The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-05 00:00:00

CALIFORNIA•

The commercial accounts from New York this
week contain nothing new, but the later advices from
California had surpassed the most favourable aLtici-
pations. A better state of society prevailed at San
Francisco, and there was consequently more steadi-
ness in business, while the reports from the mines
furnished proofs of a degree of success more general
than at any former period. At no time:had there
been a larger number of persons employed, and the
average yield to each was fully equal to the best
previous returns. The use of improved methods,
coupled with the fact that the comforts at the dig-
gings are now greater than could have been obtained
two years back at the cities, tended to stimulate all
parties to steady labour. The weather also bad been
very fine and the general health satisfactory.
Scarcely a day passes, it is said, in which a fur-
ther rich discoveries are not announced, and a
spot in the northern part of the State had proved
very productive where the deposits existed be-
neath a bed of earth and stones several feet deep,
resembling those which have been found on
the Turon river in Australia. Regarding the
quartz veins particulars are given which show that
the working of them will be fully pursued by parties
on the spot, and that our best course in connexion
with them, instead of seeking doubtful leases at ridi-
culous prices, would be to obtain as many orders and
remittances as possible for good machinery. From
the following extracts it will be seen that in the
northern districts, no less than in the south, the rock
may be traced " mile after mile ;" and, likewise, that
owing to the inefficient means possessed by many of
the parties who are at present occupied lc crushing,
the process is carried on at an expense which would
cause them to welcome any one upon their " claims"
who would use good machinery, and pay them even
the most moderate royalty :
" Attention has been drawn in a peculiar manner to
quartz mining from the astonishing numba of aurife-
rous veins which have been discovered in our gold dis-
tricts. Leads have been traced for mile after mile
through the hills, in almost every part of which the
presence of the precious metal could be easily detected.
" In the Northern Mines Grass Valley has been the
most important point in quartz mining for some time
past, and in the southern mines, Senora and its imme-
diate vicinity. Many of those who hold claims which
they are convinced will pay are waiting the results of
the experiments now being made, preferring delay to in-
curring the great expense of erecting machinery, with
the risk attendant upon a failure.
"In Grass Valley six or eight mills are in actual
operation, aad as many more in process of construction.
The veins, as is generally the case tiroughout the
northern section of the country, run regularly, and can
be easily followed; but the machinery ii, as a general
thing, very imperfect, the arastras not bdng of sufficient
weight, and the mortars lacking solidity, while a large
proportion of the gold, as is generally stpposed, escapes
from the amalgamating table. Most of the quartz mi-
ners roast their ore, very much in the Nimes manner as
brick is burnt, which process renders it easier to be
crushed. _ _

' In Nevada several companies have been organised
for quartz mining, and one, the Gold Tannel Company,
have apparently on© of the bast mills in operation which
can be found in the country. It is of S:ockton's patent,
and seems well adapted for doing its work. The mem-
bers, however, complain of its being insufficient, and
intend erecting more powerful machinery.
" Nearly all the mills are worked by steam, but at this
point the Bunker Hill Company are enabled to work by
water power from Deer Creek. By this company a new
process is about being introduced, by which the quartz
will be broken into lumps of about the size of a man's
fist, or smaller, which are to be placed in a furnace and
regularly smelted.
"It is expected that on subjecting the gold bearing
quartz to au intense heat the precious metal will run out,
the experiments made on a small scale having proved so
encouraging as to induce the company to risk the largo
outlay requisite to procure and set up their furnace.
" An immense lead of auriferous quartz has been dis•
covered in the vicinity of Downieville, high up in the
Sierra, which has been traced in a direct line for upwards
of twenty miles. In every portion of it gold has been
discovered, and in quantities which indicate extreme
richness. It is said that a number of companies have
been organized for the purpose of working it at different

points.
" These mills are capable of grinding, each from 18 to
40 tons daily, and each employed about 30 men. The
general report is that the stone pays from two to two
and a half cents. per pound, which would make
a return of from forty to fifty dollars per ton. If these
rates could be realised, there could be no doubt
of the enterprises paying well, particularly with the
chances of richer spots occasionally appearing;
but after a very minute investigation, and questioning
repeatedly persons of all grades connected with the
various establishments, after collecting and comparing
the stated returns of all parties, we have been forced to
the conclusion that quarts mining, as a general thing,
does not, and for a considerable time to come will
not pay.
" That the leads of quartz rook will eventually prove
a source of untold riches, we do not doubt; but we feel
convinced that at present the returns are not over 5 per
cent. on the capital invested, even those which are re-
presented as doing the best, while in others a positive
los3 is involved. Although throughout the northern
mines the veins run very regularly, the expenses are
very great and the machinery anything but perfect.
" Six months will not pass away before, with many
who are rushing into quartz mining on credit with in-
sufficient and patchwork machinery, expensive labour,
Esc., the bubble will burst, and ruin be entailed on not a
few who are now considered rich in the possession of a
claim. We know that our position is adverse to that
usually taken at the present time, but it is the result of
very close investigation and long study."
In the ordinary mines the quantity of earth that
has been thrown up preparatory to washing in the
rainy season will be sufficient to give employment
such as will prevent the diminution of supplies that
has hitherto taken place at that period. As regards
the wages to be obtained in other pursuits, it appears
that at San Francisco the rate for mechanics is eight
dollars (11. 2s. 6d.), and for common labourers five
dollars. The number of steamers on the rivers is
rapidly increasing, and there are now no less than
thirty on the Sacramento and the San Joaquin. In
Oregon also there are eleven, although last year there
was only one. The Mormons have purchased 80,000
acres of land, well timbered and watered, near Los
Angeles, for 20,0001. They mean, it is said, to build
a great city and a railroad to Salt Lake. They have
given notice that all the emigrants who are preparing
to come to them from Europe are to do so by way of
the Isthmus.