From The Washoe Silver Mines, 1860

[Various Correspondents Of The San Francisco Herald, 1860]

THE WASHOE SILVER MINES.

OUR CARSON VALLEY CORRESPONDENCE

CARSON CITY, MARCH 5, 1860

The "eastern slope" is from this time onward to be the centre of ambition for aspiring and energetic men; the substitute for El Dorado, the place above all others to be sought after and explored. As there is to be a large immigration here soon, it will not be amiss to give your readers some idea of the trip across the Sierras, from Placerville, as it exists now. The road from the foot-hills to Strawberry Valley is good enough for stages to run, and the distance (fifty miles) can be made in one day; but to depend on stage the remainder of the way will only cause delay; therefore the best plan is to purchase horses or mules, and ride over here on them. If one does not choose to buy, then the most judicious plan is to hire animals at Placerville.

There is considerable snow on the ground yet here, and the nights freezing cold; besides this there are not good accommodations yet for a large number of people. Notwithstanding this, there is much work being done, both in prospecting and building. Lumber is from $30 to $50 per thousand feet at the mill; hauling to this place makes it cost about $60, and hauling to Virginia City makes it cost about $120 to $130. A large number of buildings are going up in both places.

It appears to me, without any prejudices, that "Carson" is to be the city, instead of "Virginia" or any of the other small towns. Real estate is generally distributed among the people, and does not fluctuate much, the prices gradually but firmly increasing. Board is $16 per week, but very good at that, as good as at the country hotels in the San Jose Valley, for instance. The prices will not advance much more in provisions, I think; the present scale, I presume, most of your readers are familiar with. Flour, $20 per cwt., beef 30 c., butter $1.25, etc, New discoveries of rich gold and silver mines are being made constantly; this I do not longer feel any hesitation in saying, and I am satisfied that enough is known in that direction to justify a rush over here; but I really think the first of April soon enough for people to start. A number of San Francisco gentlemen are at Virginia, and I understand that heavy sales occur daily. Some of the richest claims near Carson city, are the "Enterprize," "Pine Nut," "Eldorado," and Dr. Bell's. These are supposed to compare favorably with the fabulous Walsh and Mexican claims at Virginia. The excitement will increase to a high pitch in five or six weeks, and this place is destined soon to rival Nevada, Oroville, or other California towns as they were in their palmiest days. If any gentlemen are ambitions to review the scenes of '50 and '51, they will only have to come here this summer. Quite a number of ladies are here and fine balls are among the institutions of Carson city. A calamity of some importance to the traveling public occurred on Wednesday morning last, in the burning of Woodford's hotel, just this side the canon, twenty-two miles from Strawberry Valley. No lives lost, but a large stock of goods and provisions. A lady, named Mrs. Breyfogle, lost about $300 worth of her wardrobe, etc. I am off for Steamboat Springs to-day; you shall hear from me again.

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THE WASHOE SILVER MINES.

OUR CARSON CITY CORRESPONDENCE.

CARSON CITY, March 12, 1860

Since my last the weather in the mountains has been unusually severe, making it a very difficult task to cross them; many have been compelled to lie over at Strawberry Valley and places below that point. No doubt some of them already regret starting so early. During Tuesday and Wednesday the winds drifted the snow into the trail to such an extent that it could hardly be re-opened. In consequence, a hundred and fifty or two hundred people who left Strawberry were obliged to go back.

CONDITION OF AFFAIRS.

In the meantime matters here are not by any means at a stand-still, and though the excitement has only just commenced, enough is known to justify an immense "pressure." Many are so far advanced with their buildings and other improvements as to be able to continue at work during the storm and cold, which has of course very much moderated within the past six weeks; indeed, there is scarcely danger of any more such severe weather as has been experienced during the winter.

BUILDING PROSPECTS.

The saw mills in the vicinity are all busily engaged, and a large contract for lumber has been made, and is being filled as rapidly as possible. Very many buildings will go up within the next two or three months, Carson City taking the lead, although Virginia will also advance rapidly. In addition to these are the towns of Gold Hill, Silver City, and Chinatown. Genoa is not advancing much as yet, because the excitement is drawn nearer the diggings, and the location at Carson is much better for a city than at Genoa. At Virginia there is no suitable site for a large town, and as the ground is all auriferous thereabout, it can only attain, probably, to be a brisk mining town. Carson City has all the natural advantages, including an inexhaustible supply of timber, fine water, etc.; there are also two miles to the eastward, most magnificent warm springs, owned by Mr. Curry, and which when built up will become a great place of resort.

LACK OF ACCOMMODATIONS.

Just at present we seem likely to be plunged into a state of helplessness, as there is not sufficient accommodations here in the way of lodging houses, etc. The crowd will have to put up with some little inconvenience perhaps for a few weeks; none, however, who have money will suffer. I advise men who have little or no money to stay in California till provisions are cheaper than they are now. Proprietors of rich mining claims are offering four dollars per day for hands to work, but they do not furnish board; and as meals are a dollar each, and lodging ditto, the matter of four dollars will only bring men even at the beginning of each day.

NOMENCLATURE.

I notice that travelers arriving have their baggage marked "Washoe," a place hardly known here, and situated way off one side of the road leading to Steamboat Springs; how it has ever monopolized the name of the new mining region is to me unaccountable, the valley of that name, and lake, not seeming more prominent than other localities. These topics are, however, of no special import, -- the wandering Jew or lost pilgrim will alike bring up at Carson City, and very naturally arrive at the conclusion that he has found the place sought for, and need not search further.

HOTELS.

We need a hotel here,--that is, an extensive and first class hotel; although, there can be no fault found with those already established, and considering the difficulties they have had to encounter, are indeed deserving of praise. The prices for everything are yet very high; hay from $150 to $200 per ton; board $16 to $20 per week, etc. On Tuesday last Mrs. O. H. Peirson, of the St. Nicholas Hotel, paid three dollars per dozen for eggs, and took all there were in the market; not however, with any idea of speculating on them, which I presume she could have done if induced to part with them.

MONEY.

Money is becoming more plenty of late, because those who have ventured here have all been blessed with a greater or less amount upon arrival, and they are obliged, of course, soon to put it in circulation; no small number of San Francisco men have brought with them quite an amount of coin, and have generally invested in the rich mines hereabout. I have yet to learn of any who have paid out their money and not received a quid pro quo, although occasionally such cases will occur, and it will stand men in hand to be on the look-out for sharpers, and not pay out their money for claims until they are certain as to their value.

WELLS, FARGO & CO.

Wells, Fargo & Co. have established a triweekly express between Carson City and Placerville, and will shortly open an exchange and banking office in connection therewith. They will have an agency at Virginia City also. This is a great advantage, and as facilities increase, and the wants of the community demand, greater efforts will be made to meet such wants. As it is also understood that a pony express, between St. Louis and Sacramento, is soon to be established, connecting here by telegraph, we are looking forward to the event with no little anxiety, "a consummation most devoutly to be wished for."

ENERGETIC MEN.

Among the energetic men in Carson City, the following are a few: Seymour Pixley, Esq., formerly of San Leandro, has built several houses, among others a fine residence for his own use, and has also a number of valuable town lots; O.H. Pierson, Esq., of the St. Nicholas; Sears & Thompson; John C. Fall & Co.; Lindauer & Co.; Brooks & Thompson; Major Ormsby, and many others; some engaged in mercantile business, real estate, etc. The cry of a few hard-heads, who came up here, is that town lots are held too high. I do not altogether agree to that from these reasons.

REAL ESTATE.

Real estate has already to a great extent passed out of the hands of the original owners, and those who hold them contemplate improving them; then again the titles are good--indisputable, and the chances are much in favor of "Carson" becoming a large city, and the capital of a new Territory. Under these circumstances I think these land owners have manifested more of a generous spirit than is usual in the starting of new and flourishing villages. The idea that any town in the vicinity can rival Carson City for some time to come, is only absurd; and even for many years to come, my penetration into the dim future can look only with confidence and hope for her success, compared to any locality in this valley. It might be well to remark that I have pecuniarily no interest in this place more than in Virginia or any other town; and indeed I believe it to be all for the benefit of the surrounding towns that this should flourish, and the idea that its advancement will retard the other is am erroneous one.

LAW AND ORDER.

As regards the law or government of this city or the territory, there is none recognizable, the Mormons having no idea of trying to enforce theirs, and there being little of other either Federal, State, or Municipal. At present the legal fraternity are, therefore, doing nothing. A proposition to build a jail by subscription has been well responded to, and the probability exists that the contract will be let soon.

MINING.

The excitement in mining is on the increase. I am credibly informed that claims at Gold Hill, have recently sold at one thousand dollars per foot, thus proving as rich as the far-famed Comstock, although of a different nature. Men are constantly arriving and departing on prospecting tours, and nothing is more probable than that an extensive scope of country will prove rich in the several precious metals. When this excitement will arrive at its maximum, is now the most difficult kind of a problem to solve.

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CARSON CITY, March 16, 1856 [published May 26, 1860].

I will address you from a new point upon topics in general. I arrived here one week ago, find things very promising. It is very hard to tell exactly how the land lies. The excitement here far exceeds that on the western slope of the sierras. There is no mistake as to the mineral richness of these mountains. The value of claims is increasing every day. Men make here in a single day, their thousands. This, however, is confined to the "Wall street sharpers," or the knowing ones. I must here make a statement for the benefit of the thousands of our citizens who are intending to emigrate to this wonderful country, and that is, that provisions are already scarce, and storms in the mountains is anticipated for two months to come. Men are coming over here by hundreds, on foot, and all these men have to be fed. Provisions cannot be got through the mountains during these storms. Consequently provisions must be scarce; besides, with the mountains covered with snow, as they will be for a long time to come, it will be almost impossible for laboring men to get any kind of employment. The whole country is as bleak as in mid-winter, in the Atlantic States. But take the country all in all, it is one of the best countries for a person to retrieve lost fortunes a man ever saw. I would by all means advise all men who expect to labor for their money, not to come for at least two months yet. After that time, I would not dissuade men of this class from coming to this land of silver and gold. Ten miles of the mountains is covered with snow, from five to twenty feet in depth. We, in passing from Placerville, got snow-bound, and were detained in the mountains seven days and nights. The trip was a severe one.

As to a territorial organization of this section of country, allow me to say that I honestly believe it to be an imperative duty. Congress owes it to the people of the Territory to promptly give them the organization they ask for. It is the height of folly--nay, it is madness, to attempt to force Mormons and Gentiles to live together. Every interest, politically and socially, are antagonistic to each other. The one or the other must be crushed out. The war is right here. The Mormons are now violating the decisions of the Supreme Court of this Territory. They are crowding upon them officers at their choosing--who, in all their decisions, favor the bully, the shoulder-striker, the robber and murderer, at the present expense of American people now flocking from our State to this place. We have no law. We are threatened at this time with an uprising of the people to crush out the rowdies, robbers, and murderers, in our midst, to the great detriment of the peace and happiness of a virtuous and outraged people.

