Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-11-19

WORTH, ESQ.,, when was pontely nhnueu W mo
Editors of the Free Press for publication.
GENTLEMEN:-The following is an extract
from my sons letter, postmarked at Monterey,
California, October 2, 1851. He went to Cali
fornia from Mexico, Immediately after the peace
with Mexico; some few months since he left
there for Texas, and has lately returned to Cal.
ifornia his opportunities having been very good
for obtaining correct information relative to mat
tiers and affairs in that country, thought their
publication might, perhaps, serve as benefit,
and if you think SO you may publish them.
Yours, &c.
DETROIT Nov. 8,
"Our run from Panama, to this city (Which
was done in II days. was delightful; the sea
was so smooth nearly the whole distance that
the motion of the ship was scarcely more than
that of steamboat, in n well indented bay this
was quite pleasant after escaping from the roar
ing and boiling Atlantic. "Doubtless, you will
expect me to give you synopsis, Mt least OF
California news" l might initiate the newspa-
pers, and make up a sheet of startling items for
consumption, east of the mountains, such as
Rich discoveries in Golden Rum Great chunks
of gold found at Golden Bluff Mechanics want
ed, at fifty dollars per day. &C., but am not
paid newspaper editor, and write for private con-
sumption instead of manufacturing articles for
the public, it will be necessary for me to make
use of less high sounding captions, and descend
from the realms of gold fiction and poetry, to
sober truth and reality. Most Of the men who
are now in California, from interested motives,
wish to make the impression abroad that it is
for the interest ofall-everyb ody-to come out
here. The newspapers Organs of public senti-
ment here, as well as everywhere else), attempt
to spread this impression, and consequently
give force to their arguments by detailing WON
derfu discoveries of gold Great success Of
three men in gold Creek" the greater part is fab
ulous. / would as soon think of reading Don
Quixote, in order to become acquainted with
the manners of Spain, and Spanish chivary, as
to get at the true state OF things in this country
by consulting California newspaper The ro-
nance of California has past-the poetry of the
thing is overland has given place to a reality
that is distinct and tangible. The mines in
places, remunerate the miner with eight and ten
dollars per day, but in the largest portion of
the mining regions he must be content with a
remuneration, ranging from two to five dollars
per day. Those who have turned their attention
to farming have thus found Il sure return for
their labor and capital, and of late can hire la
borers at from fifty to sixty dollars per month.
In this neighborhood men can be hired for thir-
ty. Mechanics wages are about FIVE dollars a
day when they can find work. Flour in this city
is worth So per. cwt Potatoes from eight to
twelve shillings per bushel. Beef in market
| from eight to ten cents per pound. Eggs one
dollar per dozen &C. &c. All these prices are
long figure under what they stood at one year
ago. There is not near as much enthusiasm
relative to mining, formerly, and people
seem more contented with other pursuits
Since nv return find that all nv friends who
have been content with their agricultural pur-
suits are in possession of competency, with
fair prospects of moderate fortunes, while those
who have used their funds in speculations, have
generally collapsed. A word as to politics, and
have done. The State election for State Off
GERS and members of Congress came off the 9TH
err day. and although all the returns are not in,
still believe that it is conceded that the Demo-
Gratis have swept the State There is move
ment on foot, embracing what is called the
Southern part of Upper California, to be set off
as territorial government. The line TO be
some where near, but south of San Francisco,
and to make this desire manifest to the General
Government, delegates have been appointed, and
will soon meet in Convention at Santa Barbary.
Those who are from the Southern States are in
favor of this move, for they think that the new
State would be slave State. The old Califor-
mans (of Spanish and Indian descent) are in ia
vor of it, for the reason that it will give them
the political management, for short time at
least, there being but few Americans in this part
of the State, for they feel themselves degraded
and overshadowed by the mass of Americans
that have filled the upper country"
SURE ENoUGH.-The sharp and good natured,
though keen-edged wag of the New York Her.