The New York Herald Newspaper, February 5, 1849, Page 1

NO. 5359. VIEW OF UPPER AND LOWER CAL'FORNIA, @ne Hundred Years Ago. As everything connected with California must be interesting at the present time, and as the world 18 flooded with reports ef gold mines, pre- cious stones, &c., Xe., said to have been dis covered long since in that region, we have deemed it expedient to gratify publ'c curiosity on this head with a few extracts from a work that has Just been placed under our observation, and which was published in Spanish a hundred years ago, at Madrid. it is entitled ‘“*A Natural and Civil History of California: containing an accu- Yate description of that country, its soil, moua- tains, &ec., &e., by Miguel Venegas, a Mexican Jesuit.” It was published in Madrid, in 1758, and was translated into English and published in 1759, by Rivington & Fletcher, Oxford Theatre, Pater- noster Row. The wniter divides his treatise into four parts. In the first, he discourses of the name, situation, and extent of Cxliforme, that 18, taking it in the strict sense, of so much of this peniasala as the Spaniards had then reduced. He gives us an account of the gulf, its coasts, and islands. He enlarges upon the soil and climate, the natural his- tory, the pearl fishery, and the manna of this country, which was a new discovery. Then follows avery distinct and curious detail of the nations and Jangueges, the temper, and manners of the Cali- forniane, with their pohtey in peace and war; aad lastly, he treate of their religion ; in respect to which he observes, that those who resided on the continent were, when the Spaniards found them, entirely free from any idolatrous notions, had tew or no ceremonies, and yet had some very singular speculative opinions; but that it was otherwise in the islands, where, through the arts and frauds of aparticular race of men, the people were grievous- Jy enthralled in superstitious slavery. The secord part contains the history of Cali- fornia, from the time of its firat discovery, to the fending thither the Jesuits. Thisdiscovery was made by order of the famous Hernan Cortes, who went thither in person in 1536, and landing in the If, bestowed upon it his own name, or rather the Spaniards have since called it, in honor of that great captain, Mar de Cortes, as weil as the Ver- milion sea, or the gult of California, Our author traces very exactly the several attempts that were made, from time to time, for obtaining a more per fect knowledge of the extent and produce of this peninsula; the different projects formed for this purpose, both in Old and New Spain; their re- peated disappointments, and the causes of those disappointments; interspersed with many judi- cious and sensible remarks, which show the ex- treme difficulty of age | any great design, the conduct of which depends upon the approba- tion, orders, and instructions, that are to come from a country at a great distance, The third part comprehends the reduction of California by the Jesuits, and their transactions tothe present time. He informs us that the court of Spain, and its viceroys in the Indies, tired out with a multitude of fruitless, expensive, and tedi- ous expeditions, had abandoned ail further thoughts of this matter, so that the prosecution of it was entirely owing to Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, who, being sent as missionary into the adjaeeat province of Sonora, formed a resolution of trying to penetrate from thence into this deserted country. The first missionary of this order, however, who assed over into this region, was Father Salva ‘ierra, in 1697; and a few years after Father Kino penetrated, according to his original design, into California, by land, and became thereby assured }that it was not an island but a peninsula. The Jesuits, from that time down to the author's day, had the sole direction of affairs in Cali- fornia, civil as well as ecclesiastical, and prose- cuted their discoveries, converted the Indians, made small settlements, cultivated some spots ot ground near them, and, with great diligence and perseverance, brought some little vineyards to such pertection as to produce wine not inferior to that of Europe. i The forittde and last part cont: some addi- tional accounts. Among these, is the famous voyage of Captain Sebastian Vizcaino, in 1602, in which there is avery curious and particular ac- count of the west coast of California ; this 1s fol- lowed by adescription of the east coast, froma voyage made in the year 1746. There is also a description of California by Captain Woods Ro- gers, an Englishman, with an account of his voy- age to the South sea, in the year 1710. NAME. Upon the name, California, the author has the following observations :— The name by which this country is at present known, is that of California, an appellation given to it at ite first discovery. Some use the mame in the plural number calling it the Californias, intending probably to include that thought the principal isisnd and the | i with multitude ef world, together lesser islands which surround it a all sides. Bat it 7 ‘on er wish Boa [Bie and true in neve of ite sound, the real misfortanes which the first discoverers met with in that country, aod the great d te contein, has greatly excited |jthe curiosity of the inhabitants beth of New Spat: a Europe. But in none of the various dialects o! natives could the missionaries find the least traces of gach a name beteg given either to the country, oreven harbor, bey, or small jon of it. Nor can I the etymology of some writers, who eu: pose this name te have been given it by the Spat on their feeling an unusual heat at their first landing here, and thence ca led the country California, a com- pound of the two Latin words calide furnaz, a hot furnace. 1 believe few will think our adventurers ould boast of so mach literature, for though Del Cas- tillo praises Cortes for his being not only a g20d hu- manist, butalso an excel it nd hed taken the of find that either sibly to some words spoken by the Indians, aud mis- understood’ by the Spaniards ; as happened, ascording toa very learned American, in the naming ef Peru; and, also, as we shall shortly show. in giving name to the nation of Guaycura. NATURE OF THE COUNTRY. With respeet to the nature of the country, we read. The idea, therefore, which, from good authority, is to be formed of California, as discovered for near 300 leagues up the country. is not very advantageous; but, notwithstasding this country in general ie ragged, ereggy, and barren ond the air disagreeable and un- healthy; yet near the coast there are several spots thet may be greatly improved by sgriculture, would rod! ll the necessaries of life. The vicinity of moderates the heat of the at- without which indeed, fail, om account of the little rain. certainty of it Li for pasture and ti)! fornia there tolerable roil, their dwelliogs; and hi is the of the missions and the villages within their visitation: BATURAL