WASHA.

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The Washoe Silver Mines.

CARSON CITY, March 17, 1860.

The valleys of the Carson, and adjoining hills, have been visited the past two days with a warm spring rain, causing the snow that had still mantled them to almost disappear. The grass had already started, and parties who have been prospecting report that in many of the little valleys sufficient feed can now be found to support their animals; and this is evident, from the fact that they do go out and remain several days, returning with no visible signs of starvation.

THE ROAD.

Those who have lately arrived from Placerville, report the trail over the Sierras in an almost impassable condition, and the news by telegraph last evening more than confirm this intelligence, by stating that it is entirely closed. This will however continue but a short time, and the probability is that the express which starts to-day, will get through in a day or two; for passenger travel through, the trail will re-main very bad for several weeks to come.

MINING -- REMARKABLE DISCOVERIES.

The mining interest is, of course, the principal topic here and almost every hour brings us new proof of the argentiferous richness of this whole country. People no longer look upon the subject as one of doubt, but are quietly attending to their own interest, without seeming to care in what direction the public sentiment would direct them; everybody being well satisfied to abide the result of their fortunes here. New diggings are being struck daily, and I had the pleasure of looking at some pieces of ore yesterday which surpass in richness everything that has heretofore been discovered; the native silver was protruding from the rock on each side, similar to some of the richest gold specimens which have, "from time immemorial," adorned the shop windows in Montgomery street. The discoverer of this mine calculates his wealth by millions already, and the locality where it was found is less than a hundred and twenty miles from Carson City. In a week or two, at farthest, the locality will be made public. One other specimen which a gentleman has here, is said to come originally from within fifty miles of this place. I cannot vouch for the truth of these distances, but so far as the richness of the ore is concerned, there is nothing more certain. The reliability of the party who claims to have discovered the mine farthest away I do not question. Very few persons have yet seen this rock, and as secrecy is enjoined until the original company can secure their own claims, I presume no other report besides this will go out by today's Express.

The little newspaper published here, called the Territorial Enterprise, is out in an article this morning, saying that more persons are coming over here than the richness of our mines will warrant, or the wants of the community demand, etc.; which appears to be regarded as a rich joke, as it is well known that the editor is too much taken with the localities of Silver City and Gold Hill to stay at home and attend to his paper, and indeed he can hardly be blamed, as no doubt he can realize more grand cash in mining pursuits than in editing or publishing newspapers.

PROSPECTING.

Now that the snow has entirely disappeared in the valley, and to a great extent upon the hillsides also, the amount of prospecting going on will soon develop other rich veins of silver. Mr. Moore came in yesterday with some "indications" that created quite a furor. Tests and examinations which were made by Mr. Goble and other scientific gentlemen, proved them to be rich in the ore. As only croppings had been obtained, the experience of others here tells us that the lead may prove of immense value, and most certainly that as high as $2,000 can be realized per ton of rock. Several parties will soon go out to make further examinations of the new ledge, the distance to which is about twenty miles from Carson City.

IMPROVEMENTS.

Improvements are going on rapidly. Buildings are going up in all directions, and the weather being fine much is being accomplished.

THE MAILS.

The mail from Salt Lake has now been due over a week, and ditto for several days from California. This mail contract of Chorpenning's is looked upon as a regular bore, and, indeed, if it were abolished altogether, the community would be in no worse condition than they are now. Let all who are sending letters to their friends here patronize the enterprising and reliable firm of Wells, Fargo & Co., and they will suffer much less inconvenience.

INQUIRIES.

Hundreds of letters have been written over here, making all sorts of inquiries of their friends and desiring to receive advice, etc., as to whether it would be policy for them to come here or not, and no doubt the number will be duplicated on the arrival of another mail. Very few of these letters are ever answered, because friends here feel a delicacy in advising others to come into such a world of excitement, such a whirlpool of anxiety, where everybody is trying to see how far he can come out ahead of his neighbor. The reasons for withholding this information is self-evident: persons do not wish to be blamed for any error they might commit. Advice of this kind, were I to give any, would be thus: Come! bring money and provisions enough to last you all the summer! The merchants of San Francisco and Sacramento will surely need no advice. We expect a flood of goods of every description from them as soon as the spring opens enough for wagons to cross the mountains; although, if Mr. Jonas G. Clark had taken my advice when I stepped into his store on February 1st, last, he might have sold all the furniture he had by this time, and at good prices, as there are as yet but few chairs, bedsteads, or anything of the kind in the Territory, nor does the chance of getting them appear to grow better.

MARKETS.

Everything advances in price as yet with a dull prospect of anything being cheaper for some time to come. Notwithstanding all this, there are, so far, provisions to feed all who can afford to buy them, and I do not apprehend anything like a famine or immediate lack of the staple necessaries of life.

G.

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The Washoe Silver Mines.

CARSON CITY, U. T., March 25, 1860.

I have traveled through the silver mines in this locality, and sought information from those who preceded me, and must express the opinion which obtains at this place as to the value of the mines. Unless we are all grossly deceived they will prove rich. It is doubtful, if our expectations are realized, whether a district of equal extent to Carson Valley can be found on the globe of equal richness in mineral deposits.

REPORTED WEALTH OF THE COUNTRY.

Gold and silver are known to exist as far as Honey Lake, on the North Walker River, and Mono Lake, on the South and Black Rock, about 150 miles east of this place. Whether the whole intermediate region is auriferous is yet to be found out. A new and vast field is here open for men of skill, energy, enterprise and muscle. Unfortunately little can be done without machinery; for although gold has been found to considerable extent, yet the great scarcity of water renders surface mining impracticable, except for two or three months in the early spring, and then only to a limited extent; thus many will be doomed to disappointment.

SILVER LEADS.

Silver leads appear to be the great object of the mass now here. The silver is found in veins varying from one to four inches, existing in the form of concentrated sulphurets--the veins extending within the rock from one to eight feet in width. The inclination of the veins is nearly vertical, and in several places are traced on the surface.

NEW DISCOVERIES.

Much excitement exists in consequence of new discoveries constantly being made. Much that is done here, however, is in the way of speculation--the money coming from California. Leads are located and companies formed where there is no more indications of silver than on Russian Hill. Claims have been located on the ridges upwards of twenty miles above Virginia City, which is the centre of the silver mining district, although mines have been found as far up the Carson river as Genoa. I have seen what has been described to me as "remarkable specimens" of galena, (of this mineral I am unacquainted), which came from the north of Virginia City, from the Galena district. This district is also supposed to be rich in silver. The most reputable mines of this district are the "Steamboat" and "Phenix."

THE PRODUCTIVE CLAIMS.

The Flowery district lies to the east of Virginia City, and appears to have the best reputation for silver leads of any district; the Desert Mine, the Rogers and Mammoth, on which is the Lady Bryan Company, on the same lead is the Marco Polo Company. There is also the Morning Star lead, and the Cedar Company, also Rock Island and others. The Gold Hill district lies south of Virginia City. The Gold Hill lead, the Sucker and the Emigrant have a name for being good--the latter is rich in gold. South of Gold Hill lies the Devil's Gate, and next to the Flowery district appear to be the best in the territory. The Comstock lead lies in the Virginia district; upon this lead, the Ophir, the Central and Mexican Co.'s are extracting ore of great richness.

THE PROSPECT -- FAILURE AND SUCCESS.

On the 1st of April parties holding claims are compelled to commence to work them, and it will be determined ere long whether they will prove of equal richness with those already opened, or whether in fact some may not prove even richer than anything yet found. Should this latter be the case, the results will be marvellous, and an excitement produced such as never has been witnessed; should they fail, great disappointment and gloom will result--bright hopes will wither away and leave nought but the sad experiences that have so often been the results in California.

TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTRY.

This is a region of various geological characteristics, a land of strange contrasts and apparent contradictions--of barrenness and fertility--beauty and desolation. Warm and boiling springs are everywhere met with, indicating the proximity of igneous agents.

HOW IT WILL BE CHANGED.

From a wilderness ere long cabins will be built up at every spring, and over trails hitherto only trod by the Indian and the trapper, multitudes of busy adventurers will break the silence with the sound of the destroying axe and the pick.

GENOA.

Genoa is the first town reached after crossing the mountains, and is situated about 20 miles from the entrance to Carson Valley, Carson City is in Eagle Valley about 14 miles from Genoa, nearly north; Virginia City is farther north from Carson City, about 17 miles.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPECULATORS.

The ridges in every locality indicating leads are staked for miles; also in localities perfectly worthless. The veins, with the exception of a few, are yet undeveloped, and much that is said of them must be taken with a great degree of allowance. The value of most of them is all conjecture, and the man in San Francisco who would buy an interest in this Territory, without either by himself or a reliable agent first examining the ground, and above all things else examining the record, is a gambler at desperate chances. That a person of ordinary shrewdness can make money with a capital to start is beyond dispute; without it he might as well be in purgatory undergoing purification for his sins.

THE WEATHER.

The weather has been very unpleasant, and snow has fell since my arrival, making my wanderings one of difficulties; as there is not much fun in "roughing it" when the ground is covered with snow. Everything here is dollars: meals, such as they are $1; straw beds and blankets on the floor, $1; a shave, four bits; bread, four bits per loaf, etc., etc,—requiring, except with those of money, the strongest economy; that is if there is any strength in economy.

ADVICE TO ADVENTURERS.

Any person intending to make this trip for pleasure, should not start until, say, the middle of May or June first, then the former will be a delightful one. As you get among the magnificent trees in the snows, you will then find, on the mountains deep ravines, roaring torrents, towering cliffs, and beautiful streams leaping down rocky canons and lost in the distant valleys; the scene will be found inspiring and grand. The view from the summit, embracing Lake Bigler and the intervening valley, with the lesser hills below you, is truly sublime. Nature will, no doubt assume her supremacy and for a time you will be lost in the grand and gorgeous picture portrayed to you, and, perchance, should your mind revert to the chaotic mass forming an existence in San Francisco, no peak in the far distance will be tall enough for you to pitch your tent on, to get out of and away from the specimens of humanity your thoughts will revert to in said San Francisco. Amen.

FAMILIAR NAMES.

In Virginia City can be seen the modest sign "Frank M. Pixley -- Law Office." Many San Francisco notables are also there, Harvey S. Brown, Dr. Hathaway -- the Bernal Heights not being tall enough for the former, he is trying the mountains. Brown and Hathaway are late arrivals.

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The Washoe Silver Mines.

CARSON CITY, April 17, 1860.

EDITOR HERALD:--Having returned from the Humboldt region after a more lengthy trip than was anticipated, I take the earliest moment offered to resume my relations with the HERALD, and without the necessity of asking pardon or making any excuses, it may be stated that where I have been for the last three weeks no communication exists by which a letter could have been sent you till my return here yesterday.

