The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-27
Of bridges were carried away BY the foods, and cat

Of bridges were carried away BY the foods and cat
tie, horses, 60, drowned.
Rain was anxiously looked for, and We got that |
rather too literally. An immense quantity of earth
in readiness to be washed for months previously,
and the miners almost despairing Of ever being
able TO gather the reward Of their tolls The conse-
quence was that business kind depressed
throughout the State, and the merchants Of San
Francisco and other cities were in the worst spirits
The miners had NO money to purchase goods. Since
the rain set in, business has, in measure, recon-
menced; not that the miners have como in with
their dust, but that accounts have been received of
their getting i gu. in large quantities Al that
from the mines, OF q volume greater and larger
than ever, was rain We have had it, and you
may therefore expect larger imports of gold dust
than evor in New York. Indeed according to all
appearances. and according to the most reliable in
formation, the yield of gold dust this year will
astonish the world. It is now demonstrated to q
certainty, that the mines already discovered mex
haustibe and there is good reason to believe that
oneha, or one-tenth part, Of the mineral resources
OF California are yet unknown.
Several important subjects are now engaging the
attention Of the Legislature. The first shall men,
tion is a bill "To enforce contracts mado without
the State, for tho performance of labor within the
limits thereof. At present, labor of every kind is
SO high in California that it retards very much the
growth and prosperity Of the State Houses cannot
be built roads niade docks constructed, Or in fact
any kind ofwork done, except at ruinous outlay for
labor The object of the proposed measure enable
persons here to proceed to China and there contract
with the natives for the performance of labor here,
with the protection by law that the laborers shall
not run away, or leave the parties who incur the
expense of taking them from China to California.
This measure is opposed by some, on the ground
that it WILL in effect be the introduction of peonism
into California-whero it never existed under Mex
ico-and by others, because they suppose it 10 i'm
tended merely an entering wedge to slavery. You
will perceive, therefore, that we have free sellers
and ab0litiOnists in California, we'll elsewhere.
There is doubt Of the passage Of the bill Another
important measure on the tdpis, is the holding
Of convention for the revision Of the constitution.
There is no question that this instrument is imper
feet and but ill adapted to the wants and necessities
Of the State: The proposition, however, to amend
it, is opposed the ground that the other is.
The free sellers think that it is put forth for the
purpose Of dividing the State, that slavery might
be introduced into Southern California. 1t has
passed one house, and will no doubt be sanctioned
by the other, and the question be submitted to the
people Mt the next election, as to whether not
such convention shall be held
At the time of the leaving Of tho last mail, it was
communicated privately to some members OF the Vi
GLANCE Committee, that some forty or fifty notorious
felons had arrived from France in certain Ship
and that great many more were on their to San
Francisco. A meeting of the committee was i'm
mcdately held, and subcommittee appointed to
investigate the matter On comforting with the con.
sgnees however, and the French Consul it was dis
covered that no such parties had arrived here. But
by French vessel had been in the galeys, but
they had reformed and readily produced certificate
Of good character, signed by the Project of Police
in Paris. OF course the matter dropped here. The
in the east, dissolved. On the contrary, they con-
tinue their organization, and are ready ut any mo-
ment to act. About ten days ago, several burgla-
ries occurred, and they were becoming numerous,
hot hn 20 utrs t1n
first burglar whom they caught in the act. The
rogues no doubt, heard of these doings, for since
then they have been comparatively quiet Indeed,
continue so, an ordinance has just been passed by
the Common Council, authorizing citizens to enrol
themselves rs police, and giving them the same
powers conferred on the regular police force.
The rapidity with which improvements are going
here is astonishing. Piers arc being constructed
Of quarter of mile-yes, half mile in length.
Hills are being levelled and valleys filed up in every
direction Real estate maintains its eXtraordna-
rly high value, but it does not change hands very
freely, in consequence of the difficulty there is in
regard to titles. great proportion of the building
lots within the limits of the corporation are
claimed by persons who possess other title than
what they acquired by squatting. Almost all Of
the early adventures took squat, they term it,
and celebrated gentleman named Cotton, conducted
this kind OF business on wholesale plan. He
seized acre upon acre, and disposed of them with a
perfect lOoseness at so much per lot The holders
OF these Cotton grants, rs they are termed, keep
possession You will see, therefore, that under
such state of things, capitalist will invest in
real estate for he cannot be certain Of getting an
indisputable title.
A few days snce in debate in the Legislature
Mr.. David G Broderick one Of the members, made
some reflections ex-Judge Smith. Judge
Smiths son took the matter up, and denounced Mr.
Broderick in language which / shall not repeat 1t
WIS of such character, however, to leave no
hope for settlement. Both parties are now here
in the city. Both are armed, and terrible fight is
expected In fact there is no doubt that one or the
other will be killed, perhaps both.