Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-12-30
CALIFORNIA.

FROM THE NEW YORK COURIER AND ENQUIRER.
The annexed letter, from an intelligent and re-
able source, will be read with interest since il treats
of the topic of the day-California gold.
II exemplifes the hardshps and privalions to
which the officers of the army are exposed, and the
whole circumstances of this sudden discovery of
hidden treasure seems to to authorize abundantly
some specific appropriation by Congress over and
above their pay for the faithful officers and soldiers
OF the army, who resisting the fascinations of sure
gain, have stood by their colors at great personal
inconvenience and pecuniary loss
MONTEREY, CALIFoRSIa, August l6 ls4s
The Of the ratification Of the treaty peace reached
here the 9th of August and orders Immediately issued
for the discharge Of the New York regiment volunteers
leaving only about $50 regulars guard the immense
of ordnance and public which have deposited in
this country and also keep quie, the aected part Of the
Mexican population. The Americans in this
country rather awess of men, and much disposed
infringe upon the rights and property of the Caonans but
so long they be restrained within the limits Of the
have fear of difficulty They however, are Of such
restless character that there telling what they may DO
As have already written to you Upper California is
toeraby good grazing country the rain renders
it unsuitable for grain there are however, small por
tons Of the northern pa Of the country where pretty good
crops Of wheat and may be raised the south the
grape is cultivated with BY irrigation The California
wine is excellent, resembling the light German wines
gold mine discovered few months ago the Sa
camenio river and the tributary streams which bids fair
be Of the richest in the world the earth dug with
picks and shove and the gold separated BY Washing The
process is perfectly simple requiring outlay Of capital in
machinery. common aborer make from $50 to $50
per day.
This discovery has produced the wonderful change
the price Of labor and provisions In the northern part Of the
AZ E,-.
people abandoned their dig god leaving their crops
Of and wheat in the field be destroyed by the
cattle The consequence scarcity Of provisions and )rr
is selling $50 per barrel. Those who were not worth
single three months ago walk about with s5 900
900 worth Of gold in their pockets Labor cannot be
hired any price, The poorest sort Of mechanics getting
SO to SIS per day and boarded The salaries Of common
clerks the from S. 900 $4,000 per year. with
their expenses paid. cook in Of the hotels in San
Francisco gets higher pay than the Governor Of California.
All kinds Of merchandise is selling the exrsvsgani
prices cotton shirts 60 So to $40 pair box
Of seiditz powders sold here the other day for SEA.
ofcourse this Of things last long Flour will
from Oregon and Chill and merchandise from the
United States and Europe and in all probability sir months
hence the market will be ovesocked and prices become quite
reasonable again. In the time we officers are made to
suffer severely rom this Of things our pay will scarcely
suffice for meal day all have run away leav.
ing 10 take 4 ourselves my housekeeper-
having make my bed black my boots sweep my
rooms, and had iot Californian lady taken pity on me
and allowed me to get my meals her house, should nov
be my cook and washrwomsn. The other officers arc
in the condition, with he exception Of or two whc
still retain their servants but hose will go soon, have
doubt The soldiers desertg in large numbers and tn
post will be left without garrison Col. Mlsos ha
written home 10 the Adu,ant General description Of hes
gold mines, at least that part Of them which he visited viii
specimens Of the metal from each washing
Platinum is MIXED with the gold, but very small quaint
tics The quicksilver exceedingly rch and wher
properly worked will be scarcely less valuable than the ro
wsshings There some iae silver and copper mine
just south Of San Diego. According the old ire Of diyi
sion these lay in Upper California bet BY the treaty the nev
boundary ne Of Upper California throws these mines into tn
Mexican territory.