Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

34 The Blining wid Seientific Dress, Gommmunications. In tas DEPARTMENT we invite the FREE DiscussiON of all bj alone being r for Taper is fhe ideas and theorles they advance. ¥ {Written for the Mining and Scientific Press.} THE AGE OF GOLD-BEARING ROOKS. BY: PROFESSOR ROWLANDSON, FG. 8. Li * cv ~ ue rs a “ m) t . NUMBER; XT. * : A: %. x 3 AN ATTEMPTED REOONCILENENT OF OPINION. an ge is ‘ \ s ~. * : The: attentive reader, who has followed me: throughont; will.thave, joferred. that; eo far a3 causation is concerved, the writer makes no difference between ordinary mineral veins containiog copper or lead only, or where such are associated more or less with argentiferous and. auriferous minerals. I consider it highly probable that the two Inst named were only very recently erupted to the earth’s surface, as compared with many copper nnd lead veins found in the olden Paleozvic rocks; also that where veins are found to contain gold and silver in notable quantities ‘iw the more ancient etrata, a carelul investigation will generally establish the fact that such argentiferous:and anriferous minerals were injected during a very recent geological era, If subsequent inquiries establish, as a fact, the opivion just set forth, it may easily he conceived that the theory which assigns the formation of the most productive gold and silver veins, to a recent date, is iotimately related to, and in some measure explains why it ie prohable that many such may exist in rocks of eecondary or even more receot age. In illuetration of the ahove views, as well as another to be afterwards alluded to, I. will respectfully call Sir Roderick Murchison’s attention to the lesson exhibited, as respects mineral yeine hy a portion of Siluria, which, so long as geology remains a science, will ever form its most classic ground—the vicinity of the Longmyndd, and the Stiper Stones which divides the unmetalliferous district of the Longmyndd from the highly metalliferous (galena) ores of Corndon aod Shelve, accompanied, as the later is, by the protrusion of igneous rocks, whilst the Longmyndd is devoid of such. The Longmyndd forms the lowest. strata of the Silurian series, beiog, in fact, tae hase line of the entire system. Thie district, unmetulliferous and oon-erupted, ig divided by a sharplydefined and almost right line, at the Stiper Stones, from tho eruptive and metalliferous rocks composing the Corndon and Shelve ;: yet, the latter, in the order of position, is superior to the fermer, of which fuct there does not exist the slightest doubt. It follows, therefore, aga necessnry consequence, that the igneous rocks of the Corndon and Shelve must have first penetrated the underlying Longmyndd rocks before they could have protruded through the Lingula and Llandeilo flags, which are superposed on the Longmyodd rocks; unless, as might oceur according to a theory held by many, viz., that the acticn of a centml heat has beeti sufficiently intense to render fluid the underlying Longmyndd rocks, which afterwards were ejected in the form of the Plutonic rocks now seeh* in the district. The entire absence of igneous rocks in'the Longmyndd, and their ahundance in the Corndon and Shelve district, lends considerable aid to the view that igneous rocks are frequeutly, if not geoerally, the result of the igneous metamorphism of pre-existing alluvial’ strata. Additional corrohoratioo of the soundness of this theory is afforded by what is found to occur ina nearly identical manner in Merionethshire, the western part of which county, forming nconsiderahle district to the eastward of Harlech, consists of rocks identical “in age with the Longmyndd district. Here, algo, there are no erupted rocks and no mines; but the traveler no sooner passes into the district coosisting of the Llandeilo flags than he meets with igneous rocks accompauied with copper, lead, silver, and * is noteworthy that the galena of the Corndon and Shelve districts is of s very superior character, and much sought, for the purpose of muking white lead, but almost devoid of the precious metals, not containing more than 2 oz. of silver to 2,240 tis of lead. gold ores.