HISCORY—DOMESTIC AND WILD ANIMALS. On this topic we find the following interesting remarks i— In Cal fornt avimals com’ @ now found all kinds of domertio fi Mexico ; for eh, they have mules, nsees, ) and gow doge ond cata, have been found to thriv. country. inCalifornis there are two spesies of wiid creatures for hunting, which are not known in Oid or New Spain. The first is that whieh the Californiens fn the Monqui tongue call Taye It is about the big- ness of # calf # year and @ half old, and greatly rovem- Dies it in figure, exeept in its head, whieh ie like that of = deer, and the horns very thick, resembling thore of a ram-ite hoof large, round, and cloven, Une that of an ox- ite skin fi tted like the deer. but the hair thinner, and it has ‘ery palatable. avd to most tastes exquisite. The ne- fers very little from a sheep, but a great sh are of two colors, I. bite, and wild goats, their hunt- ® Mexiean of a peculiar species bling the foxes atagema, thoagh ‘ds also have nd are the same creatures with those otkingdam of Mexico. A few years z tho name of the prinetpad town. In which nmaally ro. pile Satedenary, Whe Feicttee? ee seyecal mall ilgso ‘odians kill gre: but the osyotes are a nd in New Spatn t THE NEW YORK HERALD. “MORN NG EDITION----MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1849. TWO CENTS. wolf, and all their ooun- try: affirmed that it was the first they had eversesa, of that kind which proves rbat there are few of them, the Indians being continually hunting in the forests, Goats. cate, and wild hoge are frequently found smong the mountains. Father Torquemada observes, that about Monverry are very large bears, an animal some- thing like « buffalo, and a creature very different from the tiger as will appear from the following deseription he rf It ts about the bigness of steer, jtag—ite hair resemb'es that of a pe- ard in length—its neck hi like those of a stag— ls ® yard in length and haifa yard in breat and the feet cloven like those of an ex. The father relates, that ia the bay of San Bernabe, Cape Lu tigers cre feund. and thet the G x things, brought the skins of them oO paniards. But the greatest curiosity fn thie particular, which has been found tn California, ies kind of auimal exact- ly resembling a beaver, if not actually « species of that creature. Father Sigismundo Taraval saw several dur- ing bia journey, in the year 1733, to the island De los Doleres. in a part called San Andres, four days and @ half journey from the mission of San Ignatio. They found such numbers of them toget her, that the seamen Killed above twenty of them. following them only with sticks Some of the skins of there creatures the father sept to Mexico. He suppones these animals to be amphi- biour, like the bes jut pays nothing of that skill and regularity so much admired in the structures whish Ss ee ja beavers build along the rivers for their ha- tations. REPTILES, strial insects, besides those which usual: rf Last, ie general] asty abound with thos BIRDS. Of birds there is an inGnite variety. Among those which serve for the table, are turtles, herons, quails, phearants, geese, ducks, and pigeons. The birds of prey are vultures, bawks, falcons, oasiphrages, horn- ‘owis, ravens, and crows, which in New Spain are called in the Mexican dialect, zopilotes; and another kind called auras. of excellent ure in keeping the citias clean, leaving no dead carcase in the streets, whither they repair early every morning. With regard to night birds, there are owls, and many others of » smaller hind, not seen in any other parts, nor mentioned by ny paturalists; nor have the natratives of the Jesuits supplied us with a description, er even the name of them. California bas a great variety of singing bird: especially of thore kinds found either in Old or Ni Spal larke, nightingaler, and the like, most of ¥ Father geese, thrushes. swallows, quails, partridges, blac wi egtails, cranes, vultures, and other birds, re- sembling turkey-cooks; the latter were the largest we ever saw.the distance from one wing to the other being seventeen palms. He adde, that there are cormorants, ulle, and mews. The same author says, that in the lend of Assumpcion they saw great numbers ofa par- ticular species of gulls, which, as they are found in se- veral parts of California, it may not be improper to in- sert here the description of them, by friar Antonio della Atsumpcion, “The guile live on pllcberds and other small fishes; but they are equal large goose in size, their bill a footin length, their long lege re- semble thore of the storks; their beak and feet are like thore of a goore. They bave » vast craw, which in ge down like a leather bottle used in Pera for carrying water; and init they put their captures to ry them to their co o The friendly dispe- tion of these birds is something surprising ; for they assist one another, asif tl hed on uasdal terated use ofreaton. Ifany one is sick, weak. maimed, or other. wice disabled from going in quest of food, he is plenti- fully sesisted by others, who lay it before him: ofthis 1 myrelf was an eye-witnesein the Island of San Roque, where! accidentally founds gall tied with » string, and one of his wings broke; around this maimed bird Isy heaps of excellent pilchards, brought thither by its companions : and this I found was s stratagem prao- tired by the Indians, to procure themselves a dish of fith ; for they lie sealed. while the gulls bring these charitable supp! and when they think that little more is to be expected, they seize uj the contribu. tiops.”” Such are the mysterious ways of Providence for the support of his creatures !”” SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. As the sir and quelities of the earth are nct uniform in all parts of California, so neither are they in the production eftreesand plants. The pointof the pe- nineula towards Cape San Lucas is more level, fertile, and tem ite than any other, and thence more woody. In the other parts, even to the furthest mis- sions on the east coast, no @iscovered large churches or other buildings are fo ‘wood, it has been brought by sea from Cipaloa. In territory of Guadalupe slone are found e quanti. ties of timber, and of this the sloop called el jampho della Crus was built, in order to make s further dis- covery of the gulf, as we shall mention in the sequel. Father Torquemada, and Father Ascencion, indeed sey, that in the bay of Magdalena en the outward there is a spot ef ground near the sea covered with large trees, which 8 we for building their fishing barks, The mountains all ever this vast tract are totally bare of verdure, as the Sierra Pintada; or st most only covered with shrubs, briare, and low trees ; but many of them have excellent fruit, seme cemmon to Europe, and others peouliar to America There, however, are most frequent along thu ceasts, where they enjoy the efit of water, especially on the banks of rivers and lakes; where there are also Some willows and palm- banks of the