148 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



miles before reaching the spot which was to be the im- 

 mediate object of our examination. 



The plot of land containing the gold veins is about 

 230 yards wide at its north-eastern extremity; and has 

 an average length of upwards of 900 yards ; its greatest 

 length being in a direction from north-east to south- 

 west. It is bounded on the north-west side and on the 

 north-east end; by artificial boundaries or lines of de- 

 marcation; which separate it from an estate belonging to 

 Mr. William Smith ; on the south-east side by a shal- 

 low running brook; containing but little water; and 

 which empties itself into the Rappahannock river at the 

 south-west end of this estate; thus forming its south- 

 western boundary. The entrance to this estate is at its 

 north-east extremity; and is formed through a pine wood 

 thicket; and the first object that attracted our attention 

 was an excavation; (marked No. 1 in the subjoined plan;) 

 being a mere ditch; or cut; of about a yard deep and the 

 same width; and about 30 feet long, from which a quan- 

 tity of red earth had been discharged, but no indica- 

 tions of a vein were visible. We however took up a 

 portion of this loose red soil, and on simply washing it, 

 found that about two handsful of it produced a consi- 

 derable portion of minute granular gold, but it was not 

 collected or weighed. On entering the estate, the road 

 descends gently to about the spot No. 3; which marks 

 the position of an excavation that has been commenced, 

 and is carried sixteen feet below the surface, but has 

 not been timbered or finished as a shaft ; but the prin- 

 cipal auriferous vein, to which our attention was chiefly 

 directed, is distinctly seen in the bottom of it, and is 



