Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-02

was very little increase In the white population Until
the emgrants from the United States began to enter
the country in 1888
They increased from year to year, SO that in 1886
Colonel Fremont had little difficulty in calling to his
standard some five hundred fighting men /
AT the close ofthe With Mexico it was supposed
sthat there were, including discharged volunteers, from
ten to fifteen thousand Americans and Cafornans, ex-
elusive OF converted Indians, in the Territory. The
Immigration OF American citizens in lS49 up to the ls
Eof January last was estimated at eighty thousand OF
y 1.-THE foreigners, twenty thousand.
The population of California may therefore be safely
set down at $4,000 at the commencement of thepre-
Nsent year.
Its quite impossible to form any thing like an accu
rae estimate OF the number of Indians in the Territory
aSince the commencement OF the war, and especially
snce the discovery OF gold in the mountains, their
bers the missions and in the va eys near the coast
%have very much diminished. In fact the whole race
1 seems to be rapidly disappearing.
The remains OF number OF villages in all the
Nvaeys of the Sierra Nevada, and among the foothills
of that range OF mountains, show that distant day
there must have been numerous population where there
Ills not Indian to be There are few still
retained in the service of the old Caonans, but these
&do amount to than few thousand in the whole
#Terrtory 1t is said there large numbers OF them
8 the mountains and valleys about the headwaters of
She San Joaquin along the western base OF the Sierra
sand in the northern part OF the Territory and that they
Hare hostile A number of Americans were killed by
Athem during the last in attempting to penetrate
Shgh up the rivers in search Of gold they also drove
None or two parties from Trinity river They have in
Averal instances attacked parties coming from or return
Ming to Oregon in the section OF country which the la
Amented Captain Warner was examining when he was
KILLED.
It's quite impossible form any estimate OF the num-
aber OF these mountain Indians Some suppose there
%ae as many as three hundred thousand in the Territory
Mbut should not be inclined believe that there bel
None third of that number 1t is quite evident that they
are hostile and that they ought to be chassed tor the
amurders already committed.
q The small bands with whom met, scattered through
1.-THE lower portions OF the foot hills OF the Sierra and mi
Athe valleys between them and the coast seemed to bel
8almost the lowest grade OF human beings. hey ve
che1y on acorns, roots, insects, and the kernel OF the
spine- burr; occasionally they catch fish and game
They use the bow and arrow, but are said to be tool
Hazy and efemnate to make successful hunters. They
lido not appear to have the slightest inclination to cult
vae the soil do they even attempt it, as tar as
could obtain information except when they are induced
3to enter the service of the white inhabitants They
Nhave pretended to hold any interest IN the SOIL
sammigrans as possessisg any. The Mexican Govern
nent never treated with them for the purchase OF land
saor the REIMBURSEMENT ofany claim to it whatever.
b They are lazy idle to the last degree, and, although
Mhey are said to be willing to give their services to
Msny one who will provide them with blankets, beet
Aand bread, it is with much difficulty they can bemade
%to perform labor enough to reward their employers
sSfor these very limited means OF comfort.
ri Formerly the missions, those who brought up
and instructed by the priests made very good servants
MMany of these, attached to families, seem to be
tathful and intelligent But those who are all in
Mwid and uncultivated state most degraded objects
Moi filth and idleness.
n 1t is possible that Government might. by collecting
Athem together teach them degree the arts and
habits of civilizations but if may Judge OF the future
Sfrom the past they will disappear from the face of the
aearth the settlements OF the whites extend over the
acounry Avery considerable military force will be ne
acessary however, to protect the emgants in the north
ern and southern portions OF the territory.
ITO BE Continued