103 Remarks on the Gold Mines of Virginia. 
buy or sell a mining interest, unless he can, in honor and conscience, 
declare that he believes it can be profitably carried on. 
So far as I have had opportunity to observe the gold mining region 
of Virginia, I am convinced, that in several places (and it is proba- 
ble their number will be increased) the explorations may be prose- 
cuted with advantage, while in other cases they will prove losing 
concerns. The small proprietors of land should not be encouraged 
to abandon their regular industry for gold hunting, and even when 
capitalists associate for these objects, (which is certainly the more 
proper course,) prudent men will be slow to pledge more than they 
can lose without embarrassment, certainly without ruin. 
In recurring again to the mines of Busby and Moss, I have to re- 
mark that the land, (consisting as I am informed, of one hundred and 
eighty three acres—fifty three to Busby’s, and one hundred and 
thirty to Moss’, lying in tracts nearly contiguous,) is well wooded 
with valuable timber, and well watered for the purposes of mining 
or of agriculture. The soil is thin, like most of that in the ait re- 
gion ; but the physical features of the country are favorable to mi- 
ning operations, the surface being formed in gentle swells; and good 
roads may be constructed at a moderate expense. At Moss’ mine, 
about one thousand bushels of ore have been raised. It is due to 
the gentlemen charged with the management of these mines to-say, 
that [ have been most favorably impressed by their intelligence, zeal, 
and candor ; and 1 with pleasure acknowledge my obligations to them 
for their nites kindness, and judicious and useful co-operation du- 
ring this investigation. 
I am not willing to omit a deserved commendation to the master 
miners, both here, and at several other mines which 1| have visited ; 
comparing them with persons of their profession with whom I was 
formerly conversant, in some of the most important mining districts 
of England, I am justified in saying that they appear deserving of 
confidence. 
Mr. Forrest Shepherd, a gentleman who has had much acquaint- 
ance with the gold mines of Virginia, being present at the examina- 
tion whose result is given above, and being requested by me to aid 
in the processes, states in a published letter, that at Moss’ vein he 
saw the ore broken from the rock—that he counted every fragment, 
and broke portions in numerous places from these same fragments in 
order to obtain a fair average. This ore, he states, was pounded 
a 
