Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-07-26
THINGS ON TIE PACIFIC.

The late FIRE at san Fiancs"' vas, in The destruction o.
merchandise, more disastrous than either H., fire in May or
that in December. The entire amount OF property destroyed
BY these three fires is said To have been not less than from
twelve 10 fifteen millions OF dollars. The American spirit
cannot, however, be subdued-icr in an hour and a half after
the fire had been arrested, carpenters were busily employed,
re.laying the foundations. Artesan wells are also 10 be
sunk, reservoirs constructed, ard hook and ladder and engine
companies organized, 20 preserve the city in future.
As 10 the gold prospects. the accounts give a new view
of the localities and mode of working the mines. A cor
responder, of the New York Journal Of Commerce say
that, in consequence oil the high waters, operations al The
mines will not be commenced in carnes, much before August
yet, in this reduced mining season ct four months, the
amount of gold taken out will reach al least fifty millions
Of dollars. This amount, il is said, owing 10 the vast emf
grafton to the mining regions, will necessarily be more distri-
buted, and the profits Of each mine be considerably less, than
during the last season.
after the present year, machinery will necessarily be
brought more into Iegu.sirion, and The gold will probably he
chiefly extracted iron TIE mother source, the quartz and
other rock in the lnnuntains, known Ia contain l'c precious
metal In lneyl:ausiinlc abundance. Every foot OF ."uri
in the vallicS, yet discovered, known 20 contain 'sn!d wash.
ings," has already been taken ~ by claimants, Whose claims
are 'siaked out with ~ much precision IL are the lots OF
spectators IN our ne" l"wiS and GILES. Each claimant, |
believe, is allowed by the regulations established among thu
miners, thirty feet square, and his tile 10 81 much is rigidly
respected aud protected. The "wasiIinss" y, discovered,
will probably be nearly exhausted The present year.
aga tt iioi il"1S i'Ni !" N'''I.i HthiN
discovered rich mines. The San Francisco Herald says
there will be u greater quantity oil gold dug out hi,
summc,t than ever before. The specimens from san Joa.
quin and the Sacramento, 90 10 prove that the ore is mex.
haustiblc. IT. has been found richer in the mountains Of Los
Angeles (Soulh) than even in the mines Il Mariposa. In
the former, science and machinery will be- requsitc-but sui
hclent employment, and compensation will there he afforded
10 hree-fourths, al least, OF all the supcri,uo,s labor Of the
u. States.
On Feather River, The greatest excitement prevails, in
consequence OF the discovery OF a vas, bed of aurifcrous
quartz, which exceeds, in quantity and richness, The spcci-
mems from the mountains of Los Angeles. The pure ore was
found in beautiful threads and spangles-thc vein 80 feet
wide, and, in some portions, producing a dollar 10 an ounce
Of rock. In a common blacssmiths forge, So Were smell
ted out OF n piece OF rock weighing ii lbs.
Al Mockesin and Ra,tlesnakc Creeks, in the South, no
one makes less than an ounce per day. Numerous compa-
mics are formed TO turn the rivers, dig canals, throw up dauls,
10 ''walk into the hidden treasure.
In the low hills of the Valley Of San Jose, between the
Contra Costa and Coast ranges of mountains, and four OF
five miles from the Pueblo, gold has been newly found in the
form of ore-the highest ASSAY yielding s7% cents, and the
lowest 25 cents, 10 the pound Of ore. On the whole, the Pa
fc News says:
There is no doubt on our minds that the mineral wealth
OF California will be found intellectually greater than even
the most sanguine have hitherto imagined. Every DAYS
discovery goes 10 confirm This opinion; and facts within our
knowledge warrant us III saying tlat the present season Will
bring TO light the most startling Developments in vein or
quartz mining.
In Oregon, too, they have found gold. Its said that one OF
the richest mines on the shore of the Pacific has been discov.
eredin the Spokan country, some 400 miles from The city, and
up the Columbia. The sand from the Spokan has in its bulk
about one quarter gold. Rogue River, too, will afford pro
ftable '~diggings," and Gov. Lane has gone there, 10 nego-
tiate q treaty with the Indians, preparatory 10 working the
gold mines. The opinion is confidently expressed, that the
middle region Of Oregon is to become the grand FL Dorado OF
the age.
Laborers of all kinds are said TO be much wanted in Ore
gon. Carpenters are receiving from 81 10 II per day, and
common day laborcrs from 81 10 ) per day. Tailors charge
$50 for making a dress coat, and So 10 10 for vests and PAN
falcons. School teachers are in demand and al their own
prices. The people of Oregon have an abundance of health,
money and provisions-a most happy condition
Alta Wing District Convention of The counties of Norfolk
and Princess Anne. and the city of Norfolk, John Petty of
Princess Anne, Samuel Watts and Willis White of Nor
folk county, and John Tunis and \. f. Leonard OF Norfolk
city, were nominated as the Wing candidates to represent
shof n;stvict in tho rsforp conventions