The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-01
Authentic Accounts +. ON California.


Captain william d Pheps late Of bark Moscow, OF
this port arrived here from CALIFORNIA; via Psnama on
sss sO,s morns IN .'s 't,ogs qesntty Of
OF the latter weighing about 40 ounce and half The
amount of gold brought by him has been much over.
rated in the Published accounts though he brings
considerable quantity, mucn less, however than the
lowest amount stated 1888 000)
As Captain ", rksd personally at the mines which
believe Bot the with Mr.. A.hertou, his
experience of the miput of the gold digging there is
col siderable n the fret place rs to the pieces of
gold that have been reported to be found he the
largest piece that he has Is in the of
ME- Melus and weighs but six ounces. He heard nu.
% h ,.Or' az Inc pieces being found
they turned out to be false, greatly exaggerated
One man was reported to have found piece weighing
several pounds he went to see him. and found that It's
weight only two ounces. and that 1t Was the pro.
oseds Of .n entire days work.
As 10 the stories that the dggers vera many Of
them averaging $3.50 day he thinks that those that
have done the best have not obtained $4,000
during the entire digging season The hours Of work
were fiom five to ten hours per day. Formerly the
Indians were Wiling to work for triAe but they have
incs become better acquainted with value Of their
toll They are principally the remnants OF tribes, and
But one case Of disorder occurred before Captain p
left 1t was that Of negro who insuted . Mormon
woman. The people turned out, caught the negro,
tied him to tree. gave him good lsshing, and then
turned him loose, with threat If rife ball he mis-
behaved sgain.
The Inhabitants Of Califsr nia Captain P. says are
anxious TO maintain ORDER but they can hardly do 1t
IN any other way than by Lynch law until some regu
When reveral companies Of Col Mason's regiment
deserted to the mines file Of soldiers sent after
them, wbs, in their turn, deserted. Col Macon then
started with file Of Dragons called the miners to-
getber and told them that II they expected tho coun.
tnance Of the government they must help hi N to
arlsst ds.r,eIs To this they replied that If there
were any refugees from justice among them they we're
wiling TO turn out ana help them but their
time vas too precious to be occupied in running Altar
deertsrs. After this Colonel Mason was glad 70 rat
back with half of bis Dragons
Agriculture has been totally neglected, that man
who had . field containing Ii 900 bushels Of wheat
could not get harvested though he offered half the
products, and was obliged to let his cstrle eat it
Women and children, a. we'll as their husbands and
fathers. had become gold diggers. Captain Phspss
opinion IS to the success Of expeditions daily starting
from this country 10. that IL will depend upon the
manner of their organisation There is doubt he
ays Of there being considerable quantities of gold
In CALIFORNIA; but there is gross exssgsration in tho
matter.
Letters bad appeared in the papers from persons who
bad existence in California and in respect to vss
sells that had never been there
Captain Phelps looks hearty and healthy and bears
marks Of toilscme voyage from the other side Of
The world.