Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-09


trc and derived the facts which they detail from personal
observation Reluctant credit the reports in general
cuaon as to the quantity of gold the officer commanding
our forces in California visited the mineral district IN July
last for the purpose Of obtaining information the
subject His report the War Department of the result
his examination and the facts obtained the spot here
with laid before Congress. When he visited the country,
there were about four thousand persons engaged in collecting
gold There is every 10 believe that the number Of
persons employed has rco been augmented The expo-
raons already made the belief that the supply is
very large, and that gold is found various places in an
tensive district Of country ..
Information received from officers of the navy and other
sources, though foil and minute, confirm the
Of the commander Of military force in California. II APP
pears Also from these reports that mines of quicksilver are
found in the vicinity Of the gold region One Of them
being worked, and believed 10 be among the produce
tive in the world.
The effects produced BY the discovery of these rich mineral
deposes aud the which has attended the abors
those who have esoed them have produced surprising
change in the state of affairs in California Labor commands
most exorbltaat price, ard all other pursuits but that
searching for the precious metals abandoned Nearly the
whole OF The male population OF the country have gone the
gold district Ships arriving the deserted by
their crews AID their voyages suspended for want of sailors
Our commanding officer there enerans apprehensons that
soldiers cannot be kept in the public service without large
Increase OF pay Deserlons 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 all engossng pursuit Of
it. have already caused in California lpeceden,ed rise in
the price OF the necessaries of life.
That may the speedily and fully avail ourselves Of
the undeveoped wealth Of these mines il deemed of vast
nor that branch Of the mint of tho United States be
authorized TO be established, at your present scssun Cali
ornia Among other signal advantages which would result
from such establishment would BE- that of raising the gold
to its par value in that Territory branch mint Of the Uni
ted States at the great commercial depot the coast
would convert only the gold derived
from rich mines, but also the bullion and specie which
our commerce may bring from the hole of Central
aud South America. The Of America and the ad.
acent interior embrace the richest ard best of Mexico
New Grenada, Central America Chill, and Peru The bull
lion and specie drawn from these countries, and especially
from those OF Western Mexico and Peru, 10 amount 10
value OF many millions of dollars, annually diverted
and carried by the ships OF Great Britain to her ports
DC recoed used to sustain her national bank and thus
contribute to increase her ability to command much Of the
commerce OF the world If branch mint be established
the great commercial point upon that coast. vast OF
bullion and specie would low ther be reconel and pass
thence to New Orleans, New York, and other Atlantic cities
The amount constitutional currency home would be
greatly increased, while its circulation abroad would BIZ pro-
noted is well known TO merchants trading China
aud the west coast Of America that great inconvenience and
loss experienced from The fact our coins are
rent at their par value in those countries
The Powers of Europe far removed from the of
America by the Atlantic which inervenes and by e
dous and dangerous navigation around the southern cape
tue continent OF America successfully compete with
toe United States in The rich and extensive which
opened much less by the acquisition of Cal
ifornia.
The importance and commercial advantages of Cafor-
MA have heretofore remained undeveped by the Government
OF the country Of which constituted pert Now that this
fine province part Of country, all the States Of the
Union, immediately and directly than Others
deeply interested in the speedy development OF its wealth and
No section OF country is interested,
will be benefited than the commercial navigating, and
manufacturing Interests Of the Eastern States, Our planting
and farming interests every part the Union will be great
ly benefited by it. AS aud navigation
arged and extended exports Of agricultural products and
Al.
thus opened they cannot fail command remrnerang and
profitable prices
The acquisition of California and New Mexico the settle
ment OF the Oregon boundary, AMI hc annexation Of Texas
extending To the RIO Grande, results which, combined
of greater consequence, and will add the strength
and wealth the naon than any which have preceded them
since the adoption OF the constitution
But to effect these great results, only California, but
New Mexico must be brough; under the control regularly or
gained Governments The existing condition Of California
and of that part Of New Mexico lying the Rio Grandc
and without the limits Of Texas imporousy demand that
Congress should at It's present session, Organize territorial
governments them.
Upon the exchange OF rafcaons Of the treaty Of peace
with Mexico the biteth OF May last the temporary gov
which hal been established New Mexico aud
California by military and naval commanders by virtue
OF the rights Of war ceased derive any obligatory force from
that of authority and having been ceded The Uni
ted States all government and control them under the
authority OF Mexico had ceased 10 exist Impressed with the
2ecessiy If establishing territorial governments over them
gress ssage communicating the ratified of peace
the sixth OF July last aud invoked their action that
sion. Congress adjourned without making any provision for
their government The inhabitants by the lrasf, their
county, had become entitled the benefits Of and
constitution and yet left without any regularly organized
government Since that time the very limited power possess
ed by the Executive has been exercised and pro-
tect them from the inevitable consequences Of Of
chy. The only which remained that estab
ished by the military authority during the Regarding
this 10 be dc acto government and that BY the presumed
consent q the inhabitants might be continued temporarily
they advised TO conform and submit TO for the short To-
ervening period before Congress would again assemble and
could iegsa,e the ec The views entertained bJ the
Executive this point contained in communication OF
the Secretary Of State dated the seventh Of October which
forwarded for publication California and New Mexico
a copy u which is herewith transmitted.
The small military force OF the regular army which was
serving within the limits of the acquired territories the
close Of the retained in he and additional forces
have been ordered there for the Of the inhabitants
and preserve and the rights and interests Of the Uni
ted States
No has been could be collected at the ports in
California, because Congress failed authorize the establish
ment oil cusomhouses, or the appointment Of officers for that
purpose.
The Secretary Of the Treasury, by circular letter address
ed TO collectors OF the customs tie seventh day Of October
last copy OF which il herewith sned exercised all the
power with which he was invested by law.
In pursuance OF the act Of the fourteenth Of August last
tending the benefit Of office laws the people OF Ca
onla the Postmaster General has appointed agents,
who have proceeded the California and the other TO
Oregon, with authority make the necessary arrangements
for carrying its provisions into elect.