F 442 _ 1 ~ CIS K^opy 1 EAST TENNESSEE: ITS AGRICULTURAL AND MINERAL RESOURCES HY JOHN OA.Lr)W^ELL, OF KNOXVILLE. |ork : JOHN W. Alk^ERMAN, PRINTER, No. 47 Cedar Street. 1867. EAST TENNESSEE: ITS AGRICULTURAL AND MINERAL RESOURCES. JOHN OA-LDW^ELL, OF KNOXYILLE. JkS -^ ??-' JOHN W. AMERMAN, PRINTER, No. 47 Cedar Street. ">.■ 1867. 1 ^-A^r A EAST TENNESSEE: ITS AGRICULTURAL AND MINERAL RESOURCES. East Tennessee, wliicli is sometimes called the " Swit- zerland of America," is situated between 35 and 3(''|- degrees north latitude. TJic Alleghany Mountains, which divide it from North Carolina, are about 0,000 feet above the level of the sea. The " Cumberland" Mountains, which separate Kentucky from Yirginia, extend nearly across^ the State, and separate "Middle" from "East Tennessee." This latter range is not as high as the Alleghanies, but is about 3,000 feet above the sea. The valley between these two ranges of mountains is about 50 miles wide. The country in this valley is rolling, with some hills. The soil is very fertile, producing large crops of corn, wheat and small grain. The grasses are very luxuriant, affording the finest grazing on the continent. The altitude of the valley is about 2,000 feet above the sea ; consequently the climate is temperate, while, at the same time, there are only about three months of the year of what may be called " winter weather." Farmers commence ploughing about the middle of Feb- ruary. The whole valley is under a very good state of cultivation, through its entire length of about 200 miles. Knoxville, the principal town of East Tennessee, contains a population of about 10,000 inhabitants ; and wdien it becomes (as it must very soon) a manufacturing city, (from the vast amount of rich iron ore and inexhaustible beds of coal in its immediate vicinity,) there is no reason why it cannot sustain a population of 100,000 or more. East Tennessee was first settled alDout the year 1790 ; so it is what is known as an " old-settled coiintry^'' many of the farms having been nnder cnltivation for over seventy-five years. One great reason why so little is known abont this country in the Northern States is, that the only connnu- nication with it, nntil about the year 1856, (when the East Tennessee and Virginia Rail-Road was completed,) was by wagon roads over the mountains. From the commencement of the war, until 1865, (to wit, four years,) the country was entirely shut out from all intercourse with the North ; so, in point of fact, there were only some five years M'hen persons could reach it with any reasonable degree of facility. Agricultural, The soil of East Tennessee, on the uplands, is a gravelly limestone loam, well adapted for raising all kinds of grain. The timber is oak, hickory and chestnut, with some poplar. The soil in the immediate valleys of the streams is a black, rich alluvial deposit, particularly adapted for grass. The whole country is traversed with small mountain streams and spring brooks, which find their way into the principal rivers of that part of the country, viz., the Clinch, Holsten and Little Tennessee — the three united forming the Tennessee River proper. There is no part of the United States where the farmer can with more certainty look for good crops than in East Tennessee. It is also particularly adapted to raising cattle, horses and sheep. From Bristol, on the line between Tennessee and Virginia, to Chattanooga, on the line of the East Tennessee and Virginia Rail-Road, it is one expanse of well-cultivated farms, as far as the eye can see, on either side of the road. Rail-Roads. The "East Tennessee and Virginia Rail-Road" traverses the country, from northeast to southwest, from the line of Virginia to Chattanooga, (near the boundary of Alabama,) a distance of 230 miles. This road passes through Knoxville, and toiiclies at nearly all the important towns in this part of the State. The Knoxville and Ohio Eiver Rail-Eoad is in process of construction, and is expected to be completed some time in the year 18GS. When this line is completed, Knoxville will be within eight hours (by rail) of Cincinnati. Another rail-road is projected, and a portion of it under • contract, to connect Knoxville with the South Carolina system of rail-roads. When this line is completed, Charleston and Knoxville will be next-door neighbors. It will thus be seen, when this Charleston and Cincinnati line is completed, the City of Knoxville will occupy one of the most important business centres in the interior of the continent, having the choice of markets for her products, North, South, East or West. Coal and Iron, The bituminous coal deposits of this portion of the