

away from the vein, they arrived at the sage conclusion that the lode had run 

 out, and reported accordingly to the parties by whom they were employed. 



In this case we hare one of those strange feats of nature, that are so remarka 

 bly rare in their occurrence that they are regarded as phenomena of great inter 

 est, and find a place in annals of science, to be handed down to posterity. 



This was no other than an optical delusion on the one hand, and an extraordi 

 nary pre-vision on the other. For in the one case their optical powers would not 

 permit them to discern an eighteen-inch lode two hundred and sixty feet in length, 

 over which they were obliged to pass constantly in and out of the mine, and on 

 the other hand their mental powers were of sufficient strength to descry a lode 

 one hundred feet beneath the surface, and ninety-three feet from any point that 

 one could possibly exist. 



The result of these operations was, that they had the effect of nearly ruining 

 one of the most valuable mines in the State, and at the expense of about $20,000 

 for their stockholders at home. This magnificent failure (to call it no worse 

 name,) of the foreign company, soon made the Pittsburg Mine a by-word 

 rather than anything else, and injured that property to an extent, that had it 

 been put under the hammer it is doubtful if the whole concern would have 

 brought the first cost of the engine, and a more sad mistake was never made than 

 the lease of this property under the circumstances. 



There is no censure that is too severe for conduct like the above. On the 25th 

 of June, 1855, the proprietors again came in possession of the property by the 

 expiration of the lease, and at the time I visited the mine they had repaired their 

 machinery, and had commenced the reduction of ores again from the mine. The 

 period in which ore had been reduced from Pittsburg Hill was about two 

 months, and at no time had it yielded a less sum than twelve dollars per tun, and 

 ranging from that to forty-six dollars per tun, thus showing that the mine was 

 worked with its former success. 



How is it that men unskilled in metallurgy and mining can succeed in this man 

 ner, and such universal defeat mark the progress of men making high pretensions 

 in those departments, who have been, and still are, engaged in the same branches 

 of industry in our midst ? I am not disposed to reproach or criminate where it 

 is not justly due, but at the same time I cannot permit some things to pass unno 

 ticed where a State is to be the sufferer, even though it may prejudice the private 

 interests of friends, acquaintances or individuals. 



This subject is by no means exhausted. Much more might be said than here 

 committed, not only in relation to this, but other operations similar in character. 

 But I have no desire to drag personal conduct and management into a public 

 document, it is far more fitting for a private journal. 



I have thus far seen no reason to retract one syllable from 'the remarks that 

 may be found on page Eighty-Four, Document No. Fourteen, Session of 1855, but 

 each additional feature that presents itself relating to this subject would only 

 place that language in a still stronger position. 



The following statistics will show the operations of this mine for 1853, the full 

 running time being nine months, the period named would constitute at that time 

 the workings for one year. 



Number of men employed, eighteen. 



8 Miners, at $100 $800 



4 men at Mill, $4 per day 416 



1 Carman 50 



1 Shaft Tender 60 



1 Engineer 100 



1 " 75 



