AS one great End of our Existence, consists in being useful to each other in social Life, in a careful Discharge of all [...] D [...]ties incumbent on us; sensible of this, according to my small Capacity I have endeavoured to pro­mote the Good, and general Interest of the Community of which I am a Part, and with whom I have a strong Connection; but by Reason of my Situation in the Country▪ Want of proper Instruments to lend Assistance in searching into the Secrets of Na [...]ure, and St [...]te of Bodies, have been able to make but a [...] Progress in that which I have so much at Heart.

With this View, I now give an imper [...]e [...]t History of a singular Sort of Sand, called s [...]u­ring Sand; denominated so, [...] the Acco [...]t of its peculiar Fitness to scour, [...], and [...].

[...] ▪ [Page 4] and even to sixty Rods in Length, in some Places: Had they not been distinguished on the Account of the aforesaid Uses, their uncom­mon Colour, and ponderous Nature; they might have remained unnoticed to the End of Time. These Sands ap [...]ea [...] and disappear at different Seasons of the Year, they appear in the Summer and Autumn, and in a great Mea­sure disappear in the Winter. They lie in the greatest Degree of Depth close in with the Upland, then fall away gradually towards the Sea, — know not whether there be any beyond Low-Water Mark.

I once thought these Sands were brought up by the Waves of the Sea, and then by the Agitation of the Sea in Storms, and by the great Hurry of Waters, were carried back again to the Sea; but am now fully convinced that this Conjecture was unphilosophical, and not founded on true Principles: As the Solution of that Phoenomenon did not then appear any Way interesting, my Thoughts were unattentive, [...]or was I concerned whether my Conjecture was right or w [...]ng, but I am now certain, that the black Particles of these Sands are Iron, well washed from all Impurity, and that they are derived from the u [...]land Earth a [...]a [...]ent, as also from other [...] [...]ands; I conclude so, for the following Reasons;

[...]

[Page 5] [...]

[Page 6] [...] Sea, in its Flux and Reflux, that there [...] T [...]me to form a Cohesi [...]n; this Motion [...] Iron Particles is what keeps them so pure and free from all fabulous and other heterogene­ous Mixtures; which I suppose to be the Reason why such a small Quantity of this Sand Ore will afford such a large Quantity of Iron, be­yond that of Bog Ore, or Mountain Ore▪ The Iron Mines of New-Milford and Salisbury, which are accounted very good (if I remember right) afford but one Ton of Iron from three or four Tons of the Ore; ordinarily they reckon four Tons, one with another, to a Ton of Iron.

I formerly had an Interest in the Ore Bed in Salis [...]ury, which I have sold; the other in New-Milford I still retain, but having com­mitted it to the Care of one of my Sons settled in those Parts; I have in some Measure forgot the Proportions of Ore to Iron, but think I am not mistaken; and can correct afterwards if I find any Mistake.

When we dig thro' these Ore Sands, under­ [...]eath we find a yel [...]ow Substance, much resem­bling what those who dig up the Bog Ore call the Mother of Iron, which they suppose to be the [...]bulum and Food of the growing Bed of [...] w [...]at it is I know not; possibly it may be the Cement which ho [...]ds the Particles of Iron t [...]gether, but is [...] in doing its Office b [...] the frequent [...] of the Particles of Iron, and so [...]ails to the Bottom whe [...] we [...] it.

[Page 7]These Iron Particles are scattered in many Parts of the Earth, and carried forward by the Water from Rill [...] to Brooks, from Brooks to Rivers, till they fall into the Sea, mingle with the Sand Ore, and add to the Quantity, or to some proper Bed. Travelling the Road with the Reverend Messrs. Ruggles and Todd, at the Bottom of an Hill which we had descended, while we were discoursing on this very Subject, we observed some Sand brought down by the Water, nigh a Brook, which it might probably reach the next Rain; on the Top of that Sand there was a thin Stratum of a blue Colour, we had nothing convenient to take off this Stra­tum, but took up all together, brought it to my House, and dried it; there was three Penny Weight of Sand, from which we extracted with the artificial Magnet 15 Grains of Iron Particles, which were in Figure and Colour the same with the Sand Ore.

If it be objected, that as Iron is much hea­vier than Water, so it must be contrary to the Laws of Gravitation to suppose Iron to be transported in Water: If we consider how Iron may be plated so thin as to swim in Water, and that these Particles of Iron are much less than Plates made by Hand, it is not strange they should swim.

As these Particles of Iron were on the Sur­face of the Sand, so they must have floated on the Top of the Water by which they were con­veyed; if th [...]se Particles of Iron were much [Page 8] larger, the Velocity and rapid Motion of the Water might thrust them forward, as we see Gravel and even great Stones [...]umbled forward by the Force of Water. Since this Observa­tion was made, Persons that are curious and attentive, have seen frequently in the Roads and elsewhere, these Iron Particles.

