San Andreas independent., 1857-10-31
Laws Regulating Quartz Mining.

Laws hegulaung quartz Mining.
Notwithstanding the lukewarmness of per-
sons in prospecting for quartz in this vicinity,
there is no doubt whatever, but in very few
years quartz mining will be the principal oc-
cupation of the miners, and form the main sup
port, and be the source whence will be brought
forth millions of treasure to enrich the citizens,
giving life, activity and hustle to the neigh
borhood 1t is fact now becoming well es-
tablished in the minds of every one, that the
wealth of California is just beginning to be
developed and that in the quartz buried be-
meath her hills and mountains, lie untold
millions of the precious metal. What is nee
essary to lay bare this inexhaustble store of
wealth, is energy, industry perseverance, and
determined will among our mining popu-
lation.
For the information of those who are pros
pecting quartz, and the guidance of others
who may be disposed to engage in the same
branch OF ofindustry, we publish below, the laws
established at Forman's Ranch, governing
quartz miners in that vicinity As that is the
nearest to this place of any district that has
established quartz laws, they would govern
here in the absence of any regulations upon
the question. AS these laws are liberal in the
privileges they grant, and the inducements
they hold out to those who are willing to try
their luck in quartz mining. it might be well
for the miners in this vicinity to have n meet
ing for the purpose and adopt these laws or
make others, that there might be no grounds
for difficulty or contention hereafter, in the
establishing. regulating and holding of claims.
| The quartz laws at Angels Camp are some
what different to those below. At Angels
each man is allowed one hundred feet on the
lead and three hundred feet in width. with all
the dips and angles. The discoverer of new
lead is allowed one extra claim, by right of
discovery. To hold and retain claim. it is
necessary to work it one day in each month
Each man is allowed to hold as many claims
as he is disposed to purchase.
AT a meeting held by the miners of For
mans District, at Foreman's Ranch, on the 5th
day OF September, 1857, for the purpose of
framing laws for the regulation of Quartz Min
ing in that Camp, the Chairman, j. H. Bach
man, opened the proceedings with short ad-
dress, but one well suited to the occasion. He
called the attention of his audience to the i'm
portan,e of Quartz Mining, at the present mo-
ment, and the great pre- eminence must attain
at no very distant period, above all the other
interests of the State, and aljured the meeting
to bend all their energies to the important
matter for which they were brought together
The Committee of three appointed at for
mer meeting for the purpose of drafting a
code of laws, then presented to the Chair the
result of their labors, each article of which
was brought separately before the meeting,
and adopted, amended or rejected, according
to the meetings good will and pleasure The
result of the meeting was the creation and
adoption of the following
LAWS,
| For the regulation of "Quartz Mining in
| this Camp, adopted by Meeting of Miners
held the 5th day of September, 1857, at For
mans Ranch:
/. Each miner shall be entitled TO one claim
on each and every separate and distinct vein :;
procided, said separate and distinct veins are
at greater distance apart than the legal
width of a claim.
2. Each claim shall be two hundred feet on
the vein, and four hundred feet wide
3. Upon all claims shall be placed two no.
tices-one in the centre of each entl-and the
names of the parties shall be written out in
full
4. Any parties making new discoveries shall
be entitled to an extra claim by location.
g. Upon all claims, whether by location or
purchase there shall be one days work done
for each claim, in each and every calendar
month. except in cases hereinafter provided.
6. No miner shall forfeit his claim when
prevented from working the same by sickness
or by legal summons.
I. That all claims shall be recorded on To-
cation, and that the Record shall prevent any
claim becoming forfeited during the space of
twelve months; proriding, that from June lst
until October 3lst, there shall be one full days
work done in every calendar month.
8. Any claimant not complying with the
above laws, the claims shall be considered
abandoned and be subject to relocation
Q. Recorder shall be elected who shall
furnish Record Book, and shall record all
claims presented to him for record, and shall
receive for his fee fifty cents for each name
recorded.
10. In case of a recorded claim being sold,
= record of said transfer shall be made by the
Recorder.
IL. +. Emanuel is elected Recorder.
r. That at any future time it shall be found
necessary to convene meeting for the pur-
pose OF revising these laws, the Recorder shall
be required to post three (3) notices in con-
splcuous positions, at least ten days previous
to the time of meeting.
l3. The Recorder shall hold his Office at
the pleasure of the miners
i J. H. BACHMAM, Chairman.
Il. EMANUEL, Secretary
LITERARY FAvoRs.-We are indebted to Mr..
| Charles Eayille of tho Post 0H,co g.