Remarks on the Gold Mines of North Carolina. 215 



(>.) For example the Beaver-dam mines, &c. 



(s.) Almost every mine here, has been found by accident, 

 which leaves a fair presumption, that there are as good or better 

 ones yet to be discovered, as those already known. 



(t.) See the note on Barringer's Mine. 



(m.) The last report from the United States mint, states, that 

 about $20,000 of North Carolina gold was received at that insti- 

 tution during the year 1826. It is well known that but a small 

 portion of the gold found at these mines goes to the mint. The 

 silversmiths in every part of the country, north and south, pur- 

 chase it up to be wrought into jewelry, and plate of all descrip- 

 tions in their line of business. It is preferred by them on several 

 accounts to gold coinage, and they consequently give a better 

 price for it, than is given at the mint. 



(y.) See Shaw's travels and others. 



(■ay.) A year or two ago, several gentlemen of high respecta- 

 bility formed themselves into a company, with the view of work- 

 ing the gold mines on a scale of some extent and with skill and 

 labor saving machinery. They applied to the Legislature of the 

 State to incorporate them ; but one branch of that body imposed 

 such restrictions on the charter as to render it unacceptable to the 

 applicants, and their friends rejected the bill. These gentlemen 

 have purchased a considerable quantity of land in the gold dis- 

 trict, mostly in Montgomery county ; with what views I am not 

 informed. I presume however, they calculate on finding their 

 profits in the rise which will inevitably, at no distant period take 

 place in the price of lands there. It is probable they also ex- 

 pect that mines may from time to time be found on their lands, as 

 they lie in the gold region. 



(x.) The gold is found at Barringer's mine, as well in the allu- 

 vial state as in the vein. The following diagram, will give the 

 reader a correct representation of this mine. 



AB is a small branch, running along a hollow, formed by hills 

 rising pretty abruptly on each side, e, e, d, d. 



BC is long Creek into which the branch runs. 



Along the bed and sides of this branch from B to the line E and 

 F and in the creek from B to C, gold for several years had been 



