1054 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[June 29, 1872;. 
number are spoken of, from which we hear little, in 
Coast Range, from up north down to San Bernardino 
County. The total product from all the California 
mines mentioned for the last three years was, according 
to the . Commercial Herald , as follows:—In 1869, 36,600 
ilasks; in 1870, 29,546 flasks ; in 1871, 31,881 flasks. 
The total monthly product at present is said to be not 
over 3100 flasks, of which the New Almaden furnishes 
1600, the Redington 600, the New Idria 600, and all 
others 300. The New Idria cleaned up 2000 flasks in 
January,—40 from the mine, and the remainder from 
what had accumulated inside the condensers. 
Quicksilver has remained at a high rate for the past 
three years, and at such a one as the amount of produc¬ 
tion and demand does not warrant. A combination, or 
ring, control the whole supply, and keep the prices where 
they can make the most profit, Through the agency of 
Mr. Butterworth, the manager of the Almaden, a con¬ 
tract for the delivery of 50,000 flasks from the products 
of the mine prior to April 1, 1868, was made in 1866 with 
the late Mr. W. E. Barron for 30 dollars per flask. They 
obligated themselves not to sell or consign any quicksilver 
from the mine until the contract entered into was com¬ 
pleted. Messrs. D. O. Mills andW. C. Ralston were Mr. 
Barron’s securities for the faithful performance of his 
part of the contract, which was to advance 150,000 
dollars on the debt of 250,000 of the company, and if 
necessary advance money to meet the full amount. The 
contracting parties found in April, 1868, that the pro¬ 
duction exceeded the demand, or rather that while the 
production was increasing the demand was the same, and 
declined to contract to purchase any more. However, 
another contract or agreement was made between Butter- 
worth, representing the New Almaden, Barron and Mills, 
controlling the New Idria, and the owners of the Red¬ 
ington Mine for two years. By the terms of this contract 
as far as known, these mines were to limit their produc¬ 
tion to a certain amount, Barron and Co. were to be 
shipping and foreign agents, Redington and Co. local 
agents for the sale of the quicksilver here. The product 
of the mines was reduced, and by the arrangements made, 
the combination netted a profit of about 35 dollars per 
flask on the sales. The annual report of the New Al¬ 
maden Company for 1870 states that the financial matters 
of the mine were in a bad state, and 55,000 dollars was 
required immediately to settle a lawsuit. There was 
also a large amount due to the bank of California. The 
agent, Mr. Butterworth, to get out of this financial diffi¬ 
culty, entered into contract with D. O. Mills to sell him 
the 15,525 flasks of quicksilver hitherto delivered to 
Barron and Co. iinder combination contract and all that 
would be delivered up to April, 1870, under said contract 
at 32 dollars in gold per flask. And all the product for 
two years from April, 1870, at 31 dollars gold per flask, 
half cash on delivery and half cash in 60 days, he dis¬ 
counting all deferred payments at current rates of interest 
if the company should so require. The company had 
the right to deliver an average of 2000 flasks of quick¬ 
silver monthly. He was to pay the company any sum 
that might arise after deducting amount due to Barron and 
Co. for advances on the quicksilver under their contract. 
When the combination contract between the New 
Almaden, New Idria and the Redington Mines expired, 
the owners of the Redington, knowing that the two 
other mines -were controlled by the same parties, de¬ 
clined to enter into any new combination or sell their 
product for the price which the New Almaden did. 
They finally entered into contract with Barron and 
Mills to sell their product for ten years. The price was 
not made public, but was generally understood to be 
forty dollars per flask, and the production was to be 
limited to a certain amount; Redington and Co., under 
this agreement, were still to have the local sale. 
The Almaden Mine, in Spain, is entirely in the control 
of the Rothschilds, who have a lease of it. This mine 
supplies the London market and a large part of Europe 
and Mexico. California supplies the United States*- 
China, and India, so the world is divided between the j 
two great producers. An understanding exists between 
the two controlling parties which permits each to dispose 
of their quicksilver in their respective markets. The 
result is that a pound of quicksilver, owing to the duty 
of 15 per cent., is 15 per cent, dearer in California,, 
where it is produced, than in Mexico, to which place it 
is exported from Spain. 
By referring to the figures given above, it will be seen 
that the product of the several mines has gradually de¬ 
creased since these combinations were formed. The- 
consumption is, of course, limited, and an over supply 
would not suit the measures of the men who have con¬ 
trol. Moreover, what is consumed would be consumed if 
it were 1 dollar or 1 dollar 50 cents per lb., just the same 
as at 85 cents ; but small miners could not use it to ad¬ 
vantage. The amount lost in amalgamating has been. 
discussed at length in the Scientific Press. The Almaden. 
ores just as they come from the mine would not average- 
over 3 per cent, metal, and the Napa Mines not more 
than l percent., so a good deal of ore is rejected; 3 
per cent, ore, however, will pay well, and all of the 
mines would pay if they choose to sell at lower rates.. 
Some of the mine owners, however, sell their product to* 
the Bank of California combination, while others with 
small lots traflic with hardware dealers or others who- 
supply parties in the interior. They generally undersell 
the combination a few cents, but the amounts are so small 
they make little difference. Although it is understood 
that the contract of this combination expired on the 1st. 
of April of this year, their profit has been so immense- 
that it is probable that there will be a renewal, and. 
a combination of the various mines and interests will: 
most probably be effected. So far as known at the pre¬ 
sent time, no such steps has yet been taken; but as. 
prices remain as they have for months past, it is to be 
supposed that we shall have no reduction for some time- 
to come. The owners of the Redington purposely keep 
down their product, because they prefer to keep the ore 
in the mine rather than sell it at the price agreed under 
a contract which only compels them to deliver what they 
manufacture. The only chance we should have to get a. 
decrease in price would be in case a number of the new 
mines should refuse to enter the combination, and in¬ 
crease their product; but there is little chance of thi3. 
The ring have, too, a good thing of it, and doubtless in¬ 
tend to continue their operations on the old basis- 
Perhaps we ought, under the circumstances, to congra¬ 
tulate ourselves on being able to get it even at the ad¬ 
vanced price we do. Still it seems lamentable that an 
article which is so indispensable to our mining operations, 
should be subject to a speculative combination, without 
any conscience, as it depresses the leading industry of 
the coast. The miner requiring the use of quicksilver 
in California is obliged to pay the monopoly price, 85 
cents per lb., while a merchant exporting pays but 80 to> 
the same company for the same material.— Scientific - 
Press (San Francisco). 
EARLY CLOSING IN THE PROVINCES. 
A Meeting of the Chemists of Loughborough was held 
on the 21st inst., and was the first of a series. The- 
primary object was to take into consideration the desira¬ 
bility of a curtailment of the hours of business. All the- 
members of the trade resident in the town were present,, 
and they unanimously agreed to close their several places 
of business at eight o’clock in the evening (Saturdays 
excepted), when the hour was fixed at eleven o’clock. 
Various trade matters were discussed, and general 
unanimity prevailed that the formation of an association, 
would be advantageous; the lateness of the hour, how¬ 
ever, prevented a definite decision, and the question was 
postponed to a future meeting, to be holden on the first. 
Monday in August. 
