The New York Herald Newspaper, March 5, 1851, Page 3

+ democrats. En teresting from California. our ORNIAN CORRESPONDENCE. Sacramento Ciry, December 30, 1850. Peath of Mayor Bigelow— The Squatters—Election of Uwmited States Senator—Newspapers—New & Hotel— Post Office, &c. Since the date of my last, our city has been called upon to mourn the death of her first chief mogistrate, of whose decease you have no doubt already received full particulars, through the jour- nals of San Francisco and Sacramento. His death ay be traced to the wound he received in the squatter riote, of the i4th August, and another victim added to the list of those gone before him, ‘the result of the vile teachings and sms of design- ing men. After Mayor Bigelow received his ‘wounds,he was sent to San Francisco,but returned to this place on the 8th of October, considerably yecruited, but the embarrassing state of his affairs fo harraesed him that he again sank, and was #ent back to San Francisco. He had been there but a few deys when all the wounds which had been inflicted upon him, opened and bled afresh ; this so exhausted him, and also other causes, brought on an attack of cholera, which terminated his earthly existence on the 26th. He was beloved and re- etted by all who knew him. Since his death occurrences of the riots are being talked over daily, and the promment and dangerous positions taken by him at the time are eagerly discussed ; one especially, at the time when the squattera first pommensed firing, and before a shot had been fired by the landholdere—Mayor Bigelow held up bis right hand, imploring them to etop, when Ma- Joney, the leader, shot at the nand, and shattered the thumb, causing the loss of the arm. Malony. then presented his pistol a: the Mayor, and was in the act of firing, when he fetl, pisrced by eleven bullets. A deep and permanent hatred is being engendered against the squatters; and the first step which they take over the line which has been marked out for them, will end in their destruction. We had an election on the 14th inst , for Mayor, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Bigelow, and it was the first election held since the organization of the two parties. It resulted in the choice of Horace Smith, whig, of Kentucky, by 76 majority. On the 21st Inst., we had another election to fillthe vacancy occasioned by the death of L. F. Dunlap, which resulted in the election of Daniel J. Lisle, whig, to the Assembly, by 150 mejority,and which secures to the party an United States Senator tor six years, in the place of Joha «©, Fremont, who has made himselt inimensely un- pular by his mining and other bills. I do not Believe there is another public man, with so little influence in the State of California, as John C. Fremont, and the expiration of his term in the Senate will be hailed with delight by whigs and He has effectually killed himself politically. The levee around our city, to protect it from fu- ture overflow, was entirely completed yesterday, and ,as stupendous a work a3 the Croton Water ‘Workg, in proportion, presented to the world, and it reflects undying fame on those connected with it. Its great width affords a magnificent drive and promenade for eight miles along and around the banks of the river; its cost is about $175,000. J street, the Broadway of the place, and K street, which stands in the same pozition to J strect as Greenwich street does to Broadway, are now in rogress of being planked, at a cost of $153,000, Being $82,000 for J street, and $76,000 for K street. In rainy weather these streets are almost impas- sable, and business and travei on them entirely suspended. By the improvement now going on, the difficulty will be obviated. It does one good who has an interest in the welfare of the city, to see two such improvements going on at the same time; it augurs well for the present and future prosperity of the place. Several new journals have lately been estab- lished in thia State; the Public Balance, by Messrs. Eugene, Casserly, & Co ; the California State Journal, by Jas. B. Devoe; and the Evening Index, by Messrs. Winans & Livingston. The first is published at San Francisco, and is neutral; the second at San Jose, asa State paper; and the latter in this city, as the organ of the whig party. Another paper will be published here, devoted to the whigs, as soon as Mr. James W. Simoaton, of New York, arrives ia this ci I wrote you, some time ment in this city of a magi ent hotel on Second street, called the Orlea under the popular mapagement cf Joseph Curtis, of New Orleans; it was opened a few days since, and I could hardly believe my senses that | was nearly 7,000 miles from New York, and, as some believe, froin civiliza- tion. The house is one of the most spacious and elegant structures extant, and is fitted up with per- fect epiendor. Connected with it is a restaurant, perfectly uaique in its appointments; the silver ‘were cost $8,000. There is an heating apparatus built convenient to it which keeps the meats so ‘warm, that the last who dines gets as warm a dia- neras the firat. The annexed bill of fare, for Christmas day, will show you conclusively, that we do not want for the good things of this earth:— ce, of the establish. * BS FS GLEE GEESE SS SESS SS ESSE." be) BILL OF FARE R bd ORLEANS HOTEL, NI 3 cS ; + SACRAMENTO OITY 9 y — : CHRISTMAS DAY. 4 % J98, CURTIS, MANAGER. 4 Boot, Mutton, Verma: iacemroni, Julien, Rice, ] ” R ‘oyst Mock Turtle, 8 % Bo Haked H % gs Boiled & t, 9 a Fried Tro y Pa ch a Is Bouillianise: 5) $9 am, Corned Boot, "Bact Tongns, N » Leg Mutton, Caper Saueo and Piquants. % RO y & Haunch of Antelope, Gy Els, Boot, Saddle of Veni- Hadi ork, Stuffed; Shoalder of §§ te on, 8) Veal. Turkey, Goose, Duck, 0) Bill Crane. §) Roast Race 69 Roast Pi 45 Broiled $4 can 3} prot le Oxater Pies Fortaquese, 2 ‘abe, do. imps, Aver, calieD eau Bie, Beet a is 2 Steaks, lobster y ©) Beets, Cabbage, Irish Potators, mashed, Sweet Fovatoe boiled, and baked, y renips, Pickles, ESSERT. Quest an Comfture, % , Oran {) plum dake, Pound © 2, Juubtes, Oimlett Bo G South Side Madeira, Brown Sherry, SEESS SESS E SESS tS ToS "* You may, perhaps, think it strange thatin several ‘of my letters I e made them the medium of making public several complaints of various abuses existing in this section of the State; and, for that reason, take this opportunity of saying that | do so from the fact that there is no other paper in the States which is looked upon as being so deeply ia- terested in the welfare of out oung and growing Btate as that over which you have proprietorship, and which would lend all its powerfal influence towards the extinction of any wrong that had been done or was in contemplation to be inflicted upon us by any machination or undue influence. When the post-office was first established in this place there was no one who could be prevailed upon to accept the office of postmaster, and constant changes ‘Were at all times being made. First, Henry bE. Robinson (the present collector of this port, and a democrat, by the way) was the first postmaster; then a Mr. Freeland, afterwards o Mr. Tittle, and at the present time a Mr. Richard Hides, former! of Balumore. At the commencement, the maile fer this place were not put up in separate bags, but were sent to the office in San Francisco, there dis- tributed and sent up, and letters were not delivered in this place until three or four days, and some- times a week, had elapeed after the arrival of the ateamers below. The manifest injustice of such a course to the mercantile community of this city becoming apparent, mails were rade up at New York and New Orleans direct for thie place, and the 10 or 15,000 letters for our city reached here in one day afer the errival of the steamer, and oftentimes in ien hm But since the appointment of the new postmecter, everything is thrown back to its old position, and no more mails are to be made up direct for this place, either going and coming, ‘as all letters are to be overhauled at San Francisco, making considerable more work at that office, requiring extra help other than they have at mt, which work the Government is obliged pay for twice, as it could be done at our peet-office without ny extra expense. To ensure the transit of a letter to the States, we we obliged to close three days earlier than usual, ‘as the great rush of letters trom Sacramento to the office at San Francii readers it doubtful whether they are sent correctly. J have taken the trouble to ascertain the number of letters co: and [oe from this office, and they number abo 312, & ayear. Now, the per centage on the distribution of such aa amount of letters is consi- derable, being worth about $10,080, the latter is the great object, and the change is tobe attri- but to interested parties at the Bay city. This is one of the abuses which your influence is soli- cited towards abolishing, by the residents of this section of the State of Cauirornta. Mariposa, Jan. 6, 1850. Description of Col. Fremont’s Estate—The Mart- posas—Its sorl, Quartz vems, &c. Thinking that it will be interesting to your reader® 1 will give you some account of Col. Fremont’s fine estate,‘ the Mariposas.” It is situate prin- cipally upon the river of this name and its,branches, the “ Agua Trio” being the largest. The property comprises eleven leagues of land. The most im- portant and valuable portion of the place is the hilly section, for in this are the quartz veins. The land on the plains is of the richest kind ; and this soil, when cultivated, will yield large returns. In lookiag through it with an old practical farmer, he told me that he would not hesitate to say, that more could be produced from one acre of this soil, than any in other parts of the United States, out of California. As yet there is scarcely anythin, planted. The only things that have been tried, were vegetables—such as onions, potatoes, toma- toes, &c., and these were of the finest kind. Grapes could also be raised to advantage, uponJsome por- tions of the estate. Arrangements are being made now which will insure the cultivation of this fine soil shortly, a large colony of emigrants being about to settle on these lands. Ags regards the rais- ing of sheep, there is not a finer country in the world; and by @ year from this, several thousand sheep will be feeding on the Mariposas. There are two small towns also situated on the property. These placcs, ‘“* Mariposa” and “* Agua Trio,” are growing fast. The former will become the coun- ty town, as the water runs all the year round, which is not the case one the Agua Frio. Both the streams contiguous to these villages have been dug extensively for gold; and since the last eighteen months, more than one million of dollars have been extracted therefrom—the men digging being granted free permission by Col. Fremont. Not- withstanding the large amounts already extracted, there is still a vast deal left, and for the purpose of working systematically, companies are being formed, these companies working under a lease from the owners. The men who have alread dug ihese rivers, have been known to desert a ** hole where they could only get $8 to $10 a day, for bet- ter diggings. It 1s my candid opinion that by pro- per working, a Jarger amount than has already been extracted will be got out of these streams. In all this there is no fiction. These are plain facts, which will be found to turn out as I say. Of course it will never do for companies to pay the high pri- ces of labor ($4 and $5 a day, and board), which have been current up to this time; but large gangs of men will be had, = soon, for moderate wages. This is my opinion, for I find labor is getting lower every day. The scenery I will not pretend to des- cribe; it is as picturesque as anything 1 have ever seep; the climate is delightful, and I send you a list of the thermometer for November, December, and part of January. I never enjoyed better health than while breathing this pure mountain air. But | must not omit the principal feature and the principal riches of the place—the C bap veins} Asfar seine pronee has been regularly examined, there have been discovered some thirty veins, which will not be much more than half the whole number on the estate. As yet, only three veins have been opened and worked. One is that of the ** Mariposa Mining Company,” which is extremely rich; the seeond is that of Messrs. Stocktonand As- pinwall. This vein is opened in two places by most competent workmen. {n fact, the whole of the operations of this company are in the hands of practical and experienced men. Itis quite large, and at every blast improves. |: will prove, 1 am sure, a uniform vein, and (hese are the bes! gene- rally for paying reeults. The third is that opened by Colonel Fremont. It has not as yet been carried far enough to be certain of any results; but from its indications promises fair returas. Many of the other veins not yet opened, are located by parties having leases, and it is fair to suppose that most of them will turn out well, the small number already being worked enabling one to judge of what the probabilities are. There have been some thirty leases made for workisg the quartz, and probably the whole of them will be working in a year from now. Atthis present moment, there are several Jarge machines on the way, and as seon as the wet season is over they will he ready to be put up and started. l am satisfied that further explorations will yet bring to light some rich veins of gold. The very exsamnrene accounts as to the value ef quartz veins in California have now exploded; but the mining will still, at the reduced figure to which people have at last brought it, pay an enormous per centage upon investments of capital. It has been frequently asserted that Col. Fremont would be the richest man im the world. This Ido not quite be- lieve; but lam certain of one fact, that the income he will derive from this place in the course of two years and after, will be immense. I shall write you further on this subject, when I find time again. You may be certain that all the information | give you is such as I could vouch for. RANGE OF THE THERMOMETER 6AM. 12M. 6P. 34 69 Nov. 2 $ Fleecy clouds. Cloudy. Cloudy—occasional show Cloudy. OU 35 co Clear. a4 Light clouds and clear. 