The New York herald., 1850-01-28
The California Mystery.

The California Mystery.
From the Lendon Times, January
A view OF the new year would hardly be COM
pete without glimpse of California. AT the COM
mencement OF 1919 the eyes of commercial aud
political Spectators were directed towards the
remote and mysterious city Of San Francisco, with
greater interest than towards any capital of Europe
Reasons had been shown for anticipating that most
serious and Irresistible OF all revolatlons-a revolu-
ton IN the value of the precious metals, and in
the monetary and financial system of the world.
The difference between the 10th and 10th centu-
ries, between the days Of Lord Bacen and the days
of Warwick, the ing-maker, had undoubtedly re-
suited from discoveries OF the same kind, and of
larger pronaise. So productive the mines of
America, that Spanish vceroys did actually ride
over pavement Of solid silverupon males shod with
the same precious metal and the piles of plate on
the sldeboards Of Castan grandees were literally
reached by silver ladders, some cases fourteen
or fifteen feet high. These are not mere SYMBOL.
cal exaggeraons, but plain facts credibly recorded;
and YET, even such facts were surpassed by the
prospects opened IN California. Gold was repre-
sented as dscoverable In quantities hitherto un-
known even in the case OF silver; and the entire
surface OF the country was described equivalent
to one OF those bondmeas or veins OF native metal
for which the miners of Potosi returned public
thanksgivings. whole year has now elapsed
since these marvellous sources of wealth nave
been In full Operation, and we are Ia posse OF
good materials Tor revising our Judgment
There is always a-twoiold direction gwen to the
influence OF such discoveries these. In the pre-
sent the results concerned not only the supply
Of precious metals, but the colonization OF a new
OF those points, the groundwork of truth has proved
really very considerable. Gold is actually found,
and doubtless still exists in large quantities; but
certain conditions, to which we very early alluded,
ing the practical effects upon the balllon markets
OF Europe. No appreciable Importation has yet
taken place, and the value Of the standard metal
still remains G2 lis l0id. per ounce. Three Causes
have been alleged in explanation of this anoma-
lous and yet uaimpeachab fact-cx1ggeration ia
the reports OF the produce, extensive self-consum-
tion on the spot, and want OF time to give full
effect to the discovery. Considering the subject,
the locality, and the national predictions OF the
parties engaged, We do not think the ampificatons
Of the truth have been hitherto very unpar-
donable. Almost as much gold has been found
as was fairly promised; but 1t has Certain
remunerative degree, to the United States. The
following are some of the most reasonable estl.
mates which We have received upon this point
Setting the number OF persons engaged upon the
dggings at $1,000, and calculating their average
gains at five dollars day, the result would be
gross produce of twelve million dollars, or about
G2 100000 sterling per month, which, at the end
OF the year. would represent total of c30 600 900
worth of goid-an enormous addition to the pre-
sent supplies. When we come, however, TO facts,
We hnd that up TO the commencement OF last No.
vember the actual expectation of gold.dust from
sun Francisco had not averaged more than 500 900
dollars per month, or about fl00,000 sterling,
which would give less than million anC quarter
sterling for the produce of the year. To reconcile
these statements, we must presume either that five
dollars per diem Is too large an average gam for
$4,000 diggers, or that the consumption on the
spot, including private boards, so vast as to alb
sorb upwards Of nineteen-twentlcths Of the whole
produce. Both ,presump,ions would probably be
correct, though less weight we think, due to the
latter than the former We do not believe that
quantity Of gold equivalent to 900 soyerelgns or
anything approaching II, Is daily extracted from The
bowels of the earth throughout the year and the
disproof OF any such calculation is to be found in
the non-appearanee OF any sich produce. /, is in
credible. that G2S 900 900 should have been spe
or boarded in California during the last twelve
months, though, no doubt, gold dust has been
amassed and concealed TO a large amount 10y nd-
yidual speculators. These boards, however, must
lind their way into circulation, and operate upon
the currency Just as surely, though at less certain
intervals than the regular exports aud all that
be said rs, that though time enough, considering
the quick returns OF this speculation, has elapsed
for the exemplihcation OF such practices, the con-
tributons from this source have been even more
scaniy than from any other. According TO the es-
timaies at least one-half of those who left England
for the diggings, last winter, ought to have now
retained with fortunes. How many have done so 7
Turning, however, 10 the other side OF the story,
we lind lar more positive and remarkable results.
The probability is that at least equallng the
largest Importation ever anticipated from Callfor.
MIA has been despatched to II, and has been con-
sumed in introducing this strange province into
HeckOQfuU
the costs ot Quilts, living Shipping time and labor.
II has been computed that capital to the amount OF
IN, O,OOO,OOO sterling has been exported during the
last Twelve months 10 San Francisco, from the
tniicd states alone; and only sc, 600 900 ster-
ling has been received during the same period in
the shape OF gold dust, there remains a balance
against California Of Gli, ,000, 600 upon the year
But this balance, whatever 1t may be, has not been
whony ll spent; powerful impulse has been
given to the spirit OF enterprise and 10 meny
branches OF trade. In particular the discoverv
has operated with such singular effect on the
hitherto impassive races OF the Pacific Islands
and china, that IT can hardly be unreasona able
TO anticipate a partial extension of the lndu-
ence even TO Japan. No natures seem inaccessi-
bic to the charms OF gold Again, the coloni-
zaton OF this extremity Of the western world
must necessarily induce the cultivation of much
Of the intervening territory, nor can the vast In-
terror OF California long remain unknown, lying,
as II now does, between two such capitals as New
iork snd San Franeisco. What form may be al
tmately taken BY the State Of California seems
rather doubtful. for the population s
the political conditions resemble those Of no other
STATE, and the Mormon element Is very strong.
Yet, oil things considered, the new community has
certainly comported itself we'll Il has plainly rro-
nounced against slavery-a circumstance which
precedents render not little remsrka able. Poss,hlv
some readers may be surprised at learning that lie
invention OF slavery, that 10 TO say, OF seiziog
and exporting natives Of Africa for the purposes Of
forced labor, originated in the discoyerIes Of m.
precious mines Of America, and was pro,ec,sd
WIN mouves OF the purest benevolence. Obsery-
ing how grievousy the native Indians were IA asked
BY Their Spanish m.sters in the production OF gold
and silver, the, estimsble and philanthrop.c las
Sssss suggested the employment IN such labor of
me less susceptible population Of the Afrcan coast,
VINO were best fitted, in his opinion, for WORKING
nh. IN ,ne mines. The Cafornians, greatly to their
S, SSIeoit, nave come to different conclusion. They
nave, also, under circumstances of great dificultv
ssxtempoIized credrtable. government; they have
displayed, on many occasion, great humanity and
hoerahy 70 emlerants; and there is good reason to
nope that the new State will discharge functions
servceabe 20 the community at large, though lite
exports may not, as was once anticipated revolu.
tonne the finances Of the world.
EXTENSION or rnr SUFFRAGE IN GRRAr BrrArN.
Various rumors have appeared in the London pa
pers, during the last few weeks, respecting pro.
posed extension Of the suffrage, but we have not
thentic source. The Weekly Chronicle, which has
lately contained q number Of semoficial an
and which IL to have special oppor-
tunlfiea of obtaining early lnformaflap sesnectin