The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-12
Affairs I'm California.
ABSTRACT OF LETTERS FROM ALTA CALIFORNIA.
[From the st. Louis Reveille, July 81

[From the St Louis Reveills, July3l
have been residing, during the past winter, on
a stream called the TOuwallome, engaged in trad
ing. have now on that river three camps, fur
nished with provisions and gOods-the latter for
the Indian trade. That you may have some idea
of the manner we do business in California, will
give you list OF the prices at which sold goods
and provisions:-
Coffee -four, sugar and dried bread So per ID; blaH-
kets common white, $50 for one do. super, colored
$3.50 for one shirts calico and blue woolen $40
Spanish blankets 5000 for one shoes coarse, $4 per
pair boots, do $50 do; pants do S4s do coats blue
blankets, 800 for ONE pea jackets sailors $6l for
But you must not suppose that these prices will
long continue; in fact, already, on account of the
late importatlons, goods have been considerably
reduced in price, and before you could avail your
selves OF the present prices they will have fallen
low as to render an investment no object.
Property In San Franclsco-l mean ''real estate"
has increased in value since the discovery of the
mines, over two thousand per cent Lots, which
were purchased two years ago at sixteen dollars
piece, have been sold, within the last few weeks;
for three, four and five thousand dollars, according
to their relative business advantages.
Time Is what Is most valued IN California at
present; money is nothing-absolutely nothing
You cannot get common laborer to WORK for less
than $l6 per diem, and but very few can be pro-
cured at that price, exorbant as 1t is MY time is
worth, even now while write, at least ten dollars
per hour.
Should any desire try their fortune In Cali
f'rnia, would recommend them TO bring such ar
ticles are necessary for the route, and nothing
more. II they come to get gold, II is unnecessary,
for that purpose, to bring gold with them. To the
pick and the spade must they appeal for success;
and, for the accumulation Of the glowing heaps, a
sidewy arm, and habits of industry and persever-
ance are OF more service than thousands of dol
lars.
Should persons come to California with an in
tention to remain, | would advise them to have
their houses made in the United States, and sent
round by 1t will consume fortune to pur-
chase the materials and build at San Francisco
However, you Missourans accustomed to log
Ins,fr ha
ing shelter, were you placed in the pine and red
woods of Monterey and Santa Cruz.
We have had disagreeable winter, which has
materially diminished success in the digging line.
The roads are impossible for carts, aud the hills
almost inaccessible TO pedestrians. All the brooks
and rlvulets are now formidable torrents, while
the Stanislaus-the river of FL Dorado"-would
seem to rival the Phlegethon Of Greek Mythology,
as, cramped among masses of shattered rock, it
howls and wrlthes IN torture, calling from the
neighboring mountains hundred echoes.
The pioneers OF the pick and spade have, for
time, abandoned their invaluable implements, and,
like true philosophers resolutey contentcd, under
all changes, welcome a respite they would fam
evade.
As for myself am growing rich Mr. Wen,
an Irish gentleman OF high standing and long resi-
dence III the country, is my partner In business.
We have sent $4,000 worth of goods To the
mountains within the last month, and owe nothing
on them. My profits are from $500 to $3.50 per
dieHl. A robbery of $4,000 was discovered
week since-ihe gold dust belonged to my part
ner and myself The thief was delected-t6e gold
restored, and as punishment, one hundred lashes
were inlcte l On the culprlt-Judge Lynch pre-
siding. SO, you see, justice goes 10 work this
new country, as vigorously as the population do
upon the gold
Letters by the steamer, directed to Col. Fremont,
have already reached here; so we are expecting
his arrival. should he return To this territory and
enter into public life, he will be the before all
others, who will receive the enthusiastic support of
the people. Let him but come, untrammelled by
Office, and his will be series of triumphs.
was, while at San Francisco, week since, ia
troduced TO Gen. Persior +. Smith, who is to sue
coed Col Mason in the command Of the troops in
California. Colonel Mason tells me that 90 our old
Riley" of the 9Th Infantry, is TO be stationed in
California, TO relieve hun, (Col. NJ How IL will
trouble old Col Riley TO decide on of eject
ment and the technical absurdtIes OF legal gentry!
! think ! can see HIM now, stammering and slut
tering the petition of suitor, who retalls
Il long yarn of encroachments, &c, and who, in
his extremity, seeks redress of the stern old officer
How, in his confusion and wrath, he will point the
lawyers TO the door, and kick the sutton out OF has
office, as the only practicable means of reaching
the case,
And Gen. Kearny is dead There died good
and great man. don't know why, but formed
strong attachment for the General. He was so
universally kind and Just in all his dealings with
his fellow men, and particularly 30 to the poor
soldier. They truly loved him, and he deserved
their love.
send you a specimen of the scale gold of the
luba river, together with few Jumps of gold OBJ
tanned on the Stanslaus, my present camp. | have
seen Jumps from the Stanis aus, weighing eighty
ounces the value OF which is sl,2OO. / have seve-
raj weighing from fifteen TO twenty-five ounces,
consequently, worth from $500 to $3.50 for each
piece.
am in excellent health and spirits, and only
look forward To the time when will be able to re-
turn to my friends.