New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-26
FRASER RrrER GoLD-THE OTHER SIDE.
Cor~spondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
n, ,,,,,,. 1879

Corrwepondence OF Inc N. t. lrounrs
OLYMPIA, Sept. !, 1858.
We have endeavored, during the last lew months
and have succeeded pretty much to our own salts
faction at least in creating a rather widespread
"gold fever" in this far-Of region. Inc San
Francisco and California press generally are con-
graduating themselves much upon the return to
their borders of "A large number OF miners who
haf left them for the new Ell Dorado of the north,
being somewhat fearful lest their own State should
become in measure depopulated. 1t Is estimated
that % eco persons lett California for the newly
discovered gold fields of Fraser River and vicinity,
a majority of whom, having become discouraged,
have perhaps already returned. The California
MIXERS. despite the assertion of the Hudson Bay
trappels to the contrary, anticipated that Fraser
River like the Sacramento and other mining
streams would be lowest during the Summer
months aud therefore anticipated during that time
very rich bar degings. But they have been dlsap-
pointed. The river, having it's source and volume
of water almost exclusively from a range of snow
clad mountains, rose of course as the sun rose
above the tropics, and is still pouring down its
rocky cany ons all svalanch of water. very large
number of the miners who arrived ut Bellinghan
Bsy and Victoria, never went higher up the river,
if up 1T ALL than Fort Langley, or at furthest Fort
Hope, 100 miles above its mouth, above which the
obstacles to further progress and the mines are SIT
ua,ed; and have accordingly returned to San Fran
cisco and elsewhere with very dscouraging reports
vi their rchr css. Quite large number OF miners
are now on the banks OF the stream, building log
houses in anticipation of cold weather and the ex-
pecaton of passing the Winter in that climate,
and will doubtless when the river subsidies, it un-
doubteGly will when cold weather sets in, find in
the bars of the river abundant reward for their
perseverance,. Almost everyw here in Washington
sptin i'm tL,.l nj he Rriflsh
sessions, embracing large extent OF country,
bounded on the north by Fraser River thence east
erly to the Pend d'Orell and south and west by
the Columbia River and Puget Sound, in the noun
tain ravines ard in the beds of the river, gold ia
found in such quantities that the miners can make
from to eight dollars per day. But at the pres
ent rates of labor such is not considered sufficient
ly remuneratiye. That the gold is there, however,
is II fact " hich for many years to come will sustain
the present rates of abor for whenever u large
influx of laborers shall have tendency to reduce
the rates IN the agricultural aud numbering dis
tlicts, men will naturally turn their attention to
these still undeyeloped mines. AS proof that the
resources Of the country Will sustain the present
price of labor, it is only necessary to point to the
experience of the past. In i-J2, after our intense
gold excitement had subsided, labor was permitted
10 settle down upon definite basis, which very
fr.y, at that timc anticipated could be sustained.
After trial however OF Six years, We can safely
say that the price OF mechanical labor then esttD-
llshsd has never retrogrsded. Journeymen house
carpenters fnd ready employment on this coast at
So per day: ship carpenters 50; timers 50; black
smiths 50: masons so; day lsbors 80; farm hands
$40 per month, dc.
The small towns situated on the Puget Sound,
sheet of water of which We who live upon its bor-
ders are, We think, justly proud, have received
quite an impetus from the large number of miners
" no had turned their attention n0rtherly aud have
become attracted by the real or fanced advantages
of different places, the general appearance OF thrift
as exhibited in the country, the cheapness of lands
and the high price Of agricultural products. Prob
ably now here has the inherent moaomsnia Of the
American for town sites been more plainly discern
able than ON this coast, for at the mouth OF every
river and ~ every harbor is located an embryo
city.
In some future number ] shall endeavor TO keep
You advised at events as they occur, or present
some suggestions the still undeyeloped resources
of the Territory of WASHINGTON.