rivers, especi- as. plants and shrubs which most fornia, the principal is the pil of beeoh, the fruit of which forms the great of the poor inhabitants here. This tree is known in Europe, and differs from all other treesin the world; its branohes are fluted and rise vertically from the stem, s0 a8 to form a very beautiful top; they are without leaves, the fruit growing to the boughs. The fruit is like a horse chestnut, and full of prickles: but the pulp resembles that of a fig, only mere soft and Ju . Im some it is white, in some red, and in others Jellow; but always of an exquisite taste: some again are wholly et; others of a grateful acid. And as the pitahaya is very juicy, it is ebiefly found in «dry soil; but ite most valuable quality is, ite bein, sgainst the distemper de Loanda ‘California has also teat pl f red junas, celled in New Spain, junas japonas, and a particular species of fig. Father Ascen- cion says, “ That the bay of San Barnabe abounds with various trees, as fig trees, lentisks, pitabayas, an infi- nite number of plum trees, which, instead of resin or gum, yield a very fine and fragrant incense in great Seautity. What taste these plums have, | cannot say irem my own experience; but they who ha y been in California, greatly commend them.” In fa is not only in this bey, but in many other parts the western coast, that these plum trees abound fruit of which is carefully gathered by the Indi ‘The in- cenre or resin transudes from these and other trees s0 copiously. that it is used mixed with tal.ow, for paying bottoms of ships. The mountains and forests yield the metcal, and secording to Torquemada the maquey; the roots of which boiled is principal ingredient in the mexealli,a kind of food which the natives presented the Spaniards at the bay of San Francisco. Here are alto wild vines, together with » variety of small plants CALIFORNIA MANNA, Father Piecolo observes, that in the months of April. May, and June, there falls with the dew @ kind of manne. which becomes inapisrated on the leaves of the trees, He adds, that he tasted ii nd though not so white as sugi bad itness of it. ood father talks mmon opinion, as it the manna deopned from the sky; but botanists agreed that it isthe juice exudating from the plan themselves, in the same mann«r el gums, incense, bal- jer that th of medica) ures equal to that of Calabria was an advantage formerly little known in Spain; but hie majesty, on the representation of the Royal’ Col lege of Physicians at Madrid in 1752 orders that embers should mak mination of the produce of manna th joneph Mi puart, and Don Chrirtopher Velez { The forme: rent umong the meuntains of Avila, and the among the Pedreches, or seven towns of Cord tuated among the mountains of Andalusi ite virtues should experimentally be hibiting it to the patients in the hospitals. deen found, that Spain alone produces 0 suff. cient to supply the whole world—for ly an in- credible quantity of it is gathered in the parte above- mentioned, where it is formed about the dog dave, but likewire in the mountains of Asturias and Galli- evs, Cuenca, Aragon. C ‘and the other pro- bat hitherto it was only used by the bees in forming thelr combs. . ; ’ * wi ia—and that , by ex. Al a Tehes PEARL FISHERIES, The moe the tortoin a numbers, that, in quite covered with them, Oa South sea are some ll shell fish or nd perhaps the mort beautifal tre exceeding tha: appearing through the world; finest mother of pe erent varnith of: it ia thought that 2q0® marine would be no u ently are found, the latter belog bi- They are cal a valver, like our oysters. and found in Californ faye, along the whole ielands, where there are s0 * Very amall inreots, which lie bid tn the dost. lop like fons, and werk themétlve into the feet or legn of thove that xo bare: 4 40 wonderialls, that they moreet men there is out canterixing or entting off the part {This valunb'e peyeon, to te in. died me Madi ‘®t Jona of botanical improve- a mi 88, H parte ot reependence valued b: adg- pe Jeerred of reveral uations, memed. according w human ment, tore der him worthy of a louger lifo, they be counted by thousands And this abun- pearls has betty te Facet og ty Ca, Seow ot great numbers of persons during the two last cent stimulated by avidity after this treavure, have visited California, searched every of the gulf, and are still continually resorting hither with no other view than that of enriching themselves by these pearls.— ‘The oysters in which they are found lie Ld nom- bere on banke in the gulf. and commonly 1d bostias. “The sea of Californis,” says Father Torquemads, affords very rich pearl fisheries, where. in three or four fathoms water. the bhotiss beds of oysters, may be n the surface ot the wa- oysters into the fire, by which means the destroyed; for they used only the flesh of the avidity of others has com: toated tothis simple people; who are careful to k bat ly valued by foreig by divers; but as th deep. itis attended with mach lees labor a than those on the coast of Malabar and ot! the East Indies. ifwe may judge from the narratives pe us of them. Great pumbers resort to this fishery m the continent of New Spain, New Gallicia. Culta- can, Cinaloa, and Sonera: and the many viclences committed by the advesturers, to satiate if possible their covetous temper, have occasioned reol complaints: ner will they ever cease while the desire ofriches, that bane of sosiety, predominates in the human breast. MINERALS. We have only room to-day for the following ex- tract respecting the minerals, and as it is a tit-bit, we reserved it for the last :— ‘We have not hitherto had amy particular acceunt of ite miner but some intelligent persons are of o that the Sierra Pintads (probably what is now ka: aa the Sierra Nevada—Ed N. Y H] and other parts abound with metalr,as they exhibit allthe marksaud appearances of gold and allver mines. Capt, Woods Rogers says, that some of his men saw on the coat of Calfornia several heavy glittering shining stones,which Imagined to contain some valuable metal; but it then too late to search for them, or evem to carry nm board fora furtherexamination. It is indeed that there are many very zich mines the opposite coast in the province of Pimeria are known to al jar 1780, a vein was discov dane and it remained 80: a mine, or treasure: also been discove! veins of oth Is : rock It is also found here, of a whiten equal to crystal, and samples of it have been carrie: Mexico, . Some have . . . . . . THE PROVINCE OF SONORA, MEXICO. The province of Sonora lies east of California, the gulf ofthat name running betwixt both; and thus, as we have raid. washing both coaste. It is the Jeast previa of the Spanish dominions in Ameries, along ‘he coast of the South sea: for though that of New Mexico, which lies northeast of Sonora, be in a higher latitude than this, it is a province on all sides envi- Toned by land, without any issue to theses, The go- verp! t of Sonora reached northward from the mouth of the river