Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-02-25

California is by far the best place to raise
melons of all kinds, : cucumbers, pump
kins,-and squashes, that | ever saw
Water-melons are raised here which weigh
from 40 to go lbs, and of the finest quality
and flavor.
As regards the society here in California,
] can in truth say, that it is much better,
than upon any hypothesis it could reason
ably be expected, when we take into con-
sideration the vast and heterogeneous mass
of population. Almost every country in
the civilized world is represented here, or
at any rate, all the European countries,-
several ofthe Asiatic, and especially China,
whence there are eEeav1 mum Qbersa- -and
grcat many from the East India or Pacific
Isles, including Australia, New Zealand,
the Sandwich Isles, and even the Japan
Empire; which has always kept herself SO
much secluded from the rest Of the world.
Go into the city of San Francisco, or Sa-
cramento, and many of the mining villages,
and you will see people from all the above
named countries; and also from some of
the South American republics, - especially
Chill, and also many of the native or
Mexican aces,-mingled with the Ameri.
cans, or emigrauts from all the United
tates,-hear them speak their respective
languages, and in general see them friend
ly, and associating with each other. These
facts L have experienced myself.
There are numerous established congrc-
cations of different christian professions,
and also several seminaries or institutions of
learning, for the diffusion of knowledge;
so that the society is in an improving con-
dition. p g. |r
Lastly. | come now to speak in COM
mercial point of view of the coast country
of California, and in fact the whole state
Oregon and Washington Territories also,
have great advantages in this respect, and
l think that I may say without fear of sue
cessful controversy, that no country on the
face of this terraqueous globe, has any ad-
vantage over this, as regards commerce.
In support of this, consider 1st, the rapid
and unparalleled, Gin the annals of history
growth of the city of San Francisco, which
in 1848 little over years, ago, was only
an insignificant village, with only few
huts, and cloth tents but is now, from
recent estimates made of the tonnage and
revenue, the 3rd, if not the End, CONNER
cial port in the United States. Consider
End, it's central position to the trade of the
whole commercial world, which will still
be more enhanced, by the completion of
the Pacific Railroad which is now, and
has been for several yearsin contemplation,
and which in my opinion is as certain to be
completed, as tine lasts, ,---sooner or laser,
and the port of San Francisco, is equally
as certain to be the terminus of said road,
on the Pacific.
There is, Exclusive of the regular lines
of steamers running by the way of Sonoma.
and on the Nicarauga route to the Atlantic
States, at this time, regular lines of ocean
steamers, and other sail ships, carrying on
a commercial intercourse with China, Aus
tralia, and the Sandwich Islands, and also
alucrative trade with the republics of South
America
And thirdly and lastly, consider the
inland navigation from San Francisco is
another considerable item in the commerce
of the country; for the Sacramento river
is navigable for large steamboats,, (and
from the Golden Gate to the head of Suisun
Bay, ships of any class can pass with safe
ty,) up to the junction of Feather river, and
a long way up Feather river, to Marysville,
a fourishing town at the junction of the
Uba river. The San joaquin river, which
is south of the Sacramento, is also naviga-
bic some distance. On this river the town
of Stockton is situated, which is quite a
fourishing and commercial town.
The scenery around and adjacent to the
bays is delightful almost beyond descrip-
ton, and may be as we'll described by the
following lines as another way:
"And rich the scene before them lay,
"Of castles, cities, sea and bay,
"And on the ear the music fell
'The tinkling of the shepherds bell,
"Aud DER the head the turtle dove,
! "Fluttered, in innocence and love-"
Having little space yet, Twill give you
as correct a statement as [ can, Of the
price of produce here at this time, and
come to "a close. Flour is from IA to 16
dollars per barrel. Wheat 2 dollars per
bushel. Barley, and Oats, Is cts per
bushel. Picked Pork and Bacon, (Which
is pretty much all shipped from the Allan
lie States % to 81 cts per lb /; and fresh
pork about the same. Beef Is to 20 cts
per lb, retail Butter IS cts to ST per lb.
Eggs 81 to 81 25 per doz. Hens and
ROSTERS 81 80 to So per head. Turkeys
Sc to $40 per head. Work oxen $3.50 to
1925 per yoke or pair. Mich cows SIS
to $3.50 per head Breed SOW $50 to SIS
per head Horses and mules, brought
from the Atlantic States, from 500 to $500
according to quality. Native horses S25
to 500 per head, and all other commodi-
ties, bear prices in proportion to the above
statement.
Yours, &c. E. H. H.