34 Clear. 35 3 36 m 136 Cloudy. 38 Ri 0 Cloudy. 0 8 46 41 2 a 58 48 4 54 47 Heavy clo MO 44 Clear and frost, BL 4600 48 Olear frost—cloudy. 52 «68 47 Light clouds. 4 64 64 Cloudy and rainy. 50 «56 © «64 Keiny and cloudy. +39 60) 45 Cloudy an A 48 8 Tt 9 6 48 2 4 2 (BO 29 «(5 uM 58 L 7 38 - | — 46 (82 4458 o 4 8 62 36 45 42048 +36 49 82 «48 a 64% . 48 36 49 aa Rainy and cloudy. 37 65 44 Beautitally clear, «+82 u“ “ \did day 96....31 7 49 27...82 54 46 Light elon lear. 28...34 62 60 Mary amd light clouds, 20....88 64 S54 Clear 30...87 659 60 Bright and clear, M1....86 OL 52 se sy Jen. 2 66l O60 6 64 62 oo 56 62 «58 Light clouds. mM 48 Cloudy aod rainy. 46 — Heavy rain San Francisco, Jan. 1th, 1851. Survey of the Coast—The new Cities at Hum bolat Bay—Trinity Mines—The Black Sand and its Golden Promise— Klamath River, &., &c Dating, not from our former camp in the Kiamath wilderness, but the emporium of the Pacific, | wili, according to promise, now dot off to you a few more items of our coast and its progressive popula~ tion. You will recollect, that, about one year ago, many expeditions, and a score or more of vessels, fitted ouf and sailed from this port to explore the Pacific const hence to Oregon, for the avowed pur- pore of finding an entrance to the gold abounding Trinity river. After — 1 rauch peril, sut- fering and loss of life —— the latter of whom were the lamented Bache and Browning, who were drownedjin the breakers above port St seorge), at the end of a long and diligent search, the real Tri- nity river was pronounced minus an entrance to the Pacific; and, a dernier resort, Trinidad and Humboldt w nounced to the public as the of future cit to astonish the world with pid growth, and possessing all the proper- ties of pleasure, profit, and Pemrenty easy access to the Frrinity mines, &c. he precious story, 80 long and impatiently waited for, was gulphed down, and thousands rushed at once to the new cities (to be) of the Pacific. Meanwhile, the press teemed jounding discoveries of gold on the Trinity river and the forthcoming lori 9 of Trinidad end Humboldt. On arriving, however, at the destiny of their hopes, it was fouad they were still some sixty or eighty miles distant from the mines, and they of an indiflerent character ; to search which they must pack their provisions on the ba: of mules or horses, over some of the worst an most rugged mountains in California. Conse- quently, in a few short months, the bulk of specu- lators returned, out of pocket and “down in the the rich mines on the Ki t minee, and their connection with those mushroom cities, are comparatively forgotten, from the fact that an easy water route, such as is afforded by the Kiama is preferable to a mule and mountain route, at the Hiraeot ichanean's sae ciieiee hee luence of humbugging is again agitating the mu! tituaes who are floating up and down here in San Francisco and Sacramento ; and as the gold bluff is bluffing eve: i senting to his dreams by day and visions by night amme of wealth, such as the mest unbounded ex- Havegance can never exhaust—that can be pro- cure to be sure with black sand. It woul strange to see these cities on paper, yet attain with Califorma despatch a solidity of brick and mortar of undoubted tangibility, while the surrounding forests and all echo to the sound of ra! and the busy hum of commerce. of Klamath a speedy and and to its hardy pioneers ani a for their toil and privations in exploring and settli this untrodden wild, which, like all the rest o' mouth,” yet were sage enough forsooth to pro: hole “a perfect humbug. Thus these Cities of Humboldt Bay, ates roedstead Trinidad, of a few hundred or so houses and tents, are now left i standing in their solitary indeur, the deserted monuments of Yankee ea- rprise and impetuosity. Since the discovery of famath river, the Trinity river to the best mines in the country, But ‘as the rejuvenating in- fourth man out of his senses, by shiploads from the banks of the Pacific mingled where it is piled up in mountains, slight); not be ing wheels Humboldt bay does possess some real merit and attractions in its large and beautiful shset of wa- ter, though a dangerous entrance from the sea, surrounded by rolling plains of excellent soil, and forests of a noble 9 d at the head of the bay, contaiaing some eighty houses, or more, skirted on one side by heavy woodlands, and on the other by a beautiful plain, stretching far away in the distance. 4 abound in grizzly bear, deer, elk, and Indians, abundance of game, both of the flying andfrunning sort. word or two of the town of t the entrance of the Klamath river tothe sea, io 41 33, distant from The ‘Trinity river is a branch of the Klamath, ata a distance of fifty miles from its mouth ; a disco- very made in April last, by the erry one ee of LY abe who were wrecked in the Port St. Gei of Humboldt and Trini and entirely absorbed the rays of al Pianets, Klamath was thrown in the back ground an when, for certain golden considerations, it is becoming the theme of excitement, and great coast. nificent river, on whose bosom, from the en- trance to the Pacific, may be borne freight and passengers, by a cheap and rapid steam navigation direct to the mines, the river; and the fact that those mines are now aflording to some two thousand men an average of one ounce of gold a day, and sufficiently extensive to afford room for one hundred thousand men, at the same rates, while hundreds are making fifty and one hundred dollars a day, by which develope- ments the incomparable mineral wealth of this re- gion has been established beyond the shade of a rowth. Uniontown is laid out Ita environs I will close this prosy cpiaele Aikat MeyINE 8 5 in Francisco some 250 mil: aragon, at But, as at that crisis the glories dad echpsed ee eine elee, ll secondary orge. entirely unnoticed, until auite lately, the point of attraction on the north-west Presenting, as it does, a large and mag- bout one hundred miles up joubt, form @ basis which must insure to the town ermanent prosperity, projectors, a reward Yankeedom, 13 about to be reduced to the power of steam, the axe, and the plough. Yours, &c. J.P. C. The Conquest of California. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD. In the article in your r of 22d instant, wherein you gave a sketch of the service of Com- modore Stockton, recently elected to the United States Senate by New Jersey, you state, that ** just before the war with Mexico, he was sent to the Pacific by Mr. Bancroft, then Secretary of the Navy, to command the squadron; and he Seay aided Colonel Fremont in the conquest of Califor- nia.”’ This is a very great mistake, and as the praiees of this hero of California have been sung quite long enough at the expense of others, who are justly entitled to the honor of having conquer- ed California, it is time that history and the coun- try should be put right upon the subject; and, as you are ever ready to do justice to all part I doubt not you will be willing to be corrected in this partucular. After “our flag” had been hoisted at Monterey, and Commodore Sloat had given the command of the operations on shore to Commodore Stockton, Colonel Fremont, then @ second lieutenant of topo- graphical engineers, and brevet captain in the army, volunteered, with the force under his com- mand, to serve under Commodore Stockton, who gave him the appointment of major of volunteera, and ordered that part of the California battalion, (160 strong) then at Monterey, to proceed to San Diego in the sloop-of-war Cyane, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of General Castro; whilst Commodore Stockton, with the crew of the frigate Congress, would attack the enemy in front of Los Angeles. Colonel Fremont having marched bythe coast road from San Diego to Los Angeles, did not meet the enemy, they having taken the road lead- ing out of California to Sonora. rhe Californisns having been dispersed at this time (Auguet, 1540), Stockton and Fremont pro- ceeded to the north, where Commodore Stockton received the news of the insurrectien at Los Ange- les in September, He immediately ordered Fre- mont to proceed in the ship Stirling, with 180 mea, to Santa Barbara, from thence to march to the succour ef the garrison at Los Angeles. Having spoken the ship Vandalia at sea, which gave him an account of the success of the Californians over Mervine, near San Pedro, Fremont wore ship and stood for Monterey, to recruit a larger force, * te have satisfaction out of the Californians.” Whilst this was being done, Commodore Stockton had concentrated his squadron at San Diego, and with the co-operation of two companies of the mounted nflemen, made all the preparations for a march upon Los Angeles, 135 miles distant. October, November, and December passed, and nothing was heard of the march of Fremont for the South. General Kearny arrived, with his small force of way worn troope, early in December. Stockton and Kearny took up the march from San Diego, December 29h, 1346; ‘ought the battles of San Gabriel and La Mesa, January 8th and 9h, 1547, and our forces reeatered Los Angeles on the 10th; and the first word heard of Fremont was, that after having explored the summit of Mount Santa Inyez, he had arrived, at the head of some tive hun- dred volunteers, near the missioa of San Fernando, andjwas making a treaty of peace with a sinall party (some sixty aan) of Califormans, under Andreas Pico, who had been found wear the mission of San Gabriel by Jesus Pico (after the force under Flores had been disposed and scattered by Stockton, at La Mesa), and had been induced by Jesus Pico to go to San Fernando, to make a treaty of capitulation; and from this sprung the fameus treaty of Couenza, which was not con- firmed by Commodore Stockton until after the commiseioners were re-assembled in Los Angeles, for the purpose of having an ariicle inserte: therein, to liberate Americans from their paroles, such clemency having been extended to the enemy, whilst our own countrymen had been forgotten Colonel Fremont was not in oxe single b nor under fire during the war in California; and, although he went to the North (contrary to in- structions), and did not co operate with Commodore Stockton, as was expected, he was under that officer's command from 24h July, 184, to 18th January, 1817, when he received the appointmeat of governor of the territory, from Commedore Stockton (in accordance with a previous promise), and when the latter withdrew his force from shore service The plans of the two campaigns, and all or- ders reapecting the operations, emanated from Commodore Stockton; and, although left entirely without resources, without money or clothing, and 4 very ermal supply of provisions, it is to hisenergy and decision, bis boldae: nd fearlessness of re- sponsibility, that the country indebted for the quick and rapid conquest of California. So, Mr. Editor, please correct a page in history, e country ih give “honor to whom honor due,”’ and you will confer a favor upon A Troru ann Justicr. Our Rio de Janeiro Correspo: Oe. Rio pk Jangino, December 28, 1350 Poydation— Slavery and the Slave Trade—Umited States Naval Force nm Port, §c., & ‘The Emperor and his court, or rather the impe- rial household, have taken their annual flight into the mountains of Petropolis. The epidemic which was so fatal last year, has now again made its ap- pearance, and the abundant rains we have had are considered favorable for a healthy season. The census of the 4 a been completed. It gives a population of 260,000, of which 110,000 are black. Even this proportion of blacks,gigantic as it a is supposed to be greatly understated, the posed tee slaves, and the penalty for lacks,’’ being motives sufficient for holding, in many instances, the truth. Slav still landed upon the coast in spite of the interdic- tion of government and the efforts of the English and Americans to suppress the abominable traffic. The government have struck off a new silver coin to represent the “ mil rey.” bout the size of our half dollar, and has a well executed impres- sion. The United States men-of-war now in the harbi re the frigate Congress, Com. MeKeever's flog ship ; the brig Bainbridge, and store ship Re- lief. The St. Mary's left this morning for the Paci- fic. The Saratoga has been here on her way to the East Indies, and the frigate Raritan en route for pm dae Pe of Cy pa ae otters and crews ee el were |, and the ships in high ition audd disci, 5 "More small vensela, especially a steamer, are re- jired on this coast to provepe the visbetien of car ag bY the slave dealers. Business is good, and several American vessels are loading for fee Unned States. Exchange on England, 90 per on ore Our P eruvian Correspondence. Semars, Pru, Dec. 5, 1860. Receipt of the New York Hera'd—Perw, the Land of Lead—Paita— The American Consul—~Desertp- tion of Poita and the People-~-Products--Cotton --Pinva—The Vices of the Cowntry—Religion— Politics—Presidential Election—Climate—Lon- gevity—Health—Demands for Labor—Happi- mess of the Laborers, §c. Inthe month last past, your MWeekly Herald, of Oct. 12, reached my hands in thirty-four days from the time of its publication, which, considering the dietance, and my isolated position, is a miracle mere wonderful than that which, according to Vol- taire, m his “ Huron,” rendered Hercules worthy of @ eaintship. (‘* El de deschacer a cencuente doncellas en wna noche.”) Not having seen for the year past, other papers in English, than those of California, and the Panama Star, the reception of one direct from home caused me more joy then would have, ten years ago, the meeting of my dearest friend. 