NEWS FROM THE GOLD REGION (1850)
The following excerpt has been reprinted from THE DEMOCRAT in Bangor, Maine, September 10, 1850.
THE DEMOCRAT
Vol. 13, No. 33
Bangor, Maine, Tuesday Sept. 10, 1850
FROM CALIFORNIA!
ARRIVAL OF THREE STEAMERS
The Empire City arrived at New York on Thursday. She brings $1,000,000 in gold.–The Georgia had $1,500,000, and the Cherokee has $1,000,000 more.
The Panama arrived at Panama from San Francisco on the 21st. She brings TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS in gold dust, and about 240 passengers. The Panama left Acapulco the 16th–On the 17th the Cholera broke out among the passengers and some 50 died.
The Dust and Coin on Freight is $756,000–Dust and Coin in the hands of the Passengers is $400,000.
ANARCHY IN THE MINES
We are in the state of transition from bad to worse. The miners are up in arms, irritated beyond endurance, and there is a universal sentiment of hatred against foreigners. At the Mormon Gulch resolutions have been passed to drive all Mexicans from the mines; they have received notice to quit in 15 days, or they will be expelled by force.
A physician and his companion were attacked in their tent near Sonora, by two Mexicans, who attempted to cut the throats of the Americans.–Both of the latter were wounded; but neither fatally. An alarm was given by one of them, and the two assassins were pursued and captured.–Their trial, condemnation, and execution will be summary; no doubt the whole business of their existence has ere this been brought to a conclusion.
MINING INTELLIGENCE
The news from the mines is exceeding good, the yields of gold are daily increasing as the waters recede. Extensive dams and trenches have been made in several parts for the purpose of turning the streams. An anticipation shared in by most of the miners is that when the waters subside there will be found an abundance of dust.
Murphy’s Diggings–A company of seven men have taken out, in one spot, in the above named location, in less than seven weeks, $15,000 in gold dust. This is their net proceeds, clear of expenses.
Another company of six took out, in the same diggings, last week, forty-two pounds of dust. The company is working fifty four feet beneath the surface.
The great points of concentration are the Mercedes, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus. Encouraging accounts have reached us from the Calaveras.–There is no lack of provisions and the health of the whole district is excellent.
In one portion of the mines, a party of Mexicans working under Americans, have perched themselves on a piece of table land, existing on the top of a mountain, and here, secreted from the eyes of the tax collector, they are making a pile.
The Sacramentonians boast now and then of a ten or twenty pound lump. At Murphy’s a miner has in his possession a lump weighing ninety-three pounds, of which it has been ascertained at least one-half is pure gold. Two thousand four hundred “holes” are registered at Murphy’s as preemption claims. Those not present at the first of August to answer in the matter of preemptions, forfeit their claims.
Mercedes–A lucky hombre, on the head waters of the Mercedes, has extracted a lump weighing eighty-three pounds, nearly all pure gold.
San Antonio–At this point, which was deserted last winter, five men have been taking out, on an average, seven ounces each for the past eleven days.
The report is favorable from all the mining region south; and the yield is undoubtedly greater than at any previous season. If the troubles which agitate our district were only at an end, which we feel assured soon will be, the San Joaquin district would rapidly distance any other section of the State.
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