Alleghany Mountains is the same, and on quite as extended a scale as those found in Western Pennsylvania or Western Yirginia. To say that the quantity is boundless, and the quality is equal to any found on the continent, is simply stating what every one must know, who has any knowledge whatever of the geology of the western slope of that range of mountains. The various kinds of iron ore (to wit, " specular," "magnetic" and brown hematite) are found in profuse abundance all through the hills and mountains, the par- ticular present value of which, and the coal, depend on their proximity to rail or water communication. The richness of the iron ore is only equalled by the celebrated mines on Lake Superior, in the State of Michigan. East Tennessee, however, will have this great advantage over Northern Michigan, in the production of iron. While the latter is situated in latitude 47 north, where winter reigns six months in the year, and wdiere every conceivable thing for the use of civilized man, and for beast, has to be transported many hundred miles, the former country pro- duces, side hy side with her coal and iron fields, every article required for tliem, at a very low price, and in superabundant quantities ; the result of Avliicli must be, that iron can be produced in East Tennessee at considerably less than one-half what it costs to make it on Lake Superior. Copper and Zinc Mines. The Smoky Mountains, which divide Tennessee from l^orth Carolina^ have been found to contain copper, zinc and lead in large quantities. The copper smelting works at " Ducktown," which is situated at the southeast angle of the State, near the Georgia line, are producing large quantities of ingot copper, from black oxyde and yellow sulphuret ores found at that point. Similar copper ores have been found in large quantities in the same range of mountains in the northeastern part of the State, Wherever these ores have, been found in reasonable prox- imity to rail-road or water communication, copper can be produced and delivered on the cars at a cost of 16 cents per pound at the present high prices of labor and provisions. When the time shall arrive that work can be done at anti- war rates, it is believed that these mines, with improved machinery and methods of working the ores, will furnish copper at 8 cents or 10 cents per pound. When it is considered that the present cost of producing ingot copper on Lake Superior is from 24: to 28 cents per pound, and that it barely gives a new dollar for an old one when it is sold in the ISTeAV-York market at 30 cents, it is conclusive that there can be no comparison as to the relative value of the Lake Superior and Tennessee mining districts, so far as a profitable return for the capital invested is con- cerned. It is believed that all that is wanted to develop these Tennessee copper mines is for northern capitalists to be thoroughly acquainted Avith the facts respecting them. Zinc is found in many localities in the State. Parties are now engaged in erecting extensive works for its manufacture near " Mossy Creek." Tlie ore is rich and exists in large quantities. There is no doubt but zinc will be produced at paying rates on account of the low price of labor and provi- sions. I'Tear the town of Greenville, which is on the line of the East Tennessee and Virginia Rail-Road, a pig iron is produced which so nearly resembles the celebrated " Frank- liuite iron," of !N"ew-Jersey, as to be counted one and the same thing. This, like the " Franklinite," is caused by the large quantity of zinc and manganese combined with the iron in the ore. SPECIAL IRON AND COPPER PROPERTIES FOR SALE. The " Caldwell Iron Mines." These mines are located about three and a half miles from the " French Broad," a navigable tributary of the Ilolsten River, some 20 miles from Knoxville, and about five miles from the railway station at " Strawberry Plains," " Sjyecu- Iclt''' iron ore, yielding about 70 per cent, metallic iron, exists in a succession of hills or knobs, which run parallel with the French Broad River for about four miles. The vein of this ore is about 50 feet wide, and crops out of the hills through their entire length. It will only be necessary to quarry it, as the quantity above the level of the adjacent country is sufficient to supply any reasonable demand for many years. About a half a mile distant, and to the northwest of this vein, is a vast deposit of " brown hematite" ore, which many iron masters require to mix with the " specular," to make certain kinds of iron. There is sufficient wood in the vicinity of this mine to run one charcoal furnace for several years. There is no bituminous coal in the