THE PRECIOUS METALS. num; and the loss by consumption in the arts, and by fire and shipwreck, at from two to seven millions of dollars per annum. The amount of the precious metals in existence is estimated to be eleven thousand millions of dollars; of which, six thousand millions are estimated to be in silver, and the remainder in gold. Of the amount now in existence, six thousand millions are estimated to have been obtained from the continent of America, two thousand millions from Europe, two thousand millions from Asia, and the remainder from Africa and other sources. FROM the earliest times to the commencement | estimated to be a tenth of one per cent. per anof the Christian era, the amount of the precious metals obtained from the surface and bowels of the earth is estimated to be four thousand millions of dollars; from the commencement of the Christian era to the discovery of America, another sum of four thousand millions was obtained; from the date of the latter event to the close of 1842, an addition of nine thousand millions was made; the discovery and extensive working of the Russian gold-mines in 1843 added, to the close of 1852, one thousand millions more; the double discovery of the California mines in 1848, and the Australia mines in 1851, added, to the close of 1863, three thousand millions;-making a grand total, to the close of 1863, of twenty-one thousand millions of dollars. The average loss by abrasion of coin is America.... Europe. Countries. Asia Africa Australia.... New Zealand.... Other Countries. Grand total.. The following statement will exhibit the annual product of the precious metals throughout the world in 1863: The following statement will exhibit the annual product at other periods: The following statement will exhibit the amount of the precious metals estimated to be in existence at different periods : The following statement will exhibit the amount of the precious metals estimated to have been obtained from the surface and other mines of the earth from the earliest times to the close, of 1863: During the first period (prior to the commencement of the Christian era), the annual product of the precious metals was about two millions of dollars; during the second period (from the commencement of the Christian era to the discovery of America), it was three millions of dollars; during the third period (three hundred and fifty years, to the discovery of the Russian mines), it attained to twenty-five millions of dollars; during the decade immediately succeeding the discovery of the Russian mines (from 1843 to 1852), it was one hundred millions of dollars per annum; $21,272,000,000 during the decade immediately succeeding the double discovery of the California and Australia mines (from 1853 to 1862), it was two hundred and fifty-five millions of dollars; but, owing to the falling off of the latter sources of supply, the annual product has diminished to two hundred and forty millions of dollars, notwithstanding the increased supply from New Zealand and other sources. The increase in the amount of the precious metals in existence has been greater during the last fifteen years than during the previous seventy-five. THE NEW GOLD-MINING REGIONS. SINCE the grand impulse given to gold-mining by the discoveries and workings in California and Australia, new gold-fields have been brought to light, in rapid succession, in various parts of the world. It is not difficult to give some account of them, provided we be excused from setting down in figures how much they are yielding or likely to yield,-on which subject estimates, made with as much care as the subject admits of, are presented in the preceding article. In the United States, we have first the mines in the Rocky Mountains, within the Territory of Colorado,-say two thousand miles, by the shortest line of travel, due west from Philadelphia. All native gold is more or less mixed with silver; but this is characteristically pale,-the fineness of gold varying generally from 700 to $50 thousandths. Still, it is found in sufficient quantity and richness