The New York Herald Newspaper, June 20, 1849, Page 1

HIGHLY INTERESTING FROM CALIFORNIA. THE DETAILS OF THE NEWS BROUGHT BY THE STEAMSHIPS Oregon, California, and Crescent City. ARRIVAL OF THE NORTHERNER AND FALCON, MOVEMENTS OF THE PR:C OUSMETALS, Special California Correspondence OF THE NEW YORK HERALD. Abundance of Gold in the Placers, Arrival of Gold in the Falcon. ARRIVAL OF EMIGRANTS AT SAN FRANCISCO, SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE, Bier, div dice The steamship Northerner, Capt. Budd, arrived here early yesterday morning, with Charleston papers of Saturday last, and New Orleans papers of the 1th, The latter contain the details of the Califomia news brought by the Crescent City. The Northerner also brought a portion of the mails from California. The steamship Falcon, Capt. Hartstien, also arrived yesterday. She comes from New Orleans, whence she sailed on the 12th inst., and Havana, whence she sailed on the Lith inst. Capt. Edward W. Serrell, of the Panama Sur- veying Lxpedition, also arrived here yesterday * morning from New Orleans, withdespatches from Col. Hughes, for Messrs. Howland & Aspinwall. He came through from New Orleans without stop- ping—in quick time. We have received by the Northerner and Fal- cen, and by the overland mail, the bulk of our California correspondence. It is highly interest- ing, and quite voluminous. We also received a file of the Alta California, and the Califorman. ‘We annex a part of our correspondence, We will give some extracts from the Alta California te-morrow and next day. Most of the passengers who left here in the Fal- con were transferred to the steamship Alabama, at New Orleans, and were to sail for Chagres on Saturday last. The difficulty between the passen- gers and the ship’s efficers, at Havana, is said to have been a trifling affair. Eleven passengers lett the F. at that place and took passage for Chagres in the steamship Isthmus ; but this was the con- dition appended to the tickets of the greater part of them; the larger number, however, came to New Orleans in the Falcon, and were there trans- ferred to the steamer Alabama, the consignees paying all reasonable expenses while they remained in New Orleans. No dissatifaction was expressed, but, on the contrary, the passengers who were thus transferred, sent to Capt. Hartstein, of the Falcon, a letter expressing thanks, and couched in highly complimentary terms. A similar letter was addressed to the agents of the United States Steam- ship Company, at New Orleans. The passengers who came in the Falcon from New Orleans brought considerable gold dust and lumps of virgin gold; but as they did not report the amount, we have no means of ascertaining how much of the precious metal has thus reached this city. We hear, however, of $150,000 brought by two of the passengers—Captain Forbes and Capt. Loring. This valuable lot consisted of dust col- lected from the rich sands of the Sacramento. We learn that R. N. Berry, the individual who was lately rendered somewhat notorious in Boston, by numerous alleged forgeries, was one of the Falcon’s passengers from Charleston to New Or- leans; and he is now far on his way to California. He left here in the Northerner, and went on board the Falcon at Charleston bar, under the assumed named of Curtis. While recording the exodus of remarkable individuals, we may as well state that Higham, the prince of billiard players, better known as the Albany Pony, went out in the same ship, having previously sent a lot of billiard tables round Cape Horn to San Fransisco. Captains Forbes and Loring state, that all that has been eaid of the richness of the California gold country is literally true, and that much more might be said, and still be true. Captain, Tucker who came passenger in the Fal. con, states there was but one American vessel at Chagres — schooner Ione, from New Orleans, and a schooner and brig in the offing, (the brig was suppoged to be the Mary C. Draper, from New York.) The steamer Orus was alongside, taking out passengers. The schooner Neomia, of Balti- timore, sailed the 20th ef May for New Orleans, with five passengers. Captain Tucker reports 14 sail of square rigged vessels lying at Panama, waiting passengers. Weare again under obligation to the officers of the Falcon, especially to N.S. K. Davis, and Mr. Seymour, clerk, for papers and verbal information. The Golden News. [From the New Orleans Crescent, June 11.] ‘The steamship Crescent City, Capt. Stoddard, arrived rday afternoon from Chagres, which place she Tete on the 4th inst., making tho pasrage in alx days. The Creseent City (by epecial order) brings three mails, consisting of fifteen mail bags, some as far back as March last. Their delay has been owing to the de- tention of the steamer, caused by the want of fuel and d by the irregularity in the departure of tho mers from the Isthmus. Capt Forbes, of the steamship California. senger on tho Crescent City, having left San eco on the Ist of M He brin ews to the date of his t. Forbes is @ very intelligent and po- We are indebted to him for the news have above atated. left San Francisco , in the California, and arrived ia Pa- ‘On her way down to Panama she stopped at Monte- ry: Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Blas, and Acapuleo. re was fortunately a large quantity of coal at San Francisco, thrée coal vessels having arrived. At San Blas and other Rointe there was also an abundance The vessels which recently left Panama took nearly all the passengers who had congregated at that point, sothat there are now not mote than forty remaining. ‘The accommodations furnished by the steamer, it is expected, will be ample for all who may arrive.’ The Unicorn is to be added to the Oregon, the California and the Panama, when a steamer will leave San f'ran- fifteen days. An wevidout ama threw upon the Cali- who had purchased tickuts for ‘The steamship Panama, Lieut, Porter, arrived at Pa nama from New York on the 6th of May, making the ‘voyage in 65 days and7 hours, ruaning time Ste loft en the 17th ult for San Francisco, with 30) passengers The Oregon, Capt. Pearson, arrived on the 5th of May from San Franeisco. and éailed May 23, full of pawsen- gers. The California is to leave on the 1ith inst When the Crescent City left Uhagres, there was only one American vessel ut that place —the sehr, tons, of New Orleans. There were also in port thrve email ves- sels from the Carthagenn coast. Me. M.P. Denny died at sea on the Creseont City, on the 6th. Mr Denny js suppored to be of this city. The Crescent City brings 126 passengors. w list of whom we publish in another column. She alvo brings @ mort substantial evidence of the richness of whe gold jona, in the shape of nearly $1,000,000; $500.00) of this are as freight, and the balance is brought by the engere, We learn from Capt Forbos that the mevellons sto- vies respecting the alundance of a are not at all eanggerated, but, on the contrary, fall far short of the reehty. ‘Lhe limite of the meyion in which ths precious MORNING EDITION EDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1849. etal abounds are beeoming more extended eve: y Dy new discoveries. Aslow down the coast as Santa Barbara, near the line of Lower California, gold has been found in large quantities. Pieces of gold weigh- ing 80 ounces are not unfrequently seen in San Fran- eisco, while specimens weighing from two to four ounces are common. The abundance of gold, and the facility with which it is accumulated, have very natu- rally produced the