The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-03-06
California CorrespOndence.

NV '"''9 ''"'"' 'ep"'WS JOT aclntef quar-
ters-Storma at Sacramento-Hcalh-.atc
ancc on the sich-Organization of the squat
ters-Taking possession Of toaon lots-.Anric-
ty for home, &c.
SACRAMENTO CRY, Dec. IL, ls49
Dear Dcn.-As we are about starting for the
mines, and as it may be possible that l will not
have an opportunity Of writing to you for some
time to come, on account of the almost impassa-
bic condition of the roads, and the consequent
difficulty of sending letter to the office, shall
write to you at present. 1t is with great diff
Guilty that you can drive horse along the road,
even now, without miring. We will winter As
miles from this placc-Weber creek, a tributary
of the American. Ed. Gillespie, Uncle and
intend to mine together this winter; we have
provisions for or months laid in. We bought
two horses and mule Edward and returned
yesterday evening from packing up load, and
we shall have light one yet to pack up. We
shall have toerable hard time of it too 1t
rains now, o'clock at night, and has been rain
ing all day long incessantly it blew quite hur-
rcane here last night, which leveled several Of
o--~ O>>'-'NoS
dusty ours weathered the storm. The Lord on
ly knows how long it may rain, but l hope it
will soon stop, as delay and suspense hate ; we
have had enough of 1t the road and if it should
continue, it will go rather hard. The winter
season here, don't like and so soon as can
make raise, | shall seek more comfortable
home; such thing comfort don't exist here,
at this season of the year. Gold, there is here
| in abundance, but man must work hard to get
it. l think that where we are going to work,
we will be able to get into a cabin which the
Utaw company (Gratiot's) built; ifso, we shall
be comfortable for the winter. five should not
be so fortunate, our tent can be made comforta-
bic as it lets in no rain. In the letter which
wrote you on my first arrival here, l forgot to
mention that had seen Livermore, since that
have seen him, they are all we'll and comforta-
bly, situated. Doctor Crane got to town night
before last-a perfect skeleton and sick. don't
think he will live long. Since l wrote have
heard that ********* died l think it likely
| This is hard country for man to get along
in without pocket full. By the time he pays
| $3.50 or $500 for a meal, a short time without
work will run him out. So far we have had
enough and think we can get along. Tom
Childs furnished our provisions, which is great
accommodation at this time, as none of us had
any funds to spare. Whilst we were making
arrangements to 60 to the mines, Uncle was at
work at $1,000 per day, which paid our daily ex-
penses,
1t would astonish you to see the gambling
that is done here-monte, faro, A B &c, and
it is said that San Francisco beats it all hollow
Uncle keeps in good health and spirits, he sat
up last night with Dr.. Crane, Ed is with him
tonight and suppose it will be my turn to-mor-
row evening. A sick man here, without partic-
ular friends, has poor lookout. If men ever
had any of the milk of human kindness they
have lost it here, generally speaking.
The day was up at Livermores was intro
duced to couple of ladies', who like myself
were wanderers from across the plains. These
are the only new acquaintances have yet made
in California. But the ladies, in this part of the
world at least, do not trouble me much, and
fear will make no great impression.
My health has been very good, with the ex-
ception of slight cold. l weigh more than
have done for three years. My candle is about
going out, Gt is tallow 6 and only cost 20 cts.)
and as very heavy mail came in last night,
shall stop writing this evening, in the hope of
hearing something from home, and finish to-
morrow.
Tonight (Dec. 13th) 1 continue my letter.
| have been at the office and no word from home
Oh how anxious l am to hear from you-you
can't imagine what satisfaction it would be-
1t has some appearance of clearing up tonight,
after raining all day. should Judge that times
must be getting great deal better in the States
on account of all the gold that has been taken
from here. sent few small PARTICLES of gold
in the first letter wrote you, which you will re-
ceive at least month before this. The mail
for the States leaves this place only once month
although there is semi weekly steamer between
here and San Francisco. Large vessels come
up to this place, there are at present vessels at
the wharf now. ..5.| -..
Potatoes here are worth only 80 cents lb.
and such as you wouldn't pick up at home
Hay 10 and IL cents lb and spoiled at that
A loaf of bread, such as you buy for 10 cents, is
worth here so cents. We paid 20 cents lb.
for grain for our pack horses. . ..... ...- aa
| There will be some great times here for a
while to come. The town property has been in
the hands of spectators who purchased from
Sutter, and was held by them at exhorbitant pri-
ces. Emigrants coming in this fall couldn't
stand to pay their high prices for lots, and have
determined to locate themselves upon vacant
lots, as Uncle Sans property. The squatters
have held several meetings, have organized, ap-
pointed officers, committees, &c, and the way
hey are stalking off lots now, is a caution. This
city is about mile and half west of Suffers
Fort, in place which know will overflow at
some future time, and cause great destruction
Of property. n .a8 a
The Sacramento river here, is about the size
Of the main slough at Du Buque. My paper is
now getting short and shall have To closc.--
A. q -