ADDITIONAL RECENT EVENTS.
The history of the laws of a State affords the best idea of its social
condition--present and prospective; for they are framed from the
necessity of circumstances and the demands of the inhabitants. We may,
therefore, see the condition and the progress of the Californians in
their legislative transactions.
The California Legislature adjourned on the 22d April. They have
passed a law creating a State assayer, until a mint be established in
California. Among the one hundred and forty-three acts and joint
resolutions passed, we notice the following:
To incorporate the cities of Benecia, San Diego, San Jose, Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara, and a general act
for the incorporation of cities; concerning the State revenue, etc.,
and its management; creating loans temporarily, appropriations, and
other fiscal acts; relating to the appointment of pilots, regulating
the duties of harbor masters, declaring certain rivers, etc.,
navigable, creating health officers for San Francisco, creating a
marine hospital, regulating quarantine at San Francisco, providing for
the inspection of steamboats; subdividing the State into counties,
establishing county seats and providing for the complete organization
of all the counties; organizing the supreme court, providing for the
early publication of the laws, organizing district courts throughout
the State, establishing a municipal court in San Francisco, abolishing
all laws in force in the State, except such as were passed by this
Legislature, adopting the common law, regulating the interest of
money, public ferries, notaries public, jails and jailers, limited
partnerships, roads and highways, public elections, volunteer
companies, wills, militia, liens of mechanics and others, descents and
distributions, bills of exchange and promissory notes, constables,
coroners, guardians, fraudulent conveyances and contracts, the rights
of husband and wife, incorporation of colleges, marriages,
auctioneers, government and protection of the Indians, settlement of
the estates of deceased persons, proceedings against debtor by
attachment; creating the office of State assayer, melter and refiner
of gold, to regulate Senatorial and Assembly districts, prescribing
the mode of maintaining and defending possessory actions on lands
belonging to the United States; to prevent the importation of
convicts; for the better regulation of the mines and the government of
foreign miners, the national Washington monument, pay of chaplain, the
Pacific railway, and concerning grants of land by the General
Government to commissioned officers who served in the late war with
Mexico.
Here we have all the machinery necessary for the full regulation of a
large, commercial, agricultural, manufacturing, and mining community.
The session of the Legislature must have been laborious, indeed; but
the members have acquitted themselves of their arduous duties rapidly
and well. One great measure adapted by the Legislature was the
substitution of the common law for the uncertain civil law which
existed in California when ceded to the United States. The whole legal
administration will now conform to that of most of the other States of
the Union. The provisions in the Constitution for the purpose of
education, have been nobly carried out by an act for the incorporation
of colleges.
Agriculture in California appears to be improving, and as it is
getting to be as profitable as any thing else, it is attracting
increased attention. Boxes of garden seeds which had cost nine
dollars, have been sold for one hundred dollars, and scythes which
cost three dollars, sold for forty-five dollars. The seeds which were
sent around Cape Horn, were almost useless, while those which went
over the Isthmus, hermetically sealed, came up first. One man near San
Jose, has made fifty thousand dollars by raising potatoes. What toil
in digging and washing gold would be necessary to realize that amount!
Among the recent mining incidents, the following is remarkable:--Last
winter, three men accidentally struck upon a rich deposit of gold, in
a gulch about twelve miles from Knight's Ferry, on the Stanislaus
River, and four or five miles back from it. They worked this vein with
great success, managing to keep it a secret, until an Indian,
wandering through the locality, discovered the secret, and
communicated it to his tribe. The next day, several hundred Indians
fell to work, with the same success; but as they spent their earnings
in gambling and drinking at night, they incautiously let out the
secret, and it spread among the whites. The latter, without scruple,
took possession of the ground, and set the Indians adrift. An alcalde
was elected, the ground staked off, and allotted to the several
claimants. This gulch, although rifled of its richest treasures,
afforded good digging for a large number of persons, for some weeks,
many carrying away, when the water failed, a thousand dollars and
upwards, as the result of their labors. The three discoverers of the
gulch, took away with them about forty pounds of gold to each man, all
scraped up in the short space of seven weeks.
Imitation lumps of gold have been made and brought into circulation in
California. The State Assayer states that above forty specimens have
been brought to his notice. They are generally in size from four to
five ounces to a pound in weight--quartz, and every thing else
necessary to make them look right, properly intermixed.
It has been definitely settled that gold does exist in the vicinity of
San José. Specimens have been taken to San Francisco.