effect of raising the price of labor immensely, So strong is the attraction towards the mines, that there are at San Francisco upwards of fif- ty vessels, of different nations, deserted by their crews, Although $100 per month is freely offered for seamen, none can be engaged, even at that high rate. ‘The U. 8. slcop-of-war Warren arrived on the 30th of April, and within twenty-four hours fifteen men deserted and took their way to the mines, It is almost impossible to retain men on board the government ships. San Francisco is crowded with immigrants, such Yast numbers of whom are continually pouring into the place. Accommodations of any kind are searcely to be obtained. ‘The meanest hut or shed, such as here wouid be considered uninhabitable, commands enor- mous rent. Good provisions are almost equally searee. ‘The coarsest kind of food must be used, a4 no other can be procured. No person stays any longer in San Fran- cisco than he can help; but all who arelucky enough to procure tranrportation, immediately take their de- parture for the mining districts. When they arrive there, they find no difficulty in accumulating almost any amount of the precious metal, Three to four ounces of gold is considered a common day’s work. Less than that induces the digger to move to @ richer spot. Much more is occasionally gained ina few hours, as the possessors of the large luinps may attest. ‘There was a great deal of conversation in California, Tetpecting the establishment of a Provisional Govern- ment; but as yet, nothing had been done ‘The p were auxiously awaiting news of the action of Co upon the subject, not having heard of the fai that body to act upon the matter, Ia the « nothing being done by Congress, it w: derstood that when the miners should return in the fall, a government would bo established, EXCITEMENT IN SAN FRANCISCO—-THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--THE ALCADE—-THE MILITARY AND THE DE FACTO GOVERNM . Since writing the above, we have reecived the Alta California of March 28th, By this paper we learn that there bad been great excitement in San Francisco, caus ed by @ disugreement between the eivil and muitary authorities. ‘The following explanation of the affair we tuke from the Alta Culifornia :— Our town has been eonvulsed within thelast week, with the intelligence that the military had arrayed it self against the people, and that the commanding offt- cer of the Pacific Division had in effect pronounced the action of the Legislative Assembly for this district, null and void. On the hoisting of the American flag in this place, in July, 1846, the American forces found here an Alcalde, who had power corresponding to that (as near as we have ascertained) of a police magistrate in the United States, who was authorized to kell one town lot of fifty varas équare to any individual who would bind himself to fence it aud erect building upon it within one Year, who had the control of public funds, and who eol- woted and expended the revenue, ‘This state of affairs ras continued by the American authorities until Au- gust. of 1847, when Gavernor Mason authorized the election of six citizens to constitute a Town Conucil. The Alcalde eat with them as president of the board, and had a casting vote. This body continued in exint ence until the 81st of December, 1648, when it expired we. limitation. The; ata alaw authorizing a uew election on the 27th of December, for se’ mem- bers of new council to succeed them. This election was duly held; but ® majority of the ald council were not satisfied with the result, and declared the election nugatory, because fraudulent votes were polled thereat, and ordered a new one. Four-fitths of the eitizeus thought that this was an unwarrantable assumption of power on the part of the old town council, and they would not attend a new election, An election was held, however, by the fac- tionists, and we then had the spectacle of three town councils in existence at one andthe same time, The old council finally voted iteelf out of existence on the 15th of January. 1849, and the other two kep! up a eross fire of counter enactments for » fow weeks longer. ‘I'he minority town couneil finally thought it necessary to correct the abuses of the Alcalde’s office; but no sooner did they venture on this forbidden ground, than a chairman of one of their committees was arrested by the Alcalde, and would have been imprisoned, had not the citizens interfered and reccued him from the sheriff. During all this time the office of Alcalde bad been a serious evil to the people of this town and district, by reason of its assumptions, and tyranny, and fraud; end within the last few months, the Alcalde had been twice invited to resign by the citizens. Despairing of ever being able to etablish public justice on a proper bacis, #0 long a8 the people were at the mmaray of this officer, a convention of the people of this district was then called, at which it was resolved to elect a le lative assembly of fifteen members, who should have power to make such laws as might be deemed neces- sary, provided they did not conflict with the constitu. tion of the United States, nor the common Jaw thereof. This legislative body was to exist for one year, uuless sooner superseded by competent authority. It was fondly hoped by the disposed eitizens of San Francisco, that the establishment of this legisla- ture, and the election of three justices of the peace, would give s new impetus to the prosperity of the place, and elevate its character abroad. It was well known that the Alcalde, in defiance of law end justice, had been in the habit of selling town lots, and other property of the town, and that the pro- ceeds of such sales bad been for © long time unae- counted for. The Legislature, desirous to secure such roperty to the benefit of the public, passed a law for- idding euch sale, or any other disposition of publie property, snd making the offence punishable by fine and imprisonment, It was also charged, and not doubted, that the public records were mutilated, that the public fands were squandered and not accounted for, and that the administration of justice was a mere mockery, (or rather an outrageous wrong. as practised by the Alealde,) and the legislative body, to correct these abures, and inasmuch as the people had elected three justices of the peace, fixed @ day upon which the office of Alcalde should cease, and ordered him to hand over his books and papers to Myron Norton, a newly elected justice. Upon this Mr. Norton addressed the Alcalde the following note :— San Prawcrsco, March 26, 1849, Sir—By an act of the Legielative Arsembly of the District of San Francisco, parsed Mareh 38, 1849 (a true copy where- of | herewith enclore you,) 1 am authorired to receive, and you are authorized to deliver to me, all books, records, papers snd documents whatsoever, relating to your db longing to the town and district of San ‘T'raucisco, in your Possession. I therefore respectfully request that you will appointa time and place when and where you will be prepared tomake such delivery, and I will wait upon you to receive them. I would respectfully suggest that you name as carly a day as practicable, Very respectfully, your ob’t rerv't, MYRON ‘NORTON, Tantice of the Pesce, and Police Magistrate, Distrletof San Tanciseo. ToT. M. Leavenworth, late Alealde, Dist. San Francisco, No reply was returned thereto, and, after waiting four days, Mr. Norton again addressed the Alcalde, as folloy ; San Fra: Sir—I had the honor of addressin, not 26, 