IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 1.1 
 
 ^1^ US 
 
 us 
 
 Ui 
 
 !_ ., 
 
 |l.25 II Li lA 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 6" 
 
 ► 
 
 
 ^>. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 ^y 
 
 '/ 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WeST MAIN STRUT 
 
 WIBSTIR.N.Y. 14SS0 
 
 (716) 873-4503 
 
CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICIVIH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best 
 original copy available for filming. Features of this 
 copy which may be bibliographically unique, 
 which may alter any of the images in the 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 the usual method of filming, are checked below. 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a iti possible de se procurer. Les details 
 de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-itre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage 
 sont indiquis ci-dessous. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 I I Covers damaged/ 
 
 Couverture endommagie 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaurie et/ou pelliculAe 
 
 □ Cover title missing/ 
 Le 
 
 titre de couverture manque 
 
 [~~| Coloured maps/ 
 
 D 
 
 Cartes gdkographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 r~n Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Reil* avec d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La re liure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distorsion !• long do la marge intirieur* 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutAes 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas M film^es. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentairas supplAmentaires; 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 □ Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommagies 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restauries et/ou pelliculies 
 
 r~>^Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 LklJ Pages d^color^es, tachet^es ou piquees 
 
 □ Pages detached/ 
 Pages d^tachees 
 
 r~~>^howthrough/ 
 IJ^ Transparence 
 
 □ Quality of print varies/ 
 Qualiti inigale de I'impression 
 
 □ Includes supplementary material/ 
 Comprend du matiriel supplAmentaire 
 
 □ Only edition available/ 
 Seule Edition disponible 
 
 D 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible image/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partiellement 
 obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, 
 etc., ont it6 filmies A nouveau de fa^on i 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 
 
 10X 
 
 
 
 
 14X 
 
 
 
 
 18X 
 
 
 
 
 22J. 
 
 
 
 
 26X 
 
 
 
 
 30X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 24X 
 
 28X 
 
 32X 
 
The copy filmed here hes been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Metropolitan Toronto Library 
 Canadian History Department 
 
 L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grAce i la 
 gAnirositA de: 
 
 Metropolitan Toronto Library 
 Canadian History Department 
 
 The Images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and In keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduces evec le 
 plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at 
 de la netteti de rexemplaire fiimt, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 fllmage. 
 
 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 Les exemplaires otiginsux dont la couverture en 
 papier est ImprimAe sont film6s en commenpant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant solt par la 
 dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration, solt par le second 
 plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la 
 premiere page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par 
 la dernlAre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol — ^- (meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la 
 derniire image de cheque mi',:rofiche. selon le 
 cas: le symbols -^ signifie "A SUiVRE". le 
 symbols V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames es 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre 
 filmis d des taux de r6duction diff6rents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 6tre 
 reproduit en un seul clich6, 11 est film6 d partir 
 de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre 
 d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustreht la mdthode. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
y 
 
 J 
 
x'^' 
 X 
 
 
 REPORT 
 
 'c-o^ 
 
 / 
 
 or 
 
 THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTORS 
 
 OF THB 
 
 LAKE HURON 
 
 SILVER AT^D COPPER MININ& 
 
 COMPANY. 
 
 MONTREAL: 
 
 PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE MONTREAL PILOT. 
 
 1848. 
 
 v< 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 
 » 1 « 
 
 '¥!-gMt.«Mli u l<! t l * l Mte# l»H jfc ' y B 
 
hi 
 
 r 
 
 ^'O'^'^O'^-o 
 
 r 
 
 JUN 18 1955 
 
 iivniiliii^'^Ki'i'""-' 
 
REPORT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 iPiEii^Ein)^^"!' ATiW) mimM^T©:^.^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 
 SILYERAND COPPER COMPANY. 
 
 The Lake Huron Silver and Copper Company, as- 
 sociated in the early part of last year, was formally 
 esta))lished by an Act of the Provincial Parliament, 
 passed during its session in the same ye;tr. By this 
 Act a very favourable charter has been jr anted to the 
 Company, the importance of which is sufficiently ob- 
 vious ; a copy of this charter is hereto appended. 
 
 At the request, and to meet the wishes of the New 
 York portion of the proprietors, the services of Pro- 
 fessor Forrest Shepherd were engaged last summer for 
 the purpose of having a general examination and re- 
 port made by him upon as much of the mineral tract 
 belonging to the Company as the time which he could 
 thus devote would enable him to make. 
 
 Mr. Richard Kernick, a practical Cornish miner, 
 professing extensive experience in the various branches 
 of mining and smelting, &c., who is well and favoura- 
 bly known among the American mining interests, was 
 also engaged for the same purpose, but independent of 
 Mr. Shepherd. The Directors beg to draw attention 
 
' i 
 
 to the several reports of these gentlemen hereunto 
 affixed. 
 
 The Company was based upon extensive and highly 
 promising mineral tracts, comprehending three loca- 
 tions, all of them situate on the shores of, or immedi- 
 ately contiguous to. Lake Huron, viz.: — 1st. The 
 Spanish River Location lies a few miles east of the 
 river of that name ; it contains an area of 6,400 acres, 
 and adjoins a location belonging to the Canada Mining 
 Company, and upon which a party has been employed 
 during the past season in sinking a shaft upon a highly 
 promising vein. 2ndly. The Hincks Locition also 
 comprises an area of 6400 acres. The value and im- 
 portance originally attached to this location is daily 
 becoming greater, and is further established by the 
 very many and favourable indications which the ex- 
 plorations made of it during the past summer by 
 Messrs. Forrest Shepherd and Richard Kernick have 
 developed, and which are fully set forth in the several 
 reports of these gentlemen. Its peculiar position, ad- 
 joining to the Keating Location, and lying in the direc- 
 tion of these great veins, a portion of which constitute 
 the justly celebrated and valuable " Bruce Mine/' 
 contributes also largely to support the expectations 
 which have been formed of it. 
 
 At the time of the formation of the Lake Huron 
 Silver and Copper Company, " the Bruce Mine" was 
 considered and stated by its proprietors to be situate 
 on the Keating Location, but subsequently it was 
 found to be within the limits of theCuthbertson Loca- 
 tion. 
 
