The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-06 00:00:00

No, 17,587.] LONDON, TUESDAY

METROPOLITAN COUNTIES AND
GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY,
27, REGENT-STREET, WATERLOO-PLACE, LONDON.
INCORPORATED PURSUANT TO ACT OP PARLIAMENT.
TRUSTEES.
Spencer H. Walpole, Esq., M.P. Richard Spooner, Esq., M.P.
Henry Peter Fuller, Esq. I Edward Yansittart Neale, E 54.
DIRECTORS.
Samuel Driver, Esq., Whitehall.
Henry Peter Fuller, Esq., Piccadilly.
John Palk Griffin, Esq., Ironmonger-lane, Cheapelde.
Capt. Hon. G. F. Hotham, RN., United Service Club, and
Brighton.
Edward Legh, Esq., the Limes, Lewisham, Kent.
Edward Lomax, Esq., St. John's-wood-park.
Samuel Miller, Esq., Lincoln's-inn.
E. Vansittart Neale, Esq., South Audley-street.
Sir Thomas Newby Reeve, Richmond, Surrey.
William Studley, Esq., Brixton, Surrey.
William A. S. Westoby, Esq., Hyde-nark.place.
The LIFE ASSURANCE DEPARTMENT of the Society m-
braces :
Assurances upon single or joint lives, contingent survivorship, or
the survivor of two or more lives.
Endowments of widows End children.
Immediate, deferred, and survivorship annuities.
The payment of fixed sums to the assured at any specific age, or
to their re ,resentatives in case of death before that age.
Premiums may be paid yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly, or upon
the half premium plan for the first five years.
Loans granted on an entirely new principle.
RAILWAY ASSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
All persons, of whatever class, travelling by Railway in Great
Britain and Ireland, assured in the event of loss of life by accident
whilst so travelling, at the moderate premium of 10s. per cent., ix
one single payment, for the whole period of life.
EXIMPLE.—A. person may by one single payment of 5/. assure to
his family or others the sum of 1,0001., to be paid in tke event of his
losing his life by railway travelling In Great or Ireland.
F . FERGUSON CAMRO UX, Manager.

THE LONDON INDISPUTABLE LIFE
POLICY" COMPANY.
INCORPORATED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT.
Upon the Principle of Mutual Life Assurance, the Whole Prate
belonging to the Assured.
IL 31, LOMBARD-S TREET, LONDON.
TAIIIITBES.
J. Campbell Renton, Esq., M.P. I Richard Spooner, Esq., M.P.
Richard Malin, Esq. James Fuller Madox, Esq.
William Wilberforce, Esq.
DIBECTOZII.
William Adams, Esq. John Hamilton, Esq.
John Atkins, Esq. James Fuller Madox, Esq.
John Dangerfleld, Esq. John Matthews, Esq.
Robert Henry Forman, Esq. Charles 0. Parnell, Esq.
Acniyogs.

George Cumming, Esq.
Janes Titrner, Esq.

I Samuel Field, Esq.
William Ghrimes Kell, Esq.
InIDICAL ADVIIIII..
Benjamin Phillips, Esq., F.R.S.
BANLERS.
Messrs. Spooner, Attwood, and Co.
umelona.
Alexander Robertson, Esq.
The 'POLICIES are INDEFEASIBLE and INDISPUTABLE,
the Company being prohibited, by the i4th clause of their Deed of
Constitution, which is duly registered in terms of the Act, from dis
puting a Policy upon any ground whatever.
The Rates of Premium are calculated upon Carlisle mortality, and
are as low as a due regard to complete security will justify-.
HALF PRE dIUM SYSTEM. —By this plan only one-half of the
premiums, with interest of the retained halves, Is required to be paid
for the first five years—fire retained halves, being payable at the
convenience of the assured, or allowed to continue, to form
a deduction from tke claim on the Policy ; and as the As-
surance may be relinquished at any time without payment
of the retained premiums, this scheme enables a party to
assure for the first five years at little more than half the usual rate,
and to discontinue a Policy at about one-half the usual sacrifice.
WHOLE WORLD POLICIES are granted, whereby the security
of a creditor, holder of a Policy, continues unimpaired, although the
assured life should go beyond the prescribed limits.
Sums are assured payable to the parties themselves on attaining a
specified age, or at their death, whichever shall first occur.
PARTNER POLICIES are granted, whereby a joint assurance
effected by partners, at the charge of the firm, secures the capital in-
vested. On the death of either, the survivor is benefited by retain-
ing the whole capital, and the representatives of the deceased obtain
their share without having to wait until it can be recovered from
outstanding debts.
There is no extra charge for residence beyond 25 degrees of the
equator.
No Admission or Entrance Fees are required, nor is any charge
made for the Policy beyond the amount of the Stamp.
Claims are payable within three months after proof of the death o
the assured life,
The usual Commission allowed to Solicitors, and also to persons,
approved by the Board, who extend the business of Life Assurance in
connexion with this Company.

