The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-03-15
California.

!
Scarcely steamer passes this point for N
Orleans, but what has a greater or less num-
Der of passengers bound for California. And
many of the st. Louis steamers are carrying
by numbers, who intend taking the overland
route. We are little surprised, after the
numerous and full accounts which have been
published of the suferings and trials of those
emigrants who went by this route last season,
to understand so many intend trying it again
this spring and summer. We deem the route
through Mexico, or by vessel far preferable.
That by vessel has already got to be but
Journey almost of pleasure. 1t costs more
than a trip by land. bat there is less risk and
more comforts, and in the end it is cheaper
The emigration to California this season, from
all we can gather in our exchanges, will al
most equal that of last season.
Yet, while SO many are preparing to 60 TO
that far distant region, crowds are returning
some, with rich rewards for their risk and
dangers and labors, others utterly impever-
ished Indeed the mass of those returning
are no better off than when they started. In
amount of cash with which he left, may be
considered lucky. 1t should then be sub
iect of serious reflection with those who are
discussing within themselves the question: to
90 or not 10 go-what are the causes which
have induced this multitude to return p
Why is every ship from California crowded
with persons sick of California ? The reasons
in part, are as follows: A few are unaccus-
toned to this separation from their families q;
so great distance, that they can hear from
them at bat long and tedious intervals. All
or the greater portion, are deprived Of those
comforts and that society, to which they have
Deen accustomed, and which even wealth
there cannot cluster around them. A very
few in comparison to the whole number. have
attained a sufIicency to return to the States
and realize here those comforts and that con-
genial companionship which their money
cannot bring them in California. They wen1
there TO make money, and having succeeded
their object is accomplished. All those who
have attempted mining, unite in declaring il
a laborious business, in which it is difficult tc
preserve the health and at the best. but {
lottery ia which the few draw prizes, but the
great mass gain nothing. Hundreds are re
turning to the ports Of that country, sick anC
disappointed with mining. They find the st
cities growing rapidly it is true, but crowded
with hundreds looking for work of any nature
that may be obtained. Those returning from
, the mines who have means TO return home
avail themselves of it while they can in mos
cases. But multtudes there are, if late &C
counts be true, who cannot get home, and arr
living in Indebtedness. To the man of cap
ital, there are doubtless excellent opportuni
ties for speculation-but the man without cap
: ital. is even worse off in California than here
In the majority of cases, it is a Punishment t.
the mines as hired laborer, or life o
wretchedness in the cities. Others again
find it impossible to preserve their health in ;
climate so different from that to which they
are accustomed. There are many othe
causes at the foundation Of the immense eb
: bling Of California emigration, which SHOULD
be deeply considered by those interested il
the matter. Our advice is-StGy at home.
There are property holders or Speculation
in California, and men in different kinds 0
business whose success is principally dcpen
dent upon the tide of emigration. tits thei
object to induce as many persons as they cal
to leave this country, and emigrate to Cali
fornia. They write letters home, intended tt
reach the public through the press, filed will
statements calculated to fdscinate not only
adventures, but even the sober minded por
ton of the people. These letters have work
ed great influence, and they are continuing
; to do SO. BE guarded against this influence
Then there are accounts, doubtless true, o
immense amounts of gold brought over BY
ships. Recollect this golC is not sent by thu
, mass ofcitizens but by the rich capitalists
Think over all these things. and you will be
6 come wiser men.