The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-03-12

The Boston Traveller contains the following
intelligence, received from Cart. d. w. Phelps,
who lately returned home from California, via the
Isthmus:
Capt. p. brings quantity of the gold, in grains,
in scales and in lumps-the largest of the latter
weighing about an ounce and half. The amount
of gold brought by him has been much overrated
in the published accounts, though he brings con-
siderable quantity-much less, however, than the
lowest amount stated 1888 000)
As Capt p. worked personally at the mines,
which we believe was not the case with MIR. Ath-
erton, his experience of the mnute of the gold
digging there is considerable. In the first place, as
to the pieces of gold that have been reported to be
found he says the largest piece that he has seen is
in the possession of Mr. Mellus, and weighs but
six ounces. He had heard numerous stories at the
mines of large pieces being found but IN eUery IN
stance Dhere they Investigated, they turned ont
to be false, greatly exaggerated One man was
pounds; he went to see him, and found that its
weight was only tpo ounces, and that it was the
proceeds of an entire days work.
As to the stories that the diggers were many Of
them averaging $50 per day, lie thinks that those
that have done the best have not obtained more
than $1,000 during the entire digg ing The
hours of work from five to ten hours per day.
Formerly, the Indians were willing to work for a
tre, but they have since become better acquainted
with the value of their toll. They principally
the remnants OF tribes, and not formidable.
But one case of disorder occurred before Capt.
p. left: 1t was that of negro who insulted a
Mormon woman The people turned out, caught
the negro, tied him 10 a tree, gave him good
lashing and then turned him loose with the threat
of rifle ball if he misbehaved again.
The inhabitants of California, Capt. p. says, are
anxious to maintain order; but they can hardly do
it in any other way than by lynch law, until some
regular government is established.
When several companies of Col MasOn's regi-
ment deserted to the mines, a file OF soldiers
sent after them who in their turn deserted. Col.
Mason then started with a file of dragons, called
the miners together, and told them that if they ex
pected the countenance of the government, they
must help him to arrest deserters. To this they
Piled that if there any refugees from justice
among them, they were willing to turn out and
help arrest them, but their time too precious TO
be occupied in running after deserters After this
Col Mason was glad to get back with half of his
Dragons
Agriculture has been totally neglected, that a
man who had field containing ID, 900 bushels of
wheat could not get it harvested, though he offered
half the products and obliged to let his cattle
eat it. Women and children, as well as their hus-
bands and fathers, had become gold diggers.
Capt. Phel PISS opinion 10 the success of expe-
ditions daily starting from this country, is that it
will depend upon the manner of their organization.
There is no doubt, he says of there being consid-
cradle quantities of gold in California but there is
gross exaggeration in the matter.
Letters had appeared in the papers from persons
uuho had no existence IN California, and IN respect
10 vessels that had neUer been there.
Capt Phelps looks hearty and healthy, and
bears marks of a tollsome voyage from the other
side of the world.