* J suspect, however, the date of the irruption of the rocks in this part of Wales is much later than those found in the Corndon and Shelve. ~ Although Sir R. Murchison has seeo fit to color in his map a lnrge part of the Isle of Anglesea as crystalline metamorphic ‘amination will establish the fact that this effect thas heeo caused in consequence of the internal . heat being locally more powerful, or by its more ‘continned ‘action in Anglesea than in the Shelve, has ocensioned n more perfect meta+morphosis. The celebrated Parys copper mine, the most prodoctive copper mioe ever known, ig situated in thie district, accompanied also by a vein of eulphide of lead, copper, zine, silver, and gold. The vein last nlluded to was ejected most probably after the main mass of copper ore had heen deposited. We have only to admit the theory above set forth, to render it probuhle that any of the ordinary metallic veins may he found pevetrating the more recently-formed rocks. In this manner the long series of Laurentian, Silurian, Devoniun, and even carboniferous rocks, which possibly formed Paleozoic Califoroia, may have become fluid and partially erupted in their metamorphic form, near their previous place of deposition; hut n far larger portion probably rolled in earthquake waves to distant points, iu ordér to compose the bases of future Alps, Andes, Rocky Mountains, Himelahg, etc., or portions of luture Sandwich Islands or Australins. Allusion may ngain be briefly made to the vicinity of the Longniyndd, io order to illustrate the possibility, under a given set of circumstances, of aurilerous veins penetrating the more recently-forined strata of the earth’s surface. It has already heen noticed how free from plutonic eruption are the lowest rocks of the Silurian series, forming the Longmyndd, whilst the adjoining and superior mctalliferons strata of Llandeillo flags, known ns the Corndon and Shelve districts, are intersected throughout by igneous rocks bearing a general course from northeast to southwest. At the extreme oortheast point of the Longmyndd, however, igneous rocks exist, to a limited extent, and similor bosses are to be seen at various points to the enstward, extending in length several miles. The rocks last refer. red to, if synchronous with similar rocks of the Corndon and Shelve districts, the surface indications would lead to the inference that the igneous agency which caused the outflow of plutonic rocks in the Corndon and Shelve, in place of pursuing the northeast and southwest course, as found in the metalliferous region, became deflected from the north towards the east, in consequence of the presence of the Tiassic} outher, which is seen about seven miles to the northeast of the Longmyndd, and about fifteen miles from the extreme northenst point of the Corndon and,Shelve. It would not he unreasonable to infer that had the course of igneous agency continuously followed a northeast. direction in ploce of being de. flected therefrom, plutonic rocks might possibly have heen protruded through the Jutassic outline alluded to, and accordiug to circumstances accompanied also by metalliferous by more wnys than one—first. in consequence ‘action oceurring beneath the parts occupied by the Lias formatiou; or seconily, as previously sbeirg liquified and_metamorphosed in consequence of the effects of intense internal heat. It is possible, also, that the line of igneous activity was deflected from the northwest and northeast towards the east, owing to grenter 'resistance which other things being equal may -he assumed to have been opposed to an outlations, in consequence of the greater weight and thickness of the latter. Mineral matter in a molten state would follow ordinary hydrostatic laws, aud, necordingly would penetrate the lines and points of least resistance with an intensity corresponding to the originating dy‘namic force. It is probnble, that to the circumstance just noticed, may be ascribed the fact that so many gold districts in various parts of the world are found in the Salurian zone, ootwithetandiog * Jt isin this district that the gold mines are found which have recently attracted attention. In 1846, whilst collecting information for an eysay which obtained a prize of $250 from the Roya, Agricultural Society of Englaud, I was shown hy @ miner some ilne gold mixei with galena. f Called Jurassic by French and many other geologists. {The writer is quite aware that many objections can he Taised to such an assumption, and not without good reasons ; to rebnt such, would, however, require an entire treatise on metalliferous velns, On other points the reader igs requested not to be hypercritical—for instance, igneous action may possibly have commenced at the east and