The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-06

Oar Dan Francisco OsHresPondsnc~.
NATURAL Dam Ban,
South FOX AMERIcAN RIVER,
Ell DORADO Co., Cal, Dee. %, 1851.
Life IN the Mus The Rainy Seasow-7he Waxa
1a Mi~t to Protect the Interest of MiMys-Ral.
roGd across the Plains.
I have looked 10 vain through the column Of
your interesting paper, for tho last six months, to
ind something from the mountains Of this distant
State, from some miner who would give your read
ers few ideas Of life in the Eureke State, that
We have been enabled to take q sober second
thought, after the dsliriun AMI confusion conse-
quent on the rush OF the first emigration had some
what subsidized. Bat the miners lite affords bu.
few opportunities for gratifying his writing pro PEN
sites. During the foe weather he must be CEN
stantly Ut work, and when late at eve he shro va
down the pick and shovel, and HES to his tent to
get his evening meal, he Is sufficiently fstigoed,
when that is over, to lay his weary frame on his
hard bed. Generally the greund,) aad try to get
little rest as to be prepared for the nex toll
Even Sundays afford but little time for writing
recresion nat is to sclean, pious MINER for then
We are obliged to wash and mend our clothes. Bat
when an occasion like the present occurs, We have
leisure time to inform our distant friends what wo
are doing in California The rain has been pc 1ring
down in torrents almost constantly for the last
days; and, as a Pike county man would say, there
il Q " right smart chance" of "powerfal heap"
more yet At times it comes laundering do vn quito
fercely, threatening to break through our fragile
roof, covered only with light canvass, and expose
rs entirely to its pitDess psltings However, thus
far II is all right, although sundry puddles on our
mud floor prove that 1t has nsn dated through
'some;" and it now and then, in the night, we feel
IT trucking down our phiz, why, We roll over, twist
the blanket closer around Us, and dozs on. The
South Fork swollen to thrice Its usual size BY the
recent heavy rains and its turbd waters come rush
ing, roaring, and leaping over its rocky bed wi.
tremendous velocity, sweeping in its all that
comes within its reach. Maoy miner finds, on
going down In the morning to the rivers bank, that
the sudden rise has caused many of his mining ina
plements to van.oos during the night, and tina, the
scene OF his operations the day previous is many
feet under water. Little reck you, easy living
hombres Of the Eastern States, what tolls, priva-
tioEs, and suferBgs we poor devils endure to col
lect the mites that 90 to make up the millions you
receive in the Empire City every month But still
you cannot find, the wide world over, 30 seemingly
happy get of "devil may care,' independent fol
lows, as those same miners Of California.
Now, Congress and the general government have
grossly neglected US; and we feel it, too, assure
you. In the present state of things, the SHOOK
laws are OF no account, and We are still compelled
to make and execute own laws, to suit cases as
they occur. live go GU. on q prospecting tour, rs
we are frequently obliged TO do now, in small par
ties, we ale obliged at night, when we throw our
selves on the ground to Sleep to keep one eye open,
to see that some thieyiag Indian or other Villain
comes not to steal our lives away.
And here wish to tell the public and our mem
bers Of Congress now assembled at Washington,
especially, through your columns, that no portion
Of the population of the United States are 80 abo
minably cheated, humbuged, and s1indled, as the
miners OF the Eureka State. We are obliged,
even now, to dispose of dust ia the mining dis
triots at ZIG per ounce, when we knew it is worth
from ST. to $50 speak now Of the unsuccessful
miners, (by tar the largest portion of the population
Of California; on WHOM the neglect Of Congress, in
not giving US . mint long ago, and passing some
some law regulating the working, or donating the
mineral lands in small portions. comes quite severe.
n hn enN nj min fna ct MI
policy will do, as he take his gold dust to the
New Orleans or Philadelphia miDts, (er to Europe,
as'many do0 and get the full value therefor Bat to
those who, although industrious, cannot possibly
make moro than enough to pay their necessary OK.
penses, TO be compelled to part with their hard
earnings at $40 per ounce, and nine times in ten,
get cheated some 20 per cent in the weight at that
Ito such, say it is q hard case. In conclusion,
Mr. Bennett, beg you to take up the cudgel in our
behalf, and to besoor the honorable Congress un-
I'll they satisfy these reasonable demands Firstly,
We desire tho passage OF an act for the immediate
establishment of mint at San Francisco, to 60
into operation certainly by July next To this act
do not believe any sane citizen Of the United
States can oppose any reasonable objection So
condly, The miners desire the passage Of general
law, donating she mineral lands in small tracks to
actual workers. l will not particulariZe the de-
tails Of such bill as your humble CORES
ponGent believes would be sanctioned by Con.
gress and acceptable to the miners generally.
The next mail TO the States will probably
which assemblies ct Sacramento the 18Th OF
January next, O memorial to the "assembled
WISDOM Of the nation, setting forth the wish
ss Of the people of California on this subject
Thirdly, We trust that Congress will not ad-
journ without passing an aos for the building, BY
the United STATES, of the great railroad across the
Plains, from Missouri to California, thereby coz
Meeting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. | have
no doubt but that there are 5000 miners in this
State Who would labor six months each on the road
and in three years complete the same from Slcra-
nento (perhaps the most desirable starting point)
to Salt Lake City, and taking for their labor, as
pay, stock in the road. Now, if Uncle Samuel will
only take hold Of the thing a. once, the road can be
put through without any trouble, in less time than
has been spent in talking about it, and in 1856 the
cars over the great road can commence their trips
from Maine to California.
trust that at an early day these great me asures
upon which tho rapid prosperity of tho United
States 60 much depends) will be carried through
Let not the siuggishnesS that has heretofore caa-
rscterized our national councils continue, but let
each and every member shave IN eye to business;''
and at the close of the present session Of Congress-
let them be able to show to their constituents that
they have done their duty as American citizens, in
their legislation for the greatest and freest people
on Gods earth.