MemarTcs on the Gold Mines of Virginia. 127 



the country. Several persons of good character stated to me, that 

 they, by washing, had obtained gold upon this tract ; and gold was 

 procured on the lands, under ray own eye, by the usual process of 

 digging down to the gravel and washing ; Mr. Forrest Shepherd, 

 also, both now and formerly, procured the same result. These facts, 

 taken in connection with the structure of the country, and with the 

 additional fact, that in the immediate vicinity there is a rich gold 

 mine, leave no doubt that this tract belongs to the same gold for- 

 mation. The important question, whether this land contains gold 

 enough to justify working it by superficial or by mining processes, 

 can be decided only by actual trials. There appears sufficient en- 

 couragement to render it proper to expend a reasonable sum in dig- 

 ging into and washing the gravel in numerous places, and in opening 

 the principal quartz veins, here and there, for a few feet or yards in 

 depth.* 



Fauquier and Culpeper Counties. 



The extensive tracts about to be mentioned, in the counties of 

 Fauquier and Culpeper, amount, collectively, to three thousand or 

 four thousand acres, but in them no considerable explorations for gold 

 have been made. There are no shafts or adits to afford facilities 

 for observation, nor have even the alluvial deposits been, to any con- 

 siderable extent, examined by the simple operations of the washing 

 pan. It was not in my power to make any attempts of this nature : 

 there were no means at hand for such purposes, nor was it in any 

 way possible for me, at the time, to discharge the duties of the prac- 

 tical miner ; I did, however, all that the circumstances of the case 

 admitted. 



* I have recently seen a letter, dated Nov. 21, 1836, from a master miner on the 

 spot, a man of skill and integrity, with whom I am personally acquainted, stating, 

 that a very rich vein has been discovered upon the land adjoining this tract upon 

 the south, and it is believed that the vein runs through the ground now under con- 

 sideration. A new vein has also been discovered in the Walton territory, to the 

 west of the main vein ; it promises to be good. In support of the opinion that this 

 is probably a valuable gold tract, may be cited all the facts detailed above respect- 

 ing the Walton Mine, and also those relating to the numerous gold mines and de- 

 posits lying in this vicinity in several directions, and at a very moderate distance ; 

 these facts it is unnecessary to recapitulate, and their bearing upon the 'present 

 case is too obvious to require an explanation. It would, indeed, be most extraor- 

 dinary if this tract, being surrounded by gold, should itself afford none of the pre- 

 cious metal. 



