New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-07-15
THE FRAZER RIVER MINES AND THEIR
INFLUENCE ON CALIFORNIA.

From Our Own Correspondents
SAN FRANCISCO June 81, 1855,
We have had four or FIVE arrivals OF steamers
from Puget Sound during the LAST fortnight and
they have brought down q number OF letters and
several persons from the mines These letters, and
the published statements Of the returned miners,
contain little positive information ~ TO the extent
Of the Frazer River mines, but they convey the
idea that the diegpgs 80 far IS examined are rich,
and that great confidence 10 felt that they will be
found to be e1ter sive. This 10 the general purPort
of All the news which We have received snce the
sailing Of the last steamer. We have not heard Of
any good digsngs being found in any place except
On the bars of Frazer River, beginning about so
miles from its mouth, and extending up along lts
banks distance Of 90 miles. 1t is supposed that
there are rich diggings on the bars higher up, and
Oh the tributary streams and Oh the gullies drained
by the main river and the tributary streams; and 1t
ia rumored that rich diggngs have been found along
Thompson's River, and Oh the banks OF the Shush'
wsp Lake, but these suYPostions and rumors are
yery untrustwOrtby. As to the extreme rcb-
ness of the Frazer River bars there seems
to be no good reason to doubt; at least tor
those who have an opportunity OF question
ing the persons and examining the letters
from the mines. Among the returned miners 10 an
acquaintance Of my Own, whom have always nea
10 Be an honest man. He was here 10 lo49, and
knows What the rivers were in 1649. lie assures
me that Sailor Bar on Frazer River 10 richer than
any bar which he prospected on the Yuba-and he
examined q number-in le49. The gold, however,
il extremely fine. With common rocker-whlch
il entirely unsuited to save such fine gOd-he made
frtm $40 to $50 day and could easily have made
twice 40 much with quicksilver machine. Your
reader may ask why he left such rich diggings and
n TOLD hia We
visions, and could get none except by paying enor-
nous prices; and the river rose 70 high that the
bar was almost covered, and he and bis partners
could not work n the rich ground Therefore one
partner was left in charge Of the claim and the
others went down TO Puget Sound to get provisions
and stores for the Summers work. THIS MINER
tks that the bars on the river will be found ~ be
rid to within 80 miles Of the mouth.
The above is the substance Of the news brought
from Frazer River during the fortnight, and taken
BY itself does not convey any great idea OF the gold
en- wealth Of New California; but it s nevertheless
considered ~ confirming previous favorable reports.
A. stated in my last letter, matter how rich tn
mines may he on Frazer River, We cannot expec:
to hear much favorable news until the water falls,
60 that men can get TO the diggiDgs, and can WORK
them after getting there.
The steamer Surprise, well built river steamer,
which ran for a time between this city and Sscra-
mento, and sfterward (haying been fitted up for
ocean eervce) between here and San Diego, 10 now
running between Victoria and Fort Hope. At our
latest dates she had made but trip up the river
but she vas advertised to run regularly. TIE dis.
lance from the mouth Of the river to Fort Hope 10
100 milts; and the last TO bad never seen steamer
till the eth inst, when the American Surprise went
up. Tie river now belongs within the domain Of
civilization; aud any Of your readers who may wish
10 20 by steam to the new mines, can step aboard
at New.York and be landed in lees than 80 days on
bars where miners are now making $40 PER day.
There are two facts which deserve 70 be Ae,i rs
confrniatory of the rumored richness of Frazer
River; tbete.a that hone Of the miners who have
been there deny it, and that Of all the persOus who
have reached the mines as well as Of those who
have started to get there, very few have returned
Prudent men on your side Of the world may doubt
but California as State 10 convinced. A most
wonderful fever 10 raging The excitement equas
that of 40. There are now seven Ccesn steamers
IunpiDr 10 Puee; Sound, aud as they make about
two inps month, they carry away muit'tudes OF
Ias.tnrers The huu.ter Of persons intending 10
30 fIcn an portions If TIE uIises l.. iun.Dse. he