Hiaqui, to the Apaches, who hitherto have been the soourge and the terror of the whole country. . . . . ITS SILVER MINES. Soncra may be said at the same time to be one of the poorest and richest provinces of America, and of the world. ides ita fruitfulners in all sorts of useful tables, it is everywhere full of veins of silver ore miner, and of such richness that what exceeds all credibiiity before the Supreme Cou be depended on, Potosi and the other min rich, are no lopger to be principally admired, Sonora afferding mountains, wanting very little of being en- tirely composed of messy silver. Several Spanish families in different oamps or settlements, make con- siderable advantages of these mines: yet is this pro. vince one of the poorest, and in the whole world there is scaree @ more manifest proof of that truth, though but little attended to. that the wealth and power ofa State does not consist in gold, silver, gems. and the noble metals, but in the number and industry of its inbabita: @ well cultivated soil. gra; ) end ve riety of manufactures for consumption and exporta- tion, and the exact administration of justice. . . . EXTRACT FROM CAPT. WOODS ROGERS’ DESORIPTION OF CALIFORNIA, 1N 1710, In some of their necklaces | ebeerved two or three large fony md our Spanish prisoners told me that they founda great many in the gulf of California, where the missionari tettied ; they added, that the internal part of the country, as far ss the conti- nent of Me: is ws fertile and pleasant, abounding ia and all kinds of prov’ when Off to sea, some of our people to!d me earance, as if they contal: ps some kind of ut thelr information was given too late, oth- should have taken some of them on board, for periments on them. . . . . . This ment, and 1s interspersed with very judicious and sensible remarks, which appear to be dictated with the greatest attention to exactness and vera- city. We may probably make some additional book 18 full of instruction and entertain- extracts on a future occasion. The Effect of the Gold Mines of Californt on the Su of Precious Metals in the World. bat [From the London News, Jan. 8.) In the descriptions of fd mines and rivers flowing over golden sands, we must be prepared for a little over-coloring and exaggeration. Mines have always excited sanguine ho; ind dreams of exhaustless wealth; but they have as often been followed by disappointment. The tongue waxes eloquent on so alluring a theme, and the chance of failure 1s never once contemplated. The disap- ele hopes of former adventurers, the dear- ought results of experience, have little effect in damping the ardor of those in quest of mineral treasures. Mii re still rich, or still abundant, and dividends in prospect alw: large; but the reality eventually proves only a shadow of the ex- pectation. The abstract calculations of the poli- tical economist, who closes a mine the moment it yields no J Seat are contradicted often by expe- Tience, and we see mines now in South America producing gold and silver abundantly, which give no profit to the atill hopeful proprietors; the expense of working exceeding the value of the produce. Now, if the descriptions of the golden treasures of California be true, another element comes into the calculation never anticipated by the economist. Large quantities of the most precious of all metals are found scattered on the surface of the earth and the fortunate adventurer may enrich himself “beyond the dreams of avarice,” almost without labor, without capital, and with no care but what cupidity generates. Poor, ragged, and useless in the paths of industry, he digs up the rich sand with a rude instrument, washes it in ustensils equally imperfect, and discovers particles of glistening gold, asa sediment, which repay him a hundred-fold for his trouble and labor. The minciple that the value of the precious metal: ike other products of industry, is determine: hel) by the cost of production, and thea y scarcity, ideas of utility, convenience, and such like, seems to be neutralised by this new dis- covery; and assuming that the precious metal is found in anything like the quantities represented, it becomes a curious question how far such a dis- covery may eventually affect the value of gold and silver in Europe, elected as standards of value, or measures of other things, by certain peculiar attri- butes, euch as regularity of value and comparative indestructibility: and it is also worthy of inquiry how far industry and production may be excited by a sudden and unusual increase of gold; for there can be no question that at least a temporary sti- mulvs will be given to manufacturing industry thovgh it cannot be said that the mere increase of the precious metals, without respect to other things, can add anything to the wealth of a couniry. I the abundance of gold flowing from America to Europe be such as to exceed the demand, the value of gold will fall, the price ot all other com- modities relatively rise, and the proportion between gold and silverbe disturbed, so as to affect the tan j of value in each country, and the of exchange between one and another. The steadi- ness and regularity of price of both metals, which have prevailed in our experience, may not prove the regularity of supply trom the mines; but they certainly prove that the progress of civilisation, the increase of wealth,commercial enterorise, and other cognate causes, have by degrees absorbed any su- perfluity of the precious metals. The increase of wealth in modern nations, almost universal, has greatly increased the consumption of the precious metals in manutacture; and we may reasonably infer thet the ealculations put forth twenty years ego, of the actual drawal of gold and silver from circulation, and their absorption in the arte, are far exceeded in these times. Every one is cognizant of the vast increase of gold watch cases here, and especially on the Continent; and we may undertake to eay the amount of silver plate 1s very much greater than it was filty years ago. There is no doubt the productiveness of the silver mines is greater and more regular than those of gold, and tne tendency would be a elight varia- tion in the relative proportion; but the enormous inereaee of silver currency on the Co: United States, and even in India and our own colo- mee, has kept the price of silver a little below 53 an ounce. On the other hand, our stancard of value being g«ld only, with the exceptional case ot a the United States, the drain of gold 1s generally towards England, while that of silver 18 always tothe Continent. There being no market ia Eng- land for oy considerable quantities of silver, the price would inevitably fall here, s foreign demands have been supplied ; and, on the contrary. there being mo considera market for gold abroad, the price would fall, if eur standard were silver instead of gold. We do not doubt that the mint price of gold here—£3 178. 