J^'ative Copper of Lake Superior, ^c. 215 



geographical position, contiguous, or redundant population, 

 and the facilities of a ready commercial intercourse. To 

 these, the mineral district of lake Superior can advance but 

 a feeble claim, while it lies upwards of three hundred miles 

 beyond the utmost point of our settlements on the north- 

 western frontier, and in the occupation of savage tribes 

 whose hostility has been so recently manifested. Concern- 

 ing the variety, importance, and extent of its mineral pro- 

 ductions, little doubt can remain. Every fact which has 

 been noticed tends to strengthen the belief, that there are 

 extensive copper mines upon its shores, while the informa- 

 tion that has been gathered in the course of the late mission, 

 renders it certain that not only copper, but iron, lead, plumba- 

 go, and sulphur are productions of that region, together with 

 several of the^recioMs silicious, (1) and crystalized minerals. 

 It is rendered probable also, that silver ord is imbedded in the 

 transition rocks of the region ; and whenever it shall be- 

 come an object with the American government, or people, 

 to institute mineralogical surveys of the country, no doubt 

 can be entertained but such researches will eventuate in dis- 

 coveries of a highly interesting character, and such as can- 

 not fail, both to augment our sources of profitable industry, 

 and to promote our commercial independence. In the 

 event of such operations, the facilities of a ready transpor- 

 tation, either in vessels or barges, of the crude ore to the 

 Sault de St. Marie, will point out that place as uniting with 

 a commanding geographical position, superior advantages 

 for the reduction of the ores, and for the subsequent conver- 

 sion of the metal either into ordnance or other articles. At 

 this place a fall of twenty two feet in the river in the dis- 

 tance of half a mile, creates a sufficient power to drive hy- 



(1) The Carnelion is first found on approaching the Pictured Rocks on 

 lake Superior, and afterwards becomes very abundant along the shore ex- 

 tending to the Fond du Lac. Sandy lake on the head of the Mississippi 

 is a good locality of this mineral, and it is found around the shores of the 

 numerous little lakes in that region. In descending the Mississippi it is con- 

 stantly met with in the alluvial soil. At the foot of the Falls of St. Antho- 

 ny it is sparingly found ; around the shores of lake Sepin it is very abund' 

 ant, and it may be traced below Prairie du Chein, and even as low as St. 

 Genevieve, as I have mentioned in my view of the mines. According to 

 the classification of Werner, which is founded on " alternate bands of red 

 and white," many of these specimens may be considered as Sardonyx. 

 They are often associated with common chalcedony, with cacholong, and 

 with certain varieties of agate and flinty jasper. In a few instances the 

 common ojlal, in small fragments, is met -wilh. 



