The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-04
From the San Francisco Herald, October /.
Mining Operations.


animated prosperous aspect than at preaent and
the success OF mining operations is becoming eve
ry day more and more abundant we have httie
doubt that the whole surface OF the mining region
will in process of time be found to be pentifuy
impregnated with the precious metal as are the
beds and banks of the water courses. Some months
ago a cry WINS raised that the placer diggngs were
nearly exhausted. This ID now found to be all
GORGEOUS mistake, and almost in every spot where
the soil is turned up gold ia found In greater or
less quantities Indeed, hitherto the dry digglngs
have proved the most lucrative, and wherever they
do not at present yield. it ia simply tor want oil
water In most places the streams are very low,
bat the water is husbanded with great care, and
divided up into numerous small streamlets Tor the
sse of companies or individuals.
In Marposa county quartz operations are al
most wholly suspended Tor want of water. The
only steam machinery ri work is that belonging
to the MERGED Mining Company, who employ steam
for crushing and anna gamatpg. lBey have WE'VE
stampers, and we believe, twelve rastra5 at WORE,
and those interested very sanguinc as TO the
success of their enterprise. The company owning
the Washington vein, one OF the best In the coun
try, have steam machinery erected, and only await
a supply Of water. The Baltimore and Quartzourg
Company have also some very beautiful steam ma
chinery ready for operations as soon as the rains
commence The quartz ledge belonging TO this
company. the Texas or Number Nine VEN, as IL ls
called ia exceedingly rcb and is situated but about
n mile from the works. Within circuit OF ten
miles around Quartzburg there is number OF
veins appropriated, most Of them promising well.
Xhc Games lcupe, dDOut tuTe6 ltoui 3uoi
burg is worked by number OF gentlemen, who
have ten raetras in operation. Everywhere, ek'
cept in the MERGED Mining Company's works, these
rastras are driven by mule power
dn addition TO the quartz veins, the dry diggings
an the vicinity of Quartzourg are said TO be very
rich. Numberess heaps Of earth are thrown up
ready for washing when the rain comes. But in
Mariposa county the placer digging will never be
followed 30 extensively go successfully ns IN
Tuolumne or tho northern counties. In Mariposa
gold is doubtless more generally didused through
the quartz rock than in any other county, except
in the case Of the decomposed quartz OF Nevada
au sSaoumne the rock gold appears to be gener,,
ally confined to certain deposits in the ledge and
en- many places the lead has been suddenly iost,
and the mine becomes comparatively worthless.
But the placer dig gngs OF Tuolumnc are at pre-
sent yielding more abnndantly than eyer before.
The greatest activity prevails in the various mining
localities around Sonora, and the effect the bu-
ainess of the place is such that an almost continu
Gus train OF wagons may be seen every day on the
road between that city and Stockton. The ma.
chimes for washing out gold have likewise been
improved upon. The rocker ia almost wholly die
Sarded and the long tom has taken its place.
The Weld in the northern mines is fully proper.
<ionate TO that in the southern and IL is not extra
VACANT 70 say that gold mining has scarcely more
than commenced in California. From the first OF
January 1851 TO the corresponding date KIT year
tbe product of the mines will not be less than
enty millions of dollars, and may reach 10 eighty
millions. Every month miners learn some
thing new and each access of experience adds TO
the flood Of gold that flows from port to the At
ianfic States IL we could but arrest this Hood and
Eurn il TO the ehriching Of our own land, the peo-
ole OF California would not labor they now do
solely for the benefit OF others.