The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-09-25
CALIFORNIA CORRESPONDENCE


Dear SANDERS: seat myself to al
dress 10 you a few lines which, thought
]. might no, BIO amiss, and, # YOU see proper
f YOU can publish the same
In reference 10 matters IN California
would say, have been here about on'
wear and-have learned many things
The health Of California is very good at ilil'
lime. |, is ono of the healthiest countries
Fl have ever been in. have visited man,
parts Of it. both mountains and valleys, an1
II think it very good country. Tho val
leys are rich in grass and the mountains
are rich in gold. Many persons have beer
cu.ivating the valleys the past season ane
are now reaping abundant laryests. Iht
lstreams are much lower than usual and
1.-The river claimants are doing well.
In some portions Of California there Is
very good society. was in San Jose val,
LEY portion of last winter; il - fine val
ley, about fifty miles square and has gener-
ally rich and fertile soil, from one to eight
feet deop--a refreshing sea breeze pre-
Evails--wild cats and clover abound.
There is a range Of mountains between
The valley and tho coast, on which grows
some Of tho finest timber in the world call
ed red wood. II is generally from two e
ten feet in diameter--I saw ono tree Is
fee, through-irom eight TO twelve rail
cuts are taken from one tree; the timber is
red like our cedar, not 50 fragrant but
equally durable.
The climate here is temperate and sa!n
brious, and the valley is generally settled.
The Spaniards hold large grants which has
prevented its entire settlement. San Jose,
the former seat OF government, is located
N this valley, and is beautiful little town.
There are several fine vineyards in this
valley; they are attached TO mansions said
10 be Que hundred years old, which houses
are built Of adobes, are large aud well fur
aished.
There are many other valleys in Cali
tornis Of equal richness and beauty; thai
Of Sacramento is mol SO desirable, yet il
contains much rich and valuable land
! am located on road leading up Feaih-
er river from Sacramento City, via. Marys-
willie. am Keeping public house, in
company with brother-in.aw, aud have
hands working the mines. | have not
made mach yet, but have prospect Of M
king something soon. Provisions are low
IS also clothing and stock Flour is worti
81 so per hundred. Pork, clear $40. Su
gar from 10 to Is cents per 10. Potatoes
! 3 TO 10 cents. Coffee Is to 90 cents; dri
ed apples and peaches II to 20 cts. Bar
ley ! 10 8 cts. per ID. Vegetables Of al
kinds low for California.
| saw DR.: Down at Marysville fev
. days since; he is farming aud is doing well
! David Rogers is at Marysvi!le, he keeps
stable and hayward, teams, keeps cows
sells milk and | presume is doing well
Cowpesthwaie is stopping near me, has
store in company with another man and i
, engaged in the mines. George B1bcocl
is also near here on ranch. Eli Oil wa
al DR.. Browns short time since. A. II
Owens was ia Mlrysville the day I was
but did not see him.
! The weather has been warm for abou
II one month past. Thermometer range
from 80 10 II here, near tho coast not S
high. We have no sen breezes here.
: am situated IL miles from the mountain
| in the valley whcro the thermometer Ia
. ranged as high as 10 and YET | can sill !
ny front door and see snow.
This country has been infested with dc.
4 peraaocs, but the people are taking thof
INTO their own hands. The Vigilanl Con
q nittce Of San Francisco hung one Slua,
Y asst week, one Of the leaders, and have oti
u ers in custody. He made confession an
implicated many others, among whom wer
some Of the police officers Of that city
i Next Saturday there are to be three NOR
hung for robbing a man. These. howov
or, were sentenced by the Judge, Sine,
people have taken these things into ,hei
e own hands tho officers begin to do their du
I y and arc no. 50 easy bought and solJ
am thinking some Of sending for m
!, family and remaining in this country, f.
! 'omo years at least. Every steamer bring
cut families and men are continually send
ing for their wives and children.
r believe have nothing more at present,
DR.. Dickinson, from Scott CO., has startec
home with his family. Maj Pike, from
, lie Claire, is at work near me end is doino
vel. Yours respectfully,
WIN. PRENTiSS.
IliGHEsT PoINT IN IowA.-Coteau Des
prairles, near the north western corner OF