The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-29

nave an cellluhtc u GloyODO,uO1 az lcuSt HNC vi
which was collected by foreigners, who possessed
many advantages from their experience in mining
and knowledge of the country.
These estimates give, assfhe result OF the opera
tons in the mines for l545 and l549, the round sum
Of ) 40, 600, 000--one half Of which was probably
collected and carried out OF the country by for
eigners.
From the best information could obtain, am
led TO believe that at least S20,OOO,OOO OF the
$40 900 900 were taken from the rivers, and that
their richness has not been sensibly diminished
eept in few locations, which had carly attracted
large bodies of miners This amount has principal
ly 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 resorted TO
un il near the close of the last season These NV
are, however believed, by those who have visit
ed them, to be richer in the precious metal than
those in the northern part of the gold region.
There ID one river which, from reported re-
cent discoveries and not included in the descrip-
ton 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 fortieth 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 acces
sible.
Adopting the hypothesis that the gold found in
the beds of these streams has been cut 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, we may form some idea OF the vast
amount of treasure remaining undisturbed in the
veins which run through the masses Of rock in va
rious directions over space forty or fifty miles
WIDE and near five hundred miles long.
If we may be allowed to form conjecture re-
speeding the richness Of these veins from the guam
tity of lump coarse gold found in the dry dig
pinOa where IL aDDcarS OCCuDy nearly the
superices it did originally in the rock-its specific
gravity being sufficient TO resist ordinary moving
causes-we shall be led to an estimate almost be-
yond human calculation and belief. Yet, al far as
can perceive, there is plausible 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 a
large share of public attention. it to be expect
ed that various suggestions and propositions would
be made with respect to the proper mode of dis
posing OF 1t.
The difficulty in arranging suitable plan has
been the want of accurate Information on which a
well considered opinion might be formed. Its dis
lance from the seat OF government, the conflicting
statements and reports respecting II, served only
to bewilder and mystify the public mind, and rem
der thorough examination oft necessary, to
certain whether its value is such to render legis
lation necessary for its proper protection and man
agement
lift appears, from the preceding part of this re-
port, that it is sufficiently important TO require
laws suited to the condition and development Of its
wealth, we necessarily brought to the consd-
GRAFTON of the proper rules and regulations to be
adopted for that purpose.
The survey and sale of that section of country,
under our present land system, any other mode
which may be devised, would, undoubtedly, cause
very serious discomfort among these who have gone,
and all who may desire to GO there to collect gold,
and most unnecessary and unavoidable inc
quality in the distribution of wealth among the
purchasers.
Sections and parts of sections Of land having no
indications of gold on the surface, but possessing
untold treasure in the bowels Of the earth, might
be sold for what would be mere trife in compare
of their real value Capitalists would overbid
the daring, strong armed day -laborer who had
braved the storms of Cape Horn, or the privations
of a journey across the plains; and, by the power
and combination of resources, would possess them
selves of the most valuable mines which have been
discovered, and employ skilful miners to examine
the country, with as much secresy possible, for
the purpose of making such discoveries would
enable them, in great degree, to monopolize the
most valuable portions Of the country.
1t is much easier TO imagine than describe the
discomfort, perhaps disorder, which would spring
up among an hundred thousand freemen deprived
the privilege Of an equal enjoyment of partici-
patton in, what they have been in the habit Of
garding as the common property of the people 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
effectual; they would be more likely to set an
example of characterization, by deserton, than to
compel obedience in others.
The people would unite with them in producing
anarchy and confusion. No system, therefore,
which is not in accordance with the interests of the
people can be carried into successful operation.
Ii is always fortunate when laws can be so framed
harmonic those interests with the policy and
duty of the Government. IL is believed that NAV
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
act of oppression, he at the time feels that
something is due from him for the privileges nc en-
joys, and he would willingly pay reasonable sum
To have those privileges defined, and 10 be protect
ed 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 washer, spade and
pick-axc
The employment of machinery may perhaps,
facilitate its collection but it is not essential.
Every man is master of his movements. The
will be very different with the vein mines,
which yet remain In the rock To work them sue
ccssfully will require machinery, with horse or
steam power, involving an expenditure of capital
in proportion to the extent of the operations.
No prudent will make such investments
until his rights and privileges shall have been clear
y defined by law. In the absence Of all legal regu.
laton, if man to discover a vein mine, and
incur the expense of erecting machinery TO work il,
any other person, citizen, or foreigner might
struct an establishment alongside Of him, deprive
him Of his discovery, and destroy the value Of his
property. Hence il will be perceived that any law
prescribing the privileges and duties Of miners
should be so framed az to secure the rights Of ALL
There is some fertile soil in the gold region
beautiful valleys and rich hill-sdcs which, under
circumstances favorable to agriculture, would un-
doubtedy be valuable for that purpose; but at pre-
sent, and long the collection Of gold shall
continue TO reward labor 80 much more abundant
y than the cultivation Of the soil, the important
matter TO be considered is, the proper mode of dis
posing 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
operation Of the pre- emption laws, and from sale
that IL may be now regarded as the common frea-
sure of the American people, and hereafter a rich
inheritance TO their posterity, Then provide for
the appointment Of a commissioner Of the mines,
and sufficient number Of assistant commissioner
to carry the law into effect.
Let the office Of the commissioner be esta blishcd
at some point convenient 10 the mines, say Sacra-
mento city, and the Offices Of his assistant ON the
principal rivers and in the most productive dis
tricts. Provide that any and every American
citizen, application at the Office of the commits
sioner, any Of his assistants and by paying one
ounce, or SIC, or such sum as may be considered