The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-14


The Calyornis Courier gives the following de
scrption Of the quicksilver mines Of Almaden
near Santa Clara:
The works are situated Ia little valley at tn,
foot of the hill which contains the treasure, anC
the buildings for furnaces, Offices, stables, Ant
residences OF the operatives, altogether form 1
prosperous village, resembling, in u measure
some Of the manufacturing villages Of the At
lantc States. With the number of furnaces
now in operation, from one hundred and seventy
five to two hundred are constantly employed
Over 100000 was expended by the company
in the preparations necessary prior to the com
mencement Of remunerating operations The
current expenses are now about $4,000 pei
month, and the yield Of quicksilver is about
1900 pounds for the same period--worth, we
are told, at the present low rates, 1880 Elk
tensive additions and improvements of the
work are now being made, and WILL when com.
pleled, treble the produce Of the mines.
The cnnabar is brought down from the hills
at present on pack mules. 1t is in contemplation
to construct railway which will perform the
duty, and thus effect great saving Large and
improved furnaces are being constructed and
in every department, no capital or labor is spared
necessary to secure the benefits arising from ex
perience, or afforded by the genius Of the in
ventor
The furnaces now in use are what are known
as the "cylinder" The cinnabar having been
broken in small pieces, is thrown into the cylin-
ders, and subjected to an almost white heat
which expels the metal in the form of vapor
The vapor passes through retort and con-
denser, and is then drawn off ready for bottling
Within the company's ground, and by the
banks Of purling stream which supplies the
place with the purest mountain dew we were
shown mineral spring which we doubt not will
prove Saratoga in future years, to those who
seek restored health and energies at its fount
We drink freely of the water and found it quite
as pleasant as any of the medicinal springs of
New York or Virginia. Its analysis gives car
trace of sufpher. It is beautifully clear, light
sparkling and effervescing
AN ARTISTS DREAM-POwers, the sculptor
who is a native of Woodstock, VT, in a late
letter to his cousin, DR.. Thomas E. Powers, OF
| that place, narrates youthful dream of his
own-which probably suggested his world-re.
nowned statue of the Greek Slave. Referring
in his letter to the fact that the statue had been
exhibited in his native town, he says that its ex
hibition there almost fully realizes an oft-re.
peated dream which occurred to him many times
and for years, commencing when he was child
| residing on the banks of the Yuebec, and that it
| followed him after his removal to Ohio, and until
the time he commenced modelling his statuary
He says that he saw in his dreams, across the
Green Mountain stream mentioned, and from his
fathers house, white female figure, exceedingly
beautiful standing on pillar or pedestal. It
did not seem to possess life, and his boyish fancy
was perplexed with the radiant vision, as he had
never seen anything like it, and had no idea of a
statue.-He often attempted TO approach it in
the hope OF being able to make a more distinct
observation, but the water was deep, and the
| current rapid, and he was never able to procure
a nearer view than was afforded him from the
west bank of the river
MOVEMENTS AGAINST THE INDIANs-We un-
derstand that an order has been received from
Gen. Smith, by the officers stationed here to
send up to Beneca what troops are in the bar
racks at the Preside, for the purpose Of concen-
trating force ut that point, to march immedi-
ately against the Indians on the Marposa A
similar order is now in town from the same of.
fcer, for the troops at Monterey, which will be
taken down by Lieut.. Sully, on the Ohio, which
leaves on Sunday next, and the troops will re-
turn on that steamer in about ten days 1t is
also understood that orders have been sent tc
the rifiemen in Oregon, to hold themselves ir
readiness.
As soon as the necessary troops can be rem
dezvoused at Beneca, they will march with the
Indian Commissioners to the scene of hostil.
ties, and unless the tribes manifest disposition
to come to an amicable adjustment of the diff
culties, and live in peace, the military force will
be brought to bear to accomplish what kindness
fails to do. Should the difficulties assume more
| hostile aspect, and the tribes make general
war upon the whites, it is not unlikely that Gen
Smith will take the field in person, and ener
getcally prosecute the war until the Indians are
extermnated or compelled to yield. Nothing
short OF vigorous measures will satisfy oul
| border residents, nor accomplish what is 80 ex
tremely desirable for all.-Calyornia Cour.
IMPORTANT DEcrsloN.-The case of Gill, uus
tee, vs. divers executors, known rs the Mex
can cases, has been dismissed by the Supreme
Court for want of jurisdiction. This is, in effect
a confirmation of the decision of the Court OF
Appeals of Maryland in favor of divers execu.
tors. The case grew out of the expedition
| some thirty years ago, of Nina against the then
existing Spanish government in Mexico. Under
the trerty between the present government of
MEXICO anu the OUileu ptaLcS, the cIaln OF
Mina's creditors was recognized, and the ques-
ton for the courts to decide was, who Of the
several parties interested were entitled to the
money allowed under the claim. There were
three suits taken up to the Courts of Appeals,
and, being all three decided in favor of divers
executors, an appeal was taken to the u. s. Su-
prcme Court. But one of the cases, however
was Jagged at the late term, and in that the de-
cison went to confirm that of the Court of APP.
peals, in favor of divers executors. The
amount involved is very large. The argument
before the Supreme Court is said to have been
very able, and was conducted by Reverdy John
son and ]. Mason Campbell, esqrs., for divers
executors, and G. L. Dulaney and Jno. Nelson
esqrs., for the other side.
| CLASSIFYING CALIFoRNIANs.--Mr. Rewe OF
Belfast, Maine, who has met with many losses
himself in California, writes the following upon
the prospects of the principles of the emigra.
ton:
| "A majority Of the miners are doing but lit
tie If were to guess, it would be in this
wise,--one miner in four is clearing expenses
| two i'm four nre clearing three dollars n day-