The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-29 00:00:00

DISCOVERIES
0.

AT THE CARE
OPE.

An outline of the circumstances connected with
certain discoveries of copper, which have lately
caused great excitement at the Cape of Good Hope,
was given in The Sun. The subjoined document
is one of those presented by the Governor to the
Legislature of the colony on the subject, and pur-
ports to furnish details of the latest observations
made during an inspection of the district in June
last by Mr. A. G. Bain, a professional geologist.
The territory in question is called Namaqualand,
and was incorporated with the division of Clanwil-
liatn, which forms the northern part of the Cape
colony, during the administration of Sir Harry
Smith. From its florid character, the report of
Mr. Bain recalls the announcements by which de-
lusions were spread regarding similar discoveries
in Nova Scotia and Jamaica a year or two back,
and, if unsupported by extensive collateral testi-
mony, it would, ' as the public on this side have
no means of estimating the ability or trustworthi-
ness of the writer, challenge little attention. The
existence of these mines, however, has in some
degree been known for more than a century,
and, although the wild and uninhabitable nature
of the country has prevented until lately any
general exploration, shipments of ore in increasing
quantities have now been in progress for two or
three years :
"His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor having expressed
a desire to be furnished with a written account of the geo-
logy of
Namaqualand, from which country I have lately
returned, and that I should offer any suggestions likely to
be of public utility in the altered circumstances of that
remote part of the colony, I most willingly comply. At
the same time, I must premise that my visit to the copper
mines was such a hurried one that I was precluded from
making such careful observations of the geological features
of the country as I
could. have wished. The following
must therefore be considered as a very rough sketch ; yet,
as containing the opinion of a geologist, it may be of
some value at this crisis, when so many
counts are in circulation respecting
conflicting ae•
teresting territory.
" Having had some professional duties to perform in the
division of Clan william, I took that D isiofmaking
that ROW highly in.
rtPo ti...ty .
a hasty trip to the copper mines of (Ist
pally with a view of filling up a gap mapiraa4ugalaneolodgiosaprin el.
of South Africa.
" Entering Namaqualand, and approaching
regions, the roads become steep and midulatin-g the
Ter
s station of KaniaLasve ii
such a nature as easily to be converted into-, ones.thodu-h of
Leaving the Kamies Bergen behind, we descend bye ry
tortuous route to the missionary'
wretched-looking place, as far as buildings go, thero-fseil.
only the missionary's house and one or two other --
walled houses, the rest being merely a Namaqua kraal,
consisting of a few mat huts. There is, however, a beauti-
ful little stream of fresh water, the first I had seen is
Namaqualand, which will doubtless fix this locality as the
future capital of the mining regions.
" Twenty miles' ride in a north-easterly direction from
Kamaggas brings us to Messrs. Phillips and King's cele•
brated ' Spec takel,' situated near the confluence of the
Kousie and Schaap Rivers. Here the surface indications
are very strong, the green carbonate of copper boiling out,
as it were, through the gneiss rocks in all directions.
" This mine, or rather quarry (for it resembles the latter
more than the former), has been worked to the depth of
about 20 feet, and on descending into it it presents, on the
northern side, exactly the appearance which geologists call
an ' anticlinal axis.' It is one mass of green carbonate and
brown oxide of copper, with only some thin strata of gneiss
intervening, which latter distinctly shows the shape of the
anticlinal arch. The bottom of the mineconsists of a round.
mass of gneiss, without any appearance of ore ; yet the
miners told me that they intended to blast through it, as
rich beds of ore would be found below, so that there is no
telling to what depth they may go. There are large heaps
of valuable ore thrown away at the entrance of the mine,
which, on account of the heavy land carriage to Hondeklip.
bay, will not pay to ship to England.
" The ore sent away generally yields about 45 per cent.
of copper on an average, and I was assured, on the beet
authority, that one miner and two assistants will quarry
and prepare for shipment a ton a-day. This, when worked
on a large scale, ought to pay well, being worth nearly
401. per ton.
" In this neighbourhood are numerous mines, many of
them exceedingly rich in surface indications, but none of
them has yet been worked, except one of Mr. Daniel's.
" Mining in South Africa is so different from what it is
in Europe that many of the best miners frequently find
themselves at fault, for when they imagine they are work-
ing in a vein or lode, to their surprise they find they are
in a quarry of unbounded mineral riches.
" Leaving the mining district 'of Schaap and Kousie
rivers, where Mr. J. 0. Smith and many others are the
fortunate lessees of the richest and most promising mines
of the country, I ascended the ' Spectakel' Mountain to
visit the mines of Springbock Fontein, the property of
Messrs. Phillips and King. On the way I saw several in.
dications of copper, and from the mountain's summit had.
a beautiful view of the surrounding country.
" It has generally been reported that no other rock but
granite was to be found in Namaqualand, but from this
mountain I could distinctly see three different polo-
gical formations—viz., granite, gneiss, and micha schist,
in regular sequence.
" In speaking of the different formations to be found in
Namaqualand, I may observe that all the copper mines I
have met with are invariably situated about the junction
of the granite and gneiss rocks, and never, so far as I am
aware, has any indication of copper been found there in
the micha schist. Unfortunately the lots of many persons,
whose leases of ' mineral centres' from Government were
chosen because they were near to those known to be rich,
are in the mica schist, and consequently good for nothing.
" Springbuck Fontein is situated about four hours' ride
on horseback beyond Spectakel. Bare amorphous granite
mountains everywhere rear their naked heads above their
rugged bases of gneiss, the former without a fissure or
crack, and perfectly destitute of vegetation, if we except
some patches of red and brown lichens.
" The mines are situated in rather a pleasant valley (an
oasis in the desert), and here we already.behold the nucleus
of a rapidly rising village.
" It hey been said that Namaqualand is perfectly desti-
tute of water, but by sinking here to the depth of a few
feet the best of water has been procured : and, from the
geological construction of the country, I feel certain that
by digging to a very slight depth good water will be sure
to be fund in every valley.
" The mines here differ little, save in shape, from that
of Spectakel ; like the latter, the external indications are
exceedingly rich, and only want common quarrymen to
work them, except for the selection of exportable ore.
Specimens of ore, containing 75 per cent. of copper, are
frequently picked up on the surface. Malachite, blue car•
benate of copper, and minute particles of gold, are also
found, but the latter, when the copper ore is so rich and
easily obtained, is not worth looking after.
" On this farm is the celebrated Copperberg, which has
appeared on our maps for the last 70 years, and whose
riches are quite astounding.
" From Springbock I took a trip to the borders of the
Bushman land, where several copper mines have also lately
been discovered. The mountains here begin to diminish
until the whole country stretches out into one interminable
bare granite plain, upwards of x,OOO feet above the sea level.
To this country the Namaqualand farmers invariably ' trek`
with their flocks and herds after the first rains of February,
March, or April, where they find rich pasturage for their
cattle, which fatten in an incredibly short time. They
return again in May or June to plough and winter at their
homes.