immediate vicinity of the mine. There are, however, extensive coal banks on the line of the rail-road a few miles to the north of Knoxville. This coal 8 can be brought to Knoxville at a low price and made into coke. The iron ore can be transported from the " Caldwell Mine," by water, to Knoxville, there to meet the coke, by which means a most superior article of " coke iron" can be made at a very small cost. "With this iron mine and the coal banks so near, there is no reason why Knoxville may not be made one of the most important iron centres in the country. The " Embreeville Iron Property." This property consists of between 40,000 and 50,000 acres of land, lying in the County of Washington, some eight miles south of " Jonesboro'." The " ^olichucky" Eiver, a branch of the French Broad, about 120 yards wide, runs through the entire property. It is a mountain stream, furnishing an unlimited amount of water-power. The " Embreeville Iron "Works" were built some 30 years ago, at a point where the river debouches from the hills. The water power, as im- proved, is as perfect as could be asked for ; not subject to damage from floods, and giving some 13 feet fall of the whole stream, if required. The works consist of — • One blast furnace, 25 feet high. One small rolling mill for making nail plate. One breaking mill and one forge hammer. Five refining charcoal fires. Five nail machines, capable of making one ton nails per day. One small saw mill. One small grist mill. One large brick dwelling-house. Two managers' houses and boarding-house, with several small dwellings for the laborers. One small church. One school-house, and the necessary stables. Store house, ofiice, coal houses, &c. 250 acres of river bottom land are under good cultivation, and also from 500 to 700 acres in small parcels on the pre- mises where the laborers have their houses, are also under cultivation. The works were not in operation during the war, conse- qnentlj they are very much out of repair at present. It is estimated that ten to fifteen thousand dollars will put them in good order to make at least eight tons of pig iron per day. The wood land is well covered with oak, hickory and chest- nut timber. There is within 4J miles of the works sufficient wood to supply three charcoal furnaces, which will make 9,000 tons of iron annually, for ten years ; and by hauling six miles the supply would last many years longer. There are numerous small streams runnino- through the land which empty into the Nolichucky River. On the " bottoms," adjoining these streams, the land is excellent for farming purposes. It is estimated that there are at least 6,000 acres of good arable land on the premises. The sides of the hills, in most cases, are too abrupt for profitable cultivation. The population of "Washington County, where this pro- perty is situated, in 1860, was 13,877. Provisions and forage can be procured at very low prices. The iron ore banks, of which there are many, are located on the river some three miles above the works. The ore is a " brown hematite," and exists in exhaustless quantities. It is transported from the bank to the works by water, at a net cost for mining and freight of forty cents per ton. One ton and three-quarters are required to make one ton of iron. Charcoal is made and delivered in the coal houses at the furnace for four cents per bushel. There is a large lime- stone quarry near the furnace for flux. A very fair quality of " fire clay " is found also near by on the premises. A sand- stone, which withstands the heat well, is also found near the furnace ; this is now used for the hearth of the furnace. Pig iron can be made at this place, and delivered on the cars at Jonesboro'. at %\^ jper ton, and the freight from that point to Richmond cannot exceed $10 per ton. There is every reason to believe that copper ore, such as is found in other parts of the " Smoky Mountains," will also be found on this property, as the southeastern line of the pro- perty extends to the summit of that range of mountains, and 10 all the copper found in tliem thus far to the right and left of this point, has been on their western slope. The copper ores at " Ducktown," on this vein, are smelted with wood or charcoal ; if, therefore, the copper should be found on this property, there will be no want of fuel to smelt it. The title to the property is free and unincumbered. It is believed there is no locality in the United States where char- coal pig iron of any quality can be made at so low a cost by one-half, as at this point. When the superior quality of the Tennessee iron is considered, it would seem as though the in- ducement for capitalists