Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-12-12

@T The following is letter from one of
the Richmond Boys to his father, who
kindly handed it to US for publication. 1t
is dated
BEAR RIVER 'DIGcrSs,' Sept. 9th, 40.
Dear Father and Relations: | take this
opportunity Of writing to you for the first
time since my arrival in California. We
arrived here about tho first Of this month,
making the trip in 100 days from Indepen-
dence. We have come thro' very well
considering the route, which is one Of the
most arduous and laborious that a man
can imagine; l do not believe that if men
could have the trials and exposures Of the
route shown them, before leaving home,
that one out Of ten would undertake it;
but one cannot imagine what it is until he
knows by experience. Men Of the stout
est hearts strongest constitutions shrink
and wither like the leaf, and hundreds
have expired on this route this season.
their graves may be seen along the whole
route. j, is estimated that 80, 600 people
are on the road, and do not believe that
over two-u'irds Of that number will reach
this side Of the mountains this season---
they must suffer.
We are now laying ia camp on Bear
River, 40 miles from the Sacramento Riv-
er. Our company have lost four men on
tI,, ;oh- 1.
have been tolerabIy fortunate, we have
had some sickness among US; but we are
now Il: to!erable health, with the exception
Of Joseph Sicdhcm, who is now recover
ing from spell OF Sickness.
! will now give you. as la rs | have
learned, a true description of the ed re-
gion. 1t extends nearly the whole Length.
Of California. and from the coast range of
mountains TO the main ridge Of the Sierra
Nevada. The whole Of the upper part Of
California, as far down as the Bay, is a
broken mountainous country, covered with
pine, poor soil and burnt up with drought,
and the greater part Of it not producing
vegetation sufficient to support animal life.
There are great many men working in
the mines and washing gold. We are now
making ready for operating. The dig
gins here do not yield as well as further
south; but it is considered sickly in the
southern mines at this time;.--my mess
intend working here some two or three
weeks, when we will pack off to the south.
The average yield of gold in these dig
gins is from to 3 ounces per day to the
man. The gold in the mines is worth SIG
per o.. at the mint ii is worth S22. From
accounts, the southern 'diggins' yield the
best; but IT man makes any thing here
he has got to work tor it. The state of
society in the mines is very good We
have not heard of one case of theft-no
use for locks or weapons here-all respect
each others rights.
Sacramento City is a town which has
been located since last winter, and con-
tains 5000 inhabitants-the town is on
the river Of the same name, $50 miles
from San Francisco--it is built principal
ly Of canvass tents. Ships run up to the
city from San Francisco with supplies for
the mines. The town is overhowed eve.
ry year by the river.
l will give you the price Of provisions
here in the mines and at Sacramento CITY.
80 miles below this, and then you can i'm.
agine the kind Of roads we have, which
makes things SO much higherin the mines:
Prices s" the mines: Prices in the city:
Bacon. pei h. 100 Bacon, per ID. so cts
Flour, do. 40 Mess pork, do. 90
Sugar, do. 50 Flour, do.
Coffee. 90. 40 Sugar, do. Is ="
cannot tell when shall return home,
out want to make a '.raise" before ] do
start back. and that man can do if he
has his health and r;X ,cork. Wages are
very good-.-there are men wanting to hire
hands here at SIG per day and boarded.
to mine; others are offering $500 month
and boarded, to drive team, &c.
would not advise a friend to come TO
ms country; but if any do come bv land.
the best way would be to pack on mules,
starting from independence about The first
Of April-.-each man have two mules, one
to ride and one TO carry provision--get
good Spanish mules, and no, pack over
$50 lbs. Of provision on your mule--not
bring any tools or clothing, the less you
take the better: clothes and tools can be
obtained cheaper here than you can carry
them; and by 50 doing you can come thro'
ahead Of the emigration-have feed for
your stock, and make the trip in 60 days,
wa OF the Salt Lake. Mules ought to be
! shod on their fore-feet at start. Nearly all
who come around by water. are good for
nothing when they get here-,hey have the
scurvy and ship fever II any of nv &C.