The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-04-28
From the Baltimore Clipper.
Interesting from California.
LETTER FROM BALTIMoREAN.

LETTER FROM BALTIMOREAN.
The following Interesting extract of a
letter from Mr.. Fl. 4. Harrison to his broth
er in Baltimore, with which we have been
kindly furnished, gives the very latest news
from California, and fully confirms previous
accounts touching the wonderful mineral
resources of thar newly acquired territoroy !:
SAN Francisco, Feb 8, 1S43.
In my former letters, have sought to
give you some idea of this great and fertile
country, but must confess that all might
say would convey but a faint conception o.
things as they really are; in fact it needs
eyes to see and witness before belief
No doubt you have ere this most glowing
accounts in every paper, relative to the
mineral productions of our mines, which
strike wonder and doubt in every mind; but
astonishing and Incredible as it may seem,
all that has been published to the world as
yet, is but weak description compared TO
what really exists. New discoveries are
being made every day. may say; within
the last month, notwithstanding the bad
state of the weather at the diggns, as they
are called, new mines have been discov cred
surprising eli hvrvtufurv r,Ui1rrrss and
profusion-and 1t is said that in these new
places of deposit, some have dug and wash
ed thousand dollars in day-and this is
not at all improbable, wonderful, or surp:i-
sing, as it may seem. saw q piece of gold
mingled with white stone the other day, that
weighed about AZ ounces, and was purchas-
ed by a navy officer for $500; it was really
a curiosity, and as such intended for some
institute in the States. 1t would seem a
strange sight to you to go about the differ
ent stores and see all dealing in this precious
metal--the oddity of a leather pouch held
by one person pouring out the dust into a
scale, and another with spoon nicely bal
ancing it. You seldom hear the ring of
coin; gold dust is the circulating medium
although within the last month probably
more than $500, 900 in coin have been bro't
here from below, for the purchase of the
dust, by spectators. 1t is now selling for
SIS the ounce, still the dust is the tender
Owing to the inclemency of the season,
there has been but little digging at the mines
since the early part of Dccember-but at
some of the forks they have been digging
withgreat success. In about month hence
the excitement will begin with an increase
of some 1900 new comers-representativ
of every nation, and they are still coming,
all bound for the mines-wives, children,
and ALTO combat with toll, sickness and
hardships, and danger, to secure their for
tunes; that they may get, but with loss of
health to enjoy it. 1t is strange to see what
will be endured, what suffering will be en-
countered for the sake of this tempting dust.
Within the last month upwards of 500
passengers have arrived here, and are fitting
out for the mines-and it is said that uun-
beers besides are Oh their way in different
vessels from Valparaiso, Callao and other
ports. The town is literally crammed, and
every house, private or public, is full
Where all get accommodated, do not know,
and if there are $4,000 more on their way
from the States, as it is reported, it is diff
cult to say what will be done--but one thing
is fortunate, provisions are plenty at pres
ent, that is, flour, bread, pork, hams, coffee,
rice and teas, but fresh meat and vegetables
are very scarce at this time-fresh beef and
pork have been out of the market for the
last week-the little that is brought in is
bonght up readily. Beef sold this morning
at $50 per quarter; fresh pork % cents per
H.; butter 81; cheese ST.; hams the same;
-four $1s per barrel; pork $S5 to $40; bread
$50; coffee Is cents; rice 10 cents; teas 60
cents to 81 per pound; board $l2 per week
washing $6 per dozen; labor Sc to $40 per
z