Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-01


day ought to be considered reasonable would give
an aggregate OF about $50 100000 Iffrom this we de-
duct one-fourh on account of the early commencement
OF the wet season. We have an estimate of $l5 100000
at least live OF which collected by foreigners who
possessed many advantages from their experience in
mining and knowledge OF the country
These estimates give as the result of the operations in
the mines for lS4S and l849 the round sum of $40 OOO
O00-one half which was probably collected and carried
out of the country by foreigners
From the best information could obtain 1 am led to
believe that at least $20000O00 of the $40 600 600 were
taken from the rivers and that their richness has not
been sensiby diminished except in a few locations
which had early attracted large bodies of miners This
amount has principally been taken from the northern
southern rivers, or those which flow into the San Joa-
gun, having been, comparatively but little resorted to
until near the close of the last season These rivers are
however believed by those who have visited hem be
richer in the precious metal than those in the northern
part of the gold region.
here one river which, from reported recent Disco
veres, and not included in the description of those flow
ing into the great plain west of the Sierra Nevada ia
rich in gold as any of them. That is the Trinitv
which rises north OF the headwaters of the Sacramento
and discharges into the Pacific not far from the fortie
degree OF north latitude.
There are as nearly 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 of them where it was first
discovered aud most accessible.
Adopting the hypothesis that the gold found in the
beds OF these streams has been cut or from the
veins in the quartz through which they have forced their
way and considering the fact that they all rich and
are said to be nearly equally productive, may form
some idea of the amount OF remaining un-
disturbed in the veins which through the masses of
rock in various DIRECTIONS space forty or fifty
miles wide, and near five hundred miles long
If we may be allowed to form conjecture respecting
the richness OF these veins from the quantity of lump or
coarse gold found in the dry dggngs, where it appears
to occupy nearly the same superfces it did orr
gnally in the rock-s specific gravity being sufficient
resist ordinary sha III he ad tn
estimate almost beyond human calculation and belief
Yet as far as can perceive, there is plausible rea
son 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
satisfactorily decided by actual discoveries.
The gold region OF California having attracted large
share OF public attention, it be expected that va
rlous suggestions and propositions would be made with
respect to the proper mode OF disposing of it.
Inc dihculty In arranging suitable plan has been
the want OF accurate information on which wel-con-
sldered opinion might be formed Its distance from the
seat OF government the conflicting statements and re-
ports respecting it, served only to bewilder and mysy
the public mind and render thorough examination Of
necessary, to ascertain whether its value such as to
render legislation necessary for its proper protection and
management
If appears from the preceding part of this report.
lhalt is suclenty important to require laws suited
the condition and development of its wealth. we are me-
cessarly brought to the consideration of the proper
rules and regulations to be adopted for that purpose
The survey aHd sale OF that section of country under
be devised, would undoubtedly very serious dis
content among those who have gone, and all who may
desire to 90 there to collect gold and most
sary and unavoidable inequality in the distribution OF
wealth among the purchasers.
Sections and parts of sections of land having no ndi
cations OF gold the surface but possessing untold
treasure in the bowels OF the earth, might be sold for
what would be mere tri1e in comparison Of their real
value Capitalists would overbid the daring strong
armed daylaborer who had braved the storms of Cape
Horn or the prvaons OF journey the plains;
and, by the power and combination OF resources would
possess themselves Of the most valuable m!nss which
have been discovered and employ skul miners to ex-
anime the country with much secrecy as possible
for the purpose OF making such discoveries as would
enable them, IN great degree, 10 nonopolze the most
valuable portions OF the country.
1t is much easier to imagine than describe the dis
content, perhaps disorder, which would spring up
among an hundred thousand treemen deprived the
privilege OF an equal enjoyment OF or participation ill.,
what they have been in the habit of regarding as the
common property OF thepeople of the whole Union
1t is perhaps more than doubtful whether such laws
could be enforced. The employment of troops for that
purpose would not only be odious but in Intellectual
they would be more likely TO example ofnsubor-
dnation, by desertion, than to compel obedience in
others.
The people would unite with them in producing
anarchy and conuson. No system, therefore, which
IS not IN accordance with the interests of the people can
be carried into successful operation tits always for
lEhate when laws can be SO framed to harmonic
nose interests with the policy and duty othe Govern
this case.
While every American citizen in the mines is aware
that he is on government property and would consider
any attempt to drive him away as an act of Oppression
he at the same time feels that something is due from
him for the privileges he enjoys, and he would willingly
pay areaonable sum to have those privileges defined
and to be protected in the enjoyment ofthem.
The gold in the rivers, the dry diggings, and the
ravnes, accessible to any who has the strength
TO use pan or washer spade and pick-axe
The employment Of machinery may, perhaps, faci
master of his own movements. The case will be very
different with the vein mines, which yet remain in the
rock. To work them successfully will require ma
chinery with horse or steam power involving an ex-
pendure OF capital inProPoron to the extent Of the
operations
No prudent will make such investments until his
rights and privileges shall have been clearly defined by
law. In the absence OF all legal regulation if man
were to discover veln-mne, and incur the expense of
erecting machinery to work it, any other person. citizen
foreigner, might construct establishment alongside
Of him, deprive him of his discovery, and destroy the
value of his property Hence will be perceived that
any law prescribing the privileges and duties Of miners
should be so framed as to secure the rights of all
There some fertile soil in the gold regon-beauttul
valleys and rich h-sides which, under circumstances
favorable to agriculture, would undoubtedly be valuable
for that purposes but present. and long the coec
ton of gold shall continue to reward labor so much
more abundanty than the cultivation Of the soil, the
of dsposng OF the metallic wealth of the country
The first step, in my opinion, should be to reserve the
entire region, where gold is found from the opera
ton of the pre- -emption laws and from sale so that
may be now regarded the common treasure of the
American people, and hereafter rich inheritance to
their posterity Then provide for the appointment of
commissioner OF the mines, and sufficient number
of assistant commissioners to carry the law into effect
Let the office of the commissioner be established 81
some point convenient to the mines say, Sacramento
city, and the Offices of his assistant on the principal ri
vers and in the most productive districts Provide that
any and every American citizen on application at the
office ofthe commissioner any of his assistants and
by paying one OUNCE, or Sl6 Or such sum as may be
license or permit dig anywhere in the Territory for
one year. Provide also that any who shall dascov-
er, or purchase OF the discoveer vein nine shall be
entitled to work IT, to certain extent, under proper
on paying to the commissioner such per
cent on the proceeds OF the mine may be a suitable
tax on the privileges granted 1t will be necessary also
20 allow the miner to cut and use such timber and 9TH
,r building materials his business requires; and also
% allow those who work under permits the privilege of
erecting cabins for shelter through the winter Author
re the commissioner to lay sites for towns in con-
enient situations to the mines, and offer the lots for
ale, reserving the metals and mineral so that those
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