' 



Miscellaneous Intelligence. 125 



economy in employing only those who are already in the pay of the 

 government. 



Let us hope that when this subject is again brought before Congress, 

 the proper character of the undertaking will be duly considered, and 

 such a system matured as will unite the labors of all our best astrono- 

 mers, in the navy and out of it, in producing a truly national work, and 

 a worthy contribution to the science of the world.* 



V. Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



1. Gold in California. — It is now several months since the discovery 

 of gold in California, (see vi, 271.) Mines are said to have been known 

 to exist there by the Jesuits ; but if so, they had been long forgotten. 

 The first gold was found on a tributary of the Sacramento, called the 

 American Fork, at a point fifty miles northeast of Capt. Sutter's settle- 

 ment. Capt. Sutter contracted in September, (1847,) for lumber with 

 a Mr. Marshall, and as this place abounded in pine, a sawmill was 

 here built for the purpose. In the course of operations the following 

 spring, the water carried away a large bed of mud and gravel. Mr. 

 Marshall's attention was attracted by some glittering particles at the 

 edge of the mud, and soon satisfied himself of their value. This 

 stream, and others flowing into it, have since afforded large quantities 

 of the precious metal. Weber's creek is the name of one of the 

 streams, and all the ravines emptying into it, as well as its own course, 

 have proved productive as far as examined. Feather river, with its 

 branches Yubah and Bear river, and other eastern affluents of the 

 Sacramento to the North, flowing from the Sierra Nevada, yield gold 

 abundantly ; and also, as stated, in the valley of the San Joaquim. 



The gold occurs in grains, but occasionally in pieces weighing seve- 

 ral ounces. It is found in the sand or gravel of the streams and ra- 

 vines, and is obtained by washing in the rudest manner. Fifty dollars 

 a day for an individual appear to be a moderate yield, with only a 

 shovel, and a tin pan or wooden bowl for washing; and 250 to 500 

 dollars a day is not an unusual amount. The sands, after such a coarse 

 operation, must still be of great value for the process of amalgamation. 

 Fortunately the same district, nearer the coast, has just disclosed vast 

 mines of quicksilver, (see vol. vi, 270.) Gold is also stated to be 

 found in the rocks of the mountains. 



Governor Mason states in his Report, dated Aug. 17, that about 4,000 

 wen were working in the gold districts, and that from $30,000 to $50,000 

 worth of gold were daily obtained. The increase since has-been great 

 Assays recently made at the U. S. Mint, at Philadelphia, show a varia- 

 nt] in fineness from 892 to 897 thousandths. This is slightly below 

 •he standard fineness, which is 906. The value before melting is 

 $18.05} per ounce, and after melting $18.50. 



Platinum is also mentioned among the products of this region. 



•It has been suggested that a Nautical Almanac, strictly so called, might be 

 Prepared in addition to the general astronomical ephomeris. This may be worth 

 considering in connection with the plan suggested. The larger work might easily 

 5>e6o arranged M to admit of the separate publication of the nautical portions, and 

 in thes. portions some improvements might be made with especial reference to the 

 convenience of navigators. 