Allow me first to offer you my congratulations on the mutual merging of the National into the HERALD, and to give my earnest wishes for that increased success which the combination of two such papers must attain, and the advantage that will thereby accrue to the great and good Democratic party as well as to the commercial and other interests which will be so ably represented in your columns; for, although politics is just now a second consideration with us, the time is fast approaching when we shall have a voice and as much feeling on such subjects as when in California. It affords me much pleasure to know, and feel, that the community here are with me, that the HERALD is now head and shoulders above all the other California journals, politically and commercially, as well as maintaining that candor which has ever been so noted a feature in its management.

A PROSPECTING TOUR.

My trip to the Humboldt was not as originally intended, not having been nearer than twenty-five miles of that river, though from the range of mountains beyond where our time was principally occupied, the river and Sink of the Humboldt are distinctly visible at a distance of forty or fifty miles. This region, for a hundred miles in extent, north and south, and more than half that distance east and west, is an alternation of alkali flats and mountains; the former containing poor water and little grass, with nothing for fuel except now and then a few willows or sage brush; the latter abounding in volcanic rock and stunted pine and cedar trees, with now and then a ledge of quartz. The water is probably scarce in the dry season, though at this time there is plenty of snow, and consequently running streams down the hill-sides, which invariable sink before reaching the valley. It seems as if every thing must be of a sinking nature there, bounded as it is by the Sink of the Humboldt on the north, the two Sinks of the Carson on the south and between, the Walker river to the southeast spreads over a similar plain and disappears, which is also the case with the Reese to the eastward.

An extensive account of the trip would not be of particular interest to the public at this time; suffice it to say, that the principal features were snow, rain and wind, mixed in with broiling sunshine and hard fare. There are several parties in that country prospecting for gold and silver quartz, but the localities are so wide spread that one seldom meets a white face, and the principal topics of news are, of course, all tending to the success or discontent of each. My opinion is, that a rich range of gold quartz extends for miles in the range of mountains to the eastward of the Humboldt river, and the richest specimens of silver as yet seen in Utah are said to come from that vicinity; as yet, nothing has been more definitely heard of than given in my last, my own explorations not confirming these reports nor lessening my belief in their reliability; but it must be recollected that the almost unprecedented bad weather of the last month is a good reason for a suspension of opinion until such time as the resources of that country can be more fully made known by actual employment. To the westward of the sink of Carson river, some thirty or forty miles, several valuable silver leads have really been discovered, and as the one range verges on to the other which is known to abound in fine looking ledges it is no more than fair at least to presume them valuable until they can be tested.

THE WEATHER -- HIGH PRICES, ETC.

During my absence there has been a fall of snow here of some ten inches, which has rapidly disappeared again; the Sierras have been closed and all the attendant evils which were so nearly passed over have had to be reinstated. The staple article of flour has been as high as $60 per hundred pounds, and $80 per hundred up at Virginia. Many of the necessaries of life, such as salt, pepper, sugar, etc., etc., are all gone--none to be had at any price; but plenty is now so near at hand (having passed over the mountains) that relief is certain. "Immense supplies will be here in a few days" if reports can be believed; really, this song of a "few days, few days" has been played upon us so well for the last six weeks that it seems time now that something of reality should follow. I do not presume that the season is unusually backward, but the anxiety of those who have come here to obtain all these things, has so excited the public mind that people think such weather is not generally the case; but old residents here tell me that this spring is more than usually pleasant and forward. The next year will bring a supply of feed, of which there is now an entire lack--and a lack of feed for stock brings a consequent lack of many other things--milk, butter, eggs; and the tough beef, which has been in market recently, has only just begun to improve. The fact is, this is not a pleasant country at this season of the year, nor do we know, as yet that it is ever pleasant. Taking what we can learn from old residents, one is rather inclined to believe that it is never is the finest climate in the world; this however is a matter of secondary importance, because men have heretofore gone to worse climes than this on missions of far less worth, and made less than they may make here.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

Between this place and Virginia stages have been running several times a day; till recently there seems to be a lack of accommodations of that kind, the reason for which I hear is that stock cannot go on the roads until they are fed, and that the feed cannot be obtained. The stage line between here and Placerville is also withdrawn on account of bad roads; this will likely be resumed again as soon as practicable. The roads in the valley are excellent just now, which, giving unequalled facilities to pedestrians, the trails are more occupied by that kind of travel than any other,

IMPROVEMENTS, SCHOOLS, ETC.

Carson continues to improve rapidly, in point of buildings and the advancement of all the elements of civilization, including two schools for the benefit of the rising generation. Now, for such a place as this, I think the establishing of two schools is evidence of a general desire to see permanency the order of the day. Some of your readers will recognize the name of Miss Nellie Phelps, who is preceptress in one of the institutions above mentioned, and who has attained some note as a contributor to the Mountain Democrat.

The same spirit of forwardness which I have heretofore alluded to is noticeable all over town; and, in fact, as lumber is becoming more plenty, the number of buildings going up is on the increase.

THE TIME TO COME TO WASHOE.

If the weather and roads will admit, the time has now arrived when those who intend coming over may safely start, as there is a large amount of prospecting necessary to be done, and all the different channels of business are soon to be running full, as they can as well be doing first as last, when wind and storm no longer prevents, though none have as yet lost time by not coming. Indeed the pioneers have endured many privations which will more than off-set the gains made by coming here so early; and as for mining or other business pursuits, including the agriculture, those who are yet to arrive stand just as good a chance as any who are here now. So far as mining claims are concerned, my own observation teaches me that men will come here and stand quietly by and see good claims located which they might have occupied weeks before, but for some reason did not.

At the mouth of the canon below Virginia claims have been located every day for several weeks, and still the work goes on, and men who have been here for months, will sometimes walk right over them and not consider or care whether they are valuable or not. Quartz ledges frequently run for miles without cropping out or showing themselves at all; they do not necessarily run in a straight direction, therefore miners to have a sure thing and save a day's labor prefer to locate claims on such places as the ledge exhibits itself above the surface, and if they cannot find this they leave it altogether and go in search of another. Where exceptions to this manner are observed the lead must be of the richest description; for instance, the "Comstock," which, known to be of exceeding richness, has attracted much attention on the "extension" both ways, but, as it either "dips" or "spurs" out of line very much, the enterprising men who have tried to follow it, have so far utterly failed. This is the way with rich claims; but if a lead is only known to be tolerable, or not known at all, why your hasty man would rather search a week for something new than to prospect on a lead which may or may not be good, but which is not clearly defined. The time, then, when men "will do well" to come to this country having arrived, I mention it in the way I have, not as advice to come at all hazards, but to such as have or may contemplate the journey, that between the 1st of May and the 1st of June seems as propitious a time as one will be likely to enjoy, although I do not wish to be understood as saying that to not come just now will materially lessen or injure a man's chances to obtain good claims or to engage in business.

ARRIVALS FROM CALIFORNIA.

The arrivals over the mountains are limited, owing, no doubt, to the timely precaution given to Californians through the medium of the press, etc. Within a few days, however, several whose names are familiar, have arrived, among whom are Captain Folger and Judge Terry, from San Francisco, and Messrs. Lyman Beard and James H. Mathewson, from Alameda county.

The taking of such action by the people of California is, to say the least, considerate, and establishes the fact that the rush is not the Kern or Fraser kind, but that people can take the matter coolly, and "wait for the wagon."

I notice the Sacramento Union is fearfully exorcised about the "Washoe Excitement," and evidently thinks it the height of folly for men to come here at all. I hope its advice will be heeded by its Black Republican readers. The present population of Nevada Territory is, to all appearances, overwhelmingly Democratic, and the inhabitants here, therefore, do not probably sufficiently appreciate the Union to satisfy its ideas of what a great people ought to be, or of what a rich region ought to do for its benefit.

A SPECIFIC OBJECT FOR COMING HERE.

It is hardly in my province to tender advice, but if men will come here this summer with a specific object in view, calculating what they will engage in before starting, and accordingly making the necessary preparations, and then carry out their intentions, there is nothing in the way of their success that I can see. If they wish to make hay, (which is now $600 per ton), raise vegetables or stock; if they wish to trade in one kind of merchandise or another, or to work in the mines, or to use their money, let them come prepared accordingly, and in either business, money to start with is a very essential element.

A WORD AS TO SPECULATORS.

Much has been said recently in California by certain unscrupulous sheets about the many men who have used their money here to a great disadvantage by investing in claims, and about the losses that will occur to them. Now, I undertake to say that the heaviest monied men who have as yet invested here have sold again, frequently at a disadvantage, by not making more than a hundred per cent. on the original investment when two hundred could just as easily have been made by waiting a day or two; indeed there are a number of instances of this kind, and I do not know as yet of any cases where buyers of mining claims are likely to lose; of course men must be careful, and, so far, I venture to say, they have been careful, very careful; for instance, the other day, at Gold Hill, a gentleman was offered ground at $20 per foot and refused it; in a week the same ground was sold at one thousand dollars per foot. Instances of a similar character will occur again, although let us hope not often of quite so exciting a nature. It must also be borne in mind that the ground, much of which has been sold for a thousand per foot, is now actually worth and will bring more than double that sum. What use is there for men to garble their statements or to misrepresent this country? Men may be ruined here, and some of those who have no money may not be able to make any; it is so in every country, but common decency demands that at least the merits and demerits of what is already known should be candidly mentioned by all who attempt to speak or write of it. For my part, if I err it will be unintentional, and I am willing to make any reparation in my power as soon as made aware of any errors.

THE DIFFERENCE, COMPARED WITH CALIFORNIA.

Silver mining requires capital to work claims, to find them, or to purchase them. Placer diggings for gold in California require but little outlay of time or money to commence operations. Silver leads generally grow wider and richer the deeper down they are worked; they are of a more reliable character than gold, which, as every one knows is liable to give out entirely at the very moment extensive calculations may have been made for working them; this is in brief the gist of the whole difference between this country and California. Let those who anticipate coming here mark it and act accordingly, or else, if they make nothing here, "forever after hold their peace."

CARSON CITY AS IT IS TO BE -- TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION.

But I must make my letter short, as my intention is not to enlarge upon topics which are familiar to all, but to give attention only to such items as I hope may be of general and present interest. The people here, besides the anticipations of the mineral wealth in store in the immediate and adjacent vicinity, are looking anxiously forward to the organization of the territory of Nevada, and for the location of the capital at the place; and so they may do with almost a certainty. It is "manifest destiny," because all the natural advantages are here, the spot being of all others in the territory best adapted to a city of importance as would be most likely to be brought about by these results. We have to the westward of town a rise of ground most beautifully adapted to the building of residences, in the immediate vicinity of pure cold spring water, and protected from the more violent winds by a high mountain. In the opposite direction are warm springs of a most desirable nature, and extensive enough to accommodate a large population. The site for a city is extensive, and at the first glance is pronounced by all to be eligible. Then the timber in sight of the place will last it for any number of years, and is easy of access. This will be the headquarters of all the miners within a circle of 25 to 50 miles. Wholesale dealers will establish themselves here, and the whole routine of partimanufacturing will be carried on here.

