Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-09-11


tains letter from California correspon-
dence which favors the idea that gold at Fra
ser River is no humbug but reality; we
make an extract:
SAN Francisco, August 5, 1858.
s'First among matters of mention are the
gold diggings Of New Caledonia. The cpl
demic consequent upon their discovery has
pissed away, at least, for a time, leaving the
State like person Just passed the crisis of "a
raging fever-very feeble. Every branch of
trade and industry has suffered, the mcchani-
cal especially-some of our workshops being
entirely destitute of hands. In the mining
district, the ravages of the disorder are still
more perceptible, and had the reaction not
taken place as soon as it did. hundreds of
our country merchants would have been ru-
ircd; Indeed, it is not sure thing now with
many of them that they can repair their
losses. But, you will ASK is it true that Fra
ser River or rather its repnted gold deposits,
amounts, after ALL to nothing | answer sin
cerely and cmphatlcally, No. As was the
case with California in the memorable times
of 40 and 80, there are swarms of croakers
and lazy good for-nothings, who delight in
the dsparagement of anything like honest
labor and enterprise, and who, because, for
sooth. the gold is not to be had By qoaiing
for it, affect unqualified disgust and with
an air of profound wisdom, cry "humhng !"
Others again, as | said in former letter,
acted as though they were insane, and with
out preparation, and almost destitute Of
means, they crowded on board the ships and
steamers for Puget's Sound, and despite the
| oe t,,,, tLoE fl,,.
ers were too high to work, off they went.
The result, as | predict, has been suffering
and distress, to q considerable extent.
Now, the fact is, the original accounts as to
the extent and richness of the new gold mines
remain intact. Not single statement has
been contradicted so far as | can ascertain,
while on the other hand the news we receive
from steamer to steamer, considering the fact
that Fraser river will not reach its lowest
stage for several weeks to come, is highly IA
yorablc, all tending to show that the dig5ings
are of extraordinary value and of vast extent
equal at least to California. In evidence of
this, in addition to what | have before pre-
sented, will otier-Mr w. w. a. Wallace,
| an educated reliable gentlemen, with whom |
am personally acquainted, and who is at pre-
sent travelling through the British possessions,
as special correspondent of the Alta Califor-
mia cwspaper-writing from Fort ale under
date of July 18th, he says:
"One thing may be set down as certain {:
that is. the gold mines are very rich. OF this
there is now every evidence, and no sensible
person doubts it. I might cite hundred in
stances in proof OF the assertion, but there is
no occasion for a repetition of the facts as
brought down by returning miners. Many,
of course, return discouraged from the mines
with unfavorable accounts, and hundreds who
rushed hither from California, prematuyely,
and against the advice of every truthful news
paper correspondent, have gone back with
exaggerated rumors, which, of course, do not
lose anything by travelling. The only way is
to separate the improbable and impossible
from what seems reliable, and in this the ia
vorable accounts are far the most worthy of
belief"
This, you will observe, corresponds with
my statements.
Again, Mr. Wallace, writing from Victoria
by the last mails, speaks of man named
James Waugh, who has claim on Sailors
Bar, near the Canons. This man. he saws.
made rocker out of a pine rec, with an axe
and knife, and in seven weeks washed out
ta0o hundred and .ftty.four ounces! or some
thing over four thousand dollars :. Inc last
nineteen ounces says Mr.. W, I have Just
seen put into the hands of Mr. Walker, who
has purchased some nine poun Is from t-c
same party"
On the 10Th Of July, G,v";lor douglas al,
dressed several hu,'lrol miners in front OF
the fort a We .Iaking, among otner III
81 Hd. 4 ud -, the following: