Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-08-19
Letter froaka California.
SACRAMENTO City, Alta California, !
June goth, 1850.

June 2bth, 1901.
Dear Friend By the June Steamer wrote
to you for the first time since my arrival here
Nothing of importance has transpired since that
time worthy of comment, unless it be the aleg
ed discovery of placer called "God Lake" a.
bout 300 miles from this place, towards the Ser
ra Neveda mountains. The greatest excitement
prevailed here for about ten days. in regard to it,.
Rumor reported it rich beyond all previous dis
coveries yielding from an ounce to pound pr
pan. The consequence was, thousands Hocked
in that direction. Many W no We're making an
ounce pr day left for the Gold Lake. From one
town, up the river in one day, 1000 took the
path to the new digginos. Mules and horses
went up to enormous prices, and some necessary
articles OF food in proportion. Later advices
however, say the take is not 10 be found. Snow,
in that region, is now from TO feet deep, and
the guides who were conducting parties, are I'M
able to fluid their way. Many have returned
but very large number remain there, or in the
neiehborhood; some have found good diggings.
No doub. there are rich dggngs near the noun
tain. The waters are still high miners not do
ing much. From the Southern mines we learn
they are working the quartz rock Oh the Mira
posa One company, with machinery, it is
said, are taking out $4,000 daily. The average
yield TO the miners is about IS per day-many
make from one TO three and four ounces pr day;
some more but very many do nothing. 1t is
thought that the waters will keep up until late !;
if so, the mining season will be short one this
year All the mines are crowded-1O feet to a
man.
A new trade has sprung up in the mines
the manufacture of Gold Specimens, weighing
from ~ to 20 ounces made OF brass and "copper"
and then galvanized with gold, have been sold
in this market, and brought large prices, the
purchaser considering them fine specimens of
pure gold. Two men have been arrested on a
charge Of making and selling these valuable
Jumps. Counterfeit gold coin is also liz circula-
ton have heard that all the implements ne
cessary for that business We're brought across the
plains last year from your State.
Real estate keeps up. Lots in this city, in the
business part, range from $500 to $4,000
without Improvements. Rents are high. From
$3.50 to $1,000 for store houses pr month. There
are some magnificent drinking and gambling
houses in this city. 'I.ee's Exchange is 100
by IS feet, and in the Concert room overhead,
hangs manfcent chandelier, costing several
thousand dollars. The empire Saloon" ano-
ther gambling and drinking house, is IS feet by
SIS, giving an area to the floor of 4,125 feet
These houses are furnished off in a style superior
to any of the kind in the States.
Considerable attention is now given to agri-
culture: and most of the lands suitable, near the
good Spanish titles and their cattle sell Tor from
$4,000 to $40, 600.
In this place we have good and comfortable
nj. E. Church. The Presbyterians and Epsco-
palians also have places of worship, but as yet
have not built churches. There are here four
Masonic and three Odd Fellows Lodges. On the
oath inst, the Masons had procession, dinner
&C., and assisted in laying the corner stone of
the new Court House. There is also one Divis-
ion of the Sons Of Temperance.
Vegetables are plenty-the market is full of
Turnlps, Carrots, Peas, &c. Some articles of
provisions are now high. Coffee 80 cents and
Sugar 40 cents Every thing else at fair rates.
The excitement spoke of in my last, be-
tive en- the land holders and squatters continues.
1t wonld take TOO much time and space to give
you a full account of the matter. The whole
may be comprised i'll this. Suffer petitioned the
Governor of California, in 1899 OR '40, for a
grant Of eleven leagues OF land designating the
boundaries. &c.,--a grant was made subject to
the approval of the Mexican government, and
Suffer took possession CT the land. Under this
grant ne has sold-specnlators have the most of
it now, and they claim the title from him as
good. The squatters contend that the grant
made, differs from that asked for, in this that
the Southern boundary does not reach so far
South as this place, but is nine minutes Of lati-
tude, north consequently the land here never
was granted. They also contend that the grant
of land to Sutter never was approved by the
Mexican Government; and this the adverse par
ty admits. Several quarres have taken place,
and some houses have been pulled down hot
work will begin ere long II Congress should
appoint Commissioners 10 settle the question of
title, let US have honorable, high-minded men
from the States men who cannot be bought for
money or land who can withstand the tempta-
ton Of pounds of gold dust Every man in Of
flee, believe, in California, from the Governor
down, are land spectators; many of them, the
Governor particularly, deeply interested in the
settlement of this question l mean of the land
upon which this City stands. In the Courts of
this State the squalters have no show of justice.
There is something wrong about the natter
Suffer, under his grant, sold the land here. He
has also sold lands 200 miles above this; GER
tainly eleven leagues cannot embrace both ends
of the tract.
From 100 to 300 Immigrants arrive hare dai.
ly, by water, and put off to the mines, where
| they will certainly see the d-l-elephant. We
look for the overland emigration next month
G..