New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-12-30
American Copper

To the Editor of the Boston Post:
Although the papers contain occasional notices OF
the great mineral region of Lake Superior recently
opened 10 the enterprise OF citizens there Is an
unaccoun,ablc scarcity Of facts and results In the
communications thus far made TO the public
There is disposition among The knowing ones in
this business to monopolize the most valuable OF
those lands and this design can be bcs; accomplish
ed bv permitting Congress and men Of capital gen
orally TO remain in ignorance until the choicest loca-
lions are secured We think II important 10 iu-
dcious ADMINISTRATION Of this property by the gov
eminent. and to prompt and profitable develop
uent of its resources, that whatever can be known
in relation TO it should be made public.
Having had access TO some authentic sources of
information on this subject, we shall communicate
what we have learned.
The copper region commences at Chocolate River,
at little East of Copper Harbor, in Lake Superior,
aud extends along the Southern shores OF thai Lake
some three hundred and fifty miles 10 the British
line. pursuing NorthW estcrly direction The
width is from one 10 twenty live miles, according 10
the course Of the ranges OF trap rock, the uniform
concomitan of the ore. This region abounds IN evil
dence of ancient volcanic action particularly in the
frequent appearance among the ore OF bodies OF ma
tive copper. The appears IN veins on the sur
face of the earth. and in rocks on hill sides These
veins vary in width from six inches 10 sixteen eet
Some of them descend into the earth perpendicular
w. others at various degrees OF inclination, and some
OF them after performing a curvature under the
earth reappear, or crop out again. The yield,
OF al average about twenty five per cent OF pure
copper-the purest in the world. The mines Of
Cornwall, in England, yield only from eight 10 nine
per cent; those of Bohemia about fifteen. The only
mines in the world-except those of Cuba and ia
naica of which are ignorant-that rival In rich
ness the mines of Lake Superior, are those of Rus
STA The latter also are the only ones which are
worked with equal facility, being like the Superior
mines near the surface, and yielding, from the very
commencement of operation, ample supplies OF
metal The mines of Cornwall and Hungary are
worked TO depth OF twenty five hundred feet, and
in some cases the first five hundred feet have been
excavated at an expense OF three hundred thousand
dollars to half Million before any thing was real
lied No shaft on Lake Superior has as yet been
sunk to greater depth than one hundred feet. 1t
is remarkable that copper yennever tails unless II
crops out elsewhere. Interruptions, faults may oc-
cur but continued digging will strike the ore again.
The cost of getting ore TO the surface is about four
dollars per ton, one hand being able to get out about
half a ton per day. The cost OF smelling or WASHING
far is about half that price-say altogether SIX
dollars per ton If the ore yield twenty five per
cent. OF metal, it is worth, at sixteen cents per
pound. eighty dollars; thus leaving large margin
for profit after the expenses Of working the mines
are paid.
Such operations have, of course, attracted opera
tors, who have proceeded with equal CELEBRITY and
silence TO explore aud appropriate the localities al
fording the best Indications of metal Our Govern
ment so far has adopted the policy Of leasing at
first in tracts of nine miles square, now Of one only
The leases continue for nine years, at rent OF SIX
per cent of the orc for the first three years and ten
per cent for the residue of the period, the tenant
giving security ior the due payment OF the Govern
ment share, anG renewing the bond every three
years.
Operations were commenced by Two companies
in l5i4 In lsi5 twelve more companies have be-
gun working. The following, is list of the names
of these companies, the number and estimated value
oil their shares, the number Of hands they respec-
lively employ and their tru ees or officers.
The amoul, ofmoney reqiired TO prosecute these
undertakings rendered it cgpcdient 10 form associa-
lions for the purpose. To obtain acts OF incorpora-
ton. however, would invo. re too much trouble and
dslay Tlc plan has therefore been adopted Of
vesng tie title of the proJerty held by the several
companies in separate sei7 of trustees, according TO
articles of agreement whch specify their duties and
prohibit the contracting Of debts; that stock
holder incurs no risk whatever of mourning liabilities
that may affect his individual property.