A view of the lead mines of Missouri : including some observations on the mineralogy, geology, geography, antiquities, soil, climate, population, and productions of Missouri and Arkansaw, and other sections of the western country : accompanied by three engravings

Front matter

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Preface

When we reflect upon the history of our own country, — the rapidity with which its natural resources have been developed, — its attainments in the arts of civilized life, in commerce, and in agriculture, — its increase in population, and the progress of its settlement, the mind is with difficulty brought to believe that scarcely two centuries have elapsed, since it was the unmolested seat of barbarity, and intellectual night. But whatever may have been our advances in civil refinement, mechanical, and polite arts, useful inventions, public works, agriculture, jurisprudence, naval architecture, the endowment of literary institutions, and other momentous objects, evincing a matured state of society, vet, in no respect is our national growth so apparent, as in the increased population, and the astonishing progress of the settlement of our country. A new world has recently been discovered within the bosom of our land, and the region west of the Alleghany Mountain, is already the seat of legislation, and the arts of civilized life. So rapid has been the emigration into that section of the Union, and so sudden its transformation from barbarism to refinement, that it seems rather the effect of magical power, than of human exertions, operating in the ordinary way. No sooner had the fertility of the soil in that region become known, and the advantages it presented to the industrious and the enterprising of all classes, than a universal desire for emigration was manifested, and information concerning it was sought after with the utmost avidity.

But the first travellers who passed down the valley of the Mississippi, did little more than glance at the varied and extensive country, bordering that stream. A general outline of its geographical features, — of its soil and climate, — of its extent and resources was, however, given, with many interesting particulars concerning its antiquities, and physical productions ; but the detail has been left as the subject of succeeding inquiry and remark. Much of the information published at an early day, being founded on an imperfect acquaintance with the country, has proved fallacious, other facts of moment have since been disclosed by the progress of settlement, and notwithstanding the appearance of several works of merit concerning that country, a wide field is still left tor observation and research, both to the man of business, and the man of science, and an increased desire is manifested for further information. The period has in fact already arrived, when men begin to seek for scientific and elementary information on the various subjects connected with the vegetable, animal, and mineral resources of that country, — with its soil and climate — its streams and mountains — its towns and settlements — its mines and minerals — its trees and plants — its antiquities and reliqua — its birds — fishes — insects — reptiles — animals, living and extinct — the fossils imbedded in the earth — the physical constitution of its rocks and soils, and the changes which they have undergone from heat, air, water, light, attrition, and other constantly operating and powerful causes — the temperature of the atmosphere — the. course of the winds — the diseases prevalent — its natural phenomenon, and other matters, equally concerning the learned, and the unlearned.

On some of these heads, we are already in the possession of much valuable information ; on many of them nothing has been written, and all present subjects for consideration, replete with the highest interest, and intimately connected with the wants, comforts, happiness, and security of ourselves and our posterity. The soil, climate, population, and agricultural advantages of the western country, have been the subject of frequent description, and several meritorious works have been published concerning it. Jefferson, Volney, Breckenridge, Darby, and Evans, have successively added to our stock of useful knowledge, and contributed largely to perfect and extend the sphere of our acquaintance with the moral, physical, and political condition of that country, particularly with regard to its topography, statistics, antiquities, and commercial resources. But its mineralogy remains almost wholly unuoticed, and we look in vain, either for a general outline of its mineralogical character, or a description of its mines. Travellers seem to have hastened with so eager a pace, in the exploration of its fertile fields and extensive prairies, and to have been so completely absorbed in the contemplation of its bold geographical outlines, and the interminable length of its rivers, that they have entirely overlooked the humble, but not less attractive minerals, by which it is so strongly characterized. The mines of Missouri, especially, have failed to attract the consideration which they merit.— Breckenridge has, indeed, given us some interesting details on the subject ; but the value of what he has written, is not uniform ; much of the information given, is vague or hypothetical, and upon the whole, he stops short of the desired point.

