The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-12
From, California.

Possossioh VI Salornlh papers 10 the 5lst OF jan
uary. These two vessels have brought million |
and half which, added to the half million brought
the other day by the Alabama at New Orleans,
makes two millions of dollars which have been
poured into the lap of our country within the last
ten days. The golden prospect is by no means d,
minshed in California.
The following summary of California news is
taken from the correspondence of the New York
Commercial Advertiser:
SAN Francisco, Jan. 81 1850.
We have been favored with an abundance of rain
during the last fortnight and the Streets although
not absolutely impossible, are near that cendi-
ton as you can imagine. The rainy this
year commenced two months earlier than usual,
and from this fact the wiseacres predict that the
dry season will open correspondngly early To
day the sun is. shining in full splendor, and the
weather would do honor TO June in New York
The flood in the Sacramento and its tributaries has
abated but little. Steamers run up the Yuba and
Feather rivers, where several towns have been
located recently-the overflow of Sacramento city
inducing people 10 resort TO more elevated sites
than those hitherto built upon in that vicinity.
Marysville, on the Yuba, is one of the most flour
shing OF these new towns. Nine days after the first
tent was pitched election held for the choice
of alcalde, and 23l votes were polled Non
residents were excluded; that is to say those who
had not been on the spot more than three days.
The contest resulted in the choice of Stephen J.
Field, ESQ.,, lawyer, recently from New York
"Oro' and "Yuba city" contending in the
market Tor prominence, and spectators dip into
the lots with great eagerness.
In this city, real estate is bought up and sold at
prices really startling to those unaccustomed to
"Callforna rates." Rents have not deprecated,
yet there seems to be remarkable unanimity of
opinion, that they must "come down"
price OF lumber within the last three weeks, and
have heard of several cargoes being sold at $75
per M, and in one instance at $40 per NJ
A number of brick buildings are going up, and
lrive he nhata fiola fhav,
1t before possessed. Some of these buildings
really very elegant, and compare favorably with
the majority Of buildings in the Atlantic cities.
Francisco live in tents. ''Happy Valley and the
hills surrounding covered with these frail tene-
ments, and as the occupants pay no rent for the
land upon which they locate their tents they thus
contrive to live quite economically Board and
lodging can be obtained at 1926 to $35 per week.
The news from the mines continues encouraging.
All accounts represent the miners doing full
well as at any previous time. Indeed the recent
news is of such character to induce many peo-
pie to start hence for the diggings, notwithsand-
ing the almost incessant rains and the bad condi-
ton OF the roads. We have accounts from the
mines as often as once week, brought by express
men, who come down frequently for letters, &c.,
for the miners. lump of gold weighing twenty
one pounds has been picked up in the southern
mines, and yaporing stories of Jumps twice that
weight find ready credence with hundreds who are
hoping to get few just such pieces. Within the
next two months the emigration from this city to
the gold regions will be very extensive. Almost
every other man Is forming his plans to depart as
soon the weather will Justify.
San Francisco is blessed with four newspapers
Alta California, daily, and the Pacific Neuos, tri-
weekly, Both these papers are Democratic in poll
tics Then we have the Journal of Commerce, a
neutral little daily, and LIE Californian, a French
sheet issued weekly The scarcity of type has rem
dered il necessary to Autograph the Californian,
and il looks queerly enough. In Sacramento city
the Placer Times is issued weekly. The papers
have enumerated compose {" the press in Califor-
MIA, but additions will undoubtedly be made ere
long. Mr.. Crane is here, daily expecting the :
rival OF printing materials for the establishment OF
Wing paper; and arrangements have been made
to start paper at San JOSE the capital. Mr.. Robb
the Solitaire of the st. Louis RereiHe, will be Its
editor. The success Of the 4Aa California and the
Pacific Ners has induced SO much competition that
fear the whole business will be rendered worth
less, 30 far as money making is concerned.
Money has been literally subscribed for the pur.
pose OF putting an opposition line Of steamers on the
$l,OO0,OOO, and more than half that amount has
already been pledged. Mr.. Samuel Brannen is the
prime mover in this project. There will be plenty
of business for another line.
The harbor- master has put forth a statement O.
the number Of vessels, immigrants, &C.. which
have arrived at this port from the 18th Of April
lS49 to the 18th Of the present. II is interesting
and reliable, and have transcribed it0or the in
formation OF your readers
Within the time above named sos vessels arrived
at this port, of which 457 were American, and 3ls
foreign American tonnage 22s 429, foreign 81, 500
total 2S4,23S These vessels brought passengers al
follows: Americans, 29, S47 males, and 9l9 females
foreigners, 5000 males, and 500 females; tota
IS, sSe. This is exclusive of vessels Of war.
Our harbor is still crowded with vessels. Within
the past two weeks a number have sailed for tn,
sandwich Islands and the East Indies; but during
that time the arrivals have than exceeded tho
departures. None have sailed for the United States
or Europe.
II is matter of discussion here whether Califor
mia is TO be admitted into the Union with its pres
ent constitution. Speculation is useless, however
for before you receive this suppose the question
will be settled
Justice is administered very vigorously in SsI
Francisco. The worst criminals are sentenced 4
wear "ball and chain," and 10 work for the pub
lie Tor year, more or less, according as the judg
may direct The chain gangs number twenty
four at present, and, theyAre generally engaged
In working upon the streets, they form very dis
gusting exhibition.
The most interesting civil trial which has occu
pied our courts lately was the suit of Mrs Farm
ham against Captain Winsor, master of the shiJ
Angelique. Capt. w left the plaintiff at Valpa
raise, after having contracted to convey her TO San
Francisco. For this Mrs. Farnham claimed SIS,
600 damages, but the jury gave their verdict in ia
Of the defendant. On the motion for a new
trial. the judge said that he should grant il, becaus
the plaintiff is a woman and her character has beer
aspersed. In the mean time Capt Winsor has sale,
a foreign voyage.
Capt. Suffer is in town. He came to meet hi
family-wife. daughter, and two sons-who ar
rlNcu IN tnc last steamer from fanafna Oapt
Suffer has been absent from his family seventeen
years. His residence is at Hook Farm, on Feathe
rivers Gen. r. +. Smith is also in town. Col
Jack Hayes came up from San Diego few day
ago.
The custom-house is 10 be located in fine iroi
building, now nearly completed, and UNDERSTAND
that the post office will be removed 10 the old Gus
tom-house. This will be desirable change, as th
present location ofthe post Office is very bad. Col
Moore, the postmaster, accommodates the publ
according 10 the means within his power and tb
public appreciate his zeal.
We have one theatre in operation, and anothe
one is talked Of. So you perceive we are TO hav
our share Of amusements. Grizzly bears, the rea
"varmint," are frequently exposed in the streets
] say "frequcntly''-I have seen two. Two dol
lars per pound is freely paid for bear meat. Thi
an expensive luxury but not quite equal 10 fresh
laid eggs, which self for ten dollars per dozen
Eggs brought from the Sandwich Islands and Orc
gon sell at four dollars per dozen.
Our Legislature is busily at work The Stat
has been divided into twenty-five counties, som
Of them with names almost unpronounceable. J
committee has been appointed by the Senate I
consider and report the definitions Of the names
the counties.
We have sickness here, and deaths, too, q