The Placer herald., 1863-11-28
From the AmadOr Ledger.
Our Copper L0des.

examine the subject in all its bearings, good
and sufficient reasons can be deduced for
such conclusions. We are aware that great
attention is now being attracted towards the
copper mines, and yet we apprehend that its
actual extent, Importance aud present status,
is known aud fully comprehended by bat
very few people. Statistical information not
having been circulated, it is difficult for even
well informed persons to gain the knowledge
requisite for and enlightened comprehension
Of this important interest. Some few months
past all was excitement in regard to these
mines, which in great measure has passed
away, and now, organized efforts directed
by good, sound sober judgment, are at work
in their development.
Already has there been vast amounts of
ore brought to the surface aud the most
valuable portions which form no inconsder-
able amount shipped to the market Suf.
fcient work has been done to establish the
value and importance of several mines Local
ted on the copper belt which seems to ex
tend the entire length OF the State-ore havi
ing been found at intervals from Los Angeles
to Del Norte county. AS the work Of
development and progress goes on, i'm
portant calculations and estimates with
regard to the future of this new branch of
industry figures conspicuouslv in commercial
circles. A glance at the value of many Of
these mines even now, while in their infancy.
and the amount, Of ore shipped in their pres.
ent not fairly prospected condition will con-
vince the most skeptca of the vast magn,
tule of this interest, and the beneficial re,
suits which the whole people of California
may at no distant day expect to receive there
from.
1t is scarcely year since w. X. Reed,
the discoverer of the Union mine in Caave.
ras county, sold 975 feet of that lode to the
firm of Meader, Laor e. Co., at the rate of
about $67 per foot The same "ieet" are
estimated at $l40O per foot, and probably
could not be purchased for that amonut.
The keystone is another valuable mine,
held at high figure.
In our county the number Of valuable
mines now Shipping or about to ship, are the
Cosumnes Company, the Oriental, the Lay.
fayette, the Willow Springs, the Newton,
the lone City, and Lancha Plana Com
pany.
There are other mines north of this coun-
ty regularly Shipping ore, but we have no
data upon which to base statements concern
ing them. Enough is known, however, to
foreshadow that upon California copper
mines we can rely for a permanent source of
prosperity; covering larger area than all
the combined copper fields in the known
world, we regard it as inexhaustible, and as
forming the staple article on which TO build
our future greatness.
The fear or intimation expressed by many
that the immense increase of copper yield
will somewhat decrease the value of this
metal, is entirely groundess. Nothing Of the
kind need be entertained. The statistics
show that lie value Of copper has been reg
ularly advancing in price for many years,
Notwithstanding that the Lake Superior
mines have nearly or quite doubled the sup
ply. The modern wants of commerce, of the
arts and Sciences make this article indispen.
sable; even should the supply be increased
hundred fold the consumption would be ade
quate to this increase. Another important
fact which is well enough to look at while
on this subject is, that the copper mines of
Eng land are giving out 1t is said that
"Many Of the once productive mines Of
Cornwall are now worked for tin only."-
Chill, once great source for supply, is also
falling, and according to the London Mining
Journal, there is a fair prospect of the yield
entirely ceasing. 1t appears that the in
creased demand this metal, has made the
discovery Of now copper field great com
mercial necessity, and, moreover, that we are
among the most fortunate people u the world
nj having our lot cast in the very center of
these rich, highly productive and to all ap-
pearances inexhausless deposits.
The London Mining Journal says:
at appears from all Information that can
be obtained that the demand for metals is
greatly on the increase, and must increase as
nation after nation sees the necessity of
adopting liberal tariffs. The copper mining
interests has suffered more than any other
branch Of mining enterprise during the last
two years. wide spread rumor was circula-
ted month ago that the stock ofcopper in
England was much greater than for many
years past; but such is not the fact. The
stock at present is much below what it has
been for several years, and returns from the
mines, generally, greatly on the decline. AT
least twenty Of the greatest mines in Corn
wall during the last forty years, may be said
to be almost exhausted-for copper, and
some of them are now ranked as tin mines,
only. Several of the mines in Chill are re
ported to be nearly exhausted or have ceased
to be Of any commercial value, as they we're
surface deposits, principally, and the copper
not found in regular veins in lodes as in this
country; but mere carbonas or blocks Of cop
per on the surface. Foreign mines will not
pay as arule, at standard under Gl40 ($7OO.)
No doubt legitimate specuations in copper
mines, at present are some Of the safest investi
ments the public can embark their spare cap
ital in"
I'll BET YE. VILLA clergyman, con-
soling young widow on the death Of her
husband, remarked that she could not find
bic anual MI hut will y LIN