Washington telegraph., 1852-01-21

|
Smell of New Orleans duriug his oeologi.
cal explorations last summer, made ma.
ny new and interesting discoveries
The facts disclosed in the speech of the
Rev. Mr.. Fletcher. before the Internal
improvement Convention, were gathered
from the labors of this learned and sciel,.
tiffc gentleman. We understand he in.
tends publishing a report of his discove.
| ries in "Slliman's Journal" of New Ha.
ven. and also an address to the people ol
Arkansas.
1t is now settled beyond all controver-
sv that this State embraces within its
limits the finest and most extensive min.
eral lands in the world A field is here
opened to enterprise for the mineralogist
that nowhere presents itself on the hab-
table globe. For the want of capital
and enterprise to explore these regions,
they remain uudisturbed, and the wealth
lying in the bosom of our State is left
neglected and unsougltt for While ef.
fective steps are being taken 10y the peo-
pie to build railroads, plank and fac
tories, why not adopt some scheme to
bring to light tile mineralogical advan-
tagcs of our State, since in the future we
know it will he the greatest source OF
our revenue and wealth.
Gold and silver are found here in ex-
tensive mines They are both found en-
cased in sulphnret of iron; and the silver,
yields eighty per cent. LappiS Lazuli, the
base of Ultra Marine, the richest co.or in
the world, and worth in Paris $50 francs
per ounce, has been discovered here in
great abundance. 1t has never been
found before in the United States Also
the brown hydrous oxide Of iron, very
rich and Of the finest quality, exists in
This State, and for quantity, there are
whole mountains of it. In tile southern
portion of the State. near a newly discov-
cred mountain of iron is mountain of
emery, or coronaum, equal if not superb
or to the Russian emery. 1t is an article
scarce and hard to procure, as we'll as
very costly. There is but little in the
United States. It's qualities are hard,
pure and absolutely brilliant. In the
Russian emery there are rubes found,
and this is of the same components.
A1gentiferous lead ore exists IN a great
mineral belt extending over the whole
into the Choctaw Nation, Texas and
Mexico. 1t is supposed that it is the
same grea. vein. where in Mexico the
mines are worked for the silver, aud the
lead is thrown away. This mineral yields
from one half of one per cent to five Per
cent, according to the analysis made by
Prof. Shell. Also zinc is blended with it
in great abundance. 1t is now esteemed
of great value as a substitute for lead IN
the mandatory OF paint
There are whole mountains of the
black oxide of Manganese. and also Of
the carbonate of Manganese. There are
several extensive beds of Gypsum or sui
phate of lime, one being near Little
Rock.
In various localities can be found large
beds of roofing slate of good quality. and
some equal TO the Welsh slate. Also
immense beds of soap stone have been
discovered
There are a great variety Of the dolo-
mites, superior :or grind stones to those
we import from Europe, and uot more
than 25 miles from Little Rock. The oil
stone is superior to any in the world--not
excep ptimg the Turkish oil stone.
A great variety of bituminous coal en-
lists here, equal to the Pittsburg coal.
1t has been det.ied by mauv that an
thracite coal exists in Arkansas, but this
is not correct. Prof. Smell had in his pos
session a number OF specimens OF Iris own
collection.
For these facts concerning the mineral
wealth of our State we are indebted to
the Iahors and kindaess of this gentle
man. But few appreciate its Importance.
This knowledge should he published to
/ the world, aud capitalists will soon be
found emIgrating to our State TO de-
ve.op its resources, and make US what
nature designed we should be, one Of the
| first in this confederacy.
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