to build up towns rapidly, to carry some of the refinements of civilization across the plains, to draw a large population, partly adventurous, but chiefly industrious, and to enrich large operators and claim-holders. Some hundreds of miles west and northwest of this locality, we find the busy miners and prospectors of Idaho Territory. This Territory, which was organized in March, 1863, takes in the northern ranges of the Rocky Mountains, with the head-waters of the Missouri, Columbia, Yellow Stone, and North Platte Rivers. The gold from that region is of high fineness, particularly from the mines on Salmon River, a tributary of the Columbia. Of the Nevada mining-region, where there is both silver and gold in great abundance, there is yet known too little to speak definitely. The mines are numerous, and the shares in some of them sell at very high prices in the stock-market of San Francisco. A branch-mint is about to be located in this new Territory. Like Colorado, it is eminently a mineral, not an agricultural, region. After Nevada Territory, the State of Oregon claims attention. The gold from this State is of about the same fineness as that from the mines of California; and the production has been rapidly increasing during the last two years. In the Territories of Arizona and Washington, there are also valuable deposits of the precious metals; but the mines have not been developed to the same extent as in the other regions mentioned. The production of gold in the United States has been materially retarded by the disturbing events of the last three years. When our national troubles shall have been settled, and peace once more prevails, an extraordinary stimulus will be given to the development of the mineral resources of the country. We may then confidently expect an unprecedented production of the precious metals, and the commencement of a new era in the settlement and progress of the Territories. There are some promising openings in Canada, south of Quebec, and approaching the line of Maine: some small deposits, we understand, have been received from this locality at the Philadelphia Mint. The grains are said to be large and of a high quality, though various. In Nova Scotia, also, there have been extensive mines recently laid open, though as yet not very remune rative. This gold goes direct to England. . NECROLOGY (1863), AMERICAN. [NOTE. It is a matter of deep regret to the pub-| lisher and editor of the NATIONAL ALMANAC that no full or accurate necrology of the United States Volunteer service could be prepared. In the regular service (in both the army and navy) official records of the casualties are kept and periodically published. These furnish reliable data for those branches of the military service; but thus far there is no record of similar character within our knowledge concerning the casualties in the volunteer army and navy. In the absence of such authentic data, the necrology of the volunteers (below the grades of general and staff officers) has to be made from the hasty and incomplete, and frequently erroneous, accounts sent from the field while it is still obscured by the clouds and confusion of battle. From a copious supply of such materials a necrology of the commissioned officers of the volunteers was prepared for this volume; but, upon submitting it to a course of verification, it was found that in many instances the officers named were living, that in numerous other instances officers who are undoubtedly among the fallen heroes of the nation, were not named at all, and that, in a word, the publication of such a list would be placing on record a mere digest of unreliable or erroneous rumors. Under these circumstances, the necrology of volunteers (below the grade of general and staff officers) has been omitted from this volume, with the hope that by the time of our next publication some provision shall have been made by which the record may be made full and reliable, as such a record should be.] ABERT, JOHN J., Colonel U.S. Topographical Engineers, died at Washington, D.C., January 27, 