The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-24

Correspondence Of NJ Y. Journal commsrcs.l
San FRANCISCO, May, 1850.
Time flies and finds me STILL like many in California.
among the producers Mining At present is Out OF
the question the and there are bat low lOcx-
ton: land those taken up among the dry dggings where
much profitable mining be done. As consequence,
business is Extremely dull Merchants here hardly know
how TO account for it, but with me il is mystery;
know how miners do and oal stint themselves when they
and flour. go great way, and sustain life long time.
and ragged clothing bare feet disgrace among
miners The truth is, that necessity actual necessity,
makes them frugal at the present tune. The early rush
for the mines made in February last, and named in my
letters caused by the sudden breaking in OF spring,
and was altogether premature From that very period
the waters commenced rising, and now, think, al
their highest point. Among the thousands who then
went, and have since gone to the mines may say that
probably not ones sixth have any means TO live upon
Nearly all the young adventures who here reach
the mines either fiat broke, indebted friend
Hence, being thrown entirely upon their resources
makes wide difference whether they make their first
strike in rich poor dggngs in favorable uniavor-
able The scores whom meet daily returning,
utterly Disguised and dsheartened, key which
plains the cause OF the present dull state OF things IN the
cities. Ieaming, too, is extremely low, | have known
Of large loads being hauled from this place TO the noun,
ans at three per pound Ten cents is the standard
price. Nearly all the mining region is surfeied with
less than they can be purchased here This is the work
OF the Transfers who large class, and have all made
small fortunes during the past winter while prices were
50 high. Finding il impossible to get loading, these
have invested their surplus funds in goods and
established depos in the mines The present low prices
result from their anxiety TO SELL and the inability OF the
make all these things right for the gold will be disclosed
in unparalleled richness Every day brings accounts OF
new discoveries and fresh specimens are daily being ex
working dry diggings with the Long Tom" bring forth
these Jumps such profuson that they have ceased to De
curiosity have examined within two weeks solid
Jumps Che most beautiful | SAW varying in
weight from two hundred to two thousand dollars,
most of which have been taken from the dry. dig
gings between the north and middle forks OF the
American river In fact, on every hand the evidences
present themselves of the exceeding richness OF these pla
GERS II will surprise you, then, when assert that tem
Bile when look upon the vast mutudes who are daily
leaving this place for the mines Why. II would seem
if the whole world on the move In ships steam
ers briggs; they pouring-one vast deluge OF human
beings, whose name is legion would say, iet tnem
success, if they the right kind OF men but glance
tells me they not They are men OF pyny frames,
unused % labor Or hardship and ies keeny lot them
them. Next TALL will witness thousands OF disprted
young men, whose hearts now buoyant with hope.
soldiers. Low Germans Chilians and Mexicans, pedomi
nate, Tor obvious reason they are men inu red 10
hardship and poor living but these young Americans,
who lay down the pen scissors to take up me crow
and work like galley slaves, cannot expect to succeed nn
less they possess great energy and untnng industry
Could some OF your readers be here for one week. and
have been unsuccessful they would perhaps view Cali
fOrna in different aspect man called, asking charity
Today craving hard dollar with which 10 purchase a
dinner He was miserable looking creature, having
been sick since his arrival in the country six months
ago He was from Licking county Ohio, where he has
wife and family Sorry am TO say that among the many
the claims Of charity but little regarded One OF the
foremost the ranks OF the benevolent is Dr. w Grove
Deal real estate agent in this city have heard some OF
his public appeals and when he concluded was only
confirmed in the impression made on my mind when
first his features The head heart and hands of hls
philanhropc individual all combined in successive
efforts to benefit his brother man. mentally morally and
al, sf{u
such citizens am told be is prospecting. do not won
del. at it; for
''The steps Of good ordered by the Lord"
| met yesterday two gentlemen from your city,
who had been to the mines and returned penness Ons
OF them, for whom provided lodgings the floor OF my
apartment perfectly downcast In torrent OF cpl
thes he vented his ana,hemas upon all newspapers and
letter. writers who had in any way contributed TO this tas
he termed t) diabolical humbug and be wound up BY
wishing California and It's mines warm berth IN very
bad place. After conversng calmly with him, saw a
glance ohy he had not succeeded When he first ar
rived here, he heard of the rich dggings Deer creek
and. without pausing TO inquire whether he would have
opportunity OF securing lead be went al once TO tina
location As might have been expected be found every
foot of the ground occupied for the wide spread
OF those dggngs has cengegaed crowds in the vicinity
and leads held at from one to ten thousand dollars
He had money to buy lead, and, finding none vacant
he did not seek any other dggings but returned in the
state OF mind above described. The truth is, that nc
man can form any correct Judgment OF his chances
for success under two months after he reaches the
mines, unless he has extraordinary luck Experience
proves this, for any new miner may be provided witt
rich lead, where old miners, all sides contiguous
10 him. making average oil two ounces per day
and be will not be able TO make eight dollars HI
will either pour water into his rocker too last or too slow
he will incline the machine too much loo little he
will lose half his gold IN the operation OF pannng out
in his great anxiety to gold, he will wash large
amount OF dust which is useless Nor will he nor car
he learn TO rectify these mistakes in day, week, OF
many weeks Like every other pursuit, mining has il
pecuari,ies, and he who steadily applies himself may
become expert and succeed In this respect nine enh
who here TO mine at fault II they startled tc
learn trade home, they would only expect TO acquire
by steady application nor would they expect to realize
any benefits from it, until they at least as well
quanted with il those who had been longer engaged
Then, other things being equal location good, &c. they
would have reason to feel chagnned, II Their expcc
were disappointed; not otherwise But come here
to mne and go TO these rough diggings, without once
thinking OF DISAPPOINTMENT expecting to take hold and
pull up the virgin gold without much toll Qr3ebor; and
founded TO find that they rock the cradle with
hand and dip with the other The two notions confnse
them the stiff arms back, and knees OF the first day
prove too much Tor them, and they some oil them
leaving fortunes beneath where they fret struck their
shovel have gone my old ground Of advice the
unnitiasd and there is much lameness this mining
theme, that am weary OF preaching upon II but see
you continue to publish my letters and report tells thai
California correspondence IL read with much avidity
trusting you will do the favor to suppress my letters
whcrr your numerous readers surfeited with them.
Yours truly. W.
Tribute of Respect
Al the last meeting Of the Philophrcnan Society Columbian
following
/ cpprted were nanim ous ly