History of the State of California Part 15

The Trinity River and Humboldt Harbor, in the north-western part of California, have lately become a resort for the superfluous population of the Sacramento and San Joaquin regions. The harbor is p.r.o.nounced a very good one, and the discovery of abundance of gold on the branches of Trinity River, will, doubtless, contribute to the building of a large town upon its sh.o.r.es.

In the middle of June, there was much excitement in San Francisco, caused by the reported discovery of a gold lake, among the mountains between the South Fork of Feather River and the Yuba. One man was said to have got $7000 in four days, and a party of ten Kanakas were reported to have got $75,000 in a week. A vast number of people were by this means attracted to the sources of the Feather and Yuba Rivers, and though they found the lake story a hoax of a vile character, they found tolerably fair diggings, which would console them for their disappointment.

The following extract from the Placer Times of the 17th of July, 1850, under the head of "Great Discoveries of Gold--Gold Lake," will afford the reader a lively conception of the degree of excitement caused in California by every new announcement of a newly discovered locality abounding in gold:

"We were inclined to give only an average degree of credit to stories that have reached us during the past few days, of the unprecedented richness which this locality has developed. A few moments pa.s.sed in Marysville on Sat.u.r.day, convinced us that there is much more show of reality in this last _eureka report_, than usually attaches to the like. In a year's experience of local excitements from the same cause, we have seen none equal to what now prevails in that town. It has visited all the inhabitants indiscriminately, lawyers, doctors and judges, traders, teamsters, mechanics and gamblers. Our readers know we are the last to justify the circulation of unfounded or exaggerated reports, but we deem it right to conceal nothing of what may prove (for aught that we can see to the contrary) one of the most astounding discoveries in the modern history of diggings. The specimens brought into Marysville are of a value from $1600 down. Ten ounces is reported as no unusual yield to a panfull, and the first party of sixty, which started out under the guidance of one who had returned successful, were a.s.sured that they would not get less than $500 each per day. We were told that the previous morning two hundred had left the town with a full supply of provisions and four hundred mules. Those who could not go were hiring others in their stead. The length of the journey and the quant.i.ty of provisions required, there being no stores in the region, rendered an outfit rather expensive. Mules and horses had doubled in value, and $400 were considered no more than enough to furnish a proper start.

The distance to Gold Lake was first reported two hundred miles; the best informed, however, say that it is but little more than half of that. It lies at a very considerable elevation among the mountains that divide the waters of the South Fork of Feather from those of the north branch of the Yuba. The direction from Marysville is a little north of east. The story has of course spread ere this far and wide among the miners high up on the Feather and Yuba, and the spot will be as crowded as all other good places are, ere the tardy adventurer from this region could reach it. The region of the Gold Lake wonders is a new one, however, and lies between what are established to be diggings of unsurpa.s.sed richness. It is our belief that it is better for one who has got some initiation into the gold mysteries, (if there be any,) not to be content in old 'used up' localities, but to push along to the great field yet unexplored; and that, though the search be long and laborious, the _big lift_ is ultimately pretty sure for those who are patient and persevering."

[Ill.u.s.tration: MONTEREY.]

The same paper of July 18th, contains additional particulars, having a tendency to add plausibility to the reports. Among other things, a man by the name of McLelland came into Marysville on the 17th, with $7000, the result of four days' labor at Gold Lake. Whatever may be the truth of the reports, there is no doubt of one thing--the whole population of Marysville and its vicinity have become infected by the news, and are taking up their march thitherwards in crowds.

The Transcript speaks rather doubtingly on the subject; it says--"The reports come as a general thing, through teamsters and other persons whose interest it is to give as favorable accounts as possible. The statements are very conflicting."

To this we may add the statement of a gentleman who reached this city from Marysville, direct, on Tuesday night. The excitement, he says, is great; but no one could give any definite information of the locality or of its productiveness. Yet all seemed to think there was no doubt in the matter, and as many as could get away were starting, or getting ready to push for the new El Dorado. Upon his way down, on board the boat, he conversed with a man who professed to have explored that region lately, although he did not claim to know where Gold Lake was.

But between the North Fork of the Yuba and Feather Rivers, at the foot of the great chain of mountains, he reported a series of lakes of various dimensions, and "two thousand people," prospecting all about.

The snow was very deep--"six feet"--and but little gold.

The following extract from the Placer Times, is the most positive information within our knowledge.

On the arrival of the "Lawrence," yesterday, from Marysville, we received more news of the Gold Lake excitement, now prevailing in those parts. It promises to spare no one. Many who would not be understood to have yielded to it, seek, under various pretences, to get away--some pleading business in other quarters of the mines; others desiring the recreation of a country jaunt. It is reported that, up to Thursday last, two thousand persons had taken up their journey; that many who were working good claims, and had made considerable progress, were deserting them for the new discovery.

