The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-08-29
iron THE CHARLOTTE ,ouRSAL.j
LUCUBRATION NO.

Aug. 20th 1893.
"Sdcra fumes auri." VIRGIL.
" For they said unto me, that within the inclo-
sure there was great store of houses and men
which took no account of gold or silver or of
pearls, seeing they had thereof in abundance."-
Hakiuyt Vol. 3, 1863.
In the former number ! stated that / would
speak of the antiquity of the mines OF North
Carolina. History informs US that not only
IN South America, but the early adventures and
settlers Of this country were lured in many in
stances by the hopes of gaining gold from the
earth. The first adventures that planted the
English flag on this western continent sent out
under the auspices of Sir Walter Raleigh (Am-
adas and Barlow,) landed in North Carolina in
1904 and on their return TO England Says Rob
ertson vol. 204) gave such splendid descriptions
OF the beauty of the country the fertility of the
soil the mlldness of the climate, and the gold
which abounded in the country, that not only the
virgin Queen Elizabeth bestowed the name of
Virginia upon it, but "many adventurers from
desire says the Historian ''to acquire sudden
wealth, considered nothing worthy of their atten.
ton but mines Of gold and silver"
This feeling animated many Of the followers
of Greenyille, Newport, Lane, Smith and others
and they formed the most extravagant anticipa-
tons Here in their Imagination the widest Wis
ions of alchymy were 10 be realized In the
mildness of the climate they hoped to enjoy
period fife heightened, if not TO Immortality, to
desirable extent, and the rich ores of its hills
afforded more golden treasures than ever was
promised by the long sought for Philosophers
stone. However extravagant their calculations
may have been, there is no doubt but both from
history and experience that the mines of North
Carolina were known and worked by the native
Indians of the country or some one else long
Tune ago.
Amadas (slready alluded to- describing Gran
ganameo the Indian King Of what is now knowa
as Roanoke Island in Currituck County states
that E" he wore on his head crescent of uupolish-
cd metal much resembling gold which he would
neither remove or allow to be touched"
The colony left on this Island by SIR Richard
Greenyile, under the command ofCaptain Ralph
Lane suffered much from the desire Of the colo
mist 10 acquire gold instead Of attending to their
more necessary pursuits (see Robertson's History
Of America ? pos for says the history "the saw
ages soon discovered the iavourite object that al
lured the English, and told SO many tales OF rich
mines that Lane and his men, wasted their time
ia these chmerical pursuits instead OF raising pro-
visions for their subsistence"
Another early historian (lIakluyC describing
visit to an Indian King, near nor ST Helena
lBeaufort) in South Carolina says that g he gave
them a certain number of exceeding fair pearls,
and two stones of fine crystal and certain sitter
ore Our men asked him the place where silver
ore and the crystal came from. lie made them
answer that il came ten days journey IRON ms
habitaiion up within the country, and that the
nhabit uts did dig the at the foot OF certain
high mountains where they found it IN very good
/ quantitie" lHakluyi vol. 3, 1863
! Here he adds showed them all parts of the
4 l. al sD -it4f rtpr
they d~elt and s,raightway we pointed towards
the north"
The distinct account thus given not only shows
(. the actual existence OF valuable metals and its
possession by the aborigmes; but also that its
1rhereabouts was in the very region otthe presen;
\ gold mines Of North Carolina.
Other authorities might be quoted, but the
above are deemed sufficient for the purpose. ana
( suitable to the space allowed TO this paper.
I An article extracted from the New Nork Oh
server, i quoted in the American almanac Of 1882,
p 2(s and affords some proof on this interesting
/ subject Il SAYS " ough, 10 state one fact which
/ is d deep interest. Here are iudubitable eyiden-
I ces that these mines were known and worked ~
the aboriginal, inhabitants or some other people a
+ long period since. Many pieces of machinery
which were used for this purpose have been found,
/ among them several eru-iblcS Of earthen ware,
aud lar better than those now in use. Mr.. B. told
me that he has tried three of'them and stated that
/ they were twice or three times as strong as even
the Hcssian crucibles.'
/ In a recent digging III mine in the vicinity
Of Charlotte RoagersD two stones were found
weighing about pounds each with fat smooth
surfaces, evidently bearing the marks of having
been rubbed together--near them were found In
dian beads. II is conjectured that these stones
were used by the Indians for pounding the ore,
which Is even now one Of the first processes OF
mining. These stones have been deposited in
L. : Branch Mint here, for the inspection oft the
curious,
Such are among the evidences and facts &c
show the antiquity Of the mines of North Caro-
lima, and that they have been long ago worked
either BY the native Indians or some Que else
In another paper | shall ondeayour to show The
value and products ottheso mines, collected from
sources that can be relied on as authentic.
RIrCkI AMI