The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-03-10
Authentic from the Gold Region.

huJuCublU lIVM tuO OVlN NOStV"
The Captain ID. Wm. Phelps, who
reached Charleston lately, in the brig
Hemico, from zChagres, (having come
from California via the lsthmhs, has
reached his home in Boston, and the
consequence is, we have, in the more
stald and discreet temper OF that region
the information which he nuthenlically y
communicates to the Boston papers,
The Traveller says:--
Capt. P. brings quantity OF the gold,
in. grains, in scales, and in lumps-the
Isrces, of the latter weighing about an
ounce and half. The amount OF gold
brought by him has been much overra,
led in the published accounts, though
he brings considerable quantity
much less, however, than the loves: a
mount stated ($38,O00
Capt. P. worked personally at the
mines, which we believe was not the
case with Mr.. Atherlon, his experience
nf the minu,le Of egold digging there
10 ilss III f,a have been re:
ported to be found, he says the largest
piece that lie has seen is in the posses
sion Of Mr.. MelIas. and weighs but six
ounces. He had heard numerous sto-
ries al the mines of large pieces being
found: but in every instance where they
where. investigated, they turned out TO
be false, or gready exaggerated. One
man was reported to have found a piece
weighing several pounds; he went TO
see him, and found its weight was only
two ounces, and that it was the pro.
cseds of an entire days work.
AS 10 the stories that the diggers
were many Of them averaging $3.50 per
day, he thinks that those that have
done the best have not obtained more
than $4,000 during the entire digging
season. The hoors Of work were from
five to ten hours per day. Formerly
the Indians were willing to work for a
trifle, but they have since become bet
ter acquainted with the value OF their
toll. They are principally The rem
nants Of tribes. and not formidable.
But one case of disorder occurred
before Capt, P. left. 1t was that Of a
negro who insuIted a Mormon woman.
The people turned out, caught the ne
,ro, tied him 10 tree, gave him a good
ashing, and then turned him loose, with
he threa, OF il rifle ball il he mlsbeha-
'ed again.
The inhabitants Of California, Capt.
?. says, are anxious to maintain order;
,ut they can hardly do it in any other
way than by lynch law, until some
egular government is established.
When several companies of Colonel
Iason's regiment deserted to the mines,
file Of soldiers was sent after them,
Who in their turn deserted. Col. Ma, 1
on then started with a file Of Dragons,
:alled the miners together, and told I
hem that if lhev expected the counte.
lance OF the government, they must
Ielp him to arrest deser,ers. To this ;
hey replied, that if there were any ref.
lgees from justice among them, they
we're willing 10 turn out and he p arrest
hem. but their time was too precious
O be occupied in running after desert
rs. Alter, this, Col. Mason was glad
0 get back with half Of his Dragons. I
Agriculture has been so totally ne
Iecled, that man who had field con-
aiming $4,000 bushels Of wheat, could
OF ge, it harvested, though he offered
aIf the products, and was obliged to
It his cattle eat it. Women and chill.
rem, as well as the husbands and ta.h.
rs, had become gold ciggers. Capt. c
helps opinion as to the success Of ex.
editions daily starting from this coun
v, is that it will depend upon The man.
sr of their organization. There is no |
,ubt, he says, of there being consider e
,le quantities Of gold in California, but o
ere is gross exaggeration in the mat S'
". ... ~
Letters had appeared in the papers u
ON persons who had no existence in
,lifornia, and in respect 10 vessels that 5;
ID never been there. s...... o .
Capt. Phelps looks hearty and healthy o
Id bears no marks Of toilsome voy- u
.e from the other side OF the world. "