Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-05-28

and leaves for there 10 day. Cnnningham's mess
End the one TO which ]. w. Gallaher was at
tached. are on the Yuba River. Messrs. N.and
BIZ. Sewers are on the North Fork of the Ameri-
can river.
| have heard from all within a week, except
the two last messes, at which time all were in
good health. Probably, the -Yuba river affords
the sweet reward of labor in California, but no
money could induce me to remain along ~it{later
than the month of July. Sickness, disease, and
death thinned the ranks ofthose who were there
before the rainy season set in i%astfalt.
First, let me correct some information ! sent
you in my last letter. / wrote you that Mr..
Walper had made s., GOO, and Messrs. Comegys
and Wagner 81 900 each. Mr.. w. told me all
this himself. bnt [ have since been informed that
it is not correct, as he did not clear the one fifth
ofthat amount, not $500, nor the story correct as
far as concerns the other gentlemen. That be-
ing the case, I find that the average amount by
each of our company 10 be a little over Sl50!-
Rather a slow way 10 make a fortunes Some Of
your readers will say, why fortunes ARE made
there, because see names and places published.
agree that fortunes are made, but very few in
the mines, and to illustrate how they are made l
will give you an instance or two.
Tho gentleman who was elected SherItfofSa-
cramento county, 1.-TWO weeks ago. came from
the States via Texas and Mexico 10 Mazltlan,
where he took passage for San Francisco. On
arriving there he hadn't money enough to get
off the ship. One ofhis companions got ashore
and succeeded in raising enough OF the " need
ful'' to get Kinney off. K. went ashore, entered
into II gatlru o. nr,nte, "a game at cards, or rather
betting on particular cards.0 and came out OF the
establishment $15.0 900 winner, the next morning.
Hetkepton until he had made a pretty snug SUM.
when he %''jumped the game,' and engaged in
business. He is NOW worth $250,O00 {! made by
'many a twist and turn"
To-day, at noon, two gentlemen were pointed
out to me whilst dining, a former cap
tain and his mate. The latter possessing no tact
or ability, but fortune threw him into a fortune,
by speculatino in Iots-the captain has also made
a fortune, all by specializing in town lots. But
to show still further some OF the freaks of fortune,
/ will note one of the most worthy firms that has
been in this city, Priest, Lee 81 Co. The Co
consisted of IS or three gentlemen. One ofthe
firm went out a month after engaging, and drew
about 5000; another, shortly Withdrew, drawing
$1,000; Mr.. Priest withdrew six weeks ago, re-
ceiving $l25,O00; and lastiy. Mr.. Cornwall, sold
out to Mr.rLee, the remaining partner, last week,
for $432,O00-retaining some $4,000 worth of
property in city lots. How did they make their
money! Why, a great deal of ii by merchaDdi-
sing and trading, but the vast bulk by %specula.
tions in city lots-Mr. Lee left Oregon a year
ago, I am told aworser than broke,'' but now he
wakes up, and finds himself a millionaire! This
is the way fortunes are made, and those who
leave the States this spring for the mines will
find fortunes as scarce as .then's teeth!"
There is more gambling carried on here than IN
any State in the Union. Three men sat down
at a faro bank at the Suffer House, Tuesday
evening, at 5 O'Clock, and remained there the
whole night. The lowest bet was $500 on the
turn of a2card, and frequently thousands were
depending a friend of mine who happened TO
be present, told me he saw $27 900 down on a
card, andf that $4,000 bets were frequently made
that ni4tt. 10000, 900 it is estimated were
lost and won that night, but think he estimated
too high.
n'eIection for city and county officers took
place throughout the State on the first Monday
in this month. Edward ]. Willis, Esq of Char
lottesville, Va, was tripmphantly elected County
Judge, receiving three.fourths of all the votes
cast! He is a nobie.hearted fellow, and we'll
known throughout Virginia as formerly being
Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Tempe
rance. On.arriving, yesterday, L learned he was
sveryill. The city being again partially %lnundat-
ed.I procured a boat and was ferried to his Office.
Judge Willis has quite a sesere attack ofdysen-
terry, but Ienteftain great hopessof his recovery.
Although weIweFeSprssieusly acquainted~bg
character, our first meeting was at thes Western
base of the Rocky Mountains. Aslighta cgnain5
tanee has fipened into warm Friendships and, /,
with the community IN general, would greatly
.deploFeshis loss.
Oar mutual friend, b f. Washington, Esq
WaSza caIotuale IoIOlty BeCoEueTs IN ONCE o.
bonor, trust and profit. He lad some half a do
zen ofcompetiiors, but ompieteiydistance ID them
all. Although he came here ascomparative stran-
ger. forced 10 build his own fortune. yetthe now
possesses a popularity eqnalled by but few in
The city. The nIbaniiy of his cliaracieran gem
~tIeulaniy department have won for him the high
REGARDS Of the ostsdistinguished in The city. i
sincerely sreioice at his election, and his friends
at home have reason 10 be proud of the position
he now occupies. and gratifed at his growing
popularity. Mr.. w. looks better than lever be-
fore saw hin, u desigas sending for his family.
have just learned that Mr.W. has received
another appointmentof ahiglily honorable ehaT.
acter from Gov. Peter ii. Burnett. i fuFnishyou
a Transcript OF his commission
e THE PEoPEE OF THE STATE OF CAIHoRNfA:
ssToan otona tbese Presents shall oms-Gresiagf
g Know re. That reppsing special confidence
andtrust nthe aruinggsin integrity and industfyqof
BEsJANIA WAsHisGToN. PeterHs Burnett,
Governor of the State of California, in the name
and by the authority Of the people Of said SAFE
do, by these presents appoint him. tie said Benz.
il. Washington, a Notary Public for the County
Of Sacramento. Ia testimony whereof / have
caused the Great Seal OF said Stale tohe here
INTO affixed
8 Given under my hand at The Pueblo de San
Jose the LIST day or April, In the yearof our Lord