From hence we may conclude the Usefulness of Water, not only in Vegetation, but also for Transportation of Bodies to the Place of their Destination; so what a Political Writer said of the Dutch, that they were the grand Carriers of the World, may with greater Propriety be ap­plied to Water. Water not only serves to bring together the Materials which form a Tree, or a Mine of Iron, but also unites them toge­ther; it is the grand Cement or Bond of Union; take away Water from Wood and it will be­come like Powder of Post, take away Water from common Stone and it become as Sand, extract it from Limestone (which as Borehaa [...]e saith, yields the most Water, it will become Lime in fine Powder; so I suppose, if Water was taken from Bog or Rock Ore, it would become like this Iron Sand Ore.

Many Years past a Number of Proprietors in an Iron Work, being in Want of Iron Ore, heard of a great Quantity in an Island; they sent and found a large Bed of it, but the Water which had fed and maintained it being drawn away, or dried away, the [...]ine was starved, become dry like an Honey Comb, [Page 9] when all the Cells are destitute of Honey, and therefore would yield no Iron.

I was also informed of another Iron Mine at Windsor, which was so richly fed with Water, fully impregnated with Iron Particles, that the Ore being taken away, the vacant Bed in a Number of Years was replenished with a new Stock fit for Use. It is consistent with Reason to suppose, that as it is with Fire, Water, Air, and Earth, so it is with Iron, which is a component Part of the Earth; that there was at first, just such a Proportion and Quantity created, which is never more nor less, and hath so continued from the Beginning, and will [...]o the End of Time. The Fire dispersed in all Parts of the World, is gathered [...]nd collected into one or many Places, and is increased ac­cording to the Proportion of Fuel, where it is put in Motion; which is vulgarly called a Fire. It is as easy to strike Fi [...]e with Flint and S [...]el, or if you have Wood, to kindle a Fire in Gre [...] ­land, as in Persia, or the hottest Part of the World.

Water which is raised from the Seas, Lakes, Ponds and Rivers, and carried in Clouds over the Land, is let fall in Dews and Rains, and then returns by Rills, Brooks and Rivers, to the Places prepared to receive it; and as Water continues its circular Motion and Round, so I conceive it is with Iron; by the Water the Particles of Iron are carried to a proper Bed or Receptacle, thence it is taken and wrought for [Page 10] the Use of Man, and is worn out in his Service; or contracts a Rust and is consumed when it is worn away, as by the Earth in plowing, or from Horses Shoes in travelling, or from Iron Shod Wheels in carting, or by grinding with a grind Stone: The Iron by these Means, re­duced again to fine Particles, and returns to the Earth again: When it is corrupted by Rust; this is much as when a Tree rots, or a Man dies, they Each return to Mother Earth again; these same Particles of Iron then worn away, are not annihillated or lost, but being joined with Sulphur, and those other Materials which constitute Iron Ore, it proceeds and takes the same Journey round till it comes to the Smith's Forge again: Under all these Changes and Revolutions there is no Addition; the same Quantity as there was at first, there remains the same still, and no more.

A Piece of Iron Ore was sent to me as a Curiosity from Salisbury, taken from the Ore Bed in that Place; it was in the Shape and Form of three Isicles, two or three Inches long, and join­ed to a Body of Ore like Fingers to the Hand; Water impregnated with Particles of Iron, had ra [...] down upon three Spires of Grass as Con­ductory to the Mineral Water, the Water from Time to Time drying away, left the Iron Particles in the above said Form:—Which is a farther Evidence, that Iron in its pri­mitive and original State, is in very small Particles, and are collected and brought toge­ther [Page 11] b [...] Water, and there formed into Masse [...] of various Forms, as we find in what we call Iron Mines.

Iron if considered either Mechanically or Medicinally, is the most useful Metal in the World▪ An Ax made of Iron and Steel is for all Mechanical Uses very much to be prefered to an Ax of Gold; Steel is only Iron diffe­rently modified; if Amputation is to be per­formed, the Surgeon and Patient would choose a Knife of Steel, rather than a Knife of Gold. In the Rebellion under Pizarro in Peru, they were obliged for want of Iron to Shoe their Horses with Silver, but it was but poor Stu [...] [...]or that Use compared with Iron.

Medicinally used it is greatly preferable to other more costly Metals. There has been much said of Aurum Potabile, and of Preparati­ons of Silver, but they are but splended Trifles compared with Preparations of Iron; but let the Preparation or Composition be what it will, whether a Water, a Powder, or a Salt, still it is Iron; these Preparations pass through the Body, and return again to their original State.