1549, to which I have as yet received no rep! fully request that you will answer the same com- plying with my request, or informing me that you refuse te do 80, ‘Very respectfully, your ob’t serv't, MYRON NORTON, f the Pesce and Police Magistraie, Justi To T. M. Leavenworth, Noreply has as yet been recefved to cither of these notes; but it has transpired that the Alcalde sent Mz, Norton’s first letter to Gen. Smith, and asked his ad- vice in the matter; whereupon Gen. Smith assure him that he is still the Alcalde, notwithstanding the action of the Legislative Asrembly—and he recommends this Alcalde to hold on to his office, and the books and pa- pers thereof, and says that on the arrival of Col, Ma- son, who is more immediately charged with the matters of governmen ining to this territory, the whole subject will him, It does not transpire exactly on what grounds Gen. Smith has seen proper to base this course of action, as he does not give the reasons for his opinion; but it is presumed to have frome connection, remote or near, with the President's ‘age, and the letver of Secretary Buchanan. These statermen, as well as General Smith, well know that the exis peace within the limits of the United States, has no fonction in law or justice. They well know that such 4 government is totally at variance with the lotter and spirit of the constitution—that it is repugnant to eve- ry principle of that great bill of rights—the Declaration of Independence—and that it isin direct opposition to every political feeling which an Amorican citizen has becn educated to support and revere, ane Ce'ifornia then proceeds to argue against the right of Gen. Smith to assume governmental over the territory :— . me “+30 far ne the government was in operation in this territo }o the arrival of Gen. Smith, it wi ie Thment. Trne, it had assumed the y levying a duty on im attempted to give wa, one ©: thority to tax rts; but it hae not given, ie the blessings whieh we hi right to expeet from the power that raises a revenue fo fupport from ms. Tt has not only taxed us without law a without repreeentation, but ithas taxed ws without eve gover: ment, d . ACCOUNTS FROM THE Mr {Correspondence of the Alte California.) Sackamento Urry, Mareh Winter, with its “heavy wet,” fs about over,and spring, wari, genial, and soothing, has opened upon Sacra- mento, No angry skies brood over, nor fluodud plains impede Iccomotion; the winter lethargy that had bonnd captive thousands throughout the valley, has been sud- denly broken by the first bland breath of spring; and everywhere, all are awakened to an energetic renewal of business) A wart sun and mild southerly wind have, during the past month, work»d wonders in dis- Prlling the vapors of the earth. and drinking the moia- ture from path and highway; the roads from this place to different purts of the placers are rendered passable, aud communtention with all points is easy and fre- que’ ‘The spring reason, the opening of the ball, a period in the Hight of 49 to whieh oar entire country has lookid enthusiastically forward, having returned, tpring trade may be considered fairly evmmoneed ; wad this was wnnonuiced last week by divers arrivals from, aud sundry departures for, the various diggings of the great placer, Pack horses and pack wules, loaded upon by, and ly hidden under the great loads of supplies, and huge packs of merchandise, might ha been seen gronped together about stores and landi places. er jogaiog ou at an eaxy pace along the roads leuding hence across the great plain ty the dillerent mountain diggings, And then, too, might be wen gray clouds of dust ip another direction. prociniming fresh ecmors at haod, tast aud furious, with empty pags aad nee of amilitary government in time of | dies and parflech, but well lined buckskin bag, and eager and eharp set for trade Yesterday witnessed the arrival of schooners Catherine and Antonita, each of forty tons burthen and upwards, and also of ‘three launches, at our embacadeto, all from Sau Francisco; it also raw the departure from the fort of eighteen ‘or twenty heavily loaded ox wagons, all destined for the North Fork (American river) and dry diggings adja- cent. Gold washing bas been carried on during the past winter with varied success. At dry diggings, snow fell to the depth of three feet, and remained on the ground several days after each storm. Little gold has been procured, but # d winter hasbeen worn away, and with comparative comfort, it is sald. At Culloma, or the saw-mill where the gold was first dis- covered, the season has been uniformly gentle, and the labors of the gold gatherer attended with partial sue- cees, On the Middie Fork, the average has been about two ounces per day each man, but high water retards the work. and little more wili be done, it is belie until the latter part of May, A large number, pri pally Oregonians. have wintered on Yuba river ably, and with fuir success attending mining operations, the daily average being one and a half and two eunces throughout. ‘The stream is much swollen, but promis- es a golden harvest when the waters subside, River, Bear Creek, Dry Creek, Mokelumne and ne rivers. bave all’ been worked in or inbabited, and their respective enthusiastic little communities with feverish anxiety awaiting & full of the water.” Butit ia Stanislaus that has allured the uninitiated gold hunter to the early conquest—Stanislaus that has gathered the floating population of the mines duri the last month— Stanislaus” that has gone forth rallying ery throughout the valley, and whose waters, it is said, have washed out the shining, beautifal gold as it was never washed out before. We yesterday was shown a piece of remarkable beauty and purity, weigh- ingeleven ounces and three-fourths—for the gold from that stream is generally in large pieces, more generally termed slugs or ccarse, but very tine gold, if you pleas ‘The borders of this Stunisiaus stream form an ine haustibly rich portion of the placer, though because it is at this time * o’erflewing full,” the heavier deposites ot be reached. and labor generally is sequence. The Sierra Nevada, as s Fort, is covered with enow—a sublime scenery of Sacramento is this range o This great bedy ofenow has yet to find the ocean to and San Joaquin rivers, and the waters must remain high until May or June. t*has been commonly stated that gold does not exist south of the Mokelumne river ; it has been found as far south as explorations through hostile bands of Indians have yentured; while the “gold region” has been limited to a strip of fifty miles breadth on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. ‘This conclusion has been derived from a variety of sources, the most poritive said to be theresuit of an actual examination last fall of the Sierra Nevada summits; but the parties engaged in this work do not appear to have pierced the earth to any depth in the search, and finding no gold the reult’ of their labors on the surface, forthwith abandoned the summit for the slope; and at a little distance dcwn discovered first indications of the pre- cious metal, near or on the surface of the course where the raing of heaven have wathed for centuries, “The earth has wonders as the water hath,” and doubt not that gold will continue to be found for years to come, and as abundantly as during eventful °48, ‘The general health of the mining community, and of our thriving Sacramento City in particular, remains 00d, although number of cases of actual scurvy are reported in the several “ diggings,”’ An entire