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 SYNOPSIS OF REASONS WHY IT SHOULD BE MADE A PORT 
 
 OF ENTRY. 
 
 In support of the pending application for the establishment of a port of 
 entry at Benicia as set forth in the following petitions, and to counteract 
 the unexpected local and personal opposition said to be arrayed against it, 
 the following brief synopsis of the facts and official statements, now in the 
 hands of the Committee on Commerce, is respectfully submitted: 
 
 The leading petition in this case, it will be seen, among other things, 
 states that "from several official surveys lately made of the great bay of 
 San Francisco, 'Benicia' has been found pre-eminently, above all others, 
 to possess the requisite facilities for a large sea-port." But it has been 
 asked, with somewhat of an air of triumph, if the advantages of Benicia 
 are truly thus pre-eminent, why is it that San Francisco was selected as 
 the principal point of concentration for the immense tide of trade and em- 
 igration, which the discovery of gold has been, and still is, attracting to 
 California, and how do you account for its rapid and extraordinary growth? 
 This question is briefly answered by the 1st four clauses of the petition 
 from the merchants and residents of Benicia; in confirmation of the truth 
 of which, and of other facts therein stated, we proceed to add the authentic 
 and official statements of several distinguished officers of the Army and 
 Navy of the United States. 
 
 First. Copies and abstracts of sundry memorials to Congress. 
 
 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in 
 Congress assembled: 
 
 Your petitioners, merchants and residents of Benicia, California, would 
 respectfully represent to your honorable bodies the necessity which ex- 
 ists for making this city a port of entry; for that purpose we beg to sub- 
 mit to your consideration the following facts: During the continuance of 
 the Mexican war, and for some time after the signing the treaty of peace, 
 San Francisco was the only port generally knov.'n on the great bay of San 
 Francisco. This was owing to the fact that the topography of the country, 
 and the navigation of its waters, had been up to that time imperfectly ex- 
 amined and understood, and that there were few or no inhabitants east of 
 the straits of Karquinez. The discovery of gold in the great valley of 
 Sacramento and San Joaquin induced a spirit of emigration, and awakened 
 the enterprize of the whole world in pursuit of the mineral wealth of Cal- 
 ifornia. As a necessary consequence, the whole tide of trade and emigra- 
 tion was directed towards the only port then known on the bay of San 
 Francisco, as answering the purpose of debarkation and transhipment to 
 the interior, and the result has been the extraordinary growth of San 
 Francisco. Meanwhile several official surveys of the great bay have been 
 made, and Benicia has been found pre-eminently, above all others, to 
 possess the requisite facilities for a large sea-port. This fact is now so 
 
 Gideon <fc Co., Printers. 
 
 iift*t- 
 
' • ••'•"* 2 .S^^<^ 
 
 well understood, even in our Atlantic cities, that many shippers of goods 
 from thence have directed their supercargoes and consignees to discharge 
 their cargoes at Benicia after entering them at the custom-house at San 
 Francisco. The State legislature have granted to Benicia an act incorpor- 
 ating it as a city. American ships are constantly arriving from foreign 
 and home ports, after having been subjected to the expense and delay of 
 entering their cargoes at San Francisco, and the foreign and internal trade of 
 the port is already greater than any sea-port in California, except San Fran- 
 cisco. This trade is rapidly increasing in importance, and imperatively 
 demands the removal of the restrictions under which it at present suffers, 
 owing to the exclusion of foreign vessels. The position of Benicia is com- 
 mercially the most central of any site upon the bay of San Francisco. 
 The access to it from the ocean, from which it is distant 30 miles, is per- 
 fectly practicable, through a deep and wide channel, in which there are no 
 obstructions whatever. It is the point most easily approached from the 
 mines, offering the best and safest anchorage below the delta of Suisone 
 bay, formed by outlets of the rivers Sacramento and San Joaquin. It is 
 located upon the northern shore of the straits of Karquinez, and along a 
 portion ot over a mile in extent of its water front, the channel runs so near 
 the bank that ships lay along side and discharge their cargoes without the 
 intervention of launches or scows. The expense of landing goods at this 
 point is consequently from 5 to 8 dollars per ton less than at any other 
 point on the bay, while its comparative proximity to the mining region 
 gives it an additional advantage in the relative cheapness with which goods 
 may be transported thither. The difference in the cost between this and 
 other places on the bay is about 33^ per cent., which, together with the 
 difference in landing expenses, would be saved to the consumer were this 
 point made a port of entry. Benicia has already been selected as the 
 depot of the United States mail steamers, and as the United States military 
 station and head quarters in California. Several of the ships of the United 
 States Pacific squadron, among which are the sloops Falmouth and Preble, 
 and the frigate Savannah, are anchored here. We advert to these facts 
 as collateral evidence of the correctness of the foregoing statements, and 
 of the justice of our claims upon your early and favorable consideration of 
 our petition. We beg leave, respectfully, to refer you, for further infor- 
 mation, to the official report of Commodore Jones to the Secretary of the 
 Navy, and to the reports of Gen'l Smith to the Secretary of War, and also 
 the report of the joint commission of Army and Naval officers upon the 
 location of the naval depot and navy yard upon Mare island, in the im- 
 mediate vicinity of Benicia. To these reports we would earnestly solicit 
 your attention, especially to those of Com. Jones and Gen'l Smith, in 
 which Benicia alone is mentioned as the natural terminus of the northern 
 route of the great National Railroad, which it is expected, at no distant day, 
 is to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific. Your petitioners, for the fore- 
 going reasons, would most respectfully solicit your early attention to the 
 importance of passing an act establishing Benicia a port of entry, deem- 
 ing it to be a measure of great importance, not to them alone, but to the 
 shippers of goods, both from foreign and domestic ports, to the consumers 
 of goods in the interior, and to the true interests of the vast and rapidly 
 increasing commerce of California. And petitioners will ever pray, &c. 
 
The above petition is numerously signed, embracing the names of sev- 
 eral gentlemen who are extensive owners of property in San Francisco. 
 
 Several additional petitions from most of the young and flourishing towns 
 and cities in the vicinity of the mining regions have also been referred to 
 the Senate Committee on Commerce, and among them is one from the 
 merchants, land holders, and other citizens of Sacramento city: 
 
 Setting forth "that it would greatly promote the interests and con- 
 venience of the mining population of California to have Benicia made a 
 'port of entry;' that it is eligibly located for that purpose, possesses a 
 good and safe harbor, and that its relative position to the northern and 
 southern mines will enable emigrants to reach their destination with safety 
 and economy, and likewise promote the general commercial interests of 
 California, &c." This memorial is signed by many of the principal men 
 of wealth and character in that city. 
 
 Also one from the town of Fremont, a flourishing city opposite the mouth 
 of Feather river, and one from the flourishing town of Vernon, each 
 setting forth similar facts to the above, and praying that Benicia be made 
 a port of entry. 
 
 Also several other memorials, and especially from the large and rapidly 
 growing towns of Marysville and Yuba city, each setting forth "that they, 
 as well as the whole mining population of the country, are greatly incon- 
 venienced by there being no other port of entry than San Francisco on the 
 waters of that bay; that the entire commerce around them is carried on in 
 vessels of a small size, unfit to navigate the bays of San Pablo and San 
 Francisco, and urgently requesting that Benicia be opened to foreign 
 trade, it being easily and safely reached from the sea by the largest ships, 
 whereby they may be enabled to procure their supplies," "without being 
 exposed to a navigation which must of necessity be carried on by a class 
 of vessels utterly unfit to encounter the strong winds of the bays before 
 mentioned." 
 
 Here follows the memorial of the Presidents of fifteen Insurance Compa- 
 nies of the city of Boston, who, in view of the numerous batches of re- 
 claimers returned on them on goods insured and damaged in landing, on 
 account of the danger and difficulty of discharging cargoes at San Fran- 
 cisco, unite with the principal merchants and shippers of that city, engaged 
 in the California trade, in asking for a port of entry at Benicia: 
 
 "The undersigned, underwriters, merchants and shippers, and others, 
 of the city of Boston, interested in the prosecution of commerce on the 
 Pacific, respectfully represent, that from advices received from their corres- 
 pondents and agents in California, they believe that the interests of com- 
 merce would be greatly promoted by the establishment of a port of entry 
 on the straits of Karquinez, at the head of ocean navigation, and that an 
 immense saving would thereby be realized to the shippers and consumers 
 from the much gred-iev facility and safety in discharging cargoes at Benicia 
 than at San Francisco, and they therefore earnestly pray that a port of 
 entry be established at Benicia, in Upper California, with as little delay 
 as practicable." 
 
 Boston, August 14, 1850. 
 
 Signed as above stated by the presidents of 15 Insurance companies of 
 Boston, and the principal merchants and shippers of that city. 
 
 Extract from one of the J^ew York memorials. 
 The undersigned, shipping merchants and others, interested in the com- 
 
4 
 
 merce of the Pacific, residents of the city of New York, respectfully rep- 
 resent, that in consequence of the delay, danger, difficulty, and enormous 
 expense of reporting and discharging cargoes at San Francisco, Califor- 
 nia, serious losses have been inrariably sustained, by those engaged in the 
 trade, which may be wholly avoided by establishing a port of entry at Be- 
 nicia, on the straits of Karquinez, that place being the head of sea navi- 
 gation for large ships, with a deep channel close in shore, protected from 
 the winds, holding the nearest approach to the great valleys of the Sacra- 
 mento and San Joaquin, and easily accessible from the ocean. The}-, there- 
 fore, being convinced that the great interest? of commerce reguire that it 
 should be permitted to seek its most advantageous channel, without being 
 sacrificed io or impeded by any local interesi, respectfully pray that a port 
 of entry be established at Benicia, in Upper California. 
 
 New York, .iugusi 8, 1S50. 
 
