Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-12-17

viz Jacob K ShafIer, w. Hull, John Slaven,
and Morgan Slaven, from Highland, John Os-
borne and M. Rowan, Greenbrier, John Walker,
Geo. w. Taylor, Jacob w. Barger and Silas
Barger, Augusta, VIM Garrett and James Gar
nett, from Caroline, Erasmus Rhodes and Asbu-
ry Rhodes, from Rockingham, and Joseph Kern,
from Albemare
From the Valley Star of the 18th inst, we take
SHAFrER, ESQ, now in California, and who went
in the same company with Mr.. Taylor Mr.. S.
went from the county of Highland, but is ma
tive of Rockingham, and has many acquaintan-
ces in Stanton His letter brings mourntul
intelligence:
In mining, shall use the Virginia Gold Wash.
err 1t is preferable 10 all others now in use-as
it, by the aid of Quicksilver, collects all the fine
particles which are lost by all others. There
are Is of us in comrany-A. & +. Rhodes of
Rockingham, w. Hull & NJ. & ]. Slaven of High
land, l. Osborne and L. M. Rowan of Monroe
James Galmettand VIM. Garrett of Caroline, j.
w. and S. Barger and J. Walker, and 6. w.
Taylor of Augusta, Joseph Kern of Germany,
once pedlar in Albemarle, and form the 18th
member Six hands are allotted TO work one
washer. We have two which will employ the
another may be SICK and one may look after
the affairs Of the company We have capital
Of s., 600 to lay in provisions and carry us TO
the mines. We bought 5bbls. of pork 25o0lbs
flour, peas rice sc. Pork cost me 500 90 per
barrel, flour $40. bought these things t. Sc
weeks ago but since then they have advaced in
value one hundred per cent. In fact every des-
cription Of provisions have risen, and they must
necessarily continue to rise until next April or
May. The mines vary in distance from San
Francisco, from 200 to $50 miles; and freight on
every pound carried to the mines is from IS to
II cents, and during the rainy season it will cost
more--and it is probable that the rise of the lit
tie streams will at times prevent anything from
being carried at all. You will LAT once see that
The cost of transporting a barrel Of pork; even TO
the nearest mines is about $50. Ii is this that
causes the high prices at the mines that you read
Of in the various prints.
San Francisco is city that seems TO have
sprung up in night. Since my arrival it has
increased one third of its size, every day brings
forth a change. Lots on the beach are as waltz
able as in New York, and rents are much high
er The Parker Hotel, which is a frame build
ing and nothing like SO good, or spacious
dwelling as Sloan's tavern-house, rents tor one
hundred and twenty five thousand dollars year.
1t fire should originate on the hill in the wes-
tern portion OF the city, nearly the whole city
must inevitably be swept away if the sea breeze
should prevail, for there is no water of any kind
to supply all engine. Goods of almost every
kinds are cheap enough if bought at auction
But if you are obliged to purchase from retail
dealers, they sell to you at enormous profits
II however on the contrary you wish to sell
them something, they are apt to efler you some
mean, sum, Or perhaps tell you they don't want
to buy.
San Francisco is the worst school for young
man that ever saw The streets are filled
with gamblers, and at every corner there is a
public gaming and drinking house; and besides
the lower floor in every hotel is occupied almost
exclusively by Faro; Monte and Rolette tables.
The water in San Francisco is not good. and
causes nearly all the sickness now in the place.
Darrhna ard Dysentery, are the principal a.
mong its efects-and these it rarely fails TO pro-
duce in a week or two. 4 good many persons
here have died from these diseases. And a.
mong the number was Alexander B. Heiskell of
Augusta, (son of Porterfeld A. Heiskel) who
died OF DiarrhGa on the 18th inst He died on
board the Ship Mariana in the harboy.