to put the means and skill at work to develop it, commensurate with its merits, and the demand for that kind of iron, (every ton of which that can be made in the United States, and probably more, too, will be re- quired for the one article of rail-road car wheels for our 40,000 miles of rail-road, to say nothing about the large quantity required for malleable castings, steel and other speciiic uses, where that kind of iron is required,) can scarcely be estimated. The field for producing charcoal iron in this country is becoming very much circumscribed. I^ew-England, ISTorth- ern New-York, Pennsylvania and Maryland are fast becom- ing stripped of their wood ; Ohio is the same ; so that the day is not far distant, when the country must look to IS^orth- ern Michigan, East Tennessee and Southeastern Virginia for its charcoal iron. The " Early Copper Mines." These mines are situated about 25 miles southeast of Wytheviile, which is on the line of the Yirginia and East Ten- nessee Kail-Road, in the southwestern part of Yirginia. There is a good turnpike road from Wytheviile to the mines. The railway station at "Mac's Meadows" is only 17 miles from them. This property consists of some 4,000 acres of land, about 600 of which are under good improvement for grass and 11 grain, with a good farm house, barns, &c. There is also a small water grist mill on the premises. There are two large copper veins on this property, run- ning northeast and southwest across it. They carry " black oxyde" and "yellow sulphuret of copper," and range from 30 to 50 feet in width. Mining was commenced on it some time before the comm_enccment of the war by sinking shafts and running levels into the mines. Quite large quantities of the ore were sold in Baltimore at that time. The owners, however, knowing that the ore could be smelted on the ground at a small cost, and thus save the expense of trans- porting the refuse material combined with the copper, made a contract with parties to erect smelting works adjacent to the mines ; which works were completed and considerable quantity of copper had been produced, when the war broke out and suspended all operations. About 1,000 tons of rich ore was mined at that time and ready to work ; but as the parties were principally all Union men, they had to abandon their mines and works, and make the best of their way out of the country. With the exception of their mined ore (wliich had been carried away) the owners found their property at the conclu- sion of the war (ordinary damage from the weather excepted) in about the same condition as w^hen they left it. The ore in these mines will yield about 15 per cent, of ingot copper, which can be produced and delivered on the rail-road at Mac's Meadows at a cost of 16 cents per pound. The amount of copper that can be made will only be limited by the extent of tlie smelting works and the number of miners emplo^^ed to work the mines, for the quantity of ore is be- lieved to be inexhaustible. Provisions and all kind^^ of domestic supplies, required at •the mines, can be raised on the farm above mentioned, or can be procured from the adjacent country at low prices. The rail transportation from Mac's Meadows to Lyuchburgh is 160 miles. From Lynchburgh to Eichmond freight is car- ried by canal at a cost of $1 75 per ton. The remainder of the 4,U00 acres of land is covered with a heavy growth of 12 timber, sufficient to supply smelting works for many years to come. This property is for sale at a price ■which cannot fail to make a large fortune for parties who may furnish the capital to work it. The only reason why it is ofi'ered for sale is the lack of the necessary capital on the part of the present owners to develope it. The " Ore Knob Copper Mine." This mine is located about 40 miles south of " Seven Mile Ford" Railway Station of the Yirginia and East Tennessee Eail-Road, in the northeastern corner of the State of North Carolina. The mine was worked for its ore to some consid- erable extent before the war, at which time about 150 gross tons of black oxyde of copper were sent to the smelting works at Baltimore. From the account of sales as rendered, it appears that 124: boxes yielded 18 70-100 per cent. 40 " " 23 20-100 " 87 " " 19 25-100 " 70 " " 18 20-100 " 439 " " 17 50-100 " This vein of black oxyde is about 10 feet thick, as it lays horizontally in the hill, and is 12 feet wide. The vein is about half a mile long. One hundred feet of it will yield over one thousand tons of copper ore ; at the average of 19 37-100 per cent., as shown above, will give 19,370 pounds of ingot copper. The whole mine at that rate will give pounds of ingot copj^er. Geologists, who have examined the mine, say that by sink- ing through the " mundick" formation, (so called,) which underlies the black oxyde, " yellow sulphuret" of copper will be found. From the out-croppings and indications the " mundick" rock cannot be over 50 to 60 feet thick. With- out mining more than the " black oxyde," as shown above, it is very clear that this property is of immense value. The cost of erecting smelting works is about |30,000. 