VIEWS OF LOUISIANA. 
m 
that an Indian had once brought him a specimen of antimony, 
but that he could not be prevailed upon by any offers to shew 
the place where it was procured: believing, probably, from the 
reward offered him, that it must be something of great value. 
Coal, seems to be a fossil common to every part of the valley 
of the Mississippi, the space between the range of mountains 
towards the Atlantic, and that towards the Pacific. It is found 
in every part of this territory. On the east side of the Missis¬ 
sippi, in the bluffs of the American Bottom, a tree taking fire 
some years ago, communicated it by one of its roots to the coal, 
which continued to burn, until the fire was at length smothered 
by the falling in of a large mass of the incumbent earth. The 
appearance of fire, is still visible for several rods around. About 
two miles further up the bluffs, a fine coal bank has been open¬ 
ed; the vein as thick as any of those near Pittsburgh. 
Salt-petre has been made on the Gasconade, ancl there is no 
doubt, but that great abundance may be had throughout this 
country, which reposes on limestone, and is consequently ca¬ 
vernous. In caves, from the Missouri to the St. Francis, there 
are immense quantities of a pure silex, adhering like solid 
rock; it is as white as refined sugar, and so much like it, that 
the difference is not discernible to the eye. I have seen a de¬ 
ception practised on a stranger, by giving him a lump and pass* 
ing it for sugar. It crumbles with the pressure of the fingers: in 
the manufacture of glass, it may undoubtedly be of use. A beau¬ 
tiful serpentine* of a red color, is found about three hundred 
miles west of the Mississippi, near the heads of la riviere des 
Moines and the St. Peters, and of which the Indians make their 
pipes. It is soft and easily cut, into any shape in the first instance, 
but soon assumes the hardness of stone. A curious circum¬ 
stance is connected with this and noticed by several writers. 
The Indians of different tribes, no matter how inveterate or 
fierce their anipipsities, meet here, always in peace. In this sa* 
ed of an enlightened and philosophic mind, and the most amiable dis¬ 
position ever gifted to a mortal. He was formed to instruct and to be 
beloved. 
♦ So called by Pinkerton, Caryer, 
