The Nevada Democrat., 1857-06-24
Loxver California.

writing from Mazatlan, furnishes the following
interesting information in relation to Lower
California, about which, though it borders on
our State, less is known than of the kingdom
of Ashautee
The trade of Lower California has heretofore
been monopolized by few merchants of Mazat-
Ian. The system was to sell goods at treble
cost, and take in payment produce at about
one-fourth its cash value in Mazatlau, and keep
the rancheros constantly in debt; and so beau
tifully has it worked that, with the additional
misfortunes of alcalde and municipal duties, and
two hurricanes, washing down houses and de-
stroying crops, the once wealthy rancheros have
been reduced to the very verge of starvation.
There is not an inhabited country on this
continent of which so little is known correctly,
or published, as of Lower California; and as
within the past year it has been our fortune to
travel much and extensively in the country,
our ideas concerning it may therefore be enti-
tied to credit With an industrious population
to develop its resorces, its wealth would hardly
be exceeded by that of Upper California. Its
salt mines are sufficient to supply the world.
Were there facilities for loading at Carmen Is
land-such as with little eXpese could be erec-
ted-salt could be put on board ship at two
dollars per ton. The pearl fishery, properly
and economically conducted, would yield i'm
ing with whale in certain seasons. The noun
tains contain gold, silver, copper, lead, tin,
gvnsum, marble, alum and birthstone, and very
probably coal The entire interior, from La
Paz to San Diego, is a terra incognitia, of which
absolutely nothing seems to be generally known,
with the exception Of the northern frontier aud
n few mountain passes. On the gulf above
Molege there are fine timbered lands. Along the
coast; north of Magdalena Bay, extends bead
80 IA. nd Mr. of
the Boundary Commissioner, who sailed down
the gulf, or our army and navy officers who
viewed the country from the top of their fort-
6cations, have been rather too hasty in their
opinion, when they declared that cactus-crown-
ed hills and rocky deserts were all Lower Cal
ifornia could boast of.
From La PaZ on the Gulf we travel to Todos
Sautos and the Pacific, across triangular val
ley of from fifty to two hundred miles IN extent.
Tie soil is light loan mixed with sand and
its fertility is unsurpassed by any in the world.
One crop of Indian corn could beraised annu-
ally, likewise barley, and perhaps wheat; but
with artesian wells, sugar plantations would
extend from gulf to ocean. Once year. about
the commencement of October, comes the equi-
nox when for two or three days it pours; dur
inc the winter months there are usually two or
three rainy days, at the commencement OF sum-
mer rain squalls gather about the mountain
tons, soon after midday the sea breeze lulls,
and the coromoel comes off the mountains. cool
inc the air for the remainder OF the day and
night. and giving the climate that freshness,
that peculiar deliciousness, which is at once the
boast of natives, and the joy of residents and
passing strangers. The springs are large and
numerous, but sink in the light soil soon after
leaving the mountains. On the Cuffs Pacific
coast they however irrgate some oil the finest
cane countries, although TO little purpose, for
hundreds Of thousands of acres lay unreclaim-
ed ,overrun cactus and vines. The oranges are
unrivalled for size and flavor, the vine, fig, and
olive tree grow in profusion.
Fifty thousand dollars was advanced by an
English mining company to explore the mines
of the country, and the result has been the re-
discovery of twenty-three valuble mines that
were long since abandoed. The very miserable
system hitherto pursued shows mineral richness
of the country. In the vicinity of San Antonio,
the present principal mining locality. the hills
are cayoted from top to base. and each indlvid-
ual works on his own account; the miner seeks
a vein of metal and commences to drift a hole
large enough to squeeze his body in; then he
follows the vein, taking out ore, and abandons
it when the hole becomes too deep to allow
him to carry his debris with facility to the sur
face he then seeks another vein and goes OIL as
before. The orc he sells at the arastra at SO
much per cargo. In this connection, it may be
mentioned that Mr.. Thomas Bowling lately
spent some time in San Antonio, exploring the
mines. and has now returned to La Paz, pre-
pared for extensive Operations. lie intends to
Shin his ore to San Francisco. Ten tons for
warded some months ago per Kalana, have paid
very handsomely A Mr. Belknap, an old mi
ner has just arrived from San Francisco and is
now exploring the copper mines on the Island
of San Jose, off La Paz Bay, likewise with a
view to operate extensively.
If the United States do not wish to see Lower
California soon in other than their own or Mex
ican hands, they had better at once negotiate
for it, The majority of the inhabitents are in
favor of annexation, but lay low for dread of the
author tiles. Hint to them that the United States
will assist them and they will rise tomorrow
and despatch every one Of their rulers where
they long ago ought to have been sent.
SCENE IN A WHEELING THEATER.-Lola MonteZ
has been ecipsed- thrown into the shade AT
Wheeling Va, recently, at the theater Miss Do
ra Shaw, in the middle of the first scene, (the
Gazette states,) left Armand Duval standing in
the middle Of the stage, where the two had been
talking very lovingly together, walked furious
ly and majestically up to the foot-light, and de-
clared that as she was not properly supported
she would not play she gathered up the folds
of her costly dress, scowled upon Armand, and
strobe loftly from the stage. The audience was
astounded- completely dumbfounded at the ex-
traordinary conduct on the part Of Miss Dora
Shaw. Armand, Mr.. Hanchet) stood quietly
looking on during the enactment of this scene,
and when it had concluded, he stepped forward,
and in a quiet, unruffled manner, proceeded to
say that the lady had studiously endeavored to
render herself disagreeable to himself and the
members of the company, and appealed to those
present to decide as to the truth of the accusa-
tion made by the lady. Mr.. Hanchet wound up
with the remark that Miss Dora Shaw would
never have the honor Of appearing before those
to whom he was speaking while the theater re-
mained under his management. His remarks
were followed by vociferous demonstration of
applause, which indicated for once in the world
that the sympathy was in the mans instead of
the woman's favor. Another piece was substitu-
ted. and the entertainment proceeded despite