HD
95105
$43
B 444607
DUPL

150
20TH
1837
ARTES
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
E-PLURIBUS-UNUM
JUEBOR
SI-QUAERIS-PENINSULAM-AMOENAM
CIRCUMSPICE
!
0
H
HD
9510,5
S43
•
i
A
COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY
OF THE
45-667
IRON TRADE,
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,
FROM THE EARLIEST RECORDS TO THE PRESENT PERIOD.
WITH AN APPENDIX,
CONTAINING
OFFICIAL TABLES, AND OTHER PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
BY
HARRY SCRIVENOR,
BLAENAVON.
"Iron accommodates itself to all our wants, our desires, and even our caprices; it
is equally serviceable to the arts, the sciences, to agriculture, and war; the same ore
furnishes the sword, the ploughshare, the spring of a watch or of a carriage, the chisel,
the chain, the anchor, the compass, the cannon, and the bomb. It is a medicine of
much virtue, and the only metal friendly to the human frame."-DR. URE.
LONDON:
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL.
1841.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY,
OLD BAILEY.
Reglass, 11-21-23 AYM,
PREFACE.
Or the multitude of new works continuously issuing from
the Press, there are some which seem to command attention
either from the reputation of the author, the interest of the
matter, or the pleasing elegance of the style, and occasion-
ally from a happy combination of all. The thirst for some-
thing new is quite as apparent in our day, as it was when the
love of novelty was imputed as a fault to the Athenians; but
we would hope and believe that the generation of this age
is far less censurable. A search after knowledge, widely
differs from that vague curiosity which sought to spend
itself in the pernicious custom of reporting idle rumours, but
the labour of the intelligent is to acquire what may be useful
to themselves, their country, and the world, and to dissemi-
nate such knowledge.
The division of our Earth into nations, separated by
natural or artificial boundaries, is no longer viewed as a
stirring motive for virulent animosity, rousing one people
against another in the hope of obtaining by violence the
possessions of the weakest, destroying or scattering, thereby,
the useful, intelligent, and industrious. Our nation has for
many years been favoured by circumstances, as a manufac-
turing country. Strangers remarking the energy, industry,
and perseverance of the British people, view obliquely the
causes of success, and are apt to overlook, or not to discri-
minate between a judicious disbursement of capital of vast
amount through a series of years, and the sudden creation of
manufactures in their own countries, in situations where,
indeed, some ostensible advantages invite; but rarely where
the all-important ones of coal, water and land carriage, with
▲ 3
vi
PREFACE.
other requisites, are found united, as in Britain.-Unques-
tionably the foreigner excels in some manufactures those
of Britain; and the cause may be explained satisfactorily, in
such a case, when the article made abroad is from what
nature there renders indigenous. Thus, the culture of
wine, or silk, would in Britain probably be proved worse
than a waste of time and labour; nor should we complain,
when we become sensible that this order of things is
adapted to promote advantage, leading to the legitimate ob-
ject of mutual benefit among nations.
The unwearied pursuit of gain stimulates to ever increas-
ing exertions, which bring in their train improvements in
sciences, arts, and manufactures; every corner of the Earth
is explored, and trade establishes a bond of union. A time.
of peace is most favourable to invention and its successful
application, but in no art more strikingly so than in the
manufacture of Iron, and its multiplied uses.
In this spa-
cious field we point to no limit. Ingenuity furnishes endless
occasion for fresh demand, while at the same time equal
industry is apparent in the corresponding exertions which
create the supply.
Results which at no very remote period were deemed
astounding, are become as nothing when compared with
achievements now of weekly recurrence. Steam is the
main spring,—the power which conducts our labours to this
grand issue.
Our ores of iron are brought forth, and in
a period incredibly brief, are reduced and converted into
such articles as are desired. Setting an example which other
nations have closely imitated, the British iron masters are
perpetually stimulated to improve the process of smelting, as
well as to obtain thereby iron of improved quality. To them
it therefore becomes highly useful to acquire correct know-
ledge of the progress of this art in other countries, par-
ticularly those which present themselves most prominently
as competitors.
1
PREFACE.
vii
Very great advances have been made and are still going
on in iron works abroad, and it would be worse than folly
in us to repose in an unprofitable conviction of our supe-
riority, to establish thereby confidence in error, to the preju-
dice of advantage;-nor should it be forgotten that the fair
and honourable competition of nations pursuing mercantile
affairs, widely varies from dissension, a maxim to be held
perpetually in remembrance.