proceeded westerly, or the two sets of igneous rocks may, on subsequent inquiry, be found not to be synchronous, 4 Lrock, I make very little douht hut a closer ex-’ . the former, at a greater or legs angle, according* ‘to circumstances ; and if the elevntion origin.veinst. Such effects might have been produced . of more intense or longer-continued igneous, remarked, by the older and lower formations. flow of igneous rocks through modern accumu-. the most positive evidence exists in many cases that the auriferous Veins inclosed in the Paleozoic strata’ were. filled at.a much more recent period than that of the deposition of the rocks throogh which they protrude. , ‘Another cireumstance may occur having a tendéncy to, occasion similar sppearances, to” illustrate . which the reader's attention is requested to observe what might he fairly assumed to occur, if intense igneous forces,.actiog from below,had pushed up the Silurian beds lying below the Liassit strata, so as to protrude) through. the latter. In such a ense, the soperior Liassic would be pushed ontwards onthe flanks of ‘ated eubaqueouely, the fact ‘would be calculated to conspire towards a more speedy abrasion of ‘the ruptured. overlying-rocks, ard [Written for the Mining and Scientific Press.} The Navigation of the Colorado River. Eprtors Mixixe anp Screntiric Press :— J take the present opportuoity to give ‘yon @ few: facts in relation to the successinl navigation of the Colorado river by Capt. Thomas E, Truworthy, of the New Pacific nnd Colorado Steam Navigation Company, fora distance of of 600 miles from its mouth ‘to a point within 3360 miles of Salt Lake City. Why the great ‘adventages of this important hot hitherto mis. represented stream line not -been ‘known nntil ‘within’ the last twelve: months, is “a question which is daily propounded by those who are also facilitate the suhsequent diffusion of the comminuted particles, in which cnse the prior, sub-lyiug, silurian rocks, so dennded, would occupy a large part of the surface previously covered by the Liassi¢c formation. Assumeastep more—vamely, tliat a metolliferous vein, which, for this occasion, let us conceive to he auriferous,and we have the parallel of many gold fields. The reason why J have drawn my illustration both of actual nnd hypothetic comparison from the portions of Siluria above described, is because I Know of no part of the earth's surface where not ouly has the geology been ' so well worked out, but also that it would, perhaps, he difficult to find, ag around the Stiper Stones, another place, where within a radius of fifteeu miles so wide a range in superposition of strata can be found as is exhibited in the small compass named, extending, as it does, from the buse of the Silurinn system to the Jurassic, and accompanied hy a variety of igneous and metalliferous phenomena, allied in general character to the present investigation ; Tor it must he borne in mind that the writer makes no distinction with respect to metallic veins, so fur as causation is concerned, whether such ore 1s composed principally or in part of gold, silver, copper, lend, ete., notwithstanding which, I may state that I deem it probuble that future researches will show that their formation took place in time in the inverse order set forth—lead being the oldest and gold the youngest—and thnt possibly the lead-producing districts of Corndon and Shelve, and those of Wisconsin, Iowa, ete., will be found to form the base’ line of the metnlliferous eystem. Mivers’ Merino at Grass VaLLey.—We learn from the Gazette that a meeting of miners was held at Grass Valley on Saturday evening, 13th iust., and the followiug persons were elected delegates to attend the Miners’ State Convention, which met nt Sacramento on Wednesday: William Watt, Thomas Findley, Capt. Lee, Wn. Daniels, G. D. Roberts, S. D. Bosworth, W. H. V. Cronise, James Powning, E. Northey, L. R. Walker, A. B. Brady, J. 8. Coleman, A. B. Dibhle, P. Roberts, R. Leech. R. A. Fisher, W. Clift, J. S. Bayliss, Con. Reilly, and J.J. Sikes. The meeting ndopted a series of resolutions declaring that the miners of Grass Valley are opposed to any legislation concerning the mines, by the Legislature of California or by Congress ; that they are opposed to any monopoly of timber or timher lauds by railroad or other companies ; that they regret the reported action of the Government iu issuing patents to the railroad company to an immense domain of mineral and timber