 The Directors have much gratification in being able 
 to state, that by the practical examination of the Cop- 
 per Bay Company*s Agents, these veins have been 
 traced up to the limits of that Company, and ; as will 
 be seen by the reports of Messrs. Shepherd and Ker- 
 
ereunto 
 
 1 highly 
 ;e loca- 
 immedi- 
 st. The 
 : of the 
 )0 acres. 
 Mining 
 Tiployed 
 a highly 
 on also 
 and im- 
 L is daily 
 by the 
 the ex- 
 nmer by 
 ick have 
 ? several 
 ition, ad- 
 he direc- 
 lonstitute 
 e Miner 
 ectations 
 
 3 Huron 
 iiie" was 
 e situate 
 f it was 
 on Loca- 
 
 eing able 
 the Cop- 
 ive been 
 ; as will 
 and Ker- 
 
 5 
 
 nick, the explorations and trials of these gentlemen 
 have not only all but proved the further continuance 
 of these veins across the Hincks Location, but have 
 also established the existence on it of several other 
 highly promising lodes or veins. 
 
 3rd. The location north of Echo Lake. This loca- 
 tion, two and a half miles in length from west to east, 
 by an average breadth of two miles from north to south, 
 containing 3,200 acres, is situate towards the western 
 end of Echo Lake. 
 
 The geological structure and general mineralogical 
 character of this location, taken in connection with 
 the indications and existence of copper upon it, which 
 the explorations of Messrs. Shepherd and Kernick have 
 justly established, together with the other circum- 
 stances set forth in the reports of these gentlemen, lead 
 the Directors to hope that this will ultimately prove 
 to be a valuable location. 
 
 As a general meeting of the Stockholders will be 
 shortly held, for the purpose of examining into the 
 affairs of the Company, and as the Directors will then 
 have an opportunity of submitting in detail all matters 
 connected therewith, it is unnecessary on the present 
 occasion to enter further upon these details. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 A. SIMPSON, 
 
 President. 
 
 WM. HINCKS, 
 Secretary* 
 
& 
 
 H 
 
REPORT OF RICHARD KERNICK 
 
 ON Tiin 
 
 IIINCKS LOCATION. 
 
 TO THE TRUSTEP:S OF THE LAKE HURON SILVER AND 
 COPPER MINING COMPANi^. 
 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 III submitting to you my Report of the results of 
 my examinations of the Hincks location, and tlie location on 
 the north side of Ecwo Lake, I have to beg your indulgence 
 for its imperfections, as it is prepafod amidst many inconve- 
 niences, in the midst of the woods, and without the means of 
 my having access to any scienfitic work for reference or in- 
 formation. The dilliculties were many which 1 liave had to 
 contend with in my examinations, arising from the extent of 
 ground to be explored, without properly defined boundary 
 lines, in an entirely new country, the dense forests of which 
 render it almost impossible to see farther than you can put 
 your foot upon, and these greatly increased by the tortures 
 and fever caused by the countless multitudes of black flies 
 with which the woods have swarmed this season in an unu- 
 sual degree. It has been my constant endeavour throughout 
 these examinations to observe the most careful scrutiny, and 
 to spare no efffu't that was consistent with a faithful attain- 
 ment of the great object which 1 was instructed to accom- 
 plish. And I trust that when the extent of territory to be 
 explored, and the necessarily minute character of the explo- 
 ration are borne in mind, it will be admitted that my en- 
 deavours have not been wanting. It is not necessary for me 
 to enter into a minute description of the geological formations 
 of this district, as that im[)ortant subject is placed by the 
 Colonial Government of Canada in the hands of a gentleman 
 distinguished for his abilities in the science of geology, and 
 whose opportunities of examining the entire district along 
 Lakes Huron and Superior, will furnish him with facts more 
 reliable than any I could derive from the examination of 
 
8 
 
 detached districts, and those comparatively small. I will 
 proceed, therefore, simply to describe the results of my ex* 
 amination. 
 
 The Hincks location is situate on the borders of Lake 
 Huron, bounded on the east side by the Keating's or Copper 
 Bay location, running north five miles from the Lake shore. 
 Commencing at the N. E. corner appear strata of limestone, 
 conglomerate, and quartz rock, running in a northwesterly 
 direction, and lying on the Trap range, which is the true 
 metalliferous stratum of the country, and in which the veins 
 from the Cuthbertson location must necessarily run, and of 
 the value of which there cannot be a shadow of a doubt. In 
 the examination ot these ranges of hills, particular attention 
 should be paid ; and for a thorough examination, it would 
 require n^ >re time than I could possibly devote to it; but, 
 with the partial exploration made, the discoveries are : — 
 
 1st. — At a point, say two and a half miles, from the 
 shore, and half a mile from the east line, in the side of a 
 hill, and about three hundred feet from its base, a vein 
 vein of quartz is exposed to view about 3 feet wide, and car- 
 rying some little portion of yellow copper pyrites. A little 
 west of this point is a very promising side vein, bearing cop- 
 per, about 1 foot wide, falling in with it ; and taking into 
 consideration that the rock is the true metalliferous stratum 
 of the district — that copper is interspersed in the rock sur- 
 rounding the vein — that this side vein bears very rich spot? 
 of pyritous copper — that the quartz of which the vein is com- 
 posed principally is the true gangue of the copper — bearing 
 veins of this district ; — all these facts would induce me to 
 believe that it is well worthy of some trial in mining, and 
 might probably be of great importance ; by sinking on it a 
 few feet would prove if it would improve in descending, and 
 if so, it would establish the fact of the copper having a down- 
 ward tendency, and consequently the probability ot its being 
 a lasting workable vein. 
 
 2nd. — North from this before named point, say |ths of a 
 mile, in a dyke of trap, are three veins of quartz within the 
 space of about 40 feet, each of those veins ranging from 1 
 to 2 feet wide, and of a truly metalliferous character ; but at 
 this point showing no copper ; yet I should think the Com- 
 pany would do well to open them for the purpose of testing 
 them. 
 
 3rd. — ^Nearly due east from No. 2 point, and nearly the 
 east line of the location in a small stream is another vein of 
 quartz, a little more aluminous than either of the other veins 
 
I. I will 
 of my er- 
 
 of Lake 
 or Copper 
 ike shore. 
 
 ime stone, 
 
 hwesterly 
 
 the true 
 
 the veins 
 un, and of 
 loubt. In 
 r attention 
 1, it would 
 to it; but, 
 are : — 
 
 from the 
 
 side of a 
 e, a vein 
 3, and car- 
 I. A little 
 >aring cop- 
 aking into 
 us stratum 
 3 rock sur- 
 
 rich spots 
 ein iscom- 
 r — bearing 
 uce me to 
 mining, and 
 Aug on it a 
 mding, and 
 ng a down- 
 ot its being 
 
 y f ths of a 
 within the 
 ring from 1 
 ter ; but at 
 : the Com- 
 3 of testing 
 
 nearly the 
 her vein of 
 other veins 
 
 before named, but yet no appearance of copper could be 
 detected. 
 
