The New York herald., 1850-12-27
our California Correspondence.

E.dip1dsals aotc over True Statements SC, SC.
There has been so much written about Calfor-
MIA and the mines, that feel not little hestancy
in writing anything more myself; but as there are
great variety of representations, or rather mis-
representations, afoat, ] have concluded to write
once more to your favorite invaluable, and widely
circulated Herald, for the purpose of giving such
representations as are facts, derived from my own
knowledge, observations, and experience in this
country for more than year, and nearly the whole
of the time in the mines, miner.
Most Letters written from this country are filled
with nothing but mines, mines, and gold, gold,
gold You must, therefore, excuse me if deviate
somewhat from this gold beaten track, and write
about something else. For my part, l am tired of
this everlasting jabber about gold, and seek little
relief by getting alone and by myself, away from
the noise and confusion of the crowd, to reflect
little upon matters and things in general. as con-
nected with this country upon the shores of the
wide Pacific, for it certainly is wonderful country,
and worthy the calm consideration of all who will
give il thought upon its present state and future
destiny; yet Of the latter it is enigma not
easily to be solved-yet, any who has a
knowledge of the country from facts and expert
ence, Of Its mines and resources, he will come to
nearly the same conclusion with others
But a short time since this country was wild
and desolate waste enllvened only by the presence
of the red men and few Spaniards and Mexcans,
or the wild beasts of the forest. Gold is discover
ed, when IL rises into notoriety; another race OF
men have taken possession of IL; cities and towns
have risen as by magic; Its rivers and harbors are
beautitied with numberless craft, bearing upon
them products from all parts OF the world; stately
and magnificent steamboats, are ploughing through
its waters, while the whistle of the steam engine,
together with the noise of the busy scene heard
upon all sides, seem more like an old commercial
country than one that is so new.
Thousands upon thousands of human beings have
rushed hither, and there is scarcely single spo,
ofearth throughout this vast region but has been
explored by the enterprsing Anglo Saxon. Hills
are being levelled 10 make room for stately edi-
fices; and, with the seeming single stroke of
magic wand, a city rises.
You make an excursion TO the interior, and pc
netrate TO the Sierra Nevada mountains, and
you will there see uREistakable evidence that it
has been previously explored by the white men.
The red men gaze with astonishment to see the
ancient hills and mountains undermined and torn
down, rivers and brooks turned from their beds,
drained and rooted up, while the eager gold seek
ers rush IN crowds, like madmen, over the noun
tains and through its deep and silent gulches,
throwing up the earth upon all sides, in the pursuit
9th root of all evil.
The Indians follow on and gaze, with seeming
wender and astonishment, at these herculean OPP
peratisns OF the white mea they shake their heads
with the well known Indian humph, their excla-
nation of wonder, and excaim Mario, mowwchd
mario! AnpeicdnnOs no Buano, &c. And they have
reason TO think them bad, for they are destroying
their old accustomed land marks, and frightening
off their game.
A stranger visiting the mines, cannot but be
astonIshed To find the whole mining country lite
rally torn to pieces-the rivers and brooks, for
miles II extent-every guch and ravine, as well as
every hill and nounain-undermined; one would
scarcely believe that such amount Of labor
could possibly have been performed in the time that
II has been, and by the number of men employed;
he would naturally suppose that many years must
have been occupied, with the labor OF mynads OF
men.
No one can form the least idea of the work that
has been done; and TO see it himsef, he would
scarcely believe his own Every gulch
and creek where gold could be found, has been
dug up the entire length and breadth, and man
looking for place TO mine will look almost in
vain for one single spot that has not been Thoroughly
prosPected or worked out, together with the
gulches running into the same.
Rivers have been turned aside, and their beds
explored with the expenditure of enormous
amount OF labor, but as general thing with poor
success, while explorations have been made even
TO and beyond the Nevadas, with no success; and
those who have been IN the mines tor year past,
with theG knowledge and experience having met
with poor success, gUeat up disheartened, and dis
oouraged; and, worn olt with hardships, exposures
and prlyauoIs, leave this Eldorddo for their hum
BILE homes al the east.
Some individuals have met with good success at
mining, whisl a large majority have not; and
since have been in TINS city, for few days past,
have been surprised al the large numbers return
ing home who are worn out, sick, with ruined con-
stitutions, and without Sufficient to enable
them TO pay their passage.
This country is one of the very worst In the
world for a man to be taken sick in. When once
sickness takes fairly hold of him, If he lives, it
will be a long time ere he regain his strength,
or sufficient TO enable him To perform n small
amount OF labor And in addition to this, are the
enormous expenses OF sick man, especially If he
10 obliged 10 have medical aid at sixteen dollars per
yini; olso, a sick man ie unayoidably subjected to
every exposure, and must suiler for the want Of
attention: aid, taking all things into consdera-
tion il is sufficient TO the death of any sick
man. Since have been IN this country have
seen more sickness and suffering, and witnessed
more trying scenes, than ever before imagined
During the winter m the MINES, TO witness the
death Of fellow being, in his dreary, uncomforta.
BILE camp, stranger IN a distant laad, with not
relative e. soen The bed of death, sewed up IN his
BLANKET (as boards could not be obtained Tor
cofhr) and thus depositedi in the silent grave, with
none but sympaihising friends to drop tear OF
sorrow upon his lonely tomb-to me these have
truly been sorrowful and melancholy scenes They
have mace an impression on my mtnd llstipg as
lie itself and sincere " hope that may never see
the like agem Yet such scenes are almost an
every day occurrence IN the mountains, and many
become go accustomed To them that they make
only q momentary impression. But Will not
dwell upon such scenes.
Having been engaged many months ia mining,
and finding the diegIngs poor, and the immediate
country around me nearly worked out deter
mined 10 make excursion to tire mountains,
partly TO satisfy my curiosity for seeing some OF
the wild mountain scenery OF California, as well as
TO exp ore for gold. Having engaged a companion,
who came acrUss the plains, and who was accus-
toned 10 mountain travelling and mountain life,
we provided ourselves IAN ample supply OF pr0yi-
sons piece OF cloth for tent and cooking utensils,
consisting of one Try pan and small skillet We
packed tht m toge theT with our blankets, upon two
mules, and bucknng on our implements OF warfare,
pistols, bowie knives NC, we mounted our dom
KEYS end set of by the guide Of compass. My
friend being better acquainted with guiding mule
through the woods and over the mountains, with a
pocket Compass, than myself he, of course, took
he lead. We set off from the south branch OF
Jacksons creek, a few miles from the Mockolume,
IN an old lRdisn trail, in northeast course. We
were cut of sight Of the camp, IN the wilder
ness, among lndans, cayotas, and grizzly bears
We had gone but a few miles, when we were
suddenly startled rom our quetness by a tremen-
dous ye lping OF dogs, which warned that we were
approaching sn Indian rancho we examined our
firearms and other implements, aud fesrlessly sp-
preached the camp, midst the BARKING Of some fifty
dnns fnIIunnielX " Ihare Mefe Only Ahnnt dozen |