RANK of AUSTRALASIA, (incorporated by
Royal Charter, 183.5), 8, Austinfriars, April 1, 1848.

The Court of Directors GRANT BILLS and LETTERV of
CREDIT on the undermentioned Branches, viz. :—Sydney, Mait-
land, Melbourne, Geelong, Hobart-town, Launceston, and Adelaide,
on terms which may be learnt on application, either at their offices,
8, Austinfriars, or at their bankers', Messri. Smith, Payne, and
Smiths.

By Order of the Board,
WILLIAM MILLIKEN, Secretary.

lik/rIDL AND RAILWAY,
IT .L TENDERS FOR SLEEPERS.

The Directors of the Midland Railway Company are prepared to
receive Tenders for the supply of 40,000 SLEEPERS. Specifications
may be seen, and particulars obtained at the Office of the Company's
Engineer, at Derby.
Tenders enclosed in sealed covers, marked " Tender for Sleepers,"
and addressed to the Secretary, are to be delivered at the Company's
Office, Derby, on or before the 20th day of February.
By order,
Derby, Feb. 5, 1849. J. F. BELL, Secretary.

TIC DOLOREAUX CURABLE.
TOOTHACHE.
Instantaneous relief from those excruclatMar complaints may be
had by using JAMES'S Celebrated ASTILIAN TINCTURE for
TIC DOLOREUX, TOOTHACHE, PAINS in the FACE, GUMS, &c.
(IMPORTANT TESTIMONIALS.]
" Liyerposl, Dec. 13, 1848.
"To Messrs. Carson and Co,

"It is with much pleasure I communicate the great efficacy of
your Astilian Tincture' for the Tic Doloreux sad Toothache, it
having cured my wife for the former In a few minutes after the ap-
plication. She suffered dreadfully for some time, and ceald get no
relief till your tincture was applied ; more than four weeks have
elapsed and she has not been troubled with it since. It would be an
act of ingratitude on my part were I to withhold giving you the
information, and you are at liberty to make it public in any way
you think proper,

(Signed)
14, Rathbona-street, Toxteth-park."

"To Messrs. Carson and Co.,

" TIIOMAB GUY.

" Liverpool, Dec. 14, 1848.

"It is with feelings of gratitude that I inform yon of the won-
derful cure effected by tke use of ' James's Celebrated Astilian
Tincture' for the Tic Doloreux and Toothache, prepared by you.

" My wife had been suffering the most excruciating agony for
three weeks, night and day; she tried everything that we thought
would be of any service, but all in vain ; she was then recommended
to try your Tincture, which she did, and in four minutes after the
application she was quite cured. It is now five weeks since, and I
am happy to say there is no appearance of its return.
(Signed) " WILLIAM REID.
" 54, Oliver-street, Windsor,
"P.s.—lf you are disposed you can publish this for the benefit of
those who may be suffering from the same complaint."

"Liverpool, Dec. 23, 1848.

" Gentlemen,.—After six months' experience in its sale I have
found your Astilian Tincture' to be all but uniformly sucsessfa
In the cure of Tic Doloreux and Toothache; indeed only one case of,
failure do I know of in that time. Although generally averse to
such things, yet you may, if you choose, make public use of this.—l
remain yours, faithfully, " THOMAS LOWE.
"Dispensing Chemist, 38, Islington, and 40, Norton-street.
"P.S.—You may send me another three dozen of the smaller size.
"To Messrs. Carson and Co."

Prepared by Carson and Co., St. Anne-street, Liverpool, sole pro-
prietors, from whom it may be had, or through any •f the Wholesale
Houses in London, Birmingham, York, Edinburgh, &C., and retail
from any respectable Medicine Vendor throughout the Kingdom.
In Bottles, at 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and 11s. each.

