Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-31
COAL FIELDS OF NORTH CAROLINA.

The many works recently published on the sub
ject of coal have made the world familiar with its
value as mineral fuel Yet until lately very little
was known of the localities in which it was found,
and still less of the many uses to which it might be
applied The vast coal fields west of the Allegha-
MES were little valued twenty-five years since, and
the anthracites of Pennsylvania scarcely known.
Since that time, however, the modern Briareus,
steam has needed its assistance to keep Its hundred
hands at work In the United States it is becom-
ing east trade and the demand, especially for BIZ
luminous COAL continually greater than the sup
ply. Its value to England is well known: the
quantity annually produced from her coal fields has
been computed to be worth fifty million dollars at
the mines, and from seventy-fve to one hundred
millions at the places of consumption indeed it is
to this mineral that she is chiefly indebted for su
premacy as a commercial and manufacturing nation.
The celebrated HUGH MILLER, perhaps the most
eminent geologist of Europe at the present day. hav
ing visited the district in which the central coal
fields of England lie, is struck with its size, COM
pared with the mighty influence it has had on the
destinies of England He says: " Its area is only
thirty miles long and eight broad And yet how
many steam-engnes has 1t set in motion How
many railway trains has it propelled, and how
many millions of tons of iron has il raised to the
surface smslted, and hammeredf" II is also known
that in 1920 only 365 tons Of anthracite mined in
Pennsylvania In 1s47 upwards Of four millions Of tons
brought market worth twenty million dollars.
During the discussion Of the tariff Of 1916 Of the Sc
majors Of Pennsylvania stated that her coal at that time
employed 1000 ships Of $50 burden EACH thus fur
nshing nursery for the training Of 5000 seamen; Civ
ing circulation TO fifty millions capital employment
$1,000 miners and support TO mining population Of
10000 souls who consumed millions worth Of agri-
"A balf
chandise But though these facts known we doubt
lift be generally known that coal formation mare ern-
scs than that Of Central England las described by Miller
exists in North Carolina from which have been already
raised as fine anthracite any in Pennsylvania and
bituminous coal than before exhibited in the New
York market; yet such is unquesonaby the case. II i
no part Of present purpose to congratulate that Stat
on good fortune in possessing such sources Of wealth
or the South having within its bosom this indispensable
requisite TO success in the direct intercourse with Europ
by steamers recently projected not to speak Of its ines
Unable value in the coastwise trade Of the entire South
crn continent the trade Of the West India Islands and
above ALL the advantage this locality must have tn
coal fields Of the North during oneourth at least Of tn
year in which ice obstcts the canals leading from then
10 tide water But do intend call the public atten
ton TO this district presenting advantages in raisin
and taking TO market the finest btuminous coal at les
expense and with greater certainty Oh pront IMAM an
other in the United States.
As we have remarked that little is known Of this for
nation we take leave state that though coal dis
covered on Deep river in Chatham county, North Caro-
lima more than seventy years since yet 1t has only bc
since the improvement in the navigation Of that srean
that II has been traced for many miles both above
below the point Of its discovery. During the autumn
1850 company Of Northern gentlemen purchased farm
containing about three hundred undeaid with coal
The services Of Professor WALTER r. JOHNSON Of Wash
inrou, were procured by the company to examine an
report upon the geological and mineral character Of tn
formation with view 10 future operations should hi
report Justify them Techaracter Of this gentleman wa
such as to give every Of an able and aithfu
expose lie bad published an elaborate work on Anne