The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-02-03

furnished 1t Tor pubhcatlon. Mr. H., as 1t :
will be seen, regards California a. land of
great promise. As proof Of this. we are able
to state that Mr.. R. is the happy father Of a
daughter.-EDs. EcHo.]
Twill offer a few general remarks on
California, as am aware that a preju-
dice is in almost every mind against it.
The State or country has its merits and
demerits, but in the scales Of justice it
surpasses in excellence almost any other
portion of ehristendom. The soil in the
valleys is rich and fertile, inviting the
agriculturist and promising the highest
rewards for his labor. The mountains
are inexhaustibly rich with gold. The
harbors are unsurpassed by any in the
world, as to size, safety and location.
The rivers are wide and deep, extending
far back into the interior, thus rendering
the inmost portions accessible to naviga-
ton. The climate is remarkably healthy
and delightful.
The more l reflect on California, the
more l am persuaded that it is the
chosen stage of God on which is to be
performed the revolutionizing of the
world. Its location on the globe, fertil-
ity, its golden wealth, its climate, like
wise the time of its falling into the
hands of the peculiar people whose on
ward march is irresistible and blessed
at every step by heaven, appearing
chosen and destined for the greatest
work of Deity. Also the time Of the
discovery of the peculiarly enticing
mineral, drawing or attracting thousands
Of representatives from every nation
under heaven, to a grand center, seems
almost proof positive Of the above
hypothesis. The climate may be object
ed to by some who have either lost
friends here or their own health. But
let the facts show for themselves. Those
who come here from the East must
either cross the plains, or the Isthmus,
or double Cape Horn. Either way is
self-suficient to make inroads into the
!. constitution for disease.
The great portion cross the Isthmus
or the Nicaragua route, where is very
unhealthy climate, and the frequent
dctentions there are the direct or in.
direct cause of disease and death here
One there is subjected to every insult
and privation which is possible for the
hardened, avaricious hearts of the ship
ping agents to impose and if there is
a curse in heaven for the pirate and
robber that curse will be tripled on the
foul heads of Vanderbilt and his
agents.
Now all these diseases are placed un-
justly to the account of California
Again, many yet get sick here by un-
necessarily exposing themselves, and
should the same course be pursued in
in New England as here, there would
scarce be one left to tell the fate of his
friends. For instance the miners fire.
quently stand during the day in the
. water, and retire at night with little or
no covering on them, or even a'tent for
protection. Besides their food is not
properly prepared. Thus many throw
themselves into the jaws of death.
Again, men here being unrcstrained by
the laws of society give full scope to
their appctitcs and die by the effects of
alcohol.
Many contract diseases at the houses
of ill-fame which hasten them to the
grave Many other causes might be
: adduced to show that it is not the
climate of California which sends so
: many to their " long home" Again,
!, people die evcrywhere--wo have all lost
friends in New England, but they died
at home, and no note was taken of it
farther than it was in the course of
nature, and their time had come-thus
do we there reconcile ourselves.
It. is different here. California is