CALIFORNIA.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 390, 9 January 1850, Page 3

CALIFORNIA.

We have a few San Francisco papers, which were brought.to Sydney "by the Louisa. The latest is the Pacific l\ews of the 2nd of October. The political intelligence is of importance. It relates to the proceedings of the Convention at Monterey, and includes the " Bill of Rights" — nearly or entirely as it was likely to be definitively adopted. This charter embodies the fundamental principles of the American Constitution, recognising the people as the source of all political power, and providing for trial fey juiy, complete religious freedom and equality, the liberty of the press, and a representation apportioned according to population. The fifteenth and sixteenth sections have such general interest that we quote them in fall : — " Sec. 15. Foreigners who are, or who may hereafter become bona fide residents of this State, shall enjoy the same rights in respect to the possession, enjoyment, and inheritance of property, as native born citizens. " Sec. 16. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime, shall ever be tolerated in this State." j ft Articles for prohibiting lotteries in California and imposing a tax on foreigners landing there, were under consideration. The News of the 22nd of September contains some interesting information respecting the Mining District. It is stated on the authority of a Mr. Wrigley, who has returned to San Francisco to establish himself in business, " In coming to San Francisco, he passed through a considerable extent of mining countiy, and snv thousands engaged in washing, the gi eater poition of whom ncre doing very well ; very many, however, could more profitably employ themselves at some other occupation — individuals who arc unequal to the task, and who did not count the «oit before entering the "diggings." A wrong impression pervaded the minds of a great majority of those who have turned their attention to the search for gold ; they find that instead of shovelling up the precious metal at the rate of a pound each day, they do well if they got a half ounce in that lime, and are obliged to work for even this amount. Good luck frequently attends the exertions of gold hunters ; and instances have been known, within the present season, ol individual! obtaining, in a few hours' time, several pounds of gold. Such cases, however, aro rare, although they are more frequently heard of by outsiders than the ill luck of tenfold the number, who do not average more than half an ounce per day. Dissipation retards the success of runny ; this vice, however, is confined more particularly to old diggers." In another article in the same paper we are informed, "The weather at the mines is daily becoming more agreeable ; and sickness is, to a sonsiderable extent, abating. "Gieat numben of emigrants were daily arriving in the mining district", over land, many of whom were from Texas. "A very small proportion of those who arrive at the mines are enabled to endure the fatigue and privations which they are obliged to undergo ; consequently many return to the Stutes, others establish (themselves in business at San Franciico, and at the several places of deposit on the banks of the Sacra* rnento, Tuolumne, and other rivers. "Agriculture is beginning to attract the attention of a large number, who are convinced that thi» branch of buiiness will pay as well as any other." Sacramento City, New York on the Pacific, Benicia, and other settlements were increasing in population and business ; and Fremont, at the confluence of the Sacramento and Feather .Rivers, was attracting special attention and rapidly rising. The steamer Oregon had arrived/on, the 18th of September, from Panama in twenty-one days. She brought 420 passengers, ten of xvhom were females. Two hundred persons had teen left behind, some through want of means, others in consequence of sickness. During her stay at Panama, considerable excitement had prevailed owing to the indignation of the emigrants, on account of their detention there for three or four weeks. At a publicly convened meeting, resolutions were adopted, strongly censuring the proprietors and agents of the Pacific Steam Company, and declaring the American Consul at that port " unworthy of the station." The Oregon left San. Francisco on her rerum to Panama, on the Ist of October. She carried three hundred passengers from California, and 640,000 dollars in gold dust. The Odd Fellows at San Francisco had appointed a committee to take immediate measures for the establishment of an hospital for the benefit of the Bretlnen of the Order. The town was " infested with thieves." It was complained that the number of the police was too small for the duty required of them. From private communications we learn that Flour had risen to an enormous price, — as much as £100 per ton. Timber, potatoes, onions, and all vegetables commanded high prices ; but clothing and general merchandise were poured in too plentifully to remunerate the importers. We give in another column a new letter (the Ninth) from " Panorama." It will be found at least equal in interest to those which have preceded it.

Government Land Sale. — The Land Sale proclaimed in the Government Gazelle of Dec. G, took place on Monday last. It was numerously attended, and there were more bidders than at any sale since that in March last. Thirteen town lots, four suhurhan, and two country were purchased, in some instances, at an higher than, the upset price. The whole produced the sum of £G6O Is. We may observe that it would, have been more satisfactory

to intending purchasers, if the several allotments, especially in Hobson Sheet, had been pegged out afresh by the Survey department, so as that their localities and boundaries could be easily ascertained.

(ISST The B.\nd of H. M. 58th Regiment, by the permission of Lieut. Col. Wynyard.C.B., will perform in the Grounds in front of the old Government House on to-morrow evening, from four till six o'clock.

PROGRAMME. Overture.. Op. " LeDicu et la Bayedere" Aubp.r Melanga Op "The Crusaders" Benedict Quartette Op " Barona A) Dolskcin "..... Rossini Cavatini Op "Anna Bolena" ...... Donizetti Waltz "The Fuschia" Barret Quadrille "The Prince of Wales " Glover Polka ...."The Cricket" Jullien 50ng. ..." My Helen is the Fairest Flower 1 ' . . Kirby Song; " Gloomy Winter 's now awa".. ..