Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-07-11


will bo compelled to endure in their search after
gold.
'1he most trustworthy reports state that there
are about eight thousand souls on the pacers prob
ably half consists of Americans and one-eighth
Of Caliiornians. The Americans and Caliiornans
think that foreigners should not be permitted TO
work on the placers. They think they alone have
right to the treasure, and besides, that it would
be means of directing foreigners towards other
branches of industry: Meetings spoken of to
address petitions to Congress, asking that permits
be given for extracting gold, and that they bsonfy
granted to American citizens
"Nlany rencon,res have taken place between the
whites and the lndilns. Their origin we know
not, but 1t is certain that the whites believe that
until they have got rid Of the savages they cannot
work IN safety. We announced, two weeks ago.
the murder Of five white men from Oregon by the
Indians, on the American Fork. Twenty five of
the countrymen of the victims went i'm pursuit of
the murderers, killed twenty, and made prisoners
ofiifly."
Another letter dated the 26,h April from San
Francisco, and addressed to friend at Santa Clara
after tionng the intended departure Of the wife
Of Gov Smith, adds:
Passengers are focking hlher from all sides to
end fore misery for great number, and death for
many others.'
And yet another letter Of the same date speaks of
the news from the plGcerS unfavorable, and adds
"Ihe abundance Of water is injurious to the
workmen, and disease is spreading. Large num-
bers OF persons whom the thirst of gain has separa
ted from their families find misery OF death in
strange country, and amidst society which hard
ly recognises the sentiments of humanity"
The Trait d. Union publishes other letters,
which it is useless to translate, as they are uni
iormly of tho same import But the same paper
furnishes intelligence which is probably false, but
which, if true, would be deplorable Mr. Redding,
the author of the first series Of letters, tells the ed
itors that no gold seeker has ever found more than
five dollars day that Col. Mason, disguised with
MS position is about to return to the United States
that all decent women have abandoned the coun-
try that Gen. Smith IN consequence of his crcu-
lar, which had inspired such brilliant hopes and oc-
casioned such profound disappointment to the emf
grants. was not in safety, and that if he did not
speedily depart, he would become the victim of
private vengeance; and, finally that persons who
had been accustomed TO live in wealth were obliged
to become servants in order to obtain the means of
existence
This dismal story. two thirds of which we be-
ileve to have been grossly exaggerated, is fifty
wound up by the subjoined portentous extract from
the Topic Gariotd of the Goth May:
can express arrived yesterday from Mazatlan,
inJirc days and half bringing news from San
Francisco to the 18th May.
AT this date every thing was disorder in Cali
torna. The Governor had been compelled to take
refuge with his troops board of the American
vessels then in the port, and the soldiers did not
dare to land, because they hunted like ,rolres
"Ihe law of might had been proclaimed A
correspondent declares that an individual had been
killed, in San Francisco even, by mscreant who
sought to seize the piece of bread which he held i'm
his hand.
1--WE must add that these details require confir-
nation. They were given as rumors, in letter
dated from Mazatlan."
Not one word of this story do we believe to be
true. 1t is the invention of some Mexican genius,
who was determined to fabricate his fiction out of
whole cloth.
The Picayune has some additional intelligence,
furnished by MIR. James b. Weller who came pas
senger in the British steamer Clyde, from Vera
Cruz The news he communicates of affairs in
San Francisco reaches TO the 18th Of May, the pro-
else date of the letter published in the Topic Ga
ciota, in which the story of Gen. Smiths flight
from the insurgents in California is recorded In
MIR. Weler's narrative there is not word corrobo-
rative Of this painful intelligence:
"Mr. Weller left the city of Mexico on the 9Th
Of june party CT foreigners had just returned
to that city from California having left San Fran
cisco on the 18th of May. They reported the coun-
try in miserable condition. and both life and prop
erty unsafe. The rainy season had set in, and the
piacers were covered with wafer every thing was
more plentiful than gold. great many vessels
had arrived and were still arriving with goods.
which could be purchased nearly as cheap as in the
States. A large number of persons had arrived at
San francisco, and were in miserable condition
there being houses to shelter them and manv
had landed without dollar in their pockets This
party, six in NUMBER, had returned disguised, and
report that when they went out TO the mines they
were met by men who took away their provisions,
&c, without any ceremony.
"Mr. W. met several parties OF Americans going
to California by the way of the city of Mexico
One party travelling foot, and had arrived as
far as Perote. They had nothing but a pack mule
to carry their Cooking ixins," each man CARRYING
his own gun and little bundle. Another party, a.
bout thirty in number, well mounted on horse
back.
every facility is afforded 10 travellers for Cali
fornia at Vera Cruz, the custom house officers be-
ing very obliging, all baggage and other articles
being admitted free Of duty. There will soon BIO a
daily line from Vera Cruz to the city Of Mexico,
which will be extended TO Topic, the inland port
of San Bias"
Minnesota TERRITORIAL CORRESPONDENT of
the Missouri Republican says:-''Thisi is very de-
slrable and healthy territory, situated between the
$50 degree north latitude and the British posses
Slons Of the north, and is settled mostly by Yankees
OF stirring industry. Every body is hale, hearty,
and lively-no sickness, TO disease, and no id Hers
all seem busy and happy, They have every thing
good to eat and well cooked and as far as the 10th
degree north, find every twenty miles comfora-
bic cabin, built swlthin the last six months tenanted
with smiling countenances who seem cOntented |
find some old settlers who have intermarrjed with