Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-12-07

~1ch an extraordinary character as won
scarcely command belief were they not co
reborated by the authentic reports Of Office
IN The public service, who have visited II
mineral district, and derived the facts whic
they detail from personal observation. r,
lactant TO credit the reports in general circr
lalion as to the quantity Of gold, the office
commanding cur forces in California yisite
the mineral district ia July last, for the pu
pose of obtaining accurate information O
the subject. His report TO the War Depart
ment of the result of his examination. an
facts obtained on the spot, is herewith TAI
before Congress. When he visited the Coun
Try, there were about -four thousand person
engaged IN collecting gold. There is ever
resaon TO believe that the number of person
so employed has since been augmented. =
The explorations already made warrant tn
belief that the supply is very large, and tha
gold IS found at various places in an exteu
slve district of country.
Information received from officers of tn
navy and other sources, though not SO full
and minute, confirm the accounts OF tn,
commander Of our military force in Califor
MIA. IL appears, also, from these report
that mines of quicksilver are found in IN.
vicinity OF the gold region. One Of them i,
now being worked, and is believed to h
among the most productive in the world.
The effects produced by the discovery Of
these mineral deposites, and the succese
which has attended the abors of those who
have resorted to them, have produced sur.
prlsiDg change in the state Of affairs in Ca.
lifornla. Labor commands most exorbi.
tant price, and all other pursuits but that OF
searching for the precious metals are aban-
doned. Nearly the whole of the male pop
ulation of the country have gone TO the gold
district. Ships arriving on the coast are de-
serted by their crews, and their voyages sus-
pended for want of sailors. Our command
ing officer there entertains apprehensions
that soldiers cannot be kept in the public
service without large increase of pay
Desertions in his command have become
frequent, and he recommends that those who
shall Withstand the strong temptation, and
remain faithful, should be rewarded.
This abundance of gold, and the alien
crossing pursuit of it, have already caused
in California an unprecedented rise in the
price Of the necessaries of life.
That we may the more speedily and fully
avail ourselves Of the undeveloped wealth
of these mines, it is deemed of vast import
ance that branch of the mint of the United
States be authorised 10 be established, at
your present session, in California. Among
other signal advantages which would result
from such an establishment would be thatof
raising the gold to its par value in that Ter
ritory. A branch mint of the United States
at the great commercial deport on the west
WonId nj
the gold derived from our own rich mines,
but also the bullion and specie which our
commerce may bring from the whole west
coast of Central and South America
The west coast of America and the ada
cent interior embrace the richest a best
mines of Mexico, New Grenada, Central
America, Chill, and Peru. The bullion and
specie drawn from these countries, and es-
pecially from those of Western Mexico and
Peru, TO an amount in value of many mil.
lions of dollars, are now annually diverted
and carried by the ships of Great Britain to
her own ports, TO be recoined or used to sus-
tain her National Bank, and this contribute
TO increase her ability to command SO much
of the commerce of the world. If branch
mint be established al the great commercial
point upon that coast, vast amount Of bull
lion and specie would flow thither TO be re-
coined, and pass thence to New Orleans, N
York, and other Atlantic cities. The amount
Of our constitutional currency at home would
be greatly increased, while its circulation
abroad would be promoted. II is well known
to our merchants trading TO China and the
west coasts Of America, that great inconveni-
ence and loss are experienced from the fact
hat tha.r
value in these countries.
The powers of Europe, far removed from
The west cost of America by the Atlantic
ocean which intervenes, and by tedious
and dangerous navigation around the south
ern cape of the continent of America, can
never 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 ad-
of California have heretofore re-
manned undeveloped by the government of
of the country of which it constituted a part
Now that this fine province is a part of our
country, all the States of the Union, some
more Immediately and directly than others,
are deeply interested in the speedy develop
ment of its wealth and resources. No section
of our country is more interested, or will be
more benefited, than the commercial, navi-
gazing, and manufacturing interests of the
eastern States. Our planting and farming
in every part of the Union will be
greatly benefited by il. As our commerce
and navigation are enlarged and extended,
our exports of agricultural products and of
will be increased; and in the
new markets thus opened, they cannot fail
TO command remunerating and profitable
prices.
The acquisition of California and New
Mexico, the settlement Of the Ores on boun-
Diary, and the annexation of Texas, extend
ing to the Rio GIande, are results which,
combined, are of the greatest consequence,
and will will add more TO the strength and
wealth Of the nation than any which have
preceded them since the adoption OF the
constitution.
But to effect these great results, not only
California, but New Mexico, must be brought
under the control of regularly organized gev-
ernments, The existing condition of Cali
fornia, and of that part of New Mexico ly-
ing west of the Rio Grande, and without the
limits of Texas, imperously demand that
Congress should, at ITS present session, or
ganize territorial governments over them.
Upon the exchange OF publications. OF the treaty OF
peace with Mexico the Ill fteentn day OF May last
the temporary governments which had been establish
ed New Mexico and California by military and
naval commanders, by virtue of the rights of war,
ceased to derive any obligatory force from that
of authority; and having been ceded TO the U tied
Sta'es, al government and control over them under
the authority of Mexico had ceased TO exist Impress
ed with the necessity Of establishing territorial
ments over them, recommended The subject 10 the
favorable consideration OF Congress in my message
communicating the rauhed treaty OF peace, on the 9Th
OF July last and Invoked their action al that session
Congress adjourned without making any provision FOL
their government The inhabitants, by the transfer o
their country had become entitled 10 the benefits
our laws and constitution, and yet were left withon
any regularly organized government since that time
been exercised 10 preserve aud protect them nom h'
inevitable consequences OF state OF antrehy, Tn
only govern ment which remsined was that established
by the military authority during the war. kegardn,
this to be 10 faeto government, and that by the pre-