Evanescent and abortive endeavours are made in some
countries, to create a system of manufacturing iron, but the
failure of such undertakings not uncommonly displays a
reverse fraught with greater loss of capital, and deeper dis-
tress to the district than could be anticipated even by
prudence.
For success in operations of iron-making and dealing,
immense capital seems necessary. The labour required is in
proportion to the result, and the magnitude of some orders
opposes an insurmountable difficulty to small capitals, while
ample resources are able to surmount such difficulties and
offer any extent of supply. Such hitherto has been the
position of Britain, which still remains uppermost in this
branch of trade, and in the pages of this work it has been
attempted to demonstrate from enumeration of facts sup-
ported by arrangement, a clear summary of the comparative
produce of nations most remarkable for their advance in
this highly useful and extending branch of manufactures.
Greatest stress is laid upon the make in our country, and
of that of the United States of America, as offering the next
most extended field of the present day. The continental
nations have also been placed in review, and here exhibit
what has been deemed sufficient to mark their position in the
trade and manufacture of iron.
The authorities to which this work is indebted, are, as
may be readily believed, very numerous; a complete list of
them it would be now almost impossible to arrange, as many
viii
PREFACE.
years had elapsed before the idea of compiling and writing
for publication originated. It is not without regret that
it has been subsequently found impossible to append in all
cases the names of the authors from whom passages, or the
substance of a description may be borrowed; it must be
obvious, that in writing upon a subject the mind must be
previously imbued or stored with ideas which have been
gleaned imperceptibly from reading, and hence thoughts run
on in the same channel; the very same expressions are
adopted in committing them to paper, without any recol-
lection of their origin. With a view therefore to point
out and mark to what sources and authorities this work on
the History of the Iron Trade is indebted and refers, it has
been deemed quite indispensable to annex such a list as it is
hoped will be sufficiently available.
LIST OF SOME AUTHORITIES QUOTED AND USED IN
THIS WORK.
The Bible.
Herodotus.
Cesar.
Strabo.
Livy.
Tacitus.
Suetonius.
Pliny.
Diodorus Siculus.
Hook's Roman History.
Rollins' Ancient History.
Raynal's History of the Indies.
Millot's Ancient History.
Gibbon's Decline and Fall of Rome.
Pinkerton's Geography.
Robertson's Histories.
Mungo Park's Africa.
Caillic's Africa.
Celtic Researches.
Pallas' Travels in Russia.
Granville's Travels in Russia.
Laborde's Spain.
Ferber's Italy.
Camden's Britannia.
Encyclopædia Britannica and Supple-
ment.
Rees' Cyclopædia.
Edinburgh Cyclopædia.
Macpherson's Annals of Commerce.
Tooke's View of the Russian Empire.
Travels in Sweden-Thomson.
Travels in Russia-Coxe.
Newenham's Ireland.
Lysons' Magna Britannia.
Henry's Great Britain.
Hume's History of England.
Wallis' Northumberland.
Shawe's Staffordshire.
Plot's Staffordshire.
Charles Leigh's Lancashire and Che-
shire.
Williams' Monmouthshire.
Coxe's Monmouthshire.
Malkin's Antiquities of South Wales.
Warner's History of Bath.
Musgrave's Belgium Britannicum.
Sinclair's Statistics of Scotland.
Statutes at large.
G. Boate's History of Ireland.
Anderson's History of Commerce.
Aiken's Chemical Dictionary.
Oddy's European Commerce.
Fraser's Travels, Himalaya.
Sir W. Lloyd's Travels, Himalaya.
Seybert's Statistical Annals.
Dr. Bowring's Report on the Com-
mercial Relations with France.
Journal des Mines.
Philosophical Transactions.
Annual Register.
Quarterly Review.
Edinburgh Review.
Foreign Quarterly Review.
Parliamentary Records.
Hansard's Parliamentary Debates.
West's Antiquities of Furness.
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I.
CONTENTS.
Early History
II. England and Wales
III. Ireland
IV. British Colonies in America
V.
Great Britain
VI.
Great Britain (continued)
VII. Spain
•
VIII. Sweden and Norway.
IX. Russia....
X. France
XI. United States of America....
XII. Other Countries in Europe and Asia
PAGE
1
00
8
23
58
68
81
109
137
146
158
178
•
207
269
XIII. History of the Home Manufacture, from 1830 to the
present time
APPENDIX:—
Notes to Chapter II.