 Signed by '^ Edwin Bartlett, Alsop & Chaunc}', Rowland & Aspinwall, 
 Grinnell,''' and other leading shipping merchants, and bj' the presidents of 
 the principal insurance companies in New York. 
 
 We regret that we have not before us, for insertion in this connexion, 
 a copy of the very clear, forcible, and conclusive paper nov\- in the hands 
 of the committee, furnished bj' Lieut. Maury, chief of the bureau of hydro- 
 graphy, astronomy, &.C., as well as many other official papers, aU in 
 earnest recommendation of this object. 
 
 FIRST DIAISION. 
 
 Under this head it is proposed to shew, historical!}-, from the official 
 statements of Com. Jones, bj^ what train of accidents San Francisco ob- 
 tained the monopoly of trade on the bay, and has since retained it. This 
 will be done by quoting as near as may be the precise language of such 
 extracts from his report as are deemed necessary to illustrate the subject; 
 and, he says: 
 
 1st. ''Yerba Buena (bow San Francisco) became, a few years ago, a 
 trading post for hides and taUow, and there being no civilized inhabitants 
 except on the ba}' and at Sutter's fort, whose chief occupation was the 
 rearing of cattle, it had of course no inland trade.''^ 
 
 2d. ''Earlj^ in the Mexican war, there being no other settled point on 
 the ba}', it became a naval and military station, and port of entr}^, for Hhe 
 war contribution.' This at once gave it an impetus and importance to 
 which for commercial purposes it had no intrinsic claim." 
 
 3d. ""When peace came, the same state of things was continued, 'and 
 rightly so, until the removal of the consumers to the gold region, along 
 the base of the Sierra Nevada.' # * * From that moment it became 
 the most unsuitable and inconvenient point on the bay for a commercial 
 depot ^roOT whence to supply the mines. ''^ 
 
 4;th. Yet, notwithstanding, when the news of the discovery of the gold 
 mines went abroad, the commercial world at home and in Europe, knowing 
 no other place on the bay, made all their shipments to San Francisco. 
 
 Shortly after, to wit, JNIarch 3d, 1S49, our Government, acting in the 
 same want of correct information as to the topography of the bay and the 
 surrounding country, established the custom-house, and thus continued the 
 monopoly at San Francisco 
 
 5th. Owing to these accidental causes, "San Francisco," in the language 
 of Com. Jones, "despite its natural inconveniences and real disadvantages, 
 
as the only port of entiy on tboee bars, still enjoys the entire wumopohj oi 
 a trade, which, fcM- tonnage, is not exceeded bv more than two or three tit 
 oar Atlantic cities." And this folly accounts for its rapid growth, and ior 
 the temporary e.-zb ^m- - " ? ' " ^" i hi- z-iz. :hui thrown upon its younger 
 sister, Benic.z. 
 
 SECOND DIYISIOX. 
 
 The monstrous wrong and injustice which must result to the great body 
 of the peojJe of California, as well as the loss which must accrue to the 
 revenues of the Government, from continuing this exclusiTe monopoly to 
 San Francisco, are fully shown by the official reports of Com- Jones and 
 Gen'l Persilor F. Smith, and other distinguished oficers of the Govern- 
 ment 
 
 These wrongs, and this injustice, and this loss to the revenue, resulting 
 from this monopoly, consist, 1st, in the loss to the shijifper and the in- 
 creased cost to the consumer: 2d, in the frauds which grow out of the 
 practice, ''rendered necessary by the present crowded state of the shipping 
 at San Francisco,) "of trari.* hipping- cargoes fo the upper port s. ijrifhoui 
 landing them. :^^ a revenue loss, which Commodore Jones sets down at 
 *' one-half: at any rate, to an amount greatly beyond the additional ex- 
 pense of aU the custom-houses, the creation of which he had suggested," 
 to wit, Benicia, Sacramento, Stockton, Monterey, and San Diego. 
 
 These conclusions rest, firs:, upon the facts shown by Commodore Jones; 
 who says that '''neither the anchorage nor land about San Francisco is sufi- 
 ciently capacious for one-half the commerce novc centered there; and that, in 
 consequence of its constant exposure to the heavy gales which prevail there; 
 of the extensive mud flats before the town, making the distance more than 
 half a mUe from the shipping to the shore; the suspension for days together 
 of all communication between the town and shipping by reason of the stron? 
 tide and cross sea," together with the fact that '•' level space on shore for 
 warehouses is so contracted, and the cost of landing and storing goods is 
 so enormous, and the danger from fire is so imminent,* that two-thirds of 
 the goods now in the country are still afloat in the harbor." To this con- 
 traction and scarcity of space may well be ascribed the monstrous exorbi- 
 tance of the rents, unparalleled in any commercial city in the old or new 
 world, and the consequent enormous and ruinous charges for storage, 
 agencies, and commissions, which have swallowed up the entire profits ol 
 so many cargoes. Again : '•' Such is the exposure and delay in landing 
 cargoes, that many instances have occurred, "where more than the entire 
 freight of large ship;, from home, has been absorbed in landing, which 
 the charter party required to be delivered on shore." 
 
 2d. The same facts are reasserted and confirmed by General Persifor F. 
 Smith, in his several official reports to the War Department, bearing date 
 April 5th and April 9th, 1S49. as printed in Senate Doc. Xo. 18, pages 
 693 and 69S--9, and House Doc. No. 17. pages 717, 721, 722, and 723. 
 In the first of these reports General Smith, speaking of the necessity of 
 finding some suitable place on the Bay of Francisco, '' combining good 
 climate, convenience of supply, and facility of movement for the establish- 
 ment of the general military depot of the Pacific,'' says, "the town ot 
 San Francisco is no way fitted for military or commercial purposes. There 
 
 • Prophetic, as the reron v/as vrritten months before the two last destroclive ares, by 
 which the beat and wealthiest part of the town has been laid waste. 
 
is no harbor, a bad landing place, bad water, an inclement climate, and 
 it is cut off from the rest of the country, except by a long circuit around 
 the southern extremity of the bay. In time of war, enemies' troops could 
 be landed many miles south of the entrance of the bay on the sea beach, 
 and thus cut it off by a short line across the Peninsula, on which it stands." 
 The General, then, proposes going the next day, *' with other officers of 
 the army and navy, to examine the straits of Karquinez, (Benicia,) said to 
 combine most advantages," and adds, " I hope that in fixing the port of 
 entry, capital, or other public places, the law will leave the President the 
 selection ; otherwise, private interests, already involved in speculation here, 
 (San Francisco,) will, by misrepresentation, lead to a very bad choice.'''* 
 (See House Doc. No. 17, page 717.) We will not say that this prophecy 
 has become history. 
 
 Under date of April 9th the General further states, that according to 
 the design above expressed, he proceeded in company with Commodore 
 Jones and several other officers to the straits of Karquinez, which he 
 reached against " a head wind" in 2 hours and 45 minutes, '' showing that 
 a vessel could easily reach this point from the sea in one tide.''' ^' We had 
 soundings," he says, " carefully taken the whole distance, and found 
 nothing less than five fathoms, corresponding with the depth marked on 
 Wilkes' chart of the Exploring Expedition." The channel is from two to 
 five miles wide, except in Racoon and San Pedro straits. * * * * 
 " The officers of the navy, those of the joint commission of engineers and 
 naval officers, the officers of the coa'^t survey, and such staff officers as 
 were present, were all of opinion that there was a perfectly good and suf- 
 ficient beating channel, without obstruction, ybr vessels of war of ihe largest 
 class, from sea to the upper end of the straits of Karquinez," (adjoining 
 Benicia.) Page 721. House Doc. No. 17. The General adds, page 722, 
 "As the expense of landing stores at San Francisco is enormous, and diffi- 
 cult every where else on the coast, where lighters are necessary, I propose, 
 if the land can be procured without expense to the United States, to estab- 
 lish immediately the quartermaster's depots at those points, so as to have the 
 stores now coming out landed there. There are no warehouses here 
 (San Francisco) to be had, and they can be built there cheaper than here, 
 on account of the expense attending the landing of the lumber here." 
 
 For the above reasons. General Smith states in his despatch, May 1st, 
 1849, House Doc. No. 17, page 739 : " The general depot has been estab- 
 lished at ' Benicia,' on the straits of Karquinez; and I beg the Quarter- 
 master General may be advised of the change in the location, in order that 
 all stores may be shipped for ' Benicia,' Bay of San Francisco." Again, 
 page 740, he says: "The enormous expense attending the landing and 
 shipment of goods at San Francisco will be obviated by the removal of the 
 depot to Benicia, on the straits of Karquinez, where the general depot 
 is established. Brevet Colonel Casey is there with two companies." And 
 again, page 747, same Doc, speaking of the eligible position of Benicia, 
 the General says : "Benicia, about 25 or 30 miles from the sea, accessible 
 to the largest ships ; just below the junction of the Sacramento and San 
 Joaquin rivers, is the general depot." 
 
 In further testimony of the disadvantages attending the harbor at San 
 Francisco, and the superiority of that of Benicia over it, the accounts of 
 General Smith sent home to Washington will show a saving to our Govern- 
 ment of over one hundred thousand dollars, in the mere landing of Govern- 
 ment stores at Benicia during nine months, these expenses being less by 
 
that sura than they would have been had the stores been landed at San 
 Francisco, as proved by his vouchers for expenses of landing a cargo at 
 the latter place during this time; as will also several recent official com- 
 munications, from distinguished officers now stationed there, showing in 
 one case " a saving of $9,600 in cash and two months in time, by dis- 
 charging a cargo of lumber from Maine at Benicia, instead of San Fran- 
 cisco;" and in a very recent case, as certified by the Quartermaster Gene- 
 ral, " a saving of $15,000 and three months time;" which latter documents 
 have been placed in the hands of the committee. It is also worthy of no- 
 tice, that owing " to the danger and difficulty of discharging cargoes at 
 San Francisco, numerous batches of reclaimers on goods damaged in land- 
 ing, have been sent back to the insurance companies, in amounts almost 
 equal to the premiums for insurance; and it is officially stated that no office 
 will longer grant policies for any vessel to lay at San Francisco. To this 
 fact may be ascribed the petition from the numerous insurance companies 
 of the cities of Boston and New York. 
 
