WABASH CANAL.

We have taken some pains to ascertain the progress now being made in the construction of the Evansville division of the Wabash and Erie canal. We had the pleasure, about the first of June, of announcing that an important division of forty-two miles, between Terre Haute and Point Commerce, had been completed and the water let into it. We have now a continuous canal--the whole line in fine navigable order--from Toledo to Point Commerce, Indiana, a distance of three hundred and fifty-two miles. Point Commerce is one hundred and ten miles from Evansville on the Ohio river, the southern terminus of the Wabash and Erie canal-the longest canal in the United States. The southern division, from Point Commerce to Evansville, a distance of one hundred and ten miles, is in rapid process of construction.

A division of seventeen miles, extending to Newbury, will be opened by the first of November next.

Another division of twenty-three and a half miles, extending to Maysville, on the road leading from Louisville to Vincennes, will be opened by the fall of 1850.

While the canal was owned by the State of Indiana, nineteen miles of it next to Evansville was finished. Some three or four years since, we traveled on the tow-path some distance, and recollect that it then appeared in a good state of repair. The portion unfinished (though considerable work has been expended upon it) lies between that division and Maysville. We learn from the Chief Engineer, Jesse L. Williams, Esq., now having charge of the work-finished as well as unfinished portions of the canal-that he intends to pass loaded boats through the whole line from Toledo to Evansville, within two years from this date. [Toledo Republican.

JOURNAL OF MINING AND MINES.

LEAD MINES IN SOUTH-WEST MISSOURI.

The following communication from our highly valuable correspondent, William S. Moseley, Esq., will be read with much pleasure by all who desire to see the mineral wealth of our State developed. It is remarkable how little the people of Missouri know of the resources of their own State, or of the pursuits of those residing out of their immediate neighborhoods. We have made many inquiries in regard to what was doing at the lead mines in the south-west, but the following

letter affords the first and only reliable information that we have been able to obtain from that quarter:

NEW MADRID, Mo., September 12, 1850.

To the Editors of the Western Journal:

GENTLEMEN: Knowing the deep interest you feel in regard to the development of the natural resources of our giant young State, I have taken the liberty of saying something about a recent discovery of very rich and valuable lead ore in the southwestern extremity of our State, where I spent the past summer. Messrs. Moseley, Oldham & Co., are working a very valuable lead, about five miles west of Neosho, on Shoal creek, sixteen miles above the Grand falls, as it is called, and about twentyfive miles from Grand river, a very good navigable stream, as far as it has been tried-there having been a number of flatboats taken out of it in the past three years. This company have taken out with six hands, since the 1st of April up to the 20th of July, about 100,000 pounds of ore from two shafts, which have been sunk to the depth of sixty feet. They have now nearly completed a druming furnace, which will be in successful operation by the first of October, and which will smelt 3000 pounds per day. Messrs. Tingle & McKee, sixteen miles north-west of Moseley's diggings, near a stream called Turkey creek, have made a fine discovery, and have raised about 50,000 pounds, and are now smelting in a log furnace. Messrs. Murphy & Co. have struck a fine lead, on Turkey creek, about five miles above Tingle & McKee's, and have taken out 25,000 pounds. The ore found at Moseley's mines has been assayed in your city, and it yields 85 per cent. Several valuable deposits of coal have been found in Newton county-one about four miles from Moseley's mines, and another six miles from Neosho. From the specimens of ore from Tingle & McKee and Murphy & Co's mines, I believe them to be of equal richness to the ore assayed.

The only obstacle to the rapid development of the mineral resources of south-western Missouri, is remoteness from navigation, or at least, certain navigation. You are aware that south Grand river flows entirely through the Indian country, emptying into the Arkansas about five miles below Fort Gibson. If that small wedge of land belonging to the Senecas, Seneca Shawnees, and Quapa Indians, lying west of Newton county, was attached to the State, it would add greatly to the growth of that part of our State, and rapidly increase the growth and development of one of the finest sections of south-western Missouri. A fine flourishing border town would grow up; steamboat navigation of Grand river would take the place of road wagons; and thousands of acres, now lying waste, would soon yield up their hidden treasures. From actual inspection and

observation, I am satisfied that in the course of time, southwestern Missouri will be one of the richest mineral countries in the State. It is the intention of the different mining companies in Newton county to charter a steamer to come up to the mouth of Cowskin (in the Seneca country) next spring, and carry off their lead. I will keep your readers advised of the progress of the mining business of south-western Missouri. Your ob't serv't,

WM. S. MOSELEY.

LEAD MINES IN NORTH ARKANSAS.

We have already noticed the discovery of a vein of lead ore five miles in extent, in the vicinity of Batesville; but we are informed by a correspondent in that region, that the mineral is being found in almost every hill on the Black and White rivers. Our correspondent states that he has visited some of the localities, and was much astonished at the indications. Near Batesville, the limestone for miles is filled with the ore. Preparations are making to commence working these mines immediately.---State Gazette.

SOUTH-WEST AND ARKANSAS MINING COMPANY.

