Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-23

M rnr JOURNAL OF coMasRcr.

1
/ SAN FRAScIsco, SEPTEMBER 81, ls4s.
arrived Monterey the morning of the 10th instant,
exactly l42 days from New York.
On my arrival found such Of things existing it
is not easy describe. The town f such may be called)
found entirely deserted. There were not ten men, and
about twice that number of women left in the place. This
in consequence of the discovery Of extensive gold mines
the banks Of the Sacramento about "a hours up
the river, where lying. Almost before had heard
OF the news myself my had got hold of it. and six Of
them were off found there facilities whatever for
receiving or landing my cargo Monterey and being
could not be in predcament here than there disem
barked the troops and agreed with Gov Mason proceed
| this place. ~
On my arrival here, found very much the same state of
things at Monterey All the vessels in the harbor were
deserted by their crews in many instances by their officers
and in by their masters The facility with which any
individual may, with only ordinary industry pick up, either
in what called the "dry the " wet dggng 1000
or SO, 600 worth of pure gold, in month, is much
temptation for most men.
have not yet begun to discharge The only lighter
be had here suitable for taking my cargo, belongs
Government, and she of repair. The quarermaster
been hard at work since have been in getting her
upon the beach, He has employed several house carpenters
who came here from Oahu TO the mines, So TO $40
per day to do this work.
Nomnaly, the price of day labor is SIS S. but men
be obtained, other than Indians miserable worn out
who CO. else have been the ines and
turned sick Fifty dollars per month paid for go
very short distances about the coast with the bargain W
the vessel has any yards that they shall go ao They
for the most part dsbanded volunteers and mser
able set cannot be found elsewhere in hospital No men
be obtained at price to work out Of the usual hours
The more they paid, the less willing they to work
Twenty-Five cents for glass for gyo and 81 per meal the
prices paid here Gold being plenty, every description of
goods consequently hgh $50 to 500 per pair for blankets
such cost "a in New York So pair for Shoes and every
thing pro rata The charter OF small craft formerly long
boa decked is $50 per day. The launch of the Peacock
lost on the bar Of the Columbia years SINCE arrived here
yesterday, and sold before night for $3.50 in good
clean dust 20 caras fine at SIC per Another which
in from the river the day about year old, of IS
tons, sold for 81 000 They ask Sc Sc so per
dozen for washing If could only supply the place of my
clothes by the purchase Of New York prices, would
throw them overheard instead of having them washed.
left the ship Isaak Walton, only years old Mon
terey, without on board No of of
dare anchor in of these waters they would lose their
crews If they did At present property is safe
enough, lying any where unmatched it is too small game to
be taken any notice Of There is danger
ing from the Mines there those who prefer take the
gold already washed to their hands than dig and wash for
themselves The most extravagant stories told Of gold
found and the with which it obtained have myself
seen pieces weighing two and three ounces and
instance lump perfectly pure weighing than ten
ounces avoirdupos II is said (my informant is Governor
Mason, who has been the ground) that parties are dig
gng many miles apart with equal success and that for hun
dreds and hundreds Of miles all the precious metals found
in great abundance.
When asked him how much might believe ef the many
apparently exaggerated stories that told respecting the
mines he replied you may credit almost any thing you hear
Gold sold here at SIC the generally hasbeen
selling at SS the ounce Indeed have great deal pur
chased from the people at the latter price, Can you
wonder that the common sailor oveooks bis obligations under
such circumstances
told from good authority that the custom Of those who
sell liquor at the mines by glass is take the little bag
which the customer holds open pinch Gas Of snuff for
glass OF bad wateed whiskey tried the experiment. and
found could easily take up 81 worth Of dust at the rate Of
sic per Those who have large thumb and under
stand the business easily take up six eight dollars in
the way. day two since, gentleman with whom
am very well acquainted from the Sandwich Islands,
ed man TO take his trunk from the beach to his lodgings and
seeing an idle halfclad negro, apparently runaway from
some vesse he asked him if he would like the job. The
fellow cast at him indignant glance and turned away from
him without deigning reply but after he had gone about
five steps, he turned round and approached us drawing
his bosom small bag Of dust, and said "Do you think I'll
lug trunks when I'll get that much in day !" He had
than 500.
Since commenced this have seen an intelligent gentle
man from Hartford Connecticut who has just down
from the mines He has been absent from this place
months and although of delicate constitution Che
out for his health the nett proceeds Of his amount
ed to $1,000 He gives vivid picture of the existing
state of affairs up in the gold region. He thinks than
millions of dollars worth Of gold has been collected there
this season, and that it may be safely said the mines in
exhaustible.
As you would suppose, vice every kind and in the most
horrible forms prevails here The runaway sailors work
while and collect quantity Of DUST which they spend with
the reckessness that they do much silver home
They pay eight dollars per bottle for liquor have
spree from which they out destitute and then begin
again. great deal Of sickness prevails and, after
another dies he is thrown aside with the indifference
without covering Of earth. There has not, far
learn, been any quarreing among the dgger There
much for all operate that there no neces
sty for any disturbance.
What will be the result OF all this have any idea
shall improve every opportunity 10 inform you how am
getting along have the last on board an English
brig, lying me, hoist his chest alone and scu TO
Shore abandoning the craft to her faehe captain and
and all the others having gone before.
FROM THE NEW YORK COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.
But there is letter, with which we have been
favored, that takes a temperate and rational
view Of the matter, and may be read with profit,
we suspect, by some Of those who are eager to rush
into the gold adventure:
Ii affords pleasure give any Of my friends who de-
sire all the information in regard 70 California and
when plain direct questions aeked, will endeavor give
plain but really take the responsibility Of
advising any TO 60 remain at home. have hest
tation in saying that many will be greatly disappointed Il
the impression has gone forth that gold be obtained
in California with very little labor, is Yet there
gold there beyond oil question, and those who willing
TO dig will at least receive fair remuneration for their labor
perhaps for many years TO The result Of this Of