Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-01-01
Important Letter from Com. Wilkes..Resources
Of the Deep River Valley.


Important Letter from Com. Wilkes..Resources
the Deep River Valley.
We are indebted to the courtesy of the Editors of
the Fayetteville Observer for corrected proof Of the
following letter from Com. Wilkes to Hon. Warren
Winslow, by which We enabled to lay this inter-
esting document at the earliest moment before our
readers. 1t will be seen that Com. Wilkes, after
patient and thorough examination, fully srstains the
opinions heretofore expressed to the great value
and abundance of the resources Of the Deep River
Valley. 1t will also be observed that he regards the
creation Of means Of transportation to and from
this valley an indispensable prerequisite to any
action by the general government for the establish
ment of naval workshops, &c. But We will not de-
tain readers from the letter. speaks for itself:
From the Fayetteville Observer.
REPORT OF CAPT. WILKES
We are enabled to present to our readers the an
nexed important letter addressed to our RcprcsVn-
tative in Congress, the Hon. Warren Wins!ow, by
Capt Wilkes of the Navy, the head Of the Commits
sion appointed by the Secretary Of the Navy to cx
anime the Deep River Valley, with view to the
certanment of its adaptedness for the location Of
Naval Work Shops
1t will be seen that this officer, whose scientific
attainments are we'll known enumerates the various
rich mineral and other treasures which careful
personal inspection disclosed to him in that remark
able region, but says cmphatically that they must
remain valueless until facilities for transportation
and travel are provided; and he is very naturally
surprised that there should be any hesitation in
providing those facilities.
We trust that his letter will turn the scale in the
Legislature in favor of that small amount Of aid
which our Railroad needs
WASHINGTON, Dec. "a, 1865.
To the Hon. Warren Winslon-
My DEAR SIR: l take great pleasure in answer
ing your letter relative to the examination Of the
Deep River country, which am enabled to do,
as my Report is finished and will be handed to the
Department for presentation to Congress after the
holidays. This, you understand is unofficial and
will be a short synopsis, which will give you cor.
rect idea of the result of my examination. Owing
to the delay in receiving the specimens from the
Deep River country, the analysis Of the Goals and
ores has postponed my official report much longer
than l anticipated and time must still clapse
after it is handed in before it can be published by
Congress, account of the engraving of the Maps
and Sections of the Geological formation
need not point out to you the situation Of the
Deep River district, but you must DC aware as well
as am how little is really known of its geographic
cal position well its valuable productions and
the apathy with which all improvements for accessi-
bilty to this district have been viewed on the part
of many in your State. and the prejudice which has
exs:edaganst it. from the appropriations having been
lavishy and uselessly expended in the construction
Of inefficient Dams and insecure Locks, which were
found inadequate to bear their own weight without
the force of the water.
These mishaps and procrastinatiOns have acted
very unfavOrably in preventing appropriations being
made by the Legislature, as well as deterring indi-
viduals from subscribing towards these great and
useful works. I am sure that there yet many
who entertain doubts, and are unwilling to give
their money and exertons, or credence to the truth
which has been fully brought to light by the well
directed efforts of Mr. VIM. McClane in sinking the
shaft at Egypt; this fully established the existence
of the veins Of COAL and left to doubt the
existence of coal basin and large quantities Of the
best bituminous coal as we'll as great variety Of
iron ores which had been noticed by Prof Emmons,
the State Geologist in many localities, and l can
now add that it is fully confirmed by the recent ex
animation of the Commission: indeed there are
few places to be found in our country where there
is such a concentration of material, and which can
be mined with so little toll and expense; an abun-
dance of the best fuel, consisting Of charcoal and
the mineral Goals susceptible Of being ADVANTAGEOUS
ly coked in great variety and quantity for all pur-
poses of the arts as we'll as domestic uses.
Although these deposits Of coal and iron in the
Deep River country will not bear a comparison
with the vast fields and mountains of these miner
ais in Western States, yet owing to their posi-
ton, proximity to market and adaptabity to many
purposes of the arts it is far before them in value.
Of great interest to your State, and consider Of
| national importance.
| The outcrop of the bituminous coal has been
traced 1s miles, and five seams of coal found at the
surface The shaft at Egypt sunk to the depth Of
AGO feet and includes the lower coal seam and by II
we are assured that there arc four coal seams two
having united as they descended; the largest is
there found to be feet wide, separated from the
others by beds of carbonate of iron known rs the
"Black Band"
The coal has been proved to be Of the best quality
of bituminous Goals. 1t is a shining clean coal re-
sembling the best specimens Of Cumberland; 1t is
mites easily, burns with bright clear combustion
and leaves very little ash it swells and agglutinatcs
making hollow fire; is desirable coal for the par
lour crate and for backsmiths use; is well adapted
for fuel, coking and oil; and is superior to most
Goals for the production Of gas for which it will bs
in great demand; it is almost entirely free from sui
phur its coke is light and porous when rapidly
burned, it inclines to smet and flow, but when un
der slow combustion it does not exhibit this tenden
cy, which is owing to the presence Of large quaint
ties of bitumen; it does not easily disintegrat,
when exposed to the atmosphere.
think every who visits this coalfield must b
satisfied from the regularity of its seams and tn,
dminution of the dip Us il descends, proved to b,
some or 10 degrees in the shaft Of Egypt which ].
1900 feet within the outcrop that its seams conform
to the shape of basin, or trough and am satisfied
of the axis of the trough and that this valuable
minefal does not extend to such depths to render
its mining difficult, but on the contrary both eas,
! and profitable. -
The ores of iron consist of the Black Band IN jux
Imposition with the coal seams and situated q t
be readily mined with the coal Specular, Hemsti
tic the Arglaceous and Magnetic ores are al f0un,
to be rich, and in quantity, and for their manulac
ture, besides the mineral coa there is abundance Q
wood for charcoal the uncleared lands Of this din