lands; that they are opposed to the main features of Pattison’s billiu regnrd to mining claims; and indorse the action of the Legislature in requesting delay in the issuing of patents to the railroad company. Minino azsour Monze D1asio. — Several companies are working cinnahar minee at Monte Diablo. The Contra Costa Gazelle says the prospects of the Welch Quicksilver company are flattering. The stock has suddenly risen from nothing to ten and twelve dollars per foot. The Keokuk compnny are working on a vein of rich ore eight inches thick, aud rapidly widening. The Open Sesame company are driving in a four hundrcd-foot tunnel, with encouraging prospects. A Hint ror Catirornta Swamp Layp Owners.—Johnsoo Watson, of Scipio, Laporte county, Ind., raised this year, snye the Stockton Herald, 1,100 bushels of cranberries on a 10-acre marsh. Cost of gnthering and marketing, $100; net profit, $4.500. Gen. Mrape expresses the opinion that 25,000 men belonging to the Army of the Potomac are living, who have heen disabled hy wonnds and are incapable of self-support. nnacquainted with the influences which have been brought into requisition by those who have, from the commencement, opposed the ‘ohject of the late successful enterprise of navigating the same, It would hardly appear probuhle that a movement of so much interest ‘to this State, the Territories, and the general Goverumeut, vould hnve met with so much violent and continued hostility, from nll combination navigation companies, which are indebted to the patronage of the people for alk that they ore, and more especially at a time when it is of the utmost importance to California that all the avenues of trade should be open upto counteract the effects of the deporture of busioess and population from this State, which has heen and still continnes to he kept up to an alorming extent. Over two yeats ago, ut the wishes of the miners and others of Arizona, I came to San Francisco to secure, if possible, additional steamers tn meet the increasing demonds of business on the Colorado. I was opposed in earrying out my mission hy causes, the true uature of which I could not nt thnt eurly day understand. Capt. Truworthy conseuted to come to the relief of those who had so long becn compelled to submit to the imposition of those who controlled for years the old line of steamers on the Colorado. Previous to his depnrture, he made an arrangement to have his steamer, schooner and horge, insnred in San Francisco, npon the same terms as policies ‘were given to other vessels going to the sume destination. You can imsgine what was the eurprise of Capt. Truworthy, when informed that the policy would not be granted wnless he paid seventy per cent. more than was previously ngreed upon. J mention this fact to show that the system of injustice inaugnroted against the enterprise at that early day, has heen adhered to up to the present time, aod that, too, by persons cvntrolling a wealthy corporation, who were inscnsible to the demands of the State, and the duty they owe to the National Government. Upon the arrivnl of Capt. Truworthy at the mooth of the Colorado, withoud insurance, he at once became the center of the most violent hostility of those controlling the old line (who have since adopted his mode of navigating the river), assisted hy others connected with the combination navigation company of California. Under these circumstances, ho started his enterprise to prove the cnpability of the navigation of the rivera distance of 600 miles from its mouth, and to show, by as practical demonstration, that he was able, hy individnal enterprise, to accomplish more than the vld line had done in ten years, or than Lieut. Tyee had been ahle to accomplish at an expense of over one hundred thousand dollars. At Fort Yuma all accommodatioo was refused Capt. Truworthy, with the éxeeption of a single isolated car, whilst the old line conld have favors frequently granted them by those in charge of the fort, when they had done nothing for the Government except to corry freight at exorbitant prices. ‘The Captain made eeveral trips with his steamere and barges, with three times the amonnt of freight which had originolly been curried by steamer to La Paz and Fort Mojave at the highest and lowest stage of water. The mancer of carrying freight by barges was pronounced at the time as a“ humbug ;” but you can see by the notices in the Ala that the old company’s ships now coooect with “their steamers and barges,” and have given,