Several artesian wells have been constructed at San Francisco, since
the second great fire, and it is thought that others will soon add to
the comfort and convenience of the people of that city. The want of
good water for drinking purposes, has been the most serious objection
to San Francisco as a place of residence; and additional incentive to
exertion in the matter is furnished by the constant apprehension of
destructive fires.[20]
Coal has been discovered in California, in various places, and is
reported to abound in considerable quantities in the neighborhood of
San Francisco. Every day developes some new wealth of this land of
treasure, and we regard the discovery of the abundance of coal as in
the highest degree important to the residents of California. Even amid
the news of the extraordinary yield of the gold region during the
present year, 1850, when a single vessel, in one trip, brings
$2,000,000 worth of gold dust to the United States we can pause to
notice the discovery of the more useful substances.
The Trinity River and Humboldt Harbor, in the north-western part of
California, have lately become a resort for the superfluous population
of the Sacramento and San Joaquin regions. The harbor is pronounced a
very good one, and the discovery of abundance of gold on the branches
of Trinity River, will, doubtless, contribute to the building of a
large town upon its shores.
In the middle of June, there was much excitement in San Francisco,
caused by the reported discovery of a gold lake, among the mountains
between the South Fork of Feather River and the Yuba. One man was said
to have got $7000 in four days, and a party of ten Kanakas were
reported to have got $75,000 in a week. A vast number of people were
by this means attracted to the sources of the Feather and Yuba Rivers,
and though they found the lake story a hoax of a vile character, they
found tolerably fair diggings, which would console them for their
disappointment.
The following extract from the Placer Times of the 17th of July, 1850,
under the head of "Great Discoveries of Gold--Gold Lake," will afford
the reader a lively conception of the degree of excitement caused in
California by every new announcement of a newly discovered locality
abounding in gold:
"We were inclined to give only an average degree of credit to stories
that have reached us during the past few days, of the unprecedented
richness which this locality has developed. A few moments passed in
Marysville on Saturday, convinced us that there is much more show of
reality in this last _eureka report_, than usually attaches to the
like. In a year's experience of local excitements from the same cause,
we have seen none equal to what now prevails in that town. It has
visited all the inhabitants indiscriminately, lawyers, doctors and
judges, traders, teamsters, mechanics and gamblers. Our readers know
we are the last to justify the circulation of unfounded or exaggerated
reports, but we deem it right to conceal nothing of what may prove
(for aught that we can see to the contrary) one of the most astounding
discoveries in the modern history of diggings. The specimens brought
into Marysville are of a value from $1600 down. Ten ounces is reported
as no unusual yield to a panfull, and the first party of sixty, which
started out under the guidance of one who had returned successful,
were assured that they would not get less than $500 each per day. We
were told that the previous morning two hundred had left the town
with a full supply of provisions and four hundred mules. Those who
could not go were hiring others in their stead. The length of the
journey and the quantity of provisions required, there being no stores
in the region, rendered an outfit rather expensive. Mules and horses
had doubled in value, and $400 were considered no more than enough to
furnish a proper start.
The distance to Gold Lake was first reported two hundred miles; the
best informed, however, say that it is but little more than half of
that. It lies at a very considerable elevation among the mountains
that divide the waters of the South Fork of Feather from those of the
north branch of the Yuba. The direction from Marysville is a little
north of east. The story has of course spread ere this far and wide
among the miners high up on the Feather and Yuba, and the spot will be
as crowded as all other good places are, ere the tardy adventurer from
this region could reach it. The region of the Gold Lake wonders is a
new one, however, and lies between what are established to be diggings
of unsurpassed richness. It is our belief that it is better for one
who has got some initiation into the gold mysteries, (if there be
any,) not to be content in old 'used up' localities, but to push along
to the great field yet unexplored; and that, though the search be long
and laborious, the _big lift_ is ultimately pretty sure for those who
are patient and persevering."
[Illustration: MONTEREY.]
The same paper of July 18th, contains additional particulars, having a
tendency to add plausibility to the reports. Among other things, a man
by the name of McLelland came into Marysville on the 17th, with $7000,
the result of four days' labor at Gold Lake. Whatever may be the
truth of the reports, there is no doubt of one thing--the whole
population of Marysville and its vicinity have become infected by the
news, and are taking up their march thitherwards in crowds.