 All these veins should be cautiously and carefully tested 
 by mining ; but no considerable outlay should be made with- 
 out improvement was perceptible in the veins as you de- 
 scended ; and if such improvement should take place, it 
 would clearly define your line of future operations. I recom- 
 r^end this because many a true and valuable vein which, at 
 the surface, was composed of the proper metalliferous gangue 
 as these appear to have been, have, in descending, become 
 immensely valuable. 
 
 4th. — Near the east line of the location, and say 3^ miles 
 from the Lake, appears a junction of quartzose rock and the 
 trap formation. At this point a number of veins, varying from 
 2 feet wide to 6 inches, cover a space of at least 20 feet ; 
 and along the whole of this surface the pyritous copper 
 appears in rich abundance, and amply justifying any recom- 
 mendation I might give fur future mining operations, promis- 
 ing abundant success. Break it at whatever point, and I found 
 it would yield similar specimens to those which accompany. 
 At the foot of the rock lie masses of veinstone of considerable 
 sizes, rich in copper. 
 
 While I would be extremely cautious in my recommenda- 
 tions, it would not become me to conceal the impression 
 which rested on my mind previous to my examination of this 
 property, and which opinion is now fully confirmed, that 
 Keating's vein on the Bruce Mines should cross this location 
 near this point, and that this is a continuation of the same 
 vein. If so, what the value of this vein is cannot be fiilly 
 imagined ; and there is no longer uncertainty or speculation 
 in the mining of it, but a return of profit that will be yielded 
 and increased in proportion as any given number of miners 
 may be properly emoloyed. If it is not Keating's vein, yet 
 still such are the indications on the surface — such the value 
 of the stuff broken out of the vein — such the probabilities of 
 its being very productive at the junction of the strata, that 
 any intelligent miner seeing it, would pronounce that here 
 was a field for mining investment, and a certainty of return 
 suflicient to satisfy any reasonable expectations or wishes. 
 
 5th. — Going west from this point, I again found large 
 masses of vein stone bearing copper, and in all probability 
 in the direction of the last named discovery. The vein is 
 aboul 3 feet wide, intersected by another about 1 foot wide. 
 In addition to the yellow copper is the carbonate of copper, 
 and showing every indication of being exceedingly valuable : 
 this probably is a continuance of the large vein. 
 
( 
 
 i 
 
 10 
 
 Taking into considoration tlio appearances of the veins, 
 n-.ul tiie direction of the true metalliterous deposits of thedis- 
 trict, I cannot hesitate in recommending thia as the line for 
 future mining operations in preference to any other on this 
 property that has yet come under my notice. 
 
 With respect to the mode of egress and ingress to and from 
 the Lake, the north-west side of the h)cafion is bounded by 
 a large Lake about 4 miles long and :| of a mile wide, which 
 empties itself into Portlock harbour, thus affording great 
 facilities for the transporting necessary supplies and the 
 mineral by water carriage, with a short distance by road on 
 a very level and lirm piece of land. 
 
 The streams of water are few, and but small, yet suffi- 
 ciently large for washing and separating the ores that may be 
 raised i)y mining. 
 
 Some parts of the land are covered by largo pine and 
 birch trees, and are well adapted for farming purposes, thus 
 giving the opportunity to the Company of raising those vege- 
 ttibles, Ace, which might be necessary for supplying the 
 laborers, instead of bringing these tilings from a distance, and 
 incurring all the disadvantages connected with their trans- 
 portation. 
 
 The method proposed for working the veins numbered 4 
 and 5 should be commenced by sinking a shaft on the vein 
 No. 4, and at the same time opening for a short distance from 
 north to south, so as to ascertain the proper direction of the 
 metalliferous deposite ; this opening to be merely on the 
 surface of the rock, — the shaft to be continiieddown for about 
 15 fathoms, or as far as the free ciicuhition of air will per- 
 mit, — then drifting on the course of the vein, and by sinking 
 a second shaft, say about 40 to 50 fathoms distant from the 
 first, and drifting towards it, so as to meet and mike a com- 
 munication with the first shaft. By this means a free circu- 
 lation of air will bo produced that wid enable you to resume 
 the sinking yoiu* shafts and extend your drifts on either side, 
 while it will also leave the back of the vein fairly tested and 
 opened on, so that you may commence stopeing or breaking 
 out the vein at a much less exiense, and giving all the ne- 
 cessary information for your future operations. 
 
 The number of men required will be G miners and 2 as- 
 sistants for mining, and the necessary number of workmen 
 that may be required for making roads and raising the neces- 
 sary buildings. 
 
 The method of preparing the ores for the market should be 
 by careful selection of the richer portions, and then by crush- 
 ing the poorer portions and washing the ores previous to 
 smelting. 
 
 1 t 
 
' the veins, 
 3 of thedis- 
 the line for 
 her on this 
 
 to and from 
 bounded by 
 ■vide, which 
 
 ding 
 
 great 
 
 es and the 
 by road on 
 
 1, yet suffi- 
 that may be 
 
 pine and 
 rposes, thus 
 those vege- 
 pplying the 
 istance, and 
 their trans- 
 
 lumbered 4 
 on the vein 
 istance from 
 iction of the 
 sroly on the 
 ,vn for about 
 lir will per- 
 1 by sinking 
 mt from the 
 Hike a com- 
 n free circu- 
 )u to resume 
 either side, 
 y tested and 
 or breaking 
 , all the ne- 
 
 •s and 2 as- 
 of workmen 
 <j the noces- 
 
 cet should bo 
 lonby crush- 
 previous to 
 
 11 
 
 The machinery necessary would be a stamping mill, with 
 a pair of crushing rollers attached,worked by a steam engine, 
 which might also be employed for raising the water and stuff 
 (or ores) out of the same. In addition, it would be a matter 
 for serious consideration whether it would not be most profit- 
 able to erect a smelting furnace, or give all due encourage- 
 ment to spirited individuals well acquainted with the business 
 of smelting to erect such furnaces for the purpose of smelting 
 on such terms as would be mutually advantageous. 
 
 The expense of erecting the stamping mill and crusher 
 for two setts would not exceed six hundred dollars, exclusive 
 of the moving power or engine. 
 
 The probable per centage of the vein in mass, as it now 
 appears, would be about say six percent of copper ; but 
 selections of the vein might be made, yielding from fifteen to 
 twenty per cent, and by dressing, it mi-jht be made to yield 
 that per centage, which would be sufficiently rich previous 
 to smelting. 
 
