Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-25

main IN the quartz may not be as valuable
as those which have become separated from
the decomposed rock. This matter eau on
Iy be satisfactorily decided by actual dis
covefles.
The gold region of California having at
trac,ed large share of public attention, 1t
was to be expected that various suggestions
and propositions would be made with re-
spect TO the proper mode of disposing of it.
The difficulty in arranging q suitable
plan has been the want of accurate infor-
nation on which a well considered opinion
might be formed. It's distance from the
seat of Government, the conflicting state
ments and reports respecting it, served only
to bewilder and mysfify the public mind,
and render a thorough examination of it
necessary, to ascertain whether its value is
such as to render Legislation necessary for
lis proper protection and management.
II it appears, from the preceding part of
this report, that it is sufficiently important
10 require laws suited TO the condition and
Development of lis wealth, we are necessa-
rlly brought to the consideration of the
proper rules and regulations to be adopted
for that purpose.
The survey and sale Of that section of
any other mode which may be devised,
would, undoubtedly, cause very serious dis
content among those who have gone, and
all who may desire to go there to collect
gold, and most unnecessary and unavoid-
able inequality in the distribution OF wealth
among the purchasers
Sections and parts of sections of land
having no indications of gold on the sur
face, but possessing untold treasures in the
bowels of the earth, might be sold for what
would be mere trlfle in comparison Of
their real value. Capitalists would overbld
the daring, strong-armed day-laborer, who
had braved the storms of Cape Horn, or
the prlyatlons ola Journey across the Plains !;
and by the power and combination Of re-
sources, would possess themselves of the
most valuable mines which have been dis
covered, and employ skilliu miners to ex-
anime the country with as much secresv as
possible for the purpose of making such dis
coveries as would enable them in a great
degree to monopollZe the most valuable por-
tons of the country.
scribe the discomfort, perhaps disorder,
which would spring up among an hundred
thousand freemen deprived of the privilege
of an equal enjoyment of, or participation
i'll, what they have been in the habit of re-
gardIng as the common property OF the peo-
pie of the whole Union.
1t is, perhaps, more than doubtful wheth-
er such laws could be enforced. The em-
ployment OF troops for that purpose would
not only be odious, but Intellectual; they
would be more likely to set an example of
pei obedience in others.
The people would unite with them IN pro-
ducIng anarchy and confusion. No sys-
TEN, therefore, which is not IN accordance
with the interests of the people can be car
ried into successful operation. 1t is always
fortunate when laws can be so framed as to
harmonze those interests with the policy
aud duty of the Government. 1t is belIey-
ed that may be accomplished in 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 ao, Of oppression,
he at the same time feels that something Is
due from him for the privileges he enjoys,
and he would willingly pay reasonable
sum to have those privileges defined, and to
be protected in the enjoyment OF them.
! The gold in the rivers, the dry diggIngs
and the ravines is accessible to any man
who has the strength TO use pan or wash
er, a spade and pick-ax.
| The employment of machinery may per-
haps facilitate its collection, but 1t Is not
essential. Every man is master OF his own
movements. The case will be very differ
ent with the vein-Inines, which yet remain
in the rock To work them successfully
will require machinery with horse or steam
power, involving All expenditure of capital
in proportion to the extent OF the opera
tlOus
No prudent man will make such invest
ments until his rights and privileges shall
have been clearly defined by law. In the
absence Of all legal regulations, if man
we're to discover a vein-mine and incur the
expense of erecting machinery to work 1t,
any other person, citizen or foreigner,
might construct an establishment alongside
of him, deprive him of his discovery, and
destroy the value of his property. Hence
~ ~'n re perceived that any law prescrIb-
'ng the Psas.,~xas and duties Of miners
should be SO ifafsed "a To sa.ure the rights
of all. s.li. SO. : So,
There is some fertile sol. in the GOLD "a.
1 gisa-bsaasifal-r valleys and rich hillside.
which, under circumstances favorable t.
agriculture, would undoubtedly be valuable
for that purpose; but at present, and a
long as the collection Of gold shall contin-
ue to reward labor SO much more abund
antly than the cultivation Of the soil, ths
Important matter to be considered is, the
proper mode of disPosing Of the metallic
wealth of the country.
The first step, in my opinion, should b.
to reserve the entire region, where gold i
found, from the operation Of the preemP
ton laws, and from sale, 20 that it be nov
regarded as the common tveasxre OF the A.
lmerican people, aud hereafter as a rich in
heritance to their posterity. Then provide
for the appointment Of . commissioner Of
the mines, and a sufieiest number Of as
sistant commissioners 70 carry the law intt
effect. ~ ze;as@e =
Let the Office Of the Commissioner he 60
tabIished at some. point eQnvenient % the
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