The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-12-12
Letter from 8. G. HastinRa.

The following letter from the former Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court Of Iowa, now in
California, will be read with interest. We find
it in the Muscatne Journal
SAcAMENro Clrr, Sept. 81, 1S49.
DEAR BROTHER: am now fixed at the City,
having lately returned from the South. l have
visited all those parts of the country which
think worthy of attention. Every thing which
has been written of this country seems to be
manly correct, except the representation of its
agricultural resources. For agriculture alone,
would not exchange the county of Linn, Iowa,
for all of California
have not now time to write you a full de-
scrlpton: This city is two miles below Suffer 8
Fort, and contains near 5000 inhabitants. 1t is
situated at the head of ship navigation. Six
months ago it was notting-now its streets are
crowded with men of business from every coun-
try and State. Buildings are of the most fragile
knd-rents are enormous high, and real estate
beyond the purse of any but the wealthy Cali
fornian.
l am now getting into good practice, be-
leve. | have opened Deposit office and have
received within three days $4,000 in deposits.
My health has been, in the main, good; altho'
(strange, too0 l had the chills and fevers in my
travels south, which found to prevail in the
valleys though which travelled now weigh
more than l have for 20 years. Mr. Odds arriv-
ed here about Is days ago, in excellent health,
so fleshy you would not recognize him. He
lett the team and packed from near the Sink of
Mary's river. Jerry is following with the teams
Great distress is reported back, but we have sent
them relief. Stuart, Bratt, Buker, Daniels, &c
l understand, went by Salt Lake, and will prob.
ably pack through this fall, or in the SPRING
Mccormick and Smith arc said to be in the up.
11rI ILL
so tar as l can learn. Richman has not vet got
in, but will be out Of all danger; for if his cattle
give out, he will be met by train of pack mules
The families will receive the first attention from
the relief trains. | brought up from Monterey
70 mules with some Government officers and
men, who go to the relief of the emigrants.
have just been to see our friend Beckett, &
he-poor fellows dying with the diarrhra
which he contracted in Mexico. 1 think he will
not live five hours.
There is more gold now being taken from the
mines than at any previous period, though they
do not appear rich.
Many persons who have come over the noun
tains, and many more who came by sea, have re.
turned home again. Indeed so many returned
by the Panama, steamer, that could not get q
state room from San Francisco to Monterey
| was detained at Monterey one week, and re.
turned by land. l was with the Spanish and In
dams about two hundred miles, and found my
knowledge of the Spanish language invaluable
felt very much discouraged on my return here
but now am engaged in the practice of my pro.
fession. An ounce ($l0 is the least fee re.
ceived 1878 yesterday for one case, and $l6 to-
day of our friend Sawyer Jcnner, as retainer
in suit before the Alcalde, which is settled
have just loaned $1,000 for ten per cent, one
month This is much better than working ir
the mines, as the mining operations stand about
on this yield Some raise 800 to $500 for few
days, some ounces day for awhile, some ]
ounce, some half ounce, and great many
none at all.
am afraid to purchase real estate in this town
or any other in this country, for as soon as the
mines give out, the towns will 90 down.
| am boarding with our old friend Barton Lee
who most Of the old settlers of Bloomington
will recollect-who is so wealthy that he cannot
cxtricate his riches
DR.. Odds will remain here, and will soon gel
into good practice.
Yours, truly, S. G.. HASTINGS.