absence of vegetable food, and eourse, irregular diet, have pro- duced this diseate. ‘Two deaths, huye occurred during the winter A teamster named Kains was drowned on Sunday last,in the dyke in rear ofthe Fort. He was intoxicated, and fell in and sank before assistance could be rendered. Sacramento City is building up ra- pidly, and its “manifest destiny” is too perceptible too require comment, Its worm and crumbling port, Sacra- mento, has been converted into an immense mart and business centre, and at the Embacadero good substan- tial houses loom up, or great white teutsylance among the trees in every direction, Houses are erected about us when the means of building are attainable, and can- vase is substitute: re not; it by no means rare to see # frame house shingled with canvass hereabouts, ‘The printing office ofthe Placer Timer, @ little weekly” to be publiehed here, is neerly completed, and the first number will be issued ina few day ‘The mania for making cities (on paper) in this sec- tion of country, is quite as extravagant as that which pervaded the people of the Western States in 1837 and °88, Several new town sites have been actually sur- veyed and regularly laid off, each elaiming, of course, prier and superior advantages over each and all of ite competitors. Among novelties firet and foremost, however, eomes an application of the diving bell to gold gathering. This is teriously intended, and the bell is now bein, constructed at this place by the projector, a practio millwright, and who is very tanguine of success. Scut- tles and cradier will be entirely superseded by this pondrous machine. Companies are forming, and making preparations to bring the hidden treasure within human grasp, by diverting the course of the streams in many places from their natural channels, It is eupposed immense wealth will be realized from the rivers’ beds. In a few days this place will resume its wonted busi- ness bustle, when rare times are anticipated. | We will have but little rain from this time until the setting in of anether winter. A cloudless sky is above us, ver- dant plains and woodlands stretch for leagues sway in the distance—but, in the interval of another year, what changes shall be rung in the beautiful valle: before us! ‘The flood gate to fortune is opened wit the balmy breath of spring; but in the resistless tor- rent pouring in, how great must be the sacrifice of health; how many shall “ by the way-side fall and pe- rich” in the struggle for wealth'—many, very many who are now setting out strong in hope and heart, and buoyant in youth's full vigor! Goods are plenty here, and the advance upon San Francisco prices is but proportionate with the times. Lumber is with the greatest difficulty obtained, al though the Culloma Saw-Mill is running incessantly; eighty cents per foot is not balked atin many instances —we should marvel not to see it at one dollar. Horsos are worth from $200 to $300 each—(worth, did we say? Gross libel upon horse-flesh!) Oxen bring $200 per yoke. Freight from this place to the Dry Diggings is $20 per hundred Flour sells at $30. Beefon the hoof #45, (searce,) and dried beef $75 per ewt., &c. Board at this place, exclusive of lodging, is $20 per week. It would be well were one ef those boarding-house ves- sels, adverticed in the United States, to arrive. We would undertake to insure her owners a fortune “ u; Feather River,” as the raying goes. Certainly at the rate proposed, such an enterprise would be flatteringly encouraged. INCIDENTS, Kc. We extract the following paragraphs from the same maper:— 5 ‘on the paseage of the launch Paullones from this place to Stockton, Mervin R. Whitlock, # seaman on board, as he was coming on deek at the moment the vessel went “about,” was struck by the boom, knocked overboard and drowned. The accident occurred off Stockton point, on Sunday, the 18tn inst. Tho de- ceased was 27 years of age, of steady and industrisus habits, and respected by all who knew him. He was from New York city, and came to this country asa private in the First New York Regiment of Volunteers, aud was honorably discharged at the termination of the war. ‘The houre and store of Dr. Stokes at the Puebla de San José, war entirely destroyed by fire on the morning of the Gthinst, The loss is estimated at about ten thourand dollars. ‘We have received from a friend in Troy, N. Y., six dollars in bank notes, for one year's subseription to our paper, | We shall send the paper; but what use we are }o wake of three two. dollar bills en the Merchants’ and Mechanics’ Bank of Troy,is more than we can imagine. Several iron warehoures and dwellings are soon ex- pected. Among the number, §s one 120 feet long, for the enterprising firm of Starkey, Janion & Co. Passexcens Pen Caxscent City rrom Cuacnes, For New Orleans. A; Mra. Persifer F. Smith, Mrs, Og- den; James Wert and lady ; Mr. Luther, lady and three ehildren ; Capt, Thomas, Mr. P. H. Treadway and lady; ‘W. W. Koyden and servant; A. L. Loring, C. L. Wel- ler, J. Le Fevre, D. K, Dmith, Mesers, Aldridge, Garr, R, Jacobs, C. Taylor, W. Bliven, Morsman, For New York. Engineer Corps of Panama Survey,Col. Hughes,Chief ; Gen, Morris, aa pt General; Capt. Tilghman, W, H. Slidell, Dr. M. B Halstead, J. L. Baldwin, J.J. Wile Col: Maron, U. 8. lisms, W, W. Ridley, Wm. G, Morris, W. J. Gary, W, Grifithe, G. W. Brown, C. B. Hall, W. J. Cor- eoran, J. J. Mapes, John May, E. W. Sewell, Geo, Wolcott, H. D, Stowe, J. W. Stump, W. 8. Ogden, H, M, Milnor, J. Wright, J R, Petherbridge, Win. Hinder, H. ‘0’ Hopper, R. B. varvis, C. H_ Shermai O'brien, Benjamin Burns, D. Facsi, per, Wm. Gordon, and 4 servants Wark, J#t officer, and 12 of the crew sf Bremen ship Humboldt, rold at Panama; Lieut. Porter, U. 8. N.,late commanding eteamer fanama; Capt. Forbes, Inte oom- manding steamer (aliforbia; Lieut. Chandler, U.S. N.; Lieut. Hall, U8. N.; Dr. Radenstein, U. 8. N.; Lieut Bonnyeaxtle, U. 8. A; Mr. Sinclair, 3 ladies, and 2 ser- vante; Mr. Ludium, Capt. Thomas, Capt, Tucker, late commanding steamer Urus; Mr. Osborn, Mr, Harris, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Pareder, Marter Vailerino, Mr, De- nike, Mr. Valentine, Mr. Raymond,and 23 in the stecr- age—Total, 126, In the list of passengers from California by the Cros- cent City, yesterday, will be ived the names of Mrs, Smith, the wife of Gon, ¥, F. Smith, Governor of the Territery; Mrs. Ogden, of Mobile, wife of Major Og- den, U, 8. A.; Col. Mason, U. 8, A., late Governor of California; and several other officers of the army and navy. D. G. Burr, Armstrong, lahan, W, O’Brien, J. W. Cole, G. Deft. CALIFORNIA MARINE INTELLIGENCE. Arrivals at San Francisco, from April 1 to May 1, 1849. April 1—Pernvi go, Dee r, from San Blas, nebip Victoria, Eecutin, las, rig F. Arancand, Cabellero, 103, Valparaiso, Vark San Jone,’ Bobino, Payta, brig Henry, Bedsja, kK, i rk Whitton, ‘tons, New York. 12—Am: brig Euphemig, Newall, 77 tons, Maza‘tan, J—Freneh brig Therese, Lepior, 27 tons, Valparaive, ship Neptunus, Wissing, 2, Valparaiso, . brig Matinda, Jones. 100 tone, Monterey, ty Mai tons, A T ,, 118 tone, A~Obil. ebip rder, 343 tons, Re 13—French ship Staveli, Blanche, d— Dan, bark Wilhelmina, Prehor, 205 tons, Am. bark Undine, Orexon. dum Las okey wile iremdondeny Bomar dy Va" paraiso, 16—Am. ship Henry Nesmith, Elmar, 477, New York. AMT Dan. bate Andzo Rolo, Simtth, 8, Walperaioo Chil. brig Packet of Coplapo, Stewart, 19, do. hip Sylvie de Grasse, Kieh, O41, Now York, lows, Demming, 874 tons, New York, n sehr. Currency, Zane, 87 tons, Taniti, trig Wim, Mill, McDonald, 11) tons, Sydney, New South Wal : Sehr. Milwaukie, Kilburn, 20, Columbia River, 19—Am. schr. Milwaul 19—Ecuador sehr. Loli nis, 66 tons, Ban Blas, at) tons, San Pedro. 