Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-18
BAJA CALIFORNIA.
THE TERRA PERFECTA TO THE
MISSION FATHERS.
California-Descript of
the Country.
Especial Correspondence of the REcoRD-U UNION !
BAJA CALIFORNIA, (Mexicol, !

Especial Correspondence of the REcoRD-UNIoN
BAJA CALIFORNIA, (Mexicol,
May II, 1889.
By consulting map you Will see that
this Mexican Territory of Lower" Cali
fornia, extends from the United States
boundary line there located, l believe,
about latitude 32o 400, to Cabo, (Cape)
San Lucas, latitude 22o 30l. Geographic
ally, its northern halt, at least, is essen
TALLY part of our own Southern Califor-
mia, showing the same soil, covered with
the same wild flowers, the same climate,
and the same possibilities, both mineral
and agricultural. What pity that it was
not included in the purchase which fol-
lowed the Mexican War, of Texas and
Upper California. Then, it would proba-
bly, have cost Uncle Samuel not dollar
more, while now either its purchase or
annexation will be found an expensive
matter. In those days the whole PENN
sula was believed to be worthless desert,
as was also the greater portion of Upper
California. Its barren mountains had then
given no hint of the mineral treasures
hidden within them, nor of the agricult-
ural wealth of their intervening valleys.
The entire region was judged by the better
known southern portion adjacent to Cape
San Lucas, where the hot sand is ankle
deep, and where several Intellectual at
tempts have been made to establish per-
manent colonies.
The peninsula is more mountainous than
Upper California, and therefore has less
proportion of arabic lands but its num-
erous valleys are as rich as any on the
Pacific coast, and its average rainfall is as
great as that anywhere below San Fran
cisco. Two-thirds of its length, compris-
ing
OVER SIXTEEN MILLIONS OF ACRES,
Or a territory nearly as large as the State
of New York, has been granted by the
Mexican Government under certain con-
ditions), to the so-called international
Company" which was Incorporated in
Connecticut and whose headquarters are in
New York city
As to history, so far as is known, the
peninsula was first visited by white men
just 356 years ago, when vessel under the
order of Cortez, sailed up the western
coast of Mexico into the Cult of Califor-
mia, and anchored in the Bay of La Paz,
exactly where Alexander Selkirk then
sailing-master of the Dover, one of Woodes
Rodgers fleet, came to reft, in 1710-175
years later than Cortez visit.
After that day number of Spanish ex-
petitions were sent to the peninsula, but
their misfortune was that they always
landed on the dryest, hottest and most
stormy wastes-those of the Gulf side.
and on the southern extension of the long
land-spit. The earlier missionaries also
made vigorous efforts, induced as much by
the richness of the pearl fisheries about
La Paz and the Ceralbo Island as for the
good of souls. English expeditions were
also landed at points on both sides, some
as explorers for geographical and scientific
purposes, but chiefly to capture the richly
laden galleons of Spain which came sail-
ing that way from Manila. Early in the
present century reports were rife concern
ing the great number of fur seals here
abouts and many American traders visited
the peninsula, some of them making very
profitable voyages. Then for many years
its bays and lagoons became noted as
whaling stations, and for half century or
more were frequented by host of Ameri-
can whalemen. The enormous quantities
of bones that now lie bleaching in the sun
along the sands Of every cove and inlet at
test
THE GREAT NUMBER OF WHALES
That used to frequent these waters, but
Like the fur seal. they were exterminated
or driven of, and the business was aban-
doned twenty years ago.
In 1912 the Mexican Congress admitted
two delegates from the two CALIFORNIA;
Upper and Lower-on the basis of more
than $4,000 population for both, of which
$4,000 were credited to the peninsula.
During the Mexican war this portion was
occupied by United States troops, and
when the latter evacuated it they were
followed, for obvious reasons, by consid-
able number of the principal inhabitants,
who had favored annexation to the north
ern republic. Still later, the discovery of
gold in Upper California caused general
emigration, especially from the northern
portion of the peninsula, SO that as late
as 1880 the whole territory, except that
part lying between La Paz and Cape San
Lucas, was comparatively uninhabited.
Since the day OF the International Com
pany, which began scarcely four years ago,
the rapid increase of population around
Todos Santos Bay has led the Federal
Government to make Ensenada full COM
pany post, where are quartered 100 picked
soldiers differed from the flower of Cha
pultepec, the West Point of Mexico.
POLITICALLY,
The peninsula is to-day Territory, not
State of the Mexican Republic 1t has
two capitals-La Paz in the south and
Eusenada in the north, and two Govern
ors, appointed by President Diaz. This
division is necessary because of the great
length Of the peninsula and the difficulty
Of overland travel There is no Terrific
rial Legislature, and the Government en-
ployes are paid out of the Federal treas
ury. With the sole exception Of customs
duties there are no taxes, except for local
improvements. Being so far from head
quarters, large powers are given to the
Governors TO maintain order and punish
violence, even 10 the infiiction of the
death penalty, by shooting, in case of re-
bellion. A small force of troops is main
tanned at La Paz, and at Ensenada the
N'ofCiHoi liis uiluct MS iIilIUeuldte
a special police force of fifteen mounted
men, well-arned and active, who are a
host in themselves in this comparatively
empty country.
THE MEXICAN LAWS,
Which formerly forbade foreigners to own
real estate within sixty miles OF the bound
airy or within nine miles of either coast.
were modified few years ago so that for
eigners who come to settle may enjoy about
the same rights in Mexico as in any other
civilized country. The mining laws, also.
are very liberal. According TO them any,
body, whether citizen of the republic or
not, can denounce claim The statute
on that point is very simple and explicit.
If the claim is on private land the discov-
erer must pay for its surface value, and
give security not to disturb growing crops
or imperil the owners rightful use of the
surface by his underground work, or to in
terfere in any way with the owners peace
able enjoyment OF the rest of his land. The
claim applies only to metals, and if the
discovered mineral proves to be coal mar
BILE or valuable stone it belongs to the
original owner of the land
A PLACER CLAIM
Is twenty meters (sixty feet) square, and
:. 4 l. y 4