Schultz wrote nothing- of value on the subject. Austin's pamphlet was the most valuable document of its time, but being- written for a specific purpose, is not sufficiently diffuse in regard to the situation and extent of the mines, method of working, &c. Stoddart, too much inclined to credulity, did not always write from personal observation, and many of his conclusions are drawn from assumed premises. We are, therefore, still in want of a detailed account of the mines, the extent and quality of the ore, the character of the accompanying minerals, the methods of mining, the nature of the contiguous country, its character, value, population, and resources, its advantages for water-mills and manufactories, thp facilities it affords by its streams for internal navigation, with other facts necessary in estimating the collective value and importance of those mines. A want of information is also felt in regard to the physical history of the western country, particularly its minerals, fossils, geology, antiquities, &c. To supply this deficiency, I have written the following work, in which I have endeavoured to present a condensed body of facts in a small compass, and in a plain way, omitting the introduction of technical phraseology, in all instances where it was consistent with the utility or perspicuity of description.

What I have written on these subjects, is the result of personal observation, during a tour through the states and territories west of the Alleghany Mountains, performed in the years 1818 and 1819, including a year's residence in Missouri Territory. In passing down the valley of the Mississippi, I embraced every opportunity to acquire a knowledge of the mineralogical character of the country, and have been enabled to form a considerable collection of ores, spars, fossils, &c. illustrative of its physical geography, and natural resourses. A catalogue of these will be found in the ensuing pages. To acquire information on the subject of the mines, I visited them, and fixed my residence there. I have made a personal examination of every mine of consequence, with a view to ascertain its general character and value, and its peculiarities. I have travelled on foot over the whole mine country, exploring its minerals, its geological structure, its geographical position, soil, climate, productions, towns, streams, settlements, and whatever else appeared to me to be necessary to describe.

explain, and illustrate the subject before me. If, therefore, I have failed to collect a body of facts worthy public approbation, it can neither be attributed to a want of industry, or a want of opportunity.

The historical facts recorded respecting' Renault's operations, have never before appeared in print. They were elicited in the course of a legal investigation, recently instituted between the heirs at law of Renault and sundry individuals, who claimed the lands in xYTissouri and Illinois, granted to him, A, D. 1723, in consideration of his services. During these inquiries, many facts hitherto unknown respecting the early history of Louisiana, were brought to light ; and some new matter has been drawn from the obscurity of private life, both in France and America, which completely developes the views, and transactions of that day. Of this information, I have been presented with an opportunity to avail myself, through the friendship and politeness of those persons, in whose possession the original papers, documents, and certificates remain.

The drawings I give of the lead furnaces, are from actual measurement, done under the eye, and corrected by an operative builder of approved skill at Potosi, and are conceived to be minutely correct.

Henry R. .Schoolcraft.

New-York, 25th Nov. 1819,

PART FIRST. A View of the Lead Mines of Missouri

page

Sec. 1. Historical Sketch of the Mines, 9

Sec. 2. General Outline of the Mine Country, 26

Sec. 3. Of the different Mines, Ores, and accompanying Minerals, C4

Sec. 4. Method of working the Mines, 90

Sec. 5. Annual Produce, and number of Men employed, ..113 Sec. 6. On the uses of Lead, -. 131

Part Second

Observations on the Mineralogy, Geology, Geography, Sfc. of the Western Country.

page Art. 1. Geographical Outline of Missouri Territory, ... .151 Art. 2. A Catalogue of the Minerals of the Western

Country, 177

\rt. 3. Journal of a Voyage up the Mississippi River, ... .221

Art. 4. Topographical account of White River, 246

Art. 5. Miscellaneous Information, 258

SECTION I. Historical Sketch of the Jllines

The rage for adventures, which the brilliant exploits of Pizarro, Cortez, and other Spanish adventurers, had excited throughout Europe, continued for a long time to agitate the public mind ; and had not abated at the commencement of the eighteenth century, Avhen an idea of the mineral riches of Louisiana had become prevalent. Gold and silver were then the chief objects which engrossed attention ; and in search of them, the earliest discoverers were led to penetrate into the interior. The physical aspect of the country was in general such as to flatter the most sanguine expectations of mineral wealth ; and the further the country became known, the more interesting was found its mineralogical character. To men whose pre-conceived ideas of a country were already high, such appearances must have had the most inspiriting effect, and lightened the embarrassments they encountered in exploring a wilderness. Many of the useful metals were thus met with, and gold and silver mines were reported to have been discovered in several places. Red

