Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-02
Correspondence o. the summit Beacon
CoLp SrRlHos, ELDoRADo Co. /
2 Ia l0En I

.
Coin SrRlHos, ELDoRADoCo.
GALsFoRSIA, Sept. IA, 1850.
Ma. EpfvoR: I'll have for a number OF
years been i reader Of the Beacon, and
have with others frequently read the glow.
ing accounts published in il concerning
this country. | have now been a resident
Of this State for number Of weeks, have
visited the mining regions in various sec
,ions, and can give some correct informa-
ton OF the country, Its capabilities, &c.
From the glnwing statements pu, forth by
the press throughout the Union, about the
gold of California, the ease with which
fortune could be accumulated, the mex
hauasible mines, the amount obtained oy
Mr.. so.and.so in q few days, the brains oi
half the country have been turned many
have left certainty for an uncertainty
have Ief, tho comforts OF home, the society
ofwife ard children, parents, brothers, SIS
ters. friends; society, civil and religious;
have periied life and health, and oil for
rold. while thousands are nov waiting tor
an epportunity to wsnd their way to this
Ell Dorado al some subsequent time. Now'
i'll c,uld by making a fair, true state
snent of ,hings in this country, but satisfy
some Of those now expecting to seek a 'or.
tune here, that they had better stay al
home, should have accomplished the OBJ
iac, slsr which write, and have fulfilled q
cu.y owe to my fellow townsmen, as well
ns 10 the country at large. should also
have the satisfaction OF knowing that had
saved as many as had thus hindered. from
disappointment and regret. But mankind
arc ever more prone to believe what they
wish TO hs true, whether they have any ad.
eqaal4 reason 10 do SO or not, than to ered-
il q statement not in accordance with their
wishes. Hence, nm aware that state
men. giving the dark side OF the pictare
from This country will fiud few 10 credi, ii;
and will be counteracted by the declaration
thai he Is homesick, or has not energy
enough 70 partake of the advantages the
country offers. For the information Of
sny expenditures, | would plead net gull.
" 10 the frsl charge. will not enter into
any details Of the danger or unPleasanl-
ness OF .hs overland journey (which is eve-
rys year becoming worse-owing, sup.
pose, 10 the destruction Of feed by stock
or The liability to sickness at the lsthmus,
but state what know Of the country, the
success Of the miners, and the health of the
ea.igrant.. There are fes Of the emf
grant. that fail 10 experience turn Of di.
.rrhua or dyseatary, and many die in the
acellmation. To those that have become
aeclimaled, have not any doubt bat il
may be regarded as healthy. But. for the
tirs, six months after arrival, it is aughl
else than healthy country; the places oil
burinl in the eity and in every mining dis.
rici. teH different story. There have
bssn fs# Of the emigranis from SurHmi
and sicini,y thai have escaped turn o
,hs disease pac1 hr to the climate; ane
sorne, You will heard before this reach
o. you, have pad The debt of nature. From
the plentiful supply Of vegetables this sea
son. ihs scuryJ willie comparatively rare:
and Increase Of comforts, it is anticipated
will make il more healthy the ensuing
winter than formerly. The fatality oI
sickness 10 greatly increased for want o.
esod nursing. There is no nursing moth
q. no fond, sympathizing wife,io help ant
administer to ones wants. One maj
think himself fortunate to command tn,
attention Of some kind, though rough an,
un.utored friend, TO administer some drugs
(psrhaps LEFT by some numbskull who ha
passed through drug store at the east
aud for which sou pay dearly in gold AMI
mere dearly fion the effects.
The country Is capable Of supportin,
quite IN addition to its present number q
inhabitants, if it was well cultivated; an
have no doubt but the time will com
when the valleys of California will supper
. densspopulation from their own resource.
But, with regard to the mines-whieh bav
outdone the wonderful lamp of Aladin il
self, the fame Of which has drawn togethe
. population from every nation, from ever
chime and country under Heaven; whic
have caused men TO forsake the enjoyment
uf tie domestic circle, for homo in th
mountains, with mother earth for a bed,
atons for pillow. and The canopy of hea.s
fer q roaf, and too frequently caused ther
to forsaks homer, religious obligations, an
often every principle held dear hat sha
sayl | can new 60 into the mines an
hire a. many men as General Taylor ba
at Buena Vista, for IS per day and boare
ed. Many now work hard, giving ha
they make for board and have seen man
1t work hard for their board alone, an
deep on the ground or floor.
Many men Of wealth at home, have com
here without capital and now offer to OF
from this until the rainy season sets 10, ft
The means to get home. i have seen s.ea d
bard working men after laboring hard VI
der .broiiing sun for days, give up IL
business in despair, not realizing enough
ray their board at $l4 per week. ha,
seen and heard men relate their success
mining in manner that would draw syn
pathy from savage. With tears in the
syes and choaking voice they tell of ii
comfortable circumstances they were in
home, and curse the day they left the
homes, curse the 1oansry, curse the spec
lators, letter writers, and papers which q
WAYS publish one side of the story, G
where you will and yeu find nothing b
disappointed miners. Men are seeking e,
ploymsnt in othsr pursuits as fast as pos