Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-18


IN the northern part of the territory on the
TRINITY and other rivers, and on the bord-
ers OF Clear Lake, as far as it has been ex-
amlned, is said to be remarkably fertile.
The great valley Of the Sacramento and
San Joaquin has evidently been, at some re-
mote period, the bed of Lake and those
rivers which drain it, present the appear
ance Of having cut their channels through
the alluvial deposit after it had been formed
In fact it is not possible that they could
have been instrumental in forming the plain
through which they pass. Their head wat
ers come from the extreme ends of the val
ley, north and south; and were it not for
the supply Of water received from the
streams which flow into them from the Ser
ra Nevada, their beds would be almost. if
not quite dry in the summer months. The
soil is very rich, and with a proper system
of drainage and embankment, would un-
doubleday, be capable Of producing any
crop, except sugar cane, now cultivated i'll
the Atlantic States of the Union.
There are many beautiful valleys and
rich hill sides among the foothills of the
Sierra Nevada, which, when the profits of
labor in mining shall be reduced SO as to
cause its application to agriculture, will
probably support a large population. There
is said to be rich belt of well-timbered and
watered country extending the whole length
ofthe gold region between it and the Sierra
Nevada, some twenty miles in width. There
is no information sufficiently accurate re-
sDecting the eastern slope of the great
snowy range to enable us to form any opin-
ion of its general character or soil Some
of its valleys have been visited by miners,
who represent them as equal to any portion
of the country to the westward of it.
The great Valley of the Colorado, situated
between the Sierra Madfe and the Sierra Neva-
I da, is but little known. 1t is inhabited by nu-
merous tribes of savages, who manifest the most
decided hostility toward the whites, and have
hitherto prevented any explorations of their
country, and do not permit emgrants to pass
| through it. Therefore parties from Santa Fe,
on their wav to California, are compelled to
make circuit of near thousand miles north
ward 10 the Salt Lake, or about the same dis
lance southwark by the route of the ella. AL
though this valley is little known, there are in
dications that it is fertile and valuable.
The name of the River 6 Colorado" is descrip-
tive of its waters they are as deeply colored as
those of the Missouri or Red River, while those
of the ella, which we know flows through bar
ren lands, are clear.
1t would seem impossible for large river to
collect sediment enough in a sandy, barren soil
to color its waters so deeply as to give it name
among those who first discovered and have since
visited its shores. The probability, therefore, is
that this river flows through alluvial valley of
great fertility, which has never been explored.
This conjecture is strengthened by the fact that
the Indians who nhabit it are hostile, and op-
pose, as far they can, all persons who attempt
( to enter or explore it. This has been their uni
/ .orm course OF conduct respecting all portions
of the Continent which have been fertile, aboun-
ding in game and the spontaneous productions
| of the earth.
! As this valley is situated in the direct route
| from Santa Fe to California, its thorough explo-
ration becomes matter of vary great import
ance, especially 1t is highly probable that the
elevated regions to the north of it. covered with
snow during most of the year, will force the line
of the great National Railway to the Pacific
| through some portion of it.
/ The soil have described situated west of tho
Sierra Nevada, and embracing the plain of the
Sacramento and San Joaquin, covers an era, as
nearly as can estimate, of between fifty and
sixty thousand square miles, and would, under
proper system of cultivation, be capable of sup
porting population equal to that OF Ohio or
| New York at the present time.
PRODUCTS OF CALIFORNIA.
] II a..
PREVIOUS 10 'ne treaty OF peace with Mexico,
ana tiie discovery OF goio, the exPortaole pro-
alcts OF 'he country CONSISTED almost exclusive
OF hiues anu 'aio~. ne Caiiio'hiahs were
pastoral PeoPie, anu pau 'iiuen more a.'ehtioh
70 'iic raisiiig Vi loses anu cutie 'han the cui-
lNa'ioh u thS SUI. -,
neat oariey, maize, Deans anu edioie roots,
were cu'.Na'eu .n seliciehI quantity ior nome
coHsun'pt'on' ou' as lar as l am INFORMED, hot
Tor eApor'ation. At mat Tune iuil grown OK,
steer or cow. was worm ABOUT TWO doiars. Beef
catlie, uehVeleu on the naVigaoie waters oil the
pay Oh oah rahcisco' are 10" worm from gu
10 Soo per heao horses, formerly worm from
80 u ; ~, are now valued at SOY 10 Sioo. Inc
destruction OF cattle for their hides and taliow
has now entireiy ceased IN consequence OF the
demand tor peel. ms demand VIII OF course
increase with tne reputation; ana II would seem
that, III very few years, there Will De none to
supply the market.
II we estimate the number OF cattle, now IN
California, at ouOOOO head, which IS believed TO
be about the number-and the population at
l2O,OOO, for the year looO-a low estimate
and suppose II to increase 100000 anlum.