228 



can produce the article, as good in quality, and at as low cost, at the 

 place of sale, as any competitor ? If he can see the affirmative, then 

 with the same pradence, industry and care, he will lose money only 

 when his competitors do, and not before. 



. The other branches of the original inquiry, namely, the making of 

 pig metal with mineral coal, and the manufacture of wrought iron in 

 the rolling mill, each involving the consumption of large masses of min- 

 eral coal, are of a different nature. Their consideration for the present 

 is defened. The openings of the coal fields of this State, combined 

 with other causes, may cheapen the cost of this fuel in the city. 



EXPOSITION RELATING TO THE COAL FIELDS OF 



MICHIGAN. 



BY R. R. LANSING, DETROIT. 



The first inquiry I propose to make relates to the extent of the coal 

 fields of the State. 



From the Geological Reports of the late Doct. Houghton, (State 

 Geologist,) to the Legislature, Feb. 4th, 1839,1 make the following 

 extracts : 



COAL. 



^ ''We have been enabled during the past year considerably to extend 

 the small amount of information before transmitted to you, respecting 

 the coal beds of our State ; and although, from the limited extent of 

 the min\ite examinations in the coal district, I am still unable to place 

 the subject before you in such a manner as could be wished ; its great 

 importance would nevertheless seem to call for an allusion, at least, to 

 such additional information as has been obtained. By reference to the 

 report of C. C. Douglass, Assistant Geologist, hereto appended, on the 

 subject of the minute surveys of Eaton and Ingham counties, it will be 

 seen that the main bed of coal which traverses the central counties of 

 the State, has been traced northerly to within a few miles of the south 

 line of Shiawassee county, and that the bed has been found of sufficient 

 thickness to admit of being profitably worked. 



** The line of coal has also been traced southwesterly into Jackson 

 county, where the bed is of sufficient thickness to admit of being worked, 