282
319
(A).—Copies of the Certificates of Mills or Engines for Slitting
or Rolling of Iron, &c., transmitted to the Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations by the Governors, Lieutenant-Governors,
or Commanders-in-Chief of his Majesty's Colonies in America 321
xii
CONTENTS.
(B).-Copies of the several Reports made to the Commissioners of
the Navy, by the Officers of his Majesty's yards, of the Trials of
Iron Imported from the Plantations, prepared pursuant to an
order of the Honourable House of Commons
Parliamentary Tables of Imports and Exports of Iron and Steel, from
the year 1710 to 1776 ..
Notes to Chapter V.
•
An Account of the Quantity of Bar-Iron imported into Great Britain,
distinguishing from what places imported into England, and only
the total quantity into Scotland
Coke Furnaces in Great Britain
Charcoal Furnaces
•
•
•
PAGE
322
325
356
358
359
360
(C.)—Comparative View of the Estimates of the net proceeds of the
Duty on Pig Iron, as transmitted to the Deputies of the Iron
Trade, by the Right Hon. N. Vansittart, and the contra-state-
ment, as estimated by the Deputies of the Iron Trade
(Spain)-Note on Chapter VII....
362
368
(France)-Tables taken from the "Resumé des Travaux Statisques de
l'Administration des Mines, en 1839.".
369
(D. to M.)—Official Statements, &c. relating to the Iron Trade of
the United States of America..
(General.)-Papers and Tables relating to the Prices of Iron, Con-
sumption, Shipping employed, Machinery, Iron Works, &c. 404-417
Tables of British Iron exported from and imported into Great Britain
from 1796 to 1839...
374-403
418-424
GENERAL INDEX..
425
THE HISTORY
OP
THE IRON TRADE.
INTRODUCTION.
IN offering to the public a treatise, tracing the history of
the rise and progress of the iron trade to its present state, the
author ventures to believe that the importance of the subject,
and the vast interest which this branch of our industry holds
in general estimation, may lead to the conviction that such a
work cannot be wholly unacceptable to any reader, but from
its tenour, is calculated to be interesting in a mercantile and
even national point of view. The design of the work is not
to describe the various uses or manufactures of iron into in-
struments, or machinery, (a field already occupied by Dr.
Lardner,) but to report from researches into ancient and later
writers, what they have noticed of importance relative to the
history of iron, leaving opportunity and occasion for the
author's remarks throughout the treatise, an arrangement,
which it is conceived will not be objectionable to any who
may be disposed to allow this volume a place amongst books
of reference.
The pursuit of information necessary for the establishment
of matter of fact, and a desire to exclude irrelevant theory,
have added to the labours of the author; and he has endea-
B
૭
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
voured so to condense, as to offer, in one volume, the fruits
of many years' investigation, hoping thus to have avoided
prolixity without any sacrifice of the necessary explanatory
details. The absence of any publication similar to this, and
the scanty information to be gleaned from the scientific jour-
nals of this country, claim for this work at the hands of the
public, liberal consideration; and if criticism be disposed to
severity, it should not be forgotten that a work of this cha-
racter precludes the introduction of matter other than that
which a close adherence to the subject renders admissible.
It is presumed that the tables accompanying the several
chapters, will be valued not only in many instances from their
being rare, but because presenting much useful information
to the notice of the intelligent and observant reader.
In speaking of this metal, Dr. Ure, in his “ Dictionary of
Arts, Manufactures," &c., thus expresses himself:-" Every
person knows the manifold uses of this truly precious
metal; it is capable of being cast in moulds of any form
-of being drawn out into wires of any desired strength or
fineness of being extended into plates or sheets-of being
bent in every direction—of being sharpened, hardened, and
softened, at pleasure. Iron accommodates itself to all
our wants, our desires, and even our caprices; it is equally
serviceable to the arts, the sciences, to agriculture, and
war; the same ore furnishes the sword, the ploughshare,
the spring of a watch or of a carriage, the chisel, the
chain, the anchor, the compass, the cannon, and the bomb.
It is a medicine of much virtue, and the only metal friendly
to the human frame. The ores of iron are scattered over
the crust of the globe with a beneficent profusion, pro-
portioned to the utility of the metal; they are found under
every latitude and every zone, in every mineral formation, and
are disseminated in every soil."
The increased value of manufactured iron, compared with
the raw material, cannot, perhaps, be better illustrated than
by taking as an example the price of Berlin cast-iron orna-
ments, which, in some cases, is equal to upwards of 55,0001.
per ton, while the cost of the raw ore, from whence the article
INTRODUCTION.
