Remarks on the Gold Mines of North Carolina. 213 



as the case may be. Money has to be expended to some ex- 

 tent, even before the mining operation can commence ; hou- 

 ses have to be built for the accommodation of the hands, the 

 permanent fixtures made, tools and provisions provided, and 

 all this before any gold is found. 



In this section of the country, but few persons possess funds 

 available to an enterprise of this kind, and as yet, the exist- 

 ence of regular metallic veins in this region, has not been 

 known long enough to bring enterprising capitalists from a 

 distance. In Europe, in Mexico, and South America, mining 

 operations are generally carried on, either by the government, 

 or by incorporated companies with ample funds and protect- 

 ing privileges. And they must be carried on in this country 

 in the same way, before much success will follow, (w.) 



Another desideratum even more than capital, is wanting 

 here — I mean science and skill. At Barringer's mine, a vast 

 deal of labor has been expended, and after all the vein has 

 been pursued only about thirty feet deep ; the fact is, the most 

 of the labor was misapplied, in sinking large pits at spots not 

 near the vein, some places, two or three hundred yards off, 

 and not even in the range or direction of the vein. Now, if 

 a man acquainted with the subject had been present, nine 

 tenths of this labor might have been saved, or directed to the 

 proper point. These injudicious attempts have the effect not 

 only to abate the ardor of persons concerned, but to deter 

 others from making even proper efforts, (x.) 



But this sort of bad management, and consequent failures, 

 more or less, attend all new undertakings, and always retard 

 success. Time and experience, however will in the end, over- 

 come all obstacles, and we may with confidence conclude, 

 that, as the gold mines of North Carolina become better un- 

 derstood, they will become more valuable and productive. 



NOTES, 

 (a.) During the past two or three years, several notices of the 

 gold mines of North Carolina have appeared in the public pa- 

 pers ; but few of these are to be relied on. The reports of Pro- 

 fessor Olmsted however are of a different character. They con- 

 tain much correct and valuable information. Mr. Olmsted's re- 

 ports may be found in " Silliman's Journal, 1 ' and in the small 

 volumes published by the North Carolina Board of Agriculture. 



(b.) This granite, in its structure, resembles very much the 



