Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-09-22


ceived BY the Empire City:
..s..... SAN Francisco,
California, July 9, ls4s.
This city contains about one thousand
houses, the greater portion of which are no.
thing more than muslin stretched over light
frame; and hundreds of tents belonging 10
those preparing TO go to the mines are stuck
along the shore. There is nothing like com.
fort to be found here. Everyhing-houses,
manners of the people, and the courtesies
that render civilized life desirable-sll, all
are in the rudest possible state; added TO
which, the presence of persons of all nations,
the Indian, Chinese, Mexican and Chilan:
decked out in the gaudy variety Of colors,
and almost every man armed 10 the teeth,
reminds enc of some Of The rude scenes in
the dark ages, and inclines us 10 think it
rather Of the character of one of the ro-
mances of the "Arabian Nights" than the So
Der reality. Common laborers receive 81 an
hoar, and carpenters are in demand from SIS
to $50 day! Everything else is in proper
tIoii, dI.u INC OdiilOTIld value VI uloticy
would not be believed if were to write you
the sober truth. Enormous schemes of land
speculations, and the Building of splendid
cities-on paper--i is carried on with a rivalry
exceeding those in the United States several
years since. AS high as twenty thousand
dollars have been paid for lot here, and the
| pricps are ADVANCING every day.
SO far as relates to the wonderful mineral
wealth of California, the most exaggerated
stories that have been told of it do not over
color the reality. The whole country is full
of gold, which can be had for the iigging Of
it. But those who come here, as many do,
and imagine that it is to be easily picked up,
will be wonderfully disappointed. The Dig
ging of gold, so far as regards labor, requires
canals. The ore is uneqnally distributed
through the earth, of very tough nature,
which is compelled 10 be penetrated from the
depth of one to eight feet before the stratum
of aluvial is reached that contains the gold.
Then the trouble has but just commenced,
for oftentimes the dirt has to be conveyed on
the back in pals full, some distance 10 the
water, to be washed, Machinery is of no
use, and cannot be transported at present
over the hard roads necessary 10 be travelled
before the mines are reached; though those
whose bodies are capable OF enduring en-
cessive fatigue, the rays of burning sun 90
| IN ba sholo opI bo ara ,yilliprr IN
work steadily, may amass considerable,
| though not the average immense fortunes so
often related in the newspapers as having
been obtained at one successful stroke. They
ale not fair averages, and many will come
here only TO retnrn home disappointed in
their high-wrought expectations.
The celebration of the eth of July in the
mines-The 4,h of July was celebrated
throughout The placers, BY an entire cessation
of labor, and the usual discharge of fire arms,
souibbs, crackers, and other patriotic COM
bus,ifers. Thousands of atiberty poles"
arose, and mountains OF blazing pines sent
their rude fire works to the occasion. All
BECAME drunken with enthusiasm, and own
am sorry 10 say it, upon bad rum at 81 .
glass.
| The character Of the ccurtry.-A writer
gives his experience as follows: Gentlemen,
do not advise a dog tocome TO California
WHY have Col Fremont, Farnham, and
others SO s,udiously misrepresented this
marched barren, mountainous country! The
entire Northern portion of Upper California
is inferior TO New England in every respect,
while the Southern, half Of the same territory
is baked and burned by scathing, scorch-
ing sun for nine mon tbs OF the year, without
rain or dews, and delulred during the other
three. ..r ......
Population Of the suntry,-The present
population of the country is set down at AS
600. Some 10000 more are yet TO arrive
from the States, via Cape Horn, and Know
not how many over the praitles and through
Mexico and Texas. To this, which the
American papers will furnish, add what you
can learn of European emigration, and you
will form toerably correct idea Of the pop
ulation six months hence The errie ration
from this coast may be said 10 have ces sed.
Our coun,rymen are like pixies, who drive out
all other fish from pond. Encouraged by
General Smiths Continental Proclamation
from Panama, they have expelled most un-
Justly, and, as the picture will show, most IN
judiciously, all foreigners from the mines
Vessels bound down the coast are filled Win
Mexican, Peruvian nd Chian emigran's' re.
turning home. The country is thus deprived
of the only avaia BILE cheap labor wi'hin
reach until the yield of the mines shall have
fallen off so per cent. am happy to hear
rha, General Riley, with equal good sense
and humanity, ha,' gone TO the southern
mines with view TO protect such foreigners
still there as may d ecide to apply tor letters
of naturalization.
4 large lump Of 8 od.-A letter from San
Francisco, dated 2sd July, says; ss, , ..,.. q,
saw and examin ed two specimens Of gold,