How useful is this Metal fo [...] the Forging and making the Instruments of Agricu [...]ture, for proc [...]g o [...] neces [...]ry Food; for [...]aking [...] pro­c [...]ring [Page 12] a sufficient Store of it must be of great Importance to Mankind.^*

What I have further to write on this Sub­ject, not only for the Sake of Order and greater Precision, but even from Necessity too, will be in the Manner of a Journal. For now en­tering on the Borders of Terra incognita,—can advance not one Step forward, but as Expe­rience my only Pole Star shall direct, am obliged to write as poor Men live, from Hand to Mouth, and as Light springs up before me as I advance.

To trace the Matter therefore from the Be­ginning; Some Years past viewing this black Sand, the present Subject of writing, with particular Attention, was very much of the Mind that the black Particles were Iron; if it had been tried with a Magnet and was not affected by it, it would not have alter'd my Resolution to try it if an Opportunity should present, having been credibly informed that [Page 13] the Mountain Ore of New Mil [...]rd ▪ [...] not affected by the Magnet▪ even when it was pul­verized

Having had no Opportunity of making a Trial, the Matter rested till the last Year, when my Son ere [...]ted Iron Works in this Town, in order to refine [...]g Iron; upon that I reasu [...]ed the Purpose o [...] making a Trial, to see if Iron could be made from it; it is true, I might have sent of this Sand to an Iron Work at a Distance: If [...]ad, how unavailing would it have been, where I had neither I [...]terest or Authority to [...]em the Tide of Prejudices that there is against Projectors, and the seem [...]ng Impossibility of making Iron from Sea Sand? The Owner of the Works, and the Workmen would have united in rejecting such a silly Proposal: A Projector is under discouraging Circumstances, he must make his Fac [...] harder than a Rock; for if he succeeds in any important Undertaking, it is th [...]n depreciated as [...]o great A [...]cheivement, and within the Reach of an ordinary Capacity; if he [...] it spreads general Joy, and he becomes a Subject of [...], as a Jeffery G [...]crack, or a Second D [...]n Quix [...]te; and indeed i [...] the Un­dertaking be either useless▪ or impossible, such as the Art of Flying, the grand Cath [...]co [...], [...]r t [...]e Philo [...]opher's Stone, the Pr [...]jectors are [...]ly ridi [...]ulous.

Mentioning some Things of this Nature t [...] [...]y learned and worthy [...] [Page 14] judiciously observed, that such Treatment wa [...] neither just nor political; that the German [...] acted a wiser Part, for i [...] a Project failed, un­less it was ridiculous in itself, the Undertaker was named with Respect, saying though it failed, yet it was well imagined.

If some Body had not happily projected for us the Art of making Iron and Steel till this Time, we might have been confined to the Use of Stone Hoes and Axes, as were the mi­serable original Indian Inhabitants of this Land, and are even to this very Day.

My Son's Iron Works being erected as I said before; some Time last November I rode down to the Beach, where I found the black Sand had in a great Measure disappeared. I fil­led my Saddle-Bags with the black Sand, which I gathered from the Surface of the red Sand, but the Chaffery was not then finished, and the Refinery not being fit for such a Purpose, the Trial could not be made, it was therefore necessarily suspended till the first Week in January.

The Sa [...]d being weighed, which was de­signed to be used in the Trial, we desired the Workman to use his best Skill to see if he could make Iron from it: Against which, the Workman objected three Things.

1st, That he was not a Bloomer by Trade, but a Refiner, therefore it was out of his Pro­vince; but as there was su [...]h an Affinity be­tween these two Occupa [...]ions, we did not [Page 15] doubt his Skill and Ability to do it, if done it could be.

2d, That notwithstanding the Weight and Appearance of this Sand, he much doubted whether it contained Iron Ore or not.

3d, He farther observed that if it were Iron Ore, it consisting of such very fine heavy Par­ticles like Flesh without Bones, having nothing to sustain it, would run down among the Coals, sink to the Bottom, full too low, and conse­quently never gather into a Mass and form a Loop.

This, I must confess, was a formidable Ob­jection, a Difficulty which I had foreseen, and which we knew not how to obviate, otherwise then by adding to the Sand some Cinder or Slag, which had [...]owed from Pig Iron in the Working; notwithstanding this Difficulty, my Son and I were determined at all Events, that a Trial should be made. Besides the Exer [...]ion of Authority, we thought it best to engage the Workman to exert himself, and use his best Skill by motives of Honour and [...], let him know the Importance of the U [...] ­dertaking; he being a s [...]ber Man, who would use strong Drink with Moderation and Tem­pe [...]ance, I promised him that i [...] he could pro­duce a Bar of Iron from that Sand, I would send him a Bottle of Rum. The Workman used great Diligence, Labour, Patience, and [...] as I was capable of judging Skill too: As [...] a Number of P [...]ple waiting [...] [Page 16] see the Issue of this singular Undertaking, who grew uneasy with long Attendance, we diverted ourselves as well as we could. I told them that it had been said of Spaniards, that when they were angry with a Man, the utmost that Ill-Will could suggest was, that they wished that he might be always employed in Building▪ and wait for a Man that should never come: That our present Situation made me think of a certain whimsical Enthusiast, who told his Wife, that if she had primitive Faith as he had, Stones might be turned into Bread▪ there­fore ordered her to heat the Oven well, then to put [...] Stones, and close the Mouth in good Order; after t [...]o Hours ba [...]ing directed her [...]o dra [...] the Bread be [...]ore she opened the Oven, [...], I [...] not [...] that it is Bread; o [...] Sight [...] the Stones [...], I told you so, that it would not [...]e Bread; [...]o which the Man replied, [...] this is because you did not Believe; but said she, why is it not half Bread? The Work­ [...]an being under great Discouragement took the Hint, and turns to me, Sir here is no Bread.

