Remarks on the Gold Mines of Virginia. 129 
strike these grounds, which are immediately contiguous. It gives 
additional strength to this view, that the estates opposite to the Cul- 
peper mine, and lying on the other side of the river Rapidan, are 
rich in gold. 
There can be no doubt, therefore, as to the general nature of this 
region, and it remains only to inquire whether the peculiar features 
indicating gold are continued through the territory on both sides of 
the Rappahannock. ‘To this question the answer is decidedly in the 
aflirmative. 
The ranges and strata, like those of the gold-bearing rocks, with 
their quartz veins, the same that, with slight variations of appearance, 
are seen through the gold region, are here conspicuous, passing under 
the river Rappahannock, and appearing in the Jands on both its banks. 
The same slaty rocks that characterize the gold region elsewhere in 
Virginia, are seen here; as in many other places, they are highly 
inclined, and in general, the quartz veins have the same inclination 
as the strata and layers of rock, and lie between them. On the 
northeast side of the river, in the Mount Ephraim estate, the veins 
of quartz are large; their ruins are numerous, and fie in massy piles 
on the surface, presenting, sometimes, over a considerable surface 
of quartz, a delicate frosting of minute crystals of quartz, and at 
other times the crystals are distinct, pene perfect forms. In the 
extensive tract on the southeast side the river, the veins of 
quartz are numerous; they are not so ak as on the other side, 
but they are better defined, and often assume a promising appear- 
ance, being accompanied by that bright or deep red earth, so com- 
monly seen through the gold regions, and which has probably pro- 
ceeded from the decomposition of pyrites, so frequent a companion 
of gold in Virginia. 
In answer to the inquiry whether gold has been actually found 
upon any portion of these tracts, the facts are not numerous, but as 
far as they go they are satisfactory. We are credibly informed, that 
gold has been repeatedly found in both territories by washing; my 
witness is one who himself obtained the gold on the southeast side 
of the river, and he had the statement respecting the other side 
from a gentleman resident on the ground, and personally knowing to 
the facts. 
It appears, then, that there is sufficient encouragement to justify 
an examination of these grounds in the usual way, and that it is 
decidedly proper to expend a sufficient sum in washing, upon all 
Vou. XXXIL—No. 1. 