 These statements are by no means made with a view to detract from 
 the just merits of San Francisco, whatever they may be — (indeed, many 
 of the applicants for the pending measure are largely interested in proper- 
 ty there) — but for the purpose of showing the necessity of granting to the 
 great interests involved the remedy contemplated by this application, to 
 wit, the privilege of choosing the most eligible port, and the means of 
 modifying and reducing the monstrous and exorbitant expenses, losses, 
 and exactions to which this vast commerce is now subjected. 
 
 How are these great evils to be avoided? How is this groat shipping 
 and commercial interest to be relieved from this grievous and intolerable 
 burden? How are the wants of the miners and consumers in the great 
 interior, soon to amount to millions, dependant upon foreign countries for 
 the necessaries of life, to be relieved from the enormous sacrifice conse- 
 quent upon the existing monopoly of this vast trade at its present point? 
 Com. Jones answers: "The true and natural solution of these questions 
 will be found in the principle of free competition in trade and commerce;" 
 in breaking up the monopoly which enchains their operation to a single 
 point, and allowing them to seek, untrammelled, the best and safest and 
 cheapest points, as their preferred marts of exchange. 
 
 And may we not ask, shall that wild freak of accidental events which 
 has given birth and temporary power to San Francisco, be permitted, by 
 the strong hand of Government, to counteract and control the designs of 
 nature? Will Congress neglect or refuse to unchain the vast commerce 
 which she holds thus exclusively in her iron grasp, and set it free? Shall 
 jonrafe interest or /oca/ opposition to a measure, so fair and just as the 
 one now claimed, be permitted to prevail against the common wishes and 
 the public good? 
 
 And this br-ings us to the immediate consideration of the claim set forth 
 by the petitioners under the 
 
 THIRD DIVISION. 
 
 It will be seen by the documents in the hands of the committee, in ex 
 press terms, "that not one of the objections above stated as existing at 
 San Francisco apply to the seaport town of Benicia," where, in the lan- 
 guage of United States officers, "the shores are bold, and the largest 
 merchant ships lay along the natural bank, at all tides and at all seasons, 
 in perfect safety." 
 
Under this head it may not be deemed improper to present a few ex- 
 tracts from numerous letters before us, from intelligent gentlemen in Cali- 
 fornia, and even from papers published at San Francisco. The following 
 extracts are from a gentleman of high character, who, although one of 
 the owners at Benicia, is nevertheless largely interested in property at 
 San Francisco. Under date of San Francisco, May 1st, 1850, the writer 
 says: 
 
 ''At length an arrangement has been consummated between Messrs. 
 Howland &, Aspinwall, of the Pacific Mail Ship Co., who, after trying 
 San Francisco 14 months, have selected Benicia as the only place on the 
 bay affording the necessary facilities for their head quarters," "To- 
 morrow morning we are to sign the papers by which we sell to Howland 
 &. Aspinwall a sufficient number of lots to atfbrd accommodations for their 
 line of steamers to Panama, to Oregon, to the Sandwich Islands, and of 
 their independent line of coast steamers running to Mexican ports. Thus 
 we control the shir-ments of treasure, and the importations of the more 
 costly goods, not only from Europe and America, but from the golden 
 East." 
 
 And again, under date of May 30th, the same writer states: "As I 
 wrote you, every thing has been arranged with the proprietors of the Pa- 
 cific mail steamers; and they have commenced buildings — wharves, coal 
 depots, reservoirs for water, machine shops, a steam foundry, engine manu- 
 factory, &c., &c., at a cost of over $120,000. The materials are all on 
 the spot — 100 men at work, and the entire establishments are to be com- 
 pleted in 3 or 4 months. We have made an arrangement with Mr. 
 Shillaber, late of Canton, China, the agent of Howard & Son's line of 
 ocean steamers, to make Benicia their depot, conditioned solely upon its 
 being made a port of entry. * * * It is therefore of every import- 
 ance, not to say of the most urgent and positive necessity, to the promo- 
 tion of these great interests, and the general interests of our entire national 
 commerce, that Benicia be made a port of entry during the present session 
 of Congress. 'Tis true I have an interest in this measure; but, as you 
 know, I am largely interested in property at San Francisco. In this mat- 
 ter I discard all local feeling, all private interest. I am working, not for 
 myielf alone, but for California. * * * i tell you every consumer 
 throughout our vast mineral regions is interested in the result. The already 
 gigantic commerce of this infant State demands it; and the people have 
 demanded it in their legislative address sent on to Washington by their 
 delegation. * * * We cannot see how it is possible for Congress, 
 with a proper knowledge of the facts, to deny our prayer. We are de- 
 manding only a reasonable right. We ask only that commerce may be 
 free and unfettered, according to the principles which have always govern- 
 ed our legislation — that trade may seek its most advantageous channel. 
 Were the facts even less urgent, no harm could be done by making Beni- 
 cia a port of entry, for it would add no additional cost to the Government, 
 and it is then put upon the same platform with San Francisco and other 
 places. If San Francisco be the better place, the trade will center there; 
 if Benicia be the better place, it will go there; if both be good places, it 
 will go to both, and thereby create that wholesome competition so neces- 
 sary to the best interests of commerce. This certainly is but just and 
 fair, and in accordance with the enlightened policy of our Government, 
 not to create, and perpetuate by their legislation, a virtual monopoly in 
 favor of one place to the exclusion of others, to the detriment of com- 
 
merce, and to the manifest injury of all the great interests of the country." 
 Here follow two or three extracts from several letters written by a 
 gentleman, distinguished, not only in California, but in the Atlantic States, 
 for his high character, intelligence, and public worth. 
 
 Under date of "San Francisco, 14th January, 1S50," he remarks: 
 *' Unquestionably Benicia has many advantages, and is by far the best and 
 safest harbor on the bay. One fact alone will speak volumes: the differ- 
 ence in the expense and charges for landing the army stores, during nine 
 months, between San Francisco and Benicia, was, on equal quantities, 
 one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in favor of Benicia." 
 
 And again, under date of May 1, 1850, he says: ''We have concluded 
 a positive arrangement with Rowland & Aspinwall for their steamers to 
 go direct to Benicia. They will make it their depot, and have engaged to 
 establish several large warehouses there. I have also made arrangements 
 with the Russian (North) American Commercial Company, whose busi- 
 ness I have most happily settled, and who have appointed me their agent. 
 They will send us coal, lumber, and vegetables, and open an extensive 
 trade. I have engaged to put them up a warehouse lor their exclusive 
 use, and we are to have the control of the trade to Sitka; but much will 
 depend upon Benicia being made a 'port of entry' at this session; and I 
 beg you to use every effort to effect it." 
 
 Again, under date of May 31, 1850, he adds: "I yesterday accompanied 
 Mr. Bissel, agent for Rowland & Aspinwall's steamers and the Pacific 
 mail steamers, in the Unicorn, to Benicia, having in tow two large ships, 
 loaded with lumber and stores — three other ships being already there, 
 discharging their cargoes. Several other gentlemen have also purchased, 
 among them Mr. J., of Valparaiso, Mr. M., of Mazatlan; and Mr. Mc, 
 of San Francisco, another merchant of high standing, has purchased seve- 
 ral lots; he will move altogether to Bencia so soon as Benicia is made a 
 port of entry." 
 
 From a long letter, written by another gentleman, dated San Francisco, 
 April 30, 1850, and published in the New York Journal of Commerce, of 
 the 26th June, ult., this extract is taken. Speaking of other towns, the 
 writer says: " Benicia, on the contrary, has increased greatly, and is a fine 
 town. I think this place is destined to be very large. If San Francisco 
 had not already so great a start, Benicia could be made to supersede it; for, 
 in my judgment, it possesses superior advantages. The largest class of 
 vessels can lay directly alongside the wharves, saving the enormous cost of 
 lighterage and other expenses. The site of the town is every way desirable, 
 and it is free from those rude blasts and endless hills which weigh against 
 San Francisco. As we approached the town, the whole air was perfumed 
 from the numerous wild flowers which bloom upon the surface of the sur- 
 rounding country." 
 
 That part of the extract depreciating the merits of San Francisco is omit- 
 ted. 
 
 But without multiplying extracts from the numerous letters before us, 
 in commendation of the advantages of Benicia, let us quote from a more 
 authoritative source. In the "Alta California," published at San Franciscoy 
 July the 2d, 1849, before Benicia had begun to assume her present impor- 
 tance, the gentlemanly editor of that paper, under the head of "Benicia," 
 speaks thus ; 
 
 " This is the rival of San Francisco for the empire of the Pacific. It is 
 situated on the Straits of Karquinez, about 35 miles from the Ocean, on a 
 2 
 
10 
 
 gentle slope, which becomes almost a plain as it nears the water's 
 edo-e." ######»# 
 
 " Many buildings have been erected there of late. It is now made the 
 head quarters of the Pacific division of the United States army. The large 
 deposites of army, quartermaster, and commissary stores, have recently 
 been removed from San Francisco to that place, and a site has been se- 
 lected by Com. Jones for a navy yard, a short distance above the town. 
 This place is certainly rapidly advancing in size and importance; but we 
 do not doubt that its prosperity will always be dependent on that of San 
 Francisco," &c. At this time, with her increased wealth and population, 
 the editor, with his usual candor would, we doubt not, conclude that she 
 might depend xipon herself. 
 
