The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-26
FACTS ABOUT CALIFORNIA.
MAR CARLIsLE, Pa, May II, 1853
To the Editor Of the National Eya.

FACTS ABOUT CALIFORNIA
Mar CARLISLE, Pa, Nag II, 1853
TO the Editor Of the National Era:
DEAR SIR In the Era of last week no
ticed an interesting letter over the signature
of Bryant" which, being from California,
as there are many who are disposed 10 doubt
of local sketches and descriptions from that
State of excitements," ! wish to speak Of /;
not that | can say anything that he has not
said, or add to the interest of his theme, but
that am anxious to establish the truth of bis
epstle. Having but lately returned from Cali
fornia where spent two years during which
time there was wide scope of observation to
"looker on" and ample means of acquiring
knowledge of mems feelings in regard to po-
litical movements, feel constrained to verify
his assertions and know of no one topic Of
general and public conversation, in whose dis
cussion there was so intense interest manifest
cd as that of land monopoly. There is prob
ably, no country where there is q more bitter
hatred and stern opposition to concentrated
power, and a more decided resolution to have
the principles of liberty and equal rights per-
wade the land, among the working classes
than in the golden State. The people are a
more determined firm and fearless class of
folk than is found everywhere and when a
man is known to favor monopoly of any kind
even down to mining claims he is generally
despsed. Equal rights is their motto, and a
strong opposition would be required to over
balance their firm determination of purpose to
sustain those rights. Their power consists not
so much in their vgilant efforts to create, az
in their indomitablc resolution to "submit to
nothing wrong" IL you would "muster up"
a California regiment tell them there is a sys-
tenn Of usurpation being practced upon them.
| am speaking Of the laboring Glasses, for |
am acquainted with mono other These prin-
ciples in their character were exemplified some
two years ago, when the miners were ordered
to quit the land of which hBryantn speaks
A Buena Vista army could not have removed
us Not a man left his claim that wished IL
remain.
1t is not believed that any one man has
more power than another, or that A has a
better right, so far rs the first taking up OF
land ia concerned, than B and the mining re-
gions, generally, are not well adapted to agri-
cultural purposes, being too mountainous
hence these men must come to terms of equal
privilege, or abandon tho place
And again, when Convention was called in
| 1851 in Sonora, to consider the division pro-
ject, the power of the miners was seen in the
silent contempt which looked out from the sleep
ing energies Of their concentrated wills await
ing call for action. ], with some brother
miners attended the Convention but the OPP
position to the movement seemed like n lion
looking upon the playful gambols of a kitten,
to know no immediate danger threatened. Di-
vide the State! No; not until it is washed
away by the ocean, and South Carolina moves
out in its place.
There are many reasons which might he as
signed why the division of the State will not
take place soon : but ! shall only notice two.
lst the present locality of its main population !;
and ed, the nature Of its soil
am not aware Of the points--termini--of
tho line which is 10 divide the two new States !;
but it certainly will not not run north of San
Francisco. | think | am safe in saving that
that portion Of the population south of San
FRANCISCO is not more than one fourth as much
~ That north Let us weigh such towns rs
San Francisco Sacramento Marysvjlle, Nevada
Coloma Shasta, and the numerous towns of the
coast aud valleys, Vallejo, San Jose, Bencia,
with the thousands OF farmers, rancheros and
miners of the great valley of the Sacramento
American, and their tributaries, together with
the more northern rivers--Klamuth, Trinity
&c, with the numerous towns on their banks,
against Stockton, Sonora, Santa Cruz, Santa
Barbara San Diego, and wide extent of
waste country, with few little villages, that
hope some time to be towns, on some Of the
branches Of The San Joaquin, and VIC will
readily perceive that the scale hangs lowest
northward though the population of Califor-
mia has been too shifting TO compute in e3act
numbers the number Of inhabitants
However, all the towns have mentioned in
the south, combined, would not equal Sacra-
mento, either in the nunbe1 of their people, or
in their intellectual condition. This, taken
into consideration with its proximity to Ore
gon, the interests and political relations neces-
sarily accruing tberefrom, will @ far TO verify
the prediction have made. The northern
Californians and the Oregonians for, if you
choose, the Wdshing tonians live in countries
80 much alike in natural resources, that they
are mutually interested in each others vel
fare, and cannot change conditions with impu-
nifty; and here, again, wo nee a strODg-the
strOngest--politcal incentive to remain AZ they
are. Washington and Oregon will be free,
and hence California-northsrn California
will be free and the great weight and power
Of the State being in its northern part, tho
south muS submit
The soil Of tho State, the farther south, the
less productive ! have travelled several days
in succession, in the southern part Of the State,
without seeing single green leaf or blade Of
grass, except along some lost stream wander
ing through tho sand. ! saw no vegetation,
nor could i zee any indications of there ever
having boon any but such as have mentioned
IL il sandy and parched-a desert am speak
ing Of portion only for there Is pme rs val
liable land in southern California as ever the
sun shouo upon - but it is not all 30. There
is, too, grcat deal Of marshy land south, but
north il is indeed scarce. Why no much great
er population north than south, IL not because
the land Is better, the rivers larger timber
better, and the natural sources Of wealth more
profusely spread abroad From this VIC find
that the great body of the people will always
be in tho north and here is another obstacle
in the way OF division.
Bat intended speaking Of land monopoles.
4" Bryant asks the aid OF Government in ad- !