Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-03-25
Letter from California.
Correspondence of the Ohio Statesman.

!
| San Jose, California, Jan %, 1850.
Dear Colonel: My last to you was from
San Diego, in September. Since then, as
you have no doubt learned, great changes
have occurred in the boundary line commits
sion. much to the interest of those forming
the corps, though contrary to the intentions
Of the government, when thsy attempted to
supercede Colonel Weller by Colonel Free
mont Tie effect has been, to dissolve the
commission, permit the gentlemen compos-
ing it to procure situations much more lu-
crative and desira able, and continue Colonel
Weller in Office, probably until he shall re.
sign. The effect to the United States will
be, the expense of organizing an entire new
commission, and procrastinate the compile
| ton of the survey at least whole year, land
probably cause much expense to, and bad
feeling on, the part of the Mexican govern
ment. So much for Mr.. Ewing's persecu-
tions, for which we thank him.
In the new government of California, the
late commission is pretty well represented !;
DR.. Chambe berlin, in the Senate; Messrs.
Witherby and Mckinstry in the Assembly !;
Captain Whiting, principal assistant sur
veyor to the commission, is Surveyor Cen
eral; Mr.. Foster, another assistant, is his
chief assistant; Prof. Mooney, principal to
the commission, is his Astronomer; and Mr.
Taylor, another assistant, his clerk, Mr.
Coleman, assistant surveyor to the commits
sion, is first clerk to the State Comptroller,
and last, though not least, your old friend
H. H. Robinson, the old editor of the "Ea-
gle" was few days ago elected State
Printer, with not dissenting vote.
Col. Weller, who was here at the organ
ization Of the Legislature, returned on the
steamer of the ] st instant, TO close the af-
fairs of the commission, and tender his re-
signation. He is expected back on the next
steamer, and will locate in San Francisco
and practice his profession. --,
Both branches Of the Legislature have
got fairly at work, yet it is impossible to
form any idea when they may adjourn, so
much is necessary to be done to set the
wheels of a new state in motion with moth
ing to begin upon For the past few days,
fears are expressed that the Legislature ma y
be interrupted in its business for the want
of quorum. The news from the mines is
of such an exciting nature to those interest
ed-and we have % members from the mi
ming districts that several have started off
forgetting, or neglecting, to ask leave OF ab-
sence. The news is, that since the heavy
rains have set in, filling up all the old mi
ming holes, as well as flooding the bottoms,
the miners have extended their researches
among the valleys, higher up in the noun
tains, and in places where in, the summer,
OF dry season, there is no water to wash
with, they have found richer placers than
ever before have been discovered, and all
are making their fortunes. Mr.. Stevens,
member of the Assembly and miner, re-
.ceived by last steamer letter from his Clerk,
saying that an Indian under his employ
found piece of pure gold weighing 25
pounds and ounces another found one of
l3 pounds weight. The letter further says
that all who work, get from 2 to s ounces
per day. The rainy season it is now
thought, is pretty well over, and when the
roads become good, we feari it will be i'm
possible to keep business quorum.
Your old friend, Col Collier-of Old
Whitley memory-was few days ago
mulc,ed in fine of $1,000, for maltreating,
and otherwise abusing sMr. Lawrence Of
Cleveland, who crossed the plains in his
party. ] send you notice. of this affair,
in San Francisco paper. Ned Marshall, !,
of Cincinnati, was Counsel for Plaintiff.
The reputation that the Colonel made in
crossing the plains, is not an enYiable one.
I he political strength of this Legislature
is easily told : in both houses are eleven
halfway whigs-all the balance are Demo-
Gratis
The Nicaragua and Musketo country out
rage, is producing some feeling here. Some
apprehend serious difficulty with Great
Britain, growing out Of it. | think. John
Bull will pursue the same course he did up
on another occasion, apologize, throw the
blame upon the Officer in command, and
then promote him for it.
It would afford US much satisfaction to
get a sight occasionally at the Statesman,
as we seldom see an Ohio paper.
| may let you hear from me again before
Ivamose for the diggings.
Yours, Respectfully,