After some Time found a Substance adhe­ [...]ing to the Crow-bar, which he shook off, [...] with the Hammer, and found it Malle­able, says, this is certainly Iron; after five Hours [...]abour, long look't for came at Last, he drew out a la [...]ge Loop; it bore Shingling and [...] well, and when compl [...]ted, the [...] weighed [...] two Po [...]nds and an Half, and [Page 17] proved excellent good Iron; Part of it was tried by the most Skilful of our [...]lack-Smiths, who pronounced it to be equal to the best of refined or Swedes Iron.

Some may say, that such trivial Stories, and a long Detail of minute Particulars concerning a little Bag of Sand and a Bar of Iron, is really below the Dignity of Writing. I do not know what such Persons intend, by Dignity of Writing, unless they can Mean, that when a Person is to write a Letter or a Book, he must ascend into the Clouds, think himself going about something quite different from the common Actions of Life: That he must divest him himself of that Sociability, that easy Freedom, that Familiarity which is so much the Support and Pleasure of Conversa­tion; must now put on a distant and forbidding Air, assume a solemn Mein, a formal Stiffness, as if clad in Buckrum; and being thus equipt is in Appearance like a Hog in Armour, very different from the inimitable Sir William Temple, who relates the common Incidents of Life, in such an easy agreeable Manner, as to engage the Attention, captivate the Mind, and excite the Admiration of every Reader.

The Matter related is not so inconsiderable as some may think, but a Matter of impor­tance; for as to me, it was to know whether these numerous Sand B [...]nks, which as far as we know, may contain Ore [...] Thousands of Tons of Iron, [...] to Man­kind, [Page 18] to future Times, as they have in all Ages past. If this Trial had fa [...]ed, when neither Skill, Care, [...] nor [...] sufficient Length of Time was wanting, and more [...] as the P [...]o [...]ect did not wear the most p [...]omis [...]g Face or Prospect of [...]; I think I [...] not have been so hardy as to have made another Attempt.

It was a discouraging Circumstance that one third Part of the Sand was common Grit Sand, which is hard to Flux, and when it is melted runs into a kind of Glass▪ this dry hungry vitrous Matter being more likely to retard than promote the Flux of the Metal, whereas the true Cin [...]er or Slag greatly promotes the Design of reducing the Ore into Iron, and is as useful as the other is prejudicial▪ although this Grit Sand doth not prevent the Operation, yet I suppose it to be one Cause why it is so slow in melting. When I gathered that Sand of which the Trial was made, I did suppose that no more could be got [...] the next Appearance of the Sands.

On the second Week in January, I desire [...] my Son to ride to the B [...]ach and see if he coul [...] scrap [...] up a little more Sand▪ some he found driven on to the Upland, and some in Holes and Corners;— mixed it with Bog Ore, and made two Bars of Iron; as B [...]g Ore [...] poor, and this S [...]nd Ore so [...] ▪ thought it would make a to [...]erab [...] Sort of I [...]o [...], [...] it should so happen that [...] Sand [...] obtained [Page 19] but in small Quantities; such a Mixture would be a good Saving.

The third Week the Anvil gives Way, a large Breach is made; the greater Part of the Week is spent in cutting it down to make a new Face. This is the third Time the Anvil has failed in this Manner; and a new Hammer was broken to pieces and wholly spoiled not many Months past: I tell my Son that I think he must send to England for a new Sup­ply, where I am informed those which are good may be had; so much Delay, Expence, and Disappointment, being the Consequence of trusting to those made of such bad Metal; what he hath in Use being an old second Hand Hammer.

About this Time, and for some Time past; having been at Work on a Parcel of Pig Iron, which is of such a sharp sulphureous Nature, as frequently to burn and destroy the Tew Irons, which is the Occasion of much Delay and Expence, as well as Loss of Time; at all Times, and with the best Pig Iron, there is Difficulty and Loss on this Score, though not equal to what it is when they Work those of a sharp Kind. A Tew Iron is a Case of Iron so framed, and of such a Constructure, as to secure the Bellows Pipes from being hurt by the Fire, and to convey and direct the Blast of Wind into the Fire; I have thought of various Expedients to re­medy that Evil, have some Times thought of making them of the Asbestos or Cotton Stone, [Page 20] or of that Composition of which Crucibles are made, but then the Clearing Rod, and the Crow Bar so often Entering, and the necessary Motion that must be made of the Loop, while in the Fire, and the Drawing it out, will ine­vitably break such brittle Substance.

