Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-12
VIRGINIA.
The Mineral Bureau.

The Mineral Bureau.
Mr.. j. Blodget Brltton, whose plan for the
establishment of Bureau for the exhibition
of minerals has been so favorably received
throughout the State, has recently been on
visit to Richmond, where he was most kindly
met, and his project looked upon with great
favor. Gov. Kemper warmly endorses the
idea, and, it is believed would have extended
substantial aid. il needed, out of some Of the
unappropriated funds 10 the Treasury, we're it
not for the fact that last winter the State Sen
ate failed to pass the House bill, referred to by
him in his letter to Mr.. John s. Barbour. But
State aid, fortunately, is not needed for the
present, at least. The Governor believes it to
be of vital importance to the people Of the
State that its untold mineral wealth should be
developed as speedily as possible, and in any
thing that may be done towards the promotion
of this end he will lend all the aid 10 bis power
to forward it.
Gen. Malone, President of the Atlantic,
Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Company, is al
so thoroughly alive to the importance of the
project, and will favor it to the utmost of his
ability. The following is bis note to MIR. Brit
ton:
ATLANTIC MISS. AND OHIO RAILROAD Co.,
PETERSBURG, Va, Aug. 7, 1876.
Dear Sir: have read with interest your COM
munication to John s. Barbour esq.,, dated 3Oth
May, ult., and the plan you submit for the or
gsnization of mineral bureau, whereby the
mineral resources of this State are to be brought
systematically before the world.
The plan strikes me as good one for the pur-
pose, and ought to concern every interest and
citizen of the Commonwealth and especially our
railways. This company will transport free of
charge over its line any matter for this proposed
bureau, and otherwise aid in the promotion of
its objects. Yours respectfully,
WIZ. MALONE, President.
To j. Blodget Britton, esq, Philadelphia Pa.
Mr.. Britton will again visit this city in q
short time, when, aided by the city authorities
aud President Barbour, of the Virginia Mid
land road, who has taken such an active inter-
est in the development of the mineral wealth
Of the State, he will endeAvor to put the Bureau
into practical operation at once.
It is desirable that Mr. Britton should at
first conduct the Bureau in the wey that may
seem best to him, as all have perfect confidence
in his ability and uprightness, and an assurance
that he will try to make it substantial benefit
and credit to the State.
The railroad companies will have much to do
in the solid establishment of the Bureau, the
main object of which will be the collecting and
making known to the public at large of full,
thorough and reliable information of Virginia s
resources, with q view to the erection of per-
manent home industries, and it will not only be
museum but large cabinet, scientifically ar
ranged, and be practical worker in carrying
out the purposes of its originators. 1t will
be entirely tree from the tasnt of speculation
and any idea that it is to be in any sense pri-
vate enterprise, for private gain, may be wholly
discarded. OF course, the railroad companies
in giving it their aid, pecuniariIy and other
wise look for important gains n an increased car.
rying trade that must follow the success of the
plan, but apart from this it is to be an institu-
ton for the benefit of all alike, and the rules
for it's government will be drawn especially to
that end. Any and all important information
looking to the consummation Of the purpose had
in view should be given to the public, and the
press Of the State will, doubtless. take pleasure
i'll disseminating all such. We hope, in O very
short time, to be able to chronicle what we are
sure will be most agreeable intelligence to all,
that the Bureau has been established 10 Alex.
andria.
Interest in the establishment of the proposed
Bureau is not confined to within the State as
the following letter will show
WASHINGTON. D. G., August 10, 1876.
Editor Alexandria Gazette
Dear Sir: Having read in the Richmond Wing
letter from the Hon. J. S. Barbour to you on
the subject of proposed exhibition of ores" I
desire to say that some years since I was an
assistant inspector Of ordnance for the navy, and
during that time assisted to inspect almost all
the guns and shot that was made for the navy.
visited Richmond, Boston, Cold Spring, New
York, Pittsburg, Penn, and the iron mines Cd
the Tennessee river. It is but just to say that,
90 Ae&A % AAAJ hAoHAooSe eXt6QQS, Inc best iron
In America is obtained from the mines in Rock
bridge county, Virginia, and next to that is the
Tennessee iron. was also member of a board
OF officers and Others some years ago appointed to
test the quality of coal from the different mines
Of this country. The board met at the Wash
ington Navy Yard, and for the information of
those whom it may concern, must say that the
best coal in the world for welding chain cables,
and for forging large anchors, &C., is the soft
coal of Virginia.
Respectfully, your ob't servant,
E. B. BOUTWELL,, late of the Navy.
HE ACCIDENT AT THE Bio BFND 1JNNEL.
Inc accident at the Big Bend Tunnel on the
G. u .. Il. T., near Hinton, by which Mr..