The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-26
Intelligence from, California.

j Al
We learn from very reliable source, that a Mr.
Doak now in California, has written letter home
to his friends in Mercer county, stating that he had
gold enough and that his only desire now is to get
home as quickly possible with his treasure. He
says that there is no doubt about the existence Of
immense quantities OF gold in California, but bears
witness to the wretched state of society there We
do not know the precise date OF the letter, but be-
heve that II was recent.
From the New Orleans Delta, April III
Our readers will remember that we have, from
time to time, noticed the march of Col. Washing
tons command towards Santa &c, and published
several letters from officers attached to It, descrp
tive of their progress. This force left Monterey
shortly after the evacua OF Mexico by our army
and had pleasant M n to Santa Fe. The dra-
goons, however, under opt. Graham, which form
ed portion of Col. v ashington's command, were
detached somewhere near El Paso,, and proceeded
to California on the route pursued by Col. Cook,
with the Mormon battalion This route is the
most southern which has yet. been travelled by
parties proceeding to California, and passes much
of the distance through Mexican territory. Ac-
companying Capt. Graham's command were seve-
raj traders. From one Of these a letter was re-
ceiyed few days ago by one Of our citizens, OF
Camargo August Sd, 1913, and arrived at Los
Angeles January 9th, 1919, being five months on
the way =
Los Angeles, Jan. I3, 1919.
/ wrote you about month ago. giving you all
the incidents OF our tedious journey. ! arrived
here four days ago. The wagons will be here in
about four days, making. our trip five months to
this place We have had terrible time OF A. We
lost between SIX and seven hundred mules and
horses, and about half OF the wagons, and had to
send oxen back into the desert for the other half.
The men all came in on foot. They were for some
time almost entirely without provisions The last
Six hundred miles OF our route is almost impracti-
cable for wagons or large parties. There is no
grass for much Of the distance. The rivers and
banks are SO incrusted with sapetre, TO destroy
all vegetation. | lest all the horses, except Old
nd forfv md had N ham an
all hve OF the large wagons, and some three thou
sand pounds of chewing tobacco, tents, and every
thing, exceptthe ghtest and most valuable articles
all hands taking il a-foot
We found affairs In very singular state here.
Laborers get $40 day, clerks 5000 a year.
Soldiers are continually leaving in bodies too large
Tor the officers TO oppose or prevent them Colonel
Mason, the Governor, cannot get servant for love
money. Ships come in port, and the crews all
leave. What few run on the coast paying the
natives 800 month for sailors. In fact, all the
men are going TO the mines, where they make
$500 to $500. day by digging gold The extent of
the gold region is said TO be three hundred miles
long and thirty broad. Pieces are found weighing
from twelve to twenty-three pounds pure gold.
The upper part Of Mexico, the Islands, Oregon, and
all the ADJACENT countries, are pouring their whole
population into this country. Goods are high.
Everything like farming is abandoned | learn
that beeves command 500 head, and flour 81
per pound. This is now the, rainy season; the
mountains are all covered with snow and ice, and
the valleys with water In March, it will clear of,
and until then the mining operations will cease.
Silver and gold coin are in great demand at San
Francisco and the mines. Gold dust may be had
at $40 ounce, scarce is coin for circulation.
No kind of paper will circulate.
# you are not here by spring, shall leave in the
fall as fear we shall all sarve, unless provisions
in immense quantities are thrown into the country,
as by that time there will be at least 100000 per-
sons at work In the mines, from all nations.
From the New London News.l
We are kindly permitted to make the following
extract from letter received in this city, yesterday,
from A. w. Bush, Esq, now remaining at San
Francisco. Coming from that highly respectable
and intelligent source, It may be fully depended
upon.
SAN FRANcIsco, Feb. Fl, 1S49.
arrived here yesterday, and find it one of the
widest places ever was in II is crowded with
people, and for the present shall stop on board
the ship: The steamer has not yet arrived, but is
expected daily. News here from the United States
up to December. There are 35 vessels here with
goods and passengers from all parts of the world,
and still more coming; yet they do not bring more
than enough to supply the population The gold
mines are ITO miles from here, and persons 60 up
and dig two or three thousand dollars in the course
OF month or six weeks. / saw Mr.. Comstock,
lCapt. Greys c!erk) on shore to-day. He has
been up to the mines, and done very WELLS going
back in a few days.