Volume 11 (1865) (424 pages)

a xf ournal of alseful Arts, Seience, and Wining and Mechanical Lrogress. DEWEY . CO,, PUBLISILERS } ‘And Patent Soliclturs, y VOLUMEXYI, Numher 21, TABLE OF CONTENTS. Tmiportavl Meeting of Minorst A New and Oonvenlent illichln Colorado Territory, Ing Bux’, ibe Vbdo-opby ot digep—jPit-burg Railroad — Mount No.2 lablo, : Avawer lo *Elecirical Quer-. llard Hydraulle Cement los"? Prafits of the Express BusiLetter from Virglula Cliv—. __ ness, A New nud Improved! Mining Sunnmary. Quarts Mill. Rdltacial aud Seleeled. Mixed Meta. Miniuy Shurcholders’ DireeThe New Metal, Manganese,! lory. and ls Ores, Stock Sales and Reports. Sateiy uf Lite, Sau Frauelses Prices Varrent Buried Troasure. Sew Mining aud Oiher AdVarnishing Furnilure, verlisemenuls, Ele. IMPORTANT MEETING OF MINERS IN COLORADO TERRITORY. Pursuant to @ notice published in the newspapers, a large number of the citizens of Colorado ‘Verritory, interested in inining, met in convention, at Central City, on the 8th of Nevember, 1864, when Hon, Wm. R. Gorsline was called to the chair, and G. C. Post chosen Secretary. ; His Excellency, Governor Evans, being present, was called on to address the inceting upon the subject of Congressional legislation in regard to the mining interest, which he. did, at considerable length, alter which he offered the fallowing ~ PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. Wuerras, Various propositions have recently been presented to Congress, foreshada wing a change in the policy of the Government in regard ta oar mines, looking to the realization of immediate revenne rather than their rapid discovery and permanent and successful development, aud Wurreas, Tliece is great danger that euch legislation may tend to cripple rather than to encourage our mining interests. ‘therefore, Resolved, By this meeting of miners and other citizens of Colorado Territory, Ist. That we respectfully pretest against the application of any systeni of Tenantry to the operation of our imines. : 2d. That we respectfully ask Congress to pass a law, giving in fee simple, under proper regulations, at least one thousand lineal feet of each lode to euch persou or persons as sball hereafter discover and develop the same. 3d. That we ask that the miners’ titles to the mines already discovered, as at present held by them, be confirmed by Congress. 4th. That we ask for the establishment of a miaing Bureau in the Interior Department of the Government, and that Geological Surye of our mineral regions may be provided or.Which, after being fully unanimously adopted. The followiag resolutions were then offered by Gen. H. M. Teller: Resolved, That hisgExcelleney, Governor Evans, be requested to lay the proceedings of this meeting before Congress, in such maaner as he may deem proper, and urge upan its attention the viewe expressed in the resolutions passed. Adopted. Also, Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of thie meeting be forwarded to our delegate in Congress, the Hon. H. P. Bennett, and that the samo bo published in the various newspapers in the Territury; when, On motion, the meeting adjourned. discussed, were In pursuance to one of the above resolutions, . Gov. Evans forwarded the proceedings of the meeting to Washington, accompanied with an . appropriate letter, and the eubjoined “ memorial,” which we publish in full, as, in our belief, equally expressive of the views ofa great majority of the citizeas of California. ‘I'he subject of the resolutions, and the accompanying nemorial, will come up for discussion before SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1865. tlle approaching Cougress. We wouldask the particular attention of the miners of California, Nevadu, and other portions of the Pacific coast, to this inotter, with especial reference to the action which iaay be had by the proposed convention or conventions which may be held tlic coming winter iu tle States and ‘I'crritories, which lave uat yet made their vaice heard directly at Washington. ‘I'he following is the ‘MEMORIAL. These resolutions may strike some who are not familiar with mining operations as presumptuous. But na one who las been a miner, or lived ina mining country—who knows by experignce or actual observation, that the guld aud silver of our mincs costs its full value in actual labor and search to the masses of those who are engaged in the business—will fail to regard thein as reasonable. I know that they have the liearty concurrence of the great body of the people of Colorado Territory. whether they are enyaged in miniug or other avocations, from general inquiry made, and the hearty unanimity with which they were adopted. The farmer, the merchant, the banker, the inanufacturer, and other classes, are each supposed best to understand the bearing of questions affecting their respective branches of business, and whiy should the miner be an excep: tion ? Mining being a local business, and less generally understood than most others, requires mare careful consideration before measures affecting its prosperity are adopted. . Hoping that these views of a respectable