River, the Arkansaw, and the river La Platte of the Missouri, were particularly mentioned; and from the evidence which is daily afforded by the discovery of ancient furnaces, &c. there is reason to conclude that those metals were wrought at a very early period, and that bodies of the ore still exist. Judging from what was found, they were ready to conclude the country exhaustless in mines ; and the most exaggerated accounts of them appear to have been transmitted to Europe, particularly to France, where a lively interest was felt in the prosperity of the infant colonies in Louisiana and Illinois; and in the descriptions published at that day, the lands are reputed to equal in fertility the banks of the Nile, and the mountains to vie with the wealth of Peru.

It was in this supposition of the immense wealth of Louisiana, both in the vegetable and mineral kingdoms, that the renowned Mississippi scheme originated, and which, from the imposing character it was made to assume under the guidance and direction of M. Law, drew upon it the eyes, not only of France, but of all Europe, and produced one of the most memorable disappointments recorded in the annals of commercial speculation.

Louis XIV, by letters patent, bearing date September 1 4th, A.D. 1712, granted to Anthony Crozat, Counsellor of State, Secretary of the Household, &c. the exclusive privilege of commerce of thai district of country, now known as the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Illinois, and the Territories of Missouri and Arkansaw.

with the propriety of the mines and minerals he should discover in the country, reserving the fifth part of all bullion of gold and silver, and the onetenth of the produce of all other mines. The exclusive privilege of commerce was granted for a term of fifteen years; but the propriety of the mines was conveyed in perpetuity to him and his heirs, on the condition that such mines and minerals should revert back to the crown of France, whenever the working of them was discontinued for three years together. The bounds of Louisiana, as granted to Crozat, are described in these words: — " Bounded by New Mexico, (on the west,) and by the lands of the English of Carolina, (on the east,) includingallthe establishments, ports, havens, rivers, and principally the port and haven of the Isle of Dauphine, heretofore called Massaere ; the river of St. Louis, heretofore called Mississippi, from the edge of the sea as far as the Illinois, together with the river of St. Philip, heretofore called Ouabache, (Wabash,) with all the countries, territories, lakes within land, and the rivers which fall directly or indirectly into that part of the river of St. Louis."

In the month of August, A. D. 1717, M. Crozat solicited permission to retrocede to the crown his privilege of the exclusive commerce and the mines of Louisiana, which was granted by an arret of the Council of State, during the minority of Louis XV. In the same month, letters patent were granted by the Council of the Regency to an association of individuals at Paris, under the name ef The Company of the West, by which they were invested with the exclusive privilege of the commerce of Louisiana, and the working of the mines, to the same extent as it was enjoyed under the grant ofCrozat. These letterspatent were dated on the 23d of August, A. D. 1717, registered 6th September, of the same year, and were to be in force on the 1st of January, 1718, and to continue for a period of 25 years. By them, not only such grants and privileges were conveyed as had previously been enjoyed by Crozat, but they were invested with additional powers, rights, and privileges. The territory was granted in free allodium, (en franc allien^) in lordship and in justice, the crown reserving; to itself no other rights or duties but those of fealty and liege homage, which the Company was required to pay to the King, and to his successors at each mutation of kings, with a crown of gold of the weight of thirty marks. The boundaries were the same as described in the grant to Crozat, and the mines and mining grounds, opened or discovered during the term of its privilege, were declared to belong to the Company incommutably, without being holden to pay any rents or proceeds whatever. The Company was also invested with the right to sell and alienate the lands of its concession, at whatever price or rents they might fix, and even to grant them en franc allieu, without reserving the rights of justice or lordship. It was also provided that if, after the expiration of 25 years, for which the exclusive privilege of commerce Avas granted, the King should not see proper to continue the privilege by a new grant, all the lands and islands, mines,and mining grounds, which

The Company of" the West should have inhabited, worked, improved, or disposed of on rent, or any valuable consideration whatever, should remain to it for ever in fee simple, to use and dispose of as a proper inheritance, on the simple condition, that the Company should never sell such lands to any other than the subjects of France.

