Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/84

76 On another branch of the Marameg, are what are called the American mines,discovered by a number of Americans, who commenced a settlement near them. The appearance of the ore was very promising; but their title to the land has been contested by a number of Frenchmen, who have taken it from them, and have since made little progress in working the mineral.

La Plate mine is on a branch of the river known by that name, which was also discovered by some Americans. A large quantity of rich ore has been found near the surface, and appearances indicate a great extent of the mineral. Little, however, has yet been done in working of it.

At a few miles distant from La Plate, is Joe's mine. The ore is found in large bodies of several hundred pounds weight, and very pure and solid, but has not been much worked. At a small distance from this is Lany's mine, but the mineral is of little estimation. Several other mines have been discovered on the head waters of the Marameg, more than one hundred miles above Barton's of which very little is yet known. La Motte's mine is on the waters of the St. Francis, about thirty miles S. W. from St. Genevieve. It was discovered and began to be worked about the year 1723. The mineral is very solid, disposed in regular veins of three or four feet in thickness. Five of these veins have been opened, and a part of them worked. They are found about four or five feet below the surface