Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1860-01-30
I From the Richmond Dispatch.
Orr Mineral Wealth.

(, we Wl6nY most respectfully t0sCan lh6
attention Of our legislators to an impor-
tant question, which has long been neg-
lecied, and which now invites Immediate
and practical consideration. Wa mean
some measure to aid in the development
ofourfmineral resources. Other States.
less able and less Interested than Virgin
ia. have their geologists and chemists,
their surveys and geological maps. ~
Their coal fields are examined, described.
and their formations, characteristics and
value made known science and practical
experience opening theway forenterprise
and capital. 10 the miner, the smelter,
and the manufacturer. are pointed out
and defined beds Of valuable minerals
and favorable mining and manufacturing
sites but the geology of Virginia. sfol
all practical purposes, remain s'sealed
book" Though the frst in magnitude
in extent and yalue of her mineral re-
sourcec, she is the last among minera
States to develop them. ,A bouniifuI
Providence has given her the greatest
expanse OF coal fields, with the usefn
ores inS most available proximity and
ABUNDANCE. Surely those riches were
not giyenr-Eere not deposited III oul
mouatains. without purpose. Would
1t not be wise to consider this matter
Cannot we ptoGt by the inexhanstibls
Eanines. Of wealth which exist 10 almosi
every section Of the States locked up ID
ths treasure,yaulss 81 our mineral king,
dom an
In the development of orr internal re,
sources NE are all Interested. III The PEG,
pie Of the East have their cealE fields
connected by rail and water, with ricl
mineral regions along their lines. Every
facility for the mining and mannfactur
ing Of iron, copper, lead, manganese, ane
4 variety Of mineral nadnuyes. exist. Thi
The Southwest is stilLricher in nndevel
cped treasure. { Her coal. iron. copper
lead, Gypsum. salt, &c., are admirabl,
Distributed for all practical purposes
but disadvantages Of importance hay,
been derived, merely because they hav,
been developed. Este IT.
The Northwest and the West u ION,
Immense coal field, whilsthe middle por
ton Of The State. those dsep valleys ant
vast mountain ranges. are abundant!
Supplied with . profusion Of rich ores
| that they flow down 70 the coal eithe
| East OF West, Is be elaborated into finish
| sa metals. The Great Kahawha Vale
and Surrounding region is . vast enpori
| ukn Of mineral wealth, unlimited and bit
1efally inexhausli6le IN extent and lquanti
fty. Ca. on and fuel, iron, san. &c.
are here stored up 70 supply the wants 9
I D nation for handreds OF ages, and vat n
systematic effort has been made 81 Ii
State. TO make this vast domain what
might be, the richest and most pruHnc
Tive part Of the Union. With much les
extent of coal felds, neighboring Stat
produces annually forconsumption, 10,
/ 0oo. 900 tons Of coal. which, ID connec
ton with the iron il smelts, and II
manufacturing interests il suslains, ]
worth ! hundred millions Of dollars
i Though richer and more abundant, on
mineral fuel lie neglected. while We zen
money To the North for coal, and trans
lport II 500 miles 10 cross our deposits I
our doors. The same may be remafke
'Iofour ores. We bring iron from abroad
while We have enough 1t home to suppl
the world for ages With It's valued
l,gold Of ualifornis cannot be compared.
i England exports over 5000. 600 ton
\ Of iron annually. which. manufacture
lin rails, baf-iron. steel. and implement
Knives. needles. de- lis worth eg50,
0Oo, 900 ayearll ss1 assEs
The mineral wealth of Virginia IA
besn neglected by our Representatives
these Who should study her best intei
ests. Consequently It has received br
filistle attention from the people.
We are IN Interested ii the develop
/ naent ofsour intsfnal fesonrcss TIE H,