The Trinity journal., 1857-02-07
Letter from B. Deffis, ESQ.

experience as a practical miner, ana the thorough
knowledge which Mr.. Dcfis has acquired we think
that his opinion will find ready acquiescence
with those of citizens who feel an interest in
the development of our mineral wealth.
ROCKVILLE, Jan. 81, 1857.
Editors Journal In reference to the COM
mencent and consummation of the Trinity Coun-
ty Canal, there is nothing to discuss in regard to
its utility. There is no intelligent man in the
county who will not admit of the fact of the
proposition. Its completion would not only
bring rich reward to hundreds of our citizens,
but prove also capital thing for Weaver. 1t
may absolutely be considered question of life
or death with the material prosperity of the coun-
ty, and particularly with the class of men who
depend upon their labor in the mines for COM
pensaton.
/ have heard many speak of the magnitude OF
the undertaking and the difficulty which would
inevitably attend its construction. l admit in
one sense the truth of the assertion-that it is
heavy undertaking but | contend at the same
time that it is practicable and by no means diff
cult to accomplish. 1t is not compatible with the
character, genius, enterprise and industry Of our
people to hesitate and raise trivial objections to
the forwarding OF this work, the finishing of
which will bring endless facilities in working the
richest and most ineXhaustable mines Of northern
California. / apprchend, sirs, that but few min
ing claims can be found in this county or in any
other portion of California, the opening and
working of which was and is not attended with
much labor and expense but this must be but a
| feeble obstacle when it is we'll known to every
man who has any practical knowledge of mining
that the profits of said Canal when completed
will be fully commensurate TO the expenditure
and outlay incurred in its construction.
/ was struck with the force and import of some
editorial remarks in your paper few weeks
since, in urging the citizens of Weavcrville and
vicinity to consider the Importance of the work,
and to lose no time in securing an interest and
rendering such aid as will secure its completion.
You remarked that the day was not far distant
/ when to possess the water bitches would be to
possess the principal mineral lands of the State.
Do we not see evidences of this fact every day
in the ditch monopoIies throughout the State
The truth of this must be still more evident
when VIC consider the fact that the right, title and
possession of those water companies are fully Sc
cured by decision of the highest judicial author
ity of the State when the provisions Of tlee-stat-
utes are complied with. TO possess the water
privilege then sirs is to possess the mines which
such privilege will command
With these important facts before our eyes, it
is not to be supposed that the miners and busi-
ness men of Weaver will longer hesitate in tax
ing an interest in the work, or longer procrast
nate in the prosecution of an enterprise of such
deep and vital interest to themselves. The stock
holders in this Canal would soon realize large
per centagc on the amount of their investments,
and the distribution of its benefits and proceeds
w0,ld soon be felt by our people in every chan
mel of trade. b. DEFFIs.
Mr.. Defis has given strong reasons and argu-
meats above, which should be we'll considered
1t is not the above alone which marks the public
spirit and enterprise of this gentleman. He has
labored to bring about system of things which
would result to the advantage and prosperity of
the county, and done much towards attracting
hither the honest and Industrious
1--WE find Mr. Dels strongly advocating the in
tcrest of Trinity County in a correspondence to
the San Francisco Chronicle more than year ago.
The following is an extract from one of his let
ters to that paper: -~
Those who never have
seen Weaver, or who saw it in its evil days, will
perhaps think that this prosperity is fictitious or
temporary but if so, they deceive Themselves
! There is here circle of some fifty miles in diam
etcr, bounded by the high mountains Of Trinity
river and Cahon creek and intersectcd in all di-
rcctions by aurferous hills, which are again in
tcrsected by numerous ravines. Many years must
pass away before this vast and rich tract can be
passed through the suice and the rocker and af-
| ter the earth shall have been once washed it may
be made to pay again by more thorough meth
ods-such as that of the patio as the MeXicans
/ style it in silver mining.
| Wcaycrvillc is destined to have q bright fu-
| ture not only as a placer, but even as a CONNER
cial center. All about Weaver there are placer
/ mines more or less rich, of which the most impOr-
| tant are those of Ridgevile, Canon creek, Ore
gon gulch and Trinity river.
To avoid following the example of some news
paper correspondents, who show only the bright
side of the picture, will speak something also
Of the reverse, therefore, will say that in the
midst of the fortunate there are many who only
vegetate, or Ito use a more expressive but vulgar
phrase, common in the mines,) drag the devil by
the tail.
To the Industrious and economical miner, Wca-
yer and the adjoining placers would offer the
most advantageous prospects if water were plen-
ty. There are now many projects to bring hither
the waters Of Rush creek or of the North Fork /;
but so far, nothing has been done. Let us hope
that the future has something better in store for
u.s.
Accidents.
Henry Cocker, German, had his ankle dislo-
Gated on Sunday morning last. by the falling of a
bank under which he was at work on West Wea-
yer creek.