body of men engaged in the bnsiness, may receive a favorable consideration, they are submitted with the following suggestions: NATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF MINING, That part of the public domain lying between the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, extendiug from British Columbia to Mexico, is nearly one thousand miles square, and while it is believed to be generally pervaded by rich mines, it is far the greater part a trackless waste, of mountains. Though containing treasures that might enrich the nation, it will toa great extent remain utterly useless until the prospector explores and seeks out its hidden treasures. And this can oaly be done to advantage by private enterprise. A wise political econamy would seem to dictate the most liberal encouragement to citizens of tho country to induce them to go in search of these hidden treasures. If they enrich her citizens, they eurich the nation whose wealth and power are not in national proprietorship. bnt in the actual wealth and strong arms of her people. Mining for the precious metals in its relation to the national prosperity is a peculiar business, in that it converts all tbat is expended in carrying it on into gold and silver. The domestic productioa of bullion is a direct addition of its full amount to the national wealth. The national credit is measured by the ainount of gold and silver, and of articles that are convertible into these that are in the country, and that cau be produced in time ta meet its necessities. herefare, in proportion as bullion shall flow into the country, mere and more rapidly the national credit will rise, whether it is derived from exportation or domestic production, Were it demonstrated that the balance of foreigu trade would be largely increased in our favor for a series of years, the national eredit would improve according to the amaunt of such balance. The same result would follow a like iacrease in the domestic production of bullion, Therefore, to increase that production, is to inerease the national credit. All the labor expended. the subsisteuce, iron and other manufactured articles consumed in the production of gold and silver in the country, are disposed of ina manner equivalent ta their sale in a for‘eign market. ‘I'o impose a royalty or any other : 8pecial tax upon the businese, is equivalent to! Fa an export duty upon the product of the labor, and the articles consumed in it. In other avords, a tax upon the prodnetion of gold and silver at home, ig. in effect, the same as a {ax upon gold received from abroad, in payment for articles of export. Shonld such a tax diminish ar retard the increase of the aanual production, it would cost the government more than cun be realized by the sale, the rent. ar any other mode of taxing mines, for it would depreciate the national credit—and a smail depreciation of national credit upon an annual expenditure of five huvdred millians would exceed the entire annual domestic product of gold and silver. That a tax upon the production of gold and silver, however imposed, will diminish the annual praduct, will appear from the following considerations: Ist, Producers of rll ather articles cau save themselves from loss on account of the payment of speciul taxes, hy increasing their prices. ‘Ihe ininer cannot do so, for the product is the standard ofall values. While it will cost him the same in gold ta produce the bullion from this mine, with or without a tax.of-course lic must lose the full amaunt of tax imposed, which, in ease of a large yield and small profit, would necessitate a loss,and a suspeasion of the business. If the relative value of the gold is increased by the amount of the tax, the object of collecting it, which is to keep the national credit good, and thus keep down the ‘price of gold, is defeated efiectually. Tf the annual product of gold could be inereascd proportionally hy a payment of a premium on the production of the precious inetals, and the continued freedom of the mines, it would seein to be a wiser policy, for there can he no moré important praduct to the national interest; certainly fish are not, upon which a bounty is paid. If fishing educates seamen, prospecting inures to the dangers and hardships of camp life. If fish are the result of uncertain research, hunting for undiscovered mines, from which the greatest increase of production hoped for must come, is eqnally uncertain. ‘he chance of sueccss in finding rich mines is the stimulus to search for them—and if by making the usage that has prevailed since the discovery of gold and silver in the mountains, the usage that gives the iniuer the mine for its discovery is a law of Congress, it is really adding no more encauragement to mining than its national importance, and the vast extent of nnexplored country lyiag idle seems to demand. <And if, as ig asserted to be true, the miaes really cost in the aggregate expense of their discovery and development all that they are worth, justice, as well as proper encouragement to mining, wonld seem to demaud that those who succeeded in finding and opening