 The varieties of the ore found on this property are the 
 pyritous copper, (yellow copper ore,) the purple or variegated 
 copper ore, the green corbonate of copper, and the blsilicate 
 of copper. 
 
 If the vein continue of the same size and appearance as at 
 present, the ores raised from the mine would yield a profit 
 during the siuking of ihe shafts, and during tlie necessary 
 drifts ; and if it yields a profit during this period, the profits 
 from stopeing the ground would be increased at least one 
 hundred and fifty p rcent. It would scarcely appear proba- 
 ble to persons unacquainted with the proper process of mining, 
 the increase of profit for raising the ore from the vein by 
 stopeing after the shafts are sunk, and the drifts are made ; 
 but these workings prove the relative value of the veins at 
 different points, and render it only necessary that such portions 
 of the vein should b« broken as will yield a profit to the 
 Company; and no rubbish need be sent to the surface, but 
 stowed away in the cavitias below, while the facilities for 
 breaking the vein are very great and advantageous. 
 
 You will not form your judgment of the per centage of the 
 vein from the specimens that accompany, as they were all 
 taken out by a small hand-pick or exploring hammer from 
 the surface of the vein ; and more in quantity might also have 
 been sent, but where everything has to be taken into the 
 woods, including bedding, provisions, cooking utensils, camp 
 and all the necessary apparatus, it is an arduous undertaking 
 
i 
 
 12 
 
 to pack much in the shape of copper ores through th<- woods. 
 There cannot be a shadow of doubt, but that immediately on 
 commencing to mine, copper ores may be raised equal to 
 any that have yet been sent from Lake Huron. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Your very obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) RICHARD KERNICK. 
 
 HiKCKS Location, Lake Huron, > 
 13ih August, 1817. J 
 
 I 
 
h^ woods, 
 diately on 
 d equal to 
 
 INICK, 
 
 REPORT OF RICHARD KERNICK 
 
 UPON THE LOCATION 
 
 NOETH OF ECHO LAKE. 
 
 TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LAKE HURON SILVER AND 
 COPPER MINING COMPANY. 
 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 The location on the north side of Echo Lake, of 
 which your property there consitsts, lies at the westward end of 
 the lake, and is approached by a river from Lake George, dis- 
 tant about 3 miles. At the entrance of Echo Lake, a visitor 
 will be immediately struck with the advantage of these waters 
 to the Company in furthering the mining operations on the pro- 
 perty. The hills rise from its waters to a very great height, 
 and thus in the working of the veins that may be found, preclude 
 the necessity of water c'larges for years to come. The altitude 
 of these hills has been stated at not less than 700 feet from 
 the level of the water ; and when the great expense necessarily 
 attendant on the dr-iinage of water from a mine is taken into 
 account, the value of this property becomes proporlionably 
 greater by its exemption from such expense. Thus, then, you 
 have water transportation for your supplies and mineral, and 
 drainage for your water. 
 
 I visit, d this location, for the first time, for the purpose of 
 taking a cursory survey of the property previous to a systematic 
 exploration, in company with tlie Hon. H. H. Killaly. It was 
 then thought best to work upon a vein which was very distinctly 
 defined on the face of a hill and at a point about 400 feet above 
 the level of the water, and where the vein was about 5 to 6 feet 
 wide. On each side of the vein the gangue was composed of 
 a very fine quartz, aflbrding every indication of its being a true 
 metalliferous vein. Along its face was seen the bisiliceie of 
 copper, and the blue and green corbonates of copper ; on break- 
 ing it, the yellow copper pyrites was found to be universally dif- 
 fused, and some very fine peacock colored and gray ore. 
 Although this vein would not be pronounced to be vtry richf 
 
,1 
 
 14 
 
 yet it had a very promising character, and the copper evidently 
 tended downwards, ao some very rich specimena were taken 
 from the lowest point near the d briss. 
 
 At my next visit, J. R. Livingston, Esq , discovered in the 
 same hill, a little west of the above named vein, another vein 
 about 3 feet wide, of fine quartz, and among the debris large 
 quantities of veinstone was observed, in which copper was 
 abundantly difl'used. 
 
 This vein is clearly defined — the walls are very distinct^ 
 the quartz highly metalliferous — the copper of a beautiful 
 bright yellow color, in many instances showing the richly 
 variegated copper ore associated with it ; and then its verging 
 in its course towards the before-mentioned vein, proves that 
 if no other point were discovered on this property to warrant 
 mining operations, these are amply sut)icient. 
 
 The best method of operating successfully on these veins 
 "Would be to trace them to the lowest possible depth, and 
 commence a drift into the hill ; thus openmg along on their 
 course, and leaving a high hack of ground to stope in the 
 most valuable parts of the vein. Noshatts would be needed 
 for a longdistance, as by two drifts, one above the other, at 
 stated distances, say 60 to 70 feet, by communicating these 
 drifts one with the other, you will ventilate your mines for 
 several years. 
 
 Having narrowly explored the adjoining location on the 
 south side of the lake, and finding there a great number of 
 veins of the most prominent character, and rich in copper, 
 crossing the mountains, and evidently directing their course 
 towards this location, and as the mountains of this locality 
 are a continuance of the trap range, and are truly metalliter- 
 ous, I cannot conceive but that this will prove very valuable. 
 I cannot close these remarks without adding that the opera- 
 tions which have been carried on under the direction of the 
 Hon. H. H. Killaly, on the adjoining property, south, and 
 which are every day proving the increased value of that pro- 
 perty as a mineral district, must have a beneficial result on 
 this property, as it will be a key as it were to guide you in 
 your further researches, and must greatly facilitate your 
 further exploration and point out the most desirable spots to 
 be most careful and scrutinizing in the examination of; so that 
 nothing may be overlooked. 
 
 Mining speculations have been viewed by many individuals 
 with feelings of distrust, and those persons have avoided them 
 as they would the sure road to ruin ; others there are who 
 enter into them with the idea of making a fortune almost 
 instantly, and in their visionary fancies almost clutch the 
 tempting gold. Each of these characters greatly err. 
 
15 
 
 evidently 
 ^ere taken 
 
 red in the 
 oilier vein 
 ebrid large 
 )l)per was 
 
 distinct — 
 beautiful 
 the richly 
 its verging 
 roves that 
 to warrant 
 
 hese veina 
 depth, and 
 g on their 
 ope in the 
 be needed 
 e other, at 
 Lting these 
 mines for 
 
 ;ion on the 
 number of 
 1 in copper, 
 heir course 
 this locality 
 metalliler- 
 •y valuable. 
 1 the opera- 
 ction of the 
 south, and 
 of that pro- 
 ial result on 
 uide you in 
 iilitate your 
 il)le spots to 
 n of ; so that 
 
 jT individuals 
 voided them 
 ere ure who 
 rtune almost 
 t clutch the 
 greatly err. 
 
