The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-06


rejecting the mines to how much the prosper
ty OF California Will be retarded unless they pursue the
course that is pointed on, to them.
II is desirable develop the riches and wealth OF Cali
fona but the military safety OF the country must DC Sc
cured at all hazards. r b. MASON,
Col. LIST dragons and Gov. of California
From the Californian Of Angus,
TIE 9oID MTSE.-A few months ago we were in the
habit of speaking Of the agricultural resources and the
commercial qualities OF California being the OF
her greatest wealth, and although they inferior
to any portions OF the world the soil constitutes but
small part OF her wealth, all interests having been alb
sorbed IN the working OF the mines.
The present number OF the Californian intended for
circulation abroad well a. home, and WILL BY giving
minute and general view OF the allabsorbIng topic,
the gold mine, be found useful persons send their
distant fnends The information which we shall give
has been gathered from actual observation, and from per-
sons who have been engaged al the mines and iron the
most authentic sources IS desirable that the facts be
correctly known through other counlres and especially
through the United States
Some time since, in the spring, Messrs Marshall 4
Bennett, IN opening ditch for tal-race for sawm
which had been built the American fork OF the Sac
ramenlo found some gold which the current had coll
eced IN the bottom of the which, after being
amned, was found TO be very pure IL soon began 10 al
tract attention, and persons discovered the gold IN
The river below and for distance above, in large
quanldes-so much 20 that persons who only gave
credit TO one third of what was SAID about left Their
homes and went 10 work in The mines II was the work
OF but few weeks to bring almost the entire population
OF the territory together TO pick up The precious metal
The result has been that less than four months total
revolution has been effected IN the prospects and The iae
OF Alta California Then the capital IN the hands
Of few individuals engaged in trade and spec uatlon
labor has got the upper hand OF capital and the Ia
boring hold The great OF the wealth OF the coun
ny-the gold.
There about four thousand white persons be-
sides number of Indians, engaged al the mines, and,
from the fact that no capital Is required ihey are work
ing companies equal shares, alone with their
basket In part OF the mine, called the dry Dig
gins other implement necessary than ordinary
sheath knife pick the gold from the rocks In other
1rh he Upl1 washed he machinery
very simple being ordinary trough, made OF plank,
rouni the bottom, about len feet long and two feet
wide the top, with riddle sieve at end 10 catch
the larger gravel and three or four small bars across The
bot about half inch high TO keep the gold from
going ont with the dirt and water at the lower end This
machine rs set upon rockers, which gives half rotary
motion 10 the water and dirt inside. But the largest
number nothing but large tin pan, or an Ind an
basket into which they place the dirt and shake until
the gold gets the bottom, and the dirt is carried
the side in the shape OF muddy water is necessary in
some have crowbar, pick, and shovel, but a
great deal is taken up with large horns, shapen spoon
fashion al the large end
From the fact that no capital is necessary, fair CON-
petition In labor without the influence oil capital, men
who only able to procure months provisions
have thousands OF dollars OF the precious metal
The aborng class have now become The capitalists OF
the country.
As TO the richness OF the mine, were we set down
half the truth, it would be looked upon IN other coun-
tries "Sinbai" story, the history OF ''Aadins
lamp which required that lis ossessor should but wish
and his wishes should be accomplished. Many persons
have collected in day, OF The finest grade of gold,
from three eight hundred dollars and for many day
together averaged from SIS $50 Although this
universal yet the general average we'll settled that
when with his pan or basket does not easily
gather thirty TO forty dollars in day he to an
other place. that taking the general average including
the time spent moving from place 10 place and IN look
lng for better digglngs, OF the opinion that
may safely set down ounce OF pure gold, Sl6 per
day - the Suppose there four thousand per
sons Wofk they will add to the aggregate wealth OF
the Territory abou. four thousand ounces $4,000
day
The value OF the gold like all things else, regulated
BY the demand Four months ago. -four sold in the
market for four dollars per hundred, sixteen beef
cattle SIX, thirty ready maie clothing, grocers, and
other goods have not risen in The proportion, but
at least double their original cost If make bread
and the standard by which 10 determine the value OF
the gold then it is only werh one fourth OF wha, it is
elsewhere. But If gold and silver be the standard, then
the bread aud worth four times what II But
the relative value of the grain gold compared with gold
AMI silver CON- only be changed b. the action OF gov
ernment; for however abundant the gold may be, must
pro luce its relative value coin; and while five dollar
gold piece will be received 10 the treasury five dol
lars, so long OF gold be worth sixteen
dollars.
As the future hope OF California her course is on
ward with rapidly which will asionish the world Her
unparalleled goi MINES silver mines. iron and lead,
with the best climate in the world, and the richest soil,
will make II the garIen spot OF creation.
L