Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1 Page: 171 of 432
This book is part of the collection entitled: From Republic to State: Debates and Documents Relating to the Annexation of Texas, 1836-1856 and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the UNT Libraries Special Collections.
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CHAP. V.]
MINERALS.
117
an association for the purpose has been formed, the
jealousy with which the roving Indians regard the
intrusion of white men upon their hunting grounds
has hitherto retarded the progress of the AngloAmerican
settlers in Texas in systematic geological
researches over the interesting region of the northwestern
highlands.
Iron ore is distributed in profusion throughout
Texas, being found almost everywhere except in the
level region of the coast. Sulphate of iron, alum,
copper, and lead, have been discovered in considerable
quantities. Specimens of steatite, of which
there are extensive beds, and white sulphuret of iron,
have been obtained on the banks of the Rio Frio.
At the sources of the Brazos there is a large mass of
bright and malleable metal, slightly oxidated, several
tons weight, of which a portion was conveyed
to New York, some years back, under the impression
of its being platinum. Experiments, it is stated,
proved it to be pure native, or meteoric, iron; a very
rare species of ore, the existence of which was long
disputed by mineralogists, but which has been found
not only in volcanic formations, but in veins properly
so called; zinc and iron pyrites are occasionally
discovered. Valuable lime-stone, gypsum, and
mill-stone grit, are found in various sections of the
country, and. on the upper forks of the Trinity lead
has been found as pure and as accessible as at the
celebrated mines of Missouri. A species of stone,
in the vicinity of San Antonio de Bexar, affords a
most convenient and durable building material.
When first taken from the quarry, it is quite soft,
and may be worked with the greatest facility; but by
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Kennedy, William. Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1, book, January 1, 1841; London. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2389/m1/171/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.