Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-01-24

Three nations arc there in the world of old,
Who from their graves all earth's dominion hold
The Jew devout, wise Greek, and Roman bold.
Prose, Song, and Cable are three modes of speech
The only ones on earth for all and each.
Sense, esscnsc, nonsense, as they can to teach.
lFrom the n. Y. Adv.l
California GOld-Arrivai Of Don
Jose D'Alvcar, the First Discov-
ereroft!ae Gold Mines-1mterest-
ing Developments.
Don Jose D'Alvear, the celebrated
Spanish Geologist, whose famous treatise
on the cage ofthe Earth" must be known
to many OF our readers, has just arrived
at New York, from the Gold Regions OF
California, by way Of Panama, Chagrcs
and New Orleans, bringing with him a
large amount OF Gold ore, estimated TO be
worth more than million Of dollars, Tie
result OF his labors, by the aid Of large
body Of Indians, long before the existence
OF the Gold mines became known 10 the
residents Of California generally. Signor
DAlvear went out to California nearly
two years ago, in consequence Of certain
information which he had received Of the
geological character OF that country, with
the firm belief that vast mines of precious
metals would be revealed there, upon care
full investigation. He was encouraged to
this enterprise. also, by his confidence in
the powers of certain Magnetic instru-
ment which he had invented, called the
"Goldometer," by whose aid he expected
to be directed at once to. the "Gold Pla-
GERS" if any such existed. Nor were his
expectations disappointed. His scientific
calculations proved be founded in truth
and profound Wisdom, and his new instru-
ment, the @Goldometer," fulfilled his
highest hopes. In less than two months
after reaching California, he struck upon
one of the richest gold mines in that coun-
try, upon on obscure branch of the Sacra-
mento river, in gorge Of hills extremely
rocky and difficult of access, and seldom
visited BY the native Californians. Dis
guising his object under the pretence of
purely scientific research. he obtained the
aid OF some fifteen or twenty simple and
faithful Indians, and steadily pursued his
task, collecting often more than S ,OOn
werth Of gold IN single day, which he
concealed in a deep ravine, without excit-
ing any suspicion whatever, until after the
discovery oigold at Capt. Suffers Mill,
when the mountains were ransacked by
gold seekers, and Signor D'Alvear's :'gold
placer" the richest in all California, was
beset with greedy adventures. 1t is now
found that the real mines or sources Of the
gold, lie in the gorges Of the mountains,
and not in the beds or sands Of THE rivers.
Don Jose D'A]vear was, beyond all
question, the first and real discovcrcr of
thegold mines of California; and he de-
serves the more credit for this, as his dis
covery was based upon profound scientific
calculation, and was not the result Of acct
dent. The evidence Of these facts, which
he possesses, in the shape dwell attested
documents, from persons high in authori-
ty in California place The matter beyond
all doubt.
Signor D'Alvcar now visits The United
States, where he was for several years a
resident. for the purpose Of disposing Of
his gold, and investing it in safe and i'm
proving property, and also for the pur-
pose Of obtaining the necessary apparatus
and material for constructing his new in
strument, the "Goldometer," which is
now in great demand in California, but
The means Of constructing them was not to
be obtained. Previous TO leaving Califor-
MIA he sold his own instrument. very
imperfect one, for So 5000, while they can,
in reality, be made for less than go
The person who purchased it confidently
expected TO make handsome fortune, by
simply finding ''gold placers," and selling
out the right Of digging to the gold work
ers. As to the principle upon which the
new "Goldometer," or gold finder, is con-
structed, we have no knowledge. Signor
D'Alvcar, It is understood, will, for the
present, keep it a secret; as it would be
J impossible 10 protect patent If one were
taken out. 1t is very simple IN construc-
ton; and is worked somewhat like the
| old-fashioned witchhazle rod, formerly
used in seeking for water.
Signor D'Alvear is Of opinion that vast
deposites Of gold will yet be found in the
United States, Of quality vastly superio,
to that recently discovered in Virginia ant
North Carolina, and that the other mineral
riches Of this country are inconceivably
great. The Signor is profoundly skilled
in the mysteries Of Chemistry, Geology
Electro and Vital Magnetism, and othe1
curious branches Of philosophical study
which, it must be granted, he has turned
to good account in the present instance s.
We believe it is his irtetAIon TO publish
some account Of his invention Of thu
aGoldometer," before returning to Cali
Iforn;a. We shall look for this work will