Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-12-19
cula,ion as to the quantity Of gold, the Of

!
MIA visited the mineral district in Julylas
FOR the purpose Of obtaining accurate in
formation on the subject. His report to
the War Department of the result Of his
examination, and the facts obtained on
the spot, are herewith laid before Con.
gress. When he visited the country
there were about 1000 persons engaged
in collecting gold. There is every rea-
son to believe that the number Of persons
so employed has since been augmented.
The explorations already made warrant
the belief that the supply is very large,
and that gold is found in various points in
an extensive district Of country.
Information received from officers and
other sources, though not so full and min
ute: confirm the account Of the command
or of our military force in California. 1t
appears, also, from these reports that
mines Of quicksilver are found in, the Vi
clnity of the gold region. One Of them
is now being worked, and is believed to
be one ofthe most productive in the world.
The effects produced by the discovery
OF these rich mineral deposits, and the
success which has attended the labors of
those who have resorted to them, have
produced surprising change in the state
OF affairs in California. Labor commands
most cxorbitant price, and all other
pursuits but that Of searching for the pre-
clous metals, are abandoned. Nearly the
( whole male population Of the country
have gone to the gold district. Ships ar
irving on the coast are deserted by their
crews, and their voyages suspended for
want Of sailors. Our commanding officer
there entertains apprehensions that SOL
diers cannot be kept in the public service
without large increase Of pay.--Dcscrt-
ers in his command have become frequent,
and he recommends that those who with
stand the strong temptation and remain
faithful shall be rewarded
This abundance Of gold, and the all
engrossing pursuit oft, has already caus-
ed in California an unprecedented rise in
the necessaries Of life.
That we may the more speedily and
fully avail ourselves Of the undeveloped
wealth Of these mines, it is deemod Of vast
Importance, that branch Of the mint Of
the United States, be authorized 10 be es-
tablished during the present session, in
California. Among other signal advan-
tages which would result from such an
establishment, would be the raising the
gold to its par value in that territory. A
branch mint OF the United States at that
great commercial depot of the west coast,
would convert into our coin, not only the
gold derived from our rich mines, but al
so the bullion aud specie which our CON-
MERGE may bring from the whole west
coast, Central aud South America. The
west coast Of America, and the adjacent
interior, embrace the best mines of New
Mexico, New Grenada, Central America.
Chill and Peru.
The bullion and specie drawn from
these countries, and especially from those
of New Mexico and Peru, to an amount in
value Of many millions of dollars, re now
annually diverted, and carried by the
ships Of Great Britain to her own ports,
to be received or used by her to sustain
her National Banks; and thus ntribute
to increase her ability to command so
HAuSh W W. IouIllICINC VI VIC "OTIu. /
branch mint be established at the grea,
CONNIE rcia! point Of that coast, vast a.
mount Of bullion and specie would flow
thither, to be rcc,incd, and pass thence
10 New Orleans and New York. and 9TH
er Atlantic cities. The amount Of our
constitutional currency at home would be
greatly increased, while its circulation
would be promoted. 1t is we'll known 10
our merchants trading TO China and the
west coast Of America, that great incon-
ven:ence and loss are experienced from
the fact, that our coins are not current at
their par value IN those countries.
The Powers Of Europe, removed from
the west coast Of America by the Atlantic
ocean, which intervenes, and by the tedi-
Gus and dangerous navi cation around the
cape Of the continent Of America, can me-
yer successfully compete with the United
States in the rich and extensive commerce
which is opened to us, at so much less cost,
by the acquisition OF California.
The vast importance and commercial
advantages Of California has heretofore
remained undeyeloped by the Govern
ment Of the country Of which it formed
a part. Now that this fine province is
part Of our country, all Of the States Of
the Union, some moro Immediately and
directly than others, are deeply interest
ed in the speedy development of its
wealth and resources, No section Of our
country is more interested, or will be
more benefited, than the CONNIE rcial,
navigational and manufacturing, inter-
ests ofthe Eastern States. Our planting
and farming interests, in every part Of
the Union, will be greatly benefited by
it. As our commerce and navigation are
enlarged and extended, our exports Of ag.
ricultural products, and our manufac-
lures, will be increased, and in the new
markets thus opened, they cannot but
command remuneration and profitable
prices. ~ ats F..
The acquisition of California and New
Mexico, the settlement Of the Oregon
boundary. and the annexation of Texas,
CIV tendinO tn tha Rio Granda n ro rasnltc