New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-06-02
CALIFORNIA.
The Mining Lands of California

Correspondence OF The Tribune.
LOUISVILLE, Ell Dorado Co.. Cal, March Is, 1851.
MEssRs. EpIroRs In these mountain re-
cions Of the Golden state look with great desire
for the ARRIVAL Of Express carriers with your valued
Journal which invariably brings Us full tldngs OF al
fairs Transporting within the borders OF our parent
States II would be much easier for you TO imagine,
than Tor me to describe the eageness with which
The Tribune for California; Is deyourcd. II IS
enough to say that your paper is appreciated here,
and H Je particularly II your future issues should
commend themselves to public favor N California as
strongly as your recent numbers.
Among the Mining population OF California OF late
the all-absorbng topic of inquiry has BEEN what
viii Congress do about the Mines 20 The indications
from the East are found in the Senate having passed
bill for leasing the Mining lands. and the President
recommending their being surveyed and sold. The
former though defective. Is by far the best OF the
two. and would answer very wei, u the rent oas
made deporcnt upon tte yeid or the places or the
NINE THIS same reason would render the sale OF the
mineral lands injurious equally TO both seller and pur
chaser for M the majority OF cases, no man, nO~cY-
er erudlte can tell what i mineral land tgOd-bear-
ng) until Il IS worked out foot by foot and inch by
inch and the next beyond i likely not 10 yield mill
of precious ore Would Government seek to become
a wholesale Spectator uy selling out us EndS N
small parcels. anon the mere chance OF their beng
gOld-b6anng l would hope better things. Then the
iIea Of surveying those lands. / should much like
and would willingly spend the time, to witness ne
progress i surveyor would make over the broken.
rocky and circuoUS banks of any one OF the branch
eS of the American River. | am rather inclined 10
think hat ms patience would become exhausted long
before mine. and glye over BIS task long before Il Was
finished.
Now the truth is this 40 man can Judge 50 We'll
OF the mining regions OF California as one VINO
has spent years mot over ttro among them Ana as
- % h..Nf ola af The ~
States Government m mind, think | ain qualified 20
say word upon that subject.
have thus stated the result of my own careful. o5
SeryatiOnS IN the mining regions and challenge &
successful contradiction 10 any OF the points have
assumed And ~ item further; IN lower or upland
dgglngs. the golthunier may either be compelei 70
blast his way through STUBBORN rocks. or dlg from
four 10 elght feet ltnd Somrtlmes mOrel before he
nndS gold IN sufficient quantities 10 pay HIM from i've
20 SIX dollars and upward very rarely above that
per daN. Now how much shall Government tax
hmm for his research and toll Let Government
LOOK - this SUBJECT and ~ my opinion any other
general mODc tscy may adopt differing IN the main
from the one suggest, the exceptions VIII prove by
far most numerous bly, proposal IL, that Govern
ment should Immediately make such laws as shall
secure 10 Ii taln per centdge on al gold dug IN
California soil. How It does H. i a matter OF no
importance 10 the miner 80 long as 1t shall be ef-
tcctual II securing the OBJECT n view The subject
IS difficult one. and TINS point the whole WI siom
II the nation might well be concentrated IL i
matter That his occn roo irs neg Scsd AID oreooked
Tor ihOSe OF secondary importance Establish
Mint. lay export duty, with heavy penalties fOf IT,
evasion g. Sc make certificates OF san rrsnei SrO
Mint transferable East ~ difference OF cost OF trans
mission. any other equitable ant JUS: way OF doing
the thng--tlWays bearing IA mind the Government
per centage
/ have thus thrown together my own deslltory
thoughts upon .l.S matter ! hope thcy vii answer
10 give YOU tOi,rabie idea OF how We view mining
ana the mineral ian-s, - wei a. the prerogarives
and duties o; GovCTcIrcc; concerning iheu pub
Lsh nv aT;.clo u YOU VII. and With such comments
- YOU may deem advisable. but LEI men in CaIlor-
u.a acquainted with IL mines be accounted best
judges thereof
c,e you g.y address and references herewith. 80
that yoH insy Know and SATISFY other, of the source
whence 'hiS elulnate>
Yours very respectfully. ]