San Andreas independent., 1858-07-03
FROM MURPHYs.
Correspondence Of he Independent.


the futures inpenetrable curtain of mystery,
like pail Hitting midway between hope and
fear. and being unable to decide AS to our fu-
ture course, we have waited with patience
worthy of isnitstien for the dawning of a
brighter day. Gradually, the dreary languor
of indifference, and the shadowy mists of inde-
cison have faded away, like the scattered rem
nants of an o'erspent storm; while the glad
warm beams of hope and energy once more
incite us to generous deeds of love and enter
PRISE Shaking the hideous incubus Of sus-
pense from off our shoulders, by mighty eff
fort of will, we have awakened from dream
of ruin and want, to- better appreciation of
our real position and firm determination to
improve it, or fall in the effort. A few more
months, such as the past land the wild oat will
rear its graceful stem, within our deserted
streets, while the coyotes, owls and bats hold
high festival in our emrty cabins. and lord it
DER our old, familiar haunts. But the baleful
be felt in this, my adopted home.
The meetings of the oath and 26,h passed
off quietly, and were conducted with decorum
and courtesy that reflects great credit upon our
worthy citizens. Addresses were delivered
upon the occasion, by E. NJ. Strange, Esq,
Judge Putney, Rev. S. MCGOWAN, and others,
to some purpose, for the work is to be resumed
upon next Wednesday morning, never to be
abandoned, hope, until we are able to point
to it with pride, ald say-it is finished A
standing commit &c of three were appointed to
receive contributions toward the good work,
for we feel satisfied that there are many who
are willing, and will assist US, hereafter, if
unable to do so at the present time.
Letters from old and valued friends on Fra
and the effect is about the same as it would
be to scatter fire amid the dry oats upon the
mountain side. The whole camp is, ready to
blaze forth, so wild is the excitement here at
this time: From the bitches, mills, mines, &C.,
they are focking to some point, from which
they can start upon their loug but cherished
tranp:. Some twenty or more will leave this
on Wednesday morning for the wild regions OF
the north, and amongst them several of my
most intimate and esteemed friends All that
can raise what they call a Z" Frazer river stake"
are preparing to go. I think the average here
will be about one ont of three, and perhaps
greater. Quite a number have left, or are
about leaving for San Francisco, where it is
reported that laboring men are scarce and
wages high.
+ The weather, for several weeks back, has
been such that it has puzzled our oldest and
most experienced sages; the days being very
cold and the nights intensely so. To see a
man with his oTer-coat on, was quite sufficient
to provoke smile fnom the hardy miner, in
days gone by but now, it is rare thing to
find one without it, especially in the evening.
Surely, Lord Ross must have been poking fun
building of pens to protect the cattle from the
withering heat of the present season. Num-
berless cases of sickness, such as colds, dys-
entery, rheumatism, neuralgia, &c. are the ef-
fects of this singular atmospherical change
AS it is not expected that the Fourth of July
will be able to reach this far little of any pre-
paration has been made to celebrate it. No
booming cannon to awaken the sleeping echoes
of our snow-clad mountains, and tell to other
and distant camps that we too remember; no
bands of music to delight our ears with their
wild and martial strains no Haunting banner,
or prancing steed with glittcring housings,
fiery eye and curving neck, to make glad the
eye and fill the heart with joy and pride
Nothing, absolutely nothing, to mark the birth
morn of the liberty we now enjoy. Awav
down among the shifting shadows of SO, can
still see the scattered and blackened fragments
of the only feld-piece we ever had-and which
was bursted through an excess of patriotism
and rum. Since that time, we have been con-
tent with mounted gun-barrels flint-lock mus
kets, sqnibs and pop-guns with an occasional
display of fire. works, when, instead of enjoy
ing the sight as we expected, we nearly broke
our necks in running and jumping to dodge
the rockets as they Kissed and tumbled through
the expeetant crowd Absolving the gentle
manly operators from all blame in the affair,
it is nevertheless too true, that most of the ex-
hibitions of this nature have been failures
How it is that other camps can afford to cele-
brate the Fourth in a becoming manner, while
we are unable to make the attempt has al
ways been painful mystery to me- Other
camps-and very little larger than this-can
boast of having from one to three fnc military
companies, while we, with every facility grant
ed by nature, cannot raise one We have no
band, and yet there are a number of good mu-
sicians here, but they are unable to purchase
instruments. Why not raise, by subscription,
sufficient amount of funds to purchase suit
able instruments, and have band of our own,
for then we will not, as now, have to feast our
ears upon either hired or borrowed music. All
the funds needed for this purpose, l am con-
f1dent, could be raised in few hours Let us
have band to cheer US, and it will impart a
new life to the town.
All the claims now worked, are paying well;
Berry, Chicks & Co. are making from six to
ten ounces, and others in proportion.