Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-09-22

Os
steak, two eggs and coffee. This hotel
! (Parker's) is two story frame house,
about the size of the old tavern house Of
Mr.. Turner in Lewistown, and the landlord
pays an annual rent of $90,0n0 NINETY
thousandl. He. has however, leased out one
room to four gomblers, who pay him a
rent of 100000 year. The smallest coin
in use here, Except at the Post Of1ice,) is
dime or l25 cent piece. Nor can one buy
the most trlflng article for less than bit
| I27).
When this state of things will end |
know not. In every other country men
can make some calculation in money mat
ters and market prices. Here it is foil to
attempt it. | am inclined to believe that
persons from the States will not risk send
ing their vessels here, as they run great
risk of having them deserted, and left in
the harbOr Two davs ago | counted 81
ships at anchor in the bay, many entirely
deserted by the crew who have gone TO the
mines. Although the wages of sailors are
81 so per month, they cannot be induced
to remain faithful to their engagements
Ships are now offered for sale here at one
half their value in the States, but no one
wishes to buy.
Although there is no organized govern
ment here the people appear TO be very or
derby, and goods of great value are left in
the streets without danger of being stolen
I have been told that thefts at the mines
are punished III very summary manner
The first twelve person who meet together
form selfconstiuted Judges, jurors and
eXecutioners. If the offence is of an ag-
grayated character, the thief, if found gull
ty, Is shot. If a minor offence, he gets no.
tice to leave the "digglns" within a speci-
fled time, and if found there after the expi-
ration of the allotted time he is shot. This
is very sanguinary criminal code, though
II is said TO be very eflicacious III prevent
ing crime.
The good citizens Of California are verY
indignant at the course pursued by the late
/ Congress, in extending the revenue laws
over the territory. thus taxing the people
without giving them the benefit of civil
government in return. Gen. Riley, the
Governor oi the territory, has issued his
proclamation calling upon all the male cti-
zens of the United States, residing in Cal
llornla. being II years of age, to assemble
on the LIST day of August next and vote for
delegates 10 form State Constitution. |
hope we shall shortly have regularly or
gdnlzed government, for indeed we have
much need of it. If Congress neglects to
act IN the premises, the people must DO il
themselves.
There is at presen; very strong and
hostile feeling existing against the Chilians,
Peruvans, Mexcans. and other foreigners,
who are digging and carrying away the
gold from the mines. They are about sew
ell or eight thousand in number, and have
established themselves at some of the rich
est pidCers. They will be driven off be-
fore long if they do not leave peaceablv.
At present the Americans are not sufficient
ly strong to eXpel them, but the tide Of
emigration is beginning to come around the
Horn, and soon .he column will pour in
from across the plains. and then the for
eigners viii be notified to leave within
given time. Ii they should not heed the
notification they will unquesionabIy be
killed. If they had come with the inten.
ton OF becoming citizens. this feeling
would not be so hostile against them, but
now they are viewed as .nterlopers, and will
be treated as such. Ii is not improbable,
therefore, that we shall be called on TO plav
the soldier instead of the digger. | hope,
however, this will not be the case. should
regret very much 10 see a civil war raging
here, much more 10 be partaker in it.
In a day or two we shall 60 10 he dig
gins. and II will probably be some weeks
before shal! be in San Francisco. If, in
the meanwhile. anything worthy Of note
should occur shall write you.
Truly yours, &c,
JAMES X. KELLY.