The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-08

her first trip, and has spent most Of his time since
In the mining region of the San Joaquin, and has
made some valuable experiments with the goldbear-
Ing quartz, specimen OF which sent you some
doubt not, do good service in Washington. Mr..
Gilbert was an officer in company X, of COL Ste
venson's regiment, and, after serving his time as
soldier, respected by all who knew him, he start.
ed the Aia California, which he has since edited
most creditably. Mr.. Gilbert was delegate to
the Constitutional Convention, and is, also,
strong democrat.
John c. Fremont is too well known to require
any description HIS fearless and almost Hercule-
an labors in the early exploration OF California
have met their reward Mr.. Gwin Is also known
as representative from Mississippi, and was also
a member Of the State convention; and is 'rabid
locofoco."
But little is doing in the gold region. The rains
have so swollen the rivers that operations have
been nearly suspended, and many are returning TO
the towns 10 spend the winter. With the opening
OF the spring, extensive operations will commence
in the working of the gold.washings on a large
scale, as well as the application of machinery TO
the extraction Of gold from the eoldbearDg quartz.
This will introduce actual gold mining into Cali
fornla-some,hing which has not yet been done.
For miles along the base OF the lofty Sierra Neva-
da runs ledge OF this quartz rock, and 1t is found
along the banks OF many OF the rivers. In some of
the quartz rocks no gold is seen, even with pow
erful microscope; but upon crushing it, and ANAL.
gamating with the quicksver, II is found to yield
from one to three dollars TO the pound of rock. In
other portions, gold is seen, clearly distributed
throughout the whole rock and it is has been iound
by experiment, 10 yield, in some cases, as high
twelve dollars 10 the pound The union OF labor
and capital can, in this enterprise, realize immense
fortunes, The gold washings are but the scum Of
these rich deposites in the quartz and long after
the tin pan and the rocker are abandoned, the
stamping machine will be in active operation.
Extensive .squatting" operations are ia progress
throughout all portions OF California; In some cases
extending so far as locating upon town lots and
mission lands meeting of squatters was held, a
short time since, in Sacramento City, at which it
was'resolved that John Suffer had no gal title TO
every vacant lot in Sacramento City has since been
located upon by squatter How this affair will
end, 1t is is impossible to determine. One thing,
however, Is positive, that there has been a great
regard to titles, and that If they are all be taken
for good, Uncle Sam will find that he doesn't own
foot of soil in this territory, for which he paid
fifteen millions of dollars.
ful watered valley about three miles from here,
about a hundred persons have located, not ooly
upen the lands of the mission. but upon lands
claimed by mdividuals, under titles from the for,
mer priest. They say they are determined TO hold
until elected, ri at arms and are improving the
lancs by fencing and building houses.
These Mexican land titles will be great nuts for
awy ers when courts are regularly established Ia
time Of the Spanish Viceroys, and sone Of the
best property in the town of San Francisco Is CO.
vered by these titles, but has since been granted,
by alcaldes, TO other persons. Many grants claim
ed are enormous. John A. Suffer profe sses to own
real estate extending over a territory Of al least a
bundIed miles in length by fifty In breadth. Some
rich dsveopements will appear when these large
claims come 10 be adJudicated
Our Senators and Representatives start for the
United States, tomorrow, In the Oregon. Thsre
appears 10 be little fngh, among some Of the Ca
lifofnlans In regard 10 our admiuance. But let
Congress bear in mind that California N nov no
longer territory, depending upon her vaclllating
policy for government, but IL a sovereign State,
with he wheels already in operation; and that we
copiein ample resources To 90 ahead on our own
hook.
Hon. T. Butler King has retired from the politi-
cal ft ID perfectly disguised with the late election,
at which he received four votes; and has opened
law Office in this town.
Ex-Governor shannon is gold-digging on the
Nuba river.
Mr. John f. Durivage, formerly connected with
the Herald, has associated himself with the Aha
Cohfvnio, and Is gaining laurels, as q sound and
witty writer.
TIE new work upon the gold mines OF Califor..
MA, with descriptions Of the towns, and also of
Lower California, by Edward G. ButIum, late
lieut.. naut in the Seventh regiment OF New York
Volunteers, will be published in New York, in a
few weeks IL promises To be an interesting and
valuable work. MIR. Bufium, having spent three
Years IN California, and SIX months amoug her
golden hills, Is well qualified TO write work upoa
the subject. .
The California will leave on the 18th; till which
time, odios. CALiFoRNlA