Miscellanies, 401 



Pecten Magellanicus, 

 " Concentricus, 

 " Purpuratus, 

 " Pealeii, 

 " Ornatus. 



2. Projected Branch Mint of North Carolina. — A report on this 

 subject recommends tllat application be made to Congress for power 

 to establish a branch mint in North Carolina, that the value of their 

 gold may be ascertained at home, and that thus, by being issued 

 first in the state, it may be turned to more immediate and profitable 

 account : at present, owing to the different value of gold from the 

 various mines, and to the adulterations, gold bullion no longer pass- 

 es as money in commerce, and much loss of interest is sustained, 

 while it goes to Philadelphia to be assayed. Mexico is stated to 

 have provincial mints, besides one at the metropolis. 



It appears that the sum of ^500,000 has been obtained during the 

 late year (1830,) in North Carolina, by employing a capital of 

 ^150,000 in the gold business. Agriculture, it is stated, has thriven 

 in consequence of the increased demand for its productions at cash 

 prices, and the bills of North Carolina — three years since at 8 per 

 cent discount — are now at par. 



It is supposed that much of this gold used in the arts will be fab- 

 ricated at home, and thus North Carolina may supply other com- 

 munities .with useful and ornamental articles, as Geneva supplies 

 Paris with gold watches. 



The importance of the Gold mines of North Carolina is also much 

 enhanced by the alledged decrease of the precious metals — of which 

 the following is a summary tabular exhibition of the sources of sup- 

 ply, and of the diminution. 



Previous to 1810. Subsequent to ISIO. 



Europe and Asia |4,000,000 |5,000,000 



Indian Archipelago 2,980,000 2,980,000 



Africa 1,000,000 1,000,000 



America 47,000,000 15,000,000 



Total, 154,980,000 $'23,980,000 



Decrease of the annual supply since 1810, 31,000,000 dollars, 

 amounting, during the last nineteen years to an aggregate of 589,- 

 000,000 dollars. 



