The North-Carolina standard., 1849-02-28

J.
twenty years. The is in its virgin state, and Is
found among the sand and gravel beds, in slate and
granite rocks also in good tillabie soil Some ma
chimes were used when left, but tin pans gen.
orally preferred. Some Indian baskets Were also
used, and considered good, being were light and
| handy. saw, yesterday, machine invented by a
gentleman of this city, living, believe, in Edndge
street, which consider superior one and would
advise those who intend going to the gold diggings
to examine it. 1t is very simple and easy to trans
port. The quantity of gold extracted is estima-
ted at about fur millions of dollars. The labor of
washing the gold is very severe. People wash gold
as long as theycan stand up, often paying no atten-
ton whatever to the demands of their health, living
without adequate food and sleep, when they do
sleep it is in the open air. and thus nature gives way
and the individual sickens and perhaps dies.
IF person has sufficient strength of mind to build
his house before commencing to procure gold, and
can be contented to work only reasonable time
every day, devong proper time to cook suitable food
and proper time to Sleep he may be sure of retain
ing his health and amassing fortune. The difficult
ty is that everybody is crazy, frantic with the excite
ment for gold. Each fears that his neighbor will
get more than himself. The Captain of the vessel
in which came from San Francisco to San Bias
| captain Blanchard) gathered in three weeks gold
dust of the value of $4,000, and of this $4,000
were gathered by him in the last three days he
at the mines. This amount he had on board the
sci (the brig Laura Ann.) He informed me that in
washing out the last he must have thrown away 2
ounces from each tin-panfull of earth, it would
pay better not to wash carefully. The largest lump
|
was obtained by some Indians in the employ of
man by the of Weaver. l saw it weighed,
and it was pronounced I94 carats fine. statement
published in the California STAR few days be-
fore / left, that man obtained $4,000 in six
days, and that three others obtained 36 pounds in
day. OF the truth of this have doubt whatever.
1t may seem impossible, even udrcrous, but such is
the fact. Such occurrences are by no means uncom-
mon. The '' dry diggings are considered prefera-
bic to the wet. The gold be procured in the
winter and rainy season as well as the dry season,
In case the miners provide themselves with houses
and supply OF food. In the present state of soce
ty in California, rather in the absence of all law
but Lynch law,'' mining, especially in the winter
or rainy season, should be carried on in companies
say from ten to fifteen in each with adequate build
ings for their protection and good supply of food
Companies larger than ten fifteen would be likely
! to break up. So far, they have not succeeded
well as smaller companies.
| Those of you who have read the official commune
cation of Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, of
the 22d December, 1913, twelve days after left San
Francisco, may have observed the following remark
''Incredibe quantities of gold yet daily collected,
and scarcely week elapses without some dis
covery of the precious meta startling than any
previous one.'' The Commodore also alludes to the
fact that few days previous to the date of his dis
patch small party of five six persons obtained,
in two days, 100000 worth of pure gold. l have
more doubt of the truth of the statement by Com
modore Jones than have of the fact of my existence.
Yet, to who has similar instances of
success, such an announcement seems absolutely In
OeDLlc1en mink IL can hardIy De neceS-
sary for me to say to you the actual existence
of gold in immense quantities and comparatively easy
of in California. Whatever may be the effect
upon the money market of the world. other persons
than myself can better determine, but perfectly
satisfied that the supply is immense. The gold re-
gion, part of which has been explored, embraces,
you have observed, larger than the State of
New fork, and discoveries being made daily.
There are, told. little less than $4,000 square
miles in the State of New York, and if two persons
only digging on each square mile, you would
have 900 persons. Now it is possible, though
hardly probable, to my mind, that during the next
summer there may be 100000 persons in the gold /
region digging for gold. But they will be scattered
over large extent of territory and You may depend
upon it, gentlemen, that there will be enough
for all. If Government and . Mint could only be
established in California the gold would be valuable
there as in New York. But such is the case at
present. AS evidence of this, may say that lots
in San Francisco when left were held and actually
sold at prices higher than lots of the size in
Wall street. That portion of the mining district !;
which l have visited, extends along the valley of
Sacramento and American Fork, about fifty miles I
above Suffers, and covers of about hundred
miles. One painful of common dirt in which the gold
is found, when carefully washed, yielded aver
age about half an ounce OF gold. 1t usually took i
about fifteen or twenty minutes to wash painful, !
provided the dirt was procured near the river or
washing place. Of course it takes time to dig /
the earth and carry it to the water. have known .
instances of persons going in search of gold, who
came back disappointed, unsuccessful They did not
fall into the right digging and did not get enough
to pay their expenses Those who fail generally
those who 90 in too large companies, those with
delicate constitutions, who break down under fatigue
and exposure. 1t is something of lottery to find
good /" diggings." When person company has
found right spot others are not allowed to dig in
the same hole, but they may dig near it. The ex-
elusive right to dig in the spot selected is however
only allowed while actually occupied by the digger.
There are but very limited facilities for storing goods
at San Francisco. should by all means recommend
that materials for ire-proof building storehouse
be sent around Cape Horn.
will now speak 10 you of the articles necessary
for outfit to California. In the first place. an India
Rubber Tent is, consider indispensable. This can
be procured in San Francisco less price than it
would cost to buy it here and transport it there
Every man who is going to dig pair of India
Rubber long stockings. These can be had in San |
Francisco; also in this city. pair of thick shoes
should be worn over the India Rubber stockinos to
prevent the gravel from cutting the feet of the Stock
ings, and thus admitting the water. The India Rub
Der stocking would prevent perspration from being
checked too suddenly, the labor of digging I'D the
earth will necessarily cause perspration which if
checked too suddenly, would certainly produce colds
and tevers Every emigrant should take or send
furniture sufficient for his use but not more than
necessary for freight very high San francisco
and up the river. l would advise any man to uo
to California who is doing well here. Ifhe is doiHp
well enough, let him stay. The inconvenience will
be very great such as always attends the settlement
OF every new country. There will be d great many
Privations and difficulties; but to such as have GOOD
health, who are accustomed to labor and are doing
nothing here. or are laying up nothing saw by ali
means go to California. The laboring man will sue
ceed best in California 7 won1d not roooporoorJ !.