Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-01-17
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
North Carolina.
RALEIGH, m. C., Dec. 10. rs


81. Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
North Carolina.
RALEIGH, N. c., Dec 10 1850.
The beautiful city of Raleigh the capitol of North
Carolina, reposes upon number of gently swelling
eminenccs, which, by graceful and gradual slopes,
are imperceptbly lost in the picturesque region in
the vicinity. The city and country are mutually
interblended together, and the whole neighborhood
is distinguished for its stately groves and magnificent
forest scenery The principal streets in the city are
sufficiently broad to be denominated avenues They
are bordered by large elms and oaks and adorned
by numerous stores and dwelling houses Private
mansions distributed about on the most eligible
sites, and are generally constructed liberal and
imposing SCALE having spacious gardens attached to
them and not unrequently rich Conservatives stock
ed with exOticS, choice shrubbery, and orange
and lemon trees laden with fruit The climate is
temperate and salubrious, and the society of the
place has long been distinguished for its courtesy
fnement and intellectual cultivation. Schools and
churches abound to an unusual degree, and the for
attract the patronage of the whole State.
The Capitol of the State is grand and conspicu-
edifce-in the estimation of many the noblest in
the whole Union, and superior to the former one,
which was consumed by fire in 1887, destroying at
the same time the celebrated statue of Washington,
a work of art which has not been replaced.
The Legislature is now in session. Both Houses
present the appearance of dignity, dccorum, and in
telligence. The Democrats maintain a majority
both in the Senate and Commons, and have carried
was struck with the fact that not single seat SEEM
ed to be vacant Every member punctualy at
his post, attending to his official trust, and bearing
in mind his responsibility the vigilant soverei gns
of the ballot box. The Senate is graced by sufh-
cient number of most potent grave, and reverend
seignors rather with many men of superior abili-
ties and large experience but there is considerable
sprinkling Of juvenality and incipient dandysm in
the Commons Among the members in the House of
Commons noticed the Hon. R. M. Saunders. late
Minister to Spain, and like the rest of the entire bo-
dy regularly in his place, and attentive to what is
going
Frugality, economy, republican simplicity, integri-
ty loyalty, and a conscientious sense of duty,
acknowledged characteristic traits of the North Car
olinians.
Not addicted to arrogance and ostcntation, pru-
dence and circumspectiOn habitual qualities with
them, and if under their tranquilizing influences
they have been less prominent in the ardent
of public notoriety, these conservative attributes
have been found in the long most conducive to
the best interests of the people and State and to their
permanent credit and responsibility both at home
and abroad.
Few States in the Union can boast of greater natu
raj of indigenous wealth than this, and her
rich and invaluable treasures of gold "copper" iron,
COAL marble, mari. slates and plumbago are begin
ming to receive just appreciation, and opening
new avenues of wealth and prosperity. The nearest
gold mine to this place, now in operation, is in the
vicinity of Greensborough, in Gulford county, some
eighty or ninety miles distant The works are con-
about thirty hands, one half of whom white la
borers. These last, however, are very uncertain
help, and cannot be relied upon. At the South
white labor is becoming more and more customary
in the town. but it will be long before the heavy la
borious toll of country lfe and other serye occupa
tions will devolve exclusively upon white hands,
The political policy that would suddenly overthrow
the industrial pursuits of people-that would fos-
ter vagrancy and INSTRUMENTATION destroy
blow the established relationships of society," to
correct evil which time and wise counsels alone
can only gradually and efectualy remove, is not
ly short-sighted, but would in the end be attended
by the most disastrous consequences and if adopted,
the South would suffer far than Spain or Por-
tuga under the reigns of Ferdinand and Emanuel in
the latter part of the fifteenth century, whose bigot
ed intolerance expelled the Jews and Moors from
their domnions, and crippled the resources of their
kingdoms by the Punishment and subversion of the
most Industrious and operative classes.
But in regard to the operations in gold The mine
above alluded to is known by the name Of the HOdg-
kin's Hill Mine. 1t is worked to the depth of one
hundred and twenty feet and the yield is considered
fully equal to the average productions of the Cali
forna mines. The gold maniacs at the North might
here find plenty Of hard work and steady employ
ment, at dollar and half or two dollars per diem,
hog and hominy, good persimmon beer, and sweet
potatoes. all included in the bargain. steam en-
CINE of great power is used on the spot. The is
ground by means of CHILEAN mill, and stamped by
stampers Next, it is through drag-mlls, and
then put through washing mill, after which it is
subjected to the action of rocker. Quicksilver is
employed in this stage to produce amalgam, from
which the gold is easily obtained. The is found
to be largely impregnated with "copper" which is at
present thrown away but will be soon turned to
count as it is in reality, more valuable than
the gold. The most extensive gold mine worked at
present in North Carolina, is said to be in Rowan
county, not far from Salisbury.
The recent discovery of large and valuable depos
it's of coal in the interior of the State, together with
the necessity of keeping pace with age of progress
have invited attention to works of general utility
Iron and steam will soon achieve their magical trans
formations and astonishing innovations here. Ar
enterprise of great magnitude is now on foot The
Cape Fear is already navigable as far as Fayette
Vile and appropriations have been made to extend
this communication 100 miles farther to reach the
head of navigation on Deep River, which is the lef
branch of the Upper Cape Fear. bill is be
fore the House to construct portage road from tina
point the country, to the ladkin and to rem
der this stream navigable one hundred and sixty
miles higher up to Wilkesborough, and which viii
embrace a distance of four hundred and forty miles
or Whereabouts to Wilmington, on the seaboard thu
openinr to the east the ample stores Of wealth con
tanned in the valleys of the first named river. The.
are more properly coal fields, and may be traced
through the country to the extent of twenty thirty
and, by some, it is supposed even sixty miles. Tn
quality of the mineral is said to be very superior.
Three different kinds have been ascertained and
portion of these mines has already been secured b.
Northern capital ever on the alert for lucrative in
vestments. Large deposits of iron, according to tn
customary geological association, arc found in con
nection with this coal.
The abolition excitement, which, in its present as
meet is only fanatica nuisance, has given rise to