55 



from the Weaver Basin and its surrounding ridges, of which nine specimens, or 

 about three-fifths contained gold; of the remaining twenty-nine specimens twenty- 

 two were found to contain the same metal. As but one of this entire number 

 of veins was found to be located for mining purposes, within my knowledge, I 

 hope that I may not incur the charge of giving a favorable report on private 

 property for pecuniary considerations, for to be frank in this matter, I found a 

 less quantity in the vein which was claimed than in any specimen which proved 

 to be auriferous. 



The above facts respecting the auriferous character of the quartz veins of the 

 northern section of this State are detailed for the' purpose of calling attention 

 to that important source of wealth, which in other parts of the State has proved 

 of so high a value, and which thus far in the extreme northern portion of the 

 County have been engaged in to so limited an extent. One of the greatest causes, 

 however, which have acted in preventing capital investment in this b/anch of 

 mining, is the hitherto almost inaccessible condition of this section from bad 

 roads, preventing the transit of heavy machinery which is so necessary to success 

 in the reduction of ores. This difficulty at present seems likely to be overcome, 

 for active measures are now being taken for the construction of good avenues 

 of communication, which will insure the means of the transportation of heavy 

 freights to almost any portion of the northern interior. 



IRIDIUM AND OSMIUM. 



This County, like many others of the State, produces the above metals, but 

 in much larger grains than any heretofore discovered. This alloy is the metal 

 usually denominated Platinum in the mines of this State. It is found in 

 the greatest abundance on the south fork of the Trinity River, occurring in 

 large and small rounded grains, and nuggets weighing from one pennyweight 

 upwards to half an ounce. Thus far the south branch has been most pro 

 ductive in this mineral, although some of the adjacent streams contain notable 

 quantities. The size of the grains from this stream will render it of some com 

 mercial importance, as it appears well adapted to those uses to which it is ordi 

 narily applied, (that of forming the points of gold pens) although its price, like 

 that of every other commercial commodity, will be variable according to the 

 supply or demand. During the past year the price of this article has exceeded 

 that of gold; but a considerable quantity being thrown into the market in the 

 early part of last spring, its price diminished very materially; the effect, how 

 ever, was but of short duration, as the article was found to be of an inferior 

 quality. 



It was thought at one period that the large quantities of this metal found at 

 Port Orford, Coose Bay and Cape Blanco might affect the price of the article 

 to an extent that would render its collection in this State of little importance; 

 but the size of the grains from the above localities renders it almost valueless, 

 being but mere thin scales in an extremely fine state of comminution. Che 

 large size of the grains found on the banks of the Trinity, imparts to this article 

 one of its principal values, and as it is found in considerable quantities upon that 

 stream, it is to be hoped that attention may be directed to its collection. 



