QUARTZ MINING.
After a few preliminary remarks upon the permanency of the gold mines of this State, the author proceeds to an elaborate consideration of the geological position which the quartz veins hold to the rocks with which they are connected. Under the head of “Character and positions of the older veins below the surface,â€� he concludes thus:—
From what testimony we have in our possession relative to these veins, it seems but reasonable to conclude that their integrity is perfect, or as nearly so as can be reasonably expected considering the short period which has been employed in developing their true character, and that the confidence which they formerly possessed was well grounded; all subsequent examinations have only tended to confirm this belief in the minds of those who have carefully and diligently studied this subject. The present condition of our gold mines, their flourishing state and prospective value, based on facts as now developed, most clearly indicate their importance as an industrial pursuit, and one destined ere long to form one of the leading interests in the economy of the State; and as such it would seem that all prudent measures to develop farther their extent and value, and place them upon that footing before the world which that value and importance demand, should be used; either through the State or general government, and through them promote such measures as will prove an inducement to more extensive and permanent operations than has yet been done.
In concluding this part of the report, and in connection with the magnitude and importance of perhaps a somewhat exciting principle in relation to it, I would beg leave to call your attention to a point on which there has heretofore existed much diversity of opinion, which not unfrequently has engendered angry discussion and belligerent feeling in a large proportion of our mining population. The experience of the last three years has elucidated the fact most clearly that the two mining interests of this State cannot be governed by the same rule of law in all cases, and prove alike advantageous to both; it is therefore suggested whether some method more congenial to this interest may not be adopted, that will favour the occupancy and improvement of the metallic veins of this State, giving at the same time the widest scope and protection to all at present engaged, and those who may wish hereafter to enter upon those pursuits.
* * * *
The mines of this State are of a character and value which, if placed in a proper position, will invite investment from abroad to an amount little less than twenty millions of dollars within the next eight years. This presumption is founded on the fact that more than one-sixth of that amount is at the present time in active operation in this country, and its largest proportion has been derived from American sources during a portion of that period when public confidence had been shaken in regard to their value. Negotiations are now pending which involve nearly one million more of capital investment in this branch of mining, nearly one half of which is in the cities of Boston and New York.
Considering the disadvantages that now surround them, as shown from the facts relating thereto, they can but be regarded as the prolific sources of wealth in this country; and every inducement consistent with the liberal policy adopted in the government of the placers, is equally applicable, and should be extended to them.
Dr. Trask concludes his very able report by briefly reviewing the operations of the following mines, viz.: Lafayette and Helvetia, Gold Hill, Osborne Hill, Wyoming, Gold Tunnel, Illinois, Jones and Davis Mine, Calaveras county; Spring Hill, Amadore Company, Ranchoree, Keystone, and Eureka Mine, Calaveras County, all of which he represents in a prosperous condition.
THE END.
BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.
[1] Captain J. B. Frisbie.
[2] From Vacca or Vaca—cow.
[3] Sun-dried brick.
[4] Lasso.
[5] I am supposing the case of an unarmed person suddenly meeting a she-bear, a not unusual occurrence in California.
[6] Query:—(Printer’s Devil.)
[7] As it would be inferred from this that champagne must have been cheap, I may mention that at this period the prices ranged from 2l. to 4l. the bottle, and the quality was execrable.
[8] This fact alone proves the truth of my remarks.
[9] The intelligent reader will observe that this was not the same house that was thrown overboard.
[10] In which it will be observed they were more merciful than I was; but the “coyote� comes under the head of vermin.
[11] “Drinks� are not necessarily composed of intoxicating liquors: on the contrary, the principal ingredients are ice, syrup, and herbs. I mention this, because we mean by a man who “drinks,� a drunkard, or the next thing to it.
[12] Looking, in fact, for new diggings.
[13] Deposits of Gold.
[14] Scalp.
[15] Gold washers.
[16] But when a couple of Chinamen make a demand for sam-schou, then the bar-keeper is puzzled.