valuable mines should be entitled to their proprietorship. I am satisfied that any legislation that does not recognize this policy and right will seriously impede the progress of miaing operations, ‘he vast extent of unoccupied agricultural lands long held by the general goverument, added but little to the available wealth of the nation, except as they were cultivated by private enterprise. ‘Io the hardy and enterprising pioneer wha penetrated the wilderness nnder privation, and in tbe face of danger, does the government owe the development af the vast region of almost boundless wealtb and prosperity lying west of the Alleghany mountains, This region grew more and more rapidly as the land policy became mare liberal, under the light of experience, which has finally developed the trae political economy in the Homestead Law. In like manner the vast extent of mineral lands belonging to the government are valueless, except as the mines are discovercd aad developed by private enterprise, To cncourage this discovery and developmeat, by freely offering a title to such citizens as will find and develape mines, withaut the tedious course of discussion which preceded the Homestead policy, would speedily add to the national e wealth and power another great right arm of strength, If a guaantee ol title toa large @.t:ut of lode from the general government is offered, it will increase the inducements to prospectors to search for then. A premium on production would tend to more rapid developnicnt. But whether the premium is offered or not, the guarantee asked for in the second resolution would largely promote actiyity in mining. SALE OF THE MINRRAL LANDS. Aside from the question of expediency, is the sale of the mineral lauds practicable? ‘I'ho eulel or placer mines are divided into small tracts by the miners’ laws, and ure soon exhausted, some in a few months, others in a few years. ‘I'he delay of surveying them after their discovery would find many worked out. ‘I'o Tequire government surveys hefore they should be worked, if it were practicable, would check praspectiag aad discaveries, and it would largely diminish the product. ‘To sell or in any way interfere with the miners’ regulations in regard to this class of mines, it is believed would be impracticable and inexpedient, ‘he Lode niines, to which the resolutions have particular reference, are more permanent, and more difficult and expensive to develop and operate—from fifty to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars being’required usually for sinking shafts, opeaing the mines, and erecting the necessary machiucry. These mines which are to be the permanent sources of our domestic product of gold and silver, have thns far been developed but slowly—the principal part of the gold product of the country having been thus far derived from the placer or gulch mines. The difficulties in the way of the more rapid discovery and development of lode mines are expense and hazard uttending the business, The prospector first finds a blossom or surface indication of a lode, which may be fallacious. He then digs until he finds a crevice or vein. He then sinks a shaft to prove its exteut, and tests the richness of the ore, and ina large proportion: of cases to find the quantity too limited, or the quality toa poor. When he finds it valuable, he must procure the large capital necessary to work it, before he can make his discoyery available. The rich mires when found aad proved, are the prizes for which all the successful and unsuccessful efforts of the miners are made. Before their discovery they could scarcely be said to have any value, at least. their valuo wae like that of the fish on your coasts and in yourrivere, ‘I'he privilege of fiading them was at the risk af loze of time and means. Whien discovered and opened under the circumstances to whom do they in equity belong? What interest in them can the government sell, and how shall its-amount be determined ? Mines uat alreudy found of course cannot be sold. The privilege of finding nines would scarecly he currentin the market. ‘I'hose that are found to be worthless would not sell, and therefore sales must be confined to those that have under these circumstances beeu proved to be valuahle, ‘Io those iu which largo amounts have been invested under the usage of a free privilege to miners, and tho universal canviction aniong miners thatthe government would not interfere witb the minere’ titles, which canviction has gained strength and increased confidence ever since the abandonment of tbe proposition to scll the mineral lands, that was befare Congress soon after the acquisition of Califoraia. The sale ofthe mineral laads would require their survey into subdivisions which must correspond with the lodes, If surveyed into tracts that would give the present occupants and owners tracts of land that included their mines, and justice would reqnire this, it would be attended. by iasuperable embarrassments. Many of the lodes run soas to cross each other. Ja some iastances valuable lodes are near to each other, sametimes they approximate for a distance and then coalesce—many

