, 1862-03-22
Our Gold Mines,

in the upper country. For the past FIVE
months the eyes of the whole Pacific coast
have been turned towards the rich gold
mines of Salmon river, and the story of
their richness has even caused men to leave
their homes in the east and bend their
steps hither ard, in the hope of securing
share of the glitterng treasure. The
large amounts of gold taken from these
mines months ago banished all doubts as to
their richness, and their extensiveness only
remains for future development Yet, even
though this matter is involved in some
doubt, thousands are alreadyon their way
to the mines, and though they all come
impelled by the one motive, and cheered
by the same hope Of amassing wealth in
the mines, it will be but natural and usual
if the majority of them are disappointed.
But this should not argue against tile mines;
for if there should not be room there for
all there will be room at least for large
proportion Of them, and thus a thousand
channels for pecuniary advancement will be
opened in the vicinity of and outside Of the
mines.
The experience of California has proven
that those who pursue some steady calling
in the vicinity Of the mines are as a class
more successful in securing a liberal share
of gold than those vhe engage in digging
it from the earth; consequently the ex-
citement below among spectators and ira
ders is not less intense than among min
ers, ard the most eligible positions FOR
towns and trading posts are as eagerly in
quired for by them as the best gold districts
are by the miner. During the past winter,
when have obtained glimpse, through
a Portland paper, at the minds and doings
of men below, we have noticed items to the
effect that this or that point was gaining
in public favor, and that merchants from
San Francisco and Portland would take
large stocks of goods to these places in the
spring But the fate of all these points
must depend upon their nearness to the
mines, their centrality and accessibility, and
more than all, the character of the country
by which they are surrounded. The coun-
try is yet too little known for any one to
give an idea of its future position. beyond
; what may be imagined as the consequence
of the working Of its rich mines, and in
our opinion, this claiming for any one point
in the mining region superiority over all
others is premature. It is true, as general
rule however, that the point which 'gets
the start" continues foremost in the march
of improvement, and is seldom ever afec-
ted by rivals which spring up around it,
having the advantage only Of being few
miles nearer to some favored spot
A false idea seems to prevail below that
the Salmon river mines are the only i'm
pOrtant mines in the upper country, and
the universal aim seems to be get as near
to them as possible. This should be
+, corrected. An important mining region
has lately been found on Powder river, and
if we may credit what is told us about these
mines-and we have no reason for doubt
ing tive predict that during the next
three months they will become in public
estimation not less important than the
mines Of Salmon river. The gold found
there is coarse, and Of much purer quality
than that obtained on Salmon river, while
the amount made per day is fully equal to
the rule Of Salmon river These mines are
situated about from 35 to SO miles from
the Grand Ronde valley, and about so
miles from this valley.
1t has long been believed by those best
informed upon the subject, taat rich gold
mines exist also on this side Of the Blue
mountains; and indeed prospects have been
found, in several places, which Justify this
belief Coarse gold was found some two
years ago near Robie's old NIL site only
about fifteen miles from this city, and fair
prospects were found about TIE same time
t-e l.v-,,l e 9l;ll es.~l-, ~ -e-,~~l-l;.rs
belonging to Capt. Dents company, then
stationed at Fort Walla Walla Neither
of these places have been thoroughly pros
pected.
From BEIow.-From persons who have
arrived here from the Dalles during the
week we learn that there were some four
thousand miners in Portland, fifteen days
ago, awaiting the opening of navigation to
the upper country. Hundreds were ai1iv-