Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-09-22
From the Nepark Dailg advertiser.

A JOURNEY THROUGH LOWER CALIFORNIA.
The following letter, from enterprising young man
Of this vicinity whose party travelled the whole length Of
the peninsula OF Lower California, to San Francisco, will
give the reader rather phase of immigration the
gold regions:
Correspondence Of the Neoak Daily advertiser.
SAN Francisco, July 6, 1S49
arrived here yesterday ragged and sunburnt and was
received like the prodga son. by host of friends who had
almost given for lost Ny reception was as 1ater-
ing it could possibly be. You will naturally wonder
where have BEEN will tell you in few words left Ma
zatlan (as wrote you intended doing March 29h in
the barque Mary Frances We knocked about a week,
without getting outside of Cape St Lucas and finally put
IN at San josef (35 miles iromhe Cape for We
We're much crowded-hayng 100 in the Storage of a
oarqne OF S2o tons-our health suffering and little pros
pect OF getting through We had not room to spread our
blankets below, and the weather becoming too cold
to seepon deck Under these circumstances four of us
Lieut. Miller Smith, Van Buren, and mysef-decided to
land, and try the route through the peninsula of Lower
California We were told that ii fine country and
that the journey could be performed in 30 to IS days
Well, we found the country perfect DESERT our path
lay barren plains of sand mountains of bare rocks
1000 feet or in height There scarcely sign of
vegetation, except cactus with which would have will
ngy dispensed We frequently lost our way but always
olundered into the night track again AT time owing
to an error in chart very near going off to
the coast where we should have been four days without
One OF the party who astryng to lasso wild horse
lost his way, and stumbled upon rancho that accident
saved us An freshman who left San Josef the day before
US, lost ms way here and has not since been heard Of
Wesufered much from thirst found water only at
long intervals, and generally bracks We lived very
temporarily on Ierked beet which generally ate raw
as excited less thirst Alter leaving San Ignaco (Which
about halt way up the pennsua) the wolves came one
night and stole part of our beef so we were reduced to
halt pound per diem each, for several days We then
reached an Indian settlement of few uts when we pro-
cured little meal on which we lived for days. hav
ing nothing else, with the exception of young eagle which
killed with pistol. We made soup Of him, and called
it chicken We buzzards or we should certainly
have cooked them, in spite Of Achlle Muafs maledicton
ABOUT TINS time our horses gave out and were com
PEELED to foot it, slod with hide sandals) for several
days After sixty days OF this fun we reached San DIEGO
when Lieut.. Miller found some brother officers who re-
celved us with great courtesy Here we procured some
salt pork and hard bread, which, u.s. was most luxu-
nous fare; bought some stout Shoes and fresh arni and
| started Tor San Francisco with renewed courage The
| country above San Diego is well wooded and watered
and IN some parts most beautiful it seemed paradise
| alter the desert we had crossed.
Well here we at last having been IS DAVIS in the
saddle, during which time passed but three nights nm
der root, sleeping sometimes the top of mountain
sometimes IN marsh and always well soaked with dew
IN spite oil this ENJOY vigorous health having gained lOa
lbs since leaving the vessel Fortune after PLAYING me so
seuryy trio seems to beend now for my prospects
| are better than l ever expected Barlows party have
bought rich bar on the uba river, for $1,000 which
yields to man with small CRADLE o. of gold per dav
They are comfortably established in beautiful spot on the
bank OF the river, and making money verv ranidv
They insisted on my joining them, and | assented of
| course.
| found letter from my friend Booraem who il with
Ames on the Middle Fork, making $50 per day. and ex-
peeting to do better when the river falls shall start for
he MINES to-day 10 company with Barlow. We go to
ue EAoaicaielo by wafer and shall ride to the
placer where Booraem and Ames are at work and per
suade them to accompany us to the Juba which is much
| richer spot
All agree that there abundance of gold and that
any one can make fortune by labor and perseverance
| Many who expected to pick up the gold without trouble
or labor are going home discouraged but all who work
| steadily and patiently, must become rich.
can scarcely describe the of society here there
no government no law and yet life and property seem
perfectly secure there pistol or bowie knife regime
as many imagine. Avarce is nduged 10 its greatest ex
tent Many lose all pride and serespect in the desire to
| make money. Yours, &c, w. F. ~