, 1853-01-22
cenlosical Survey Of Oregon.

Communication from Dr. Evans, read ~
~. house Of representatives., December 9th,
Isi1 a resolution being before the house,
mon the continuation of the geological sur
vey;
A general reconnaissance has been mad
tom the Rocky mountains To the Pacific
ore,n. including $50 miles north and south
Ian, The western base of the Rocky mount
,;ns and from the northern boundary oi
CaT6rnia to Puget Sound. A detailed ex-
animation has been made along the base and
boundary lines OF the public surveys.
IlvrsroNE--has been found in great
abundance along the main chain of the
Rocky mountains bordering Flat Head lake
in the high hills separating the valley Of
that lake from St. Mary's or Bitter Root
r,lley, and at The head waters Of the Spok-
an, or Clearwater river. II also occurs in
nodules containing a large pr centage of
lime, in the banks Of the ColumUia, TO its
confluence with the ocean. West Of the
Cascade range Of mountains it has been OBJ
,rved in extensive beds. In the Umpqua
nrcy-in The highlands bordering, and
back of Claisop plains-along the range of
highlands seven miles back Of Taulatin
Mains, and in several localities in the valley
Il the Willamette. Hydraulic limestone
has also been found in the last named val
lev. A thin stratum of nearly pure carbon
ate Of lime has been found in Kings's valley,
near St. Mary's river.
CoAL.-No rocks of the age Of the true
coal formation, have yet been found in Ore
ron. But an extensive bed Of brown coal,
or Ignite, is found in the tertiary formation
on several tributaries Of the Cowlitz-at
Port 0rlord- Kings valley and in fact at
various points along the whole chain Of val
leys, from the Umpqua mountains to Puget
Sound. At Skookum Chuck there is a
stratum Of bituminous Ignite 8 feet in thick
ness. It's geological position is the same as
all The other lignites in Oregon but it is
more compact and contains more bilumen
than any coal have met with in Oregon, ex-
ccpl perhaps q specimen from Puget Sound.
LEAD--has been observed in several To-
calles in the vicinity of the British line,
and there is reason 10 expect that farther re,
searches may show that some Of these veins
extend into our own territory
lRoN-lron ores of a good quality, have
been obtained in the Spokane and ST. Mary's
range Of hills.
COPPER.-Ores of copper are found in
the southeast portion of the last named
nnge Of mountains Specimens of iron and
copper ore, have also been found in the
Umpqua valley. Most of the basaltic rocks
are more or less impregnaled with iron.-
These ores will no doubt be found in other
localities.
SALINE AND CHALYBEATE SPRINos-ex-
ist throughout the Willamette valley, and
the valleys bordering the coast range of
and in fact in almost every part
Of Oregon that has been visited.
MARI AND CLAY.-Valuable beds Of mari
and clay were met with on the Rocky
the valley of St. Mary's-
in the banks of the Columbia below Walla
WalIa. West Of the Cascade range they
Were found in the valley Of the Willamette
in the valley Of the Umpqua-along the
sea coast, in various localities, from Killa-
nook Head to Port Oxford. Porcelain clay
Of good quality, has been found on trib-
ulary Of the Cowlitz. Tripoli, a clay used
in securing brass, &c, was found in the
valley Of the Wslla Walla river. Gypsum
has been found in the Cascade range OF
mountains, and in the Kilamook county.
GoLD.-The gold mines Of Rogue river
valley, and other localities, near the south
ern boundary of Oregon, arc being wrought
10 considerable profit. Gold, in small quan
titles, has been discovered on several small
tributaries east OF the Cascades. There is
considerable analogy between the gold-bear-
ing rock Of California, and the talcose, and
other allied rocks OF the Ump1ua valley
And gold has been found on most Of the
small streams entering Umpqua, as well as
the main stream. Also on the south fork
Of Santiam and on Calapooiah creek, &c.
Eastern Oregon has been generally much
underrated. That portion including the
valley Of Flatheat lake-the valley Of ST.
Mary's---the head waters of Kooskook or
Clearwaier--and the Spokane, and other
districts in that region, afford fine pasturage,
and many beautiful sites for agricultural
communities. Sufficient information has
already been obtained, to render il probable,
that many portions Of Oregon, will prove
rich in useful minerals, and its soil for
many agricultural products is unsurpassed.
II also affords rich and interesting field
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