There is a Sort of Wood, in or near [...] Place [...] called the Nine Partners, which is Incumb [...]stible; it will endure strong Heat, will be re [...] Hot, but not consume neither by Length or Strength of Heat; Fire makes no more Impression upon it than on the Asbestos; makes no se [...]sible Diminution of the Substance, or Alteration in Colour or Texture, I once had a small [...] of this Wood; several have seen it in the Pos­sion of others: This Wood is not of a sparry or a strong Substance, but hath all the Properties of Wood, except that strange differencing Quality, that it is Uncombustible.

Some say that there are living Trees of this Kind; others say, that there was only one Log of it, which was discovered by an Endeavour to burn it out of the Way, it was found Impe­netrable by Fire; some think that this in Fact▪ is the Case, and that it is All, or the greater Part chiped of, and carried away to shew as a Rarity; that it acquired this singular Pro­perty by some Effluvia from the Earth; which is in Truth accounting for one Phaenomenon, by another as strange and unaccountable as the first; but let this be as it will, I have employed a young Student of the College, who travels [Page 21] into that Part of the Country, to get the best Information upon the Spot that he can, and to procure me a small Piece, if none that are large can be had, that I may send it to the Society [...] London ▪ I imagine that if Pieces of this Wood, whether green or dry, could be pro­cured large enough to make Cases, to serve in the Place of Tew Irons, they would last till they were wo [...]n away by Friction; which would take a long Time, and would endure like Asbestos, called with us Cotton Stone. The making and mending of Tew Irons is a great Expence of Time and Labour.

The third Week of January, I told my Son that it was not unlikely but that our Theory, concerning the appeari [...]g and d [...]sappearing of the black and might be wrong, and instead of being carried off to Sea, they might be buried under common Sand, driven up by Storms and high Tides: At about sixteen Inches depth he found great [...]; there were sundry smaller Stratas and one Large, about four Inches thick, clean, heavy, and very black▪ soon car­ried off three Tons to the Works. Finding the black Sand buried under common Sand, quite un [...]aveled the whole Mystery of the Periodical disappearing of the I [...]on Sand; but then as to these Sands mak [...]ng their Appearance in the [...]ummer; a Person of greater Sagacity might have found out the Latter by the Former, [...]ut I was not so happy; I still remained unresolved, [...] ab [...] to account for it: One of the Cart-Loads [Page 22] of Sand in its Passage to the Iron Works, being stayed for a Time in the Street, there falling a hower of Rain in the Night, look­ing on it in the Morning, I observed that the Rain had driven away the common Sand, which is mixed with the Iron Sand, as being surprisingly [...]ighter than the Ore Sand, and had le [...]t the Iron Sand like Cream on the Top; I rode down to the Beach, and found the Rain had done the same there, where the [...]tratum of common Sand was thin: This Observation upon Matter of Fact, resolved two Things, which were Matter of Doubt and Difficulty: First, I learned that it was by Rain that the lighter common Sand was removed, wh [...]ch being repeated, and [...]o [...]torms to [...]ring up a new Accession of common Sand, the Sand Ore makes [...]ts Appearance in its p [...]oper Season. The other Difficulty was this, that I had ob­served that the richest and he [...]viest Part of the Iron Sand, was on the Surface of the Beach; wh [...]ch seemed to be contrary to t [...]e Law of Gravitation; but these Matters of Fact, shew, that it is so far from being contrary to the Law of Gravitation, that it is fully Agreea [...] to it. I should not have been so long and [...]ticular on this Article, but on [...] it may be servicable to Those who m [...] be [...] Search after these Sands.

When we meet with Difficul [...]ies relating to natural History, for which we are not [...] Account, when by Experience and [...] ▪ [Page 23] the Whole of that which seemed to be so Mysterious, comes to be fully explo [...]ed, we wonder at our former Blindness; and [...]o others who had never been perplexed with them, and now see them in full Light, they appears so so plain, natural and easy, they think that the Discovery is not in any Degree Meritorious.

The Manufacturing of Sand into Iron hav­ing made a great deal of Noise far and wide, I was informed of many more Places where there is an Appearance of these Sands, than ever I had any K [...]wledge of before: I heard that there was of it at [...], a large Bank of it at New-London, at Block Island, at Long-Isl [...]d, on the North [...]nd South [...]; at Guil­ford, at Bran [...]rd, and at New Haven, besides what we have in this Town, from whence my Son gathers what he makes use of. It is many Years since I have seen the Book, if I remember right, Gordon in his Geographical Grammar, writes of a [...] of black [...] at New-Haven, as one of the Rarities of New [...]England.

