The Ottawa free trader., 1849-01-26
G0ins TO California.

trip to California, If they ever get there,
will find that they have embarked in a
speculation about which they knew but We
ry little. Thousands will go who have no
more mean, than will be absolutely required
to take them there. They do not reflect
that there will be al least hundred thou
SAID men going there next sIn'mer to dig
gold; aud that, ever since the discovery Of
the gold mines, thousands have been rush
ing TO them form Oregon, Mexico, the Sand
wich Islands, AMI the South AmCricau
will be at the gold region, on the iir,t of
next September, ohehuadred and ftty thou
sand men. If each man should dig three
dollars worth Of gold dust per day, (Which
is less than any body would be willing TO
60 there and work Gor,) they would, in one
year produce one hundred aad sir'y.tour
millions iuo hundrea and fly thousand dol
lars worth Of gold. which is more than all
the specie in the United States, including
gold, silver, and copper, and yet no one
would make more than barely living; as
all kinds of provisions will be high.
I! is highly probable, then, that many Of
these adventnrerS wi be disappointed-will
no. find the shining mineral quite as plenty
as their fertile ina snations have depicted
IL. Like every where else, there will be in
California some lucky and some unlucky
ones-some rich and some POOR; and it is
no more than reasonable 10 believe that the
latter will be the most numerous. fer they
generally are. No one, therefore, should
think Of going without taking along at least
one years provisions; or any rate, enough
to keep him until he can make enough to
supply himself; for should he get there
without provisions, he may siarve before he
can dig enough TO purchase single meal.
There is no question that the supply
OF the necessares Of life will be limited.
As far as we have been able to learn there
will not over one hundred vessels sail for
California during the present year: many
Of these will be laden with merchandise and
none exclusively with provisions. But al
lowing that they will average 800 tons of
provisions each on theiranival at San Frar.
cisco, the whole will be but 10000 TONS
About 500 lbs. are allowed by our govern
meni to her soldiers for a years rations, and
which is hot any too much. 10000 men,
at 800 lbs. each, will consume, in one year,
6o,0)0 tons Just double what these hun.
dred ships will carry there. The other &c, 900
tons will have to come from the ports on the
Pacific; and we have no doubt they will,
yet we cannot see how an extra supply can
be got there So as to reduce the enormous
prices paid at present for all the necessaries
OF life, unless the enisrants take it with
them.
As to the population Of the gold re.
slon 1t will require no extra effort of the
mind to cone to the conclusion that il will
be OF the most deba>sed character. The
most moral man when separated from the
influences OF society, the restraints of pub.
lie opininon, and the threats of law, with the
temptation of procuring a large amount of
gold staring him in the face, will allow him
self 10 commit deeds which he would shud.
der al under other circumstances. Bu, YOU
take these checks from band Of raliians
an place the same temptations be fore them.
and there is lao crime too foul for them
10 commit especially If they are urged on
by starvation. There is 10 doubt tha,
California will be full Of such bands
ganized banditti who 20 there expressly TO
murder, rob, and steal. And the only way
the better portion Of the inhabitants can pro-
tect themselves will be 10 club together in
armed bodies strong enough to Withstand
their assaults. In short, he who goes there
must make up his mind To be where every
moment is thick with danger, that he must
live stranger to luxury or even comfort.
and work like slave.
Allthese things should be fully considered.
Let no one rush into the enterprise bHndly.
ior once there it will require good luck to
enable him to return.
Ohio.