Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-03-23
Authentic Accounts from CaIifOr-
mia.


Capt. William d. Phelps, late of the
Moscow, of this port, arrived here from
California via Panama, on Saturday morn
ing. Capt p. brings quantity of the gold,
in grains, in scales, and in Jumps the larg-
est of the latter weighing about an ounce
and half. The amount of gold brought
by him has beer much 0verslated in the
published accounts, though he brings con-
siderable quantity-much less, hswever,
than the lowest amount stated, 1898, 000.)
AS Capt p. worked personally at the
mines, which we believe was not the case
with Mr.. Anterior, his experience of the
minute Of the gold digging there is consid-
cradle. In the first pl ace, as TO the pieces
Of gold that have been reported to be found
ne says the largest piece he has seen is IN
the possession of Mr.. Mellus, and weighs
but six ounces. He heard numerous sto-
fies at the mines, of large pieces being
found; but in every instance where they
were investigated they turned out TO be
false or greatly exaggerated. One man
was reported TO have found piece weigh
ing several pounds; he went to see him,
and found that its weight was only two ouns
ces, that il was tie proceeds of an entire
days work.
AS to the stories that the dggers were
many of them averaging $3.50 per day, he
thinks those that have done the best, have not
obtained more than $4,000 during the en-
tire digging season. The hours Of work
were from five to ten ger day. Formerly,
the Indians were willing to work for tr-
file, but they have since become better ac-
quainted with the value oftheir toll. They
are principally the remnants Of tribes, and
are not formidable.
But one case of,disorder occurred before
Capt. p. left. 1t was that of negro who
insulted Mormon woman. The people
turned out caught the negro, tied him to a
tree, gave him good lashing, and then
turned him loose, with a threat of a rifle
ball if he misbehaveG again.
The inhabitants of California Capt. p.
says are ANXIOUS 10 maintain order; but
they can hardly do it in any other way than
by lynch law, until some regular govern
ment is established.
When severalc mpanes Of Col. Mason's
Regiment deserted to the mines, file of
soldiers were sent after them, who i'll their
turn deserted. Col. Mason then started
with file of Dragons, called the miners
together, and told them that if they expect
ed the countenance of the Government,
they must help Linn TO arrest the deserters.
To this they replied that if there were any
refugees from justice among them, they
were willing TO turn out and help arrest
them, but their time was too precious to
be occupied in running after deserlcrs. AT
ter this, Col. Mason was glad to get back
with half of his Dragons.
Agriculture has been so totally neglected
that man who had field containing 49,
600 bushels of wheat, could not get it har
vested, though he offered half the products,
and was obliged to let his cattle eat it,
Women and children, as well as their hus>
bands and fathers, have become gold dig
gers. Capt. Phelps opinion as to the sue
cess of expeditions daily starting from this
country, is that it will depend upon the
manner of their organization. There is no
doubt, he says, of there being considerable
quantities gold in California, but there is
gross exaggeraton i'll this matter.
Letters had appeared in the papers from
persons who had no existence in California,
and in respect to vessels that had never
been there.
Captain Phelps looks hearty and healthy,
and bears no marks of toilsome voyage
from the other side of the world.-B0Ston
Traveller, Feb. 26h.