" I next visited the mines of Prince, Collison, Watson,
and Co. at a place called Concordia. These are also ex-
ceedingly rich, but, unlike the others, had something of the
appearance of immense lodes running in an easterly and
westerly direction, yet, from their length, breadth, and
depth, seeming inexhaustible. Here I saw some of the
richest and mod beautiful specimens of copper pyrites,
peacock, and malachite, &c., that I had anywhere met
with. For miles around strong indications of copper-
everywhere appear ; and a large village is in the course of
construction. Much activity prevails here, as well as at
Phillips and King's mines, but more in the way of build-
ing than of mining, as transport to the coast is not, at pre•
sent to be obtained, even at very high prices.
" I regret that circumstances would not permit me to
visit Steinkopf and the Orange River, though so near to
both, as mlny of the richest mines are, I am told, about
those localities, some of which at the latter place are beiag
worked to great advantage.
" Namaqualand has hitherto been considered by the
colonists as an arid, worthless waste ; but, fortunately for
us, Sir Harry Smith, a few years ago, extended the bona-
dary from the Kousie to the Orange River, and thus was
this contemned country included within the colony.
"When a boer has from 30,000 to 40,000 acres of land, as
is now commonly the case, little improvement can be ex-
pected. Let the farms be cultivated and the mines opened,
and it will be found that Namaqualand contains more real
wealth than the whole colony put together, for I have
little doubt that all the country from the Olifants Rivet
to the Orange River abounds in mineral wealth, and only
wants to be thoroughly explored to develope its riches..
The general physical appearance of the country is, on the •
whole, not unlike that of the neighbourhood of Cape Town,
only the mountains of the former are granite and gneiss, '
while the latter are sandstone and claystone ; still 'we
have the same range of mountains running parallel to tits
coast, with the same sandy plains intervening.
" Without some grand improvements in the roads, the
of miningera a
re companiesnow lyin
lying
never
hc can
different
ffaedrve annt c
mines,e. which the Hundredsof a
pro-
prietors cannot get conveyed to the coast at any price.
The distance from Hondeklip-bay to Kamaggas is between
30 and 40 miles, the whole being a nearly level sandy flat.
To make this plain available for easy transport, one line
of tramway for horse traction might be laid down on the
most economical principles lately introduced into England
and America. To effect this, the different mining com-
panies should engage a company in England to law down
the tramway, each ensuring the said company a certain.
number of loads per annum, which they could very easily
do, as soon as they had opened a "all
mineral quarries. The transport
one-third of its present
which is now
exportation." thrown away portion of their
would then amount to
prie., and much available ore
would become available fag
The subjoined memorandum is from the Agin
Fria Company
-
"The Agua Fria Go • ld Mining Company have received
f the shipment of 291 ounces
advises to the 14th of August ew
re obtained from Steptoe's
of
.gold. Of this 1981 ounces were
Aguae Fria, of which 1,220 feet
vein, the new discoveryie for three months, with option of
ill length had been
; 10 ,e per ton for all quartz brought
renewal, on pay•ng 4,
thence to the mill.
8 remittance from Gold-hill was 921 ounces, the
:,‘,lh" havingbut little work, from want of water and
rnei done
other causes. They were to commence working below the
water level the same week, and trials had been made of
flmnplog from the different places they were working, which
were satisfactory.

DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CORNWALL.—SALTASH.--.;
This ancient borough was aroused from its usual quiet
as early as seven o'clock yesterday morning, by the at.
rival of 10 waggons, under a regular escort, laden, as
the story went, with gold dust. Upon inquiry it turnej
out that some fortunate mining adventurers at Carrick.
wood,.in the neighbourhood of Callington, had disoovered
a lode containirg a fair proportion of the precious metal.
and the 10 waggons were laden with a quantity of the
ore, securely packed in boxes, on their way to Plyraoutha
whence they were to be shipped for Messrs. Rawson
and May, of Ipswich, to be crushed and assayed. Re.
portrays the proportion of gold is such as to warraa§
the tiFketatiou of a rich return,--Plymouth .41044,

THE WHITE SEA SQUADRON.

- _
We have been favoured by the Admiralty with the
following copies of despatches from the squadron sent
to act against the Czar in the White Sea :

(Copy.)
Her Majesty's steamer Eurydice, off Cross Island,
White Sea, Sept. I.
Sir,—Herewith I have the honour to transmit, for the
information of the. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
a report from Captain E. M. Lyons, of her Majesty's steam
ship Miranda, containing a statement of his proceedings in
the Kola river, resulting in the destruction of the defences
And town of Kola,•the capital of Russian Lapland.
2. Kola is the nearest Russian town on the Arctic coast
to the Norwegiandominions. It is regarded as a place of
considerable importance, being the seat of government for
Russian Lapland, and garrisoned by a military force. Un-
derstanding that the creeks adjacent to the Kola river were
well adapted for concealing vessels belonging to the enemy,
I deemed it necessary that this locality should be recon-
noitred before the close of this season while conducting my
operations in these seas, accordingly I directed Captain
Lyons to execute this service on his return fromVardahuns.
3. By extraordinary perseverance the obstacles, of
ascending a narrow river were overcome, and the Miranda
was placed witin gunshot of the town of Kola. Captain
Lyons, anxious to spare the town, submitted conditional
terms for the surrender of the garrison, end afforded the
authorities full time for reflection. This offer was rejected,
and the enemy assuming a hostile attitude, there was no
alternative but to open fire upon the defences and assembled
force. The effect of the shell among the wooden houses
Noon caused a general conflagration of the town, which re-
duced ieto ashes..
4. The defences of the town were completely destroyed,
and considerable loss of life was doubtless inflicted on the
enemy's side, besides the destruction of a large quantity
of government flour that was in store, for the use of the

troops.
5. I beg to bring under the favourable 'consideration of
their lordships the conduct of Captain E. M. kyons, by
whose skill and perseverance the ship was navigated through
the intricacies of a narrow river to Kola, a place hitherto
deemed inaccessible to anything but boats ;
thereby avoid-
ing the risk of life involved by a boat expedition, and
throughout this service I consider that he has
displayed
judgment and.spirit.
6. Captain Lyons reports in terms of high praise on the
conduct of the officers, seamen, and marines under his com-
mand thronghbut these proceedings, more especially that
of Lieutenant J. F. C. Mackenzie, and of the Master, Mr.
George and I beg leave to recommend them to
the favourable notice of their lordships.
7. This achievement, which has inflicted much damage
to the enemy;- I am happy to state has been accomplished
without any loss on our side.
8. I enclose herewith a copy of Captain Lyons' report of
proceedings at Kola, one copy of which was forwarded di-
rect to the Secretary of the Admiralty by Captain Lyons,
immediately after the occurrence.—l have, &c.,
ERASMUS 03f MA.NNEY,
Captain and Senior Officer.

