The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-18
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 1913.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 49, 1913.
Tie Gold Regions Col. Mason's Prociamat,os--
Common Property THAT Government should
do to pratt by the Territorial Acqu,s,tioms-
Martin Rsnehan and James X. Polk.
The gold regions of California form the Incessant
topic of conver sation this city, as elsewhere; and
companies are forming to go in quest OF the yell
low treasure. The letter of Col. Mason continues
20 afford theme for laughter. In his proclama-
ton, he says that, unless the gold dggers deliver
up the soldier-deserters he will hold them amena
BILE TO law, % send military force to take pos
se ssIon of the mInes 1t did not occur to HIM,
that the military force" would yield to the tempta
ton to obtain as much money in less than month,
than they would receive, pay from the United
States government, in eight or ten years. and deser
the banner of their country. The glittering grain
allure; and there are few who would carry an iron
musket upon the shoulder In preference to bag of
gold, so easily atanable, and their own property.
How futile would be the attempt to drive of from
five to six thousand men, engaged IN so profitable
a vocation!
As the South especially clam, when talking of
the Wilmot prOvIsO, that the territorial indemnity
cost ga common blood and treasure" of all sec
tons, and therefore all should be permitted to enjoy
a common be neft, let the southerners grasp some
of the gold while they have an opportunity, ere the
norherners inundate that country, and appropriate
all to themselves. As to negroes, the subject there
probably does moi occupy thought. The "abstrac-
ton" most interesting Is that OF gold, and the
''prOviso," that which will enable the adventurers
to provide themselves with riches 1t is all
nonsense to talk about negroes being Geld as slaves
IN California, when there are whites enslaved to
Mammon-voluntary, of course, and therefore loss
degrading. he nsrtherners, being the majority
IN California, will, that the Presidential cleo
ton is over, adopt the platform OF the Nicholson
letter of Gen. Cas-. and regulate civil matters In
their own way, when they get ready to be governed
by authority. They will also follow the example
OF Gen. Cass, In another respect and obtain all Tho
wealth they can.
But what shall the government do, to profit by
the results of the territorial acquisition To drive
of the gold hunters ls impossible to cause them
to pay heavy premium tor the privilege OF seek
Ing, cannot be enforced. Government should re-
celve some OF the gold, towards the payment Of
the national debt and this is conceded. We have
been told that the gold grains and dust are worth
from sixteen to eighteen dollars an ounce IN New
York and Philadelphia, and that they command
only twelve IN California. Now, let Congress au-
thorize the establishment OF mint IN THIS FL DO
RADIO receive the spaDgles, and return tor them
say an eagle and quarter--twelve dollars and a
half This would be an arrangement, fair, equi-
table, and satisfactory to all concerned. In no
other way does 1t seem to us can Uncle Sam com,
tor share OF the spoils-for part OF the gold
Ell fleece. He could not be charged with being
spe culator, because the lands belong 10 HIM To
reserve the mineral regions for future lease, can
not be entertained ; and he must, to save himself.
set 10 an exchange Office, Ill the form OF mint.
This is due 10 those who are obliged TO stay at
home. 1t IS not just to make us pay the expenses
tf the war, by taxation, when those VINO can emi-
crate exclusively reap the glltieFing harvest.
Martin Renehap, the classic porter OF tie rres!-
dents house, has been Superseded. Mr.. POLK gave
him the magnificent salary OF twenty dollars u
month"; with deductions for sickness. lie nov
receive thirty dollars month. To make use OF
his own expression, "a mathematical instrument,
called a BROOM" has been placed In his hands,
with which he describes circles, paraleicgrams,
seemeuts and obtuse angles :; In other words,
H.. nj All
tree from the leaves which have not yet ceased to
fall The President had split out with Martin.
because he supposed the latter turned Yankee, and
caused the subscrption-book tor the rehei OF ING
lush TO reach him, enclosed as a document,
among the mail papers, alter the cohector III tpe
phanthropic enterprise had been thrice preven.ea,
by order, from gaming access 10 tue Pesenie Vi
the Executive. And even when ne received tne
hook he returned il 10 the committee, without
putting down his name IN ala OF ihat goou cause
hut when he discovered that this tact would be
nuhlished 10 his detrment, he obtained the book,
ssnIscr,bcd ffty dollars, and thus made amends tor
tbe parsImonious spirit which he had exhibited
GIN. TAYLOR AND HENRY CLAY.-A friend in
the West has written us a brlef, gossiping letter,
from which, though It was intended only for our own
reru,sl, We are tempted to make the Following ex-
~ returned yesterday from = visit to kentueky
during which passed two dsys at Ashland vain nr;
Clay. found MIN still feeble, but ent rely reusysd
from all symptoms Of disease, and resaning his
strepgth daily. lie was able to take an hou.s urHe
pea'snsday Hssplrts are st G H. uns
ism is st glowing as ever lie euoyeS WIN ss
relish the defeat Of ocofocoism IN ns sss 80
election and INDUCED in living hopes o. .ns soyu 70
be accomp he'd for the country by General Iayiors
adu,inistratop.- the Cay OF my arrival herecers.
nlorr warm. hearted, ahectionats leSe.r ron VI.
ZsekS full Of the same confidence aud attachments
the latter has felt Tor old Iial for more toan t,sy
years Il he noble inded hero synidcantiy repeieo
the idea that the Efforts Of petty mousers TO esrangs
them could possibly in any CASE prove ensotua ans
this was bat the echo OF sentiments contsnse IN
fror Mr. to n