MINUTES OF MEETINGS. 135 



relations were those of gold bearing veins. He forwarded 

 to the chief of the survey specimens of this vein matter, to 

 be examined at the time, but does not know that it was 

 done. He did not affirm thht if it existed there, the discov- 

 ery would prove of economical value. The quartz veins, 

 of a character that contain gold, were seen by him over a 

 large tract of country at the Northwest, but in general they 

 were not as heavy, or as regular as those of California, 

 although their geological connections are similar. It is 

 not only possible, but highly probable, that specimens 

 have been found, and that more will be; but gold bearing 

 veins are always lean, and unless they prove to be wide 

 and extended, furnish but poor results in a commercial 

 point of view. 



These veins carry sulphuret of iron and quartz, with an 

 enclosing wall rock of talcose, or magnesian slates. The 

 true gold bearing rocks were seen by him not only on the 

 Menominee River, but on the head waters of the St. Louis 

 River. Very promising specimens were i)rocured at the 

 Vermillion Lake, which is on the waters of Rainy Lake 

 River; but hitherto no proof exists, from analysis or assay, 

 that the specimens contain gold. The tendency of our 

 population to become excited in reference to that metal, 

 rendered it prudent not to insert anything in the official 

 reports concerning it. Soon after Dr. Houghton's death, a 

 specimen was found in his cabinet, which, being assayed 

 by a jeweller of Detroit, was reputed to be rich in gold. 

 It was supposed to have been procured between Marquette 

 and the Huron mountains. 



Mr. S. W. Hill of Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, who was 

 one of Dr. Houghton's party, while he was exploring that 

 district, stated that Dr. Houghton came into camp one 

 night and said he had seen gold that day, but no specimens 

 were exhibited. 



It would not be singular, but, on the contrary, it would 

 be in accordance with the surface indications, to find it in 



