Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-12-30
MINERAL WEALTH OF RUSSIA.

different parts of the Russian dominions modern re-
searches hare proved that beds of anthracite and
bituminous coal are not the least important.
| In the southern part Of the European domnions
of the Gar, in the rich wheat country not far from
the Black Sea, in what is Familiarity known as the
land Of the Don Cossacks these beds principally found
rich mineral ground undees fertile agricultural Soil
things not often found in the locality.
In district lying along the of small called
the 0chova, its junction with the river Donetz trb-
tary OF the Don, failing into far above its
the OF Azo btumnous coal has been known and work
ed at mine called Ouspensk for than forty years The
amount of coal extracted has however, been very limited
exceeding $500 1000 tors per apnum and Of this nearly
the whole consumed the single iron establishment
Laugane which supplies iron for the naval service the
Black Sea. The greatest thickness of the principal bed
about nine feet, with strike direction from northwest
southeast, and dip inclination of degrees
wards the southwest Several other BEDS ten twelve in
ALL varying in thickness from few inches two feet are
found scpermposed above each other, distances from thirty
five TO one hundred and seventy five feet apart
Like the coal field of South Wales and that of the southern
anthracite district of Pennsy appears that this Russian
coal formation supplies bitumnous coal in some parts and
anthracite in others The latter had attracted but little inter-
est and had remained almost unnoced until the application
OF that fuel to the manufacture OF iron in Wales and its
extensive for that and various other purposes in this
county had drawn attention its and growing mpor
tance.
In 1916 the Government Of Russia depued officers Of
its corps Of mining engineers the Baron WRASe and Lieut.
PFEFEH, the United States procure information respect
ing the mining and uses Of anthracite.
On their arrival in this country they REFEREED by his
Exceency the Russian Minister, scientific gentleman Of
Phiadepha who placed before them the necessary docu
men reports, and other Of information accompanied
to manufacturing establishments using that fuel and other
wise facilitated the attainment of their object.
Several months passed in making these
and satisfactory the result of their mission the de-
Parment of Government having charge of the subject that
both Mr. BoDIsco and the Director of the Military Colonies
in Russia have the handsomest acknowledged the
services of the gentleman referred and by the order of the
Imperial Government this acknowledgment has been accom-
panied by the very appropriate donation of rich and beautu
suite of Russian Minerals comprising specimens from nearly
every important mineral district of the Empire from the Gulf
Of Finland TO the borders Of Kamtschaika.
In looking the collection, noticed fine specimens
Of the anthracite OF the Don above referred granular and
compact rock salt from the river Wni asparagus stone,
,aniferous iron and mica granular SPAR from Imenge
brge; pure patna, from the Government of Perm the
westerly flank Of the Ura mountains, iridium and osmum
also from the Ural elecrum from the Ata mountains on
the borders of China, (90o east longitude y pure silver,
argentferous "copper" horn silver. .suphurets Of silver and
senc from the region native cinnabar (suphure of
mercury from Bogosof native copper from the locality;
vanadae Of lead from Kaernsbug voborte (vanadiate of
copper from Perm and maekane omnear the Of Oko
From Nertschinsk, the river Amour l60 eas) are
boulangete sulphuret and oxide Of moydenum cadmia,
hydraed peroxide Of on phosphate of "copper" phosphate Of
lead and aenc with amethyst chalcedony, &C.; also pure
gold and oxide bisu,h from Katensburg The malaches
and blue cabonaes Of copper with black oxide of cobalt from
Nishneagk, Bogoslo and the Altai mountains together
with the lead minerals from the larcentioned
gion all beautiful and Interesting specimens. The whole
embraces hundred varieties. Many Of the
specimens Of liberal Dimensions and exhibit several
species on the
Regarding this donation another evidence Of the kindly
disposition by the Government OF Russia the
citizens Of the United States and alike honorable the donors
and the recipient have obtained the of the latter
to append this notice copies Of the letters which accompanied
the minerals.
From his ErceIlencu a. Bodisco, Russian Minis