The Trinity journal., 1856-11-29
The Commerce of Trinity Co.

The Commerce of Trinity Co.
1t is not little surprising when we witness the
change which has taken place in the Northern por-
tion of California, particularly those places which
have been and are now regarded as the bleak,
dreary and isolated sections of the State, to wit
ness the growth, the wealth. the accession of pop
ulation. and every clement which can combine TO
form aud constitute prosperous community.
While the population of other portions of the
State have been fuctuating in trade and habita-
tion, depending upon the rise and fall of Stock
and change in the value of Real Estate Northern
California has been growing steadily in its wealth
and resources and within the last few years has
become a rich and prosperous field for large and
fixed population, whose homes are as permanent
ly located as the golden hills that surround them.
1t was but few years ago, still fresh and vivid
/ in our memories, when we straved hitber with
weariod footsteps. but radiant with hope Of ac-
curing an ample reward for our hard Toll and
/ pilgrim researches We cannot even now but
/ look back with sort of complacence, and remcm-
Der most distinctly the time in the hot summer
DAYS of 80. when our rude tent was pitched un-
der a big oak tree whose giant arms sheltered our
dusty canopy from the sorchng rays of an Au-
gust sun. Looking out then from our Ishmael-
tic domicil we could behold each day the ragged
but hopeful train of earthly explorers whom we
greeted as friends and brothers and hailed wor-
thy rivals and competitors in the chase for the
hidden treasures which had for 50 many ages lain
dormant and undisturbed in its primitive bed.
We have thus witnessed the change of few
years with peculiar and pleasant surprise, and
from residence, experience and observation Of
six years become initiated in the secret which has
marked the change. Itis to be found in the dis
tingushcd characteristics Of the people who have
concentrated within the golden boundaries Of
California from every quarter of the civilized
world. The people Of California to-day. possess
more intelligence, more capacity, more enterprise
and industry. than an equal number Of popula-
ton in any part Of the world
This then is the great cause of the sudden and
miraculous changes which have marked the few
years Of our existence as a State. The growth
and development Of the wealth Of California has
given q sudden impetus to trade and commerce
throughout the new and old world and which has
constituted California rs the emporium and de-
pository for every species Of commodities. Who
OF our citizens now would have thought a few
years ago Of looking through the yciled future
and have prophccied what is now realization Of
the wealth, commerce and prosperity to be seen
everywhere at present in our midst.
~ n
speak with some degree of accuracy. In the days
Of 80 it required but few mules in the transpor
tation Of Lreadstufs and groceries TO supply the
then sparse population aud consumers of this re-
! gon. To-day it actually requires h indreds Of
mules each week to keep up the supplies ncccssa-
ry for our consumption. Viewing the trade OF
! this County outside of Wcavcrvillc, we find that
there are - trading posts or mercantile houses
doing business each Of $500 per month, or in
the aggregate, per year, trade of Si50,0O0.
In Wcaverville there is fifty three mercantile
houses. doing an average business of SlZOO pei
month, each. or in the aggregate, of S7s0,000 dol
lars pcryear. This we are certain is much below
what it really is, but it will tend to show the rap
id increase Of our population and commerce, and
when we consider that this important change has
taken place within few years, it will appear tc
others as it docs to us astonishing.
This considerable commerce and trade is still
carried on by mule portaton-without the
/ benefits Of wagon road to Shasta and the Sac
ramento Valley, and with scarcely bridge or
other necessary Improvement leading to or from
| town.
OF wagon Dad and the easy and proper sys-
tenn to construct one we shall speak hereafter.