Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-21

to valley well supplied with wood and
water, in which the furnaces are situated
The furnaces are of the simplest construc-
ton--exactly like Il common bake oven, in
the crown of which is inserted whaer's
frying kettle; another inverted kettle forms
the lid From hole in the lid small
brick channel leads to ar apartment or
chamber, in the bottom of which is inserted
small iron kettle. The chamber has a
chimney.
In the morning of each day the kettles
are filed with the mineral (broken in small
pieces) mixed with lime fire is then APP
piled and kept up all day. The mercury is
volatized, passes into the chamber, is con-
densed on the sides and bottom of the cham
Der, and flows into the pot prepared for it.
No water is used to condense the mercury.
Daring visit | made last spring, four
such ovens were in operation, and yielded
in the two days was there CSC pounds Of
quicksilver, worth at Mazatlan 81 so per
ID. Mr., Walkinshaw, the gentleman now in
charge of this mine, tells me that the vein
is improving and that he can afford to keep
his people employed even in these extraor-
binary times. The mine is very valuable of
ITSELF and becomes the more so, as mercury
is extensively used in obtaining gold. 1t is
not at present used in California for that
purpose, but will be at some future time
When was at this mine last Spring, other
parties were engaged in searching for veins
but none have been discovered that are
worth following up, although the earth in
that whole range of hills is highly discolor-
ed, indicating the presence of this ore |
send several beautiful specimens, properly
labelled. The amount of quicksilver in
Mr. Forbes watts on the 18th of July was
about 2, 800 pounds.
| enclose you herewith sketches of the
country through which passed. indicating
the position of the mines and the topogra-
ply of the country in the vicinity of those
| visited
Some Of the specimens of g,ld accom-
panyng this were presented for Transmission
to the Department by the gentlemen named
below. The numbers on the typographical
sketch corresponding to the labels of the
respective specimens, show from what part
of the gold region they were obtained.
l. Capt. ]. A. Suffer.
g John Sinclair.
3. VIM. Glover, r. c.. Kirby, Ira Banch-
ard, Levi Fifield, franklin ii. Arynes, Nor
mon diggings.
4. Charles Weber.
s. Robert Spence.
&. Sunol g. Co.
Z. Robert d. Neigh.
8. G. f. Picket, American Fork Columa
O. f. c. Kemble.
10. II. Ii. Green, from San Fernando,
near Los Angeles.
A. or purchased from Mr.. Neigh.
= b. Sand found in washing gold, which
contains small PARTICLES.
; IL. Captain Frisbie, Dry Diggngs, Web
ber's creek.
1 -. Consumes.
l3. Consumes, Hartwels Ranch
/ have the honor TO be your most ob't. serv
, r. B. MASON, Col. LIST Dragons,
5 Commanding.
t Brig. Gen. R JONES, Adutant Gen. U S
Z A., Washington, ID. c.
5 NoTE.-The original letter, of which
this is a copy, was sent to its address, in
charge of Lieut.. l.. Loescr, 3D. artillery,
bearer of dispatches, who sailed in the
schooner Lambayecana, from Monterey
: August 30, 1913, bound for Payta, Peru
Lieut. Loeser bears in addition to the spe
cimens mentioned in the foregoing letter, 1
tea caddy containing tv o hundred and thirty
ounces fifteen pennyweights and nine grain:
! of gold. This was purchased at San Fran
cisco by my order, and is sent to you as ;
fair sample of the gold obtained from the
! mines of the Sacramento. 1t is a mixture
n coming from the various parts of the golt
/ district.
r R. B. MASON, Col. LIST Drag. Com.
: Headquarters, 10Th Mil. Depart.
g Monterey, (Cal.) Sept 10, lS4S.