A Company, incorporated with such ample rights and privileges, did not fail to draw upon it the attention of the speculative, or to enlist the aid of the enterprising capitalists of the French metropolis. The country of the Illinois was reputed rich beyond comparison : the financial estimates submitted to the view of the public, offered prospects of unusual gain, and capitalists tlocked with avidity from all quarters, to enrol themselves as members of the Company, and partake of the promised wealth. If any thing had been wanting to accelerate the pace of adventurers, or to fan the ardour of hope, it was the genius, the financial abilities, and the commanding influence of M. Law, who was placed at the head of the Company, and was the moving power in every transaction. Men have been nearly alike in all ages. The Grecians are characterized for manly integrity and submission to the laws ; the Romans are renowned for for their bravery in war and their refinements in the arts of civilized life ; the English for their acquirements in science and literature ; the Americans for the equality of their laws : but in matters of interest, they are all alike, and when money is the object of pursuit, we forget every local distinction of language and country, in the similarity of sentiment which actuates them, their hopes of success, ami the uniform means which are taken to acquire a similar object. Nor do men always, when a scheme of sudden wealth or aggrandizement is presented, duly consider the chances of success, in opposition to the probabilities of a failure. Hence it is no subject for surprise, that the most extravagant anticipations were entertained by the members of The Company of the West, or that the unusual splendour of the Mississippi scheme was only equalled by the signal disappointment in which it eventuated.

In the year after The Company of the West had been instituted by the royal patent of the King, they formed an establishment in the country of the Illinois at Fort Chartres ; and in order to promote the objects of their institution, and to encourage the settlement of the country, held out the most liberal inducements to French emigrants, and made them donations of all lands which they should cultivate or improve. Miners and mechanics were also encouraged to emigrate, and the city of New- Orleans, which had been founded during the last year of the authority of Crozat, (1717,) received a considerable accession to its population in the fall of the same year, and settlements began to extend along the banks of the Mississippi, and in the country of the Illinois. Among the number of adventurers to Illinois, was Philip Francis Renault, (the son of Philip Renault, a noted iron-founder at Consobre, near to Mauberge, in France,) who came over as the agent of the Company of St. Philips, an association of individuals which had been formed under the patronage of the western company, for prosecuting the mining business in the upper country of Louisiana and Illinois. It appears also that he was a member of the Company of the West, and he is spoken of as Director General of the JMines of the Royal India Company in Illinois ; a name by which not only the present state of Illinois, but a vast district of the adjoining country, appears then to have been known.

Renault left France in the year 1719, with two hundred artificers and miners, provided with tools, and whatever else was necessary for carrying the objects of the company into effect. In his passage he touched at the Island of St. Domingo, and purchased five hundred slaves for working the mines; and entering the Mississippi pursued his voyage up that river to New Orleans, which he reached some time in the year 1720, and soon afterwards proceeded on his way to Kaskaskia, in Illinois. Kaskaskia was then inhabited solely by the French, and was one of the earliest posts occupied by them when they began to extend their posts from Canada along the great western Lakes, and down the Ohio and Mississippi. Renault established himself in the vicinity of this town, near Fort Chartres, at a spot which he named St. Phi! lips, (now called the Little Village?) and from this sent out his mining and exploring parties into various sections of Illinois and Louisiana. These parties were either headed by himself, or M. La Motte, an agent versed in the knowledge of minerals, whom he had brought over with him. In «ne of the earliest of these excursions La Motto

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discovered the lead mines on St. Francis, which bear his name ; and at a subsequent period Renault made a discovery of those extensive mines north of Potosi, which continue to be called after the discoverer. Other mines of lead were also found, but their distinctive appellations have not survived; and a proof of the diligence with which Renault prosecuted the object, is furnished by the number and extent of the old diggings which are now found in various parts of the country. These diggings are scattered over the whole mine country, and hardly a season passes, in which some antique works, overgrown with brush and trees, are not found.

