The southern press., 1850-10-05
krfracts Of Letter from Gentleman in California,
TO his friend, in Washington.


SAN Francisco, CALIFORNIA,
My dear I. August s2d, 1880
have long had the intention of writing to you
and now put il in execution. Things have altered
very much since arrived here. Produce, provi-
sions and goods of all kinds have declined in price
though real estate still keeps up as high as ever.
fleet of ships is moored in our harbor, wanting
sailors TO man them. An immense number of per-
sons have gone to the mines, where but few can
succeed ; for, indeed, it is all lottery, in which
there are many more blanks than prizes. The
most successful men are those engaged in co n
merce, or in some other pursuits connected with
eipiii-ed life, for do not consider mining exactly
a civilized pursuit, seeing that there is SO much
sayageness among the miners. Some, however,
have done and are doing well at It, Among them
is young Roane, son of Col. r., OF the Patent
Office He and his company have succeeded in
turning the course OF small river, by means of a
dam made of sacks of sand, and they are reaping
rich harvest. Each one of them will make his
pile" Young r. works scientifically, and sep
arates the gold from the dross by means of quick
silver.
We are all anxious TO know what Congress is
going 10 do with our senator's. We feel that we
are now in condition to become fixed star in
the galaxy of the Union. This city is as well
policed any in the States. Our mayor, Col.
John w. Geary, is q most able Ddetatigabe and
efficient officer He passed through the campaigns
of Mexico and from the rank of Captain, rose to
Colonel, acquitting himself in every station with
honor 10 hmsef,-and winning the admiration
and love of his officers and soldiers He the
last alcade before the constitution, and the first
mayor since. He was formerly postmaster here,
but was, on account of politics, removed. The
\ people, however, have always elected him by inn
mense maiorities whenever he has asked anything
at their hands, and they are at any time willing TO
give him any office in their gift. This is the land
OF seif made nen-the only place where the diguitl
/ Df IaID iS honest
here is respectable. | have seen an ex-ambassa-
dor and ex-governor driving team, and he was
thought none the worse for it.
MIR. James Bowman, formerly clerk in the
Treasury Department, is here and doing well.
The gallant and highly accomplished Captain J..
L.. Folsom, u. 5. A., is with us, and has made
many friends by his kind and gentemanly deport-
ment. He takes as active an interest any civilian
among us, in every thing calculated to promote
the interests OF our rapidly growing city. Our
city has been, as you are aware, the scene of ma
ny awful conhagrations, in which great amounts
of property of all kinds have been DESTROYED.
The evil, however, was greatly lessened by the
perseverance of our worthy mayor, Col. Geary,
who being an excellent civil engineer, and man
of great personal courage and energy, actively
engaged himself on every occasion of the kind
and by his example and forbearance, led to the
salvation Of large amounts of property and goods.
Your old friend, Colonel Jack HAYS, our high
Sheriff, has also distinguished himself civilian
as well as a soldier, and possesses as large share
of popularity any in California. Our
friends Dodge, o Grady, Gehon, and Barkeloo,
are all well and doing well; and while crossing
the lsthmus, met our old friend, Doctor Theller,
editor Of the Panama Echo" who is likewise
doing well, and is in fine condition, and exercises
more hospitality than any other man ever met.
He is indeed the emigrants friend.
wish you were here. Every evening we have
bands of music playing in streets. The star
spangled banner floats from every hotel, coffee
house, and public place, and our population are
all abroad, promenading, taking their glasses, and
enjoying themselves IN many ways as the fire.
quenters Of the Boullevards of Paris-and such is
life in California. Come and see us. | have not
time or space to add more, than that | am, yours
truly, B. H.