The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-11-27
For THE EMPORIA NEWS.
SOJOURN IN LOWER CALIFORNIA.

Our readers will remember that few
years ago Generals Fremont, Butler
and others were eager to acquire much
of this territory from the Mexican gov
ernment; their object doubtless being
to enrich themselves by speculations.
The mineral productions of Lower Cal
ifornia are the only source of its wealth.
The Peninsula being isolated from the
rest of Mexico by the gulf on the east
and Upper California on the north, and
lying on the route of the Pacific mail
steamers that ply between San Francis
co and Panama is sufficient reason for
many of our citizens to hope that it will
| soon become part of our Republic.
Since it seems to be the policy of our
Government to extend her borders and
gather under our flag every country that
intervenes between the Polar Star and
Southern Gross it is meet that we know
somewhat about this modern Eden-its
climate, people, institutions and geog-
raphy.
AS we pass down the coast from San
Francisco, on the Oregon, after five days
sail, the Peninsula heaves in sight and
its outline of broken mountain chains,
and extensive but low white sand beach,
presents picture to the eye that is not
very acknowledgement even inviting
when compared with the beauties of
the Sacramento valley. Many chalk
cliffs, from forty to seventy-tive feet
high, appear at intervals, as well as nu-
merous drifts of yellow. sand which
have been cast up from the beach to the
hight of thirty to fifty feet, as huge
monumental piles, to mark the oceans
limit. AS we approach the cape it ter
inmates In rocky cliff about fifty feet
| high and piercing the base is an arch,
fresh from the hand of Nature, about
ten feet wide by fifteen or twenty high.
| AS we bear eastward to round the point
and enter a cove lying behind it, we
discover several large isolated rocks pro-
jecting above the briny blue, which are
covered with sea lion basking in the
tropical sun. They seem well at ease
until the ships near approach awakens
suspicion. when suddenly they plunge
headlong into the deep, filling the air
with their sullen mutterings. Steam
| ing into the cove-a sudden startling
noise-we come to halt some 300 yards
| from the beach. We disembark into a
life boat, are rowed toward the shore
until the PROV grounds on the sand. a
novel scene creates merriment. The
sea has been rough and the surf runs
high and plays back and forth over a
space of fifteen or twenty feet in rapid
succession. just as the surf has spent
its force we leap vigorously forth-a
few rapid strides and we are upon terra
firma once more. Nextcom our friend
Pat he waits for the receding surf TO
lpass him. then with an air of triumph
| leans into the air-but alasi just as he
tights the advancing surf dashes violent
IIy upon his rear, almost working
change Fbase and throwing quite
/ damper on his spirits. After a few sim
! liar Tnisfortunes. myself and twelve
| co1onanions repair TO the house of Capt.
| Eichie- An old Englishman who lad
/ been cast utyon the shore after the wreck
/ IF b;s sIIiD in the gulf forty years ago.
We now secure mules and the services
| IF two Mexican guides, to cross the
hills loo miles.