The Sun. — 1849-05-03 (London, England)

CALIFORNIA. (From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.) The .2Vational Intelligences is indebted to General JosKip for a long and able letter from Captain Folsom, dated San Francisco, January 23, 1849. We extract a few of the more important passages:— " The only tribunals which have attempted any jurisdiction in cases of murder, &c., some months past, are those formed for the occasion as i t arises, and offenders generally escape, or, if they are taken, it is amidst the frenzy of popular excitement, where the guilty and innocent may be victims together. Several executions have taken place is pursuance of this kind of law, and it is supposed that several others will be anounced by the next mail from the south. In the meantime outrages are occurring in all quarters of the country, and the public astonishment has scarcely subsided after one murder has transpired before another is committed more horrible than the firs*. Housebreaking, thefts, and robberies are of almost hourly occurrence. This state of things must continue until we have the firm and steady rein of government extended over the territory by Congress. I have no expectations that a provisional government (should it go into operation, and this cannot be the case In less than a year from this time) would be found adequate to the public wants. " A great stagnation in business has occurred since winter set in, and prices of goods have fallen in consequence. Vessels arriving at this time find an inconsiderable market, and it will continue bad until there is a tendency towards the mines, in March, when new supplies must go in that direction. Within the last ten days six or eight vessels have arrived from Mexico and the west coast of South America, and we hear of more than forty which are likely to follow them from Chili and Peru with about 3,000 emigrants. Every vessel which leaves takes away a rich freight of gold, and there are still very large amounts of it in the country. lam satisfied that more than 3,000,000 dolls. worth of gold has been taken from the mines up to this time, and that 2,000,000 dolls. have been taken away from the country, mostly to foreign countries, for a market. I have no doubt that 1,500,000 dolls, worth will have been shipped from this port alone. " These facts ought to convince the most incredulous that the Government needs a mint at this place to coin the gold produced by the mines, thereby protecting its own interests and those of American citizens residing in this territory. We hear officially from Chili that a very large amount of spurious coin is about to be shipped from Peru and Bolivia, to be put into circulation on the coast in exchange for gold, and through the Custom-houses." " Where families are coming with the intention of remaining in the country, I believe the voyage round Cape Horn is preferable in all respects to a journey across the mountains. It is cheaper, safer, and more comfortable, and quite as expeditious, generally speaking, as that over the mountains; and fur emigrants leaving the Eastern and Middle States, far preferable to any route, except that across the Isthmus at Panama by the new line of steamers." The trade of the country is rapidly increasing, in consequence of the mines and the great influx of population. For several months past the average amount of duties collected at this port, exclusive of the expenses of the Custom-house, has been rising 30,000 dollars, and it is thought that it will exceed 60,000 dollars the present month. It will be safe, I think, to put the revenue of California, for the current year, at 1,000,000 dolls., and four-fifths of this will be collected at this port. The amount paid is becoming a subject of comment, and the fact that a population paying such a tax has no Government and no representation, is exciting very general dissatisfaction. Should Congress again adjourn without any action in relation to this territory, it will create still more violent comment, and might lead to some measures on the part of the people of the country which would bring lasting disgrace upon our flag. All the trade of the coast is fast concentrating in this bay. Nearly all the goods consumed in the lower part of this territory are sent from this port, and as soon as coasters can be got for the business, foreign vessels will not visit those ports at all. The introduction of steamers on the coast will give additional importance to this harbour, and it is most likely that much of the business of Oregon will be done here also.