Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-03-30

ed by the acts Of the priests the DEGREES Of the Mexiea
| Government.
superficial view Of the matter would be very apt 10 Ieae
to the superstition that the Jssu celebrated for wisdom
and cunning, would not fail TO that which, that time
would probably have been obtained by merely asking for it
royal Decree granting them all the lands they might TO
qure in that remote country for ecclesiastical purposes There
have been inmaions that effect but nothing
known These missions embrace within their limits some OF
the most valuable lands in the Territory and very impor-
ant that should be asceane whether they belong to the
Government. or may be justly claimed by individuals
Most OF the land fit for cultivation south of latitude 39o
and west OF the valley of the Sacramento and Joaquin
claimed under what Purpor to be grants from the Mexican
Government.
On most of these grants the minerals and metals are re-
served TO the Government Conditions were coupled with
many OF nem which have not been complied with. In others
the boundaries described embrace three much
land as the grant conveys
Inc Mexican law required all grants made by the Proy-
sona government with few exceptions, be confirmed by
ne supreme Government The great distance which sepa-
rated them, and the hnfrequent or difficult means
cation, made compliance with the law SO expensive and
tardy that it came to be almost disregard
There were other causes which led to this neglect
Previous to the treaty with Mexico and the immigration Of
American citizens to that country, land was not regarded as
OF much value except for grazing purposes There was
enough for all Therefore, the claimants or poprietors
did not moleseach other inquire into the validity Of titles
These extensive grants described by boundaries
such as mountains bays and promonores which, in many
instances might allow Of variation Of miles in the
| establishment of corner with chain and compass.
By the treaty Of Guadalupe Hdalgo, the United States
purchased all the rights and Of Mexico to and in
California This purchase only embraced all the lands
which had not been granted by Mexico but all the reserved
minerals and metals and also reveIsonay rights which might
accrue to Mexico from of compliance on the part of
the grantees with the conditions Of their grants or anf
Of perfection IN the grants.
will be perceived that this is subject of very great inn
portance not only to the people of California but the
United States and calls for prompt and efficient action the
part Of the Government II is believed that the appointment
OF competent commissioners fully empowered investigate
these titles spirit kindness towards the claimants with
power to confirm such titles justice may seem to demand
or with instructions to report their proceedings and awards
Congress- for confirmation rejection will be the best and
perhaps the only satisfactory mode of adjusting this complex
and difficult question
The lands in the northern part of the Territory above
49, have not been explored granted They supposed
to embrace Of about twenty millions of acres large
portion OF which is doubtless valuable for its timber and SOIL
Comparatively few grants have been obtained in the great
valley Of the Sacramento and San Joaquin This tract
therefore, containing, is estimated, from twelve fifteen
millions of acres belongs mostly the Government South
Of this valley and of Colorado within the limits Of
California, indicated in her constitutions there are said to
De extensive tracts OF valuable Incorporated land, and
investigation It will probably appear that there many of
them IN detached bodies which have been granted
do not speak of the gold REGION embracing the entire
foothills Of the Sierra Nevada, FIVE hundred miles long
and sixty miles broad, in connexon with the public domain,
which may be embraced in the general land system for sale
and settlement for which will be hereafter assigned
The survey Of the public lands system suited to the
interests OF the country matter of very great Importance
In the inhabited portions Of the Territory the boundaries of
Mexican grants running they do in all directions will rem
der the system Of surveys by parallels Of latitude and ong
ude qsite impracticable.
In all parts Of the country irrigation is desirable and its
benefits should be secured far possible by suitable
veys and legal regulations Most of the valleys watered
by streams sufficiently large be rendered very useful
It would, therefore, wise to lay off the land in concrm
y the of the hills and which bound aud drain
the valleys.
system Of drainage which would also irrigation
absolutely necessary to give value to the great plain of the
Sacramento and San Joaquin This valley so extensive
and level that the rivers passing through
overflow their banks, the rain which falls in winter would
render the greater portion of it unfit for cultivation The
foundation Of such system can only be established in the
survey and sale Of the land.
Ihis be done By laying canals and drains at suit
able distances, and IN proper directions, and by leaving
'oide margins to The riuers that they may hare plenty Of
to increase their channels ,chen their vaes shall be
confined wthin them by enlbansnents
would be well also to regulate the price of these lands
as to meet in degree, the expense Of draining them
This system would when agriculture shall become pur-
suit in California make this valley Of the beautiful
and productive portions Of the Union. E..
Commercial Resources.
The commercial resources of California are at present.
founded entirely her metallic Weahh-her mineral
treasures remaining undeveoped, and her fertile soil almost
wholly neglected and this continue to be the case as
long labor, employed in collecting go shall be pro-
habe than in any other pursuit which furnish the snew
Of commerce.
Inc day Is probably not distant, however, when her min
erals especially the quicksilver Mines will be extensively and
proflably worked.
Gold is the product of the country, and is Immediately
available, in uncoined state for all the purposes Of
change 1t is not there in other countries where the pro-
auctions of the earth and Of art maeoreign
domescto be exchanged for the precious METALS other
articles Of value There gold only supplies the medium
Of domestic trade, but of foreign commerce.
AT first view this Of things would be unfavor-
able to extensive intercourse with other parts Of the world
because Of the want Of return eghts Of home production,
for the vast number of vessels which will arrive with supplies
These vesse however, making calculations return
cagoes will estimate the entire profits Of the voyage their
outward reghs and become, their arrival willing
rers for a comparatively small consideration.
This tendency in the Of trade il would seem must
make San Francisco warehouse for the supply,
extent of all the ports Of the Pacific, American, Asa and
the Islands.
Almost every article exported by them finds ready
market in California and the establishment of mint will
bring there also the silver bullion amounting than
millions per annum from the of Mexico and
perhaps ultimately from Chilli and Peru, be assayed and
coined
Vessels bound round Cape Horn, with cagoes for mar
kes the American coast Of the Pacific cam by taking
advantage OF the southeast trade Winds anil standing broad
Of the Cape make the voyage San Francisco in short
time they to Valparaiso any port south of California.
Vessels have sailed from Atlantic ports San Francisco
in less than hundred days. and they have been,
than instance hundred and twenty going
from Panama TO San Francisco.
This astonishing difference in time and distance was
caused by the of the Winds the Guf Of
the Pacific mentioned in my remarks on the climate Of
California.
Atlantic norris If