34 The Blining wid Seientific Dress, Gommmunications. In tas DEPARTMENT we invite the FREE DiscussiON of all bj alone being r for Taper is fhe ideas and theorles they advance. ¥ {Written for the Mining and Scientific Press.} THE AGE OF GOLD-BEARING ROOKS. BY: PROFESSOR ROWLANDSON, FG. 8. Li * cv ~ ue rs a “ m) t . NUMBER; XT. * : A: %. x 3 AN ATTEMPTED REOONCILENENT OF OPINION. an ge is ‘ \ s ~. * : The: attentive reader, who has followed me: throughont; will.thave, joferred. that; eo far a3 causation is concerved, the writer makes no difference between ordinary mineral veins containiog copper or lead only, or where such are associated more or less with argentiferous and. auriferous minerals. I consider it highly probable that the two Inst named were only very recently erupted to the earth’s surface, as compared with many copper nnd lead veins found in the olden Paleozvic rocks; also that where veins are found to contain gold and silver in notable quantities ‘iw the more ancient etrata, a carelul investigation will generally establish the fact that such argentiferous:and anriferous minerals were injected during a very recent geological era, If subsequent inquiries establish, as a fact, the opivion just set forth, it may easily he conceived that the theory which assigns the formation of the most productive gold and silver veins, to a recent date, is iotimately related to, and in some measure explains why it ie prohable that many such may exist in rocks of eecondary or even more receot age. In illuetration of the ahove views, as well as another to be afterwards alluded to, I. will respectfully call Sir Roderick Murchison’s attention to the lesson exhibited, as respects mineral yeine hy a portion of Siluria, which, so long as geology remains a science, will ever form its most classic ground—the vicinity of the Longmyndd, and the Stiper Stones which divides the unmetalliferous district of the Longmyndd from the highly metalliferous (galena) ores of Corndon aod Shelve, accompanied, as the later is, by the protrusion of igneous rocks, whilst the Longmyndd is devoid of such. The Longmyndd forms the lowest. strata of the Silurian series, beiog, in fact, tae hase line of the entire system. Thie district, unmetulliferous and oon-erupted, ig divided by a sharplydefined and almost right line, at the Stiper Stones, from tho eruptive and metalliferous rocks composing the Corndon and Shelve ;: yet, the latter, in the order of position, is superior to the fermer, of which fuct there does not exist the slightest doubt. It follows, therefore, aga necessnry consequence, that the igneous rocks of the Corndon and Shelve must have first penetrated the underlying Longmyndd rocks before they could have protruded through the Lingula and Llandeilo flags, which are superposed on the Longmyodd rocks; unless, as might oceur according to a theory held by many, viz., that the acticn of a centml heat has beeti sufficiently intense to render fluid the underlying Longmyndd rocks, which afterwards were ejected in the form of the Plutonic rocks now seeh* in the district. The entire absence of igneous rocks in'the Longmyndd, and their ahundance in the Corndon and Shelve district, lends considerable aid to the view that igneous rocks are frequeutly, if not geoerally, the result of the igneous metamorphism of pre-existing alluvial’ strata. Additional corrohoratioo of the soundness of this theory is afforded by what is found to occur ina nearly identical manner in Merionethshire, the western part of which county, forming nconsiderahle district to the eastward of Harlech, consists of rocks identical “in age with the Longmyndd district. Here, algo, there are no erupted rocks and no mines; but the traveler no sooner passes into the district coosisting of the Llandeilo flags than he meets with igneous rocks accompauied with copper, lead, silver, and * is noteworthy that the galena of the Corndon and Shelve districts is of s very superior character, and much sought, for the purpose of muking white lead, but almost devoid of the precious metals, not containing more than 2 oz. of silver to 2,240 tis of lead. gold ores.