Olmsted on the Gold Mines of North Carolina. 7 
stratum of gravel and tenacious blue clay, which is at once: 
recognized as the repository of the gold. The stream i 
= usually gives the first indication of the richness of th 
which it passes, by disclosing large pieces of 
the precious metal shining among its pebbles and sands— 
such was the first ors sar sist to the discoverer of the 
Anson mine. Unusually large pieces were found by those 
who first examined shee noes and the highest hopes were 
inspired. On inquiry it was ascertained that part of the 
land was not held by a good title, and parcels of it were 
immediately entered,* but it has since been a subject of 
— litigation, which has retarded the working of the 
Seat Miye in Cabarrus is the one which was hint 
wrought ; and at this place, indeed, were obtained the 
rst. Tes sf om . =? 
sictacted tention by its lustre and specific eravity, but it 
was retained, fora long time after its discovery, in the 
hands of the proprietor, through i ignorance whether it were 
gold or not. ‘Uhis mine occupies the bed of Meadow 
creek, (a branch of Rocky River,) and exhibits a level be- 
tween two hillocks, which rise on either side of the creek, 
affording a space between from fifty to one hundred yards 
in breadth. This space has been nearly all dug over, and 
exhibits at present numerous small pits for the distance 7 
one fourth of a mile on both sides of the stream. The su 
face of the ground and the bed of the creek are e occupied up 
quartz and by sharp angular rocks of the greenstone family. 
‘Che first glance is sufficient to convince the spectator that 
the business of searching for gold is conducted under nu- 
merous disadvantages, without the least regard to system, 
and with very little aid from mechanical contrivances. 
The process is as follows. During the dry season, when 
the greatest part of the level above described is left bare, 
and the creek shrinks toa small rivulet, the os se~ 
lects a spot atrandomand commences digging a pit with a 
spade and maitock. At first he penetrates through three 
A pie e of | land is said not to be antes when it remains the property 
of the paele: — ithout taxation, Any one is at liberty to enter on the state 
books whatever land he can find in this sist na the land being secured 
io him on nee Gelaniog responsible for the ta 
