hubert howe bancroft - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History ...

THE OLD AND THE NEW. 108
ment opened the eyes of local traders to their possible
share in the wealth, several hastened to despatch
orders to Hawaii, Chili, and other customary resorts,
and to keep a close watch for stray trading vessels,
with many a ruse to anticipate competitors. 8
Under the increased demand from a fast-growing
multitude, the neglect of local farmers, and the cost of
transportation, prices for everything rose immensely, 3
benefit of entrepots like Hawaii and Chili Cat. Star, March, Apr. 1,
1848, etc.
'Larkin, Doc, MS., vi. 167, sent to Mexico for a cargo in Aug. 1848.
Men were stationed on the hilla to signal vessels, and boats lay ready to convey
the trader to them, with fast rowers to elude pursuing rivals. Then a
spirited bidding for the whole cargo, including much useless materials. Mellas
& Howard bought $15,000 worth in May 1848. Id., 111. Later enterprising
men went to meet emigrant trains across the Sierra to buy their surplus
animals. Bar slow a Stat., MS., 13. Imports for 1848, chiefly in last half,
amounted to about $100,000; for the six months ending March 31, 1849, to
$1,000,000. U. 8. Oov. Doc, H. Ex. Doc 5, i. 158, Cong. 31, Sess. 1.
9 In March 1848 the rates were: flour $4 per cwt; beans $1.37 per bushel;
wheat 62.J cents per bushel; beef $2 per cwt.; beef cattle $5 to $8 per head;
sheep $2; horses $15 to $30; butter 50 cents; pickled salmon $8 to $9 per
barrel; tallow 5 cents per lb.; lumber $40 to $50 per thousand feet; coffee
32 cts; sugar 6 to 12 cts; Cal. whiskey $10 per barrel; tobacco 30 to 62 .J cts;
cotton 8 to 14 eta a yard. Caitfornian, March 15; Cal Star, March 18, 1848,
etc. Many articles, like implements, jumped at once in May to high figures;
others advanced gradually, till in Dec. the rates stood: for flour $25 to $27
per barrel; wheat $6 per fanega; beef $20 and pork $60 per barrel; sugar 20
to 25 cts; lumber $125 per thousand. Id., Dec. 16. At the mines goods
brought from 300 to 500 per cent profit, writes Larkin, Doc, vi. 74, 1(51-3.
See also his much-quoted letters to Washington of June 1st and 28th. At the
Dry Diggings, remote from the easier river traffic, prices in Aug. were double
tha rates ruling on the Yuba, where they were twice as high as at Sutter's
Fort. Flour being here $18 in Aug. and at the Yuba $30 to $40. Biscuits
rose $1 to $2alb. Findla's Stat., MS., 4-7. Medicine $16 a dose. Burnett's
Rec, MS., i. 375, 404. The French consular report places flour, sugar, and
rice in July at $1 alb.; liquors $8 a bottle; fresh meat 12* cts. Ferry, CaL,
320. Flour $50, and shovels $10, in Oct. at S. F., says Buffum. In Nov. ho
found flour $60 and pork $150 a barrel at Sutter's. SLc Months, 55. Prices
fluctuated dorms the autumn, under arrivals from Oregon, etc. By the middle
of Dec. they feu greatly, partly under a lessened demand for the mines,
from which diggers were returning. Flour $12 to $15; brandy $8 a gallon,
while pold-dustDrought only $10^ an ounce.
This was merely a temporary relapse, for early in 1849 they rose again, to
continue high until the autumn. Board cost $20 a week and upward, a meal
at any decent restaurant coming to several dollars; bread, 50 cts for a small
loaf; eggs £9 to $24 a dozen; potatoes 50 cts and upward; apples $3 each;
milk £1 a uuart. Lumber rose to $600 per thousand, and in Jan. 1850, C1,GOO
waj piid tor fine flooring. Williams* Stat,, MS., 4r-C; ROM, Stat., Mo., 12.
Unskilled labor was $1 an hour; artisans obtained $12 to $20 a day; picks and
shovelj were $15 each. Washing was so costly that men preferred to throw •away
soiled linen. Doctors charged $25 and upward for a visit. The rent
for a ono-story central house for business was $3,000 a month. See further,
on this point, the chapter on S. F. in voL vi. In the mines prices varied
in aocordanco witn facilities for access and the momentary amount of supplies.