The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-02

WASHINGTON, mhfCh %, IooU.
1b the Editors Of the Republic;

the very able report OF Mr. hlnB, ON California. Ills
accounts Of the geography, soil, and commercial
prospects ofthe country, although containing much
that is new, correspond with the opinions had
already formed from the numerous publications
which have appeared. Some writers have given
only the favorable side of the picture, and others
only the unayorable but there are no doubt streak
of fat and streak Of lean in California, in other
countries. 1t has certainly very fat streak, in
its mineral wealth, which surpasses that Of any
other country in the world. Although differing
from Mr. King, in theory, TO the gold formation,
or deposit, ] feel much grati6ed to find that my
essay the subject, only drawn from general rea-
soning, is supported in 80 many important particu-
lars, ascertaned by personal examination. In esti-
mating the height Of the mountain, begin with
the level Of the stream, which along its base,
and receives the short rivers, or torrents, which
flow down its sides; and what is called the foot hills
| consider as alluvial, diluval deposits, the
slope Of the mountain. In my opinion, the quartz
was in state of fusion when the gold was injected
into it, in a gaseous state; and the metal might be
separated by mechanical disintegration of the
quartz, by the decomposition of the quartz from
exposure to the atmosphere The specimens of gold
which have examined have evidently been in
state Of fusion. The fine flakes of gold, in my
opinion, have received that form by being deposited
is Of opinion that the gold bearing quartz-rock
originally formed we now see it; but all geolo-
gists agree, that all secondary and stratifed rocks
their existence to the agency Of fire or water.
If we suppose the stratum of quartz to have been
aluviaI it may have been in state of fusion after
wards, when the gold was injected by chemico-
electric force, and then condensed il is mpossi
BILE that the pure metal could be formed by mere
alluvial deposit. This subject is perhaps more
rious than useful, and one about which mineralo-
gists may differ; but the important, ] may say
astounding, facts disclosed in the report such
as to command the attention, not only of this
try but of the whole world. When venture an
opinion the subject of mneraogy, it is with diff
fidence, my skill being only that of an amateur,
and not professionally and am more desirous to
acquire than to impart information. still main
tain that the abundance of gold in California is not
owing to the greater quantity of it contained in the
talcose slate, and in the quartz but to the accden
tai circumstance of these seams being cut through
in an extraordinary manner by the torrents which
descend from the mountains.
The suggestions as to the necessity of system
Of permits and licenses, think. will meet with
general appreciation In a communication of mine,
to the editor of the Baltimore american, last spring,
Iexpressed this idea, and it more fully
planned by Colonel Benton, in the Senate about the
same time The obvious justice of giving the pref
erence to own people, over foreign ADVENTURES
was evident to every Where is the other
country that would have tolerated such intrusion,
without leave or license? Our citizens would GER
tainly not be permitted to go in this manner to the
mine districts of Mexico, or Chill, or Peru Mea-
sures will be TAKEN if not already taken, to remedy
these evils.
One of the most important measures to be adopted
will be the establishment of a commission to exam
inc and report the Spanish grants or titles From
the recent publication of Mr.. Jones, perceive that
he is preparing general report on this subject,
which, from his known ability, will be highly
valuable, and may touch stone in the
examination of particular grants. The judicial
construction put upon the eighth article of the
treaty of cesson of Louisiana. copied into that of
Florida has been very favorable to those grants;
whether the treaty with Mexico will admit of an
equally favorable construction, am not prepared
to say. think the mission grants, claims, stand
on peculiar grounds. Where the general princi-
pies laid down in the Partidas do not apply, we
must have recourse to the Leyes dc midas, and TO
Mexican legislation, and to official acts In pursu-
ance Of these. have been under the impression
that all the large grants, as well to individuals as
for religious purposes, were rcsumable by the
crown; and even migrants which we should regard
as allodal, the Spanish and Mexican governments
have asserted power over them which should
regard entirely incompatible with absolute pri-
vate ownership. When Spain conquered Florida,
she entirely disregarded the large British grants;
and even with respect to town property, and i'm
proved farms, only allowed (by proclamation) the
owners the privilege of disposing of them within
eighteen months
Until II saw the letter Of Mr.. Jones, was under
the same impression with Mr.. King, that the mis-
sions in Upper California established by the
Jesus Woodworking to the fact that this did not take
place until after the year l76s when the order
abolished. But they the authors Of the models
ofthat peculiar kind of establishment which brought
the cannibal savages from the wilderness 10 ciyl-
cation and Christianity; and yet without impart-
ing 10 them that necessary self relancc TO enable
them to continue in that state when left 10 them
selves.
read with much interest the hasty glance of
Mr.. King at the UNEMPLOYED region Of the ella and
Colorado. This is a subject to which l have de-
voted much Of my time since came to Washing
ton. This country, probably third larger than
Virginia, never explored much less conquered
by Spain; and the warlke tribes which now occupy
il are the terror Of the Mexican settlements. in
cline TO the opinion that il Is a mountainous re-
gion, like that the sources Of the Rhine, the
tile valleys, and some extensive pastoral districts
but no arid table-ands II was in the time of Coro-
nado, O540,) and in that Of Espejo, (l5s3,) land
Of castles, have obtained some very interesting
particulars this subject in recent conversation
with Colonel Smith, the talented delegate from New
Mexico.
very important fact is stated by Mr.. King, on
the authority Of Lieutenant Maury, that current
similar TO the gulf stream from the east from
Japan, along the Kuribs 10 the point of Kamtschat
ka, thence along the Fox islands TO our Pacific
coast Japanese vessel might thus drift TO the
coast of California. / am informed that when Ste
phenss work on Central America was received at
the Dutch factory in Japan, the Japanese, on cx
aiming the plates, instantly declared that the
ruins showed the work Of their countrymen. ! am
not one Of those who believe that civilization and
the arts cannot exist in country without being
imported from another; for the capacity is inhe
rent, and only requires suitable state condition
for its development. If this be so, there would
oessarily be condolences, well as differences.
II. M. BRECKENRIDGE.