The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-12-20
SAN FRANcIsco, July l2,h, 40.

80
long suffering passage recorded in history
| arrived 10 this place, being within few
days Of tour months, after leaving RiaIgo
We encountered tremendous storm ahd
got blown out to sea. Lost several Of on.
most important saiIs and spars, consequent
" we're 90 crippled that We could scarcely
make any Roadway At all, but to help the
matter we had constant dead ahead wind
Our provisions began to grow short and the
largest water tank sprung alenk by the
working Of the ship, and lost all its water.
SO we had to 60 upon close allowance Of
both water and provisions. We were forty
days without bread and not a pound Of
-four on board. We lived thirty days on .
pint Of mush for breakfast, no dinner and a
single slap-jack for supper made Of rice and
corn ground together in coffee mill. We
had both beef and pork, but burst not touch
either, on account Of thirst. We had but a
single pint Of water per day that we could
use 10 tea, coffee, OF drink it clear, but Of
course we drank il clear to save evapora-
ton. Some seemed to do much better
without water than others. Some could
save gill Of water per day out Of a pint,
whilst others would 60 raving about the
decks perfectly crazy for drink. have
seen Eve dollars paid for pint Of water
just as freely as ever did for barrel OF
-four. But On the morning Of the 4th Of
July to our great joy We heard the cannon
firing at Santa Cruz, ond at o'clock we
dropped anchor. We wen. ashore, killed o
bullock and had perfect jubilee! Next
day we went on board and got our rifles,
revolyers aud what few clothes we could
carry, deserted the ship and took up our
line Of march on foot for San Francisco,
distance about ninety miles, arriving in five
days. suppose there are ut this time
about fifty thousand people in this place,
mostly living in tents and on board Of ships.
Il is said that there ore double the number
Of ships now lying in this bay than ever
were at one time in N. York harbor. Car.
penters' wages are from l2 to Is dollars
per day, and would be double that If lumber
could be procured. Boarding is from IL to
20 dollars per week. Blacksmiihs get q
bout the same wages as Carpenters. Com.
mon laborers from 8 to IL dollars per day.
Tomorrow ls.art for Stockton, thence to
the diggings, and as there is no steamer
looked for under two weeks I'll defer mail
ing this until can say something about
gold digging.
TowALANA RIVER, Aug. 18th.
lhave been in the diggings just three
weeks to-day. Ihave been sick eight days,
had severe attack Of bilious fever, but to-
morrow shall again try work. These are
not considered sickly diggings, but on the
contrary are far moro healthy than others.
Sickness 10 all the fear have, although The
people appear to be well disposed, but no
one has time to take care Of the sick Of
hardly to bury the dead, and as to coffin
that's out Of The question.
| suppose that the miners in this digging
are averaging about one ounce per day.
Gold sells here for l6 33-lOO dollar per
ounce, that is about one hundred dollars
per week.-Mrs. mean clear. ! had dug
just ten days and had cleared one hundred
and seventy dollars when ] was taken sick.
You can always exchange for gold coin at
the above rate.
would not recommend any one to come
here who has family. There have been
a great many had their throats cut and gold
taken. | never think Of going to bed with
out first placing my gold under my pillow
(that is to say my old coaD then examine
my revolver, take my tooth-pick in my
hand aud then lay down. There was q
man hung about Eve rods back Of my tent
last week and two whipped nearly to death.
Served right -robbed : trading tent, and
we have no other laws.
Provisions are plenty at the following
prices, Pork 60 cts. per h., Flour so, fresh
beef IS.
We are raising company Of about 30
to GO up to the Mera Pada in about two
weeks to explore that river. There Is said
to be lots Of gold there, but the Indians are
very hostile. But il there 10 gold plenty
we are bound to have it or take licking.
Ihave to close % the man by whom
send this letter to San Francisco is about
10 start. Ito rare chance to find sny one
going down, AZ am about two hundred
nniles frOm that MACE