Washington telegraph., 1851-02-26
WEALTH OF ARKANSAS.

the Union in the extent and richness oi
her mineral resources. But although
this has been proven to the satisfaction o.
all, aud every one believes that tinexhaust-
able wealth lies hid in the bowels ol
Arkansas earth, yet strange apathy
pervades her people, who seem to sit with
folded arms, like miser over his profitless
treasure. Even the fact of the existence
of this wealth has been ascertained ny
the casual observation and investigation
of strangers. The Legislature has done
nothing to promote is development: Is
it not time that the people should Sestir
themselves. by demanding Of the LeSis-
lature such enactments as will morefully
discover and bring to notice this dormant
capital, and cause it to contribute I'd the
best interests of the State? We areglad
to see. from the following article from
the N. @. Commercial Bulletin, that All
able champion hassteH ped into the arena.
MIR. Lawrence has commenced series
of articles OH the Minerals OF Arkansas, -
Of which the one given below istiae first.
His aid will be mighty in awaSing the
people on this subject. Why stpu@a'they
longer slumher?
MINERALS OF ARKANSAS -=Huch has
been said and written Withii the past
few years about the mtnerals and nsn-
eraI resources Of Arkansas, some of
which is true, and would have been true,
if great deal more had been said than
was said; aud some is not trae or greatly
exaggerated, having been said or writ
ten by persons who were wholly incom-
pe:ent to Judge of such matters.
In regard to the State at large, its gen
e.al character has never been overrated,
although many of those who have spo-
ken in swelling terms on the subject,
have not understood wherein its mineral
wealth consisted; nor could they have
pointed ont single spot, perhaps, where
labor and capital could he expended with
any certainty Of being rewarded.
This random method Of speaking on
subject, which requires great prudence
and caution, as we'll as a good knowl-
edge of the business, before embarking
in 1t, has the effect to diminish the con-
fdence of the public in mining opera
tions; and consequently to direct the en-
ployment Of capital, in other, and often
times far less profitable pursuits.
Now, it is the object Of these articles
TO present something clear and tangible
on the subject, to show wherein the min
eral resources of Arkansas do consist, or
which promise large and unequivocal
reward to those who may engage in min
ing business.
| take it for granted, tnat the object of
all men, who engage in business of any
kind, is to make money; and not only so,
but to make the greatest amount that
they cat. And when they find their
business Improbable, or some other, that
promises greater profits, they are gener-
ally disposed to change their pursuits,
and engage in that which will yield the
greatest returns for the labor and capital
employed in it. y
But confidence is wanted-a feeling of
assurance that their labor and capital will
not be expended in vain; and this de-
pends, in the first place. upon a EsoacL-
edge, practical kaOtOleetye Of the bMsi-
ness; and in the next place, upon a cer-
tainty of the abundance and good qa<GL-
ity Of the object sought for. A general
want of this kind OF knowledge is the
psicipal reason why the mining enter
prise Of our country is behind that of
every other, and its mil, Il resources less
developed.
hazard nothing in asserting that the
State of Arkansas has greater mineral re-
sources than any other State east of the
Rocky mountains. l do not mean that
it has more of everything than any other
State, it has less of some things; for in
stance it has less coal than Pennsylvania,
vet it has more than the whole Island of
Great Britain. Itprobably has not as much
lead as Wisconsin, but much of it has
two or three times the value of Wiscon-
sin lead, on account of the silver it con-
tains AS to iron, there is no State that
has it in greater quantity, or of better
quality. It's manganese would supply
The wants of the world, as to that article,
if there were none any where else. In
zinc, it will excel any other State. unless
we except New Jersey. 1t has more
gypsum than all the other States togeth-
er, so far as is known; and salt is no less
than gypsum-it is connected
with it. In marble, it does not fall be-
hind any other State; and it contains sew
eral very valuable kinds of building ma
terials not found any where else in the
valley of the Mississippi.
But it is not always that valuable urin-
erals or building materials can be render
ed at once available, especially in pew
country. This is matter which re-