Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1852-01-06
THE GOLD IN CALIFORNIA

lHE GOLD IN CALltORNlA.
Great discoveries OF gold deposits have been made
in the Bear Valley the details of which are thus CIV
en- by the San Francisco Herald. These representa-
IONS however, should be taken with a vast many
grams of allowance.
We have conversed with gentleman just down
from Mariposa who is familiar with the whole "a npe
of Southern dggines, and he declares that nothli
has ever before been discovered IN California al Al
compare, In richness extent, with the coyote
gngs recently discovered 10 Bear Valey. He has 40
interest," either directly indirectly in them, being
profably engaged in different employment further
south; and his statements, apart from the exciting eff
feet which the sight Of such wonderful riches ca 81
ly acquired, must naturally have upon he mind, may
be relied uron as free from bias or any disposition 10
speculate upon the excltabity of the community -
The spot where these golden treasures have been dis
covered is upon lofty and extensive hill, about one
mile to the left of the main road from Stockton TO Ma
rposa. ten miles this side of the latter place, and u
from QuarZburg. A party of some halt dozen Sono-
rans, at the head OF whom was Intelligent miner
named Don Ramon, engaged in prospecting fer
placer diggngs up the bed Of the which, eros
sing the road Marlposa, takes its rise in the
hills to the eft and along the base of the hill
upon which the new diggings are found They as
cended this stream tor some distance testing the rich
ness OF its deposits as they advanced, until Just oppo
site the Hill, they found the yield remarkably rich
This attracted their attention to the hill ITSELF and
they at once commenced tunneling in from the edge
of the stream, AS they advanced they found their
most extravagant expectations surpassed; and turning
downwards they sank shalt, which has already
reached depth of 2a feet, the soil every step be-
ing still richer. There is yet no sign whatever of It's
giving out. at which the Mexicans surprised
that they believe it never can be exhausted In days
this party, originally OF Six took out SS220,000 They
afterwards joined to themselves four Americans, to
protect them from being driven off by the miners.
The soil is a kind OF mixture of decomposed slate
and quarz, thoroughly impreguaed with gold, and
possessing so little cohesion, that the Jumps may be
crumbled in the hand or knocked to pieces with a
spade, like clod OF earth turned up by the plough
AS the formation slightly resembed decomposed
quartz Of slate vein the discovering party endeavoed
oIai,,, htrs Il
is richness leaked OUT hundreds rushed to the spot
from the adjoining diggngs, and in concaye assembled
decided it to be regular placer Each Of the eleven
belonging to the discovering party allowed 60 feet
square; all others 80 feet square.
The gold is exceedingly fine, being found in the
shape onnute rounded points finer than the sand
ITSELF No Jumps have been found, and very rarely
is piece met with weighing quarter Of an ounce
The miners extract the gold. either by washing the
aurterous earth in common pan, or reducing it to
well mixed mud in a Mexican tasna rastra, and
then malgamaiiDg with quicksilver.
Our informant states, by way OF Illustration, that
bucket OF is dashed heap of the earth, it
appears as if covered with spangles OF gold.
One battea full of the earth has yielded, after wash
ing, sediment OF ghteen ounces OF hne gold pow
der. small sack, in which the earth is transported
from the cayote hold to the stream, end containing
from 70 to so pounds, has yielded from $2490 to 3d.
600. Three pounds OF the earth weighed, gave one
and half pounds of gold. From these facts, md a
thousand others OF similar kind. all who have wit
messed the new dgglngs declare that everything else
heretofore discovered in California sinks into nsign-
canoe in comparson-Conora, Carson's, SuIlyan's
&C., are not to be compared with it.
AS matter CT course, the news OF the discovery OF
these rich deposits has spread Ike wldre through the
mines, and produced an intense excitement and per-
feet Stampede from the old and worn out placeIs--
Aqua FRO, Quartzburg. and other embryo mining
towns in the vicinity, perfectly deserted.
non Sunday lastfour days after the spread
the re no! less than three thousand people up
on the golden hill and might travel in any drec-
lion from it and squads OF miners would se met hur-
ryng to the spot. Already, hom the crest of the
lofty hill down to its slopes, and for mile beyond its
base are the 80 feet claims OF the miners staked off.
But the srangest thing OF all, and mat best il
illustrates the magic rapidly with which and vii
lagos spring into existence in California is the fact that
within "a hours after the first great rush the spot a
ped sua-divided into streets, squares, &c. and in 43
hours afterwards, it contained a number OF stores,
taverns boarding houses or hotels, gambling houses,
with monte and billiard tables, and all the usual estab
lishments found in the inland mining towns. These
stories are so wonderful even for California that had
we not derived them from entitled 10 the fall
est credit and reliance, woDt not have yentured to
put them forth. As it Is, should be led 10 act
hastily from them, the Mount Ophr has doubt
less long ere this been by the thousands OF
miners whomsthe has attracted to the spot One
thing is certain, that the Southern mines will this win
Ter produce greater amount OF gold than before.
Pros perty GROWING the labors OF the miners, will
give impetus 10 the trade in that section, add great
ly to the wealth aad progress OF Stockton, aud ind
recty bring prosperity Ia stran to all classes in the
community.