OREGON FREE P
VOK THE
AH,
VOL. L) WEEK BIDDING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1848. (NO. 96,
Here shall the Press the people's rights maintain, Unawed by Influence, and unbrlbed -by gain."
TERMS OF THE "FREE PRESS."
One copy, per annum, (in advance,) three dollars
and fifty ccnls, cash for six months, (wo dollars.
Advertising. Each square, (12 lines or less,) first
insertion, two dollarseach subsequent insertion, one
dollar. A reasonable deduction made on yearly
advertisements.
Currency and produce taken at their cash value.
Fmportant NEWS.
By a private letter from Honolulu, per brig Stirling,
dated the 8th of last month, we learn that the Bremen
brig Montezuma arrived at Honolulu on the 6th ult., 33
days from Mazatlan, with the news of the ratification
of the Treaty between (tie United States and Mexico.
'This is glorious news war is at an end and peace
prevails. The Montezuma brought not a letter from
the United States, and only a feu; Mexican papers;
therefore our budget is meagre.
'It is reported that Com. Jones has sailed for San
Fraaclsco, in the Ohio, to take possession of the gold
mlses on behalf of the United States. It is said that
Com. Jones has ten regiments of the army, the forces
at Mazatlan and other places, to sustain and carry out
his plans. He may make those who dig pay a certain
per centage of all they dig to the U. S. Government, or
Ao may cut them ofT altogether, by blockading the
coast ami depriving them of their provisions.
'Capt. Stout, the agent of the mail' steamers to run
between Oregon and Panama spent a fortnight with
as, and left for Oregon, via "Sah Francisco, in the
ship Rhone on the 3ls ult. He goes to Oregon to
prepare coal etc. for thestcamers, and expects to be
at Panama, to meet the first steamer, in January,
1849. We shall have a packet running from Honolulu
to the coast, to intersect the line. Capt. S. says that
letters will reach Oregon City in thirty days from
New York. The contractors are bound to carry the
mail monthly etc. I would tell you much more, but
you will soon have Capt. Stout in Oregon to speak for
himself.
GAUFOtKiA. The Polynesian of the Slh ult. says
tM 'Sabine' arrived here on Sunday, the 30th ult., U
dayflfrtKa San Francisco. She brings later news from
the gold region. Nearly all the inhabitants of California
are engaged in digging for gold. Immense quantities
are found. Single pieces weighing five ounces have
been taken from the inrlU. placera is believed to
extend over a surface of 100 square miles. Many en
gaged in digging have already amassed fortunes. A
private letter states that one man with a company of
Endians has procured upwards of 100,000 dollars worth
or gold already. Another man who had been on the
ground but three weeks 'calculates' he is worth 3,000
dollars. Valuable diamonds are reported to have been
found. All these reports are not authentic, and are
doubtless somewhat exaggerated, but that the placera
yields immense profits, there can he no doubt Both
newspapers have discontinued publication, and all
branches of business except what is necessary to sup
ply the wants of the people, are at a stand. Pro
visions and clothes are exorbitantly high on the ground,
owing to the few facilities for transportation lip the riv
er. No foreign vessels are allowed to go up the river,
although vessels of ordinary draught might go up to
Sutter's fort. Prices of provisions have advanced at
San Francisco, although not in proportion to those de
manded in the interior. The merchants and those
engaged in transportation on the river are reaping a
rich harvest. The fever and ague prevailed to a great
extent. People were flocking from all parts of the
country. No disturbance had occured among the dig
gers although trouble was anticipated.
Oregon Mail Steamers.-The 'Polynesian of the
23d, of July, says Captain Stout has arrived by the
Rhone, on business connected with the line of steam
ers to run from Panama to Oregon. The contractors
are the highly respectable firm of Howland and As
pinwall of New York. Three steamers of 1000 tons
each and 600 iiorse power are to commence plying
every month from Panama to Oregon in January, 1849.
They are to touch at the chief intermediate ports, but
not at these Islands for the present. There will be
a corresponding line of steamers to keep up the com
munication between N. York and Chagres. The mail
from New York is expected to be conveyed to Oregon
in one month. A good practical cart road is to be
made across the Isthmus of Panama, which for that
purpose has been surveyed by Mr. Stevens of travel
ing celedrity.
The Polynesian says the discoveries in California have
created quite a stir in the commercial world. Our trade
with California is rapidly increasing. During the
month of June 2 brigs and 2 schooners sailed for Cali
fornia during July, 1 ship, 2 brigs and 2 schooners
sailed since August 1st, 1 bark and 1 brig have sailed,
and 2 brigs and 3 schooners are shortly to follow;
making in all 15 departures in 2 months.
Since the gold discoveries in California, 69 passports
have been granted. Nearly as many more have gone
from this port in capacities not requiring passports.
Probably not less than 125 have left the islands up
to this date, and a large number more will go soon. 4
That's nothing to Oregon 1300 have gone.