 Mining, if properly conducted in a mining district, cautiously 
 and judiciously, will yield fair returns tor capital invested, 
 and in many instances immense profits. To those persons 
 who, in old mining districts, have invested capital for the 
 purpose of mining, it is well known that the average return 
 of any given number of these mines, so far from deterring 
 them from embarking capital in these undertakings,only holds 
 out strong inducements to investment. And if in those 
 districts they are safe undertakings, why should they not be 
 so here ? They have the advantage of older experience and 
 cheaper labour — you of shallower mines, scarcely any 
 expense of machinery, cheap timber, and much richer veins, 
 the veins yielding a higher per centage ofcopper. 
 
 The expense of heavy machinery in the older districts, from 
 the great depth of the mines, and the immense quantity of 
 water and stuff they have to draw out, can be fully imagined 
 but by those who are now or have been engaged in those 
 works. Much depends on the proper method of working 
 the veins. Subject to bad or extravagant management, many 
 mines which, under a different state of things, would have 
 yielded a fair if not a very large interest upon the capital 
 invested, have too often been profitless and losing cencerns, 
 and have been needlessly suspended or prematutely closed 
 in consequence of general expensive management ; but 
 where due caution is used in the selection of the vein, and a 
 just consideration is given to the proper mining and practical 
 economy, it is certain that so far from being dangerous and 
 speculative concerns, they are highly productive and im- 
 mensely profital)le : and if they are at all productive, the 
 profits will be yearly increased, and will enable those using 
 due caution and activity confidently to calculate upon a return 
 of original capital without any interruption of the most effec- 
 tive and full operation. 
 
 Ill conclusion, gentlemen, I beg leave to congratulate you 
 on the judicious selection of your property, and wish you every 
 prosperity in your spirited udertakings. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 I have the honor to be. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 Your very obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 RICHARD KERNICK 
 
 HiNCKS Location, Lake Huron, > 
 13th August, 1847. y 
 
REPORT OF FORREST SHEPHERD 
 
 •I 
 
 ' 
 
 •»ii 
 
 ON THE 
 
 HINCKS LOCATIOIf. 
 
 TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LAKE HURON SILVER AND 
 COPPER MINING COMPANY. 
 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 Having been employed to visit and make an 
 economic geological examination of your property known as the 
 Hincks Location, situated near the entrance ofPortlock Harbor, 
 on the North Shore of Lake Huron, I beg leave to lay before 
 you the following as the result of my examination. 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 The Hincks Location, as established by the Government 
 Surveyor, is adjoining the Copj)er Bay Location, and only two 
 miles westward of the location embracing the Bruce Mines 
 already celehrated as the most remarkable discovery of copper 
 ore hitherto made in North America. 
 
 The rock at the Bruce Mines is hornblende or sienitic trap. 
 The same rock is found to occupy a large part of the Hincks 
 Location. 1 he veins at the Bruce Mines are of quartz, and 
 vary in demensions from two feet ap to fifteen feet, and in some 
 places reach even thirty feet in thickness. The genend direc- 
 tion of the Bruce veins is nearly north -west and south-east; 
 and if they extend inland, of which there is very strong pro* 
 bability Horn the indications which I met with, they will in 
 that direction run entirely through the Hincks Location^ a 
 little northward of its centre, as may be seen by the accom- 
 panying map. 
 
 On or near the western border of the Hincks Location the 
 sienitic rock of the Bruce Mines makes its appearance witb 
 copper bearing veins which, as I remarked above, renders the 
 probability very strong, that the Bruce veins extend entirely 
 through theHmcks tract, although covered with a deep dilu- 
 vium, the location thus affording excellent soil fur farming pur- 
 ()08es in addition to its mineral wealth. 
 
 iM ! 
 
wy 
 
 ER AND 
 
 make an 
 wn as the 
 k Harbor, 
 ay before 
 
 jvernment 
 only two 
 
 jce Mines 
 of copper 
 
 ?nitic trap, 
 be Hi neks 
 |uartz, and 
 nd HI some 
 leral diiec- 
 sDuUi-east ; 
 trong prO' 
 ley will in 
 jOcatioTii a 
 ihe accom- 
 
 location the 
 » ranee with 
 renders the 
 !nd entirely 
 Jeep dilii" 
 farming pur- 
 
 
 17 
 
 But whetlier these veins cross the location as supposed or 
 not, is not a matter of innmediate importance, tor 1 have dis^ 
 covered others on this location which yield fine copper ore on 
 the fiist blow of the hammer and pick, and which in my 
 opinion are sufficient for the successful operations of any com- 
 pany for many years to come. 
 
 I shall first speak of Uie situation and extent of the location, 
 its natural advantages, &c., and subsequently of its capabilities 
 for mining j^ijrposes. 
 
 This location is most favorably situated on the northern shore 
 of the broad and deep channel, which extends some eight or 
 ten miles up from the open waters of Lake Huron and sepa- 
 rates the main land from the large Island cf St. Jo:»eph. (Sea 
 Map.) 
 
 It has a front of two miles upon the water by five miles 
 inlani), giving an area of six thousand four hundred acres. St. 
 Joi^eph's Channel is here from three to four miles wide, with a 
 depth of water varying from twenty to sixty feet. On the south 
 east part of the location is an excellent harbour admirably pro- 
 tected by several small islands, while Portlock Harbor, on?". r\ 
 the best in the world, lies near and parallel with the wester a 
 boundry of the location for at least two miles and a half. H« a 
 vessels of the largest class may find easy ingress and egress, as 
 well as the safest anchorage, and perfect security against all 
 storms. On the northern part of the location are situated two 
 lakes, which by means of rivers flowing from them into Portlock 
 Harbor/render the northern section of the location easily acces- 
 sible by boats und canoes. Near the outlet of these lakes, one 
 or two mill seats may probably be obtained. 
 
 There are several other streams of minor importance upon the 
 tract. The surface of the tract is moderately hilly and undu- 
 lating, consisting of a succession of cones and ridges rising from 
 the lake level to the height of three hundred feet or more. 
 Nearly the whole tract is either fit for tillage or pasture. The 
 lower grounds with littlo labor may be made to yield large 
 harvests of hay for the winter, while near the central portions 
 of the tract will be found from one to two thousand acres of fine 
 arable land well adapted to the growing of grains and difierent 
 kinds of esculent roots. There is on the location an abundance 
 of timber consisting chiefly of white or red pine, cedar, elm, 
 white birch, poplar, spruce, tamarack, fir, maple, ash, oak, and 
 iron wood, &c. Good fishing grounds exist on the shores of the 
 location. 
 