13 Extract from the report of Dr. Trippel and Dr. Credner to the American Bureau of Mines on the Economical Work- ing of the East Tennessee Copper Mine, near Duektown. Statement No. 1 is the result of smelting the ore without dressing, while Statement No. 2 shows the result after the ores are dressed. The monthly product is 800 tons of ore. Statement No. 1. " Mining expenses for 800 tons 10 per cent. ore,.. . $8,000 " Smelting expenses, (170,200 lbs. of copper,) at 9 cents, 16,1 28 " Freight and general expenses, 3 cents per lb.,. . • 5,376 " Total expenses, 16 4-lOc. per lb. of copper,. . . . $29,504 " Yalue of 179,200 lbs. of copper, at ' 30c., 53,760 " JSTet monthly profit, $21,256 Statement No. 2. " Mining expenses for 800 tons, $8,000 " Dressing the ore up to 15 per cent., 1,500 " Smelting expenses, (6^ cents per lb.,) 11,618 " Freight and general expenses, 3 cents per lb.,. . . 5,376 " Total expenses, 11 8-lOc. per lb. of copper, . . . $26,521 " Yalue of 179,200 lbs. copper, at 30 cents, 53,760 " JSTet monthly profit, $27,236 " These figures exhibit an annual profit from the mining " and smelting works of $326,832." In preparing the foregoing narrative respecting East Ten- nessee, &c., I have endeavored to state simply the facts with regard to that country, and I think a personal examination will show that I have done so. I have the aforementioned iron and copper properties for sale, and shall be happy to confer with any parties who may u wish to purchase, or who may wish to unite their capital and skill in developing them, at my residence in Knoxville. In the meantime I have appointed Mr. C. A, Trowbridge, at 48 Pine-street, New- York, my agent, who will give any infor- mation respecting them. John Caldwell. Howard House, JVeio-YorIc, Feh'iim'y 2167!, 18C7. Dr. Alex. Teippel, 31ining Engineer and Metallurgist^ 1 8 JExchange Place, New- Yorh City : Dear Sir ; It is now some years since yon and I were working to- gether to develope the copper mines at " Ducktown," in East Tennessee, onr operations being interrupted by the war, which broke out in 1861. Since the conclusion of the war, which released us Cnion men from the tyrannic grip of Jeflerson Davis & Co., I have been re-examining our great copper and iron region in East Tennessee with particular care, with the view of letting tlie capitalists and business men of the Korth know what we have, and the inducements for them to bring their capital and skill to bear in develop- ing it. As you had personal charge of the " Ducktown Copper "Works" for several years before the war, and are quite well posted on the mineral resources of East Tennessee, I take the liberty of submitting for your examination a paper I have prepared on that subject. If you iind my statements in the main correct, so far as your personal knowledge goes, I will feel obliged if you will address me a note to that effect, as I propose to publish what I have said in a pamphlet form for circulation. I ask this favor, as I am comparatively a stranger in the North, in order that the public may know that I am only stating the facts with regard to my country. Your obedient servant, John Caldwell, of Knoxville, East Tennessee. 15 New-Yorlt, March 1, 1867, 18 ExcuANGE Place. Hon. J. Caldwell : Dear Sir, — I have read with much interest your able de- scription of several mining districts in East Tennessee and Virginia, and, having had ample opportunit}" to examine and study some of the most important mines in these States, it affords me great pleasure to' see that since the termination of the war you liave renewed your efforts to bring to public notice these sources of mineral wealth. As you have been one of the first pioneers in the discovery of the well-known Ducktown Mines, and devoted many years to the praiseworthy task of developing the agricultural and mineral resources of your State, I feel very happy to aid your efforts in any way possible, and to corroborate your fair statements with regard to these mining districts. Your remarks about the Carroll County (Ya.) Copper Mines, and the Ore Knob Mines in Xorth Carolina, are especially interesting. The first one I visited several years ago, and have since heard reports from friends