The hydraulic press., 1861-04-27
CHE Aydraulie 2ress.
A Warning to Miners Bound Potosi.
ward.
NOTES OF TRIP FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO THE
PoTosI MINES N. NJ.

EDITOR BULLETIN In consequence of re-
ports OF the great discoveries OF the precious
metals on the Eastern slope of the Sierra
Nevada, departed from San Francisco on
the steamer Senator, for San Pedro and Los
Angeles. | arrived at Los Angeles on the
5th of March, and left for the Potosi dig
gings. NJ op tue 9th, where we arrived
on the 22d.
On the road | came across Capt. Wilkes
and party, who had left Potosi the same
morning They had been on prospecting
tour oil several weeks on the Colorado, and
in the neighborhood of Potos, but had made
no discoveries. The further they went the
less ore they found. They had employed
party of Indians who brought them num-
ber of specimens, mixed with granite, of no
value. also met several parties who had
been there since December last. Among
them was the great prospector Charley Nor
rev; also, DR.. Adams and Judge Wellington
of Sonora. Not one of them had done any
thing. The claims taken up were as follows:
Main Top, Nigger Top, Kentucky, San An
tonic, Mayfeld and Washington, with proba-
bly, many more. Nothing has been done in
these claims, except San Antonio, where
they are building furnace. examined all
the claims named and have specimens from
each.
My provisions disposed of at great loss.
| remained at Potos four days. On my re-
turn to Ell Monte-time seven days and eight
hours-I fell in with the following parties
Johnson, with his stage, first time, intended
for passengers, eight miles this side of Mule
Spring. Monroe & Co, at the Sink of the
Mohave, twenty-seven days from Sonora, all
well. AT the same time and place | met L.
Anderson, with party, going south on pros
pecting tour. He was the guide of Col. FIRE.
mont and the noted Kit Carson in 1874.
On the 29th March l saw Capt Dillan,
bound to Fort Mohave, with Government
stores. | fell in, also, ut the same date, ut
Lane and Higimores crossing, with MeSsrs
Knight, Colley and Howe, from San Fran
cisco, King, Macintosh and Gushing, from
Putah Creek, also, Pearson and Vanlone,
from Camptonvile Knights party had or
ganized at Los Angeles, and left on the 22d
March, for Potosi They proceeded as far as
Lanes crossing, when they altered their
destination for Bear Valley.
On April I'd, saw Col. Mayfeld, from
VisalIa for Poiosi, two weeks out. | may
state that at Los Angeles provisions are low,
but freight to Potosi is exceedingly high
say 10 cents per pound. Persons travelling
in or about this neighborhood should have
sufficient means to carry them through.
have seen many on the roads actually in
need Of food.
My opinion, as well as what have heard
from different sources, is, that the mines of
Potosi is another Fraser river humbug, and
should be guarded against by parties having
made up their minds to go to the mines. |
advise all intending to go to Potosi to re-
10 xrko Al,
may be the better able to Judge what they
are about to undertake. The distance S
800 or 400 miles over mountainous coun-
try and sandy desert, with little or no food
except what is packed for man or beast and
when you get there, what then? You see
no person at work. If rich, why are the
mines not worked? Several parties are
waiting one for the other with little or no
success. As regards the San Antonio Claim
which was discovered by the Mormons where
they found lead to make bullets for their
guns, it is the best among the claims.
This is written merely as warning to
men who have made their minds up to go to
the Potosi mines. 1t has been reported,
though falsely, that they were as rich as
Washoe, and one claim actually sold at
S9O0-the Mayfeld claim, | understand
Much more could say; but think l have
stated sufficient for persons to judge. The
water along the route were obliged to
mix with corn meal for animals, and water
of any description is indeed scarce about
Potosi and the neighborhood. Persons pur-
suing the route will be Mortified with the
country. II. G. SIMoNs.
The writer of the foregoing communica-
tion has left at the publication office, on
Montgomery street, of the Bulletin, speci-
mems from the various claims above men
toned, for the inspection of the curious
ED. BULLETIN.