146- VIEWS OF LOUISIANA. 
There are some, who can feel what it is to be exalted to the dig¬ 
nity of freemen; to the base and ignoble mind which cannot ap¬ 
preciate this blessing, my writings are not addressed. Louisiani¬ 
ans, you have now become truly Americans; never will you 
again be transferred from one nation to another; if you are 
EVER SOLD AGAIN, IT WILL BE FOR BLOOD. 
At the same time, let us allow, for those emotions which must 
naturally be felt. Like two streams that flow to each other from 
remote and distant climes, although at length, included in the 
same channel, it is not all at once that they will unite their con- 
tributary waters, and mingle into one . 
CHAPTER VII. 
LEAD MINES IN THE DISTRICT OF ST. GENEVIEVE—MODE OF 
MINING-PRODUCE, &C. 
THE different mines, or diggings , as they are commonly 
called, are scattered over the greater part of this district. It is 
not known with certainty, to what distance the mineral extends 
west and south, or towards the Mississippi.* The Mine a Bur¬ 
ton, about forty miles west of St. Genevieve, may be considered 
the centre of those which are profitably worked. 
These mines have been known for a great many years; for 
the discovery would be made, as soon as the country could be 
traversed; the ore being visible in the ravines washed by 
rains, and in the beds of rivulets. The first diggings were made 
by a man of the name of Renault, and so extensively, that the 
present are only following up the old one.f 
* On the Osage river, and in the country Watered by White river, I 
am informed by hunters, that lead ore is found in surprising quanti¬ 
ties, even dn the surface of the ground. 
j- See Abby Raynal —“ To give the greater Weight to this false re¬ 
port, which had already gained so much credit, a number of miners 
were sent over to work these mines, which were imagined so valuable. 
With a body of troops to defend them.” 