 The climate is remarkably healthy and the winters are con- 
 sidered much milder there than at Montreal. 
 
 The prevailing rock on the locatioo, as I have before men- 
 
 Mi* 
 
I' ' 
 
 i; 
 
 ij 
 
 I 
 
 ' I 
 
 Fl 
 
 18 
 
 tioned, in an apparently stratified syeitite enclosing large veini of 
 quartz in which are found both the yellow pyritorm and the 
 vitreons or grny sulphiirei of copper. The syenite is in some 
 places over laid with a dense chloride ^late or killas, which 
 some persons might consider green stone. Al)ove thi.s n seen a 
 very compact sand stone similar to the P <tzdaiii sand stonei 
 and immediately over it is a porphyritic or brecciated rock often 
 containing large fragments ol g anite, &c. ; while yet higher in 
 the serie<', and especially near the south-east corner of iho 
 location, is a finely stratified, or sedimentary lime stone. This 
 same lime stone is seen on the adjoiiung Copper Bay and firuco 
 Mine locations, especially in the vicinity of the great copper 
 veins. The above rocks have been gn-atly changed by igneous 
 action and thrown into frequent i' ocations by numerous dykes 
 and elvan courses, which accompany the cop|)er veins. 
 
 All these appearances are highly favorable to the existence 
 of large deposits of copper ore. The rocks here may be classed 
 / with tlie lower silu#ian, so noted in tne Urals for abouiiding in 
 mineral vvcalth. Here then is a second Cornwall, with the 
 superior advantage of safe and commodious harbors and a sup- 
 ply of wood and timber for centuries to come. Provisions and 
 supplies of all kinds can be shipped for this location from De- 
 troit and Cleveland at a very low rate, especially from Cleve- 
 land, where the dressed copper ore will most conveniently meet 
 the coal for smelting, refining and rolling. I need not enumerate 
 the advantages of this locality over the region of Lake Supe- 
 rior. They are at once palpable and obvious. It is sufficient 
 tosay that from Quebec and Montreal vessels may come with 
 full freight, and, without any obstruction, anchor in a safe harbor 
 on this location. 
 
 There will probably be one or two good water powers ob- 
 tained near the outlet of the lakes on the noitherii part of the 
 location, if they should be needed ; and with the aid of two or 
 three locks on these same streams the whole northern part of the 
 location can be rendered most easily accessible by boats. Pro- 
 bably no location willenjoy superior advantages in this respect. 
 By means also of one lock and dam, a good canal will be com- 
 pleted without any further excavation nearly through the centre 
 of the location from east to west on the stream that flows westerly 
 into Porilock Harbor. 
 
 What more could be expected or asked on a mineral location, 
 except xhefull assurance of a good supply of ore? Of this, I 
 think, no reasonable doubt can be entertained. For to say 
 nothing of the appearance of the copper on the south-western, 
 western, and eastern middle portions of the tract, or of the very 
 fitrgng probability of the Bruce and Keating veins extending en- 
 
veini of 
 ind the 
 n some 
 
 wliicii 
 d seen a 
 
 stuney 
 ck often 
 iglier in 
 
 of the 
 This 
 d Bruce 
 
 co|>per 
 
 igneous 
 
 ud dykes 
 
 • 
 
 xistence 
 e classied 
 iiditig in 
 vvitli the 
 id a sup- 
 tiioiis and 
 from De- 
 a Cleve- 
 ntly meet 
 [numerate 
 ke Supe- 
 1 sufficient 
 oine vvitli 
 ale harbor 
 
 jwers ob- 
 ari of the 
 of two or 
 part of the 
 ats. Pro- 
 id respect. 
 I be com- 
 the centre 
 ^s westerly 
 
 al locationy 
 Of this, I 
 For to say 
 th- western, 
 of ihe very 
 tending en* 
 
 19 
 
 tirely tlirough the Hincks Location, tliere is on the northern haU 
 of it about four miles inland upon the eastern line, a large vein 
 of quartz measuring nine feet or more in thickness. This vein 
 is nearly vertical, and runs nearly east and west, as seen in the 
 map. It has all the strong characteristics of the Bruce veinSf 
 and probably shows quite as well as those veins did before there 
 was any excavation. It yields readily both yellow and gray 
 copycr on the Jirst blow of the hammer and pichy and has been 
 traced by cross cuts on the location for nearly half a mile. 
 This vein alone, independent of all others, I am conjident, will 
 be sufficient for the successful operations of a well organized 
 Mining Company for many years. To this I would, therefore, 
 direct your attention. The ore from this vein is chiefly the 
 yellow copper ore, which is a double sulphuret of copper and 
 iron. It contains : — 
 
 34 8 sulphur, 
 34.8 copper, 
 30.4 iron. 
 
 If crushed and washed from its adhering veinstone and foreign 
 matter, and properly smelted, it will yield eight parts of copper 
 to every twenty-three parts of ore, or, in round numbers, thirty- 
 three per cent. If the ore is imperlectly dressed, the yield will 
 be less accordingly. It is for such ore mainly that the Messrs. 
 Williams, Foster & Co. and Crown Company have paid nearly 
 four hundred thousand pounds sterling the past year, and the 
 Messrs. Vivian & Sons about three hundred thousand pounds. 
 It is, in fact, the ore on which the g.-eateat dependence is placed 
 in Cornwall, 
 
 The purple or " horseflesh," and also the vitreons or gray 
 sulphuret, are to be found in this highly promising vein. 
 
 Wherever they come in, the richness of the ore will be much 
 increased ; the purple yielding from fifty to sixty, and the gray 
 from seventy to eight)-^, per cent. Veins are seldom worked out 
 in depth. Upwards of five thousand tons of ore have been 
 raised the past year at the Treasaurean Mine, Cornwall, and a 
 good portion of it from a depth of eighteen hundred feet j also 
 about twelve thousand tons at the United Mines, and much of it 
 from a depth of fifteen hundred feet. More than three hundred 
 and eighty thousand dollars have been paid for the ore thus 
 raised from the above two mines the last year, ending July 1st, 
 1847. (See Gryll's Annual Mining Sheet.) It is difficult for 
 one without experience to imagine the disadvantages at which 
 mining is carried on in Cornwall at such depths. The timber 
 for preventing the vein walls from falling, &c., comes from Nor- 
 way at a cost of sixteen pence, or more than thirty cents,per foot. 
 This must all be taken down to the working level to guard 
 
