Democratic banner., 1849-07-09

Llltl. LIICAlCuS u NV OAbu ~ A" "AN
are pouring into California, is alm,'st iacredi-
BILE. Seventy or eighty vessels were living in
the harbour, completely deserted By Ulcers as
we'll as by men, left with no one to take care of
Them, and rapidly falling to pieces al the
The Peruvian government has sent
a portion of its Navy to San Francisco TO bring
away the Peruvian merchant vessels lying there,
and it is only by similar action on the part OF our
government that any portion of the American.
vessels now there can be saved from entire de-
From 5000 10 1000 foreigners, chief
ly from South American ports, ars supposed to
arrive in California every week. The procla-
nation of Gen. Persiter Smith, forbidding them
to come, excites no attention whatever, and is
not regarded liz the least.
We learn from Mr.. Lorins, that Judge Lynch,
is the only magistrate known throughout the
mining regicn, and that his DEGREES are pro-
with all proper Judicial forms, and ex.
ecu,ed with relentless severity. There is no
law, of course, for the district except such as is
created by the emergency o the case. M mil
ltary force can be manifested there for a moment.
Gen. Smith was applied 10 by an express from
The mines, for soldiers 10 chastise the Indians
after their attack upon the American camp
The General smiled, and said that 'if he should
send a company, there Of course, instantly up
on their arrival. There are none at The mines,
and few in the Territory--a small detachment
being near San Francisco, and the main bod, At
Monterey.
Whenever any offence is committed among
The miners, the culpfit is seized, a jury Of
Twelve persons is empsnelled, testimony is heard
The verdict rendered, and sentence promptly ex-
All this is done, as we are informed,
with perfect fairness and the greatest care
is very little robbery or crime of any
kind at the mines. Since the opening of the
district 10 emigrants, eight or ten executions
have taken place for robbery and murder, and
has had a most ~salutary and restraining ef-
feet.
AS 10 The extent and wealth Of the gold re-
.ions, Capt. Loring says the truth cannot well
be exaggerated: the Only receptions practised are
in regard 10 the ease with which ii is oiirn rep
that it may be gathered. He saw sew
eral old miners who had crossed the Rocky
and settled in Oregon, but on the FIRST
OF the discoveries of gold they had left
tina, country and gune to California. They state
that Judging from the volcanic formation Of the
courtry and the appearances that every where
meet the eye, they have no doubt whatever thai,
gold will he found equally abundant on both
sides Of the Rocky .nOuntain chain, for a very
great extent. New mines were discovered
within thirty miles Of San Francisco, a few
days before .Nr. Lrring left. He brought with
lin some beautiful specimens Of the gold found
in the dry 'diegins.' Some Of them weighed
five or six ounces, aud had the appearance Of
having been melted in an open fiTe-being irreg-
ular in form, and slightly discolored by Sshes
or dust. These digsiEs arc mainly between the
North and South For 60, upon elevated ridges
in the mountains. TIE earth is very hard clay
requiring strong blows with a pick-axe 10
break it. The miners 90 into this section and
strike al random. II there is god there, it will
soon be evident by the appearance OF pieces,
large or small, mixed in with the clay. On
seeing these they immediately fill their bags
with the dirt aud carry il either on mules or on
their shoulders, tea or twelre miles 10 The nearest
streams where il is washed, and the gold sep
arattd from the dirt. Even with this tedious
and hard process three ounces q day is q fair av-
erage for q strong and hearty man. Frequently
however, from lack Of proper tools, men dig
with their hands-afier a hole has once been
made, and their fingers SOON become so sore
that they are forced to give up.
The great increase i'll the number Of miners
was diminish:rg. u: course, the returns TO in
dIviduals: ana It Was believed that from half an
ounce 10 one ounce would be a fair average dur
Jig The next season. About 10000 persons
have been digging during the past season, but
more than ten times that number are expected
10 arrive belure the next season opens. Just
now very little is done in the mining district,
to The stormy and unhealthy weather.
ChIlls and fever were very prevalent, and the
would not be considered healthy for dig
cling until September. The miners live mostly
in tents. The little town of Stockton, near the
region, is composed entirely of TENTS
The miners generally bury their ore until they
can take it into San Francisco and exchange ii
for goods or ship it for home.
The miners generally take their gold 10 San
Francisco, where they sell it at SIG per onnce
in exchange for goods, and $l5 for cash. They
never test it, but judge of its qualify by exam
nation. Sometimes they throw in an ounce or
SO, in a pound, to make allowance for dust. IN
al the stores, the sweeping ofthe coun-
ters after a days work, frequently yield u hand
sum.
To illustrate the impossibi!ity Of preventing
desertions Mr.. Loring states that not long since
a boat load of one Of the U. S. ships, under com
mand Of Com. Jones, deserted in broad daylight.
The Commodore calledh his crew TO stop them,