MARKETS.

Fresh beef, 25¢; pork, 35¢; sugar, 60; candles, 75; coffee, 50¢; syrup, $2; flour, $50 per hundred lbs; bacon, 45¢; and many other articles cannot be obtained at all. Hay, as above mentioned, is of so exorbitant a figure that is hardly necessary to quote.

G.

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A Letter from our Carson City Correspondent.

(The following letter explains itself. The letter alluded to was from a stranger to the columns of the HERALD; was handed, on receipt, to the gentleman who overlooks and heads the correspondence of the paper, and by him inadvertently inserted.)

CARSON CITY, April 17, 1860.

JOHN NUGENT, ESQ.--Dear Sir:--As a mistake has occurred which is of some importance to me, I wish you would set me right in the HERALD. The Bulletin, of April 4th, accuses your Carson City correspondent of appropriating or plagiarizing from Mr. Purkitt's letters to that paper. Mr. Purkitt is now in Carson City and I have conversed with him a few minutes since about the plagiarism. He tells me that the said letter, which I here enclose to you, contains in large quantities his own language to the Bulletin.

The letter is not mine; but from some very careless work (probably by the compositor?) the heading of my correspondence, as it has heretofore appeared, is placed over the letter of the new writer, the plagiarist. Thus your Carson City correspondent is obliged to take the curse which properly belongs to somebody else. Again--over my last letter, published in the DAILY HERALD of March 31st, is a wrong heading, to wit: "Carson Valley Correspondence," and dated at Genoa. So that, of course, the whole trouble originated in the transposing of the heading of my letter to his, and vice versa. If the charge of plagiarism were to come at all, of course it would come just at the time when some such simple mistake was made, which transforms it into accusing a different person altogether from the one intended. Mr. Purkitt honorably acquits me of the charge, as he has looked over all my letters to the HERALD. As many of my friends are aware who your Carson City correspondent is, this explanation, I think, ought to be publicly made. I have the honor to be

Your obd't serv't,

C. L. GOODRICH.

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Our Carson City Correspondence.

CARSON CITY, April 28, 1860.

During the week the country has been flooded with flour and cigars--a perfect glut. One would imagine, from appearances, that people intended to have their daily bread and Havanas, if nothing else. While the price of the great staple has suddenly gone down to ten dollars per sack, nails are selling at one dollar per pound. The day of high prices for bread is past; hereafter one will be able to obtain his week's living at about ten to fourteen dollars; and while waiting for a supply of tools the pockets of the miners will feel much relief at this depression in provisions.

THE "BASE METAL" STORY.

The most excitable topic for a few days has been the "base metal" vein in the Comstock claim. The alarm is considered premature altogether, and looks more like a speculating ruse than anything else. The general impression on the streets is thus: If San Francisco stockholders in the Ophir are desirous of selling their interests at $500 per foot, or at $1,000, they had better make one more "trip to Washoe," as they will find purchasers. If the Ophir Company have even been so unfortunate as to get only a clear title to 900 feet instead of 1400 it is still no cause for such a falling off in the price of shares. Of the merits of the case regarding the 500 feet in dispute, I am not prepared to give a decided opinion; but the remaining nine hundred feet is undoubtedly rich enough to fully remunerate all those present shareholders who will be content to bide their time and wait the dividends of a thorough working of the mine. Indeed there is a princely fortune in store for them, and who need ask more as the result of an investment of a few paltry thousands? Those gamblers who went hawking their Ophir stock through your streets the other day at three or six hundred dollars per foot, are reckless indeed, and hardly deserve a good thing, when they are willing to let it go for a song, after its being once scarcely within their grasp. It is nothing but the result of an unscrupulous and underhand scheme, no doubt, to obtain for less than value different claims on the lead. As an instance of what ground is considered worth here, there were sold twelve and a half feet in the "Collier" ground, on Wednesday, at $600 per foot; and this during the time Ophir was said to be down to three and five in San Francisco. This same ground could not be bought now for less than double the amount. Mr. Phillips, of Alameda, was the purchaser. The less said about a falling off in the price of Comstock will prove the best policy, and those indulge in it will see their folly after awhile.

THE IMMIGRATION.

The immigration is not very brisk at present, but judging of those who are on the road by the population which have arrived here, it may be expected that two-thirds of them would "right about face" and steer the other way if they should learn the cock and bull story of the "Ophir at $500 per foot." Such as do, however, will not be missed here; their presence would only shed a damper upon those who may be possessed of energy and have a desire to do something for themselves. To be humbugged is getting to be fashionable, and numbers of those who journey hither act as if they came for that especial design. The more intelligent portion, and by far the most energetic ones, fall to work with a zest upon their arrival here, and their indomitable spirit of success will no doubt ensure it to them. Something new is developed daily in the way of business, and while the discoveries of mineral goes on rapidly, the agricultural and stock interests are by no means neglected.

CARSON CITY.

Carson City contains over two hundred houses at present, and there is as yet no perceptible diminution in the march of improvement, though I do not hear of as many new buildings to be constructed as there were some weeks ago, from the very fact that all who contemplated them have already been able to commence. The style of building is rude and simple, but much better calculated to be substantial than in Virginia, where some four hundred habitations may be counted, the majority of which are white sheetings stretched over poles, with which the first gale of wind will raise confusion indeed. The buildings here are almost entirely of wood or stone, and the most of them will be found proof against many a winter of wind and storms. At Virginia there are not a dozen houses of which the same can safely be said. The excitable temperaments all rush through Carson City with a look amounting almost to contempt, compared with their gleeful anticipations of what Virginia is in their visions, while your cool-natured individual either stops here or comes directly back after going up to Virginia. This accounts for the difference in the permanent and healthy growth of this town, compared with the mushroom and pale appearance of our rival. I do not wish the readers of the HERALD to think these are inferences or prejudices of mine, for as I am on the ground there as much perhaps as here, and have no friends to reward or enemies to punish, my writing of the two places represents my honest convictions.

As some of the fortune-tellers are already predicting how soon the reaction will set in and the tide turn towards California, it may be well to remind those who intend coming here, that they who join this back-action movement first will be those who have lost their money in poor speculations and gambling, or who had little or none to lose when they came. This might well prove a check on others of a similar disposition, and cause them to act the wise part and never start for Washoe, because, as your friends have all told you, (if you have any here), do not come without money and energy. Do not come excited. But come cooly, and with the intention of staying as long as you like in the country. Do not come with the expectation of getting suddenly rich, but with the intention of making an honorable use of your hands and a profitable investment of your funds. Do this, and there will be no necessity of cursing Washoe for a humbug.

UNSCRUPULOUS SCRIBBLERS.

There are some glaring misrepresentations made in a letter to the Bulletin, dated April 7th, and although the writer professes to be "a practical miner," yet his writing shows him more an "unlucky gambler" than anything else. He cannot see why the Spanish claim can be so rich and "no more within a short distance from it." The absurdity of such a remark needs no comment, only a wonder as to what the man means. Again, "all the land for twenty miles in the vicinity of Virginia is claimed." Now, this statement is utterly false, as even at this date--nearly three weeks later--not one five-hundredth part of the ground within the range of twenty miles around Virginia has any claimant. In speaking of the weather, the same writer also says: "No doubt if this weather continues much longer there will be great suffering." In reply: It is well known that there have been no signs of suffering here during this month, or even the one that precedes it.

THE MAP BUSINESS.

In the Territorial Enterprise, of April 28, published in Carson City, is a communication signed "P.," to which attention might be reasonably called, giving a description of the errors in a speculative "map of the silver region of Washoe," issued by Messrs. Sherwood & Dewey. Every firm who has claims in a certain region must needs issue a "map of Washoe," in which are delineated their locations, and a partial or entire exclusion of other portions. This, to say the least, is a very disreputable style. The map above alluded to omits entirely a large portion of the silver range, although it is less known perhaps than what they include. Evenhanded justice demands that a map should be made for the public good, and not merely to subserve private interests.

The wind is blowing to-day, and altogether the weather is disagreeable. The Pony from St. Josephs is expected in a few hours.

G.

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Our Carson City Correspondence.

CARSON CITY, U. T., April 28, 1860.

My last letter was from Pete's Ranch, and I shall now proceed to describe the journey onward.

PETE'S RANCH TO STRAWBERRY.

After passing Pete's Ranch, the road was pretty good, with the exception of some mudholes, difficult to be passed by teams. The geological character of the country, about "Thirty-Five Mile House," was favorable for the discovery of silver, and bore indications, which may at some future time, result in discoveries of importance. Four miles this side of Strawberry, a San Franciscan was putting up the "San Francisco Hotel," which will take among some of the travelers who now frequent Strawberry.

STRAWBERRY TO WOODFORD'S.

The house at Strawberry has already gained for itself a good reputation, and it deserves the encomium it has received. To be sure, the luxuries, and indeed a great many of the comforts of civilized life, we absent; but whatever energy and courtesy can do for the comfort of his guests, the host delights in rendering. At Strawberry, I had the good fortune to fall in with Wm. McMurray, Esq., Civil Engineer, who has been a resident of South America, and is well versed in mineralogy, and I was thus able to gain a knowledge of the geology of the country, which otherwise I would have been ignorant of. At Slippery Ford the snow commences, and continues with little or no interruption, till one arrives within a few miles of Woodford's.

With regard to Lake Valley, and the "House" kept there, the only thing that was good about it was the name. It is an "Inn," and the landlord appears to have made every arrangement in his power for "taking people in." A meal, costing a dollar, was the worst we had on the whole road. I shall say no more of this place, as almost every person has noticed its deficiencies. Hope Valley, after passing the eastern summit, was the worst place on the road. The snow covered the valley in thickness about two feet. It is sufficiently hard to support animals, while the trail now through the snow, passed through soft mud. Bad at present, it will probably be worse as soon as the snow melts.

WOODFORD'S TO CARSON.

Between Strawberry and Woodford's the rocks were chiefly granite and trap, with an occasional strip of quartz discernable. After passing Wood-ford's and arriving at Carson Valley, the appearance of the eastern range of hills was very favorable, and indicated mineral--silver, platinum, lead, copper and iron.

To a stranger the appearance of Carson Valley is exceedingly striking. As he descends from the mountains a large plain, forty miles long by about fifteen wide, surrounded by mountains, devoid of trees, and green with the verdure of spring. Some distance from the road the Carson river is seen winding its way toward the north, while in different places are large ponds, fast drying up before the rays of the sun. It recalls forcibly to mind the description of that plain once the abode of Lot, and the beholder involuntarily inquires, when will there be cities like Sodom, Gomorrah and Aherein?