r 
 
 20 
 
 against tho extreme superincumbent prewsure. It in then ne- 
 cessary to have a blacksmith's shop far down under ground to 
 facilitate in sharpening the .oola of the miners for excavating in 
 the hard rock : a supply of coal must be taken down for the 
 smith's fire. The combustion of the coal generates an abund- 
 ance of carbonic acid gas, which, with the smoke of gunpowder 
 in blasting, greatly vitiates the atmosphere, so that the average 
 age of the miner is shortened to about thirty years, and the aver- 
 age time of his working in the mines to 16 years. When we 
 add to this the extreme heat of the air and water in mines at 
 Buch great depths, frequently rising to 100 degrees of the ther- 
 mometer, and the indescribable hard labor in descending and 
 ascending the ladders, even below the reach of the " man en- 
 gine," to say nothing of the increased hazard of human life, 
 what would the miner not give to find the rich resources of 
 these great depths immediately on the surface, as may be seen 
 at the Bruce Mines and Hincks Location on the north shore of 
 Lake Huron ? 
 
 All which ii respectfully submitted by 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 (Signed) FORREST SHEPHERD. 
 
 New Haveit, > 
 
 10th November, 184;7. \ 
 
 
 s i 
 
ihen nc« 
 ;round to 
 vating in 
 1 for the 
 n abund- 
 unpowder 
 e average 
 the aver- 
 When we 
 mines at 
 the ther- 
 iding and 
 ' man en- 
 iman life, 
 isources of 
 ay be seen 
 ii shore of 
 
 HERD. 
 
 REPORT OF FORREST SHEPHERD 
 
 UPON THE LOCATION 
 
 NORTH OF ECHO LAKE. 
 
 TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LAKE HURON SILVER AND 
 COPPER MINING COMPANY. 
 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 In pursuance of my engagement with "you to 
 visit, examine and report upon your mineral location, situated 
 on the nortli side of Echo Lake, in the Lake Huron District, 
 allow me to olTor, very n^spcciruUy, the following observations. 
 
 Echo Lnke is only about three miles north-westward of 
 Lake George, or about eight miles from Church's Steam-boat 
 Landing, cr twenty-five miles from the Sault St. Mari6. It is 
 a beautiful lake from four to five miles in length and one and 
 a half to two miles in breadth. It is connected with Lake 
 George by a river navigable for large barges, and which, with 
 some little excavation, would probably serve for steam-boats. 
 The water in the Lake is deep, and the adjoining hills rise 
 abruptly from its shores to the height of 800 or 1000 feet. 
 
 The whole tract, five miles in length, north of this Lake, ami 
 of an average depth of two miles, containing ten superficial 
 miles or 6,400 acres, was, I understand, granted in block by 
 the Government to the original locatees, who divided it into 
 two equal parts, each two and a half miles in length, from east 
 to west. One of these parts, the western, is your property. It 
 has an area of five superficial miles or 3,200 acres. The 
 eastern portion, of the same location, is the property of the 
 Echo Lake Company. 
 
 As the north shore of the Lake forms, in part, the south 
 side of your location, and as its western limit can be correctly 
 ascertained by measuring two and a half miles from the western 
 mark, by which the Government grant is decided, there can 
 be no difficulty whatever in having the limits of your property 
 definitely marked whenever it is considered desirable. Indeed 
 I would have marked it myself, but from an anxiety to devote 
 the whole of my time to the close exploration of the location, and 
 more particularly as I found that to form a safe opinion of its 
 
22 
 
 mineral resources, I was compelled, by the lie of the mountains, 
 the direction of the veins and stratification, &c., to extend my 
 examination generally over the whole tract, north of the Lake. 
 Having done so, I considered it advisable not to confine myself 
 in this report to a description of your property alone, but to 
 give you the result of my examination generally, inasmuch, as 
 independent of the many advantages and mineral indications 
 which are apparent on your property, the existence of the veins 
 and other favourable appearances in the portion eastward, and 
 immediately adjoining it, of course tend strongly further to 
 confirm the high estimate that my explorations have led me to 
 form of the value of your property. The following, therefore, 
 you will understand as a general description of the highly 
 interesting and promising mineral tract, north of Echo Lake. 
 But the portions of the descriptions which relate directly to 
 your own property, will be obvious. Several streams water 
 the tract, but Caribou River, the only one capable of supplying 
 water power to any considerable extent, is on the eastern part 
 of the location. It is a very permanent and valuable stream 
 for propelling machinery. This river has a rapid fall for a 
 quarter of a mile before it enters Echo Lake, and here it is that 
 large quantities of red and while pine lumber may be expedi- 
 tiously prepared for market by the aid of a sawmill to saw the 
 numerous and lofty pines that grow upon the tract. If I am 
 not mistaken in regard to the boundaries, no location in the 
 country can vie with this in its supply of excellent pine timber. 
 The east branch also of Carabon River affords a succession of 
 mill seats, while, as may be seen by the map, it flows over 
 several copper bearing veins. Upon this stream is a remarkable 
 natural mill-dam, and flume about five feet wide and fifteen 
 feet deep, cut as if by art through the centre of the dam, and all, 
 both dam and flume, consisting of solid rock. In short every 
 thing is here ready for the erection of a mill. 
 
 Should mining be prosecuted on the banks of this stream, as 
 it probably will be, tlie water power may be very advantage- 
 ously employed in raising the ore and pumping out water in the 
 same manner as is seen at Wheat Friendsliip, in Cornwall, 
 performing as it were spontaneously the labor of an expensive 
 Bteam-engine. 
 
 Still higher up the stream, above the flume, are two small 
 lakes which may serve as important reservoirs in dry seasons. 
 In addition to the pine timber above mentioned, there is upon 
 the location a heavy growth of maple, hemlock, spruce, birch, 
 cedar, fir, larch, &c. Much of the soil on the location will be 
 found fertile, especially along the vallies, where some farms of 
 superior quality may be selected. 
 
