The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-03-09
THE pRoeREss or cALIroRNIA.

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THE PROGRESS OF CALIFORNIA.
The annual message of Gov. Weller, Of
California, is before US; and from that dor-
ument, as well as from the State Register for
the present year. just'issued. we learn that
the material prosperity Of the Golden State
has considerably increased, in spite Of the
comparative anarchy, lynch law and vigilance
committees which have existed in some pur.
tons Of it. at intervals, for the past few years.
The population has been steadily increa 5
ing--so that, from the estimate Of 1896 Of
$4,000 people, il has grown to 538. 900 IN
1858. On the other hand, the assessed value
of property has fallen of two millions since
last year, and sixteen miliions within the
last four years. This depreciation il put
down chiefly TO the discovery Of gold in tie
Fraser River region. The agricultural pros.
poets Of the country are rich and promising
in the extreme. California has over furty-
one million Of acres Of land adapted to agri-
culture, thirty millions fit for grazing, and
five millions in swamp and overflow lands
Of this, there are now in cultivation 756, ,734
acres-sn increase over 1856 Of 244,77i
acres-and in grazing |, l,l59,8l5 acses. The
statistics Of agriculture show-says the Co
vernor--that the number of sheep now in the
State is not less than 650,000; being more
than double the number we had in 1856 The
increase IN horses during the period is 40, 900,
aud in cattle, 10000. The exports Of hides
during the past year amounted to S5l6.7l2.
The crop Of wheat for the year 1853 is set
down al $3.50, $50 bushels, and that OF barley
at 5,S82,7l7. This is 2l8,798 more bushels
of barley than the amount raised in the whole
Union in 1850, according to the census.
In vine growing and the manufacture Of
wine and brandies, California is lar in sd-
vance of any State in the UaiOn-her climate
and soil both being peculiarly adapted for
that purpose and il is evident that her peo-
pie are determined to avail themselves Of
these natural advantages, for il appears that
vine growing has increased hundred and
fifty per cent. in two years. Last year three
hundred and eighty-fiye thousand gallons Of
wine and ten thousand gallons Of brandy were
manufactured in that State-the number Of
vines altogether amounting to four millions,
whereof two>thirds are grown in the county
Of Los Angeles alone.
Tie yield OF gold iuetuates but little from
the average Of the past five years. The Ia
test reliable refnrn we have i up to Decem.
her 1857, and that shows the Weld 10 have
been SOS $50. 900; being neatly Eve millions
less than that Of 1855, and three millions
more than that Of 1855. The total gold yield
Of California since IS48 70 the close Of 1858
is estimated at 5000. .0OO, 900, and that IS pro.
hably correct. The yield from Australia
since 1851 is about 100000, 600. The Go
vernon remarks as to the miHing prospects oI
/ the country:
"The prosperity in the gold mining may b.
/ found in the vast increase in the number o.
mills and bitches. There are nov FIVE ihops
and seven hundred aud twenty-six miles d
artificial water course constructed for mining
purposes, at an expense Of thirteen and hal
millions Of dollars; and this will be YER,
much extended during the present year. a.
! there are thousands Of acres Of rich mineral
/ lands undeyelopeI for want Of water. These
bitches are mainly constructed by the miners
and are still owned BY them-very few hay.
ing as yet fallen into The hands Of capitalists
! The quartz mining has become more perma
nent, and has increased in Importance durin.
the past year. The improvements ia ma
chinery, which are constantly being made
will soon place this interest amongst the tirs
i in the State. II April, 1858, the number o
mills is stated at l5s, with sn aggregate b
|, ,52l stamps-the cost Of erection 81 ,-65
600. On the FIRST of November, 1858, II,
number Of mills in operation was 276, wit
an aggregate of 2,6l0 stamps. The cost \
/ machinery Is estimated al S5.275,O0O III
addition 10 this, there are $40 arlstras, some
nf which are connected with The quartz mills
i To prove the extraordinary richness ol III,
quartz in some localities, il is stated on rc.
liable authority, that from sirty.,hree tons
taken from a vein 10 NeyadU county, So. .OUt
were obtained"
The State debt of California is only 81
10000; the expenditures fpr the last yea
we're s962 5SS. aud the reeeips 81 ,sl5.i2s
The criminal statistics. as may be supposed
present no very cnmreudablc features. TIT
State prison AZ st. Qnentin contains eigh
hundred and eighty.iive convlcts To thi
fact the Governor refers IN the following Ian
guage:
"'rhis large number cannot fail TO excite AZ
tention both az home aud abroad. We would
suffer much by comparison with other States
in thi. regard. The discovery Of gold OF
this coast threw large number Of young mel
upon us from the Atlantic Statcs-many o
them ardent. inexperienced youths. who ha,
been tenderly raised under the parental roof
but who, finding that gold was so easily oh
tsined. forgot the lessons which they had bceI
taught. and become addicted 10 the vice.
drinking and gambling) which in the earl,
settlement Of the State prevailed 20 such Al
alarming extent, and are now paying the pen
atty 10 the prison. As many o. them lher
are under fictitious names, iheir disgrace /
unknown 10 distant kindred and friend.
! But majority Of the cUnycts are foreigner
BY birth. Our proximity 20 tie former pc
nal colonies of Great Britain forced upon y
4 large number II the most desperate AM
!. hardened villains WHO ever lissrA.td hamA