1 believe that with all Americans it is the same as with me—time and ab- sence only serve to strengthen that love of coun- try, which is a part of our being—which grows with our growth and strengthens with our strength, and which only ceases to assert its influence in the hour of death. The comparison which is forced upon us, as we become acquainted with foreign countries, is always favorab! our own; for where in the wide world shall we find that liberty of thought, speech, and action, which is guaranteed to us in our loved country? No where ; and this 1s not boasting, for foreigners, unim- paseioned themselves, acknowledge it. Thus it is that news from home, even the most trivial, is re- ceived with feelings that only those who have ex- perienced them can fully understand. Ihave been in this country five years, and, fre- quently, in this period, have been tempied to give you a description of what to a foreigner is the most notable in this “ land of gold,” been called, but which in its present state can, with more justice, be called the land of lead; the financial, intellec- tual, and social position of its inhabitants being beter expressed by the latter term than by the jormer. Horace Walpole, or Ler gaa else, has said, ‘that if any man would keep a faithful account of what he has seen and heard himself, it must, in whatever hands, prove an interesting one.” Al- though I cannot agree fully with this opinion, be- cause, in seme hands (mine for instance) the best of things become valueless, tame, and uninterest- ing, Ihave concluded to make an attempt to de- scribe what 1 hear and eee in a part of the world so litte known at home, and of which, in our school days, we receive such erroneous impres- sions. In the dreams of my boyhood, I imagined, putting faith in what the geographies tell us, that in Peru they harvested gold as we do acorns; but soon, very soon, after arriving here, ead realities dissipated my boyish dreams, and 1 found that God’s curse on maa was in as full force here as in other parts of the world, and, perhape, toa greater extent, for the man who does not work, as well as he who does, must sweat under the equinoctial sun, and, as a consequence, eats his bread, if not by the “ sweat of his brow,” at all events with a sweating brow. Paita, which is the principal port of entry in this province, (Pinva,) ia situated in five degrees south latitude, and isa place of considerable business, With @ population of, perhaps, 3,000. The mass of the people are of Indian descent, with the Spanish and negro crosses, and maintain themselves by fishing, smuggling, &c. Among the merchants, there is m0 one who maintainga higher standing than the Consul of our country, Alexander Ruden, Esq , commanding, in his official capacity, the Teepect and estimation of the whole province. The secret of his popularity may be found, perhaps, in the fact that he attends to his duties strictly, and to these only, without taking any part in the politics of the country ; a different course having at times rendered so unpopular the agents of other governments. Paita labors under the disadvantage of being sur- rounded by a sand desert, and dependent on the tiver Chira, which is distant some five or six leagues, for its supplies of wood and water. The carriage of the articles, as well as the provisions or vegetables with which the ma: supplied, is eflected on mules or jackasses, there not being a single wheel carriage in use in the province--in fact, the roads do not admit of their use, being what we should call cow tracks, and so little at- tention is paid to them that to a stranger it is im- possible to distinguish the public roads from those made by the animals which contrive to get a living, it is hard to tell how, in these barren deserts; thus, it is always necessary for a stranger to travel with a guide. There are no ‘guide boards” to tell the weary stranger, unaccustomed to long marches on horseback, of the rest road toa setlement, and his only consolation, if alone, is in the imetinct of his beast, which, in truth, is re- markable, and rarely fails him. Travelling by night, Which is the favorite time with all those who are not salamanders, is somewhat dangerous ia the wooded parts of the country. from the lia- bility to encounter some projecting limb of an al- gairoba tree, which, from personal experience, 1 can Certify is some degrees harder than the human head, and has a peculiar faculty of causing a per- son to dismount, even when such an act is far from his thoughts. The disagreeables of the road are in part compensated, from the being mounted on an excellent beast—horses, mules, and jackasses, boing excellent in theirclass. Let me return to alla, in former years, this port was much frequented by the American whale fishermen on this coast, for supplies of vegetables and fresh pro ns; but of late years, the larger part of these give the pre- ference to Tumbez, a small port about three de- grees to the northward, az the latter place has the advantage of a fresh water river, with wood, as algo a greater abundance of vegetables. By the way, | have been surprised that some one of the companies who have steamers on the route from California to Panama, have not extended their line to Callao and Valparaiso, touching at Guayaquil An English company has had a moao- poly of this route for ten years; but this monopoly expired, as | am credibly informed, in Augast Test, leaving the route open to competition, Those in- terested, can obtain all necessary information in regard to the amount of travel, Wc., from their agent in Panama. The river Chira is what, in our country, would be called @ stream, not being navigable for any dis- tance, even for the pte drait canoes, and still this stream is the only hope of the thousands who inhobit this part of the country. Rains are very uncertain—the first three years of my resideace here, there was not even a shower; the last two years have been more favorable, having rained three or four times each year, in the months of February and March. It will be difficult for my countrymen, who are half the time wading about the etreets with the water knee-deep, to believe what | say of the dryness of this climat “truer than preaching,” #8 the poor grazi this country can certify to their sorrow, as cersion of two or three dry years causes great havoc among the cattle, and consequent rum to their owners—the whole country becoming a per- feet desert, as barren as the deserts of Arabia, with solely the age of the river valleys. But when it rains, the whole country changes into a smiling green pasture, the pleasant effect of which to the eye, weary of dwelling upon a vast expanse of sand, i# heightened by the innumerable wild flowers which spring up, to blush unseen