The Transcript speaks rather doubtingly on the subject; it says--"The
reports come as a general thing, through teamsters and other persons
whose interest it is to give as favorable accounts as possible. The
statements are very conflicting."
To this we may add the statement of a gentleman who reached this city
from Marysville, direct, on Tuesday night. The excitement, he says, is
great; but no one could give any definite information of the locality
or of its productiveness. Yet all seemed to think there was no doubt
in the matter, and as many as could get away were starting, or getting
ready to push for the new El Dorado. Upon his way down, on board the
boat, he conversed with a man who professed to have explored that
region lately, although he did not claim to know where Gold Lake was.
But between the North Fork of the Yuba and Feather Rivers, at the foot
of the great chain of mountains, he reported a series of lakes of
various dimensions, and "two thousand people," prospecting all about.
The snow was very deep--"six feet"--and but little gold.
The following extract from the Placer Times, is the most positive
information within our knowledge.
On the arrival of the "Lawrence," yesterday, from Marysville, we
received more news of the Gold Lake excitement, now prevailing in
those parts. It promises to spare no one. Many who would not be
understood to have yielded to it, seek, under various pretences, to
get away--some pleading business in other quarters of the mines;
others desiring the recreation of a country jaunt. It is reported
that, up to Thursday last, two thousand persons had taken up their
journey; that many who were working good claims, and had made
considerable progress, were deserting them for the new discovery.
Mules and horses were almost impossible to be obtained. A supply from
this quarter was expected daily, and most anxiously awaited. Although
the truth of the report rest on the authority of but two or three who
have returned from Gold Lake, yet but few are found who doubt their
marvellous revelations. The first man who came into Marysville took
out a party of forty as guide, on condition they paid him one hundred
dollars each if his story was verified, and offering his life as a
forfeit for any deception.
"This party, it is understood, came near losing their way, from the
difficulty the guide found in retracing his path, after the snow had
melted. Fortunately, however, they encountered another man, who was on
his way returning, and he showed the track. The second person has
since left with a much larger party, who are to give him two hundred
dollars each, and the same forfeit is provided. The spot is described
as very difficult of approach, and it is feared that many will lose
their way. A party of ten Kanakas are reported to have wintered at
Gold Lake, subsisting chiefly on the flesh of their animals. They are
said to have taken out about $75,000 the first week. The lake is not
large, and, after the wet season ceases, has no outlet; at present,
however, the water runs over the basin, and finds its way into the
North Fork of Feather River. At a lower stage, it admits of easy
drainage, and the undertaking is already projected.
"Of course the most extravagant anticipations are founded on the
result of this work, induced by the yield from the borders of the lake
which have already been realized. The "placer" proper is very limited,
and little encouragement is given as to the character of the
surrounding country; indeed, it is probably entirely unexplored, as
the region lies about as far up among the snows as the most
adventurous have yet penetrated."
The Yuba River is destined to be thoroughly rifled of its wealth.
Three miles above the new town of Lina, a company has turned the river
from its course, and made it run through a lateral slough. Prospecting
of the bed has proved very satisfactory, and the shares in the
company's stock have sold at a high rate.
As was apprehended, various difficulties have occurred between the
owners of land at Sacramento City, and a large number of squatters
upon it. The ground was bought and surveyed, and the title to
ownership was perfect. But the number of emigrants who arrive at
Sacramento at particular seasons forces them to encamp outside of the
regularly built town, and when thus encamped, they consider themselves
as settlers, and are unwilling to give up possession of the ground.
The power of the law has been called into requisition several times to
eject these squatters.
The emigrants to California by way of the Great Salt Lake route have
endured terrible hardships during the present year. The rigors of the
season, and the want of water, have been but secondary matters. The
Indians, always unfriendly, have been particularly hostile, and
several battles between them and the emigrants have taken place. In
one of the battles, thirty Indians were killed, while the whites had
several wounded, but none killed. It is supposed that the assailants
belonged to the Utahs. The Salt Lake City is the great refuge of the
belated emigrants upon that route, and the Mormons are hospitable to
all who visit them for shelter, or for mere curiosity.
The great body of the emigrants continue to take the old route, which
we have elsewhere described, and find that it is the safest and
shortest of the land routes. Judging from the statements of the number
of emigrants who have passed Fort Laramie this season, we should say,
that the route could scarcely be called a wilderness, when it is
impossible to travel thirty miles without meeting with parties and
families of whites. Part of this tide of emigration will flow to
Oregon, no doubt, on account of the fertile lands to be there
obtained; but the golden land will get the bulk of it.