 The next quotation is an extract from the editorials of the Journal of 
 Commerce of May last, another paper published at San Francisco. The 
 editor having just returned from a visit at Benicia, says: "Towards sun- 
 down, we climed a richly carpeted knoll, as the golden light of day made 
 beautiful each distant hill, and gazed with quiet pleasure on as gorgeous a 
 scene as ever eye looked upon. Benicia is certainly a beautiful site for 
 a city." Again he adds: "There is much activity evinced by the proper- 
 ty holders now at Benicia, and they are effecting many improvements 
 which promise to be of incalculable benefit." "Houses are going up 
 rapidly^ and a river steamer of considerable dimensions is under course of 
 construction; while capital is at work in various ways, which must result 
 in enhancing the value of property, and securing to this city z. permanent 
 importance. ^^ ******** 
 
 "Many have opined, that the time is not far distant when Benicia 
 will be a most formidable rival of San Francisco; but in this we neither 
 concur nor express a contrary opinion, but studiously refrain from making 
 any predictions whatever, for so many remarkable occurrences take place in 
 these days to surprise one, that we consider such a course farthe safest for 
 thereputation of our foresight. " "That Benicia will soon grow to be a place of 
 ^rcflHmportance there is, in our mind, no question. But we cannot see how 
 that is to affect San Francisco in the least." "We like a generous rivalry in 
 all things, and see no reason why we should not have two large cities on 
 this bay as well as one." 
 
 These statements, by intelligent editors, residing and holding property 
 at San Francisco, of which they declare Benicia to be the rival, constitut- 
 ing a frank and honorable admission against their own interests, should, we 
 think, be regarded as pretty strong testimony to sustain the claims of Beni- 
 cia. But we pass to a still more authentic class of testimony. 
 
 Gen. Smith in his despatch, dated San Francisco, April 9, 1849, says, 
 H. Doc. 17, pages 721 and 722: "The Straits of Karquinez are about 5 
 miles long, and from 1 to 2 broad; half-way up, the hills recede from the 
 water, leaving a very favorable scite for a town, larger than is likely to ex- 
 ist any where here for a century to come; and on this inclined plain a 
 town is now laid out, called Benicia." "A large vessel can lie near enough 
 the bank to unload at several points, and in the whole extent by a small 
 expense for wharves." "The road from the whole Southern country to 
 the upper Sacramento crosses here at Benicia; during the season of high 
 water, when the valley of the San Joaquin is overflowed;" (which is 
 nearly half the year,) " this point has at all times a free communica- 
 tion with all parts of the Territory.''^ " As this point, (Straits of Karqui- 
 nez,) has, in my opinion, so many advantages over any other on the waters 
 
u 
 
 of the bay, for commercial, naval, and military purposes, I respectfully 
 suggest, that the laws for establishing ports of entry, depots^ admiralty 
 courts, &c., should not name the points of location, but leave them to be 
 selected by the President; and that the commissioners now here be asked 
 to examine and report immediately, in time for the action of the next Con- 
 gress. Ai present \hexe. are no public establishments, and but fewijoorflry 
 commercial ones at any place; but if commerce becomes once fixed, it will 
 be hard to remove it against the private interests of those who desire it to 
 remain, even under great disadvantages." These wise and ti7nely s,wgges- 
 tions, made 16 months ago, are conclusive of the necessity for speedy 
 action. The already existing opposition has not only verified the predic- 
 tion, but vindicated the wisdom of the warning. 
 
 Here may be the proper place to introduce an extract from the report 
 of the select committee, appointed by the Senate of California to report to 
 that body "on the derivation and definition of the names of the several 
 counties of that State." 
 
 Under the head of the county of " Salano" the committee state, that 
 " the town of Benicia, situate in this county, is rapidly tncreasing in size 
 and importance, and will soo7i rival the other towns that encircle the bay 
 of San Francisco. The American squadron is stationed here, and many 
 vessels lie at anchor. Here is the only passage to the interior, and conse- 
 quently there is, perhaps, no point from which the active trade of the bay 
 can be better observed. There is in front of the town a bank or promon- 
 tory extending about ojie mile, which precludes the necessity of wharves.''^ 
 
 The following correspondence, embracing the opinion, on this subject, 
 of Commodore Stribling, one of the most distinguished and talented offi- 
 cers of the U. S. Navy, can scarcely fail to give decisive strength to the 
 recommendation of the petitioners. 
 
 "Washington, August 12, 1850. 
 " Com. C. K. Stribling, U. S. N. 
 
 " Sir: Enclosed I send you the copy of a petition, now before Congress, 
 for the establishment of a port of entry at Benicia, on the Straits of Karquinez, 
 California. As a resident of that country, in an official capacity, for the most 
 part, since 1842, it is presumed that you are well acquainted with the to- 
 pography of the bay of San Francisco, of its tributaries, and of the sur- 
 rounding country. If I am correct in this, will you favor me with your 
 opinion as to the eligibility of Benicia for the purpose indicated, and as a 
 suitable position for the commercial metropolis of that now important sec- 
 tion of our country; with such reasons to sustain your views as your 
 knowledge of the facts and your own convenience may enable you to state. 
 
 " Your compliance with this request will greatly oblige one who has no 
 other wish in the premises than the promotion of the public interests. 
 " I have the honor to be, with great respect, your ob't serv't. 
 
 "E. COOKE." 
 
 Reply. 
 
 " U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Aug. 14, 1850. 
 
 " Sir: In answer to your letter of the 12th instant, I take great pleasure 
 
 in giving you my views in relation to the eligibility of Benicia, as the 
 
 commercial metropolis of California. I must remark, however, that I have 
 
 not seen the report of Gen. Smith or Com. Jones, or the joint commission 
 
12 
 
 of Army and Navy officers, referred to by the residents of Benicla In tlieir 
 memorial to Congress; consequently my opinion cannot be influenced by 
 any thing they have said. 
 
 "Benicia is situated on the north side of the Straits of Karquinez, on 
 ground rising gently from the w^ater, and fronts on the straits and Suisone 
 bay. The straits, I think, are about 3 miles long, with an average breadth 
 of less than a mile. This whole space affords good and safe anchorage for 
 vessels of the largest class, being protected from the strong winds which 
 prevail in the winter from the southeast, and indeed, so far as I have in- 
 formation, from all winds that blow with violence. 
 
 " The shore is so bold that large ships can haul alongside the beach 
 and discharge their cargoes with perfect safety. 
 
 ''Amongst the advantages for building, Benicia has one not often found 
 upon the site of a city. Freestone, of a superior quality for building pur- 
 poses, is seen cropping out in several places, within the limits of the city, 
 and is, I am informed, very abundant. 
 
 "The well water of Benicia is very good, and never failing streams are 
 near the city, and can be brought into it at a very moderate expense. 
 
 " Benicia is near some of the richest valleys of California, where all the 
 supplies of a large city can be produced. 
 
 "The only pass fit for a ferry, from the southern portion of California to the 
 north, is at the Straits of Karquinez. I believe there is no ferry, from these 
 straits, until you reach Sacramento city; and if I am correctly informed, 
 one cannot be established between these places without very great expense. 
 
 "Benicia is, in my opinion, the proper head of ship navigation. I am 
 aware that a different opinion has been expressed in favor of New York 
 of the Pacific, and other places above the Straits of Karquinez. 
 
 "Above Benicia the navigation is safe for small bonis and launches. 
 
 " From the sea to Benicia, (the distance being over 30 miles from the bar,) 
 the navigation for the largest ships is safe and easy. 
 
 " Benicia or its vicinity affords, in my opinion, the best site for a naval 
 arsenal on the bay of San Francisco. The ease with which it can be de- 
 fended from an enemy, having command of the sea, is also in its favor. 
 
 " I believe the climate of Benicia is better than places near the sea, or 
 those still further removed from it. But my experience does not enable 
 me to affirm this. 
 
 " The conclusion at which I arrive is, that Benicia is superior to any 
 other place in the bay of San Francisco for the commercial mart of 
 California, and for the immense commerce already i:i existence, and cer- 
 tain to be greater, in consequence of the recent gold discovery in that 
 country, and prospectively as the centre of a great trade with Japan, Chi- 
 na, India, and the islands of the Pacific. 
 
 " I concur in the opinions given by the citizens of Benicia in their memo- 
 rial to Congress for the establishment of a port of entry there, and believe 
 the true interests of the country will be promoted by granting their request. 
 
 "It may not be amiss for me to state, that I have no personal interest 
 in the matter. I do not own, and never have owned, a foot of land in 
 Benicia or any other part of California. 
 
 " The above will, I hope, be of some service, as coming from one having 
 had an opportunity of knowing something of California, and the Bay of San 
 Francisco in particular. 
 
 " With great respect, I am, your ob't servant, 
 "E. Cooke, esq." *'C. K. STRIBLING." 
 
13 
 
 Again, in page 950, House Document No. 17, is the following official 
 statement: 
 
 "The new town of San Francisco is situated among sand hills, near 
 the extremity of a narrow peninsula of some 60 milrs in length, washed 
 by the Picific ocean on the west, an.! by the southern arm of the bay on 
 the east. The greater portion of this peninsula being extremely sterile, is 
 but sparsely inhabited; and, consequently, nine-tenths of the immense 
 amount of goods entered at the town of San Francisco are transhipped in 
 launches and bay craft, up the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, for dis- 
 tribution among the various gold diggings." 
 
 The enormous charges are then spoken of for freight and storage, to wit: 
 " 6^ to 7 dollars per bbl. for flour to Sutter's fort, and $3 per bbl. per month 
 for storage at San Francisco. (The price in the Atlantic States is 12^ cts., or 
 l-24th the price at San Francisco.) " These prices are not likely to be re- 
 duced until Congress shall establish a custom-house at the more convenient 
 port of Benicia, on the straits of Karquinez. 
 
