Year: 1861

AmOtner Ncw NhAhcsN GAChtheht


For the last six or seven years the people OF
California have not been free from some cause of
general excitement. The late reported discovery
of fabulously rich gold mines in the Nez Perez
country. in Washington Territory, is the fourth
great humbug of that peculiar character which
has been developed within as many years.


The mining population of this State is certain
ly much more susceptible to 6imsy rumor than
any other portion Of our people. In fact " dis
tance lends enchantment to the view,' and so it
will be- we presume, for all time to come. The
mere discovery OF the color of gold on the bars
of Frazer river was enough to throw the whole
citement-one which well nigh dcpopulated ma
ny sections of the State. 1t is not necessary for
us to tell the effects which that excitement pro-
duced, and the deep and INJURIOUS changes it made
upon the fortunes of thousands. 1t will be re-
membered that hundreds Of enterprisng miners
from the northern part of California left for the
"new mines," with the highest hopes of realiz-
ing immense fortunes by few months labor 1t
will be remembered, too, that hundreds of the
poor fellows thus deluded after toling for a sea-
son. after having exhausted the means they took
with them, after suffering and hardships nnu-
merable, when finally reduced to the verge Of
starvation were compelled to push their way to
the sea board as best they could and beg or work
their passage to California.


The new mines in Washington Territory are
said to be rich. Just so rumor had the mines at
Gold Bluff at Fort Colville, and at Frazer river.
The men who have created and still cause the
most excitement about the Nex Perez mines are
not men who labor for living. They are spec
uators gamblers, stock dealers, and others who
only flourish by the rush of excitements of this
character. Suppose for instance, that fifty, a
hundred, or even thousand good mining claims
have been found in the new diggngs, what does
it prove? Are there not ten thousand rich gold
claims in this county if the hand of enterprise
will but develop them? Men are obliged to work
increasingly and hard in those new mines to ties
their richness Precisely the same, and nothing
more is required to prospect claim on any OF
the river bars, or in any of the hills or fats in
Trinity, with the same chances of finding good
pay or no color. But in times of excitement men
who delight in change do not for a moment stop
to think of the advantages or disadvantages of
their removal, or the final results of their foolish
adventure.


The country in which the new mines are oca-
ted has but few advantages as a successful min
ing region, compared with California. In the
first place the winters are extremely long and
cold. In the second place it is the dryest coun-
try in the world in the summer season this we
know from actual experience. Thirdly, those
who winter there will be subject to every imposi-
tion in obtaining supplies Fourtbly, there is
little or no protection for life or property, be-
cause the numerous tribes of Indians are CON
stanty at war with the whites. The cost of go.
ing to the new mines cannot be reckoned at less
than 5000, that of returning the same, making
an Investment Of $400 for the chances of finding
a better claim than the one they left. The diff.
ference would be this between prospecting for O
claim in Trinity county and following rumor in
pursuit Of big Jumps.


Generally the miner in Trinity county can find
at an expense of not more than $50, q claim that
will pay good wages, while the adventurer who il
forever on the wing has to travel hundreds OF
miles, and perhaps invest the earnings Of years
for the mere chances of better results.


Let those who are prone to believe every rl-
NOR, reflect upon the change and effect such
wild goose chase" would have upon their for.
tunes.


p. S.-The Yreka Journal of Oct. 3lst, says
"Twenty five men, accompanying a Government
train which passed through here this week, were
employed at $50 per month, near the Nez Perez
mines, which shows no good prospects up there
for anybody"