Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-04-13
:nlisccII0ucous.
For the Green Mountain Freeman
CALIFORNIA EMIGRATION.

For the Graen Mountain Freeman
CALIFORNIA EMIGRATION.
Mr. EDITOR Allow an old miner to say
few words, through the columns of your valu-
able paper, about this modern Ophir. From
present appearances it is probable that the emf
grafton to this State, the present year, will be
less than in some of the previous ones. Few, it
is said will cross the plains. But more fixed
and settled population will come into our bor-
ders than formerly. Our Steamers now bring
large numbers of families. Our people, who
have visited the homes of their childhood, the
scenes of their youth, and the graves of their
fathers, have brought back their wives and chill
dren, and influenced their neighbors to do like
wise. And thus this Pacific State is becoming
peopled with permanent population. ii L
Strange opinions Of this State are entertaYhea
in the older States. The men of commerce con-,
slider our market, and our capacity for the con-
sumption of all kinds Of goods, unlimited; and
merchandise sufficient to supply our population
for year and half has arrived here during the
past six months. The opinions of this Statearc
as varied as the character and success Of those
who have returned to tell their experience. One
man has gone back with nothing--another with
competency; the first says the mines are ex-
hausted-the other can amass second fortune
as speedily as that with which he has just re-
turned. A great proportion of those who come
to this country come with most sanguine and
over-wrought expectations, and regard us as an
immense monied corporation, paying frequent,
sure and large dividends. And while many
would sell their all, at whatever sacrifice, and
come to this golden lane, Others believe that
the next shipment of dust will be the last in any
amount. If California is such place for the
accumulation of wealth, why do 80 many return
pennless9 they ask; thus giving every one
credit for the same acquisitive and saving iacul-
ties. The fact is, large proportion of our
young mem spend as fast as they earn, and, like
a certain Richard Carstone, who having received
five dollars unexpectedly, telt it not extravagant
to go Immediately and spend it-they regard
their extra compensation, beyond what they re-
ceived at home, as clear gain-to be frittered
away in extravaganza and dissipation. And
thus thousands in this State toll and work, re-
ceiving large wages but, at the end ofthe year,
they are no better off than at the commence
ment. The savings of those men are no more q
standard of their earnings and salaries, than are
the lucky g strikes of miners an average scale
of success in themines.
For correct idea of this country, we must
take into view its agricultural as we'll as mineral
wealth. In my recent return voyage to this
State, could not but notice the sanguine tone
of those who were evidently from the "rural
districts" Their perspectivcs evidently glitter
ed with piles Of dazzling ore. Most could fix
upon the amount they should amass, and the
time they had assigned for its acquisition. Nine
out of ten of these will bo disappointed, and
will write back complaining letters, or return
cursing the country. would not misreprescnt
the prospects which this country affords for ac-
quiring fortune, to induce people to come here,
for discontcntcd and uneasy population is a
benefit to no State But that the agricultural
resources of this are equal to any of the thirty.
one States, is clear. And the mines are yet in
their infancy. For a few months past the miners
have suffered for want of water, but the reccn
heavy rains and melting of snow in the noun
tains will infuse an intense activity into mining
operations and its effects will be seen in thu
general revival of business in all it's ramifca
tions, and by unusually large remittances ant
shipments of dust to the Atlantis States.
Let me say few words for the benefit o
those of your readers who may chance to stroll
away to this country, about the Panama istl
mus facilities for crossing, sanitory state, AM
the two leading steamship lines. The passag
of this isthmus, by the extension of the Railroa
to Gorgona, the construction of a mule roa
along the banks Of the Chagrcs river-thereb
doing away forever with oil boating against il
rapid current, and by the introduction of ne,
feature in forwarding passengers and baggage
can now be easily accomplished in ten hours
The new forwarding arrangement is the sale {
transit tickets in New York. This arrangement
forming, as it does, the long-desired conncctin
link between the Atlantic and Pacific portions
the mail line, and efacting the equally desire
! eonsammation Of through tickets by that routs