Chapter XX: Section I: Historical Sketch of the Mines

The rage for adventure, which the brilliant exploits of Cortez, Pizarro, 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, when 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 preconceived 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 Arkansas, and the river La Platte of the Missouri, were particularly mentioned; and from the evidence which is afforded by the discovery of ancient furnaces, &c., there is reason to conclude that those metals were wrought at a very early period. Judging from appearances, 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, 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 14th, A. D. 1712, granted to Anthony Crozat, Counsellor of State, Secretary of the Household, &c., the exclusive privilege of commerce of that district of country, now known as the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Illinois, and the Territories of Missouri and Arkansas, with the proprietary right of the mines and minerals he should discover in the country, reserving the fifth part of all bullion of gold and silver, and the one-tenth of the produce of all other mines. The exclusive privilege of commerce was granted for a term of fifteen years; but the right 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,) including all the 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 of "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 of Crozat. These letters patent 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 twenty-five 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 allieu_,) in lordship and injustice, 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 the twenty-five years for which the exclusive privilege of commerce was 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 flocked with avidity from all quarters to enrol themselves as members of the company, and partake of the promised wealth. If anything had been wanting to accelerate the pace of adventurers, or to fan the ardor 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. 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 splendor 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. Phillips, 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 mines of the Royal 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 themselves 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. Phillips, (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 by M. La Motte; an agent versed in the knowledge of minerals, whom he had brought over with him. In one of the earliest of these excursions La Motte discovered the lead-mines on the St. Francis, which bear his name; and, at a subsequent period, Renault made the discovery of those extensive mines north of Potosi, which continue to be called after him. 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 yet 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 thence chiefly shipped for France. That he also discovered copper, is probable, as a grant of land made to him at Old Peoria, on the Illinois river, embraces a copper-mine.

Renault's operations were, however, retarded and checked, from a quarter where it was least expected. By an edict of the king, made at Paris, 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 (_La Compagnie Royale des 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 shining 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 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. The country was ceded to Spain in 1762, and taken possession of in 1769.

After Renault's departure, little or nothing appears to have been done in the way of mining; and, even after the Spanish had taken 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 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 that of Mine a Burton, which takes its name from a person of the name of Burton, or Le Breton,[12] who, being out on a hunt in that quarter, found the ore lying on the surface of the ground. This man, who is 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 himself being unable to fix it. It has probably been known about forty years.

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.

In 1797, Moses Austin, Esq., performed a journey from the lead-mines in Wythe county, Virginia, to the Mine a Burton, in Louisiana, and obtained a grant of land 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 in 1798, previous to which time no furnace for smelting the ashes of lead 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, in 1799, erected a shot-tower, in which 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 Havana 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 neighborhood of the mines. These, from their more enlightened and enterprising spirit, were an acquisition to the mining interest; and as their earliest attention was directed to it, the lead business began to revive; and at the time the Territory was taken possession of by the United States, the mines were extensively and advantageously worked.[13] The Mine a Robino, Mine a Martin, and many others, were shortly afterwards discovered. Since the year 1804, the number of mines has been astonishingly multiplied; Shibboleth, New Diggings, Lebaum'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, measures were taken to ascertain their situation, the method of working them, &c. 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 cession 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 gulf of Mexico, including New Orleans, and extending up the Mississippi to 33 deg. 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 name of Arkansas.[14]

Respecting the 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 give 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 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 mineral district. In working the mines, in raising and smelting the ore, and in the establishment of the different manufactures dependent upon it, there is much to be done. Though the processes now pursued are greatly superior to those in use under the French and Spanish governments, there is still ample room for improvement. The earth has not yet been penetrated over eighty feet! We know not what may be found in the lower strata of the soil. There is reason to believe that the main bodies of ore have not yet been hit upon; that they lie deeper, and that we have thus far only been engaged upon the spurs and detached masses. There is also reason to believe that bodies of the ores of zinc exist in the district of the mines, and that copper will be afforded by the lower strata of earth. It is found overlaid by lead-ores in many of the European mines; and the geognostic character of the country leads us to conclude that it may also be found here.

The want of capitalists in the mine country, and of practical skill in the boring, blasting, sinking shafts and galleries, oppose obstacles to the successful progress of mining. There is but one regular hearth-furnace for smelting in the whole district; and that is on the modern plan of English furnaces. There are not over four or five regular shafts in about forty mines; there is not an engine, either by horse, steam, or water power, for removing water from the mines, several of which have been abandoned on this account, with rich prospects of ore in view. In fine, there is little of that system which characterizes the best-conducted European mines, and which, by an application of the most recent discoveries in mechanics, chemistry, and philosophy, render them the admiration of every intelligent visiter. Should the subject attract the attention of mining capitalists, the circumstance would form a new era in the history of the mining operations of this country. Something also remains to be done by the government; the existing laws are inadequate to the purposes for which they were enacted. That feature restricting leases to three years, is injudicious; the period is so short, that it deters those who are most able from engaging in it at all. It is desirable that such a system should be established as would indicate the annual produce of the mines, number of hands employed, and such other facts as are necessary in forming a series of statistical tables on the subject. The want of such data has hitherto prevented us from properly estimating the importance of the mines in a national point of view. The acquisition of a scientific knowledge of minerals should also be facilitated in this quarter. There should be a mineralogical school located in the country, where students might be instructed in that useful science. In a country so rich in minerals, and whose wealth will always so much depend upon a proper development of these resources, the knowledge of mineralogy should be laid open to every one, and should be within the reach of such as do not wish, or cannot get, the other branches of a liberal education. To obtain this knowledge now, a person would be compelled to travel to remote parts of the Union, and to incur an unreasonable expense. No one who is conversant with the advantages which Germany has derived from such a seminary, will deny the utility of a similar one in the United States.

Yet, with all the disadvantages under which the lead-mines have been viewed, there are many who may be surprised to find their annual products, from the best information, stated at three millions of pounds; and from this some idea may be formed of their riches and extent, and, when they come to be properly and regularly worked, how greatly they will contribute to the national wealth.[15]