Just published, price 55., Bvo., in cloth,
rriHE RATIONAL TREATMENT of STRIC-
TURES_a_ of the URETHRA, in all their varieties and compli-
cations. With practical observations on the use and abuse of instru•
ments in the treatment of urethral diseases, showing that the unne-
cessary employment of instruments is a frequent exciting cause of
stricture, and that a want of practical knowledge and manual dex-
terity in their use, when necessary, is the source of most of the se-
vere, long-protracted, and complicated cases of that disorder so fa-
tally prevalent.
By F. B. COURTENA I", If.R.C.S.E.,

The operation of introducing a catheter through an impermeable

stricture is, doubt, the most difficult in the whole range of
surgical operations, and demands all the prudence, science, and skill
of a master. The art can only be acquired, and that gradually, by
frequent practice."—Liston's Operative Surgery.
Published by H. Bail Hero, 219, Regent-street ; and may be had of
all booksellers in town or country.

It A CT E.
M One half the world are desolately single, and the other
lapposiag them married, questionably contented. Diffidence, or a
ease of right determine the former, and miscalculated hopes em-
.,:tter the latter. The solitary one may shield himself under the plea
of caution and worldly prudence, and the indissoluble, regret un-
ximprosing hurry ; but the truth lies deeper. Physical incapacity,
old broken health, are the great hindrances to domestic happiness
and social content. The dowry should not be the only marriage set-
tlement. Honour and justice dement that health should form as item
In the compact ; it alone dignifies the alliance. Blighted hopes or
Reelect wound more sorely than poverty or misfortune. Reader, if
:hese surmises concern you, procure Dr. CULVERWELL'S little
4EMOIRS "On Single and Married Life, " pub. in 2 vols., Is.
~..acb (by post, in stamps, Is. 6d. each). Let no imaginatively
refined, or prudish feeling deter you, by their titles, nor be hindered
oy naienterpretatior, of their supposed contents, from obtaining
tliem. They are not intended certainly for mere idle cariosity, but
ter the closet perusal of those more deeply interested, to whom
they are offered as antagonistic to the empyrical trash put forth en
the above subjects, by unqualified authors, which alone er
,ogether, are a disgrace to the age. Furthermore, two other
;ale publications claim your attention (same price Is. each,
oy post Is. 6d.) called " What to Eat, Drink, and
Avoid," and " How to be sappy." They are not merely
p'mphlets, but equal in quantity a library volume, nor are they the
mere ephemeral scribblinge of the hour, but the study of the author's
lfe, who owes his present existence, health, and position to this ob-
servance of the maxims he would inculcate—to do unto others as he
would be done unto—to live after nature's laws—and to keep always
m the " sunny side of the way." The above works may be had of
Sherwood, 23, Paternoster-row ; Carvalhe, 141, Fleet-street • Mann,
39, Cornhill ; Nelson, 457, West Strand ; or direct (by post or other-
wise) from the author (who may be conferred with personally,
mornings and evenings). 10. Argyll-plaee Regent-street; and all
Mksollsira

Illustrated by 26 Anatomical Coloured Engravings on Steel.
ON PHYSICAL DISQUALICATIONS, GENERATIVE INCA?A-

CITY,.AND laIPEDIMENTB TO MARRIAGE.

