and far better than those now in use. Messrs Bissels have tried three of them, and found that they lasted twice or three times as long as even the Hessian crucibles, which are the best now made. It is to be regretted that some antiquarian has not had an opportunity of at least examining these curious relics; and it is hoped that they will be preserved in future, notwithstanding the temptation offered by their superior qualities.

These gold mines prove that the whole region in which they abound was once under the powerful action of fire. And it is a fact, not generally known, that the miners who have come from the mines in South America and in Europe, pronounce this region to be more abundant in gold than any other that has been found on the globe. There is no telling the extent of these mines: but sufficient is known to prove they are of vast extent.

It is not easy to ascertain the number of mines which are now opened; it is, however, very great, and constantly increasing. These mining establishments are of every variety as to extent of operations.

There is a vast amount of capital invested by the different companies which are now embarked in this business. A large portion of this capital belongs to foreigners.

Since the year 1827, the gold mines of Virginia

The gold is found

have also attracted considerable attention. The belt of country in which they are found extends through Spotsylvania and some neighbouring counties. The gold region abounds in quartz, which contains cubes of sulphuret of iron. These cubes are often partly or totally decomposed, and the cells thus created are sometimes filled with gold. on the surface, and in the structure of quartz; but in greatest abundance resting upon slate, and in its fissures. The gold is diffused over large surfaces, and has not yet been found sufficiently in mass, except in a few places, to make mining profitable. The method of obtaining the metal is by filtration, or washing the earth, and by an amalgam of quicksilver. The average value of the earth yielding gold is stated at twenty cents a bushel.

1

In the annual report for 1829, the progressive development of the gold region of the United States was illustrated by referring to the increase of the annual receipts from North Carolina, which, previous to 1824, had been inconsiderable, but from that year to 1829, inclusive, had advanced from 5000 dollars to 128,000 dollars; and also to the then novel occurrence of gold having been received at the mint from Virginia and South Carolina, about 2500 dollars having been received from the former and 3500 dollars from the latter. The

year 1830 exhibits, in relation to all these states, a conspicuous increase in the production of gold, and presents also the remarkable fact of 212,000 dollars in gold received from Georgia, from which state no specimen thereof had been received at the mint in any previous year.

The following statement, taken from the report of the director of the mint, January 1, 1831, will show the amount of gold received from the different states, as well as that from other countries, in the course of the year 1830.

The coinage, during the year 1830, amounted to

Of the gold coined in the course of 1830, there

Of the gold found in the United States, amount

ing in value to about 100,000l. sterling, mentioned

in the foregoing statement, there came from

CHAPTER XVIII.

Cultivation of sugar in Louisiana. Florida.-Slavery.

THE whole produce of sugar in Louisiana, in the year 1828, has been stated at 88,878 hogsheads of 1000 pounds each. The number of sugar estates above 700, and the capital invested in them about forty-five millions of dollars; but every year the increasing investments, and more than proportionate increase in the quantity of sugar made, renders this estimate but of little use at the present moment.

In Florida, also, the cultivation of sugar has made great progress. I am indebted to the kindness of M. Achille Murat* for the following details on the sugar cultivation of Florida; but I have no means at present of ascertaining the amount of capital now invested in the cultivation of the cane of that state.

It would appear quite certain that in Florida, with a very moderate capital and some prudence and activity, a very large return is to be obtained for money invested in sugar plantations; and, with

* M. Achille Murat, it may be recollected, left Europe some years ago, and purchased land in Florida. He has become an adopted citizen of the United States, where his merit and abilities are duly appreciated.