New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-03
new PUBLICATIONS.

THE RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. By yoHs g. HIT
rRIE. limo. PIP. f6s. W. J. Widdlsson- rae.s
The latest work on California, If written from au-
tbentio sources aud BY competent hand, may safely
be presumed to DO an improvement on is predsoes-
sors. With suchs marvellous development Of physi.
cal and social resources a. has been experienced in
our now FL Dorado, IL 10 not an easy task for the
bis orian or stasstican to keep pace with sbe mag
niiicsu. reality Mr.. Hi.tel, however has not only
the advantage Of being tho most recent writer on tho
subject, but, in many respects, possesses superior
qualifications for,the work hc has undertaken. He
has boon resident Of California during very con-
siderable portion Of her brief existence, has taken an
active part IN some Of her most important concerns.
IL fully identified with her interests. and cherishes
laudatle pride in the prosperity OF his adopted State
although FREQ from The influence OF any narrow l,cA
preiuaices With the habit CT shrewd observation
and extensive research he combines ordinary skill
Ia literary composition, and indeed. for clear, live
", and impressive narrative Of facts DO has few SD
periors His book, accordingly, shows great affia-
ence Of detail Its statements are carefully put TO-
Qrther; Il Is overfowing with valuable Information;
and in point Of styls, is strongly marked with the
Qualities that are siwsys attractive TO the popular
taste. The matter is divided into chapters and Sec
,ious, according to very convenient method, pre-
sep,ipe the various topics in clear light and without
confusion and enabling the reader TO find the sPe-
cali.y of which DO is in pursuit. with the least ex
penditure OF trouble. Undcr the heads Of Climate,
Geology, Botany, and Zoology there is variety oil
curious and interesting information, while the more
practical topics Of Agriculture. Mining. and Com
mercs are treated with great funess and sxacsnes-
Mr.. HittslPs statements in regard 70 the business
and social relations Of California arc particularly
worthy Of attention. a. presenting standard OF
between tho condition Of tho State ten or
sw Give years SINCE and the present expanded mate
rial development. There has been . gradual fall in
the wages Of labor since lSi9. During that year,
tho wages Of good carpenters were SIC per day; in
1851, $40; In 1853, a.; In 1856, Is, and now, 81;
while there has been similar decrease 10 most other
branches Of labor Tailors shoemaksrs, and cabinet
makers have never received high wages, because
there is NOT much demand for their seryices most of
the articles in their line being imported from the At
lsntic cities. Millsn, oaulkers, and shipwrighs
cow get from u to IS per days bnck'aysrs, stone
nasons and pastsrers from u " IS; carlenters and
blacksmiths from - to a.; hodmon and washer
wousn q, common lsbOrers 81 rs. or persons
who work oy the mouth, with board, gardeners get
s35; farmers, teamsters, walters sailors, chamber
maid, and ssamstresses $25. The best miners get
a Dor day, common miners $50 month aud board.
The mercantile business in California 10 Of highly
speculative character and Of course, veiy lively and
auctuating. There is no people ia the world
who, in proportion to their numbers, import 80
largely of foreign goods or at such high prices.
The supplies are 90 irregular that it il easy To
forestall tho market. A few wealthy men often
combine to buy up all the merchandise Of q certain
kind, and then control the market Business 10 son-
Quoted boldly, Oftsn rscklessly. Men make money
rapidly, spend il freely and hastily. Most of the
men Of business are young, and imbued with the
fsverish spirit Of '49. Hereditary wealth is IN.
known. The rich men Of California all went there
poor Generally, they were bold adveuturers who
were Dissatisfied with the slow and humdrum life of
the Eastssn States- In any little random gathering
of dozen men in San Francisco, you will probably
find some among them who have worked iD the
mines, not excepting the wealthiest and most iutei
gent. You often see men who have been wealthy at
three or four different timea and then poor again.
When men fail thsy do not despair, bus hope for
better luck next time and try again. A number Of
the prominent business men in San Francisco have
been insolvent within tho iast i've years. l
The current rates of interest In California are
higher than in any other CHRISTIAN land. Tie usual
rate on hong terms and the beet security is one and
half per eent per month. Oa short loans, or with
security in the esst doubtful, the interest Is from
two to two and half per cent per month. Nearly
every body borows and lands money. II is no dis
grace to lend money for high interest," nor 10 IL
sdsred bad mana cement for Q merchant TO borrow
and pay high ratss One house which lately failed
had paid $3.50 900 Of interest," Ii Ia y general prsc-
tcs for farmers 70 borrvw money; if before harvest
70 give mortgage on tho crops; II after harvest, TO
store the grain in the lenders warehouse Us security
Ono Of the most printable branches Of basioess la
tho State IL what 10 called "grain commission"
The commission nsrchxnt lends = sum Of money "
the farmer, who stores his grain with tho lender, the
latter charging about two per cent month for the
money, dollar tun per month for storage. and two
per cent commission for selling. - fsilN
There is no paper money Ia California. Great
piles of double eagles seen in the hanks, but no
bank.notes. An lagesuOs are paid in double eagles.
great proportion Of the coin Is ofshat size. No
copper money IL current, anything BE- bought
with oeut The smallest coin commonly used 10 .
dime. "A half dime IA locked on with contempt.
Three cent pisces, ooppsr, and nickeIs are never
seen except rs curiosities and arc Of no value to
mako purchases. 'sse' fi' 'si 10
Tho opportunities for favorable hye,tmants 81
money IN CalifOrnis are few, compared with oshss
countries Land titles arc defective and ipsscars.
The Aactuslieos u business demand perpetual vigi
lance. brief nessSt = sufficient 70 cause the loss
Of fortune. Money lsftin the charge Of sgsas To-
very uuenfo. ,Thcr couamission n hiOh and tbev