[17] The reader will observe, if he pleases, that in erecting this hotel I had no view to becoming its landlord: had I taken any situation in it, it would have been in the capacity of “boots,â€� which berth a “handy young manâ€� can turn to better account in this country than even the head cook. That a cook’s situation, with or without tea and sugar is lucrative, the following anecdote will attest:—In ’49 the captain of a merchant brig at San Francisco having engaged a crew, regardless of expense, in lieu of that which had run away, regardless of their contracts and arrears of pay, found himself still in want of a cook. Meeting a negro on the beach he offered him the situation, and to the enquiry of the latter respecting salary, the captain said he could give but two pounds a day. Having cocked his hat, folded his arms and adjusted his legs as niggers do, this fellow laughed musically and said, “dat if de capten wish to hire heseff out for five pounds a day to fill dat occupation, jes walk up to the restaurant and he would set him to work immediently.â€�
[18] In Mexico.
[19] Independent of the probability of there having been more than one formation.—See Appendix.
[20] Obsolete term revived.
[21] A converted Budhist will address his prayers to our God if he thinks he can obtain any temporal benefit by so doing; but if not he would be just as likely to pray to Budha or to the devil.—Baker’s “Rifle and Hound in Ceylon,â€� page 85.
[22] If the reader will refer to the “Times� of the 29th of September, 1854, he will perceive that a liberal collection was made at St. James’s, Piccadilly, for the Borneo Mission. In the same journal, three days earlier, the police magistrates express their regret that want of funds compels them to deny assistance to surviving sufferers from the cholera! All have, of course, a right to do as they like with their money; but after the hat had passed round at St. James’s, I should have liked to have seen its liberal contents transferred at once to Bermondsey instead of to Kuchin. And for this reason, that I know, from personal experience, that my old friends the Dyaks are as fat and sleek a people as any in the world, well fed, well housed, and free from disease, whilst the stomachs of those at Spitalfields, charitable sir, are aching with the hunger that drives man to crime!
[23] Rich deposits were discovered, but I am not aware of the value of the quartz generally at Carson’s Creek.
[24] Our object was still only to experimentalise.
[25] The reader will perceive the bitter irony conveyed in this expression as contrasted with the complimentary one of “some pumpkins.�
[26] The best use to which an India-rubber sheet can be put, is to protect during the day that part of the ground on which you sleep at night.
[27] Since this was written, an election has taken place, calculated to give satisfaction to the Reform Party.
[28] A little paper called the “Sun� deserves great credit for the courage with which it has attacked existing abuses!
[29] I beg to forestall the remark that may here be applied to me, that I am myself a know nothing, and defend the sect from fellow-feeling.
[30] Air-boats with life lines and floats suspended from their gunwales.
[31] As this goes to press I add a few extracts from a report in the “Timesâ€� of December 8, 1854, of the loss of the troop ship “Charlotteâ€� and 117 lives in Algoa Bay, September 20th:—
“*** On the life-boat coming alongside it was found that every one on board was completely paralysed, or overcome by the calamity. *** Three separate times the life-boat pulled alongside, but there was no one in a position even to cast a line to it. *** A great number threw themselves overboard. Some were fortunate enough to reach the shore, but the majority were drowned.�
This ship was apparently in a position favourable for the preservation of life, had confidence existed.
[32] These remarks were written previous to the loss of the “Arctic.�
[33] I trust the reader will understand that if I omit to write seriously of my feelings on recovery from a death-bed, it is because I consider a work like this no place for them.
[34] Extensive fields of good serviceable coal have been discovered in Southern Oregon.—Author.
| Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber: |
|---|
| that encirled them => that encircled them {pg 98} must be re-remembered=> must be remembered {pg 175} thet he was induced=> that he was induced {pg 204} It is generallly inferred=> It is generally inferred {pg 276} the valley is is about=> the valley is about {pg 435} I shall speak by and and bye=> I shall speak by and bye {pg 68} |