As we approached Genoa, about three miles therefrom, is discerned the new road over the mountains. This we visited, and through the kindness of Mr. Kingsbury, the able constructor, were able to inspect it fully. Commencing at this point it runs through Dagert's [Daggett] Pass, passes not far from Lake Bigler and enters the present road at a little distance from the western summit. Mr. McMurray pronounced it the best work of the kind in the State, and one which reflects great credit on the builder. It is fifteen feet wide, cut out of granite, with easy curves, and the steepest grade under five degrees. It is expected that it will be finished by the first of July, and will reduce the distance eighteen miles when completed. For all travelers across the Sierra Nevada it will be a great convenience, more particularly for those to whom time is an object--on this account, probably, the Pony Express will adopt it.

CARSON CITY.

As I only arrived here yesterday, there is little or nothing to relate. Last night a "horse-thief" was caught; but the catchers, like the man who bought the elephant, are in a quandary; "what shall be done with him?" There is no Judge or prison. Some advocate hanging, others are disposed to adopt a little corporal punishment.

Wages here are six dollars a day for carpenters, but there is not a very large field for working now. I certainly should advise no one to leave a good situation to try their uncertain fortunes.

JONES.

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Interesting Letter from Washoe.

VIRGINIA CITY, May 3d, 1860.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD:--I promised to give you, as soon as possible after my arrival, my impressions of the mineral richness of this country.

I now proceed to do so--premising the fact that I have only been here three days.

OPINIONS OF ASSAYERS.

Were I to yield to the influence on my spirits of rough fare, sharpers, bad roads and bad liquor, I would, as some other friends of ours have done, curse the country and quit. But I am too much experienced in frontier life, I hope and trust, to allow my judgment of the natural advantages of the country to be thus prejudiced. Now, from actual personal knowledge, I can-not assure you that mines outside of the Comstock, nor even there, are rich--for I am no assayer, and although were I to witness the process, I might be imposed on as to the results. But from my own judgment of the appearance of the ore taken from several of the ledges in the Flowery and Devil's Gate districts, as well as from the reports of several assayers, on the skill and integrity of some of whom, at least, we must rely, I have concluded that there are certainly several other valuable mines in this region besides the Comstock. There is, however, one assayer here, whose name I need not give, who seems to think that I over estimate the mineral wealth of this region. But then, some friends of mine say that he probably thinks that he has not been properly dealt with by those who should have taken him up and provided for him, in consideration of his skill and authority in mining matters, and that, very naturally, he is disgusted with this part of the world, together with that part of mankind who occupy it.

TUNNELING AND SHAFTING.

Tunneling and shafting are now progressing with great spirit, far more so, I am told, than at any prior time. Mining tools and powder have been very scarce, and even now are insufficient for the demand, but are coming in rapidly. I am of opinion that in most instances where the ledges have been penetrated, the yield of the rock has proven to be of value; but I should, perhaps, more properly say that in most instances the miner has obtained rock paying from one to five hundred dollars and upwards, or has, according to the distance penetrated, had "good indications." I have mentioned the districts of Flowery and Devil's Gate as giving evidence of richness in silver and gold, but I do not mean to discriminate against other districts, such as the Nevada, Steam Boat, Carson River, etc.; of these I have thus far had but little information, yet what I hear of them is perhaps equally favorable.

SMELTING AND AMALGAMATING.

The facilities for smelting and amalgamating at this point are not good, but I am led to believe that silver ore, with the usual accompanying base metal generally existing in this region which yields $200, or perhaps even $150, could be worked to great profit provided the ore is abundant and obtain-able with facility. From my little reading on such subjects, I am led to believe that silver mines in Mexico and elsewhere, which have proven most profitable to the shareholders, are by no means always those having the richest ores, but such as afford the greatest abundance of that which we here would regard as quite poor. I am told that in Mexico, silver mines are profitably worked which do not yield more than $50 or $60 to the ton. From present appearances I would certainly think that in this region there will be in a few years, hundreds and probably thousands of mines profitably worked affording three or four times the yield, which in other countries is deemed remunerative. Of course work will never be done here as cheaply as in Mexico, but our present facilities will be greatly increased by the introduction of machinery for crushing and amalgamating which is the cheap process applicable to the poorer ores, whilst smelting is suited for such as are rich.

NO FEAR OF JUMPING.

Now next in importance to the richness of the mines is the security of possession. Recently, I am sorry to say, there has been some jumping, but only two instances within my knowledge. These jumping operations are at war with your doctrine of the virtue and intelligence of the great American people, who are always sure to be right on all subjects, and can always whip everybody else, regardless of the disproportion of numbers or discipline. In fact, we do not need discipline, according to the notion of some people. A volunteer inspired with patriotism, charges with such impetuosity as to put to flight British or French regulars, without any sort of difficulty. But this jumping business is rather a damper upon the advocates of the doctrine of the virtue and law-abiding nature of our people. I am glad, however, to assure you, that although for many years a skeptic in this doctrine about the virtue of our people; yet I must admit that the recent lesson we have had of the depreciating effect on the value of mining interests, by the "jumping" business, has had a salutary effect; and I think that all are convinced that it is to everybody's interest to resort to the courts for the settlement of our rights.

IMPROVEMENTS.

Improvements are being made by the erection of tents, shanties and stone houses. Great activity prevails and many are putting up substantial stone buildings, as if they really expected the mines to hold out for centuries.

I am inclined to think that they are right.

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Our Virginia City Correspondence.

VIRGINIA CITY, May 10, 1860.

You will have received all the war news before this can reach you. The country is very much exposed to the attacks of the Indians; but we have no alarming fears at this time. Some two hundred men have started for the Pony Express station, beyond this place some twenty seven miles; still an attack would find us in a very defenseless position, as there are not arms and ammunition enough in the place for one tenth of the inhabitants.

THE MOUNTAIN TRIP.

Our trip over the mountain was one of pleasure. Two ladies crossed with us--one of them being over fifty years of age. We went through with ease. All the stories of hardships are mere sailors' yarns. At Placerville I was told all kind of stories of hardships that I would meet, and was advised to remain.

I found upon my arrival, what was to any one who arrived in California in early '49, comforts. Milk, fresh butter, and a good breakfast without eggs, can be had for fifty cents.

THE COMSTOCK, WASHOE AND OPHIR CLAIMS.

I have only visited the Comstock lead as yet. I carefully examined it, and there is enough in sight to pay all that it was ever sold for. I went over the Washoe Company's claim of 1200 feet and tried to pick up something that would not pay. I looked at all points, and the lowest assay was near five hundred dollars, and as high as $1400. The Ophir Company, with five men took out yesterday five tons of ore that is worth $3000 per ton; In a word, there is more wealth in this country than in California. However, this is no place for certain kinds of poor men, unless it is for employment. The surface diggings are good, but there is no water; consequently a poor man cannot meet his daily expenses when he is not in the employ of others.

The climate, if such it can be called, is very healthy, but more disagreeable than San Francisco. Last night we had a blow, such as they have frequently here. Many houses were destroyed, and tents blown to parts not known.

I am very pleasantly situated; in a word, I never met with so much kindness in my life.

W.

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THE HERALD

TUESDAY MORNING, MAY 15, 1860

TELEGRAPHIC.

[FIRST DISPATCH]

The Indian War in Utah -- Exciting Events -- Pony Express Probably Cut Off -- The Washoe Indians Surrendered -- No Assistance yet Arrived.

CARSON CITY, May 14--10 A.M.

The reports of yesterday are confirmed. At least sixty or seventy must have been killed.

The forces which left Downieville on the Honey Lake route, it is feared, will be cut off.

Capt. Joe, of the Washoe tribe, has come in and surrendered nine guns to Capt. Proctor, which is evidence that he wishes to preserve peace. This will subject the Washoes to the most bitter hatred and warfare from the Pah-Utes and Shoshones.

Carson and Virginia City are not generally considered in danger of an attack.

All the parties outside are pouring into the towns so as to concentrate the strength.

No arms or ammunition have yet arrived, although this assistance is needed. The Indians are gathering a goodly force and are determined to clean out the whites in this country. The Pitt Rivers are supposed to be with them, and the rumor that the Salt Lake bands are also with them, has been confirmed. The Pony Express, it is feared, will be cut off, as it is already out longer than the last one was. W. Wasson and others have gone to Long Valley, to warn the inhabitants there. Couriers have been sent in all directions. Arrington, who was brought in wounded yesterday, died last night.

C.L. GOODRICH.

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The Washoe Silver Mines.

CARSON CITY, May 16, 1860.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD: -- For the present, Washoe is no longer a land glittering with gold and silver. The Minnie rifle glitters in the sun-light, and the hardy miner has left his pick and crowbar to war against the savage, while the ore will be permitted to remain yet awhile down deep in its earthy darkness. During the excitement which has raged the last few days, I have sent you by telegraph the principal incidents, taking some care not to color them with quite so deep a hue as most of my contemporaries. True enough an outrage has been committed, a serious insult was given the inhabitants of Carson Valley, by the burning of William's house and its inmates, and there can be no doubt it was so intended. For several weeks the Indians had threatened to make war upon the whites; in numerous instances they had warned individuals to leave the country; and although they are as cowardly a set of scamps as their instigators, the Mormons, yet they are reckless, and willing to run any risk for the sake of plunder or mischief. Their strong hold is at Pyramid Lake, which they will quite probably defend; but that they will ever have the courage to attack one of our large towns, unless strongly aided by Mormons, is sheer nonsense. By the burning of William's house, then, they succeeded in killing a few innocent persons, and in fearfully frightening a few thousand more.

THE FIRST ATTACK UPON INDIANS.

The party who went out from Carson City, Virginia, Silver City, and other places to avenge the massacre at Williams', consisting of one hundred and five armed men well mounted, and for the most part undoubtedly brave and experienced, were surprised near the Truckee river by a large force, and completely routed; and although some of them are known to have fought with great coolness and courage, the superior numbers of the savages soon caused them to make a precipitate retreat. The number of lives sacrificed by this most injudiciously arranged attack has not been as yet accurately arrived at; but nearly a third of their numbers will never be heard of more. This bloody battle should be good cause for a thorough expedition against them. The Indians want war, but are too cowardly to come out and make the assault. Their wishes should be gratified, and a war of extermination made upon them at once. What is the use of suffering all the inconvenience and expense of a series of treaties and amnesties? Why put Government or individuals to endless trouble on Indian account? Has not the past given experience quite sufficient to show that no good can come to the Indian, nor good to the whites by delay? It does seem to me that the present case is an emergency which should be taken advantage of. This new mining region is the envy of the Salt Lake squad; they see in our success their inevitable ruin, and in my opinion they have caused the trouble, either in the hope of keeping down all attempts at improvement and civilization, or they hope to create a cause for another army to be stationed where they can prey upon it as they have preyed for the last year or two.

THE BRAVERY OF THE INHABITANTS.

During the last three days a large number of the gentler portion of the community have taken their flight over the mountains to California, and the Territory has been quietly and effectively freed from them. Men here, who really are brave, will no longer be bored by a party who stayed here just long enough to send telegraph messages of blood and thunder sufficient to fire up the whole Pacific coast. They have done great damage to this country, because they have created an impression that people could not be safe here. The value of real estate and of all mining interests they depreciated, and alarmed men who would be permanent settlers here.