1863. ALLEN, JAMES, general officer in Texan War of Independence, pioneer settler of California, died at Washoe, Nevada Territory, October 30, 1863. AMES, NATHANIEL, soldier of the Revolution, born in Killingly, Conn., April 25, 1701, died at Rome Corners, Dane county, Wisconsin, October 27, 1963. BALDWIN, HARVEY, pioneer settler of Onondaga county, N.Y., born February 4, 1797, died in Syracuse, September, 1863. BARNES, BAXTER, ex-member of Congress, died at West Brookfield, Mass., December 28, 1863. BARTLETT, JOHN SHERREN, M.D., founder of the "Albion" newspaper, New York City, born in Dorsetshire, Eng., 1790, died in New Jersey, August 24, 1863. BEALE, BENJAMIN L., Colonel U.S. Army, born in District of Columbia about 1800, died in Baltimore, August 16, 1863. BEECHER, LYMAN, D.D., a distinguished Congregational clergyman, born in New Haven, Conn., October 12, 1775, died January 10, 1863. BERRY, HIRAM G., Major-General U.S.Volunteers, killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863. BIGELOW, ALPHEUS, a distinguished citizen of Massachusetts, born in Weston, Mass., about 1784, died in Weston, Mass., September 23, 1863. BOURNONVILLE, ANTHONY, M.D., an eminent physician of Philadelphia, born 1798, died in Philadelphia, February 27, 1863. BRADISH, LUTHER, a distinguished citizen of New York, born in Cummington, Mass., September 15, 1783, died in Newport, RI., August 20, 1863. BRANCH, JOHN, Ex-Governor of North Carolina, Ex-Senator of the United States, born 1779, died at Enfield, N.C., January 4, 1863. BRODHEAD, RICHARD, U.S. Senator, 1851-1857, from Pennsylvania, born died in Easton, September 17, 1863. BRONSON, GREENE CLAY, Ex-Chief-Justice Court of Appeals New York, born in Oneida county, N.Y., about 1799, died at Saratoga Springs, N.Y, September 3, 1863. BROWNELL, CHARLES FREDERICK, a distinguished citizen of Rhode Island, born in Providence, RI, March 19, 1831, died in Providence, May 3, 1863. BUCHANAN, THOMAS MCKEAN, Lieutenant-Commander U.S. Navy, killed in battle at Bayou Teche, La., January 14, 1863. BUFORD, JOHN, Major-General U.S. Volunteers, born in Kentucky 1827, died in Washington, D.C., Dec. 16, 1863, of pneumonia and typhoid fever. CAMPAU, JOSEPH, a wealthy citizen of Michigan, born in Detroit, Mich., February, 1769, died 1863. CHAPIN, E. P. (16th Regiment New York Volunteers), Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, died (no date given). CHEW, SAMUEL, M.D., a distinguished physician of Baltimore, Md., died at Baltimore, Md., December 26, 1863. COLBURN, ALBERT V. Lieutenant-Colonel U.S. Army, born in Vermont, died at St. Louis, Mo., June 17, 1863. COOK, DANIEL, M.D., Surgeon in army during War of 1812, born in Kingston, Mass., July 29, 1785, died at Maumee City, Ohio, March 22, 1863. COOLIDGE, SIDNEY, Major 19th U.S. Infantry, died at Richmond, Va., from wounds received at battle of Chickamauga, Tennessee, September 19, 1863. COOPER, JAMES, Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, Ex-United States Senator from Pennsylvania, died at Columbus, Ohio, March 28, 1863. CORCORAN, MICHAEL, Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, born in Ireland about 1819, died near Fairfax Court-House, Va., December 22, 1863, from the effects of a fall from his horse. CRAWFORD, THOMAS HARTLEY, Judge of Criminal Court Washington, D.C., died January 27, 1863. CRIPPEN, WILLIAM G., editor of "Cincinnati Times," known as "Invisible Green," born 1820, died in Cincinnati, May 23, 1863. CRITTENDEN, JOHN J., an eminent American statesman, Senator, &c., born in Woodford county, Ky., about 1785, died in Frankfort, Ky., July 26, 1863. CUMMINGS, A. BOYD, Lieutenant-Commander U.S. Navy, killed in battle of Port Hudson, La., March 18, 1863. CUTLER, BENJAMIN CLARK, D.D., a distinguished Episcopal clergyman, born at Jamaica Plain, Mass., February 6, 1798, died in Brooklyn, N.Y., February 10, 1863. DARCY, JAMES, a prominent citizen of New York, died in Brooklyn, N.Y., September 1, 1863. DARCY, JOHN S., a prominent citizen of New Jersey, born 1787, died at Newark, NJ., October 22, 