19—Peruy, sehr, Gul 20—Beundor brig Pr ‘tubbling, 120, Benecia. 2i—am. sehr. Invincible, U. 8. QF. i's. Dept. it. Lincoln, Hors, do. inet, Wileox, 60, Sandwich Islands, Lif . 15, lo. in, 631, N. York. sabi ip Fanny Forester, Sw bela Paces ary Jaw brig Sacrawer 2, 26—Peruy, brig Andre 26—Tahatian schooner L pray ns Loni Rnenioen 20 Wel paal a] ir, bari ais, Kory 2 paraiso, 28—amerisan bark Superior, Leroy, 978, Cardi, with coal. 28—Frenich bark Victoria, Dubois, 240 tons, Valparaise, Charlotte, Daker, 136 tons, Oahu, t bark Anita, Sancilita, hio, Com, Jones, Sancilita. , Sancilita, re oreship Southampton, Sancilita, iladelphia, Wear, Panaia, Queen, New York. m Sen PVancisco. Ellen, Exleaton, Oregon. 0. Stockton, "ana bee, 1007, Panama, American ship Roa ‘A Chilian schooner, 7 Suu Franciseo, , May 4. for Vanama, ” Englieh bark Mary Capt. Forbes, of the California, to whom lam in- debted for the Toreg at, informs me that all the versels lying at San ixco are without crews—the sailors, and even officers, deserting almost immediately upon their arrival, May 13, spoke Chilian brig Orion, from Valparaiso, with 120 passengers—short of water, Supplied them from the California with 120 gallons, J. W. WILKINS, Purser Crescent City, 1 DEATH OF MR. SINCLAIR. We are requested to announee the death, on board of the steamer Crescent City. yesterday morning, of Mr, James Sinclair, a native of New York, aged about 39 years. His place of residence was Brooklyn, whither he was returning, after some years’ absence, with a competent fortune, His family, consisting of a wifo, » young daughter, and his mother-in law, were with him in board of the bout. Hit child is also at the point of death, not expected to survive. Mr. Sinclair hud been attacked with diarrhoea, which was checked at Chagros, and he was convalescent. A relapse, from imprudence in eating, proved fatal. He was sensible of his end, and just before his death settled his worldly affairs, and made his will. [From the New Orleans Bulletin, June 11.) Among the passengers by the Crescent City, it will be een, are{Colonel Hughes, of the topographical en- gineers, and his party, who have been engaged in ex- ploring and surveying different routes for a railroad ucross the Isthmus. We learn from Col, Hughes that he han been successful beyond his most sanguine ex. Peetations, having axcertained and fully explored and surveyed a aplendid route, from Limon or Navy Bay to Papama, the whole distance of which, from ocean to San Francisco (California), April 7, 1849. Highly Important News from Califerma—Discovery of New Gold Mines—Arrival of the Steamship Oregon at San Francisce—$7,000,000 ef Gold Dust Shipped— The “Placera”—Astonishing Success of Gold Seekers— $12,480 Dug by One Man in Ten Days—What an Em- igrant Should Carry to California—How to Reach the Gold Mines—.A Word of Caution and Advice. Hurra! Here we are, at last, ‘The Land of Promtse— | El Dorado of the West! Our own bright, beautiful, beuntiful California lies before us and around us—her lap full of riches, The blood and treasure of a great nation has been expended in the acquisition of this territory, and the strong arm and powerful mind of the Anglo-Saxon will soon make its rich stceams aud val- leys—its fertile plains, and even its barren hills, to “ bud and blossom as the rose.”” 1 arrived in the steamship Oregon, Captain Pearson, on Thursday morning, April 1. We left Panama, with 250 passengers, (77 in the cabin and 173 in the steerage,) on the morning of Tuesday, the 13th of March, making the trip in 19 days; running time, 1644 days, The pasrage, upon the whole, was a pleasant one : though, ‘4s far as San Blas (where I wrote you), we all “euffered | tome’? under a baking, broiling, tropical sun, Few cooling zephyrs visited us, and consequently the heat and the gold fever—which raged terribly—neatly con- umedus, After leaving San Blas, the weather became | somewhat eooler ; but the poor passengors, who received there late and important intelligence from California, | Were still affected with the malignant disease above mentioned. 1 have not, as yet, heard of a single reco- very. I have not time to give you a detailed account of the but there are some very fanny things which might be told about it. Captain Pearson deserves the highest praise, for the daring and skilful manner in | which he navigated his vessel, up a coast but very little known, and with charts far from correct. He de- serves especial credit for boldly pushing his vessel through the passage in the canal of Santa Barbara, in the middle of the night, and in a dense fog ; and few navigators, unacquainted with the coast, would have entered and left the Bay of Monterey, as he did, in the night, and surrounded’ by » heavy fog. He was for- tunute, however, in having the assistance and counsel of naval officers who had visited the coast, and particu- larly of Mr, De Jongh, of Newport, R. {., who had been master of the Savannah, on her late cruise in the Pacifie, After entering the Bay of San Francisce, which is unquestionably the finest in the world, the Oregon east anchor in Sancllita Bay, six miles distant from San Francisco, and where we found at anchor the United States ship of the line Ohio, Com. Jones, the sloops of war St, Mary and Warren, and the U. 8, store ship Southampton, Salutes were here fired, and the officers of the Ohio came on beard. From them we learned that the steamship California was still at San Francisco. Mest of her men had deserted, and sho ocean, is but forty-six miles, and the summit clovation only 275 feet above the Pacific—the greatest grade on the Atlantic slope being only twenty feet per mile, and on the Pacific elde forty feet, with abundance of the finest timber and other material along the route. Limon Buy is not only free from apy bar, but has one of the finest harbors in the world, with abundance of water for the largest ships of war, close up to the shoro, whcre the road will be located. The works on the road will be commenced imme- diately, and completed and in operation within two years> We farther learn from Col. Hughes that besides the gold in the Crescent City, two millions more had cross- ed the isthmus during the month of May,e portion of it only from California, and the balance from the south, though a part of the latter had no doubt originally come from California. ’ Col. Hughes’ party are all well, except Captain Tilgh- man, but who is not considered seriously ill. One of the passengers in the Crescent City died on board yes- terday morning of cholera—he had buen a resident for 17 years in California, and was returning with his fa- ily, having acquired « large fortune during his re dence, of which he had $80,000 in gold om board the Crescent City. Our Special California Correspondence. On Boarp tHe Carscent City, i Orr tHe Baize, June 9, 1849, Arrival of the California—Her News—Her Cargo of Gold —Her Passengers—The Passengers of the Crescent City, $e. $e. I have the pleasure of at length addressing you, and of announcing to you the arrival in Panama of the long looked for steamer California, on the 22d of May last, after rather a long passage of twenty-eight days, prin- cipally owing to the scarcity and inferiority of her coal. The information she brings sets at rest all doubts respecting the enormous mineral wealth