104d. an ounce—and the price at which the Bank of Eng- land are compelled to purchase—£3 17s. 9d. an ounce—are causes which not only regulate, bu! within certain limits, determine, the price oi gold throughout the whole world. Su , for & moment, the circulation of England, exceed- ing thirty mulliona, and the bank store of fif- teen millions, to be thrown on the markets of Europe by an alteration of the standard. of value—how material would be the fall in priee! It is only rich countries that can afford to buy the precious metals in any quantities; and it is only the richest of all countries that can afford a metallic currency of gold. But then it is equally obvious that England would be first and most ma- serially affected by anylarge and sudden produc. thon of her standard of value; for, although Ameri- ca would be enriched by the diecovery of the pre- cious metals within her own territories, it is only because she would possess a larger fund change for more useful and necessary products of labor. Gold isonly valuable in proportion to its exchangeable capacity, and the United States would, therefore, send to Europe all the gold which their necessities did not require; more- over, it would flow out of America naturally, by the exchanges favoring its expo: tation. The amount of specie which has lately passed through this country, chiefly consisting ot silver bullion and coin, nas been unusually large, and yet without causing any material variation in price—a circumstance rather extraordinary, happening as it does intace of continental revolutions, and other disturbing causes. If rich countries only can afford to buy the prec! metals, how is it to be explained that when the same countries are paralysed by re- volut:on, and credit 18 at low ebb, a greater demand for silver should exist than before? Without pre- tending to any accuracy en the subject, we may presume that several causes have concurred to in- crease the movement of bullion from country to country: such as the low state of credit and want of confidence that withdraw from bills of exchange their ordinary secunty, and the practice of hoard- ing which instantly springs up whenthe small black cloud 1s seen en the horizon. A smallercirculation of metallic currency 18 required in times of peace and prosperity, than at other times; for credit in the one case becomes a kind of currency of itself. When prosperity ebbs, gold and silver leave the provinces and flow back to the heart from whence they were propelled—the Bank of En land. ‘With regard to gold, we may here observe that within the last forty years a new source of,produc- tion has come to light, unknown to our forefathers, which, no doubt, has tended to keep up the supply in Europe. ‘The discovery of the art of refining silver by sulphuric acid, or of separating gold from silver, with which it 1s found incorporated, at a cost far less than by the old parting process with mitne acid, has brought every grain of gold into profitable use where the contents in the silverexceed the expenses ot the operation. Thus, if we st» ee twelve grains of gold per pound weight to ave been necessary to pay the cost of the old process, Jess than three grains in each pound of silver not only pay the expenses of the eperation now, but leave a profit to the refiner ; may be said that full twelve grains of gold, or in value two shillings, have been recovered, which were formerly lost; and this upon the vast amount of silver containing gold must have been during the last sorry geure very considereble. The Sycee silver from China had twelve grains and more, which added nothing to the value of the siiver, where it could not be extracted ; but in Europe the gold enhances the value by nearly the whole con- tents. It as not St! to affirm the amount of gold which would affect the value of the precious metals in Europe; but assuming that the mines at present adequately supply our demands, and equalize trom year to year the quantity withdrawn trom circu- lation, and lost by abrasion and other causes, we should say thatit 1s quite possible the treasures of California may effect euch a result. It was a con- siderable time afterthe discovery ot America be- fore the increase of the precious metals was telt sensibly in Europe. Twenty years and mere had elapsed, even afterthe discovery of the rich mines of Potosi, before any sensible rise toek place in tices. Adam Smith the eflect was searcely felt before 1570. But then it ought to be observed that the precious metals had been ally di- minjshing ; that min’ ng was little understood; and that increasing civilization among mankind tend- ed to a greater use and consumption of the precious metals. Before the mines ot America opened their prodigious treasures to the cu- pidity ot man, the proportion of silver to gold was a8 12 to 1; now itis 15 tol. The amount of silver, therefore, increased in a greater ratio to gold, as might have been expected. The relative amount of silver to gold has been computed at about twenty-two times more ; but there scarcely can be any doubt that the portion now is far higher, probably 60 to 1. The best testimonies agree in the opinion that the relative proportion in value 1s no measure of the relative quantity of the precious metals. All experience confirms that opinion ; so that, in considering the influx of gold into Europe, there are elements which enter into the caleulation beyond supply and demand. Never- theless, it appears probable that, considering the limited market for gold, and the extensive market for silver in Europe, any considerable influx of gold, while silver remained as before, would even- tually change those propoi is on which our standard is based. Tze value of silver would not fall, aseuming the supply and demand to be equalised; but gold would fall in relation to silver, and the proportion of 15 to 1 could no longer be maintained. Then prices would rise of all articles now estimuted in our currency —t. ¢.,an ounce of gold would exchange for less than at present. And, assuming the price of sil- ver to keep up as heretotore, about 58. an ounce, our sovereign would be valued less in other coun- tries, and all exchange operations would be sen- sibly affected. The only countervailing influence in the reduction of gold, to say, only double the price of silver, would be an increased consumption in articles of taste and manufacture, which, how- ever, can only be speculative and uncertain. Itis said, by the last ‘accounts from California, that 500 miles lie open to the avarice of gold hunt- ers, and that some adventurers have collected from 1,200 to 1,800 dollars a day; the probable average of each man’s earnings being from @8 to $10 a day, or, let us say, £2 sterling. The same authority avers, there is room and verge enough for the profitable working, to that extent, of 100,000 pereons. And it is likely enough, before long, that such a number may be tempted to seek their easily acquired fortune in the golden sands of El Sacramento and elsewhere. Now, two pounds aday for each man