Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-04-10

These estimates give, as the result OF
the operations in the mines for 1848 and
I34). the round sum Of $40. 900. 900: one
half Of which was probably collected and
carried out Of the country by foreigners.
! From the best inform alton could OBJ
tain. am led to believe that at least $780,
900 900 of the $40. 100000 were taken
from the rivers. and that their richness
has not been sensibly diminished. except
in a few locations. which had early at
tracted large bodies Of miners. This
amount has principally been taken from
the northern rivers, or those which empty
into the Sacramento; the southern rivers,
or those which flow into the San Joaquin.
having been, comparatively, but little re-
sorted to until near the close Of the last
season. These rivers are. however. be-
leved. by those who visited them, to be
richer in the precious metal than those in
the northern part of the gold region
There is one river which. from reported
recent discoveries. and not included in
the description of those flowing into the
great plain west of the Sierra Nevada, is
as rich in gold as any of them. That is
the Trinity, which rises north of the head
waters of the Sacramento. and discharges
into the Pacific not far from the foriieth
degree of north latitude:
There are. as nearly as my recollection
serves me. twelve principal rivers in which
gold has been found; but most of the
twenty millions in the above estimate was
taken from SIX or seven Of them, where il
was first discovered and most accessible.
, Adopting the hypothesis that the gold
/ found in the bed ofthese streams has been
cut or worn from the veins in the quartz
through which they have forced their way.
and considering tho fact that they are all
rich. and are said to be nearly equally
productive. we may form some idea Of the
vast amount of treasure remaining un
disturbed in the veins which run through
the masses of rock in various directions
over a space forty or fifty miles wide, ard
near five hundred miles long.
! If we may be allowed to form a con-
lecture respecting the richness of these
veins from the quantity of lump or coarse
gold found in the dry diggngs. where it
appears to occupy nearly the same super
fees it did originally in the rocll-its
specific gravity being sufficient 10 resist
ordinary moving cauSeS-we Will be led
to an estimate almost beyond human cal
culaton and belief Yet. as far as can
perceive, there is no plausible reason why
the veins which remain in the quartz may
not be as valuable as those which have
become separated from the decomposed
rock. This matter can only be satlsfac
torly decided by actual discoveries.
The gold region of California having
attracted large share Of public attention.
it was to be expected that various sugges-
tons and propositions would be made
with respect to the proper mode OF dis
posing Of it.
/ The difficulty in arranging suitable
plan has been the want of accurate in
form alton on which well-considered opin-
ion might be formed Its distance from
the sea, Of government. the conflicting
statements and reports respectingit, served
only to bewilder and mvs,ily the public
mind, and render thorough examination
Of it necessary. 10 ascertain whether its
value is such as to render legislation me-
cessary for its proper protection and
management.
If it appears from the preceding part Of
this report. that it is sufficiently important
to require laws suited to the condition
and development Of its wealth. we are
necessarily brought to the consideration
of the proper rules aud regulations to be
adopted for that purpose.
The survey and sale of that section Of
country, under our present land system.
or any other mode which may be devised.
would. undoubtedly. cause very serious
discomfort among those who have gone.
and all who may desire to 60 there to col
lect gold. and most unnecessary and un-
avcidab'e inequality in the distribution OF
wealth among the purchasers.
Sections and parts of sections ofiaho.
having no indications &c gold on the sur
face. b,,. possessing untold treasure in the
towels of the earth. might be sold for a
mere trltle in comparison of their real val
ue. Capitalists would overbid the daring.
strong armed dav laborer. who had brav-
ed the storms Of Cape Horn. or the priva-
tons of journey across the plains: and.
by the power and combination of resour-
ces. would possess themselves of the most
valuable mines which have been discover.
ed. and employ skillful miners to examine
the country. with as much secresv as pos
sible for the purpose of making such dis
coveries as would enable them in a great
degree. 10 monopolize the most valuable
portions Of the country.
1t is much easier TO imagine than de-
scribe the discomfort. perhaps disorder
which would spring up among an hun
dred ihous and freemen. deprived the priv
ilege of an equal enjoyment of. or partici-
patton in. what they have been in the habi,
of regarding as the common property OF
the people Of the whole Union.
his. perhaps. more than doubtful wheth-
er such laws could be enforced. The
employment Of troops for that purpose
would not only be odious. but Intellectual;
they would be more likely TO set an ex-
ample of insubordination. by desertion
than TO compel obedience in others.
The people would unite with them in
r producing anarchy and confusion. No
system. therefore. which is not in accord
ance with the interests of the people can