.)
[Enclostre in Captain (C Om opymanney's letter, dated
Ist of September, 1854.]
(Reports proceedingi in Kola River and in Litscha Fiord.)
Her Majesty's ship Miranda, Litscha Inlet, Aug. 24.
Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that, in pursuance
of your orders to reconnoitre the enemy's force in the river
Kola, I entered it on the morning of the 21st inst., and,
by sending 'boats ahead to sound, succeeded in getting
within two bailee of the town the same evening.
2. In order to reach this anchorage it is necessary to pass
many points well adapted for defence, and ono in particu-
lar, where, from the narrowness of the channel, a ship has
to pass at 50 yards distance from precipitous and in parts
overhanging cliffs, where serious loss might be inflicted
without. any risk to the enemy, in consequence of it being
impossible to elevate the guns sufficiently.
3. Considering that this position would, after our present
visit, doubtless be occupied, I thought it very desirable to
conclude the operations at once, and seeing from the nature
of the defences, which consisted of a two-gan battery, built
of stone and faced with turf, an extensive stockade with
block-houses at the corners, and the houses of the town
loopholed, :that an attack on it would be hazardous, it
seemed to me advisable to make every effort to get the ship
up to the town.
4. This was only accomplished by great exertions on the
part of the officers and ship's company, and with consider-
able difficulty, owing to the narrowness and intricacy of
the channel and the violence of the spring tides, which,
combined, caused the ship to ground frequently. At 6.30
p.m., however, on the evening of the 22d, we got into
position within 500 yards of the battery and the nearest
part of the town.
5. I then hoisted a flag of truce, and sent Lieutenant
Cecil W. Buckley, with a summons (a copy of which I en-
close). He was met by a person who represented himself
to be a magistrate of the town, but whom I believe to
have been an officer, in a boat, who declined to allow him
to land, and who, not being able to read English, accom-
panied Lieutenant Buckley on toard. This person spoke
French fluently, and stated that the governor of the town
was absent. I twice translated to him the summons in

French, and having received his assurance that he per-
fectly understood it, I delivered it to him. He said that
en answer should be returned in half an hour, but that he
might at'once inform me that the terms would not be ac-

