but also throughout the East and on the Pacific slope, among those interested in mining. An official report from the mining superintendent states that the value of the product from January 1, 1878, to May 25, 1878, was $0,797.62, the total number of tons of ore milled being 685. Included in this product was one bar of gold, the largest ever produced in this country, valued at $54,235.62. The milling facilities are very imperfect, but the owners are now engaged in erecting a 15-stamp mill, and it is their belief that, when completed, it will be able to earn $50,000 per month, working ores from the Penobscot and Snow Drift mines. This rich strike has diverted the public attention from other gold lodes of former prominence, which, however, so far as heard from, are all being steadily worked, with an increased product over that of former years. SILVER LODES. It is impossible, within the necessary limits of this report, to note in detail, or even make reference to, the producing silver lodes in this Territory. After passing through the usual phases of undue inflation, followed by unwise investments and extravagant management, producing great depression, silver mining may now be considered as one of the steady industries, resting upon a permanent basis. The operations at Butte, the present great center of silver-mining and milling were interrupted for some weeks by labor troubles, now, apparently, happily adjusted." In Philipsburg, Vipond, Trapper, Boulder, Jefferson, and other prominent mining districts, work has continued without interruption. During the past fiscal year the facilities for reducing ore have been largely increased throughout the Territory, and many mines, formerly mere prospect holes, are now being skillfully developed in such a manner as to prove their permanence and value. COPPER AND LEAD. Many valuable copper mines are known to exist in Montana; some have been partially worked, and shipments of ore are made. The cost of transportation and the fact that there are no facilities here for reducing such ore have prevented any extensive development of these lodes. The same causes, in connection with the low price of lead, have, in a lesser degree, retarded the mining of galena ores, except where they carry a large percentage of silver. It is only a question of time when these obstacles will be overcome, and the product of copper and lead will then be a very important item in the mineral wealth of this Territory. COAL AND IRON. Large bodies of coal of good quality have been discovered in various parts of Montana and several mines are being worked in a small way. Iron ore has also been found and will some day prove valuable, although at present no inducements exist for working it. SHIPMENTS OF GOLD AND SILVER. The value of the gold and silver shipped from this Territory during the past fiscal year is as follows: By Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express, gold.. By Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express, silver.. By private conveyance, estimated $2,060, 511 $3,180, 146 500,000 800,000 4,480, 146 $331,460 51 385,277 90 716,738 41 Ores and base bullion, estimated Total value of shipments During the same period the United States assay office at Helena, Mont., handled: Gold...... Silver The number and value of the stock assessed in Montana during the Territorial fiscal year ending December 31, 1877, is as follows: The return from Custer County gives only the value of the stock, omitting the number, and it is safe to say that the above figures are an underestimate of the number and value of the stock at the time the assessment was made, in the summer and fall of 1877. Stock men are paying more attention to the improvement of the quality of their stock; the increase this year is much larger proportionately than that of previous years, and large numbers of stock of various kinds have been brought into the Territory since the above assessment was made. As her magnificent natural facilities become better known and utilized, Montana will take rank among the foremost stock countries in the world. As previously stated in this report, the time will soon come when stock men will find it requisite to lease or buy large tracts of land for grazing purposes, and it is earnestly hoped that the necessary legislation on the part of Congress may be had at an early date. POPULATION. The population of Montana, for a long time transitory, and composed mainly of men, has assumed a permanent character, and during the past year many families have been added to its number. The citizens are intelligent, enterprising, and industrious, fully alive to the advantages of education, cheerfully consenting to comparatively heavy taxes to promote its advancement, and, thus far, the evil of tramps is unknown. More people are needed to develop the resources of the Territory, yet the labor market may be said to be fully stocked. As capital is invested in the various industrial enterprises, more labor will be required, but at present what Montana most needs is an influx of intelligent, industrious men and women, who will take up the public lands, and have means enough to support themselves for a year or two until agriculture or stock raising yields them a livelihood. To such Montana offers a home in a beautiful, healthy country, education for their children, and, in the near future, a competence as the result of their economy and industry. CONCLUSION. If I have dwelt at too great length in this report upon the matters relative to surveys, it is due to my earnest desire to see the surveying service made, in all respects, a credit to the country. The present system is in the main a very good one in theory, and it only needs a few changes, easily made, and the earnest efforts of the surveyorsgeneral and the deputy surveyors to make it thoroughly so in practice. The suggestions embodied in this report are respectfully submitted with the earnest hope that, in connection with those of others of longer standing and more experience in the service, they will receive careful consideration and have due weight in determining future legislation regarding this important branch of the public service. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. J. A. WILLIAMSON, Commissioner. ROSWELL H. MASON, United States Surveyor General for Montana. A.—Statement showing condition of appropriation for surveys of public land in the Territory of Montana during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. CR. Amount. |