23 
 
 le mountains, 
 to extend my 
 of the Lake, 
 on fine myself 
 alone, but to 
 nasmuch, as 
 il indications 
 e of the veins 
 sastvvard, and 
 jly further to 
 ive led me to 
 ig, therefore, 
 )f the highly 
 Echo Lake, 
 e directly to 
 treams water 
 J of supplying 
 ! eastern part 
 uable stream 
 lid fall for a 
 here it is that 
 r be expedi- 
 ill to saw the 
 ct. If I am 
 nation in the 
 t pine timber, 
 succession of 
 t flows over 
 a remarkable 
 ) and fifteen 
 dam, and al), 
 1 short every 
 
 lis stream, as 
 advantage- 
 ; water in the 
 in Cornwall, 
 an expensive 
 
 e two small 
 dry seasons, 
 there is upon 
 pruce, birch, 
 ition will be 
 >me iarms of 
 
 The rocks on this location will probably be ranked among 
 the lower silurian, and like many similar in the Urals, have 
 been greatly altered, dislocated and broken up by the interven- 
 tion of numerous dikes of trap and green stone. A dense 
 chloritic slate rock, in appearance approaching green stone, 
 serves chiefly as a foundation. Upon this is seen a very com- 
 pact and altertBd sand rock, over which lies another porphyritic 
 or brecciated siate, and upon the latter a highly siliceous lime*, 
 stone. The mineral veins are composed of quartz and ore of 
 a later formation than the rocks. They cut through the differ- 
 ent strata of the above rocks without distinction, are nearly 
 vertical, and their course is generally a few degrees north of 
 west and south of east. Some ten or twelve veins have been 
 discovered on the location, all of which yield yellow copper ore. 
 I have never seen in anyplace such a general distribution of 
 this valuable ore. In some places, over the surface of many 
 acres, it is diflicult to break a stone without finding copper. Such 
 is the case along the blufFeastward of Carabon River. The vein 
 stone, although chiefly quartz, is accompanied by ferrugineoua 
 carbonate of lime, and also carbonate of iron, which are very 
 favorable indications in the mines of Cornwall. Rich gossans 
 are also found along the veins, an indication always acceptable 
 to a practical miner. 
 
 The above veins vary in thickness from one to four or five 
 feet. They cut through indiscriminately every kind of rock 
 upon the location ; and hence copper is seen in the slates, con- 
 glomerates, sand stone, and lime stone, as well as the upheav- 
 ing trap and sienite. In the hard sand stone, and very dense 
 rocks, the veins are smaller in proportion as the rocks harden, 
 and will therefore probably be less productive. 
 
 Although there are traditional reports of silver having been 
 found upon this location, I have no positive evidence of its 
 existence here. If found, it will probably occur in cross 
 courses, cutting the east and west copper lodes at right angles. 
 Such cross courses exist in the bluff east of Carabon River, 
 but have not yet been explored. Blue and green carbonates 
 of copper make their appearance in some of the above men- 
 tioned veins, but the yellow, or double sulphuret of copper is 
 here as at the Bruce Mines, and in Cornwall the prevailing ore. 
 Its composition is — 
 
 34.8. Copper, 
 
 34.8. Sulphur, 
 
 30.4. Iron, 
 
 lOO.O. 
 
5"P 
 
 24 
 
 Upwards of two hundred thousand tons of twenty-one cwts. 
 each, principally of this description of ore, have been raised' in 
 Cornwall and Wales the last year ; for which more than one 
 million and a half pounds sterling have been paid j and from 
 which more than twenty thousand tons of fine copper have 
 been produced. (See Grylls's Mining Street, No. 16.) 
 
 Only one vein (called " Peirce's Vein"), has been explored 
 to any extent on the tract. It is situated towards the eastern 
 side of the portion of the location belonging to the,iLake Huron 
 Silver and Copper Mining Company, and is about 300 ft. above 
 the lake, on the steep declivity of the mountain. It runs inland 
 as seen upon the map, a few degrees north of west, dips to the 
 north at an angle of 80 degrees, and is from two and a half to 
 three feet in thickness. The vein stone is quartz filled through- 
 out with a lai'ge amount of the double sulphuret of copper. 
 Several tons of specimens have been already excavated from 
 this vein, which are on their way to New York. They shew 
 at once the quality of the ore, and its accompanying vein stone. 
 Judging from surface appearances, this vein, by common con- 
 sent, is allowed to stand in reputation " second only to the 
 Bruce velna^ The exploration of another season, however, 
 will better determine its true character, for as yet it is only 
 slightly opened, and that upon the surface. This vein is in a 
 porphyritic slate rock, and only one of five or six others, some 
 of which are larger, all running parallel on the same hill side, 
 and all bearing copper, with the extraordinary advantage of 
 three hundred feet of spontaneous drainage. 
 
 The veins on the east branch of Carabon River, are very 
 similar to those above described. They measure from two and 
 a half feet to four feet in thickness. The ore is the yellow 
 copper, but the rock more chloritio, and of a lower givide in the 
 geological series. For want of time, the only exploration of 
 them has been to ascertain simply tliat they contain copper. 
 Another vein about two feet in thickness, and composed almost 
 entirely of rose-colored calcarious spar may be seen on the 
 eastern extremity of the bluff, near the large river that flows 
 into the east end of Echo Lake. The spar in this vein is of a 
 highly promising character. Another interesting vein, showing 
 a small amount of yellow copper, may be seen in the lime 
 stone on Lime Stone Point. Many of the rich deposits of cop- 
 per in Russia are connected with lime stone in like manner. 
 This lime stone, especially where it is highly charged with iron, 
 may be useful as Roman Cement, or hydraulic lime. The 
 stone of the large hill north-west of the point, wiU probably 
 burn and slack well for ordinary cement. Good clay for bricks 
 is found in great quantity upon the location, and in short almost 
 
 ( I 
 
nty-one cwts. 
 een raised in 
 tore than one 
 id J and from 
 
 copper have 
 >. 16.) 
 
 been explored 
 s the eastern 
 r^Lake Huron 
 
 300 ft. above 
 It runs inland 
 t, dips to the 
 and a half to 
 filled through- 
 3t of copper, 
 cavated from 
 
 They shew 
 tig vein stone, 
 common con- 
 
 only to the 
 )n, however, 
 ret it is only 
 
 vein is in a 
 others, some 
 me hill side, 
 advantage of 
 
 'er, are very 
 from two and 
 3 the yellow 
 r gi'jde in the 
 X pi oration of 
 itain copper, 
 iposed almost 
 
 seen on the 
 ;r that flows 
 s vein is of a 
 veim, showing 
 
 in the lime 
 losits of cop- 
 like manner, 
 fed with iron, 
 1 lime. The 
 -viU probably 
 lay for bricks 
 \ short almost 
 
 25 
 
 every thing that can be economically used in the operations of 
 a successful mining company. 
 
 I can only add, in conclusion, that this location, from Its 
 position, variety and very favorable surface indications, is to 
 me one of peculiar interest. Years will elapse before it will 
 probably be thoroughly explored, and fully appreciated. My 
 sincere conviction is, that it is destined to hold a high rank 
 among the choicest localities of this recently discovered but 
 highly promising mineral region. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 FORKEST SHEPHERD. 
 New Haven, > 
 9th November, 184.7. J