Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-01-09
-MONDAY. JaNUaRY6, 1854.
MINERAL RESOURCES OF VIRGINIA.

iainly on most interesting subject,
and is from the pen of one of the most
accomplished mineralogists in the Uni
ted States. He is well known as the
editor of the Geological Magazine of
Philadelphia, and no man in this coun.
Try is more capable of approaching
our invaluable mineral resources. Ma.
nv of the facts which he relates in
this letter are new and important--and
his general views are striking and en-.
titled to great consideration.
COMMUNICATED ron THE RICHMOND rsauraEa.
Fredericksburg, Dec. 4, 1888.
To JAMES MADISON, Esq.
Dear Sir: | had the unieigned plea.
sure Of receiving your letter respect.
ing the proper manner of opening to
the public the extent Of the mineral
resources Of Virginia. beg to assure
you it is particularly gratifying to me,
TO find your opinion of the utility of
measure we have so frequently con-
versed about, entirely coinciding with
my own. | sit down most willingly to
give you sketch of my opinion of
those resources, and Of worthy and
practical manner Of developing them.
1t is too important subject to be well
examined, in the compass of an ordinn-
ry letter; but ! will endeavor to make
it as little tedious as possible.
1t happens opportunely that the Go.
vernon Of this State, in his recent
message, has recommended the very
measure approved of ia geographical
survey to the legislature. Such
measure has already been authorized
by the legislatures Of Massa ,huset,s
and Maryland; and | have for some
time perceived strong feeling in ia.
yer of it has been rapidly growing up
in this State. This comes in the natu.
raj order Of things. Formerly, this
country presented the spectacle Of an
immense territory, with small popula.
ton sparingly scattered on its immense
border. Now, its condition is greatly
changed; for, although the impressions
Of the revolution are still fresh upon
all minds, as if all had been contempt.
rary with it, we have the energies Of
nation, numerous and powerful in ex.
tent, forcibly displaying themselves on
every side. of the cities are
growing up into the first class of mag.
nitude, and the general wants cores
pond to the increase of numbers.
Those labor.saving machines, canals
and railroads, are gradually extending
themselves over the face Of the coun-
try, and the distant agriculturist finds,
in the facilities they give him for the
transportation Of his produce to mark.
ct, a compensation for his former high
prices.
But corn, wheat, and edible CON-
modities are not the only things human
ingenuity can produces: and the day
has passed by when the value Of an
acre Of land was to be estimated SOLE
ly by the number of bushels it would
produce. That square acre goes down
in solid mass towards the centre OF
the earth, and the wants of man and
his curiosity will not permit him TO
rest, until he knows to certain ex-
tent, what that mass consists of, and to
what useful purpose he can apply it.
Geology is the science which enables
him to crafty that curiosity.
The ancestors Of the present genera
ton knew not, two hundred years ago,
the wants which press upon their de-
scendants; they were few in number,
and their greatest anxiety was for
secure and abundant means OF exist
ence. They held the country when
1t was in its infant state; but their
children enjoy il in the mature state;
and the boys wants were almost for
gotten in the urgencies Of those of the
man. Yet, most happily, the easy
means of satisfying them exists. The
wise dispensations of our Creator have
provided those for every stage of soci
ETY.; 1t is man who is to blame, If
having health, he consents to rema'I
poor and miserable; and the same ma,
DO said OF communities of men who dis
regard the resources which are beney
olently placed within his reach.
1t has often been remarked as sur
.prlslng circumstance, that the earl,
settlers of Virginia seem never to hav
suspected the existence of gold in tn
State, which we know at this time I
be very extensively diffused aero,
Its whole territory. Considering no
much of it has been found of late,
does appear to want some explanation
but perhaps this may not unreasonable
be found, in the very woody state
the country, and in the exclusive occl