The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-16
From the Detroit Free Press, February
LAKE SUPERIO UNTRY A MD
MINES.


Gen. E. j. Roberts, U. S. Mineral Agent, received
by the last mail and dated Lake Superior Jan. /,
lS49 -
On the sublec, Of mining can give you good
account OF those who have carried their operations
into the winter but regret TO say that the same cause
which retarded many companies last year have their
influence this saason. You remember the sad tate
of the Goliath and must by the last boat down from
the Sault Ste Marie, have learned the hardships
difficulties aud delays experienced by the Propeller
Independence and by several schooners, freighted
with provisions, machinery, and other general sup
plies in reaching the ports OF destination. was
on board Of The Independence, and as in the case OF
The Julia Palmer last fall we bowed 10 the first salu-
tation of gale the first day ont from the
Sault and on The same day of the year. and al the
same hour we rode out, with loss Of forcsail and
other damages similar appalling and terrific storm
from the participation in third edition, OF which
| beg may be spared sharing the "honors and go-
yf'' Heavy weather continued until we reached
successfully the landings on the Southern shore of
! Lake Superior nj each OF which we found, In con-
siderable numbers miners and laborers and In some
instances, Agents, who refused 10 return to their To-
cations H.
II had then, raned sleet, and snow, constantly for
more than fortnight and fear of being reduced 10
want with the usual severity oil the season, had
created alarm, and home sickness not easily mas
tered; and on arrival off the mouth of the Onton.
agon on the 18th Of November, we found several had
made their way TO Eagle River in coasfiDg boals,
and by way of Portage Lake, In the hope Of finding
some vessel 10 take them below
Will not these repeated disasters, Interruptions and
annoyances, at last have tendency to induce COM
panies to send on their supplies in time reach here
early in October } Their hazards are manifest and
their losses be sensibly felt. And when will far
turn their attention to this section of country
enjoy itsever peryadng health, make money for them
selves, and supply the mining interests with their
provisionsl The arguments introduced against this
as an Agricultural region, ure many bug-b bears. No
where, is the soil more richer better adapted to
yield Its fruits IN abundance han we have here the
Ontonagon at l. Ance Portage Lake and in various
other s.t,IipuS ppiut kepUainnuo
whole townships of the handsomest farming land in
the world tmbered with The Sugar Maple, nerspers-
cd here and there with SPLENDID Pines and the black
oak, and lying within few miles of the Cliff North
American, Albion, Copper Falls Lac La Belle and
other Copper mines And here grow richer and sweet.
er and yield in greater abundance to the acre than in
the Lower Peninsula, orin Western New York-po-
tatocs Rutn-bagas, Turnips Cahbages Beets, Pars.
nips, and all sorts Of roots; and we have seen Of
wheat grown the Bluffs, in the neighborhood most
bleak and barren surrounding the Cliff mines heads
nine inches in length, filled out with the plumpest
berry. Oats also, turned out remarkable yield on
the location of the Suffolk Company the last season
and there is reasonable argument why NIL sorts OF
Grhln excepting perhaps corn, should not succeed as
well, If not better in this country than in any other
Cattle, too, turned out in the SPRING fat sooner than
elsewhere and we have eat of mutton faitenoi on
the cohimons, IN the neighborhood Of Agate Har-
Dor, equal to any served up in any portion Of the
long winters and deep snow, but then have neith-
or irosts in the fall the spring seasons and lux
nrious growing weather for the balance OF the year
At several OF the mining COMPANIES where thew
have made sufficient advances 10 raise Potatoes
and other roots, than they have occasion for during
the winter they leave them in the ground until spring
when on raising them from their hills or beds they
are found sweeer and every way improved But
miners are neither farmers nor horliculturists
OF THE MINES
There are at present working al the Ontonapon
the Minesota, the Ohio Trap Rock and the Onion
agon companies; and on Point Keewainonn the cir
North American Conner Folla Tnrf RaiIr
Companies. In the Iron District, the jackson Com.
pany. TO give you more definite idea of what Is
going on had perhaps, better speak of them sep
aratey;
Tar MIEEso1A COMPANIES. o. Knapp. ESQ
Agent, hast Just finished the erection of buildings
and commenced mining with great vgor and much
succsss-working from 30 10 40 men, and raising
native copper in the mass and in the Rock This Is
on the lease known as IS, and the discoveries thus
tar prove very rich.