* J suspect, however, the date of the irruption of the rocks in this part of Wales is much later than those found in the Corndon and Shelve. ~ Although Sir R. Murchison has seeo fit to color in his map a lnrge part of the Isle of Anglesea as crystalline metamorphic ‘amination will establish the fact that this effect thas heeo caused in consequence of the internal . heat being locally more powerful, or by its more ‘continned ‘action in Anglesea than in the Shelve, has ocensioned n more perfect meta+morphosis. The celebrated Parys copper mine, the most prodoctive copper mioe ever known, ig situated in thie district, accompanied also by a vein of eulphide of lead, copper, zine, silver, and gold. The vein last nlluded to was ejected most probably after the main mass of copper ore had heen deposited. We have only to admit the theory above set forth, to render it probuhle that any of the ordinary metallic veins may he found pevetrating the more recently-formed rocks. In this manner the long series of Laurentian, Silurian, Devoniun, and even carboniferous rocks, which possibly formed Paleozoic Califoroia, may have become fluid and partially erupted in their metamorphic form, near their previous place of deposition; hut n far larger portion probably rolled in earthquake waves to distant points, iu ordér to compose the bases of future Alps, Andes, Rocky Mountains, Himelahg, etc., or portions of luture Sandwich Islands or Australins. Allusion may ngain be briefly made to the vicinity of the Longniyndd, io order to illustrate the possibility, under a given set of circumstances, of aurilerous veins penetrating the more recently-forined strata of the earth’s surface. It has already heen noticed how free from plutonic eruption are the lowest rocks of the Silurian series, forming the Longmyndd, whilst the adjoining and superior mctalliferons strata of Llandeillo flags, known ns the Corndon and Shelve districts, are intersected throughout by igneous rocks bearing a general course from northeast to southwest. At the extreme oortheast point of the Longmyndd, however, igneous rocks exist, to a limited extent, and similor bosses are to be seen at various points to the enstward, extending in length several miles. The rocks last refer. red to, if synchronous with similar rocks of the Corndon and Shelve districts, the surface indications would lead to the inference that the igneous agency which caused the outflow of plutonic rocks in the Corndon and Shelve, in place of pursuing the northeast and southwest course, as found in the metalliferous region, became deflected from the north towards the east, in consequence of the presence of the Tiassic} outher, which is seen about seven miles to the northeast of the Longmyndd, and about fifteen miles from the extreme northenst point of the Corndon and,Shelve. It would not he unreasonable to infer that had the course of igneous agency continuously followed a northeast. direction in ploce of being de. flected therefrom, plutonic rocks might possibly have heen protruded through the Jutassic outline alluded to, and accordiug to circumstances accompanied also by metalliferous by more wnys than one—first. in consequence ‘action oceurring beneath the parts occupied by the Lias formatiou; or seconily, as previously sbeirg liquified and_metamorphosed in consequence of the effects of intense internal heat. It is possible, also, that the line of igneous activity was deflected from the northwest and northeast towards the east, owing to grenter 'resistance which other things being equal may -he assumed to have been opposed to an outlations, in consequence of the greater weight and thickness of the latter. Mineral matter in a molten state would follow ordinary hydrostatic laws, aud, necordingly would penetrate the lines and points of least resistance with an intensity corresponding to the originating dy‘namic force. It is probnble, that to the circumstance just noticed, may be ascribed the fact that so many gold districts in various parts of the world are found in the Salurian zone, ootwithetandiog * Jt isin this district that the gold mines are found which have recently attracted attention. In 1846, whilst collecting information for an eysay which obtained a prize of $250 from the Roya, Agricultural Society of Englaud, I was shown hy @ miner some ilne gold mixei with galena. f Called Jurassic by French and many other geologists. {The writer is quite aware that many objections can he Taised to such an assumption, and not without good reasons ; to rebnt such, would, however, require an entire treatise on metalliferous velns, On other points the reader igs requested not to be hypercritical—for instance, igneous action may possibly have commenced at the east and proceeded westerly, or the two sets of igneous rocks may, on subsequent inquiry, be found not to be synchronous, 4

