The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-12


titles farther north than the branches of the Trim
ity. The Indians have proved troublesome there
as well as on the Uppor American, Mocosnie, and
Tuolumne rivers Not naturally well disposed.
and being, from the effects of a mountain climate
and living. Of more warlike nature than the val
ley Indians, these mountain savagcs can never live
| at peace with the whites when brou ght in contact
with them. They will kill white man for the
most trifiing article Of wearing apparel when they
find him alone, and can do so with impuni,y.
The valley Indians q most stupid and de-
graded race. They have iil-shaped bodies and
stolid countenances, and, until the whites (not
Mexicans) came among them, wore no clothing
They subsist entirely and fish. with which
the forests aud rivers abound, and never seem Ia
aspire To the chase. II ia custom among them. in
common with the mountain indiana, to burn their
dead, which ceremony ia begun about midnight
and il observed with the most dismal and horrid
yells and lamentations. They live in rancherias
or hut villages along the banks OF rivers--their
houses being constructed by excavating cham
Der in the earth. putting in the centre pole, to
which other poles are attached, in the form Of a
low, fiat tent; roof Of weeds and earth is then
thrown over. leaving aperture in the top for the
egress of smoke, and the side for that Of the
family--the whole resembling in form a potato
hill; and here they hybernatc like animals Though
indolent, they can be induced to labor, but not
profitably; extremely good natured, and wanting
that trait of resenulness and revengefulness which
is Characteristic ofIndians generally yet to Gle
vate, civizc, and christianize them. would be AZ
hopeless task as to undertake the ourang outang
OVERLAND xmoRAsTs.
| The number OF overland emigrants To this coun-
try this year. by the northern route, (South Pass)
was about $4,000. Among them wns much sick.
ness, destitution, and death. To me the journey
was an interesting one, and not more tedious thar
l anticipated. The novelty being gone, would
circumnhvigate the globe rather than return by
| the same route
| RAILROAD.
A railroad along that route is a stupendous hum
| bug. There is not sufficient timber between the
Missouri river and the Sierra Nevada mountains
to build one mile of the road But the greatest OBJ
lection is, thcro Is no paying country-no produc-
tive land. Excepting the Salt Lake valley, Car
sons valley, east of the Sierra Nevada and small
district about Fort Bridger east of the Salt Lake,
none of il can be called habitable, after passing
one hundred miles west of the Missouri river. This
| 10 natures interdict. A railroad can never pny
over vast desert. Mountains prcsent no obstacle
that genius and industry may not surmount; but
here ia a runous space-a dead void-that totally
negatives the idea of railroad
| STEAMBOATS, AND TRADE.
There are now about sixty five steamboats,, large
and small, running on the California rivers and
that business, like every other business and enter
prise in California, is ovcrdone. The most perfect
instability characterizes the markets and every
man Of business in this country. Every thing
but gold getting is ovcrdone The ruling rates o
interest here and at Sacramento city are from ter
to fifteen per cent. per month, and there being nj
L, IL;
courts contracts bearing those rates. Thi
would seem to prove that the profits of trade wcr
very great; but, however great they formerI,
were, such is not the fact now; and the fact only
proves that an unhealthy and unnatural state o
things exist, which cannot long be maintained.
i The most of those who came out with me are
sadly disappointed in California. But, for myself
however may find the country, am determined
not to be disappointed for can live here or in any
other free country although, 30 far, have mad
but little more than my current expenses by th
practice of my profession. Ii would consent 4
abandon my profession, could obtain tolerabl,
liberal salary. But have other views, and hav
struggled with and passed through too much ad
verse fortune in my time to be discouraged by
slight circumstances.
Politics.
As TO the politics of California, they have as
sumcd no distinctive character yet. fit were no
that SO many Missourans and Illinoisans 'hao
come hithcr, would be inclined to think that tho
State would, upon the Issues, vote Wing. In San
Francisco and Sacramento cities, where alone til,
questions Of party have been raised, the Whg
have carried the day, and believe they wouIe
carry this place II is difficult to ascertain whether
the Wings or Democrats have a majority in the
Legislature. At any rate, the "squatters" will
hold the balance of power. This party owes it
principles and its existence to the present condi
ton OF land titles in this country; and, will fur
ther add, they hold the opinions of at least nine
tonis Of the population OF this country on this sub
jcct This is question which is destined to pre-
vail over all party doctrines and party organiza
tions until the question is satisfactorily and finally
settled. It's satisfactory adjustment is q condi
ton precedent to any party politics, and, until suc
adjustment, all elections must be decided by thi
test; and tell you that none but squatters
who arc opposed to a recognition or confirmation
OF the large Mexican grants, can, for the future
eApect TO succeed before the people. KNOWN
this TO be Procrustcan standard, both the Viii
and Democratic parties, in the recent contes
in Sacramento city, subscribed to the squatte
doctrine. And If Congress should confirm thea
grants. or any Of them, they may look out IL
squalls in this country, for the population here wi
never peaceably submit to this feudal badge.
confirmation would be equivalent to donation q
novo, and that certainly would not be polite. Til
essential difference between land poty an
that Of Mexico requires that these claims should
subjected TO the sevcrcst scrutiny. There is n
reason why Congress should preclude the subjec
by any dc6nitivc act; but there are. on the contra
ry, many reasons Why commissioners should b
appointed to hear and determine the rights Of par
tics. who should be allowed To resort to the court
of the United States the ultimate tribunal bes
qualified to judge OF all questions of public domai
and the obligations Of treaties. Mr.. Fremont,
hs appeal TO the people, published few day
since, makes many objections TO this feature Of II
appeal; bat his publication speaks more of the den
agogue than thought belonged to him. In this,
well as in many other points, Col. Fremont and h
constituents differ. In fact, his brief in Il
Senate excited a general distrust, which his pei
sonal interest in OF these large land claims go
TO confirm, that he would shape the legislation
-