The numerous analyses which have been made show that the gold dust of
California is remarkably pure. The editor of the Buffalo Commercial
Advertiser, under date of December 20th, 1848, says:--
"A small quantity of California gold was shown us this morning. It was
in grains, about the size and shape of flax seed. Altogether there was
half an ounce. It was received by a gentleman of this city, who, last
year, left a quantity of goods in California for sale on commission. A
few days ago he received advices that his goods had been sold, and the
proceeds remitted in gold dust to New York. The receipts from the mint
show its great purity. The weight before melting was 428 ounces; after
melting 417. Nett value, $7,685.49."
Gold is seldom found, in any parts of the earth, more than 22 carats
fine: and it will be seen by the following report lately made by an
experienced smelter and refiner, Mr. John Warwick, of New York city,
that the gold dust of California is as pure as that found in any part
of this country. Probably there is none in Europe purer:
"I have assayed the portion of gold dust, or metal, from California,
sent me, and the result shows that it is fully equal to any found in
our Southern gold mines.
I return you 103/4 grains out of the 12 which I have tested--the value
of which is 45 cents. It is 211/2 carats fine--within half a carat of
the quality of English sovereigns or American Eagles, and is almost
ready to go to the mint.
The finest gold metal we get is from Africa, which is 221/2 to 23
carats fine. In Virginia we have mines where the quality of the gold is
much inferior--some of it as low as 19 carats, and in Georgia the mines
produce it nearly 22 carats fine.
The gold of California which I have now assayed, is fully equal to that
of any, and much superior to some produced from the mines in our
Southern States."
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