The daily crescent., 1849-07-02

E4Oln 0dIIOru1Hs
The following letter (saya the Journal Of Com
merce) from an intelligent correspondent is Of a
late dale from San Ffancisco--ihe steamer Cali
fOrnia, BY which it was forwarded. having left
that port on the day Of its date (Iay Isp:
Goods Of all descriptions are becoming verr
plenty, and prices are moderate except az retail.
and in places distant from San francisco.
The amount Of importafions at this port IS pro-
badly about 81 r5O0,OO0 for the last four months
though have notbeen able to ascertain Tie amount
precisely for March aud April The diities paid.
or rather deposited and secured subject 10 tie de-
csion Of the Government at Washington. aTnonnt
to about @34l 800 for the same period, Of which
there was received IN January last, S73,8OO, in
February, S6S, 900, March, $50 600 and during the
month Of April, just closed, $4,000.
The number Of passengers who have arrived
here by sea during the period alluded TO, il very
great The actual population of the country at
this time, cannot accurately be estimated mn nav
be $1,000. 1t consists Of Americans. EnplisR
French, Mexcans, Chilenos, Peruyians. and in.
deed Of almost all lnations and languages bnt thoae
named are the numerous classes. The Americans
at this time, comprise less than one-half
Goods are sold here by retail at high prices, and
must, of course, continue 90 be, so long as labor
rents, and other expenses, keepup to the present
enormous rates. IL the retailer had his goods given
to him here, it wonld scarcely affect lie price at
which he is obliged to sell them particularly at the
mines, and other places distant from San Francisco,
In order 10 cover his expenses.
Lodgings IN San Francisco are very difficult to be
obtained. The greater part of the floating pOpu.
lailon live IN tents. There are perhaps four hun
dred houses here of the poorest descriDtjon 0eper
ally, bat as many thousands would scarcely be
sufficient, even now, 70 afford all shelter Lum-
Der is very much in demand. It has been sold al
5000 per Thousand, and is now held at about S4OO
per thousand but it is difficult to be obtained At
that price.
There are 10 California men of alltrades and pro-
iessions, but the physicians are most numerous.
One may SIT down in any place in San Francisco.
and he shall see doctor pass by once minute
al day long. There are certainly twenty doctors
TO one patient Mechanics are also numerous but
there are scarcely any engaged in their trades ex-
cept a few carpenters, who get Sl6 day for their
labor Agriculture is entirely abandoned
ne ordinary occupations here are gold digging
regular trading, specializing, and gambling. Farm
lots Y San Francisco are held al from 5000 to
SO, ,OOO Several other towns have been laid out
as Benecia, Stockton, Sacramento Civ efe and
the lots sold at very high prices. Titles are
but lttle inquired into. There is no doubt that
they are generally bad. Here a man will do
almost anything to make money, because there
le no power 10 call him to account Even Off
clal and professional empOyments are assumed
by those not having the least rghtful pretensions
70 Them, who IN this way eHtorb thousands Of dollars
per month from the multtudes Of strangers who
come here, Every man is devoted to one pursuit
the acquisition Of gold, and is not scrupnous as 10
the means emplOVed
The dlggers are generally very successful
that Is, strong, healthy men, accustomed TO hand
labor. They get about two ounces a day, and
some much mores some less. Il is a hazardous
business however. Some are robbed some loss
their healths and some their ives Il s calculated
that the quantity Of gold which has gone out uf ths
eoqnfEF snee the minoa tfefe discovered. iT. ~
value, about seven miilions of dollars
10 California there Is an utter subvsrsion Of the
order Of society as i exists in the old States and
confusion Of all ranks and distinctions But IN the
state Of affairs there is peeuaftv that pleasea
me. Labor Is unshackled and unoppressed. Il
receives It's full Tecompense. The roughestloolxiDg
: customers, and the most hardy and laborious.
are likely to have the ofthe dust here and as
tins commands respect, they are 1e aristocroeR OF
California. A cook or a house steward commands.
10 this country, higher salary than the Governor
Of New York, and an Industrious drayman. with
his cart and mule, is better paid than the Secretary
OF the United States. The salary Of the Postmaster
at San Francisco is less than tile laundrsss would
exact for washing his linen, and a good carpenter
gets higher compensation for his labor than the
Commander-in-ch of the Squadron.
The climate of San Francisco and other places
on the coast, is the most disagteeabe that know
Of Cold winds prevail during all seasons. and IN,
temperature varies sometimes 400 in a day. The
summers are worse than tile winters. Every body
suffers greatly on first arriving here One REQUIRES
warm clothing as all times. Although the climate
Is severe and dsagreeable, think il may be con-
sldered generally healthy, excepting in the Sacra-
mentO valley