Newbern weekly progress., 1859-09-20
Letter from Prof. Emmons.

| Below we give, letter from the State Geolo
! gist, Prof. Emmons, descriptive OF portion o
Western North Carolina:
| SOUTHWESTERN COUNTIES OF G.
| Letter from Prof. EmmOns to the Editors OF tn
| Franklin ". c. Observer.
SIRS-It seems to the writer, that the question
relative to the Mineral and Agricultural resources
of the southwestern counties Is, what are the pro
liabilities of the future in these respects and not
what they are now for in country where the
inducements for development and improvement
limited, it cannot be expected that remarkable
and inviting prospects can be shown immedlate y
upon the surface. But the mining and agricul
tural interests are slowly developed, and is only
upon and by announcements which markets and
profits hold out that men are induced to act; and
hence, when market facilities provided, an en-
tire change in the feelings of a community take
place. which result III enterprise which either
bring TO light mineral resources, lead to sys-
tenaafIs auJ1a prof able husoandry. I
In tie sob h-western counties, agriculture has
TO contend with the Disadvantages of distant mar
kets, where Intercourse Is difficult and expensive
and hence, the inducements to labor getcally
for large crops are too small to move community,
though individual exc tions in a few instances are
met with which have resulted in proving he capa-
city Of the soil for the production of great crops.
When all things are taken into consideration,
which affect the capacity of the SOIL climate COM
position and depth, few sections can compare with
the southwestern counties of North Carolina 1t
is true it is studded with mountains, but they
are clothed with great depth of soil, and bear
the finest and most valuable forests of hard and
soft woods or timbers in the world. No hing sur
prses the traveller more than the extreme depth
of the soil and the massive timber tree which it
supports, from the valley to the summit o&the
Balsam and Nantahala mountains.
But the writer does not propose to speak par
tcularly of the agricultural interests now neither
indeed upon the mineral interests, except in few
particulars Of the mineral interests, they may
be divided into two branches of industry. lst
Ihe interest connected with the production of
metals. ID, that connected with AMI existing in
the rocks proper. Of the western counties which
destined to furnish metallic material, Jackson
county is rich in Copper, while Macon and Chero-
kee will produce the most iron The Savannah
copper-mines of the COwee mountain, those of the
ColIowhee and Way-ye-hut-te-are sufficiently
developed to enable the miner to base safe
opinion and entertain the expectation they are
destined to become profitable mines, provided
way to market is opened
The hematitic iron ores of the Nantahala, are
certainly inexhaustible beds, whose character
for goodness are not exceeded by the best ores of
Salisbury, Ct, which has long been celebrated for
its iron
Of the rocks of these counties we may feel as
sured of the existence of fine marble, suitable for
and other purposes for which marble are
employed. The most important variety is the
clear, flesh coLored mordte of Nantahala, which is
really unique for the delicacy Of its tnts
The same region furnishes also, fine roofing
states of blue color. Plates of slate may be OBJ
tanned, five and six feet in length and two feet
wide.> Itsplits with ease and with perfect plane
siaEtz, sock Of Nsgkahsa ere suitable f.
d ytosQ \ and besldes thls vsllesy there is a
s;seies p ,brus chalcedony, which resembles tie
common French Burrh-stone. We have whet-
stone, milestone and grindstone grits; fire stone
aud rock suitable for glass and in Macon county,
the finest Porcelain clay. The foregoing, enl-
brace some of the important mineral products
which are inexhaustibIe, but which, under ex-
isting circumstances are nearly useless; but
NH will 0f q
cheap and commodious way is opened to the
markets of the world.
I am, gentlemen, truly yours,
f. EMMONS, State Geologist.