8 Coal Mines in the vicinity of Richmond, Va. 
observing the location of these mines, as stated before, that the 
lands take in the coal from the eastern outcrop, on the south, so 
as to reach over on the dip fully a mile, far beyond any explora- 
tions westward. ‘The present works and fixtures are capable of 
producing one million of bushels per annum, and by the aid of a 
second engine over the same shaft, another million might be pro- 
duced. The next year, when the sinking shaft shall have reached 
coal, two millions per annum can be raised, and that quantity 
doubled by increasing the steam power. Two large steam-en- 
gines are now building, and intended to be erected before the 
close of the season; one over the sinking shaft, and the other in 
the mines to operate on the incline. 
As to the quality of the Mid Lothian coal, I refer to the samples 
sent you, and the certificates contained in my circular, also for- 
warded to you ; adding this fact, that this coal upon trial has been 
found to suit a greater variety of purposes than any coal hitherto 
discovered ; and of this you will find ample proof by attentively 
examining the circular referred to. 
The whole effective force-at these mines, including the coal- 
yard hands, and top and bottom hands, is one hundred and fifty 
men and boys, with some twenty five mules. Most of these 
mules will be discontinued as soon as the steam-engines are 
erected. The ventilation of the mines is committed to the man- 
agement of a Newcastle miner or gas-man of. much experience 
and skill, trained by Mr. Buddle, the eens English mining 
engineer. .. 
The ventilation is kept up by means of brattice work of boards, 
and aided by a furnace under ground. The atmospheric. air is 
taken down on one side of the shaft, and courses the whole drift, 
passing out by the furnace in the opposite side.of the shaft. On 
the upeast side the air is received some’ thirty feet from the bot- 
tom of the pit into the shaft, and at the top it is boxed up so as 
"to throw it off fifty feet above the mouth of the shaft. Large 
quantities of inflammable gas are thrown out from the coal in the 
mines constantly, and any interruption in the air coursing the 
mines with regularity, might and would be attended with disas- 
trous consequences from an explosion of the gas. Sir Humphry 
Davy’ s lamp is used at the mines, more asa pioneer than oth- 
erwise ; nO mines are considered safe that require to be worked 
by safety-lamps. They ought to be used only in going through 
as 
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