Remarks on the Gold Mines of Virginia. 115 
The product of the four trials was— 
1. For one hundred pounds, . ‘ . ¥ #3 39 
2. “<“ “ce “ af 
; : 8 16 
3. 7 % ~. : ‘ : : 20 41 
4. - a 2g ‘ : ‘ . 133 73 
#165 69 
Division by four gives the average $41 42 for one hundred 
pounds. 
This result, ae So as it is from its magnitude, is, I am certain, 
below the truth, because some of the gold was lost in the washings. 
That there was no imposition is equally certain. I went with the 
master miners to the ore-house the moment of my arrival: the pro- 
cesses were, from beginning to end, conducted under my constant 
inspection and that of two confidential companions, and during this 
time the ore-house, including every thing relating to the processes, 
was double-locked whenever I left it, and the keys were always 
about my person until we resumed our work, nor did I ever, at any 
moment, leave the premises while they were open. 
It may be added also, that the character of the master miners 
places them above all suspicion, and neither they nor any one con- 
cerned in assisting in the labor, had the smallest interest in the re- 
sult. 
I can truly say, that I could have wished the product had been 
less rather than more, for I greatly fear the effect on the community 
of the golden dreams which it may produce, and therefore repeat 
the cautions already thrown out. I would suggest, that an average 
much lower than that actually obtained, should be the one adopted, 
to be acted upon. It would certainly be wise to throw the fourth 
trial aside, as one which, although it may be sometimes exceeded at 
this mine, (which I am informed has been the fact,) may not often be 
attained, and never except upon selected or accidental specimens. 
The three first trials would appear to give results such as may often 
be looked for ; their average is $10 32 to the one hundred pounds of 
ore, but it would probably be unwise to form any important arrange- 
ments even upon this result. It is, I suppose, certain, that one ‘fr 
below this, even as low as that obtained in the first trial, would form 
a very. safe basis of proceeding, granting that speculation has not 
enhanced the price of the stock. As to this, as I can 
form no @hloolations whatever, I wish distinctly to disclaim any re- 
