The weekly Butte record., 1863-01-17
Letter from the East.
EDITORIAL coHErsroxDEScE.l
THREE RIVERS, Mich. Dec. 20.
Taxfn. Mining Claims.

MA have been exempt from taxation. Legis-
ation, both State ard National. has left the
minerals Of California open to every citizen
who choose 70 delve in the earth TO procure
them. 1t will be remembered that. during the
pending of the recent election, the Democracy,
in caavassiag the county, predicted that the
extravaganza Of the present Administration, if
persisted in, would lead to the taxation or
sale OF the mineral lands belonging to
the General Government. This point was
particularly urged in the mineral portion Of
Butte county, and the people were urged to
demand more economical administration Of
affairs
The prediction then made is about to be
verified The warning then given by the De
mocracy was unheeded, and the recommends
ton for the sale or taxation OF the mineral
lands is made in the annual report Of the See
re;ary Of the Treasury Alter mentioning the
various resources of the Government from
which revenue may be derived, the Secretary
proceeds to say:
" But the American Republic possesses i'm
mense resources which have not yet been called
into contribution. The gold bearing region of
the United States stretches through near Is
degrees of latitude. from British Columbia on
the north to Mexico on the south and through
more than 30 degrees of longitude, from the
eastern declivities of the Rocky MOuntains to
the Pacific Ocean 1t includes two States,
California and Oregon; four entire Territories,
Utah, Nevada, New Mexico. and Washington;
and parts Of three other Territories, Colorado,
Nebraska. and Dacotah. 1t forms an area of
more than million of square miles. the whole
OF which, with comparatively Insignificant ex-
ceptlonS, Is the property of the nation. II is
rich not only in gold but in silver copper,
iron, lead, and many other valuable minerals.
Its product Of gold and silver during the cur
rent year will not much, if at all probably fall
very short Of Sl00,000,000 and it must long
continue gradually, yet rapidly, to increase. If
this product be Subjected to a reasonable
seignorage, as suggested by some, or, if, as
suggested by Others the mineral lands be sub
divided and sold in convenient parcels, with
proper reservations in favor of the miners now
IN occupation OF particular localities, very
considerable revenue may, doubtless. be ob-
tanned from this region without hardship TO
the actual settlers and occupants"
But for the fact that | am in Michigan and
that shinplasters and baukbills constitute the
currency might almost imagine it California.
Up to the present time, the weather has not
been more severe than with You during the
winter months. If it has been no more severe
with the army, they may consiler themselves
fortunate. Bat the sight of silver or gold
coin is as rare here nowadays as that of a
grizzly bear or What is It." Such coin
are not now known in the places that once
knew them. They are sunk in old stockings
or other places, as they are something that
will keep, and shinplasters are showed around
in their stead. Even greeubacks are not al
lowed to circulate. They are appropriated BY
bankers, changed into U. s 6 per cent bonds.
and bills issued in their stead. So goes the
currency here, and so it will go until all banks
of issue are damned.
\ 50 CALLED Free Labor organization has
been formed in Eastern North Carolina, and
meeting of this sort has nominated Gen. Banks
for the next Presidency. 1t is stated that they
are opposed to the election of representatives
to the present Congress, desiring, we suppose,
that the Presidents emancipation proclamation
shall go into effect then 1t is said, also. that
in accordance with the wishes of this party
Gov. Stanly, who has long had the Presidents
authority for calling an election, will decline to
do so.
IT is said that the French meau to seize and
occupy Sonora, and if so, We expect that they
also mean to keep it, as an indemnity for
French debts, and the expenses of the present
expedition What say our California friends
to French colony on their borders, circum.
scr:bing their manifest destiny. and holding the
port of Guyamas, the mouth of the Colorado.
and the Gulf of California? Up (Orovile)
Guards, and at EN-
DEMAND FOR THE RELEASE OF STATE PRIs-
oSERs.-The City Council of Galeua, Illinois,
have passed resolution requesting Governor
Yates to demand of the Federal Government
the return of VI. Y. Johnson and David Shee-
han to the State of Illinois that, if any charges
are against them, they may have speedy and
public trial in that State In accordance with
this resolution, Gov. Yates has requested their
return Of the Secretary of War This is
better state of things, for which the people
may thank the gallant Democracy of Illinois
Other States will do likewise, as soon as the
people are aroused to the dangers that threaten
popular rights ana civil liberty.
ADMISSION OF WESTERN VIRGIxIA.-West-
ern Virginia has been admitted into the Union
as a State in violation Of the express provision
Of the Constitution. which declares that no
new State shall be formed or created within
the jurisdiction Of any other State; nor any
State formed by the junction Of two or more
States, or parts Of States, without the consent