The Arkansas banner., 1849-06-26
Interesting Letter from Caiifovnia.

Hmt0feNtfmH LetteR rom CNbtbDPmHas
 The following letter from San Francisco has been kindly handed for public ation by the gentleman who reeeivedit Itis written by young gentleman whose statepents can be relied npon-TCrsscsnt.
 BN or SAs FRAsCisco. April Q. l6l9
 On the 4ih day of January took my departure from Tampico for San Luis Pntosi, where arrived in twelve days. I heard there such fattering accounts of the n placefs " of California. that determined to come on here direct. particularly as from what had seen in Mexico felt convinced that it was not fi residence tor a civilized man. tjntii approaching the Pacific the country appeared generally destitute of vegetation. Its badly watered and during the ra,ny season travelling is much impeded by the Iiaing Of the waters. Alter jonF- nev rendered comfortable by the continued danger oi robbers arrived at San Bias on the 23d of FebTu ary After much trouble obtained passage for S200 on . Peruvian brg. There were l50 Passen- gers besides myself. l was not cory to leave San Bias. The accommodations at the best hotel the place can afford ate wIetehed, and for them bad to pay $l 50 per day. i't
 We lell San Bias on the ia of March, and arrived here ailer fair passage of 3l days. We found at this port about forty five vessels o different nations, including the steamers California and Oregon, two fine vessels, full of passengers bound to the gold region. On landing found that lodgings were not io be obtained, except at the most exobifan rates Even the ineanest hoyei commanded high price. We were eonsequestiy compelled 10 take up our
 
 into miserable restaurant and called tor breakfast was given a small piece ot beets,eak. one potato.
 cap of bad coffee. bread and bad baer, for adollar and half for dinner had bad soup, and cold roas, beef, bread and butter, and one potato, for which ] was charged two dollars. On eonyersing with a few sensible persons find that the stories concern ing the vast quantities of gold to be obtained here are strictly true. No comes but to gather gold, and when he has accumulated . few pounds be almost always goes away again. The discovery of the precious metal has thus far proved curse 10 the country. No one thinks ofcult,vating the soil. The plough has been forgotten for the last two years. Carpenters can scarcely be induced 10 work, and when they consent tc do anything they receive $i3 per day. Very bad servants are paid $5 per day. Those who come here without money start imme.
 iatriy for the dggiAgs,' soon as they have got together S30 or $40. The sailors desert their ships as soon as they arrive. Many vessels are now lying at anchor in the harbor without man on board. In some instances sailors have been paid Si20 per month. Common la5orers receive &6 per day.
 have beea told thai the greatest amount of gold procured at the mines by one person was by man who after steady digging during the season. obtained xl2,O ,OO0. $500 io 5000 or 5000 is the average produce of season's work. Many persons do not pay their expenses: 90 that 10 me goid hunting appears all a lottery. Some persons who have been to the mines do not iniend to return, preerring 70 take employment here st s per day. Gold digging is attended by many ptivsions and much labor. There is considerable sickness al the mines. Num- bers have died fot levers and cold, and doubt not from starvation. Beef has been sold at g per b.. sugar at S2 per ib; common whisky ct $i0 per bottle. and other articles ia proportion. In tact thete are no fixed rtiees, and when one wants a thing and possesses inc means he pays what IS asked for it. Al present there is scarcity of provisions. Almost every day vessels arrive from the Pacific coast, bringing al; feeessafy articles, but the piices are high.
 fear iba by tho next winter there will he ia the city of San Francisco 100 900 persons, The place is not capable of accommodating 5000. What is 10 become of them Heaven only knows. Probably numbers will perish of cold and hunger.
 As for myself, I never was in such fix. Had Enreseea what now see. California would not have beheid me quite so speedily. would recommend none to cosae here antil he shall hear the result Of the next winter, and aot io arrive before April at Inc earliest.
 The climate is cold in winter and hot in summer, At the mines in July and August The westher is so hot that wosk except al the risk of being sun struck. ea
 | The Bay of San Franei .ea is very fine. The town is built upon the side of hili, there being 10 level ground The mornings are pleasant. but from 2 o'clock to midnight it Is cold and windy, the wind frequently blowing strong rom the north-west I saw the thermometer few evenings since at 50, although tt Is not under 70 to-day.
 Lumber is much wanted here. Boards have been sold at from $a0o 10 $500 per l00O square feet. A few cargoes of shingles, boards. etc., would not come too late al any time. A fortune could be maae with few small steamers, drawing from two 10 tour feet wbsn loaded. 10 between this place and the Rio Sacnmenio. Tue distance Is twenty miles. and from S2s 10 so is charged for passage. and SIS per 100 lbs. for freight Nothing is required here now but common ready made clothing, provisions and bailding materials. Many persons have lost money who have brought large cargces ol merchandise here. They have been compelled 10 send some to other ports.
 0,aer prevails nfhe gold regions. and every thief is punished by lynch-lav. Five persons were hung last ws~k.
 No person should come here unless he will be safis6cd fo wssk Al the hagdest kind nC laher