New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-11
ofThe Tdoane.

Benloia mad It's Prospects.
Correspondence ~ The Tfiolne.
BlNcl, (CalifornIs) April q. 1850.
N'essys CreeisV + Nekhahi
Dating my communication from place watch
may be said 10 be but now entering on its exist
ence brief description of its situation and advant
ages msy prove somewhat interesting TO your read
ers Benicia is situated on the north side OF the
Straits of Kmquinez, connecting the waters OF Sui
gun and San Pablo Bays, and distant about thirty
FIVE miles from San Francisco The site Of the
town was originally ceded in May, l547, to Robert
Simple and Thomas o. Larkin, then American Con-
sui at Monterey, by Gen. Mariana g. Vallejo, upon
condition that the said Simple and Larkin should
there lay the foundation of city TO be known as
Benicia, in honor Of one Of the daughters Of the
wealthy proprietor. Although the grant was made
nearly three years since, no visible Improvement at
that time was effected, and the whole was accord
ipey suffered to remain untouched until after the
commencement Of the mining emigration. Siren
uous exertions were then made to secure for it
due proportion of the public favor and partially sue
ceeded the place began steadily to improve, and,
several trading and mechanical establishments be-
sing opened, assumed quite business appearance.
In May, l649, the Government Military Depot,
previously established at Monterey, was perma-
nenty removed to its present situation at this
place, which movement was soon alterward fol-
lowed by the Naval forces under Commodore
Jones Since that period it has steadily and grad
uay progressed 1t contains at this time within the
limits of the town upward Of one hundred and fifty
buildings already completed, beside considerable
number in process Of construction. The Inhabitants
TO the number OF 1000, recently applied to the Le-
gislature for the provision OF City charter. The
-, Iac, ad CHI
accordingly obtained, an election is appointed for
the 6rst Monday in May at which time the Mayor,
Aldermen and other official dignitaries will be
chosen As yet the political features OF an election
are here happily unknown, the actual worth and
qualifications Of the candidate being his only re-
commentators, and of which alone the citizen
must decide.
Having now chronicled the rise and progress of
this new sdged city, it may be well to notice what
constitute its great natural advantages. Benicia
has in reality ecome the successful riDal of the H.
iustri0us San francisco. l take the liberty of
comparing their respective merits, and then will
linely permit the reader TO determine. Merchant
vessels Of the largest class can readily discharge
wharf OF Nature q own construction at any point
within the limits Of Bencia aud thereby avoid the
exhorbitant rates of hghterage consequent upon the
sole and only method Of landing cargoes at the port
Of San Fraaciseo. Again,tne perfect security
bored render its claims eis respect alone pecu.
On iae contrary, re freq1,effsy repeated damages
sustained by vessels at the port Of San Francisco
has abundsnsly proved its snehicisncy to protect
them.
But few miles to the nophward of this city, are
the fertile and extensive valleys of Nappa and So
mona, In which a largo number OF American iAml-
lies are residing interested principally in the cul
ture Of their crops Directly opposite, on the south
side Of the straits is the small yet beautiful village
ofMartinez, containing, beside two dozen buildings
the largest Strengthening establishment doubtless in
operation in California A sail Of about fifteen
miles through Susun Bay brings you 10 the mouth
Of the Rio Sacramento, near which point is the
"paper city OF New York, known from its ounda-
ton by three solitary houses and being inhabited
by vast muttudes musketoes. Communication
between this city and San Francisco by land is ian.
possible, in consequence Of the exceedingly singu.
lar position Of the latter the south aide of the
trance to the bay, whichhsPpiy extends some forty
miles still further 10 the souhward. Aninteresting
expedition is now being fitted out at the military
depot here fo1 the purpose of Exploring and survey
ing large fresh lake distant about thirty five
miles in a northeasterly direction. This lake is
about eighteen miles in length by fifteen in breadth.
and npc0rd Of one thousand feet ADORE the ierel Of
the sea- II can be rendered of incalculable advan-
tsge should the necessities Of Benicia continually
require it.
A large steamboat named the Tuscaloosa" in
tended for regular communication between this city
and the limits Of the river navigation is now nearly
completed, and will be shortly launched from the
shpysrd at this place. Upon the completion of the
"TuscaloosR,' the keel OF q steamboat for the pur-
pose OF ferry from Bencia TO Martinez, will i'm.
mediately be- laid The u s. rgate Savannah and
sloopofwar Preble, together with the storeshp
Fredonia, now lying at the naval station at this
port The latter, it is expected, will leave in few
days forthe States. The U. s. sloop Vandalia call
ed here about one month since, but sailed a few
days after for Valparaiso and the Sand witch Islands
Mutitudes of miners in search Of the root of all
evii and "the elephant, pass here daily, pressing
onward to the diggings" where doubtless no small
number will leave their bones prey to the vulture
and the wolf There are uaqaestonably many
that have been attracted here, 70 the detrment Of
their pockets and who win long continue to remem.
Der the features Of the elephant exhibited In
the grand mensgerie OF California. The dry sea-
son IL now fairly under weigh and few days more
viii put an end 10 the luxuriant growth and beauty
OF the vegetation by which, for some weeks past,
we have been surrounded. The want of frequent
and refreshing showers appears to be the only OBJ
stace In the way Of the sgrcnlturist in this country
TO successful cultivation Of his crops. Irrigation
however, has been tried and with considerable sue
cess, ard viii, no doubt, be hereafter more gene
rally practised The character Of the soil is exceed
inely fertile and productive.
Wild oats beside many varieties OF clover grow
in endless profusion the entire face Of the land
and interpreted with ali descriptions OF wild aow-
ers, lends most charming appearance to these
.s Yoars respectfully, vALLErrE
XN-Ts, ~.