IS 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



paratively at the u gold region" of the United States 

 of North America, there is but one impression left on 

 the mind — a conviction — a settled conviction of the su- 

 periority of the latter. 



In the one we perceive unsettled government and 

 laws — but slight security of life and property, the pre- 

 cious metals embosomed in wild and desolate regions — 

 all the " materiel" for mining purposes scarce and 

 costly — barriers, natural barriers, in the impassable 

 mountains, to the facilities of transportation ; in nu- 

 merous instances a want of miners, who, in the intestine 

 commotions and political revolutions, are made con- 

 scripts and marched to the scene of battle, seldom to 

 return, while doubt and gloom and hopelessness of ame- 

 lioration alike prevent and stifle all enterprize. 



In the United States, it is unnecessary here to place 

 in juxtaposition the advantages of its mineral regions, 

 thick forests, navigable rivers, inland seas and bays, 

 cheap engines for draining alike the mines and facili- 

 tating the extraction of the precious metals — a popula- 

 tion well organized and numerous ; and more than all, 

 the stability of its government and institutions. With 

 a mild and genial climate is blended great agricultural 

 prosperity,— the necessaries of life within the reach of 

 all. 



The conclusion inevitably is, if the ores and mines 

 are equal or at least productive, then does the gold re- 

 gion of the United States stand alone in its superiority. 

 Thus far has been premised in general ; in the course 