a xf ournal of alseful Arts, Seience, and Wining and Mechanical Lrogress. DEWEY . CO,, PUBLISILERS } ‘And Patent Soliclturs, y VOLUMEXYI, Numher 21, TABLE OF CONTENTS. Tmiportavl Meeting of Minorst A New and Oonvenlent illichln Colorado Territory, Ing Bux’, ibe Vbdo-opby ot digep—jPit-burg Railroad — Mount No.2 lablo, : Avawer lo *Elecirical Quer-. llard Hydraulle Cement los"? Prafits of the Express BusiLetter from Virglula Cliv—. __ ness, A New nud Improved! Mining Sunnmary. Quarts Mill. Rdltacial aud Seleeled. Mixed Meta. Miniuy Shurcholders’ DireeThe New Metal, Manganese,! lory. and ls Ores, Stock Sales and Reports. Sateiy uf Lite, Sau Frauelses Prices Varrent Buried Troasure. Sew Mining aud Oiher AdVarnishing Furnilure, verlisemenuls, Ele. IMPORTANT MEETING OF MINERS IN COLORADO TERRITORY. Pursuant to @ notice published in the newspapers, a large number of the citizens of Colorado ‘Verritory, interested in inining, met in convention, at Central City, on the 8th of Nevember, 1864, when Hon, Wm. R. Gorsline was called to the chair, and G. C. Post chosen Secretary. ; His Excellency, Governor Evans, being present, was called on to address the inceting upon the subject of Congressional legislation in regard to the mining interest, which he. did, at considerable length, alter which he offered the fallowing ~ PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. Wuerras, Various propositions have recently been presented to Congress, foreshada wing a change in the policy of the Government in regard ta oar mines, looking to the realization of immediate revenne rather than their rapid discovery and permanent and successful development, aud Wurreas, Tliece is great danger that euch legislation may tend to cripple rather than to encourage our mining interests. ‘therefore, Resolved, By this meeting of miners and other citizens of Colorado Territory, Ist. That we respectfully pretest against the application of any systeni of Tenantry to the operation of our imines. : 2d. That we respectfully ask Congress to pass a law, giving in fee simple, under proper regulations, at least one thousand lineal feet of each lode to euch persou or persons as sball hereafter discover and develop the same. 3d. That we ask that the miners’ titles to the mines already discovered, as at present held by them, be confirmed by Congress. 4th. That we ask for the establishment of a miaing Bureau in the Interior Department of the Government, and that Geological Surye of our mineral regions may be provided or.Which, after being fully unanimously adopted. The followiag resolutions were then offered by Gen. H. M. Teller: Resolved, That hisgExcelleney, Governor Evans, be requested to lay the proceedings of this meeting before Congress, in such maaner as he may deem proper, and urge upan its attention the viewe expressed in the resolutions passed. Adopted. Also, Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of thie meeting be forwarded to our delegate in Congress, the Hon. H. P. Bennett, and that the samo bo published in the various newspapers in the Territury; when, On motion, the meeting adjourned. discussed, were In pursuance to one of the above resolutions, . Gov. Evans forwarded the proceedings of the meeting to Washington, accompanied with an . appropriate letter, and the eubjoined “ memorial,” which we publish in full, as, in our belief, equally expressive of the views ofa great majority of the citizeas of California. ‘I'he subject of the resolutions, and the accompanying nemorial, will come up for discussion before SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1865. tlle approaching Cougress. We wouldask the particular attention of the miners of California, Nevadu, and other portions of the Pacific coast, to this inotter, with especial reference to the action which iaay be had by the proposed convention or conventions which may be held tlic coming winter iu tle States and ‘I'crritories, which lave uat yet made their vaice heard directly at Washington. ‘I'he following is the ‘MEMORIAL. These resolutions may strike some who are not familiar with mining operations as presumptuous. But na one who las been a miner, or lived ina mining country—who knows by experignce or actual observation, that the guld aud silver of our mincs costs its full value in actual labor and search to the masses of those who are engaged in the business—will fail to regard thein as reasonable. I know that they have the liearty concurrence of the great body of the people of Colorado Territory. whether they are enyaged in miniug or other avocations, from general inquiry made, and the hearty unanimity with which they were adopted. The farmer, the merchant, the banker, the inanufacturer, and other classes, are each supposed best to understand the bearing of questions affecting their respective branches of business, and whiy should the miner be an excep: tion ? Mining being a local business, and less generally understood than most others, requires mare careful consideration before measures affecting its prosperity are adopted. . Hoping that these views of a respectable body of