The Hillsborough recorder., 1860-11-07
From the Wilmington Herald.
The Mineral Wealth of North Carolina

We find in the New York Times OF last
Tuesday letter from a correspondent DARED
at Raleigh, which gives some account oil the
mineral wealth of Deep River in this State.
We make some extracts from the letter
which will be read with interest by our peo-
ple, whose prosperity in the future depends
30 much upon the developments Of that re-
zion. the wealth Of which will, We hope, ere
long, be cisi5ie on our wharyes. The work
of opening the river has met with 50 many
mistortunes since it's inception that many
despaired Of ever seeing any practical bene.
ft from it; but since the employment OF
Mr.. Morris as Engineer. hope seems TO have
revived. and rolc the river is open. aud there
10 every reasva TO believe that il will contin.
We so-fhs following are the extracts allu.
ded 10
II 10 almost unknown 70 the world, but
nevertheless fact, that within what Is call
ed the basin Of the Deep River, there is a
wealth Of coal and iron ore almost ineShaus'
tible, and exceeding in richness any thing yet
developed in this country.
We have reputation al the North for be.
ing fast asleep, while you are so wide-awake.
In that respect, at least. you dc US some in.
IutkGts VIC uldf Nuh NudNC ~ mHIu tHss auN
fury--we have no great journals in Printing
House square 10 ptoclaim. with their thousand
tongues, our untiring enterprise. But yet,
SO long ago as 1924, our sleepy State project
ed partial Geological Survey. II was com
menced by Professor 0lms;ead, OF Yale Col
lege, but abandoned because OF other en-
gagements which engrossed his entire atten-
tion. At later perlod it was renewed and
carefully completed By Professor Emmons.
Both these eminent gentleman unite in the
opinion that the region Of the Deep River is
rich beyond comparison in deposits Of coal
and iron minerals.
In 1858, the Congress Of the United States
directed the Secretary OF the Navy TO cause
a survey Of the Deep River region, with re.
ference 10 the establishment on the Cape
Fear River of National Foundry and Ma
chine Shop. The Secretary Of the Navy
designated Capt. Charles Wilkes and Chef
Engineers Hunt and Martin to perform this
duty.
Capt. Wilkes, in his report, minutely de-
scribes the geological position Of the Deep
River country. j" deeming such details neces-
ssry,n as he says, " from the fact that but
little is known OF it even in the capital ol
North Carolina" The Deep River basin he
describes as occupying the centre of the
State, and but 80 miles in a south westerly
direction from Raleigh. Iii about 25 miles
in length by 10 in width, and 50 embraces
an area Of from ESQ to 800 square miles.
Capt. Wilkes procured and brought with
him to Washington specimens of the coal
and iron ores from the Egypt shaft, there
being worked. These he submitted 10 Prof.
George G. Shaeffer for examination and ana
lysis.
The analysis Of each is there given at
length.
sfThe coal, !" says Prof. Shaeffer, i" is light,
highly bitumino1s. yielding a shining and
very porous coke. and purplish ash, and is
an excellent coai for making gas or for burn.
ing. 1t absorbs only l,2,0OOth Of its weight
Of water. after having been immersed Tor
some time"
Capt. Wilkes thus concludes that por-
tion Of his report relating TO the mineral re-
sources Of the region he was instructed 10
explore: There are few places he SAYS.
" 10 be found 10 our country, where there
i such a concentration Of material, and
which can be mined with 50 little toll and
expense; and abundance Of the best fuel
consisting Of charcoal and the mineral Goals
susceptible Of being adSantageously coked
and 10 great quantity and variety for all pur.
poses Of the arts, as well as domestic uses; fine
elsys for refractory furnaces, building ma.
terials, Of sandstone, gneiss aud granite
millstone grit, and fine sandstone for grind.
stones; claws and sands for the manufacture
Of porcelain. OF the latter class there is 4
large tract near Jones's Falls"
He continues: "steatte. or soapstone,
and sgslmatolite are found 10 extensive mas
ses, ia alternate beds with the metamophie
states. The latter is an exceedingly fine and
compact gam, and has very soft and sOapy
feeling, and i of greenish-white color. /
is sdiderentin composition from the steatite d
soapstone, and is of much finer grain. 4
can be applied 70 the same uses but that
which has been qnarried in Chatham Coun.
" has been ground al stoart's mills, on the
Deep River. 70 powder a. 6ne a -four. ami
exported to New York. where il i used co.
clarifying sugsr. II sell. for Gle to $50 1
ton. lts composition. az given By Professor
I'll