Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-11-22
Ne'o York, on San Joaquin
Rirer, California.

Rirer, California.
wrote at San Francisco for fear should
not have an opportunity Of sending letter
after left that city. can now have this
deposited in the Office by gentleman who
will leave this place in time to deposite i,
in the Post Office to be forwarded by the
first steamer. received letter from N.
dated May 22d, on the 18th inst, rta,ing
his wish to come out here tell him for me
that if he does start to come he must make
up his mind to work very hard a.d that the
stories probably current at homo Of grea,
fortunes being amassed in q few weeks
are not altogether correct many hunt and
dig for gold three or four weeks at a time
without getting much more than their ex-
pences. Then again, they get $40, or
$50, or $50 per day, owing to luck in
striking bed of deposited substance or for
mer sand. bars Of the rver,-Or the river
washings, or finding channel in the noun
tains where water has swept over it in for.
mer times, washing away lighter substances
and leaving the gold in the lowest places in
the bed of the stream, which channels,
ravincs or guiches, as they are called here,
have been filled up by stones, gravel, sand
and clay, which has to be removed and
washed. Tell him also that all can get
some gold, bu, tina, all are not equally for
,unate in getting it with little labor. The
average per day is stated now on this river
to be about So Some people Of whom
enquire, state il less, some more. shall
leave this Giy tomorrow morning for the
Mines. have been detained longer than
| expected would be necessary, owing to
the Company dissolving its original partner
ship in the earnings Of the Company
Now. each individual can have all the gold
he can get each has three months provis-
iors given him, and retains his right in the
ship as his home and's storage for his bag
gage. All, however, have formed them
selves into small companies the largest is
I2, the smallest 3 in number have four
in my company,-George S,aigg, John
Caswell, Joseph Southwick and myself
We have chosen this river, San Joaquin,
in preference to the Sacramento, on ac-
count Of the sickness prevailing a, the lat.
ter Mines, and tho great number Of people
there. This company got good wind
fall las, Sunday morning, by arrcs,ng five
deser,ers from the U. s. Surveying schoon-
er, who attempted to drown a Lieutenant
while rowing from shore to the schooner
the cries of the Lieut.. alarmed the people
on shore, and the deserers left him IN the
waller, and fled, leaving tie boat they were
in on the opposite side Of the bay from San
Francisco, and walked overland to this
place. The Lieut.. was rescued by the
boatmen from the shore, carried on board
a man-of.war, where he recovered enough
TO tell the story, and the schooner was des-
patched up the river with reward of $2,-
500 for the apprehension Of the deserters.
Some Of the officers in search arrived here
Saturday morning and hired our boat,
(Which was built on the passage out, and
is very swifi) to 60 in pursui, of the fugi.
tives, supposed to be on their way to tho
Mines. By the time our boat arrived at
Suisun, the head Of Navigation on this
river, the news ofthe arrest was there, and
the boat returned to the ship this evening,
earning, besides the reward, 500.
Mr.. Welch died yesterday, and was bur
this morning. He had strong symptoms of
scurvy, in addition TO his former complaint.
All the Company are in good health and
spirits, and will start for the Mines this
week, leaving Mr.. Cranston and Captain
Croker to take care Of the ship, and sell
what merchandise we have to dispose Of
The ship is run hard aground at high wa
ter along side the river bank, and will prob
ably remain for long time. The Com.
pany, however, are to assemble on the 18th
Of December TO make final disposition Of
her and other property. | do not know
that shnll have an opportunity Of writing
while at the Mines if DO shall improve
it, aud let you know how we get along
there. Direct your letters to me on board
tho Audloy Clarke we have made ar
Engagements to have them forwarded TO this
place by Mr.. Sherman Of San Francisco
Yours truly,