, 1861-02-07

Mines from the Portland Weekly Times Of the
lst Instant. In connection with it We designed
offering some suggestions for the bcreft of our
people, but the crowded state Of our columns
compcls us to defer them for week. Read this
statcmcnt:-
The WCnatchce mines have been partially
known for the last six years. Before the out
break OF the Indian war, III 1855, the Indians
living in that 5, Ctipn had repeatedly exhibited
specimens Of gold, which they claimed to have
obtalnrd in the mountains bordering on the We
natchce River and its tributaries. During that
aud the following years, persons in the employ
Of the Government male discoveries Of god
there which they deemed to be rich prospects
among these was Mr. lnglcS, formerly resident
Of this city, and al old and experienced miner
in California in carly days. Those persons were
IN Government service at the time, and pur'
posed, as soon as they were discharged, to re.
visit that section Of country for mining purposes.
Bat the breaking out Of the war prevented
them. Last year, for the first time since his
discovery, Mr.. lnGes made his contemplated IN
curSion to that country, but he was accidentally
Killed before lac had time to examine his old field
VI discovery.
The discovery Of Capt. Robertson will be re-
collected, and his attack from the Indians and
his return aud reii;tihg with a large company.
But II seems that when he ca ne near the ground
his company were unwilling to make extensive
explorations there, aud forced him to 20 on With
them to the Northern British gold fields.
Other Indications have been found, establish
ing the conviction Of the presence of gold in that
region. Indeed, We have heard many mUn who
went tO the nOI th with Robertson, say that the 0
were better Indications Of rich gold deposits il
the vicinity Of the WCnatchee, where they went
through, than they found elsewhere throughout
thCir entire northern tour.
Following the suggestions which had been
given both by lngles and Robertson, parties last
year, both from the Sound and this city, have
made explorations which have proved beyond u
cavll the existence Of coarse and fine gold there,
in good paying quantities Several men fioal
this city are now at work there during mid winter,
and making fair Wages and opening up claims
preparatory to summers opcrHt' Ons. Oilers
have been there and taken their claims, with the
iull intention Of returning to them on or before
the 10th Of May, the time fixed when their right
to re-take their claims shall cease. We have
seen numerous specimens Of handsome coarse
gold in the hands Of those who went there late
last iall, and whom we know to be reliable men,
These men say they dug them there. Thcsc
specimens will range from 81 to $40 in value,
each. The soil is well imprcgnatcd with fine
u"St u PdyHS Yuailtltes, anu W tue Oeu Oi tIc
creeks, near the bedrock, is found the cuaIsy
gold. The bedrock is from six to fifteen feet
below the surface, and the location where the
principal operations rave been made, is well elr-
waited on the eastern slope Of the Cascade range
Of mou tains. Mr.. jam, Boutwell, Of this cil,,
has mined there, and has now a claim there, ana
will return to mine early in the spring lie did
well while there, aud is fully confident oI the extent
and richness Of the gold deposits there.
These mines are from forty to fifty miles IN
northery direction from the entrance TO the We
natchee Pass, over the Cascadrs from the east
side, and may be approached by persons from
Puget Sound through that Pass. They are about
100 miles from the DallCs in direction nearly
north.
These mines can be worked about six mot tbs
in the year, without hindrance from cold and
snow. The remainder of the year will always
be Tiled with interruptions by the elements.
We have no means OF estimating the aggregate
amount Of gold yet dug there, for in fact no
steady mining was done there till late last fall.
But from all we can learn from the best evidences,
we are inclined to thi that practical miner
has better advantages in going there tho ensuing
season, than he would have in going to Rock
Creek or the Carriboo. The shortness Of the
distance and immediate proximity to the settle.
lnents, Is q great advantage, while he has an
equal show for taking up new and rich claim.