About this Time, sent my Sons East and West to search for Iron Sands, but found them covered up, and not knowing exactly the Spot, where these Sands were wont to make their Appearan [...]e, [...] that was very good. I think that [...] would be acting a pru­dent Part, for [...] where the [...] Sand makes its [...] a Stake in that [...], that [...] [...]t [...]ay be known where [Page 24] to dig, and to gather up what is on the Sur­fac [...] in those Seasons, and put it into Casks prepared for that Pu [...]pose.

About this Time go to New-Haven, and bring with me two artificial Magnets, with a Design to know what Proportion of Iron, is contained in each of these several Sorts of Iron Sand; these Magnets are made at that Town, by a Workman who received his Instructions from that learned and [...]genious Gentleman Joseph Harrison, Esq the red [...] being the poorest of all the Iron Sand, the Magnet could seperate only one eighth Part and a half, it seemed to be but dry hu [...]gry Particles of Iron, being extracted from the Sand, by the strong Force of the Mag [...]ets▪ that of a deeper red one Quarter, others an Hal [...], some two Thirds, and some more, that which yields two Thirds Ore, is that of which my [...]on makes his Iron. Every Week's Experience affords a new Acces­sion of Knowledge, and opens a new Scene of Wonders, and fur [...]ish [...]s out a new Set of Ideas. Having n [...]w fou [...]d a Plenty of Sand Ore, and car [...]ed up something of a Stock for the Present, after a Time go on to make [...]and Iron s [...]ccessf [...]lly, making [...]oops of which each affords a Ba [...] of Iron, of two or three and Fifty Pounds. It still continues to Work but slowly, which is strange, c [...]sidering the fine Particles of which the Sand doth consist; takes more T [...]me th [...] [...] Bog [...], or [...] Or [...], [...] however, that in Tim [...] [Page 25] [...] Remedy may be found for this Evil or In­convenience; the Sand contained in it, I sup­pose to be an Obstruction. The Iron made of Sand Ore, is not only fit to answer all the or­dinary Purposes for which Iron is used, but it seems to be well fitted for, and to have all the Qualities requisite for making Steel for Edge Tools.

1st, In the first Place, this Iron is soft; the popular or vulgar Notion is, that the hardest Iron is best for Steel; this I suppose to be a Mistake, founded on a Conjecture, that Steel is no other than Iron made hard; if this were the Case, a great Degree of Hardness in Iron would for­ward the Operation; as this Iron is soft, so the heat and virtues of the Ingredients made use of in making the Change, will the more effectually Penetrate, in order to make a full Conversion of the Iron to Steel.

2d, This Iron is pliant, or as we vulgarly say, tough. In Iron Bars there is a Grain, which runs the whole Length of the Bar, which is sometimes visible to the naked Eye; in breaking a very tough Bar of Iron, the Fibres appearing in some Measure resembling the Grain of Wood; the more distinct and connected these Fibres are, so much the more pliant and tough. If this be true in Fact, we see what is the Cause of the Pliancy or Toughness in Iron; I suppose it to be a necessary Property in Iron, to render it fit for making the best Steel for Edge-tools.

[Page 26]3d, Another Property of this Iron is, that the Grain is fine; The Particles o [...] Grains of Gold are fine, and consequently connected, which is one Reason of its Ductility.

If I have any right Notion of the Manner in which Iron is cleansed or converted to Steel it is this; that when the Iron lies confined in the Store Chest or Box, the Heat and the Virtues of the Ingredients communicate, cut and divide these Fibres into Angles, resembling Diamond Point [...] [...]f the Grains which go to constitute the Fibres or Filaments, are fine, so much the the fi [...]er will the Angles or Diamond Points be; and by how much the more Plian [...] and Tough these Fibres or Filaments are, so much the stronger they will be, and the Angles into which they are divided; and consequently so much the better to cut, and bear force as in A [...]es and Stone Chisels, where Steel is put to the hardest Trial.

Iron when it is enclosed in the Chest is greatly expanded, as appears by the Blisters that rise on the Bar; this Expansion is the Cause of [...]uch a strong Tension upon the Grain or Fila­ments, as to snap them off Short; an hard Substance thus broken short, necessarily forms [...]to Angles, or Diamond Points; if the Change be not brought about in this Manner, I must [...]onfess I am not able to account for it at all.

