain, who, at one time, was the mistress of
the new world.
But none OF those early colonisis had to contend
with such insurmountable and appalling difficult
ties as greeted the early co,onists of Massachu-
sets. All that has been suffered in California, and
all tlat will be 10y MS pioneer population, fades into
insiguihcance when compared with the terrible
suffering ;he Pilgrim Fathers were called to
derso. The unrelenting and remorseess revenge
81 saysges, the biting cold and the blasting heat Of
the fret seasons, with those new and unyielding
diseases incident TO the climate. swept of nearly
hall Of the nfan, coloay during the first few
months OF It's existence. At that period OF the
world, when mems ideas Of the comforts of dones-
iic life were limited in their extent, under no CIR
cums'ances could these colonsis have carried with
them v lat would now be enumerated among the
Indispensable nCccssares OF existence. Tnere
was a dread Of famine; for on a cold. rude and IN.
ho. pitatl e shore they could be- sure Of produce
ing read enough TO keep them from starvation;
aud even tn liitle stores they had brought with
them, OF might be able TO raise, liable at any
moment % be- robbed from IN, m or burned TO ashes
by their inpltcable foe But among all the pers
of which We have 20 many touching accounts from
Cihlorria, no ihiimation has come to ne that there
la beer, or is kely 10 be, scarcity Of food: and
their means OF communication with the mother
country great. tnat any partial scarcity could
b. At once supplied. Ca The contrary. the early
colonis,s Of New England could sustain no intimate
communicsuons with Emope An ocean more
than three iLvu-and miles ia extent, and whose
Navigation required at that period more time than
- now necessary TO 'circunnsvigaie the globe.
stretched out lie bleak expanse, cuuiog or all
hope q help in the day Of peril or hunger In
g., &c respects. the contrast between the colony Of
Plymouth Rock and Californis is very great.
We might trace il still farther. by showing how
broad dit, renee existed ~ the motive power
which sent the Pignms from their homes in Eu-
rope. ard which attracted 80 May thousands from
brighter and better homes on the Atlantic coast
Bot here are POINTS Of resemblance, that are very
striking. u 10th cases we discover The strange
Ihen meron II all the materials existing in COM
rettne-s 90 the two colonies, 70 found civilized
states. There has been perhaps. ia the whole his
'oiy ct ne Notlt, no Illustration 80 forcbe OF the
influence ~ our republic ia educating its citizens 4
~ govern ibemaeives, as ia the preseat case. I
Within few months from the time ,hs first ad.
ventures ause in California, on "a wild snsetlsd
coast, ano la county almost unknown. a v,u
ordered State rIses as At By enchantsnsri. with he
elements 81 the most perfect political and soc,.l
in.utBuons. TIE acquisition and settlement Of bs
counTy are coircidenf with the Organization Of n
government, es complete as aay existiag m tae \
worlt. For few weeks. iadcsd before any or.
gsfio laws have been established, ,hefe l. some
sfprttersion Of disorder, and what the result nay
b., oarnof be clearly appitheadcd. but this chao.
uc state docs not last Even before an orrani. !
sai,en hss beea effect, ., temporary iu5uaal5 ave
ss'aei'shed for the public safety, and law Is adj
m.hisieI,d, although 1t may be ia a summary