["F.," A Word About Washoe, Sacramento Union, March 1, 1860]

 

[For the Union.]

A WORD ABOUT WASHOE.

__________

            Messrs. Editors : There will be at least fifteen thousand emigrants in the Washoe silver mines this coming Spring, and the question naturally arises "what is this vast army of miners and speculators going to do ?"

            If the "Comstock lead" extended twenty miles, the question could be answered without difficulty, but, unfortunately, this is not the case. Then for what purpose, I ask, are all these people going there ? Certainly not to hunt placer diggings — none of any extent have yet been discovered, and, if they should be, how could they be made productive, since the water in the Washoe region is not more than is needed for human consumption ? The idea of fifteen thousand men hunting after silver leads is an indication of the fast and nomadic character of our people, and is ruinous to the gradual progress and prosperity of the State. We thought that Fraser river had forever set at rest the wild desire on the part of our people to follow every false light that glimmers in the distance to delude and ensnare but the excitement is up, and go they will, and the result will be nearly all who go will return sadder and poorer, but better and wiser citizens.

F.

            OROVILLE, Feb. 22, 1860.