The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-04-10

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the travel concentrates in passing to and from
the mines. and where all the articles of consump-
ton for the miners is landed for the interior
Like all other cities in this new country, it has
sprung up almost in day. Six months ago,
when first landed at this point, there was but
one wooden building in the place. Now it can
boast of its hundreds; and some of them reflect
ing great credit upon their entcrprising proprie-
tors and builders. Like all other towns in this
country, it is extremely muddy in the wet sea-
son, and very dry and pleasant in the dry season.
From Stockton to the nearest mines, (the Stan
islaus) it is 20 miles; and to those the most dis.
tant, the Maraposa,) $50 miles There is no
great difference in the richness of different dig
gngs, except as they are distinguished by wet
and dry diggings. The wet dggings are those
upon the rivers and creeks, which become par
tally dry during the dry season; and the dry
diggings are in the beds of creeks, which be-
come entirely dry during the dry season, but
afford large bodies of water during the wet sea-
son. The gold found upon the rivers is fine,
and that found IN the creeks, coarsc;-thc wet
dggings afford better average than the dry
The seasons have very decided effect upon the
operations of the gold hunter. In the winter the
general average is small. From the lst of Dec
to the lst of March, | do not think the average
exceeds SIS per day. During this period, the
rivers and creeks arc all very high, so that the
miners must dig high upon the banks From
the lst of March until the 1st of August, the
average estimate at s. per day. During this
period the rivers and creeks fall very much so
that the miner can work down nearer their beds.
From the lst Of Aug. to the lst of Dec. the riv-
ers are very low, so that by daming out into the
stream, you can work their beds, where the gold
is found in much greater abundance than on their
banks. During this period, think the average
may be safely estimated at $l6 per day. The
"Mc Calomy,' "Calivarns," "Stanislaus,' "To-
nolumne,' and "Mcrcy,' are river diggings.-
The i" Maraposa, " " Sulivan's, ~ "Woed's, ="
"sanaranian Camp" "Murphey's," and the
"Chnese Camp" compose the dry diggings
The manner of working the wet diggings, is for
all hands to 60 into the hole in the morning, and
bale it out. After this is done, one man can ge-
iiSihAiJ hSSp oaAS\t, VI TWO lucH ClH
peck down and throw out the dirt, and two men
Zone to rock the cradle, and the other to dip the
watcr) can run the dirt through the machine
In the dry diggings, the process is different One
man can sink hole, and perform all the neccs-
sary service for procuring the gold. 1t is diff
cult to give you any adequate idea of the severi-
ty of the labor. Indeed, the man who has scrv-
cd his apprenticeship ditching on the canal, quar-
rled rock under burning sun, or worked in the
water up to his waist, throwing water day after
day, and week after week, can form but small
estimate of the severe labor the California miner
is subjected to. There is but a small portion of
those who go into the mincs that are able to con-
tinue and make successful business Of mining
Hundreds, | may say, thousands, have entered
the mines with light hearts and fond expccta.
tions, embarked in mining, and after toilng and
sweating for a week or two, have given up, with
lame backs and bllstered hands, and left the
mines perfectly sick and disgusted with the vo-
cation and the country, Hundreds of others are
there, making barely sufficient to pay their way.
But these arc young men, who have never done
any hard labor, or invalids, who have come to
the country for their health. They are totally
unfit for the business, and the sooner they can
get out of the country, the better for them. But
those who are able to endure the labor, general
j ly get along well. Some Woodworking men are
| unlucky, and make but little over and above
their expenses, while others, possessed of no bet
ter judgment or disposition to work, make their
one, two, four, and six ounces per day. This is
a result which ma dame fortune, (at times very
partial in her distribution Of favors) visits upon
all communities, trades and professions. l have
now said all upon this subject that think will
be of any interest to you. ,s ra7 ~ i. .,. ....
Let me say word as to San Francisco and its
mixed community of strangers. It is city now
of twenty or twenty-five thousand inhabitants,
thrown together from all parts of the world, in
the brief space of a few months. Real estate is
higher loan in the city of New York; and rents
are beyond the conception of any man, not he re
to observe for himself. The Graham House,
not as large nor as good house as the NAPLES,
rents for $4,000 per month-and hundreds of
other smaller houses rent for from to SIS, 5000
per month Money loans for from 10 to 20 per
cent per month. This inflated state of things
cannot last long, There must be reaction
soon, and when that comes, then look out for a
general crash. The city is improving very rap
idly buildings arc going UP in every part of it,
which gives employment to hundreds of me-
chanics and laborers, who would be in suffer-
ing condition without employers. Goods of ev-
cry description are reasonable, except boots,
which command from twenty to forty dollars a
pair Provisions are reasonable, with a few ex-
ceptons. oFlours worth $14 per Dbl; pork 80;
fresh beef cheap, selling from 10 to 20 cts, per
pound; pickles SIS per gallon; cabbage $3.50 to
$3p per head. Lumber is worth from $175 to
$24O per thousand feet. Brick is worth $3.50
per thousand. In speaking Of the price Of pro-
visions and goods, you will understand that the
rates named apply to this market IN the mines
I the prices are much higher, When ! left there
Ia few duvs since flour was I'D 5() ner no,,nd.