The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-12-29

to you:
62 scales weighed 2O5 miIlegrammes;
of least size, weighed SIS mile
grammes;
6 L" of greatest size, weighed SIS do
of least size. weighed 90 do.
l of greatest size, weighed s 6 do
l Of average size, weighed 3.3 do.
The occurrence in this form, while the
gold in the rock from which the scales
have Leen derived, is without doubt, in
California, as in Mexico and Virginia,
in granules, of more or less approxima-
ton to spherical form, presents an in
quiry of much interest, viz:-How have
the granues become fattened?
From what have seen of glacial action
in the Alps, and of its effects in this vicin-
i,y and in various other sections of the
north United States, am strongly per-
suaded that the flattening of the granules
has been caused by the transit of glaciers
with their masses of imbedded boulders
and gravel, over the rock containing the
gold. 1t accomplished at one stroket he
reduction of,he rock to gravel and sand,
and of the granules to plates This will
ex plain how. in the alluvial plan, here
and there richer veins of the metal occur
The paths of ancient moraines, or rivers
parallel to the direction of the glaciers
would contain more; the intervening
spaces now filled up with lighter materi-
ais spread about by subsequent simple
aqueous agency, would contain less of
gold
The consideration may furnish sug-
ges,ion as to the direction from point
found to be rich in metal. in which lator
will probably be rewarded. II the de-
posilcs have been made by glacial agen-
cy operating at right angles to the drec-
ton of the coast, excavation in a direc-
ton north and south must cross their
course: excavation in direction from or
towards the mountain range, would be
either upon or parallel to their course,
and would cross only the terminal mo-
raines. am very truly, yours,
EBEN N. HoRsFoRD.
The Captain orthe ship Huntress writes home
to her owners in New York, confirming the state.
ments we published last week aud giving some
additional intelligence. He adds.
am told from good authority that the
custom of those who sell liquor at the
mines by glass is, to take from the little
bag which the customer holds open, a
pinch (as of snuff) for one glass of bad,
watered whiskey. tried The expert.
menl, and found could easily take up $A
worth ofdust, at the rate of$16 per ounce
Those who have large thumb, and up.
derstand the business, can easily tako up
six or eight dollars in the same way. A
day or two since, gentleman with whom
am very we'll acquainted from the Sand
wich island, wanted man to take his
trunk from the beach to his lodgings, and
seeing an idle half.clad negro, appal.
emily runaway from some vessel, asked
him if he would like the job, The fel
low cast at him an indignant glance, and
turned away from him without deignine
reply; but after he had gone about five
steps he turned round and approached
us, drawing from his bosom small bag
of dust, and said, "do you think III lug
trunks when III get that much in one
dav2" He had more than 500.
Since commenced this, | have seer
an intelligent gentleman from Hartford
Connecticut, who has just come dowr
from the mines. He has been absen
from this place two months, and although
a man ofdiicate constitution, (he came
out for his healthy the nett proceeds o
his expiditon amounted to 81 500, He
gives inc a vivid picture of the existing
state of affairs up in the gold region. He
thinks moro than $2,000,000 worth o
gold has been collected there this season
and that it may be safely said the mine
are inexhaustible.
AS you would suppose, vice of ever!
kind. and in thelmost horrible forms, pre-
walls here. The runaway sailors worl
a while and collect a quantity of dust
which they spend with the same reckless
ness that they do so much silver at home
They pay seven or eight dollars per bot
ltle for liquor, have "spree" from whicl
they come out destitute and then begin a
+ gain. A great deal ofsickness prevails
, anda one after another dies, he is throw
aside with the utmost Indifference, with
out even covering of earth. There ba
not, as far as can learn been any quar-