 In addition to these facts Com. Jones further states, in his report to the 
 Navy Department, that "the channel from the ocean to Benicia, is 
 no where less than one mile wide, with a depth of 28 feet of water in 
 the shoalest place at the lowest tide. The anchorage within the straits is 
 most ample for all purposes, and is perfectly secure from all winds. The 
 water along the south front of the town is so bold that a dozen merchant 
 ships of large class, among them the "Iowa," are now lying with stages 
 made with their own spars to the shore. The building surface is undulat- 
 ing, and rising gently towards the hills in the rear. The hills and shores 
 abound in freestone of an excellent quality; and what is of incomparable 
 advantage to Benicia, no where between it and the '^Butes,'' except at 
 one point 18 or 20 miles above, does dry land approach nearer than 30 or 
 40 miles on opposite sides of the great basin of the Sacramento. Hence 
 it will be seen, that the only point of land communication between nor- 
 thern, middle, and southern California, is at Benicia, on the straits, across 
 which a horse-boat is now constantly plying." 
 
 " Whenever the vast and fertile country, between the Oregon and the 
 straits and bay, shall be subjected to agricultural cultivation, as it soon must 
 be, its products cannot find an outlet to the ocean, or to the mining regions, 
 at any other point, comparable with Benicia, within 40 miles of which it is 
 ascertained there are at this time sixty thousand head of cattle. And if 
 ever the great national railroad is constructed across the Rocky mountains 
 to the Pacific shores, a glance at the map of the Sacramento valley will 
 point to Benicia as designed by nature's laws for its western terminus." 
 
 It is claimed, therefore, in view of the grounds above assigned, which 
 are only a few of the many of the official facts before the committee, that 
 a port of entry be established at Benicia — 
 
 1st. Because, there being "no practicable or convenient navigation for 
 large ships above the straits of Karquinez," it is the head of ocean navi- 
 gation, perfectly accessible to the largest sea-going ships. 
 
 2d. Because it is a fixed law of commerce that the entrepot, or great 
 mart of exchange, should always be as near as possible to the market to be 
 supplied. That great law decided the location of Philadelphia where it is, 
 instead of at New Castle or Wilmington, or at either of the capes below. 
 That law established the commercial emporium at Baltimore instead of 
 Port Tobacco' or Annapolis — the latter of which had several thousand in- 
 habitants before Baltimore had a dozen houses; at New York, instead of 
 
14 
 
 Fisherman's Bay and Perth Amboy, where all the trade with Europe and 
 the Indies was carried on before New York was settled; and in Europe 
 and Asia, at London, Cronstadt, Canton, and Calcutta, instead of points 
 nearer the sea; and we might, if necessary, enumerate a thousand addi- 
 tional illustrations of the principle. 
 
 3d. Because we hold it to be settled and established, beyond all question, 
 by the official reports of General Smith and Commodore Jones, confirmed 
 by the opinions and statements of other distinguished officers and intelli- 
 gent gentlemen who have thoroughly examined the topography of the bay 
 and surrounding country, that Benicia, occupying a similar position with 
 respect to the Pacific which New York occupies with respect to the 
 Atlantic ocean, is the point on the bay designed by nature as the great 
 commercial metropolis of California and the Pacific. 
 
 4th. Because reliance ought to be placed upon the authentic official re- 
 ports of our distinguished naval and military officers, rather than upon the 
 statements of interested or prejudiced individuals who have never made a 
 scientific or practical examination of the subject; and because, in view of 
 its unrivalled advantages for naval and commercial purposes, as well as for 
 means of defence, these officers have established at Benicia, and Mare 
 island, in its immediate vicinity, the general military depot, navy yard, and 
 depository of the public stores for the Pacific. 
 
 5th. Because it is a matter of the first importance to select and grant 
 Government facilities to that place or landing on those waters, for our com- 
 mercial marine, which will tax least the active industry of the people; 
 where the ocean vessel can meet the river craft, both in safety; where land 
 communication may be had with every portion of the State;* and where the 
 great American '-ailroad, if one is built from Lake Michigan or St. Louis, 
 must necessarily terminate to receive and exchange the products of Asia, 
 Europe, and America. This spot is Benicia. 
 
 6th. Because the central position of Benicia, in the vast and rich valleys 
 of San Joaquin, Sacramento, Salano, Nappa, Sonoma, and Conta Costa, 
 all diverging from it, make it the centre, of which these valleys are so 
 many radii, and hence the most eligible point at which their golden pro- 
 ducts can meet with, and be exchanged for, the products of the world. 
 Because it is the only place on the whole bay where a direct land commu- 
 nication can be had at all seasons of the year, on solid ground, on both 
 sides of the straits, with the vast agricultural and mining regions of the 
 north, northeast, south, and southeast. Because, also, ships can discharge 
 their cargoes, as has been shown, within one-twentieth i\i^ time, and for 
 one-twentieth the expense, which they can at San Francisco, at a point 
 nearer and more convenient to the great body of the consumers; and offering 
 the greatest facilities for the transhipment and transportation of merchan- 
 dise from the sea-going vessels to the interior, whether by the river ciaft 
 or by land conveyance, to the consuming region. 
 
 7th. Because it occupies the key, whether by land or water, to the en- 
 tire commerce of those extensive regions, and holds the only position, in a 
 narrow strait, on the passage to the interior, from which the active trade 
 of those waters can be observed and guarded, and by which smuggling to 
 the numerous points on the upper bay and river can be effectually detected 
 and prevented.! 
 
 ♦ Vide the numerous petitions from the thriving cities of the mining co/fl^py, as to their 
 river craft and internal trade, &c. 
 fSee Report of the Select Committee above quoted. 
 
29 
 
 8th. Because of its entire freedom from the storms of the ocean; and 
 because, as alleged by General Smith, (see House document 17, pao^es 
 721, 722,) "it is the most favorable site for a large city, and has so many 
 advantages over any other place on the bay for commercial, naval, and mili- 
 tary purposes." Because, as he also says, "there is no other point en- 
 tirely covered from all winds, and consequently no point at which vessels 
 can lie close in shore, and discharge their cargoes in perfect safety." And 
 because, therefore, it is earnestly recommended by him, and other dis- 
 tinguished officers, as a port of entry. 
 
 9th. Because, in the opinion of Commodore Jones and other officers on 
 that station, it will prevent constant frauds upon the revenue, and save 
 immense loss to the Government, resulting from the existing necessity of 
 transhipping goods at San Francisco without landing them; while the ex 
 pense will scarcely be increased beyond that of keeping up a mere port of 
 delivery at Benicia, which is now allowed them by the collector. 
 
 10th, Because, as has been above shewn, of its marked superiority as 
 a site for building and building materials; embracing an ample area of 
 beautiful rolling land for a large city, remarkable for the purity of its wa- 
 ters, the facility with which living streams can be introduced, and the sa- 
 lubrity of the climate; forming the sea border of an extensive, rich agri- 
 cultural country, and a perfectly "defensible position against any possible 
 attack from any enemy. ^' 
 
 11th. Because a port of entry at Benicia, according to an accurate cal- 
 culation of Commodore Jones and others, (see official statements,) will 
 save millions annually to the hardy settlers and consumers of those distant 
 regions. And, finally, because a commerce so growing and immense as 
 that now centering at California from all parts of the world ought, accord- 
 ing to the principles which have ever governed our legislation, to be left 
 free and unfettered, to seek its best and most advantageous points of ope- 
 ration, without being trammelled by a monopoly which now enchains it 
 to a single point on the bay, subjects it to ruinous delays, and loads it with 
 grievous and enormous exactions. 
 
 These are some of the reasons, hastily sketched, why the establishment 
 of a port of entry is claimed at Benicia. 
 
 This is all the petitioners, and other friends of the claim, ask from Con- 
 gress. They solicit no diminution of the Government patronage which 
 justly belongs to San Francisco. But, in behalf of the toiling thousands 
 in the mining regions, in the name of equal justice, in behalf of the true 
 rights and pressing wants of California, and the great interests of com- 
 merce every where, they earnestly ask, as a right, that Benicia be placed 
 upon that fair footing of equal competition with her neighbors, to which it 
 is claimed her intrinsic merits and her extraordinary advantages incontes- 
 tably entitle her. This is all they ask; and to grant this is, they believe, 
 but just and fair, and "in accordance with the enlightened policy of our 
 Government — not to create and perpetuate, by legislation, a virtual monop- 
 oly, in favor of one place to the exclusion of others, to the detriment of 
 commerce, and to the manifest injury of the public interests." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 It may be aslod, if all the advantages, both to commerce and the coun- 
 try, upon which a port of entry is claimed at Benicia, are admitted to exist, 
 why will not the mere making it a port of delivery for the discharge of 
 cargoes, after the same have been entered and paid for at San Francisco, 
 fully meet the exigency ? 
 
 The reasons^ to sustain the negative of this question, are numerous^ and 
 it is believed conclusive and unanswerable: whether we look to the uni- 
 form practice of the Government, or to the geographical, commercial, or 
 fiscal aspect of the question. 
 
 First, then, the practice of the Government sustains this claim, and 
 vastly more than sustains it. A few examples will show this. 
 
 In Rhode Island, there is a port of entry at Newport and one at Provi- 
 dence, on the same waters, and in direct range with each other. In Con- 
 necticut, there is a port of entry at Middletown, on the river, some little 
 distance above New Haven, where there is also one: besides several oth- 
 ers in less distance from each other than between Benicia and San Fran- 
 cisco, with not one-fiftieth the amount of commerce for all. 
 
