Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-12-17
letters from California.


townsman and acquaintance, Mr.. GEORGE w
TAYLOR, now in California, to his brother in this
place. 1t will be read with interest by his nu-
merous friends, and its statements may be i'm
picitly relied on.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. l, 1s49
* X
We left Rio on the 9th of June and had a toll
erably pleasant passage Except the gradually in
creasing cold) until we got about opposite the
mouth of the river De La Platte, where we en-
countered strong current setting out from
land, and at the same time; what seanlen call a
black storm, a tremendous wind was sweeping
the surface OF the waters as far as the eye could
reach, and had it tossed into spray which pre-.
sented dark and inky appearance. 1t did lis
no harm, We were beaten off by the winds and
current, so that we had 60 South of the Falkland
Islands. and got pretty far down towards the
South Shetland Islands. Here we began to feel
the piercing effect of the winds that sweep A.
round Cape Horn, and to contend with the cur
rents and high seas for which it (Cape Horny is
noted The waves are much higher and longer,
consequently less dangerous, than they are al
most anywhere else. was very agreeably dis
appointed in Cape Horn. had been taught to
look upon it as more dangerous than any other
| place could go on water: but did not fear to
encounter it OH our good old ship, for knew, or
rather felt, if she could stand up against such a
sea as we had in the Gulf stream, in the condi-
| ton she then Was she could stand almost any
thing. don't think ever felt the wind blow
as hard as it did just off the point of the Horn
went out on the deck just to see how hard it
did blow, and if had not held on to a large iron
hook believe should have been blown over
board. We were blown of several degrees out
of our course on the Sth, 9th and 10th; likewise
on the 10th, nth and 18th of July. We cot a.
round, however, without any accident. | would
like to give you the proceedings of the ceebra-
ton OF the 4th Of July, but must refrain sui
flee it to say, we had speeches and toass and
| sentlments-yocal and instrumental music and
an abundant supply of good things for the sfom-
ach, all OF which were done up in good style
and heartily relished; and all without the aid OF
liquor. We were from the 9TH; until about the
Goth, clearing the Horn, and it was cold and
rough time with us in fact, it was SO from the
mouth Of the De La Platte around to Talcuhan-
no. We have beaten every vessel from Rio that
LETT that port from three TO seven days before us
Among the number is the Glenmore She left
three days before us and has not arrived vet.
Gold is said to be very abundant, but it re-
quires great labor to procure it from the mines
haveno been on shore yet, but have heard
great many accounts: some extremely fattering
others not SO much so. While am writing this
letter there is fellow talking in the cabin Il
am IN the Captains room) and I heard him
make this remark: Il saw gentleman bag ND
10000 dollars and send it off to the States. and
he has been at the mines only short tme''
Labor commands very high price; usually
from TO 10 and u dollars per day Provisions
are abundant Flour is worth s, 6, and IS pr.
barrel; Beet. So pr. hundred; Clothing is ex-
ceedng cheap best quality of Boots, 3, 4 and
S. pr. pair. Everything that does not require
labor is cheap We have 10 pay 81 so cts. for
very ordinary meal. Rents in the town are
very high. little indifferent tavern there rents
annually fer 10000 dollars-tlley ask $500
month for one room.
Goods of all kinds are scattered about the
street as ifno one cared for them, and exposed
to the depreciation OF any who might pilfer; but
there is none of it done here. From all | can
learn there is much honesty and peace in Cali
tornia. except in gambling, which is carried on
to great extent. You can see in almost every
house you go into, piles OF gold and silver, but
aronnd it sit some fellows-aseen- horns from
the mines, who have come down to spree and
get swlndled ont OF it. One fellow about halt
corned rose up slowly from the gambling table
when he had lost all his money: "Well,r he
says; Il believe the best way for a man to
spend his money is to drink il up, for then they
can't win it from him"
October 15-I have delayed finishing this let
Ter that might gain more ineligible intorma-
ton as to the dongs and sayings here, and to
wait the arrival of,he mail steamer California.
There was small package Of newspapers bro;t
by a passenger. The Tribune sold like hot
cakes, at a dollar copy. Our Company has
gone through perfect revolution since our arr
val. Like every other Company, we have dis
have nearly wound up its affairs. We have al
ready sold more than $40, 900 worth, exclusive
OF the ship IT is hard to tell what it will bring,
perhaps not more than $4,000 The difficulty
OF getting sailors makes them pretty much of a
drug IN market. There are now in the harbor
about $40; and some are the finest ever saw.
The Company is divided into parties of from
to IS We have a good supply of provisions,
gold-washers, quicksilver, picks, shoves and ali
things necessary for mining also, fine lot of
cooking utensils carpenters TOOLS &C., resdy
for putting up a house. We also have first
rate tent, and everything necessary for complete
housekeeping, when we get to the mines
There can be no exagggeration about the gold in
this country. suppose haze seen as much
as bushel in one house, in its pristine state.
No man thinks Of conceaing his gold from the
inspection OF any one. The dust passes current
at SIG pr. ounce and is a legal tender in all ca
SEES. Money is worth 10 pr. cent a month here.
We have sent of four OF our men as pioneers.
up TIC 'Ntl Joaquin; as lar as the Stock holm.
where they will learn some facts in relation to
the best diggings. We have several reasons for
eoingto the Stockholm mines in preference to
those on the Sacramento one of which is that
the climates better for wntering, being farther
South; another is that the gold is found in larger
Jumps, and a third is that being more recently
discovered there is not such crowd of people
there.
San Francisco is fast becoming city. 1t is
astonishing with what rapidity houses are built
nearly all frame, the timber OF which is either
brought from the States Or from Oregon The
only brick dwelling is made from bricks brought
from the States as freight or ballast for ships
We sold So, 900 for about $55 pr 10oO-we also
sold frame house 324 by 80 feet for more than
$4,000, and some small houses 8 by 10 for $500
Nearly everything we sold brought about four
times its value i'll the States, except tobacco,
which is worth nothing, comparatively, from 2
to 10 cents PEI pound There are more goods
4 Al