Kew Edition, enlarged to 196 pages. Just published, price 2s. 6d., or
by oost, direct from the Establishment, 3s. 6d. in postage stamps,
THE SILENT FRIEND, a Medical Work on
I. the intlnnities and decay of the generative system, from ex-
cessive indulgence, infection, and the inordinate use of mercury,
with remarks on Marriage, and the means of obviating certain dis-
qualifications. Illustrated by 26 Coloured Engravings. By R. and
L. PERRY and CO., Consulting Surgeons, 19, Berners-street, Ox-
ford-street, London. Published by the Authors : sold by Strange,
21, Paternoster-row ; Hannay, 63, and Sanger, 150, Oxford-street ;
Stade, 23, Titchbonae-street, Haymarket; and Gordon, 146, Leaden-
hall-street.
PAnT I. treats of the anatomy and physiology of the re-productive
organs, and is illustrated by Six Coloured Engravings.
PAnT 11. treats of the consequences resulting from excessivelidul-
gence, and their lamentable effects en the system, producing mental
and bodily weakness, nervous excitement, and generativelncapacity.
Illustrated by Three Explanatory Engravings.
Paola 111. treats of the diseases resulting from infection, either in
the Printery or secondary form, and contains explicit directions for
their treatment. This section is illustrated by Seventeen Coloured
Engravings.
PALT IV. contains Prescription for the Prevention of Disease
b,,
-
.4a.
. simple application, by which the danger of infection is oh-
ea This important part of the Work should not escape the
ader's notice.
PAILT y.
s devoted to the consideration of marriage, and its
',this.
The
causes of unproductive union are also considered, and
the whole su
biect critically and philosophically inquired into.
BALK or STRIACVM is exclusively employed in treat-
batl;: ",i's I.sexual debility, impotence, &c., 11 s. and 334. per
remedy, for p Concentratedn Detersive Essence, an anti-syphilitic
eruption., wit the blood in cases ofinfectiou, secondary symp-
toms,tion of the bladdii. trnrrh°34
perry', purifyin_ the abuse of mercury, 11s. and 335. per bottle.
retail of the case is re
certain remedy fVloecille Pills, 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and 11s. per box, a
elect, stricture, and chronic inflamma-
_Consultation fee, if by letter, If. A. minute
SA. Packets, with advig: rte.: age, habits, and position in society.
Berner Messrs. Perry, Surgeons, are in atten-
which the foe, 1., is sav,..A. be had at the Establishment only, by
dance daily at 19
Ten tlll Tyro, and Iriye to Oxford-street, London, from Ele-
'"64; ; on Bondays from Eleven to Ono.

l) AviyaxieEd.wiS'eSk
mCoulAd3N, D 6
,ilAd E.
go,m 5p
ods t
d 5
d. per
and lob.d;.
Wax Candles, Is. ; German Wax, Is. 2d. ; Fine Wax, Is. sd. ;
Transparent Wax, Is. 9d. ' • Best Wax, 21. Id. ; Sperm Candles,
13.6 d. and Is. 7d. Metallic, 7X, d. and 8 d. ; Mottled Seap, 60s. and
G4s. per 1121bs. ; Yellow, 4839 545., and 60s. ; Windsor Soap, Is. 4d.
per packet ; Brown Windsor. Is. 9d. ; Rose, 2s. ; Almond, 2s. 6d. ;
Sealing Wax, 4s. 6d. per lb. ; Sperm Oil, 7s. 6d. per gallon; Solar
35.3 d. , Seal, 4s. ; Argand, or Vegetable, 4s. 6d.
For Cash—At AVIES'S Old Established Warehouse, 63, St.
Martin's-lane. ort sr Grocers' and 011-shop Goods at lower
prices.

THE NEW TOOTH-PICK TOOTH-BRUSH,
Al thoroughly cleansing between the teeth, wlien used up and
down, and polishing the surface when used crossways, the hair war-
ranted never to come out, in four strengths, viz.: Ne. I hard, No. 11
less hard, No. 3 medium, No. 4 soft.—The Double Anti-pressure
Nail-brush, which does not divide the quick from the nails.
—The Triple Hair-brush, which thoroughly searches and
cleanses the hair in one fourth part of the time of any ether method,
and acts as both comb and brush combined.—The Medium Shaving-
brush, being a selection of the strongest badgers' hair, so well secured
in the socket as never to come loose.—And though last, not least, the
newly invented ' nenorater' Clothes-brush, which makes an old coat
look like a new one, and a new coat to look new double the usual
time.

Invented and made only by ROSS and SONS, 119 and 120, Bishops-
gate-street, London.

THE COUNTRY MARKETS.

CHELMSFORD, FEB. ll.—The following are the prices of
grain :—Wheat, white, old 49s to 545; new 48s to Ms; red,
old 43s to 495; new, 42s to 489 ; barley,'2Bs to 31s ; chevalier
29s to 32s ; grinding 23s to 288; oats 17s to 24s ; malt 56s to
60s; chevalier 583 to 625; peas, partridge 31s to 345; white
31s to 34s ; dun 29s to 33. ; beans, tick, new 24s to 279 ; old
27s to 31s ; harrow ticks, new 259 to 28s ; old 28s to 32s ;
masagan, new 22, to 25s ; old 26s to 28s per qr.
COLCHXSTER, Fics. 3.—Wheat, white 50 to 549; red 46s
to 48s ; barley 241 to 31. ; beans, masagan 24s to 255; middle
and small 29s to 31s; peas 30s to 34s per qr.
KIRICALDY, FIB. 3. —The following are the quotations up
to this date:—

