The Davenport gazette., 1850-07-11
SCENES IN THE POST OFFICE AT SAN
FRANCISCO.

FRANCISCO.
| The Panama's mail-bags reached the Office a.
bout nine O'Clock. The doors were instantly
closed, the windows darkened, and every prepa-
ration made for long siege. The attack from
! without commenced about the same time. There
!, were knocks on the doors, taps on the windows,
and beseeching calls at all corners Of the house.
The interior was well lighted the bags were
emptied on the floor, and ten pair Of hands en-
gagged in the assortment and distribution OF their
contents. The work went on rapidly and noise-
lessly as the night passed away, but with the frs:
streak of daylight the attack commenced again
Every avenue Of entrance was barficaded, the
J crowd was told through the key hole that the
Office would be opened that day to no one but
want could not 20 for bucket Of water without
being surrounded and in danger If being held cap
tive. Men logged his heels in the hope OF being
able to slip in behind him before he could lock the
door.
We labored steadily all day, and had the salts
faction ofseeing the huge pile Of letters consider
ably diminished. Towards evening the lmpa-
tience ofthe crowd increased 10 most annoying
pitch. They knocked; they tried shouts, and
then whispers, and then shouts again; they i'm
plored and threatened b, turns; and not seldom
offered large bribes for the delivery Of their let
ters. course such Post Office and such Post
Master!" said one; "I'll write to the Department
ny the next StedHcI. ven see WfetuCi tUiuSs
go on in this way much longer" Then comes a
messenger slyly to the back door; "Mr --
sends his compliments, and says you would oblige
| him very much BY letting me have his letters; he
won't say anything about it to anybody" A
clergyman, perhaps naval officer, follows, re-
lying on white cravat or gilt bnttons for the
favor which no one else can obtain. Mr. Moore
politely, but firmly, refuses; and so we work on,
unmoved by the noises OF the besiegers. The ex-
ciement and anxiety of the public can scarcely
be told in words. Where the source that governs
business, satisfies affection, and supplies intel
ligence, had been shut out from whole COM
munity for three months, the rush from all sides
to supply the void was irresistible.
/ Tn the afternoon partial delivery was made
to the owners of private boxes. 1t was effected
in askillful way, though with some danger to the
clerk who undertook the opening OF the door
On account of the crush and destruction OF win
dows on former occasions, he ordered them to
form into line and enter in regular order. They
at first refused, but his counter-refusal to nn-
lock tine door, complied with some difficulty
The moment the key was turned, the rush into
the little entry was terrific; the glass faces Of the
boxes were stove in, and the wooden partition
seemed about to give way. In the space OF an
hour the clerk took in postage 10 the amount OF
4 5000; the principal firms frequently paid from
$50 to 500 for their correspondence.
We toiled on till after midnight Of the second
we could spare an hour or two for rest and still
complete the distribution in time for the opening
Of the windows, at noon the next day. So we
crept up to our blankets in the garret, worn out
by forty-four hours Of steady labor. We had
scarcely begun TO taste the needful rest, when
our sleep. deep as il was, was broken BY new
sound. Some Of the besiegers, learning that the
windows were to be opened at noon, came on the
ground in the middle Of the night, in order to
have the first chance for letters. As the nights
were fresh and cool, they soon felt chilly and be-
gan stamping march along the portico, which
Jared the whole building and kept US all painiul-
ly awake. This game was Practised for week
greater hardship to those employed in the Office
Than their daily labors. One morning, about a
week after this, single individual came about
midnight, bringing chair with him, and some
refreshments. lie planted himself directly op-
poste the door, and sat there quietly all night.
1t was the day for dispatchng the Monterey mail,
and one of the clerks got NJ about four O'Clock
ing the door in the darkness, he was confronted
by this man, who, seated solemly in his chair,
Immediately gave hisname in a loud voice: "John
Jenkins."
When, finally, the windows were opened, the
scenes around the Office were still more remark
able In order to prevent general riot among
the applicants, they were recommended to form
in ranks. This plan once established, those in
side could work with more speed and safety
The line extended in front all the way down the
hill to Portsmouth Square, and on the South side
across Sacramento street to the tents among the
chapparal; while that from the newspaper win
dow in the rear stretched for some distance up
J the hill. The man al the tail Of the longest line
might count on spending six hours in it before he
reached the window. Those who were near the
goal frequently sold out their places to impatient
candidates, for ten, and even twenty-five dollars;
indeed, several persons, in want Of money, prac-
+ tised this game daily, as means oi living!-
Vendors Of pies, cakes, and newspapers establish
ed themselves in front OF the Office, to supply the
crowd, while others did proftabl business BY
carrying cans Of coffee up and down the lines:
The abors the Post Office were greatly IN
. creased by the necessity Of forwarding thousands
of letters to the branch Offices or 10 agents among
the mountains, according to the orders OF the
miners. This part ofthe business, which was
entirely without remuneration, furnished constant
employment for three or four clerks. Several
persons made large sums by actrg as agents, sup
plying the miners with their letters, at $sl each,
which included the postage from the Atlantic
side. The arrangements for the transportation
Of the inland mail were very imperfect, and these
private establishments were generally preferred
r Bayard 1aylor's .Ne,o Wors on California
LocIc.-A gentleman asked country
clergyman for the use Of his pulpit for
,o,rc, J;,;ra n ralation IF hs HI really