It is said that the Edge of an Ax, Knife or Rasor, viewed through a Microscope, appears [...] Saw; it is probable that this is a [Page 27] true Representation, as the Edge is composed of a Row of these Angl [...]s or diamond Points; so that to speak strictly and philosophically, that which is cut is sawed asunder. As all Theory not founded upon Matter of Fact, and that is not the Result of Expe [...]ience, is vague and uncertain; therefore it is with great Diffi­dence that I have offered any Thing in Way of Theory, which is only conjectural, and shall always take it as a Favour to be corrected and set right; for I suppose that the greatest Obstruction to the Increase of Knowledge is Pride and self-Sufficiency, I have learned many useful Things from the lowest of the People, not only in Rank, but in Understanding too. Most Men by their Observation and Experi­ence arrive at the Knowledge of some thing not known to others, let each esteem Others better than themselves.

One of the Ways in which Steel is prepared for medicinal Uses, is by apply [...]ng a Bar of red hot Steel to a Roll of Brimstone, holding it over a Vessel of Water; the Steel will melt and fall down in Drops into the Water, the Water being poured off, and the Steel dried, in a metal Mortar it may be reduced to powder like prepared Coffee: This being Matter of Fact, I thought that there was Reason to con­clude, that when Steel or Iron was too hard and touchy (as the Smith's say) would not bear the Hammer, it would break and fly to Pieces, especially when welding hot: With such [Page 28] Stuff the black Smith spends his Time, his Coal, his Patience, and his Reputation with his Customers; he has paid his Money for it, therefore cannot afford [...]o lose it, goes on s [...]ri [...]ng to work it, but strives in vain▪ I sup­pose that these bad Qualities in Steel and Iron, is owing to a too great Quantity or Proportion of Sulphur in its Composition.

Therefore in Order to resolve this Question, and to determine whether the Brittleness of Steel or Iron, be owing to an abounding of sulphu­reous Particles, and for a Remedy at the same Time; from a Number of Bars of b [...]d Steel, I chose a Bar the most friable, touchy, and the worst I could find; [...] le [...]t I might [...]e mis­ [...]aken, and that it might be better than I had [...] I ordered the Smith to try it, and found it as bad as it was supposed to be, and full a [...] bad or worse than above described.

Having s [...]cked Lime in Readiness, I direc­ted the S [...]th to use this Lime as they use Clay, to [...]ve the Steel or Iron from burning, with this Alteration only, that [...]e should cast into the Fire more in Quantity, than what they use of Clay; and to give it a welding Heat; when it was taken out and hammered, there [...] off [...] thick Scale from the Steel, which when broken was white within, occasioned by the Lime that was mixed with the Cinde [...]s; the Effect was, that after this Operation, the Steel was malleable, and could be wrought very well in the common Way with Clay. [Page 29] The Steel being thus enclosed on all Sides w [...]th a thick Coat, the sulphureous Particles were ex­tracted, or else consumed, something analogous to [...]ncaling.

I must confess that I made only this single Trial; it hath not been usual with me to pub­lish or recommend any Thing upon one single Experiment: Some Smith's to whom I com­municated the Method say, that they have tried it with success. As there hath been some Pig Iron made of such sulphureous Metal, as to be matter of Terror and Vexation to Refiners▪ it may be worth while to try this Method upon the Iron made of such bad Pig Iron; the Way is cheap, easy, and as I suppose harmless; if it prove a Cure of the ill Quality of such Iron, it may prove of considerable Advantage to the Publick. Intimations of this Kind, crude and imperfect, and not supported with repeated Experiments may at least give an Handle to further Improvements. The Iron made of Sand Ore seems to have no more Sulphur in its Composition than is in due Pro­portion.

If I am mistaken as to the Cause of the Brit­tleness of Steel and Iron, it is the Practice of melting Steel with Brimstone has led me astray; for when we see good malleable Steel in a Mo­ment rendered as brittle as China Ware, only by mixing with the Steel, particles of Brimstone, c [...] we think otherwise? To this it may be objected, that Iron when melted or fused by [Page 30] Heat alone, wi [...]l become brittle as all Cast Iron is known to be; but then Cast Iron cannot be pulver [...]ed as Stee [...] or Iron may be, when melte [...] wi [...]h Brimstone▪ how wrong soever I am in Theory, yet [...] in Fact it should be [...]ound by Experience, that Lime applied as above, should be [...] cure for bad Steel and Iron▪ we shall have the Benefit of the Effect as in the Load Stone, though we mistake the Cause

Iron being so necessary for the carrying on of Husbandry, Arts and Navigation, as hath been intimated already; there being as yet no more Iron Ore found, than only two Beds of Moun­tain Ore, one at New-Milford, and another at Salisbury ▪ and a small Matter of Bog Mine: and the greater Part of that at Salisbury, being transported out of the Government, and never returning again but by Purchase; there remains no more wholly belonging to this Colony, save only that of New Milford ▪ that and a sma [...] Part of Sal [...]sbury Mine, being all that we can call our own; and this being so utterly in­sufficient to supply so great a Deman [...], unless a Furnace be erected to render the New-Millford Ore more extensively Useful, or the [...]e Iron Sands, or both, afford a much larger Supply than at at Present, other Colonies must still, as they have done, draw from us large Sums Yearly, which we can but [...]ll spare▪ in the Purchase of P [...]g Iron, we save One- [...] by Manufacturing, for although there [...] little Gain accruing to the Manufacturer, yet [...]t [Page 31] is a [...]aving of Ha [...] to the Colo [...]y; the Im­po [...]tation o [...] Bar I [...]n [...] upon u [...] as a heavie [...] [...], being [...] the [...] by Purchase.

