The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-21

interesting Letter from California;
From the New Haven Courier May 10
Many of your readers may, perhaps remember Robert
Petch, who for number of years resident of this
city, and who made himself useful, well ornamen-
tai, by ringing the auction. bell, and crying oyer,
oyez' for J c. Parker, the auctoneer He was known
to be an honest. industrious man and was for many
years consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, but finally became tinctured with Milerism
and after that turned Mormon He shortly after took
city emigrated to Nauvoo from whence they removed
to the Salt Lakes Aletter has been received from
interest your readers you may put it in print. He
tells good story and shows that he is not only alive
although when left New Haven he was poor he has
VIM GOODWIN
SAN Francisco, Oct 90. 1S4S.
embrace the present moment to write a few lines,
hoping that they will find yourself and family in good
health, as thank God, we are at present My letter
about to sail for that place tomorrow. would state
that have just returned from the gold disgings, Of
which will give you brief sketch.
We live in beautiful climate where peace and pros
perty truly abound but where the greatest excitement
prevails in consequence of the discovery gold mines
in these parts The mines alluded to first Disco
vered by the Mormon boys in the early part Of May
last, the base Of the California mountains The
gold lies around the rivers and ravnes of noun
tain. and may be found beneath the surface of the
ground from two inches to eight feet deep. The way
get it is by taking pick shovel, and tin PAM we
there sink it beneath the water and shake 1t well
about As we shake the particles of gold being the
heaviest sink to the bottom, and keep sinking
the the dirt rises and by constantly drawing back
the pan the dirt washes leaving the gold at the
bottom.
Since soourn here have been three times to the
mines. The first time got about $3.50 worth in three
strength went back and stayed three weeks and three
days. during which time got about 500 then
purchased, for the sum Of $780, house and lot which
sold again the next day for $500. cash On my third
visit to the diggings. dug In nine days gold to the
amount Of 81 $50. have retu ned home, and
the rainy is just at hand shall remain here
sides $3.50 in gold aud silver coin and 81 800 worth Of
gold dust and all this made, clear Of expenses in
little less than five months.
San Francisco the place Of our present residence is
about 300 miles from the mines, the conveyance to
which place is by water in soops up the Sacramento
river or round by land with pack horses &c 1t takes
from two to three weeks to reach the mines People
are coming from the States and all parts of the world
to seek their fortunes many Of whom realizing
from So to SIS per day The last day worked in the
mines, myself and another man opened a hole, from
which dug out three hundred aud ninety eight dol
lars worth OF gold The next day sold right
the hole for $50 We get here all kinds of dry goods
groceries, and provisions for gold dust the of
SIG per ounce II will be SEEN by the newspapers /
send with this, that it is in contemplation to have
branch mint here. We then shall get all our gold
cashed ounce for ounce. Gold sells for SIS to $40
per ounce
This is a fine place, indeed for merchants. clerks
ana other adventurous Any young who Is sober
steady, and industrious. may in a very short time be-
come independent and rich.
Should yourself and family feel disposed to Join us
which trust you will, or any friends. would recon-
mend that you come out with Captain Wilbur, of
expects to return very soon after his arrival at that
place.
1t is very probable that some of the crew may visit
New Haven prior to their departure they promised
so to do on their visiting dwelling previous to their
sailing ROBERT PETCH.
News PROM THE MouyrAISs.-Our friend Mr.
Mclean called on US yesterday. He arrived in
the city night before last To his Kindness are in
debted for the following interesting items OF nforma
tion, respecting matters and things in that region.
The party consisting OF MIR Mclean, Mr. Bissonctte,
Mr. Reir hard nv nd thara ioffE Fort \
mic the 2Ith of March. They found the grass very
scarce so much so. that nearly all their animals
they found grass at all The party arrived at St.
J Joseph the 18th April They met a number OF emf
grant parties, all in fine health and spirits The first
train Of wagons met on the Grand Ncrnaha. This
company was commanded by Capt. Jarrot Of Cahokia
The last winter was Of the severest ever known
at the foot of the mountains not so much account
Of the cold the frequency of storms of wind
and snow. The Indian trade with the Sioux, Arapa-
hoes, and Cheyenncs has been very successful The
fort upon the Platte trade with the Pawnces be-
low Grand Island the Crows the head of the Yellow
stone, the Snakes at the head Of Lewis river these
tribes being hereditary enemies Of the Sioux above the
FORKS of the Platte and the Cheycnncs and Arapahoes
beSecn the south fork Of the Platte and the Arkansas
me party stopped at Fort Kcarny formerly Fort
Chhes) near Grand Island where they kindly and
Th; t'sosSiy treated by Capt. Ruiz the commandaut
n r' rs 70 e erected the south bank Of the river
tsiand ~ Ippessne Grand Island and not upon the
Island a. has been supposed The timber motly
shores are naSS oannga to the island The adjacent
ana pssaaes 10 portion Of it is yet erected but
large quantity OF timber Is prepared
The Crows and Sioux have had several scr,,,r.x.s
during the winter. In one OF these small n.rtyo ~
Crows who had yenturcd too far the coun.rv ofbe
Sioux, cut oil to n man. The party was ton In
number. or course, the scalp dance was celebrated
with drums and songs aud 1ourshes the scaIp tro
phies, times without number. In this dance the men
and form into circle, and jump up and down
TO the rude drums and ruder In the intervals
the chiefs ride into the midst Of them aud address them
In glowing language upon their yalor Sci aud he who
has struck the dcathbow upon three OF the victims
enjoys the glorious privilege OF painting himself as
black as 1otcntot and sruttng through the village
for thirty days the lion Of his tribe and the admiration
OF all the bellies st. Louis RecsiAe May IL.
Three yessels have arrived ut Baltimore during the
past week, with full cargoes of guano They bring
Aggr gate OF 2G4O tons Two Of the vessss received