MATTERS ABOUT TOWN.

The property holders of Carson City are subject to the reign of thieves and murderers. A few days since, a man who had been engaged in selling powder to the Indians was allowed to go, after having been arrested and questioned. A man murdered another in cool blood; he, too, is put under charge of some body or other who takes the first good opportunity to allow the prisoner to escape. Thus are the beauties of no law amply displayed. How long such a reckless state of things will be allowed to exist, nobody can conjecture. How long our "leading men" will suffer themselves thus to be imposed upon,' remains to be seen. Let them look to it that they have petticoats made under which they can flee into the mountains when the hour of danger comes.

During the excitement, so far, all the settlers in the immediate vicinity have congregated here for protection, and the town has been surrounded each night with pickets and patrol guard. This may be necessary, because it is well to be prepared for emergencies. But there are a thousand rattle-brained fellows here who talk very bravely, and cause all the trouble, yet who, at the first real danger, turn and run like a flock of frightened sheep.

Carson City deserves to be the site of a military post. There are no other places on the Pacific coast so little prepared for defense against savage attacks. Urgent and effective measures should be at once taken to establish a garrison of troops here, and also to make a general war upon the Indians. The guns from Sacramento which were sent for, have arrived, but they are not sufficient for an effective campaign against the Indians. It is rumored that several companies are coming, and that Gen. Clarke will send some regulars with several thousand rounds of ammunition, etc. It is hoped that this is true. We cannot progress until this Indian business shall have been prosecuted with vigor. Nothing like the business which was anticipated will be done here this summer, unless the Indians are whipped.

MINING CLAIMS.

Now is a fine time for buying mining claims, etc., cheap. Some of the brave boys at Virginia are already profiting largely by taking advantage of their Indian-frightened brethren.

In Carson City improvements are going on about as before the fright. The prospects of the town I do not consider injured for any great length of time by anything that has yet occurred. The war against the Indians should be an active one. Friends have gone who can illy be spared. The Indians and Mormons are sending spies daily into Carson City and Virginia. We are closely watched; a vigilant eye will be necessary, or yet we are not entirely safe. The Indians expect us to fight them. Let us do it, and that with a will.

G.

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Our Carson City Correspondence.

CARSON CITY, May 25, 1860.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD: -- One can notice at a glance that our population is made up of a most sanguine and nervous conglomeration, as easily moved by every rumor as the forest leaf by the summer breezes. Only a few days since your community was wrought up to a high pitch of excitement by exaggerated tales of Indian depredations and massacre, which were calculated to create an intense feeling of sympathy and regard for our safety, as well as to cause prompt action on the part of Gen. Clarke and Governor Downey and citizens of the State. Subsequently, with us, the tide turns. A few friends came in who had been reported killed, and the rejoicing is so great that straightway a story is concocted that things are not so bad after all, and that only a few instead of sixty have been lost, an exaggeration in fact, fully as such as the first one was. I have not yet been able to learn that more than sixty-five of the hundred and five are here to answer to their names; but some of the missing had few or no friends to look after them, and not having been seen strewn dead on the field of battle, are supposed to have made good their escape. Such a supposition is not the result of any great attention to the subject, but a mere feeling of hope that things are no worse. So much of this is now written to the press that an unjust feeling is already indulged in that not sufficient cause has been given for all this war preparation. I dissent from any such conclusion, because it is bad enough at best. There have been quite a sufficient number of our fellow citizens sacrificed to call loudly to us for vengeance. Outrages have been committed far to the north and south of us, and that, too, on the same day of the outbreak at William's, showing a concert of action, proving without a doubt that the whole thing has been for a long time premeditated, and that the savages under the probable aid and comfort of their natural allies, the Mormons, have decided upon warfare. I am personally cognizant of the fact that many of the prospecting parties which have been out in the different ranges of hills, for the last two months, have had more or less warning from the Indians that it was not safe to stay in their country. I was repeatedly so cautioned by them while on my tour to the Humboldt. It is idle talk, therefore, to say that there is no cause of action.

THE FLAG OF TRUCE STORY.

Some unscrupulous correspondents of the sensation sheets are giving wide berth to the "flag of truce" tale, into which it is asserted our men poured a volley of shot before the Indians had concluded or wished to fight. These stories are only falsehoods made up for the occasion, as proof can be produced from some of the most cool and brave men who were on the field, that no such flag was shown by the Indians, that no attempt was made by them to open a council; but, on the contrary, they fairly baited their trail after them for the purpose of drawing the whites into an ambush where they could easily be surrounded; that none of them were seen until, beneath the shadow of the hills, they darted from behind their fastnesses in every direction, taking our men completely by surprise, and in a short time so thoroughly effecting their purposes as to cause an indiscriminate, if not ludicrous, scattering--"every fellow for himself." That these are the most reliable reports of the matter cannot be denied with any proof.

A WAR OF EXTERMINATION.

A war of extermination is the only plan to adopt in the present campaign against these Indians and their more guilty and treacherous aids, the Mormons. To kill now and then one of them, for a few weeks, and then make proposals for a treaty will do no good, but only prolong the time of warfare and the time when our people can again return to their work in the mines and their search for minerals. Several companies of volunteers, under the general command of Col. Jack Hays, comprising perhaps six hundred men, go out to-morrow, acting in concert with the U.S. troops, and will move immediately upon the enemy, who are said to be fortifying themselves at Pyramid Lake, a distance of eighty miles from Carson City. Should the Indians make a stand and show fight, it is thought they will get a good whipping; but the impression prevails that they will do no such thing; that on the contrary, they will cut and run, giving our men all they want to do to find them, and continuing their mischief and plunder only at such times as they can pounce upon a small party or scout where they have all the advantage. This is not my opinion; but that they will maintain their ground at the Lake so long as they are able to do so. A few days will show who is nearest correct. It is only three or four days march to the spot, and probably ten days will give you some intimations as to how matters are working; in the interval a general quiet and feeling of suspense will pervade the breasts of those who remain to protect the towns. Speaking of this, the "protection" left here is exceedingly small, and would prove rather ineffective, if the Indians should be smart enough to turn on us and come in by the Washoe pass, while the army are all away in the vicinity of the desert on the other route. This is not anticipated, but would nevertheless be a brilliant idea for them, and which they might turn to the best advantage if so disposed. That our towns are full of Mormon and Indian spies, no one doubts, and everybody is willing to admit that they are well posted up on all our movements here.

THE SUPPLIES.

The immense lot of flour on hand a few days since has suddenly disappeared--there being none in town for sale--consequently it is rising toward its old figures again. The only conclusion we can arrive at in regard to this is, that we are quietly, but constantly, furnishing the allied enemy with provisions, as well as arms and ammunition. This may be considered a good joke, but there are persons here who feel that there is more truth than poetry in it.

OUR MINING INTERESTS.

The war distraction has had the effect to keep prospecting parties nearer the settlements, and the vicinity will profit by it. Of the "out-side claims," which have been more a by-word than anything else, several have been so well tested of late as to guarantee a paying business as soon as the more economical system of reducing the ore can be introduced. When a mine richer than the average of the paying ores in Mexico shall be considered valuable, then will these come in for a due share of appreciation, and at this time there are many of them worth enough to keep. Being held principally by men who intend working them. less is talked about them than of those owned by speculators. Among the many which maintain their reputation are the "Moore," "Nevada" and "Bullion" leads--the former discovered by J.Q. Moore, in March, the latest actual assay from which, I believe, shows a yield of about $500 per ton of silver, with a prospect of richer ore further down. It is located seven miles from Carson City. The "Nevada" and "Bullion" are sixteen miles south, in the Sullivan District, for some of which as high as two dollars and a half per foot has been offered, and refused, by practical men.

PONY NEWS.

An amusing feature of the Sacramento Union's egotism was exhibited soon after a late arrival of the "Pony," when that paper went so far out of the, range of courtesy and decency as to make inquiry as to "how" the Territorial Enterprise published here, could have news by the Pony Express from St. Joseph. It puts a blemish upon the Union's "fair fame" here, from which it will never recover. Since the accomplishment of this object on the part of Mr. Williams, of the Enterprise, he is in the regular receipt of a full report by each arrival, giving the news from the East up to the latest moment before the express leaves there, the "double-sheet," from Sacramento, is rather stale in consequence, and will not be of so much use to us hereafter--hence the venom of their "exclusive" lordships.

THE WEATHER, MARKETS, ETC.

The sky continues cloudy most of the time; the winds blow some days and the hail and rain occupy the next. Occasionally, however, the sun shines out and a day or two proves a real summer. This cannot continue much longer, as the changes are becoming less frequent and the storms less severe. Grazing for stock is in many places very good, although hay is still in demand at forty cents per pound. Flour, to-day, is $30, none in market; meats plenty and cheap; merchandise is not plenty except in those articles mostly in demand; these command high prices, on account of freights. There is a large number of sheep in the valley; also, cattle, hogs, etc. Milk is selling at fifty cents per gallon.

The prospect for business during the summer is good, the majority of people having sufficient confidence in the great mineral wealth of the country to pursue whatever they have commenced. The Indians will sooner or later be subdued, and the necessity of its being soon is duly appreciated. The question is settled -- Washoe is not a humbug.

G.

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Letter from Washoe.

VIRGINIA CITY, May 27th, 1860.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD:--Thus far into the bowels of the land have I waded in search of "the root," and although my present "local habitation" is named in honor of the queenly lady that the courtly chivalry of the times graced as Virgin, but precious little of the "virgin metal" stamped with the stately image of the American bird of paradise have I seen yet, although as an offset I have scrutinized more "specimens in the rough" than would fill the British Museum. But you must not think I am sceptical of the mineral richness of this country, because "kale seed" are not "thick as leaves in Vallambrosa." Such claims as "The Mexican," "The Ophir" and "The Savage," have already established that fact beyond all cavil. I have been here but a short time, and of course my opinion must be taken cum grano salis, but I earnestly believe there are mines of untold wealth now buried in the dark caverns of old mother earth, only waiting for the lucky strike of the adventurous miner to glitter in the broad splendor of the day. It must be borne in mind, however, that every one who comes here with a capital consisting of a pair of blankets, a six shooter and an Arkansas toothpick is not necessarily bound to wake up the morning after arrival a "greasy King" or a fashionable pawn-broker. Silver mining is as different from delving after oro, as is a dinner at a crab stand compared to one at Martin's, up stairs, private, Oregon grouse stuffed, with truffles, cliquot, etc. The one requires no capital but a stout heart, brawny arms and a pick and shovel, while the other can only be profitably worked by the outlay of capital. Many claims are now held here by men who are without the means of developing them, and they have no choice but to sacrifice them entirely or a portion, to some of the "shark alley" sharps, who are up here representing capital collected from the topmost round to the very dregs and scum of cosmopolitan society. Claims are bought to-day at from ten to twenty dollars a foot, and by a little expert telegraphing and brokering are soon hawked on Montgomery street, at from three to five hundred per cent. advance. Now, some of these claims may turn out immensely rich, and make fortunes for the lucky hombres who purchase them, and I am willing to admit they will; but what I wish to impress upon those who are not "behind the scenes," is this: In buying claims, sweet speculators, "don't go it blind;" and don't all expect to win the "first prize in the Havana," for some poor devils are bound to win elephants. So much for the mines.

