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For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

FROM OUR SAN FRANCISCO CORRESPONDENT.

MR. FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—
I avail myself of a few hours' leisure, to give
you and your numerous readers a "hasty sketch"
of sayings and doings in this land of gold and
crime.

New Year's day, for the first time since I
have been in California, was strictly observed
by all classes. Business of all kinds was laid
aside; and gentlemen, according to custom,
called on the ladies, who were abundantly pre-
pared to receive them. The day was one of
the most beautiful for the season of the year,
that I ever beheld. Every body was pleased
with every body. The fire eating Southerner
suddenly remembered that black men, aboli-
tionists, and eastern men, were men, and not
wild beasts and slaves. The bigot forgot his
bigotry; the broker his stocks; and all gave
themselves up to the enjoyment of the day, with
a zest that looked strangely in California, where
every sentiment and feeling is suppressed that
conflicts with a dishonest acquisition of gain.
Absolute poverty—a great blessing in this part
of the world—is beginning to stare us in the
face; and this brings into exercise our better
and purer nature. No one is so well prepared
to feel for the poverty-stricken, as one who has
felt its bitter sting.

The Legislature is in session; but as yet
have not succeeded, in the Senate, in electing
a Speaker.

Our new Governor, J. N. Johnson, has de-
livered his Inaugural Address. It is said to be
an eminently practical document. It seems to
me he has taken that position of Gov. Bigler's
Address which advises retrenchment in every
department of the State—adopted it entire—
and closed his Message. But for this I do not