3
is manufactured, cannot be taken at more than thirty shillings
per ton.*
In one of the principal manufactories of this description in
Berlin, that of Devaranne, such is the fineness and delicacy
of those separate arabesques, rosettes, medallions, &c., of
which the larger ornaments are composed, that nearly ten
thousand go to the pound, the price increasing in proportion
to the fineness, as will be seen by the following table, which
gives the selling prices at this establishment:-
No. to the
cwt.
1. Buckles, 3 inches long, and 2 inches broad 2640
2. Neck chains, 18 inches long, and 1 inch broad,
and composed of 40 separate pieces .. 2310
3. Bracelets, 7 inches long, and 2 inches broad,
and composed of 72 pieces
pair 2090
4. Diadems, 7½ inches high, and 54 inches broad 1100
5. Sevigné needles, 2 inches long, and 1 inch
broad, and composed of 11 parts
6. Sevigné earrings, 3 inches long, and
broad, and composed of 24 pieces
7. Shirt buttons
Price of each
article.
£0 2 6
Price p. cwt.
of the same.
£330 0 0
0 6 0 693 0 0
0 8 6
0 16 6
888 5 0
907 10 0
9020
0 4 6 202 10 0
inches
pair 10,450 053
88,440 0 8 0
2743 2 6
2948 0 0
The articles written on the subject, which have appeared
in "Rees's Cyclopædia" and in the "Supplement to the En-
cyclopædia Britannica," are confined exclusively to the his-
tory of our own manufacture, and were written (more parti-
cularly the former) when the trade was comparatively in its
infancy. The interest excited, at the present time, by any
allusion to the state or prospects of the trade, is fully proved,
by the ready transfer of papers touching on the subject from
the columns of one journal to another: these notices, however,
barely extending beyond some statistical details over a con-
fined period. Attention has lately been drawn to the progress
perceptible in this manufacture in France, where the facilities
are afforded for acquiring correct information as to the state
of this branch of metallurgy; but still, without considerable
research, little or no information can be obtained of the state
of foreign manufacture in general. Without this information
* From Dr. Friedenberg's German edition of Mr. Babbage's "Economy of Ma-
chinery and Manufactures."
B 2
4
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
it is impossible to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion as to the
exact position in which we stand with regard to other coun-
tries-a species of information, which in itself would be
peculiarly valuable at the present time, when all seem eager
to increase to the utmost, and to take advantage of, the means
placed at their disposal, by the inexhaustible mineral resources
of this kingdom. The main object of this series of papers,
next to the history of our own trade, is, then, to place in a
clear and correct point of view the rise and progress of the
trade in all countries where iron may be considered to be a
staple manufacture.
The importance and use of official documents will be readily
admitted, and these the author has been fortunate enough to
procure, from a very early period up to the present time, by
means of assistance afforded him by parties connected with
this and other countries, and which has thus enabled him to
bring together a mass of information on the subject as valuable
as it is authentic. The official documents relating to our own
trade extend over a period of 130 years, commencing in the
year 1710, when returns connected with it were first moved
for in Parliament. Most of these returns were procured
shortly before the destruction of the Houses of Parliament by
fire, when, in all probability, those of an earlier date were
destroyed. The official returns of other countries extend over
a considerable period, and the author's best thanks are due to
those who afforded him the means of obtaining so much infor-
mation necessary to his object. He may here observe, that
he has been greatly strengthened in his idea of publishing
the result of his labours (which were first commenced for his
own information, and on which he has bestowed a consider-
able portion of his leisure hours for some years), by the
readiness with which members of Parliament and others came
forward to assist him when informed of the nature of his
inquiries. The late Speaker (now Lord Canterbury), on the
introduction of a highly respected member of the House of
Commons, gave the author free access to the library of the
House, without the usual condition of being accompanied by
the member at whose request the privilege was granted-a
INTRODUCTION.
5
regulation from which there had never been a deviation except
in one previous instance. Through the kindness of the same
member (Dr. Phillimore), the Speaker then gave an order on
the printer to the House for the author to be furnished with
the whole of the printed returns. In the statistics submitted
all may feel an interest, not only in tracing the progress, and
marking the improvements, but also in the useful and valuable
deductions which may be drawn by the political economist
and the man of business, in regard to the effect likely to be
produced hereafter on the iron trade.
