The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-08
San Francisco Mt the Close OF Eighteen Hun.
dred and Fifty.

We have hitherto published an article CIV
ing some interesting incidents connected with
" san Francisco Fifty Years Ago" which has
suggested a contras. with " San Francisco a. the
Close OF Eighteen Hundred and Fifty" AT the
period to which the first article refers, the only
evidences Of human Improvement, or Of the fact
that the hand of man had fashioned into shape any
thing appertaining 10 this locality, was the Preside
AZ the northern extremity Of the borders OF san
Francisco, and the Mission at the southern line.
Between the two was almost a barren waste, the
extremes being occupied by community OF per-
baps thousand rough, unciyiized men, un!Itoret
IN the arts, unlearned IN the sciences, and follow
ing in the way their fathers trod since fret the
footsteps Of man were imprinted in the sands OF a
locality 10 which the eyes OF the world are now
turned in almost stupehed amazement.
Look at San Francisco now Had dweller
hereabouts OF "hfiy years ago, taken Rio Van
Wrinkle sleep, and awaked ~ the close OF 'eigh-
teen hundred and ifty," he would have fanced
that the black art Of magic had eclipsed itself ia
working change scarcely less surprising than
though the whole locality had been bodily trans
ferred 10 another region. The mud hovel, the
tiled adobe buildings. the hide houses, have given
way 10 splendid piles Of brick and mortar that rise
towering to the skies-monu meats OF energy aud
ingenuity OF people that know no suPerlors, aud
acknowledge no equals,-whIle the people Of that
day have almost left the field OF action or become
"hCweis OF wood and drawers OF water to the
more enierprisng and intelligent class whom the
golden sands OF Callfornia.to leave out OF ques-
the "manifest destiny" which seems 10 urge
~ the American nation-have attracted thither.
Fancy may couture up, and almost give life and
shape 10, a thousand impossibtlIties, absurd and
visionary, but the utmost stretch Of Imagination
would fail to present picture so wonderful in all
is aspects the past and present in the history Of
California.
We have neither time or space to exieyd the con-
tract 10 the entire State, but must conae ourselves
TO the principal city, where the changes which have
taken place are more marked than in any other
locality where, fifty years ago." the extent Of
population did not exceed one thousand, but which
number may be multiplied at the close Of eighteen
hundred and fifty" by al least thrty.hve.
As the mines IL California and the shipme nts OF
gold dust are the principal features Of attraction
here and at home, we first enter upon that field,
ard annex the amounts which have been sent for.
ward during each month for the past year. taken
from the manIfests at The custom house, and which
Of course do not include that taken by private hands
All thr'statistcs presented below are compiled from
official sources and for great portion Of them we
ore indebted to the courtesy OF Col Collier, the
Collector Of the port, aud the gentemanly clerks
urd der him, who have charge OF the books
Auorrr % GoLD Drsr SHIPrtD FROM JaNrABY lsr TO