Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-10
esolosrcAI AND MlSn.LosrcIL Dzvxtor.

okoioe'cAL ANn MiN1ALoGfcAL DEVELOP
sssfss-Extsactfro nom the reportof gosephs D. WI
son, Commissioner Of the General Land once:
In the prosecution Of the public surveys west of
the Mississippi, towards the Pacific, extensive
indications Of mineral wealth have been discov-.
cred In Kansas and Nebraska, and the eastern
slope OF the Rocky Mountains, there exist ranges
Of mineral deposits Of coal, iron, gold and silver.
rhe coal, comparahvsly free from impurity, a
not only the powerful agent for manufacturing
purposes butis adequate 70 the domestic wants,
equally 90 In the navigation of mind waters
whilst IL s at hand to do its service Ia the railway
system proposed to connect the Atlantic and
Pacific cities. An idea may be formed of the
value and enduring character OF mineral fuel SO
extensively distributed over country, already
discovered to the extent Of about 20O, 900 square
miles, when IL Is shown by an authoritative esti-
mate that acre Of cosl three feet thick equal
TO the product Of $40 acres Of forest trees and
| "each acre Of coal seam, four feet In thickness
and yielding one yard q pure coal, iseguivalent
serve Of mechanical stfeag In its fuel equal to
| the life-labor Of more than 500 men"
| This great substitute for hand labor wields at
this time In Great British In Its application to her
vast machinery by land and sea a force equal to
the manual strength Of the human race; aud vet
the coal fields Of England, Ireland, Scotland and
Wales; the British provinces Of New Bruaswick,
not one-tenth the mineral Of the twelve coal
bearing States Of the Union, not including the
extensive discoveries wet Of the Rocky Noun
L
important mineral not partc larly confined TO
| the foot Of the Rocky Noun but are foand
In different localities along the Missouri river,
In Nebraska, In the Valley Of erdigris. Maria de
Cygues, Neosho and Marmeton, In Kansas In
New Mexico, besides the precious metals iron,
copper and lead are found. The gold and silver
mines are there worked by companies, applica-
ton having been made to the Surveyor General
to work these mines and acquire the right to do
| so by discovery and " announcement - according
to the laws Of Old Spain and Mexico, but for
which there is no authority under the Legislation
Of Congress.
In Oregon and the territory Of Washington
| scientific explorations of Dr. Evans, under the
auspices Of the Government In past years, have de-
| monstrated the existence Of mineral resources in
many localities, ard our land surve, ors in e1
tending the lines Of the public surveys have shown
the fact Of the existence Of minerals In the valleys
| both east and west OF the Cascade Mountains.
The necessity and value Of the coal product OF
| the Pacific shores, to our naval establishment
, and especially commercial marine, must be oh
| vious TO all. '-.-
Then, In regard to sterile or inarable soils
, found in mining regions, Ii Is the province o
science to seek out chemical eafths TO redeem
waste lands and impart to them fertility.
| These considerations induce the recommends
ton that geological and mineral explorations ant
. surveys be ordered by Congress, with authorit,
for the publication OF resulu.