Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-08

this was tho case did not see single fry-
ing pan full of gravel and sand, washed
without gold beng found therein. Some
hne specimens were thus obtained. one of
about two penny weights, and some small
Ter: but after VIC had obtained about TWEEN
ty dollars worth. we were prevented from
progressing by the want Of water to wash
tor morc--though from what saw. !. am
OF opinion VIC might have got some hun
dred dollars worth III a very short distance,
II the branch had not dried up. While we
were engaged in washing for gold, Mr..
Love, one of the proprictors os the adjoin-
inS mine of MIR. Read, ON washing some of
our graves and sand, in which he found gold,
said in my hearing, that he really thought
our prospect as good rs theirs They have
only faur hundred acres, and though it is
SAID they have o5taiued between thirty and
forty Thousand dollars worth of gold from
TINS small place, they value it still at enc
hundred thousand dollars. We possessthir-
ty-f've thousand acres at least The gold
OF ours Is perfectly pure. 1t requires no
puritication. Ivis;tod Mr.. Reads mine end
found that by amalgamation with auicksil-
yer, which is Very easy, and which answers
completeiy, great quantity OF gold is OBJ
tanned from the sand, after picking ont nj.
tho lump gold. ! was Informed they ret a
bout six or seven ounces, at tIisti,,ation
several times 4 week, from a very small
still. / afterwards visited the MINES OF
Mrs. Parker ard Mr.. Harris. They lie in
a MI that intersccts the company's land.
Mr.. Harris in pioughing across a small
branch IN his land, Turned up good sized
piece OF gold. Having TO regular weights
ne iried 1t IN pair ofscaies against pew
yer plate and spoon, which it, outwcighed.
a -, 81,
cesstai IN finding gold. This little branch
runs Immediately into the company's land.
lying between it and Mrs. Par!<cr's But
1t WIS dry, and ] consequently made no
search in it-nor in any ofthe branches on
that SIDE, though herd of gold being found
III several! Mrs. Parkcr's mine was disco
vered, as was informed, in verv unex-
Pected manner. Herring of several disco
yerles' she said in Joking manner, to some
company, While drinking tea with her, 81
WISH gentlemen any of YOU could find gold
mine IN my land. On which Mr.. Ether
ton sad. Will go, vladEm, and search fer
you. He went, and IN z little time rctur-
ned with very god specimen. After this
they foond>six hundred dollars worth, and
this season three hundred more; though thcv
mad rot yet prepared any apparatus fo. G.
ven washing tie gravel and sand. They
We're making small wooden machine when
was there. Cannot pretend to give an
account OF ell the places where gold has
peen discovered IN the grounds belonging 20
inc country, for it will take some time be.
tore they can De sufficiently explored, and
nut rev OF the streams and small runs have
YET been searched IN the slightest manner.
Every place examined, though some lie ma
ny mics apart, hes furnished gold, except
mai l.aA lN,,t \.
nation, and perhaps not deep enough. A.
mong the principal places that promise
wei, from the small trials made, must
mention the Rock-hoie creeks, which are
branches that JOIN about three mics Below
their sources. The ne where got most
OF the gold IN consequence OF there being
small supply OF water is the west branch
| ne upper end could no; be examined, Nor
any place but one for want Of water. The
East branch is supposed from a singletrial
to be good, but the want OF water preven-
ted any further search. Three forks of
island creek. about three miles each1con-
tan gold-but little search could be made
FOR the sameTeaSoD. Mr.. Robins. who lives
below, told me he found gold below the unc-
ton o! these branches. some was found IN
Cucumber creek. The prospect good.
Some IN the Camp branch OF Island creek,
also Long creek and below Mr. Harris's.
Mrs Osburn took only rs much sand and
gravei as she could carry between her
ha;1dS, from small spring in the compa.
ny's land between the Rock-hole branch,
and on washing it found piece equal to
dollar, and two pieces equal to half dol
lar in vaiGc, besides some smaller pieces.
Il appears on examination that some OF the
hills are rich in gold, and think it Is not
Carried far by the currents, but only falls
down into tbe small hollows, and lit BRAN
chcs near which it originally lies, as it has
been found IN considerable quantities in the
smallest dcpressious on the hills, as well as
IN the mere deep runs and branches. Were
we to measure all the runs, the small BRAN
ches, the springs and depressicns where
gold has beosl found in the company's land,
! think may admit the truth OF the cur
rent opinion there, that the company pos
sess 100 miles fgold land Though it may
be highly advantageous 30 work some ofthe
places already discovered, and particulars
ly Rock-hoic Branch, s the Spring Branch,
I think q tlfrthcr examination of the runs
essential, as 1t is admitted our discoveries
already made entitle US to expect immense
returns, If our operations be well directed
IN the first instance. The expenses are so
very tf1tiing, that the whole Necessary APP
pafatus will not cost eco dollars: but tue
particulars will be laidbcfore the directors,
for their consideration.
4 am. Gentlemen