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XIIT. A general View of the Coal Mhies worked in. France, of 

 ihc'ir different Products, and the Means of circulating them, 

 'By C. Lefebvru, Member of the Council of Mines, of 

 the Pbilomatic Societj, &c. &'c,* 



I 



HAD propofed for fevcral years to exhibit a view of the 

 refources of France in regard to combuftible foflils. I was 

 defirous of making known, at the fame time, the principal 

 places of confumption, the grand metallurgic eftablifliments, 

 where thel'e fubftances are, or might be, employed ; and to 

 add to this labour an indication of the localities proper for 

 the creation of new manufaftories, according to the union 

 prefented by nature of mineral fubftances, capable of being 

 worked, and of abundance of fuel. 



It appeared to me alfo, that, to fill up this (ketch, it would 

 be necelTary to include pretty certain data, in regard to the 

 nature and quantity of the refources which the forefts and 

 ■woods might furnifh for coniumption in difl'ercnt parts 

 of the French territory, and particularly in regard to thofe 

 moft interefting to be conlidercd under the view of large 

 manufaftories f . 



The information collefled by the council of mines for 

 feven or eight years, furniflicd a variety of details and in- 

 terefting fa£ts in regard to the mineral fubftances known 

 and dug up in our territory. The notes refpefting coal 

 mines in particular were the moft numerous, becaufe the ad- 

 mini ftration of mines, feeling the neceflity of fupplying the 

 diminution of the products of our forefts, and the importance 

 of enfuring conftant activity to our manufaftories, by means 

 of coals, had paid the moft ferious attention to this obje^l. 



A orreat many indications, however, required further con- 



* From "Jownal eks Mines, No. 7 1 . 



+ A good map of the communications, both by land and by water, 

 pointing out the forefts, coal mines, the turf moires, and the large m;:nu- 

 faftorics, would be of great value to connmercc. It would certainly con- 

 tribute to give more adtivity to internal commerce. A map of this kind 

 is wanted, and the conftruftion of it appears to be an objcdt worthy the 

 attentio'n of the prefent government. 



The council of mines fketched out, in the year 4, a part of this opera- 

 tion on the navigation chart by Dupain-Triel. It contained marks which 

 pointed out the pofi.ion of tiie coal mines, turf moffes, forges, great foun- 

 derics, fait works, and fome other large manufaftories, refpefting which 

 accurate information had been obtained ; but this labour is now very im- 

 perfcft, becaufe the new departments are not included in this chart, which, 

 on account of the new information obtained fince that period, ought to be 

 added. 



<$ firmatioR, 



