Copy of an anonymous account of gold mines formerly exploited on Crawford Moor in Scotland, with a brief covering letter in the same clerical hand, signed by Cromartie

<227r>

Sir

Meeting accidentally with a broken Account of our Scotish Golden Mines, which being writt without Design, gives no ground for distrust, and therefore I transmitt i{illeg}t to you, for some further Informa{illeg}tion in that Matter: And if I do find further in Scotlan{illeg}d, you shall have the trouble to hear of it: I am

Sir

Pall=Mall
Wednesday 4 of the Clock

Your most humble

and affectionat Servant

Cromartie

<228r>

In this King's Reign, Gold Mines were found in Crawfurd Moor by the Germans, which {illeg}afforded him {illeg}great sums, they would not refine it in Scotland, but, after they had bargain'd with the King, they carried over the Oar with them to Germany. Besides those Mines in Crawfurd Moor, we have an Account of others not far from it. In King Iames the 4th's: Reign, the Scots did separate Gold from Sand by washing. In King Iames the 5th's time, 300 were imploy'd for several Summers in washing of Gold, of which they got above 100000 pounds of English Money, by the same way, the Laird of Marchistone got Gold in Pen{illeg}tland-Hills; Great plenty has been got in Langham Water, fourteen Miles from Load-hill-house in Crawfurd Moor, and in Megget Water twelve Miles and over Phinland sixteen miles from that house; and in many other places, where pieces of Gold, of 30 Ounces Weight, have been found which were flat, mixed with the Sparr, some with Keel and some with Brimstone