Mules and horses were almost impossible to be obtained. A supply from this quarter was expected daily, and most anxiously awaited. Although the truth of the report rest on the authority of but two or three who have returned from Gold Lake, yet but few are found who doubt their marvellous revelations. The first man who came into Marysville took out a party of forty as guide, on condition they paid him one hundred dollars each if his story was verified, and offering his life as a forfeit for any deception.

"This party, it is understood, came near losing their way, from the difficulty the guide found in retracing his path, after the snow had melted. Fortunately, however, they encountered another man, who was on his way returning, and he showed the track. The second person has since left with a much larger party, who are to give him two hundred dollars each, and the same forfeit is provided. The spot is described as very difficult of approach, and it is feared that many will lose their way. A party of ten Kanakas are reported to have wintered at Gold Lake, subsisting chiefly on the flesh of their animals. They are said to have taken out about $75,000 the first week. The lake is not large, and, after the wet season ceases, has no outlet; at present, however, the water runs over the basin, and finds its way into the North Fork of Feather River. At a lower stage, it admits of easy drainage, and the undertaking is already projected.

"Of course the most extravagant antic.i.p.ations are founded on the result of this work, induced by the yield from the borders of the lake which have already been realized. The "placer" proper is very limited, and little encouragement is given as to the character of the surrounding country; indeed, it is probably entirely unexplored, as the region lies about as far up among the snows as the most adventurous have yet penetrated."

The Yuba River is destined to be thoroughly rifled of its wealth.

Three miles above the new town of Lina, a company has turned the river from its course, and made it run through a lateral slough. Prospecting of the bed has proved very satisfactory, and the shares in the company's stock have sold at a high rate.

As was apprehended, various difficulties have occurred between the owners of land at Sacramento City, and a large number of squatters upon it. The ground was bought and surveyed, and the t.i.tle to owners.h.i.+p was perfect. But the number of emigrants who arrive at Sacramento at particular seasons forces them to encamp outside of the regularly built town, and when thus encamped, they consider themselves as settlers, and are unwilling to give up possession of the ground.

The power of the law has been called into requisition several times to eject these squatters.

The emigrants to California by way of the Great Salt Lake route have endured terrible hards.h.i.+ps during the present year. The rigors of the season, and the want of water, have been but secondary matters. The Indians, always unfriendly, have been particularly hostile, and several battles between them and the emigrants have taken place. In one of the battles, thirty Indians were killed, while the whites had several wounded, but none killed. It is supposed that the a.s.sailants belonged to the Utahs. The Salt Lake City is the great refuge of the belated emigrants upon that route, and the Mormons are hospitable to all who visit them for shelter, or for mere curiosity.

The great body of the emigrants continue to take the old route, which we have elsewhere described, and find that it is the safest and shortest of the land routes. Judging from the statements of the number of emigrants who have pa.s.sed Fort Laramie this season, we should say, that the route could scarcely be called a wilderness, when it is impossible to travel thirty miles without meeting with parties and families of whites. Part of this tide of emigration will flow to Oregon, no doubt, on account of the fertile lands to be there obtained; but the golden land will get the bulk of it.

In a recent tour through the region bordering on Moqueleme River, in California, a couple of gentlemen from Stockton, discovered a cave or grotto of great extent. They found that it contained large quant.i.ties of stalact.i.te, and saw evidences of gold. The Indians who accompanied the gentlemen were horror stricken at their audacity, when they entered a cave which tradition said no man returned from alive. The skeleton of a human being was found at some distance from the opening.

An event has occurred which will no doubt exercise a great influence on California affairs. This is the discovery of the existence of abundance of gold in Oregon territory. The discovery created great excitement through the various cities and towns of Oregon, and the northern towns of California. That which is exhibited, shows an entirely different character to any of that dug in the mines of California. It contains large quant.i.ties of platina, and is said to be of a richer character. The mines just discovered are situated about two hundred miles from Oregon City. The consequences of this discovery may be easily apprehended. Oregon will secure a larger share of the emigration from the Atlantic States than she had before, and her progress will be rapid, for her soil and climate render the country an attractive place of residence. But will the progress of California be less rapid in consequence of this? We think not. The united attractions of the two territories will operate for the benefit of both, and only tend to increase the quant.i.ty of emigration.

FOOTNOTE:

[20] The _Alta Californian_, of the 1st of May, 1850, furnishes us with an interesting account of the origin and meaning of the names of places in the new State. We have elsewhere alluded to the name California, as being derived from _caliente_ and _fornalla_, two Spanish words, together signifying _hot furnace_.

_Pueblo de los Angeles--City of the Angels._ So named from the fertility of the soil, the geniality of the climate, &c.

San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, were all originally Catholic missionary stations and were so named by the priests.

