Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-01-13
From the National Intelligcncer.
THE CALIFORNIA GOLD SPECI-
MEMS

The following particulars have been as
certained upon a visit TO the War Office for
the purpose of examining the specimens of
California Gold transmitted 10 the Secretary
of War by Col. Mason.
According to the principles of mneralogy
these specimens may he classified in the fol-
lowing groups: LIST. Small grains and scales
or minute plates of native gold, separated
by washing from all extraneous matter
2dly. Similar but generally minuter masses
of equally fine gold connected with magnet
ic iron. Sdly, Two masses of the plate
gold, one of which exceeds an ounce in
weight. 4thly. heavier mass, with its
original white quartz still adhering to it,
and exhibiting marks of abrasion. 5thy.
Pure iron sand, OF its usual color and grav-
ity, containing gold dust. Chilly. Small
scales from masses of light gray metal.
7thy. Angular Jumps of white mineral,
which has the external character of pyrites
Iof iron. And Sthly. fine large specimen
of the ore of mercury, called cinnabar
he first four specimens alluded to have
Iall the external characters of the native gold
of mineralogy. An examination of the min
eralogIcal phenomena presented by all the
specimens affords evidence, were the fact
not otherwise known, of the geological po-
stion of the grains and atoms of gold in
diluvial beds. The form of the pieces and
their abrasion denote this. The heaviest
lump of gold received at the War Office
(Which weighed two ounces) was sent TO
Philadelphia to be assayed, and the result
has proved satisfactory, it having been pro-
nounced genuine and valuable.
While examining the above specimens at
the War Office, we happened to meet with
Henry H. Schoolcrait, Esq, who furnished
Us the following historical facts which will
undoubtedly prove interesting to some of
our readers:
The existence of gold in California was
not unknown 10 the SpaniardS. Humboldt,
PRIOR to 1916, mentioned that there was
PLAIN OF fourteen leagues (42 English miles)
m extent on the California coast, covered
with AN Gtluvial deposite in which Jumps of
gold were dispersed. The same author
states that lump of gold was found in
Chocd weighing % pounds and another in
Peru, IN 1880, which weighed d. pounds.
lie gives the annual product of the gold
mines Of the Spanish American colonies at
25,O26 pounds troy. The gold of Brazil is
chiefly washed from the sands of rivers and
other earthly deposites, which stretch at the
foot of high chain of mountains, running
nearly parallel with the coast, which extends
from degrees to 80 degrees of south lati-
tude, From this region nearly thirty thous-
and Portuguese mares of gold are annually
exported 10 Europe, making the annual
produce of the gold mines OF Spanish and
Portuguese America forty-fve thousand five
hundred and eighty pounds troy,
Whatever be the value and extent of the
god region of Caliornia-ahd il cannot be
doubted that il is valuable-we should pro-
ceed in ascertaining it with respect both TO
the decisions of science and TO the expert
ence of other nations in similar positions.
Theory has its value IN relation to miner
al deposites only as it is affirmed by xperi-
ence. Ii is one of the traits of the metalli-
ferrous diluvial deposites of the U. States
that these deposites spread over very extern
sive areas of surface that they he at very
considerable elevations above the present
water level of adjacent seas, lakes, and rly-
ers and that as a consequence of this altI-
tude of position, they are-sO long as the
working is confined to these beds-explored
with little comparative labor and expense.
1t would appear as if diluvial action had
exerted itself with greater force and with
more degrading power upon our highlands
than in the old world, so rs to demolsh the
solid surface of rocks to greater depth, and
matter over more extensive areas. Such
are the impressions in examining the remar-
kabe diluyial and projected deposites Of
lead in Missouri, Iowa, and Northern Hi
nos, the gold diluyian Of the Appalachian
spine in the Southern States, and the wide
copper-boulder diluvicn of the basin of Lake
Superior. In each Of these cases the orig
inal metal-bearing rocks have been broken
down by ancient geological causes, and
ycattered over very wide areas of country.
In each Of these cases also the first discovery
or eventual working of the mines was ac-
comyanied by public excitement, by the an
ticipation of extraordinary wealth with at
comparatively little labor, and by a neglect,
TO great extent, Of the cautious experience
Of science, and the statistics Of practical
mining.