and un- known, for even their gorgeo1s beauty is but little appreciated by a people who have but little of the = tic in their composition. Understand me: when say “poetic,” 1 do not mean to deny them a Great facility in the doggrel poetic line, for in this they excel; what I mean is, that they do not pos- sess that delicate, cultiv or educated taste which | 8 indispensable to a just appreciation of nature orks; but of this | will say more whea [ come to speak of the character of the people, in an after letter, What to me ia most astonishing is the preser- vation of the seed from which springs ‘all this verdvre—the sand, during the day, in the warm season, acquiring such an intensity of heat that it is not exaggeration to say that one may roast an Rg OF potato in it, and it seems that all seed must become thoroughly roasted in a succession of two or three dry years, losing, as a matter of course, its vegetating power— but such is not the case. The farming is all done on the intervale land, which is watered by the annual risings of the rivers in the months of January, February, and Mareb; for, although it does not rain every year in the lowlands, in the mountains th of this article. “In many parts, the and level, itcan be watered by canals from the river. This system of ‘asequias’ is mach in use in the mountains, and even in the river Pinoa. By @ farm you must not understand what at home |, ae there are few of larger dimen- 8 than what we call “kitchen gardens,” and, jatter of course, hardly suffice for the personal is of the farmer; in fact, agriculture is pursued 8 A necessity, and not as a speculation. The land is remarkably rich, requiring no manuring; neither is ploughing in common use. The only agricultural instrument used is the py an instrument of the size of our hoe, with the handle fitted as in our shovels. With this all the work is done; and the three hundred years of Spanish bondage has been sufficient to imbue this people with all the horror ol ay = which their former bid are still noted. Another century will, probably, over their heads before they will be convinced of the utility of the many improvements which have aap introduced in ir parts ti AY world. Cot- |, Corn, sweet potatoes, pum; 8, Squash, plan- tain, yuca, onions, and melons, are the = 4 mon oma, hg 4 little attention being paid to all kinds known in the tropics be raised. re are two harvests of corn eotton—ihe cotton wee preserving all ia igor for five or six yee. There are covers! fe descriptions cotton among them— white, grey, purple, and various shades of nan- keen—all of which can be produced im the same abundance, although the white 1s principally cul- tivated, the foreiga demand being confined to this description. In the coming crop (in this and the month of January) I will procure, and forward to | pecimen of these different ‘kinds of cotton, their seed, for distribution among your Southern fries Athome | have only seen the white and nankeen—still, as it is many years since T left, all the kinds mentioned may have become common there. The indigo plant springs up in; all parts, in years of rain, but, cultivated, gives a | better yield; but there is little attention paid to the cultivation of thie, or of the cochineal, which | can be produced to advantage. In this part of the country they kaow nothing of the silk- worm, although ‘j hawe seen the mulberry tree in @ state of perfection such as it attains | in few perta of the world. Potatoes and most of the kitchen vegetables known in our country can be raised; the same is true of tobacco, arroz, cof- fee, and sugar-cane. ‘The want of enterprise, aided, perhaps, by a want of capital, is the reason for which this country remains in nearly the same state as respects its agriculture as it was found by Pizarro. landed property isin the hands of the few, the mass of the farmers holding their lands by lease. The estates vary in size. ‘I'he one from which I address you this letter has an extent of fourteen leagues, or forty-two miles, by the river; but there are few mammoth preperties of this kind. The cireumference of the estate is ninety miles, and it only gives its owner some three thousand dollars a year in favorable years! In dry years it cannot be reckoned one half this sum; in most favorable times, being less than five per cent on its value. (By the way, the current rate for money is two per cent. per month) The owners of estates exercise a feudal power over the people who live upon theic lands—for the most part Indians and negroes, who, although free, are generally ignorant of their rights-—administering justice something after the “Judge “Lynch” style ; their position shielding them from the consequen- evs which in other parts would be likely to follow these summary proceedings. A better proof of the subordination, or slavery, ay we should say, of the people cannot be found than in the public elec- tions, being led to the polls like a flock of sheep, by the owners or overseers of the estates on which they live, depositing in the ballot-box the vote they have given them; and wo to him who refuses to go, or going, does not fulfil the will of his pa- tron. The river Chira has several small villages on its bank—I had almost said ‘‘fouriehing vil- lages,” (as we pay at home) but it here would be an absolute falsehood—these villages pursu- ing the quiet, even tenor of their way, (or the way of their fathers) without even dream- me that a village may “flourish” --considering this the prerogative of their potato and corn patches; much lees grow into a city. There is no appa- rent increase or deer , they appearing to have reached the highest cle of prosperity at which they can aspire, in the present state of things. In fact, country in which all branches of industr, exi the same state as they existed in the 16 century, itis not wonderful that all the flourishing is confined to her natural productions. It is la- mentable to see a country blessed by nature as is this, in her climate, soil and mineral productions, 80 little aided by the hand of man—like an aban- doned child left to her own resources, or to acci- dent, without any of the aid which education would give her in the pursuit of prosperity and a worthy national standing. The pride of ignorance, united with the bigotry of the people, make them unwilling to learn anything from a foreigner, con- sidering us all, in their great wisdom, as but little better than brutes. Knowing nothing of geogra- world—being at the head of the list in point of merit. Pinoa, the capital of the province, is situated on the river of the same name, and is distant fourteen ig, oe from Paita, her port of entry. course of river Chira is southwest, that of the river Pinoa southeast, and the distance from river to river at this place is four or five leagues. The povalation of Pinoa is said to be 12,000, and it has en a flourishing place, although it now appears ings, and 113 inhabitants