The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-10
The Gold Region.

The letter from which the subjoined extracts
commission for running the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico tits addressed to gentle
man In Charleston, and published in the Mercry;-
BAY OF San FRAScIsco, April TO- 1S49.
arrived here on the 1st instant. Our commission
had meeting the next day and became organized,
the want of means. The Commodore and all the
navy officers well disposed to cooperate with
us 50 far as regards the lending Of boats and crews
for them but the many attempts Of the sailors to desert
from boats when ashore, and from the ships at
anchor, will not justify the employment OF the sailors
upon our work There appears to be a wild phFenzy
amongst all classes to get at the dggings The most
extravagant estimates formed Of the gains to be
derived from that occupation, and the cost of labor
procured Tor ordinary purposes Is proportonatey ex
travngant. The servant Of one of Commissioners
was at San Francisco few days and received the
fusal, it was intimated to him that he might make
double that fum. was; few days ago. at BENZ
built twenty Ave thirty miles rsm this the
direction of the mines 1t lies the north side of the
strait that connects the Bay of San Pablo with Soisun
Bay, into which the Sacramento and San joaquin ri
vers are discharged. large party Of us, including
General Smith and Commodore Jones, went there in
the of the Edith deserted although their wages
were one hundred dollars a month and found These
facts viii Illustrate the wild notions of the working
Success at the diggings depends on luck in finding
good spots Many fail, and none succeed who hfe la
Dor. SO they say.
From the Eosten Transcript
SAN FRAScisco, March g. 1S49.
embrace opportunity to write you by VESSEL to
Mazatlan 1t being impossible for the steamer to leave
for some time as every has left her. except Cap
tain Marshall We left Panama on the first day Of
February and arrived here on the 2sth stopping on
the way at Tabasco Acapulco San Bias, Mazatan. and
Monterey. Behre got to the latter place our coal
all gone, and we had to burn up the spars hen
coops. and everything else could lay hands on.
Were detained there four days cutting wood which
brought us here. The steamer brought up about 375
passengers and believe they all left her dissatisfied
in every particular Our fare miserable, and II
live to come home, will bring sample of the beef
such as was given us to eat on tho voyage 1t is very
cold here and last Saturday we had severe snow
storm, which affects us very much after such long
stay at Panama with the thermometer at co. however,
getting used to it, and waiting for the weather
to be the object Of all now although you know they
they intended to go into business, SC.
have been offered two hundred dollars q month, as
clerk, II would bind myself fora year, but prefer
learn the average Of the miners is about $40 to $50
per day. D and myself continue together, and
some kind Of a shop, but found it impossible,
unless we paid something like aity dollar; .
on the floor Not being In condition to pay
such extravagant rates we hunted round on the
which we hired for $40 per month, and yesterday we
opened an auction and Commission Store" and are
doing very well. We had large sale Yesterday and
tomorrow have another which rather dstur the old
merchants, who until now have had everything their
own way.
wrapped around some Of my things, and will hardly
believe me when tell you could sell them for $50;
woolen socks will bring almost any price, lumber is
penter can get from $50 to $40 per day. and any fault
is found will drop his tools and g. it Is easy get
smother job sold pistols ut auction for $40 .pair,
which cost $S in New York; and fine ivory combs at 80
cents which cost about SO cents per Dozen and other
goods In proportion With the exception Of the rent
of the "old shanty manage to get along Mt small
expense keeping bachelors hall for about 70 cents
day have little bag of the real stun, which shall
here and every poor DEVIL with hardly any clothes on
his back will have pouch full Of gold II is taken in
payment generally, ut fourteen dollars and half
ounce. From my observations and inquiries,
bould say that the stories published in all the papers
before LEFT not exaggerated ut all; in fact, do
not believe the half has been told. shall write you
after have been up to the mines, and give you
description of the country, sc. 1t 10 very peaceabe
here, but there is no law.