Wheat. Barley.
First 51s Od 29s Od
Second 46s 6d 26s 3d
Third 42s Od 21s 6d
Oatmeal, per bag of 281

Oats.
21s Od
183 9d
153 6d
Ilbs.
following

Beans.
—s Od
—s Od I
—a Od I
25s to 26,

Peas,
—5
Od
—s
Od
—s Od

are the

prices of

HADDINGIION, FIB. 2.—Th,
grain at our market to-day t
Wheat. Barley. Oats. Beans.
First ... ... 52s Od 32s Od 23s Od 624 Od
Second ... 45s 3d 27s 2d 19s 10d 28s 5d
Third ... 34s Od 23s 6d 16s Od 27s Od
Total quantity of Wheat in market 442 qrs., 390 sold
Do. Barley do. 356 qrs., 338 soh,
Do. Oats do. 613 qrs., 575 sold
Do. Beans do. 124 qrs., 103 sold

Glasciow, FEB. I.—Provisions—Cheese, 46s Od to 52s Od
per cwt • retail, sid to 7d per lb. Skim milk, Os Oct to Os per
cwt. Country fresh butter, 10d to lld per lb ; Irish pow-
dered, in lumps, 9d to 10d; country powdered,. wholesale, 84(1
to 9d. Country eggs, is per dozen; carried hen ditto, Ss 6d
per hundred, or 10d per dozen. Hens, !s 6d per pair ; slacks,
2s 6d.

13xisvricK, Pm I.—Wheat, 40s 101 d ; barley, 23s Sid ;
oats, 17s 9d ; rye, 23s 30; beans, 26s 8d ; peas, Os Od ave-
rage per imperial quarter.
KELso, FEN. 2.—Wheat, old, 38s to 42s ; ditto, new, 32s
to 36s Od ; barley, new, 17s to 20s Od ; ditto old, Os Od to
Os ; potato oats, Os to Os Od ; ditto new, I3s to 15s Od ; com-
mon oats, lie Od to 14s; ditto new, Os Od to Os Od; peas, 24s
to 25s Od; beans, 24s to 25s per boll of six imperial bushels.
HAWICK, Fits. I.—Wheat, new, 36s Od to 42s Od; ditto
old, 46s Od to 48s Od ; barley, new, 19s to 205; potato oats,
145 Od to 16s Od ; common oats, lls to 14s Od ; peas, 27s Od
to 28s Od ; beans, 27s Od to 28s Od per boll of six imperial
bushels.

PERTH, FEE. I.—Wheat, 40s Od to 49s Od ; barley, 22s Od
to 26s Od ; oats, 15s to 18s ; peas and beans, 24s Od to 28s Od
per quarter. Oatmeal, per sack, 26s to 28s.
FALYIRK, FRB. 2. —The supply of grain in this day's
market was 912 bolls; wheat at 20s Od to 23s Od per boll ;
barley , 16s 91 to 21s 6d ; oats, 15s 6d to Os Od; beans, 12s to
15s Od per boll ; oatmeal, Os to Os per load.
STIRLING, FEB. 2.—Wheat, foreign, 26s to 30s Od; Ditto
home, Os Od to Os Od; ditto ditto new, 21s Od to 225; barley, per
boll of 6 bushels, Os Od to Os Od; ditto new, 17s Od to 21s Od ;
oats common, Os Od to Os Od ; ditto new, 10s 6d to lis Gd ;
ditto Flemish, Os Od to Os Od ; ditto ditto new, Os Od; malt,
distillers, 38s Od to 39s ; ditto brewers, 38s Od to 41s ; beans,
per boll, Os 6d to Os Od ; ditto new, 12s 6d to 14s6d; pease,
Os Od to Os Od ; flour, new, per sack, 38s to 40s ; ditto common
ditto, 25s Od to 26s 6d ; oatmeal, per load, Os Od to Os Od;
ditto new 26s Od to 27s ; ditto per peck of 71bs, kid to Os Od ;
fresh butter, per lb. 8d to 10d; eggs per dozen, 9d to 10d;
hay per ton, 45s to 465.

COAL MABEE'.
Carr's Hartley
East Adairs Main l2s Od
Hartlepool W. Hartley 14s 9d
fiasting's Hartley 155 Od
New Tanfield l2s &I
Ord's Redheugh
South Pontop
'Canfield Moor
Walker's Primrose
Wylam .
West Hartley
Wall's End, &c
_ _

Gosforth .
Gibson
Hedworth
Eden Main l4s 6d
Braddyll's Hetton lss 6d
East Hetton

--YiSTERDAY.

