The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-24

Ss40soA
We look upon the returns of these institutions as an
index oil the prosperity Of the country and people gene
rally They not only show that the laborng classes are
receiving wages remuneraing them for their labor but
that they are able to lay up from time to time small
sums for future exigences The full and profitable en-
ployment of the laboring classes Ia evidence of gene
raj prosperity and that the order Of things under which
we exists favorable for healthy increase the aggre
gate wealth of the country
On an examination Of the map Of the mineral region Of
Maryland and Virginia situated tho Allegheny Noun.
tans will be perceived that the Potomac River passes
through the centre of the coal and iron basn the river
being the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from whence it is easy to
form aust appreciation Of the value Of the companies 10
Gated the borders of this great highway In est
nation the coal and iron companies the Potomac
become the valuable, their products only
Of superior value aud in the create abundance, but
without any private expenditure will have the advan-
tags of choice of conveyance to market by anal or
railroad.
The character of their coal the Cumbe rland coal,
Is Of such acknowledged superiority for heat duration
and purity that the Navy Department has entered into
contract with the Mar, land Company for large sup
ply for the Of the United States steamers and not.
withstandg the present limited transportation
of coal the Ohio Railroad the business of this com.
pany has, since tn short period of its ement
proved perfectly satisfactory to the parties Interested
exhibiting such signs of promise Afford to reasonable
calculations, the most brilliant hopes of success.
Wehail with much satisfaction the prospect of these
enterprises, and do not doubt that our principal
foreign difficulty has beer settled that such an impetus
will be given to the energies of the country as will
render them all profitable. and of general national i'm
portance The Maryland and Virginia companies having
been managed with strict economy they will reap
the advantage Of the general prospects of the country
having no eeway to make up their future voyage
prove easy and prosperous.
1t is with much surprise that we have noticed the
want of economical foresight which is exhibited on the
part of the federal government in securing an egi
BILE site for the establishment Of great national foun.
derry, with such efficiency of coal lands would be
adequate to provide the public with the choicest
fuel independent in the supply and beyond every posi-
bility of imposition
The coal and iron beds lie in strata exposing their
front to the Potomac River in such alternate succession
ntermngled with limestone fire brick clay, and by.
drauc cement, to render them only objects of
immense value, but subjects Of remarkable curiosity,
worthy the examination of the gcologst and the en-
ghtened statesman The representations made by Sill
man, johnson. Sheppard, Douglas Shepperd, &C.. are
guarantees which ought to satisfy Congress that these
mines merit their immediate attention. especially az
very small appropriation would all the land that
would be necessary for the public