The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-04 00:00:00

THE ANGLO-CALIFORNIAN GOLD MIN-
ING COMPANY.

A meeting of the shareholders of the above com-
pany took place at the Corn Exchange, Lincoln, on
Thursday evening last, M. Redman, Esq , in the
chair, at which one of the directors attended to ex-
plain the position of the company, and Captain Sir
Henry Vere Huntley to give a detailed account of
its prospects in California' whence he has lately ar-
rived. There were present, besides shareholders, seve-
ral residents of high respectability, who seemed much
interested in the proceedings.
GEORGE C. COTTRELL, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn, and
one of the directors, rose to address the meeting.
He explained that the present meeting had been
called together in consequence of the number of
shareholders the company had is Lincoln, that
they might hear what was the present position
and prospects of the company. His duty was
chiefly to state ho'w matters stood in England, as
Sir Henry Huntley would enlarge upon its condition
in California; and he thought these two things would
comprise all that the shareholders present would rea-
sonably expect to be made acquainted with. The ob•
ject of establishing this company was to engage in
mining operations, for obtaining gold in California;
and when this company was established any process
of the kind was utterly unknown. Since that time,
however, one company had sprung into existence and
was now in active operation ; of this they would hear
from Sir H. Iluntley. For the benefit of the share-
holders he might state that the directors had endea-
voured to conduct the affairs of the company with
the most rigid economy.—(Cheers.) He (Mr. Cot-
trell) was only connected with it from June last, since
which time he had attended every meeting of the

board, and could safely assert that the most economical
principles of action had not only been laid down, but
strictly observed.—(Hear, hear.) They had now
the opportunity of carrying on one, two, or three
different enterprises in California; first, by pur-
chasing an interest in the Mariposa Mine ; secondly,
by purchasing the Ague Fria Mine; and thirdly, by
taking a lease of a spot of land which had been per-
sonally inspected by Sir Henry, and found to contain
gold quartz in sufficient quantity to justify its being
selected for the plan ultimately to be carried out.
The company had the means of accomplishing two of
these plans ; but if an interest was to be purchased

in the Mariposa Mine it was of great importance that
the company should have more capital than it at
present possessed, in order fully and effectually to do
justice to the opportunity offered to them, as
well as to the operations of Sir Henry Huntley,
who had been selected to carry that or any other
plan into effect. His (Mr. Cottrell's) object in
addressing them was to induce them to increase

the number of their shares. He wished the
meeting to understand that any individual subscribing
for shares in this company would not be liable for a
single penny beyond the amount he might subscribe
towards the capital of the company. The company's
deed of registration was now in the hands of the Re-
gistrar-General of Joint-stock Companies, and in the
deed it was provided that each shareholder should not
be liable beyond the amount of capital for which he
had absolutely subscribed. There was neither debt
nor liability upon the company beyond those incurred
day by day for office expenses, clerks, &c., and there
was a considerable sum of money in hand to meet
the exigencies of the company. Their prospects in
California were such, that if the means were extended
to them of carrying out the undertaking it must be
crowned with success. It was, in fact, not a question
of speculation but of certainty. After paying all
working expenses they would have 100 per cent.
interest.—(Cheers.)
Sir 11. HUNTLEY addressed the meeting at some
length upon points which are embraced in that gen-
tleman's report made to the provisional directors on
his return from California in November last.

Mr. W. PECK: bookseller, proposed the following
resolution, which was seconded by Mr. BRUMBY,
printer :

" That this meeting, having with undivided satisfac-
tion taken into consideration the various proposals made
to Sir Henry Vere Huntley during his temporary visa
in California, is of opinion that the advantages to be de-
rived from the " Agua Fria Mina" cannot fail to afferd,
and within a few months of the present time, a very con-
siderable return of capital to the company; and that Sir
Henry, through the medium of the directors, be em-
powered to purchase the said Caine for the benefit of the
shareholders."

Mr. ITEcic, fishmonger, proposed the next resolu-
Lon, which was seconded by Captain PIGOTT

" That the thanks of this meeting are due, and are
hereby given, to Sir Henry Vere Huntley, for the able
and interesting exposition with which he has this even-
ing favoured the shareholders of the Anglo-Californian
Gold Mining Company, in reference to their present
position; and for the very arduous and unremitting
exertions which he has used for the interest of the said
company."
Mr. GEORGE GRESHAM, the agent of the company,
at Lincoln, seconded by Mr. BERCH, schoolmaster,
proposed the next resolution :
" That this meeting desires the directors, through the
medium of Sir H. Huntley, to secure on lease the plot of
lanl marked out by Sir Henry on the land belonging to
Colonel Fremont."

The various resolutions were put by the chairman
and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN said the meeting would feel gra-
tified at hearing from Sir Henry a description of the
social condition of California.—(Cheers.)
Sir HENRY HUNTLEY again rose and said that he
would endeavour to comply with a request which had
so strongly received the approbation of the meeting.
Before the meeting separated, a vote of thanks
was passed to the chairman for his conduct in the
chair.