1863. DEAN, BENJAMIN RANDALL, a distinguished citi zen of Massachusetts, born in Taunton, Mass., October 29, 1806, died in Taunton, Mass., March 17, 1563. DREXEL, F. M., a distinguished banker of Philadelphia, born in Dornbirn-Vorarlberg, Austria, 1790, died at Philadelphia, June 5, 1863. DUANE, MRS. DEBORAH, granddaughter of Benja- | 1863, from effects of inhaling gas evolved while min Franklin, born 1782, died in Philadelphia, experimenting upon artillery-projectiles. January 12, 1863. DUDLEY, MRS. BLANDINA, founder of the Dudley Observatory, Albany, N.Y., born 1783, died at Albany, March 6, 1863. DUNCAN, J. J. (Confederate general), died at Knoxville, Tenn., January 1, 1863. DUYCKINCK, GEORGE LONG (distinguished in American literature), died in New York City, March 30, 1863. EMBURY, MRS. EMMA C., a distinguished authoress, born 1806, died in Brooklyn, N.Y., February 10, 1863. EMMONS, EBENEZER, M.D., a distinguished American geologist, born in Middlesex, Mass., 1798, died near Brunswick, N.C., October, 1863. FARNSWORTH, E. J., Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, died of wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg, July, 1863. FITZ, HENRY, a celebrated maker of telescopelenses, born in Newburyport, December 31, 1808, died in New York, October 31, 1863. FLOYD, JOHN BUCHANAN (U.S. Secretary of War 1857-60, one of the instigators of the rebellion), born in Montgomery (now Pulaski) co., Va., 1805, died at Abingdon, Va., August 27, 1863. FOOTE, ANDREW H., Rear-Admiral U.S. Navy, distinguished for valuable services with his fleet on the Mississippi, 1862, born in Connecticut, September 2, 1806, died in New York City, June 26, 1863. FROST, ELIAS, M.D., a distinguished citizen of New Hampshire, born in Milford (then Mendon), January 10, 1782, died at Meriden, N.H., March 31, 1863. GARESCHE, JULIUS P., Lieutenant-Colonel U.S. Army, born in Cuba, killed at the battle of Stone River, near Murfreesborough, January 1, 1863. GOTWOLD, JACOB M., Assistant Surgeon U.S. Navy, killed in battle, South Atlantic Squadron, February 2, 1863. GREEN, THOMAS JEFFERSON, general in Texan War of Independence, leader of the Mier Expedition, died in Warren co., N.C., December 12, 1863. GWINN, WILLIAM, Lieutenant-Commander U.S. Navy, born in Indiana, died January 3, 1863, from effects of wounds received near Vicksburg. HALLECK, REV. JABEZ, grandfather of MajorGeneral Halleck, U.S. Army, born in Mattituck, L.L., 1760, died in Westernville, Oneida co., N.Y., September 17, 1863. HAVEN, ALICE BRADLEY, a distinguished American authoress, born in Hudson, N.Y., 1828, died at Mamaroneck, Westchester co., N.Y., August 23, 1863. JACKSON, HENRY, D.D., a distinguished Baptist clergyman, born in Providence, R.I., June 16, 1798, died near Providence, while travelling on the Stonington Railroad, March 2, 1863. JACKSON, THOMAS J. (Confederate general), born in Western Virginia, January, 1824, died of wounds received at Chancellorsville, May 9, 1863. JUDSON, WALTER HERBERT, Lieutenant 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, born in Boston, Mass., February 14, 1825, died in New Haven, Conn., March 10, 1863, from hardships endured as prisoner in Richmond. KELLY, JOHN W., Commodore U.S. Navy, died at Hatborough, Pa., February 6, 1863. KENRICK, FRANCIS PATRICK, Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore, and Primate of Honor, born in Dublin, Ireland, December 3, 1797, died in Baltimore, 1863. KIRBY, EDMUND, Captain 1st Artillery U.S. Army, Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, born in Brownsville, N.Y., died in Washington, D.C., May 28, 1863, from wounds received at the battle of Chancellorsville. LEA, EDWARD, Lieutenant-Commander U.S. Navy, born in Maryland, killed in action at Galveston, January 1, 1863. LONGWORTH, NICHOLAS, distinguished in the culture of the grape for wine, born in Newark, N.J., January 16, 1782, died in Cincinnati, February 10, 1863. LYTLE, WM. H., Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, killed at the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. MCDERMOT, DAVID