Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-04-16


cold water, which comes from the northern
'es'ohs OF The Pacific, or perhaps, from the
Atc''e, ana nows along the coast of Califor-
nia' ~ comes charged with and emits in it's
progress ar which appears in the form Of
log Nhen IL comes in contact with higher
temperature. This current has not been sur-
veyed, aud therefore, its source. temperasuro
velocity, width and course, Luye net been
accurately ascortained.
Below latitude thirty -oine, and west the
tol-hills - the Sierra Nevada, the forests Of
California are limited to some scattering
groves OF oak in the valleys and along tho
borders OF the streams, and of red wood on
the ridges and In the gorges of the hills.
sometimes extending into the pluins. Some
OF the hills are covered with dwarf shrubs
which may be used as fuel. With these ex.
absorb, like sponge, all tha, .he atmosphere
and surface of the earth can yield until both
become, apparently dry. This process com
mences when the line of the suns greatest
attraction comes north in summer. bringing
win these vast atmos pherio movements, and
on their approach produce the dry season ia
California, which governed BY these laws,
continues until some time after the sun re-
passes the equator in September, when O.
bout the middle Of Noyemberthe climate be.
ing relieved from these northeast currents
OF ar, tho south west winds set in from tho
ocean charged with moisture--the rains com
menee and continue TO fall, not constantly, as
some persons have represented, but with suf-
aoient frequency to designate the period of
their continuance. from about the middle o.
Nay, In the latitude Of San francisco, as tho
icet season.
! lnow come to consider the climate. Tho
climate OF California is SO Remarkable in its
periodical changes, and for the long continu-
ence OF the wet and dry seasons, dividing AZ
they do. the year into about two equal parts.
which nave most peculiar influence on tho
labor applied To agriculture and the products
ofthe soil, and in fact bcnnect Themselves so
inseparably with all the interests Of the conn
try, that deem il proper briefly to mention
the causes which produce these changes,
and which it will be seen, as this report pro-
eeeds,must exercise controlling influence on
The commercial prosperity and resources Of
the country.
The northeast winds, in their progress a.
cross the continent, towards the Pacific ocean
pass over the snow capped ridges of Tho
Rocky mountains and the Sierra Nevada, and
are ofcourse deprived of all the moisture
which can be extracted from them by tho
low temperature of those regions of eternal
snow, and consequently no moisture can bc
precipitsted from them, in the form of dew
or rain, in higher temperature than that to
which they have been subjected. They
therefore pass over the hills and plains OF
California, whore the temperature is very
high in summer, in a very dry state; and SO
Tar from being charged with moisture, they
committed. sI.H
The small bands with whom | mot scat
tered through the low9r portions Of the foot
hills ofthe Siers, and in the valleys between
a and fha %. k,.. Il. a.
lowest grade ofhuman beings They live
chiefly on acorns, roots, insects, and the
coast, seemed to be almost the lowest grade
of human beings. They live chiefly on a
corns, roots, insects, and the kerna of tho
pine burr-occasionally they catch fish and
game They use the bow and arrow, but
are said to be to lazy and eifemnate to mako
successful hunters They do not appear to
have the slightest inclination TO cultivate the
soil, nor do they even attempt it--as far as
could obtain nformation--except when they
are induced to enter the service of the whto
inhabitants. They have never pretended to
hold any interest in the soil, nor have they
been treated by Spanish or American immi-
grants as possessing any.
Formerly at the missions. those who were
brought up and instructed by the priests
made very good servants. Many of these
now attached to families seem to be faithful
and intelligent. But these who are ct oil in
Il wild and uncutivated state are most de-
graded objects of filth and idleness.
CLIMATE.
pearing.
The remains of a vast number of villages
in all the valleys of the Sierra Nevada, and
among the foothills Of that range of noun
tains, show that at no distant day, there must
have been numerous population where there
is not now an Indian to be seen. There arc
few still retained IN the service of the old
Calfornians; but these do not amount to more
than few thousand in the whole territory.
Ii is said there are large numbers of them in
The mountains and valleys about the head
waters of the San Joaquin, along the wes-
tern base of the Sierra, and in the northern
part of the territory; and that they are hos
tile. A number of Americans were killed by
them during the last summer in attempting to
penetrate higher up the rivers in search of
gold; they also have in several instances at
tackled parties coming from or returning to
Oregon. in the section of country which tho
lamonted Capt. Warren wHs examining when
hewas killed.
IL is quite impossible to form any estimate
ofthe number of these mountain Indians
Some suppose there arc as many as three
hundred thousand in the territory! but |
should not be inclined TO believe that there
can be one third of that number. 1t is quito
evident that they are hostile, and that they
ought to be ehastised for the murders already
had not varied much up to 1885: and the
probability is thore was very little increase
in the white population until tho emigrants
from the United States, began to enter the
country i'm 1888.
They increased from year to year, so that,
in l546, Col. Freemont had little difficulty in
calling to his standard some 500 lighting
men.
At tho close Of the war with Mexico, it
was supposed that there were including dis
charged volunteers, from 10000 TO $4,000
Americans and Californians. exclusive of
conv orted Indians, in the territory. The i'm
migration of American citizens in ls49, up
IN tho Ist Of Ian last was estimated at So