Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-02-20

z E15@T The Steamship Pacific arrived at New York
on the afternoon of the 18th inst, bringing Liver
pool dates to the 28th ult There is IN advance of
cent per IL. in cotton.
The state of things in France but little changed
Accounts of trade in the Provinces generally IA
vorable. Louis Napoleon has published a decree
abrogating that of the late Provisional Government
abolishng all titles of nobility. The impression is
gaining ground in Paris that Louis Napoleon is seek
ing an early opportunity to provoke war with
England, the probabilities of an invasion being
nestly discussed The latest intelligence by telegraph
from London, brings the announcement that the re-
port of the threatened invasion of England by Napo
leon, was current in that City. The Government
has ordered 10000 stand of arms from Birmingham
and 5000 troops to London The London Daily
News says that an order has also been sent recalling
three of the principal ships of war the Tagus to
return with all despatch 10 England.
From the Raleigh Standard.
Letter from Prof. Emmons.
We are gratifed to have it in our power to lay be-
fore readers the following interesting and impor
tant letter from Prof Emmons, State Geologist, in
relation to the Chatham coal fields:
FAYETTEVILLE, Feb. 7, 1852.
To his Ercellency, Cor Reid:
SIR: have executed the preliminary examination
proposed when visited Raleigh The results of this
examination highly satisfactory | began it at
Farmersvle, the most eastery point where coal had
been discovered and have been able to trace it in its
outcrop seventeen eighteen miles Along this
outcrop it rises to the surface at nearly an uniform
dip and strike, pursuing nearly direct line from
point to point, and maintaining withal, through the
whole distance average thickness of at least six
and a half feet. The principal bed exceeds seven
feet at two points. A two foot bed lies below
Al Il,
between them. Another three foot bed lies thirteen
feet beneath, with biluminous slate Intervening
The thickness of the main bed is all that be wish
ed, inasmuch it is profitable than of nine
or ten feet.
As there can be no question then. as to the length
of the outcrop and the thickness of the respective
beds, the important question is will these beds thin
out and become lost in the shaes or will they pre-
serve their present average thickness? This ques-
ton. though cannot be decided positively still, if
we may place confidence in geological principles, we
may feel great degree Of assurance that they will
prove as permanent as the beds of coal of Virgnia
and Pennsylvania. In the first place. duvial action,
as it is sometimes termed has never been felt here
There is drift. The beds pebbles not trans
ported masses, like our Northern drift, but simply
the remains of old bottom. Beds Of coal have
not therefore, been swept away. In the second
place, find all the usual Accomplishments of coal
shales fossils beds of the hydrous peroxide of iron
sc. In the third place, there is sufficient breadth
coal is always in proportion to the breadth and
depth of strata thus in the coafeld of Nova Scotia
which examined in 1885, found only one bed OF
coal of four feet in STRATA whose aggregate thickness
is fourteen thousand feet In the fourth place there
is uplift or an undulation of the strata, by which
the main bed focal is brought to the surface at
and half or two miles south from the first outcrop
which last is within the outer rim of the BASIN
There can scarcely be doubt, therefore, that there
is breadth of coal of two miles, at least and which
extends seventeen eighteen miles continuously
have. however, idea that the coa-feld is thus
stricted either in length or breadth.
| There is only one place where bed thins out
and this is the effect of local disturbance common
to all formations. From the facts and phenomena
them of the Chatham coal field have little rea-
son to fear its early failure 1t is proper for tC
observe. in this connection that do not regard this
coal-feld extensive many others in this coun
try. The Appalachian, the Illinois and Michigan
coal-felds are much longer and wider--the former
being nearly 900 miles long and from $50 to 20(
broad.
The quality of the coal of Chatham is excellent
1t is adapted to parlor use but particularly to the
manufacture of gas for lighting houses and streets
and also for COKE which may be employed in thu
manufacture of the best kinds of bar iron. | see nj
reason why may not supersede the foreign bitumi
nous Goals. 1t is remarkably free from the sulphu
ret of iron. This mineral however. is disseminatet
through the black shales--an important fact to b
borne in mind when large quantities are to be sen
to market for if this shale is mixed with the coal il
considerable quantities. it may produce spontaneou
combustion. am, most respectfully yours
F. EMMONS.
: Discipline i'm the Navy.
The bill passed by the Senate few days since fo
the enforcement of discipline in the Navy and whic
is designed to meet the deficiency occasioned by tn
adjustment of corporal punisbments, is very strir
gent in its provisions. The commission of those o.
fences against discipline and order which of mos
e common occurrence on ship board are made punish
$ able, under the finding of court martial of tire
J. commissioned officers, with the following penalties
= list. Discharge from the service with bad cor
IS duct: Cd. Solitary confinement in irons, single
double, bread and water for term not eXceedin
c thirty days. Sd. Solitary confinement in irons ft
y the same period, but without deprivation of food