are noted for their hospi- tality, and for a higher state of cultivation than that attained by the of the province. river drys up every year; but this aflords tunity of extending the limits of the sm which occupy its banks~plaating the whole the river—but with something more of labor, as they are obliged to replace the sand, with earth from the banks, and oftentimes the unlooked for coming of the waters swallows up in a moment the labor of months. ‘The customs of the people participate in their ge- neral features with those of ail tropical countries— in a@ great laxity of morals, combined with an ob- stinate superstition which defies all attempts at conviction. All this they have came honestly by, being the legacy of their forefathers; in this re- spect having the advantage over us, who rob from other countries and graft into ouz social system manners and customs which are little adapted or in coneonance with the principles of our ancestors. What, perhaps, forms a contrast favorable to this negben gri over all others, is the uniform preva- lence of the most generous hospitality. In the hovel of the poorest laborer, as well as in the palace of the richest Don, the wayfarer or stranger, whatever may be circumstances, is heartily welcomed, and, ai 9 may be in their power, os ger with all that he may require. The warm, full, and ample manner which they exercise their hospitality is what gives it its greatest charm, having the tact to make themselves eppears the favored party. In opposition to this favorable feature in their character, | am forced to eay, that in no part of the world, excepting, per- heps, some of the French colonies, is the vice of lying carned to a greater extent, or rendered more interesting, (if a vice can be made interesting,) having the peculiar knack of disarming all suspi- cion as to their sincerity by the earnestness of their menner, united with appeals to the Virgin Mother, and the thousand and one saints of the calendar, to attest to the truth of what they tell or promise you. The little attention paid to preserve the honor of theee tes¢igos thus invoked, forces upoaa stran- ger the conviction of the little avelity of the appa- rent respect which they pay them. [tis extremely difficult for a Yankee, who has been taught to con- sider the “jie given’”’ one of the greatest insults, to accustom himvelf patiently to hear the daily use of “you lie,” and this even in the best society of the country, and even it the public ne' pers when addressing or trea of their public characters— being so common, in fact, that no one considers his honor in any way injured, and much leas does it enter their thoughts that it should be re- sented as the last and greatest insult offered to man. The vice of gambling is univereal, equally preva- lent ong the rich as among the poor. The | great feasts (religious) celebrated 80 frequently, by | calling together large bodies of idle people, serve | to keep alive the pernicious vice ; and it is in these | feasts that we eee men of comfortable circum- stances, stimulated by example, influence of friends, and sion, love their reason, and with their reason al their worldly goods returning to their home, com- | pletely ruined. Druakenness also abounds in these | feasts, although, as a general thing, they are a temperate people. In an after letter, f will Xe vibe some of the peculiar customs of this people with particularity, confining myself in this to generalities ony, he religion of the country is at a very low ebb, | very few fulfilling the obligetions of strict catho- heim. | ascribe this in part to the introduction and | popularity of French literature, which at this day | 8 mostly read. The opinion is very general, and | fast gaining ground, in favor of the tolerance of | all religious creeds. The present President, Gen. Castille, has openly avowed his opinion in favor of this measure, and itis as openly advocated by some of the leading newepapers of the country. The taxes to support the religion of the country are | extremely burdensome, and, in its presen of poverty, severely felt. This has led the ble portion of the community to look about for a reme- dy, and they see, as is natural, that the most prac- ticable is a dissolution of the union between Church and State, ieaving religion to support itself, or. ‘0 derive its support from the volun- ions of believers. From the “‘sigas * I predict that five y will not elapse before this will take place. Th priests of this country are amiable, kind and tolerant men, as a clase, nerous and forbearing in the exercise of their rights with their parishioners. Among them | have found, as will every stranger, of what- ever creed, the warmest and truest of friends. They are generally sons of the soil, and not a few of them would willingly sacrifice their personal interests on the altar of their country’s good. The polities of the country are confined to a mere scramble tor office, personal consideration and influence deciding all. The term of the pre- sent President expires the 2st of April next. For | m system used to excite the personal feelings little hope ef a quiet ele: years, will undoubtedly decide th disgracing the name of republic. that afier the eleetion by the people of Pree} tial electors, as known friends of Genéral nique, there should still be room electing another; but the doctrine Y founded plausibly enough upon the constituti (which, by the wa} docu framed something al allowing full scope to interminable argumeats) is: that the people have no right,to vote, direetly, fe re! who have full power to elect the person who, t them, may appear to be most fit for the office; that they be elected as known friends of tis or jidate. wu the republicanism of Peru. almost said to ment has but little energy, as will the fact, r in the capitel of the country, Li bands of robbers, who, in bands commit the most shameful atrociti der the very nose of the govern not been able to exterminate the: a standing army of 4,000 men. abundant. in cotton manutactories would pay that the goods sold here freight of the raw materia! there, the return freight to t consequent charges from, seller, &c. have secured a similar place in the other | establishing a manufactory in the heart of the cot- ton growing region, would, of themselves, consti- tute an immense profit on the investment, which, for the same num! than in our country, for there sity for the erection of the costly palaces which the runaisg phy, they consider Peru, the largest, best, and | comm! lees all earthly powers, and that all the chil- ren mode renders indispensable there. ex) petent or able ones. In 5 wacural excitement of the occa- | . & successor, only two candidates were offered to the people, in the primary election, which took place in February last, both of them’ Generals in the army, and neither of them exposing more de- finitely their principles than by vaguely offering ph rt } Sead podem ae turning 'y On the pereonal popularity of the two ax» Pirants. One of them (cen Wehenique) being President of the Council of State, had the ad ein the scramble, his personal influence aided by that derived from his political A majority of the electors chosen were Gen. Echenique; but since, this time, lozen new candidates have been started, ameng them one of the _ lent mer- chants of the conntry, (Sr. » who to be the candidate of the people, who bee otisved ane van- ition. ie the only one 4 inc! niatraton, Melecled. "he eleglet taco at take i mii F overnment, ."educing the s e salary and erm of servi (the first being in {ruth enorngn: other republics, or co.