Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-06
GOLD IN CALIFORNIA.

Ii appears from reports recently received at
Washington, that the accounts Of the Gold disco
worries in California, not fabulous as was at first
supposed by some II all we hear is true, the FL
Dorado of the Spaniards is almost realized The
Union of the 29th ultimo, says:
1--WE understand that interesting dispatches have
been received At the War Department from Col.
Mason, the present commanding officer in Calfnr-
mia, respecting the astonishing fertility of the gold
mines in acquisition. II exceeds calcula-
ton, and almost reminds us OF the treasures of A.
laddin. These documents will probably accompany
tho report of the Secretary Of War to Congress-
The accounts are said To be wonderful. Sixteen
whalers reported as having been deserted by
their crews. The smallest article of merchandise
that happens TO DO in requison, is said to com
mand great value in exchange for gold. The
quantities daily dug up are very large. This
vast bed of treasures was discovered BY an accident
Suffer was DESTROYS of enlarging the of his mill,
and permitted the stream of water to pour in and
wash, by its abrasive power, the earth i'm the ra
vine. The aluvial surface being thus removed an
extraordinary mosaic Of gold was presented to the
ravished view. But we shall have all the details
next week in the public documents. The public
must wait, therefore, for their official revelation
The Baltimore correspondent Of the National In
telligencer, under date of November Both, writes
as follows:
"a company is about forming in this city to pro-
coed to California in search of gold 1t is not much
to be wondered at that such an expedition should
be gotten up. when they receive such encouraging
information as is obtained in the following letter
received by merchant of this city:
"'SAN FRANcIsco, AUe. ID, '4S-Asto the rich
ness of the mine, were 10 set down half the truth
1t would be looked upon in other countries as Sin
NJ in
which required that the possessor should but wish
and his wishes were accomplished. Many persons
have culled in one day, of the finest grade gold
from three TO eight hundred dollars, and for many
days together averaged from sevcnty-fve 10 one
hundred and fifty dollars.
Although this is not universal vet the gener-
al average is SO well settled that when a man with
his pan or basket does net easily gather thirty TO
forty dollars in day he moves to another place ;
SO that taking the general average, including the
time spent in moving from place 10 place and in
looking for better 'diggings,' of the opinion
that we may safely set down ounce OF pure gold
Cor sixteen dollars) per day TO the man. Suppos-
ing there arc four thousand persons at work, they
VIII add to the aggregate wealth of the territory
about four thousand ounces, or sixty thousand dol
lars day.
"Other letters from the Pacific, received here
this morning by the overland mail route via Pana-
ma and Kingston, state that some fifteen millions
worth of gold had already been gathered
Zone says that at the time of writing there were
seventeen vessels lying in the harbor of San Fran
cisco, their crews having deserted and gone 10 the
gold region. The excitement along the whole
coast was said to be very great, and was extending"
AT the latest dates from California, flour was
selling at tho mines al S65 per BARREL spades at SI4
a piece. pork 81 per pound.