Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-04-10

cured by law. and the opportunity thus Of
iered OF using machinery to advantage.
will Justify the collection Of a much larger
per cent. on their gross product than il is
proposed 10 require from those who labor
with their own hends in the use of the sim
pie means now employed in the collection
Of gold The amount, therefore. collect
ed from this source may ultimately be as
large. perhaps larger. than that for per.
ms.
If revenue IS an object. there can be 1T
lie doubt that. By the adoption OF this sys-
tenn. the amoun, collected in few years
would be larger than the entire district
would command in ready money. il offer
ed Tor sale: aud the interests and pr!vl-
Ieges OF those employed in the mines will
be secured from tIe grasping and monop-
oljZing spri; Of individual proprietors:
California and the whole Union preserv-
ei from scenes Of anarchy and confusion
il not bloodshed. which must result from
sale Of the mining region TO specula-
tors. end an attempt TO protect them In the
eli nIoyment of their purchases.
The salaries OF! the commissioner and
his assistants may easily be paid out of
the amount received. in fixed sums, or in
the form of q per centum.
have proposed TO exclude foreigners
from the privilege OF purchasing permits.
and from working as discoveries or pur
chasers in the ven-mines. NV reasons
for recommending this policy are. tha,
these mines belong to. and in my judg-
meut should be preserved for. the use and
benefit of the American people. | mean,
of course, all citizens. native and adopted.
7 ht,- . Of
more than fifteen thousand foreigners.
mostly Mexican and Chilenos. came in
armed bands into the mining district. bid
ding defiance 10 all opposition. and final
ly carrying out Of the country some twen-
~ millions Of dollars worth Of gold dust.
which belonged by purchase to the people
Of the United States. if not excluded
they viii return and rccommence the
work of punder. They may, with as
much right. gather the harvest in the val
tlev of the Connecticut, the Ohio, or the
Mississippi. No other ation having the
power TO protect il. would permit its treas
ure TO be thus carried away. | would not
allow them to purchase permits, or work
vein mines. because the contributions
proposed 70 be required are SO moderate
that they will not cause the slightest in
convenience 10 the miners. and are not
designed as an equivalent for these priv-
leges. Foreigners. therefore, would will
linglv paw these small sums for permis-
sion to collect and carry away millions OF
dollars in value. The object IS not only
suitable revenue, but TO preserve for the
use OF our own fellow citizens tho wealth
of that region.
This system Of permits will make all
who purchase them police o0icers. to aid
IN ercImding from the mines all who are
not entitled to. or who do not procure
them. This will prevent deserters from
the army and navy from being harbored
and protected in the mines. Not being
alio" ed TO purchase permits, the assistant
commissioners, aided by the miners.
would soon detect and arres, them. Sail
ors belonging to the mercantile marine
would be detected in similar manner.
and thus prevented from running away.
The commerce Of the country would
/ be protected from the disastrous conse-
quences resulting from the abandonment
Of sh;iys ~ ;,' ;,,7is' crews. which necessari-
/ ly imposes heavy tax on consumers. be-
cause merchants. as a measure OF self
protection. must charge such losses on
their cargoes. and consequently they fall
on those who purchase. The army and
navy would be saved from demorallzation,
and prepared for service in case Of nc
cessity.
! Many Of the cmigrants 10 California.
especially those from the Western States,
VIII remain and form a resident popula-
ton: but there will be thousands and tens
Of thousands young and middle-aged
worklngmen. from all parts Of the Union,
who will resort 10 the mines for the pur-
pose OF obtaining the means to purchase
farm. or establish themselves in some
tavorite pursuit. and as soon as they have
secured a sufficient amount will return
and their places will be supplied by 9th.
ers who will 90 and do likewise.
This process has already commenced.
Many who went out last spring have re-
turned with an ample reward for their la
bors and privations. The market in Cal.
ifornia for tive products and manufactures
Of the other States of the Union will en-.
hance prices. which. with the gold col
lected and brought home by laboring peo-
pie. will ditfilse degree Of wealth and
comfort hitherto unknown TO them.
The quicksilver mines Of California are
believed TO be numerous. extensive, and
very valuable There is one near San
Jose, which belongs 70. or is claimed by
MIR. Forbes. of Tepic. in Mexico. The
cinnabar ore. which produces the quick
silver. lies near the surface. is easily pro.
duced and believed to be remark ably pro-
ductive.
Discoveries OF other mines are report
ed, but no certain information respecting
them has been made public. 1t is, un
doubtedly. fortunate circumstance tina
nature, in bes.owing on California suci
vast metallic treasure. has provided, a,
most in its immediate neighborhood. in
exhaustble stores Of quicksilver, which
is SO essential in gold mining.
! The policy of Government with re
speci TO these mines Of cinnabar shoult