visiting the place, which all agree in the most favorable judgment of these mines, which promise a profitable investment for capi- tal, especially when a part of the ore is treated by the more recently adopted plan of humid extraction. Tlie superiority of the East Tennessee iron ores for good iron, and the facili- ties for mining operations, is well known, and do not need any recommendations from my pen. I think, that without the interference of the late war, these mines would now be in the most prosperous condition. Having had the pleasure of your acquaintance for many years past, and being aware of the high esteem in which your long and useful life stands amongst your fellow citizens, I do not hesitate to recommend your statements of facts as thoroughly reliable and correct. 1 remain, dear sir, Kespectfully yours, Alkx. Tkippel, Chemist and MetalluTgist. 16 HowAED House, Wew-Torh, February 21, 1867. My Deak Sm: From an acquaintance of many years with you in connec- tion with the mining districts of Tennessee, I take the liberty of sending you the manuscript copy of a paper I have pre- pared on " East Tennessee — its agricultural and mineral re- sources," for your examination. As I propose publishing the paper in pamphlet form in order to let the northern public know what we have in East Tennessee, and as I am somewhat of a stranger in this part of the country, I will feel obliged if you will address me a note, giving your opinion on the statements made in my pa- per, as well as your own views respecting our Tennessee country and its minerals. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, John Caldwell. EuG. Gatjssoin, Esq., Mining Engineer^ 39 North Broadway^ Baltimore, lid. New-Yoek, February 21th, 1867. Hon. John Caldwell : Dear Sir, — I have read with due attention your paper on East Tennessee and its mineral resources. When I had the honor to make your acquaintance about fourteen years ago, you were already engaged in the develop- ment of the mining districts that you bring again to-day to the public notice. It was my good fortune on many occa- sions, at Ducktown,in East Tennessee, in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, to second, by my professional services, your energetic labors, which had made your name conspicuous in that extensive field of operations. After six years of interruption by the calamities of civil war, you are resuming your work, in which I would most willingly second you again, if there was any need of my endorsement for your concise and fair exposition of facts, sufficiently sub- stantiated by the bigh authority of your experience, and your integrity of character and purpose. You know that, from personal examination, my views en-_ tirely concur with yours on several of the properties that you have described. The latest improvements in the manufacture of steel, which are daily increasing the demand for that article, and mainly the introduction of steel rails in the building of rail- roads, will, at an early day, attract attention to the quality of the iron of East Tennessee, and properties like the Cald- well and Embreeville cannot fail to reward largely the capital and labor that you are inviting, by the prospects of legiti- mate profits. The mining district of Carroll County, in Yirginia, so remarkable by the magnificent outcrops of its copper veins, is also worth all the attention that you claim for it. The mines that you particularly describe, on the Early and Dalton leads, have been already worked sufficiently to show that those extensive lodes are not mere surface impregnations or masses, but will be lasting in depth. The Ore Knob mine, in Ash County, N'orth Carolina, be- longs to the same copper-bearing formation, and will, like the Carroll and Ducktown mines, become a source of mineral wealth, under intelligent management, having for its sole purpose the development of their intrinsic value. I remain, dear sir, Tour devoted servant, EuG. Gaussoin, M. K Howard House, New- York, February 21, 1867. C. A. Trowbridge, Esq., 48 Pine-street, New- Yorh : Dear Sir, — I herewith submit for your examination a paper I have prepared on the agricultural and mineral resources of 2 ^•Am^ 18 East Tennessee. As I liad the pleasure of meeting you at Enoxville a short time since, and subsequently travelling "with yon over qnite a large portion of that conntry, more particularly among the iron and copper mines, and as I de- sire the [Northern public may become as well informed as possible respecting our countr}^, I will feel obliged if you will examine my paper, and let me know your views as to the statements therein contained, so far as your personal