172 POLITICAL OPPRESSION. 



But they were destined to expiate their ill con- 

 duct in a way they had least anticipated. 

 The ores collected during the first month, 

 had heen ground and impregnated with quick- 

 silver, and the amalgamation being supposed 

 complete, all the partners in the concern were 

 summoned to witness the splendid results of 

 the new experiments. Yet, after the most 

 diligent examination, not a grain of gold ap- 

 peared ! The fact is, that they were all ig- 

 norant of mining operations, and knew no- 

 thing of the art of separating the metals from 

 the ores. The mine had therefore soon to 

 abandoned, and Ortiz found himself 



trated by his losses — a victim to the unprinci- 



d rapacity of his new 



Lest foreigners generally should share the 

 wealth which was being developed in these 

 mountains, an order was subsequently issued 

 prohibiting all except natives from workmg at 

 the mines. Some who had commenced ope- 

 rations at the Placer, and incurred considera- 

 ble expense, were compeUed suddenly to 

 break up, with an entire loss of all their labor 

 and outlays. 



Acts of political oppression like these have 

 discouraged Americans from making any fur- 

 ther attempts, ahhough the decree of prohibi- 

 tion has ceased to be enforced. Could any 

 dependence be placed in the integrity of the 

 government, I have no doubt that, with suffi- 

 cient capital and the aid of machmery (such 



bnf^ T "^^ ^^ ^"^^« ^^ Oeovgm and Caro- 

 ^a), the old mmes of this province might be 



