38 



state, in which, according to Mr. Jefferson, the ore is accon> 

 panied with a small proportion of silver, and yields from 50 

 to 80 per cent of pure lead. 



In passing westward, several localities of the sulphuret of 

 lead might be enumerated in the state of Ohio, Indiana, Ken- 

 tucky and Tennessee ; but in neither of these is it found in 

 sufficient quantities to warrant mining operations. In Illi- 

 nois, a short distance below Shawneetown, a lead vein occurs 

 in a gangue of fluor spar of great variety and beauty — a cir- 

 cumstance, as has already been remarked, somewhat uncom- 

 mon in our country. The ore is the common galena, of sin- 

 gular richness, and entirely destitute of silver. 



The chief object of the present communication being a no- 

 tice of the valuable lead mines of the Upper Mississippi, a par- 

 ticular description of them was prefaced by a rapid sketch of 

 their history, which in fact forms an epitome of that of the 

 whole country bordering on the " Father of Rivers." 



" After the discovery of the Mississippi river by the enter- 

 prising La Salle, settlements were soon formed on its eastern 

 banks, to which indeed they were for many years confined. 

 Here, engaged in the quiet pursuit of agriculture, the inhabi- 

 tants soon established amicable relations with the savages. But 

 this state of things was destined to be of short duration. The in- 

 fatuation which in the beginning of the 18th century spread all 

 over Europe, found its way also into the peaceful and seclud- 

 ed settlements of the Mississippi. The dazzling prospect of 

 discovering the precious metals, was fatal to every other pur- 

 suit, and created in the minds of men a rage for adventure — a 

 thirst for speculation." 



" Such was the situation of the colony of Louisiana, and 

 such the desires by which the French nation in particular 

 were actuated at the period just mentioned. A report having 

 been raised by a few straggling adventurers, that the precious 

 metals existed west of the Mississippi, an expedition was pre • 

 pared by the governor of the colony, with a view to ascertain 

 upon what it was founded. This expedition visited the mines 

 on the Upper Mississippi, erected a fort, and commenced a 

 settlement ; but the prejudices of the savages were soon ex- 

 cited, and the French found it prudent to abandon that part of 

 the country. They next turned their attention to the Missou- 

 ri, where, though we are not accurately informed what min- 

 eral riches they discovered, it is probable they did not answer 

 the sanguine expectations of the explorers." 



" The wars in Europe engaging now the whole attention 

 and resources of France, the colony of Louisiana was reduced 

 to the most embarrassed situation ; and the king determining 



