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California Correspondence.San Frakcisco, June 5,1S50.1 After enduring tho fatiguee, the troubles and the-privatiensof one of the longest journeys ever made to California,' I find myself safely landed, in’good health and good spirits, at the city of the El Dorado, having reached this place last evening at 4 o'clock, in the bark Bum am.1 wrote you irora Acapulco, where wc took passage on the Chesapeake, and I again wrote you from San Diego after ire had loft her. From San Diego we took passage on the brig Malikadhcl to Santa Barbary, at which place, in consequence uf the brig going to be detained in taking in a cargo, we were transferred to the Burnham. We have been near sis montlis making the passage from Panama to this city, and have been passengers on no less than four different vessels.In my previous letters you have o partiul account of our journey as far os San Diego, and have doubtless heard from.other sources of our troubles on board the ill-fated and abominably managed steamer Chesapeake.You have also heard with regret of the death of our esteemed friend, Mr. Lc Boy W. Lynn, I had intended giving you the full particulars of our journey as soon as I got through, but 1 find that my time will not admit of my doing so at present; and I can assure you that I have but little disposition to recall to mind many of the incidents of our journey from Panama. So you will have to he content iritb what ha9 already been written you.From Son Rosalia, (where we left the Chesapeake,) to San Diego, a journey of twelve days, wo found it very difficult to get anything to eat, in consequence of the scarcity of the ranches, and the great number of emigrants ahead of us, who liad picked up nlmost everything, even the little the Mexicans had reserved for their own use. We got, however, plenty of meat, and with the assistance of some bread which bad been saved from our rations, wo managed to live quite well. Thilt; road is one of the most barren and desolate I Lave ever travelled. There is not a tree and scarcely a shrub, except on some of the stream?, which are very scarce, but generally contain good water. These streams arc sometimes thirty miles apart. We had a large gourd in which »ve carried—not hard cider— but water from stream to stream.There are some beautiful valleys where the rivers run, which arc cultivated to a limited extent by irrigation.. Some are grown up in grass from one to two feet high, and a/ford pasture the year round for immense herds of cattle and horses, great numbers of which arc raised by the inhabitants. Some individuals own as many as five thousand head. 1 cannot, unless [ write you a whole letter, give you c description of this country and our journey—5u(lice it to say, that the earth upon which wc trod was our bed, and the starry heavens our covering.We started from San Diego on the 10th of May and on the 13th wc dropped anchor at San Pedro which is the sea port town for Los Angelos, a city some ten miles in the interior ond containing a population of about fifteen thousand. It is said to be the most beautiful city (a* its name would signify') on the continent.On the 17th wo arrived at Santa Barbary. This is a beautiful little town, containing, perhaps, one thousand inhabitants. It is regularly laid out and has quits a number of bcauti-' ful residences. The most splendid church that I have yet seen is hero. It is located about (wo and a half miles in (he Tear of the town on a hill, and can be seen from the sea for many miles. A great deal of money and labor have been expended in its erection. At a distance of about one hundred yards from the church is a reservoir for water, about one hundred fed square and fifteen feet deep.— This immense body of water is supplied from the mountain streams through stone pipes sunk in the ground. High ranges of mountains encircle the town, and the peaks of some are still covered with snow.On the 31st of May wo went on board the Burnham, and after a passage of fourteen days iu which nothing of particular interest occurred, we arrived at this port. Wc had, it is true, quite a. blow; hut our boat rodothethree hundred yards. It is a deep and rapid stream, and vessels of two hundred and fifty ions burdeh can go up to Sacramento City with safety.Sacramento City is a place of about fifteen thousand inhabitants, and yet most of. tho bouses have been built within the last year.— A great many ore yet living in cloth houses which answer a very good purpose, as there is no rain to be protected from, ond cloth protects from the rays of the aun os well os boards. I think the ground on which the city stands too low to bo healthful. Ponds of water arc all through the city, and I am told that during the rainy season the town is com-pletely inundated. A great many of tho Isouses are built over ponds of water, by driving posts in the ground and laving the foundation on Uicm. Most of the houses arc quite temporary affairs, yet they are painted and look neat and tidy. Every kind of business is carried on here. There arc two daily papers, both of which are well supported. I noticed a street Bprinkler who had a sign in large gilt letters, “ Down with the Dust.’’ This is the principle on which all business is conducted.At Sacramento City 1 met with Hon. T. J. Ilenlev, formerly of the Madison district,and Mr. Dunn of Lawrenccburgh. Mr. Henley told me that ho had every confidence in the mines, and recommended me to go there.On the evening or tho 6th of June wc got under way for the gold diggings. Being ad vised by friends not to take any tools, with packs on our backs and staff in hand, we made our way out of the city. We had previously learned from Mr. Dunn the location of Messrs. Athcarn Vance’s mill, and we steered nur course for it. We camped about seven miles out of town on the American Fork, and made our supper on bread and tea.June 7lb. After a good night’s rest we rose early this morning so as to get as far as we could before the heat of the day. We proceeded some fourteen miles and stopped to lajie dinner, our faro being the same as at supper last evening. The sun being very warm, we rested in the shade about two hours. The road thus for is very good and as level as a floor. The trees stand about as thick on the ground as they do in some of our old orchards, and they resemble very much in appearance an old apple tree. Indeed the whole country thus for has the appearance of an or-chard where a good many of the trees have been taken outLeaving our camp wc ascended a small rise or hill upon another plain. The limber here is more plenty, of larger growth, and Ins a good many pine trees interspersed amongst it—the principal kind being a sort of oak. We were compelled to rest frequently, for the sun was very hot and no air moving.Hearing that there were a great many miners at work on Mormon Island, and it being near our destination, ive tool: the road leading to it, where we arrived at about 5 o’clock; but as it was “getting late and we had a Jong way to go,” we made but a abort stay. Wc got some bread and moved along two and a half miles further, where wc camped for the night. The country from the place where we tool; dinner is rolling, sometimes approach-uig hilly. Here we came across a wagoner with whom wc had camped the night previous who was a good old fashioned sort of a Penn-is tho place wherogold was first found in California. There ia a good opening here for a priuting ofHco, and if I had tho materials, ] should start a paper immediately. During the week ending tho 23d, we mined with about the same success as the previous week.Juno 33d. Some six of us went Over to Greenwood or Lewisville, a small town lately laid out and about seven miles from Culloma. Wo took a near cut through the hills, which proved to be the longest in the end and a very bad road. Wo walked on tlie very verge of pTccipiccs one hundred and fifty feet high, hinging on to twigs and stones, sometimes ascending hills and sometimes descending into the deep ravines where (lie sun seldom shines, until we reached the town. Green wood is situated in one of the most bpautiful valleys in California, is healthy and well supplied with the best spring water. Haines, Cadwcll and myself Ipvo purchased a lot hero and will commence next week to put a house on it.In closing tliis letter I would remark that it is strange what a “change comes over too spirit” of some who are professors or religion, when they get out here. I have seen men hero whom I knew to make loud professions nt homo, retailing whisky and playing cards on (he Sabbath.JNO. 11. COVINGTONBY TELEGRAPH.CONGRESSIONAL REPCRTS,rrom ifca Cincinnati Doilf Enquirer.TUESDAY’S PROCEEDINGS.Washington, Aug. 13.Sen ate.—The bill distributing Pubiic Lands among the States in which they arc located, for the use of actual settler; was taken up, and Mr. Walker spoke in support of the measure, after which it was postponed till Monday.The California hill was then taken up-Mr. Davis, of Miss., apokc in opposition to its passage, waffiitfjT *ho Senate of the serious and fu;nl consequences like to follow the consummation of such a measure.Mr. Clemens, of Ala., opposed the L:ll in an animated speechMr. Houston defended (he vote he was ahouttogivo in support ol the bill. He scouted till idea'of disunion, und argued the propriety and justice of admittinj California.After further debate the bill was pas-cd, yeas 34, nays 18.The passage of the bill was greeted with demonstrations of opplnusc.Mr. IJerricn signified a desire to enter a protest to the bill on the part of the minority.The bill to establish a terrltoral government for New Mexico, was made the order of the day for to-morrow.Adjourned.House-—The Senate bill grantin' pension to John Mitchell who lost both legs during the Mexican war, was passed.Mr. Jones, from the committee onRules, offered an nmendmetit to Mr.S”1!.:.! 