Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-02-08
REMARKS OF MIR. MANNING,
3 Or CHATHEM,

trust Mr.. President, that the motion OF the Gel.
egate from New Hanover, to postpone indefinitely
the consideration Of this ordinance viii not prevail
If it is at all important that there should bea con-
nection by rail between the coalfeids and iron
mines on Deep River, and the N. G. Railroad it is
Of the utmost importance that it should be done at
once II there is nocoal andfir on Deep River,
or if it is not found in sufficient quantities tobee
any service to the Confederate States and the State
of North Carolina in this great struggle fer our lib
critics and independence then reject this ordinance:
Hook, Mr.. President upon this var, as one OF
long duration-a terrible struggle for existence be-
tween two great and powerful nations. The South
may have to pass through such war as Holland
did, in her efforts to throw off the Spanish yoke;
and trust She will meet it in the same spirit OF
constancy and calmness And, if we may judge of
the character of thswar from the proportions which
it has already assumed, and from the relentless and
unhmching obstinacy with which it has been per-
severed in must feel assured that it will last for
several years to come and that we shall encounter
trials and dangers far more painful and imminent
than any we have yet endured. However this may
be, it is certainly the part of prudence to conduct
this war far at least the calling out the en-
ergies and developing the resources of the State is
concerned as If it was to last for years and ex
pect to be able to show that the building of this
road is necessity, which the Convention, having
il charge the liberties and property of the people of
North Carolina, cannot overlook. -.
IN the QrSL place, Lnen, MT. fTeSiQenI are Coai
and iron to be found on Deep River in sufficient
quantities to be of service for any considerable length
of time, and worth any large expenditure of money?
The depoSiteS of coal and iron on Deep River, have
been known ever since the revolution of re; for
our ancestors appointed Commissioners to take them
in charge and work them, but owing to the cost of
transportation, they were, after few years, aban:
doned. This region has more recently been exam
ined by Prof. Johnston, Dr. Jackson, of Boston,
Com. Wilkes Prof Emmons and DR.. Mitchell, and
they all concur in declaring it to be the richest de-
posite of minerals known in any country. DR..
Mitchell at e,tme entertained and expressed the
opinion that the geological indices of regular coal
basin did not appear in such form as to demonstrate
that the Deep River valley was a coal basin. But
the sinking of the shaft at Egypt, and the wonder
full disclosures it made, convinced him that it was
a coal basin and might confidently be relied on to
furnish supply of coal and iron for ages to
The coal basin has been proved by actual bor-
ing to extend distance of thirty miles in
length and from 81 to miles in width The shaft
at Egypt the slopes at Earmersville, and on the
Taylor property, the pits at the Gulf Murchisons,
and Foushee'S, demonstrate the number and thick
ness Of the seams of coal and and their rea
tive situation to each other The shaft at Egypt at
the depth of AGA feet from the surface, cuts
of coal six feet in thickness next seam of black
band iron ore Of 16 inches; next two feet of coal
next, inches of slate, inches of COAL 8 feet of
black band iron ore next So feet of sandstone or
waste, then feet of black band iron ore one foot
of COAL and last three feet of black, band iron
The position of these of coal and iron ore in
respect to each other is the most remarkable feature
of this coal region they in luxtapoStion, and
the same car brings to- the surface both of these
minerals And at Egypt the facilities are such
| that ton can be raised every two minutes. | had
| the temerty Mr. President to descend the Egypt
shaft myself and have therefore seen what state
with regard to the position of the coal and iron in
| that shaft.
| propose. now, in the second place. Mr. Presi-
dent to consider the quality and kind of the coal
| and iron ores. The coal is bituminous of high or
der, net equal to the Breckenridge coal, says DR..
Emmons in its volatile matters but equal to it in
its combustible products; and the analysis of DR..
Jackson, of Boston, shows that probably no coal is
better for all the purposes for which coal is en-
| ployed. As an agent in the reduction of metals,
and in generating steam, the British Goals do not
! exceed those on Deep River 1t burns briSkly with
bright fame, and makes light porous coke which
| has been used by the smiths in the neighborhood
for years. and has been found to be economical
| at 40 cts. per bushel than charcoal at cents
This coal has been proved by several experiments
made at the Manhattan Gas Works to be a most
excellent gas coal. OF course, Mr.. President what
have said to the quality of the Deep River COAL
except so far it is used in the smiths shops and
CRATES, have gathered from the reports of scientific
men who have tested it, and given to the world the
results of their a5ors. -.
Now, as to the iron ores l will remark, in the
first place, that these iron ores are co-extensive
with and i'll juxtapositiou to the coal throughout
the basin The most important ores of iron are the
| argillaceous black band, specuar, magnetic and
| h9matitic. The argillaceous is foundi in bed from
to feet thick, and 10 feet above the first coal
scam; the specular, you find six miles from the
! Gulf on the pank-road leading to Graham the
magnetic, six miles further in the same direction
| the h8ma:itic, at what is known as Ore Hill, and
the black band throughout the whole coal region.
Now, Mr.. President, / ask what is wanting to
| bring this coal and iron into market? Nothing,
| Sir, but 80 miles of railroad. Why not deyelope
and give to the world this rich and inexhaustible
mine of wealth. and thus put our good old State in
the of her Southern sisters Coal and iron rule
the world, and England is mistress of the seas be-
cause she has coal and iron both. Now, Mr.. Presi-
dent is there not pressing necessity for this road
| Look at the rollingstock of our Railroads fast
wearing out unable to transport more than half
freight, and consequently utterly unaoe to trans
! port the government supplies, and the produce of
! the farmer, who therefore, has no market except
| the Commmissary and the Quarter-master
Mr.. President, I tremble for the safety of our
gallant volunteers, if We do not speedily set to work
| to make axles and wheels We oan-no more fight
this war without railroads., than we can without
men. Is there no necessity for this road, when
iron and steel have risen in price one hundred per
cent in the market? Is there necessity for this
road, when our farmers do not know where they
are to replace their agricultural implements, now
| fast wearing out? Is there necessity, when
] Eastern Tennessee from which we derive nearly
one-haf of our present supply of ron is threatened
by the enemy? The Confederate government is
alive to the importance of this subject and is look
ing earnestly to Deep River for a supply of iron,
and to stimulate the development of that section, it
has given two large contracts to companies with
liberal advances for the purpose of making shot,
shell and pig iron. Mr.. President, | do hope,
therefore, that the motion of the delegate from New
Hanover will not prevail Ihear no objection made
to the particular plan proposed in this ordinance
it is not said by any one that the State will risk
single dollar, Of which both the principal and in
terest is not amply secured.
T Mr.. President 1 am proud of my State-proud
of her past history-proud of her present position
proud of the gaantry honesty and modesty Of her