The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-01-11

StunCess Out 70 ltIuSITale DOW plcnllIuI the
gold wss in the pockets Of common Iaborcrs .,
| will mention simple occurrence, which
took place in my presence when ! WINS in
Wcber's store. This store was nothing
but on arbor Of bushes under which he had
exposed for sale goods and groceries suited
to his customers. A man came in, and
picked up a box Of Seidlitz powders, and
asked its price. Capt. Weber told him i,
was not for sale. Tho man offered an
ounce Of gold; but Capt. Weber told him |,
only cost fifty ccnts, and he did not wish
to sell it. The man then offered an ounce
and half, when Capt. Weber had TO take
il. The prices Of all things arc high, and
vet Indians, who before hardly knew whit
n brccch cloth was, can now afford 10 buy
the most gaudy dresses.
The country on either side Of Weber,
Creek is much broken up by hills, aud il
intcrscc,ed in every direction by small
streams or rnvines, which contain more or
less gold. Those that have becn worked
are barely scratched; aud, although thou
sands OF ounces have been carried away,
do not consider that n serious impression
has been made upon tho whole. Every
day was developing new and richer depos-
its; and tho only impression seemed to be
that the metal would BIO found in such album
dance as seriously to dcprccia,c in value.
Before leaving Suffers ! satisfied myself
that gold existed in the bed Of the Feather
river, in the Yuhah and Denr, and in many
OF the small streams that lie between the
latter aud the American tork; also, that il
had been found in the Consumnes 10 the
south al the American fork. In ench Of
these streams the gold is found in small
scales, whereas, in the intervening noun
tains il occurs in coarscr Jumps.
Mr.. Sinclair, whoso rancho is three miles
above Suffers, on the north side at the A..
mcrican, EMPLOYS about fifty Indians on
the North fork, not far from its junction
with the main stream. lie had been en-.
gagged about five weeks when snw him;
and mp to that time his Indians had used
simply closely woven willow baskets. His
net proceeds (Which | saw we're about,
$4,000 worth of gold. lie showed me
the proceeds Of his last weeks work-faur-
teen pounds avoirdupois Of clean washed
gold.
The principal store ut Suffers Fort, thnt
of Brnnaon e.. Co. has received in pay
ment for goods $4,000 worth of gold,
from the lst Nav TO the 10th oi July. OH
or merchants have also made extensive
sales. Large quantities Of goods were da.
" sent forward To the mines. rs the lnd-
ans. heretofore poor and dcprssed. have
suddenly become consumers az the Injuries
Of life. The greatcr part Of the farmers
and ran.hcros have abandoned their fields
to 20 to the mines. This is not the case,
however, with Capt. Suffer, who is care
fully gathering his wheat, estimated n,
10000 bushels. Flour 10 alrendy worth
$50 barrel. and will be $50. Unless
large quantities Of hrcadsiuifs reach the
country. much suffering will occur; but MS
ench man is now able to pay larger
price. il is believed that merchants will
bring from Chill aud Oregon a plentiful
supply for the ensuing winter.
The mast moderate estimate | could oh
tain from men acquainted with the suhjec,
was. TINT upwards Of four thousand men
were working 10 the district, of whom more
than one half were Indians: md that from
$4,000 To $4,000 worth or gold, if net
more, was daily obtained. The entire gold
district, with some very few exceptions Of
grants made some wears ago bv the Mcx.
can authorities, is on land belonging To the
United States. Il was matter ot serious
reflection with me how could secure 10 the
Government certain rents or fees for the
privilege Of procuring the gold; hu, upon
considering the large extent of country, the
character Of the people engaged, and the
small scattered furce at my command, re-
solved not to interfere, but TO permit all To
work freely, unless broils and crime should
call for interference. ] was surprised 10
learn that crime Of any kind was very un-
frequent, and that no thefts or robberics
had been committed in the gold dis,rict.-
All live in tents, in bush arbors, or in the
open air; aud men have frequently about
their persons thousands Of dollars worth OF
this gold, and il was to me matter of sur
prise that 50 peaceful and quiet state Of
things should continue to exist.
Tine discovery Of those vast deposits Of
gold has entirely changed the character Of
Upper California. Its people, before cnga-
ged in cultivaiing their small patches Of
ground. and guarding the herds Of cattle
and horses, have all gone to the mines, or
are on their way thither. Lahorcrs Of eve-
~ trade have left their work benches, and
tradcsmen their shops. Sailors desert their
ships NJ fast n they arrive on the coast,
and several vessels have gone to sea with
hardly enough hands to spread q sail. Two
or three aro now At anchor in San Fran
cisco with no crew on board.
have no RESTITUTION 10 saying that there