The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-01-16

mines Will De nereaner WOrk6o. - ~
The demand for tickets for the steamers
at San Francisco is very great, and they
have been sold at 100 per cent. advance.
There is considerable silver coin, most
ly Mexican dollars, in circulation in San
Francisco, but the gamblers hoard it for
the purpose of making large show in
their banks.
A short supply Of food for the Winter
was feared in the diggings, but the wild
cattle were depended upon to prevent ac-
tual starvation. Preparations were also
making to import largely from the Sand
wich Islands, Oregon and the Southern
coast.
The old miners were generally of the
opinion that next season would wind up
profitable mining under the present rude
system.
The reported discovery of vein of
gold at Col. Fremont's rancho was con-
sidered to be a ruse to attract the attention
Of miners in that direction.
An express line has been established di-
rectly from the Mines to New York; and
Mr.. Gregory, the first messenger, arrived
by the Empire City. He brought a con-
siderable number of packages of gold dust
from miners to their relatives here, orders
for merchants, &c., &C., and will return
in January. 1t is called Gregory's Ex-
press, and will have messenger by every
steamer. Arrangements have been made
to ensure through by this line.
Mr.. V. Daniels writes to the New York
Tribune, from Old Dry Diggings, under
date of October 90, and says the company
he crossed the plains with made the quick
est trip on record, being but sixty-eight
travelling days from the Missouri to the
Diggings. About the gold operation he
says:
"There are now thousands of people
working in the mines. all busily employed
! in digging up the gold, which abounds in
every stream and ravne that can be found,
Some of them are doing well; others not
much, but all who dig literally get their
gold by the "sweat of their brow," and I'm
less a person is hardy and acquainted
with labor, it is useless for him to dig for
the purpose of becoming rich. have
seen three persons take out four or five
pounds of gold in day, and often 800
to man for many days in succession;
but it requires the hardest kind of labor.
On the whole, however, the miners are do
ing we'll. and will be well paid for their
labor"
He thus describes the administration of
Justice at the mines:
"The people have elected their Alcaldes
from among the hardy miners, and are
disposed to obey the laws of their country
as far as the unsettled state of affairs will
permit. An afray took place between a
Jack Williams and one DR.. Runkins, on
last Tuesday night. Williams attempted
to stab Runkns with dirk-knife, and cut
through his clothes on the left breast, but
without injury to his person. Williams
was taken before the Alcalde and ordered
to give bail for his good conduct for the
future, and pay costs of suit. But the peo-
pie, not being satisfied with the justice Of
the Court, Immediately passed resolutions
instructing Williams to leave the diggings
in ten hours or they would make him face
sappling, and give him fifty lashes on
the bare back; but about fifteen minntes
before the time was up Williams was seen
making his way over the hills to escape
the just indignation of the people. Lynch
law prevails here TO some extent, but the
people seem disposed to exercise it only
in extreme cases."
SCENE AT THE Posi- -OFFIcE.--On Satur-
day morning, at an early hour, despite the
straight downwardness of the rain, and the
muddy, slippery, contemplate condition
of the streets, multitude beseiged the
Post-O Office for letters, which would have
done honor to the intelligence ofthe proud
est metropolis of the Union. Of course
all could not be accommodated at once,
and SO "a way of coming at it' was adopt
ed which reflected still more lustre on the
American name. Lines were formed,
stretching down slippery hill to the dis
tance of eighty feet from the Office Should
er to shoulder stood men from every part
of the United States, and step was gain
ed whenever one had made his inquiries
at the window and retired. Afer the lines
were formed they remained unbroken, and
accessions to the number must ''fall in
behind" Not unfrequently persons would
remain in the ranks for three and four
hours. "Places" near the window were
sold for five and ten dollars. All this
was done in rain, to bear up against
which would have tried the fortitude ofeven
Oregonioms:-Alta Californian, Nou. 8.
GOLDEN PRospEcTs OF Col. FREMONT
The last Philadelphia News contains a let
ter from Washington, stating ''that letters
have been received by Mr.. Benton from
Col. Fremont, in which the indefatigable
explorer states, that upon a piece ofground
purchased by him, near the Bay of San
Francisco, gold mind has been discov-
cred, which in magnitude and wealth ex-
ceeds any thing Of the kind found in Cali
fornia. 1t is not placer, but natural
mine in which the virgin mineral is con.
Ill Lz. 4