The Enquirer

INTERESTING DISCOVERY IN VIRGINIA.

A copper Mine has been discovered on a spur of the Blue-Ridge about two miles from its base, & about 9 or 10 miles from Stanardsville in the county of Orange. It is nearly at the same distance from the South branch of the Rappahannock river.

This mine is situated on the lands of a Mr. Zachariah Taylor, of that county—a person not in the most affluent circumstances, to whom this discovery may prove a valuable acquisition.—On making this discovery known to the government of the United States, the late secretary at war, Gen. Dearborn, requested an intelligent gentleman of Orange to examine the premises and make a report upon the situation of the mine, and the richness and abundance of the ore. This Report has just been transmitted to the Department of War, accompanied by various specimens of the earth, the ore, and the virgin copper itself. It has not been decided what steps will be taken by the government of the U. S. in consequence of this Report.

It is discovered, that this mine is of considerable dimensions. From the point where it commences, it runs about 2/3 of a mile, North, and then forms almost a right angle, whence it runs about 1/2 a mile further—being in all about 1 1/2 miles long.—It is from 25 to 63 or 70 yards wide—and though it has been dug down to the depth of 10 feet, the earth at that point is as much impregnated with the metal as at its surface

The Soil, with which it is incorporated, is of a reddish and yellowish cast; interspersed with pieces of rock. Specimens of the virgin metal are found fixed in this rock, from which there are sometimes stricken very fine fragments of copper. We have now a very beautiful specimen of it in our possession. A mass nearly 2 lbs. in weight, has been sent to Peale's Museum for preservation.

We have seen some of the specimens of the ore and the earth, which have been lately sent to the War department. No. 1 was the virgin ore extracted from a small rock about 50 yards from the point where it was said that Mr. Grant, now a co proprietor of the mine, obtained the ore which he formerly exhibited in the City. No 2 was extracted from a different part of the rock.— No. 1. of the earth was taken from the bottom of a ditch about 9 feet below the surface. No. 2. about 5 feet below the surface—A great proportion of the rock, when broken to pieces, does not exhibit any signs of the verdigris, which encrusts a part of the specimen in our possession -nor any signs of the ore. These pieces of the rock from which the larger pieces of the copper were taken, preserve all the external appearance of common rock.

It is found, on exposing some of the earth, which exhibits not the least metallic appearance, to the heat of a common furnace, that the metal still separates from its earth & sinks to the bottom. From the size of the button thus obtained, the most favorable anticipations have been made by our informant of the quantity of pure copper with which the earth is impregnated. Nature too has done a great deal towards facilitating the process of extraction. The whole country around abounds in fine woods of chestnut—and the mine is not so far distant from the market as to enhance the price of the metal to any very great degree.

Such a discovery is of immense importance— not only to the private manufacturer of Brass ware —but to the government itself, in its foundry for the casting of cannon.—it is astonishing, that during the whole course of the last session of the Virginia Legislature, not a hint of this discovery was dropt—not a single step taken towards profiting by it—it is surely an object peculiarly worthy of the notice and patronage of the Legislature of Virginia. Enquirer.