The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-06-12
Interesting Letter from California.

The following letter from San Francisco has
been kindly handed us for publication by the gen.
tleman who received it. 1t is written by young
gentleman whose statements can be relied upon.
BAY OF SAN FRANCISCO April 9. 1919
On the 4h day of January took my departure from Tam
pico for San Luis Potos where arrived in twelve days.
heard there such attering accounts of the pace of
Cafarnla that determined to here direct parc-
ulay as from what had in Mexico felt convinced
that not fit residence for civilized man. Until an
preaching the Pacific the country appeared generally des
tute OF vegetation 1t is badly watered and during the
rainy season travelling much mpeded by the rising of the
waters After journey rendered uncomfortable by the con-
nued danger of robbers arrived San Bias on the sd of
February After much trouble obtained passage for $500
on Peruvian brig There 5O passengers besides my.
SELF was not sorry to leave San Bias The accommoda-
tons at the best hotel the place afford wetched and
for them had to pay 81 so per day.
We left San Bias the LIST of March, and arrived here
after fair passage of 81 days. We found this port about
forty five vessels of different nations including the steamers
California and Oregon two fine vessels full of passengers
bound to the gold region On landing found that lodgings
to be obtained. except the most exorbtan rates
Even the meanest hovel commanded a high price, We
consequently compelled take up our quarters on
board the vessel. While shore went into miserable
restaurant and called for breakfast was given small
piece of beeeak potato of bad coffee bread and
bad butter, for dollar and half; for dinner had bad
soup and cold roast beef bread and butter one potato
for which was charged two dollars On converting with
ie" eonsipie stories ernlng the
vast quantities of gold be obtained here strictly true
No comes but gather gold and when he has
lated few pounds he almost always away again The
discovery of the precious metal has thus far proved cune
to the country. No thinks Of cuvang the SOIL The
plough has been forgotten for the last years. Carpenters
scarcely be induced to work and when they to
do thing they receive e3 per day. Very bad servants
are paid IS day Those who here without money
start Immediately for the diggings soon as they have
got together go $40 The sailors desert their ships
soon they arrive Many vessels lying anchor
in the harbor without board. In instances
sailors have been paid 4l5O month. Common aborers
receive IS per day.
have been told that the Creates of gold procured
at the mines by person. by who after steady
digging during the obtained $120 O $500 to 5000
or $4,000 the average produce of season work Many
persons do not their that gold
ing appears all lottery Some who have been
the mines do not intend preferine take ploy
ment here at s5 day. Gold digging attended by many
prvations and much labor There considerable sickness
at the Mines Numbers have died from fevers and cold and
doubt not from starvation. Beef has been sold 81
lb sugar at % Id whisky at $40 per bottle
and other articles in proportion. In fact there no fixed
prices and when wants thing and the
he pays what asked for At there scarcity
OF provisions Almost every day vessels arrive from the Pa
cc Coast bringing all necessary articles but the prices
are high.
fear that by the next winter there will be in the city of
San Francisco 100 o. The place capable of
5000! What is to become of them Heaven
only knows. Probably numbers will perish of cold and
hunger.
As for myself, never in such fix. Had foreseen
what now California would have behed me quite
so speedily. would recommend come here until
he shall hear the result Of winter and to arrive be-
fore April at the earliest
The climate Is cold in winter and hot summer At the
mines July and August the weather hot that no one
can work except at the risk OF being struck. |
The Bay OF San Francisco is very fine The is built
upon the side of hill there being level ground The
mornings pleasant but from clock till midnight is
cold and windy the wind frequently blowing strong from
the northwest. the thermometer few evenings
since at so. although it is not under 70 to-day.
Lumber is much wanted here Boards have been sold at
from 500 10 $500 1000 square feet few cargoes of
hlnge boards etc., would not late any time
fortune could be made with few small steamers draw.
from two to four feet when loaded to run between this
place and the Rio Sacramento The distance is twenty
miles, and from $5 to $40 charged for passage and s6
Der 100 lbs for freight Nothing required here now but
common ready made clothing provisions and building ma.
eals Many persons have lost money who have brought
age cargoes Of chandize here They have been com.
'elled to send some to other ports.
Order prevails the gold regions and every thief is pun
shed BY iynchaw. Five persons hung last week.
No person should come here unless he will be satisfied to
work at the hardest kind of labor. |