Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-09
FURTHER cALIFoRNlA Newg

FURTHER CALIFORNIA NEWS,
The principal features of the California news have
already been received by Telegraph from New Orleans
we md, however, In our exchanges many interesting
details, which we have here condensed and arranged
| for our readers:
GENERAL SUMMARY
HE RAINS-MI NING PRosPEcTs-OUARTz RocK-TE-
eIsLATIvE PROCEEDINGS.
| From the True Standard, April l.
The rains-so long wished for in van-haye come
when every one had surrendered almost all hone of any
during this season. Shortly after the deparre of the
last mail the clouds gathered and intervals ever since
up to the present time, have discharged copious and
genial showers fertNng the earth and furnishing a
pieneous supply OF water wherewiih to wash the dirt
which had been heaped up in the dry dggings Where
there has been rain the and in the plans there
has also been snow on the mountains, and everything
now betokens more prosperous state OF affairs than
previously. The prospects now that the Weld of
gold will be better than for the IL months back and the
effect must be felt here, though will be long time
before trade can from the influence of the vast
influx OF merchandise which has been poured upon us
by expectation from all parts of the world.
We continue to receive cheering accounts from all por-
tons of the gold region. The Cosumnes Tuou,nne,
Caaveras, Mokelumne, American, Feather, SCOTS,
Klamath and other rivers in the gold mining country
send favourable accounts. The latest news from the
region of San Diego renders il certain that valuable
deposits OF the gold mineral have been discovered there
by the Mexcans; and reports from the adjacent por-
hos OF the State render probable that the mines there
will be found much more productive than has been sup
posed they would be-
One OF the dredging companies to which we have
heretofore referred preparing to operate has at last
got to work. During the week just past, the dredging
steamboat PhBnlx was set to work for the purpose of
testing the capabilities OF the machinery and the rich
ness OF the bed of the river that point and the results
OF the experiments were yield Of over hundred
dollars per hour.
The quartz mining operations have also been prose-
cuted with vigor and Some of the veins arc
rlch beyond all previous calculations. One of these
veins at Nevada was sold tor $4,000, and the pur-
chaser 10 few days thereafter had taken out $4,000,
and dirt ready for washing which would yield $4,000
more The rock in this vein iriable that in some
places 1t can be crushed by the fingers. The machine
Tor crushing the quartz rock OF very expen.
sve andnot nearly all OF those possessing quartz claims
have the means wherewth to purchase it, CONSEQUENT
ly the principle OF division of labor commences to
operate and In the most favorable manner for the miner
that lst he miner gets the rock from his claim and
then sells it to the parties owning machinery who crush
| it and extract the gold.
In connection with the condition of the gold mines
OF the Assay office, established here by Congress has
already operated SO favoraby that the principal bank
ers IN order to obtain any share ia the Gold dust trade
at ALL have been compelled to raise the price from six
teen DOLLARS the average rate before the establishment
OF the assay Office, to seventeen dollars per
This increase OF price is Of benefit to the miner
and the establishment OF u S. Mint here would fur
Their benefit the miner by giving him the full value of
his dust The assay office does not give the full val
ue OF the gold TO the miner, because first it charges
commission upon all gold asayed and stamped and the
nSots WHICH IL stamps NOT being considered legal
| tender, and being only receivable at the Custom
House IN payment of duties, do not enter into
general circulation, the bankers refusing to take them
except as special deposit The miner must thereto
suffer loss on his gold until Congress establishes mint
here.
Agricultural prospects have frightened considerably
In OF the refreshing and spring like showers
with which continue to be favored and there are now
fears expressedo for the return tor The farmers abors
it will doubtless be abundant
The Legislature has been more actively engaged in
foryxor dIpof hoh 1T.L
lne business OF the session since the last mail
Three measures OF great importance but of yery differ.
ent import, have become laws since then
one OF mem IS that repeating the Foreign Miners
la1 Law inns was law impolc in its conception,
and unpopular in lis effects. The evil influences it has
had upon the prosperity and prospects of this State have
been ncacuable 1t drove out of the country not less
than from twenty to thirty thousand Mexicans Chill
lans DC, who were adding much to the producyeness
OF the mines and consequent prosperity of the State
Now that this evil law has been repealed. there ara
strong hopes that numbers of these miners will return
Ihey are industrious aboers and what they gain in the
mines, they spend literally encouraging trade and COM
meree wherever they are successful.
Another measure is that relative to the Water ots
in this city, which have long been source of inoui
etude and the uncertainty of the titles to which had been
cause OF great depreciation in their value and check
to the Improvement OF the city, This having become
aw, Places SO lar as the State can do these titles on
flrm foundation. Its effect has already been visible
in the city, and has given improved tone to business
| and to the credit OF the city.
&C., Inc third measure is one famliarly known as the
hanging law II afhxes the penalty OF DEATH in the
discrimination of the jury to the offence Of grand lar
ceny, which here consists in stealing property worth
more than $780, The adoption ofths Draconiap poliev
is justified by the representatives from the Mining Coun
ties, (who forced its passage1 by the argument that
horse-seang and other robberes are so freaue t and
prisons or places OF safekeepng scarce that the peo-
pie had become exasperated beyond endurance BY the
impunty with which the offences were committed, and
would now intict death the perpetrators without
law sooner than they should escape. They therefore
wished that death be inflicted, it should be- in
pursuance OF law, rather than in violation Of it the
constant practise of which would beget contempt and
Indian affairs have more satisfactory appearance
than heretofore number of the tribes have consent
ed TO enter INTO treaty, and accept permanent oca-
ton, while detachment OF volunteers under the
command of Major Savage of Indian notorietv has
been dispatched against two tribes who have sent word
that they will not treat, and is believed they can be
to treat with the others. wa S0"'0