Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-23
California Correspondence,
LETTER FROM JOHN o. WAT.
| ERMAN.
a. runrcrsco. nr.,l. oo -,


Some time has elapsed since last wrote you
from Panama, and will just give you the in-
ishing history of my voyage. left Panama on
the % of December, in the British Bark " CIR
casSian," and had very good passage to this
port. We were 55 days making the voyage
We had l35 passengers-no deaths on board
the passengers, most Of them grew healthy after
we had been out short time but there were
great number sick and aing with Panama Fe.
Vers, Dysentcry, &C., when they got on board.
would advise any one never to stop at Pana-
ma longer than they can possibly help. We
had no storms at sea nor heavy winds--n not e.
nough to wet our deck all over. AS to our lv-
ing, we had wholesome food, gooo pork, and
sweet hard bread, with plenty of -four and SUI
gar.
These constituted nearly the whole of our
eatables-as for tea and coffee did not drink
two quarts the whole voyage-it was intOlerable.
Our births were fitted up for the occasion, made
of rough boards. used my overcoat for pill
low, and wrapped myself with my blanket 1t
was hard at first; but found that there was
nothing like Ceiling used 10 a thing" had
remarkably good heah-and by the way made
an addition of 40 pounds to my weight. fancy
living upon terra frna somewhat better than
upon old oceans uncertain waves. There was
plenty of gambling on board our bark Some of
our passengers busted themselves with gaming
some with cooking, aud some with reading
so much for the voyage.
But suppose the subject which most absorbs
the attention Of people in the States, Is the gold
of California, and what the prospects are, they
should conclude to make the journey to this
country. In regard to that subject it is one up
on which feel the delicacy of my situaton-for
many will say don't write what is true, per-
haps. Letter writers for the city papers, write
many high colored letters, perhaps they tell only
the best-ond leave the of -issIss.
| never deal in fancy--and shall endeavor to
state facts as far as know them without fear
or favor.
When arrived here on the 10th of Febua-
ry, people were tiocking to the mines by thous-
vious. twas supposed that the "rainy season"
was over, as the weather was pleasant, and no
rain for some time-yet the rivers were nearly
! at full banks. Yuba river seemed to be the
place where nearly all went at that time, and
they have continued 10 60 there ever SINCE
But it happened that The rainy season was not
! quite over. We have had considerable rain
her. since then-and worse than all, we have
had from two to four feet of snow Oh Yuba river
and it still remaihs--s> that miners could not
do much, if anything. The mines are SAID to
be as rich as last year and those who have
stad in the dry dggng1 this winter have done
very well.
But as to miners averaging their ounce PEE
:. day, each, there is no Truth in ii. Some maj
do it, and some may not pay TOR their victuals
have my authority from men who have beef
there, and had no object to deceive and the.
v all tell me it is the hardest labor they ever per
i. formed.
IS | think pale-faced and sckly men should nev
,r er come here to dig gold, would not be un
|. derstood as saving That fortunes are not to b
y made at the mines for have every reason 1
- believe that there have beGn-but what mea
ol to say ls, that there are hundreds who do NJ
le mrke fortune where there are tens who do
er Every one seems 10 have a disposition to mak
m what he can IN the shortest possible time, an
D, vamoose the country.
:. D,,;noss IN San Erancisco ia very dull-ti
X market is flooded with most Of the connodltl'
nd Of trade-and know of many men who can
nd out on the steamer with me, who had made !aTl
V' shipments of houses and provisions, who will su
ne tain total loss, in consequence of dePreclatl'
of the price of the articles shipped. Good pn
lat lumber, planned aud grooved, sells for only j.
ey and $50 per thousand; and frame houses are
" drug-and do not pay the shipping expense
IT, Many man to my certain knowledge, who sn
posed his foItune made as soon as he set foot
nat shore, has been sadly mistaken. Men here, W
are supposed to be very wealthy to-day, fail q
to- morrow, and leave the city in hurry. tt
has been mostly among tavern keepers,
nd boarting houses.
her Is II not little singular thdt III SOah
in. where there is such plenitude OF wealth, Il
.,- the rates of interest is Is per cent month
non and vet it is so, and has been so ever sine
on came here.
o. There is but very little building this season
,isb consequently carpenters and ioincrs get but
tie to do and those who get employment o
=. receive from 8 to 10 dollars day. With
or stretching the truth, think there is all of I
and half of the buildings in the place unoccupi
Dro. and notices posted on tRe doors i" To Rent;
N. vet landlords hold their rents very high notw
er's standing.
rem The Legislature is in session at San Jose
ota and from what can learn, and have seen
.Dv. their proceedings, should judge that they v
apv enacting good and salutary laws. The elec
for county officers by the people under the
Lhey Constitution comes off on The first OF Apr
,ook The officers to be elected ere qhsFl& COZ