*8idering, being $40,000, and tern; Ofm ¢; though he offers all this, Wj; reforms in the judiciary at;,; advoei internal improvi'Ck ta», m nm laws, as @ part of een all religious creeds must enter as a mat, necessity—I fear that the military ij 1 too strong to permit the election of a peos From the number of candidstes, and NS of them, there is but ion ; farce, asin former question—thi attachments of the frien ‘ou will, perhaps, be surprised, as I have possibnlit; 7. y ppears to be a the style of Spanish la dent, delegating their authority to elec ave no accountability tothe people, e What would the democrecy, y to such a doctrine? at such a doctrine should be afford you sufficient data ge e overn themselves, it at the present mo This letter has extended iteelf t able length, although touching ve! many points, reserving for an after account. to say a few words ona subject which ed my attention, and employed my thoi longtime. Thigis, the great, and I may say, uneur- passed inducements which the country offers for the establishment of cotton and woollen mani ries. particularly of the former. The only thing wanting 13 water ea bake but this fault can be remedied by steam. crop, which will come off in this and the month of Janu- nia bes heck fixed bY. the pay ert Regge _ there are but few, at la carga), or .) Unginas Ke must_be understood 5 ide ee Still, you will permit me, ‘he price of eotton for the comin, Sy ing two-thit izht to be seed, ‘aes aomnnia 120 Ibe. of cotton, valuing 6 3 5 cents per pound. The price, this year, 18 higher than it has been durin; residence here, in former years it bringi at which price, it is true, there ment to plant it. There are all f of building, only 6 but little induoe- ed lumber, only, being dear; r 25 cents per y for able-bodied men; pro' cheap and lo me to prove thaf en vestment ell, is the fact ¢ @xpenses of the Eugeze, chi , with the the profits or Vega, shippers to sad ig. ot these expenses, ~~~ What appe: here, with ions of the gianer, he sav T of spindles, would be less here fould be no necee- The nses would be less, wages being 90 low. offer these few remarks in hope ef directing attention of my speculating countrymen this way. to be going down hill. It contains many good build- | This country offers many inducem:nts to men ef moderate capital, pass a legs labor I really believe that one may ious or anxious life here, with @ 1 of $1000, than at home with $5000. Y: jan! ih thoroughly educated, would meet wih ge success. ‘There are a plenty of et & jocto: rs in the country, but a great scarcity ef com- Pinva, D : Wenkell, from has acquired u fortune, and second to none in the country, particularly in surgery. He holds the ointment of city ph: . Which would not have beea given to er if he did not poesess abi unsurpassed. are only known Lima; masters of trede would find employment. Silversmiths are abundant, but the majority are * mere botches. All other trades are well _ ' sented. For these who would content themstlves with a country life, every inducement is ofiered, io a climate without an equal. I can from 4n experience ef five years ; a chmate, of a constitution far trom robust, I hal not experienced a single day’s sickness in all tl tme,.and have every prospectof rivalling Me salah in longevity. A woman of my acquain' in this neighborhood, 120 yeara of age, has more energy and life in her than half the belles of B: way a century younger. It és nothing uo mon to meet centenarians ; and,*in fact, it. to me that a man only dies because he wishes or because his friends wish him to. One fi quently sees here a man of seveaty or eigh years, dandling hischild on hie knee. A m: may pass the whole year in shirt sleeves, wit! experiencing what it is to be col: down to sleep in the open ing than his “ poncho,” free from all care as injury from night dews, &c.. Thus st is that t commen laborer, with his twenty-five ce day, enjo inthe U the State of Main worth § 1s perfectly independent, as the increase is suff cient to maintain him and his family. Goats well as sheep have two births a year—the formet two, three, and ever four. But | will weary your attention no more at time, remaining, until another opportunity, G u c, Great Sart Lasr Crry, Desens: November 20, 1850. Curious Letter from the Great Salt Description of the Salt Lake Ve On sorts you should be denominas der of news, the Pho»bus of ligh’ Gabriel of heraldry, in point of, for the which reasons I addre: ley of the Great Salt Lake—th men, for the good of freedom, w! air, free light, free thought, ai free to all, while they keep th iolate, and give allan ut all the good they can do in ends), to prepare for an ete§ —where the beauty, and the glory, and the knowledge, and the power, and jeaty aa farecacele the best that ever attracts senses in this world, as your valuable paper passes an abolition handbill, or as the upper of light outshine a Jock-o’-lantern. Sir, I feel a desire to correspond occasion with you upon the multiplicity of matters in Great Basin, pallisadoed bythe sublimity of mountains, than whose virgin snow-capt God hath not a nobler sample of Almightii nor @ more barren desert to exert the expert eflorts of Mormanism, the naked truth of Gods worlds without end. Do not suppose me ext pants for we have places of perfection in thi asin (the cream pot of the Latter-Day Sain! loftily towering over the golden jars of California) so admirably prepared for ever endurement, that the haps and chances of completely distanced, and left as matters that was, and is not, and yet is. These these : the Great Salt Lake, in the whi showld die, you would be pickled and forever; and also the eternal snow of the Peaks, where if ye, through cold, expire would never—no, never thaw out. But these are not all the symptoms of dw or unchangeableness, for six mont! storm, overlit with the mi are but one, are matters of the pens of great writers, enliv expert painters, qui limmers, attract the wisdom of fatherly st, and elicit the compassion of dispenser and author of all the mowntains and in the vallie«as bis ple forever and ever. ©! if i hd the mines and mine: the bird: which the California |: jon, with) Tanges as nobly as the storm ki mount I Wasach in their ina deep concerns for a future ‘ms fore . io ear esa plenty of