The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-12-21

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 81
| arrived at Monterey on the morning of ,he
10th inst. exactly I42 days from New York =
My chance round the Cape was very fine, and
on the 9Sth day | took observation 10 dc.
North latitude, and confidently expected to be az
Monterey in Is, or at the most 20 DAYS | had
been within days of my port 80 days pre-
vIous to my arrival, enveloped in fog, with light
winds and Gains
On my arrival found such a state of things
existing as it is not easy TO describe. The town
Gt such it may be caIled) found entirely desert,
ed There were not ten men, and about twice
that number OF women, left in the place. This
was in consequence oil the discovery of extensive
gold mines on the banks of the river Sacramento.
about twenty -lour hours run up the river, where
| am now lying Almost before | had heard of
the news myself, my crew had got hold Of ltand
six OF them were of. found there were no ia
ciliues whatever for receiving or landing nv
cargo at Monterey, and being sure could not
be In worse predicament here than there, dis
embarked the troops, and agreed with Gov. Ma
son to proceed to this place.
On my arrival here, found very much the
state OF things as at Monterey. All the vessels
in the harbor were deserted by their crews, in
many instances by their officers, and in some by
their masters. The facility with which any in
divldual may, with only ordinary industry, pick
up either in what are called the ''dry' or the
"wet diggings," $4,000 or $4,000 worth of pure
gold, in one month, is too much temptation for
most men.
have not yet begun to discharge. The only
lighter to be had here, suitable for taking out nv
cargo, belongs to the government, and she is out
OF repair. The Quartermaster has been hard al
work ever since have been in, getting her up
on the beach. He has employed several house
carpenters who came here from Oahu to go to
the mines, at SIS $40 per day to do this work
lett the ship Isaac Walton, only two years
old, at Monterey, without man on board No
one OF our men, Of war dare anchor in any of
these waters, as they would lose their crews if
they did so. At present common property is safe
enough, lying anywhere unmatched it is too
small game to be taken notice of There is now
some danger 10 returning from the mines as there
are those who prefer to take the gold already
washed to their hands than dig and wash for
themselves. The most extravagant stories are
told OF the quantities OF gold found and the ease
with which it is obtained.
have myself seen pieces weighing one two
and three ounces, and in one instance, a lump
perfectly pure, weighing more than ten ounces
avoirdupois. 1t is said (my informant is Gov.
Mason, who has been on the ground, that parties
are digging many miles apart with equal success
and that for hundreds and hundreds of miles all
When asked HIM how much | might believe of
the many apparently exaggerated stories that
are told respecting the mines, he replied, YOU
may credit almost an ything you hear Gold is
sold here now at $40 the ounce generally it has
been selling at So. Indeed, have seen a great
deal purchased from the common people at the
latter price. Can you wonder that the common
sailor overlooks his obligations under such cir
cumstances
/ amt oil lroy,, 1 II
those who sell liquor at the mines by glass is to
take from the little bag which the customer
holds open, pinch Gas of snuff for one glass OF
bad Watered whisky tried the experiment
and found | could easily take up 81 worth of
dust, at the rate OF SIG per ounce Those who
have large thumb, and understand the business
can easily take up six or eight dollars in the same
way. day or two since, gentleman with
whom am very well acquainted from the Sand
wien Islands, wanted man to take his trunk
from the beach to his lodgings, and seeing an
idle halt.clad negro, apparently runaway from
some VesseD he asked him il he would like the
job The fellow cast at him an 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 from
ms bosom small bag of dust, and said "Do YOU
think III lug trunks when get that much in one
day" He had more than 500.
since commenced this, have seen an intel
hgent gentlem from Hartford, CT, who has lust
come down from the mines. He has been absent
from this place two months, and although man
OF delicate constitution, (he came out for his
health) the net proceeds OF his expedition amount
ed $500. He gives me vivid picture of the
existing state of affairs up in the gold REGION
He thinks more than $4,000 900 worth of gold
has been Elected there this season, and that il
may be safely said, the mines are inexhaustible.
AS you would suppose, vice of every kind, and
in the most horrible forms, prevails here. The
runaway sailors work while and collect ouan.
tity OF dust, which they spend with the same
recklessness that they do much silver at home
Ihey pay seven or eight dollars per bottle for
liquor have "spree" from which thew come out
destitute, and then begin again. A great deal of
sickness prevails, and as one after another dies
he is thrown aside with the utmost Indifference
without even covering OF earth. There has
not, as far as | can learn, been any quarrelling
among the diggers. There is so much room for
all to operate, that there seems no necessity for
any disturbance. What will be the result OF all
this, cannot have any idea. shall Improve
every opportunity to inform you how am get
ting along. have seen the last man on board
OF an English brig near me, hoist his chest out
alone, and sculI to shore, abandoning the craft 10