The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-01-08
Additional Intelligence of the California Gold

Additional Intelligence of the California Gold.
ORIGIN oP THE MINES, ETC.-The following
letter from Professor Horsford, of Harvard Univer
sty, says the Boston Journal of the 18th ult, will
be read with interest, not only for the statement of
the analysis of specimen of the California gold
recently received in this city, but also for the pau
sbe theory therein advanced in relation to the
formation of the gold mines
CAMBRIDGE, Dec. IA, l848.
My Dear Sn-The California gold, from Feather
river, received by Mr. Eaton, has been analysed,
and contains gold, silver, iron, and trace of
copper.
It has been carefully examined for platinum, tel
lurum and any other bodies that might have been
present, but without success.
In constitution it corresponds with fifty other
specimens, whose analyses on record The
iron and copper are present in invariably small
quantities, while the proportion of silver ranges
from one per cent. to more than seventy.
The very small quantity employed in the ana
lyss, about $50 millegrammes) and the four sepa-
rate determinations, rendered slight loss inevita-
BILE; The gold might, safely be stated little
higher
Gold, IS. 90; silver, 10 90; iron, O. 40; copper,
trace; sand, 0 40; loss, 2. II. Total, 10000.
You will remember that the specimen sent for
analysis was in scales. The average weight of
them may be of interest to you:
62 scales weighed 205.5 mlegrammes
6 of least size, weighed SIS millegrammes !;
of greatest size, weighed SIS
of least size, weighed 90
l of greatest size, weighed Sc
of average size, weighed 3.3
The occurrence in this form, while the gold in
the rock from which the scales have been derived,
is without doubt, in California, as in Mexico and
Virginia, in granules of more or less approximation
to spherical form, presents an inquiry Of much
interest, viz: How have the granules become fiat
tened!
!. FROM what have seen of glacial action in the
Alps, and of its effects in this vicinity and in vari
other sections of the Northern United States,
am strongly persuaded that the faitening of the
granules has been caused by the transit of glaciers,
with their masses of imbedded bouders and gravel,
over the rock containing the gold 1t accomplished
at one stroke the reduction of the rock to gravel
and sand, and of the granues to plates. This will
explain how, in the aluval plain, here and there,
richer veins of the metal occur. The paths of
ancient moraines, or rivers parallel to the direction
of the glaciers, would contain more: the interven-
ing spaces now filled up with lighter materials
spread about by subsequent simple aqueous agen-
cy, would contain less of gold
his consideration may furnish suggestion as to
the direction from point found to be rich in metal,
in which labor will probably be rewarded. If the
deposltes have been made by glacial agency operat-
ing at right angles to the direction of the coast
cavation in direction north and south must cross
their course excavation in direction from or
towards the mountain range, would be either upon
or parallel to their course, and would cross only
the terminal moraines. am, very truly, yours,
~ ~ EBEN. N. HoRsFoRD.
THE TEHUANrEpEc RouTE.-A writer in the
N. Y. Tribune, recommending the route to Califor-
MIA across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, says:
81 will now call the public attention to much
shorter and cheaper route, the Isthmus of Tehuan-
tepec. By looking at the map of Mexico you will
find the mouth of the Coarzacoaicos river, situated
in N. lat 1870. 1t is navigable for ocean steamers
about twenty miles from its mouth; its general
course is due South, and it is navigable for small
steamers to within fifty miles of the Pacific Ocean.
The continent is just two degrees wide, say 40
miles, On the Pacific Coast is the city of Tehuan-
tepec, about three leagues distant from the port of
San Francisco, lake or inlet of the Pacific Ocean,
which, it is sad affords sufficient water for large
vessels to enter The writer of this article resided
on the banks ofthe Coatzacoalcos sixteen years. and
crossed the continent about fifty times he therefore
feels himself competent to give practical opinion
upon the subject
Z If a partial arrangement was made with the Mex
lean Government, the United States mail could at
present be transported across the Continent, from
Coatzacoalcos to Tehuantepec, in from go TO 70
hours; and at trifling expense the road could be
shortened to bring those two points within Sc
hours of each other line of small steamers, such
as are used on the Ohio River, would enable pas
sengers to cross the Continent in 4S hours less
roads. require some six or eight days for its trans
portaton. | will now sum up the time that would
be required to carry the mail from New Orleans to
San Francisco in California, under existing circum-
stances, provided partial arrangement was made
with Mexico viz From New Orleans to Coatza-
coalcos, 80 hours; thence to Tehuantepec or the
Port of San Francisco. u hours; making in the ag-
gregate, DAYS and Is hours-say days. From
the Mexican Port of Tehuantepec or San Francis
co. to our San Francisco in California, say IL days;
making, in all, 10 days. Practical men, by look
ing at the map, can decide, whether the time have
allowed for the Ocean navigation is sufficient. In
regard to the transit the Continent, speak
from positive knowledge. This subject cannot but
interest the American people, and beg you will lay
the facts before them will illustrate the position
| have here assumed, by facts and proofs which
cannot fail to convince our Government that the
of Tehuantepec is by far preferable, in every
point of view, to that of Chagres and Panama. A
railroad can be built for $40 900 900, which would
bring the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans within five
hours of each other. r
ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. - From the Mobile
Herald For the information of persons DESTROYS
of reaching California, we publish the following,
furnished by person who has been twice over the
whole distance
The steamship Fanny leaves New Orleans for
Corpus Christi twice in the course of each month.
On arriving at that port persons DESTROYS OF pro-
ceeding to the gold regions In California, can pro-
cure horses or mules and baggage wagons at reason
able prices and form parties among themselves and