The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-23

Ia lS5u pounds, eluaTto 10 a'tfps Troy
IN 1881 10 I" '".' .
In 1882 II &c
In 1883 : 50 I" ..
In 1884 Is d" ... '......
In 1895 80 "
IN 1896 los . aa .... n. .....
In 1887 1872 g .|H o. ..
In 1888 1913
In 1899 la3 s" .... ~. ...' BE- -
In lsll abs
In 1912 63l g"
In the year 1912 the aurlerous depos-
ties Of the Oural Mountains produced $40
ponds, The whole product in Russia, in
Siberia, and the Ourals, for that year, was
1867 pounds Troy. The production,
since that period, increased in nearly the
sameratio. Liplay, professor OF metalurgy,
at the school of mines in Paris, estimates,
from reliable sources, that the value Of gold
produced in Russia, from the auriferous
sands, in 1916, would be equal to ninety
millions Of francs, which would make the
weight Of the metal equal to rs 900 pounds
Troy, (thirty nine tons.) He states that al
that time many Of the alluyions, worked
with profit, contained only one part OF gold
in two millions Of earthly materials worked
Residues, worked at a former period, have
been revoked, which contained only one
part in four millions. Some idea may be
formed of the labor required to produce this
immense mass Of treasure, when il is I'M
derstood that the workings Of that single
ation, and transportation of over fifty mil
lion tons of materials, which is more than
the total weight of all the materials ex-
tracted and elaborated by the collieries and
iron establishments in Great Britain. The
increase Of the gold workings III Siberia
has demanded so much iron for tools, steam
engines, Sc, as to have had an important
effect upon the expectation OF the Russian
iron. More extraordinary single masses of
gold have been found in the Ourals Noun
tains than in Siberia. The largest mass
(pepite) Of gold in the world was discov-
cred at Minsk in 1912. twas found in a
bed Of auri(erous sands, at depth of about
twelve feet from the surface of the soil, I'M
der the foundations of the establishment for
washing. It's weight was 5000 kilo-
grams--over ninety-slx pounds Troy, Near
this, fiity-two masses were found, weigh
ing from ona TO seven pounds, according
TO Humboldt. The largest pepite OF gold
before known was found in Arson coun-
ty, North Carolina; the weight was about
fifty eight pounds.
Before concluding this notice, | must
glance at the administrative dispositions
which are made for watching and regula-
ting the labors Of adventures in the gold
districts of Siberia.
An individual who wishes TO explore the
mountains Of Siberia must have q license to
that effect from the minister of finances
Alterhe has found deposite-and it may be
remarked that many search in vain and lose
all the expenses Of their eXplorations-a
tract Of land called parcel is conceded
to him by the Goveremet. 1t is provided
that parcel shall not exceed certain limits,
and that the same individual shall not pos
sess two contiguous parcels. The duty
claimed by the Government is from Is TO
25 per cent, according to the richness of
the deSposite, and the explorers are bound
TO pay four rubles for one pound Of gold
extracted, for The expense Of a surveillance
of the mines. Officers are appointed to lay
out the parcels, and 10 see that all the gold
obtained is registered in books provided for
that purpose. The gold is first sent to the
administration Of The mines of Atai. After
having been first assayed there, il is sent
under charge Of officers to the mint at ST.
Petersburge. There difinitive assay is
made, which fixes the first value Of the gold,
and the duty which the government shall
retain. This, with the expense of coinage,
is deducted, and the remainder is sent to
to the proprietor in pieces Of five gold
rubles.
The washing Of the gold is effected upon
incinel planes of different constructions,
which are sci in movement by horses, by.
draulic wheels, or steam power. The ma
chimes and processes have been carried to
a high degree of perfection, as may be seen
by the small per centage Of gold, in sands
which are now worked with profit The
laborers belong principally to the class Of
convicts; but as the country is traversed
! by deiachmenls of cossacks, and all the
laborers are under The surveillance Of Off
GERS Of the Government, perfect order and
system prevail in thu establishments.
The Importance Of this. enterprise to
Russia is incalculable. Developing ma
tional industry in desolate country which
would otherwise have been almost unknown
and wholly unimproved, and creating an
immense capital, which, taking another d.
rection, is enjoyed and improved through
out the whole Empire, perpetually supply
ing currency, and filling the treasury Of
the Empire without impoverishing its sub
jects, it has been 10 Russia one Of the great
est sources Of its national prosperity, and
has tended materially 10 the permanence Of
the most powerful Empire on the continent
Of Europe, while so many other governments
have tottered and fallen around it.
The view of this great enterprise which
we have now taken is pecuIiarly interest