Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-11-21

the miHing business generally advantage
Gus is, that every farmer may be a miner,
and when unemployed on his farm, may,
by few weeks labor, almost al his own
door, dig as much mineral as will furnish !
his family with all imported articles.
From a view os the lead mines in Upper /,
Louisiana, it may be seen chat nothing is !
wanting but an increase OF population 10
augment their produce 10 4 surprising de-
gree. 1t is also evident, there are yalua-
able discoveries vet to be made. 1t may
therefore be matter OF consideration with
the government, whether the donation
of four acres in superice to the discove-
rers of mines, would not be advantageous
TO be continued. The Spanish govern
ment has also allowed the inhabitants 10
work On public lands free from any kind
oil tax. a continuation Of this privilege
viii exhaust both the mines and timber,
without the least advantage to the public,
On the other hand If heavy imposition
is imposed, it may discourage the mining
, business; yet, the man who can with his
pick and shovel make his thirty, forty, and
sometimes his hundred dollars per month,
may we'll Afford 70 pay q small tax TO 60
vcrnmcnt.
The country about the mines is broken,
but not mountainous, and iscs.hes the
best Of land for cultivation, ;nd streams
Of water sufficient for all kinds of water
works. Grand river rises ten miles south
west of the Mine Burton, aud in its
course forms nearly three parts ola circle
round the mines, and loses its name in the
Fouche RanaUlt, which is uayigab!e TO the
Mississippi: They unite ten miles north
| of the Mine Burton, and il is remarka-
bic, that in forming this circle, its distance
| from the mines does not exceed fourteen
miles in any one place. II also furnishes
both land and water, of a superior quality,
sufficient for eight or nine hundred fauli-
/ lies.
Thus situated the time cannot be far
distant, whea this country will furnish lead
sufficient, not only Tor the consumption OF
the United States, but all Europe, if mode
| rate encouragement IS given by govern
meni, and protection against the Usage
Indians, who yearly plumber the inhsbi-
! tants.
! The mines, on the waters of the St.
! francis are capable of furnishing vas,
! quantities of lead. The Mine la Mott,
mas been suicd the Cold Mine, as des-
cript!Ve OF is wealth and i( under pro.
! per management would verify the obser-
/ ya,ion.
From the annexed estimate, it will be
| round that the gross produce of all the
| mines now occupied, amounts to thiIty-
! six thousand five hundred dollars. The
! whole number OF worknen employed, in
Guiding miners, smokers, wood cutters,
/ and carriers, has not exceeded one hundred
and fifty men, Of which aumber, one hun
dred aud twenty may be supposed to work
! four rOonths, and the remaining thirty,
he year round. From this calculation it
! would be found, that each man employed
IN The business averages forty three dollars
per month.
To this may be added the increased va
lue on one hundred and twenty thousand
pounds weight manufactured at the Mine
a Burton into shot and sheets, which makes
The export valuation forty thousand and
one hundred dollars per annum, the ave-
rage produce for three years past. Nd
| hitting one thousand men TO be employed
the year round, at the different mines now
| known, and the quantity OF lead produced
ed by one hundred and fifty men, sup
positionb by no means extrayagant, the pro-
ceeds are found to amount TO FIVE hun
bred thousand dollars aud upwards. This
calculation, perhaps, by some, may be
deemed incredible, but the riches ard ex-
tent OF the mines Justify the calculation.
in estimate Of the firoGuce Of tie several
mines.
Mine Burton, $780,
coo lbs. mineral,
estimated to pro-
ddce 66 2-3, is
366,666 2-3 lbs.
leadat dollars ;, is 1888 So
To which add dolls.
60 ton l2O,o00,bs
ranufactured) To-
each hous1nd, is $500 90
---- 2L933 80
Old Mines-coo,-