The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-13

Hotel keeping at these rates must be pretty
good business. In the morning we mounted and
started for the rancho Of Dona Juaps Briopes
an aged California Sonora, who has been made
immensely rich by the rise Of property in this
country. The old lady owns large square OF
land fifteen miles from San Jose, most Of which is
good, arabic, wel-watered soil. But, what would
be thought Of Yankee farmer who should allow
tract Of land like this to lie idlel As we rode
through the grounds, before reaching the house,
not sign of cultivation presented ITSELF and we
learned that this whole broad tract was devoted
entirely to the grazing of cattle and horses.
The Sonora, with two bright-eyed daughters,
lives in an old adobe house, through which the
rains Of many winters have beaten, end none OF
the air of comfort that surround the cot of our
most humble farmers was to be seen here. The
Sonora considers herself worth two hundred thou
sand dollars, and is anxious to rent her rancho,
that she may remove to the city to live little
more at ease.
On our way back TO the hotel at dark, we rode
through Aocks containing millions of wild geese
The plains for miles were black with them, and
80 thickly seated that horse could not have
walked without treading upon them. Asw near.
ed them, the sound of our horses hoofs would
brighten them and as they rose, the tapping Of
their wings made noise like thunder, while their
loud cackling prevented as from hearing each
other talk. | hesitate not to say that we saw
focks which when in the air were three miles
long by one 10 breadth, and containing many m J.
lions Of geese. This is great country for sports
men, and yet prices are 80 extrsvsgant that geese
in San Francisco bring from one to two dollars
each.
The principal topic of conversation a. present
is the anticipated meeting Of the Legislature,
which takes place on Monday next, at San jose
III eorfo ~ su;a II l.
and every variety of political games are being
played The upper country members, who have
already begun to rendezvous in San Francisco,
are daily beset by political beggars, entreatipg
them for their votes for anything and everything,
from doorkeeper up to United States Senator
Candidates are as plenty as blackbirds, and
doubtless there will be considerable degree OF
sport in the scrub race that is to ensue. The
Democratic candidates for the Senate, already
announced, are John W. Geary, Thomas ). Hen
ley, F. c. Bennett, Robert Semple, John G. FREE
mont, and ID. c. Broaderick. The principal
Wings are James NJ Crane, editor of the Courier,
and J. A. Collier collector Of the port 1t has not
yet been fully ascertained, bat think the Wings
have'a small majority on joint ballot, and from
present appearances think Collier will be
elected.
singular case will be exhibited in our next
Legislature man has been elected repre-
sentative, and will probably hold his seat such,
who is at this moment under heavy bail to appear
in April next TO answer to the charge Of murder
and riot. refer to DIR. Charles Robinson, who
was in fact the leader Of the Sacramento squatters
An interesting time may be expected at San
Jose
The reports from the mines are generally Of an
uninteresting nature. The miners have been for
two months waiting anxiously for rain with which
to wash out the earth they have been accumulat-
ing during the summer. II has not yet come, and
In many portions Of the mines hundreds are lying
idle, while others are scarcely clearing their eI.
penses by hard labor. We occasionally hear Of
rich strikes, but everything is daily showing that
the richness Of the California gold mines has de-
parted, and that, ere long, they must be wrought
~ all other gold mines in the world, By companies