Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-03-23
AusuRs, CALIFORNIA,
Forty miles north Sacramento City,
January 20, 1850.

January ~, iooo'
Since the commencement, of the rainy sea-
son, we have been barely paying expenses,
which is quite contrary 10 our expectations.
We, however, work every favorable day
Another great thing against Us is, the scarcity
Of gold in this vicinity. We have all along
been at work in the ravine which we started
at, working ou, the sides, which pays not
more than 4, 5 and 6S per day 10 man.
As soon as the rains are over, am going far
iher North TO work in the dry diggings and
will remain there until the rivers are low
enough to be worked
The winters here | would prefer to our
cold ones at home, If it were not for the fre-
quent rains. When we have clear day, it
is lighlful--neiiher too cold, nor too warm.
am far from believing this country TO be
as unhealthy as il is represented. 1t is true
we hear of great many deaths bu, thus is
in a majority Of cases, brough, about by ex-
posure tina, few in the ''Old Thirteen" could
undergo. The little sickness have expert
enced since here. was produced by exposure
that would have laid me up for months at
home.
Sacramento city has turned out, as many
persons predicted "a miserable location for a
town. Being very low, the greater part OF
the city is overfowed whenever we are visi-
ted with a heavy rain.
There was ball al Suffers Fort last week.
Quite large and respectable company were
present TO engage in the merry dance. AL
though we cannot number, in proportion 10
the population, as many of the fair sex as
you still there are some here, and, can as
sure you, they are good specimens o: the sex.
In fact, they are perfect heroines; and, i'll
coming 10 this distant land, 10 share the fate
of the sterner SEX in a lottery more hazard
Gus than those which infest your cities, they
have exhibited spirit of devotion and disin-
tevestedness that deserves the highest COM
. mendation. Those at the ball were not only
handsome, but some of them were very in
| teligent. never saw company Of persons
enjoy themselves more, although many of
. them had met with nothing but misfortune
since their entrance in this land Of "golden
Dreams" This reunion had a very happy
clcCl vi pCeCut' 1hc ohio'tph"iC 'S
turned 10 their arduous labors with renewed
energy and spirit, hoping, with the smile Of
fortune, to be soon able to commingle with
u their friends al home in the same happy mall
ner as they did at the Fort
But few letters and papers reach me from
V home. The Pos, Office a, San Francisco i.
e in very confused condition Many o: The
: letters are never delivered and when we dt
!, get them, they cost MS sum that would no
, be considered lou postage with yon. From
San Francisco 10 ihi. place, the carriage of 3;
letter is So ,00-to San Francisco 1 90. Tn,
express Ider was drowned on his way TO thi
place, and all the papers he had with hin
y were lost, among which were, suppose, m
anxionsly looked for letters
The indians are still stealing cattle, &c
IS from the Americans, both North and abou
lr these diggings. Some 20 miles North of ihi
the Americans burnt their village, and kille
several of them for it, They, as is natura
II relalate, and there is now a married man
y with large family, missing
Deer have been very plenty about here
y" until the present month Grisly Bears ar
10 in rather too great number. for comfort.
number Of them, with their cubs, have bee
is killed in this neiehborhood. The Wolf q
Koyoia, are aronnd us as thick as bees. The
are pretty animal-aboui as large as com
ri mon sized dog, and perfectly harmless.
like to hear Them howl al night. They do
to perfection.
l. Christmas | spent quite pleasantly vii
Messrs. Robin and Markley, OF Wesimorelan
Co, Pa. They ieasled me with IA fine ven
IT son pie, done Up in as good style rs you wi
get III a more refined country than lhi,
The merchaG > in Auburu,--:.ud IA host
them there are, ioo--aGe DONG very lIil
business this w,nler. Neither are the gam.
h lers, making much head way jus, now.
S. the end however, they will be the most sue
e, cesslnl gold hunters.
er Provisions still keep up to an enormou
of price. A short time since we bough, bal
,e rel of -four which cost sl6o. II has been a
/. high, however, as Si,25 per pound BY III
m barrel, Fortunately for us, if even the du!
of is scarce at the present time, we have o
" hand good supply of provisions,
g. We were visited with snow the other day
at which lasted but few hours, the sun bein
D- too hot 10 leave ii lay any time. Snow
m seen distinctly all around us on the hig
s. mountains.
Of Yours truly,