When was it published?

September 17, 1846 in The Hillsborough Recorder

Foreign News September 17, 1846

The Hillsborough Recorder

Q: What keywords are associated?

Sacramento Valley, California Emigration, Land Description, Colonial Conditions, Settlement Advice

Hillsboro, Orange County, North Carolina

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What is this article about?

Mr. R. Semple's letter from California, reported in the Sangamo Journal, describes the Sacramento Valley's geography, fertility, challenges like water scarcity and insects, lack of law, and advises emigrants on essential tools and supplies.

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From California.—The Sangamo (Illinois) Journal says: "Mr. R. Semple writes from California that the valley of the Sacramento is three hundred miles long by one hundred and fifty wide; that it is crossed by navigable streams which are skirted with wood; that the bottom lands are from one half to six miles wide, and very fertile; that the plains, comprising three-fourths of the valley, for want of water, can never be cultivated; that the population will forever be confined to the rivers; that even the best section of the country is inferior to the Western States; that the timber is only on the mountains; that in the winter the traveller has no chance of going forward but to fly or swim; that the mosquitoes, flies, and insects of every description, appear in myriads; that but few can now obtain grants of land; that there is neither law nor government in the country, and that an Indian caught young makes a good laborer. Mr. Semple concludes by recommending to persons who wish to emigrate to that country, to take with them plow-irons, axes, spades, a few carpenter's tools, augers, chisels, files, plenty of clothing, including shoes, and also garden seeds."

What sub-type of article is it?

Colonial Affairs Economic

What keywords are associated?

Sacramento Valley California Emigration Land Description Colonial Conditions Settlement Advice

What entities or persons were involved?

Mr. R. Semple

Where did it happen?

California

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

California

Key Persons

Mr. R. Semple

Event Details

Mr. R. Semple writes from California describing the Sacramento Valley as 300 miles long by 150 wide, with navigable streams, fertile bottom lands, but uncultivable plains due to lack of water; population confined to rivers; inferior to Western States; timber only on mountains; harsh winter travel; abundant insects; limited land grants; no law or government; young Indians as laborers. Recommends emigrants bring plow-irons, axes, spades, carpenter's tools, augers, chisels, files, clothing, shoes, and garden seeds.