Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-06-17
CO NJ NJ U NIC.ATfONs

MY DEAR SIRs-The conclusion of my las, rep.
resented US as all in the embrace of Morpheus. be-
fore a fine blazing fire, comfortably reposing under
tile canopy Of heaven.
Ga the following morning, having first RECALLED
ourselves upon a bfeakiast-!he counterpart, of the
repast OF the preceding evenlng-our party was
early in motion.
We passed Though Belmont, leaving Pla,,eville
on the left, which appears handsomely situated, up.
OH soping ground, and well supplied with timber.
Belmont stands NJ the foot of ona of the Platte
Mounds, upon an elevated praitie. cpmmandn, a
widely extended prospect, and enjoying free Cir
cula,on Of pure air. Al this place tis first s.s-
sion of the Legislature of Wisconsin was held
and from all Cal learn upon the avbiect, the Ter.
ritory has only "gaihea !oss'' by exchanging Ro.
mont for Madison, our future scat of government.
After crossing twp forks of the Peka,onska, the wa-
tier in which is clear and rapid; we halted for the
night al Mineral Point, the oil ;.'stce for Iowa
county, and quite thriving place, being surrouiitl-
ed with 'sdiggings,,' maay of which are'veiv pro-
ductive. Copper, as well as lead ore, is found >re
but as yet, so little attention has been bestowed
towards ascertaining the probable extent of the de-
poslte OF the former ore, that all opinion upon the
subject cannot now given with any degree GER
talnty. The presumption, however, from the ap-
peararc, of the ore already taken out, GALL Of
which has been within u few feet of the suriace,)
is that farther researches will prove tho existence
Of large and valuable bodies of 1t. Onc of these
copper mines has recently been purchased BY All
eastern company whose enterprise confidently
hope may speedily be rewarded by success, COM
mensurate with its most sanguine expectations. Il
The introduction of lew minimizing companies
of capital, into the rich field presented by Wis
consn, for undertakings of the character under
sderation, would be productive of highly INTEREST,"
ing and valuable scsulfs, ONLY the parties inn
mediaieiy engaged in the work, but the country
generally.
All the mining ever accompli shed in Wisconsin
has been of SO superficial character, that be.
lieve hazard nothing in saying that mos, of the
lead ore hitherto found here, has been merely the
leaves and top branches, as it were, OF the tree
the trunk and large still beneath; and in
this opinion am supported by some of the first
geougists of the day, as well as the practical mi
ners themselves.
From Mineral Point 10 Blue river, the road pas
ses oref succession oi beautiful undulatng prai-
RE, extending OH allssdss, far eaoigh appear TO
support upon IT'S confines the azure vault of heaven
Not unffo1uenty, the traveller over these fertile
plains is much perpexed Oh arriving the diverg-
ing point of two roads, to determine which to Sc
lect, as the march of improvement in W isconsin
has been so rapid as TO pass by unworthy # adop-
ton, those old fashioned and useful articles lenom-
mated guidepo,is. The mounds before spoke |, of.
serve as excellent land marks whereby 10 deter
'"'HS "hS PtVPCI Soutoc1 80 lONH as tnCy can be
kept in sight. Blu, as this cannot in all situations
be effected, would respectfully suggest 10 tho pro-
per authorities, for the benef, of future naviga,os
upon the prairie ocean, the erection of few Of
The dumb monitors just alluded ~.
Here and there we passed spo, where choice
grove, superior spring, dinaro degree
OF richness OF soil, had induced some farmer to
commence operations, and many Of them have IN
entire section (64O acres under cultivation, hav.
ing all the appearance Of old plantations.
fraire hens, plovcrs, pheasants, and bird
somewhat resembling the cuIlew, bu, of dark
brown colo, present themselves al frequent inter.
walls along the way side, afording 10 the sportsman
every opportunity of loading himself with game a,
the expense of bat slight exertion. Nor need he
be confined to tho pursuit Of sssma game, AS bea,
and deer are often mot with also One of the
former passed near Us, and gave us the opportunity
of watching his movements for long distance q.
cross the open plain.
Arrived a, the Blue Rive, diggngs--imm ense
Quantities OF minetnf are seen piled up, il, cord,
the mouths vi thesvarious shafts, or rathef shall
low pits; none Of them exceed in depth Is fee,
and many not half that distance.
Tbs mineral is found in horizontal tsshee,s,, i'm,
bedded in clay, nnd-.arying in thickness from Gu,
10 six inches. No uniformity seems 10 prevail a,
as to tho length BREADTH Of these ye:ns--bu, n
of them are Of sufficient extent, to render their be.
ing worked, the .sou.ce Of very considerable prof
10 those engaged in mining. Yours,
WISCONSINIAN.