The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-27

The public press beginning to give strong utterance
10 The conviction, which is everywhere gaining ground
hat Inc acquisition OF this vast territory has brought to
our national resources immense inherent values in add
uon to the political Importance of possessing the sover
signty OF the country. II is extravaganza to predict
mat, very shortly the common consent of the American
people will accord to the administration whose policy
has added that rich province domain all the eclat
hat belongs to the brilliant administration of Jefferson
The distinguishing feature of which is the acquisition of
Louisiana.
The existence of extensive quicksilver mines in
Alta California has long been known, and has been
noted by all scientific travellers who have visited that
country and who have been careful TO observe resour
ces The fact OF the existence of such mine and the
knowledge OF its locality, attracted the attention of
British merchant who had acquired a heavy fortune on
he western coast of Mexico and he took advantage of
appointment which he obtained of his Britannia Maj
,stys vice consul for California time before the
commencement OF the American war, to explore and Sc
possession OF branch of the mine He has devoted
almost exclusively his time and resources since the es
adjustment of works for extracting the metal and has
been the first practical producer of cargo of If in
charitable form for the market opened for at Mazaan
We told that in April last he loaded valuable car
90 of it fora schooner which he despatched from Monte
| rey for the Gulf.
The whole remaining tract of territory embracing
about eleven hundred acres, which the mineral is
found has now come into the possession of company,
reported to of great responsibility, by titles derived
through regular chain from the original grants of the
government of old Spain The evidences of the auhenc-
~ of the original grant, and of the regular descent of title
aested by the acades of the departments in which
the territory les and by Col Mason the governor of
California. The extent and abundance of the mcrcura
ore is certified TO by gentlemen whose reputation, well
known in the atlantic States, entities their statements TO
unquestoning confidence The company has been organ
zed under the existing authorities of California and is
styled &" THE SANTA CLARA MINING COMPANY"
The mineral region situated within thirteen miles of the
Francisco bay and within six miles of the road or thor
oughfare leading from Monterey to the city of San Fran
The approach to the mines that have been opened
by this American company, by gradual ascent over
grounds aordng the greatest facilities for the construc
ton of a carriage road The whole tract well watered
and those parts of the land embraced the
the company, which not covered and filled with the
mineral ore afford every attraction for agricultural opera
ions The experiments that have been made prove the
richness OF the have been performed with the rudes
apparatus and have consisted in nothing more than beat
ng the into small fragments, and forcing them into
he oh amber of common musket barrel, inserting the
nuzze in vessel of water, and applying heat to the
hamber Yet, by this rude process, the ore, it is pro-
ascuousy gathered, has been found yield from % to
40 per cent of pure mercury
Mr. Forbes, with apparatus superior that
above described, produces about 800 lbs. per day.
The ore is found the surface of the ground and by
excavations that have been made the depth of % TO 80
eet No termination to its depth has been found The
range of the mne indicated by appearances of the
upon the surface of the SOIL than three miles long
and about eight hundred yards wide. 1t is estimated,
therefore, by those who acquainted with its produc
tons. to be among the richest and extensive mines
Of quicksilver that have yet been discovered in any part
Of the world if the richest and the extensive Of
any,
The popetors practical men, and have sent one of
their number, John g. Christie, esq, their agent, TO
Ibis part of the country with view to procure the appa
atus and skill necessary for practical operation of the
mine.
The enterprise has already excited strong interest in
the minds of some European financial agents in this
country But there be doubt that American
capitalists will appreciate the Importance OF possessing
such engine of financial power which this mine will
me vi,ably prove be in American hands The Rohs
chds it is well known, have enjoyed, to prodgious
profit the control of the quicksilver of the mines OF Spain
Tor many years. having held the produc, of those mines
in guarantee for the immense loans which they have
made to the Spanish government.
The demands created for the article by lis all the
ninng operations in Mexico and South America may
Hereafter be supplied from this country, and the effects
pon the interests OF the producers OF the precious metals
throughout the world felt from the monopoly of the
2obschiljs may be obva,ed. The products of these
mines in California SEEM therefore, to promise not only
incacuable augmentation of national wealth. but