The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-09
Additional California News.

fe were but little at the first,
But mighty at the last! a
Additional California News
TWO WEEKS NEWS
From the San Francisco Herald, Dec. /.
The most important event that has transpired
in California since the departure Of the last mail
steamer, was the arrival of the intelligence of
the action Congress had taken in regard to the
numerous bills intended for the benefit of this
State, and the announcement of the federal APP
pointments made under the several statutes
passed. The appointments, we are happy to
say, were generally acceptable to the people of
California; and the President has been sngu-
larly fortunate in the selection no has made
from the numerous applicants for federal Offices
In regard to the legislation of Congress on Cali
fornia matters, there is not SO much unanimity
of sentiment or opinion.
The people were all satisfied that a large ma
jority of the bills presented to the Senate imme-
diately after the admission of California, were
summarily rejected. This was especially the
feeling in regard to the bill proposing to grant
licenses to miners, for the privilege Of working
the gold lands. We would have been still
more gratified if less number of collection
districts had been constituted On the whole,
however, there is little reason to complain of
the acts passed and there is only complaint
to max in regard to what Congress failed to do.
The great defect in the Legislation for Cali.
forna, was the failure to establish mint at San
Francisco. This the commercial wants and ne
cessties of the country absolutely require, and
in new territory, calling for a full and active
circulation of coin for the development of its
resources, we think it burdensome to have to
send our gold on long and tedious journey, in
nrdQr that IL urrda Mt
We hope, however, that Congress will at an
early day supply this deficiency, and furnish us
a mint, which may be the means of making
American money the chief currency Of the Is
lands and ports of the Pacific.
The election for Senator, in the place of
Mr.. Fremont, receives good deal of attention
in political circles; and there is largo number
of candidates in the field. 1t is generally agreed
that Mr.. Fremont cannot be reelected and as
the party complexion Of the next legislature is
somewhat uncertain, the aspirants are of all pro-
fessions-Whig, Democratic and independent
AS yet, there is no candidate who so much over
shadows the rest as to render his election GER
tain or probable.
An election was held for local officers in the
first and second townships of San Francisco, on
Monday last, and the Wing candidates were
elected. This has strengthened the impression
for some time prevailing among the Wings, that
their party is in majority in this city. 1t is
certain that the Wings are much better organ
lied than the Democrats and hence may arise
the defeats which the latter have lately suffered.
Both political parties appear better defined
throughout the State, since California was ad-
mitted into the Union.
Within the last three or four days, several of
our citizens having wide circle of acquaintance,
have died of cholera; and thus the impression
has been created that the disease is more viru-
lent than ever. But the mortality lists do not
show 80 many deaths as they did several weeks
ago. Among the deaths at San Francisco was
that of Hardin Bigefow, Mayor of Sacramento
SUMMARY OF NEWS SINCE THE 10TH INST.
From the San Francisco Pieayaae Of No. %.
The grand product of the country, gold, has
poured in upon us within the last fortnight as
pentifully as it has done within the same time
since the discovery of the mines aud for the
want of mint at which it sht be arrested and
coined, for our own use and circulation, it will
probably flow out as freely as it has come in.
A much larger proportion of the miners, than
usual, will spend the winter in the mines, and
have made their preparations for washing In the
gulches, which contain the richest aluval de-
posts, but which furnish little or no water in
summer The most valuable discoveries are
continually being made of gold in place, and
strong excited attention is being directed to the
working of these mines by the use of appro-
pirate machinery, and on regular mining sys-
tenn, another year. The only obstacle to com
plete success consists in the want of laws under
the authority of Congress, to regulate and pro-
tect the titles claime4 by the discoveries.
The results Of the few adventures made the
past session in agricultural productions, have
been so much richer than those realized from
any other branch of industry in the country, that
large number of persons of small capital are
seeking for opportunities to engage in that bust
ness at the first opening of spring. The grand
dincu'ty that meets them at the outset, il the
want OF Congressional legislation in respect to
the disposition of the public lands They can
not purchase, they can establish no pre-emption
claims, and to appropriate any portion Of tho
territory, without the authorization Of law. ia too
hazardous in this country. We have a soil and
population capable of furnishing bread stuffs
sufficient, at least, for our own CONSUMPTION.
and at prices that would be lower than are maid
for the imported article, while a better remu.
neration would be realized for labor than Is now
obtained from any other form in which il Is EN-
ployed.
Our importatons Of flour from Chill alone
amount to $4,000 barrels per month : Mt least
arrangements were consummated MANY months
since for that amount of Importation by a sinple
company Of Valparaiso capitalists. So long as
We must import from foreign producers, or de-
pend upon the producers in the Eastern States
for our supply, unquestionably the Chill aour
will continue to be preferred both on account
" It's coming, as general fact in better condi-