of the gold re- gions. As an earnest of its existence, she brought with her about « million—six hundred thousand on eonsign- ment, and the balanee belonging to fifty or sixty miners, who are now returning with the fruits of their labor to enjoy it in a civilized eountry. Several of these miners are now passengers on the Creseent City. Many of them started on the British steamer Tay, that left Chagres two days before the Crescent City arrived, with the intention of taking other vessels at Havana for the United States. The news from San Franeisco, ina recial or moral point of view, is certainly not so flattering. Society and its laws are actually at a stand still. Many of the more ruccessful diggers hasten to San Franciseo, and spend in gambling, or the wine cup, what they are able to accumulate with months of incessant toil and pri- vation. The usual sharks of society (gamblers) are reaping a golden harvest; they, in fact, monopolize the few hotele in San Francisco, and make regular helis of them, Gold, gold, appears to be the all-absorbing pur- suit of every one; everything else is lost night of by all clases, from the blackleg to the divine, In Cali- fornia is Witnested the extraordinary sight of a vast eoncourre of men—women are out of the question, ae the few that went there with their husbands are lea ing the country daily—without the slightest perce tible distinction in caste. Youlook in vain for the hewer of wood and drawer of water—all are strictly equal. The enormous compensation given to mo- chanics and laborers has actually annihilated every- thing like distinction. Another feature in life in Cail which this arrival has placed us in possession he fact that none ought to emigrate except those inured to hardships—men of unflinching resolution and firmness of purpose, eapable of the most trying toil. Gold, though astonishingly abundant, still requires the greatest exertion to procure it. It is aetual folly for those whose prospects in life are flattering, to abandon & life of comfort, or comparative ense, for treasures gained ut uch « price; but to those bold and ¢aring apirits whe huve naught but life to lose—who can in the midst of the wildest extravagance pursue the firm pur- pose of pushing their fortune, deepite of temptation and Obstacles—to those their fortune is certain, if life is spared, The n by the at Panama was unimportant, except that er. ‘Lhe Oregon had sailed for San Francis- coon the 22d of May. The Humboldt bad also left, not, however. before a very serious row occurred on board. It appears that she advertised to carry a cer- tain number of passengers to San Francisco; after her arrangements for railing were completed, the passen- gers were directed to be on board the morning prev: ous. On their assembling and eounting meses, it was discovered, to the dismay of all, that there was over one hundred passengers more on board thaa was at first anticipated—they being taken thus unawares ne- ‘veral ities out in the bay, they determined to remain on beard during the night; the steerage and second cabin passengers repaired to the place alotted them be- low deeks, from whence they were soon obliged to tly to save themrclves from ruftvcation—the place assigned there hundred aud odd men, was notus big as tho Bl Hole of Caicutta—in it ony person died trom sud: tion. and many more would have rhared his fate, were it not for a rush on deck on the part of the passengers, victims cf this most senndatous deception, Next day, however. they succeeded in capturing the person of Leceh. of the'firm of Leech & Co, of Panama, one of the owners of the Humboldt, whom they would hav deait summary justice to, by hauging him to the yard- arm of bis own vessel, bad he not compromised matters by chartering another vessel, that st once tovk oue hondied passengers from the Humbolds. The rainy season has regularly set in; the roads are terrible, aud the rain almost {nevssant. The survey has to a certain extent. ratisfactorily terminated its la bors, and the corps are now returning home, Uhe pre- sent health of Panama is bud, fevers prevailing to some extent; bue the principal scourge ia, at present, the Asiatic cholera—it- was raging most fearfully at Gor- gona, where it was sweeping off from 10 to 16 a day, out of & population of 400 or 600 souls. It had aiready pared throvgh Chagres, and bad just renched Cruces, one or two eases having occurred there, The Crescent City reached Chagres on the morning of Saturday, the 2d of June. and set eail for New Or- leans on Monday, The prineipal porti«n of the Ca- Morne gold ts om hoard the Ureseeut Cluy} some how. ever, went by the British steamer Tay, together with meny passengers from the gold region. Among the yarsengers in the Ureseent City, isthe lady of P. £ Smita, Governor of California; Brig. Gea. Mason, ex. Governor of California; Col. Hughes, ehief of the Pa- survey, and his asaistant, California reports echooner Orient, with 128 iso to San Franeiseo, ax short a of Ne poleon, from Tanama for Saw Fras uf water, could not leave for want of coal. During the morning of our arrival, the saflors of the Oregon were ordered to hoist the baggage of the passengers out of the hold. They all refused, however, to do duty, and declared their intention of going to the placers. Capt. Pearson consulted with the Commodore, and in about ten minutes a body of marines marched our jack tars on Dourd the Ohio, where they were informed they must Yemain until the Oregon was ready to sail. This was rather @ summary process, and not exactly according to law, but under the circumstances, there seemed to be no other course. Everybody is interested in the success of these steamships; they afford the only means of obtaining speedy advices from the States, and every- body, of course, seemed to think the arrest was right— particularly as the sailors had signed a contract to re- main three years on the ship, The rosult of the busi- ness will be, howevcr, that the company will be com- pelled to increase their pay—probably to $100 per month. We remained at Sancilita Bay until Monday morning, when we got up steam and procecded to San Francisco, and dropped anchor alongside of the Cali- fornia, During Sunday night, the third mate and two firemen took a beat, in which Capt. Forbes had come on board the Oregon, and cut their stick for the placers. n the harbor we found about fifty merchant vessels, most of whom are without crews, On shore we ascer- tained that almost overy nock and corner was full to verflowing, and that our only chance for sleeping was the soft side of a very narrow plank, or a blanket undor atent, But our greedy ears were mightily tickled with marvellous accounts of the rich placers. and our eyes dazzled with a right of bushels of gold dust, and large lumps, some of them weighing five and six pounds, Everybody seemed to have plenty of “rocks,” and » more stirring, active, and {intelligent population than that of San Francisco, I have never seen. From what I can learn, (and my resources are pretty good.) I find that about $7,600,000 of gold dust has al- ready been taken out of the country. Two-thirds of this amount has been shipped to Valparaiso and Ma- yatlan, and nearly the whole balance to the islands of | the Pacific, Oregon, and China, But a small amount has left for the United States. Why so large a propor- tion has been shipped to Valparaiso and Mazatlan, | may be accounted for by tke fact that English mer- chants residing there have sent large and valuable car- goes here. aud taken gold dust inexehange. A number of English agente are now intown, and are very active in obtaining all the produce of the “ placers.””