5,° 5lli'“?L°.fiSou,e,sbU1’,vllicl'l,c lhus explained :We are all aware that under the rulesrabbits, and this man gave us some potatoes and pork, on which wo made a first rate supper.Juno 8 We started this morning about daylight, and after travelling about five miles same to a cros3 road and tool; the wrong direction. After trarolling about five miles on this road wo came to a ranchc, where wc madefive minutes are allowed for explanation !o a member offering an amend men I after debate has been closed, and that some of the most business-like and beneficial ac lion has taken place under it; but wc have also seen that rule abused by this transenquiry and found out our mistake. Wo,for of the amendment, as it was original-cooked breakfast, ate, and took n small foot ,y ia(cndcd (0 give ,hfl (novcr of an path which, wo were told, would lead us into 1 _ . .. , , . .' . amendment, particularly on appropriationthe main road again. This was about two:.... , . i • imiles of the worst road I ever travelled. We finally reached the main road, and after travelling some eight or ten miles, at about 10 o’clock, wc reached a ranche Here we bought two and a half pounds of pork, for which we paid one dollar, and having bread enough, webills, an opportunity to explain.'The amendment from the committee proposes to extend this right to any other member to reply, and then ihcro shall be no farther debate on it. Tho same rule is to be extended to all amendmentssat about preparing our dinner. By the time ’ the committee shall vote, and the mover wc had got our meat fried, the worthy landlord Nj, ROt be ,,crnlilted ,0 wi,|,draw wi,h.had got a history of our travels nod adventures«.v , i. . , i « out the unanimous couscnt.Mfc. w* - « hr ££ ' ' r Alice an nnim.tcd dcW, A. »„c.waves, wwould sweep everything from tho decks, like a duck. Cupt. Hall, her commander, has been on this coast for a number of years—in-thc best lie had prepared, which constated ofhash, bread, molasses, butter, vinegar and a w« osiJe atul tho IIoU9C in Commit-glass of good cool beer—all of which was fo® of the Whole took up tho Civil anddeed, he served his apprenticeship here. He far“ *f ffnsc-This ranche is Diplomatic Appropriation bill, but ad-... v. _ . . near what is called the “Ohl Drv niemns” jouined without taking any action.is the same Hall who figures so prominently in the novel entitled “Two Years Before the Mast.”Since my arrival here I have neither seen nor heard anything to discourage me from going to the mines. I am in good health, and from the circumstances surrounding roc, I expect in a short lime to gain in this country -hit not on independence, a competency.— There is gold here and plenty of it; and lie who lias heal tli, anil is industrious and prudent cannot foil to accumulate wealth.Wc have seen Dnriu3 Wilbur here. He is in good health, and has, in my opinion, made a profitable journey. We have received letters from P. A. Atboam and John E. Haines. John is at the southern mines keeping a store, and I doubt not doing better than he could by digging.Sly bost respects to nil my friends,JNO. B. COVINGTON.near what is called the “Old Dry Diggins, and about a mile and a half from Weaver’s Creek.Wc reached Weaver’s Creek about 3 o’clock. It is a small stream, and the adjacent country is said to be siekly on account of its bad water. Just after crossing this creek, wc ascended one of the largest hills I have yet seen in California. For about four miles after reaching its summit wc had u good road, at which point a branch or ravine leads off to the ranch of Athoarn Vancc, about two miles distant. Gelling our direction from some miners, wc proceeded down the ravine and arrived at tho rancho of our friends about dark. We found them all in good health and, I am happy say, accumulating that for which they endured tho fatigues of a trip across the plains—coin—as fast as could be expected.The next day being Sunday, wc did nothing in the way of work; but on Monday morning, June 10th, wo got shovels, picks and rocker, and woi.l to work. Wo continued mining during the week, averaging about eight dal-lars each per day, which is considered good for now hands. .We paid $3,30 for a bucket, $4,00 for a tin pan, and $2^50 for a tin dipper.Sunday, June 16th. To-day wo went up to C.ullotno, ono mile abovo here. It is a small town of five hundred inhabitants, andStorm.—On Saturday afternoon lari, wc experienced the most lerriflic storm that has been witnessed for many years in this region. An incessant peal of thunder rolled from cost to west, and from uorlh to south, for about three hours, before the fury of the storm hurst upon us. The storm lasted about two hours, and was accompanied with hull and very b'gh wind. Wc have heard of three bams filled with grain being destroyed by lightning, and of immense damigo by the overthrow of stocks of wheat, oats, hay, ic. Tho lowlands wore ail overflowed fences swept away, and indged hi • ho track of storm wc are told that for thirty years no man remembers n like destruction.—[Cadiz Hep. of tho 8lh.'clrlr;
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Rising Sun Mirror
Rising Sun, Indiana, US
Sat, Aug 17, 1850
Page 2
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USA 28 Jan 2024
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