cepted.
6. I waited till daylight the following morning, when,
no answer having been sent, and observing that the bat-
tery and the other defences were manned, and everything
prepared'for action on shore, I hauled down the flag of
truce and opened fire on the battery, stockade, and loop-
holed-houses, which was instantly returned by guns and
musketry. The guns were shortly dismounted, and the
battery reduced to ruins ; but although our shells
burst well into the loopholed houses and stockade, an
obstinate fire of musketry was kept up from vari-
ous parts of the town. This allowed m no alterna-
tive, and I was therefore obliged to destroy it. It was
soon in flames from our shell and red-hot shot, and burnt
furiously, being fanned by a fresh breeze. The ship at
this time became critically situated, the violence of the
tide causing her to drag the bower and stream anchors,
and the two kedges laid out to spring her broadside, and
the passage being too narrow for her to swing she grounded
at less than 300 yards from the burning town, fragments
from which were blown on board ; however, by keeping
the sails, rigging, and' decks well wetted, until-the ship
was hove off, no bad consequences ensued.
7. I now sent the boats and marines (as per enclosure),
under the command of Senior-Lieutenant John F. C.
M`Kenzie to drive out the enemy, who had returned to the
battery and were keeping up a tire of musketry from its
ruins, and bring off the guns. This was effected without
aDy loss, by the gallant example and judicious arrange-
ments of Lieutenant M'Kenzie, ably seconded by Mr.
Charles W. Manthorp, senior mate. The battery was found
to be a heap of ruins, with one gun buried under them,
and the othe;broktm by shot. On the return of the boats
I sent Lieutenant M'Kenzie with the same party to de-
strcy some Government buildings and storehouses which,
being separated from the town, would not otherwise have
been burnt. This was accomplished with the same spirit
and judgment. a
8. lam unable to give an accurate account of the
enemy's force on this occasion, but I had received informa-
tion at Nardo-Huns that besides the regular soldiers, the
whole of the male inhabitants had been armed, drilled,
and enrolled, and this our own observation confirmed.
Their loss must have been considerable, but the conflagra-
tion having consumed such bodies as were not removed,
renders even an approximate account impossible. I should
observe that the defences were evidently prepared with a
view to resist an attack by boats, the possibility of the
ship getting up apparently not having entered into their
calculations • for if it had done so they might easily have
prevented it by sinking a vessel, or even a boat filled with
stones— such is, in parts, the narrowness and shallowness
of the channel. Presuming an attack to have been
made by boats, the defences were strong and skilfully
arranged, and would, probably, have inflicted a heavy
loss.
9. As we steamed out on the morning of the 24th, the
flames, having destroyed the rest of the town, were just
communicating with a small suburb, the only remaining
part. However melancholy the utter destruction of the
townmay be, the nature of the defence, and the obstinacy
with which the enemy persisted in firing from various
parts of it until destroyed, rendered it imperative on me
to do so, and it is satisfactory to think that no non-com-
batants can have been hurt ; for besides the extension of
the term allowed in the summons, women and children had
been seen leaving the town during the whole of the pre-
vious day with baggage.
10. This service was effected without the loss of a man,
• and I trust I may be allowed to bring to your notice the
spirit, ability, and indefatigable zeal displayed on the oc-
casion by Lieutenant M'Kenzie, senior lieutenant of this
ship, to whom this result is in a great measure to be attri-
buted ; as also the very skilful manner in which the diffi-
cult passage to the town was found and buoyed by Mr.
George Williams, master ; and the excellent nerve and
judgment shown by him in piloting the ship up to her
position. Nor can I refrain from mentioning the highly
creditable zeal and cheerful eagerness and alacrity dis-
played by all the officers, ship's company, and Royal Ma-
rines during the protracted and severe labour which the
operations entailed on them.
11. Although the ship grounded eight times, owing to
the narrowness and intricacy of the channel (in several
Parts sc..rcely more than hot own length broad), and the
violence of the spring tides, which ran six to seven knots,
she does not appear to have sustained any damage, and I
try it may be considered that the object in view justified
the risk.
12. Baving received intelligence from a fisherman that
several -Russian merchant vessels were concealed in creeks
in ,Letscha Inlet 60 frommiles
Kola, I came in here at
once, and this evening;
in two different coves of the inlet,
captured two schooners
and four loggers. I have assembled
them in this creek, and as'soon as the schooners can be
got ready for a voyage to
England I shall despatch them,
and make the best of ray way. to.
which are'
you at Loznovetz
roads. The laggera, Mire
vuloywaime ht:re' large and valuable
vessels, being unfit for
England, I shall be
obliged to destroy.-1 have the honour to be, sir, your
obedient servant,
. • E. M. LYONS, Captain.
Captain E. OmmanneY, her Majesty's Shid, Eurydice,
Senior Officer ofWhitegsascpasd on.
demands, tghaerrison,
and town
Report of Proceedings,
anclosure No. 1 in Captain Lyons'
dated the 21th August, 1854.
The undersigned, Captain of her Britannicitata
diet° and
Majesty's
steamship Miranda, hereby
unconditional surrender of the forts
of Kola, with all arms, cannon, and ammunition, and
every article of whatever description belonging to the-Ras.
elan government.
If these terms are accepted the garrison are required at
the expiration of one hour from the receipt of this corn,
munication to pile their arms on an open space without
the town, the officers at the same time delivering up their
swords, and the whole surrendering themselves as pri-
soners of war. The arms of the male inhabitants who have
. been .enrolled must (having been previously collected by
the garrison) also be delivered up at the same time.
If these terms are strictly complied with the town will
be spared, and private property respected, but the forts
*vitt be destroyed, and all government property either de-
stroyed or ere barked.
In the event of the above terms not being accepted, it is
jecommended that all women and childreu should inano-
dia.tely leave the town. One hour will be allowed from
the receipt of this communication for an answer to be re-
'turned if at the expiration of that time no reply is sent,
'or if being sent it does not contain an unconditional ac-
leeptance of the above terms, hostilities will commence.
E. M. LYONS, Captain.
Dated on board her Britannic Majesty's steamship Bli-
irauds, at anchor off Kola, the 22d of August, 1854.
e. .

(Co py.)
(Enclosure No. 2, in Captain Lyons's Report of Proceed-
ings, dated August 24, 1834.)
List of her Majesty's ship Miranda's Boats in Boat Action
at Kola.
Fillaa"o7l4ecttenant John .F. cs bi`KOLIZit. in corn,