* 



296 Miscellaneous Intelligence* 



amalgamation ; there is, however, not the least doubt, but that they 

 and will be worked to great profit, when the process of smelting is 

 introduced, which is now about to be done, whereby the rich sulphurets 

 and hydrates which are now laid aside, can be advantageously worked. 

 This would add materially to the returns of gold, as agreeably to ex- 

 periments made on a very large scale, by order and at the expense of 



the Russian government, it resulted, that a given quantity of ore, which, 

 by the ordinary washing process yielded five-sixths of an ounce, produ- 

 ced by the smelting process no less than seventy-two ounces and five- 

 sixths of an ounce, thus showing, that by this means there was obtain- 

 ed no less than eighty-seven times more than by the old method. In 

 1844, the present establishment was commenced, the mine purchased, 

 and a powerful and very superior English condensing engine brought 

 on the ground for the purpose. It will be recollected, that the former 

 proprietor commenced operations without the least capital, and had 

 purchased the mine, erected all the machinery and buildings, and built 

 one of the largest, and one of the most complete establishments for 

 mining purposes in the United States, and all from the products of the 

 mine. The mineral tract contains two hundred acres, lying in a long 

 and comparatively narrow strip on the course of the veins, so as to give 

 to each vein a line of dips in length of one and a quarter mile from 

 N.N.E. to S.S.VV. There is likewise attached to the same estate, be- 

 side the wood on the mineral land, one hundred and fifty acres of wood 

 and timber land for the engine's consumption, or fire- wood. The loca- 

 tion is one of the healthiest in Virginia, and its proximity to Frede- 

 ricksburg and the northern counties makes it one of the most desirable 

 mining properties in this country. The machinery consists of a very 

 perfect condensing Cornish mining-engine, one hundred and twenty 

 horse power, over which is a first rate substantial engine-house, and 

 stack fifty feet high. On the north of the engine and boiler-house is a 

 large frame mill-house, containing six large Chilian mills, consisting 

 of cast iron bed plate, five feet and six inches, and weighing 2200 

 pounds each. On each of the six bed-plates are two runners, or cast 

 iron wheels, or twelve in number, five feet and six inches, eleven inches 

 face, and two inches thick, running on the edge, the centres of which are 

 filled with heavy oak timber, and each, with their shafts, weighs about 

 2000 pounds. These mills are situated in two rows, and are geared 

 to, or receive their motion from, the steam engine. As all the ores 

 are ground in water, each mill is supplied with warm and cold water 



at pleasure; twelve inches from the top of the bed-plate there is a 

 wide open mouth which allows the turbid or thick water (caused by the 

 grinding or reducing the ores) to escape into a trough, by which it is 

 conducted to the tanks or reservoirs. There is likewise in this depart- 

 ment the machine for washing the residuum, and obtaining the amal- 

 gam and quicksilver hereafter mentioned. On the south side of the 

 steam engine is the stamp-house and amalgamating room, containing 

 six batteries of three stamps each, or eighteen in number, also driven 

 by the engine, and each of which, with the iron head of 125 pounds, 

 weighs 350 to 380 pounds. The stamps of each battery of three are 

 supplied with water, which is regulated by a stop-cock ; at each blow 

 of the stamp a portion of fine ore, freed gold and water, pass out of 



