The Placer herald., 1860-06-02

Internal improvements for Placer County.
Eleven years ago the newly found gold
fields of California first excited the imagina-
tions and invited the adventurous sons of
the older States to the development of the
wealth that has since established hardy
and growing empire upon the shores of the
Pacific. Little did the toiliug emigraut Of
the plans or the weary voyager on the seas,
then think that they were to be the found
ers Of a great State, and the instruments, in
a few short years, in covering the wild wastes
with thriving towns and cities, farms, vine
yards, and beautiful homesteatls, or in in
terlacing the whole mining region with a
vast system of artificial canals, and tearing
up the rough mountain sides, or penetrating
deep into the interior Of the same, by giant
enterprise, to secure the glittering wealth
beneath. But all this, and more have they
accomplished. Of the hundreds of thou
sands who came as sojourners the majority
have remained as citizens, and the many yet
here who do not call California home, gradu-
ally feel the drawing of affection and in
terests that must eventually attach them
permanently as citizens to the State. de-
lightful climate, labor well compensated, and
the encouragement to youthful ambition, are
ties, that in the end prove stronger than the
warnings after old homes, although crown
ed with the remembrances of youthful joys
around the family hear;hstone
A few years ago but few men could be
found who intended making California their
home, and the result of this was total in
difference to the improvement of the coun-
trv. The most generous soil was left unoc-
cupied; the towns were collection of tenn
porary buildings; no smiling cottages, with
the carefully trained vine or flower, or the
fruitful orchard or garden were to be seen
but the whole population was uncertain and
led, and the bounties offered by nature
neglected and contemned. But the change
has come-men no longer consider Caifor-
MIA All experiment, but a fact tixture-a
land Of promise, bount'ful in its agricultural
and mineral resources, and in the highest
degree generous in its reward to well direct
cd labor. Everything has changed-mining
is carried on in stupendous enterprises such
as the '49er would not have dared to
believe. Fortunes are expended upon claims
that in long series of years will return
fortune upon fortune to the possessors, men
who expect to make business OF mining.
Water bitches of the most costly character
have been constructed to be source of per-
manent supply as long rs there shall be
demand. The land is smiling under well inn
proved farms, bounteous orchards, vineyards,
and gardens Neat homesteads can be seen
on every hand, surrounded by the comforts
and luxuries of life. Our hastily built and
insecure towns are becoming imposing piles
of brick and mortar. The rough hills have
been made easy of passage by excellent turn
pixies, and the rivers spanned by substantial
and elegant bridges. All these changes
have come within few years, and are the
sure and gratifying indications of genuine
prosperity, the accumulation and retention
of a permanent population, and foreshadow-
lug of the progress and future greatness OF
the State The picture is not notoverwrought-
the facts are within the knowledge OF every
man whose residence dates back six or seven
years.
In these changes Placer has participated
as much as her sister counties, and in the
steady and happy progress noted, has kept
good pace, and We doubt not will continue
to be among the first in the march OF i'm
urovement, which her soil, mines, and high
ly favorable location in the central part OF
the State SO eminently enlitle her to be.
The geographical position of the county, has,
from the first caused it to be thoroughfare
for a large part Of the freights and travel to
the northern mines, on the eastern SIDE OF
the valley, and this has brought trade, good
turnpikes, and much else that has added
to our advancement. And are we properly
impressed by the benefits so conferred! 10
we remember the old times when the ordi-
nary rates for freights from Sacramento to
Auburn, thirtyfve miles, were four to five
cents per pound, and from Sacramento to
Dutch Flat and Michigan Bluff, sixty hive
miles, Q ght and ten cents per pound! NO.
these things have almost passed out OF me-
morv; and it is only when reminded OF them
that we become aware of the gradual changes
for the better that have been made by the
/ .4Aal.. .xrowIh of fAa rolntrY. and he enter