The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-02-23

the mines when he left is estimated at
10000, but there had not been more than
2,6OO digging at any one time. One
man OF his acquaintance, blacksmith,
had got $4,000 worth in three weeks.
A good many Indians had been employ
ed as laborers by the miners, but they are
poor assistants. They do not work
steadily, and never can be kept at it a.
bove month at time. when they leave
for San Francisco, to spend their earn
ings In dissipation.
Mr.. Alhertoh brings with him the bills
oflading of gold to the value of $780, 900
shipped on English account, on which he
proposes to effect an insurance hero.
Mr.. Atherton states, as did our cores
pondent. that the Lexington had on board
$500, 900 worth of the genuine metal.
! She was about TO sail when Mr.. Anther-
ton left for the United States.
This informant also confirms the report
that Cinnabar-theo ore from which quick
silver is distilled had been discovered in
great abundance in California. There
is a rich mine oft in mountain not more
than miles from San Francisco. Ifthis
ore proves as abundant as is supposed,
the discovery will be hardly less valua-
BILE than that ofthe gold.
There was nothing doing at the mines
when Mr.. Athsrton left, owing to the
heavy rains, it being the rainy season;
there was not much sickness in the dig
gings, no robberies and no disturbances.
/ The cost of living at San Francisco
has been the subject of statements quite
, as exaggerated as some of those relating
to the gold mines. Mr.. Atherton says
that good board can be obtained there at
SO per week, and provisions are plenty
al fair prices. The population of tho
place is about 1000. Mr.. A. himselfcame
, to New York to purchase goods, but
finding that immense quantities have al
ready gone forward, will probably not
, make very extensive purchases.
An extensive placer has been discover
ed in Oregon, and it was reported at San
Francisco that all the inhabitants of Ore
gon city had gone out to try their luck.
We find in the Washington papers the
following:
t SAN Francisco, CALIFORNIA, Dec. 25.'4S.
My DEAR SIR: Commodore Jones has
but this moment informed me that the
r Ohio will sail to-day for Mazatlan, and
take the opportunity for forwarding
z few public letters. / also enclose two or
/ three private letters, this being the only
$ means ofgetting them to the States. Will
you please have them sent to the post Of
fee in Washington
Since last wrote to you, the affairs of
this country have been constantly get
!, ting worse. Wehave noIgovernmenth here,
either civil or military, and the country
is full OF lawless men who are committing
the most shocking outrages.-Murders
and robberies are Of daily, and might
!, almost say ofhourly occurrence. Not an
e arrival occurs from the North, South, or
Q the interior, but notifies the community
of new acts of villainy which 90 uDpun-
. ished. Within six weeks more than
0 twenty murders have occurred in white
population of less than $4,000 souls. The
people are now acting in self-defence;
e and four or five days since, 8 men were
!. hung by Lynch law. sixty miles from this
:. place. 1t is ofthe last importance that
the distressing condition Of California
should be impressed upon those at Wash
9 ington who have the power to apply q
a remedy. The people are now trying to
organize provisional government"
t. but should Congress give US territorial
e organization at the present session, it will
IS supercede the popular local organization
Il now taking place, but which cannot go
s into effect before the ensuing summer.
6 The United States revenue laws arc now
). in force here, and will yield an income
is ofsay $450,000 the ensuing year, and
IL perhaps more. and four-ffths of this a.
= mount will be collected at this port.
g Much dissatisfaction exists at the payment
ir of such tax on the part ofthe inhabitants,
,. without either government or representa-
y ton. This feeling is gaining ground
20 from day to day. I"
a. l wrote you very long semi,official
d letter some time since, September 1877
IN going at length into the history of the
'e gold mines. TRUST that you have receiv-
ed that communication. as it accompanied
hi other official papers. all of which, am
ID informed were correctly sent from Ma
Of zatlan to Vera Cruz about six weeks
Is since. have only time now to inform
iu you that every thing stated in that letter
III has been more than realized up to this
date. The gold mines continue to be
!. as rich as before. although the rainy sea-
!; son has caused many to suspend their
=. :" work. There can be no doubt that at
=. .. least $4,000, 900 of gold, at SIG per ounce
10 troy, has been taken from the mines. The
most accurate estimates am able to make
Or rr show that $1,5O0,OOO have been sent
- from the country, and $1,000, 900 of it has
10 gone from this port. One vessel took
e. $4,000 Two thirds of all that has
., been exported has gone to foreign coun-
20 y, tries, and consequently, to foreign mints
1t am, dear sir, in great haste,
, M yours truly,
ne J. L. FOLSOM.
n' General JEsUP, Washington, d. c.
~ The above is substantially confirmed by let
ter to the Secretary Of the Navy from Com Jones
written on the 22d December, on board the Flag
ship Ohio. In a postscript dated 25th Of samt
month, the writer adds:-"Since the above lettel