The Sierra citizen., 1854-09-09
NO. VII.
Letters from Major DoWnie,

The expressmen were round in all direc-
tions, taking down names on little book,
at our camps, at our claims-everywhere;
every few days new one came along, and
nothing would do but down with your
name forthwith. Every one was sure to
return in less than week with lots of in
telligence from home-but need not tell
you now many came back. know OF but
one of the pioneer expressmen that has
stood the test and maintained a straight
forward, honorable course-and that is my
friend Sam. Langton; and I think it will
not be too much to say that he has done
more for the miners on the Yuba than
all the other expressmen and bankers put
together. When the halls of Congress
resounded with long winded speeches about
the admission of California into the Union.
and while we were being victimized by
crafty adventures, Sam was climbing
the hills with his little budget Of letters,
to make the miner in his bush shanty glad
with news from home. Long may he be
spared to enjoy the respect of the people
on the Yuba, and to enjoy the fruits of
honest industry.
One expressman after another left for
parts unknown, and it was hard to know
who to put confidence in; even toward the
latter end of the summer of 1850, l have
seen miner go into Sans Office and ask
innumerable questions about sending
money home. Sam told him all about it
and showed him draft on Adams & Co.,
with the deposit, but the miner was in
crednlous and did mt exactly understand
the matter, and hesitated to let his dust go
on such aimsy looking security; besides
the drafts looked like shinplasters, and the
bank might "bust up" Finally he left
the Office, called up his friends to drink,
threw down couple of dollars before the
distinguished looking individual behind
the monte bank, and then away went the
pile. How many useless regrets have l
heard from the miserable victims Of
chance, that they didn't leave their money
in Sans strong box. Truth compels me
to say that 1 have regretted the matter
some myself; but what is the use of crying
over the past? Better luck next time.
But Of all the men who were going to
run express and get letters for certain,
Slater was the man-Slater to whom /
lent few thousands, payable at sight-a
contract which he will be sure to fulfil
achen see him-if it be not son the other
side of Jordan" He was going to run
all the rest off the track; and I suppose he
did-for aught know he is running yet,
After while -four became plenty at
the Forks, and I bought one thousand
pounds and took it to my camp on the
South Fork. I paid dollar a pound
for it, and while the stock lasted it was
common property, and whoever wanted q
sack came and carried it of. On nay, way
to, the cabin a stranger came after me
With a. gold bag, saying that | had
dreppedqit while paying the packer. 1
told him it was not mine but he Insisted
that i should take it, SO I stuck it in my
belt until l found the owner. A few days
afterwards, while paying visit to Wag-
gonerI and. Chase, Ito see how the brandy
keg held out the owner of the bag came
along, and after restoring to him his prop
erty, we demanded that he, should stand
treat-that was all the same, as giving
sixteen dollars for bottle of brandy; but
he would not stand more than eight dol
lars. The bag of dust which we restored
to him contained FIVE or six pounds, but
he couldn't spare more than half an ounce.
So we told him to leave just as quick as
possible, as we considered it an insult to
such company as ours, to offer to treat
with half an ounce. One ounce was then
the common price for treat, and if there
did not happen to be men enough IN the
store or tent to drink the worth OF the
money, some one went to the door and
drummed up outsiders, and whoever
would not drink when so called on, was
no good fellow.
Soon after that Mr.. McG Ghee arrived with
the 'uanal stock ofprosisious, but in addi-
Lion osthsliqpors he had,a smalbquantity
ofcornmeal; this was . luxury indeed
Mac was a gooddellow and gave. us az, in
vitation to come to see him at.hix store,
which stood somewhere about where the