Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-01-15

I'D embrace IL snouiu De larger, ana lad on ac'
cording TO the Spanish method with regard to dir
and strike. But so various are the Conditions
| under whichthe precious metals may be found
by careful geological exploration, that the
mode of laying off the ground cannot be safely
anticipated, bat must be left TO the direction on
the spot, OF skillful engineer, whose services
will be indispensable.
The division, disposition and management OF
these mines will require much detail; but if pla-
ced on proper footing, they may be made the
source of considerable revenue. II is due to the
nation al large that this rich deposit Of mineral
wealth should be made productive, so as to meet
in process of time, the heavy expense incurred
in its acquisition II is also due to those who
become the lessees or purchasers of the mines
that they should be furnished by the Government
with such scientific aid and direction as may en-
able them 10 cenduet their operations not only
to the advantage OF the Treasury, but also with
convenience and profit TO themselves. This sci
entihc aid canuo' be procured by individuals, as
our people have little experience in mining, and
there is not in the United States a school of
mines, or any in which mining is taught as a
separate science.
II the United States sell the mineral land for
cash and transfer at once all title to the gold
which they contain, but a very small part of
their value will probably be realized. II would
be better, in my opinion, 10 transfer them by sale
or lease, reserving part of the gold selected as
rent or seignorage.
After mature reflection, am satisfied that a
mint al some convenient point will be advant-
ageous TO the miner, and the best medium fer the
collection and transmission of the gold reserved.
Gamboa, Spanish author Of much science and
practical observation, and at one time president
of the Royal Academy of Mexico, strongly re-
commended the establishment of mint in their
principal mining district, as means Of collect
ing and transmitting the rents reserved by the
crown, and especially TO give leg itimate curreh-
cy to the miners, that they might not be compel
led from necessity 10 barter their bullion in vio-
laion of law. The same reasons would apply
here with equal force.
When the land is properly divided, it will in
my opinion, be best TO dispose OF 1t, whether by
lease or SALE 50 as 10 create an estate 10 be held
only on the condition that the gold collected from
the mine shall be delivered into the custody of
an officer OF the branch mint. Out of the gold
deposit there shall be retained, for rent and as
say, or coinage, fixed per cent, such as may
be deemed reasonable, and the residue passed 10
The credit OF The miner, and paid 10 him at his
option in coin or stamped bullion, or its value in
drafts on the Treasury or mint OF the u. States.
The gold in the mine, and after il is gathered,
until brought into the mint should be and remain
the property OF the United States. The barter,
sale, giit or expectation OF any portion OF IL be-
tore IL shall have been delivered at the mint, and
so coined. or assayed and stamped, or its con-
cealment with the intent 10 avoid The payment
OF rent or seignorage, should involve forfeiture
of the gold slseli, and also of the mine. The
terms OF lease aud sale should be favorable to
the miner, and the law should be stringent to
enforce the payment Of seignorage and rents.
So far as the surface deposits extend, | am of
opinion that leases will, Tor yet further reason
be preferable to sales OF the lands. Ii sold, they
will pass al once into the hands OF large capital
lists; II leased, industrious men without capital
he fhot, rlx
the mines and pay the rent out OF the proceeds.
But where the gold is found in the rocks in pie
ces the case is different. These must necessari.
ly fall al once into the hands Of large capitalists
or Joint stock companies, as they cannot be
wrought without heavy investment.
Some persons, whose opinions are entitled to
much weight apprehend difficulty in the coIlec-
tion of rents, If the mode Of disposition which
suggest be adopted; but tais, think, is without
full consideration of the condition of the country
and the means of enforcement Gold, unless
coined or stamped at the mint, could not circu-
late in California against a legal provision and
subject to penalty such as Is ste gested II
could not be carried across the continent with
out risk of loss or detection, which would make
the valne OF insurance equal TO the rent In any
Other direction il must pass the forts Of Caifor-
MIA and here be liable to detection.
Since the discovery Of the mines, gold in Cal
iurnia has not ranged higher than $l6 90 per
Ounce; its actual value is fraction over SIS
The difference between its true value and tie
highest price at which it has sold or would prob
ably ever sell except TO houses transaclng an
open, regular and legal business, is therefore
one ninth, being more than halfthe amount that
ought TO be reserved as rent or seignorage
lfthe penalty suggested above should be pro
vided for an attempted evasion, and the Ordina-
ry advantages 10 the officer or person who should
detect the fraud as in case Of smuggling, il
would not be the interest Of any one to become a
dealer in the prohibited article al a small profit
and great risk; nor would the Einer risk a sale
at a small advance ofpricc, to be obtained al the
hazard Of a heavy forfeiture. The absolute Sc
curity of the lawful business, the sefcty of the
fund when deposited in the Treasury of The Uni
fed States and the small profits and great risks
of attempted frauds, would ce reasonable seeuri-
iy against them.
The property of the United States in the mines
of Quicksilver, derived from Spain through
Mexico, with the eminent domain, is, as | have
shown, the same as that in the gold, already con-
sidered Indeed, the laws of Spain asserted more
sternly and guarded more strictly The rights of
the crown TO that metal than TO gold and silver
This arose from the scarcity Of Quicksilver, it
being found in sufficient quantities to be worth
mining in but few places ON the globe, while its
necessary use, in separating silver from its mat
rix, makes II an essential ingredient IN silver
mining operations
The deposit of Quicksilver, known to exis, in
California, in a sulphuret of mercury, or native
The stratum of mineral several feet
in thickness, has been traced for a considerable
distance along its line of strike. The specimens
assaycd at the mint range from 70 TO 35 per cent
of metal; it is easy of access, and is mined and
reduced without difficulty. So much of the mine
as has been traced, is situated on ranch, 10
which the title is probably valid and since the
United States tsok possession of the rountry an
attempt has been made 10 acquire title TO the
mine by announcement. This proceeding is, for
the reasons that I have already given, invalid.
II therefore remains for Congress TO determine
whether they will relinquish or assert the title
of the United States in this mine.
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC.
The population of California, already consid- |
cradle in numbers. is rapidly increasing by i'm
migration. Adventurcrs, attracted there in |
search Of gold, are gradually forming a fixed
and must, In the nfttfe Of things, |
soon draw after rnd connect with them the ordi- |
nary accompanimentS ofsocial life. Its mining |
n r 81.