The Cecil Whig

[From the N. Y. Eve. Post.]

CALIFORNIA GOLD—ARRIVAL OF DON JOSE D'ALVEAR, THE FIRST DISCOVERER OF THE GOLD MINES.

INTERESTING DEVELOPEMENTS.

Don Jose D'Alvear the celebrated Spanish Geologist, whose famous treatise on the "Age of the Earth" must be known to many of our readers, has just arrived at New York, from the gold regions of California, by way of Panama, Chagres and New Orleans, bringing with him a large amount of Gold ore, estimated to be worth more than a million of dollars, the result of his labors. By the aid of a large body of Indians long before the existence of the Gold mines became known to the residents of California generally. Signior D'Alvear went out to California nearly two years ago in consequence of certain information which he had received of the geological character of that country, with the firm belief that the vast mines of precious metals would be revealed there, upon careful investigation. He was encouraged to this enterprise, also, by his confidence in the powers of a certain Magnetic instrument which he had invented, called the "Goldometer," by whose aid he expected to be directed at once to the "gold Placers," if any such existed. Nor were his expectations disappointed. His scientific calculations proved to be founded in truth and profound wisdom, and his new instrument the "Goldometer," fulfilled his highest hopes. In less than two months after reaching California, he struck upon one of the richest gold mines in that country, upon an obscure branch of the Sacramento river, in a zone of hills extremely rocky and difficult of access, and seldom visited by the native Californians. Disguising his object under the pretence of purely scientific research, he obtained the aid of some fifteen or twenty simple and faithful Indians, and steadily pursued his task, collecting often more than $1000 worth of gold in a single day, which he concealed in a deep ravine, without exciting any suspicion whatever until after the discovery of gold at Capt. Sutter's Mills, when the mountains were ransacked by gold seekers and Signior D'Alvear's "gold placer" the richest in all California was beset with greedy adventurers. It is now found that the real mines or sources of the gold, lie in the gorges of the mountains, and not in the beds or sands of the rivers.

Don Jose D'Alvear was, beyond all question, the first and real discoverer of the gold mines of California; and he deserves the more credit for this, as his discovery was based upon profound scientific calculation, and was not the result of accident. The evidence of these facts, which he possesses, in the shape of well attested documents, from persons high in authority in California, place the matter beyond all doubt.

Signor D'Alvear now visits the United States where he was for several years a resident, for the purpose of disposing of his gold, and investing it in safe and improving property, and also for the purpose of obtaining the necessary apparatus and material for constructing his new instrument, the "Goldometer," which is now in great demand in California, but the means of constructing them was not to be obtained. Previous to leaving California he sold his own instrument, a very imperfect one, for $3000, while they can, in reality, be made for less than $60.—The person who purchased it confidently expected to make a handsome fortune, by simply finding "gold placers," and selling out the right of digging to the gold workers. As to the principle upon which the new "Goldometer," or gold finder, is constructed, we have no knowledge. Signor D'Alvear, it is understood, will, for the present, keep it a secret; as it would be impossible to protect a patent if one were taken out. It is very simple in construction; and is worked somewhat like the old-fashioned witch-hazel rod, formerly used in seeking for water.

Signor D'Alvear is of opinion that vast deposits of gold will yet be found in the United States, of a quality vastly superior to that recently discovered in Virginia and North Carolina, and that the other mineral riches of this country are inconceivably great. The Signor is profoundly skilled in the mysteries of Chemistry, Geology, Electro and Vital Magnetism, and other curious branches of philosophical study, which, it must be granted, he has turned to good account in the present instance. We believe it is his intention to publish some account of his invention of the "Goldometer," before returning to California. We shall look for this work with much interest.

The number of Ships up for California is much larger than the number of persons wishing to go out. We learn from our reporters that many of the ships have not more than ten passengers each engaged and some will probably be withdrawn from the voyage until larger numbers of passengers offer. The next steamer from Europe or the one following will doubtless bring accounts of vast numbers preparing to leave the old countries for New York, to take passage for the mines. Thousands of young men from all the large towns of England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, Holland and Belgium, will come to New York for this purpose.

The President's message, and letters from California, which went out in the steamer of the 6th instant, probably reached Liverpool on the 10th instant, and no great effort of the imagination is required to depict their effect upon the people of the old countries. Rivers of gold and visions of gold will haunt the imagination of every adventurous spirit in Europe. Indeed we shall not be astonished at a greater California gold excitement in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Cork, Belfast, and Londonderry, than prevails in any of our own cities. The emigration to California will build up an immense city on the bay of San Francisco in a shorter time than ever was a city built before.