San Andreas independent., 1858-05-15
REPLY TO "MAZEPPA."
Correspondence of the Independent.
Mrppuy'S Nav 10Th 1879

Correspondence of the Independent.
MURpHY's, May 10th, 1858.
Mr. EDITOR In your issue of the 10th ult.,
noticed an article signed "Mazeppa," in
which the writer speaks in terms derogatory
to the quartz veins in this camp and vicinity
and the whole tenor of the article referred to,
shows most lamentable want of correct in
formation and a decided malicious intent
Had the writer no other subject upon which
he could vent his spleen, or is it for the pur-
pose of getting paltry revenge upon few
who may have wronged or offended him, that
he thus seeks to paralyze the efforts of his
fellow men, and to injure his native camp,
for it is presumed that he lives hereby
ultimately prove to be the handspring of its
prosperity and its only hope? Whatever his
purpose may be-and to judge from his ramb
ling and silly letter, it is very doubtful if he
ever had any, if for revenge, or from sheer
envy, it matters little, and the quartz veins are
none the poorer, now that he has opened his
safety-valve and permitted the gas to escape.
No doubt this "rara avis" of his will influence
few weak-minded persons in their choice of
a mining camp; but with the majority, it will
fall as harmless as is the recoil Of a squil-
Surely, the writer cannot be so amazingly ig-
norant as he pretends, upon a subject so gen.
orally known and universally believed as that
which relates to the quartz veins in this place,
and their attested richness; for it is well
known fact that in bringing the cut for the
Flume up to the rm-rock of the Flat, there
were no less than five different veins crossed,
and in a small piece of quartz taken from one
of them, by friend, saw piece of pure gold
nearly the size of small pea. Yet he asserts,
fearlessly, but not truly, that upon a fair av-
erage they will yield, at most, one cent per
ton. If he refers to those which are as yet,
unopened, then, indeed his keen and pcnetrat-
ing judgment-for it must be penetrating to
pierce through the solid rock to an unknown
depth and make an estimate of the veins con-
poor, brainess gropers upon the surface. Be-
ing well aware of his inability to mete out JUS
tice even-handed, and burdened with mind
warped from its natural balance, either by ac-
cident or design, he has permitted his pen to
run riot, and to take greater liberties with
common sense and truth, than is suitable for
one holding such an equivocal position in So
ciety and with a cowardly apprehension-an
/ s,,l, Ill l. r
lash in return, covers the natural deformty oil
his baptismal titles under the nome de plume OF
Mazeppa."
Judging from the looseness of his style-the
absence of anything in the shape of thought
and the harequin-like ease with which he
turns his somersaults from one subject to an
other, | opine that cool corner and deck Of
cards, would not come amiss, if it was only
q for the whisky Henceforth let him remem-
Der that there is an eye upon him, watching
his slightest movement, and that there is one
upon his track, who is both able and willing
to mete out to him the punishment he so richly
deserves
! Benjamin Hemrat & Co., having tested about
IL cwt. of the rock out of their claim, received
something over 500, and they feel certain
that they were unable to save more than one.
| fourth of the gold. This does not tally wei
with "Mazeppa's" tale, and the members o
the company can we'll afford to laugh at sal
such puny attempts to injure them.
QUARTZ MINER.