would amount to £200,000, which, multiplied by 800 working days, will give £60,000,000 a year! That is, £600,000,000 in ten years! A fearful amount of gold dust, and far more than enough to disturb the equanimity of ten thousand political economists. _ “ The gold utensilstound among the simple-minded and philosophic Peruvians, (who wondered at the eager desire of Christians for what they scarcely valued,) will be esteemed trifles with hod ay he palaces, and halls paved with gold, when Califor- nia shall have poured this vast treasure into Europe. When we conceive 100,000 gold finders, we think it possible; and when we hear of each man gaining twe pounds value of gold each day, the amount seems too small to excite our surprise; but when we employ old Cocker to realize the re- sult of a year’s working, then we produce some- thing infinitely surpassing those fabulous countries where gold was a common thing, and the works of those enchenters who had uncontrolled command over exhaustless treasures. Assuming, in round numbers, each 2,000 Ibs., or troy ton, to be equiva- lent to £100,000 sterling, the above amount in one year would represent six hundred tons, and in ten years, 81x thousand tons ot gold! The imagination of all-plouding industrious England is incapable of graeping so great an idea! if Can there be any doubt, then, of a revolution in the value of the precious metals? So far from this prodigious amount of gold being necessary to that end, we have reagon to think that @ tenth part, or #)x millione'a year, would materi haben ns im prices and exchanges. It is more than probable that the preduce of the Russian mines alone, which is very great, though not on the increase, is ade- quate to supply the whole manutactories of Europe, nnd compensate for wear and teur of articles in use, and abrasion of comed money; so that six millions sterling a year thrown upon the matket would be a superfloity. : In judging of the produce of California, asa new. source of supply to mret the probable exhanetion of the Rvesian mines, end the falling off of those in Birail, which do not xppear to detray the outlay upon them, we must bring exper nce and probabi- lity #s our.guides, Mining has alwaye, we know, been a precarious operation, roimous generaliy to uidividuale, but always adding something to the it does when | to ex- | and thus it | general stock. And if we take as an example the actual produce of Spanish America, which excited the same sanguine hopes, and compare the probable produce of California, as estimated on the preced- ing data, which exceeds by far the whole from that source, we may reasonably infer that the mania will eventually either end in delusion, or be produc- tave of more misery than wealth. Europe will be no richer by an extravagant supply of the precious metals. If gold fall in price, it will exchange for less, and that ie all; 1¢ will disturb existing arrangements, and materially touch rents and fixed incomes,while any good resulting 1s problematical, And itought to erved, as another reason against such anex- travagant hysothesis as that ek forth, that the known returns of the mines of Spanish America— esteemed greater than the earth had ever before yielded from her capacious breast-comprised both gold and silver. If we suppose there are nuw 5,000 men in the Sacramento washing gold, each of whom obtains two pounds sterling a day, set forth the minimum, the whole would collect £10,000 aday—two hundred pounds weight, or £3,000,000 a year, equivalent to the whole yteldings of the Rueeian mines; and all this without the labor, skill, capital and machinery necessary 1n precarious muning operations. And here, be it observed, is the marvel; nature for the first time known to men, poe from her lap riches abundantly, and, in a indly mood, gives wealth to those who acquire it not according to her ancient decree—industry, or the eweat of the brow. So that if for a moment we can faney the barren valleys of California giving up half an ounce ot virgin gold to each restless and wandering adventurer every day, thus pouring into the world an enormous stream of that wich 18 now considered true wealth, some- thing among the few things of earth esteemed of genuine intrinsic value, we must undo all expe- nience, and believe nature has turned over a new leaf in her great book. ‘ihe question is not whe- ther she acis thus bountifully now, as she has done often before, only to deceive and betray, but whe- ther she will continue so to act; in a word, whe- ther the rources are not merely superficial as well as irregular. But allowing for exaggeration in the description of the golden sands, there 1s this pecu- harity, that where gold 1s found it will at least do more than repay the outlay of time and labor, which has seldom or ever been the case in work- ing mines. “It 18 probable,” says Jacob, on the pregovemetalss “that in all ages those metais ave cost more in their production than their va.ue ever repaid.” And the same writer observes that even the most promising mines declined 1n pro- duce, the celebrated Peruvian mines in the rich district of Potosi yielding atter a time not a third of their original produce. Bui then the mines of Spanish America were, and now are, worked with labor, and at great expense, and their recious products theretore came gradually into urope; whereas, if our Californian intelligence be correct, the probability 18, the supply will be not only great but sudden, and the effect so much the greater. The Mexiean mines which, perhaps on the whole, were the most rich and permanent, yielded, according to Humboldt, the large sum of £364,. 247,739 in 110 years, at the average rate of £3,316,- 706 perannum. And Jacob (p. 167) gives the fol- lowing table :— . + + £706.464,436 £786.454.434 —or an annual product from all the mines of £7,- 146.767, namely, of gold and silver. It is manitest, then, that a sudden supply of even 81x millions a year, Instead of sixty, would pro- duce a material effect on the price ot eld all over the world, su,posing the present supply to be kept upirom other quarters. But we think, judging from experience, that nothing like six millions an- nually will flow trom the valleys of Calitornia. Port Hore, Canapa West, January 23, 1849. State of Things in Canada—The Desre of the Canadians to become Annexed to the United States—The Present Poverty of the Province— The Reciprocity Bill—Tyade, Navigation, &c. My attention has been called by one of our Pro- vincial papers, the Zvronto Globe, to an article in your paper of January 13, under the head of ‘Ca. nada and the United States,” In which you cluse by saying that ‘we have no doubt, that in a few yeare, Her Majesty’s provmces of Canada will be urgently soliciting admission into our Vuion,” and which idea the Globe attempts to ridicule, as quite foreign tothe thoughts of Canadians. Now, the Globe need not attempt to hide the true feelings of a large propertion of the most intelli- gent of the population of