Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-12-22

IL must become our great western naya
depot.
1t was known that mines Of the precious
metals existed To a considerable extent il
California al the time of its acquisition
Recent discoveries render it probable tina
these mines are more extensive and yalua'
bic than was anticipated. The facts of the
abundance of gold in that region are O
such an extraordinary character as woult
scarcely command belief were they no
orroborated by authentic reports of off.
GERS in the public service, who have visited
the district, and derived the facts, which
they detailed from personal observation
Reluctant 10 credit, the reports in general
circulation, as to the quantity of gold the
othcer commanding our forces in california
visited the mineral district in July last, for
the purpose of obtaining accurate inlorma-
ton on the subject. His report to the War
Department of the results of his examna-
ton, and the facts obtained on the spot,
are herewith laid before Congress. When
! he visited the country, there were about
four thousand persons engaged in collecting
gold. There is every reason to believe
that the number OF persons so employed,
has since been augmented. The explora-
ions already made, warrant the belief that
the supply is very large, and that gold is
found al various places in an extensive dis
trlct otcounuy.
Information received from officers of the
Navy and other sources, though not so full
and minute, confirm the accounts of The
commander of our military force in Cali
lorna. 1t appears, also, from their re-
ports, mines of quicksilver are found in the
vicinity of the gold region. One of them
is now being worked, and is believed to be
among the most productive in the world.
Tn effects produced by the discovery of
these rich mineral dGposiles, and tie sue
cess which has attended the labors of those
who have restored to them, have produced
surprising change in the state of affairs in
California. Labor commands a most ex-
brilliant price, and all o:her pursuits bur of
searching for the precious metal are aban-
doncd. Nearly the whole of the male pop
ulauon OF the country have gone to the
gold districts. Ships arriving OH the coast
are deserted by their VS., and their voy-
ages suspended for want of sailors. Oar
tensions that sailors cannot be kept in the
public service without large increase of
pay. Deseriions in his command have
become frequent, and he recommends that
those who shall withstand the strong tempt
alton, and remain faithful, should be reward
ed.
This abundance OF gold, and the allen
crossing pursuit Of it, have already caused
III California an Unprecedented rise in the
price OF the necessaIies OF life
That we may, too, more speedily and
fully avail ourselves of The undeveIopcd
wealth OF these mines, it is deemed of VAST
importance that branch mint of the United
States be authorized to br established. at
your prcsentsession, in California. Among
other signal advantages which would result
from such an establishment, would be that
OF raising the gold to its par value in that
Territory. A branch mint Of the United
States at the great commercial depot on the
west coast would convert into our own coin
the gold derived from our own rich mines,
but aso, the bullion and specie which our
commerce may bring from the whole west
coast of South and Central America. The
west coast of America, and the adjacent
interior embrace the richest and best mines
OF Mexico, New Grenada Central Ameri-
ca, Chill and Peru. The bullion and spe-
Gle drawn from these countries, and more
especially from those of Western Mexico
and Peru, to an amount in value of many
millions, are diverted and carried by the
ships of Great Britain to her own posts, to
be recOned or used to sustain her National
Bank, and thus contribute to increase her
ability TO command so much of the com
merce of the world. Ii branch mint be
established at the great commercial point
upon that coast, vast amount of bullion
and specie would flow thither TO be recoin-
ed, and passed thence to New Orleans,
New York, and other Atlantic cities. The
amount of our constitutional currency at
home would be greatly increased, while
its circulation abroad would be promoted
1t is well known to our merchants trading
TO China and the west coast of America
that great Inconvenience and loss are expe-
rienced from the fact that our coins are not
current at their par value in those coun-
tries.
lie powers OF Europe, far removed to
the west coast of America by the Atlantic
Ocean which intervenes, and by a tedious
and dangerous navigation. arrived at the
Southern Cape Of th2 cOntin ent 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 Cali
tOrnia.
The vast importance and commercial advantages
of California, have, heretofore, remained undevel
oped by the government OF the country, OF which
it constituted part. Now that this fine province
is part OF our country all the States of the Union
and some more immediate and directly than OTHERS,
deeply interested in the speedy Development
OF It's wealth and resources.
No section OF our cHnlry is more interested. or
will be more benefited than in tie commercial
navigating. and manufacturing interest of the
eastern states.
Our pantingand farming interests in every par,
of the Union VIII tie greatly benefited by if. AS
our commerce and navigation are enlarged and eN-
tended exports OF agricultural products and
manufactures viii tie increased; aud IN the ne.f
markets thus opened, they cannot fail 10 command
remuueratng profi' be prices