264 Letter from IV. Thornton, Enq. 



branches that join about three miles below their sources. 

 The one where I got most of the gold, in consequence of 

 there being a small supply of water, is the west branch. The 

 upper end could not be examiijed, nor any place but one, for 

 want of water. Th,e east branch is supposed frorn a single 

 trial to be good, but the want of water prevented any further 

 search. Three forks of Island creek, about three miles each, 

 contain gold ; Ijut little searph could h.e made for the sarrie 

 reason. Mr, Robins, who lives below, told me he found 

 gold below the junction of these brau.ches — same w-as found , 

 in Cucumber creek. The prospect good. Sonje in the 

 Camp branch of Island creek, also in Long preek and below 

 Mr. IJarris's. Mrs, Osburn took orily as much sarjd and 

 gravel as she coul4 carry between her hanf s, frpm a small 

 spring in the company's land between the Rock-hole 

 branches, and on wasbing it found a piece equal to a dollar, 

 and two pieces equal to half a dollar in value, besides some 

 smaller pieces. It appears on examination that some of tjie 

 liills are rich in gold ; and I think it is not carried far by the 

 currents, but only falls down ipto the small hollows and 

 little branches near which it originally lies, as it has been 

 found in considerable quantities in the smallest depressions 

 on the hills, as \yell as in the more deep runs and branches. 

 Were we to rpeasure all the runs, the small branches, the 

 springs and depressions where gold has been found in the 

 company's land, I think I may admit the truih of the cur- 

 rent opinion there, that the company possess 100 miles of 

 gold land. Though it may be highly advantageous to work 

 some of the places already discovered, and particularly 

 Rock-hole branc]i, and the Spring branch, 1 think a further 

 examination of the runs essential, as it is admitted our 

 discoveries already made entitle us to expect immense re- 

 turns, if our operations be well dli'^etcd in the first instance. 

 The expenses ?re so very ^rifling, that the whole necessary 

 apparatus will not cost 200 dollars ; bat the particulars will 

 bv laid before the directors, for their consideration. 

 I am, gentlemen, 



Very respectfully, &c. 



VV, Thornton. 



City of Wellington, Oct. CO, 1806. 



XLVI. No- 