The mines of this company, near this city, (Little Rock,) continue to prove extremely rich in the argentiferous lead ore. Since May last, upwards of 150,000 lbs. of mineral has been prepared and sent forward to market.

The mining operations will, for the present, be confined more immediately to sinking the main shaft at the diggings, (which is now ninety feet,) through the black slate, which is found at this depth. As the weather is now very favorable for mining operations, it is the determination of the company to increase the force now engaged at the mines, and vigorously to prosecute the work.---State Gazette.

NEW COAL BED---VALUABLE DISCOVERY.

During the past week an inexhaustible bed of cannel, or candle coal, was discovered on Cavanaugh's Creek, on the Fulton road, and about two miles east of this place. Mr. John B. Gordon, the proprietor, is well satisfied, from examinations given the mine, that the quantity is immeasurable, and the quality excellent. The discovery of a deposit of such coal, so near this place, is the next thing to a gold mine. This is the first coal of the kind found in this county, although it abounds in great quantities in Callaway, Cole and Moniteau. A specimen can be seen at our office.---Missouri Statesman.

BITUMINOUS COAL IN WISCONSIN.

The Fond du Lac Journal chronicles the discovery of veins

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of coal in the town of Taychedah, on "the Ledge." It says: The coal on applying a match catches readily, and burns freely. This coal was discovered in the crevice of the Limestone; and Mr. M. feels confident that further investigations will exhibit it in greater quantities---at least persons familiar in coal regions, state that the geological formation of the immediate vicinity is favorable. We hope that such may be the case. It would be an acquisition to our mineral wealth hitherto unlooked for."

NAVIGATING ST. PETERS' RIVER.

The steamer Anthony Wayne performed this feat on the 28th ult,--ascending the stream 60 miles from its mouth, with apparent ease. We learn from the Minnesota Pioneer, that the scenery along this river is beautiful beyond description---the country itself charming as a paradise. Several Indian villages were passed, and a few visited, during the excursion.

The company on board, some three hundred in number, were highly gratified at the excursion; but, from some unaccountable reason, they were put on short allowance of victuals.

The steamer Lamartine promises to perform the same feat on her next trip, not forgetting the needful in the way of eatables.---Dubuque Express.

LINE OF MAIL STAGES TO SANTA FE.

We are gratified that the Post Office Department has at length established this line upon a footing that promises to be successful in the end; though we have heard that the stages on the first trip encountered a good deal of difficulty on account of the failure of their teams.

The Missouri Commonwealth, published at Independence, gives the following account of the departure and equipment of the first mail stage from that place westward. train left, we believe, on the 1st of July last.

SANTA FE LINE OF MAIL STAGES.

The first

We briefly alluded, some days since, to the Santa Fe line of mail stages, which left this city on its first monthly trip on the first instant. It was our intention at that time to have noticed this matter as its novelty and importance demanded, but want of leisure prevented. This is an important extension of mail service, and will be of untold utility, both to New Mexico and

the States. But we simply took up our pen to give our friends in other parts of the country, some idea of the preparations which have been made by the contractors, Messrs. Waldo, Hall & Co., to convey the mail safely through the Indian country-an undertaking which must seem hazardous, after the many murders that have been perpetrated recently by hostile tribes. The stages are got up in splendid style, and are each capable of conveying eight passengers. The bodies are beautifully painted, and made water-tight, with a view of using them as boats in ferrying streams. The team consists of six mules to each coach. The mail is guarded by eight men, armed as follows: Each man has at his side, strapped up in the stage, one of Colt's revolving rifles; in a holster, below, one of Colt's long revolving pistols, and in his belt a small Colt revolver, besides a hunting knife; so that these eight men are prepared, in case of attack, to discharge one hundred and thirty-six shots without stopping to load! This is equal to a small army, armed as in olden times, and from the courageous appearance of this escort, prepared as they are, either for offensive or defensive warfare with the savages, we have no apprehensions for the safety of the mails. The whole of the equipment for this expedition is of our own city manufacture, except the revolvers.

The enterprising contractors have establishhd a sort of depot at Council Grove, a distance of 150 miles from this city, and have sent out a blacksmith, a number of men to cut and cure hay, with a quantity of animals, grain and provisions; and we understand they intend to make a sort of traveling post there, and to open a farm. They contemplate, we believe, to make a similar settlement at Walnut Creek next season.

Two of their stages will start from here the first of every month. The contractors are amongst our most responsible and wealthy citizens, and the firm is composed, as we understand, of Dr. David Waldo, Jacob Hall, Esq., and William McCoy, late Mayor of our city.—Missouri Commonwealth.

NAVIGATION OF THE UPPER MISSOURI.

We extract from an exchange paper the following account of the voyage of the steamer El Paso to the mouth of Milk river, a tributary of the Missouri; but if the maps are to be relied on, Milk river is much less than 300 miles from the mouth of the Yellow Stone:

Extraordinary Voyage-From Milk River.-Probably few readers know the whereabouts of Milk river. It is "right away in the Indian country," three hundred and fifty miles, more or less, above the mouth of the Yellow Stone river; yet, there has steam penetrated; the steamer El Paso, of St. Louis,