The New York herald., 1851-08-18

from the washington Republic, Aug ~
Theodore +. Morse, the geolsgist Of the United
States boundary Commission, gives the following
description of the cele brated copper mines in the
Apache country, near the head waters of the Gia:-
These mines, situated near l0S deg longitude
west, and 81 deg. 40 min. latitude north, In the
western extremity of the Sierra do Mogovon, from
the most authentic resources said to have been
long known to the Apache Indians, but were first
worked by the Spsniards, about the commencement
OF the present century, with various success, till
lS2S, when they fell into the hands Of Monsieur
Coursier, and were managed by Mcknight, who
was also partner; but were at last abandoned,
about 1887, on account OF the hostility OF the In,
dians, who cut off the provision trains, and killed
some Of the herdeB. At one time many as five
hundred men were engaged in the mines, which are
said to have yielded abundantly, and made the
fortune of the proprietors. The ground, in a small
extent, is riddled over with shafts, and huge ex-
cayations.
The ore is a red oxide Of copper, with native
copper disseminated through it, occurring in nests
and seams through decomposed feldspathic por-
Ihyry, which rock or gs que is, from its soitness,
easily worked with tie pick, and eds blasting,
thus essentially reducing the ccst Of mining. From
the purity and easy reduction of the ore, the ex-
pepse Of producing the ne al by the smelling ope-
ration was small, ard easily effected, in very rude
furnace, the cnders Of which contain great deal
Of reduced copper. At the time the mine was
worked, the State Of chihuahua was coming
great deal Of copper currency, for which they paid
a high price, and for which purpose the copper
from this ore, from its purity, was admirably
suited and supplied the mint. An erroneous ion.
preston exists that the god said to be cont aimed
IN the "copper" paid Tor its transportation to the city
Of Mexico, which, however, is not the case o. the
gold is not separated from the pper in that city,
On examination OF some copper found about the
furnace, | was unable to detect trace of god.
The mines are very much fallen in, and some of
the works, said to be the richest deposits, are en-
trely inaccessible. But, at the English price of
copper ore, many thousands Of dollars worth are
lying in heaps about the premises, and the old slags
ard scora would richly repay the la Dor of work
ing. l think, however, at the high price Of provi
sions and ia Dor, the ines, rich they be,
would not yield much profit. When some of the
fertile valleys in the neighborhood are cultivated,
labor and provisions will be cheaper.
Within half mile Of the preside are several
large hills of magnetic iron ore. m ir to the Pilot
Knob and snow Mountain of Missouri. This ore
could be, at a small cost, converted into bar-iron,
heated in Catlin forge, the hills abounding in
timber It for fuel.
About four miles southwest of the mine of copper
formerly were worked some gold mines, which are
said to have yielded well, but which were never ex
teDsively worked, on account Of the Indians. some
OF the old shafts have been recently opened by
some Americans, who are said to 5e making an
ounce per diem. The gold occurs in scales and
plates, in quartz vein which very much resembles
the aurifsrous qurtz of Georgia. Parallel with
the gold vein is vein Of sui phuret of lead Gale
na,) which, on reducing to lead, found o contain
sixteen ounces to the cwt., which is considered
rich ore.
nel tne command under brevet Lieutenant
Colonel Craig arrived here, in January last there
were then standing the ruins OF about sixty adobe
houses, including a triangular preside, Aanked
with round towers. This has been repaired by
Colonel Craig as barrack for his men, and the
best Of the remaining houses hare been repaired for
the Ctteers and men Of the United States Mexican
Boundary Commission, who have established here
their headquarters, the material of the more dila
pidated houses having been used for rebuilding the
better. The place now bears quite active ap-
pearance trains are arriving and departing fre-
quently, and the hum Of voices is now heard where
few months ago none but the Apache roamed.
Should permanent post be established here, and
protection thus afforded to the miner AMI agricul-
tutist, this region of country will attract many
from the States Of Sonora and chihuahua, as well
az Americans, Never falir. sprips: are found
Among the bills, which are thiealy timbeied with
scrpb-oak, walnut cedar, and lofty pines, fit for
feel and building purposes. The valley of the
MiembTes, which, at its nearest point, is seven
miles distant, contains many acres Of land which
cSsld be irrigated by tha; river In the immediate
vicinity OF the mines are small patches, capable Of
irrigation, fl FOR garden spots.
SANTA RITA De-. CoBRE, May l5, 1851.