The Placer herald., 1863-07-25
NEW ALMADEN.- MINES OF CAL.
IFORNIA.

Of the most startling nature are of daily
occurrence; but an event has transpired
recently, calculated to wake from their
repose, the people of the entire Pacific
Coast. The material wealth of this and
surrounding States and Territories, consists
of the native stores of mineral wealth in
the placers, hills and veins of mineral
lodes. For the speedy deve lopment Of
these, it is necessary that they should be
left free to the energies Of the miner con-
ditioned only that he shall continue to
expend his money and labor in developing
the same. Heretofore all arguments and
agtations concerning the best disposition Of
this subject has settled into this judgment.
They are located principally npon the
public lands, but the miner has occupied
and owned them under the Democratic
rule for near fourteen years. These lands
for any other purpose than mining, are
comparatively vaueless, and to develop
them as mines. vast sums of money and
immense amounts Of labor have been ex
pended on them, TO place them in a profit
yielding condition. In some instances these
expenditures have proven failures; but in
promise.
Among these mineral stores, are the de-
nf e ~,
are in the county Of Santa Clara the
richest Of which, and perhaps the richest
mine in the world, is that of New Almaden.
This mine has been in litigation for num-
Der of years, being claimed by different per.
sons under grants from the Mexican Gov
ernment, and also on the ground of posses
sion. During this litigation the Attorney
General and Mr. Buchanan caused the
United States to be made party in the
action.
This proceeding, it is contended, was
wrong; but, however that may be, it is
plain that, release the mine from the con
tention under the Mexican grant, and it
stands upon exactly the same footing that
any other mines upon public lands in the
United States does, and it is not reasonable
that this mine should be made an exception
to the otherwise universal rule Within the
past eight months the Supreme Court Of the
United States rendered decision denying
the title OF one Of the claimants under
Mexican title, and more recently this decis
ion has been made the pretext for warrant
under the hand and seal of Abraham Lin
coin to take possession Of the mine as the
property of the United States Here is
copy of the warrant:
To c. ". Rond Esq, .Narshal of the United
States for The .N0rthern District Of CaHfornia.
WHEREAS. 1t has come TO my knowledge that one
Andres Castillero, and divers persons acting or
claiming to act under him as his agents or rs.
signs. have, under and by virtue of pretended
grant or grants from the lawfully constituted
authorities of the Republic Of Mexico occupied
and taken possession ol and made settlement on
portion OF the public lands Of the United States
situate in the county Of Santa Clara and State
OF California, commonly called and known rs the
New Almaden Quicksilver mining property. and
embracing about three thousand varas Of land in
all directions from the mouth of the mine, CON-
monty called and known as the New Almaden
Quicksilver Mine, and have ior long time past
by extracting valuable minerals theIcfrom and
converting the same to their own use by erecting
buildings and other improvements thereon. and
by othe: unauthorized acts used and enjoyed the
sad portion of the public lands rs if they were
the lawful owners thereof; all of which acts have
been without the consent and against the rights
of the United States
"AND WHEREAS, By the decision of the Su-
preme Court OF the United States, at the Decem-
Der term Of the Court last past, it has been ad
Judged that the grant or grants from the lawfully
constituted authorities Of the Republic Of Mexico,
under which the said Andres Ca>tilero und the
persons claiming under him rs agents or assigns
have claimed and pretended TO hold the said de-
scrbed portion Of the public land, is or are frau
dulent and void, and conferred no right whatever
to the said described portion OF the public lands
or the minerals thereon whereby it appeared
that the said Andres Castllero and the persons
claiming under him rs agents or assigns, now in
possession of the said described premises, are in
truders thereon without right And whereas the
said described portion of the public lands has
never been surveyed and opened to settlement
and sale under the laws Of the United States.
"N0,c, therefore, |. Abraham Lincoln, Pres-
dent OF the Uni ed States, by virtue Of the power
and authority in me vested by the Act approved
the Sd day of March, A. D.. 1907. chap. Az, entit
ed An Act to prevent settlements being made on
lands cedrd to the United States, until authorized
by llw,' do hereby order and direct you to enter
upon that portion of the public lands situate in
Santa Clara county, in the State of California,
commonly called and known as the New Almaden
mining property, embracing about three thousand
varas of land in all directions from the mouth
Of the mine commonly c lled and known as the
New Almaden Quicksilver mine, and 10 remove
therelrom any and every person or persons who
shall be found on the same and deliver the said
premises. with all the appurtenances of what
soevcr kind TO the possession of Leonard SWEET,
an agent who has been duly authorized by me to
take possession of and hold the same for the
United States; and also. that you take such
measures and call to your assistance such military
force Of the United States in California as may he
necessary to execute this order.
I'm witness whereof have hereunto affixed my
hand this sth day OF May, 1863"
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
1t will be observed that the right of the
| I1nited States to this mina i, stated in this