The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-08
THE CHINESE In CALIFORNIA.


We publish on the outside of this days i'm
preston, the answer of the Chinese settled at
San Francisco, to Governor Bigler's message.
The Goyernor, in that message, assumes, ist'
that large numbers Of the Chinese are sent by
Chinese speculators to work in the mines at
ruinously low wages, which has the effect Of
iniuring other miners. 2dly, that all the gold
they get is sent back to China. 3dly, that
they never intend to become settlers and
4thly, that If they did, they are not of the right
color. A writer in the New York Journal Of
Commerce: it may be here mentioned, says
that one at least of the signers Of the paper
which we publish to-day, is devout chris
tian, and az regular in attendance upon divine
service as any man in New England.
To the several positions ofthe Governor, the
paper Of the Cinnamon seems to be sufficient
answer. They say that the gold dug in Cali
fornia is used in merchandise destined for the
California market, or in other words, in ex-
tending the already large trade of China with
California. To what other purpose would
Governor Bigler have it devoted Is not the
securing of the Asiatic trade one of the great
objects which the people of California have in
view7 Is there any other purpose to which
the gold of California could be devoted so
happily as this 1t is impossible to keep the
gold dug in California within the limits OF the
State. The precious metals will follow the
course of trade, and the largest quantity will
always be found where it is most needed by
the exigencies of commerce. The larger por-
ton oft finds its way, now, to London. Why
not as well let it go to China, if trade takes it
in that direction?
The Spaniards attempted to restrict the cir
culation of gold beyond their own domnions,
soon after tho discovery of South America
They made the expectation Of that metal. as
well as of silver, highly penal. They restrict
ed the trade of the Colonies almost exclusive
ly to Spain. The inevitable consequences en-
sued. The precious metals, which if they
had been allowed to fulfil their natural func-
ton, as a medium of exchange, would have
brought the wealth of the world to the doors
both Of the mother country and of the colonies,
became a drug. Commerce was cut up by the
roots. Churches, public buildings and private
residences groaned beneath the weight of gold
and silver ornaments. Yet the luxuries, nay
the very necessaries of lie, were wanting
The energies of the people, instead of being
stimulated, declined, and Spain sunk gradu-
ally, from the first rank as State, to the very
lowest. Her history enforces moral, which
should not be overlooked. The precious
metals cannot be restricted in their circu ation,
without causing irretrievable damage to the
producing State. Gold and silver are means,
merely, and not ends, in political economy
By active Giro ulation they increase the indus
try of the country. and make the whole world
tributary to it.
The Chinese have already begun to throw
into our hands the most enormous trade oil
which there is any example-a trade with
4O0,0O0,O00 of people. 1t is a trade which the
whole world is eagerly striving to grasp. We
trust that it may not be diverted by the blum
dering ignorance of men who appear to think
that gold is fit for nothing but to be looked al
who seem not to understand, indeed, one OF
the plainest and best substantiated maxims oil
poll teal economy.