(Copy.)
Penrith, Jan. '23, 1851.
Sir,—We had a meeting of shareholders in the
town last night, when the following resolution was
passed unanimously by those present :
" Resolved,—That the thanks of this meeting be given
to the directors of the company for their persevering
efforts to carry out the projects of the company, and to
Sir H. V. Huntley, in particular, for his labour and
efforts to serve the interests of the company; and that
they express their entire confidence in the manager and
directors, and in the ultimate success of
,the under-
taking."
Signed on behalf of the shareholders,
JONATHAN FALDER, Agent for Penrith.
Mr. Williams.

THE OLDEST WOMAN* IN THE WORLD.—We have
recently (says the Gateshead Observer) received a lock of
lady's hair. Gentle reader, do not smile too soon. Formerly
it was raven black; it is now snow white—bleached by one
hundred and nineteen winters. Mary Benton, from whose
tresses it was shorn, was born at Keverston, near Raby
Castle, in the county of Durham, on the 12th of February,
1731; and on the 3d of December, 1849, she sent her old
friend, Mr. John llinchliffe, the respected parish clerk of
Cockfield, where she was christened, a lock of her lily hair,
in tender acknowledgment of her continued remembrance
and regard. Mr. Hinchliffe, on presenting a portion of the
keepsake to a friend, raised himself up to his full height and
said "She is as fresh as I am—(his own age is 72) - walks
right up an end—feeds her hens and chickens —wears no
spectacles— can hear well—and was helping at haymaking
at Elton in 1818." He might have added, " and gleaning
in the autumn of the following year " What fol-
lowa we derive from the information of a lady who
lately visited Mary Benton, and found her engaged
in washing her own clothes. Her father's name
was Ralph Lodge, who lived to the venerable age of 105,
and her mother died an " old woman." Mary began life as
a shepherdess, " tending her father's flock." She afterwards
became " the maid of the inn" kept by her grandmother at
Piersbridge, where she well remembers soldiers being quar-
tered in the rebellion of '45. She afterwards lived in service
at various places; among the rest, Raby Castle, to which
the noble owner, the Duke of Cleveland, invited her—an
honour she prudently declined. The Duke of Northumber-
land has also been to see her. When young she had " lovers
plenty," and " took the worst at last I" " as," said she to our
informant, " sometimes happens." On being asked if she
enjoyed unvarying health, she replied, " I never had the
doctor but once, and I was so frightened that I swooned
away when he came into the room." Amusing enough, to
hear of the nerves that had stood the rebels giving way
before the doctor! In the course of last year Mr. Bewick
painted a striking likeness of the venerable matriarch—if we
may use such a word—who at present resides with her grand-
son at Elton. Should she live to be included in the
ap-
proaching census, and be entered as 120 years of age, she
will doubtless be the oldest person in that record, if she be
not, as we have supposed, the oldest woman in the world.

[ADVERTISEMENT.]—The Observer of Sunday,
Feb. 2, gave nearly five of their folio columns of particulars
connected with the Great Exhibition, brought down to Sa-
turday night. The Observer of Sunday, Jan. 26, gave four
folio columns of interesting incidents of the Exhibition,
chiefly original facts, collected and written by the Observer
reporters. The extensive publication of the Observer com-
mences at four o'clock on Sunday mornings. Sunday, Feb.
9, a gratuitous supplement to the Observer. Price of the
Observer, Sixpence.

DBATII OF SIR FRANCIS LAWLEY, BART.—We re-
gret to record the demise of the above highly respected Ba-
ronet, who died on Thursday last at his seat in Warwick-
shire. His death was most unexpected, as he was out shoot-
ing, and apparently in the vigour of health on Tuesday last.
Sir Francis was second son of Sir Robert Lawley (the fifth
baronet) by his marriage with Jane, only child of the late
Mr. Beilby Thompson, and consequently brother of Lord
Wenlock and the Dowager Lady Middleton. He was born
in 1782, and married 18th May, 1815, Mary Anne, eldest
daughter of Mr. George Talbot, but does not leave any issue
by that lady, who now survives him. In 18414 he succeeded
to the baronetcy on the death of his elder brother, Lord
Wenlock. The late Baronet was a great personal friend of
the late Sir Robert Peel, of whom he was a great admirer
and a staunch supporter, and in consequence of that friend-
ship was among the chosen few permitted to assist at the
last solemn rites of that illustrious statesman's career. Sir
Francis represented Warwickshire in the House of Commons
in four Parliaments, but has iot taken any active share in
politics sins• the general election in 1g35. As a landlord
he was highly revered by his tenantry on his estates in
Warwickshire and Shropshire. The baronetcy devolves on
his brother, Lord Wenlock, who will also inherit his large

landed property.
FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Sunday afternoon, as some
boys, who had clandestinely obtained possession of a water-
man's boat, were rowing near Bugsby's Hole, the boat got
foul of a tier of shipping, the tide running strong at the time.
Being unskilful and afraid they rose from their seats in great
alarm, and capsized the boat. Their cries brought a number
of persons to their assistance, and three were oared, but two
were unfortunately drowned.