The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-26
Another Letter of Captain j. l.. Folsom to
General Jcsup.

SAN Francisco, CAlIroRNIA,1
After the long semioficial letter which / send to
you At this time in relation to the gold mines Of this
country, have little to cay upon that topic at
prtsent that little relates to the effect OF these
coveres upon the business Of the country and the
III. prces Of labor here will create surprise in the
Urued States. Kannakss or Sandwich Islam ders, the
worst Of aberers are now emp Dyed constantly about
z hour each anu the most Indifferent aborers are
hired by the week together at six or eight dollars per
eieht or ten dollars per day and by the month about
six In afew days, as the sckly season is er pre-.
rune wages will advance, for most Of the laboring
classes returning to the mines.
is impossible to give you fair idea Of the nsupe
rsble difficulties We ali meet with in any business
which are called upont to do can best effect this,
however by stating facts for your information have
just competed the repairs upon Government lighter
preparatory to dscbargpg the cargo OF the transport
ship Huntress attempted to hire ehter to effect
this, could not get one capable Of containing
hupdred and twenty barrels, manned by two men
ehort Of fifty dollars per day have had the m lster
OF the Government lighter employed for several days
in getting crew for her nd when he offers eighty
dollars per mon tn for tailcrs, he Is laughed at aud
told that can get that amount in the mines in
one day! A few days since sent wagon master to
employ to handle stores in the public
houte After searching about the town in vain, for
feyeIsl hours, he raw man on the dock who he felt
sure Of getting for the individual in question did not
SET to be blessed with reds ndaucy Of this worlds
gear. He wearing slouched hat without q
crown dilapidated bucks kin hunting shirt or frock
very uncleanly red.woolen shirt. with pantaloons
hanging in tatters and his feet had apology for
covering in one old shoe, and one old buckskin mo-
cas,in, sadly the worse for and old age. When
asked if he wanted employ ment, he replied in the
affirmative; and a. the young man proceeding TO
tell him what he wished to have him do he was inter
rupted with, 1T is not that kind of WORK sir that
want, lat the same time taking a bag containing
about two quartz Of gold dust from his buckskn shrt
want to work in the mines, sir. Look here, strang
er, do you zee this? This bag contains gold dust
and DO you suppote am to make q damned Niger of
dollar. p.r should think not strane sa' And
eur friend left in most contemptuous manner. Nor
was this solitary instance Of like conducts they &C.
cur daily and hourly in this village.
Ali sorts of labor is got at enormous rates of compen
sation. Common clerks and talesmen, In the stores
about town, often receive high at So and their
ard. The clerk now in my Office is young boy,
Who until q few weeks since q private OF volun-
teers, and am now paying him 81 500 per annum.
This win not appesr high when tell you that have
just upon his table wash bill made out and paid,
the rate Of eight dollars per DOZEN and that almost
cpsl waiter in TIE hotel where board, is paid ST. 100
per year, and several others from $1,000 to $500
fortunately have Indian boy, or shou be fors ed
TO clean my own boots for could not ploy good
body servant for the full amount Of my salary go
rsrDment efhcsr II wall be impossible for any army
tfhcer TO live here upon his pay, without becoming
az idly in pov,rshe6 for his time is not bis to
ter upon business and although he might have money
his opportunities for making 1t useful to him few
unless be invests IT in real estate Unless something
L. done unable to see how 1t is possible for officers
living upon the salaries granted by law to military
men. TO support the nseves in this country believe
every army tfcer in California, with two exeep-
items, would have resigned last summer, could they
have done it md been frse at once to commence for
themselves But the war was not then termnsted
and could hope TO communicate with Washing
ton dents 20 get answer In less than ak
and perhaps te months For some time last summer.
(August and Juy) the officers at Monterey we're en-.
tirty without servants; and the Governor Colonel
Matop) actually took his turn in cook for his mess
Unless some prompt action is taken TO pay both officers
and me serving in this country proportion to the
unavoidable expen;es to be incurred, the former will
resign, and the latter wiz desert and will be limos
sibe TO maintain mill force in California IL can
not be expeottd that officers will devote their ryce.
TO the government St rate Of compensation which
Will not enable them TO employ a servant. to say
nothing Of living in fuch as NAV become
Their ttstion and 1t is utterly impossible to DO Il in
California, upon the salaries allowed by law
The channels for correspondence have heretofore
been 70 few, that have not written you relation to
this country and its resources but as have the
Heans OF transmitting letters Mexico via Ma.
sstlsD fhall take every occasion to make you ac-
qusinted with the country and such events trans
pre- on The coat, by reries of semi official commun
cations and reports At preseDt have but little time
TO devote 10 IT. and II must suffice TO that look
upon California az perhaps the richest mi neral country
on The globe. Lave written 81 qrent len gth
10 the gold. and since the date that Letter other
and richer mines have been discovered. Rich silver
nhSstre Known 10 eAst In various parts of the
Try but they are not worked. Quicksilver mine. are
found at in umerable aces aud of them afford
the richest ores The New Alulsdin mine A. Santa
Clara gives the richest Of which have INV ac
counts. With very imperfect mach merry A. Yields
npwadr CT nifty per cent; and the proprietora ara
ns~ working It, and are preparing to quadruple their
force iron copper lead, tin. sulphur zine platnum
cobalt &c are tgid 10 be found in abundance and
mort q them are known 20 exist in various section, of
the country.
AZ agricultural territory its great
W want OF rain bot this Is by mean. great az
has been represented. believe California ca, h. |
made 10 produce 40 fine wheat rye, oats buck wheat
fsIey Vegetables aId Eeiis, ope;ay grapes, az any