New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-04-27
Gold on Queen CharIotte's Island.

A correspondent of The Courier and
Enquir~ gives glowing description of discoveries
of Gold or Queen Charottes Island which in his opin-
ion will put California in the background. He writes
under date Of San Francisco, March 49,:
4 discovery has lately been made Of several new
Quartz Leads Queen Charlotte's Island which prove
to be immensely rich Gold has been known to exist
on the island for time, but the precise locality
known until it was discovered by the British
schooner Una, belonging to the Hudson Bay Company
She sent her boat shore for wood The boats crew
landed at the foot Of large Quartz Lead which they
traced back about three-quarers OF a mile from the
beach, The EARTH the foot Of the lead attracted the
attention of Of the party who had been working
In the California mines they washed pan of ii
and found it very rich, yielding nearly sixty dollars
During this operation one OF the men knocked OF q
piece Of quartz with his and laid bare large vein Of
gold. Finding two natural crevices in the rock they
charged these with gunpowder and blew them off The
effects amazing In less than hour they secured
$4,000 worth of gold and quartz internxed and might
have secured much larger amount, but for the mpru-
dence of the Captain wno in his esgerness TO secure
Of the large pieces the Indians, who, attract
ed by the noise of the blasts had collected about them
the number OF 1900 more, silver dollar for each
large piece of gold The Indians although ignorant OF
the value Of the gold, accustomed to the use Of
silver, from trading with the Hudsons Bay Company
After receiving few dollars, they attacked the white
men, and drove them of to their vessel which being
small and they only mastering twenty-five in number,
were unable to resist and were obliged to get under
weigh and leave the harbor.
In proceeding to Victoria for assistance they were
wrecked near Cape Fattery, and remained for two
months prisoners to the Indians from whence they
rescued by the schooner Susan Sturges and car
ried with the gold to Olympia. Several vessels fitted
out Immediately from Victoria, Olympia and Portland
and from this place large number are preparing to
start shall sail for the basnd Saturday, the 2lst
inst In the clipper brig Topic carrying eight guns and
one hundred men fully armed and equpped-each
man carrying rifle, Colts revolver, bowe-knife and
his own mining toolsthe vessel carrying five months
provision, drs blasting powder, blacksmths forge, &C.
She will be followed in few days by the ships Vancou
YER Anscn, barks Volante, Powhstan brigs Palermo
Glencoe, and schooners Merchantmen and Sturges.
The island Is about 240 miles in length, and from 20
to 100 IN breadth, with beautiful soil and climate. The
Coasts abound with excellent hsrbors, and large quan-
ties OF shcod, hallibut &c. The island is well sup
pied with game and numerous and salmon streams
1t has population of from 1000 10000 Indians who
lead rowing life always moving nlarge bodies from one
part OF the Island to another They fine athletic
race very intelligent and well acquainted with the of
firearms, being supplied with them by the Hudsons Bay
Company. They are great thieves and very treacher
GUS rendering necessary for q vessel to be well armed
ana manned, to prevent being cut Ell by them.
The gold this island bids fair throw California in
the shade The island Is nominaly Brtsh possession
but 1t not inhabited by single white man. If these
new mines should hold out equal to their first promise
an immense emigration of Caornisns will take place.
a. nothing will keep Yankee enterprise back, when a
pile Is to be made. The Indians win soon be forced to
retreat to the main land which Is only eighty miles dis
ant from the east coast of the island The Hudsons Bay
Company have been Of the value of the island for
some time and have been trying to get an exclusive
grant OF II but do not think it viii be allowed them.