The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-03-09
From Tie Hicksbure E1hig.
Late from Cnlifornia.

The editors of the Charleston Courier have
been furnished information BY Capt. Phelps,
ofth brigIHenrico, which arrived at Charleston
from Chagres on the Goth ult. The Captain is
quite familiar with the country about the gold
region. Nine years ago when attached to the
ship Alert, Of Boston, he went up the Socra-
mento in a boat, and was the first man who
ever hoisted the American flag upon its banks.
He was frequently in that region when Col,
Fremont, with his corps of engineers, was
there. No one had an mixing Of the vast
mineral wealth Of the country at that time,
unless it was Col. Fremont himself, whose
scar ching observation might have made dis
%coveries which induced his recent return to
California.
Passengers for California by the 1sthmus
are advised not to leave the United States un.
less they are certain OF meeting a vessel at
Panama. Otherwise they may find themselves
out of funds and a long way from the gold re-
gion. The risk from sickness by being de-
layed on the road is also a serious consideru-
ton.
The U. S. ship independence, Com. shu-
bIick, was at Valparaiso when Capt, Phelps
left, to sail In a few days for the US via Cal
lao.
Mrs. Abel, the lady of the late U. S. Con-
sui at the Sandwich Islands, died on board the
Independence at Valparaiso, about the 9th
December.
Mr.. Barton, the U. S. Charge to Chilli, was
married at st. Iago, about the 90 December, by
the chaplain of the ship independence, to a
lady of that country, The Catholic Bishop
refused his sanction to the n~uptials, on &C.
count of the Charge being a protestant and
the lady a catholic. After the marriage was
performed, the Bishop assorted that the Minis
ter had a wife then living in the United States,
Whereupon the Minister addressed a note
to the Bishop demanding an apology, with the
threat that unless one was given within TWEEN
ty four hours, ii would become a national aE-
fair!
The difficulty and expense of travelling a.
cross the lsthmus is strongly represented by
Capt. Phelps. He says, however, that the hon
esty of the natives, in whom great dependence
must be placed by emigfants is proverbial.--
On the arrival of passengers at Gorgona an d
and Cruces, the custom is for the natives to
engage for the transportation of all the mer-
c%handlze they can lay their hands on, the own
ers Of which proceed to Panama, expecting
their goods to arrive on the following day.
The carriers, however, calculate otherwise -
They deposit their freight just without the vii
lagos in piles in the woods, to take it across to
Panama at their leisure. All arrive safe even
tullly. Bales, boxes, trunks, and packages of
specie, are thus left to poor half-naked natives.
and a robbery by them has never been known.
The Courier has a long letter from Valparaiso
much ofwhich has been anticipated here. Cold
dust by the pint, quart and gallon. and gold
Jumps weighing from an ounce to four pounds
dug from the roots Of trees and from the crew.
ices OF rocks--and a gold region extending no.
body knows how many thousand miles. from
the staple of the letter. The depth of the
soil containing gold is about six feet, when YOU
come to hard dry clay or stone. The black
soil from twenty to thirty feet deep on the Aat
lands, growing thinner as you approach the
mountains. 1t is very rich. The writer saws.
~"Slavery is not requiredin this country the In.
dian population are disposed to work, and the
climate will permit of any kind oflabor.u
FROM TExAs.-The American Flag, of the
l4th ult. announces the snfe arrival at Browne
vile oftwO companies ofCalifornians. one fran
Yazoo county, Miss. and the other from Baton
Rouge, Lr. The have formed into one, under
command Of Captain McMurtry, and were 10
leave IN a few days taking the route eia Mon
tereY, Saltillo. parr aaDnvanao