Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-02-11
CALIFORNIA LETTER.

We make the following extract fiom letter
received from BENZ f. CLARKE, of Missouri,
but recently from Jefferson county, Va The let.
ter is published in the Char1estown papers.
81 have been here since the 10th Of September,
and have some knowledge Of the country. The
papers from the States give glowing accounts Of
California, some Of which are highly col,red but
think not much exaggerated. Your newspaper
accounts in their general character are true. but
those large fortunes, made so suddenly, were BY
perstns who game early to the country. There
is still plenty OF gold left, but owing to the largo
population IN search of IT, fortunes cannot be 80
easily obtained, except indeed some unexplored
lead should be found which is as vet in darkness.
In mining. money cannot be so made 50 lavishly az
heretofore, but still, the metal is in this country,
and by industry and perseverance at other callings
money still can be rapidly accumulated
"'Ihs is one OF the countries for filthy lucre;".
have never seen 50 much money before, as | DO
here daily. did not start ont with an inflated
idea of making very large fortune in very
short time my views were to take advantage. Of
circumstances, if favorable, to make it COUNT il
possible, if not, to be satisfied with the result
If had been in money making business in the
States, should not have left for California, but
having bad health, my hopes of benefits physcal-
Nv were DIS great DIS IHUSo Vi pecuHldTy klnO au
| now think my general health will b, greatly
improved before leave this country.
'sWiih all the advantages of making money
here, would not advise any one doing ucra-
tive business in the States, OF even making
enough to enjoy the comforts Of civilized life, to
quit and come here. 10 do your best in this
country life is almost coniortless for gold cannot
well repay the priva,ions ofall kinds that her vo.
,aries in California must undergo To live in
the wild woods among garments, or q deep and
lonely ravlne of a mountain, TO do your own work.
wash, cook. and sleep on the ground is rather
more romantic than suits every taste. But |
am here, and in 9 hard row for stumps' aud I
will make a pile if perseverance and honorable
means will obtain it.
1.-The people here are strictly honest, the small
est offences are rg'dy punished theft is death
There is but little crime, however, and the most
amicable relations are preserved among the nl-
ners and the people generally.
"When the mining places are crowded, tho
rule is, ten feet to man, and as long any one
Of the mining instruments are left on the ground,
YOU viii never be moested. When the washeror
pick is removed, then the place is free, and il
sometimes happens that fortunes are made from y
race that had been abandoned. Gold digging IS
like other games Of hazard-rnore in luck than
management 1t may properly be called a splen.
did lottery, with less blanks, however, than you
have in your schemes in the States.
Managing, Specializing men. with money, are
making more here than the diggers.
"Say to emigran,s who wish TO cross the
plains. to take the left hand road at the sink Of
81. Mary's river, the roads fork two miles west Of
the sink. the right is the old Trucky road-the
left the Carson road and is decidedly the best, bus
advise no one to cross the plains.
"This is good country for poor man. as he
is never obliged to work for any body--he can ds
his money out Of the ground when he wars !"
and work when it suits him.
81 have suffered three weeks with HE dysen-
terv and have been unable to niDe any. l am
better however, as paid doctor S35, fer ties
ysiisn