Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-11-12
CALIFORNIA LETTER.
From the Harpers-Ferrv Journ


MAN, written to friend in this place, cannot
fail to give an idea at least of the manner OF do
ing up things at the "Diggins."
SACRAMENTO CRY, Aug 90 1s49
Dear SRI arrived safe and sound on the
l4th, after a long and tedious journey over the
plains and mountains, the meanest road ana mar
Der times than ever human experienced-any-
how the hardest that ever experienced. We
were 104 days crossing the plains. For the first
thousand miles we had very good time, but at
ter that we came to deserts where there was
sand hub deep and so hot that we could scarcely
walk. Some days we travelled "a loEg and
hot hours without water; but thank God we all
arrived safe and sound.
The next difficulty we had to contend with,
was the crossing of the mountains 1.-THE Sierra
Neyeda,) at some places we went up rocks al
most perpendicular, and in order to get our wag
ons up were compelled to hitch in IS yoke OF
oxen When we had no rocks to obsruct we
had snow. We have had snow Is feet deep in
August, but we are over .hem all now and will
have to look around the diggins to see if we
can pick up a few s'lumps." When we first
arrived, we came to the dry diggins, there is a
plenty of geld here, but ne water 10 wash 1t out
with. they have to wash here in the rainy sea-
non we staid here awhile and then made for this
city. will give you a description OF Sacra
nento city !; it is about two miles from Suffers
fort, on the Sacramento river, it has Thousand
men, and only one dozen ladies-not very well
paired YOU must think the people do not build
houses here, they have to pitch tents on account
Of the rainy season; when they come on, the
whole valley of Sacramento is inundated with
water 50 they compelled to strike their tents,
Law down the shovel and the hoe, and move to
The mountains or dry diggins.
The city is made up OF all kinds OF people, ev-
ery tent is store or a whiskey shop, every
thing is very high here. Flour is SO cents per
b., coffee and sugar so cents, molasses 81 per
gallon, and all things accordingly. A tin pan
that we have to pay 25 cents for at home, we
must pay $40 for out here, a shovel or pick 10
OF SIS, aud whskey SO cents for enc pull. Now
bout the great gold ''diggins; well | will tell
you, there is plenty OF Gold here, all over the
country, but it is like drawing teeth to get it
l. is lust the hardest and hottest work that ever
was done. Digging away all day ia the hot sun,
and if YOU don't mind YOU won't make your
ounce lS16l The half don't make that. have
not dug any yet, Frazier and have been travel |
ing around picking out the best place to work at. !
/ suppose you hear about the immense fortune
that is made out here, some make it to be sure,
but the gamblers generally get it. They all
,nax talk about California as much as they /
please, but would not go through what have
Tor two CALIFORNIA; but am here now and We
~ well satished-but have had Jessie getting
here and if any CT the boys have the gold fever
vet and will come Though do not advise them
10 do So tell them not to come any way but
the Is.hmus route that is bad enough; but it is |
the best way The Charlestown company have
not vet arrived, they have had; I presume, a
hard time OF it, as they loaded too heavy in the
start but believe they are getting along now
very we'll We expect them here iii few days.
I will start to- morrow for White River. which |
is about IS miles from this place, l think the
.diggins'' are better up there. The health of
the emigrants is pretty good about here there is
some little sickness about the city. The general
complaints are the dysentery and Sacramento
fever, both of which is very dangerous, they are
brought on by drinking too much water and the
heat OF the sun. The water is muddy and very
bad here it makes those that come by sea very
sick, but those that come by land it does not af-
feet, they can't be hurt very easy assure you. |
I have laid out of doors, mean without a tent
over me, all the way across the mountains, and
have been exposed to all the rain and shine and
have not had an hours sickness since LETT the
Ferry. Yesterday was Sunday, | suppose you
would like TO know how they spend the Sab |
bath in this country; business goes on as lively
as it does on week day. Some are selling
goods some are drinking and spreeing, and 9TH
ers are gambling. | went to preaching down in |
the city, which they had under tree behind a
tent, the preacher was preaching away to a small
congregation outside Of the tent, while a large
congregation was inside playing cards for $500
game. heard it was reported in fee States
that Mexico has declared war against California,
il is not true also about the miners fighting a
bout the mines with each other. There is some
fighting going on here, but it is the Americans
whipping the Spaniards when they dom. behave
themselves, if a yellow skin insults a white man
ali the whites turn out and drive the yellow ras
cal out OF the diggins. In anything like fighting
the Americans stick like mansand wife. will
have to close, as 1t Is very bad work sitting and
writing OH the ground We have no chairs
tables In this country. A funeral on the plains
Is the most affecting scene | ever Witnessed
They die hole and then wrap the body in
blanket. carry it on their shoulders. and march off
followed bv few sun-burnt and hardy looking
beings. Hooking as if they had lost father or
brother When a companion dies, that you have
been travelling with great distance, you feel as
If YOU have lost very dear relation.
Yours truly
JOSEPH BATENlAN
NJ The latest news from the Charlestown
Mining Company, to which our friend GEIGER,
il attached, is contained in this letter. A steam
er NAV be expected at New York about the 10th
and by that arrival we hope to receive letter
from &c"
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE AND PRAISEWOR-
THY ACT.
Iti.seldom we have to record more self
sacrificing and philanthropic spirit than was ex-
hibted at Shepherdstown, few days since, by
Mr.. Bowers, the gentlen1anly and accomplished
Architect OF the Maryland Virginia Bridge. A
free negro in the employ of Mr.. B., was engaged
in blasting near the opof one Of the highest