The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-29
nows, and that which falls in rain during the wet

season.
These streams form rivers, which have cut their
channels through the ranges of foot hills west
Nardly 10 the plain, and disembogue into the Sac
ramento and San joaquin. These rivers are from
miles apart.
The principal formation, or substratum, in these
nils, Is talcose slate; the superstratum, sometimes
penetrating to great depth, is quartz. This,
however, does not the entire face of the
try, but extends in large bodies in various direc-
tons---is found in masses and small fragments ON
the surface, and seen along the ravines, and in
the mountains overhanging the rivers, and IN the
hill sides in its original beds II crops out iii the
valleys and on the tops OF the hills, and forms a
striking feature OF the entire country which il
extends. From innumerable evidences and indi-
cations, IL has come 10 be the universally admitted
opinion among the miners and intelligent men who
have examined this region that the g0ld ceter IN
detached particles and pieces an reins, created
in combination tcih ne quartz. Gold is not found
on the surface of the country presenting the APP
pearance OF having been thrown up and scattered
in all directions by volcanic action. II is only
found in particular localities, and attended by pc
cuar circumstances and indications II is found
in the bars and shoals Of the rvcrsin ravines, and
in what called the dry diggings
The rivers, in forming their channels, or break
ing their way through the hills have come in con-
tact with the quartz containing the gold veins and
by constant attriton cut the gold into fine flakes
and dust and ii Is found among the sand and gravel
of their beds at those places where the swftness OF
narrowest possible limits, and where wide
gin is, consequently, left each side, over which
the water rushes, during the wet season. with great
force.
others, is the gold found in fine parti-
cles, apparently corresponding TO the degree of at
triton TO which it has been exposed. The water
from the hills and upper valleys, in finding its way
to the rivers has deep ravines, and wherever il
came in contact with the quartz, has dissolved or
crumblcd II In pieces
In the dry season these channels are mostly with
out water, and gold is found in the beds and mar
gins Of many OF them in large quantities, but in
much coarser state than in the rivers; owing, I'M
doubtedly, to the moderate flow and temporary
continuance of the current, which has reduced It
TO smooth shapes, not unlike pebbles, but had not
sufficient force to cut it into flakes or dust.
The dry diggings are places where quartz con-
tanning gold has cropped out, and been disinte-
grated, crumbled to fragments, pebbles, and dust,
by the action OF water and the atmosphere. The
gold has been left as II was made, in all ilnagin-
able shapes; in pieces of all Sizes from grain
to several pounds in weight. The evidences that it
was created In combination with quartz are too
numerous and striking to admit Of doubt or cavil.
They are found in combination ia large quantities.
A very large proportion Of the pieces of gold
found in these situations have or less quartz
adhering TO them. In many specimens they are
so combined they cannot be separated without
reducing the whole mass to powder, and subject
ing it to the action of quicksilver
This gold, not having been exposed to the attri-
ton of strong current of water retains in great
degree, its original conformation.
These diggings, in some places spread over val
eys of considerable extent, which have the appear
ance of an alluvion, formed by washings from the
adjoining hills, of decomposed quartz and slate
earth, and vegetable matter.
In addition to these facts il is beyond doubt true,
that several vein mines have been discovered in the
quartz, from which numerous specimens have been
taken, showing the minute connexion between the
gold and the rock, and indicating value hitherto
unknown in gold mining
These veins do not present the appearance oil
places where gold may have been lodged by some
violent eruption. 1t Is combined with the quartz,
in all imaginable forms and degrees of richness.
The rivers present very striking, and, il would
seem, conclusive evidence respecting the quantity
of gold remaining undiscovered in the quartz veins
Ii Is not probable that the gold in the dry dggings
and that in the rivers-the former in humps, the
latter in dust-was created by different processes.
That which is found in the rivers has undoubtedly
been cut or worn from the veins in the rock, with
which their currents have come in contact. All oil
| them appear TO be equally rich. This is shown by
the fact that a laboring man may collect nearly az
much in one river as he can in another. They in
tersect and cut through the gold region, running
from east 10 west at irregular distances of fifteen
to twenty, and perhaps some OF them thirty, miles
| apart
Hence it appears that the gold veins are equally
rich in all parts of that most rema rkable section
country. Were II wanting, there further proofs
Of this in the rayines and dry diggngs, which uni
formly confirm what nature 50 plainly shows in the
| rivers.
| For the purpose of forming some opinion respect
ing the probable amount value Of treasure in thu
gold region il will be proper 10 state the estimates
which have been made of the quantity collected
since its discovery.
Gold was first discovered on the south fork Of the
American river, at place called Suffers mill nov
Coloma-late in May early in June, ls4S. In
formation which could be relied announcing
this discovery not received in this city un
| I'll late in the following autumn.
| No immigration into the mines could, therefore
have taken place from the old States in that year
/ The number Of miners was, consequently, limited
| 10 the population Of the territory-some five hun
| bred men from Oregon-Me1icans and other for.
| eigners who happened 70 be in the country, Oh
came into il during the summer and autumn, and
the Indians. who we're employed by or sold Their
| gold TO the whites.
IL is supposed there were not far from FIVE thou
sand men employed in collecting gold during tina
season. five suppose they obtained an average o
one thousand dollars cacb-which IL regarded by
well-informed persons as low estimate-the ag
| gregate amount will be ) zoo, 600
Information Of this discovery spread in all direc
| tions during the following winter; and, on tn,
| commencement Of the dry season in 1919, peopl,
came into the territory from all quarters-frou
Chill, Peru, and other States on the Pacific coast o
South America-from the west coast of Mexico
the Sandwich Islands, China, and New Holland.
The emigration from the United States cam
in last, If We except those who crossed the Isthmu
Of Panama, and went up the coast in steamers, an,
a few who sailed early on the voyage round Cap
| Horn.
The American emigration did not come ia b,
sea, in much force, until July and August, ant
that overland did not begin TO arrive until the las
Of August and first Of September. The Chilino
and Mexicans we're early In the country. In tn
month Of July IL was supposed there were ffteei
thousand foreigners In the mines. At plac
called Sonoranian camp, IL was believed there wer
at least ten thousand Mexicans. They had quite
city Of tents, booths, and log-cabins; hotels. re
staurants stores, and shops Of all descriptions
furnished whatever money could procure. Ice wa
brought from the Sierra, and ice-creams added 4
numerous other luSuries. An enclosure made o
the trunks and branches Of trees, and lined viii
cotton cloth, served a sort Of amphitheatre 70
/ bull hghts; other amusemcnts, characteristic O
the MexicaDs, we're 90 be seen In all directions.
The foreigners rcsOrted princip 10 the south
ern mines, which gave them a great superiority il
numerical force over the Americans, and enables
them to take possession Of some Of the richest Il
that part Of the country. In the early part OF th
season the Americans were mostly employed o
the forks Of the American and on Bear, Uba, an
Feather rivera As their numbers increased the
spread themselves over the southern mines, an
collisions threatened between them and ia
foreigners. The latter, however, for some caus,
either fear, or having satisfied their cupidity, Q