Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-05-18

The steamer will be detained here a month,
and perhaps six weeks, for supply OF gold.
mere are not houses enough 10 contain us in
.ne town, and shall camp out in the neighbor-
nood with some friends who came on in the
steamer. Some few buildings are going up, but
very lew, osfcarpenters' wages are eight TO ten
ooilars per day. ] am writing this in the cold
and my Fingers fairly ache. The rainy season,
accompanied with cold, damp weather, will
continue some weeks. This has been the Sc.
sefest winter, however, for years in this coun.
Try. Inc rains have been heavy, and commu-
hicatlon with some parts Of The money region
cut on. 1t will yet be a month before parties
can leave this place with safety, owing 10 the
snow and mud
nave some doubts whether the present town
OIL san francisco will continue 10 be The place
Oh business. IL IS situated few miles from tia
enrhhce 10 The harbor on the size Of hill, but
me great objection 10 it, as place Of business,
10 mat vessels cannot approach under quarter
10 nall mile Of the city, owing 10 fat
Wnich makes OH directly in front Of il Vessels
are consequently Obliged 10 be lighteucd, and
tue goods are again to be shipped UP the bay in
70 mo interior. There are other sites up the
Day more suitable, and shou not be surprised
10 see an attempt made 10 change the port Al
present town lots are worth in San Francisco
$4,000 10 $4,000 each.
nave no opportunity Of writing 10 others
was called out of bed al q very early hour
aho informed that had half an hour TO write
oy Mr.. Parrot, who leaves this morning for
mazatIan, and who would take charge Of my
ieaer have written you from Panama re.
pea'euIy, also from Acapulco and MIzalan,
lhousn think II doubtful whether my letters
nave been received. My general health is good.
our party, consls ing Of Frazer, Winston and
Ducios, are all we'll Yours, uuly, A.G.
SAN FRAScEco, March 7, ls49.
MY dear CT wrote you a few DAYS since on
our arrival and avail Of the detention o the
vessel Tor Mazatlan, 10 give you some item. of
matters and things in this delecrable country. IN
the hrst place, so far as one can learn The gold
stories are all true. The consequence IS, that
labor, rents provisions, &c, are enormously
high. Town property for cash is beyond any
thIng ever heard OF in new country, aud lots
are selling in this place from five 10 twenty
thousand dollars-renls from five hundred 10 one
thousand dollars per month. Carpenters
wages eight 10 ten dollar per day. The steamer
California IS deserted by every soul, except the
captain and chief mate, aud there is no proba-
oIlily OF her leaving under two or three months.
This IS speculation on my part, for there is no
saying when she will get either fuel or crew.
Fifty to one hundred dollars per day is co.
thing extraordinary for miners TO make There
is, however, some danger from Indians and our
own counlrymen, proving about the country,
committing murder and THEFT. Gold IS very
abundant, and goods extravagantly high, and an
immense population coming forward who all re-
sort to the mines, and return merely 10 throw
away the proceeds, of their labor In fact, | can |
hardly give you an idea Of the state OF the ccun-
try. Those who have been here a year, with |
common industry aud prudence, are worth from
twenty thousand 10 two hundred thousand dol
lars. have not been able 10 procure board in
The place and in company with Mr.. Frazer and |
young Ducros have pitched our tent quarter
OF mile from town. Wages of servant, $50 |
to $500 per month, and in The courac Of two Or
three weeks, when II will b. seasonablc weather
10 go 10 lie mines, none will be had at aLy |
price. You may JUICE what stale OF !h',nss ne
mines and return il q month or SIX weeks with
from one 10 three thousand dollars in gold.
IL IS yet 100 early iur the mass 10 start 10 The |
mines, the weather having been very Indictment.
We intend 10 go up 10 the mines and see The |
country, aud have formed party OF five Tor that
purpose. The great diillculiy IS IN procuring |
conveyance The price OF passage 10 Suffers |
Fou is S25 each, and IS rer cWt. Tor baggage |
and provisions. We have An idea Of buying a
Whale-boaI; the price is 300. From Suffers |
Fort 10 The Slanislaus the transportation IS diff
cult and expensive, as team oil two oxen ana
wagon earn 500 per dayl
Gold is setnng Al Si4 per ounce, but is taken
in trade al SIC. Ii IS worth in Valparaiso Sl8,
and would net in the States SIT, all expenses
paid.
| know not when shall be able 10 send you
another letter. have lille faith in this reaching
you, as il goes by transient vessel 10 MazallaD,
thence through Mexico. Captains OF coasters
are much 10 The habit Of destroying letters 20
avoid carrying mercantile Information. My
health is very good. Yours truly, A. G.