ESSEX COUNTY. 
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About a mile west of Port Henry, another vein, similar in its geological associations to that 
of Crag harbor, has been opened. The ore is less pure, being mixed with more earthy 
matter; and some portions are highly charged with iron pyrites, so much so as to require 
roasting before they can be used for castings. It is more friable, or softer, as it is termed, 
and may be reduced readily to that form which is necessary before it is put into the furnace. 
This vein does not appear at all adapted to the manufacture of bar iron ; but I was informed 
by a gentleman of undoubted experience, that it is the best vein in the neighborhood for the 
furnace, and that it formed the smoothest castings of any which had been used at the furnace 
while the late Maj. Daliba carried on the business. 
Walton or Old Crown-Point Vein. 
One mile and a half from Cedar point, is the Walton vein, the oldest one which has been 
wrought in this vicinity, having been opened more than half a century. It has an open ex¬ 
posure to the east, being situated at the base of a low ridge running nearly northeast. This 
vein is eleven feet wide, and has been explored for half a mile to the depth of thirty feet. 
It dips with the strata thirty degrees to the west, with a strike corresponding to that of the 
gneiss in which it is enclosed. It is black, friable, or easily reduced to that mechanical 
state of fineness which is essential to its easy reduction in the forge or furnace. It is explored 
to the open day, and the wall of gneiss upon the upper side is supported by columns of ore 
left in situ. The line of demarkation between the ore and rock is perfectly distinct, for the 
whole distance exposed. The iron made of this ore is of a good quality, having the requisite 
degree of toughness for all ordinary purposes. 
Associated with this vein, is an interesting variety of green feldspar: it seems to be labra- 
dorite, but at the first inspection it might be mistaken for actinolite, though its cleavages are 
those of feldspar. 
This ore occurs in a form usually termed a hed, or the walls of the vein correspond to the 
surfaces of the strata. In its general characters, it is clearly an instance of a vein, being 
enclosed within parallel walls with a definite direction. 
Sanford Vein. 
This is about four miles northwest of Port Henry, having the same geological relations as 
the vein last described. Its characters are, however, quite different: its colors incline to brown 
rather than black, and this is not be attributed to the absorption of oxygen, but to the intermix¬ 
ture of a brownish mineral which I conceive to be phosphate of lime. The ore is easily raised, 
and is a very large mass, but it has less the character of a distinct vein than the preceding. It 
is friable, or feebly coherent; and so far as this condition exists, it is one favorable for ex¬ 
ploration. The dip of the mass is southwest, and it lies in strata or layers, rendered distinct 
by change of texture, or the intervention of some foreign mineral substance. It is easily 