Renault being probably disappointed in the high expectations he had formed of finding gold and silver, turned his whole force towards the smelting of lead, and there is reason to conclude, that very great quantities were made. It was conveyed from the interior on pack-horses, (the only mode of transportation which was practicable at that early period.) The lead made by Renault was sent to New Orleans, and from thence chiefly shipped for France. That he also discovered copper is beyond a doubt, and a grant of land made to him at Old Piora, on the Illinois river, embraces a Coppermine.

Renault's operations were, however, retarded and checked, from a quarter were it was least expected. By an edict of the king, made at ParU in May, 1719, the Company of the West was united to the East India and Chinese company, under the title of the Company Royal of the Indies ; (Lo,

Compagnie Royalc dcs Indies.) And in 1731, the whole territory was retroceded to the crown of France, the objects of the company having totally failed ; and Renault was left in America, without the means of prosecuting the mining business. His exertions in behalf of the company were not, however, overlooked by the government, and four several grants of land were made to him in consideration of his services. These grants bear date June 14th, A. D. 1723, and cover the Mine La Motte, and some other very valuable tracts, which, after having laid dormant for a period of about sixty years, have recently been claimed by the representatives of his heirs at law.

Renault, however, remained in Illinois several years after the explosion of the Mississippi scheme, and did not return to his native country until A. D. 1742. With him the greater part of his workmen returned; the slaves were sold, and the mining business fell into neglect. Here is a period to the first attempt at mining in Louisiana.

After Renault's departure, little or nothing appears to have been done in the way of mining, and even after the Spanish had acquired possession of the country*, the lead mines were but little attended to. The force which Renault had with him was sufficient to protect him from the attacks of the savages ; but after his departure, the settlements on the Mississippi, feeble in themselves, could not furnish protection to such as might be

* Louisiana was ceded to Spain by Fiance A. D. 1762, and taken posses lion of by Spain, 1769.

disposed to work at the mines. The Spanish, however, in a few years after taking possession of the country, did something, and in process of time new discoveries were made, and the mining business began to assume a more respectable character. The principal discovery made under the Spanish authority was, Mine a Burton, which takes its name from a person of the name of Burton*, who being out on a hunt in that quarter, found the ore lying on the surface of the ground. This man. who is now still living in the vicinity of St. Genevieve, at the advanced age of one hundred and nine years, had been employed while a youth under Renault. The period of this discovery it would be very difficult now to ascertain, Burton

* The following sketch of the life of Burton is given by Colonel Thomas II. Benton, of St. Louis. "He is a Frenchman, from the north of Fiance. In the forepart of the last century, he served in the low countries under the orders of Marschal Saxe. He was at Fontenoy when the duke of Cumberland was beat there by that Marschal. He was at the seigc of Bergen-op-Zoo7n, and assisted in the assault of that place when it was assailed by a division of Marschal Saxe's army, under the command of Count Lowendahl. He has also seen service upon the continent. He was at the building of Fort Chart] es on the American bottom, afterwards went to Fort Du Quesne. (now Pittsburgh) and was present at Braddock's defeat. From the life of a soldier, Burton passed to that of a hunter, and in this character, about half a century ago, while pursuing a bear to the west of the Mississippi, he discovered the rich lead mines which have borne his name ever since. His present age cannot be ascertained. He was certainly an old soldier at Fort Chartrcs, when some of the people of the present day were little children at that place. The most moderate computation will make him an hundred and six. He now lives in the family of Mr. Micheaux at the little rock ferry, three miles above St. Genevieve, and walks to that village almost every Sunday to attend mass. He is what we call a square built nnn, of five feel eight inches high, full chest and forehead ; his sense of seeing and hearing somewhat impaired, but free from disease, and appaiently able to hold out against time for many years to come. 1 ' [St. Loxiis Enquirer, October 16, 1818.]

himself being unable to fix it. It has been knowii about forty years. ( 1 8 1 9.)

