8 Coal Mines in the vicinity of Richmond. Va. 



observing the location of these mines, as stated before, that the 

 lands take in the coal from the eastern outcrop, on the south, so 

 as to reach over on the dip fully a mile, far beyond any explora- 

 tions westward. The present works and fixtures are capable of 

 producing one million of bushels per annum, and by the aid of a 

 second engine over the same shaft, another milhon might be pro- 

 duced. The next year, when the sinking shaft shall have reached 

 coal, two millions per annum can be raised, and that quantity 

 doubled by increasing the steam power. Two large steam-en- 

 gines are now building, and intended to be erected before the 

 close of the season ; one over the sinking shaft, and the other in. 

 the mines to operate on the incline. 



As to the quality of the Mid Lothian coal, I refer to the samples 

 sent you, and the certificates contained in my circular, also for- 

 warded to you ; adding this fact, that this coal upon trial has been 

 found to suit a greater variety of purposes than any coal hitherto 

 discovered ; and of this you will find ample proof by attentively 

 examining the circular referred to, 



'^Vhe whole eff"ective force at these mines, including the coal- 

 yard hands, and top and bottom hands, is one hundred and fifty 

 men and boys, with some twenty five mules. Most of these 

 mules will be discontinued as soon as the steam-engines are 

 erected. The ventilation of the mines is committed to the man- 

 agement of a Newcastle miner or gas-man of much experience 

 and skill, trained by Mr. Buddie, the distinguished English mining 

 engineer. 



The ventilation is kept up by means of brattice work of boards, 

 and aided by a furnace under ground. The atmospheric air is 

 taken down on one side of the shaft, and courses the whole drift, 

 passing out by the furnace in the opposite side of the shaft. On 

 the upcast side the air is received some thirty feet from the bot- 

 tom of the pit into the shaft, and at the top it is boxed up so as 

 to throw it off fifty feet above the mouth of the shaft. Large 

 quantities of inflammable gas are thrown out from the coal in the 

 mines constantly, and any interruption in the air coursing the 

 mines with regularity, might and would be attended with disas- 

 trous consequences from an explosion of the gas. Sir Humphry 

 Davy's lamp is used at the mines, more as a pioneer than oth- 

 erwise ; no mines are considered safe that require to be worked 

 by safety-lamps. They ought to be used only in going through 