It is proposed, in the following work, to trace the origin and
use of the metal-the advance and improvements which have
taken place—to consider the important question, how far the
trade of this country is likely to be interfered with by foreign
manufacture?—and, at the same time, clearly to demonstrate
the immense advantages we possess over other countries, and
the improbability of their interference, to any extent, sufficient
to affect our permanent prosperity. The first chapter will
show the early discovery of iron-the knowledge which the
ancients had of this metal-and the purposes to which it was
applied. The subsequent chapters will then trace the work-
ing of it in this country, from the time of the Romans to the
almost total destruction of the manufacture, from the want of
fuel, after the attempts to make coal available as a substitute
for charcoal had failed, and note the progress and loss of the
trade in Ireland, and the rise and history of the manufacture
in the British colonies in America, up to the period of the war,
when they established their independence. Its history in
Great Britain, is then continued from the invention of the
blast-engine, the establishment of coal as fuel, and the
introduction of certain valuable improvements in the manu-
facture of iron down to the year 1830, and previously to the
further consideration of the home manufacture, the foreign
trade is traced in its progress in each country separately,
commencing with Spain.
Although the iron of Spain is of excellent quality, and
probably more ductile than any other, it has never been a
manufacture of any extent except at an early period, and then
6
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
only in comparison with the confined rate of production of
other countries. Not so Sweden and Russia: these countries.
are remarkable not only for their extensive make, but also for
the superior quality of their iron; for many years we derived
our principal supply from Sweden, till the rivalry of Russia
interfered, and during the period in which, from want of fuel,
our trade was at a stand still, we annually received many
thousand tons from both these countries. Coal, the blast-
engine, and our local advantages, have, however, so com-
pletely superseded the use of foreign iron, that little or none
is now imported, except for conversion into steel, and in this
description of iron these nations are still without a rival-the
finest steel iron used in this country being manufactured in
Sweden, and some of the most useful, for particular purposes,
in Russia.
The histories of France and America open a wider field of
inquiry, and are, in every respect, more vitally important to
the iron manufacturing interests of this country. In the case
of Sweden and Russia, a certain extent of make has been
arrived at, beyond which it is not likely materially to advance.
They supply almost exclusively their own wants, but the cost
at which their iron is manufactured precludes the possibility.
of their entering into any extensive competition with our own
in foreign markets. In the American alone can they venture
to meet us, and there the competition arises from the heavy
and unequal duties imposed by the States on our iron, in order
to prevent its interfering with their own manufacture. Both
France and America uphold the monopoly of the raw material
to the injury of all consumers, manufacturing as well as agri-
cultural, and their shipping interests also severely feel the
impolicy of this course of proceeding. An American writer
thus comments upon the circumstance :-" We have wantonly
sacrificed the comprehensive and permanent interests of the
State to the particular and separate views of the counties or
districts in which we reside.'"*
C
The baneful effect of individual interest operates to protect
* Cambreleng's "Report to the Committee on the Commerce and Navigation of
the United States."
4
INTRODUCTION.
7
the monopoly in France. Messrs. Villiers and Bowring, in
their "Report on the Commercial Relations between France.
and Great Britain," make the following observation :—“ In
France a very large proportion of those who are interested in
the continuance of the existing commercial system, are elevated
public functionaries, or are placed in immediate contact with.
them."
The time is, however, near at hand, when, in all probability,
this exclusive system will be abolished, and our iron admitted
in both these countries at a moderate duty.
The interest and importance of this inquiry have induced
the author to give at some length the history of the manufac-
ture in both these countries; and he takes this opportunity of
expressing his sincere thanks to Petty Vaughan, Esq., of
London, to whose kindness, in allowing him the use of his
library, he is indebted for the principal material for this work,
as connected with the United States.
Belgium, the German States, and some notice of Asia will
close the inquiry into foreign manufacture.
The concluding chapter will continue the history of the
home manufacture from the year 1830 to the present time,
with observations on the present state and prospects of the
trade.
8
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY PERIOD.
Ir may be necessary to premise this chapter by stating that,
IT
with the minute notice, and a detail of the various iron ores
and their location, the author scarcely interferes, being well
aware that that department more justly belongs to the prac-
tical geologist, from whose labours increasing information is
constantly elicited, and rational conclusions are leading our
views to the exalted origin of all knowledge. In the pursuit
of scientific research, the utmost labour of the most en-
lightened, and the expanded ideas of the most learned phi-
losopher, can reach but an atom of immeasurable omniscience.
