Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-01-27

Yesterday morning, DIR. Jett, of Hanni-
bal, IN this State, came passenger IN the
steamer Edward Bates, from New Orleans
TO this city, whouee he arrived few days
previous direct from California and the gold
"diggings," The Doctor during his alb
sence has explored the most of Oregon and
California, aud beinga gentleman OF intelli-
genes aud acute observation, is enabled to
Impart great deal of valuable information
to those who are laboring under the gold
adventuring mania OF the present day. He
came by the way of Panama and Chagres,
from whom we learn the following facts
connected with the route expenses and mode
Of conveyance across tho lsthmus. The
expenses Tor transporting freight from Cha
gres 20 Panama Is a dollar per hundred lbs,
fwcntyyfour miles OF which is by land aud
the residue by water,
The land carriage is performed entirely
by pack mules, whose cargo consists each OF
500 lbs, weight five miles of the road is
very bad, and nothing can be carried except
In appropriate packages adapted TO being
packed by mules. The charge is seventy
tive cents hundred, and So hire for the
use of mule to ride across 20 the water
transportation. The water carriage is ac-
complishcd in large sizo canoes, the proprie-
tors OF which charge 20 cents hundred /;
in addition TO winch, each passenger is
charged "a fare TO Panama. On reaching
Panama, you have to procure lighter 10
take you out 10 the vessels ia the oiiiug,
which is an additional cost of 81 for each
trip OF the lighter several however, going
out can JOIN together IN employing one OF
these small boats,
At Panama II is impossible te procure any
Kind OF accommodation under ~ a day I;
adventures would consequently dc we'll TO
take their tents and camp equipage with
them, so that in the event OF detention at
Panama, they could pitch their own tents,
and save themselves this great expense for
rather poor living. A steamer makes the
trip from Panama to San Francisco, IN from
ten 10 twelve days, aud DIR. Jett thinks there
will be no risk oil any great detention AZ Pa
mama the trip from Chagres to Panama is
accomplished with ease ia twenty -four hours
and without any detention whatever. Al
Chagres IL is very unhealthy, the prevail
ing disease being fever aud ague, bat on the
Pacific side the climate Is salubrlous and
healthy,
From San Francisco TO Itos, which is in
distance hundred mlles from the coast,
YOU proceed in small sail vessels, the pas
sage IN which is six dollars each, and the
cost of transportation OF merchandise about
dollar hundred. When you reach Su-
,os you are within forty miles of the gold
digglns, 10 which every man has to make
his way the best he can, Al San Francisco
and in the vicinity board is the same as at
Panama, four dollars a day, and labor and
every thing else TO which a price can be at
fixed proportionably high. The Doctor in
forms Us that il cost him sixteen dollars in
cash for simply setting his wagon tire.
Cattle up to the time he lett were plenty
in tho country, vegetables generally scarce,
and very little fruit. There was q consid-
cradle stock of flour on hand at Sutos, aud
more was going IN by every arrival. The
Doctor says that he has read no account
since his arrival in the United States that
exaggerata either the quantity or quality
of the gold. He further states, that the gold
Is found IN dry rayInes, as well as those COW
cred with water. Persons who 60 about
collecting the precious metals with any kind
Of system amass three times the quantity of
dust and ore thar those who, like hen with
one chicken, are scratching a little every
where. DIR. Jett relates one circumstance
that came under his observation, which is
rather ludicrous, aud shows the avarice Of
those ia pursuit Of the lucre even Ia land
whore its abundance knows no limits.
A party Of some twenty or thirty were
exploring dry ravine that led TO a noun
tain supposed to 10 rich with The precious
ore when near its base they came sudden
Iy upon . spot which glittered like the fir
manent in clear night with gold dust and
ore, caused by the washings from the noun