produced since the opening of the mines; and we may say, too, that it can only be an approximate one, based upon the amount produced by the Blue Gravel Mine from the time of its opening up to date, or May, 1870.
This mine commenced operations in 1853, and during the nine succeeding years the amount taken from it was $315,000. This was prior to and during the building of the main tunnel, and was all used for current expenses. In 1864 the tunnel was completed, and the showing becomes more favorable; for, during the forty-three months that followed, the amount was $837,000, or an average of $19,465.51 permonth. The net earnings during the same time were $627,000; the cost of operating the mine being $5,000 per month, with $61,000 used for improvements. From 1868 to 1870 and date, or about three years, the amount (given approximately) will hardly equal the former average. Taking $16,000 as the monthly product, which is probably a moderate estimate, we have $576,000. Granting this estimate, the gross product of the mine, from 1853 to 1870 and date, is $1,728,000.
The mines of Timbuctoo, a half-mile west of the Blue Gravel, have been
worked for a longer period, and, though not now equally rich, if we include one or two intervening claims, have probably produced $2,000,000. And since the opening of the Blue Gravel, which proved the richness of the leads eastward, several claims have beenstarted, and, though worked under discouraging circumstances, must have produced $260,000.
From all of which it will be seen that nearly $4,000,000 may be given as the product of the mines up to May, 1870.
Nor are the mines, as a whole, decreasing in value. The promise of the past is the promise of the future. If results ave been encouraging, they may be fabulous. There are fields above and below unoccupied. It needs, simply, that capital, energy, and practical mining experience combine, to make this second to no hydraulic region in the State. The wealth is here, and it remains to be seen whether the forces that produce it are to bless with their coming and successful working. If they come —if the four tunnels already begun are completed—if new fields are opened, as they may be—a new era shall dawn upon all of those interested. And when that era dawns, Spirit of Aladdin! who shall say what then?
OUR SCOUT TO
ALL the American world is aware A that the part California assumed, or rather endured, during the Rebellion, was comparatively of a passive charac
ter. No one who knows her history during that time but will give her credit for possessing and exhibiting fire, energy, fidelity, and liberality equally with any of her sister States; but she was not called upon for any of those huge sacrifices of life incidental to the immediate sections of the battle- grounds
of the nation's life-and-death struggle, and has therefore to comfort and console herself by remembering that high authority has pronounced, "They also serve who only watch and wait."
But that this watching and waiting were often very wearying and irksome service, let those bear witness who remember the discontent of the California Volunteers kept in New Mexico for the sole duty of protecting the animated indolence of that Territory against the
