64 ViEWS OF LOUISIANA, 
scrts positively, that silver ore was brought from thence in his 
time. 
When we view, the space between the Rocky mountains* 
the Cordilleras, (which pervade New Mexico) and the rivers, 
Missour and Mississippi, a conjecture may be formed not alto- 
getner unworthy of attention. Silver mines, it is well known, 
have been discovered north of the Cordilleras, and between them, 
according to the information of lieut* (now col.) Pike, they are 
actually wrought by the Spaniards. From the resemblance, in the 
character and appearance of this country, o that which lies be¬ 
tween the Cordilleras and the Missouri, besides the connection 
of the different ridges, it seems probable that the same mine¬ 
rals are common to both, the southern and northern side of those 
mountains ; or at least disappear gradually towards the north and 
and north-east. The voicanic tract, perhaps, is the tract of pre^ 
cious minerals* This conjecture, however, is liable to objections* 
and is therefore submitted with diffidence. 
With more certainty I will venture to mark the situation and 
extent of the mineral tracts, or at least so much of them, as tra¬ 
verse the territory. Nearest to the Mississippi, and beginning 
S. on the St. Francis and White river, with its main course and 
-diverging dependencies, perhaps two hundred miles in width, 
and six hundred in length, is the tract of lead mineral; perhaps 
the most extensive body of any mineral, known in the world. 
On all the great rivers which traverse this tract, the ore shews 
itself, in their channels, in a variety of places; as also in ravines 
where the soil has been carried off. This is the case, on the 
Maramek, the Gasconade, the Osage, on the Mine river of the 
Missouri, on the Missouri itself, on la riviere des Moines, and at 
length on the Mississippi, below the Ouisconsing. At this place 
it crosses the river, and is seen, though in small quantities, in 
places round the Michigan. There is very little doubt blit that 
all this extent abounds in lead ore, and may afford thousands of 
the richest mines. . 
The led mines, at present wrought and productive,* are those 
between the St. Francis, and the Maramek: extending over a 
* Tlie mines known by the name of Dubuques mines, thought to be 
filial to any in Louisiana, are not at present wrought. They are situa¬ 
t'd west side the Mississippi, 60 miles j^elow prairie du Ckien. 
