THE 
AMERICAN 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, &c. 
—— 
Arr. 1.—Acecount of the Mines of Anthracite, in the region 
about Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania; by Mr. Zacuariau 
Cist. 
Extract of a letter to the Editor, dated Wilkesbarre, July 
24, 1821. 
Dear Sir, 
{ Have forwarded to your care, the enclosed letter to 
Mr. Brongniart, which, should you deem it of sufficient 
interest, you are at liberty to make use of, either in part 
or in whole, for your Journal. 
The accompanying pamphlet, which was published a 
few years since, with the view of assisting the introduc- 
tion of our coal into general use, will give you the desired 
information respecting its economical relations. 
About two thousand tons are now annually consumed 
along this river, from this to tide water. The quantity sent 
to market from the Lehigh and Schuylkill mines, may be 
estimated from one thousand to fifteen hundred tons. The 
coal is here valued at 50 cents per ton, in the mine; costs 
about 50 more to raise it; and 121 to 60 cents, according 
to the distance from the bed, to deliver it at the river. It 
is transported in arks,* carrying from forty to sixty tons, to- 
* The foreign reader may need to be informed that this word is adopted. 
in American river navigation, to denote a large rudely covered boat, in 
which those charged with the care of it Jive, asin a house, during their 
descent to the point of their destination, when the ark m broken up and. 
sold for what it will bring.—En. 
Vor. FV. No. 4. 1 
