The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-01-08
CALIFORNIA CORRESPONDENCE.
San FsAxc,sco, l4,h Nov. 1851.


San FsANclsco, l4.h Nov. 1851.
Messrs. SAxpsss e. DAvls:-Time ha'
flown so rapidly that can hardly rea''z'
that . month has elapsed since my les
to you. But 30 i is Il
California, every thing moves with NOR
than Railroad speed, and one can hard',
seep pace with the progress and improve
ments that surround him on every side
Even. within the past month this city ha
wonderfully improved; wharves have beef
extended farther into ,hs bay; new one
erected; new streets have been made b,
removing sand-hills and filling up where
short time since, vessels were moored; ma
ny 6re-proof edi6ces have been erecte'
and new foundations laid for others in oil
parts Of tho city. In tho older States
where il takes months or weeks to cree
buildings, it here only takes days; and j.
taking ramble occasionally over the city
one is almost COMPOUNDED at the change!
aud improvements that meet bis view a
every step.
Since my last communication, measures
have been taken to supply the city viii
sbundance Of water and ] presume in a
fe,c months it will be done etfectually.-
VIVA, would occupy several years at home
will only require as many months here
This spirit 10 peculiarly characteristic Il
California and shows itself 10 every thing
In renting store for instance. six months
" year is considered a very long lease
many stores arc rented only from
month to month.
A in oil commercial cities, business has
been greatly overdone; or rather, there
nave been Gar to many engaged in mercan-
lie pursuits; consequently there are many
who been disappointed and their inca MS
by heavy expenses and losses IN
trade-some Of these have gone TO ths
mines, others have returned to their old
homes, and some have endeavored TO Tor
get their troubles and di.appoin,men,s b,
10 dissipation in oil its forms
How vain the deIusion! no sooner do the,
enter the whirlpool Of dissipation than the,
hasten by degrees to the vortex and ARE
rrecoyerably lost to themselves aud their
friends.
Measures are in embryo to establish /,
inc of steamers between this city and the
Sandwich Islands, and very short tim,
will see this enterprise in successful opera
lion. Som thereafter line will be ex.
tended 10 China; aud perhaps in q few
wears we may have steam communication
with japan.
Bye.the.bye, you have no doubt noticed
the rescue, by one Of our vessels, Of num-
her Of Japanese mariners shipwrecked
sometime last spring; they have been KEEP,
IN board one Of our revenue vessels and
will probably be sent back to their native
country in one Of our Government vessels
before long; they have been brought ashore
frequently and have been treated with
much kindness, and it may yet be the re,
suit OF vast importance to both countries.
The shipwreck Of these mariners may have
been directed by the AIlwise Being for
some wise purpose, and few years may
witness an extensive commerce carried on
Japan and this country.
The accession to our population from
China is considerable and every .yesse
from that Empire brings additional nun
hers; our Chinese population is now es,i
mated to be over l0DOO-snd they prove
TO be an orderly, well-disposed and moral
people, with q few exceptions. They man.
fest decided preference for this coun,r.
md soon become assimilated to our Gus
IONS and manners. They are yet destined
% become an important people among US,
md should they become converted to chris.
ianity, il is impossible to conceive the in.
fluence they may exert upon their nation
at home.
! presume the self styled "vigilance
Of this city has created consid
cradle interest 10 the minds Of many or
your side Of the continent, and no doubt
many have looked upon them in the ligh
Of a faction or mob. But were all the cir
connected With their organiza
ton fully understood, few intelligent AM
nrder.loving people among you but woult
applaud them and the motives by which
they have been actuaied in all their pro
ceedings. The state Of society here i
wholly different to what il was prior Il
their orga nization and crime is now Of
rare occurrence among Us as in any Of on
Atlantic cities. A few days since. on tn,
arrival Of the clipper ship Challenge, grea
excitement was produced in consequence,
Of severe brutal treatment of the crew b.
the Master and Mate Of said vessel durin.
her passage to this port. The boatmel
aud sailors congregated 10 large number