The North-Carolina standard., 1850-08-07
THINGS ON THE PACIFIC.

fire in May or that in December. The entire amount
Of property destroyed by these three fires is said to
have been not less than from twelve to fifteen mil
lions of dollars. The American spirit cannot, how
ever, he subdued-for in hour and half after the
fire had been arrested, carpenters were busy employ
ed, re-laying the foundations. Artesian wells are
also be sunk, reservoirs constructed and hook and
ladder and engine companies organized, to preserve
the city in future.
As to the gold prospects, the accounts give new
view of the localities and mode of working the mines.
correspondent of the New York Journal of Com
merce says that, in consequence of the high waters,
operations at the mines will not be commenced in
earnest much before August-yet, in this reduced
mining season of four months, the amount of gold
taken out will reach at least fifty millions of dollars.
This amount, it is said, owing the vast emigration
to the mining regions, will necessarily be more dis
ributed, and the profits Of each mine be consldera-
bly, less, than during the last season.
After the present year, machinery will necessarl-
y be brought into requsition and the gold will
probably be chiefly extracted from the mother source,
the quartz and other rock in the mountains known
to contain the precious metal in nexhausble abun-
dance. Every foot of ground in the valies. yet dis
coved, known to contain "gold washings" has al
ready been taken up by claimants, whose claims are
s. staked out =" with much precision as the lots
of Spectators in our new towns and cities. Each
claimant, believe, is allowed by the regulations es-
tablished among the miners, thirty feet square, and
his title to much is rgidy respected and protect
ed. The "washings'' yet discovered, will probably
be nearly exhausted the present year.
discovered rich mines. The San Francisco Herald
says there will be greater quantity OF gold dug out
this summer than ever before. The specimens from
San Joaquin and the Sacramento, 60 to prove that
the ore is inexhaustble. 1t has been found richer in
the mountains of Los Angeles (South) than even In
the mines Of Mariposa. In the former, science and
machinery will be requiste-but sufficient employ
ment and compensation will there be afforded to three
fourths at least of all superanous labor of the Uni
ted States.
On Feather River the greatest excitement prevails,
in consequence of the discovery Of vast bed of au-
rferous quartz, which exceeds in quantity and rich
ness, the specimens from the mountains OF Los An
gelOs. The pure was found in beautiful threads
and spangles-the vein 30 feet wide, and IN some
portions, producing dollar to ounce OF rock In
common blacksu.i,h's forge, $32 were smelted out
of piece of rock weighing Ia lbs.
Al Mockesin and Raltlesnake Creeks, in the South,
no one makes less than ounce per day. Nuner-
nails, throw up dams, TO " walk into " the hidden
treasure.
In the low hills of the Valley of San Jose, be-
tween the Contra Costa and Coast ranges OF noun
tains, and four five miles from the Pueblo, gold
has been newly found in the form of ore-,he high
est assay Welding S73 cents and the lowest 25 cents,
to the pound OF ore. On the whole, the Pacific News
says:
There is no doubt on our minds that the mineral
wealth of California will be found incalcuab'y great
ined. Every days discovery goes to confirm this
opinion and facts within our knowledge warrant US
in saying that the present season will bring to light
the most startling developments in vein or quartz
mining.
In oregon, too, they have found gold. 1t is said
that one of the richest mines the shore of the Pa
cifc has been discovered iu the Spokan country,
some 400 miles from the city, and up the Columbia
The sand from the Spokan has III its bulk about one
quarter gold. Rogue River, too, will afford proita-
kl,S Gov Ian hao here. n
negotiate treaty with the Indians, preparatory 10
working the gold mines. The opinion is confident
ly expressed, that the middle region of Oregon is to
become the grand FL Dorado Of the age.
Laborers of all kinds said TO be much wanted
in Oregon. Carpenters receiving from 50 to IL
per day, and common day laboiers from 81 to 5 per
day. Tailors charge $50 for making dress coat,
and 80 10 for vests and panaloons. School teach
ers in demand and at their prices. The peo-
pie of Oregon have an abundance Of health, money
and provisons-a most happy condition!
Truth STRANGER THAN Fiction. The Pennsyl-
vania correspondent Of the st. Louis Republican, OF
May I'd, relates the following occurrence:
A Young man recently made his escape from the
galleys at Toulouse. He was strong and vigorous,
and soon made his way across the country and esca-
ped pursuit. He arrived the next morning before
cottage in open field, and stopped to beg some
thing eat, and concealment while he reposed ht-
tie. But he found the inmates of the cottage in tn
greatest distress. Four little children sat trembling
in corner, their mother weeping and tearing
her hair, and the father walking the floor in agony
The galley slave asked what was the matter and the
father replied that they that morning to be turn
ed out OF doors because they could not pay the rent
g You driven to despair" said the father;
smy wife and little children without food or Shelter
and without means to provide for them" The con-
vict listened to this tale with Of sympathy, and
then said:
| 81 will give you the means have but just es-
caped from the gaeys; whosoever secures and takes
me back escaped prisoner is entitled to a reward
10 ~ "'' '''"''' '''" '''''" '''' '''' '|'' N0
"Forty francs,' answered the father.
| "Well." said the o,her,'' "put cord around my
body, will follow you to the city, they will recog-
nize me, and you will ge, fifty france tor bringing
me back.''
"No, never! exclaimed the astonshed listener,
I" my children shall starve dozen times before
would do so base thing. :"
The generous young man insisted, and declared at
last that he would go and give himself up if the ia
ther would not consent to take him. After long
struggle the latter yieded and taking his preserver
by the arm, led him to the city and to the Mayors
office. Every body was surprised that little man
like the father had been able to capture such strong
Young fellow, but the proof was before them; the
fifty francs paid and the prisoner sent back to
the gaeys But after he was gone, the father asked
a private interview of the Mayor, to whom he told
the whole story. The Mayor was SO much affected
that he not only added fifty francs to the father
purse but wrote Immediately to the Minister OF JUS
tce begging the noble young prisoners release ihe
Minister examined into the affair, and finding that u
was comparatively small offence which had con-
demned the young man to the galleys, ana tnat ne
had already served out half his time, he ordered his
release Is not the whole Incident beautiful!
i sA1rprreE. The New York Evening Post says
the Insurance companies of that city have come to
S,hoc hrsild dlS1<Yl