77 



gled, and all the beds containing gold, from the surface to their greatest depth 

 partake in a high degree of the same peculiar characteristic. The deposits are 

 found to extend to depths varying from three to eight feet, and rests on sand 

 stone, slates or clay beds above the latter, and are the most shallow of any of 

 the placer ranges as yet discovered in the State, and at the same time the most 

 easily worked. In my report of 1853, the attention ot the Legislature was 

 directed to the peculiarities of this district of the country under the head of 

 mineral resources, and which will be found on pages 21 and 22, of Assmbly, 

 Doc., session 1853. I recur to this subject again at the present time, 

 trusting that this district may attract that attention to which it is entitled, hoping 

 that some measure may be adopted that will have the eifect of preventing those 

 collisions which must ultimately ensue between the agriculturists and miners in 

 regard to the occupancy of the lands. 



It is incumbent upon me to define, as nearly as possible, the probable extent and 

 local position, both of the agricultural and mineral lands, so far as the same comes 

 within my knowledge ; and for this purpose, this subject is again introduced, so that 

 in sectionizing, hereafter, these districts may be distinctly marked, and their bound 

 aries thus known. 



It has been generally supposed that the entire valley lands skirting the foot-hills, 

 possessed but limited amounts of the precious metals, and that when such lands 

 containing gold were thus known, the deposits have been regarded as purely acci 

 dental. Such is not the case, however, and if it were, the same rule would be 

 equally applicable to every other portion of the mining districts of the State. Since 

 the days when that opinion prevailed, there have been circumstances occurring, at 

 different times, respecting the true characteristics of these lauds, which have had a 

 tendencv to modify the views then entertained respecting them, to that extent that 

 those views have now become entirely obsolete, and the valley mines are now 

 considered nearly co-extensive with the middle or upper districts, and they 

 probably fall but little short of the latter. 



So well defined is the mineral district of the plains, that, at the present time, 

 there are not less than eight water companies who have extended their works to the 

 foot-hills, and three of this number were distributing water four miles beyond the 

 hills, into the plains, during the month of December last. In the central and more 

 northern portions of this range, the extension of these canals is being prosecuted as 

 fast as the nature of attending circumstances will permit, and from what is now in 

 process of being completed beyond the line of the lower mountains, there will not be 

 less than twenty-three of these canals discharging- water on to the surface of the valley 

 within the current year. In seven of the principal mining counties of the State, there 

 are one hundred and nine companies engaged in the conveyance of water for mining 

 purposes, and with this amount, even, there is not sufficient to supply the demand. 

 "We may therefore conclude that the small quantity which twenty-three flumes will 

 convey to the valley mines will not probably amount to over eighteen per cent, of 

 that which will be requisite for their operations. 



Should an ample supply of water be furnished to open this entire range of 

 placers, we have not a population sufficient to occupy and improve it, aside from 

 those engaged in similar occupations in other parts of the State. A large propor 

 tion of these mines will, therefore, remain untouched for many years to come, and 

 improved only in isolated portions, where the conveniences of water are easily 

 obtained. 



Most of those who are at present engaged in this district, are men who have for 

 merly occupied themselves in the older and mountain districts sirce 1850, and are, 

 therefore, capable of judging of the comparative value of a placer of this kind, with 

 those of other sections. Their experimental knowledge is, therefore, of some value, 

 as a criterion, to judge of the prospects of these mines, as being remunerative for 

 labor, if no other more conclusive considerations presented themselves. 