In a recent tour through the region bordering on Moqueleme River, in
California, a couple of gentlemen from Stockton, discovered a cave or
grotto of great extent. They found that it contained large quantities
of stalactite, and saw evidences of gold. The Indians who accompanied
the gentlemen were horror stricken at their audacity, when they
entered a cave which tradition said no man returned from alive. The
skeleton of a human being was found at some distance from the opening.
An event has occurred which will no doubt exercise a great influence
on California affairs. This is the discovery of the existence of
abundance of gold in Oregon territory. The discovery created great
excitement through the various cities and towns of Oregon, and the
northern towns of California. That which is exhibited, shows an
entirely different character to any of that dug in the mines of
California. It contains large quantities of platina, and is said to be
of a richer character. The mines just discovered are situated about
two hundred miles from Oregon City. The consequences of this discovery
may be easily apprehended. Oregon will secure a larger share of the
emigration from the Atlantic States than she had before, and her
progress will be rapid, for her soil and climate render the country an
attractive place of residence. But will the progress of California be
less rapid in consequence of this? We think not. The united
attractions of the two territories will operate for the benefit of
both, and only tend to increase the quantity of emigration.
FOOTNOTE:
[20] The _Alta Californian_, of the 1st of May, 1850, furnishes us
with an interesting account of the origin and meaning of the names of
places in the new State. We have elsewhere alluded to the name
California, as being derived from _caliente_ and _fornalla_, two
Spanish words, together signifying _hot furnace_.
_Pueblo de los Angeles--City of the Angels._ So named from the
fertility of the soil, the geniality of the climate, &c.
San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz,
San Francisco, were all originally Catholic missionary stations and
were so named by the priests.
_Monterey_ signifies literally king of forests, and was so called in
honor of Count Monterey, as well as from the neighboring forest of
massive pines and other trees.
_Contra Costa_, the name of a county, signifies opposite coast, from
its being opposite San Francisco. _Mount Diablo_, which is in this
county, was named from the following circumstance:
In 1806 a military expedition from San Francisco marched against the
tribe "Bolgones," who were encamped at the foot of the mount; the
Indians were prepared to receive the expedition, and a hot engagement
ensued in the large hollow fronting the western side of the mount. As
the victory was about to be decided in favor of the Indians, an
unknown personage, decorated with the most extraordinary plumage, and
making divers movements, suddenly appeared near the combatants. The
Indians were victorious, and the incognitio (Puy) departed toward the
mount. The defeated soldiers, on ascertaining that the spirit went
through the same ceremony daily and at all hours, named the mount
"Diablo," in allusion to its mysterious inhabitant, that continued
thus to make his strange appearance, until the tribe was subdued by
the troops in command of Lieutenant Gabriel Moraga, in a second
campaign of the same year. In the aboriginal tongue "Puy" signifies
"Evil Spirit;" in Spanish it means Diablo, and Devil in the
Anglo-American language.
_Calaveras_ signifies skulls, and the creek thus styled was named from
the fact of three thousand skulls having been found lying on its banks
by its early discoverers. They were the remnants of a great battle
between the Indians.
_Tuolumne_, which has been spelt so many different ways in the letters
from California, is a corruption of the Indian word "talmalamme," a
cluster of stone wigwams.
_Mariposa_ means butterfly. The river was so named in 1807, by a
hunting party of Californians, from the fact of their encampment there
having been surrounded by myriads of most gorgeous butterflies.
_Solano_ was so named after a celebrated Catholic missionary.
_Yolo_ is a corruption of the Indian word "Yoloy," and means a place
abounding with rushes.
_Marin_ was so designated after a great Indian chief, who made war so
desperately against the Spaniards.
_Sonoma_ is an Indian word, signifying valley of the moon. The Indians
so named the valley in which the present town of that title is
situated.
_Napa_ was the name of the Indian tribe who inhabited the valley of
the same name.
_Mendocino_ was so named after the first Viceroy of Mexico.
_Yuba_, a corruption of "uba," originally alluded to the immense
quantities of vines which shaded the river.
_Butte_ is a French word signifying hill, and was given by a party of
hunters from the Hudson Bay Company to a range of high hills in the
valley of the Sacramento. From thence the county is named.
_Coluse_ county was so called after an Indian tribe of which it was
the name.
_Shalta_ county is so styled after an Indian tribe also.