Here's an intresting article about the mining operation in Wythe Co., VA, in 1790:
"The Pennsylvania Gazette
August 4, 1790
From the VIRGINIA INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE.
'TIS with infinite pleasure I can inform the public, through the medium of your useful paper, that a few days ago, I saw a certificate which was addressed to his Excellency the Governor of Virginia, by Mess. Arthur Campbell, R. Sayers, and W. Montgomery - those gentlemen being pretty generally known, and, as individuals, totally disinterested in the Lead Mines, now worked by Mess. Stephen and Moses Austin, their assurance I have no doubt may be fully relied on - The certificate bears date the 23d June, 1790, and is to this effect - "That at the request of Mr. Stephen Austin, they had viewed the works, and do certify, that there are between fifty and sixty men employed as miners, artificers and laborers; that there are seven pits sunk, of about seventy feet in depth, which are so productive that from six to eight tons of ore may be raised in a day: - That the appearances give confidence to conclude, that the body of ore that may be found in the hill is inexhaustible; - That the present furnace will smelt above one and a half tons of lead daily; - That there are materials for a new furnace now in such forwardness, that it may be fit for use in less than two months - and they conclude from those beginnings, and from the activity and professions of the owners, they believe, that with a small encouragement from the general government, so as to compensate in some degree for the distant inland carriage, that there will be produced and manufactured, in the course of the ensuing year, sufficient for the consumption of the United States." From the above there can remain no doubt, but that the gents which are carrying on this business, will, with proper encouragement, be able in a very short time to fulfil the confident expectations of those gentleman, by furnishing as much lead as can be wanted within the United States. --- The manufactory established within the city of Richmond for making sheet lead and drop shot, is large, thought to be well constructed, and is worked with spirit. --- A cover to the roof of the capitol is now compleating by sheet lead, made at this work, and, I am told by judges, will bear a comparison with any from Europe. --- The drop shot is equal, if not superior to most made in the old countries; indeed, there is nothing wonderful in this, when we observe that, capital workmen, in both those branches, have been procured ; and that the lead is undoubtedly superior in quality, to any yet discovered in Europe. --- Whether we reflect on the numerous uses to which this metal is applied in times of peace , and without which, in its various modifications, immense labor and inconveniences must arise --- or the indispensable necessity for it in times of war , and the great obligation incumbent on every nation to be independent, if possible, in this article; must not every American feel an inward glow of satisfaction on finding the certainty of this valuable metal being at all times and in all situations at the command of his country? and is not great merit to be given, as well as encouragement due to, those gentlemen which have so boldly adventured in a business heretofore tried by several, but persevered in by none, long enough to afford the pleasing prospect now in view, the inexhaustible body of lead in those mines? --- Surely my fellow citizens, from one end of the United States to the other, will feel a peculiar happiness in this communication, and see the necessity of giving proper encouragement to this useful yet infant and expensive undertaking, in which great sums have been and must continue to be laid out, before any adequate returns can be expected, especially as those mines are situated so far inland and in a mountainous country. Does not patriotism call aloud to the purchasers of bar, or manufactured lead, to give a preference to the production of our own country to that of another? Submission is made, and that with great deference too, to the rulers of our general government, whether such a duty should not be laid on imported lead as will ensure to the American production a ready sale; or such a bounty offered to the manufacturers of this useful and necessary article for a certain time, as will operate sufficient encouragement, as they in their wisdom shall deem most mete and proper? --- by either mode I humbly conceive, great sums may be saved, and great security given, to these United States. A friend to American productions & manufacturers."
Spence
