Californians.
California and its Gold.—The territories of New Mexico and Upper California, were known at the time of their cession to be sufficiently large for a great empire. But, by many, they were considered of comparatively little value to the United States, excepting the bay of San Francisco, on the Pacific, as a place of harbor for our ships. But, since their acquisition, California has become, from its mineral wealth, especially its gold, an object of great interest and attraction. The whole civilized world has been astonished by the reports which have been put in circulation respecting its golden treasures, and thousands upon thousands have set forth for this western El Dorado.
California is separated into two divisions by a range of mountains, called the Sierra Nevada, or Snowy Mountains, which stretches along the coast at the general distance of one hundred and fifty miles from it. West of this range are the valleys of San Joaquin and the Sacramento, which are watered by rivers of the same name. They rise at opposite ends of these valleys, and at length meet and enter the bay of Francisco together. The greatest point of interest in this newly-acquired territory, is the valley of the Sacramento, which is distinguished by its gold deposites or "placers," as they are called. The recent discovery of the existence of gold in this region was accidental. In enlarging the race-way of a water-wheel, connected with a saw-mill just erected by a Mr. Marshall for Captain Sutter, by letting in a strong current of water, a considerable quantity of earth was carried to the foot of the race. Not long after, Mr. Marshall discovered some glittering particles in this earth, which, on further inspection, proved to be virgin gold. Further explorations ensued, and deposites have been found to exist in various portions of this valley for several hundred miles.
Election of General Taylor.—The administration of Mr. Polk was signalized by many interesting and important events. Yet, it cannot be said to have been popular, even with the party to which he owed his elevation. Towards the close of his term, few, if any, seriously advocated his rëelection. At a democratic convention, held in Baltimore May 21st, 1848, Lewis Cass, of Michigan, was nominated for the presidency, and General W. O. Butler, of Kentucky, for the vice-presidency. The candidates proposed by a whig convention held at Philadelphia, June 7th, were General Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, and Millard Fillmore, of New York. Subsequently, a free-soil convention assembled at Utica, and nominated Martin Van Buren. The votes of the several electoral colleges resulted as follows:
| Key: A. | Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana. |
| B. | Lewis Cass, of Michigan. |
| C. | Millard Filmore, of New York. |
| D. | Wm. O. Butler, of Kentucky. |
| Number of Electors from each State. | STATES. | PRESIDENT. | VICE-PRESIDENT. | ||
| A. | B. | C. | D. | ||
| 9 | Maine, | 9 | 9 | ||
| 6 | New Hampshire, | 6 | 6 | ||
| 12 | Massachusetts, | 12 | 12 | ||
| 4 | Rhode Island, | 4 | 4 | ||
| 6 | Connecticut, | 6 | 6 | ||
| 6 | Vermont, | 6 | 6 | ||
| 36 | New York, | 36 | 36 | ||
| 7 | New Jersey, | 7 | 7 | ||
| 26 | Pennsylvania, | 26 | 26 | ||
| 3 | Delaware, | 3 | 3 | ||
| 8 | Maryland, | 8 | 8 | ||
| 17 | Virginia, | 17 | 17 | ||
| 11 | North Carolina, | 11 | 11 | ||
| 9 | South Carolina, | 9 | 9 | ||
| 10 | Georgia, | 10 | 10 | ||
| 12 | Kentucky, | 12 | 12 | ||
| 13 | Tennessee, | 13 | 13 | ||
| 23 | Ohio, | 23 | 23 | ||
| 6 | Lousiana, | 6 | 6 | ||
| 6 | Mississippi, | 6 | 6 | ||
| 12 | Indiana, | 12 | 12 | ||
| 9 | Illinois, | 9 | 9 | ||
| 9 | Alabama, | 9 | 9 | ||
| 7 | Missouri, | 7 | 7 | ||
| 3 | Arkansas, | 3 | 3 | ||
| 5 | Michigan, | 5 | 5 | ||
| 3 | Florida, | 3 | 3 | ||
| 4 | Texas, | 4 | 4 | ||
| 4 | Iowa, | 4 | 4 | ||
| 4 | Wisconsin, | 4 | 4 | ||
| 290 | Whole No. of Electors, Majority, 146 | 163 | 127 | 163 | 127 |