Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-31
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
raon IN. NEW YORK COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.

i
State that we have scarcely given its population the
credit they deserve assigned to them their just
place in the scale of sound progress civilization,
morality. Nor has sufficient heed been paid to the
advantages other than mineral which the State itself pos
We have been led to this conviction by careful
perusal Of the California newspapers brought by the
Northern Light Saturday These journals present a
picture Of commercial advancement and development
ofmoral powers and dispositions that deserve
dial recognition than they have yet received from
American journalists
Much though not too much has been said from time to
time Of the vast mineral Of California Every
steamer brings its abundant proof Of this seemingly mex
haustibe wealth To its gold Mines of course, the FL
Dorado State its rapid and unparalleled growth.
But there pleasing and wonderful develop
ments in California than attended the discovery Of its
cious metal The tendency of that discovery was to de-
moralization its effect demorazng and at time
it seemed doubtful whether it would not prove curse
rather than blessing to the settlers in the new posses
soa and to extent also to the people Of the United
States All such fears may be dismissed Not alone
is California developing matchless energy bold enter
PRISE and unparalleled progress but to extent that
could not have been anticipated likely to at
early day. her people exhibiting refinement, moral
prowess intellectual strength and religious aims almost
as wonderful their other characteristics while those
truer purposes Of the SOIL which agriculture only can
develope, are rapidly engaging their attention.
Most of readers probably that the State
of California is about hundred miles long from
northwest southeast with average breadth of about
three hundred miles The gold-felds cover about one
sixth of the Of the State and it is affirmed that
making full allowance for Improbable and mountainous
land there yet remains sufficient that is irrgable and
be used for either arabic grazing purposes sup
port agricultural population greater than that Of
Pennsylvania Virginia. all Of which is public domain
e. the property of the United States An impression
has generally prevailed that all the best land Of the.tate
in the hands Of the Spanish grandees of spectators
who have purchased from them This idea the California
papers say entirely for under the operation
of the United States land commission many of the
extensive claims proving to be without the legal
ton necessary to give title under the Mexican Govern
men and therefore belong to the public domain of the
United States Nor does there appear to be the slightest
ground to suppose that these decisions partial
just toward those who have asserted such claims it
being admitted by all that the commissioners act up to
the letter and spirit of the treaty of Guadalupe Hdalgo
and with impartial respect for the official acts and pre-
served archives Of the former Government
The Of choice lands for the American farmer
therefore much greater than first supposed The
Surveyor General of the United States is actively engag
land Offices, and the facilities for proving prescriptions
will enable the settler to his home ut the
Government price, as in other states Here is the
foundation for the permanent prosperity of California
the greater development of those agricultural pursuits
and habits which give stability to State and to its best
institutions. From facts within knowledge derived
from gentleman who has successfully pursued agricu
ture there, incline believe that the agricultural
and advantages of California far greater than
has been generally believed and that to this branch of
industry attention will soon be largely directed
In the time from the seeming chaos of avarice |
awlessness semi-barbarsm and irreligion which but
title than three years ago threatened the
prospects Of the Pacific State time and benevolent labor
md the practical good which lies at the foundation
# tie American character evolving order, ciyilIa
ion, morality and respect for Christian ordinances The
ournals before supply abundant evidence of this
leathul progress Thanksgiving day to have been
egiousy observed even by the restless, eager gold
unting population of San Francisco much So fact
$ in the most orderly city of New England The Placer
fines draws the following picture of this improved
# things:
son the day appointed banks closed business houses |
hut up, churches all opened and really it seemed as
hough Yankeedom and old Virginia good cheer had
ID to tho alubrous western side The people gave thanks
res genuine hearty thanks expressed in their solemn
orms of religious observance their suspension Of daily
OIL and in their social meetings.
Let it be noised abroad that grateful and
happy people that day. for felt proud in ham
de gratitude that the institutions cherished around the
I'D hearthsones Of early memories fresh among
IS in environments The very fact of the due
observance Of the day gave of gratitude and
hanks the Power who holds us and all peoples in the
follow Of His hand.
eve are not nearly so religious people many have
been, and We do not even profess so much Gold and
commerce and building new cities keep us very busy.
aster people stirred beneath the bright sum- and
ret the tables of the money changers bow in cheerful
pect to the sancty Of temples Of religion and there
no complaint murmur among OF oppressive exac
ion or hypocritical meddling
The moral sentiment OF Christian civilization spreads
y reasonable degrees, constantly little WIDER over the
ace Of our newlyorganed society," and takes root little
ieeper in the bosom Of the compact"
We have also many gratifying facts, incidentally men
ioned which show that the moral sentiment Of Chris
ian civilization" gradually spreading in that commun
y. Sunday theatrcas have been prohibited by the mu
cipa authorities and their is approved and sup
ported by the citizens Crime is promptly punish
ID. Fairs bazaars, in aid Of churches, literally
,atronised having realized 200. Young
Mems Christian Association is vigorously carried on
churches rapidly increasing, and the Gospel preach
ID in almost every tongue. Intellectual improvement
to keep pace with this advancement in the respect
lde to moral and religious observances The California
newspapers and especially those of San Francisco woud
10 dscredt to the oldest State of the Union They
are well supported the best daily secular papers averag
ing circulation Of from three five thousand. The pa
pers before mention three others about be
ed We have the proceedings also Of an efficient San
francisco Medical Society Of the Academy Of Natural
Sciences, having its thousands Of specimens
nd choloo helI Ste