CALIFORNIA.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 237, 27 January 1860, Page 3

CALIFORNIA.

By the American ship Amos Lawrence, we have San Francisco papers to the 19th of November, being sixteen days later than last advices.

The Mercantile Gazette of the ] Bth, alluding to the state of the weather, and its effects upon trade, remarks:—The first rains of the season occurred at the opening of the present fortnight. They have extended generally throughout the State, and will benefit such mining operations as needed a supply of water. Although deferred to a rather later period than usual, more than the customary quantity of rain has fallen up to the present writing, during several days of heavy showers. The effect has been to, at once, break up the roads in the country, and we already hear complaints of difficulties and advanced rates of transportation. A short spell of fine weather would obviate the latter objection, and at the same time leave the miners requiring water amply supplied.

The Herald, touching upon the same topic observes:—The late rain which has fallen in such large quantities in this city, has extended over the greater part of the State. We find in our interior exchanges reference to the subject, and one and all hail with satisfaction the commencement of the wet season. In the mining districts water has been much needed, and though some damage may occur in consequence of swollen streams, yet the life and activity that will follow its appearance must more than outweigh the possible bad consequence mentioned.

Guano and Salt Discoveries.—Mr. Selim E. Woodworth, of San Francisco, furnishes the Alia California some interesting information in reference to the large salt and guano lagoon, or lake, of Lower California, first brought into notice as a whaling ground some three years since. The inlet extends, adjacent to the coast, from latitude 2640 to 28-4, about one hundred miles in length, by from twenty to fifty miles in breadth. It was first entered by Captain Scammon, of the whaling ship Ocean Bird, some three years ago, who found it abounding in whales it being the resort of the female whales, for calving, from December to April. Since that period, numerous vessels from the Sandwich Islands have visited the place ; but the difficulty encountered in effecting an entrance, has debarred many from reaping much advantage from the attempt.

The following particulars we derive from the source referred to, and we deem them of sufficient importance to warrant republication:—The channel lies some distance north of the 27th parallel of latitude, or below the southern end of the Cedros Island. The land is low and Sandy, and covered with stunted shrubbery, which, however, is invisible some distance at sea. The sea breaks heavily in bad weather two miles out, and owing to this, and the fact that the channej is crooked, the approach is difficult and dangerous to those who are not acquainted. At high tide three fathoms water can be carried in; but only twelve feet at low tide. For this reason only small ships should venture to cross the bar, which assumes to strangers a very formidable appearance. After crossing the bar the water deepens to five and soon after seven fathoms, which depth is found in nearly every part. The entrance is between low sand-pits, not more than a thousand yards apart. From this the lake opens at once, and presents a broad and fine looking expanse of water. It abounds in seal and whale. Our informant, in speaking of the latter, remarked that " the place was alive with them." It is not likely that they will prove so abundant after the approaching whaling fleet have killed off the cow whales, and driven them away from their ancient haunt. The Mexican Government, quick to profit by the enterprise and in-, dustry of others, have already established an agent there, who exacts tonnage dues from all vessels entering for whaling purposes. The waters being generally smooth, the fisheries are pursued with ease and success.

Other valuable resources have been discovered in, this lake. In it are five islands, situated towards the western border, two oi which are found to contain immense deposits; of guano and more or less exists on all the others. The largest island is about three miles long by a mile in width, and on this alone it is estimated that there are upwards of two hundred thousand tons of" guano. Specimens of this were brought here by Oaptain who, came up, on the last trip of the steamer Senator. It proves to be precisely the same as that found on Elide Island, being seal and bird deposits. In fact, all the guano found along that coast is of the same quality. These, of course, come under the contract of Captain Isham with the Mexican Guano Company,, who hi*e'denounced and have probably coai-

meneed working them by this time. They have had two schooners employed for some time carrying guano to the vessels loading at Elide from the small adjacent islands. Elide is now well cleared off, and the next ship will, completely exhaust its stock of guano, when the seat of operations will be removed to the principal one in the group lately discovered. The last fleet of whalers who entered arrived too late in the season for all of them to fill up, and to atone for this, several of them loaded with guano from the principal island. This has now been stopped by the agent of the Company. Still another resource has been discovered. Immense deposits of salt exist along the margins of the lake produced by the process of evaporation which as been going on for ages. A Mexican has secured from his Government the exclusive right to work and export this; and he had, at last accounts, several schooner loads ready for shipment. These salt deposits are of infinite extent, and exist in all directions around the borders of the lake. There are also evidences of great mineral wealth in the highlands. .Going Ahead.—The grading of the Central Railroad from Folsom to Auburn Ravine, eighteen miles, will be nearly or quite complete this month. The rails are to be laid and the cars running to that point by the first of January, 1860. This is going ahead with a steady step, and a section of twenty miles completed every six months will soon extend the road to Marysville and Oroville. Auburn Ravine Station is at a point where the line diverges to the northwest, and where the railroad crosses one of the roads to Nevada. It is the point nearest on the railroad to Auburn, Grass Valley, Rough and Ready and Nevada, and where the trade and travel from those sections are expected to concentrate. In order to meet the wants of the aforesaid trade and travel, the company have entered the land under the United States laws, and surveyed and laid out a town at the station.— Sacramento Union,

Death of a Miner.—We learn, by a gentleman from the mountains, that a man named George Miller was killed in a tunnel on Monday morning at Timbuctoo, in this county. He was at work, when the water bulged in on him, and smashed him amidst the dirt and rocks.— Marysville Democrat.