 There are separate and distinct ports of entry at New York, at Perth 
 Amboy, and at Newark, all on the same inland waters; the one being about 
 26, and the other, (Newark,) only about 9 miles from New York. 
 
 Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Burlington, on the river, only a few 
 miles above the latter, have each separate ports of entry. Annapolis and 
 Baltimore, about 24 miles apart, (the former made so long before the 
 latter,) on the same bay, are ports of entry; so are Norfolk and Richmond. 
 But without proceeding further, Alexandria and Georgetown, only about 
 7 miles apart, on the same river, with a commerce less than one-hundredth 
 the value of that of the bays of San Francisco and San Pablo, are and long 
 have been, each distinct ports of entry ! 
 
 Thus much for precedents, in which we find abundant warrant for the 
 claim set forth for Benicia. But we have still stronger grounds, and among 
 the other reasons, why the making Benicia a mere port of delivery would be 
 wholly insufficient to remedy the existing evil, and promote the best inter- 
 ests of the Government and the country, are the following: 
 
 First, the geographical position of the waters on which San Francisco 
 and Benicia are situated, cannot be likened, at all, to that of a mere river, 
 or to that of any of the cases above cited as precedents. In each of those 
 cases, separate ports of entry were established on the same contiguous 
 waters; frequently in a direct line of coast, and at points having the same 
 great section of back country to accommodate and supply. Not so in this 
 case. It presents not only an entirely different, but an infinitely stronger 
 claim to a port of entry, than any that can be made out by either of those 
 precedents. 
 
 The waters of the bay of San Pablo, adjoining Benicia, and those of 
 the bay of San Francisco, embracing the town of that name, in every 
 
17 
 
 geographical aspect, and for every maritime, practical, and especially Jm 
 every commercial 'purpose^ constitute separate and independent bodies of 
 water. 
 
 A separate and independent port of entry, instead of a Taexe port of de- 
 livery, is therefore claimed at Benicia. Because it will be seen, as well 
 from official statements as from the map itself, that the large body of wa- 
 ters — erroneously denominated the bay of San Francisco, is actually divid- 
 ed at its entrance from the sea into two distinct northern and southern 
 sections; the one turning to the right and forming the bay of San Francisco 
 nroper, and the other to the left through the Raccoon and San Pedro straits; 
 forming the bays of Suisan, San Pablo, and the straits of Karquinez; con- 
 stituting, for all commercial purposes , two separate bays, united only by a 
 common inlet; and each having its own, relative and appropriate, but entire- 
 ly different, section of country to accommodate and supply. 
 
 San Francisco, on the one hand, (situate near the extreme point of a 
 sandy peninsula, nearly sixty miles long) — from its consequent detached 
 position from the main land, where the great body of the mining popula- 
 tion are engaged, can only be commercially considered as the natural port 
 of the southern section of these bays, for the supply of the rich valleys of 
 Santa Clara and San Jose : while Benicia, at the head of ocean navigation, 
 naturally and commercially belongs to the San Pablo or northern section ; 
 holds the commercial key at the only good harbor, near the outlets of the 
 two gi eat rivers of California ; and occupies the centre of, and forms the 
 natural mart for, the rich and entensive valleys of Salano, Nappa Sonoma, 
 Conta Costa, Eldorado Yuba, Sacramento, and San Joaquin ; and because, 
 therefore, nature, as well as the interests of commerce, seem clearly to 
 have decreed the necessity of two separate ports of entry on those waters, at 
 Benicia and San Francisco. In connection with, and in confirmation of, 
 this view of the subject, it is respectfully submitted, whether the facts set 
 forth in the several memorials from the numerous young cities in the min- 
 ing regions, " that the entire commerce around them," is, and must al- 
 ways, of necessity, be carried on in vessels too small for the strong winds 
 and dangerous navigation of the bays below Benicia, where they can 
 meet the largest ocean ships and procure their supplies, is not of itself 
 conclusive upon the justice and necessity of making Benicia a full port of 
 entry? 
 
 This being the true state of the case, and the two ports lying in opposite 
 directions, on different routes, and accommodating different sections of the 
 country — to continue longer to compel ships, after a long, perilous voyage, 
 {it may be of SpOOO miles) with their sea-worn crews — and passengers for 
 the mines, in every case, to go out of their way, through a chopped sea, 
 some 25 miles, (including ingress and egress,) and thus to subject them to 
 the expense, delays, and dangers of an unsafe roadstead, (where according 
 to General Smith and Commodore Jones, '< all communication with the 
 town is frequently cut off for days together by the cross sea," — for the 
 utterly useless purpose of first stopping and entering at San Francisco, in- 
 stead of taking the direct course to Benicia, to which port, the goods and 
 passengers are destined — would be an act of injustice and cruelty, not to 
 be tolerated by just and enlightened statesmen, and without a parallel in 
 the history of American legislation. 
 
 Connected with this branch of reasons, permit us to quote, briefly, from 
 a letter, dated <' San Francisco, May 31, 1850," from a distinguished citi- 
 3 
 
18 
 
 zen of that place, in which, speaking of the vital importance of making 
 Benicia a port of entry this session, he says, " Benicia has nearly dou- 
 bled since January last. Improvements have already been commenced 
 there by merchants, by the Pacific Steamship Company, and by the 
 United States Government, which, when completed, in about 60 to 90 
 days, will cost over $300,000 ; there is no town in California more flour- 
 ishing or improving more rapidly. Under any circumstances, it vrill be 
 one of the most important cities in the State. But, if made a port of 
 entry, all the ships, whose cargoes and passengers are destined for 
 the mines, will then go there direct. As it is, (and this is the important 
 point,) many ships have cleared for that port from Boston, Maine, and J\''ew 
 York, but being compelled to anchor here, (San Francisco,) in order to en- 
 ter at the custom-house, their crews immediately desert for the mines, and 
 owing to the difficulty of getting new crews, their captains are persuaded, 
 and in some cases, compelled, to sell and discharge their cargoes here, and 
 thus submit, from dire necessity, to the ruinous losses and exactions, in- 
 separable from the enormous expense and delay of landing here." AH of 
 which can be avoided by permitting them to go directly to Benicia, as a 
 port of entry, which is only about two and a half hours' sail from the 
 ocean. 
 
 One other vital consideration under this head is, that, in addition to the 
 above mentioned grievance, most of the cargoes destined to the mines, 
 will, to avoid those losses and delays, in any event, be consigned to Beni- 
 cia, where the correspondents and agents of the owners will reside; yet 
 still, while San Francisco remains the only port of entry, all duties must 
 by law be paid, and all bonds must be given, by the captains at that point, 
 amon? strangers to the shippers, at a distance from their agents and con- 
 signees, residing at the port of Benicia, (for which the ships had cleared,) 
 upon whose advances upon the cargoes they depended for the payment of 
 the duties, or upon whose responsibility the securities are to be given, to 
 the incalculable inconvenience, if not the absolute oppression oi all engag- 
 ed in the prosecution of this commerce. 
 
 These facts and considerations alone, when the vast number of ships 
 hereafter destined to throng those waters are considered, ought to be re- 
 garded as a sufficient reason why a mere port of delivery at Benicia would 
 do little or nothing towards relieving the embarrassments under which this 
 immense commerce now labors, on account of the existing monopoly at San 
 Francisco. 
 
 If the above reasons, which merely regard the interests of individuals 
 and of our national commerce, should be deemed insufficient, considera- 
 tions connected with finance and the safety of the revenue, it is to be 
 hoped, will be conclusive upon the subject. 
 
 Among the general reasons set forth why a port of entry ought to be 
 established at Benicia, were the following: 
 
 "Because it occupies the key, whether by land or water, to the entire 
 commerce of those extensive regions, [referring to the valleys above 
 named,] and holds the only position, in a narrow strait, on the passage to 
 the interior, from which the active trade of those waters can be observed 
 and guarded, and by which smuggling to the numerous points on the 
 upper bay and river can be effectually detected and prevented." 
 
 And again: "Because, in the opinion of Com. Jones, and other officers 
 on that station, it will prevent constant frauds upon the revenue, and save 
 
19 
 
 immense loss to the Government, resulting from the existing necessity of 
 transhipping goods at San Francisco without landing them." 
 
 These positions, so germain to this branch of the subject, will be further 
 confirmed by quoting the exact language of Com. Jones, bearing on the 
 subject, in his dispatch to the Government. He says: " The custom-house 
 records at San Francisco, between April 12th, 1849, and January 29th, 
 1850, show that 805 vessels, exclusive of steamers and men of war, 
 (bringing 39,888 passengers,) were entered at San Francisco," making 
 about 20 large ships per week;* " that, owing to the cost, delay, and 
 danger of landing cargoes, the enormous price of storage, danger from fire, 
 &c., two-thirds of the goods now in the country are still afloat in the har- 
 bor. To this already over-crowded state of the port add all the ships here- 
 after to arrive," constantly increasing, in almost arithmetical progression, 
 from Russia, China, Japan, and all parts of the world, and the want of 
 room, ^'inconveniences, and expenses attending the entry of goods, pro- 
 visions, &c., at San Francisco, will be still further aggravated." "More- 
 over, it is well known to all persons acquainted with the state of commer- 
 cial operations at the port of San Francisco, that, owing to the crowded 
 state of the port, and to the system of necessarily transhipping cargoes 
 without landing them, the revenue of the United States is defrauded prob- 
 ably at least one half; at any rate, to an amount greatly beyond the neces- 
 sary expense of all the custom-houses, the erection of which I have sug- 
 gested, to wit: Benicia, Sacramento, Stockton, Monterey, and San Diego.'' 
 
 All this can be avoided by permitting ships to go directly from the sea 
 to Benicia, with cargoes destined for the upper market. 
 