_Monterey_ signifies literally king of forests, and was so called in honor of Count Monterey, as well as from the neighboring forest of ma.s.sive pines and other trees.

_Contra Costa_, the name of a county, signifies opposite coast, from its being opposite San Francisco. _Mount Diablo_, which is in this county, was named from the following circ.u.mstance:

In 1806 a military expedition from San Francisco marched against the tribe "Bolgones," who were encamped at the foot of the mount; the Indians were prepared to receive the expedition, and a hot engagement ensued in the large hollow fronting the western side of the mount. As the victory was about to be decided in favor of the Indians, an unknown personage, decorated with the most extraordinary plumage, and making divers movements, suddenly appeared near the combatants. The Indians were victorious, and the incognitio (Puy) departed toward the mount. The defeated soldiers, on ascertaining that the spirit went through the same ceremony daily and at all hours, named the mount "Diablo," in allusion to its mysterious inhabitant, that continued thus to make his strange appearance, until the tribe was subdued by the troops in command of Lieutenant Gabriel Moraga, in a second campaign of the same year. In the aboriginal tongue "Puy" signifies "Evil Spirit;" in Spanish it means Diablo, and Devil in the Anglo-American language.

_Calaveras_ signifies skulls, and the creek thus styled was named from the fact of three thousand skulls having been found lying on its banks by its early discoverers. They were the remnants of a great battle between the Indians.

_Tuolumne_, which has been spelt so many different ways in the letters from California, is a corruption of the Indian word "talmalamme," a cl.u.s.ter of stone wigwams.

_Mariposa_ means b.u.t.terfly. The river was so named in 1807, by a hunting party of Californians, from the fact of their encampment there having been surrounded by myriads of most gorgeous b.u.t.terflies.

_Solano_ was so named after a celebrated Catholic missionary.

_Yolo_ is a corruption of the Indian word "Yoloy," and means a place abounding with rushes.

_Marin_ was so designated after a great Indian chief, who made war so desperately against the Spaniards.

_Sonoma_ is an Indian word, signifying valley of the moon. The Indians so named the valley in which the present town of that t.i.tle is situated.

_Napa_ was the name of the Indian tribe who inhabited the valley of the same name.

_Mendocino_ was so named after the first Viceroy of Mexico.

_Yuba_, a corruption of "uba," originally alluded to the immense quant.i.ties of vines which shaded the river.

_b.u.t.te_ is a French word signifying hill, and was given by a party of hunters from the Hudson Bay Company to a range of high hills in the valley of the Sacramento. From thence the county is named.

_Coluse_ county was so called after an Indian tribe of which it was the name.

_Shalta_ county is so styled after an Indian tribe also.

CHAPTER XV.

A GENERAL VIEW OF CALIFORNIA AT THE PRESENT TIME.

We have followed the narrative of the events in the history of California up to the present time. We have traced her progress from her first settlement up to the time when she appears as a sovereign republican State; and we have seen the effects of her vast metallic wealth working wonders in a short s.p.a.ce of time. We have seen her towns before and after the gold discovery, and marked the contrast; and we have seen her territory become thickly peopled, and her resources developed in a s.p.a.ce of time which other territories less favored, would require for an infancy. We have also considered her soil, climate, productions, and population, and exhibited each subject as fully as our information warranted. But in order to give a clear conception of the general character of California and her resources and capabilities, and to enable the reader to obtain an idea of the bright future to which she is destined, we have concluded to add another chapter upon the general state of things there at the present time.

California is now a State--in organization at least, if not in being a member of the Union. The country has become thoroughly American in its government and laws. A Const.i.tution is adopted as a State organization, which bears the impress of enlightened sentiment and just principles.

The most liberal provisions have been made in that instrument for the grand end of public education. The power and capability of the people to rule themselves has been recognized in the matter of electing nearly all the officers of the government--including the judges of the various courts over which the State has control. The Legislature, in the course of a laborious session, has abolished the old civil law which ruled the country under the Mexican government, and continued after the acquisition of the territory by the United States, and have subst.i.tuted the common law of England and many of the States in the Union. In taking this step, they were actuated by sound policy. Few of those who were subjected to be tried, or to have their suits decided by the rules of this civil code were aware of the nature of these rules; and from their crude and unintelligible character, it would have been a long time before they could have been fully or certainly informed. The old common law is that to whose rules they have conformed in the older States, and which is better suited to their habits and principles of action.

But with her complete State organization, California has applied for admission into the Union, and from various causes, without reason, as we conceive, has not yet been admitted to her claim. This delay, continued through a long session of Congress, has somewhat irritated the Californians, who are anxiously watching the doings of Congress.

The state of feeling on the subject is clearly stated in one of the California papers; and it is worthy of attention. We extract it.