The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-08-04

The following II understood to be
from the pen of Mr.. J. R. Spaulding, the
talented editor Of the Courier md En-
gbirer. We have conversed with an in.
telligent gentleman from Montpelier, in
the vicinity of the diggings, who says that
Cbgston now employs nine men and reali.
zes FIVE dollars day, per man.
MONTPELIER, VT, July "a.
Before leaving the city had heard ru-
nors Of late gold discoveries in this coun-
tS, but gave them little credit. Vermont
has never been considered an aurifersus
State, though gold has occasionally been
found within its limits. Some thirty years
ago lump Of native gold weighing eight
ounses was picked up in Newfane, a town
near its Southern extremity, and small
particles have been found at other times
in that region in connection with talcose
slate. But no one has supposed that any
part Of the Green Mountains contained
the precious metal in any quantity. Says
the State Geologist, Prof. Hitchcock, in
his last Report, made last October.
Il know enough of the rocks and min.
erals Of the State to be satisfied that, prob
ably, no other portion of the Union, of
equal size, can make 80 rich display of
mineral wealth. l ought, perhaps, to e1-
pect some mining districts of the South
and West for although gold occurs here,
on belt extending, probably, through the
whole State, appearances, am happy to
say do not lead us to expect it in guam
tity sufficient to break up the regular pur.
suits of industry, and introduce the immor.
alities and recklessness usually seen in
rich gold producing regions. The leading
subterranesn products of Vermont, which
are inexhaustible, and always will be in
demand at home and abroad, are marble,
serpentine, soapstone, iron, slate, granite,
and limestone for cement. Scattered as
they are through the whole length of the
State, and most of them of the finest quail
ty,they must always be source of wealth;
not coming in 6tful waves like the precious
metals, but in a steady stream, to reward
patient industry"
Discoveries that have lately been made
in the township of Worcester and in other
localities of the State, indicate that the
worthy professor was, perhaps, little pre-
mature in bis congratulations upon the
scarcity of the yellow bane l trust that
the good people Of Vermont, 80 well con-
ditioned now in the honest cultivation of
their vallies and hillsides, are not to be
subjected to that worst of all social dis.
eases-the geld-fever but yet, it cannot
be denied that there is some slight danger
of it. Some three or four years since,
returned Californian, named Clogston who
originally went from these parts, and had
operated for about two years upon the
Yuba river. with some success, was led by
q certain geological resemblance which be
Observed between portion Of this country
and the gold-producing region Of Califor-
mia, to 60 prospecting up some Of the
streams here, and particularly North
Branch, which joins the Winooski, at
Montpelier. He found PARTICLES Of gold
at several points on this little stream, but
as hs went up towards its source, all
traces of tho precious metal disappear
ed. He was satisfied that the gold was
carried into the branch by some of its
smaller tributaries but thinkingit hardly
worth while, and being engaged, too, in
other business, he did not prosecute his
search.
Last summer. happening, one day, to
be riding past one of these little tribata-
ries, called Minister'S Brook, which comes
down from Worcester Mountain, and OBJ
serving parcel of gravel accumulated in
a position such as in California, is favor.
able to deposit of gold, he collected
portion Of it, and on washing, found him
self well repaid for his trouble: He seon
afterwards experimental on other portions
OF the brook, and was SO we'll satisfied Of
its produotiveness, that in course of the
winter, be bought from the owners of the
farms through which it passed, the eIclu-
sive right Of working its bed for gold
this right 70 continue for the term of five
years. From the mouth of the brook to
its course on the mountain is about four
miles. and his present purpose is to work
the bed Of the stream for the entire dis
lance.
He commenced systematic operations in
May, bat has been much interrupted by
| heavy rains aud high water. Towards the