 This opinion, deliberately and officially expressed, of one of our most 
 distinguished naval officers, superadded to that of others in the service, 
 and confirmed by the plain common sense and judgment of all who will 
 take the trouble to make themselves acquainted with the facts, ought, one 
 would think, to be sufficient, of itself, without the aid of others, to silence 
 the doubts of any gentleman who may have supposed that a mere port of 
 delivery at Benicia would prevent these losses, or remedy the evils com- 
 plained of. 
 
 There is one other consideration, resulting from the fact that the great 
 mass of goods, provisions, &c., must pass the narrow straits at Benicia to 
 the consuming regions, that may be considered as having a decisive bear- 
 ing on the question; and that is, that in the vast number of ships and 
 crews, from all nations, tongues, and people, civilized and semi-civilized, 
 hereafter to be attracted to those waters in pursuit of gold, it is not un- 
 reasonable to suppose that powerful combinations may be formed, or inge- 
 nious contrivances devised, to elude the laws and defraud the revenue, by 
 systematic attempts, in various ways, at smuggling and illicit trade. 
 
 It is known, as above stated, that the great consuming region is above 
 the straits of Karquinez, and that most of the cargoes, whether of pro- 
 visions or of goods, must find their way through those straits, and that, 
 too, in the immediate eye of Benicia, and of our naval and military forces 
 stationed there. 
 
 " Hie illius arma; hie currus fuit." 
 
 'Note.— During the first week of July just past, 36 ships arrived and entered at that 
 port. 
 
20 
 
 Is it not, then, a matter of prime importance, if not of clear necessity, 
 in view of these contingencies, that a port of entrv exist, with full and 
 ample powers, at Be.vicia, where our ships of war for the Pacific are "Sta- 
 tioned, and where our naval and militarv- forces are permanently estab- 
 lished, as a more efficient means of spying out, detecting, and, if neces- 
 sary, aiding in the execution of the laws, and suppressing such combinations 
 as may be too powerful for the arm of the civil authority? 
 
SECOND APPENDIX. 
 
 Since the foregoing went to press, the following ofEcial statements have 
 been procured, by request, and placed in the hands of the Senate com- 
 mittee. It will be seen that they not only fully confirm the positions 
 assumed in the appendix, as to the delays and expenses therein alleged, 
 but superadd thereto an immense mass of reasons, founded on practical 
 knowledge, touching the dangers of the San Francisco rout to Benicia, 
 and the frequent wreck of ships, and loss of life and property, in taking 
 it, which cannot fail to be unanswerably conclusive upon that branch of 
 the subject. 
 
 To the Hon. Pierre Soule, Senator from Louisiana. 
 
 Two ships enterins; the bay of " San Francisco," one bound to Benicia, the other to the 
 anchorage off the city of San Francisco, would part company immediately after passing 
 through the straits of San Francisco, now known as the " Golden Gate." The one 
 bound to Benicia would keep the left hand, or northern shore aboard, and pass through 
 Raccoon straits, which separate Angel island from the main land, and thence through 
 San Pablo straits, seven miles, enter the bay of the same name, into which all the waters of 
 the great Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers are discharged through the straits of Kar- 
 quinez, on the north shore of which strait the corporate city of Benicia is located, dis- 
 tant about 35 miles from the ocean bar, or 25 miles from the "Golden Gate." Throughout 
 this entire distance there is a clear open ship channel, free from any danger, and no where 
 less than one mile wide, with a minimum depth of 30 feel at low icater. The U. S. frigate 
 Savannah has twice gone to Benicia, and beat most of the way. After passing the 
 "Golden Gate," ships bound to the port of San Francisco keep the starboard or right 
 hand shore aboard, and must take care to avoid a sunken rock, which lays on the southern 
 side of the channel, off the " Presidio," on which the barque Annetta struck and received 
 much damage. Further on, on the same side of the channel, off the northern limits of 
 the city of San Francisco, there is a dangerous sandspit, on which many vessels have struck 
 and remained several days; and one, the fine ship "Tonquin," with a valuable cargo, 
 worth $200,000, was totally lost last winter. This circumstance gave to it the name of 
 "Tonquin Shoal," which is rapidly encroaching on the channel, here quite narrow, 
 leaving but little room between it and the barren rock of " Alcatraces," or " Bird island," 
 on the north side of the channel. This rock, too, is a great impediment to safe navigation, 
 particularly to vessels leaving San Francisco, whether going to sea or Benicia; many ves- 
 sels have been brought up by it. The U. S. sloop of war St. Mary's was carried on it by 
 the tide, and remained on the rocks about 24 hours. 
 
 In a direct line between " Bird Island " and the island of " YerbaBuena," abreast of 
 the city of " San Fi-ancisco," lays the dangerous sunken " Blossom rock," on which there 
 is only 4 feet water at low tide. This rock is directly in the passage from " San Francisco 
 Roads " to " Benicia ;" and in con.^equence of the strong and irregular tides which whirl 
 around this rock, as well as about " Bird Island," it is extremely difficult at all times to 
 keep ships clear of them ; and, as experience has already proven, no art or skill can 
 always avoid them.* A fine ship, coming in last winter, was driven on " Bird Island," 
 knocked off her rudder, cut away lier masts, and was so much damaged in her bottom as 
 to cause condemnation. Vessels Ijound from "San Francisco " to " Benicia," in shun- 
 ning Blosson rock, must look out for "Southampton shoals, "f which extend from the 
 northwest point of " Yerba Buena island," till you pass "Raccoon straits." These 
 shoals are from 7 to 9 miles long, and compress the ship channel on the east side of 
 
 ^Note by E. C. — In this respect resembling Hurlgate, above New York. 
 
 t Note. — The U. S. store ship " Southampton," bound from San Francisco to Benicia, in 
 February, 1849, struck on this shoal, and remained aground three days, notwithstanding 
 every effort was made to get her afloat ; r.or would this liave been effected without dis- 
 charging the greater part of her cargo, had not a heavy norther set in on the night of the 
 8th, which drove her offinio deep water, and several vessels ashore at San Francisco. 
 
22 
 
 ^' Angel island " to a bareljr beating width. The anchorage off (he city of San Francisco 
 is very much exposed to winds from northwest to south, (east about,) which winds pre- 
 vail from October lo March, and sometimes blow with great force so as to cut off all com- 
 munication between the shore and shipping for several days at a time. The southwest 
 winds, which blow from March to October, frequently in the afternoon, amount to the 
 force of a tempest, so that communication with the shore by merchant ships' boats is 
 interrupted for several hours almost every day ; and as 7-lOihs of the vessels arrive at the 
 port of San Francisco after meridian, it rarely occurs that a .ship is admitted to entry the 
 same day; for before the ship can be secured at her anchorage, and the master get on 
 shore, the custom-house is closed, and he must of necessity wait its opening the next day, 
 and, as is often the case, if a dozen or 20 vessels should arrive the same day, and as many 
 more be clearing, the vessel bound to Benicia would do well if her custom-house entry 
 did not detain her two or three days. Such would certainly be the case of the last vessels 
 arriving on any Saturday in the afternoon. The tide runs with great force in the " San 
 Francisco Roads," and as the anchorage is in deep water, and averaging a mile from the 
 shore, when the winds and tides are adverse, there is a rough sea ; and it is only at particu- 
 lar stages of the tide that vessels bound for Benicia can get under way. If a vessel, from 
 any cause, does not embrace that auspicious moment, she must wait another 24 hours ; 
 and if, in the mean time, a " norther " comes on, such as drove the well found sliip Barn- 
 stable, of Boston, (the only vessel in the cove of " Yerba Buena " at the time on shore, 
 in the winter of 1845-6,) with 3 anchors down ; or a " souther," such as wrecked the 
 brig "Col. Benton" on "Angel island" last winter — the ceremony of calling ai San 
 Francisco may, nay, assuredly would, cause the loss of much property and many valuable 
 lives. 
 
 An inspection of the accompanying charts, on which I have traced with red ink the 
 routes described above, will show that from the " Golden Gate" to the northeast end of 
 "Angel island," via of Raccoon straits, is about seven miles, wliilst by the way of San 
 Francisco the distance to the same point is about eighteen miles. Butwliat is of the great- 
 est importance to the shipping interest is, that by the direct and natural route to Benicia, 
 from the sea, through Raccoon straits, you have a free clear passage all the way, thereby 
 avoiding all 7-isk and dangers, by ivhich the circuitous route, via San Francisco, is so thickly stud- 
 ded. So insecure is the anchorage off "San Francisco" considered, that insurance cannot 
 be effected either in England or the Unit'Ld States, on vessels to lay there. Whilst insurance 
 on any vessel, to lay the year round at Benicia, is effected at the iisual rates. But were ves- 
 sels insured for Benicia, compelled by law to enter at San Francisco, I doubt not but that 
 an exception in the policy would be made to the risk of that part of the voyage, or at any 
 rate, additional premium would be required. From what I have stated above, the result of 
 my own observations in the course of nearly two years service in those waters, which I 
 liave frequently navigated and traversed, in every class of vessel, from the Ohio 74 down 
 to a barge drawing 18 inches water, I am satisfied, all things considered, that to require a 
 vessel bound to Benicia, to enter at the custom-house at "San Francisco,'' would, in ninety 
 cases out of one hundred, cause a detention of three days, often of five or six — and in 
 the winter season of double that time; even if their crews do not run away, as soon as the 
 ship anchors, which is frequently the case. 
 
