n of Illinois is inexhaustibly rich in
mineral productions, while coal, secondary limestone, and sandstone, are
found in every part.

Iron ore has been found in the southern parts of the State, and is said
to exist in considerable quantities in the northern parts.

Native copper, in small quantities, has been found on Muddy river, in
Jackson county, and back of Harrisonville, in the bluffs of Monroe
county. Crystallized gypsum has been found in small quantities in St.
Clair county. Quartz crystals exist in Gallatin county.

Silver is supposed to exist in St. Clair county, two miles from Rock
Spring, from whence Silver creek derives its name. In early times, a
shaft was sunk here, by the French, and tradition tells of large
quantities of the precious metals being obtained.

In the southern part of the State, several sections of land have been
reserved from sale, on account of the silver ore they are supposed to
contain.

_Lead_ is found in vast quantities in the northern part of Illinois, and
the adjacent territory. Here are the richest lead mines hitherto
discovered on the globe. This portion of country lies principally north
of Rock river and south of the Wisconsin. Dubuque's, and other rich
mines, are west of the Mississippi.

Native copper, in large quantities, exists in this region, especially at
the mouth of Plum creek, and on the Peek-a-ton-o-kee, a branch of Rock
river.

The following is a list of the principal diggings in that portion of the
lead mine region that lies between Rock river and the Wisconsin,
embracing portions of Illinois State, and Wisconsin Territory. Some of
these diggings are, probably, relinquished, and many new ones commenced.

Apple Creek,
GALENA and vicinity,
Cave Diggings,
Buncombe,
Natchez,
Hardscrabble,
New Diggings,
Gratiot's Grove,
Spulburg,
W. S. Hamilton's,
Cottle's,
McNutt's,
Menomonee Creek,
Plattsville,
CASSVILLE and vicinity,
Madden's,
Mineral Point,
Dodgeville,
Worke's Diggings,
Brisbo's,
Blue Mounds,
Prairie Springs,
Hammett & Campbell's,
Morrison's,
and many others.

_Amount of Lead Manufactured._ For many years the Indians, and some of
the French hunters and traders, had been accustomed to dig lead in
these regions. They never penetrated much below the surface, but
obtained considerable quantities of the ore which they sold to the
traders.

In 1823, the late Col. James Johnson, of Great Crossings, Ky., and
brother to th