Saturday morning visitor., 1849-01-06
SATURDAY. MORNING VISITOR.

$1,000. During these 20 days, he was
travelling 10 or / days, leaving but a
week in which he made sum of money
greater than he receives in pay, clothes,
and ralions, during whole enlistment oil
fve years. These statements appear in
credible, but they are true.
Gold is also believed TO exist in the cas-
tern slope Of the Sierra Nevada; and,
when at the mines, ! was informed by an
intelligent Mormon, that il had been found
near the great Sah Lake by some Of the
fraternity. Nearly all The Mormons are
leaving California, 10 go 10 the Salt Lake !;
and the they surely would not do, unless
they were sure of finding gold there in
the same abundarce as they now do on ths
Sacramento.
The gold "placir," near the mission of
San Fernando, has long been known, but
has been but little wrought for want Of
water. This is 10 spur lha; puts off from
ihe Sierra Nevada, see Fremont map
the same in which the present mines oc.
eur. There is, therefore, every reason 10
believe that tn the intervening spaces OF
800 miles (ehlirely ueexplored) there
must be many hidden and rich deposites.
The 'placir" gold is now substituted as
the currency Of this country in trade it
passes freely at $l6 per once; as an arti-
Gle Of commerce its value is NOT yet fixed.
The only purchase made was Of the spe-
cinen No. Z, which / got of Mr.. Neigh
at $l2 the ounce. That's about the pres
ent cash xalue in the country although II
has been sold for less. The great demand
for goods and provisions, made by the sud-
den development of wealth, has increased
the amount Of commerce at San Francisco
very much, and il " illcoiltinue TO increase.
Before leaving the subject of mines, I will
mention that on my return from Sacra-
rhento, ! touched OF New Almoder. the
quicksilver mine of Mr.. Alexander Forbes.
consul of her Britanio Majesty at Tepic.
This mine is in spur OF the mountains,
1000 feet above the level of the bay of
San Francisco, and is distant in south
ern direction from The Puebla San Jose,
about IL miles. The ore (cinebar) oc-
cnrs in large vein diprirR in strcng an
gle 10 the horizon. Mexican miners are
employed in working it, by driving shafts
and galleries about 6 feet by Z, following
the vein.
The fragments Of rock and ore are re-
moved Oh the back of Indians, in raw hide
sacks The ore is then hauled in an OK
wagon from the mouth of the mine down
10 valley, well supplied with wood and
wafer, in which the furnaces are situated.
The furnaces are Of the simplest construc-
tion-exacily like common bake oven,
in the Drown Of which is inserted wha-
ler's trying kettle; another inverted ket-
lie forms the lid. From hole in the iii
a small blck chanrcl leads 10 an apart
ment, or chamber, in the bol,oui of which
is inserted small iron kettle. THIS cham.
ber has chimney.
In the morning Of each day the kettles
are filled with the mineral (broken in
small pieces mixed with lime fire is
then applied, and kept up all day. The
mercury is vola,ilized, passes ino the
chamber, is condensed ON the sides and
bottom Of the chamber, and flows into the
pot prepared for it. No water is used 10
condense the mercury.
During visit made last sprlng, four
such ovens were in operation, and yield
ed in the two days Twas thero CSC pounds
OF pnicksilver, worth at Mazallan, ST so
per pound. Mr.. alkinshaw, the gem
tleman now in charge Of this mine, tells
me that The vein Is improving, and that lie
can silord TO keep his people employed E.
ven in these extraordinary times. This
mine is very valuable of itself, and te-
comes the more so as mercury is ex,en-
sively used IN Obtaining gold. Ii is moi al
present used i'll California for HAT purpose,
but will be at some future time. When
was at this mine last spring, other par
ties were employed in searching for veins;
but none have been discovered that are
worth following up, although the earth in
that whole range of hills is highly eiscol-
ored, indicating the presence of this ore.
/ send several beautiful specimens. prop
erly labelled. The amount of quicksilver
in Mr.. Forbes watts ON the 18th of July,
was about $500 pounds.
have the honor TO be-
Your most obedielft serv'i.
r. b. MASON.
Col lst Dra0onnx Cnmmandino