San Andreas independent., 1857-08-15

AAA 'niohHeSs, 1t varies from TWO TO twelve Oh
sixteen feet yet in few places it deepens to
many rods. On each side are commonly num-
berless accompanying smaller veins, diminish
ing in thickness to a mere line. The great vein
Is generally destitute of more than trace oi
gold, while side veins, only few rods frgm it
may be Immensely rich supported by the great
VEN as the fruit-bearing branches of a tree are
supported by the trunk. The great vein is
generally composed of solid white, crystalized
quartz while the side veins are of every yarie-
ty of feature varying to q light porous ore OF
iron, or SOFT red, clay-like material This, ON
being carefully washed, will often yield a large
amount OF the brightest, finest, and most beau
titul dust of gold, while in other instances, the
gold appears to be left by the dsintegrating
VEN as pure, porous. mass of spangles, balls
ana shapeless forms, just adhering to each 9TH
! er where they touch. Yet this last is very un-
common, as the interstices between the parti-
cles are generally filled with quartz
We have personally visited this vein, only
from Coulterville, Mariposa county thence
north through Tuolumne, Calayeras, Amador
FL Dorado, Placer, Nevada, and Butte counties
yet to the south, at least, we know it extends
indefinitely The vein is not always evident
above ground. In some places it disappears
for miles under the surface, and again appears
in other places it is lost for only few rods. II
especially appears at rayines, or other depress-
ions in the surface. 1t desccnds under the ra-
vines, but appears Gaping hills and mountains
towering sharp points, at some places five hun
dred and a thousand feet high. Thus, just
north of Coulterville, this vein can be seen
from higher elevations, whitening the scene
with peaked elevations for ten miles to the
north. 1t then disappears under the Tuolumne
/ In nil
at Algerinc; again disappearing under Sullivan
Creek, it re-appears at Poverty Hill, passing
through and cappng II mountain four hundred
feet in height, then continues near seven miles
by jamestown. 1t next descends under the
canon of the St;lnislaus, and suddenly rises on
the north, Gaping Carson Hill twelve hundred
feet high then continues by Albany Flat and
Angclss Camp. From here it seems to disap-
pear for Il number of miles, occasionally eXhb-
iting traces as at Hawk-Eye, Fourth Crossing
and San Andreas of itself by Mokeumne Hill,
to the north side of the canon ofthe Mokelumne
River, where it again appears in distinct form
at Butte City, jackson, Sutter Creek Amador,
and Drytown. Beyond this, it cannot as yet
be SO easily and distinctly traced but we are
confident that ultimately the rich veins in the
region of Placerville, FL Dorado county, Il few
near Auburn, Placer count :, those of Grass
Valley, Nevada county, and Frenchtown, Butte
county, will be found to belong all to this same
great vein, appearing and disappearing at differ
cnt places, but really continuous under ground.
The richest point of this vein, so far as yet
explored, we believe to be decidedly Angel 5
Camp, Calaveras county, including two miles
north and seven miles south. The side veins
here are very numorous-onc of which is nine
feet thick, and the whole Of it god-bearng and
rich Others are but inch in thickness. and
yet profitable to work. Even the regular slate
rock i'll this region has prospectcd we'll, or as
high rs fifty dollars to the ton, so that the
amount of rock which may be yet crushed is
incalculablc. The belt along this great vein,
in this locality, in which side quartz veins are
discovered and worked, is over a mile and a
half in width, and is yet but slightly prospect
ed For the oldest claim here which is well
opened, and owned by two men, we were cred
dibly informed offer of two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars had been made within
the last six weeks but this offer the proprietorS
refused, demanding three hundred thousand
This then offered in installments and to be
paid in one year from the first of August and
this was also refused Another claim, owned
by four men, and only partly opened, was sold
while we were there for thirty thousand dollars.
We visited different claims, aS indeed we have
IilTcc TIE DlSI
two years, and are sure the yield of gold is to
be immense. The first proprictors were poor,
and large capitalists have only lately gone in to
put on the requisite machinery. But now
seven quartz mills are in successful operation
and others are going up. y good town is here
gradually building up, and everything bears an
appearance of prosperity. There are in the
immediate vicinity some eighty families, many
in beautiful dwellings, A good school is taught
most of the time. The Romanists have pleas
ant church completed, but the Protcstants have
as yet no church and only occasional preach
ing. The town seems an orderly, quiet one, with
little drinking or quarreling; Il good place to
live in. The claims at Albany Flat, one and Il
half miles south have none of them been fully
opened, yet are known to be very rich-possi-
bly, equal to Angels. Two miles further south
is CarsOns Hill. where one quartz mill is net
ting largely. 1t is probable that not long hence
there will here be Il continuous row of quartz
mills. extending several miles, the vein being
worked II quarter of a mile in width, and sup
porting in afIlucncc and ease a population of
many thousands. Would that this and all the
might be devoted to the advancement of mans
highest, truest welfare his progress in ntelli-
gence, in virtue and religion"
New ROAD TO THE BIG TREEs.-Our attention
has been called to new road uia Benson's Saw
Mill Ton the South bank of the San Antonio, J
to the Big Trees Our informant practically
demonstrates that this route is better road
and fifteen miles nearer than the old one With
all due respect for the views and designs of the
friends of the road, we must deprccate, at this
time, any movement in the matter We have
the main Big Tree road to open-we are NOR
ally and positively bound, on the faith of our
promises, to meet the expenditures of the Su-
perintcndent Unless the main road is COM
pleted. we have no use for local roads or new
routes to connect with it, First complete the
Big Tree Road, paying all demands contracted
in its Improvement; then let us talk about local
routes, and roads to tap the main one. Let us
show to other sections of the county that we
le,l. 80