. When American vessels arrive with their rich freights, a dif- ferent order of things may be expected. ‘The sloop-of-war Dale left here, however, about the middle of last month, with $200,000 In dust. The U S. store ship Lexington salled in November. with 800,000. But more than half of these cargoes were for Valpa- ralso, Gold is found from Sutter's Fort to the head of the Sacramento, a distance of several hundred miles, and in great abundance on the San Joaquin, (Mem.—pro- nounced “ walk in;”’ very inviting name, isn’t it?) and on all the forks and tributaries of the two rivers. of San Franciseo, as far as the Gila, and rich placers have been discovered, and persons are constantly arriving frem that direction with gold dust and lumps of gold, some of them weighing as high as two and three pounds. I learned to-day that a large quantity of the glittor- ing sand had been foun: Bint 4 ri ithin twenty miles of Mon- 8 of that place and vicinit , In hopes of reaping Texort of the gold-see! the Sacramente and San Joaquin. ‘The mest dant placers are the dry diggings on the A Fork, the Midd! Forks, the St a branch of the San Jouquin, the Zualimic, and the Mor- cedes. It is plentiful everywhere, however, and one bundred thousand people cannot exhaust ft in half century, I have conversed with a number of those who have | visited the “placers,”’ and seen pretty substantial proots of the truth of their statements, Mr. John ‘owneend, who arrived in town ten days since, brought with him sixty-five pounds of gold which he ‘had dug on the “ Middle Fork’ and at the“ dry diggins” during the last three months. ‘This, at $16 per ounce, is the nice little sum of $12.480. Mr. Cecil, who returned day before yesterday, breught $12.00.’ which he ob- tained by diggin, tanislaus” during the last twomonthr. A Mr. Humphrey assures me ho has cleared $60 per day during the last six months, ever which, by the way, ha Lt. B. Gould Buffum, ent the wholo winter in the placers,”” has 70,000, mortly by gold digging. He has been engaged part of the time in trade, enw a letter from him yerterday,in which he speaks eucouragingly of the prospects at the “placers” this summer. The also seen and conversed with a regular * trump,” John 8. Owens, formerly of the Texan Rangers, who visited the placer on the Juba rome time since, and dag in twenty days $3,600 worth of gold. He informs mo that whileth«re, he saw John Fine, Eaq., who, within half a mile ef his “diggings,” obtained in t $25,000 worth of gold dust, and who with the of one man got $25,000 more out of the same hole, Dr. Long got $600 one day in gold dust out of a single pan full of dirt Butit is useless for mo tocite particular cares. The truth of the” gold stories” is now pretty and above all his expenses, been enormous, nece:sarily. who ha: well crtablished—and those who don't believe now, , would not, though they saw tous of the precious metal in its native beds. | trust that no one will infer from this, that all persons are as successful as thove whose names | have mention. ed, Any strong (able bodied man. however, whe is wil- ling to ‘labor five or six hour a day in a broiling sun, can make from $10 to $20 per day for three or four months in the year, dergo all kinds of hardships, privations, aud fatigue. He must be willing to sleep in a blanket on the ground, (for tents | am toid, are found too eontined for so hot a climate.) eat little or nothing. and work like a slave. The country where gold abounds is very uoheulthy, and but few have constitutions to bear the wear and tear of @ campaign, But this need not deter enter. pricing men from coming to California. There ure other pursuits here which will yield ten times the amount thatcan be realized at home mon day luborers now get from $5 to $10 # day. and carpenters, Diackemiths. and other mechanis, $16 per day While | am on the subject of mining. however, cl state a few facts in relation t ry metting | benefit tot In those who come here for the purpose of “digs Letter bring no more personal baggage than tb lutely need for three or four mouths alter wer The price of passage to Sutter's Fort is and the charge for baggage $5 a handred pound From Sutter's Mill to the mines the ‘" porting goods and baggnge to the pls This ie owing to the fact that there en im that ¢ rau 260 bo $1000, them run @ great rick (f Bar iog (hou ot eo who bay So tab veral very large | ra The miner must expect to un- | the idea of carrying mueh plunder to the placer is ri- dicalcus, , ‘8 for bringing provisions, it la equally al . The ean be purchased here and at Souete aon 4 "i “4 same price it would cost to bring them out, The m0 1d washing machines, which are se much puffed in the newspapers, will also be found valueless im this country In the first place, they cannot be trans- enormous expense, and exper xamined thore brought out by some of the Oregon passengers. declare they are good for nothing. Alla man needs, who comes here to dig, is half a dozen conrs suite of len clothes, and a pair of heavy woolen blankets. So, friends at home, don’t spend your money in buying ‘trash. | The mereh its here in San Francisco are all making large fortunes just now, and the prices of most kinds of goods are enormous. Want of lumber prevents many stores and houses going up immediately, avd business is done by few persons. There are good many of the elements of civilization here in thia region, however. A large and commodious hotel has been recently ted. fronting on the plaza, by Robert A. Parker, formerly ot Boston, Mass. The house is now open, under the superintendence of J. H. Brown, E'sq., an excellent host, but is not yet completed, 1 am informed tl whou finished aud furnished, the house will have cost $150.000. It contains sixty com- fortable lodging-rooms, a large and splendid elub-room, anews-room, where the [Herald und other papers will be found, a fine billiard-room. and nine offices and count- ing-rooms, The price of rooms is $50 per month. and board is $10 per day. The head nook and steward get $200 per month salary. and the other servants $100 per | month. ‘The carpenters and mechanics emplo; the building receive $16 per@ay for their servi | Mr. Parker is one of the mort enterprising | the place. and is raid to be worth $800.000 or most of which he has acquired here in two years Con- nected with the hotel isa lurge slaughter-house, * sta- | ble, and candle manufactory The ee! obrated Suncilita, otherwise known as Whaler's Harbor. the famous wa- tering place for ships, wax recently purchased by Mr. Parkerowho Intends buildiog up a town-there. {thas many natural advantages which San Francisco does not porress, Sancilita is eight miles nearer the entrance to the harbor than San Francises from which it is six miles distant, Here, resides Captain Riehardson, one of the oldest settlers in California who ts said to have | a magnificent farm,well stocked with horses and cattle. It seems to be the opinion of the officers of the United States survey, that government will erect a nuvy yard and dry dock at Sancilita. In fact it is about the only place on the bay where they could be built with safety. A steam-raw and grist-mill are now being erected there, which will doubtless prove very profitable. W.A.B. PS. To give you some idea what the price of living in San Francisco is just now. { subjoin a list of a few articles, with tho prices attached:—Eggs. $4 por doi butter, £00. per pound; chainpaigne, $60. per dozen; egg nog, $1 per drink; brandy und water, 25e ; juleps, $1 per drink; smashers, $1 do; blankets $50 and $100 er pair; lumber, $600 per 1,000 ft.; porter, $2 50 per ttle; ule, do. do. 