New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-09
ILLINOIS.
Galena-Lead nIines-Prospects for Mining
Farming Facilities.

GALENA, Illinois, June, 1852.
Our Lead City of the Hills is steadily
advancing in a course prosperity. The prospect
of speedy completion of the railroad, connecting
us with the lakes and seaboard, has given an i'm
petus to all branches of business and infused new
life into our citizens The shipping to our port
has been largely increased this season. We have
sixteen good-cass steamers running between this
city and 1t. Louis four TO st. Paul, three up the
Wisconsin River. Nearly two-thirds of the stock
is owned in our place. Our levee presents a scene
of constant hustle and activity. Our boats for
the Upper Mississippi are crowded with emgrants
seeking homes in the wlds of Minnesota and Iowa.
Our population now numbers seven thousand and
is steadily increasing, but does not keep pace with
the increase of business or the wants of the conn
try. We need more manua ctHres of various kinds.
We want here greater infusion OF ankee THRIFT
and ingenuity, skillful mechanics and artisans. l
know of no point in the West holding out greater
inducements to capitalists or men of moderate
means TO invest than this. A large portion of the
trade of the Northwest, Minnesota, Northern
Iswa and Wisconsin, the trade from the Nlscon-
sin River. from the rich lead mines in our neigh
borhood centers here, and cannot be dtrerfed from
as. The prospects for mining, provided we can
have an additional duty placed upon lead in order
to insure permanence) were never better. The
price of mineral is higher than it has been for some
wears. Valuable discoveries of rich lOdes OF min
eral have been found in many places during the
last winter. some Of them very extensive. Oar
miners seem to have taken new start, and the
- md IN eli 70 hair
The Weld from our mines has fallen of consid-
erably since 1876 There are various causes for
this FIRST, the want of adequate protection caus-
ing instability and nuctuaton in prices. Next,
the mineral lands were thrown into market AMI
passed into the hands of individuals, and although
the rent asked is generally the same as under the
L. ;. Government, the miner is held to more
strict account. The Mexican War came next,
taking from the mines large number, few of
whom lived to return. Lastly came the California
exodus, spreading like wildfre among the miners
for the last three years, decimating our popula-
ton and leaving but few Of that useful class, the
pioneers, to prospect for mineral. They did not
leave because they were not doing we'll here, but
because they thought they could do better in the
distant land of gold. They have generally been
more successful in their search after the shining
treasure than any other class. Notwithstanding
all this drain upon our mining population, the
amount of mineral raised this season will consd-
erably exceed that of last. There has been val
liable discovery made recently near Franklin
Wisconsin, which presents a new feature IN our
mines. The mineral is found underlying the sand
stone. This am told is the first discovery OF the
kind, and goes to prove the existence OF stratum
of mineral lying below all other discoveries. Our
mines are really as rich and inexhaustible ever
Capital and labor scientifically employed will de-
velop the unseen treasures Of this country beyond
the widest antcipations Of the most sanguine.
| The agricultural resources Of our country have
| been rery much uRdeTTdted. The pr, vsiling inn
preston abroad is, our soil must necessarily be
poor and barren because it is a mineral regioi.
| There never a superstition unfounded
than this. have lived on the Upper Mississi ,pi
many wears, am familiar with the SOIL climate. &c.
| of mos, of the county bordering upon the Father
! Of Waters. more productive SOIL healthier
climate. is not to be found than we have in the
mining region. Most of our country is high, roll
ing preirie, with here and there small groves OF