Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-14
For the Standard.


At meeting of a portion of the citizens of Moore
County, at the Court House in Carthage, for the
purpose of drawing up petition to the Legislature
of North Carolina to grant Railroad Charter from
Chera". s: c. by Carthage to the Deep River Coal
Region in North Carolina
On motion of A. r. Mcdonald, Col W. B. Rich
srdSon was appointed Chairman. On motion Of
A. Il. Mcneil, G. S. Cole was appointed Secre-
tary.
The object of the meeting was explained in an
appropriate address 10y the chairman.
The following petition was introduced and read
by A. Il Mcdonald. Esq. to-wit:
10 Me HoRora6Is tie General assembly eff North
Car0linG:
The undersigned petitioners respectfully show
your honorable body that Railroad from the Coal
held on Deep River by Carthage, to point on the
South Carolina Enc. where the most practicable
route from the Coal6elds to Cheraw crosses said
line, IS necessary, and would be Of great public nth
Ivy, not only TO North Carona but to the Southern
Confedracy as an independent nation.
These Coalselds are about thirty miles in length
and supposed to bc from three 10 six miles in width.
ms coal has not only been compared with the coal
OF this country, but of Europe and has been pro-
! nouneed superior to them all Coal is now becom-
ing more and mere abundant in its use, and is an
indispensable fuel for almost every steamer.
But the coal is not all the iron ore is Of iDeaeu-
liable wealth. and is proven to be equally extensive
and abundant The coal and ore are found together
anu IN removing the you necessarily remove the
ether. These Coalfeds are nearer the ocean than
any other on the Atlantic slope. Every Governor
Tor the last ten years has recommended the develop
!nent o. the resources of the State Whatever
doubts may have been heretofore entertained in re-
ation to the vast quantity of coal and iron ore e.
listing IN these mines, there can be none now The
reports OF Professor Enmons, State Geologist, and
also the report of Commodore Wilkes-bY whom
an examination was made in reference to the estab-
liShment OF government machine shops at these
very coaItelds-will satisfy every reasonable man
that these mines arc inexhaustihle
These are the only mines of coal and iron ore
known to the South Atlantic States so near the
ocean. The day is not far distant when their value
will be felt. The question has been asked by 4
Senator, IF this Union shall be dissolved whereas
your IRON to cast your cannon and ball. and what
will put in motion your infant navy ?" We answer
the iron for cannon and ball. and all other pur poses
may be fewNa in the valley of Deep River and eoxi
sufficient to Keep in motion the navies of the world
Ii Georgia or South Carolina had treasures Gks
these, they would have been heralded to the world
AID this iron ore would be converted into eannons
and balls to fight the battles of the Southern Cos
federacy, and this coal would now be prope!ng car
infant navy instead of remaining dormant IN .he
valley Of Deep River.
Chastestoa, Savannah, Augusta and other Sosith-
ern cities are now looking to Deep River for their
supplies Of COAL and direct line of transportation
should be established. In consideration of the
premises your petitioners ask the Legislature of
North Carolina to grant Charter for Railroad
from the Coalfields to the South Carolina linz in
the direction of Cheraw, passing through or near
Carthage, the most practicable route
After speeches from 7. Il. Tyson, Col. Davis, A.
H. Mcneil and Others the petition adopted sad
signed by the members of the meeting.
On motion, the North Carolina Standard and
Fayetteville Observer requested to publish che
of ootin
Moore County were requested to present the petit
ton to the Legislature.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
VIM. B. RICHARDSON, CHn.
GEO. S. CokE, Stcy.
August 8, 1861.