The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-06
COPPER MINES ON THE oNToNAGoN

WI MINED OAS iEIG OlNACANhoolN'
From correspondent at Detroit, September l, lS45.
An unfounded allusion, in a late letter from your
Irregular correspondent" in the Lake Superior coun
try, to the "onionagon Mining Company" requires
me, as a member of that company, to give correct
history ofits organization and progress In execu-
ting this task, desire it to be distinctly understood
that sympathise with the interests, and hope for
the prosperity, of all those other companies whose
object is to develop the resources of the mineral
gion OH the southern shore of Lake Superior, and
that consider the Of one identified with the
success Of the others, and that of all of them inter-
woven with the interests and prosperity of the
ton. Any hostility in the action Of individuals or
companies towards each other, in the mineral dis
trict betrays purblind policy, and will necessarily
check the successful operations of all will add,
that while, undoubtedly, some extravagant anticpa-
tons are cherished the boundless value of the
copper. mines of Lake Superior, and the immense
fortunes to be suddenly realized from specua,ions
in them, have every information and every reason
to induce confident belief in the certain existence
of extensive veins Of ores in that country, exceed
ing in intrinsic worth, any copper-mnes ever yet
discovered in any part of the world. To doubt on
this subject, would be to reject evidences of the
most conclusive nature.
The "Ontonagon Mining Company" was formed
and organized in Detroit three months ago. 1t con-
sists Of five or six members, all of whom are well
known to their immediate feow-ctzens, and some
of whom known TO the country at large. AT
considerable expense, they promptly despatched ex-
ploring parties to the mineral region south Of Lake
Superior; and they have succeeded in making ioca-
tons on the river Ontonagon and the Elm river,
amounting to some ten twelve miles square, and
in discovering specimens ofcopper Of the richest
description. They have at this time men employed
in examining and practically finding out the min
erals comprised within their locatioEs and they
have made preparations to this fall, and
the coming winter the thorough development of the
resources of their mines. The company is not
merely speculative company, II has forborne to
press its shares upon the market. II has as much
regard any other persons for its own pecuniary
interests but believes that those interests will be
best advanced by establishing, with certainty, the
intrinsic extent and value Of their ores. Specimens
of these on their way down. and will be fairly
analysed and tested.
The company has location of three miles square
on the Ontonagon, Just above the falls, and about -
or IA miles from the entrance OF the river, the
largest Of the streams on the southern shore, into
the lake. Ofthe Ontonagon, your Irregular cores
pendent" says that "the river is safe for the en-
trance and secure anchorage of schooners and navi
gable to large keeboats and barges for twelve miles
above its mouth. The trap-range, believed 10 be as
rich in copper part Of Lake Superior, crosses
this river near its forks, about fifteen miles above
its mouth" II is on this very range that ''the
Ontonagon Mining Company" has made its largest
, location And il is at the mouth Of tire Ontonagon
that "the government have organized mineral
agency, and appointed MAJOR Campbell as agent to
reside at it, than whom better selection could not
have been made"
'rThe ontonagon Mining Company" have also
location on Keweena point directly on the shore
of Lake Superior; and they have seven or eight To-
cations on the Elm river east of the Ontonagon, and
not far from it. =
In a report Of Mr. Schoocraft to the Secretary Of
War, twenty-five years ago, he says, that the first
appearances Of copper were perceived at the portage
Of Keweena, go miles above the Sault de st.
Marie. Native copper, in particles from the size Of
a grim to two pounds weight, were discovered
Detached blocks Of stone colored green by the
carbonate Of copper, and the rock-straa exhibited
traces of the same ore. "These indicationsn said
Mr. Schoolcraf "continue to the river Ontonagon
which has long been noted for the large masses Of
native copper found upon its banks, and about the
contiguous country The large mass Of native
copper is described by the same gentleman as lying
ter's edge. The very large block Of native
copper now on deposte at Washington, was, i.