The hydraulic press., 1859-08-20
NEVADA TERRITORY.

cry of very rich gold fields near Washoe
Valley, in Utah Territory, adjoining the
counties of Placer and Nevada in this State.
excited considerable interest and attracted
thither many adventurers in search of wealth.
These reports have subsequently been con-
firmed. The details of the discoveries are
now we'll known throughout the State Not
only gold but silver leads of great richness
have been found, and the place of their To-
cation, although represented to be dry and
barren, offering no facilities for ditch enter
prises and growing no timber, has vet be-
come the scene of busy community. Aras-
tras and rockers are at work, engines and
machinery have been taken there for more
thorough operations, traders are flocklng to
the spot with loads of merchandise, and ey
cry indication proves that the foundations of
a permanent settlement have been laid The
crowds of prospectors, scattering in every
direction, have examined the adjacent coun-
try for many miles, and development after
development of new leads and new mining
localities, is reported by each arrival across
the mountains. The most extensive lead of
silver-bearing rock found thus far, as we are
informed, is situated near Carson City, Ea
gle Valley. and is represented to be eighty
feet wide! The metal runs through it in
white veins nearly if not quite pure. Speci-
mems have been forwarded for assay to the
mint at San Francisco.
The mineral resources of the eastern slope
Of the Sierra Nevadas were not altogether
unknown many years ago. but their real
variety, extent and value only now begin to
be demonstrated. From Walkers River, south
of Carson Valley, to the Washoe mountains
north of it, and including the numerous in
termediate canons and streams which are
known to be auriferous, there are hundreds
of persons engaged in the fascinating but
arduous search for the precious metals and
their quest is not fruitless. In addition to
silver and gold, indications of copper have
been found. 1t is even asserted that near
Eagle Valley, which is seven or eight miles
south of Washoe, a lump of pure copper
was found lying on the surface of the ground !!
Near the Washoe diggings a hill of pure
chalk exists, a specimen of which is in the
possession of the writer and appears to be as
good as the chalk of commerce. This of
itself is discovery of much value, as most
imported from abroad, and native supplies of
it are very desirable. The mountainous
country surrounding Carson Valley is evi-
IDENTIFY ofvolcanic origin, or betrays, at least,
evidences of volcanic action, and we may
reasonably expect the discovery of other
useful minerals. Steamboat Valley, the
wonderful hot springs of which we have
before briefly described, contains resources
that will eventually be valuable for the man
ufacture Of acids and other needed Chem
Gals.
But not the least attractive and valuable
characteristics of the eastern slope are its
beautiful valleys. These have been known
to the emierant for several years. and some
of them are inhabited. Their salubrious
climate, lovely lakes and streams teeming
with fsh,-their luxuriant growths of in
digenous clover, grass and timothy, the rich
limestone soil on which these flourish, the
finely timbered hills that surround them,-
all render these valleys most attractive and
a'vantageous points for permanent settle
neat son Valley, which is thirty miles
long by about twelve miles wide is already
settled, md is we'll known. Eagle Valley,
north or northwest of Carson is also settled
6y farming population, yields good crops
OF indian corn and other grains, and is ca
pahi Of supplying very large population
with the substantial needs of life. IT is the
seat of growing town called Carson CITY.
has its saw-mllls, and must hereafter do a
heavy lumber business. The telegraph is
completed from Genoa to Carson CITY, where
there Is also an office of Langton's Sierra
Valley, Truckee Meadows and Washoe Ex-
press, which makes regular semi monthly
trips from Downieville over the Yuba Gan
route. Washoe Valley is said to be about
twelve miles long by some six wide, having
in its center charming lake of about half
these dimensions. Here there are also rural
inhabitants, whose agricultural labors will
now be required to supply the neighboring
miners with food. The grain crops of WASH
oe and its pasturage are alike excellent
Winters mild and agreeable.
We have thus given the substance ofwhat
we can learn of the explored and inhabited
portion of the new territory of Nevada,
whose citizens lately adopted constitution
which would, if sanctioned by Congress,
make them equal to the citizens of per-
feet State. But whether Nevada Territory be