Coal Mines in the vicinity of Richtno7id, Va. 11 



eight and a half cents. This high cost of transportation forbids, 

 for a time, successful competition with mines enjoying greater 

 faciUties. It is designed to remedy this inconvenience by con- 

 structing a railroad to the Appomattox, a distance of five miles, 

 or one to intersect with the Richmond and Petersburg road and 

 reach James river some where about Osborne's or Bermuda Hun- 

 dred. The country through which both of these routes would 

 pass, is admirably adapted to the purpose, being very level and 

 abounding in timber and other railroad materials. Either of these 

 contemplated improvements would place these mines in a state of 

 fair competition with any other mines in Virginia, or perhaps in 

 this country. 



These mines have recently been sold by James H. Cox to the 

 Clover Hill Company, who are now working them with a force 

 of twenty laborers. Moody & Johnson have a lease of Ander- 

 son's land, next adjoining that of the Clover Hill Company, and 

 employ a force of twelve operatives. These two workings to- 

 gether, last year, produced two hundred thousand bushels of 

 coarse grate coal ; the fine coal not being able to bear the cost of 

 transportation, is still remaining at the pits. Whatever has been 

 said about the quantity and quality of the Clover Hill coal, is ap- 

 plicable to Moody & Johnson's coal, as all is taken from the same 

 seam. 



The deepest shaft which has yet been sunk is two hundred 

 and fifty feet deep. The measures passed through were princi- 

 pally sandstones and shales. Impressions were frequently met 

 with of ferns and other aquatic vegetables, but no fish or other 

 animal remains. 



Scotland, and next best to the cherry coal of Staffordshire. It contains 6 per cent, 

 more volatile matter than the Richmond coal, which is now used at the gas factory 

 in this city. It vAl\ answer very well for the grate, and make a cheerful fire. 



The following table will show the quantity of volatile matter in each kind of 

 coal mentioned, and also the quantity of ashes. 



Cherry coal, 44.75 volatile matter, 10 per cent, ashes. 

 Splint coal, 35. " " 9.5 " 



Richmond coal, 3a. " " 8.75 " " 



Clover Hill coal, 38.5 " " 6.5 " " 



Newcastle coal, 22.6 " " 1.5 " " 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



George W. Andrews. 

 Baltimore, Dec. 15, 1840. 