ABOUT THE INDIANS.

We have had exciting times here lately caused by the massacre at Pyramid Lake. When the stragglers from that butchery came in hatless, gunless, and almost shirtless in their Gildersleevian efforts to avoid the tomahawk; when those brave warriors, who adopted the motto of Hudibras in the fight, came into camp and talked of guns and wounds and scalps, (Heaven save the mark,) we concluded that, "Lo! the poor Indian," would not compromise on anything less than enough hair from the male and female heads of Virginia City to furnish a stock in trade to the San Francisco coiffeurs for the fashionable season. Meetings were called, committees of safety formed, volunteers offered to take charge of the most strongly fortified houses in the city, and we had a lively time generally. In fact it only needed the presence of some five or six more military geniuses and about seventeen more chronic spouters to have brought things to a grand climax. Capt. Johns ordered the citizens to burn a candle in their windows at night, to let the Indians know they were at home, in case they attacked the city, which command created a fearful panic in the candle market. Judge Sherwood of your city, who is now sojourning with us, speculating in claims, made a very spirited address, appealing to citizens to come forward and enrol themselves in protection of the women and children. He said: "Fellow-citizens! it is believed that Carson City is to be attacked to-night, and if so, why may not we expect to be attacked to-morrow night? To arms! to arms!" It was one of the Judge's ablest efforts.

Out of all this "confusion worse confounded" order at length reigned in Warsaw. Volunteers have sprung up like Roderick Dhu's men, and under the leadership of Col. Hays, acting in concert with the regulars under command of Capt. Stewart, there is every reason to believe the savages will soon be thoroughly chastised, and the nerves of some of our men-women will be quieted without the use of morphine. If any foot races are on the tapis at your metropolis, I have in "my minds eye" several fellows swaggering about here--relics of the late sauve qui peut Indian steeple chase--that I am prepared to back against the field, for anything, from a shoestring to a tanyard. I could not help but philosophize at the contrast between the material of the first volunteers and those that jumped to fall in the ranks with Col. Hays. Of course I intend to make no comparison with such brave spirits as died a glorious death at the battle of Pyramid Lake. May the sod rest lightly over the graves where such heroes as Henry Meredith and his companions are buried. The truth is, that a majority of those that went out under Gen. Ormsby expected a little brush with the Indians and an easy victory. The men that have gone with Hays expect a rough fight, and many of them, within the knowledge of the writer of this, have fought the red-skins in Texas, and the olive complexioned inhabitants of Central America. If they come up with the Indians, bet your last dollar, Mr. Editor, that the "white wins."

We have among us an eccentric Gallic Philosopher in the cake and pie business. The boys--who are the very best critics for pies and peanuts--struck the lead of this French gentleman's vein early in the action. They ate of his pies, munched his peanuts, partook of his candy, but not being flush--the war having just commenced--they offered him no l'argent, but complimented him very highly on his energy and gentlemanly taste in the selection of his stock. He shrugged his shoulders as only a Frenchman can, thanked them for their kind and patronizing appreciation of his wares, and assured them he was but too happy to add his small contribution toward the war. Some men would have got angry and received black eyes, but this generous and sensible French savant has been rewarded by the entire patronage of the community and will soon own a brick building in San Francisco. Before I leave off, I must add my humble testimonial in behalf of the ability and fidelity of your regular correspondent from this place. He is a gentleman every way worthy of credit. If anything turns up you may hear from me again.

X.

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Our Carson City Correspondence.

CARSON CITY, June 4, 1860.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD: -- There hangs over us a season of suspense and uncertainty, which, if not soon cleared away, will leave Carson City and Virginia almost desolate. No new-comer can arrive at any definite conclusion as to what the probabilities of the future look like. Mining and prospecting all suspended, or nearly so; the Pony, which a few days ago was a subject so near the heart, no longer comes with its weekly greetings and blessings, and even the most sanguine believer that a week or two will set matters all right again, wears upon his countenance a gloom which tells how deeply his mind is agitated in attempting to solve the problem.

Our brave men have gone to the wars, and the others are leaving for California as fast as possible. Perhaps the next breeze from the Sierra's eastern slope which comes to your ears will bring the supplication for men as well as arms, men whose courage will be avouched for, and who will not turn on their heels about short rations and no horses. There is no longer any need of faint hearts to come among us. The places are all supplied, the situations all full. A few days ago we did not care how cowardly a man was, so that he had money; now we sympathize with him in his poverty if he only brings courage. So it goes. The principal feature of this regions is its constant changes. Speaking of timid men, there are still enough of them here to see all the (invisible) Indian telegraph signals as they (don't) flash from the distant hills. Every other night they guard the town; commencing after people are asleep, to avoid ridicule, perhaps. If three or four dozen warriors, well painted and mounted, should happen to come in on the night our vigilante are all off duty, how disastrous the results might be: What a stampede there would be for the mountains: Who would remain to witness the conflagration? Most of the citizens, however, apprehending no danger, indulge in their usual quantum of sleep.

WHO CAN BE RELIED ON?

After what experience the people of California have had for several weeks past, they will find it absolutely necessary to believe nothing they hear (unless from some personal acquaintance,) that is not sent to the respectable portion of the press by their own authorized correspondents--journals who refuse to swallow down every ridiculous "sell," or exaggerated report, sent them by some stranger, who either perpetrates it for an especial purpose, or gathers it from the third person plural. Action of this kind, of which nothing could be more derogatory to a respectable newspaper, has been very prevalent of late, and shows that some are not calculated to regulate their prudence with their energy. It is a noticeable but unimportant fact, that the astute Sacramento Union has been compelled to discover, at the eleventh hour, that there is and has been for a long time, a general preparation for an Indian outbreak and war against the whites; that from the Mohave to the Oregon line undoubted preparation and premeditated action has been going on for a long time; yet this oily-tongued paper would fain make its readers believe, by its dainty and interrogating method of getting into line, that these were its own opinions from the first. Bah: Let them quit their tirades against the Standard and look at home; let them practise a little decency themselves, first.

MINING INTERESTS.

There has been considerable excitement of late with reference to new discoveries in the Sullivan District. One day last week the Recorder entered upon a hundred and forty new claims. In some of the croppings gold is distinctly visible, having seen it myself. The "Lady Washington," "Silver Bullion," leads, etc., are rated with the best. As soon as matters shall become reconciled again, I predict much success for the Sullivan locality. Several other places report new leads of value, none of which have been prospected as yet, nor will they very soon under the present state of affairs.

THE ARMY.

We are looking for important news from the army every moment. Nothing has been heard from them since they left Carson Big Bend for Truckee. I shall quite likely telegraph you the particulars of the battle before you receive this.

G.

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THE HERALD.

TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 5, 1860.

TELEGRAPHIC.

[SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE HERALD.]

A Scouting Party Attacked -- The Indians Defeated -- Maj. Ormsby's Body Found.

CARSON CITY, June 4 -- 9 P.M.

On Saturday, at 3 P.M., 500 Indians attacked a scouting party of forty-five and drove them. Col. Hays, with 200 volunteers and Capt. Stewart, with 100 regulars, attacked them, and after a running fight of two or three miles, routed them, killing twenty-five. Capt. Story was mortally wounded. Volunteers Canovan and Phelps killed; four regulars wounded.

Maj. Ormsby's body was found on the battle ground. It was escorted. in camp by the Carson Rifles and buried with all the honors of war. The body was natural and was generally recognized. It had not been disturbed by Indians.

G.

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THE HERALD.

SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 9, 1860.

TELEGRAPHIC. PER ALTA LINE.

TO THE HERALD EXCLUSIVELY.

CARSON CITY, JUNE 8, 1860.

The volunteers under Col. Hays will disband to-day. The regulars will fortify near Pyramid Lake. Col. Hays will probably reorganize a smaller party to follow up the Indians.

G.

The Indians Fled.

CARSON CITY, June 8--12m.

The news from the army is not startling. The Indians have removed from Pyramid Lake. Plenty of provisions have been sent. Some 35 or 40 bodies of the first massacre have been found, most all of them horribly mutilated, Meredith among the rest.

G.

The Very Latest from Carson Valley

BY PLACERVILLE, ST. JOSEPH AND ALTA LINE.

Virginia, June, 8th, 9 P.M.

On arrival of troops at Pyramid Lake, instead of a battle it was found that the Indians had crossed the mouth of the Truckee, over the roughest country ever seen, towards Goose Mountains at the north. Col. Hays, with thirty others, left on a scout, and found their camp deserted, evidently in great haste. On Wednesday, with 300 horse, he swam the Truckee, taking the trail. After some twenty-five miles travel through the most impregnable canons and rough mountains he returned.

About 12 o'clock, W.S. Allen, an advanced spy, was killed by a party of some seven or eight Indians.

Capt. Fleeson's company arrived to-day.

L.

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[published June 13, 1860]

TELEGRAPHIC. (PER ALTA LINE.)

Col. Jack Hays left for California to-day. Nothing further will be done at present against the Indians.

The parties sent out with supplies for Capt. Stewart, on Saturday, have not yet been heard from.

Great excitement prevails in the Sullivan district on account of new discoveries. Many persons are leaving.

G.

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Our Carson City Correspondence.

CARSON CITY, June 18th, 1860

EDITOR OF THE HERALD: -- Nothing like these dull times has heretofore enveloped us. Though the weather is of the most admirable nature, and summer with all its smiles and flowers is here to call forth our thanks, the financial "press" is anything but interesting. Cause:--rightly attributed to the Indian difficulties. Whether the parties returning to their work and diverging from the towns in every course will be safe from an attack, time only can answer.

Amid all the conflicting statements and opinions in regard to our stability and ultimate complete success, I remain as firm as sure that when the necessary means shall be employed here, the result in silver will astonish the world. There is no doubt about it whatever, and in making this statement I am aware that many San Francisco men, with but a five days' experience among the disgusted and half starved residents of Virginia town, will differ from me. Mr. Parsons will tell you that outside of the Comstock lead he would not give two and a half for the whole country. I take issue with the gentleman, because I have been pretty well over the region during a residence of five months, while he has examined the outskirts of Virginia during a stay of as many days. Still his influence will give, among his friends in California, a sort of tone or credit to his story, which I would regard as not deserving of any in the least.