 It has been recently alleged as an objection to Benicia as a port of entry, that by rea- 
 son of the strong current setting out of the straits of " Karquenez," vessels are frequently 
 compelled to anchor outside. However strong the ebb tide may set out of the straits, the 
 flood tide sets in still stronger, as the vacuum produced by seven hours ebb hajs to be filled 
 fay a six hour flood. These regular tides setting in and out of the straits, afford great facili- 
 ties in the navigation of these waters. If strong tides, however, form an objection t» 
 " Benecia," protected as she is from violent gales, the objection is more potent against San 
 Francisco, where the tides are much stronger than in the straits of Karquenez. This ob- 
 jection, however, is futile, as is proved in New York where the the tides in the East river 
 are much stronger than any where in the Bay of San Francisco. The strength of the tide, 
 as ascertained by the tide log thrown from the United Slates sloop Warren, at anchor in 
 the " straits of Karquenez," and in San Francisco roads, is known to be from one-eighth 
 to one-fifth the stronger in the " roads at San Francisco," than in the port of Benicia. * 
 * • • * I omitted, in the proper place, to mention another difficulty often encounter- 
 ed by vessels departing as well as entering the port of San Francisco: I allude to the impe- 
 netrable fogs, which, during the summer season, i. e. from April to October, envelope San 
 Francisco and the southern shore of the bay, which renders the shoals and rocks above 
 mentioned doubly dangerous, from which the northern shore and the track to Benicia 
 through the Raccoon straits, are almost entirely exempt at all times. 
 
 THOMAS AP C. JONES, U. S. .Yavtf. 
 
 Washington Citt, .lug%ist 2M, 1850. 
 
23 
 
 Prom the above, it will be seen, that the direct route from the sea to Benicia is entirely 
 different from that to San Francisco; that it is free from the sunken rocks, sand spits, ex- 
 tensive shoals, islands of rock, impenetrable fo^s, whirline: tides, and other dangers which 
 beset the route to San Francisco and thence to Benicia ; and that if ships, destined for the 
 latter port, are still compelled to go out of their way to enter at San Francico, the average 
 detention, ?oin<er and sM/nmer, would not be less than five days each. During the first 
 week of July, thirty-six vessels arrived at San Francisco. As this is far below what it 
 must be hereafter, it will be safe to put down the weekly arrivals at forty. Suppose 
 three-fourths of these to be bound for Benecia, and that the thirty ships average forty pas- 
 sengers each, making 1,200 per week, or 62,400 per year — five days each, make 312,000 
 days, which, at the low average price of labor, including mechanics, &c., 
 
 of $10 per day, gives an annual loss of $3,120,000 
 
 Add to this, the detention of 1,560 ships and crews, (with increased insur- 
 ance,) to say nothing of the perils of the San Franci.'co passage among 
 the rocks, shoals, and whirling tides, 5 days each, and the loss from this 
 cause, will amount to at least 3,120,000 
 
 Making the aggregate cost of the useless ceremony of calling to report at San 
 
 Francisco $6,240,000 
 
 We next insert the official letter of Commander Z. F. Johnston, U. S. 
 N., who has resided several years on those waters, and whose high char- 
 acter and disinterested position are guarantees for the truth of his state- 
 ment. 
 
 National Hotel, Washington, Jlug. 27, 1850. 
 
 Sir: In reply to your inquiry of this morning, I have to state that there is one reason 
 alone, in addition to the many others that might be urged, which 1 consider conclusive 
 upon the necessity of establishing a port of entry at Benicia; and that is, that it is clearly 
 the natural head of ocean navigation, and evidently the only proper point for the meeting 
 of the sea-going ships with the smaller river crafts and steamers, in which the upper trade 
 of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers must always be carried on for the immense supply 
 of the mining regions. Above that point, the large ships are frequently getting aground 
 on the numerous shoals of Suisone bay; and the navigation of the waters below Benicia, 
 through San Pablo bay, &c., to San Francisco, by the river crafts and steamers above 
 named, is so extremely difficult and dangerous, as to render it impracticable to effect it 
 without imminent peril of life and properly. In making the attempt, I have known many 
 of those crafts, driven back in extreme peril, to take shelter at Benicia and its vicinity. 
 The hazard has been constantly attended, not only by numerous delays, but by grievous 
 sacrifice of life and property. There have been, to my knowledge, as many as txco or three 
 drowned bodies a day, driven even up into the straits as victims of this perilous navigation. 
 A steamer, purchased at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, to carry on the fresh beef 
 trade between a point opposite Benicia and San Francisco, frequently lost her entire cargo 
 by delays, and was forced to abandon the enterprise on account of the danger and diffi- 
 culty attending the navigation. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. F. JOHNSTON, 
 
 E. Cooke, Esq. Commander U. S. .AT. 
 
 As germain to this branch of the subject, and confirmatory of the facts set forth by 
 the petitioners residing in the upper cities of those waters, as to the necessity of estab- 
 lishing a port of entry at Benicia, the following extract from " Three Years in California," 
 by Walter Colton, U. S. Navy, is inserted : 
 
 " Bekicia. — This town, on the straits of Karquenes,has the advantage of a boWsftore, guie' 
 anchorage, and depth of water for ships of any size. Even without being a port of entry 
 must become, in time, a large commercial depot. The small craft which float the tea' 
 the Suisan, Sacramento, and San Joaquin, and which are ill suited to the rough hay be' 
 here deposit their cargoes. It has been selected as the most feasible site for a " 
 and the army stores are already housed on its quay. It was first selected a"- 
 city by Robert Semple, presjfdent of the Constitutional Convention, and »• 
 importance under his fostering care, and the energetic measures of Tho'" 
 
 Since preparing the pamphlet, to which tliis is a supplement, sp 
 been received properly belonging to the FIRST DIVISION the' 
 
34 
 
 that there was still a more positive cause for the continued monopoly at San Francisco than 
 the mere historical reasons therein enumerated. In 1847, a survey and sale of lots at San 
 Francisco was made by military authority. The military collector became an extensive 
 proprietor. And when ships began to arrive, and it was ascertained that thousands of 
 dollars on each cargo could be saved by discharging them at Benicia, a positive prohibi- 
 tion, for that purpose, was interposed by the collector. Ships were flocking in from all 
 parts of the world. It was a decisive crisis for San Francisco. If she could retain the 
 monopoly, her destiny would become fixed, and millions would be realized by her pro- 
 prietors. Henee the prohibition above named; the proof of which is abundant and uni- 
 versal. At present we need quote but one authority. The deposition of Capt. William 
 D. Phelps, of Lexington, Massachusetts, who has been 10 years engaged in trade on the 
 coast of California, fully confirms the above position. It has been placed in the hands of 
 the Senate Committee, where it can be examined. We can only quote briefly from it. 
 *' About the time of the breaking out of the Mexican war," says Captain Phelps, " 1 
 entered my cargo at the custom-house at Monterey, being the only port of entry then on 
 the coast, having paid about 100 per cent, on the invoice; in consideration of which I was 
 licensed to proceed to, and trade at any port or place on said coast, or its rivers and bays, 
 unmolested and without hindrance. * * * Jn May, 1848, 1 went to San Francisco 
 with the brig Malek Adhel, belonging to myself and merchants at Boston, having a part of 
 said cargo on board, and applied to Capt. J. L. Folsom, then collector, for permission to 
 proceed to Benicia, for the purpose of trade and the greater security of the vessel. This 
 was refused ; and I was convinced at the time, and have been ever since, that the object of 
 said Folsom was to prevent the sea-going vessels from going to Benicia with their car- 
 goes, or for repairs, tiS it would effect the interests of the landholders and others interested 
 in building up the town of San Francisco, (he being one interested ;) and this object was 
 further demonstrated by the fact," continues Capt. Phelps, " that a few days after, a 
 foreign vessel, with a foreign cargo, was allowed by the said collector to pass by, and above 
 Benicia, up the Sacramento river to trade, ivilliout let or hindrance." 
 
 This statement exhibits a sample of what is believed to have been the invariable prac- 
 tice of the military custom-house, showing clearly the system of policy by which the 
 monopoly of trade has been continued at San Francisco, to the exclusion of Benicia; and 
 furnishing, in addition to those first named, a full solution of the mystery of the rapid 
 growth of the former city, at the expense of the latter. The same influence — that is, the 
 San Francisco influence — we find is still exerted to defeat this application ; and the ques- 
 tion now recurs, will this Government become party to this wrong, and sanction the con- 
 tinuance of this grievous injustice to the thousands who petition for redress, and to the 
 great interests of our national commerce ? 
 
 Note. — It has been said that all the diflicully and expense attending the discharge of 
 cargoes at San Francisco can be avoided by the erection of the necessary wharves. This, 
 it will be obvious, will be only changing the expense from lighterage to wharfage. It will 
 be seen by late papers from that city, that the contract price for building a wharf and 
 grading, in one instance is $338,000, and in another fi480,000. This can be had for nothing 
 at Benicia. Now the price of wharfage must always be in proportion to the cost of the 
 improvement ; and hence, this immense consequent difference in the cost of landing at San 
 Francisco, must ever remain a heavy tax upon the shipper and consumer. But this done, 
 by what power can you chain and hold in peace " the unchangeable winds and fog from 
 the ocean," which, according to the official report, "rush over the highlands, and fall 
 upon the town and shipping with an impetuosity almost irresistable, whether in the 
 streets of the town, or in the roadstead before it.'" 
 
 Here, it may well be asked, "why is this opposition to the pending application .'" 
 Rightly viewed, it becomes its highest recommendation. It cannot be waged v/ithout a 
 motive. If Benicia be not the better port, this measure will not effJect San Francisco. 
 Her commerce has already become so fixed, and her influence in wealth and population so 
 strong and powerful, that unless the port of Benicia be greatly superior — unless, indeed, 
 it be incomparably sxtperior — as a safe and convenient harbor for a great commercial mart, 
 San Francisco has nothing to fear from its being made a port of entry. If. then, as is 
 self-evident, this opposition betrays her fears, an' Hvase fears thus acknowledc^e this pre- 
 eminent superiority, the whole case is admitted ; and the earnest appeals of the mining 
 ^lation, and the interests of commerce every where, require the immediate adoption of 
 
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