'W. A.B. Saw Francisco, April 9, 184! The three Great Inland Seas—-New Town of Benicia, at the Head of Navigation—The Advantages of the Two Places compared—Difficulty of Discharging Carge at San Francisco, and the Causes of ite Growth—The Titles of Lands in California-—Great Rise in the Priee ef Real Estate in San Francisco. As the attention of the whole werld seems now di- rected towards California, and as the peeple of the United States, whose territory it is, are particularly interested in knowing the resourees of the eountry, &e., Ihave been at some trouble im getting what [ doem to be correct information, concerning s variety of matters, and beg leave to lay it before your readers. ‘The steamship Oregon is to sail to-day. You have had, doubtless, a great many letters relative to the rieh placers, and though they are not exhausted, the sub- Jeet is—or ought to be.’ I shall, therefore, confine my- self to a general description of this part of the coun- try—the sudden rise in the price of real estate and other property—and some account of the rise and pro- gress of the town of San Franciseo, Benicia, and other places. Speculation in land has already commenced, and fortunes have been made and lost already. It ig well, therefore, that our countrymen at home should be thoroughly informed as to the relative position of the various points—that their advantages and disad- vantages should be pointed out—in order that they may not “burn their fingers.” I shall confine myself in this letter principally to the merits of the two rivals, San Francisco, and the new town at the Straits of Carquines, with @ statement concerning the gee- graphical position of the three great bays; and) the in- land navigation. The famous Bay of San Franeiseo, about whieh se much bas been said and sung, is formed by @ long pen- insula tract ef laud, which separates ite waters from the ecean, and runs ine direction nearly southeast and northwe: This peninsula widens as you approach Monterey, gradually encroaching upon the waters of the bay, forming curve bounding the eastern and southern shores ef this magnificent inlan@ sea. Near its northern terminus is the entrance to the bay, near | which is the harbor and town of San Franciseo, But although the Bay of San Francisco is one of the most extensive and completely land-locked bays in the world, (having no communication with the ocean, ex- cept through its one narrow outlet of a mile and a half in width.) it is only one of three bays all connected with each other, and forming together an extent of nearly two hundred miles, from north to south, of in- Jand navigation, After entering the southermost of these three bays, (San Francisco) » broad ehannel, equally as wide as that at the entrance, and of suffi- cient depth of water to float the largest ships, conducts into the bay of San Pablo, through which there is a beating channel three miles broad and of from seven to fifteen fathoms of water in depth, From the Bay of | San Plablo, which trends in northeasterly direction, | you enter the Straits of Carquines, which are from on: mile and a half to two miles broad and about six mile long, leading to the northern of the three bays forming the chain, which is called the Suisun Bay. In the straits of Carquines there is sufficient depth of water for the largest class of ships; but after entering Suisun Bay, the navigation (for any except small vessels of light draught,) is prevented by the want of sufficient depth of water. This is occasioned by its being the reservoir or receptacle ot enormous annual deposits of alluvium, brought down by the river Sacramento, Sai | Joaquin, and their numerous tributaries, from tl mountains and plains through which they flow for hun- dreds of miles. The head of ship navigation, therefore, is in tho Straits of Carquines, about thirty-five miles in ' a northerly direction from San Francisco. At this points town is springing up rapidly, which seems destined, at no distant period, to rival San Francisco in Importance, over which it posses: natural advantages, as you. might see by looking at the map. In the first place, it is at the head of ship navigation, aud is surrounded on sides by the most fertile agricultural districts ia rthern California, The Sonoma. Nappa, Sactamento and San Joaquin yalleys, are all tributary to this psint, which is the centre of so many radii, while San Fran- cisco has no buck country, being situated at the ex- treme end of @ long and narrow neck of land which se- parates the Bay ot San Francisco from the Ocean, and which is one of the most bleak aud barren tracts of land in all Northern Californi In addition to the central position of Benicia, (the Tew town) it possceses the advantage of great facility of access from all sections of the country. A ferry has been established at this point, and the entire travel from the rich and extensive valley of San Jose, and the “contra costa” or northern shore of the Bay of San Francisco, aa well as from souterey aad all Southera California to the gold mines, flows through this chan- nel, An equally important consideration, which will materially affect the prosperity of Benicia, is the fact that it is 60 much more eoavenient of access, by the mall launches and veseels which supply the river aud the mining region through which they flow, with govls, then San Francixco — [he average time consumed by there small crafts, in performing the voyage from nicia to San Francisco and back, is five days; while fiom Sutter's Fort, and other points in the gold region, to Benien. and back again, ouly six days are spent, thus making the entire trip from the gold mines to San Francieco ocenpy enly eleven days. By stopping At Benicia, which they pass, five out of eleven days | would beraved. But Denicia has still another great | Miruntuge over San Francisco, in ita greater facilities for the landing of cargoes. The experience of a mer- cuntile friend will beet illustrate thismatter. One of his yerrels arrived here (San Franci+éo) about amonth ago, with upwards of 400 tous of cargo, At this place, owing te the broad flat which makes out in front of the aeit and which is only covered with water at bigh tide, f fs imporrible to discharge exc pts time of high water; and he was therefore obliged to hire scow of light draft, which would discharge fifteea or twenty-eight tons ata load, The tide served, on #n average once in twenty-four hours, so that he succeeded ta getting one lead on ebore per day. For the use of this so0W ke was obliged to pay $150 per day. Kor three men to assiat in lightering. and towing the soow oa shore frou the verre), he paid $8 per day each, and for the diseharging of each scow load, and vhe piacieg thereof abuve high water mark, $35!! Besides (he-e euormous expenses, (like cvery other veseel fu the harbor,) his orew of wine men was retained on board thy vessel until the cargo was out. by paying then “shore wages,” or $6 por dey, nud their board. The average amount of cargo és | charged per diem at this place, was about sixteen toms, His fhvolce amounted to xhout $60 000. aod the expense for di arg), wt the same rate he would have beea $0,000, | Ab the request of se od the one-haif of pe arrived with the vewel this anehora ce, nicie is wituaced, aud steep paid orton per centon the iw couel plac {x hours, from