The processes of mining pursued under the Spanish government, appear to have been very rude and imperfect, not more than fifty per cent, of lead being got from the ore. The common Open Log Furnace was the only one employed, and the lead-ashes were thrown by as useless. Neither was shot, or any other manufacture of it, attempted by native Spaniards.

In A. D. 1797, Moses Austin, Esq. performed a journey from the lead mines in Weythe County, Virginia, to the Mine a Burton, in Louisiana, and obtained a grant of land of one league square, from the Spanish authorities, in consideration of erecting a reverberatory furnace, and other works, for prosecuting the mining business at those mines. This he commenced A. D. 1798, and previous to that time no furnace for smelting the ashes of lead, made in the Log Furnace, had been erected. Mr. Austin sunk the first regular shaft for raising the ore, and introduced some other improvements which were found beneficial.

He also, A. D. 1799, erected a shot tower, under the superintendance of Mr. Elias Bates, and patent shot of an approved quality were made. A manufactory of sheet lead was completed during the same year, and the Spanish arsenals at New- Orleans, and Havanna. drew a considerable part of the supplies for their navy from this source.

About this time a few other American families crossed over into Louisiana territory, and settled in the neighbourhood of the mines. These, from their more enlightened views, and enterprising spirit, were certainly an acquisition to the mining interest, and as their earliest attention was directed to this, the lead business began to revive ; and at the time the territory was taken possession of by the United States, were pretty extensively and advantageously worked*. The Mine a Robino, Mine a Martin, and many others were shortly afterwards discovered; and since the year 1804, the number of mines has been astonishingly multiplied; Shibboleth, JVeiv Diggings, Lcbaum's, and Bryan's mines, are among the latest discoveries of consequence.

The lead mines did not fail to attract the earliest attention of the American government, and immediately after the occupation of the territory by General Wilkinson, measures were taken to ascertain the situation and extent of the mines; the method of working them; with their annual produce, and such other information as was necessary in forming an idea of their importance. Several laws have since been enacted on the subject, and a reservation made of all discoveries upon public lands.

The emigration to Louisiana, which had partially commenced under the Spanish government, took a more decided character after the

* The following is a list of the principal mines worked under the Spanish overnment:

Mines. Si I nation.

Mine La Motte, ... Head of St. Francis River.

Mine a Joe, on Flat, River.

Mine a Burton, ... on a branch of Mineral Fork.

Old Miner, .... do. do.

Renault's Mines, ... on Mineral Fork, or Fouche Arno.

Session of the country to the United States ; but has been particularly great within the last few years.

In 1812 that part of Louisiana bordering on the Gulph of Mexico, including New-Orleans, and extending up the Mississippi to the 33° of north latitude, was erected into a state under the name of Louisiana, and the remainder formed into a Territorial Government by the name of Missouri. There is a petition now before Congress (Feb. 1819) for the admission of Missouri into the Union on a footing with the original states. By this petition it is contemplated that White River will form the southern boundary, and the country between that and the northern line of Louisiana, including our claims on the Spanish, will be erected into a Territorial Government under the the name of Arkansaw*.

Respecting die present state of the lead mines, it is only necessary here to add, that they are worked in a more improved manner than at any former period; that they are more extensive than when the country came into the hands of the United States, and of course giving employment to a greater number of miners, while every season is adding to the number of mines; and that the ores may be considered of the richest kind. Every day is developing to us the vast resources of this country in minerals, and particularly in lead ; and we cannot resist the belief that in riches and extent, the mines of Missouri are paralleled by no other