The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-12-19
WIIOllE NO. lO5:

tioh on tne subject. Ills report 10 the War
Department Of the result of his examination: :
and the facts obtained on the spot, K iiese.
with laid before Congres. When he yisiled
the country, there we've about 1000 persons
engaged in collecting gold. There is every
reason to believe thar the number Of persons
20 employed has since been augmented. -.
The explorations already made warrant The
belief that the supply is very large, and that
gold is found at various points in an exten.
sive district Of country.
Information received from officers Of ths
Navy, and other sources, though NOT so fall
and minute, confirm the accounts Of the
commander of our military force in Califor
MIA. ltcppears, also, from these reports, that
mines Of quicksilver are found in the yicin:.
" Of the gold region; ole Of them is now
being worked; and is believed TO be among
the most productive in the world.
The effects produced by the discovery Of
these rich mineral deposits, and the success
which has attended the abors of those wlo
have resorted to them, have Produced a sur.
prsing change in the state Of affairs in Cali
fornia. Labor commands a most excrbitsnt
price, and all other pursuits, but that Of
searching for the precious metals, are aban-
doned. Nearly the whole male population
Of the country have gone to The gold dis.
lrlct. Ships arriving on the coast, are de.
serted by their own crews, and their voyaqes
suspended for want of sailors. Oh. com
manding officer there entertains apprehen.
sions that soldiers Cannot be KEEP, ia the p,,b.
lie service, without large increase Of pay.
Desertions in his command have become frs-
quent, and he recommends that those, who
shall withstand the strong temptation, and
remain faithful, should be rewarded.
This abundance Of gold, and the all en-.
crossing pursuit Ut it, has already caused in
California an unprecedented rise in the ne.
cessaries of life. l
That we may the more speedily and fuIly
avail ourselves Of the undeyeloped wealth
Of these mines, il. is deemed Of vast impor-
tanee that a branch Of the mint ofthe United
States be authorized 10 be established, du-
ring the present session ia California
Amung other signal advantages which would
result from such an establishment, Mould be
that Of raising the gold to lis par value ia.
that territory. A branch mint or the United
States at the great commercial depot on the
West coast, would convert into our coin, not
only the gold derived from our own rich
mines, but also the bullion and specie which
our commerce may bring from the whole
West coast; Central and South America
The West coast of America, and the adjacent
interior, embrace the hest mines of New
Mexico, New Grenada, Central America.
Chill and Peru,
The bullion and specie drawn from these
countries. and especially from those Of Wes.
tern Mexico and Peru; to ali amount id va
lue Of mesy millions of dullars, are now an
nually diverted and carried BY the ships or
Great Britain 10 her own ports, TO be recoin.
ed, or used to maintain her National Bank.
and thus contribute to increase her ability
10 command so much Of the commence Of
the world. If branch mint be established
at great commercial point upon that coast
q vast amount Of bullion and specie would
flow thither to be recoined, and pass thencs
to New Odeans, New York, and other At
lantic cities. The amount Of our coristtu-
Iional currency at home would be greatly in
creased while its circulation abfoad would be
promoted. II is well known to our ner-
chants tredingte China and the west coast
Of Amerha, that great Inconvenience and
loss are experienced from the fact that our
coins are moi current at their par yuli.e ia
those countries. ~
The powers Of Europe removed from the
west coast Of America BY the Atlantic ocean.
which intervenes, and BY the tedious and
dangerous navigation around the southern
cape of the continent Of America, can never
successfully compete with the United States
in the rich and extensive commerce which
is opened IL us at 50 much less cost BY the
acquisition Of California.
The vast importance and commercial aa-
vantages Of California have heretofore re-
NAMED undeveloped by the gov ernmen, Of
the country Of which il copstitufes q part.---
Now that this fine provi.nce IS part q.
our country, all Of the States Of The Onion,
some more Immediately and directly than
Others, are deeply Iaterssted in the speeds
development OF us wealth and resources. ~
No section OF Cur coantrY is more in..ss71cu
ed, or will be benefited niioEs than ,fJea com.
mercial, navigating andnianulacIuring inter.
esis OF tie Eastern States. Onr nisn,;n !
and fargiing interests in every part Of M
Union will be greatly benefited by ii. AZ
our Commerce and navigation are enlarged
arc extended, our exports Of agricultural
products and our manufactures will Be in.
creased, and in the new markets thus open-
ed, they cannot fail 10 command rcmunera.
ling and profitable prces