[Continuing the previous note]
- - - - It is like, some of these Mountains may bring forth only such imaginary Oar as I find some people have heretofore busyed themselves about, and that others may prove such barren ones as not to countervail the charge of working, yet tis also possible that the earth in this part of the Continent may partake of the same Mineral qualitys with those of the more Southern Climates [i.e., Central America], and the diligence of Inquisition or (of the) fancyfull may in the end prove of very great consequence both to the Sovereign and the Subject. - - - - [On 8 May 1712 Spotswood noted that Graffenried was in Virginia. In the letter above on 15 May, see Note 2018, Spotswood is talking about precious metals, i.e., gold and silver. Do you this was a coincidence? If you dont, where did Graffenried get the opinion there may be gold and silver in Virginia? Have you ever heard of Franz Michel? If not, go back to Note 1 and reread it.]To the Council of Trade, 26 July 1712, My Lords:
- - - - At the present I cannot think anything of greater concernment to this Country, as well as the particular Service of her Majesty, than what I hinted to Your Lordships in my letter of the 15th of May, for encouraging the discovery of Silver mines. I have, since the return of the Baron de Graffenried from Potomack, discoursed him concerning the probability of Mines in these parts, he says though he has no doubts of finding such from the accounts he received from Mr. Mitchell [Michel], a Swiss Gentleman who went on the like discoverys some years ago, Yet he finds himself much discouraged from prosecuting his first intentions, not only because of the uncertainty of the property of the Soil, whether belonging to the Queen or the proprietors, but because the share which the Crown may claim in those Mines is also uncertain, and that all his trouble in the discovery he may chance to have only labour for his pains. Whereas he would gladly imploy his utmost diligence in making such discoverys if it were once declaredwhat share her Majesty would expect out of the produce of the Mines, or if her Majesty would be pleased to take the Mines into own hands, promising him a suitable Reward for his discovery, and granting him the superintending of the works with a handsome Sallary, he says it si a matter not new to him, there having been Mines of the like nature found on his fathers lands in Switzerland, which were at first wrought for the benefitt of the State, but turning to small account were afterwards Yielded to the proprietors of the soil upon paying a share out of the produce thereof; that he has some relations now concerned therein, and by their interest can procure skilfull workmen out of Germany for carrying on the works [a recruiting effort had been started in 1710 in Nassau-Siegen]. I shall submitt to your Lordships better judgment, which of the alternatives proposed by the Baron will be best for her Majestys service, and shall hope for a speedy signification of her Majestys pleasure thereon, for promoting a design which I can but believe will turn out to the advantage of her Majesty and the improvement of this Colony. The Baron has not been so far up Potomack as to discover the head Springs of that River nor to make a true draught their Course, so that I cant now send Your Lordships the Mapps I promised in my last, nor forme a Judgment of the pretentions of the several proprietors. - - - -
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.