The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-27

4
| be favorable to the miner, and the law should DO
stringent to enforce the payment OF seignorage and
| rents.
So far as the surface deposites extend, am of
opinion that leases WILL for yet further reason, be
preferable to sales of the lands. II sold, they will
pass at once into the hands of large capitalists; II
| leased, industrious men without capltal may De-
come the proprleors, as they can work the mines
| and pay the rent out of the proceeds. But where
gold is found in the rocks in place, the case s differ
| ent. These must necessarily fall at once into the
hands Of large capitalists or joint stock companies,
| as they cannot be wrought withouta heavy invest
| ment.
Some persons, whose opinions are entitled to much
weight apprehend difficulty in collecting the rents,
| if the mode of disposition which suggest be adopt
ed; but this, think is without full consideration
of the condition of the country and the means OF
enforcement. Gold, unless coined or stamped at
the mint, could not circulate in California against
legal provision, and subject to penalty such as
| is suggested. il could not be carried across the
continent without risk of loss or detection, which
would make the value Of insurance equal to the
the rent. In any other direction 1T must pass the
ports of California and be there liable to detection
Since the discovery fthe mines, gold in Califor-
MIA has not ranged higher than SIC per ounce; its
actual value is fraction over SIS The difference
| between its true value and the highest price at
which it has sold, would probably ever sell, ex-
cept to houses transacting an open, regular, and
legal business, is therefore one ninth, being more
than half the amount that ought to be reserved as
| rent or seignorage.
Ifthe penalty suggested above should be provided
| for attempted evasion, and the ordinary advan-
tages given to the officer or other person who should
detect the fraud, in case of smuggling, IT would
not be the interest of any to become dealer In
the prohibited article at small profit and great
| risk; would the miner risk sale at small adj
vance of price, to be obtained at the hazard OF
! heavy forfeiture. The absolute security OF the
lawful business, the safety OF the fund VIXEN depos-
tied in the Treasury of the United States, and the
small profit and great risk OF attempted frauds,
would be reasonable security against them
The property of the United States in the mines of
quicksilver, derived from Spain through Mexico.
with the eminent domains, is, as have shown, the
same that to the gold, already considered. In
deed, the laws of Spain asserted more sternly and
| guarded more strictly the rights OF the crown TO
that metal than TO gold and silver This arose from
the scarcity of quicksilver, it being found in sufh-
cient quantities TO be worth mining IN but few
known places the globe; while its necessary use,
in separating silver from its matrix, makes it an
essential ingredient in silver mining operations
The depositc of quicksilver, known to exist in
California, is sulphuret ofmercury, native Gin
| nabar. The stratum of mineral, several feet in
thickness, has been traced for considerable dis
lance along its line OF strike. The specimens as
sayed the mint range from So to 33 30 per cent
of metal II is easy of access, and is mined and
duced without difficulty. So much OF the mine
az has been traced is situated on ranch, to which
the title is probably valid; and since the United
States took possession of the country attempt
has been made acquire title To the mine by de-
nOuncement. This proceeding is, for the reasons
that have already given. invalid. 1t, therefore,
remains for Congress TO determine whether they
will renquish assert the title of the United States
IL. this mine.
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC.
The population of California, already considera-
bic in numbers, is rapidly increasing by mmgra-
ton Adventures, attracted there in search of
gold, are gradually forming ixed population, and
must, in the nature of things, draw after and
connect with them the ordinary accompaniments
of social life. Its mining will become "a regular
branch of productive industry, employing many
hands and much machinery, and afording the ne
cessary encouragement on the spot to the building
up OF work shops and the exercise of the mechanic
arts. IL has already considerable commerce.
which Is constantly increasing, and must soon be-
come extensive, not only with our own country
and Europe, but with China and the Pacific Islands,
including JAPAN whose ports il is believed will be
opened to the admission of its gold. This concur
renee of favorable clements among which should
be included the agricultural and manufacturing
capacities Of Oregon, will cause to spring up with
a rspidty heretofore unexarnpled, large and pros
porous communities on Pacific coast
Some means Of communication across the CONT
ncnt, through our own territory. from the Atlantic
10 the Pacitca road which can be passed over with
| reasonable speed and safety-is necessary to meet
the wants Of our citizens on either coast and is
equally necessary 10 aid the Government in control
ling the Indian tribes of the intermediate country
and in protecting from their depredations our two
! lines of frontier settlements which will now grad
ually approach each other. Opinion as expressed
and elected by two largo and respect table Conven-
| TONS recently assembled at St. Louis and Memphis
points to railroad as that which would best meet
the wants and satisfy the wishes of our people But
what that road will be, and where and by whom
constructed, must depend upon the action of Con-
grcss, founded on such information as a careful re-
connolssance OF the country by scientific corps may
! furnish.
INDIAN ArrAips.
The wild tribes of Indians, who have their hunt
ing grounds in the great prairie through which our
emigrants 10 California pass have during the pres
| ent year, been more than usually pacific They
! haNfs 5uffsr a .lc 81
try with little interruption, though they travelled
/ In great numbers, and consumed, on their route
| much grass and game. For these the Indians *
| poet compensation, and their claim is lust Tn.
prairie is their pasture field the buffalo their herds
and If used by us they ought to be paid for | con-
cur IN the recommendation of the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs that treaties be negotiated with these
tribes STIMULATING for the right of way through their
country, and the Of grass and game. paving
them therefor small annuties in useful articles Of
| merchandise anO agricultural implements and in
strucuon: BY these means We may gain their good
VIII and have guaranty for their good conduct in
| their dependence upon us, which will soon become
habitua ior the annuities and the fear of their loss
| IN case OF transgression, And by these means and
| with the aid OF religious and benevolent societies
they may be- perhaps, turned from their rowing hab
rs, their thirst Tor war and boodshed allayed and
| they may be gradually won to agriculture. and
ultimately To civilization
This Is the more important as the time is al hand
when the herds of buffalo, which are now rapidlv
! disappearing, will be insufficient to supply them
with subsistence.
| band OF the Seninoles, who remained in Foridx
uhder the temporary arrangement made with them
IN lolf nave been since that time in The care of the
le'hAry' IL was proposed to transfer their super
vision To tins Department for the purpose of effect
ing Their peaccablc removal, and a SUBJ agent was.
| appointed TO take charge Of them. But before no
entered upon the effective discharge ofhis duties n
marauding party OF the band attacked and mr-
dered souo al our citizens, and burnt and DESTROYED
their property IL was therefore deemed necessar nv
| a he adj
Inhtary force, and the sub-age thereby becoming
unnecessary, his services were dispensed with. and
these Indians again placed under the sole supervi-
sion OF the Department Of War
| portion OF the Indians i'm Texas were in fine
carly part o the season, guilty of an outbreak of a
more extensive and serious character Boorc tbev
could be checked they ravaged a large extent Of
country along the Rio Grande, committing num-
OCT on murders, taking several women and children
| capuNe' and destroying and carrying of a consd-
eraoic amount OF property, The maraudcrs we're
| driven back and chastscd by military force
would especially invite attention the necessitv
| Oi some arrangement with the State of Tcxee ~