Polynesian., 1851-07-19

friends and relatives in this colony; but some
more fortunate returned, well supplied with
the harvest of California, and reaction took
place Immediately. Several large vessels
were laid on and filled almost without DELAY.
several parties returned, and others announ-
ced their intention of doing so, as soon as
they had settled their business, and made
preparations TO take their families with them.
to establish themselves in new land. and
form for themselves fresh homes, and fresh
ties, under a government, in many cases
more consonant with the advancing spirit OF
the age and their own ideas.
But this spirit Of adventure has suddenly
been checked, or rather has changed its
aspect inland from the sea. 1t is but very
few days since our good city and its deni-
zens were startled by the tidings ofthe dis
covery Of large field of gold, at so short
a distance from US, that thousands, who had
cast longing eye upon California, without
being able to find the means wherewih to
reach the golden shore, might, in the space
of few days find themselves in the midst of
a +" diggins as profitable as those of the
New World, without half the Inconvenience
which attended the transit to other and distant
lands. AS is usual in such cases, many and
conflicting accounts have arrived, but all
seem TO agree upon one point-that there is
gold but that men must not expect that it
can be obtained by anything less than down
right hard work, and a certain physical
strength and moral courage to support the
hardships which, in wild and almost track
less region, must be the fortune of the adven-
turer. Meanwhile the excitement has been
incre easiDg-far exceeding anything which
was experienced on the arrival of the first
intelligence from California. Hundreds have
already started, as many more are preparing,
and should the harvest prove any way pro-
ductive, there is not the slightest doubt that
the reapers will be many.
Of these, of course, the fortune will be
strange and varied some will achieve in
dependence, others, on the contrary, will
dissipafe their little means. and find them
selves weaker than they were before the first
attack of the gold fever. Bat, however much
they will have to endure, yet the condition,
even of the most unfortunate, will be a thou
sand times preferable to that of those who
were wrecked upon the golden sands of Cali
fornia. No ocean will separate them from
the home which they have left the journey
of a few days will convey them back to
whence they came and, perhaps, rendered
wiser by experience, they may commence
life anew, still animated by that hope which
never wholly deserts man till life itsefle
him.
1t is vet too soon to offer aEy decisive
opinion, whether the profits of this immense
gold field will repay the toll which must be
expended in obtaining it /; nor can any GER
tain intelligence of the profits of each digger
be ascertained, until they have been some
time laboring in this new and arduOus voca-
ton. ltcannot be expected that parties who
are fortunate enough to secure portion OF
the precious deposit, will be either very
communicative, or anxious to exchange it for
more current coin, until they have secured
something worth while, with which they can
leave the scene of their labors, without a
wish to return.
One OF the great dangers attending this is,
that people will rush headlong to the gold,
forgetlul of the proper precautions which
should be used to provide themselves against
the inclemencies of the fast approaching win
ter, and the possibility Of starvation. Another
that when the mines are inundated with the
refuse of this coIony-the Pentonvillians Of
Victoria and the Expires from Van Die
mems Land-there should be acted in this
colony those fearful scenes or rapine and
murder which have made California a bye
word and a reproach. To guard, in great
measure, against such casualties, in districts
where the law will be comparatively power
less, let every peaceable and weI-disposed
man join in confederacy, or brotherhood,
each p!edging himself to. act entirely upon
the defensive, but with firm resolution to-
resist any attempt at outrage or aggression
Such combination would form a body of
voluntary police, more powerful and more
useful than any which the Government could
horse patrols, and con-
all included.
1t has been said that it is the intention sfl
the Government to appoint an Assay Master,
at the Mines, and to purchase the gold found.
paying in drafts upon the Treasury, large
escorts conveying the metal 10 Sydney If|
such should be the case, and &c ths safel
should be conducted with fairness and impar-
tialty, there is no doubt that this Yiar: would
not only be excellent for the miners them
selves. but also great safeguard against
many deeds of robbery aud violence.
As this article has already exceeded its
proposed length, and as we purpose to return
to this highly interesting subject, d an early
we can only afford space tol
glance at the effect which this wonder of thel
day will have upon our political reiatioua. ~
Strange it is that 30 soon after the fatiiicttt6n
Of The compact Of the alliance between the|
new Damon and r Pythis1 of theSk egisIativeI
Conncil confirmed bv the proyi5 ions Of fhei