*r2 A general Hew of the 



brought in c;reat abundance into our territory, though the 

 ufe oY that kind of fuel was lefs frequent at that period than 

 at prefent, and much Icfs, no doubt, than it will become in 

 confequence of the deterioration of the wood. It was, there- 

 fore, of more importance than ever to appreciate properly 

 our new fituation in this refpeft, after our increafe of terri- 

 tory, the fruit of the conqiiefts of our armies. It was ne- 

 ccffary to determine whether we ought to admit among us 

 the produ6ls of foreign coal mines ; confidering on one hand 

 the quantity of money exported,, and the decreafe or even 

 flao-nation of induftry which might enfue in our national 

 mines ; and on the other, whatever was proper for the fecu- 

 ritv and improvement of our manufa6lures. 



All the data proper for the folution of this queftion were 

 fubjefted to government. The different opinions pro and 

 contra were defended with that warmth which is always ex- 

 cited by objects of great national importance, among men 

 ftrongly attached to their country, and deeply affefted by 

 every thing which ought to have an influence on their def- 

 tiny. 



Whatever mav be the determination of government, we 

 muft rely with confidence on the wifdom of its views, and 

 be afTurtd, that it will not decide without being fully in- 

 formed on the fubjeft. 



In publifliing at prefent this view of the refources prefented 

 by our coal mines, I have no intention of entering into a 

 difcuffion of the queftion already mentioned : but feveral per- 

 fons having urged me to make known, as far as pofliblc, our 

 riches in this department, I thought that by complying 

 with their rcqueft I fhould render my labour important in fe- 

 veral points of view ; firft, as fupplying informatioii ufeful to 

 ftatefmen, who might be defirous of details on this fubjeft, 

 and to the different confumers and to the workers of mines. 



I have followed the alphabetical order of the departments; 

 each of them has been reviewed ; and from the information 

 obtained I have enumerated all the known mines now 

 worked, thofe fufceptible of being worked, and thofe indi- 

 cations not vet verified which feem to delcrve an attentive 

 examination. 



I have exhibited as far as poffible the rnafs of the pro- 

 ductions of the coal mines in each department where they 

 are worked, and the mean price of the coals, both at the 

 niines and in the principal places of confumption. 



I muft however obferve, that there are ibme departments 

 where the mines are worked in fo irregular a manner, that it 

 was impoflible for me to obtain data fufHciently fatisfaftory, 



either 



