New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-10-21
The Mineral Region OF Lake superior.


10 me Editor Of The Tribune.
Having recently returned from tour OF obscva
ton through the Mineral Region Of Lake Superior
and seen some Of the NAL practices that prevail there
with regard 10 the location of lands on the part o
the Government Agency, desire To avail myself o.
your columns TO make an exposition OF them to the
public
The agency is situated on Porters Island which
forms the Western side OF the entrance 20 Copper
Harbor. The expense Of maintaining il is aoou
900 per annum. which Is principally disbursed
IN salaries.
The agency house or as it il there called the
Government House was erected by Gen Gun
ningham for which he received 81 500 Ii is
story and half high built OF hewn logs and about u
feet by 90 Attached TO this Is what Is denOu.natcd
Storehouse built in the rudest style. Of logs and GOV
cred with cedar bark. This Likewise cost the Govern
ment $500
The lower floor Of the Government House" consists
0 kitchen and two bedrooms, whilst the upper. OF
garrett i divided into two Offices. Mr. stockton the
present superintendent farms out the house for public
entertainment that Is by paying Il per day you are
entitled 10 three meals Of salt pork and feet by on
the door night, with log for pillow Here you car
pass the night secure from the cod winds. you take
the precautOn OF hanging quilt before the door and
stopping the broken psnes Of glass with blankets.
But let introduce you 10 the garrett In one end is
kept the map Of locations the other 10 the receptacle
OF records and applications. When the lower foor Is
occupied gentlemen are accommodated with lodgings in
the gacts Thus the books and records open the
examination Of every one and might With IMMUNITY
be altered or distracted
The manner in which the affairs have been coniucts
here ia disgraceiu TO the Government and calls loudly
for reform fhe fragrant abuses formerly existed II
IS notorious that the facilities OF Office have been used
tor the purposes Of speculation IN mineral lands
Permits have been granted without keeping any record
OF them and in cases entries dated order "a
secure valuable locations iunctiOnsres friends In
illustration OF this / will give you an snecdote. Mr.
B. had hxed upon a location and was about 10 have
it surveyed preparatory 10 entry This came 10 tho
knowledge OF Government officer. He accordingly
sccosted Mr.. B. 81 understand you going up the
Lake-wll you be 80 good AS 70 take letter To Mr. !
10 IS matter Of some moment that no 6hould have
Immediately, and If it Is not TOO much trouble, wish
YOU would see that he gets the moment you and
Certainly" replied Mr. b and delivered the letter
The important information was. that B. was about 10 To-
particular tract and advising 10 anticipate him
which he did When b. had completed his survey
and the agency 10 perfect his location he wa.
politely informed that he too ldte-hat Mr. T. had
a few hours before, located the same tract
OF the present superintendent individually, cannot
speak he has been absent during portion OF the
season whilst the management OF the ONCE mas been
conhded 10 SET Of boys, who pass their time mainly II
drinking smoking and playing cards some profess e
be surveyors some clerks and some recorders but
could discover that they had any visible occupation
had occasion 10 inquire for set Of instruments among
this troop Of surveyors and was informed that they only
had pair Of dvlders in the office. one leg OF which Wa;
gone These persons directly or indirectly inter
ested in some OF the locations and make of their
official station 10 acquire still greater interest.
The officers lately at Fort wilkins too, did not scruple
to engage in these -peculaons, notwithstanding they
expressly forbidden believe by regulation OF the
War Department Lieut. X. was the most conspicuous
Although probably he was never twenty miles in the
Mineral Rrg he did not hesitate 10 sell his advice on
the most extrayagant terms They consisted generally
in The payment OF sum certain, and an interest in the
result.
Another practice prevails there with regard 10 entries
-to, IN he. hey he
cant 10 locate by di awng lines on the map, without
having been the ground or causing 10 be- surveyed
During the past season, swarm Oi adrenturers nave
col about the agency watching the locations made
by every exploring party and before the Ink dry
would surround the locations thus made with their own
permits The agent would allow them certain time
In which they could either take up Their permits and 10
them elsewhere let them remain permanently
This sys,rin IS productive Of great injustice. Where
one individual bounds his location starting from the
rer OF another without having II surveyed the bora pa,
Explorer Is compelled 70 run OUT TWO or tnfee locations
9th the compass TO find where ne Is. and when he
.oes 10 the Office 10 make entry. After months OF toll
sni prvatOn he will find perhaps that his tract IS
covered by permit belonging 10 man who ha. never
been within hiiy miles OF his location, nor mas the
slightest conception Of is value.
Mr. : had devo,ed the whole season 10 exploring the
mineral lands When he came in 20 make his entries
the hangers.on were on the alert. He took bis pencil
and made location At random. In the Of that
dsv no less ian seea others made in the vicinity
The number of permits granted amour, 70 about 80
the >uuber located which will be located durng this
season amount TO about $50. The action OF the Depart
meni in refusing grant fariher permits .as well timed
and ought carrier 10 have been resOrted TO- IL would
have saved much confusion and uncertainty. and re
iarded for few years only, the development OF the
Mineral resources OF that region In the OF two
seasons the Government surveys VIII be Completed
and until then. further permits probably vii be Is
sued.
Thus far only six or sight veins OF Copper have been
found which Will prove permanently productive IL IS
undoubtedly the richest Copper region yet discovered
but one Of the most difficult 10 explore The shores are
lined with cedar tsmaTack spruce &c forming tangled
mass through which you cannot penetrate than
mile per hour. The ground = covered too with moss
several inches In thickness % eifeciusiy conceal
the rocks Il only along tbs streams that they
posed and these nearly parallel 70 the course ~ the
veins II the region becomes stripped Of It's forests
that the rains and the foss can upon The soil vast
mineral treasures will be brought 10 light
The vein al Eagle River regard as the most valus
be We, discovered ], contains nsriye Copper and ma
i've Silver It's about ~ feet wide and has been peue
rsted 10 the depth IS feet The black oxide Of Cop
per found Al Fort wilkins IS rich ore, but the supply
apyrehent IS limited shsit mas been sunk 70 feet, when
il was found 70 run out. The Pittsburgh Company are
LOW following lead u only an inch and hall in thick
rvs The Hon. J. @ Adams has refused to return
10 Com. Elliott the medal back 10 him By the r.
Historical Society The following IS MS letter:
Quincy Mass 2e,h sept lsi5
John H9rldnd Esq President o. ne Rhode Island H''or
zeal S0ciey. Pr0rldenct -
StK. | received on the Path INST By the mail, your
letter of The preceding day together with the medal IN
honor OF J. Fennlrnore Cooper E.q struck b. Commo
doFe Jesse D. Elliott ~hlen us ssSle.e DSo u
March asst transmitted 10 ne coee'y OF nooe
Island. a present from him.
Enclosed with your Letter were two copies OF resou
uon Of the Historical Society Of Rhode Island refusing
D. receive the medal requesen- NE 70 return 10 com
modore Elliott together with Of the copies Of the
decline the Office requested Of me by the Historical
society OF Rhode Island and hold the medal and the copy
"a their resolution which they request ~ transmit
~ ConuoSor. Elliott 20 he delivered any person
whom thry or you BY their direction may authorize 70
receive them retain the copy Of the Resolution Of the
Society intended for myself