A., Lieutenant-Commander U.S. Navy, killed in battle near Sabine Pass, April 18, 1863. MCDOWELL, JOHN, D.D., an eminent Presbyterian clergyman, born 1780, died in Philadelphia, February 13, 1863. MINER, HENRY E., a distinguished citizen of Vermont, born 1838, died in Washington, D.C,. December 30, 1863. MOORE, CLEMENT C., LL.D., an eminent theologian and Hebrew scholar of New York City, born in Newtown, L.I., about 1778, died at Newport, R.I., July, 1863. MORRIS, HENRY W., Commodore U.S. Navy, born about 1805, died in New York City, August 14, 1863, from the effects of arduous service in the capture of New Orleans. NOELL, JOHN W., member of Congress from Missouri, born in Virginia, 1813, died in Washington, D.C., March, 1863. PEASE, REV. CALVIN, D.D., late President Univer1813, died in Burlington, Vt., September 17, 1863. PIERSON, EDWARD A., Assistant Surgeon U.S. Navy, killed in battle of Wilmington, N.C., May HAWKSWORTH, THOMAS, proprietor of Philadel-sity of Vermont, born in Canaan, Ct., August 12, phia Transcript," Major 68th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (Scott Legion), born 1828, died at Washington, January 6, 1863, from wounds received at Fredericksburg. HAWS, ROBERT T., Ex-Controller of New York City, born 1810, died in New York, March 22, 1863. HEPBURN, HOPEWELL, EX-Associate Judge of District Court of Alleghany co., Pa., born 1800, died in Philadelphia, February 14, 1863. HOLMES, JOSEPH, a distinguished citizen of Massachusetts, born in Kingston, Mass., December 1, 1772, died in Kingston, Mass., April 8, 1863. HUBBARD, JOSEPH S.. a distinguished American astronomer, died at New Haven, Conn., August 16, 1563. HUNT, EDWARD B., Major U.S. Engineers, born in New York, died near Brooklyn, L.I., October 2, 22, 1863. PURPLE, NORMAN H., Ex-Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, died at Chicago, August 9, 1863. READ, ABNER, Commander U.S. Navy, born in Ohio about 1821, killed near Donaldsonville, La., July 12, 1863. REEDER, EDWARD A., a prominent citizen of New Jersey, died at Stanhope, N.J., December 22, 1863, RENSHAW, WILLIAM B., Commander U.S. Navy, born in New York, killed in action at Galveston, Texas, January 1, 1863. RENWICK, JAMES, LL.D., a distinguished American natural philosopher, died in New York, January 12, 1863, REYNOLDS, JOHN FULTON, Lieutenant-Colonel 14th U.S. Infantry, Major-General U.S. Volunteers, born in Lancaster, Pa., and killed in battle while gallantly leading the 1st Corps near Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863. RHODES, JOHN H., a "Baltimore Defender," born 1789, died in Baltimore, December 31, 1863. RICHARDS, CHARLES R., a prominent citizen of Troy, N.Y., died at Pittsburg, Pa., July 5, 1863. RODGERS, GEORGE W., Commander U.S. Navy, killed August 18, 1863, during bombardment of Fort Wagner, S.C. ROOSEVELT, JAMES H., a wealthy citizen of New York, died in New York City, December 14, 1863. ROSENGARTEN, ADOLPH, Major Anderson Cavalry, born in Philadelphia, 1839, killed at battle of Stone River, January, 1863. ROZELLE, PETER, an aged citizen of New York, born in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 22, 1753, died in Oswego, N.Y., September 17, 1863. SANDERS, WM. P., Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, born in Kentucky, died 1863. SAVAGE, Ex-Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of New York, born 1779, died at Utica, 1863. SEYMOUR, ISAAC, a prominent citizen of New York City, died in Trinity Church, New York City, September 13, 1863. SHARPE, MRS. ELIZA, a prominent actress, died in New York City, January 22, 1863. SHEPHERD, O. L., Lieutenant-Colonel U.S. Army, distinguished for bringing back through Texas 457 men of his command (one-half of the rest being captured) after treason of General Twiggs, killed at Stone River, January, 1863. SHORT, LEVI, inventor of the "Greek Fire," died in Philadelphia, Pa., December 22, 1863. SLAYMAKER, JOHN, a soldier of the American Revolution, died September, 1863. STANSBURY, HOWARD, Major Topographical Engineers U.S. Army, Military Superintendent