The Nevada journal., 1852-04-11
EXECUTIVE MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Sacramento city, April 3, 1867

To the Senate and assembly:
am persuaded that the interests Of
the country and the obligations of hu-
manity make it my duty to invoke your
early attention to the difficulties and
dangers which have hitherto attended
the immigration to California by the
overland route and, in view of the pro-
ba bic increased immigration by that
route during the present year, to recon-
mend that provision be made for the re-
lief and succor of immigrants whom the
hazards incident to the journey may
place in need of your aid.
1t is presumed that the tide of emf
grafton has already commenced to flow,
and that before the meeting of the next
Legislature, the bulk of it will have ar.
rived within the limits of our noble
State. Whatever, therefore, it would
be wise and proper to do on the part of
the State should be decided now.
Information in my possession leads me
to believe that the overland immigra-
tion from the Atlantic States TO Califor-
mia during the present will be larger
than any former year. The impressions
which prevail among our fellow citizens
in the older States in relation to the
climate, the agricultural and mineral
resources of our country, are much more
favorable than they have been hitherto
Welcome tidings have been sent by our
citizens to their friends at home.
Public tranquility has here succeeded
public tumult, and, under the favor of a
benefcent Providence, health and plen-
ty shed their genial influence around
US. These are the blessings which have
given such an impulse to immigration.
To our mild and salubrious climate
we have found added soil far more
productive than was anticipated equal
ing any now cultivated in the richest
portions of the older States. The mine
raj resources of our country are general
ly believed to be inexhaustible, and our
miners are obtaining fair, ii not rich
reward for their privations and toll
This information has been diffused
throughout the Udion, and the appre-
tensions which once existed that our
soil would be drained of its precious de-
posits, has given place to settled con-
viction that We possess here legacy
inestimable and exhaustless.
These impressions have created ge-
neral desire among the people of the
Atlantic States to migrate to California,
with view, too, of locating among us !;
and | feel authorized to express the
opinion that the immigration overland,
during the present year, will comprise
not less than ten thousand families,
averaging, probably, five persons to each.
A proportion of the immigrants will be
women and children, little used to the
privations and perls which they must
encounter. Neither the terrible char
acter of the sufferings endured by the
immigrants of l849 and 1850, nor the
heroic fortitude with which they en-
dured them, can be exaggerated The
conclusion, then, is irresistible, that un-
less we extend the arms of welcome and
benevolsnce, the immigration of the
present year must encounter the same
perils.
The causes which have conspired and
which will conspire toproducc distress,
may be briefly enumerated. Every
family brings its quota of valuable
stock, consisting of horses mules, cat
tie, and other property, to swell our
aggregate wealth. The contribution
which will be made to the wealth of
the State, through this great artery, it
is believed, may be safely computed at
five millions Of dollars The forward
trains will diminish the 'pasturage, and
each successive train passing over the
same highway will make it less As the
means for the subsistence of the animals
composing the trains are thus reduced,
the means of transportation are neces-
sarily diminished and the progress OF the
immigrants suspended or averted In
this manner, stores which were believed
to be ample when the train started, are
often entirely exhausted before three
fourths of the journey is performed.