Washington telegraph., 1851-11-19

city Of Little Rock. Rumo9s OF no very
satisfactory character, have OCCASIONALLY
in gears past, gone fonth. that Arkansas
possessed mineral resources OF valuable
nature. These reports, however, of her
hidden wealth had never assumed such |
form and authority, as to induce more
accurate and scientific exploration, or to
tempt the capitalist to venture an lnvest=
msnt in scheme promising. at best, but
an insignificant and precarious return
OCCASIONALLY, some pioneer more hardy
and perhaps more intelligent thar the rest,
would penetrate into the thlckets that
cover the SUBMITS Of these rarely-vislted
| hills, and traverse the fertile valleys that
lie, with all their virgin wealth ol soil,
embosomed within their craggy heights
OF, wind along the beds OF the mountain
streams, slaa in solitary beauty now dash
their babbIing waters over the moss
Lowered rocks, and the Titanic boulders
that intercept the way, then gently glide
along between banks shaded by the lofty
denizens o: the. forest, and enameled
with flowers of every hue. From these
long and solitary rambles, he would return
with stories of wondrous interest of the
silver, and the gold and of baser metals
too, which he had seen in some far-distanl
cove, or upoL the sides of these rugged
hills Perhaps his account would excite
some attention, and awaken desire 10
visit these places of storied wealth.
amidst the cares and struggles of a back
and be forgotten, to be succeeded by
others of equal interest destined to share
the same common fate. If, perchance.
these statements should reach the distant
settlements and assume more authorita-
tive form, they were generally regarded
as the prejudiced suggestions OF some
needy landowner, or the unsubstantial
dreams of some enthusiastic gold seeker.
And thus, for years, has the Stale Of
Arkansas remained virgin field for geo.
logical exploration and scientific research,
holding within her dense forests and upon
her inaccessible heights, wealth that
might purchase kingdom. or elevate her
to the high position Of equality with the
older and richer States, if not, of signal
preeminence above them all. Fortunate
| ly for our long -slandered and neglected
and upon the world. Hear it, ye fast
hurrying emigranss that so superciliously
pass us by on your long and weary march
to the far-distant prairies of the South
| West;-hear it, ye citizens o. Arkansas
chat have clung to your native or adopted
State, still confident in her wealth and
her resources as time and patience should
develop the one and enhance the other;-
hear it, ye fnanciers, tina: uneasily count
over sour money bags, and look out
upon the arena of the world to find
fitting venture in which to invest you.
cherished treasure;-and lastly hear it,
We bondholders of Arkansas that in your
sea.girt isle proudly despise the govern
ment that confesses her insolvency;-hea
it, all, and that too, i'll the language of
science, the deductions of the experience
ed student:-"Permit me then, to say, sir,
that the God of nature has made Arkan-
sas depository of vast and varied mineral
wealth." You have Granite of the most
beautiful characteristics that is mex
haustible, ,-Dolomite of the purest kind,
Gypsum, Emory, Manganese, and Mar
BILE in any quantity,- Bituminons and
Anthracite coal of the finest quality
Argentferous Lead ore that pushes its
claims TO be termed A~ryerous-a
Lapjs Lazuli, superior to that which the
Autocrat of all the Russias, commands
his serfs TO dig from the mountains of the
Ural range, and over which he fondIy
imagines he can exercise supreme and
undivided control: and again, "Below
and around you are fertile tracts of allu.
vial and tertiary soil, fertile beyond com.
parison, capable of sustaining a dense
and wealthy population" Now, let us
in ali candor and sincerity ask, k,-what
should be the effect of all this astounding
intelligence upon our own views, our own
| action? Shall we sit down and fold our
arms in snpine indifference, regardless of
this wealth thrust so lavishly into onr
hands, and suffer others who have not
| ''borne the burden and heat Of the day"
to step in, and appropriate this untold
| troocuro .biS Midas. S.ljke O Uift3 Shall we
| shut our ears to the various calls now
| made, for immediate action towards the
| improvement Of our roads, and the con-