of Wisconsin, born 1807, died at Madison, Wisconsin, April 17, 1863. STRONG, GEORGE CROCKETT, Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers, born in Stockbridge, Vt., 1832, died in New York City, July 30, 1863, from wounds received in his gallant assault on Fort Wagner, S.C., July 18, 1863. SUMNER, EDWIN V., Major-General U.S. Army, born in Boston, Mass., 1796, died in Syracuse, March 21, 1863. TAPPAN, BENJAMIN, D.D., an eminent Congregational clergyman, died at Augusta, Me., December 23, 1863. THORBURN, GRANT, "Laurie Todd," born 1773, died January 22, 1863. TOMPKINS, DANIEL D., Assistant Quartermaster General U.S. Army, born 1799, died in Brooklyn, N.Y., February 26, 1863. VAN BRUNT, GERSHOM, Captain U.S. Navy, U.S. Inspector of Transports, born 1800, died at Dedham, Mass., December 17, 1863. VAN WAGNER, WILLIAM II., the Temperance advocate known as the "Poughkeepsie Blacksmith," died at Poughkeepsie, December 24, 1863. VIELE, JOHN J., a prominent citizen of New York, born 1808, died at Eagle Bridge, N.Y., 1863 VINCENT, STRONG, Brigadier-General U.S. Volun teers, died 1863, of wounds received at Gettys burg. WAINWRIGHT, JONATHAN MAYHEW, Commander U.S. Navy, killed in action at Galveston, Texas, January 1, 1863. WAMPOLE, ELIAS, U.S. Consul at Laguayra, bera in Philadelphia, Pa., 1807, died at Puerto Cabell November 27, 1863. WEED, STEPHEN H., Captain 5th U.S. Artillery,' and Brigadier-General of Volunteers, killed in battle at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. WELCH, BENJAMIN, Colonel U.S. Army, died at Clifton Springs, N.Y., April 13, 1863. WELSH, THOMAS, Brigadier-General U.S. Voln teers, born in Pennsylvania, died at Cincinnati, Ohio, 1863, from effects of arduous service in Mississippi. WHIPPLE, AMIEL W., Major U.S. Engineers, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, died May 7, 1863, of wounds received at battle of Chancellorsville. WHISTLER, WILLIAM, Colonel U.S. Army, died near Cincinnati, December 21, 1863. WHITE, MAUNSELL, a prominent merchant of New Orleans, born in Ireland, 1777, died in New Orleans, December 17, 1863. WHITTLESEY, ELISHA, First Controller of the Trea sury, born in Connecticut, 1783, died in Washington, D.C., January 7, 1863. WILSON, STEPHEN B., Captain U.S. Navy, died at Hudson, N.Y., March 15, 1863. WISNER, MOSES, Ex-Governor of Michigan, died in Kentucky, January 4, 1863, while in command of the 22d Michigan Volunteers. WOODHULL, MAXWELL, Commander U.S. Navy, born in New York, and killed at Baltimore, Md., February 19, 1863, by the premature discharge of a cannon. YANCEY, WILLIAM LOWNDES, of Alabama, Confederate Senator, one of the instigators of the re bellion, born in Columbia, S.C., 1815, died near Montgomery, Ala., July 28, 1863. ZIMMERMAN, CHAS. W., Lieutenant U.S. Navy, killed in battle, Galveston, Texas, January 1, 1863. ZOOK, SAMUEL K., Brigadier-General U.S. Volun teers, born in Pennsylvania, killed at battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. NECROLOGY (1863), FOREIGN. AMICI, BATTISTA, a celebrated Italian astronomer, died April 23, 1863. ARMELLINI, CARLO, one of the Roman Triumvirato with Mazzini and Saffi, born 1776, died October, 1863. ARRINDELL, SIR WM., Chief-Justice of Demarara, died January 27, 1863. ASENSIO, PEDRO CALVO, chief editor of the Progresista newspaper "La Iberia," died September 25, 1863. BARBERINI, BENEDICTUS, Cardinal, born October 22, 1788, died April, 1863. BARNARD, EDWARD, a rear-admiral of the English Navy, born 1781, died October 5, 1863. BEAUCHAMP, EARL, an English general, born 1784, died September 8, 1863. English banker, BECKETT, WILLIAM, a celebrated born 1787, died January 26, 1863. BEDEAU, ALPHONSE, Ex-Member of the Provi sional Government of the French Republic, died near Nantes, France, October 30, 1863. BENSON, EDWARD, an English artist, died May 8, 1863. BILLAUT, M., French Minister of State, born at Vannes, in Morbihan, France, November 12, 1805, died near Nantes, France, October 13, 1863. BÖHMER, FRIEDERICH, a distinguished German historian, died October 22, 1863. |