men engaged in the bnsiness, may receive a favorable consideration, they are submitted with the following suggestions: NATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF MINING, That part of the public domain lying between the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, extendiug from British Columbia to Mexico, is nearly one thousand miles square, and while it is believed to be generally pervaded by rich mines, it is far the greater part a trackless waste, of mountains. Though containing treasures that might enrich the nation, it will toa great extent remain utterly useless until the prospector explores and seeks out its hidden treasures. And this can oaly be done to advantage by private enterprise. A wise political econamy would seem to dictate the most liberal encouragement to citizens of tho country to induce them to go in search of these hidden treasures. If they enrich her citizens, they eurich the nation whose wealth and power are not in national proprietorship. bnt in the actual wealth and strong arms of her people. Mining for the precious metals in its relation to the national prosperity is a peculiar business, in that it converts all tbat is expended in carrying it on into gold and silver. The domestic productioa of bullion is a direct addition of its full amount to the national wealth. The national credit is measured by the ainount of gold and silver, and of articles that are convertible into these that are in the country, and that cau be produced in time ta meet its necessities. herefare, in proportion as bullion shall flow into the country, mere and more rapidly the national credit will rise, whether it is derived from exportation or domestic production, Were it demonstrated that the balance of foreigu trade would be largely increased in our favor for a series of years, the national eredit would improve according to the amaunt of such balance. The same result would follow a like iacrease in the domestic production of bullion, Therefore, to increase that production, is to inerease the national credit. All the labor expended. the subsisteuce, iron and other manufactured articles consumed in the production of gold and silver in the country, are disposed of ina manner equivalent ta their sale in a for‘eign market. ‘I'o impose a royalty or any other : 8pecial tax upon the businese, is equivalent to! Fa an export duty upon the product of the labor, and the articles consumed in it. In other avords, a tax upon the prodnetion of gold and silver at home, ig. in effect, the same as a {ax upon gold received from abroad, in payment for articles of export. Shonld such a tax diminish ar retard the increase of the aanual production, it would cost the government more

than cun be realized by the sale, the rent. ar any other mode of taxing mines, for it would depreciate the national credit—and a smail depreciation of national credit upon an annual expenditure of five huvdred millians would exceed the entire annual domestic product of gold and silver. That a tax upon the production of gold and silver, however imposed, will diminish the annual praduct, will appear from the following considerations: Ist, Producers of rll ather articles cau save themselves from loss on account of the payment of speciul taxes, hy increasing their prices. ‘Ihe ininer cannot do so, for the product is the standard ofall values. While it will cost him the same in gold ta produce the bullion from this mine, with or without a tax.of-course lic must lose the full amaunt of tax imposed, which, in ease of a large yield and small profit, would necessitate a loss,and a suspeasion of the business. If the relative value of the gold is increased by the amount of the tax, the object of collecting it, which is to keep the national credit good, and thus keep down the ‘price of gold, is defeated efiectually. Tf the annual product of gold could be inereascd proportionally hy a payment of a premium on the production of the precious inetals, and the continued freedom of the mines, it would seein to be a wiser policy, for there can he no moré important praduct to the national interest; certainly fish are not, upon which a bounty is paid. If fishing educates seamen, prospecting inures to the dangers and hardships of camp life. If fish are the result of uncertain research, hunting for undiscovered mines, from which the greatest increase of production hoped for must come, is eqnally uncertain. ‘he chance of sueccss in finding rich mines is the stimulus to search for them—and if by making the usage that has prevailed since the discovery of gold and silver in the mountains, the usage that gives the iniuer the mine for its discovery is a law of Congress, it is really adding no more encauragement to mining than its national importance, and the vast extent of nnexplored country lyiag idle seems to demand. <And if, as ig asserted to be true, the miaes really cost in the aggregate expense of their discovery and development all that they are worth, justice, as well as proper encouragement to mining, wonld seem to demaud that those who succeeded in finding and opening valuable mines