General V'l^w of the Coal Mines worked in France. 233 



would open a very ufeful circulation for the coals of the mines 

 in the neighbourhood of that commune, and would facilitate 

 the tranfportation of thtm as fiir as the Vienne, to which it 

 joins in the department of Indre-et- Loire. Thefe mines, 

 then, would fupply in part the confumption of ilie depart- 

 ment of Indre, 



On the other hand, if it were poffible to render the Thi- 

 rion, which palfes Bourganeuf, navigable from that town to 

 its junction with the Vienne above Limoges, and to enfure 

 the navigation of the Vienne from Limoges to Chatelieraux, 

 where it begins to bear boats, an extenfive confumption would 

 be opened for the coals which arc on the north and fouth of 

 Bourganeuf, and make this fuel circulate in the departments 

 of La Haute- V^ienne and of La Vienne. This circulation 

 would be exceedingly ufeful, and increafe manufaclories and 

 induftry. 



Department of La Djle, 



This department polTeffes no coal mines ; but it borders 

 On that of Jemappes, the numerous mines of which fupply 

 more coals than it has occafion for. It is of importance, 

 therefore, that this fuel, the ufe of which is general in that 

 country, niay be obtained at a price fuited to the different 

 places where it is confumed ; and that the roads be repaired 

 and carefully maintained in a proper (late. Without this 

 attention, the dcarnefs of carriage would throw the inhabi- 

 tants of La Dyle into a deplorable ftate of dillreCs in reoard 

 to fuel, and produce a hurtful ftagnation in the mines of the 

 department of Jemappes. 



Department of La Dordogne. \ 



The cantons of Cranfac and TcralTon {1^) afford collec- 

 tions and (Irata of coals of a good quality and exccedinsrlv 

 rich. Thefe mines would be an objccl worthy bcin-r worfe^ 

 with activity, if the navigation of the Vefere were rendered 

 more certain, and eaficr. 



At prefcnt they are worked only at the furfiire by fome 

 proprietors of land, and fupply only the local conluniption. 

 The produtSl of thefe coal mines is not known ; but it is cer- 

 tain that the working of them would be cal'v, ;m(l that they 

 are capable of aflbrdiiig great refources for a long time. 



Department rf Doubs. 



Several indications of cecals have iiecn nnnoimced in this 

 department (j6). Kefearches even have been made in dif- 

 ferent parts, but hitherto no coals huvo been dug up. 



According 



