The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-03
Our California Correspondence.

SACRAMENTO CRY, Nov p, $50.
n Prtspscti~g T0v in the Geld Mines Their
Richness, &c.
Having noticed few paragraphs in your paper
OF October l2th in respect 10 the rich diggings,
feel i, my duty TO give you a short account of my
prospecting tour through the mines.
On the 81 Of October last, friend of mine wish
ed me to accompany him on a prospecting tour,
with eight others. We engaged Prof G. IL. Gid.
ings, man who is well 'ersed in geology, as our
pilot. We travelled TO the different branches Of
Yuba and Feather rivers, but found the Drained
riyer to prove failure 10 most cases there were
some very rich bank claims, and at place, CALI
ed Devils Bend, two men had taken out in four
days, a large wasbpan full of pure dust We
crossed the Iuba, and struck Bear river, but found
he dggings poor, averaging eight dollars per day:
We examined some tine quartz between there and
Auburn, some OF which will pay nifty ceRts 10 the
pound. We visited Auburn, and were pleased
with our prospect. There IL room for thousands TO
winter IN that place, and The uggings will pay from
eight dollars 10 twelve dollars per day. We then
turned our course to the middle fork of the Ame.
flcan ryer, In search Of quartz, but Did not ind 1t
as rich as we expected At Murderer's Bar we
saw men taking out from two 20 four hundred doll
ed out. We returned thence TO the North fork,
and travelled high into the mountains. The dig.
gngs appeared 10 average about twelve dollars per
day; but our search was for quartz. We found
none that presented IS favorable 40 appearance as
that near Auburn. We then turned our course
down the American river, and reached Rock
Spring rancho the day following, where we stop
ped with Mr. Bugbey, the proprietor, three days.
he received Us cordially, and ! will here state
that drank milk, for the frat tune IN California
At his hotel. Mr.. l. accompanied us, the next
morning, to pace on hts flaeEe. which he SUP
posed was very rich with gold, he having found a
piece as big as walnut, which contained four
dollars worth. After prying rocks for half day,
Mr. GidIDgs obtained piece OF quartz weighing
twelve pounds, which we brought away with US;
and after our arrival in the city, obtained forty.
one dollars and eighiy-iwo cents from the twelve
pounds, being the richest We have fouai. There
are probably 100000 tons 10 The lead which we
visited. DIR took rs down 10 the Camdenan bar,
HeeT he house, which proves 20 be very rich, aud
from what We sav Of Inc diggings, we consider
there must be more gold WITHIN three miles above
and below, thsn in the same distance on any 9th.
- stream. After getting some tine specimens Of
Dir BnEbey, we sadded our horses, thanked him
for hs hospabie entertainment Gas he refused pay)
and bsnt our way towards Collama. crossing the
North Fork, and following up the South; but we
saw nothing worth notice until we had gone eigh-
teen mles above Collams, where we found a large
quantity 81 quartz, which will pay ia time but not
We then turned our way for the city, following
the uysr, touching at Mormon Island, which has
bern vsry rich. Our neat visit was to Rocky Bar,
where. for nver diggings, IL surpasses any thing
have ever seen How Il happens, cannot account
for There 10 but little gold near, either above or
below. II must have oone from a high hill on
he southeast hank. II is very heavy and coarse
for rvtr rold, and has the finest color n any that
] have seen in the country. One OF the hands
shoysled W pan foil of bottom gravel to let me
re q, ard should think II was one.third gold.
lie said the company were TO call a meeting the
neat day, 70 adjourn for the season, on account Of
The cold water They were bested, ia consequence
81 The freshet tearing away the dam. They had
very large rocks 70 move, and were about prepar
ma ms hinery for lifting them next season. They
wrre 10 hopes their dam would stand the high wa
~ tbs winter II is the highest in the country,
hing tweniy.fouT feet In the channel We left,
snd visited Negro Bar, but thought II poor specu.
istlnn. intesd making another prospect IN May
~ luns Dext, and will report 10 you as find Il.
wosld give you a more thorough account OF our
gasr', rock prospect on the Rock Spring Ranch, II
Lad tine