Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-07-20
THE DAILY TIMES.
FROM CALIFORNIA.

FROM CALIFORNIA.
| Interesting Letter from Citizen Of Richmond.
| A friend, to whom the following letter was adj
dressed, having granted permission, we gladly
spread it before our readers. In this city, where
the author is so well known and so universally
esteemed, we need scarcely say his statements
will be received with the most implicit reliance ::
MARysvILLE, Cal, May 23d, 1850
Dear Friend: 10 my letter from Panama, | informed
you of my expectations OF leaving that place in few
days accordingly lett on gath March, and arrived at
San Francisco on 18th April, having had delightful
passage, only making one stoppage lat Acapulco Mex
ico) OF three days On arriving at San Francisco,
found my vessel i'll por-she arrived IA days before
me)-and of the dulIest markets my bad
luck to encounter. After trying my best 10 sell, with
out effect came to the determination 60 far
water would carry me; SO here am, at MArysvile, up
tyafds Of TWO hundred miles from San Francisco, after
passing through parts OF the Sacramento and Feather
rivers. 1t took US fifteen days to make the passage
having generally head wind and calns, and aiwaysa
strong ccSent against Mosquitoes are rather plenti
tul hereabouts Tor comfort, and they attack one IN
swarms. Having lived the Mosquito coast for three
years. thought had seen and encountered this insect
but have been annoyed by them these rivers in
two weeks than in all my life before. 1t is really u-
credible what quantities will attack But as an an
tdote to them, the river water is the most delightful
man tasted-cool as ice, and sweet a nut The
cause OF the water being cool results from tile
melting on the mountains, which are IN view now,
while writing covered with snow, and present the most
beautiful sight you imagine when the sun shines on
them
This is rather singular climate: five months it rains
necessarily and the other months OF the year not
drop OF rain falls. The thermometer now i'll the day
stands from 80 ITO degrees, still the nights very
cool and refreshing. My expectations in California
have been sadly disappointed and see but little pros
pect of their mendng shortly. year two ago, it
would have been differenthen, any person could make
I h fYrO IN no q a
time, and perceive but little difference between the
folks here and at home After getting the vessel up
here, found it impossible to SELL SO was compelled to
land the cargo-took store, and have been trying to
sell by wholesale and retail 1t would make you laugh
to see the house occupy, and the rent paid for it
Fancy house Is feet 'front.' 30 feet deep front of plank,
the balance Zone sory) covered with cotton coh-such
as they retail in Richmond tol or cents per yard
and you have full view OF my mansion This you
may call dry house. Therent paid is $500 per
month and this in town where four months ago,
only mud house existed but it has now 1900 in
habants. Towns spring up like mushrooms in this
country.
Within thirty miles Of this place a dozen towns have
been recently laid out have strong notion of trying
my hand in of them; fortunes be made here
casonaly. For instance, the propretors OF this town,
-four of them) bought ranch-as they call it here
farm with us-for mere rife; they laid out town,
and its natural advantages being great they are now in
depently rich. At this time but few fortunes are made
in trade TRUTH business is very dull all through the
country as have fully ascertaied by conyersing W TIL
persons from all quarters. The miners able to
make than their expenses, in luence Of the RI
vers being too high. Believe me, my friend mining is the
hardest work in the world; working canal at home
is mere pastime compared with it. The thermometer
being awulIy hot in the day, and almost winter night,
and the miners being exposed in thin tent with only
pair of blankets you need not be surprised hear that
| great many die.
California seems to ne at this time not unlike hum
bug and could say with all my heart, the nego song
goes "Carry file back to old Virginia" cannot ascer
tain Backwefs location. called twice to Colonel
Muntord, but failed. You have doubt heard OF DR..
Snels DEATH have only seen two OF the persons who
came out in the Genmore and Marann, VIZ John Ro-
bnson, who stad at Haxall & Brothers, and Mr..
Howell, OF Richmond, relative of Mr.. Gaynors A
few, are dead and the balance scattered about
the country mostly in the Mines 1t has been my mis-
fortune to have enjoyed days health since about
the 7th OF April to date MY old enemy tthe dyspep-
sia) made terrible attack me, from which have
yet recovered it has made very thin, but hope
for better things hereafter.
| trust you had pleasant time at the Grand Lodge
last month Though absent in person, Was with you
IN spirit Few Friday nights pass without my being at
the Lodge in imagination You can truly say to the
Lodge that my attachment for the Order has not aba
ted one iota 1t is in this country, in all others,
great blessing mankind; for in San Francisco, short
time since, the Odd Fellows there expended $500
on poor fellow picked up in the street Good deeds,
without number have been done by the Order, through
this land The steamer is nearly ready to start,
must draw to close. Give my respects to trends
and acquantauces,
| And believe me your friend,
JNO. D. GRAFT.
P. S. In my opinion, this country will better suit men
with only moderate means, few years hence, than
nowthe cash system being rather too strong at pre-
SENT and the expense OF living much too high. Money
absolutely slips lmperceptbly through mans fingers In
California The cost OIL living here varies from s. to
tha of if1ftIy