The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-15

Ertroet " aiesr addressed 10 gentleman IF l's eityD
frOya

MARIPosA CRY, Manposa county,
/ FAKE California, July rs, 1850,
Quarts Ledge San Josf--Ssa JoGgain.- Hambags of
| me Dag-Gofd Dgg'ngs Chaidn MH
arrived here on the evening Of Saturday June go
all well. On Monday we commenced examining The
ledge OF quartz OF which much has been said ~ the
States. The examination of the ledge and its various
branches, and other lodges running parallel with this
particular one which appears be the most extensive,
having been traced far up among the northern mines,
has occupied our lime since our arrival here There =
no quartz ledge within twenty miles oil this place that
has moi been subjected To thorough superficial exam
nation and the result is that the only quartz that yields
per centase Of gold worth naming is portion OF a
ledge about two hundred fee in length, al present
claimed and worked by gentleman from the neighbof
hood OF the Virginia mines and the average yield OF this
portion will not pay the expenses OF working IT, Some
Particular parts are rich, while far the largest portion will
yield hve cents per pound The average yield OF the
two hundred feet will not exceed ten cents per pound
which, at the present prices OF labor will not more than
pay for getting The quartz outtranspoaton, provisions,
BE-, being very high. From Stockton here-dstance
cents per pound Flour is selling al from 80 to IS
cents per poundeyerythiDg else in proportion. Flour
last winter sold in this place for ~ so per pound Du
ring the winter travelling be done owing
to the ground becoming soft thai beast travel
Al present everything dry, and almost burnt up by The
sun We brought with Us six mules, and had 10 buy
grass Tor them here at the Iale OF about ten cents per
pound. They were disposed oil possible.
Thee OF The gentlemen who composed our party when
LETT San francisco stopped San Jose pronounced
San Hosa) Tor the purpose OF examining rock which is
supposed 70 contain gold have not heard from them
since we parted.
By the route we travelled suppose the distance from
San Francisco here is very little short OF $50 miles. II
was very lalguig to ride constantly for many days
From San francisco to San Jose about 50 miles, the
road along the plain the foot OF the range
Alter about fifteen miles, you come into country COW
cred, plain aud mountain, as lar as the eye reach
with Wild OATS the trees are about the size and have
very much the appearance OF apple trees and requires
stretch Of the Imagination to suppose that is travel
ling in large orchard planted IN Immense droves
OF cattle iced these plains, large droyes Of horses are
kaI,f nlt nf fha
up TO the ranch OF the owner at night We camped one
night near ranch, and had Just much milk as we
could drink given % us; the milk Is moi as rich as that
are now all ripe and dry and are occasionally fred the
flames running with great rapidity.
After leaving our party at San Jose we joprneyed
pretty brlskly each person having riding mule On
Thursday the 27h June, we crossed the Contra Costa
range at Pachico pass; the country still has the APP
OF the San joaquin, pronounced San Waukeen) which
has been represented the Paradise Of California
being has been said situated that can be irrigated
by the OF the river This is another oil the hum
bugs OF the day The plain where we CLOSED is abou,
fifteen miles wlde we saw water but once after leaving
The mountain about three or four miles after entering the
plains narrow strip of land Immediately on the bank
the river good and corn or potatoes could be raised
extensivey back on the plas however, the ground is
barren and burnt np-to;ay unit for agriculture We
camped at the ferry on tue San Joaquin. Being de.
OF getting the end OF Journey We lett next
morning before breakfast having heen informed that at
the distance OF twelve miles would fluid American
tent We ode on and kept riding, and the distance OF
twenty tive miles came 10 an American tent, about
IL O'Clock. Oar road was up the Rio Merceda, along
The plains under the heat OF burning sun We felt the
want OF water very much, bur We're unable TO stop and
gel IT, To make amends however, Tor our long FAST We
were served with bountiiu dinner, consisting OF ham,
coee, bread, pickles, green cucumbers, aud honey.
arm certain never ale 50 much al one time before.
Two oil company with Mexican guide, left this
for tie northward on Friday last, Tor the purpose OF
examining the various quartz lodges the Sonora and
Nakiimo, &c, and enieavoripg TO hnd place that
will pay whei the machinery can be located. Various
and apparently authenlc reports are at present in ca.
culaton 10 the effect HAT very rich quarz ledge has
been discovered by some gentlemen from sacramento
city The location OF tie ledge s ai present unknown
except by the company, one OF whom has gone 10 the
States for THE purpose OF procuring machinery. Ii IL
supposed that this ledge is somewhere in the neighbor
hood Of Sonora, or the Sonorian camp Should they
succeed in procuring location OF Sufficient richness 10
pay, the machinery will be Immediately located and
operations commenced. Otherwise, Tor the present at
least, the project will be abandoned We have al pres
ent stopped prospecting" here.
The gold-yieiing quartz OF California is one OF the
greatest humbugs OF the day. The ledges may be neh
have been sunk alongside the rock the depth OF tweny
10 thirty feet, and the indications do not show in
crease, but rather the contrary gentleman who came
out IN the employment o Commodore Stockton, arrived
here day two since and, after seeing the quartz
said that such rock would not be worked in Virginia
He has been engaged in the mines in Virginia for num-
OF years. and IS one on whose word dependence may
be placed.
investing any money in the operation; and il was The
dispose OF my interest soon as possible DO not think
that al present AMI probably not tor oug time come
any thing he done IN the quartz, so far as have
seen What the result oil the expedition may be, am
unable 10 say. however very much doubt whether any
anucipaiions will be realized. The specimen that has
been exhibited 10 the United States, lair sample OF
the quartz mistake. Such specimens OCCASION
ally found, though they indication Of the value OF
the rock Commodore Stockion's agent ha. been here
lor the purpose Of selecting location but left without
having done so. He expects 10 return again in two or
three weeks. Whether lie will locate here not an
| unable TO say
| C.'s company are here and WILL ! believe, in the
course OF the present week engage in working quick
silver machine the MaTlposa, for the purpose Of
tracing the fine gold from the sand and gravel that
capped from the rockers OF the diggers They all in
good health.
have thought that would go into the diggings and
have formed company with two young men. We are
al work about two miles above this place, and have bat
Just commenced operations On Saturday got our first
gold fhe larges, lump weighed about three dollars
well 10 work and used TO IT, II had any means Of for
warding il, woudveend you the lump as the first got
Should - discover place 10 locate his machinery,
| viii OF course 90 with him.
A company from Virginia have erected Chilian mill
for the purpose crushing the quartz, and will probably
be in operation this week The first quartz that s ground
will be that selected from the very best portion OF the
ledge The consequence will be large yield, which, OF
course, will be represented, by the time the account
Teachts the States, fair estimate Of the ledge on
which they are located Such - not the II is
thought here by almost every thai they wish 10 sell
out, and taking this plan OF getting the largest posi-
for two weeks past quarying, ani have selected out o
ihp winle aho all of which