The Yazoo Democrat., 1850-09-26
IMMORAL Resouroes Of california.

We published in yesterdays Herald scen-
tific analysis made by DR.. La Conte, of s2eci-
mems of coal found IN the vicinity of San Diego.
The report of this gentleman goes to prove the
existence in that neighborhood Of an extensive
coal mine, which requires only the application
of enterprise and capital for the devclopement
Of its treasures. The excavations hitherto made
are said to have been attended with as much
success rs could have been expected from the
rude appliances brought into requisition; and,
although the shaft has been filed up by the
washings of the earth in the rainy season,
specimens of the coal have been found lying
upon the surface sufficient to satisfy the analyst
Of the correctness Of his geological conclusions
derived from an examination of the locality.
II is highly probable that the superabundant |
energy OF our population, will soon supply the
means of working this mine to advantage
Should it be found as productive as Dr. lie
Conte anticipates, California will be nearer by |
twenty years, the consummation of commercial
greatness she is expected to attain. The ad-
vantages Of productive coal mine in this State
can scarcely be overratet.
! The idea prevalent in the United States, and
countenanced in some measure by the people
/ of this country, who have hitherto in most cases
confined themselves to the advantages opened
/ to them by the gold discoveries-that gold is
the only mineral existing in any great quantity
| in the soil OF California, is entirely erroneous.
| Notwithstanding, the enormous quantities of
gold already collected, and still remaining, il is
yet sale to predict, that the principal mineral
product of this State will be quicksilver From
all that we have heard and seen, we are satisfi-
ed this valuable material will be found in great
er quantities in this country, than in anv coun-
try IN which its presence has yet been discoy-
cred, not even excepting the mines of Germany
or Spain The quantities of cinnabar mined
in the neighborhood of San Jose have merely
tended to prove the fact that the ore is almost
incXhaustible in at locality. The amount as
yet got out is comparatively trifing; the noun
tain wi ii is being excavated is one mass of
cinnabar. The operations are as vet limited.
but we learn that already arrangements have
been made which will cause thorough develoD-
ment Of the riches Of this mine. This, how
ever, is bat one Of many that abound in the
country.
We have heard of numerous rich copper
mines, none of which have been worked, and
which, while the gold excitement last, will
doubtless remain unproductve. The convict
l ton, however, will soon gain ground, that a
4 copper mine will yield much more than any
/ gold diggins that can be appropriated, and this
valuable metal can be produced in quantities
sufficient to supply this and other markets. In
The northern States of Mexico copper is ordi-
: narily worth as much per pound as it has
! brought in this city when its value, from the
scarcity the supply, was at an exaggerated
! standared The gold excitement once dimin-
( ished, the copper mines will yield a steady en-
ployment,and very large profits.
{ We have seen no indications that warrant q
belief in the existence, to any extent, of silver
y ore in the soil of California. Traditiohary
! stories there are, Of mountains Of silver; ant
8 some three months ago, a report was in circula
,, tion that in the vicinity Of Los Angeles noun
u tain had been discovered teeming with silve
o and gold; bat there appears to be no fOunda
Il ton for the rumor. 1t may be that the coppe
IS mines will be found, like those of Lake Super
ior, to contain native silver in connection will
e the less precious metal, as the copper mines o
r the Gila contain quantity of gold in combina
- ton sufficient to defray the expense Of workin!
them; this however, is mere surmise, have n
foundation in any discovery that has yet COM
y to our notice. The existence of platinum
rs however, is beyond problem, although it ha
1t hitherto been found in Oregon in larger qunnt
is itesthan here.
l. 1t will thus be seen that California is not de
Va pendent on her gold mines, even should thes'
er contrary to all present circulations be exhaus
m ted.-.Ier mineral resources are varied an
n will be rendered productive as soon as the frs
n fever of goldthirst shall have abated Alread
70 the operations are in progress for very ful
- d9velopement ofth, vast wealth with whic
" : our soil teens. The progress towards the &C
.: complishment of this end will be steady, an
ID although slow for industrial operations in Cali
We fornia, yet compared with similar enterprise
Id in the United States, it will be immeasurabl
x rapid. Should further explorations show tn
We presence of large beds of coal in the Souther
he portion Of the State, companies will soon b
On formed and capital advanced to carry on the OF
in erations. There is large amount of capita
rs invested in the quicksilver mines near San Jose
- and soon vessels clearing from this port wi
~ be ballasted with cinnabar, consigned fc
l9 smelling to some port of the Atlantic.
cd What with her commercial advantages an
an her mineral resources, California cannot ia
Of soon to attain one of the most important an
"a commanding positions on the map of the worl
rv San Francisco Herald.