Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1849-12-19
To the Editors ofMe Spectator.
SAN FaANcisco, Oct. Is, lS4o.

Dear Sir On arrival In the settlements we di-
vided off into three parties or messes. We sen!
down to Sacramento City, got neutrality-suspicious.
and set out for the mines. We went to Yuba river,
which was said to be the best diggns at that rne.
The road was very good for pack mules or wagons,
until we got TO the river, but there we had to leave
our mules and pack on our backs can give you
but a faint idea of these Cannons or Canyons, as
they called here
Provisions are generally very high at the mines,
in consequence of the bad roads and high prices for
hands, not because the hands scarce for they
are abundant. suppose there is flour enough bro't
from Chill to supply all California. We have done
fully well in the mines as anticipated for green
Shands. Our mess, six in number, took out In five
weeks about $4,000. Dorman, Whitock and r.
Paxton were at work for some three or four weeks
in the river us, but did not make much: they
left there and went some twenty miles up the river,
where it was said the diggins were much better
have not heard from them since. The two Da-
wilson's and Robinson came down TO Sacramento
City when we went TO the mines, remained a few
days and then went to The mines and were a, work
on bar same four miles above us, and were max
ing about fifty dollars day to the hand, when the
Davdsons were taken sick, and were sick when we
left the Yuba. have not heard from them since.
John Douglas has had the chills and fever, but has
got better; his health is still delicate. He will
spend the winter in Sacramento City or San Fran
cisco.
Bodkin, John Waid, brother John and myself
will work together this winter John
A. Paxton and myself are here, buying our winter
stock of provisions and some articles for trade. We
expect To 20 10 the head waters of Sacramento riv-
er, about $50 miles above Sacramento City, 10 what
are called the dry diggins, which said TO be the
best that have been discovered There is quite rush
TO that place at this lime. Some go there and ma e
fortunes in few days, whilst others barely make
expenses. Old miners and Orcgonans are going
there which is good sign. The Oregonans are
no he's nj ,,,i,e
There is money 10 he made here
now, but the opportunities for making large for
tunes not good as they were twelve months
ago. A man with health and energy can make
money.
The citizens from the States are still nockinp in:
every vessel that arrives is crowded ana great
many are returning home. Sone come here and
do not find gold growing on trees, neither can they
rake 1t up on the shores of the Pacific they arc
consequently disappointed in their expectations, and
those who have the means take the back track
whilst those who have no means have 10 90 TO wor k
whether they are willing noi, have heard q
great many say they wished they had staid at home;
If they had the money how soon would they be on
&c, &C. must say, however, that have never
yet regretted my trip. There
Is great deal of suffering by the emigrants on The
plains their stock all pershed and they are there
without any possible means Of getting further, un
less assistance is sent 10 them. understand good
many government wagons have gone ont TO meet
them, loaded with provisions.
. ! understand that there have been some 1900 or
1900 deaths by Cholera on the road between the
borders of the State and Fort Laiamc-a distance
OF about seven hundred miles.
Provisions selling here as follows to vii =
Flour. Sl2 per bbl. Pork. 2.1ce 25,s per pound
Sugar and Coffee, 10 to l5cts per H. Irish Pota-
toes, 25cls per b.; Dried Peaches, 35cs per h.
Tea is cheaper here than il is in the States; Oregon
Butter, 81 25cis per ID. Dry Goods are very plen
ty here and frequently sold at auction for % pei
cent. less than New York prices Groceries are
very high in the mines, owing to the high prices
paid for transportation. On the bar near where
worked, Flour. Sugar and Coffee were, worth ST
per h.; Pork, ST SO per h.; Hams, 81 rs per ID
This place has now a population of 10000 person:
and increasing every day. Carpenters wages from
ten 10 sixteen dollars day The Parker House
rents for 100000 per annum-Board, sI2 pei
week. Sacramento City has between 5000 and 70O(
Inhabitants, the principal part of whom live in tents
We have quite mixed population
here, and from all parts of the Globe, and all homes
who know the penalty for stealing. The merchants
leave goods of all kinds the Streets at night and
nothing is stolen. Enclosed is specimen of Kuba
fivergold. Yours, sincerely.
G.. X. McDANNA{.D.