Gold Region of North Carolina. 19 
use of quicksilver also, lately = -stinontl _This diversity of 
character seems to point to a differen 
he conglomerate rock by Which: it is accompanied, Is 
nearly destitute of veins of any kind. e few which it kas 
are too thin and inconsiderable to furnish the large amount 
of gold that has been collected, for instance at Read’s mine. 
It is obvious that if there be a vein at this place, from which 
all this metal is derived, there is no mine in the country, and 
perhaps none in the world to compare with it for mineral 
riches, since what has been liberated by the action of the’el- 
ements has rewarded the labor of so many years. But ex; 
aminations made with a view of discovering a vein, have not 
hitherto been rewarded with success. 
3. Parker’s mine being in a high open field, and the rock 
having been wholly decomposed to an unknown depth, (at 
the place from which the auriferous earth is taken ; it ap- 
pears exchanged in the neighborhood,) we have an opportu- 
nity of penetrating into it and observing the manner in which 
the gold is distributed. It appears to occur in every part of 
the soil, and at all depths that have been hitherto examined, 
whilst the usual veins of quartz are altogether wanting. 
From the foregoing statements it is inferred that the gold 
of ms orth Carolina is found 
. In veins of quartz, traversing the ancient primitive rocks, 
in a small quantity. 
n veins of quartz, traversing more recent primitive 
rocks, in considerable quanti 
of quartz, traversing —— rocks, and also 
disseminated, in considerable quant 
4, In soil produ ced byt the eaeaection of these three 
— of rock. 
. In the sand of astream running over old red sandstone, 
in very minute quantity. 
I am very respectfully yours, 
. MitcHett. 
P.S. —_ eters 1828.—1. Some of the mines exhibited 
on the m trifling and unimportant, and inserted mere- 
ly to shew the Eee of the gold region ; such is Ingraham’s, 
perhaps Alexander’s. 2. The boundary of the state 
Bioukd cross the South Carolina iste a little south instead of 
alittle north of McAlpin’s creek. 3. The slate perhaps oc- 
cupies the bed of Hitchcock creek, in Richmond, in some 
part of its course. 