Canada West. It the editor of the Globe 1s a0 much opposed to the laws and institutions of the United States, because he could not, or did not, succeed in the city of New York, as he has done since his arrival in this co- lony, that isno reason set he should pretend to write for the whole people ot this fine province. There 18 no one that admires the industry and ac- tivity of the proprietor of the Globe, or the inde- dence ot his paper, more than I do; but when e takes the unea led tor position that he does, at umes, against the American people, their lawa and institutions, {feel that he is writing contrary to the true feelings and wishes of a large and influen- tial proportion of the people of Western Canada. That paper eays, “‘ That there are more in the United States who would be glad to exchange with Hel aes government of Canada, than there are in Canada who desire to join the Stetes.” Thi assertion of the Gtobe anything but correct. my humble opinion, 1 de not believe there 18 even one American citizen out of cevery 10,000, in any county of any State of the Union, that wishes, or could be persuaded to change; and I am per- fectly satisfied that no American of education, or that has any employment in his own couatry, would think for one moment of settling in the pro- vinces of Canada, so long as they remain under Bntsh rule. As far as emigration is concerned, that link that binds us te Great Britain 1s our greatest drawback, and until it is severed, and which the writer trusts is not far distant, we need not expect to have the wealthy, intelligent, and en- terprising American citizens settling in our pro- vinces—not even the wealthy. | Emigration trom Great Britain or Europe comes to these colonies, and why? Simply because they are colonies, without any fixed or settled govera- ment that can be depended upon. Let us once become a part of your great and flourishing repub- lic, and instead of being, as we are now, in a state ot utter bankruptcy and ruin, we would soon be- come ore of the first States of the Union. Our ition places us as the high road between your tern and Western States ; our climate and soil for growing grains of all kinds; our fine rivers and smaller streams ; our May in and lead snes; our fine forests of timber for ship building and other purposes—all these, combined with an emi- gration of your enterprising Americans, would soon Rive us the rank of the first ot i great States. ‘he price of land in Canada (leaving the towns and cities out of the question) has not advanced in value with the lands even of your States lying far west of us; that certainly does not show a pros- perous state of things, and { can only account for the non-advance in price of cultivated lands, trom the want of the right mig we only have the paupers of England coming to our provinces, 80 long we shall remain at a stand still. I believe {am stating that which cannot be contradicted, that farms in this district, one of the finest districts in Canada West, would not bring er acre us much now as they would fifteen years book. Can the Globe account for such a depressed state of things? Will it not admit that if we could once get the right kind of emigration to this pro- vince, to settle our wild lands, that property would advance in value? Yes, instead of forests, we would see cities spring up as 11 by magic; we would have cities equalling your Bulfalo, Cincin- nati, Chicago and other great cities of the West, that have sprung intoexistence w:thin the last few years. Our province would soon fill up, and our exports would then exceed our imports, and in- stead of bankruptcy, we would soon become a wealthy and prosperous people. I regret exceedingly that Congrees did not pase the reciprocity bill, and I do hope, that it may yet pars, and that the bar toa closer tie may be at once removed. | am eatiefied that if the bill passes, that Canada will most surely, in a few years, belong or be united to your great republic. The Globe would no doubt repudiate such an idea as foreign to Ca- nadians; but notwithstandiog, | do believe that if @ fair vote of the people ot Canada West were taken upon the question of annesation, that the mejority would be five to one in tavor of it. | have seen repeatedly taken a vote upow the question, as votes are taken upon your presidential election, viz: the voir# ol passengers on board steamboats, canal-boate, hotel, public meetings, &c., &e.. &e.; and wherever the question has been tested, have reldom or ever been im the minority; therefore I do think that you are not far wrong in your suppost- ton with Tegard to our soliciting admission into the Union, end I trust that day 19 teat approaching when the colicitation shail be mage, and accepted, Kind of emigration; so long as | for in my humble opinion Canada must remai: stationary until then. Let the wisdom of your Congres push through the Lo pr ga bill had apy restrictions, and the trade of Canada West is secured to New York, the carrying trade to your canals and shipping, notwithstanding all the in- fluence or exertions of the Moatreal board of trade to the contrary, or the repeal of the navigation laws. That it 1s our most natural route o- outlet in the fall of the year, no merchant will pretend to deny. The high rates of insurance, the danger of the gulf navigation, the risk of getting vessels to take treight, and particularly the high rates of freight, will always give the New York route the preference to Western Canadaholders. Flourcan shipped from New York,I believe, at any season of the year, and consequently the holder does not run ony risk of his property being de- tained until spring, when ps:haps his being able to ship im the winter, gives him a large profit on his sales; but on the contrary it he ships by the Quebec route, his property may arrive there too late for shipment that fall and be obliged to go :nto fore until spring, and then perhaps sell ata serious O88. The late member of this county, (Darham) was this day going the rounds of our town, trying to get signers to a requisition to the Shenfi ot the district, (H. R.,) requesting lum to call » meet- ing ot the inhabitants of the districi, to take into consideration the proprie:y 0 petitioning Her Ma- dey goveroment to abandon the ayst>m of tree trade, which is calculated to have a most ruinous eflect upon the colonies. Hs success was only two or three names; such was the information £ received from the gentleman himself; butit he had oflerea'a petition fur signature, praying that Her Majesty’s government would abandon all claim te these colonies, and allow them to torm any new conpection they might wisb more congenial to their ee ant interests, the petition would soon have been filled up. Of course you would no doubt have supposed tnat every man in Capada woald have gone for colonial protection, by the abandonment of free trade; but there are many men in this province that are looking further ahead, and would preter things to remain as they