Perhaps during the summer ten mills will be put in operation, (there ought to be a hundred) yielding, say $500 per diem each, which small sum even, would soon make money plentiful here; while, should the dream of some hopeful individuals be realized, and "three hundred" mills be established with a like product, the results would, true enough, be "surprising." Whatever course California capitalists may see fit to pursue, let them remember, when it may be too late, that proofs undeniable of the richness of this country have been given them; that they have been repeatedly warned of the chances being lost how to make money by investments in real estate and mining ground; that somewhere on this eastern slope, too, must be built a large town or city where the principal business consequent upon a great thoroughfare between the Atlantic States, Mormondom and California, and the immense mining business must concentrate, and that the probabilities of success for such town tend greatly to the present site of Carson City. "Washoe" alone will justify this permanency; but this is not the only attraction. The Truckee river and Black Rock localities give further evidence that the mineral and good agricultural lands in close proximity will call hither a large and energetic population. The idea of eventually a Pacific railroad through this country also gives an impetus to the present rush in this direction. It is he of the far-sighted but slow and sure stamp, who is willing to risk his all on the realization of his hopes in Washoe; minds of heavier calibre than that of your five days' visitant.

When the Golden State first began to be considered a success, there were many men who would not risk a dime on the uncertainty, but came in at the eleventh hour to avail themselves of the experience of others. All those long years since '49, will not have been sufficient to make men believe that they will ever have another such opportunity. Looking upon the era of gold as passed, they will not credit the approach of an era of silver until compelled to. Already upon the eve of such great event they cannot see it until the morrow.

STATE OF MORALS, ETC.

A certain journal of your city makes ado about Carson City being "a nice place to live in, " etc., and also in regard to the sympathies of our people being "merely on paper." Can "Washoe" be proving "sour grapes" for the "evening monopolist," and can he have been placed in this "destitute condition" from the non-arrival of the Pony Express? Let me inquire who have done more, according to ability, to furnish means for the war, than the people of Carson City? Who furnished and provided for a brave and well regulated company of volunteers in that expedition?

It does seem strange that so many ridiculous and indiscriminate assertions should find their way "exclusively" into these sheets. Their advantages for "monopolizing" mistakes and falsehoods seem to have been well taken. As to the morality of Carson City, nothing compared with California towns in their earlier stages, can be said against it. There is a general disposition to peace and quiet here, and a more general observance of the Sabbath than in two-thirds of California mining towns at the present day, and few horrible crimes are committed in comparison therewith. Of the terrible hue and cry about the woman who murdered the escaped convict, "Emanuel," after the adjournment of the Court, the other day, little need be said. People care but little about that instance either way; why? A bad man was sent to his long home by a similar heart, on the ground, probably, that "dead men tell no tales." The woman has been indicted for murder in the first degree, but should justice fall in like manner upon here, there will no suffering community rejoice or weep. An isolated and inhuman case, but not so horrible in detail as the rape upon the little Walter girl, murder of the victim, and subsequent hanging of the fiend by the populace at Knight's Ferry, a few days since.

No one who behaves himself in Carson City need fear assassination or other trouble. During a sojourn of eight years on the Pacific coast, from Fort Colville on the north to Los Angeles on the South, have ever I seen a more moral town than this, considering its temporary existence, under the reign of disorder, and its advancement under the auspices and benign influences of what little lady society we have been blessed with. There is a time coming, however, when all these matters will be regulated. True enough, Washoe must "work out its own destiny." If every one will pay as much attention to his own business, and care as little for the slanders issuing from the "monopolist press" as the citizens of Carson City do, all will yet be well enough.

THE ARMY AND INDIANS.

The regulars are still at Pyramid, where they were flourishing, as says a late arrival from there. No Indians venture in sight, but their traces are observed as being around occasionally. They are skulking in every direction, and likely to be on the alert for any small parties.

The men who accompanied the pony out have not yet been heard from. Hopes are entertained that they will get through safe.

MINING INTERESTS.

The mania for making new discoveries and of preserving a dislike for the actual working of those already discovered still continues. This thing will regulate itself in due time.

PROBABILITIES OF THE PONY, ETC.

The express has been looked for some days past, with altogether an uncertainty in regard to it. I notice a certain contemporary of yours following in the wake of its dictator, the Union, cannot see how you can have an agent here, or by what right you do so. Had the express come to hand containing your first regularly prepared dispatches, and in anticipation of which event you had placed an agent here to attend to it, as the "monopoly" places the Pony agents here as their agents, this explanation would not have been necessary. Their jargon about a key to the express bags is so incomprehensible that nobody can understand it unless they mean to insinuate that their agents here are instructed not to open the bags to the order of your agent, and that consequently he would be obliged to waylay the Pony and use force and false keys. Allow me to inform their highnesses that at the Pony stations an agent of the HERALD may be admitted, as well as those of the "monopolists" institution, and that he can wait there the arrival of the bags, and by making a verbal demand of such documents as he is entitled to, he can obtain them after (immediately after) the delivery of the "monopolist press" dispatches; but I admit, that though all this business be transacted within the space of thirty seconds, still the HERALD's agent would not have time to receive his letters and deliver them to the telegraph operator before those of the "monopoly" would have been delivered. The gist of the whole arrangement then is contained in the fact that the operators are Pony agents and "monopolist press" agents, and by taking such letters from the bags first, and all the time, deliver them to themselves first and send them over the wires first: This is not a very musical elucidation of the subject, but I trust sufficiently plain for the public to see just how the monopoly is arrived at.

C.L.G.

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Our Carson City Correspondence.

CARSON CITY, U. T., July 5, 1860.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD: -- Lieut. R. S. Williamson, accompanied by Messrs. Gwyther, Demerritt, Summers and myself, left your city on the 20th ultimo, for the purpose of establishing stations for taking barometrical observations during the next six or eight months. The trip from Sacramento to the Sierra Nevadas is very pleasant as well as interesting; but when the ascent commences, there begins the disagreeable part. Having placed Dr. Gwyther, at Placerville, in very comfortable quarters, we proceeded on our journey. The roads from Placerville are very good, until within about three miles of Strawberry Valley, where we had to drive over rocks and through sloughs that are almost impassable. Strawberry is the principal stopping place between Placerville and Carson City for stage travelers. We established a station there, and Mr. Summers was placed in charge. From there we passed on to Hope Valley, over an extraordinary rough road, stopping only at Lake Valley, for some refreshments. Hope Valley being 7500 feet above the level of the sea, and the highest point on the road to Cason Valley, we established Station No. 3, under the immediate charge of Mr. Demerritt. This valley is situated near the Carson Valley Road, which has been closed for some time, but will be reopened for stage travel on the 7th or 8th inst. The opening of this road will make the trip to Washoe a very pleasant one--having stages from Folsom to Virginia, in the place of mules or horses.

From Hope Valley we proceeded to Carson Valley. The first place here of note (?) is the town of Genoa. Our next station was at this place, where I am in charge. I have found Carson City a quiet, interesting little place, and the inhabitants principally of the best classes.

THE SCHOOLMASTER ABROAD.

Among the many interesting things we saw on the way, the following notice is the richest. I give it to you verbatim et literatim:

NOTIS. We the undersigned company diew this day clame all the water that floes Down Carson Canion, ur its tributary's fur the purpus of conveying the same to Virginny Cittey. This company is propurly organized and the caputel stalke estimated at $100,000. Said company will prosecute the work as sune as possible. Signed,

The above is a correct copy, as I took it down in my note-book. The appearance of a beautiful Aurora Borealis attracted much attention here last evening.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

The glorious Fourth was duly celebrated here yesterday by a parade; reading the Declaration, prayer, and a very eloquent oration by Judge Bryant, Ex-Supreme Judge of California. In the evening a grand display of fireworks and a ball wound up the festivities. Everything passed off remarkably well and quiet.

INDIAN KILLED.

Mr. Mosheir, expressman for Col. Lander's expedition, arrived here yesterday from Little Lake Valley. He reports all well now--one man killed by the Indians. Col. L. proceeded with his work without any further difficulty on the 3d instant.

FROM CAMP HAVEN.

News from Camp Haven report Capt. Stewart's command all well, and no further news from the Indians.

A company of Dragoons, under Lieut. Weed, arrived here yesterday with one Pah-Ute prisoner--all well. A great number of emigrants are daily arriving from Salt Lake. The weather is beautifully fine.

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Our Carson City Correspondence

CARSON CITY, July 16, 1860.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD: -- As there has been a lack of news recently, it has been unnecessary to intrude upon the columns of the HERALD with the common-place incidents occurring.

The campaign against the Indians has proved a most ineffectual and unprofitable one. The general opinion with regard to treaties, etc. with the Indians, is, that the war should be unrelentingly pushed forward; that, instead of allowing the Indians to go free, the immediate punishment of the bands directly interested in the wholesale murder of something more than a hundred of our citizens, should be carried into immediate execution. Mr. Van Dyke, the President of the Truckee Bridge Company reports that he, in company with several others, have recently discovered the bodies of nineteen men who had been most inhumanly murdered, tortured, and burned. The action of Major Dodge in his efforts to make peace with them is looked upon by almost the entire community as the merest farce. Nobody that I know of lends countenance to it, or believes that all he can effect will be one particle of benefit to any of the inhabitants of this Territory. News of the occasional discovery of some mining party who have been burned to a crisp by the Indians, no longer commands sufficient attention from anybody, even to regularly telegraph or otherwise report the news to the press of California. Everybody is tired and sick of listening to details, or even of so far interesting themselves therein as to give them the benefit of a second recital or thought.

While these events are transpiring the immediate vicinity of the silver region is remarkably quiet and free from any savage intruders. The reason for this is that troops are stationed here-about in sufficient numbers to awe them into submission, and so long as the forces are kept here just so long may we look for comparative safety in this respect.

WASHOE MINING.

Quite a large amount of machinery of every description has been arriving of late, and it is being distributed to almost every mining locality of any importance. Gold has recently been discovered in several places where heretofore nothing but silver would satisfy the insatiate thirst of the adventurer. Great confidence is being established in many of the outside silver claims, and while they are yet within a fair prospect of proving remunerative by the old process of "reduction," still if the cheap theory of McCulloch should be really what is claimed for it, they would all be raised immensely in value.

DULL TIMES.

Notwithstanding that the future looks at present more promising, not enough of energy has been brought to bear to renew that feeling of hope which animated our people before the war upon us by the Indians. Business is dull, and a general feeling of doubt as to how much should be invested in the Territory, seems to pervade the entire community. A slight improvement, however, in every respect, has been plainly a feature of the last week or two. Whether this will increase to any extent this season, depends principally upon the amount of enterprise and capital which may seek our inhospitable valleys from California.

POLITICAL HEARINGS.

The territory comprised in Western Utah is soul and body devoted to the interests of Douglas and Johnson, with an overwhelming desire at present to see them elected.

Carson City is gradually improving, although not so rapidly as heretofore.

The buildings are of a permanent character generally, and it is now conceded by all parties that this is at least to be the county seat, and, in the event of a new Territory, it can safely aspire to the honor of being the capital.

Upon the arrival of the Pony Express last night, one hundred guns were fired in honor of Douglas and Johnson, and the festivities terminated with a grand display of fire-works in the evening.

G.