Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/48

38 Cheſnut creek, a branch of the Great Kanhaway, near where it croſſes the Carolina line. What are called the iron banks on the Miſſiſippi, are believed, by a good judge, to have no iron in them. In general, from what is hitherto known of that country, it ſeems to want iron.

Conſiderable quantities of black lead are taken occaſionally for uſe from Winterham, in the county of Amelia. I am not able, however, to give a particular ſtate of the mine. There is no work eſtabliſhed at it; thoſe who want, going and procuring it for themſelves.

The country on James' River, from 15 to 20 miles above Richmond, and for ſeveral miles northward and ſouthward, is replete with mineral coal of a very excellent quality. Being in the hands of many proprietors, pitts have been opened, and, before the interruption of our commerce, were worked to an extent equal to the demand.

In the weſtern country coal is known to be in ſo many places, as to have induced an opinion, that the whole tract between the Laurel mountains, Miſſiſippi, and Ohio, yields coal. It is alſo known in many places on the north ſide of the Ohio.—The coal at Pittsburg is of very ſuperior quality. A bed of it at that place has been a-fire ſince the year 1765. Another coal hill on the pike-run of the Monongahela has been a-fire ten years; yet it has burnt away about twenty yards only.

I have known one inſtance of an emerald found in this country. Amethiſts have been frequent, and cryſtals common; yet not in ſuch numbers any of them as to be worth ſeeking.

There is very good marble, and in very great abundance, on James' River, at the mouth of