The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-16
From California and Ore gon.

We have dates from Sante Fe to the 9th
ofFebruary, and San Francisco to the 18th
Large amounts of gold from Pixies Peak
had gone into New Mexico and prepara-
tions had been and were being made, for
large companies to 60 to the gold region.
The emigration from there to the mines will
be large, and great number of persons of
means and excellent business qualifications,
are going out, and large amount of trade
is anticipated here.
DIR. Chase has been tried for maliciously
adulterating acids used at the San Fran
cisco Mint but the jury could not agree.
A new trial will take place Immediately.
A bill has been introduced in the Legis-
lature proposing that the State assume the
Indian war debt, amounting to 100000,
to be paid within ten years, if the United
States does not sooner provide for it.
Resolution asking Congress to dissolve
the injunction against the new Olwaden
quick silver mine, has passed the assembly.
Resolutions have been earnestly debated
in the Legislature, instructing the Con-
greSsonal delegation to use their best exer-
tions against the separation of any portion
of the State, from which to form Terri
tory, until majority of the people of the
entire State has consented to such divi-
sion.
The Secretary of the Pacific Railroad
Convention has sent communication to the
Legislature, giving summary of the action
of that body, from which it appears that
Jas. DOugal, F. L. & l.. A. Booth, A. A.
Tuttle, Samuel. Purdy, j. S. Titus, j. G..
Phelps, j. B. Crockett, and DR.. Rabe, were
appointed committee to communicate to
the Legislature the action of the convention,
and to urge such action by the Legislature
as was recommended by the convention.
The principal recommendations of the con.
vention that the Legislatures of Oregon and
California establish, are each an internal
Improvement fund, for the purpose of
building the Pacific Railroad that the
swamp and overfowing lands within such
States, and all such lands as may hereafter
be donated by them shall be sold by them
for the benefit of said fund; that the road
in California shall run from the city of
San Francisco, through the counties of San
Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda, to the
city of Stockton, and be continued thence
towards the eastern frontier of the State, in
such direction as the Legislature may direct;
that the counties traversed by said road be
authorized to levy tax and contract loans
to enable them to subscribe to the capital
stock thereof; that the Legislature propose
such amendments to the constitution, to be
ratified by vote of the people, as will en-.
able the State to lend her aid to the con-
struction of the Pacific Railroad, to the ex
tent of not more than SIS, 100000; that the
Legislature of California, Oregon, and
Washington Territory, cause the several
passes through the mountains lying eastward
of said States and Territory to be accurate
ly surveyed.
Great activity exists throughout the
state in mining exploration, which is attri.
buted to the recent discovery of silver mines
in western Utah. The disposition since
those discoveries has been to search more
for silver than for gold, and the result thus
far is that mines of silver have been found
in Caleveras and Santa Cruz counties, and
in the coast range, near Clear Lake. There
is no doubt of the discovery of silver mines
In all these localities, but whether any OF
them are valuable cannot be settled without
the expenditure of considerable labor and
capital. The discoveries already made are
operating as incentives to renewed exertions
for more thorough explorations.
The recent discovery of quicksilver mines
in Sonora and Napa counties are considered
important. Deposits OF cinnabar and rock
containing mercury in state of purity,
have been tried along the borders of what is
known as the Geyser mountains, for dis
tance of over 25 miles.
The minerals found in loose boulders, on
the surface and in veins extending into the
mountains, and the dip of those veins, as
well as the geological formation of the coun.
try, indicate very extensive deposits. The
portions OF the mountain supposed to be
valuable, are all claimed, and several COM
panles are preparing to commence mining.
Another quicksilver mine is about to be
worked in Manleroy county, seven miles
from the Idra mine in successful operation.
Advices from Carson Valley represent
considerable emigration thither notwith-
standing the inclement season. Mining
good. New discoveries of silver mines are
reported at Steamboat Springs, north of
Virginia, near the six mile desert, east and
west OF Carson City. At Black Rock in.
dications of silver have led to the formation
OF company for exploration.
A correspondent of a San Francisco
paper, who has visited most of the mining
localities, writes as follows
1t is doubtful whether country of the
same extent and equal richness in mineral
deposits exists on the globe. No one can
see the country without being Impressed
with the fact of its extraordinary richness.
Gold and silver ore is known to exist as far
as Honey lake on the north, Walker river
and Mono lake on the south, and Black
Rock, abou. $50 miles from Carson City,
on the east.