Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-09-20
For the Spectator.
MAaposA, California, August 9Th, 1854.


.Hesrs. Editors Il learned through a friend
BIZ the last mail steamer, that the Communication
which Lad written for your paper. some two or
three months since, was received and published
and that you manifested a desire that J should con
tnue my correspondence. which | will do with
pleasure. will then write alternately every
fortnight short communication Tor your paper
and the Rockingham Register, which you will
please publish as often as consistent with your
views, and the regulations of your paper.
| am at present living in the village OF Marlpo-
sa, the County seat of Mariposa Co., which is
flourshing village, and would be more 50 had we
more water for washing the precious metal from
the argiIlaceous and other substances which SO
closely adhere 10 1t.
There is same talk of Bringing water in to the
Camp by means OF ditch, or canal ; if SO it Will
render The Camp one of the most furnishing in the
southern mines. However, some are dong well as
it is but they are those who have old and estal-
lished s.caims." One of them paid last week
ST. ounces, another lbs, another something less,
and 50 on. There are great many VlrglnlanS IN
this county; quite number from the counties OF
Augusta and Rockingham and their county seats
All the public men, so far as have beer able to
learn, are from the sold Dominion y which makes
the camp very agreeable. We have two Church
es in this town, Methodist Episcopal Church
North, and Methodist Church South. The
Methodist minister South is only so called preach
err he comes over and breaches for us every two
weeks of course go to hear him. think 1t is
better to have such than none. The one of the
North Church think a shade better, and very
pleasant man though great room for improvement.
The Sabbath is very poorly kept; indeed during
Al. 6 ,o,biic trorahin tho NlacESmiSth'a
hammer is heard the harsh saw of the carpenter,
the falling of the ten pins, and perhaps the gam
bier eryinr out, come down or make your game.
Much excitement prevails in the camp at pres
ent in regard to electng representatives this TALL
A conventional meeting is called almost every
week for the purpose of nominating candidates !;
hut very little is effected There seems to be two
parties here not wing and democrat, but the ms
and the outs those that are in are trying TO re-
main in. regardless of the interests ofhe country,
and the outs are trying to get in with no better mo-
tives in view. nis
1t may be necessary before closing TO say some
thing about the farming interest of this State
That business, like every business of this infant
State is much less advantageous than 1t has hllll-
eric been. Most articles of produce are very low.
Flour l2 dollars per barrel, Barley and 8 cts.
per h.. Beefl8 cents, Pork and mutton from 70
10 81 cts, Butter fifty cents per h., Chickens
dollars, eggs 81 so cts. per doz. There is vast
quantity Of wheat raised in various portions OF the
State, particularly along the rivers; enough pre-
sumo for home consumption therefore We are IN
dependent so far as we are concerned about the
expectation Of wheat to our market .y
We have shooting scene in our Town occa
sonally. One occurred last week between an n
merican and a Mexican, in which the Mexican
shot the American in the left breast, who 10 still
living. The Mexican made for parts unknown
and has not been heard of since. had like TO
forget must say something about the ladies' OF
our village. Ladies we have but few, though
considerable number of females. Last Sabbath
the Methodiss South had their quarterly meeting,
and there was snch turn out of fair ones in their
summer apparel that it reminded me OF one OF the
Oampmeeting occasions of old Augusta.
The over land emigration is beginning TO roll
in. The ingrcss and egress by water is at"u' e
quail. What induces 30 many persons to come 70
this country am at loss to know: for one shall
roll out as soon as am able, and remain out.
Perhaps ! may be able in my next to Interest
your readers more ID. PLECkEh.