The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-31

cred opinion might be formed lis distance from the
speeding IT, served only to bewlder and mysiiy The pub.
lie mind, and render thorough examination oil neces-
say to ascertain whether its value is such as to render
legislation necessary for its proper protection and man
appears from the preceding part Of this report tina
It is sufficiently important to require laws suited the
condition and development OF It's wealth. are necessaE
y brought TO the consideration OF the proper rules and
regulations TO be adopted Tor that purpose.
The survey and sale OF that section of country, under
Be would eae Se ssoa.
content among those who have gone, and all who may
desire to 60 there TO collect gold and most unnecessary
and unavoidable inequality In the distribution OF wealth
Sections and parts OF sections OF land having no indca
tons OF gold the surface, but possessing untold treas
ufe ~ the bowels OF the EARTH might be sold for what
would be mere rde, in comparison OF their real value
Capitalists would ovebd the daring strong armed day
abor, who had braved the storms Of Cape Horn, the
priyaons OF journey across the plans and, by the
power and combination Of resources would possess them
selves OF the most valuable mines which have been dis
covered and employ skilful miners to examine the
making such discoveries as would enable them in great
degree, to monopoze the most valuable portions OF the
country.
II is much easier to imagine than describe the discon.
TENT perhaps disorder which would spring up among
hundred thousand reemen deprived Inc privilege OF an
equal enjoyment Of or participation in, what they have
been IN the habit OF regarding as the common property Of
the people of the whole Union.
Ii is, perhaps more than doubtful whether such laws
could De enforced The employment OF troops for that
purpose would not only be odous but Intellectual they
would be likely set an example Of insubordna-
ton, by deserton, than to compel obedience in Others
The oeala sss4 @ M thsm in producing anar-
Gay and confusion No system. therefore, which is moi
in accordance with the interests OF the people can be car
ed into successful operation II is always fortunate
when laws be framed to harmonic those inter
ests with the policy and duty OF the government II
believed that may be accomplished in this case.
While every American citizen in the mines is aware
that he is on government property, and would CONSIDER
any attempt to drive him away act OF oppression
he at the time feels that something s due from him
for the privileges he enjoys, and he would willingly pay
reasonable sum to have those privileges defined, and 70
be protected in the enjoyment Of them.
The gold in the rivers, the dry dggngs, and the ,,
ravines Is accessible to any man who has the strength 70
use pan or washer, a spade and pick-axe. II
The employment OF machinery may, perhaps. iaclli-
tate its collection, but it is not essential Every man 4
master OF his own movements The case will be very
different with the -mines which yet remain IN the
rock To work them successfully will require machinery
hGs steam s Involving an
No prudent man will make such investments until MS
rights and privileges shall have been clearly defined by
law. In the absence of all legal regulation II man
to discover ven-mine and incur the expense oil
erecting machinery to work it, any other person. citizen
foreigner, might construct establishment alongside
Of his property Hence it will be perceived that any law
prescribing the privileges and duties OF miners should be
SO framed as to secure the rights Of all ~,
There is fertile soil in the gold region-beautfu
valleys and rich hill Sides which, under circumstances
favorable to agriculture would undoubtedly be valuable
for that purpose but at present. and as long as the col
lection OF gold shall continue TO reward labor so much
abundanty than the cultivation OF the soil the i'm
poran matter 10 be considered is the proper mode OF dis
posing of the metallic wealth Of the country.
entire region, where gold is found from the operation o
the redemption laws, and from sale that II may b.
now regarded as the common treasure OF the American
people, and hereafter rich inheritance to their poster
ity; then provide for the appointment OF commission
OF the mines, and sufficient number OF assistant com
missioners to carry the law into effect.
Let the Office OF the commissioner be established a
some point convenient TO the mines-say Sacramento
cty-and the Offices of his assistant the principal Iiv
and in the most productive districts Provide tina
any and every American ctzen on application at ths
office of the commissioner, or any OF his assistants, and
by paying one ounce or SIC, or such sum as may b
considered just and proper shall be entitled to receive
license permit to dig anywhere in the Territory for one
year. Provide also, that any who shall discover, o.
purchase OF the dscoverer, venmine, shall be entitled
to work it, to certain extent under proper regulations
paying the commissioner such cent on the pro
ceeds OF the mine may be suitable tax on the priv
leges granted II will be necessary, also, to allow The
miner to cut and such timber and other building ma
terals his business requires and ALSO TO allow host
who work under permits the privilege oil erecting cabins
for shelter through the winter. Authorize the commits
soner TO lay out sites for towns in convenient situations
to the mnes and offer the lots for sale, reservng h.
metals and mineral, so that those who make mining
permanent pursuit may accumulate around them the com
forts and enjoyments OF civilized life Let those whs
desire cultivate gardens farmlots be accommodated
Ii will be necessary, ALSO to authorize the sale OF hmbe
and other materials for building and other purposes
There may be other suggestions which do not
to me, bat doubt will TO those who may be charged
with the preparation OF any measure which may b.
| brought forward on this subject.
have suggested one ounce, or $40, as the price OF
permit Or license TO dig collect gold Tor one year Thu
regard about the value OF days labor II
the mines This tax fifty thousand miners, the prob
able number next summer, will give revenue oil $500,
/ 900. On one hundred thousand mners-the probab,
aumber OF ls51-it will give Sl,6oo,0o0, besides tn,
per centum on the VEN mines and the sum received 10
town lots, timber. &c. &c, which would probably swell
the amount to at least 100000. Any variation in thu
tax imposed WILL OF course, increase or diminish this
innate.
A suitable amount OF the money thus collected SHOULD
be expended in constructing roads and bridges TO IA
cilate communication to and through the mining dis
i tricts
These facilities will reduce the cost OF living in the
mines, that the miners will gain instead of lose by pay
/ ing the tax. These accommodations which the
miners themselves will provide, because OF the
want OF concert OF action among them sufficient TO
compish such objects, but for which they will willingly
should be allowed out OF this sum- school fund, anc
for the establishment OF university TO educate the
youth OF California Let II not be considered that THU
will be doing injustice to the older States Of the Union
They will reap harvest sufficiently rich in their inter
course with their younger sister the Pacific 10 justify
the most liberal course OF policy towards her
have given $2000,000 ms the probable revenue fo
1851, under the proposed system. This would discharge
the interest the amount stipulated in the treaty 10 b
paid to Mexico for California and New Mexico. provide
$500 900 per annum for school fund.- and the necessary
Improvements in the mining Districts and create a sink
ing fund OF half a million per annum TO pay the prnc
pal OF the indemnity to Mexico.
An increase OF the number OF miners, Of the price
permits, would, OF course increase the II the
vein mines shall be found extensive and productive al