The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-08-23

resort TO the gold mines first began, 1t became
an object of importance to ascend the Sacra-
mento River as far as possible into the heart
of the mining country. This happened in the
months of June and July last, at which time, as
is usual, the river was still high. To thispoint,
vessels of every class, from the smallest to the
capacity of ships and barks, were then abe to
ascend, but could not safely penetrate beyond.
Here, then, by ranging themselves along the
rivers bank, and by peopling the adjacsnt soil
with their passengers and crews, trsnsiently
grouped together in tents or beneath the foli-
age of trees and few in number, these vessels
formed the nucleus of a settlement which, in
ten months. grew up into an opuleni and extern
sive city of ten thousand men. Haa those yes
sells started earlier in the year, when the river
was still higher. the presumption is they would
have pierced still further up the river, and at
some higher point established the California
mart. Had they started later in the year. when
the river was not so higa, it is likewise the
presumption they would have made location at
a lower point along the rivers bank. Originat-
ing in circumstance so casual, and increasing
in manner so Unprecedented, we now find
Sacramento City the emporium, the centre of
trade and commerce, the metropolis Of the State
still occupies a commanding attitude, and con-
trolsa powerful influence in the state But from
the peculiar character Of the State itself, the
location of the mining country, and the form in
which business must necessarily be transacted,
that attitude and that influence are by the very
force of circumstances becoming secondary to
the claims of Sacramento. And it is Of the
claims nd the present character Of Sacramento
that we now proceed to treat. While at San
Francisco mercantile transactions have become
degenerated to an illegtimate and speculative
form in Sacramento trade and commerce have
been reduced to perfect system Organized
upon sound and healthy basis, regulated by
appropriate reciprocties among business men,
conducted upon a uniform and proper principle,
the laws of traffic here are worthy of the bulle-
tins of Wall street, the DEGREES ofthe Board of
Brokers, and the Cartels Of the Chamber of
Commerce. Large and extensive banking hous-
es have been established, paper exchanges in
many instances, have taken the place of more
cumbersome transactions in gold dust, and the
concerns of the financial world have been ar
ranged in admirable conformity and harmony
with the requirements of the world of trade
Real estate; from the foundation Of tine city
value nor has it, as elsewhere. been made the
subject of iIlnsive and inflated speculation.
Prompt measures have already been taken to
have the city declared an original port Of entry
Extensive storehouses have been erected upon
he opposite banks of the river, to contain the
forthcoming goods and merchandise imported d.
rectly from the United States. Large vessels
have been shipped hlther as their place of dest-
a.. l. !
from abroad. Hitherto, all shipments from tie
states which have been consigned to San Fran
cisco, heing intended for this market, were bur
thened with river freight irnm San Francisco
here, almost, and in some cases fully. equal to
the whole freight to San Francisco from the
states. Toavoid this moHstrous excess ofcharge,
it was necessary to resort 10 the practice of max
ing shipments directly hither from the states, and
this has proved another element Of growth ard
increase 10 the city. A municipal government
has been created by original charter, deriving its
most important lineaments from the most perfect
originals OF the Atlantic states The machinery
of that government has been brought most har-
moniousiy into action. Public measures, and
schemes of internal improvements. have been
devised and carried out in a spirit Of unparalIel-
ed efficiency and energy. Part Of these topics
we shall treat hereafter. Laws judiciously
devised, impartially administered. bearing with
them the sanction Of appropriate penalties for
every crime and every offence, whether against
the pubic or the private individual, have guar.
anti@l to every man the maintenance ofhis rights
the vindication Of his wrongs, establishing a
state Of public order and Gecorum, not less per-
feet than that which prevails in The most polish
Il &c tha 0bo II i -,
forth coming papers, to introduce successfully
the Bar, the Medical Faculty the Pulpit, the Bor-
dels, the Gaming Houses, the Municipal Gov
ernment, and other topics which may be congo
nial 10 our subject.
II would be strange spectecle to our breth.
rem ofthe Federal States to witness he present
deveopement OK this wonderful CITY, this miracle
of growth and progress. Like Aladin's palace,
it seems TO have sprung from the magic OF an
incarnation. A tumultuary gathering Of tents
but few months since, it now presents to the
eve the most harmonious and tasteful structures
of wood, rich in manifold instances, with the
iustest pretensions TO architectural display. The
useful is fast giving away to the ornamental.
Canvass has disappeared, the days of wooden
palaces are numbered. Stately structures Of
brick are arising in our midst, and will soon SUI
percede all the memorials of ruder time. Nu-
merous and well ordered hotels supply every
dainty for the palate. The comforts of life. nay,
its very luxuries are coming in from every quar-
ter The Drama, the Ballet, the Amphitheatre,
the Arts and Sciences. the benevolent orders Of
philanthropsts, have all found fitting place among
us. and claim a wide circle as their votaries
Many who remained here by the compulsion OF
their circumstances, looking longingly the while
towards their distant homes, have become al
| first reconciled, then gratiied with their new
abode, greeting it with the glad name of home
and preparing TO conduct their remote families
| into our midst 1t were impossible for those who
dwell in the Atlantic states to realize the fullness
of our condition, our prosperity. our increase
So rapid, so extravagant the progress ot change
that the period OF time consumed in transmitting
description creates essential alteration in the
things described In its social character Sacra-
mento City. like every other portion of the state,
is sadly deficient in that greatest OF privileges
which community can possess, socla and NOR
al, the society of the other sex. Yet there are
said TO be a larger number of ladies here than
can be found elsewhere, and these give tone
to society, and grace to manners, which rem
ders their presence irresstibly attractive. A
remarkable characteristic of this city, as indeed
Of the whole State, in less degree, is that it
mingles together and places in close connection,
the inhabitants of every stale within the Federal
Union. Thus in the compromises OF joint cti.
zenship, sectional prejudices. local antipathies,
and all those feelings of jealousy and envy which