Remarks on the Gold Mines of North Carolina. 207 



a more powerful current and where it still acts, it is thinner, 

 often only two or three inches thick, (p.) Where this pecu- 

 liar layer or deposit is not found, there is not much chance of 

 obtaining gold ; but this is seldom the case in the vicinity of 

 veins. 



The properties of the gold found in these layers or beds like 

 those of the first formation, resemble those of the gold found in 

 the veins from which it was washed. The gold found near the 

 vein looks very much like that in the vein ; but is broken into 

 smaller pieces, and rounded off at its corners according to the 

 distance it has been removed, and the quantity of attrition 

 it has received, (q.) 



The deposits of gold belonging to the second formation are 

 often very rich and extensive, (r.) 



(B.) Having made these remarks on the first division of the 

 subject, it now remains for me to add some observations on 

 the second head, namely, as to the causes that have heretofore 

 retarded the development of these mines, and also on the 

 prospect they present of becoming more valuable under a 

 different state of things. 



It will be recollected, that in the course of the preceding re- 

 marks, the mines were considered under two heads, Jirst, the 

 mines in veins, and secondly, the mines of the alluvial depos- 

 its. In my additional remarks, I will keep up the same dis- 

 tinction, first beginning with the alluvial deposits, for the 

 reason that they have been more worked than the veins. 



First. The most of the labor heretofore expended in pur- 

 suit of gold in this country, has been on the alluvial deposits, 

 and from the best information I can obtain, some of these 

 have been known and worked for a number of years ; while, 

 the existence of gold here in veins, is but a recent discovery, 

 and no serious attempt has yet been made to pursue a vein to 

 any considerable extent, (s.) 



When it is considered that the alluvial spots alone, with 

 few exceptions have been worked; and more particularly 

 when we look at the manner in which they have been worked, 

 w r e cannot but wonder at the great success that has attended 

 these operations. As yet, but little science or skill has been 

 applied to the gold mines of North Carolina. They have 

 been worked in the rudest manner, and still continue to be 

 worked in the same way. (t.) 



The gold diggers generally may be arranged in two classes ; 

 one of which is composed of those who do little else than fol- 