Lrock, I make very little douht hut a closer ex-’ . the former, at a greater or legs angle, according* ‘to circumstances ; and if the elevntion origin.veinst. Such effects might have been produced . of more intense or longer-continued igneous, remarked, by the older and lower formations. flow of igneous rocks through modern accumu-. the most positive evidence exists in many cases that the auriferous Veins inclosed in the Paleozoic strata’ were. filled at.a much more recent period than that of the deposition of the rocks throogh which they protrude. , ‘Another cireumstance may occur having a tendéncy to, occasion similar sppearances, to” illustrate . which the reader's attention is requested to observe what might he fairly assumed to occur, if intense igneous forces,.actiog from below,had pushed up the Silurian beds lying below the Liassit strata, so as to protrude) through. the latter. In such a ense, the soperior Liassic would be pushed ontwards onthe flanks of ‘ated eubaqueouely, the fact ‘would be calculated to conspire towards a more speedy abrasion of ‘the ruptured. overlying-rocks, ard [Written for the Mining and Scientific Press.} The Navigation of the Colorado River. Eprtors Mixixe anp Screntiric Press :— J take the present opportuoity to give ‘yon @ few: facts in relation to the successinl navigation of the Colorado river by Capt. Thomas E, Truworthy, of the New Pacific nnd Colorado Steam Navigation Company, fora distance of of 600 miles from its mouth ‘to a point within 3360 miles of Salt Lake City. Why the great ‘adventages of this important hot hitherto mis. represented stream line not -been ‘known nntil ‘within’ the last twelve: months, is “a question which is daily propounded by those who are also facilitate the suhsequent diffusion of the comminuted particles, in which cnse the prior, sub-lyiug, silurian rocks, so dennded, would occupy a large part of the surface previously covered by the Liassi¢c formation. Assumeastep more—vamely, tliat a metolliferous vein, which, for this occasion, let us conceive to he auriferous,and we have the parallel of many gold fields. The reason why J have drawn my illustration both of actual nnd hypothetic comparison from the portions of Siluria above described, is because I Know of no part of the earth's surface where not ouly has the geology been ' so well worked out, but also that it would, perhaps, he difficult to find, ag around the Stiper Stones, another place, where within a radius of fifteeu miles so wide a range in superposition of strata can be found as is exhibited in the small compass named, extending, as it does, from the buse of the Silurinn system to the Jurassic, and accompanied hy a variety of igneous and metalliferous phenomena, allied in general character to the present investigation ; Tor it must he borne in mind that the writer makes no distinction with respect to metallic veins, so fur as causation is concerned, whether such ore 1s composed principally or in part of gold, silver, copper, lend, ete., notwithstanding which, I may state that I deem it probuble that future researches will show that their formation took place in time in the inverse order set forth—lead being the oldest and gold the youngest—and thnt possibly the lead-producing districts of Corndon and Shelve, and those of Wisconsin, Iowa, ete., will be found to form the base’ line of the metnlliferous eystem. Mivers’ Merino at Grass VaLLey.—We learn from the Gazette that a meeting of miners was held at Grass Valley on Saturday evening, 13th iust., and the followiug persons were elected delegates to attend the Miners’ State Convention, which met nt Sacramento on Wednesday: William Watt, Thomas Findley, Capt. Lee, Wn. Daniels, G. D. Roberts, S. D. Bosworth, W. H. V. Cronise, James Powning, E. Northey, L. R. Walker, A. B. Brady, J. 8. Coleman, A. B. Dibhle, P. Roberts, R. Leech. R. A. Fisher, W. Clift, J. S. Bayliss, Con. Reilly, and J.J. Sikes. The meeting ndopted a series of resolutions declaring that the miners of Grass Valley are opposed to any legislation concerning the mines, by the Legislature of California or by Congress ; that they are opposed to any monopoly of timber or timher lauds by railroad or other companies ; that they regret the reported action of the Government iu issuing patents to the railroad company to an immense domain of mineral and timber lands; that they are opposed