The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-11

From CALIFoRNIA.-Mr James s. Wethered, of
Baltimore, arrived here on Saturday night, from
California. lie left San Francisco on November
25th, in the U, S. ship Lexington which ship had
passage of70 days to Valparaiso. He brings with
him we learn, some fine specimens of gold, the re-
suit OF his own digging.
lie left Valparaiso in the British steamer and
was two days crossing the lsthmus. There were
about 1000 persons on the Ishmus, some of whom
were IN state Substitution; many, talked of re:
turning to the States and some had already started
on their return. Trade was brisk at San Francisco,
and goods selling at fair prices; the merchants,
however, were expecting great decline, as large
stocks are looked for from the States, England and
South America
MIR; W. states that government is much needed
IN California, and that the Americans will be much
disappointed to find that the last Congress did not
pass territorial bill.
He also says that many of the accounts we have
received as to the prices at which goods were Sold
and the immense yields of gold from the mines, are
exaggerated The calculation of the best informed
was, that four millions of gold had been taken from
the mines up to the time of his leaving.
Mr.. Wethered, after having disposed of his stock
Of goods by the RhOne, formed company of twelve
tor the purpose OF mining, most of whom vamosed.
lie sold out his tents and provisions to five who
remained with HIM, and, after short tour OF obser-
walton for several days, returned to San Francisco
He believes he reached a distance of $50 miles from
Their than any American had gone, and saw the
smoke OF what he supposed was large valcanO,
some 40 or 80 miles distant. He passed large num-
bers Of persons at the different pacers, some Of
whom had been very successful; others SO unccess-
full that they preferred returning to San Francisco
and work for good wages.
Mr.. w says that the statements about the album
dance OF gold are strictly true. He dug with his
own hands upwards of 800, out Of choice place,
however, per day. 1t is, PROFESSIONALLY, the
country for men used to work. as they can here
certainly earn, on an average, an ounce Il day. He
would not, however, advise persons getting good
living, to leave II, and go TO California. Young
gentlemen unaccustomed to labor will find it very
severe wsrk, and themselves not equal to it, Il
was the opinion OF the best informed persons in
San Francisco, that there had not been less than
$4,0OO00O of gold dug to the time he left, (27th
Noyember.) The merchants of Valparaiso have,
so far reaped the greatest benefit from the trade
with California. The facilities for making the
gold dust available in Valparaiso, by getting ex-
change on the Bank of England, has turned nearly
the whole of it, thus far, to England Mr.. Wether-
ed thinks the only way our government can derive
any benefit from the gold region, will be to estab-
llsf mint, and charge per centage for coming.
Many OF the emlgrants on the Isthmus, not see
ing any prospect OF getting further, have taken up
well There are not less than 1000 persons now
there, without any prospect of getting on. large
number are ALEC al Mazatlan, in the same situation
lie advises all persons to go by the way of Cape
llom, as the surest, safest, and cheapest route.
Many have returned from Chagres, with the pur-
pose OF gong round the Horn
The mode of getting to the mines is first to 20 by
waterto Suffer- landing, $50 miles; freight 81 80 per
hundred pounds, passage so; thence, by wagon,
60 miles-freight $50 $25 per hundred pounds;
THENCE, by pack mules, up the mountains to the
various dlggigns. Mr.. w. travelled thirty days
through the mining country, and found gold every
where, and Is OF the opinion that it extends for 500
miles. He saw samples OF the gold found in Ore
gon, which appears similar to that found in scales
in California. baltimore Sun, 1rva 10.