, 1862-04-05
Letter from Florence.
FLORENCE, March 18th, 1862.

FLORENCE, March 18th, 1862.
Although we are now in the middle of a spring
month, when one would think we should be blessed
with warm and genial sun, or soft balmy rains,
the cold weather still continues, the snow falls all
most daily, still adding to the depth of that which
has already falen-about seven feet on a level
thus putting an end to prospecting, and with the
high price that provisions of all kinds have at
tained somewhat discouraging all new arrivals.
There are many here who came 10 late and with
out sufficient provisions to last them, that are
now working for their board alone. Others, who
were not willing, or could not obtain work on
such terms, have either gone to the Salmon river
to obtain living by hunting and fishing until
such time as mining could be commenced again.
or have gone belowto pack in on their backs suf-
ficent to last them, or to live where living costs
less and await the disappearance of the snow in
the mountains. Some forty of the latter class
left here on the 14th.
Wherever it is thought possible that suffi-
eient quantity of water can be obtained, with the
melting of the snow, for running sluices-the
most rapid and economical inventions for collect
ing and saving gold-have been got in readiness
preparatory to the commencement of spring work
By the use of the sluce-should the snow pass
ava, with rain, which mrst certainly come
soon-the yield of gold during the next three
months to come, from this district, will most GER
tainly-eonsidering the yield of most claims last
fall with the use of the rocker-be larger than
that Of any district of equal extent in California
in her palmest days
1t is great piece of foolshness for persons
knowing the condition of things here at present
to come, as they mostly do, without money, and
without pound of provisions; having nothing but
their Blankets il leaves them almost in desti-
tute condition. The snow will not have left the
ground sufficiently bare for prospecting before the
first of May, no matter how the weather is. And
even then, if the trail between here and Lewiston
does not become passabe for packtrains previ-
Ously, it will be wolse than madness for persons
to come without provisions with prospect Of re-
naming
Of late quite trade has sprung up between
this place and Orc Fino. Pack trains ply regu-
arly, bringing in such articles as are most need
ed and command the highest prices few in
dividuals, coming up from Lewiston, having an
eye to business, have packed in on their backs
what they considered most essential and valuable
such as tools, tobacco etc. Shovels they have
sold for $40 apiece; tobacco, So per pound.
The latter article is retailed out-so l am in
formed by those who indulge in the luxury of its
use-at loo BITS chew.
There is but small amount Of any of the
necessaries which we ought to have here left IN
our stores-of some there is none. Flour is sell
ing at s per pound bacon-none in the mar
ket-would be worth from 81 so to 81 pei
pound; beans. s 80 sugar, none tea, 50 so
dried apples, s so; butter none cheese, none
lard, none; nails, So 90; gum boots, none
shovels $40 co.; spades, $40 90 Lumber sells
at $50 90 per hundred feet.
FELLOW CRAFT.