Democratic banner., 1849-01-01
to the mines as soon as they arrive in Cali

to the mines, as soon as they arrive in Cali
%fornia. If this course be not adopted, gole
to the amount Of many millions Of dellsr!
will pass yearly to ether countries, to en-
rich their merchants and capitalists. Be-
fore leaving the subject of mines, I vii
mention, that on my return from the Sac
~ramento, / touched at New Almoder, thu
quicksilver mine of Mr.. Alexander Forbes
consul Of her Britanic Majesty at Topic
The mine is in a spur of mountains l,00(
feet above the level of the bay of Sar
francisco, and is distant in a southern di.
~riction from the Pueblo de San Jose, about
twelve miles. The ore (cinnabar) occur.
in a large vein dipping at a strong angle to
the horiz on. Mexican miners are employ
ed in working it, BY driving shafts and gal.
~leries about six feet by seven following the
vein.
The fragments Of rock and ore are re.
moved on the back Of Indians, in raw-hide
sacks. Tke-ore is then haulsd din an OK wag-
on, from the mouth Of the mine down to g
valley well supplied with vopd and. water,
in which the furnaces are situated. The
furnace are Of the simplest construction
like aeommon b~ake.oyen, in the
crown of which is inserted . w6sler's try
anothsf inverted kettle forms
the lid. From a hole in the lid a small
brick channel leads to an apartment, or
chamber, in the bottom of which is insert
ed a small iron kettle. This chamber has
a 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 vol
atilized, passes into the chamber, is con-
densed on the sides and bottom of the
chamber, and flows in the pot prepared for
it. No water is used to condsnse the mer-
curry.
During a visit l made last spring, four
such ovens were in operation, and yielded
in the two days l was there 656 pounds of
quicksilver, worth ct Mazatlan 81 80 per
Mr.. Walkinshaw, the gentleman
in charge of this mine, tells me that
vein is improving, and that he can af-
ford to keep his people employed even in
extraordinary times. This mine is
very valuable of itself, and becomes the
more so as mercury is extensively used in
obtaining gold. 1t is not at present used
in California for that purpose, but will be at
some future time. When I was at this
mine last spring, other parties were engag-
ed in searching for veins; but none have
been discovered that are worth following
up, although the earth in that whole range
Of bills is highly discolored, indicating The
presence Of this ore. ! send several beau
tiful specimens, properly labelled. The
amount OF -qui4 silver in Mr.. Forbes vsts)
the 18th Of July was about $500 pounds.
| enclose you herewith sketches of the
country through which | passed, indicating
The position Of the mines and the topogra-
Of the country in the vicinity Of those
visited.
Some of the specimens of gold sccompa-
lying this, were presented for transmission
10 the department by the gentlemen named
The numbers on the typographical
sketch corresponding TO the labels Of the
respective specimens, show from what part
If the gold region they were obtained.
l Captain s. A. Suffer.
2 John Sinclair.
8 Vim. Glover, R. C. Kirby, Ira Blanch-
nd, Levi Fi6eld, Franklin H. Ayrnes, Nor
non Digging
4 Charles Weber.
3 Robert Spence.
6 Sunol & Co.
z Robert D. Neigh.
8 c. E. Picket, American Fork Colu-
8 E. C. Kemble.
10 +. H. Greene, from San Fernando,
lear Los Angeles. a. 2 ozs. purchased
rom Mr.. Neigh. (B.) Sand found in wash
ne gold, which contains small PARTICLES.
II Captain Frisbie, Dry Diggings, Web
RS Greek.
IL Consumes.
ID Consumes, Hartwelrs ranch.
lhsve the honor to be your most
obi. servant,
R. B. MASON,
Col. Let Dragons, Commanding.
Brig. Gen. r. Jones,
Adj't. Gen. u. 5. A., Washington, D. c..