Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-03-24


ing OF the writer, it must be apparent that on,
mines are to increase in value, as the coun,ry
grows older, and instead Of exhaustng, will
be proved to contain greater wealth than a,
present supposed by those who. have not stu
died the theory: and according 10 his views
OF the matter, which has, 10 great extent,
been proved the pas. winter, the mines on the
west side of the river will prove much more
valuable than those on the east. 1t has been
an objection which has prevented many from
mining on the west side, that the veins Law deep
and were embedded in rock, but those who
have persevered have been so well rewarded,
that others will yet learn that although att. nd
ed with gsater labor at the start, the mines in
the vicinity of this place, yield much better
than where found nearer the surface, and sur
rounded only with clay.
MEssRs. EDlToEs:---The mineral resources
Of this country, and its successful develope-
ment, In amatter Of exciting interest, not only
10 those who are directly interested, but TO eve
~ lnquring mind. Hitherto, every thing con-
nected With it has progressed by accidental
causes; we have seen the primitive but waste
full modeof smelling by Indian, leg, and ash
furnaces, give way 10 European cconomized
systems, attended by corresponding rise in
the price Of lead ore, and giving an impetus 10
mining business by the increasing emigration
of practicable miners. In looking forward to
the consequences resulting from these circum-
stances, IL becomes matter Of speculative in
qniry, whether or not there exists the same
want Of capital in this, as arc usually incident
TO all other mining countries, 10 aid the suc-
cessful development Of mineral deposi,es. To
the solution Of this question. the following re-
marks ARE dedicated, and will, lbelieve, prove
satisfactory TO those who are acquainted with
the mlnisg region, and observed the diversity
OF formation and character of mineral veins.
In thefirst place the adventurer is generally
poor; his operations are therefore devoid of
that strength necessary to make extensive ,ri-
ais, and are directed TO those sections where
the ore Is known TO be formed near the sur
face, by veins already opened, whence he can
examine their character. These peculiar for
nations occur in stratnms Of alluvial clay, rare
y very extensive, but when once discovered
are wrought with little expense, making it cx-
trenely profitable while it lasts. The opera
tons ofihe .ndgen. miner is confined to these
points fiom necessity; and when successful,
instead ofapplyng the avaiIs to veins ofs,rong-
er character, requiring some expenditure, his
prodigality either leaves him unable, or penu-
rlousness prevents him.
The latter formation is deposited in beds,
technically called openings, more or less cap
ped with rock, but which have been generally
small veins running out to the SUFFICE, con-
tanning occasionally small quantities Of ore,
which serves as guide, and are indicative Of
the deposiles beneath. These openings some
times yield vast quantities of ores, and cannot
be said to he exhausted until the whole bed
has been wrought. From the expenses incl
dent TO opening, it has repeatedly occurred in
the course Of mining operations. that holes or
shafts have been STATED by INDECENT miners,
sunk some depth, and abandoned. re-worked
and abandoned, by successive parties of adj
vcnturers, and left FOR years, yet have been
sunk and yielded large profits. This is offre
qnent occurrence. Even where shafts have
been sunk 10 the opening, they have been fre-
qnenlly Abandoned; and yet by these erretic
impulses Of adventure---by excava'ing through
the nnproductve parts adjacent to tho shaft,
heavy bodies Of ore have been discovered.
II is maxim with miners, that veins, in an
established mining country, will, upon rcgu-
lar and systematic plan Of operations, prove
profitable. On the whole, the abandonment,
and resumption on veins in this country, album
dainty carry out this principle, though their
pockets will no, justify the risk from want OF
means. The principle has long been estab-
lished, that capital cannot he safely applied in
the purchase Of labor, except condensed by
bringing it to bear, where it can be conven.
iently supervised and directed. In reference
to this principle, should deem il unsafe for
the capital TO be directed to the opening Of clay
formations from that very difficulty; it would
be attended with thousand inconveniences,
and comes more within limited or individual
adventure. On the contrary, in rock forma-
tons, when the deposites are Of a more dura.
BILE and standing character, il could he applied.
directly, in accordance with this principle, the
veins, when opened, would admit Of accumn-
lation Of labor, and direct supervision; the
country ini,s immediate neighborhood acquires
character to encourage further adventure,
and the whole operations are confined to a
small compass. The hes, criterion TO Judge
OF mineral deposite, is the strength of the
veins already opened; and century will hard.
ly produce exhaustion, where they run deep
and strong. These deposites are in measure
Theoretically sealed TO individual and ndigen,
enterpriser it requires the focns Of capital, to
open and regulate operations at such points.
When we take into consideration the favor.
able circumstances of these immense deposits,
and compare them with other countries. tina,
require heavy and expensive machinery fol
draining and other purposes, the conviction
Immediately recurs, Of the great value ofthesc
mines, nnincnnlbered as they are, and only at
tended but with the bare expense Of opening a
few yards in depth, and letting in a host OF
practical Miners, that wonld swarm to the
country in such an event, which am persna-
ded wiIl.shorly take place. We can easily
apprehend tho consequences resulting from
such application Of capital, in the impulse CIV.
en- IL business in General. the enhancement OF