The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-11-17

diEest DIN at once OF MS name, Ms rel-
gious faith, and even of bis native land,
believe there are many thousands of Re-
publicaus who cherish for Col Frem ont
a personal regard and affection which
render them profoundly soicitous with
respect to bis good or evil fortune. 1t is
for this class only that write the follow
ing:
The public are generally aware that
Col f. purchased from Mexican at an
early day large tract or grant of wild
mountain land lying among the foot hills
of the Sierra Nevada, called by the Mex
leans Los Mariposasa (the Butterfly. af-
ter a wild flower known to abound here.
It is known also that this tract was some
years after discovered or presumed to be
rich in gold-the first piece of rice vein
stone having been taken out by the-pro-
prietor's own hand. 1t is further known
that sll manner of difficulties aud OBJ
struOtious were iuterpooed to defeat the
confirmation of the grant under which
Col. L holds bis title, aud that pro-
tracted and most expensive litigation was
thus forced upon him. Meantime the
property was wholly unprodu uativc-that
is, to its owner and the most inviting
portions of it were clutched by squatters,
who claimed, as they still claim, a right
to dig its soil into utterly worthless chasms
end heaps IN quest of Gold. to cut down
its timber and feed off sts grass at their
own discretion, leaving to the fortunate
owner only the privilege of paying the
taxes, which, under the management of
public affairs by officers politically and
personally hostile to him, have been
swel!ed to no less than $4,000 per an.
num-bis taxes, remember, on an estate
which every body used or wasted as they
saw fit, and which was yielding bim no
income whatever. For the feeble efforts
at quartz mining made in his behalf in
bis years of absence-in the absence, too,
OF ali successful experience in such min.
ing--only served to involve him still
more deeply in debt, which was further
swellej by unfortunate agencies aud bus
mess connections, nntil the aggregate Of
his liabilities on account of this property
can hardly have fallen short of half
million dollars.
Such were the circumstances under
which be determined, in 1857, to return
to bis California estate, and here, aud apply
energies tot itsimprovement and renovation.
In the spirit Of that determination be has
since lived and labored, rising with the
lark, and striving to obtain a complete
knowledge and mastery OF the entire bus
iness, taking more and more labor and
responsibility on his own shoulders as be
felt himself able to bear it, until be is
now Manager, Chief Engineer, Cashier,
Accountant, and at the head of every
other department. but that of Law, for
which he finds it necessary still to rely
on professional aid. And his mines are
at length becoming productive and profit
sble. His first (steam) mill, near his
dwelling, Luns eight stamps night and
day; his second (water) mill. three miles
distant, on the Merced, at the north end
of his estate, runs twelve stamps, also
constantly; and the two arc producing
gold at the rate of at least $3.50, 900 per
annum. at an absolute cost. | am conf
dent, Of not more than $50, 900. Of
course he needs all the profits, il not
more, to extend and perfect his works,
having already q much larger water uill
nearly ready to go into operation beside
that on the Merced, iu which he expects,
believe, to run tfty-six stamps, and he
hopes to have one hundred in all runping
before the close of 1850. With that
number, believe he would be able, by
giving his constant personal attention to
the business, aided BY faithful and capa-
bic assistants. to realize pet profit of at
least $4,000 per week, which would ve-
ry soon clear him of debt and leave him
unipcumbercd in the ownership of per.
haps the 6neat Mining property in the
world
Still, the Spanish proverb, at takes
a mine to work mine,' is exempli6ed
10 his case as in others. A large add-
tional Investment is needed to render his
property as productive as it might be-
For instance; but has just contracted for
tuC VI inuopOltdtiOu Va OO,OOO tuue VI sGIu"
stone from bis great mine to bis mill "a
the Merced (barely mile and half
down hiII) for 10000. One half Of this
sum would construct railroad from the
heart of the mine down to the floor of the
mill, and take down this amount of rock,
leaving the railroad and $4,000 clear
gain. But he must have the rock at
once, while the railroad would require
tine, and heavy outlay of ready cash.
A Rothschild would build the road forth
with, and save $40, 900; but Col f not
being yet Rothschild. whatever be may
10 time become, must bide bis time.
His great mine. though not the richest,
is probably the most capacious of any in
California. It's thickness varies from
eight to thirty eight fset--l believe it is
in one place sixty feet wide. 1t is in
fact cliff or pyramid of gold bearing
quartz incloscdin a mountain of slate--a
nouutain deeply gaahed and scanned in
various directions by the watercourses