Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-11-16

Agreeably to your request, have annex
ed memorandum Of the number, ex-
tent and situation of the lead minesln
Upper Louisiana, with an estimate OF the
average quality OF mineral produced, and
the number of hands employed at each
mine with the probable quantity which
may be annually produced, waen the coun-
try becomes populated SO as to afford
workmen sufficient to occupy the mines to
advantage.
Names Of the MINES.
1. Mine Burton.
2. Mine Rcbuna.
8. Old Mines.
4. Mine Ranault.
S. Mine Maneto.
6. Mine la Plate.
7. Mine a Joe.
s. Mine Lanye.
9. Mine a la Mott.
TO- Mine Gerbore.
1. The Mine Burton, situated So niles
west north west of GeneYieve, was disco
vered by Francis Burton, about the year
1868, on fork OF Grand river, 10 miles
from its junction with the main river, after
which it takes the name of Ranault's fork
of the Merimak, and unites with that river,
about Is miles above its junction with the
Mississippi. The Fauche RanauIe is ns-
vigable in the spring season, within 10
miles of the mine Burton. In the year
1898, concession of one league in super
fee, comprehending about one third part
of the mine Con condition be should erect
smelling furnace, and establish a lead ma.
nufacture) was granted 20 VI. Austin; all
OF which he has carried into execution.
Francis Burton, also obtained grant OF
four acres, asa compensation for the dis
covery.
There is small village at this place, OF
twen.y families, who cultivate LITTLE land
near the mines but have no conc ssiops.
Two grist mills, with saw milf, furnish
the inhabitants with grinding and plank.
The greatest part of the workings at the
Nine Burton, are in an open prairie
which rises nearly an hundsed feet above
The level Of the creek. The mines may
be SAID to extend over two thousand acres
Of land: but the principal work ;nes are
within the limits OF one hundred and sixty
acres; and pcrhapsno part of the world
furnishes lead ore in greater quantities and
puiitv. ne mineral is found within two
FEET ofthe surface Of the earth, and il is
seldom the miners dig deeper than ten feet
not that the mineral eliscontinues, but be
cause they hnd it troublesome to raise out
OF the ground; The French miners being
unacquainted with the utility Of machinery,
aud generally are able to procure in plenty
nearer the surface.
The nanner ID which the mines have
been wrought, renders it impossible to de-
termine whether the mineral tesminates In
regular veins on not for when the miner
finds himself ten or twelve feet be,ow the
surface, his lnexPerience obliges him to
quit his digging and begin anew, notwith.
standing the appearance of mineral may be
good. Thus one half his time is taken uD
In sinking new holes or pito.
The mineral Is OF two qualities, Gravel
and fossil mineral. The gravel mineral is
found Immediately under the soil, inter.
mixed with gravel, in pieces from l to so
pounds weight OF solid mineral. After
passing through the gravel, which is COM
monty from three to four feet, is found
sand rock, which is easily broken up with
aPlck, and when exposed to the air, crum-
bles to fine sand, This rock also cont.
nues hive or SIX feet, and contains mineral