know- ledge extends. Your obedient servant, John Caldwell, Of Knoxville, East Tennessee. Office of the Collins Ieon Company, 48 Pine-street, We%o-Yoi% Fel. 21, 1867. Hon. John Caldwell : Dear Sir, — I have read your paper on " East Tennessee ; its Agricultural and Mineral Resources." I visited East Tennessee for the first time about the middle of last month, and remained there, as you will recollect,. Bome three weeks, traversing the State with you on horse- back most of that time. Tour paper gives (as far as a written account can) a cor- rect idea of that country ; but it is necessary for a stranger to see it himself, to get a full appreciation of its great natural resources. I must say, notwithstanding most vivid descrip- tions had been made to me respecting it, none of them had come up to my estimate of it after I had examined it, in the superficial manner I only could do, in the short time I was there. As an agricultural region 1 know of no part of the United States that can equal it, when an iin])TOved system of cultiva- tion shall be applied to it. As a stock growing country, it can have no superior, particularly for sheep and cattle, on account of its temperate and healthy climate, with the supera- bundance of good water from its thousands of mountain streams, springs, brooks and rich soil. 19 Time would not permit me to visit the coal fields in the vicinity of Knoxville, or the copper works at " Ducktown." Gentlemen from the North, residing at Knoxville, of the highest respectability, assured me that coal (samples of which I saw, and found it equal to any bituminous coal on the continent) is found near that place, in layers from five to seven feet thick, and about one mile from the line of the rail- road. Keliable parties at Knoxville told me the copper works at Ducktown were being developed to an extent which it is estimated will pay the shareholders one thousand dollars per day net profit when the works are completed. I found, apparently, an inexhaustible quantity of specular and hematite iron ore at what are called the " Caldwell Iron Mines," near the French Broad Kiver. The ore so nearly resembles the " Lake Superior iron ore," that if I had seen it at Marquette I should have said it came from the mines near that place. I should think it would yield from 60 to 70 per cent, metallic iron. I was informed by one of the steamboat captains, who has been navio-atino; the Tennessee and Holsten rivers for some years, that boats can be run from Knoxville to near your mine. If that is the case, the ore can be taken to Knoxville at a small cost, where " coke iron," as you remark, can be made at very low price. I visited the Embreeville iron property, near Jonesboro'. This I regard as one of the finest iron properties I ever saw. With the abundant water-power — the quantity of iron ore, and low price at which it can be laid down at the furnace — the vast quantity of wood for making charcoal — the lime- stone so near by for flux — the " fire sand-stone" for furnace hearths — the passably good fire clay close at hand — the abundance of all kinds of provisions and forage, produced in the immediate vicinity by the large population you mention, as shown by the census of 1860, and the low price of common labcr, there is no question but that " charcoal iron" of a very superior quality can be made at an exceedingly low price. I should say that your estimate of the cost, (to wit, $15 per 20 ton, delivered on the cars at Jonesboro',) is quite within the limit. I also visited the " Early Copper Mines," in Southwestern Yirginia. I think your account of them is a plain statement of the facts, as far as I can judge from what I saw on the ground. I have no doubt whatever that a most lucrative business can be done in smelting copper from the ores of these mines. I had not time to visit the " Ore Knob Mine," near " 8even Mile Ford Station ;" but from a conversation with a gentleman in Knoxville, who, I have no doubt, is thoroughly posted respecting it, I should say it is a valuable property. My idea respecting those mines is simply this : If the Lake Superior copper mines, where winter reigns six months in the year, and which yield only 2| to 3 per cent, cop- per, can \iQ2Jrofital)ly worked^ in ordinary times, by transporting all the sujpjplies from Ohio and Lower Michigan, what cannot be done with these mines, which yield from 10 to 20 per cent, copper, with nearly every thing that is required to work them produced in their immediate vicinity ? It seems to me there can be but one answer to this proposition. Yours very truly, C. A. Teowbeidge. LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 014 610 868 4 /