The Nevada journal., 1852-02-07

Of California.
A correspondent of the Oregon
Spectator, who has resided for two
years in the vicinity of Humboldt Bay,
gives a very favorable account of that
region. As the author has explored
much of the country, north and south,
the following extract is worthy Of
careful perusal -
"Eel river is two hundred and thirty
miles in length, and epties into the
ocean just south of Humboldt Bay, in
lat 80 deg. 45m north. 1t is 800
yards in width; and either side there
are beautiful valleys, from five to eight
miles wide, of open prairie land, COW
cred with grass such as red clover,
white and spear grass of the best quali-
ty, which is green ten months in the
year. In several instances. / exam-
ined trees that measured from ten to
twelve feet in diameter, and occording
to the best calculation available for
the measurement of timber two hun
drcd feet high. There is tract OF
fine prairie land, Of several thousand
acres, situated between the south and
of Humboldt Bay and Eel river, of
the best quality, well watered, and
plenty of excellent timber, with a mill
site close at hand. This land is all
vacant, except one section Last sea-
son settlement was commenced OF
Eel river Of several respectable fami-
lies, and about one hundred respecta-
blebachelors. They raised Irish pota>
toes, which weighed five pounds, cab
bages which measured l8 inches in
diameter, beets that weighed ten
pounds, and variety of other vegeta-
bles of, the same uncommon growth.
There is also an extent of several
thousand acres Of fine prairie land,
situated between Blue and Eerl rivers.
There is some excellent prairie land
on Mad river, which cmpties into the
ocean inst north Of Humboldt Bay.
The valleys are not so extensive as
those on Eel or Blue rivers. There
are some beautiful claims of prairie
land on the Bay. From what l have
seen and known of the extent Of tilla-
Bile land, l believe several thousand
claims of land can be located here, of
the best quality, this side of the Rocky
Mountains. From the Bay north as
far as klamath river, distance of
seventy miles, there is narrow belt
of prairie land, Immediately on the
coast between the ocean and dense
forest of red wood timber the quality
of this land is not as good as that on
the rivers. 1t is like most of the lands
on the coast, covered with a heavy
growth of brush which would render it
difficult to cultivate, and such land is
inclined to be moist.
The extent of this country, includ-
ing the section between klamath riv.
er on the north, and Blue river on the
south, and the coast range of noun
tains on the east, includes an area of
surface of five thousand and five hun
dred square miles. / think one-sixth
of this is open prairie land, the balance
is covered with dense forest of tim
ber. This country is extensive enough
if properly cultivated, to produce a
great commerce. 1t is great COM
mcrce-stock can run here the year
round without the least attention. This
red wood makes excellent lumber, and
it is easily made, it being in great a.
bundance.
There is one steam saw mill at the
bay in full operation, and j axpect 10
see others soon built. Pack trails have
been opened to different points in the
mines, a distance Of one hundred miles
or more; also a trail from the Bay to
Sonoma valley, distance of two hun
dred and fifty miles. Humboldt Bay
is the only safe harbor, except San
Francisco, on the northern coast, of
which have any knowledge. 1t is
from three to five miles in width and
twenty in length, with an entrance
three-fourths of a mile wide. 1t is
difficult to estimate the exact number
of inhabitants on the Bay, on the &C
count of the amount Of travel passing
through to the mines The popula-
ton of Humboldt Bay, and surround
ing country does not exceed four hun-
dred people, yet / am not disposed to
despise the day of small things, for 1
am firm in the belief that there will be
large population here in short time.