The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-20

From what have seen l should Judge that
the most exaggerated reports published
in the States were these sent home soon af-
ter the mines were discovered, when every
body here, officials and all, were half mad.
Amid all Of this excitement have seen
nothing to induce me to leave my business
to visit the mines. But, situated as | am,
where come in contact with the miners ev-
cry day, and having acquaintance among
them ofintelligence and responsibility, work.
\ ing or in business in all the various diggings,
l am probably as well posted up in facts as
though had made casual visit in person.
There can be no doubt that the mines are
very extensive and very rich and that large
quantities have been taken out in short
space Of time by single individuals who were
so fortunate in the course of season as to
strike upon some lucky vein.
Cases of single individual taking out a
thousand dollars in day have been reported
upon pretty good authority, but all such re-
ports are to be taken with many grains Of
allowance. The fact is, it is very rare that
person takes out one hundred dollars in a
day, and such cases are much like the prizes
in lottery, with this difference, that there
are fewer blanks, as one is sure of making
something.
Large pieces are also occasionally found,
as is the case, believe, in all gold mines.
Generally, however, the gold is found in
small PARTICLES about the size of flax-seed,
or little larger, and thin, like the scale Of a
fish. lpresume you have seen specimens
before this, but you must remember that the
finest and largest specimens are selected TO
send home. From what can learn from
the most reliable sources, an industrious
miner can calculate with good degree of
certainty on taking out from one to two
ounces day for all working days through
the season. But there is always good deal
Of time lost in going to and returning from
the mines, and prospecting" for rich Dig
gings. 1t is generally about three weeks
from the time they start from San Francis, o
before they are ready to commence opera
tons. Let person start from the Puebla
or San Francisco, and be gone to the mines
three or four months, and he will not be
able to dig more than half the number of
days spent in his absence. Besides, the ex-
penses Of travelling and ofliving are enormous.
The passage from San Francisco to Suffers
Fort on the Sacramento, or Stockton, on the
San Joaquin (the usual landing places) is
now thirty dollars, and the passenger finds
his own provisions, and sleeps in his own
blanket in an open launch at that. A few
launches only have decks. When arrived
at either Of those places, he must buy horse
for two or three hundred dollars, or walk
some thirty to fifty miles over country, a
part Of which is probably the most barren,
rugged, rocky and mountainous ever be-
held.-He can get his luggage carried a
part Of the way by teams, at the rate Of
thirty cents per pound freight. That is the
usual price, but they have been charging
one dollar pound most of the time this
Spring.-Horses, oxen, mules and wagons
are very scarce and command great prices.
1t would pay well for all the emigrants who
cross the mountains to bring as many ami
mails and wagons as possible Good Ameri-
can cows are also in great demand the
California cows are not good mixers. But
ter is one dollar pound and milk from
twenty-five to fifty cents per quart An in
dustrious Yankee farmer can make more
money with dairy or vegetable garden than
he could at the mines, and with far less
labor And this fact will hold good in most
kinds of mechanical labor, taking the whole
year through, while the expenses and priva-
tons Of living and the risk of health and life
are far less. Last year there was great
deal Of sickness contracted at the mines,
mostly bilious fever, and fever and ague,
and many deaths occurred. Some died at
the mines, others on their way down in
launches, and others still after they arrived
in San Francisco and other places, Many
died from want Of attention even from their
swn friends and were carried off in cart
and buried without attendance except enough
to put them under ground. A Christian
burial was rare thing when | arrived in
California. Now there are several clergy
men stationed in different parts of the coun-
try, and it is to be hoped that better state
Of things will prevail. There is not hos
pital, to my knowledge, in all California,
and there is perhaps nothing SO much needed.
We are about 10 make an effort to raise one
at Benecia, and | think we shall succeed.
They have tried it in San Francisco but
failed to do anything. -Sefshness is the
predominant principle here. All the nobler
emotions Of the heart seem to be stihed in
the scramble far wealth.
Yours, truly, C. f. w.
P. S.--lf l can find time will speak Of
Benecia in my next
| BEsEcIA, Head of Ship Navigation
San Francisco Bay, April 29th, ls49.
DEAR SIR Before leaving the United
States fol- California had seen descrip-
ton Of Benecia (then called Francisco, J
which so fayorably impressed me with its
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