772 [Assembly 



•of its ores; The ores seem to concentrate in the vicinity of the 

 village of Adirondac, and here literally constitute the formation. 

 The cellars of their dwellings, in many instances are excavated in 

 the massive beds. 



The discovery of a mineral deposit, extensive and valuable, as 

 the Adirondac Iron District, is an event so rare and important^ 

 that it seems appropriate in a work of this character, to perpetu- 

 ate its minute history.* An Indian approached the late David 

 Henderson, Esq., of Jersey city, in the yeai 1826, whilst standing 

 near the Elba iron works^ and taking from beneath his blanket 

 a piece of iron ore, he presented it to Mr. H. with the inquiry 

 expressed in his imperfect English, "you want to see 'um 

 ore, me fine plenty — all same." When asked where it came 

 from, he pointed towards the south-west, and explained "mo 

 kunt beaver all 'lone, and fine 'um, where water run over iron 

 dam." The Indian proved to be a brave of the St. Francis tribe, 

 honest, quiet and intelligent, who spent the summers in hunting 

 amid the wilds of the Adirondacs. An exploring party was prompt- 

 ly arranged, who submitting themselves to the guidance of the In- 

 dian plunged into the pathless forest. The first night they made 

 their bivouac beneath the giant walls of the Indian Pass. The 

 next day they reached the scite of the present works, and there 

 saw the strange spectacle described by the brave; the actual flow 

 of the river over an iron dam, created by a ledge of ore, which 

 formed a barrier across the stream. The reconnoisance revealed 

 to their astonished view, various and immense deposits of ore, 

 equal almost to the demands of the world forages. A glance disclos- 

 ed the combination in that secluded spot of all the ingredients, and 

 every facility for the most extensive manufacture of iron, in all 

 its departments. In close proximity existed, an illimitable supply 

 of ore, b'jundltss forests of hard wood, and an abundant water 

 power. The remote position of the locality formed the chief 

 impediment to the scheme which was adopted at once by 

 the intelligent explorers. Not deterred by this consideration, 

 they immediately secured the purchase of an extended tract, em- 

 bracing the entire iron district. A road was soon constructed to 

 the scite, with slight aid from the State, at a greatexpense through 



•A. Ralph, Esq^. 