Hetton
Jonassohns
Lambton
Russell's Hetton
Stewart's
Whitwell
'Hudson's Hartlepool l4s Od
IKelloe . 15s 3d
South Hartlepool
Trimdon ... 138 6d
Tees
Witten Park l4s 6d
,Anthracite 26s Od
Cowpon Hartley
Hartley —...........
Sidney's Hartley
Ships at market, 158.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, FIB. 5.

Svoca Exciarmi.—The market continues very firm. Great
Western, Quarter Shares, were done at % dis.—Ditto, New 171.
Shares, }i die.

LIVERPOOL, FEB. 5.

STOCK EXCIIINGL—The business done in the stock Exchange to-
day has not been large; prices, however, remain firm. The sales are

—Bolton, Blackburn, •Clitheroe, and West Yorkshire, Preference,
guaranteed 6 per cent. (B), 1631—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire, 311. Shares, 9% dis.—Caledonian, Preference, 7 per cent.,
1% p.—Lancashire and Yorkshire (late Manchester and Birming-
ham), Fifths, 21( dis.—Ditto, 321. Shares (late Extension), 5% dis.
—Ditto, 101. Preference, 6 per cent., 1% p.—Ditto, Halves (late
Liverpool and Bury), 8% dis.—Ditto, Fifths (late West Riding
Union), 3% dis.—London and North-Western, 137—Ditto, New
Quarters, 5% p.—Ditto (Huddersfield and Manchester), 88—Ditto,
Thirds, 93( —Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 101. Preference,
11%—Midland Stock, 94—Ditto, New Half Shares, 4% dis.—North
British, Quarters, Si. 18s. 9d.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham, Pre-
ference, 8 per cent. for ten years, 9% c.—Shrewsbury and Chester,
Now, 13s. 9d. dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds, 71. 13s.
9d. c. —York, Newcastle, and Berwick (Extension, No. 1), 2 p.--
Ditto (G. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent. guaranteed, 1% p.—Datch
Rhenish, 6%. _ _ .

. ~.
MANCHESTER, FEB. 5.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The (tales are—South-Eastern and Dover, No.
4, 7 13-16 c.—Leeds, 321. Shares, 5% dis.—West Riding Union, 31A,
dis.—North Staffordshire, 3% die. - East Lancashire, Quarters, 5%
—Leeds, Fifths, 2 iii dis.— East Lancashire, New Quarters, 4% dis.—
Great Northern (B), 1 9-16—Leeds, Preference, 1% p.-31allocks,
3 7-16 dis.—East Lancashire, 20%.

THE CALIFORNIAN GOLD-
FINDE RS.

