The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-08-23
THE CALIFORNIA ELEPHANT.


The American Wing, Taunton, Mass,
has been favored with the following letter
from green Californian, who appears 10
hive obtained very fair show Of the big
animal on short notice. Hear him.
SAN Francisco, Mayl, 1919.
Sir: ! returned from the mines last
Wednesday, 25.h April, to this place, after
an absence Of about three weeks. There
is very little doing at the dggings, in con-
sequence Of The highness OF the streams.
which will continue some six weeks longer.
That there is n great quantity Of gold in
this country, am perfectly satisfied, blu,
not in such quantities rs We at home arc
led to believe, and the labor you have 10
perform to dig it would appear incredible TO
out tho least certainty 81 procuring, after
performing tho labor. You might dig for
weeks close By these who were daily get
ting from one or two ounces, and vet not
be fortunate enough TO To get as much as
would pay your board. The manner OF
digging is ms follows; you commence by
digging hole about six feet square, and
continue sinking il through water and clay,
sometimes 10 the depth Of twelve and four
teen feet, trying occasionally with Your tin
pan 10 ascertain it the earth contain any
gold; and frequently this amoun, 81 labor
is performed under the rays Of the burning
sun, without being uble 10 mako your ex-
penscs. Occasionally gold is found upon
the surface, but in very small quantities,
aud by ~ means IN quantities 10 pay any
twenty men from the States, il they could
have the entire proceeds O. such already
collected; tor when one man ia fortunate
enough 10 find upon the surface few ounces
il was and il heralded by those in stores and
other business in the vicinity, to all parts,
while MI n whisper is heard OF the thousands
who are daily unierg ing extreme labor,
prisaiions md svtIerings, without being able
to defray their expenses.
After arriving here YOU have to take such
CONVEYANCE, by water, as YOU can procure.
which nj present is MT comfortable, aud
proceed $50 miles up the river, for which
you pay $50 and find yourself. withou, mn,
convenience of cooking or sleeping, and 81
for 100 lbs. Of freight. When you sail NJ
Ear rs navigahle you have TO travel from IS
10 100 miles over very rough road, some
times crossing mountains from one 10 two
miles above the leve. OF the sen, md ms
sulsry NJ any summer day YOU experience;
this Distance you have 10 travel ON foot, il
YOU do not buy h"rse, which costs, with
out saddle or bride, $500. IL you have
freight oi any kind, il matters not whit il il,
tho cost OF such by the teams, is from $50
10 500 per 100 lbs. and assure you tina,
any msn, starting with his rifle on bis
shoulder, will DO sufficiently tired before
reaching the diggings, 10 regret that he
encountered himself with il, camping every
night upon the ground without an, thing Ia
project sou from the dews, but the blanket
you are wrapped IN. After you get TO the
mines, YOU will find class Of people who
spend all their digging in rum aud gambling,
and are quite Indifferent TO the cn,niorts or
lives Of those who will not associate and do
rs they do.
The expense % living nj tho mines il
about So per day, and liable daily To be at.
tackled by those have before described, or
the fever aud agne, or intermittent fever,
without The choice Of medical aid unless
you are willing 10 pay five ounces visit.
There is no vessel here vet that sailed after
the last Of November, and goods are already
a. low AZ ia he States. and what il will be
when they all get here it is impossible 10
toll. Bo-rd hero is $3.50 per week, and
slcepiug on the floor ut that, and no grumb-
ling; S6 dozon for washing, and but very
few to do il; and, | say il without finding
ak.A 4 ko~ al IL q
kind since left the steamer at Chagres;
aud since ! have been 10 this country, 4
have slept upon the ground when ashore,
and never enjoyed better health in my life.
except slight attack Of rheumatism If
any Of nv friends wish to realize tho CON-
forts Of living in common horse-stable, Ie,
him only emigrate to California, end nv
word for il, lshe realization will come before
ssaching hero. Yours &c.
PIP. CONFER