Lynchburg Virginian

RESOURCES OF VIRGINIA
A Few Facts.

The return of land assessments show a decided improvement in some counties, the number of manufactures of various kinds, and public improvements, is increasing. And, the next Census, we are persuaded, will exhibit a favorable increase in the population of Eastern Virginia.

We cannot concede that Virginia is on the decline. We are not satisfied with this slight improvement. We will only regard it as a beginning of a new era. We desire to see the tide of emigration from her borders finally stopped, and a tide of immigration into the State invited. We hope that Virginia will become a great manufacturing State, and we are satisfied that half the energy devoted to these subjects when she has unprofitably expended in the fields of political warfare would, in half a century, make her the first Commonwealth on the American Continent. There is no State which has such unrivalled resources of every kind. We will glance briefly at a few of those wonderful treasures with which the Creator's hand has stored her mountains and valleys, and which not only to be brought forth to make a crown of glory for the 'Old Dominion.

LEAD AND PLUMBAGO
The Lead of Virginia is abundant and of the finest quality. Plumbago has also been found in several places East of the Blue Ridge, part of which is of very superior character, and can be placed in market at small expense for export or home manufacture.

SALT.
Besides the immense Salt regions of Kanawha, there are in South-western Virginia, inexhaustible stores of this valuable mineral. The salt water found in Washington Co., is stronger than that of any other country: and when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad is completed, it can be placed in the Richmond market to compete with the best Liverpool. Fossil Salt, the largest, if not the only deposit of the kind discovered in the U. States, is found near the salt hills above noticed, and has been bored into at least 50 or 100 feet and without going through it.

PLASTER OF PARIS
Gypsum, or Plaster of Paris, of the purest kind, exists in great abundance in connection with the Fossil Salt and extending in immense quantities, almost forming mountains, for a distance of twenty or thirty miles.

IRON ORE.
There are many deposits of Iron Ore in Virginia, from which refined and hammered iron can be made, which will rival the best productions of Russia and Sweden. Besides the immense deposits in other parts of the State, we may add that almost every variety of iron ore and inexhaustible mines of Coal are found in South-western Virginia in close connexion with each other. It is believed that the Salt, Plaster, Coal and Iron, would alone justify the making of the South western Railroad, even if it could rely on no other articles.

PORCELAIN CLAY.
An intelligent gentleman of this city informs us that he has been promised a specimen for the World's Fair, of as fine Porcelain Clay as any in France, which is found near Farmville and in other sections of Virginia.

GRANITE.
The Granite of Richmond is equal in quality and beauty to any in the U. States.

SLATE.
The Slate on Staunton river is better than the Welsh, being harder, stronger and more free from earthy matter. The same degree of skill, however, has not yet been employed in its preparation as covering for houses, &c.

MARBLE AND SOAP STONE
These abound in many parts of the State, of good quality and in great variety. They may be found in any quantity in Buckingham, Amherst, Augusta, Rockbridge, Rockingham and other counties.

WATER LIME
Water Lime, or Cement, is found in the James River Canal, in Rockbridge County, of very superior quality, having been tested by experienced judges, and found to be decidedly superior to the best English, and other kinds from New York, New Jersey and other States, and can be afforded for less than half the price demanded for the best Northern article!

LIMESTONE. "FIRE STONE"- FIRE CLAY
In the same region, Limestone of the purest quality also abounds. There are also great quantities of "Fire Stone" and Fire Clay, on James River and near Richmond.

GOLD. COAL AND COPPER.
These may be found in abundance East of the Blue Ridge. Besides the coal of the East and the South-east, the Kanawha region possesses an inexhaustible supply. An enormous vein of Cannel Coal has been discovered within a year or two past in Kanawha. This is the most beautiful and valuable of all coal.

While upon the subject of the advantages of Virginia, we may refer to two facts of which we doubt whether her own citizens are generally aware. One is that

WOOL
Grown in Virginia, from the best improved sheep, is better in many cases than the finest Saxony, and rivals the best Australian production. It is believed that the climate of Virginia is superior to that of either of those countries for the production of the finest wool.

Another fact is the

CHEAPNESS OF MANUFACTURING LABOR
It has been found by a careful examination of the facts by one of our practical business men, that while labor for the manufacture of Wool and Cotton, which consists chiefly of women, boys and girls is at least one third cheaper in Virginia than in any place North of Baltimore.

We have extended this article too long, and must stop for the present. But do not these facts show that Virginia possesses the capabilities of becoming an empire within herself, and that she ought to be the first manufacturing, and the first commercial, as well as the first agricultural State in the Union?-Rich Republican.