The accounts continue to increase in interest. The
New York Herald introduces a highly interesting letter
from a correspondent at Monterey, California, with. the
following mysterious paragraph
We have also received a private and confidential
letter which contains intelligence so astounding concern-
ing the gold regions, that we forbear giving it to the
public at this time lest they should not credit it, and
might only laugh at us for our pains, and accuse us of
attempting to hoax and deceive the public."
The Herald then goes on to declare that there were
strong reasons for believing that Governor Mason and
all his officers, men, mules, and waggons, were engaged
digging on the banks of the Sacramento river. Colonel
Stephenson had also disbanded his regiment, and gone
on the like errand. This officer is said to have collected
upwards of one million of dollars' worth of gold dust.
Captain Marcy, son of the United States' Secretary
of War, was engaged in the same pursuit. The cor-
respondent's letter, which is dated Monterey, No-
vember the 16th, is highly interesting; we therefore
give it entire:—
"We can now call ourselves citizens of the United
States. We have now only to go by law, as we for-
merly went by custom, that is, when Congress gives us
a government and code. The old foreign residents of
California, having done very well 10 or 20 years with-
out law, care but very little whether Congress pays
early or late attention to the subject. Those who have
emigrated from the Atlantic States within the last three
or four years deem the subject an important one; I only
call it difficult. The carrying out a code of laws, under
existing circumstances, is far from being an easy task.
The general Government may appoint governors, secre-
taries, and other public functionaries; and judges, mar-
shals, collectors, &c., may accept offices with salaries of
3,000 dolls. or 4,000 dolls. per annum; but how they are
to obtain tkeir petty officers, at half these sums, remains
to be seen. The pay of a member 'of Congress will be
accepted here by those alone who do not knoiv enough
to better themselves. Mechanics can now get 10 dolls.
to 16 dolls. per day; labourers on the wharfs or else-
where 5 dolls. to 10 dolls.; clerks and storekeepers,
1,000 dolls, to 3,000 dolls. per annum--some engage to
keep store during their pleasure at 8 dolls. per day, or
11b. or lilts. of gold per month; cooks and stewards,
60 dolls, to 100 dolls. per month. In fact, labour of
every description commands exorbitant prices. My
previous information to you I merely forwarded to your
office to open the way to the future belief of your many
readers. I had not much expectation of being believed.
The idea of mountains of quicksilver only wanting the
ingenuity of man to make them pour forth as a stream
—of rivers, whose bottoms and banks are of gold, is
rather too much to play upon the credulity of New
Yorkers or Yankees. I suppose my story passed as an
enlarged edition of the Arabian Nights, improved and
adapted to California.
" Whether you or your readers took the tale for fic-
tion or truth I know not. Your last paper that has
reached us ie of April. This I know, the Sandwich
Islands, Oregon, and Lower California are fast parting
with their inhabitants, all bound for this coast, and
thence to the great placer' of the Sacramento valley,
where the digging and washing of one man that does not
produce 100 troy ounces of gold, 23 carats, from the size
of a half spangle to one pound in one month, set the dig-
ger to prospecting,' that is, looking for better grounds.
Your Maisano' can point out many a man who has,
for 15 to 20 days in succession, bagged up five to ten
ounces of gold a day. Our placer, or gold region, now
extends over 300 or 400 miles of country, embracing all
the creeks and branches on the east side of the river Sa-
cramento and one side of the San Joaquin. In my travels
I have, when resting under a tree and grazing my horse,
seen pieces of pure gold taken from crevices of the rocks
or slate where we were stopping. On one occasion, noon-
ing or refreshing on the side of a stream entirely
unknown to diggers or prospectors,' or rather, if
known, not attended to, one of my companions in rolling
in the sand, said,' Give me a tin pan ; why should we
not be cooking in gold sands ? ' He took a pan, filled it
with sand, washed it out, and produced in five minutes
two or three dollars' worth of gold, merely saying, as he
threw both pan and gold on the sand, I thought so.'
Perhaps it is fair that your readers should learn that
however plentifully the Sacramento valley may afford
gold, the obtaining,of it has its disadvantages. From
the Ist of July to the Ist of October, more or less,
one half of the people will have fever and ague,
or intermittent fever. In the winter, it is too
cold to work in the water. Some work in the sand by
washing from the surface in a wooden bowl, or tin pan;
some gouge it out from the rocks or slate; the more lazy
ones roll about and pick up the large pieces, leaving the
small gold for the next emigration. The extent of the
gold region on the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers
extends a distance of 800 miles in length by 100 in
width. It embraces not only gold, but quantities of
quicksilver in almost general abundance. It is estimated
that a small population actively engaged in mining oper-
ations in that region could export 100,000,000 dolls. in
gold every year, and that an increased population might
increase that amount to 300,000,1)00 dolls. annually.
You may believe me when I say that for some time to
come California will export, yearly, nearly or quite
500,009 ounces of gold, 22 to 24 carats fine; some pieces
