The Placer herald., 1858-11-27

QlSprOVal SUBJECT lOr luIuro pedIlnS,
when the case comes up properly for final
trial, upon its actual merits. So far, so well.
Now, admitting, for the sake Of the argu-
ment-and the fact, as we have stated, re-
mains to be disproved, admitting that. the
claim Of the present occupants originated
and was carried out in fraud, under what
rule of Justice or right, should the govern
ment stand aloof and refuse to prosecute an
examination into the charge? Which is like
ly to result most disastrously to the public
interests-this course of proceeding, or a
tame acquiescence in the manufacture of spu-
rious land grants, and the establishment of
a precedent that would place a very large
portion of the valuable lands of the State in
the hands of few dishonest men,"
The S. F. National also notices the course
of the opposition press, and beside giving
them a merited castigation for their dema-
goguesm, shows up portion of the history
of this famous New Almaden Company
We think, after reading the following, it
will be the verdict of every candid man that
in contesting this fraudulent claim, the Gov
ernment, instead of striking blow at the
mining interests of the State, has done very
effective service to that important branch of
our industry, by placing it out of the power
of company Of aliens to embarrass it by
extortiouate prices necessary article in mi
ming operations:
ut is unnecessary to discuss here the title
of the present occupants to these mines.
The Government assumes that it is simulated
and fraudulent. The evidence filed in the
case, so far as we have examined it, is con-
elusive to our mind on this point. 1t is not
claimed that they have any legal title. 1t is
shown by their own correspondence, that
after the acquisition of California by the
United States, a conspiracy was entered into
by some of these foreien claimants to manu-
facture a title-that Castellero, from whom
they claim, and Forbes, a claimant, were
sent to Mexico to get up the necessary pa
pers-that the dates were to be "arranged'
by the former-and that when prepared they
were to be placed in the proper Govern
mental custody, in Mexico" and certified
copies forwarded here. These copies were
produced, not under the great seal of State,
but unfortunately, of date subsequent to
period after which it was solemnly averred
by the Mexican Commissioners that no grant
of land had been made by their Government
in California. Thus these foreign claimants,
appearing in Court with 'uncean hands,"
divest themselves of any equities they might
otherwise have. But, as we said before, our
business is not with the title. That is
question for the Courts.
Why did the Administration order this
suit to be instituted 1t may not be, perhaps,
generally known that there are but two
quicksilver mines, of any note, yet discover.
ed in the world. They furnish nineteen
twenteths of all the quicksilver consumed.
These are the Almaden mine, belonging to
the crown of Spain but controlled and work
ed by the Rothchlds; and the New Almaden
mine, Of California, claimed by British and
Mexican subjects. Now, suppose the title to
the mine in question be confirmed to those
in possession, what is the consequence
The entire control of the quicksilver of
the world will be with two companies,
and they, to us, foreigners. By an arrange
ment and understanding between these com
panies they could fix their own price upon
that article, and thus suhsidze and lay under
forced contribution the great gold producing
interests Of our State. Now it happened to
leak out that there WAS just such plan on
foot, only awaiting final confirmation of title
to be fully carried out Mr.. Alexander For
bes one Of the claimants, in letter on file
in the case, dated "Tepic, 10th JAM, 1851"
to J. A. Forbes, among other things, says:
The Rothchilds have a large quantity of
quicksilver on hand, and the miners thought,
that by competition between them and New
Almaden, it might come down greatly in
price, and kept off from purchasing; but an
arrangement has been come to Jetaceen both
parties By which this competition Is done array
aoith, and the price will be maintained at a
fair rate. In consequence, however, OF the
expectation of the miners, few sales have
been made, and little of the proceeds of the
sales realized; but from the arrangement a.
luded to, it is hoped that the sales will be
considerable"
This letter, with others of the claimants,
showing the fraudulent nature of the claim,
came, no matter how, into the possession Of
the Administration. 1t was known too, that
enormous quantities of this metal were an
nually produced here, shipped to Merico, and
there stored. With this evidence before them,
suit was ordered and able counsel employed
to assist in the prosecution. In it are truly
involved the great gold mining interests Of
our State-not, however, to their detriment,
but to their future development and pros
perity. We all know that for quartz opera
tons quicksilver is an essential. Nature
seems to have designed this New Almaden
expressly for the Development Of our exten'
sive gold fields. AS the latter belong to the
American people, so too, should the former
necessary element to their enjoyment-be