ON GOLD FROM PEGU. 97 



central ranges of high ground. The ascertained existence of gold in 

 more localities than one in the Tenasserim Provinces, at Shufe-gween in 

 Pegu ; and the association, in all these localities, of magnetic iron sand 

 with the gold, (a mineral which is so constant an accompaniment of gold, 

 as to have been frequently called by miners " the mother of gold,") 

 confirm this reasoning from analogy. And I have little hesitation in 

 stating my conviction, that such auriferous deposits will be found to 

 occur at intervals throughout the whole range, and that locally, they will 

 prove to be very rich. 



With reference to the deposits at Shu^-gween, the mode of occurrence 

 of the gold in minute particles and flakes at once shows, that in order to 

 obtain even an approximation to the full yield of gold, some means must 

 be adopted more efficient than the rude processes now in use among the 

 natives. 



When forwarding the specimens referred to above, Colonel Bogle, 

 Commissioner of the Tenasserim and Martaban Provinces, stated " that 

 there was not the least doubt that the natives have always been in the 

 habit of washing for gold dust in the Shu^-gween Eiver, and that under 

 the Burmese Government, there was a Farmer General of this branch of 

 revenue, who used to pay a certain sum into the Royal Ti-easury (the 

 exact amount unknown), and let out the privilege of washing to numbers 

 of persons." 



How far it might be desu-able, or even practicable, to establish a 

 system of control over the persons employed in gold-washing, or to 

 render it necessary for each person, or each party, to obtain a license for 

 digging within certain limits, paying a small tribute for the privilege of 

 digging for the gold, but ii-respective of the quantity procured, it is 

 scarcely within my province to say. But, in whatever way this may be 

 arranged, or whether the gold-seekers pay any tribute or not, inasmuch 

 as every increase to the amount which the district can produce, must 

 inevitably promote its welfare, and add to the general wealth and 



