Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-08-08
FROM CALIFORNIA.

ChagTes, July Ito, and Kingston (Jamalca, } July
10, arrived a, New York on Friday night the 9th
ult., about O'Clock. She arrived out on the 9Th
Of July, making the passage in 8 days, l6 hours,
and 30 minutes. She brings San Francisco dates
10 the Goth June.
The Alta California, Of the l4,h June, contains
a proclamation by General Riley, warning the set
tiers not to couutenance "'Ihe Legislative Assem-
bly, Of the District Of San Francisco" either "by
paying taxes or by supporting or abetiing the Off
GERS" THAT "illegal aud unauthorized body" and
calls upon all good citizens to assist in resoring to
their lawful Keeper" the Public Records of the
District OF San Francisco, which were "furcibly
taken" from the custody of the First Alcalde Of said
district.
The same paper contains proclamation by Gen.
Riley, IN which he states that he, Gin accordance
with instructions from the Secretary Of War, has
assumed the administration Of the Civil affairs in
California not as .fIiiitary Governor, but as the
Executive of the existing Civil Government" He
then proceeds Ia call attention 10 the means which
he deems best calculated to avoid the embarrass-
ments OF the present position Of Cafornia-Con-
gress having failed to legsla,e for it-and suggests
the mode Of electng such officers are recognized
by the laws now governing the Territory, among
which are a Territorial Legislature Superior
Court, consisting of four Judges and Fiscal,
Project and Sub Project in each district, Alcades
&C.; and appoints the 7,h day Of August next for
the special election of Delegates 10 General Con-
venOn, and OF Officers of the Peace.
The Alta California condemns the terms of Gen.
Riley's proclamation, and defends the action Of the
Legislative Assembly alluded to.
The latter body have published an address, in
which they complain bitterly of the failure of Con-
gress TO give them form of government, of its
course in taking them without giving them a gov
eminent at ALL" After recital Oftheir grievances
and clear explicit and intelligent statement of The
necessities for Immediate united and determined ac-
ton on the part of the people, the Assembly car
.t,t
priety OF electng at least twelve delegates from
each district to attend general convention TO be
held at the Pueblo San Juse, on the third Monday
IN august next, for the purpose Of organizing a
government for the whole Territory of California"
1t is suggested that these delegates have discretion
airy powers to form State Convention, or TO adopt
such other form of governments TO ratifica-
tion by the peope-as they may deem advisable
An enthusiastic meeting was held in San Fran
cisco, on the 18th June, TO consider the propeiy
ct sending delegates TO Convention, &C., at which
the Hon. Thos. Butler King was present, and ad-
dressed the people.
Resolutions To carry the object of the meeting in
to effect, were presented, when an amendment fix
ing inc elections upon the days appointed by
Ten. Riley was opposed by Col. j. ID. Stevenson,
and finally rejected. Messrs. Peter H. Burnett
w. ID. M. Howard, f.. Gould, Buffum, and Ed :,
ward Gilbert were appointed committee 10 make
arrangements for a Convention and the election of
Delegates
The .dha California of the Goth June contains
circular, issued by the above named committee. in
winch, Tor the sake of securing unanimity Of action
but without recognizing the least power; as
matter of right, in Brew. Brig. Gen. Riley to an
To,ht time and place for the election of delegates
and the assembling of the Convention, ''-,hey re-
commend the time for the elections appointed by
that officer. The committee condemns the appor-
tIonment OF delegates made by Cen Riley and
virtually, disregard Of his declaration on that
point.
A meeting in reference to the same subject was
held by the people of the Pueblo and San jose on
the Sd June, at which Gen. Riey's proclamation
was approved.
A dinner given TO the Hon. II. b. King on
the l4th, at the Parker House, by the citizens of
San Francisco
A Merchants exchange and Reading Room are
also about TO be established at the former civ
A letter from the Mockelumne Dggngs dated
May 2od speaks encouragingly ofthe success of the
"diggers" Another, from the Stanslaus diggin0s
complains of poor success in consequence of the high
waters All, however, agreee upon one point-the
plentitude Of the precious metal upon the spot and
me laoorous exertIon necessary to secure it, Three
Americans, however, said to have takeno out one
piece of gold worth $27 800! Another party of
three Mexicans are said to have obtained So 200 in
one day
later report gives very unfavorabe account of
the state of things at the mines. Many, it is said,
who had gone to the mines bouyed up with golden
dreams and bright hopes, have found out by sad ex
perence that il is not all gold that giitters and they
are returning home, being fully satisfied with a
glimpse of the elephant. The average amount of
digging per day is estimated at S., upon which
counting all costs, there is an expense of 81, thus
leaving only one dollar to go and come upon
Several Americans are said TO have Joined the
Mexicans in system of general robbery, conceiv.
Ing II more profitable Some of these letters wind
up with the advice that those who can earn two
dollars per day at home, even without roast beef
had better remain where they are.
passenger in the Crescent City has communi-
Gated the following facts:
The average receipts Of the French restaurant
are ST per minute. Mr.. Jarvis says that his first
dinner in San Francisco. ordered from hotel. for
two gentlemen, two ladies and four children, con-
sisting only of meats and pastry, cost 500 Eggs
SO per doz Boat hire go TO steamer, 80 minutes
pull. -. Ordinary day labor, S6-varying from
that to $40. Mechanics in proportion.
In June good prints were selling at &c, and prime
brown cotons at 4c; flour, S. to So; pork. 50; beef
$3.50 per barrel at auction salmon, So copper
nails, &c; shovels, So per dozen shirts Sc.
Provisions were abundant and comparatively
cheap at the mines-say 50 per meal, consisting Of
game, potatoes, preserved meats, &c. As to gold
1t is found everywhere, and is generally considered
inexhaustlDle. moderate computation givesas this
years product at least S5O,OO00OO. AT present
the waters are high. September, October and No
vember considered the best months. More gold,
it is saJ can be gathered in those months than dur
ing the other nine months Of the year.
Col. Fremont and lady had left for rancho be-
low the PuebIa de los Angeles which he had pur-
chased for 100000 1t is well stocked with cat
tie, some 0.000 head and has good buildings on it,
He will probably be a candidate for the Governor.
ship.
Clerks at San Francisco get from $4,000 to $1,000
per annum and their board 10 per cent is charged
on sales Of merchandise. and ! per cent on storane