The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-08-30

Correspondence ofMe Missouri Rep~bliean.l
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
sAS Francisco, June 20, l849.
DEAR SrR: In nv lns, promised to send
YOU from time 10 time such informstion res.
pec'ing California a. might he interesting
TO your readers. The steamer Panama,
which is advertised TO leave tomorrow, Of.
ters m occasion oil which ! avail nv self.
You will receive by the same opportunity.
the Alta California up TO this date, and
would particularly call your attention 10
the last number, June l4,h. But permit,
me at the same time 10 state that all this
fuss and confusion--all this revolution
will end amicably. a government will be
established here without boodshcd. This
Is the opinion Of all reasonable and well
Judging men in the community. Tn, PEG.
pie here have too much good sense, too
much love and reverence for our mother
country, 10 be led as,roy. understand
that Gen. Riley, who is now in San Fran
cisco, and the committee appointed BY our
list public meeting, hive already come To
nm understanding in relation 10 the time
and place OF the proposed convention. IN
regard to the position OF Gen. Riley TO-
wards the town Legislative Assembly, ]
believe il 10 be right. Until we have le-
ga'ly constituted government, we should
submit implicitly To the old laws Of the
country. The different districts have GER
tninIy no right to constitute governments
TOR themselves, without the sanction Of
general convention. The office Of Alcade
IN San Francisco in unfortunately held nj
present bv msn utterly unworthy Of it,
accused bv all Of base and unprincpled con-
duct. He won his way To office during the
last season, when our town was almost de.
populated Of i,s citizens, by batteries and
promises Of services To the volunteers, then
recently discharged. A new Alcalde will
probably he elected and The Legislative As
sembly dissolved.
In nv former letter 10 you. expressed
the conviction that these who were no, nc
cnsiomed 10 hard labor would he dssp-
pointed in their expectations of rca li2inv n
inr,une by digging Cor gold dust We now
have proof the correctness Of my stn,e-
men, on this point. Every boat from the
Sacramento aud San J"nquin brings bnck
to us many who have found digging and
washing in the hot sun, exposure by da,
aud by night, poor feed, ETC.. more than they
could or were willing 10 endure, even Tor
from one 10 six ounces of gold per day.
Some OF these turning their attention Ia
c"mmercc or other occupations, will remain
with us. Others will return 10 their homes
a. poor. perhaps poorer than when the,
left. Disappointed in their wild expccia-
tions many will curse California. Eui-
grants from Missouri have been successful.
Reared on the frontier, accustomed TO labor
mud hardship, living in habits Of industry
and economy, they were well qualified 10
reap the benefits offered to them in this
country. 1t il to be hoped that many will
devote themselves 70 agriculture and gath
er golden harvest ir"m The ,illage Of the
soil. Such will be ranked among the true
benefaciOrs Of the cnnntrv
| Inst winter morc snow fell on the Sierra
Nevada thnn usual, and Consequently, the
rivers hive been ilahcd later in the season
than is common. This has limited the ope-
raions Of the miners TO the high banks Of
the streams, and less gold has been obtain.
ed IN proportion To the number engaged in
working. In a short time the waters will
subs,dc and large amounts will he collect.
ed daily. The streams emp,ying them
selves into the San Joaquin near its source
have nut been vet properly examined on
account Of the hostility Of the Indians in
that region. They will he visited by en-
ploring parties this srmr,er and doubtless
large quantities. III gold vii. be found. b.
reference to Your map you will find tina,
this conclusion is natural, for this portion
Of the country lies along The same chain Of
mountains ms the gold region already known.
The placers above are. as YOU know, ex.
iremely rich, aud tho gold mine below. near
the Pueblo do los Angeles, has been long
known. ~ all probability. therefore, gold
will be fund in greater or less abundance
in the entire length Of this ridge.
notice that writer's give very contradic-
tory opinions relating To the climate ofthis
country. The reason Of this diversity Of
statements may be ensily explained. The
coas, generally is exposed TO high and cold
northwest winds during the summer
months. These are more severely Eel, in
San Francisco than elsewhere. Indeed,
We experience here reverse of the sen
s"ns. summer being colder than winter.
We IRE seldom comfortable without fire
and warm clothing from June until Octo-
her. Our winters arc generally mild.
bright, and calm, like April in southern
climate. At Bepicia, forty miles up the
bay, the climate differs but little from that
Of San Francisco. Throughout the valleys
| III Tho Sacramenio aud San Inaanin aho