THE ONO TRAP Rock CoMPAsY.--Wm Stephens
Esq, Agent, is working from 20 to 80 men, and ma.
king good returns OF native copper, in the Rock.
The OsToSAaos CoaiPASv.-Colonel Cushman,
Agent, has several men driving on new vein, but
raising no copper as yet. Col. Cushman himself
has been Obliged 10 go east account of his health
THE NoRTH Misunderstanding Bacon Agent Is
driving its work with increased energy and greatly
improved prospects. Is Working I3 men, including
% mlnfrs. The main shaft is down 255 feet, and he
is sinking ii GO feet deeper. Also an air shaft and
Wine is down l55 feet. Opened on the load at the
50 foot level drift 220 feet and on the load at the
LOS foot level, drift l35 feet Vein grows richer as
he goes deeper Will erect his engine and put his
stamps in motion during the winter ana spring and
haul copper TO the landing for shipping.
CoprER FALLS. Joshua Childa, Esq. Agent
This company have force Of As men, including 26
miners and their prospects perhaps were never more
fatterlng than at this fine there having been de-
cided improvement In the appearance of he mine
within the last few weeks With the force now EN-
ployed, they VIII probably be able In The course OF
the winter 10 arrive az some definite conclusion as
10 the ultimate value of the mine At the depth of
eghyhve feet from the surface the upper OF most
southern shaft they have met with belt of sandstone
which viii not vary much from fifty feet in thickness
below which II was thought by some proessedly learn
ed in Geology and Mineralogy, that the vein would
not extend uplo this time the sandstone has been
penetrated 10 depth OF about fifteen feet, through
which the vein has continued uninterrupted, carry
ing small sheets of copper, thus proving amostcon
cusivcly thai the vein VIII extend into the trap for
nation below.
Lac La BELLE MlSlSo CnMpASY.-S. fIanAle
BAN, t7q Agent. This company ia progressing
with their work. but We wait tie arrival Of the Agent
from the east, before We shall visit it. He was nm
fortunately detained by the close OF navigation
Tue CLIFF MISE.--I.ev Hanna Esq Agent -
This giant Of mines will be better understood by
mining men by entering into somewhat minute ac-
count The length Of the driit No. l. shat, north in
% iathoms-no work doing in it. No. 2 drift from
No. ! shaft north, SO fathoms-no work doing
These two drifts are both driven north of the cross
that separates in the Amygdalodal and greensboro
trap n short distance, but no copper found.
No. drift south Of No. | shaft iathoms-no
work, and north Of No. shaft6i iathoms being in
all, IS fathotns long. North OF No. shaft in this
drift six men arc at work cutting copper. There ia
about 50 tons at this point averaging Is inches in
width Of masses. Six men are stopping north Of
thls-thc load being Is inches wide consisting OF
stamps and barrel work-und four men are driving
north, the load Is inches wide principally stamp
work
No. drift south Of No shalt rs fathoms and
north Of No, | shaft, IS fathomsin NIL II fathoms
long Twenty-Five fahoms south Of No. shaft in
inns tntt -four men are sinking d Wine down to No
, drl!t' The load in the Wine Mt present feet
down. Is in dlsordcred state. North of No | shaft
~ tIhs ann, % men are stopping The load is Is
inches VIDE, principally. barrel and stamp work
North Of this between No 2 and No. 3 shafts, four.
teen men are stopping The load on an average i
Two ieet wide consisting of Masses barrel and STAMP
work. There Is about six tons Of copper living here
ready to be cut up North Of No. shaft, / fathoms
four men are driving north. Tho load L 10 inches
Wide, principally stamp work in d4ordercd stn,c
They are about sinking No shaft down 10 No.
DRIFT. -
No. 5 drift, south OF No ! shaft la,hons. the
load u two feet wide In masses, barrel and stamp
work There appears to be splice here dipping
north and downward, very strong appearance
North OF this shaft flthoms the load is In disor
QertI state though there IN strong oui ay.th,o.t