Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-18

Mining, &c.
Correspondence of the Express
SAN Francisco, Dec. 81, 1919.
The steamship California, Capt Budd, arrived here
on Friday night and Saturday morning 18th inst she
was safely moored in the harbor With her crowded
" cargo OF passengers.
Her mails have not been entirely assorted and deli
vered yet nor will they be for oTtnighnevertheess
many letters by private hands, and various newspapers
have told u.s. generally, the news from the Atlantic side
1t truly the hardest labor the Pacific that of look
ing for and obtaining our letters and papers. Each
steamer brings us an enormous ma-that by the Ore
gon, qst December) numbering eighty odd bags, and
the facilities at the post office are so inadequate
to the business of the place. that hundreds Of persons
alter waiting for hours at the aondos several days in
succession finally turn away in disgust and prefer CIV
ing up their chances Tor letters than subecng them
selves to such trouble and toll
The Legislature Of our State under the constitu-
ton California, convened at'San Jose on the 18th inst
Nothing of interest occurred other than the orpapiza
ton of the branches of the assembly, until the fol-
lowing Thursday, when the Inauguration ofhe over
nor and Lieut.. Governor elect took place. The same
day the joint bolong for the election ofsenators to Con-
gress off and resulted in the choice of Col j. c.
Fremont, and Doctor VIM. M. Gwin.
On the first ballot Col. Fremont was elected by a
large majority, and on the third ballot Doctor Gwin was
and H. W. Haleek, Capt OF Engineers) were the Other
prominent candidates.
We have now passed through about one-thrd of the
rainy season. and it not Tor the horrible state OF
the streets in San Francsco-mud "knee deep'-it
might be deemed the peasantest part Of the year The
sun comes out once in while, and once in a while the
weather is lovely-over head. About the 5th Decem-
Der the mountains the opposite side of the bay were
clothed in white, the rain turning into see and snow
The glistening appearance OF thousand peaks but
short distance OIL towering above the forest of shipping
presented Tor days the most picturesque and singuary
interesting sight. The weather lovely with us, re-
semblng our Christmas atmosphere in Virginia and the
sunlight never was brighter.
The immense quantity OF business done in the lower
mart OF hat fbn
week at time, render it almost impossible
BY next wntert is hoped that streets will have been
paved or planked, and San Francisco will then be
acceptable place of residence during the whole
season than it is at present
Ga the morning of the oath (ast Monday our people
were reused out by the cry of 're and instantly it
was discovered that the Parker House. of the largest
hotels, was in flames Before the fire was subdued,
nearly whole block of buildings destroyed and it
estimated that not less than 100000 worth of pro-
perty was lost.
This was the first calamity of the kind that has hap
pened in California, and strange it may appear the
night the furnishing town OF Stockton was visited
by similar destroying element. The property des-
troyed in the latter place was estimated at $500 OOO-
The burnt district of San Francisco lies partly on the
square or plaza fronting :heiold Custom House. Build
ngs have already been contracted for and two very
large ones have been raised and are now up.
Messrs. Burgoyne q Co., Bankers and Ward e. Co..
who among the heaviest business houses in the place
saved their buildings most fortunately, and which were
on the same square.
6ef eTSlleI WIFI Stal1 arrived
days since from Oregon. Every thing represented as
going well in that territory. Gen Wilson from Mis-
souri, the Indian agent for the Salt Lake region is also
here. He is said to be delegate from the Mormons to
the Assembly OF California; Ior what purpose remains
to be known Also he is said to be U. S. agent at this
port The rains and state OF the roads make it mpossi
BILE Tor agons or teams to run and only pack mules
go to and from the diggiugs Consequently the
increased number Of emigrans and of transpora
tion will keep supplies very high and possibly scarce
for month two here but by those of good Judgment
Is not believed that any very great distress famine
will be the result
The prices Current" which, have seen published,
can give no idea OF the state OF things here One day
flour &c, may sell for forty fifty dollars barrel
and the arrival OF few ship loads at time alter
entirely the price Every thing constantly ucluatng
yet nevertheless fair profits must continue be had on
all solid provisions, for long time shipped to California.
Carpenters wages remain the average of an ounce
1916 dav, and servants from $75 $3.50 per month
Meetings have been held Tor the relief OF the destitute
poor who are here! This seems strange where gold is
thought SO little Of and is generally so plenty The
cause is, however, that's large number of emigrans
have in with their families from long and tedious
journey across the connen they have arrived during
the rainy season many from hardships broken
down, unable to labor and ,.thout dollar of money
Houses going up in every direction, some sixteen
on average day. They are generally small though
several very large and fine looking edices have been
built. The ard House." large and beautifully az
ranged Restaurant has recently been erected and now
open. They took in understand ($5l0O five thousand
and one hundred dollars in one day 1t was so called
W X,
highly esteemed by every one.
The system OF squatng, as practised upon the public
domain the Western States, has been adopted in Ca
liiorna, and much excitement prevailed at Sacramento
city, tor awhile from number OF emgrants camping
upon lots and giving out thathey intended to claim them
presumption rights. The attention OF Congress
should be called to the formation of commission for
ascertanng the title to the various grants of land in
California, and whether genuine or not. What public
land there is in this State will be rapidly purchased when
br ought into market and the sooner this is done the
least cost it will be to The Government. The system
OF surveys the present land office under the general
government cannot be applied to this country without
material alterations and changes and hence the necessi-
ty OF special committee to attend to these affairs out
here.
California has already appointed her own Surveyor
General State Engineer. Charles Jarvis Whiting is
the gentleman selected by the Legislature to fill this
office He is the friend and lately principal assistant of
Andrew B. Gray, Esq, Civil Engineer, U. S. Surveyor
under the Treaty to run the boundary with Mexico
The latter work having been temporarily suspended
several OF the officers on the survey up to San
Francisco.
Ii is understood that Col Weller still acts as Com
missioner until officially relieved and thai the Joint
Commission Of the Boundary will adjourn from San
Diego to meet at Passa del Norte, and there continue
the prosecution of the work until it is entirely finished
as required by the Treaty,
The appropriation on The part OF our Government
$3.50 O0O has been exhausted in the surveys and
nossances tor the demar katon OF this end OF the line
and much interesting information has been obtained of
the region from the Pacific TO the Colorado river This
TACT however CANNOT retard materially the progress of
the work. for at present could be done at this
end of survey, even were means hand in the way
OF money,
BY the time the Commission can meet on the Rio
Grande Congress will have appropriated for the follow
ing year.
Hon Thomas Butler King has formed co-partner
ship with Judge Bowie, of San Francisco for the prac
tice OF law lie goes on to Washington by this steam
or. Not as Senator as many would wish, who look TO
the interest OF California butno doubt he will be hearth
ly greeted by all OF his old friends He will return to
San Francisco in the fall of next year.
Captain Cadwalader Rnggold, of the Navy, has lust
completed re,survey OF the Sacramento River and
Bays adjacent thereto. He has had engraved in his
place beautiful chart Of Sustan Bay and from which
most reliable information is derived for nayigable mr.
poses Heis making preparations to buoy out the chan
mel the bar at the entrance of this city, through The
desire Of Gen. Riley, while acting Governor. '''
The sloop Of war Falmouth, Captain Petigrew, an
chored in the bay Jancelta on the 18th INST She
will remain here short time TO procure provisions
stores &c, and it is understood will then sail for the
western coast OF Mexico The igate Savannah IS also