The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-26
California InteIiigsnee.

California Intelligence.
. A NissoURIAS IN CALIFoRHIA-ihe independence
(Mo) Expositor of the 5th instant Publishes Inc ioow-
ing letter from former resident OF maj county, now IN
California II ia not of recent date, but contains many
Interesting items. The writer's character as man OF
veraciiy is vouched for by the editor
SAN FRaNcIsco, U c., Oct %. 1913.
DEAR SIR: take this, the earliest opportunity to IN
form you OF my arrival here. ! found California in
another revoulion-aot of blood but OF gold If should
attempt to give you anything like true account OF the
condition OF this country at the present lime, would
fail for have not language to express, nor descriptive
powers to delineae its true condition; If ! had yen
would lack faith to believe We arrived at the goa
mines Weavers creek, branch of the American foIk
of the Sacramento, where my family is at ihs tme alter
tollsome, tedious and perous Journey OF hve months
and five days; but. thank Providence Without los o.
injury. Providence has guided and directed my COURSE
and kind fortune has taken me by the mana al every sep
l lost but one animal the route. orougn, every
species Of property started w or T e oreher in ali
my life sold, when landed IN tine mines the wagon
bought of Odham and three yoke OF oxen for ~ 900 IN
gold ana was offered 81 200 for the other wagon and oxen
but would not sell it; i is worth as much TO me as
steamboat is to on the Missouri river have CIV
en- i, to Young Nottingham who drove out Tor me- on the
halves; he hauls from the Embarcados, town laa out
AT Suffers Fort forty miles from the mines, and the head
of vgaon this time the road better than the road
from Lexington TO Independence he hauls IRON hlIy 10
forty hundred and the price varies from twenty to thirty
dollars per hundred pounds, that ne clears Tor himself
over fifty dollars per day; time in making trip, from
four six days sold oil all my horses-ihree at 500
apiece, the common price for horses and mules vary
from one four hundred dollars per heads great many
sold at The latter price. The great demand is for trans
porting provisions and tools. sold the pistols bought
of Henry Chds for $780, and The belt for SIS. in gold
have been in the country some three weeks, and have
raised the rise of three thousand dollars in gold The
prices quoted above you will feel disposed to doubt, not
being accustomed such high prices, but they are
nothing Let give you idea OF the prices OF WovI-
sions clothing Sc, al the mines Flour $40 to 500
DER hundred los beef, 40 cents to 81 per h. bacon
hams n al so 10, cents; cOitee, %
cents tea so 81 shirts, from $6 to 1872 apiece;
coats $50 500; boots, sl6 shoes, IS; picked pork,
$3.50 per barrel; these are the mine prices
Now let me give you some account OF these mines
They scattered over an area OF from 500 to 1000
miles, the richest known upon earth The average
calculation for the amount OF persons engaged by men OF
superior judgment, including Indians, Mexicans, run
away sailors, dsbanded soldiers CoEnecers from the
islands, and all kinds OF men and monsters, set down
at $40 per day, though You can hire no man tor that
amount. You can hire some men tor $3.50 per month,
but No l. They will not think OF less than from
500 $500, $500, and 81 900 per days and two men
have taken from one hole forty pounds IN two days.
This is the most have heard Of There new dis.
coveries being made every day; and tod only knows
where i will end Gold is nothing more thought OF than
dilt There is credit asked or gvenhe Transactions
all based upon gold do moi like this country do
not like the climate; and than all, abhor and de-
test the society never expect TO SOW seed or plan,
grain in this country expect to continue in the mines
myself and family each doing his best, until we all
get suhcency TO live independently, which will not
be long.
lars per day washing gold in pans. SO we gel
ready expect to ship at this port for Jackson county
Missouri, where expect to spend the balance OF my
days in peace and quetness and in the enjoyment OF
family and friends, where OF all places, most delight
10 be- My average income this winter will be about
$3.50 per day, and il should strike good lead will
be agTeat deal The large majority OF persons who
have done well here in the mlnes and all have done SO
that have tried, going back to the States to ive-at
least nine out Of ten.
You know James NJ Harlin; he has Just bought a
Mexican ranch. for which he gold s
the stock and land averaging the stock so per head,
and is thought that he has made at least 900 in the
operation. which makes him stand monarch of $4,000
least $4,000 Governor Boggs has made Independent
fortune for all his children. You know Bryant,
penter who used to work for Ebenezer Dixon he has
dug out gold in the last SIX months than male
pack have not spare time left to tell you the hall
want to- Old Captain Suffer has rented out his fort to
merchants, tavern keepers grocery keepers, &c, al the
rate OF $4,000 per year, besides there floating
al the landing in launches, brigs, &c The amount of
trade done at this place Supposed TO be at least o0e
perday and is said by merchants OF New York and New
Orleans to be equal to those places at this time in money
transactions As old cousin Hugh Boyes used to say in
his preaching, al IS good tor Us we are here"
1t was here that found my old friend, Julian Martin
found him as we pdred--a true friend; and he has
been Of great service TO me here He has picked
considerable trader in the mines-ses shirts al $50.
serappes at 500, speaks the language ueniy dances
at the fandangoe-, and stands No among the bexi.
cans, which is great deal in this country.
Mr.. T., always believed was born the child of des-
tiny and that never be subserven to the wealth.
power. or dictaon of any man and my belief is now
realized. always delested the idea of making money
by low, pu, sneakng advantages that principle never
had place in my breast.
The above account and description of matters and
things will seem strange to you but sir, if you believe
Divine Revelation, or the sacred truths of Holy Writ,
you can believe this statement.
From your friend, &C.,
Nj. T. McCLELLEN