The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-04-10
"E Nh ok DRIFT UPON
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, APRIL TO- 1880

per pair. These prices may seem almost incrcd-
ible, but they are nevertheless true. Specula-
ton RACES high in this city. There are hundreds
of men running about from point to point, spe-
culating in whatever they can lay their hands
upon. They create a scarcity to make plenty
and then destroy that plenty to create scarcity
Nothing escapes their viglant observation-not
even the steamboat tickets, which are sought
after by the disappointed and home sick miner;
they buy them up and by claiming an enor-
nous per cent. for their purchase, often visit dis
appointment and misfortune upon their country
men. They are the most numerous class of
community here, unless it be the gamblers: and
the modification is, that many, yea, very many
of them in the States were engaged in legit-
mate business. AS to their present trade, re-
gard it as more degrading than that of the gam
bier. Indeed they are more unscrupulous in
their efforts tosdestroy the weak and nccessitous
than the gambler.
word as to the Psst Office in this place.
The arrangement for the quick and easy deliv
cry Of letters here very deficient. When
steamer arrives, the Office is closed for from two
to four days, as the mail matter varies in quar-
tity. When the Office opens, there e.but two
small holes for the general delivery. One from
the letter A to the letter K, and the other from
to Z, with one clerk to each hole These
two small holes are to supply the demands of
all the American population in California. You
must perceive that they are perfectly inadequate
to tba &c fbo Tbo
is, that there is always an immense crowd at the
post office. If you wish to procure letter, ycu
must 60 to the office, or quarter of mile from
the office; take your place in line, and slowly
march up behind from 2 to 500 men, until your
turn places you at the window. 1t often takes
4 and hours of crowding and jamming, swear
ing and tearing, to reach the window After
the arrival of the late steamer, l took nv post
at the early hour of four in the morning, waited
until o'clock for the office to open, and then
got no letters at that Chances near the window
are readily sold for five, ten and twenty dollars
1t is the most contemplate buresque upon pos
tai convenience that ever existed. The office
is entirely too small. There is but one clerk,
where there should be at least three, and the
whole thing wears an aspect of awkwardness
and negligence that should not be tolerated.
provision in the postotcc law especially fer
this office should have been made, extending the
time of making up the dead letter mail, from 3
to and 8 months--for the reason that hundreds
of men go into the mines, and do not return for
six or eight months. When they return from
the mines, they are surprised to find no back
letters. The reason is, they have been advcr-
tised and sent back to Washington. BY this
operation, the Post Master is looser, the gov
ernment is a looser, and the individual disap-
pointed and enragcd man.
| word as to the morality of this city. There
is more dissipation and lccntiousness here than
any place ever was in. Almost every house
is drinking, gambling, and lewd house
You can scarcely enter a drinking house, a
boarding house, or dwelling house, but your
modestyi is shocked by some lewd Partisan pic
ture. 1t does seem though the every devils
ncarnate'' were let loose.
l believe have now written you all that will
afford you any interest. One word more. | have
just met Churchman. formerly lawyear of Du-
buque. He started from New Orleans, has been
over thirteen months on the road and arrived
here pretty well used up. Sam Walker, of
Dubuque, also arrived here to-day. .....
Write me again. Present my best wishes for
the health & happiness ofmy family and friends,
and believe me your sincere friend, ..
,+,f VIM. ii. MERRITT.
Hon. II. II. BENTON, Jr. l..