The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-03
From the London Times.
THE BIRTHDAY or A STATE.

In order to appreciate the story we are going
| to subjon, the reader must reoolect that three
short years ago the name Of California con-
veyed no more impressive ideas to European or
even American ears than that OF Kamtschatka
or Bhootan. The country itself was vast I'M
explored desert, and the shores of the Pacific
about San Francisco were scantily tenanted by
few scores of Russians and Spaniards, who
lived without rivalry or suspicion, and who
scarcely waited for the sanction of their re-
spective Governments TO effect such changes or
sales Of ground as convenience might suggest
| Nobody knew or cared whether the enormous
tract beyond contained inhabitants or not, and
journey across its plains was considered as
remarkable rs a journey through central Africa
| IL We were to speak at this moment Of the prov
ince of Sonora, ID is probable that ninetepths of
our readers would be withou. any distinct concep-
ton Of the locality referred to yet Sonora is the
next county, to California, and, in ls47, one
region was about No well known as the other.
This remote district Is now the seat of pow
erfu independent State-a State which has been
founded and constituted from beginning TO end,
in about thirty months time, and which, though
junior in political birth even to the French Re.
public has obtained formal recognition Of its
existence, and is exercising all the functions Of
an organized Commonwealth. When the pre-
cous metals of Potosi and Peuu were first poured
Gus influence on the affairs Of the Old World, but
failed to create any corresponding movements ia
the New The treasures Of California, on the
contrary, have hitherto wrought their chief won
ders in the land of their production and, though
they have not yet materially affected the curren-
cy Of Europe, they have called into being at the
extremites of the Pacific, a community unpar-
allelcd in the manifold fusons Of races or
combinations of men. Apart, therefore, from the
amusing features Of the following SKETCH we Be-
riously commend to the readers observation the
extraordinary purport of the scene, 40 an earnest
of what the industry of oil nations may succeed in
compromising
The Goth day Of December was selected by the
Californians M the birthday Of their State--as q
festival to be celebrated in honor of their admis-
sion to the American Union, and in this wise was
the ceremonial solemnized As the day broke
upon San Francisco the American banner aug
mented by an additional star, was hoisted In the
centre OF the town, under a federal salutep Of
artillery. The echoes were taken up by the ships
In the barbor, and the flags Of every country un-
der the sun found their appropriate place. Then
| commenced the procession, which, according 10
the sentiments Of the reader, may be lkened
either to the tournament 10 Ivanhoe, or the open
ing pomp Of pantomime. First came the Chief
Marshal In white and gold and his staff in sky-
blue and silver Next followed the Mounted
Californians,n who would, we are told, have been
stronger had they not been disappointed 10 horses
They we're succeeded by the "Californian Pio-
neers,' who carried n banner Of white satin,
frnged with gold, and charged with device ex-
hibiting pioneer Just landed who strikes off a
piece Of rock with his hammer and discovers the
State seal Of tho community underneath. From
his mouth issues the exclamation, I" Eureka
while by his side stands native in genuine at
titude Of dsmsy. After these, followed "the
Guards commanded by Captain Howard" an
aristocratic battalion, which appeared In new uni. |
forms for the occasion, and attracted particular |
applause The Offices Of the State and Of the |
revenue filed up the interval between the mill |
tary and the civil portion Of the procession which
was headed by company Of Englshmen, under
the red cross Of st. George, and attended by
Germans, Italians, and Spanisrds. Next came
the settlers from the Celestial Empire, srrayed
In the richest brocades Of the East, who carried
a banner Of crimson satin, on which was an in-
stription Of great length and elaborate calig-
rsphy, but which, when interpreted, imported
nothing more portentous than "China boysn
In number they were about fry, commanded by
their own chief, and decorousiy obedisnt 10 his
word.
At this stage Of the procession was introduced
the triumphal car. This cspacous vshicle was
drawn BY six white horses, and contained thirty