SECRETARY'S REPORT. 171 



large risk of failure, operate to the detriment of all branches 

 like farming. ^ 



More than fifty men, mostly young, and without families, have 

 been to California since 1850. Three-fourths have returned, 

 They went to get money faster than they could at home. Some 

 of those there have their families with them, and will remain, 

 perhaps, for life. A few have gone to the Western States to 

 live easier, or settle a family of children to advantage ; but the 

 tide to California, and* also to the West, is now staid for the 

 present and we have quite room enough for all that are left. 

 The fever to emigrate West has reduced the price of real estate, 

 in this county more than ten per cent, within five years, though 

 there is just now, say for one year, a slight counter movement, 

 more apparent in some towns than in others. The present gen- 

 eral unfavorable prospect of the crop this year may check that 

 tendency, or an unfavorable prospect West, for high prices, may 

 leave us " in statu quo." 



Another on the same river says : 



" Lumbering has been carried on largely up the river, and 

 has drawn off labor from agricultural pursuits, gfeatly to their 

 disadvantage, and to the damage of the community. Much em- 

 igration from here to the West, not extensively in families, but 

 mostly young men, called oflf by the unusual but probably ephem- 

 eral high prices of breadstuff's and pork. Large numbers go 

 to California." 



One residing in an eastern seaboard town, says: 



" There have emigrated from this town since 1850, as near as 

 I can ascertain, six persons to California — of whom one died 

 there, one returned with money enough to clear a mortgage off 

 his farm, one is there now, and three returned no richer than 

 they went. Four have gone to sea, fifteen to Minnesota, four 

 families to other parts of the State. They went because they 

 became discouraged or dissatisfied, not content with getting'^ 

 only a living, and they resolved to go where there could, or 

 thought they could, do better. 



One other Californian returned with some money and some 

 fever and ague. Many of our people, especially the young 

 men, arc accustomed to work in the ship yards of the adjoining- 

 towns, and in good times, so called, get high wages, consequently 



