20 
rich, yielding in some instances 75 per cent of pure metals 
together with some silver, yet at present there is not a cop¬ 
per mine worked in the United States. Congress in 1800, 
authorized the President to employ an agent for the pur¬ 
pose of exploring the country near Lake Superior. This 
enterprize, which promised us an acquaintance with our 
mineral riches, was abandoned, before the agent had com¬ 
menced his journey.f In 1719, a copper mine was discov¬ 
ered in New-Jersey, by Mr. Schuyler, situated between the 
Passaic and Plackensack, which still bears his name. The 
ore was found to be rich, but was shipped to England in its 
raw state, in consequence of the prohibitory regulations of 
the British government. Before the year 1731, the propri¬ 
etor had exported to Bristol, about 1386 tons. The mine 
continued to be worked with success, until the commence¬ 
ment of our eventful revolution, since which period the at¬ 
tempts made to work it have failed. $ 
Copper in its various mineral forms has been found in 
different parts of the country, and many elegant specimens 
adorn the cabinets of American mineralogists.* The cop¬ 
per used in the arts is however altogether imported. It is 
procured from Cornwall in England, and from South'Amer¬ 
ica, principally in the form of sheets and bolts. In this state, 
it is applied to many important purposes. It is used in 
very large quantities in ship building. Coppering vessels 
is found to preserve them longer from the effects of 
warm climates, as also from the attacks of the Teredo JVa- 
valis , which destroys the wood. It facilitates sailing, by 
presenting a smoother surface. 
The various mordants, which have this metal for a basis, 
such as the sulphate, and acetate of copper, commonly 
known by the names of blue vitriol, and verdigris, are alto¬ 
gether obtained from foreign countries. The latter is pro¬ 
cured from France, 
f Med. Repository, vol. 6, p. 211. 
^ Latrobe’s account of the Schuyler copper mine in New- 
Jersey. Med. Repository, vol. 6, p. 319. 
* Vide the additions of the American editor to the article 
copper y in Rees’s Cyclopedia, for an account of the various species 
of copper found in the United States. 
