The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-05

a. the great rush Of letters from Sacramento 70
the Office at San Francisco, renders il doubtful
whether they are sent correctly. have taken the
trouble to ascertain the number of letters coming
and going from this office, and they number about
BIZ, 900 in year. Now, the per centage on the
distribution Of such an amount OF letters is consi-
derable, being worth about SIC, $50, the latter 10
the great object. and the change is 70 be attr-
buted to interested parties at tn Bay city. This
is one OF the abuses which your influence 10 soil
cited towards abolishing, by the residents of this
section of the State of CALIFORNIA.
MARIposA, Jan. 6, 1850.
DESCRIPTION of Col. Eemo.t's Estate-1He Mart
posas-Hs so,l, Quarts ve,ns, &c.
Thinking that it will be interesting your readers
l will give you some account of Col. Fremont's
fine estate,f' the Marlposas." 1t is situate prin-
cpally upon the river of this name and its branches,
the "Agua Tire" being the largest. The property
comprises eleven leagues Of land. The most i'm
portant and valuable portion of the place is the
billy section. for in this are the quartz veins The
land on the plains Is Of the richest kind and this
soil. when cultivated, will yield large returns. In
looking through it with an old practical farmer,
he told me that he would not hesitate to say, that
more could be produced from one acre of this soil,
than any in other parts OF the United States, out OF
California. AS yet there Is scarcely anything
planted. The only things that have been tried,
were vegetabes-such as onions, potatoes, toma-
toes, &C., and these were OF the finest kind Grapes
could also be raised to advantage, upon1some por-
tons OF the estate. Arrangements are being made
now which will insure the cultivation of this tinc
soil shortly, large colony of emgrants being
about to settle on these lands As regards the rails
ing of sheep, there is not finer country in the
world; ana by year from this, several thousand
sheep will be feeding on the Mariposas There are
two small towns also situated on the property.
These places, "Mariposa" and aqua Trio" are
growing fast The former will become the coun-
ty town, as the water runs all the year round,
w hiph il NJ the caa he Uu Erio Roth the
streams contiguous to these villages have been dug
extensively for gold; and since the last eighteen
months, more than one million of dollars have
been extracted therefrom-the men digging being
granted free permission by Col. Fremont. Not.
withstanding the large amounts already extracted,
there is still vast deal left, and for the purpose OF
working systematically, companies are being
formed, these companies working under a lease
from the owners. The men who have already dug
these rivers, have been known to desert q 4" hole"
where they could only get - to 80 day, for bet
ter diggings Il IS my candid opinion that BY pro-
per working, larger amount than has already been
extracted will be got out of these streams In all
this there is no fiction. These are plain facts,
which will be found to turn out as say. Of course
it will never do for companies to pay the high pri-
ces of labor ($4 and S. day, and board), which
have been current to this time; but large gangs
Of men will be had, very soon for moderate wages.
This is my opinion. for find labor is getting lower
every day The scenery will not pretend to des-
crbe; it is as picturesque as anything have ever
seen; the climate is delightful, and send you a
list of the thermometer for November, December,
and part OF January never enjoyed better health
than while breathing this pure mountain air.
But must not omit the principal feature and the
principal riches OF The place-the quartz veins.
Asfar as the property has been regularly examined,
there have been discovered some thirty veins,
which will not be much more than half the whole
number on the estate As yet, only three veins
have been opened and worked. One is that of the
" Mariposa Mining Company" which is extremely
ricb the second is that of Messrs. Stockton and As
plnwall. This vein is opened in two places by
most competent workmen. In fact, the whole Of
the operations of this company are in the hands Of
practical and experienced men. II is quite large,
and at every blast improves II will prove, | am
sure, uniform veln and these are the best gene
rally for paying results. The third is that opened
by Colonel Fremont. 1t has not as yet been carried
far enough to be certain of any results; but from its
indications promises fair returns. Many of the
other veins not yet opened, are located by parties
having leases, and it is fair to suppose that most OF
them will turn out well, the small number already
being worked enabling one TO judge Of what the
leases made for working the quartz, and probably
the whole Of them will be working in year from
now. AT this present moment, there are several
large machines on the way, and as soon as the wet
started. | am satisfied that further explorations
will yet bring to light some rich veins Of gold.
The very exaggerated accounts as 10 the value OF
quartz veins in California have now exploded; but
the mining will STILL at the reduced figure to which
people have at last brough. IL, pay enormous per
cchtsge upon investments of capital. II has been
frequently asserted that Col. Fremont would be the
richest man IN the world. This | do not quite be-
lieve; but am certain of one fact that the income
he will derive from this place in the course Of two
years and after, will be immense shall write you
further on this subject, when ! hnd time again.
You may be certain that all the information give
you is such as | could vouch for.
RANCE or TIE THERMOMETER.