The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-05-31
IMPORTANT FROM CALIFORNIA,

Aho steduShiP SOUtHefnefs winch arrived at
New York, Tuesday, from Charleston, brought
as passengers, Lieut. Edward Beale. U. s, n.
and VIM. Parrot, Esq, U. S. Consul at Mazat.
Ian, the former of whom reached Panama in the
steamship Oregon on the 9Th inst. and brings us
news from San Francisco to the 18th of April
Lieut. Beae states that the steamship Oregon
reached San Francisco on the first OF April. I'M
mediately on her arrival the crew was put on
board the U. S. ship Ohio, and there kept IN
irons until the evening before she started on the
return voyage. The Oregon arrived at Panama
on the 9th May. AS Lieut.. Beale was leaving
Panama on the morning Of the 9th, the California
which sailed from San Francisco FIVE days after
the Oregon, was coming into the harbor The
running time OF the Oregon to Panama was IA
days, three OF which were made with sails The
amount of gold brought by the two vessels is not
known with certainty, but is estimated at $780,
600, about $780, 900 of which is consigned to Mr..
Parrot. much greater amount would have
been forwarded but for the TACT that bills of la
ding were not given farther than Panama, where
the gold is Obliged to be carried across the 18TH
mus atsome risk, and a new bill obtained at
Chagres. The crews on the steamers are paid
800 per month each, and the cooks $3.50
There were about-75 vessels lying in the Bay
OF San Francisco,and others were arriving everv
day. With very few exceptions their crews de-.
sert Immediately upon their arrival, and thew
are unable to leave. The town is crowded with
people, and about two thirds of the inhabitants
are living in Camp. The houses are all filled to
overlooking, and the smallest rooms rent for SS
day; good board at the hotels is $lS day.
One OF the volunteers of Stevensons Regiment
who made enough at the diggius to puachase
frame house in the place, offered to rent it TO
Gen. Smith, but coolly demanded $4,000 year
giving Gen. Smith one day to decide on the Of
fer.
There was great deal of drinking and gam
bling going on in San Frncisco. Many of the
gamblers who followed the American army
through Mexico have gone on to California. and
by means of monte, roulette and faro tables fleece
the natives very extensively. Owing to the strict
administration OF a kind OF extempore Justice.
crimes have become less frequent. The only
punishment is hanging. When person COM
mits any theft or outrage, he is brought before a
Jury oil twelve men selected for the purpose. who
go through the regular forms OF trial, and if con-
victed he is at once executed. Three men have
lately been hung at the diggings, one OF them Tor
stealing horse.
Col. Fremont was on the ella with his compa-
n.y. The report OF his arrival in California is in
correct Mrs. Fremont was at Panama and
would leave in the first steamer for San Fran.
cisco
Lieut. Beale left ST. Louis on his way out. on
the LIST OF November last. He was the bearer OF
dispatches, and had body OF 25 men under his
After reaching Santa Fe be took the
ella route, and on this part of the journey un-
derwent the most terrible sufferings. The Win.
ter storm among the mountains, which proved IA.
tai to so many OF Fremont's men, and nine SOL
diers persisted with cold and exposure. They
were several times attacked by Indians and some
OF the troops were severely wounded.
Lieut.. Beale brings with him lump Of pure
gold, weighing eighty ounces, and consequently
worth nearly 81 500. 1t was found at the dry
diggings by man named Weaver. 1t was ex
hibited Tor short time on Change, and produced
quite sensation.
Mr.. Parrot, our Consul at Mazatlan, is now
staying at the Astor House. He lett Mazatlan
on the 10Th April, after his return from an ex-
ploraton oil the gold regions Of the Sacramento:
reached Mexico on the 18th of MAY.
Mr.. Parrots visit to the placers was undertake
en- Tor the purpose OF informing himself on these
points, and his revelations are even more aston.
ishing than any which have previously reached
us. In all that concerns the digging Of gold, he
fully confirms all former statements The limits
OF the placers toward the South are CONSTANTLY
being extended by new discoveries; the North
,ern districts, owing to their remoteness from CIV
ilization, have not yet been fully explored The
earth in some places has been dug to the depth
OF nine feet, and the proportion OF gold found to
be quite great as on the surface. The rich
hSSs VI Tue VI uRBlugS is I'D some places almost
Incredible. Mr.. Parrot estimates the amount OF
gold which will be obtained, the present wear. al
thirty millions oidclars. G4
But the riches of California do not consist In
gold alone. All the precious metals are there
found, in greater or less prousion, as we'll as the
rarest and most valuable jewels. Two mines OF
silver have been lately discovered, one OF which
is known to but few persons, who jeaIously keep
the secret. Platinum il. also known to- exist ia
considerable quantities. rough diamond near.
ly the size Of hens egg has been found by one
OF the miners in the Sacramento Valley. Gen.
Vallejo, who was Mr.. Parrots informant, saws
that 1t was brought to him by the finder who de-
manded $3.50, 900 for it. Emeralds oflarge size
are frequently met with, but their value, is
scarcely known. Three or four new quicksilver
mines have been discovered, one Of which, very
rich deposit, lies between the valley of Santa
Clara and San Joaquin. The Forbes mines,
however, is the only one worked as yet. The
extent and value of these quicksilver mines is
not equalled by any other locality in the world.
Mr.. Parrot informs us that in the Sierra Neva-
da, to the north east of San Francisco. there is
volcano in active operation. s
There are but fifty women in the town OF San
Francisco, twenty Of whom are Americans. The
arrival Of a ship.load of female emigrants would