The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-14


The Richmond Examiner contains the fol-
lowing interesting communication in relation to
the coal formation in the valley of the Kama
wha:
RICHMOND, Jan. 3Ist,, 1852.
DEAR SIR In reply to your favor of yester-
days. date, beg leave to submit the following
observations.
You enquire what is the extent of the coal
formation in the valley of the Kanawha ?--what
is the character of the coal ?--what markets ex-
list for its consumption, and what price it will
bring, aud what are the facilities for shipping it
Also, what other minerals exist (if any in the
same region of country? Had | access to the
various reports, and other statistical information
necessary to full and satisfactory answer to
your queries, it would afford me great pleasure
to reply to them. As tits, am apprehensive
can furnish but little satisfactory information on
these subjects. Such as it is, however, it is at
your service. .
|. regret my inability to enter more fully into
detail on this subject, the more as the very able
and comprehensive report of Gov Floyd, on be.
half of the board of public works, on the sub
ject of internal improvements, lately made to the
Legislature, makes it peculiarly proper at this
juncture to present such local information on the
additional weight to the views SO eloquently yet
justly expressed by him in that report. may
add in this connexion, that the present seems
propitious period to direct public attention, by
means of individual reports, in the absence Of
more elaborate scientific information, from the
different sections Of the State, showing the char
acter of the mineral deposits the extent Of water
power, the capacity and general character of the
soil, as well as the staple products, the facility
enjoyed for reaching the markets, and such kin
dred information rs would serve to show more
fully the character and extent of our industrial
resources, and thus open not only the eyes Of our
own people, but of the immigrant to the extent
of, not only our productive, but also our unpro-
ductive wealth.. am confident were this course
pursued, the board of public works would have
in a short time such body Of facts, that when
properly spread before the public, would exer-
else powerful influence on the fortunes of the
State, and be the immediate cause Of arresting
and inducing large tide of emigration, together
with capital and enterprise, into our midst. This
information could be obtained by means of cir.
culars, containing Undergraduates on the various
points upon which information was required,
and addressed to the clerks of the different
county courts, and to such other persons as
would be likely to interest themselves in the
subject | observe much valuable information
of an analogous character is annually collected
by this means by the head of the patent Office
In reply to your first inquiry, would state
that there exist on several of the tributaries of
the kanawha, the most important of which is
Coal river, five workable veins of bituminous
coal, and two veins of camel COAL all found
above the level of the river. So far as exami-
nations have as yet extended, the largest and
best deposit of coal is found on the Coal river
The aggregate thickness of the bituminous coal
on that river amounts to "a feet, that of the
camel coal to feet. The floors of the sew
eral measures of coal are either fire clay, or
rocks, and the roofs of all, without exception,
of sand stonerock, with, in some instances, thin
beds of slate intervening. The dip of. the
seams is inclined toward the northeast at a very
low angle, approaching nearly to level surface,
afording unusual facilities for mining and drain.
age. OF the quality of the bitumindus coal, il
is unnecessary to say more than that it was
found by Professor Rogers fully equal to the
best Pittsburg coal vide that gentleman's
report to the Legislature of Virginia on the ge.
ology of the State, where an analysis of the
coal will be found.
OF the camel coal less is known, from the
fact that it has been found in limited quantities
and in thin veins, the thickest found in England
or Scotland not exceeding twenty tive inches.
In consequence of which, il has been mined at
great expense, and sold at such prices as to put
it beyond the reach of the million. Without at
tempting a minute or technical description Of
the camel coal, will quote from " The Scien-
tifc American" which says:
"We have now before us a beautiful speci.
men Of the camel coal Of Kanawha, Va, and
as our acquaintance with this kind Of fuel is not
uncomfortable, we have no hesitation in saying
we think it to be equal to any coal Of the same
kind in the world, and far superior to any other
coal whatever, for great number of purposes
Camel coal breaks with dull fracture, but is
capable Of receiving polish like marble. But
beautiful though this fuel is, with its clean
and hard, yet pliable grain, IFS value consists in
its usefulness and superiority as an article Of
fuel, and producer of light and heat. No coal
can equal II for producing gas either in quantity
or quality II is stated to be better than the
Cumberland coal Of Maryland for raising steam,
and is free from any liability to spontaneous
combustion. Those btuminous Goals which
are liable to spontaneous combustion, contain
considerable portion Of sulphur. Il is the alb.
sence Of sulphur in camel coal. which makes IL
so valuable for good gas. Il burns in CRATE
like candle, with fine while fame and leaves
only few white ashes behind"
In addition, may add, that from the close
grain and compact character OF this coal Il bears
transportation and exposure 10 the weather bet.
ter than any other coal. II contains from three
to four thousand cubic feet per ton more gas
than the best English or American bituminous
Goals; wide Parnelrs Applied Chemistry, APP.
pleton's edition.) II raises steam TO the de-
sired point in thirty minutes-the best bitumen
Goals taking over two hours, wide Prof. w. r.
Johnson's report 10 Congress on American
coals) In short, its superiority for many prac-
teal purposes is so manifest, that there can be
no doubt but that, rs soon as a sufficient guam
tty Of the coal can be sent to market, il will
supersede all other kinds Of fuel
The markets for this coal are extensive and
growing rapidly. They are found in the various
cities on the Ohio and Mississippi, more particu
larry the steam marine Of these waters and Of
the gulf trade. The amount Of coal taken from
the mines on the Ohio and its tributaries Is esti.
mated 10 exceed 100000 bushels per year.
The consumption Of coal by Cincinnati, is es
timated by competent judges 10 exceed, this