APPENDIX. 301 



sional masses and veins of tlie native metal, may materially enhance 

 the advantages of mining. This inference is rendered probable 

 by the actual state of discoveries, and by the geological character 

 of the country. 



These deductions embrace all I have to submit on the mineral 

 geography of the country, so far as regards the copper mines. 

 Other considerations arise from the facilities which the country 

 may present for mining — its adaptation to the purposes of agri- 

 culture — the state and disposition of the Indian tribes, and other 

 topics which a design to commence metallurgical operations would 

 suggest. But I have not considered it incumbent upon me to 

 enter into details upon these subjects. It may, in brief, be re- 

 marked that the remote situation of the country does not favor 

 the pursuit of mining. It would require the employment of ^ 

 military force to protect such operations. For, whatever may be 

 their professions, the Indian tribes of the north possess strong 

 natural jealousies, and in situations so remote, are only to be re- 

 strained from an indulgence in malignant passions, by the fear of 

 military chastisement. 



In looking upon the southern shore of Lake Superior, the period 

 appears distant, when the advantages flowing from a military 

 post upon that frontier, will be produced by the ordinary progress 

 of our settlements — for it presents but few enticements for the 

 agriculturalist. A considerable portion of the shore is rocky, and 

 its alluvions are, in general, of too sandy and light a character for 

 profitable husbandry. With an elevation of six hundred and 

 forty-one feet above the Atlantic, and drawing its waters from 

 territories situated north of the forty-sixth degree of north lati- 

 tude, Lake Superior cannot be represented as enjoying a climate 

 favorable to the productions of the vegetable kingdom. Its forest 

 trees are chiefly those of the fir kind, mixed with varieties of the 

 betula, lynn, oak, and maple. Meteorological observations indi- 

 cate, however, a warm summer, the average observed heat of the 

 month of June being 69, But the climate is subject to a long and 

 severe winter, and to sudden transitions of the summer tempera- 

 ture. We saw no Indian corn among the natives. 



A country lacking a fertile soil, may still become a rich minino- 

 country, like the county of Cornwall in England, the Hartz Mount- 

 ains in Germany, and a portion of Missouri, in our own country. 



