Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-04-25
EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF
Hon. II. Butler Aimg,
- ON
CA LTF OR n / A.
metallic AND MINERAL WEALTH.

metallic AND MINERAL WEALTH
The gold region Of California is be-
tween four and five hundred miles long,
and from forty to fifty miles broad, fol-
lowing the line of the Sierra Nevada
Furiher discoveries may, and probably
will, increase the area. EIt embraces
within its limits those extensive ranges
of bills which rise on the eastern bor-
der Of the plain of the Sacramento and
San Joaquin, and extending eastwardly
from fifty to sixty miles, they attain an
elevation Of about four thousand feet,
and terminate at the base of the main
ridge of the Sierra Nevada. There
are numerous streams which have their
sources in the springs of the Sierra,
and receive the waller from its melting
SHOWS, and that which fcllS in rain du-
ring the wet season.
These streams form rivers. which
have cut their channels through the ran
ges Of foot, hills wcstwardly to the plain
and diSembogue into the Sacramento
and San Joaquin. These rivers are
from ten to fifteen, and probably some
of them twenty miles apart.
The principle formation, or substIa'
tum, in these hills, is ta!cose slate, the
supcrs,ratum, sometimes penetrating to
u great depth, is quartz. This. how
ever, tines not cover the entire face of
the country, but extends in large bod
les in various direclions-is found in
masses and small fragments on the sur.
face, and seen along the ravnes and in
the mountains ovcrhanging the rivers,
and in the hillSldes in its original beds.
II crops out in the valleys and on the
ihc tops of bills, and forms a striking
feature Of the entire country over
which il extends. From innumeIable
evidences and indications, il has come
10 be the universally admitted opinion
among the miners and intelligent men
who have examined this region, that
the gold, uhether IN detached particles
and pieces, or IN ocinS, ,CaS created an
combination ,ciM the quartz. Gold is
not found on the surface of the country
presenting the appearance of having
been thrown up and scattered in all di.
rentions by volcanic action. Ii is only
found found in particular localities, ard
attended by peculiar circumstances
and indications. IL is found in the bars
and shoals Of the rivcrs-in ravines,
and in what they call the dry dig
gings.
The rivers, in forming their chan.
neis, or breaking their way through the
hills, have come in contact with the
quartz containing the gold veins, and
by constant alirition cut the gold into
fine flakes and dust, aud it is found a.
mong the sand and gravel of their beds
at those places where the switiness OF
the current reduces il, in the dry sea
sons, 20 the narrowest possible limits
and where wide margin is,consequent'
", left on each side, over which the wa.
ter rushcs during The wet season, with
great force. .-
As the velocity of some streams is
greater than others, so it is the gold
found in fine or coarse particles. appa
rcntlv corresponding 10 the degree of
a,trilion to which il has been exposed.
The water from the hills and upper val,
lies, in finding its way to the rivers
has cut deep ravines, and, wherever II
came in contact with The quartz, has
dissolved or crumbed 10 pieces.
In the dry season these channels arc
mostly without water, and gold is found
in the oeds and margins OF maLy o.
them in large quantities, but in mucl