GoU Region of North Carolina. 1 9 



use of quicksilver also, lately necessary. This diversity of 

 character seems to point to a different origin. 



2. The conglomerate rock by which it is accompanied, is 

 nearly destitute of veins of any kind. The few which it has 

 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 North Carolina is found, 



1. In veins of quartz, traversing the ancient primitive rocks, 

 in very small quantity. 



2. In veins of quartz, traversing more recent primitive 

 rocks, in considerable quantity. 



3. In veins of quartz, traversing transition rocks, and also 

 disseminated, in considerable quantity. 



4. In soil produced by the decomposition of these three 

 kinds of rock. 



5. In the sand of a stream running over old red sandstone, 

 in very minute quantity. 



I am very respectfully yours, 



E. Mitchell. 

 P. S. Dec. 15th. 1828. — 1. Some of the mines exhibited 

 on the map are trifling and unimportant, and inserted mere- 

 ly to shew the limits of the gold region ; such is Ingraham's, 

 and perhaps Alexander's. 2. The boundary of the state 

 should cross the South Carolina line a little south instead of 

 a little north of McAlpin's creek. 3. The slate perhaps oc- 

 cupies the bed of Hitchcock creek, in Richmond, in some 

 part of its course. 