of that will weigh 161 b., very many 11b. Many men
who began last year to dig gold with a capital of 50
dolls. can now show 5,000 dulls. to 15,000 dolls. I
saw a man to-day making purchases of dry goods, kc.,
for his family, lay on ',the counter a bag made of raw
hide, well sewed up, containing 100 ounces. I observed,
That is a good way to pack gold dust.' He very inno-
cently replied, All the bags I brought down are that
way ; I like the size l' Five such bags in New York
would bring nearly 10,000 dolls. This man left his
family last August. Three months' digging and wash-
ing, producing four or ,five bags, of 100 ounces each, is
better than being mate of a vessel at 40 dolls. per month,
as the man formerly was. His companion, a Mexican,
who camped and worked with him, only had two or
three cowhide bags of gold. In this tough, but true,
golden tale, you must not imagine that all men are
equally successful. There are some who have done
better; even to 4,000 dolls. in a month; many 1,000 dolls.
during the summer ; and others, who refused to join a
company of gold washers who had a cheap made ma-
chine, and receive one ounce per day, that returned to
the settlements with not a Test pocket-ful of
gold. Some left with only sufficient to pur-
chase a horse and saddle, and pay the physician
six ounces of gold for one ounce of quinine, calomel and
jalap in proportion. An ounce of gold for advice given,
six ounces a visit, brings the fever and ague to be rather
an expensive companion. A well' man has his pro-
portionate heavy expenses, also, to reduce his piles or
bags of gold. Dry beef in the settlements at four cents
per lb., at the placer 1 doll. to 2 dells. per lb.; salt beef
and pork, 50 dolls. to 100 dolls. per barrel; flour, SO
dolls. to 75 dolls. per barrel; coffee, sugar, and rice, 50c.
to 1 doll. per lb. As washing is 50c. to 1 doll. a gar-
ment, many prefer throwing away their used-up clothes
to paying the washerwoman; that is, if they intend re-
turning to the settlements soon, where they can pur-
chase more. As to shaving, I have never seen a man
at the placer who had time to perform that operation.
They do not work on Sundays, only brush up the
tent, blow out the emery or fine black sand from the
week's work. Horses that can travel only one day,
and from that to a week, are from 100 dolls. to SOO dolls.
Freight charge by launch owners for three days,
rub, S dolls. per barrel. Waggoners charge 50 dolls. to
100 dolls. per load, 20 to 50 miles on good road. Corn,
barley, peas, and beans, 10 dolls. a bushel. Common
pistols, any price; powder and lead very dear. I know
a physician who, in San Francisco, purchased a common
made gold washer at 20 dolls. or 30 dolls., made of 70
or 60 feet of boards. At a great expense he boated it
up to the first landing on the Sacramento, and there met
a waggoner bound to ono of the diggings with an empty
waggon, distant about 50 miles. The waggoner would
not take up the machine under 100 dolls. The doctor
had to consent, and bided his time. June passed over,
rich in gold; all on the creek did wonders, when the
waggoner fell sick, called on his friend the doctor, whose
tent was in sight; the doctor came, but would not admi-
nister the first dose under the old sum of 100 dolls.,
which was agreed to under a proviso that the
following doses should be furnished more moderate.
When a man's time is worth 100 dolls, a
day to use a spade and tin pan, neither doctors nor
waggoners can think much of a pound of gold, and
you may suppose merchants, traders, and pedlars are
not slow to make their fortunes in these golden times.
In San Francisco there is more merchandise sold now
monthly than before in a year. Vessels after vessels
arrive, land their cargoes, dispose of them, and bag up
the dust and lay up the vessel, as the crew are soon
among the missing. The cleanest clear out is where the
captain follows the crew. There are many vessels in
San Francisco that cannot weigh anchor, even with the
assistance of three or four neighbouring vessels. Super-
cargoes must land cargo on arriving, or have no crew to
do it for them. Some vessels continue to go to sea with
small crews at 50 dolls. per month for green hands.
Old bands are too wise for them, and prefer digging
an ounce or two a day, and drinking hock and cham-
pagne at half an ounce a bottle, and eating bad sea
bread at 1 doll. per lb. I have seen a captain of a vessel,
who by his old contract in the port whence he sailed,
was getting 60 dolls. per month, paying his cook 75
dolls., and offering 100 dolls. per month for a steward;
his former crew, even to his mates, having gone a
'prospecting.' Uncle Sam's ships suffer a little the same
way, although they offer from 200 dolls. to 500 dolls.
for the apprehension of a deserter. The Ohio,
however, laid in the point of Monterey about a month,
and lost only twenty or thirty men. Colonel Stevenson's
regiment is disbanded; 99 out of 100 of whom have also
gone prospecting,' including the colonel, who arrived in
Monterey last month from this last post, and was met
by his mon at the edge of the town to escort and
cheer him into the town. The captains, &c., have
bought up country carts and oxen, turned drivers, and
gone to the placer. Our worthy Governor, Colonel of
Ist Dragoons, &c., having plenty of carts, waggons,
horses, and mules, with a few regulars left, has also gone,
but under better advantages, for the second or third
time, to see the placer and the country, and have justice
done to his countrymen or himself. Commodore Jones,
lately arrived in Monterey, supposed it to be the capital,
head-quarters, &c., but found not even the Governor
left. Where head-quarters is may be uncertain, whe-
ther in Monterey, 6atier's Fort, or in a four Louie nag-