There are promising Appea [...]ances of Sand Ore [...] many [...]aces [...] this Colony, but what th [...]se Beac [...]es may afford, no Man ca [...] tell, w [...]ether much [...]r [...], it be [...]ng no [...] to examine that Matter▪ i [...] they should all be as well [...] withi [...], as that S [...]o [...]t [...]each from w [...]ch my Son draws his Supply, they may [...]ove greatly to our Advantage: There may be enough, together with what Mountain a [...]d [...] Ore we have, to supply the whole Govern­ment, and for Exportation too; of which we we have great Need, having no one Product o [...] which we can make an immediate Remittance [...] Pa [...]ment for the Abundance of English Goods, which our increasing Wants call [...]or.

I presume that no Person will pretend to set up Iron Works, o [...] Dependence of Working [...] Ore Sa [...]ds▪ til [...] they have first g [...]thered up what can be had on the Surface of the [...] whence they expect to be supplied▪ [...] to [...] what can be had by [...] gather to the amount of Three [...] Hundred Tons, with a good [...] supplies▪ for what is so [...], [...]ad need [...]e made as [...]re as the Nature of [...] allow, b [...]ore they put themselv [...]s [...] [Page 32] Sands, in Case they should be found in a great Quantity, and of a good Quality, such as those already Found.

1st, From the Situation, being adjacent to the [...]ea, convenie [...]t for Transport [...]tion, to be conveyed into Rivers on which Iron Works in Time may be erected; the Convenience of Water bearing, and the cheap Conveyance compared with the heavy Charge of Land Carriage, is obvious to every one, too plain to need any farther Enlargement on this Head.

2d, As it generally, I suppose, requires five Ton or more of Bog Ore▪ to make a Ton of Iron, and from three to fo [...]r Tons of Mountain Ore to make one Ton of Iron, and from Twenty-eight Hundred to o [...]e Ton and Half of Pig Iron, to make one Ton of Iron [...]; Of this Sand Ore it requires no more than two Tons, to make one Ton of Iron, which is also of small Cost; so then in Case of [...]and Carriage, this Sand Ore w [...]ll bear more than double the length of Mountain Ore or Bog Ore; that is to say, this will as well bea [...] the Charges of ten Miles Land Carriage, as the other Sorts of Ore five Miles.

3d, If there should ever be [...]ou [...]d a [...] Quantity of this Sand Ore, to [...] it is all ready pulverised [...] your Hand; [...] [Page 33] that made from [...] ▪ by refining, if by any Means the sinking a Loop of this in the Chaffery, could be brought within the Com­pass of two Hours, [...] would never turn to any profitable Account to erect a Furnace; nay, i [...] the Sinking a Loop could be brought within the Compass of three Hours.

4th, The Gathering, Digging, Raising and Filling of Carts or Boa [...]s, with this Sand Ore is cheap, compared with the Charge of digg­ing and raising Mountain o [...] Bog Ore.

5th, As our Manufactures are small, and our Manufacturers few in Number, compared with the great Exten [...] of our Agriculture, (which is still increasing and the great Numbers employed in that great and useful Branch of Business is such, that in plentiful Years the Product so far exceeds the Consumption, as to overstock all all the Markets [...]ar and near; when in Conse­quence of this, the rich valuable Product of the Earth, lies upon the Hands of the Farmer, it is discouraging, and of ba [...] Tendency, tends to enerva [...]e and abate the Vigour and Zeal of the Farmer, re [...]de [...]s him Indolent, takes off the Edge of Industry▪ But if great Numbers were employed in and about Manufactures in Iron, this would bring Co [...]bers, Carters. [...], Carpenters, into a necessary Depen­ [...]ce o [...] the Farmer, and by a home Con­s [...]ptio [...] make the most sure and certain Mar­ket.

P. S, I have contrived an Engine, by which not only the third Part Sand, may be sepa­rated from the richest and best Sand Ore, but but also from the poor Sand, such as con­tains but one Half, one Quarter, or one eighth Part Iron Ore, and will (as I suppose) be performed with Ease, and with such Speed as to turn to good Account; which will be a good Saving▪ where richer Sands are not to be found.

When I wrote the foregoing Essay, I was not certain whether three or four Tons of the Mountain Ore went to produce a Ton of Iron, I am now certain that at New-Mil­ford, they always reckon four Tons, to a Ton of Iron.