The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-01-05
From the Fayetteville Observer.
u. or CAPT WII.k ES

oar Representative In congress, the neA.l
Warren Winslow, by Capt. Wilkes of the
Navy, ths head Of the Commission appointed
by the Secretary Of the Navy to examine the
Deep River Valley, with view to the ascer-
saiainsnt Of ito adaptedness for the location
cfNayal Work Shops.
II will be seen that this officer, whose
scientific attainments are well known, emu
merates the various rich mineral and other
treasures which q careful personal inspection
disclosed to him in that remarkable region,
bat says emphatically that they must remain
yalueless until facilities for transportation
and travel are provided; and he is very nat
urally surprised that there should be any
hesitation in providing those facilities.
We trust that this letter will turn the scale
IN the Legislature in favor Of that small a.
mount Of aid which our Railroad needs;
Washington, Dec. "a, 1858.
Ta Ire Hen. HaTsa BiRslotp-
My DEAR SIR: | take great pleasure IN an
swering your letter relative to the examina'
ton Of the Deep River country, Which am
now enabled to do, as my report is finished,
and will be handed TO the Department Tor
presentation 10 Congress after the holidays.
This, Won understand, is unofficial, and will
be a short synopsis, which will give you a
correct idea of the result fmy examination.
Owing to the delay in receiving the speci-
mems from the Deep River country, the ana
lysis Of the Goals and ores has postponed my
official report much longer than anticipat-
ed, and some time must still elapse after il
i handed in, before it can be published BY
Congress, on account Of the engraving OF the
Maps and Sections Of the Geological turnna-
ton.
need not point out TO YOU the situation
Of the Deep River district, but you must be
aware AZ well as am, how little is really
known Of its geographic! position as well as
it. valuable productions, and the apathy with
which all Improvements for accessibility TO
this district have been viewed, on the part
Of many ii your State. and the prejudice
winch his existed against il, from the appro-
priations having been layishly and aselessly
expended inefficient dams and insecure locks,
which were found Inadequate TO bear their
own weight. WITHOUT the force Of the water.
These mishaps and proctastlnations have
acted very unlayorably IN preventing appro-
prlations being made BY the Legislature, as
well as lettering individuals from subscrib-
ing towards these great aud useful works.
] am sure there are many who yet entertain
doubts. and are unwilling to give their mo.
ney and exertions. or creaeRce to the truth
which has been fully brought to light BY the
uell-directed efforts Of Mr.. VIM. Mcclane
in making the shaft at Egypt; this fully es-
tablished the existence of the veins OF coal,
and left no reason to doubt The existence Of
a coal basin and large quantities Of the best
bituminous caalas well as great variety Of
iron ores which had been noticed by Prof. En-.
mons. the State Geologist, in many localities.
and can now add that It is fully confirmed
By the recent examination ofthe Commission:
indeed. there are few places to be found in
our country where there is such a concen.
tration Of material, and which can be mined
with 50 little toll and expense; an abundance
OF the best fuel, consisting of charcoal and
the mineral Goals susceptible Of being adyan.
tageously cooked, in great variety and quaati-
ty for all purposes Of the arts as well as do
IN ,stie uses.
Although these deposits Of coal and iron
IN the Deep River country will not bear 4
eonparison with the vast fields and noun
tsins Of these minerals ia our Western
States, VET owing 20 their position, proximi.
= % market and adaptabilty To many pnr.
poses OF the arts. il is far before them n
value, 81 great interest to your State, and /
consider Of national importance.
The outcrop Of the bi;uIainous coal has
been traced 3 miles, and five seams of coal
found 81 the surface. The shaft AZ Erspt i
sunk 70 the depth of 400 feet, and inciades
The lower coal seam, and b. il We are as
s1red that there are four coal seams, twD
having united a. they descended the Iarr.
est Is there found 10 be feet vide. separa.
ted from tie others by beds 81 carbonate Of
iron known az the !. Black Band
The sosl has been proved 10 Be of The best
quality 81 bItumin0us Goals. II i 4 shining
clean coal. resembling tie best specimens 81
Cumberland; il ignites easily. burns with
bright, clear combustion, anil leaves very
little ash il swells and agglutinatrs, max
Ing hollow Ere !; Is desirable coal Tor the
parlor CRATE and for biacksm;ih,s use Il we'll
adapted for fuel, cokiEg and oil and i ID.
perior to most Goals for the production 81
gas. for which il will be in great demand
u i almost entirely free from sulphur; il.
coke = light and porous when rapidly barn.
ID, i inclines - smeIt and flow, but when
under slow combustion ], does not exhibit
this tendency. which j. owing ID The pres
ence Of large Quantities Of Uitumen Il does
not easil. disinsegrste when exposed to the
atmosphere.
] tliiak every one who visit. this coaIfed
must BE satisfied from The regularity If is
kelms, md the dlninut,pn 81 tie dip a. il
detcengls. proved IL bp sumo q Or n tlpvreps
10 Tie shalt of Egypt. which i 1900 feet
within lie outerlpl that il seams canfurm
IL tie shape q basin, " trough. and | 40
satisfied that lie greatest depth will lie gn
the fufiaefa side IL the axis ii the trough,
aud itst this washable mineral dnrs MT ex
tend 10 surh aspta - - render il mining
difficult. but. "a the contrary, both easy and
profitable.
Tie ORES 81 iron consist N the Black Band,
ia jurapOsitiOA with The coal seams. and -
siilatgd a. 70 ne readily mined with the coal
Specular. Hermatitic, The Argillareons and