Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-15

COPPER MINING IN NORTH CAROLINA.
The success fsthe North Carolina Copper Com
pany BIZ the extraordinary discoveries both Of Gold
and Copper Mines, now making IN various parts OF
the Old North State, have instigated spirit OF re-
search into be mineral treasures of North Carolina,
which will raise her from the trance in which she
has so long sunhered, and will quickly place her
on the same level with her sister States.
Mining received early attention IN this State. The
principal mineral sought after, until within short
time since, was Gold. At one time 1t swamped
almost eyery other consideration; farmers, mechan-
les, merchants aborers, and professional men were
engaged in digging and leasing lands IN the western
and some Of the middling counties. lew made
fortunes. while others lost la ge amounts No aten-
ton was paid to the value of Copper at that time
Gold was the great desderGtum with the miner. and
all besides was considered 6qgIs stuff Many OF
gold mines We're forsaken. especially in Guilford
and Randolph counties, from the tact of there being
SD much copper that it made gold mining unproti-
table.
Recently Copper Mining has attracted unusual
attention throughout the western and middle part OF
the Stale, and, indeed in all parts of the Union,
wherever there exists probability of finding Copper
the most energetic measures are taken to bring The
market. This is owing In great measure
to the abandonment in England of many Of the low
producing mines, and To the rapid increase in the
consumption of this metal, not only in Europe but
in India and in America The superior attraction oil
the gold fields in Australia must not be forgotten,
daie wealth from the gold mines of the latter coun-
try. having left their old pursuits and gone gold
seeking among the Australian hills.
Copper is known 10 abound in several counties in
this State, and PROBABLY in others. though not yet
with certainty, developed. In GuiIford, Orange,
Chatham, and Randolph the metal has been found,
also in of the counties farther west. That oil
Guford, worked by the NORTH CAROLINA COPPER
COMPANY, is at present attracting the most alien
lion history of hich nay, therefore, Lot be un.
interesting to the curious in such matters.
| Several years ago, old gentleman, Mr.. Feniress,
commenced digging for gold on his land. With a
caution characteristic CT his nature he continued this
pursuit, saying that gold digging should never
break him up as it had others" He meant by this
that he did not intend embark in il TO the neglect
of other pursuits. He continued in this way fol
several years. getting out small quantities of gold,
perhaps enough 10 remunerate him for his abors
Copper inIariered and he stopped work. Copper
mining began to attract the attention of capitalists
and DR.. Stith, Of Raleigh. formed joint company
with Messrs. Camman g. Co., of New York, under
the title of the North Caroiinq Copper Company, with
capital of 100000, and application was made TO
Mr. Fentress for the purchase of his mine. Al
leng tn the SALE made upon the following terms
/ The Company !paij the proprietor SIS 900 down
in cash. and pay him 1-lOth of the profits
I'll he receives the of 100000, including the
first payment, after which he teceives l-I5th Par
jorerer for the benefit of his heirs. Another eond
ton was that if the Company should sell the prop.
erty before the 800 600 received, the original
proprietor is secured I-lOlh of the amount accrning
from the sale. Mr.. Fentress has been offered $50,
600 Tor his reserved Interest," which he promptly
used.
TAe Company until recently were working with
/ few hands. many of them women and boys; they
have gone 80 feet and find the vein increasing in
the richness of its The wateris raised by horse
power, as is also the ore. The underground hands
are mostly toreigneTs, men conveIsant with mining
! in the old countries.
| The Company have this week engaged % Cornish
miners, just arrived from England, most of whom
fret. har1 fhoII
business; they have been forwarded direct TO the
mines, and their pracIiced skill will soon be shown
| by the increased products OF the ore.
The COMPANY has found ready market for the
ore in New York, whittier it is conveyed by plank
road to Fayetteville, thence 20 Whining ton by steam
boats. where it is shipped cd the regular traders tc
The place of destination. The ore is put up in small
barrels containing six seven hundred pounds each
One from this mine has already been sold in New
Y oTk to the amount of many thousand dollars. i
has been sold at auction at from $3.50 to $2Ol pei
ION, while The total cost of production aud trans
poTtaIion is about els per ton, leaving immense
profit.
/ The Company has, for the present, discontinued
the aucrion sales of their ores, being about con
clude contract for year with tie Revere Smell
ing Company of Boston, TO take all the produce o.
their ulines.
| Four five other veins of copper, have been dis
covered in the immediate vicinity, all # which pre-
sent encouraging prospects. Also in Randolph
county. near New Market, very rich vein has re-
Gently been discovered in old gold mine that had
been abandoned years ago. Some fine specimens Of
copper have been found, within the last few days,
upon the lands of Messrs. N. Williams and Jehie
Atwater four miles southwest of Chapel Hill, ir
Orange County. Specimens from these places were
tested by Professor Mitchell of the University, and
pronounced pure copper by that distinguished gentle
man. Copper is also known 10 be present on the
lands of VIM. Albright, Esq, Sandy Grove, Chat
ham county Messrs. Aliens. do; Foust & Compa
ny, Glover Orchard but SO little work having beer
done either place. it is impossible to say with any
degree of certainty what the result of the nvestiga
lion may he.
The effect of the prevailing spirit of mining has
been thus far, of the most gratifying character; i
has enlvened business, made trade brisk, and in
fused new life into the citizens of the Old NORTH
State.
Nc Stale in the Union presents richer field 70
the capitalist and of enterprise than NORTH
Carolina does at the present time.
Nt,o York Mining JOu,na'.
The VALLEY of THE AMAZON. In a recent pam
phet Lieut. Marry has called attention to this inter
esting region. The Valley of the Amazon is tn,
largest the world. 1t embraces area of two
millions and eight thousand square miles, which
Is more than twice the extent of the Valley of tax