Judging from this outcrop, which I suspect does not do full justice to the bed, at least six feet of merchantable lignitic coal may be depended on from this seam. [Sidenote: And another.] Andrew's bed could only be seen at a point 200 feet above the railroad. It is nearest to the metamorphic axis of the mountain, and hence is the bottom seam in the group. It is said to be wanting at Newcastle. The coal is in two benches, descending: UPPER BENCH. Slate roof: FT. INS. Coal 0 5 Bone 0 0-1/16 Coal 0 4 Bone 0 3 Coal 1 8 Pyrite 0 1-1/2 Coal 1 2 Slate 0 5 Coal 4 4 ---------- Total 8 ft. 8-9/16 ins. LOWER BENCH. FT. INS. Fire-clay 0 6 Coal 1 4 Clay 0 1 Coal 0 4 Clay 0 0-1/2 Coal 1 1 Bone 0 1 Coal 1 9 ---------- Total 4 ft. 8-1/2 ins. The lower bench would probably be neglected for the present, but the upper bench is worthy of immediate development. The coal is of good quality. Perhaps on analysis it would be classed with bituminous coals, although the woody structure is discernible in places. It burns freely. The outcrop of this bed is visible lower down the creek in a crushed condition. [Sidenote: Large body of valuable coal.] My visit was rather premature for a proper study of the group; but there can be no doubt that there is here a large body of valuable coal. The quantity is estimated by the mining engineer, Mr. Whitworth, at 10,500,000 tons. I saw no other coal beds in the territory so favorably situated for mining and loading. Of course, coal standing at an angle of forty degrees cannot be mined so cheaply as if it were horizontal; but all the mines in Washington Territory must contend with this disadvantage, and in all cases coming under my observation, except this one, the mining had to be done on the down grade, which involved much hoisting, pumping, bad air, etc., which can be avoided at the Gilman Mines. An incidental advantage, also, is that the Squak Valley furnishes any amount of timber for building, propping, railroad ties, etc., and when more generally cultivated, a superabundance of agricultural products. The experience of Newcastle, and the rapid growth of the market, indicate that these mines may be enlarged in their operations, almost without limit. [Sidenote: Washington Mines.]