Scenes and Adventures in the Semi-Alpine Region of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas Part 10

POTOSI, Feb. 15, 1819.

SIR: I had the honor, on the 9th instant, to address you on the subject of my journey into the region of the Ozarks. You will allow me again to trouble you on the subject of explorations.

Government has long been acquainted, by reports, with the existence of native copper on the Upper Mississippi, and the banks of lake Superior.

I believe the attempt was made about 1798, to have the localities explored. I know not what success attended that attempt. Probably the remoteness of the country, and the hostility of the Indian tribes, were unfavorable. But I am persuaded that the object is one of importance.

The mineralogy of those regions became the topic of early interest, even in the days of the French supremacy. Copper appears to characterize an extensive area. It is stated to break out in the immediate vicinity of St. Anthony's falls, and to continue through to the southern sh.o.r.es of lake Superior. In its exploration, other traits of the natural history of the country would be developed.

The establishment of a military post at St. Anthony's falls, renders the present a favorable time for exploring the region. Its features and resources are objects of deep interest; and it appears to be the policy of the government, in the disposition of its western and northern posts, to prepare the way for ascertaining these traits at the earliest period.

The position of the most advanced posts which are now in the process of location, is such as to afford great facilities for exploration. The hostilities of the Indians are repressed, and a survey of these parts of the public domain could now be effected with comparative safety, and at little expense.

Should you think the appointment of an agent for this purpose, to accompany some of the military movements, would be favorably received by the Secretary of War, may I indulge the hope that, in recommending it, you will remember me in the premises?

I am, with respect, your ob't serv't, HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

APPENDIX.

OBSERVATIONS

ON THE

MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, ANTIQUITIES,

AND

GEOGRAPHY OF THE WESTERN COUNTRY.

LIST OF PAPERS.

A. MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, AND MINES.

1. A VIEW OF THE LEAD-MINES OF MISSOURI.

2. A CATALOGUE OF THE MINERALS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.

3. MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE WESTERN COUNTRY. A LETTER TO GEN.

C. G. HAINES.

B. GEOGRAPHY.

1. MISSOURI.

2. HOT SPRINGS OF WAs.h.i.+TA.

3. MEMOIR OF WHITE RIVER.

4. LIST OF STEAMBOATS ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN 1819.

C. ANTIQUITIES AND INDIAN HISTORY.

1. ARTICLES OF CURIOUS WORKMANs.h.i.+P FOUND IN ANCIENT INDIAN GRAVES.

2. ANCIENT INDIAN CEMETERY FOUND IN THE MARAMEC VALLEY.

I. LEAD-MINES OF MISSOURI.

A MEMOIR ON THE GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY OF MISSOURI, DRAWN UP IN 1819.

PREFACE.

When we reflect on the history of our own country--its advance in arts, commerce, and agriculture, and the rapidity with which its population has increased, and its resources been developed--the mind is with difficulty brought to believe that all this has taken place within a comparatively short period. These developments are particularly striking in the region west of the Alleghany mountains. A new world has, as it were, been discovered in the Mississippi valley, which, under the strong impulse of emigration, has been transformed, as if by superhuman exertions. No sooner had its great fertility and productiveness become known, than a universal desire for correct information sprang up. Our first travellers in that region did little more, however, than glance at its most obvious and grand features; and with respect to some topics, such as its antiquities and natural history, these notices have had the effect rather to stimulate, than to gratify curiosity.

But, whatever information has been published respecting the country, its mineralogy and geology have remained wholly unnoticed. The mines of Missouri, especially, have failed to attract the consideration which they merit. To supply this deficiency, I have written the following memoir. It is the result of no ordinary degree of opportunity of observation upon the particular mines, and their geological position in the great metalliferous limestone formation west of the Mississippi.

Besides visiting the princ.i.p.al mines, and traversing the country thoroughly, to ascertain the character and value of its mineral resources and geological developments, I made an exploratory tour through the broad and elevated region of the Ozarks, lying west and south of this celebrated tract, extending into the Territory of Arkansas. If, therefore, I have failed to collect a body of facts sufficient to impress the reader with a sense of the extent, value, and importance of the country, and particularly of its mines and minerals, it can hardly be ascribed to a want of opportunity, or, indeed, of a.s.siduity in the study or arrangement of my facts.

The historical data here recorded, respecting Renault's operations, have never, I believe, appeared in print. They were elicited in the course of a legal investigation, inst.i.tuted between the heirs-at-law of Renault, the agent of Crozat, in 1723, and sundry individuals, who claimed the same grants on the authority of a date subsequent to the transfer of Louisiana to the United States.

The drawings I give of the lead-furnaces which are peculiar to that section of country, are from actual measurement, done under the eye of an operative smelter of approved skill at Potosi, and are conceived to be minutely correct.

HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 1819.

In republis.h.i.+ng this memoir, advantage has been taken of several judicious suggestions respecting it, made in a critical notice of it, by the able editor of the American Journal of Science, in the volume of that work for 1821.

H. R. S.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON, Jan. 20, 1853.

A VIEW OF THE LEAD-MINES OF MISSOURI.

SECTION I.