Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-06-28
CALIFORNIA ITEMS.

The mail from California brings numerous let
tiers to tho newspapers and describe the eli
mate, mode of life, &c. very mInutely. We
make the following extracts frem letters dated
San Francisco, April 2S:-
at is difficult to convey 10 persons at dis
lance any correct idea of the unprecedented state
Of affairs here. We have no laws no police,
no armed force, save the vessels riding at an
Choir in the harbor. Every man goes armed, and
yet during the seven weeks have resided here
have not seen u single fight and have
heard of but theft, and one outrage in the
time the latter was provoked by the party most
injured, and he consequently got no sympathy
from the public.
"The Alcalde IS supreme. He is an episcO-
pal clergyman, formerly resident of Brooklyn,
right shrewd, mouey-making responsibility Ia
king person he suits the times very well.
"The average gain at the mines, as near as
can Judge, is $1,000 per month for each person,
over all his expenses. Some get much more,
others get much less. After scrubbng the deck
of the sloop of war st, Mary'S with sand taken
from the shore here, grains of gold In consider
able quantities were discovered in it; whether
it will lead to any further discoveries is prob
lematcal, but the gold region is extending far
South and the metal has been found near Mont
Grey.
"Tlen as to the profits Of the diggers-the
success of each varies according to the industry,
experience and sagacity Of the persons engaged
few if any, reaping less than an ounce day,
while some few have obtained over $500 in n
days labor. have seen here a single specimen
pure and free from stony deposits, weighing
fraction under 80 ounces. Generally, one may
calculate after few weeks experience, upon
finding and washing from one to four ounces on
m average. Deduct from this incessant toll,
constant liability to sickness, living at the
rate Of from $4 to 10 per day, and you can cal
cuate how desirable and profitable the employ
ment is. Were a mechanic should certainly
prefer the certainty of $l6S day-the price Of
such labor here, where it would not cost an eco
nomcal person over $3.50 day to live, with at
least the shadow of comfort, 10 the hazardous
and abnrious task Of digging, which all unite III
representing as the hardest kind oI work.
"The mines are yielding enormously. Ed.
ward Cotterell, seaman formerly on board o
the Cyane, was discharged in November last
went to the mines in the winter, and has sea
home two hundred ounces Of gold dust through
savings of three winter months, when persons
never think of working at the mines, as il is at
tended with 50 much less profit then in sum
mer.
"Seamen are getting from 800 to 5000 pc
l. month. Servants ommand readily 500 pc
n month. 1t is the Ell Dorado for poor people.
pay Kanakas 81 so per hour to discharge light
ers, and am compelled to ask them to work a
this price, as if they were the obliging parties
The abundance of gold incl eases the value c
every thing
Seamstreses are scarce and wanted. Goo
wives in great demand We have no ladies' her
and but few women. Send out a few cargoe
y. to humanize US, else we shall all degenerate II
to barbarism.
y "The stories which up to the time Of my lea,
e ing New York, were told Of gold, are vastl
10 more than true. The half has not been told.-
While writing, Mr.. Ross, merchant here, hc
been showing me at table, several large piece
as taken from the mines, the largest weighin
h l-2 pounds. saw man to day who told II
a he arrived from the mines, two days previousl
-. having been there just one year, and he bring
''' home by the labor of his own hands alone, al
no by mere digging, upward of $4,000. Anoth
Ia man, brother Of Mr.. Wetmore here, worked
r. the mines so days, and averaged above $50 p
day. Many reports Of wealth dug in few da
may be false, but that the gold is scattered Thu
It's a region of three hundred miles or more is pa
he a doubt When the end will be seen, and VIII
oe the result, time must determine"