HISTORY OP CALIFORNIA. 159 



wise to lay off the land in conformity to the course 

 of the hills and streams which bound and drain the 

 valleys. 



"A system of drainage, which would also secure 

 irrigation, is absolutely necessary to give value to the 

 great plain of the Sacramento and San Joaquin. 

 This valley is so extensive and level that, if the rivers 

 passing through it were never to overflow their banks, 

 the rain which falls in winter would render the greater 

 portion of it unfit for cultivation. The foundation of 

 such a system can only be established in the survey 

 and sale of the land. 



" This can be done by laying out canals and drains, 

 at suitable distances, and in proper directions, and 

 by leaving wide margins to the rivers, that they may 

 have plenty of room to increase their channels 

 when their waters shall be confined within them by 

 embankments, 



" It would be well also to regulate the price of 

 these lands, so as to meet, in some degree, the ex- 

 pense of draining them. 



" This system would, when agriculture shall become 

 a pursuit in California, make this valley one of the 

 most beautiful and productive portions of the Union." 



With regard to the present state of the commerce 

 and of the commercial resources of California, it is 

 observed, that her resources are confined almost 

 entirely to the metallic wealth of the country, and that 

 such a state of things would seem unfavorable to an 

 extensive commercial intercourse. Undoubtedly, this 

 metallic wealth of itself, could not long maintain an 

 extensive commerce with the various nations of the 

 earth. But when the mineral wealth begins to be 

 developed, as it soon will, there will be no lack of 



