These tables show the production from all the mines on the Pacific slope to be, in 1870, about 4,000 flasks less than in 1869, while the exports have been 10,627 flasks less in 1870 than in the year preceding. The price a year ago was 60 cents, against 90 cents at this date. The product of the Redington Quicksilver Mine for the year 1870 has been 4,546 flasks, the company having used only one-half of their reduction capacity. It is understood that the company is under contract for all the quicksilver they produce up to April, 1872, at $40 per flask, and although this figure undoubtedly affords them a handsome profit, it is not difficult to see how, in view of the great advance in quicksilver, (now selling at 90 cents per pound, or $68 85 per flask,) they should prefer to produce, during the remainder of the contract, only the half of their known capacity, choosing rather to keep in their mine the rich bodies of ore which they have recently discovered, to be worked after the expiration of their contract, when it will yield them at least 50 per cent. more than if brought to market now. This policy may operate rather severely on consumers, by contributing to enhance the price of quicksilver, but it cannot be denied that it is a very natural one for the company to pursue under the peculiar existing circumstances. The local sale of quicksilver for consumption on this coast has been, in 1870, 30 per cent. greater than in 1869, showing a noteworthy increase, in spite of the largely advanced price. MONTHLY RECEIPTS OF COAL AT SAN FRANCISCO FROM MONTE DIABLO. Under the general depression which has characterized our leading industries for the past year, our coal trade has maintained itself more successfully than we, perhaps, had any right to expect. In our review of the market for 1869, we noted the extraordinary import of Sydney, which set in upon us in the last quarter of that year, depressing in an unusual degree the market, both of coal and tonnage. This extraordinary import has been more than maintained during the year 1870, producing like results, even in a more marked degree. Within our recollection prices never before touched the figures which have ranged through the past year; and, as a result, importers complain of heavy losses, and ship-owners of unremunerative rates. Upon the whole, however, our domestic mines seem to have maintained themselves remarkably well. Coos Bay shows an increased production of nearly 50 per cent., and though Bellingham Bay shows a decrease of some 33 per cent., in consequence of the interruption of work at the mine incident to important improvements which were in progress, the agent assures us that the demand for this coal has been largely in excess of the supply, notwithstanding the low prices of other favorite varieties for domestic purposes. We also learn the company is now in fine working order, and expect for the future to keep the market fully supplied. Our domestic steam coals, from Mount Diablo, seem also to have maintained themselves with gratifying success. We note that the Black Diamond Company has disbursed its dividends regularly through the year, notwithstanding the depression of prices and a somewhat diminished production. The aggregate import and production for the year shows but a small apparent increase of about 2,000 tons; but, as the calorific power of our imported coals is generally estimated to be about a third greater than that of our domestic production, the excess of 26,000 tons of the former is equivalent to about 35,000 tons of the latter in actual consumption, and, therefore, more than accounts for the decrease in the production of our domestic coals for the year. It is proper to note that for the first half of the year mining operations were carried on in the Corral Hollow District, which supplied, as we learn from one of the owners, some 3,000 tons to the Western Pacific Railroad and Stockton. We have, therefore, added this amount to the total product of domestic coals, as given in our detailed tabular statement above. There has also been some coal brought from the Rocky Mountains, which is said to be a fine article for domestic purposes; but as to the amount brought, we have no figures. Classifying the various varieties as foreign, eastern, and domestic, and reducing Cumberland casks to tons at the rate of 1,600 pounds each, we submit the annexed comparative statement for the past five years: INDEX OF MINES. A. A. Ackerford, Calaveras County, California Albert Lazy, Calaveras County, California. Aleran, Mojave County, Arizona... Alexander & Co., Calaveras County, California Alleghany Consolidated, Sierra County, California Page. 35 24 . 21, 22, 24 250 145 90 157 157 140 48 36 262 36 91 92 297 188, 190 22, 23 108, 110 288, 297 161 45 50 37 174 104 74 130 297 309 161 35 263 48 33, 531 116 |