to the main features of Pattison’s billiu regnrd to mining claims; and indorse the action of the Legislature in requesting delay in the issuing of patents to the railroad company. Minino azsour Monze D1asio. — Several companies are working cinnahar minee at Monte Diablo. The Contra Costa Gazelle says the prospects of the Welch Quicksilver company are flattering. The stock has suddenly risen from nothing to ten and twelve dollars per foot. The Keokuk compnny are working on a vein of rich ore eight inches thick, aud rapidly widening. The Open Sesame company are driving in a four hundrcd-foot tunnel, with encouraging prospects. A Hint ror Catirornta Swamp Layp Owners.—Johnsoo Watson, of Scipio, Laporte county, Ind., raised this year, snye the Stockton Herald, 1,100 bushels of cranberries on a 10-acre marsh. Cost of gnthering and marketing, $100; net profit, $4.500. Gen. Mrape expresses the opinion that 25,000 men belonging to the Army of the Potomac are living, who have heen disabled hy wonnds and are incapable of self-support. nnacquainted with the influences which have been brought into requisition by those who have, from the commencement, opposed the ‘ohject of the late successful enterprise of navigating the same, It would hardly appear probuhle that a movement of so much interest ‘to this State, the Territories, and the general Goverumeut, vould hnve met with so much violent and continued hostility, from nll combination navigation companies, which are indebted to the patronage of the people for alk that they ore, and more especially at a time when it is of the utmost importance to California that all the avenues of trade should be open upto counteract the effects of the deporture of busioess and population from this State, which has heen and still continnes to he kept up to an alorming extent. Over two yeats ago, ut the wishes of the miners and others of Arizona, I came to San Francisco to secure, if possible, additional steamers tn meet the increasing demonds of business on the Colorado. I was opposed in earrying out my mission hy causes, the true uature of which I could not nt thnt eurly day understand. Capt. Truworthy conseuted to come to the relief of those who had so long becn compelled to submit to the imposition of those who controlled for years the old line of steamers on the Colorado. Previous to his depnrture, he made an arrangement to have his steamer, schooner and horge, insnred in San Francisco, npon the same terms as policies ‘were given to other vessels going to the sume destination. You can imsgine what was the eurprise of Capt. Truworthy, when informed that the policy would not be granted wnless he paid seventy per cent. more than was previously ngreed upon. J mention this fact to show that the system of injustice inaugnroted against the enterprise at that early day, has heen adhered to up to the present time, aod that, too, by persons cvntrolling a wealthy corporation, who were inscnsible to the demands of the State, and the duty they owe to the National Government. Upon the arrivnl of Capt. Truworthy at the mooth of the Colorado, withoud insurance, he at once became the center of the most violent hostility of those controlling the old line (who have since adopted his mode of navigating the river), assisted hy others connected with the combination navigation company of California. Under these circumstances, ho started his enterprise to prove the cnpability of the navigation of the rivera distance of 600 miles from its mouth, and to show, by as practical demonstration, that he was able, hy individnal enterprise, to accomplish more than the vld line had done in ten years, or than Lieut. Tyee had been ahle to accomplish at an expense of over one hundred thousand dollars. At Fort Yuma all accommodatioo was refused Capt. Truworthy, with the éxeeption of a single isolated car, whilst the old line conld have favors frequently granted them by those in charge of the fort, when they had done nothing for the Government except to corry freight at exorbitant prices. ‘The Captain made eeveral trips with his steamere and barges, with three times the amonnt of freight which had originolly been curried by steamer to La Paz and Fort Mojave at the highest and lowest stage of water. The mancer of carrying freight by barges was pronounced at the time as a“ humbug ;” but you can see by the notices in the Ala that the old company’s ships now coooect with “their steamers and barges,” and have given,