286 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
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hands employed; at my next visit, in 1846, it had been so torn up by the misapplied force of these 
men, that it was scarcely to be recognized. 'The system of letting portions of the mine to any one 
that applies is a most deplorable one—a fact of which the intelligent superintendent is fully aware, 
but can do no better. ‘Twelve feet square of the mine is rented by one or two persons, who pay 
one fourth of what they make, as a rent. The consequence is, that there is no system, much less 
any concert, in the working—and certainly no view to future operations, It is easy to imagine the 
rest, Where so many men are employed under such a system. 
With regard to mining operations, some improvement has taken place, within the last two years, 
but they are yet very defective. Many suppose that mining, in the proper sense, must be expensive ; 
the preliminary operations appear more so than sinking into the ore at once, but it soon becomes evi- 
dent, that mining has for its object the production of the greatest useful effect with the least labor and 
expense. 
In conclusion, the statistics here given of two important mines will givea more correct view of the 
economic value of the gold mines of the State, than any general representations that I could present. 
Between speculation, and consequent exaggeration, on one side, and Cisappointment and disgust on 
the other, it is difficult to arrive at the truth. f 
I think it may now be fairly stated, that while as industrial resources they will yield a fair remun- 
eration, when worked with industry, perseverance and skill, it is folly to resort to them with a view 
of getting suddenly rich, and still worse to purchase them at an enormous price. A rich pocket is 
indeed sometimes found, as was the case at Nott’s mine, where $3000 were extracted from 11 bushels 
of ore, but such an instance did not occur again in the State. 
Employments where the remuneration is uncertain, exert an injurious influence on the habits of 
those so employed, but the State presents one example of a mine worked steadily, and for a series of 
years, as any other ordinary employment; I allude to Hale’s mine, which has been explored, I believe, 
with profit, and without any bad effects on the operatives. 
Or THE OTHER METALS FOUND IN THE STATE. 
Manganese.—I have pointed out the localities of this mineral, which is used in the arts, for remov- 
ing the tint imparted to glass by iron, but most extensively in the preparation of chlorine of lime, or 
bleaching-powder. For this purpose, a mixture of salt, sulphuric acid and manganese, is placed in a 
large retort, to which heat is applied. Chlorine is liberated and conveyed into a chamber provided with 
shelves, that are covered with a few inches in thickness of lime. The chlorine is absorbed by the 
lime, which is now put up in barrels for use. 'The price of oxide of manganese is from $25 to $30 
per ton. 
Lead.—This metal occurs in the form of galena or sulphuret of lead in Cheochee valley, but only 
in sufficient quantity to be mentioned among the minerals of the State. It is also found at Parson’s 
Mountain, as a phosphate, in small quantities. 
Copper.—The most promiment indications of this metal occur at the Harman mine: it forms, by the 
spontaneous decomposition of copper pyrites sulphate of copper, which is seen in the refuse of the 
heaps at the mine. [have marked on the map the other localities. 
Bismuth.—Both native, and in the form of ochre, is found at Brewer’s mine. 
Graphite or Black Lead.—\ have met with but one locality of this substance, and that is in Spar- 
tanburg, in the N, E. corner of the District. It has been used at the iron works, on the machinery, 
