The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-09
Interesting Letter from California.


From the New Orleans Picayune, April Isl
We are indebted to the courtesy of "a friend for
the following very interesting letter from San Fran
cisco, received by the way Of Vera Cruz. 1t is re-
plete with practical good sense -
sSAN FRANcIsco, February 20, ls49.
MY DEAR M.-You see am as good as my word,
though almost sure that the letter will not find you
in New Orleans, and that my information will re-
main unnotced for some time to come. arrived
here few days ago in sailing vessel, after
dious passage Of more than thirty days from San
Bias. The steamer has not made her appearance
yet but we know that she left Valparaiso on the
oath December, for Panama, and may therefore be
shortly expected.
This is the most extraordinary place one can pos
siby imagine, and, in spite of the advantages of
position, it will require some years to make it re-
spectacle. This is as far as living is concerned.
Business, however, is likely to continue good and
to become daily more extensive, for the good tide
here never GIBBS, and people who earn two or three
ounces day by digging, or from five TO ten dol
lars by any trade whatever, are not likely to stint
| themselves in anything. Consumption, therefore,
| progresses steadily, and the enormous emigration
from all parts of the world to this III Dorado will
continually increase the number OF consumers.
Land, though already at enormous rates here, is
still worth attention, tor property must improve
and, as soon as slaves arrive and cultivation ex-
| tends, the neighb0rng districts will also become
| more valuable. To give you idea of the value
of town lots in this place, I'll merely tell you that
house on the beach Of about sixty feet frontage has
just been rented for $1,000 per annum, and
age in good situations. At present, everything
is enormously dear here but prices must fall
when all American supplies arrive, and we shall
probably never see them as high again (; still there
is reasonable chance to suppose that goods
from England or the Atlantic ports will not al any
time yield profit even in case of excessive
imI ortation for, as before said, the consumption
is daily increasing, and much more per head than
in any part Of the world in which ! have been.
Under these circumstances, | would by all means
advise you to come out to this place soon as you
can, bringing with you assortment of the follow
ing goods, which will be much wanted for the next
rainy season. There is very little time saved by
crossing through Mexico and the road is very in
into the bargain. Either, therefore, you go
by the monthly mail, or else what would most add
wise you, go from there to New York, buy your
goods and ship yourself with them. At any rate,
this part of the world offers more advantages than
the one you are now living In, tor if trade does not
prosper Ihavlng given it fair trial. one has only
to 90 to the diggngs, and they need not be afraid
of being disappointed. have seen great number
of people who have come from the mines, and
every one of them had his share Of the precious
stuh-some of them as much as $500 for every days
work, but nobody less than SIG to SlS. Two men
brought forty-seyen pounds weight of pure gold,
which they found within five days but such enor-
nous diggings are of course exceptions, and must
not be taken as criterions. Whatever be the num-
Der Of miners, the vein will last for more than
century, being about two hundred miles in clrc
ference
Come therefore, If you have nothing better to do
At any rate let me know what you are about, ana
believe me, my dear M.
Articles likely TO meet with a ready sale here
Stout overcoats, shooting Jackets monkey jackets,
vests, trowsers and caps-all for the cold season,
well lined and comfortable blankets of all descrip-
tions oil cloth caps cloaks and overalls for the
rainy season; stout boots and shoes, doube:soed,
and some long enough to reach up to the knees;
wooen socks and stockings flannel and wooen
shirts, mostly red and blue, whites not at all re-
quired. In general, all sorts of clothing fit to pro-
tect man against cold and wet; some pck-axes
and shovels, but not many as almost every one
from abroad brings his own iron wire selves of all
sizes, very useful articles large pocket knives,
pistols of all kinds, particularly revolvers;
coarse hardware; watches and chains, both gold
| and silver; India rubber Shoes few only; Yam
kee hats, as many as you like. For yourself, bring
an iron bedstead and tent, (singe pole, besides
| good assortment of heavy clothing-no fine ones
| required.