The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-01-12

Cslifofuis. Ii ihis course he moi adopted,
gold TO the amount Of many millions Of
dollars viii pass yearly 10 other countries to
enrich their merchants sud capitalists
Before leaving the subject Of miues. l will
mention, that on my return from the Sacra.
mento, ! touched al Nes Alnoder, the
quicksilver mine Of Nc. Alexander Forbes,
consul Of her Bfitannic Majesty q, Topic.
This mine is in spur Of mountains 1000
feet above the level Of the Bay Of San
Francisco, and is distant ia southern direc |
ton from the Peublo de San Jose abou, IL
miles. The ore (cinnabar) occurs 10
large veia dipping At strong angle 10 the
horiz IN. Mexican miners ore employed in
working It, by driving shafts and galleries
about 9 feet by : following the vein.
The fragments Of rock and ore are re-
moved on the backs Of Indians. in ra Wilde
sacks. The ore is then hauled in an OK
wagon from the mouth Of the mine dosn
10 . valley veil supplied with wood and
water. in which the furnaces are situated.
The furnaces ave Of the simplest consiruc
tion-exactly common bake oven; in the
crown Of which 10 inserted whaler's try.
ing kettle; another inverted kettle forms
the lid. From hole ia The lid small
brick channel leads to an apartment or
Chamber in the bottom Of which is inserted
small iron kettle. THIS Chamber has a
Chimney.
Ia the morning Of each day the kettles
are filed With the mineral (broken 10 small
pieces) mixed wi.h lime FIRE is then sp.
Piled aud kept up all day. Tho mercury is
volatilized. passes into the chamber, and
Rows into the pot prepared for it. No
waller 10 used 10 condense the mercury.
Daring 4 visit, made las. spring, for
such ovens we're IN operation, and yielded
in the two days | vas there 656 pounds Of
Quicksilver worth Mara,lan 81 so per
pound. Mr.. WGkinshax says the vein is
improving and tina, he can afford 10 keep his
people employed even in these extraordiua.
~ times. This mice is very valuable Of
itself, and becomes the more so as mercury
- extensively used in ob,sining gold. Il is
not at present used 10 California for that
purpose, bot 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 ofhills is highly discolored,
indicating the presence of this ore. send
several beautiful specimens, properly Ia.
beiied. The amount Of quick silver IN Mr..
Forbes's vais on the 18th Of July was abou,
$500 pounds.
! enclose you herewith sketches of the
country through which passed indicating
the positions of,he mines and the topography
OF the position In the vic nifty Of those 1
visited.
Some Of the specimens Of gold accom-.
panying this we're presented for transmis
sion TO the department, by the gentlemen
named below. The numbers on the topo-
graph.csl ske'c corresponding TO the labels
Of the respective specimens, show from
what part VI the gold region they were OBJ.
tanned.
1. Captain J. A Suffer.
2. John Sinclair.
8. William Glover, r. C. Kilby, Ira
Blanchard, Levi Fi6eld, Franklin II. AIRY.
mes. Mormon digsings.
4. Charles Weber.
5. Robert Spence.
6. Sunol e. Co.
4. Robert d. Neigh.
8. G. Z. Picket, American Fork Co.
lumlica.
8. f. c. ksmbe.
10. T. II. Green, from San Fernando
near Los Angeles.
A. 2 OF. purchased from Mr.. Neigh.
b. Sand found 10 washing gold which
contains small particles.
IL. Csp,alo Ffsbie, Dry diggings. We.
ber's creek.
IL. Consumes.
ID. Consumes, Harweli's ranch.
have the honor 10 be your most obeJi.
col servan'. r. B. MASON.
Colonel Fra Dragon Commanding.
Brig. Gen. K JOKES,
Adj. Gen. U. S. A., Washington, d. c.