The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-14

wen as from the State Register for the present
gear, 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 portions Of it, at intervals for the
past few years. -
The population has been steadily increasing
so that from the estimate of lS49, of 10000 peo-
pie, it has grown to $4,000 in 1853. On the
other hand the assessed value Of property has
fallen off two millions since last year, and six
t,en millicns within the last four years. This
depreciation is put down chiefly to the discovery
of gold in the Fraser river region. The agricul-
turai prospects of the country are rich and
promising in the extreme. California has over
forty one million acres Of land adapted to agri
culture, thirty millions fit for CRAVINGS, and five
millions in swamp and overflow lands. OF this
there are now in cultivation 756734 acres-an
increase over 1856 of PATTI acres--and In
gazing I,l59,Sl3 acres. The statistics Of agri
culture show, says the Governor
That the number Of sheep the State is not less
hau 600 e0g beng more double the panher n;
0o0 aud in cattle 100 600 The exports Of hides during
he past year amounted to s5iG,72 The crop Of whea
the year 1858 set down at SOS 500 bushels and
hat of bariev AZ Ss2,T7. This is 2S 79s hnsnei-
barley than the amount raised in the whole Union in
1850, according TO the census.
la vine growing and the manufacture of wine
and brandies, California is far in advance of any
State in the Union--her climate and soil both
being peculiarly adapted for that purpose; and
it il evident that her people are determined to
avail themselves Of these natural advantages
for it appears that vine growing has increased a
hundred and fifty per cent in two years. Last year
threei hundred and eighty-fve thou sand 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-tkirds arc grown in the county of Los An
geles alone.
The yield of gold tluctuates but little from the
average Of the past five years. The latest relia-
BILE return we have is up to December, 1857, and
that shows the yield to have been $65, $50. 900.
being nearly five millions less than that of 1856,
and three millions more than that of 1868. The
total gold yield Of California since 1S4s, to the
close of 1858, is estimated at 5000 O0O, 900. and
that is probably correct. The yield from Aus
tralia since 1851 is about 100000, 900. The
Governor remarks as to the mining prospects of
the country
vast increase the number Of mills and ditches There
now five thousand seven hundred and twenty. six
miles OF Artificial constructed Tor mining
purposes at an expense OF thirteen and half nt ns Of
dollars; ant this will be very much extended dur the
present year. there thousands of acres OF rich
mineral lands nudeveloped for want Of water These
dtches mainly constructed BY the miners and are
sii owned by thefa--yey few having as vet fallen to
the hands Of capitalists. The quartz mining has become
more permanent and has increased in importance during
the past year. The improvements in machinery which
arc constantly being made, will soon place this interest
amongst the first IN the State. In April 1867 the number
of mills stated at 1873, with an aggregate of 52I
sampsthe cost of erection 81 763 00O On the LIST of
November, 1858, the number vi mis- IN operation was
279 with aggregate Of $40 stamps The cost OF ma
chinefy is estimated at So 000 In addition to this
there $40 arastras OF which connected with
the quartz mills To prove the extraordinary richness of
The quartz 10 some localities IL is stated reliable au-
thory, that from sixy three tons, frOm vein in
Nevada county, S22 900 were obtained.
The State debt of California is only 81, $50 900;
The expenditures for last year were 1892 533, and
The receipts 81, 1923. The criminal statistics.
as may be supposed, present no very commenda-
able features. The State prison at st. Quentin
contains 5S5 convicts. To this fact the Governor
refers in the following language
This large number cannot fail to excite attention both at
home and abroad We would suffer very much nv cam,
parisop with other States this regard The discovery of
gold this coast threw large number Of young men
upon from the Atlantic Saiesnany Of them ardent IN
experienced youths had been endery raised under the
parental roof but w> finding II n gold hen so easily
obtained, forgot the lessons which they had been taught
md became addicted to the vices drinking and gambng
which in the early settlement Of the State prevailed TO
such alarming extent, and paying the penalty
the prison. AS many Of them there under fictitious
Names their disgrace Is unknown TO distant kindred and
friends But majority of the convcts are foreigners by
BIRTH Our proximity to the former penal colonies of Great
Britain forced upon us large number Of the most despe
rate and hardened villains who disgraced human
nature. The South and Central American States and in
ieed every portion Of tie habtable globe contributed
heir share towards swelling this immense army ruans
There can be no doubt we think of the truth
Of these remarks. The circumstances attending
he early history of the State were not calculated
either to represi crime or reform criminals
Another evidence of the growing prosperity of
California is to be found in the rapid increase
n the number Of newspapers and periodicals
published there. They amount now to ninety
seven, of which nineteen are daily papers.
In all aspects, whether as regards her agricul. |
ural and mineral erests, Or her pacific condi-
IL
ornia may be said to be very marked and salts |
actory at the opening of the new year. Her
history throughout cclipses ia wonder the golden
Ircams of the pocis who sang, and tn visiona-
les who prophesied the great I'll Dorado: over
badows the tabled glores which protracted the
lours of the thousand and one Arabian Knights
old. FANTASIES of dazzling wealth rapid
hange and fairy potency enriched those days:
ut the solid realty-m more amazing still, re-
iaincd to be witnessed by U.s. Just ten years
go the bark Express left this port with what we
Jay well call The first instalmcnt of the white
opulation Of California; and what did it num-
er? Sixty men. To-day the State maintains
We hundred and forty thousand inhabitants.
he Inc of steamers whose main object now is
carry passengers to California, was estab
shed for different purpose namely to
commodatc the trade IF the West Coast of