Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-04-20
LOWER CALIFORNIA.
A KEw EMPIRE

In recent number, a brief sketch
was given Of tine geographical position
and varied resources oftbat vast Pen.
insula on our Western coast. known
as Lower California, and which, jut-
ting as il docs, down the Pacific for
full SIX hundred miles, forms barrier
TO those fertile provinces Of Northern
Mexico, which are destined, ere long.
TO become, ike Lower California H.
self, integral parts OF the United
I States
This Peninsula may now be said to
be IN its transition state. For ages
it has lain comparatively idle in
the sea but by degrees the hoaye OF
modern progress has turned ID over
almost into the ceHtre Of the popula-
ted globe, and ii must soon play fully
as important part as Upper Cailor-
MA, which lies above it, aud more 30
than the luxurious provinces Of the
decaying empire, 10 which % never
more than nominaily belonged. In
fact, Lower California has merely pre-
tended 10 belong to Mexico, ia order
To protect itself form seizure by some
more vigorous power; while Mexico,
on the other hand, has gladly content
cd herself with mere nominal ale
glance (without subsidy or tributel J,
ia order that Sonora, Sinaloa aud her
other ocean provinces might not be
domineercd By this formidable Penin-
sula In ike manner gi-s r-~s-.-s
State aud its depcndOnt province
have, therefore, goi along very well
together down 10 the prcseut tine,
and as only an illasory authority is
cxactcd by Mexico. and no taxes are
levied from lower California, the na-
tivos of the Peninsula have always
had a very happy and independent
time.
These DAYS Of simplicity, however,
could not be expected 10 last forever.
Heaven is not Tor man on earth. Nay,
E ia the case Of this earthly elysium.
Ttccming as % is with gold aud silver,
and boriercd By its gulf Of pearls, the
westward tread Of man forbade liz
Seven hundred millions, out OF ono
thousand millions Of the whole earth,
belong 10 empires which push their
coasts 10 the shores OF the Pacific
coasts which have been comparative.
" silent until the last twenty years,
but which, now that they have been
asiounded BY the railway, aul infam-
"a by the magnetic wire, begin 10
stir and wake 10 the destiny that lies
before them.
On the whole vide circle ct that
mighty sea. which is destined O. be
the future residence Of human power
there is 10 piece OF coast Of s.ch eco.
graphical importance 10 the United
States, as Lower California IL 8,
worth the British possessions in the
/ Northwest Coast and Alaska, ten
times told, for 10 gives rs certain pos
session of every fnc OF trade, that
either comes by the lsihmus 10 the
Indies, or passes downward from ouI
western railway rUutes, 10 the coasts
of South America Ur Australia.
The acute statesmen Of Mexico per.
ccived this problem more clearly per
haps than cyoh the Ministers ii ths
I United States. aud f1rcsocing, too
that ihoy could not expect 90 hull
such a ioriross as Lower Caiiiornia
/ constitutes for the command OF th,
Pacific, they wisely prepared 10 pas
ID into the more powerful and couser
vativc hands al tho United States, 10
manner which wouid not be ia th'
least humiiiating TO themselves
They made a grant. in is64, cover
ing tho vast arca Oi tsso forty ~
thousand eight hundred sqaare mile
IN Lower California. which was sub
scQucntiy transferred 10 the hands Q
the Lower California Company, o
this CITY a cooperation which hai @.
. ready possessed itself .ua1Cr oihC
grants. of a vast portion of the ric.
province OF Sonora and Of the PENN
r suIa For this transfer the grant G
1853. the Lower California COmpan.
e paid TO Mexico q large sun oi money
+. when She was iu her utmost need
The transfer Of was duly made at d
Mexican Legation in " Washington. i
!. NAY. 1896. and was formally rattle
by President Juarer in the fol.ouin
- August A certificate Of the convey
nnCc. which was drawn ~ thc Hor
Caleb Cushing, and endorsed ~ o.
Mexican Minister al Washington, wa
filed in the oiice oil our Secretary ,
state, 70 be TIE bass fany faiurc e,
ID ton between tbc two Government
9 for the purchase OF joint proicciio
= OF The Peninsula q Lower California
!. But ID is not the Object Of thc low
CT California Go. that their chart,
shall be made the basis of a mere y.
h.ical operation. Their object Is [
Icolonirc the land duly ard iaiihfaiil
! under the contract VITA Ncxico. az
Z. 10 that end they are ROW Vrcp1rin
3 an extensive expedition. with n
b view Ci settling up Two of iis PRO
iuccs, and establishing an ocean cit,
Already, cmirranis, ai'urci tv q
- rrcoions metals. and other deposits
a. valuable materials of Commcrce, Al
- pouring into Lower California; au
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