should be entitled to their proprietorship. I am satisfied that any legislation that does not recognize this policy and right will seriously impede the progress of miaing operations, ‘he vast extent of unoccupied agricultural lands long held by the general goverument, added but little to the available wealth of the nation, except as they were cultivated by private enterprise. ‘Io the hardy and enterprising pioneer wha penetrated the wilderness nnder privation, and in tbe face of danger, does the government owe the development af the vast region of almost boundless wealtb and prosperity lying west of the Alleghany mountains, This region grew more and more rapidly as the land policy became mare liberal, under the light of experience, which has finally developed the trae political economy in the Homestead Law. In like manner the vast extent of mineral lands belonging to the government are valueless, except as the mines are discovercd aad developed by private enterprise, To cncourage this discovery and developmeat, by freely offering a title to such citizens as will find and develape mines, withaut the tedious course of discussion which preceded the Homestead policy, would speedily add to the national e wealth and power another great right arm of strength, If a guaantee ol title toa large @.t:ut of lode from the general government is offered, it will increase the inducements to prospectors to search for then. A premium on production would tend to more rapid developnicnt. But whether the premium is offered or not, the guarantee asked for in the second resolution would largely promote actiyity in mining. SALE OF THE MINRRAL LANDS. Aside from the question of expediency, is the sale of the mineral lauds practicable? ‘I'ho eulel or placer mines are divided into small tracts by the miners’ laws, and ure soon exhausted, some in a few months, others in a few years. ‘I'he delay of surveying them after their discovery would find many worked out. ‘I'o Tequire government surveys hefore they should be worked, if it were practicable, would check praspectiag aad discaveries, and it would largely diminish the product. ‘To sell or in any way interfere with the miners’ regulations in regard to this class of mines, it is believed would be impracticable and inexpedient, ‘he Lode niines, to which the resolutions have particular reference, are more permanent, and more difficult and expensive to develop and operate—from fifty to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars being’required usually for sinking shafts, opeaing the mines, and erecting the necessary machiucry. These mines which are to be the permanent sources of our domestic product of gold and silver, have thns far been developed but slowly—the principal part of the gold product of the country having been thus far derived from the placer or gulch mines. The difficulties in the way of the more rapid discovery and development of lode mines are expense and hazard uttending the business, The prospector first finds a blossom or surface indication of a lode, which may be fallacious. He then digs until he finds a crevice or vein. He then sinks a shaft to prove its exteut, and tests the richness of the ore, and ina large proportion: of cases to find the quantity too limited, or the quality toa poor. When he finds it valuable, he must procure the large capital necessary to work it, before he can make his discoyery available. The rich mires when found aad proved, are the prizes for which all the successful and unsuccessful efforts of the miners are made. Before their discovery they could scarcely be said to have any value, at least. their valuo wae like that of the fish on your coasts and in yourrivere, ‘I'he privilege of fiading them was at the risk af loze of time and means. Whien discovered and opened under the circumstances to whom do they in equity belong? What interest in them can the government sell, and how shall its-amount be determined ? Mines uat alreudy found of course cannot be sold. The privilege of finding nines would scarecly he currentin the market. ‘I'hose that are found to be worthless would not sell, and therefore sales must be confined to those that have under these circumstances beeu proved to be valuahle, ‘Io those iu which largo amounts have been invested under the usage of a free privilege to miners, and tho universal canviction aniong miners thatthe government would not interfere witb the minere’ titles, which canviction has gained strength and increased confidence ever since the abandonment of tbe proposition to scll the mineral lands, that was befare Congress soon after the acquisition of Califoraia. The sale ofthe mineral laads would require their survey into subdivisions which must correspond with the lodes, If surveyed into tracts that would give the present occupants and owners tracts of land that included their mines, and justice would reqnire this, it would be attended. by iasuperable embarrassments. Many of the lodes run soas to cross each other. Ja some iastances valuable lodes are near to each other, sametimes they approximate for a distance and then coalesce—many