are, kaowing that it will bring about a certain change, so necessary aor the welfare ot Canada. England, I question, will never again put on a duty merely for colomal protection, She will consider which is of the greatest importance to herself—free trade with the world, particularly with the United States, or colonial—and the decision of the nation will be, | free trade with the world, and let the colonies ) take care of themselves. Our Parliament met on the 18th, and you have ere this received our Governor’s speech. He does not promise much, but, I suppose, will do all he can. No Governor is equal to, or can know the wants of the country, like one seleoted trom the people. Everything originates with the ministry; and, thanks to responsible government, they are p'aced in power by the voice cf the people, aad not by the will of a Governor sent to us as for- merly—a man not knowing either the wants or wishes of the people he governs. é I believe one of the first measures that will be brought forward by our ministry will be the reci- procity bill, which will, it 18 generally supposed, pass at once, with, no doubt, the proviso'that your government meets ours upon equal grounds. ie ‘We are also to have a new representation bill brought forward, which will give a large increase of members to our provincial Parliament, adding much to the expenses of the province, the advan- tage ot which is yet to be seen. Canapian. Theatrical and Musical. Bowrny Tueatax.—Gymoastics are all the rage, now-a days; but mot the old-fashioned tumbling and somerseting which, in former days, used to be looked upon as something very wonderful. A different style altogether prevails; and we are now no ways surprised g ® performer bound over a dozem of men, each ith fixed bayonet, and throw te ia the course of the Mr. Hamblin has troupe of real Besou! Fabs. who in this country; and 4 will mi American audience, for the frst time, this evening, at § y id to be the most active, crohate in the world; an \ show what they are caps- ble of accompli! ry interesting drama of the Hermie ed wit hr 10 be pla; Miss Label mye, Mise Taylor, Mr Stevens, &o., will appear in it; and the fates of “Uncle Joba” and the beautiful drame of * Gil Blas,” in whieh Miss Taylor makes such # handsome appearanee as the boy of Santillane, will conclude the performances. Buoapway Tueatax. —“ Monte Cristo” wil! be re- peated this evening, being the commencement of its seventh week. The unprecedented “run” which it yurpasses any thing of the kind ever before pon the public boards in this city; and, as this grand romantic spectacle will close daring the prevent week, those who have not as yet witnessed the entertainment, should avail themselves of the oppor- tunity now offered them. The carnival seene, Grotesque figures, Po- @ already insured for it an enthusiastic reception each evening since its firat in- troduction . _Mesers. Lester, Fredericks, Baker, Had: Fanny Wallack, andze the last week of production, the house will be crowded each excess, Mr. Lester's benefit takes place on day evening. It will be « perfect “ bumper.” Nations, Tuxatae.--What with the new local drama and the other elegant pieces whieh are nightly played at this house, the very large audiences that congregate there every evening, always receive full jsement enough. The company is so strong in all the various branches of acting, from the most serious tragedy down to the last light farce. that every part is yed well, and those inequaltties in the style of mote hich are made #0 apparent in the star system, ere altogether avoided at the National, where we may, ‘With truth say, each ene per: part ro well that they areall stars. This ist! item to nae theatres on, and the full treasury shows conolasively that it isso. To-night, the favorite drama of Wallace” will be am the entertainment of the Scottish hero. Mi dows,’’ rest of the bill. To-morrow evening. Mr. Seymour will his fret benefit. He aleo zcellent Irish actor for so young a We trurt his friends will turn eut strong to a night. Bunton’s Tuzatag. Vanity Fair’ will be repeated this evening, after a very successful run already, at this highly popular and fashionable piace of evening recreation. The burlesque of ‘Monte Christy’ will also be repeated. Messrs. Johnson, Rea, Mortimer, and others, will appear. Miss Chapman, as Mary Cedes, s catamarsn, end metropolitan monufacturer, carrying on @ flourishing business, will also appeer, and the burlesque is got out with much of the ability and comic humor that distinguish the modern pro- ductions introduced upon these boards. Down-East gore — disciosures of the buried wealth of the 1 ‘oney ~ the ‘nival—and other incidents, make production very populer here. The Park Fountsin and City Hall,an apple stand with applee ‘upon it, and ‘al incidents heving @ local reference, will be introduced. The entertainment of the even- ing will pass off with much success, Amrnican Cincus.— Dan Rice, the celebrated Shaks- Perresn clown, will appear here for the first time this evening. He will give hie inimitable Shakepearesn Teadings, being the newest school, and admirably adapted to the ring, and Ml put far in tho Gi:tance similar exnibitio particular line Fly and the grand equestrian troupe be this superb circus, will all appear during th Cunisty’s Minstaere will, to-night, as usual, give one of their admirable concrrts, and will no doubt have as large an audience as They ares most admirable ret of performers, as all the worid kaows,and their latest production, tbe burlesque on the famous * Voyage Musicale,” takes the lead of all their numer- ous and witty cencoctions, They give it to-night, with all the honcrs. New Onteans Seaenavens —Ethiopian minstrelay, asgiven by these singers. is truly a delightful enter- tainment, They combine all the wit and graphite hamor Of the darkey sonsof with the science wad refine- ment of the educated vocalist. Their concerts are frequ-nted by the mostrespeotable and,indeed ,fashion- able of our citizens. Downavan’s Pasonama or Mexico 18 80 well estab- Hiebed im public favor that the exhibition room is crowded each evening; and every one is delighted with the elegant, and what is better, the tratnfal and correct representations given of the besatifal scenery of the interior of Mexico, as also of the stirring nts that took piace there during the late war. It delightful exhibition, Zoorocicat. Hat —Thie will be the last week of the nd exbidition of beasts and birds here. Tae lions, }, elephants, &o arealiin fine condition, and we would earnestly recommend our citizens to see this deautiful eollection before their departure from amengst us, Crinese Museum.—The outside barbarians, as the Chi @ term ali foreigners, wil soon be as fally ac- 4 with their manners and customs as they aro if this Museum remains here leng, as it is crowded every day. We ore not surprised at this, ax a ‘and ipstraetive way of passing @ morning not be found than visiting tuis exton~ sive col'ection,