What then is the boast of human knowledge, the pride of
man's learning? A few steps in the field, a few flowers
gathered, from the ever-increasing myriads which nature
presents every where to notice. How many vain attempts.
of our primitive fathers were essayed, ere iron, the most plen-
tiful and useful of all metals, was brought forth from the
stubborn ores in which it was hidden! How zealous the
daily and midnight endeavours of the alchemist to convert
iron or stone into precious metals, or by a synthetical process
to form gold! A recurrence to the curious records of such
abortive labours may occasion a smile, grounded upon our
advanced knowledge and experience. Which, of all the civi-
lised nations of this refined age, is yet able to solve the
problem of the formation or growth of metals? and to what
human source may we, even in these times, turn for such in-
formation? Was there ever, since the creation of this globe,
a time ere metals existed, when man might in vain have
explored the inmost recesses of the everlasting hills for the
discovery? The answer to this is not less easy, perhaps, than
EARLY PERIOD.
9
that to the former question; both present a wide field for the
maturest reflection, and give rise to a full consciousness of
our feebleness; but more especially should it confirm us
in humility. Science cannot yet unravel this mysterious
growth, or natural origin of iron, or the other metals. In our
earliest and most authentic history (the Bible), we do not
find a solution of the difficulty, but only know God created
all things, and that by his almighty power they are continued.
It is a doubtful point, whether the dominion of man over
the animal creation, or his acquiring the useful metals, has
contributed most to extend his power. The era of this im-
portant discovery is unknown, and very remote.
It is only
by tradition, or by digging up some rude instruments of our
forefathers, that we learn that mankind were originally un-
acquainted with the use of metals, and endeavoured to
supply the want of them by employing flints, shells, bones,
and other hard substances, for the same purposes which
metals serve among polished nations. Nature completes the
formation of some metals. Gold, silver, and copper are found
in their perfect state in the clefts of rocks, in the sides of
mountains, or the channels of rivers. These were, accord-
ingly, the metals first known and first applied to use; but
iron, the most serviceable of all, and to which man is most
indebted, is never discovered in its perfect form; its gross
and stubborn ore must feel twice the force of fire, and go
through two laborious processes, before it becomes fit for
Man was long acquainted with the other metals before
he acquired the art of fabricating iron, or attaining such in-
genuity as to perfect an invention to which he is indebted
for those instruments wherewith he subdues the earth and
commands all its inhabitants. In our present state, when we
depend so greatly upon the use of iron and steel, it is difficult.
to conceive how man could exist in a state of society without
their aid. From the Scriptures we learn that, but a short
time after the Creation, Tubal Cain, a descendant of Caiu,
the son of Adam, was an instructor of every artificer in
brass and iron.”* And we find in the sacred volume, as the
use.
66
*Gen. iv. 22.
10
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
following quotations abundantly testify, singular evidence of
the acquaintance which the Jews and other Asiatic nations
had with the uses of metals. Mention is made of a land
whose stones are iron; allusion is made to the furnace of
iron. Vast numbers of chariots of iron are stated to have
been employed by the Canaanites in their wars; and it is
more than probable that those of Pharaoh, in his pursuit of
the Israelites, were partly of that material (B. c. 1500). It
is also said, that Og's bedstead was iron; and if we now
descend the stream of time to David's era (B. c. 1044), plain
mention is made of Goliah's iron spear-head, of saws, axes,
and harrows of iron, of hammer and axe, of a rod of iron,
bars of iron, of fetters of iron; in Job of barbed iron and
fish spears; and by Jeremiah of northern iron and steel, of
yokes of iron, a pillar of iron, a pen of iron. Ezekiel (B. c.
590) speaks of a pan of iron, of trading with iron, of bright
iron, &c. in thy market. It would be easy perhaps to largely
increase the list of such notices in sacred writ; but we con-
ceive this selection is amply adequate to the establishment of
the fact, that the skill of those nations, in the working and
forging articles of well-prepared iron, was continually exer-
cised, and therefore that the art must have greatly advanced,
and have become familiar to the people adjacent. The
ancient mythologists attributed the invention to Vulcan, the
god of subterranean fire and metals, whom Sir Isaac Newton
supposes to have been the same with Cinyras, king of Lem-
nos, an inventor of the art, who found out copper in Cyprus,
the smith's hammer, anvil, and tongs, and employed work-
men in making armour and other things in brass and iron.
He was the only king celebrated in history for working in
metals.
Herodotus says that a class of men, called Curetes (B.c. 1500),
who were celebrated for their skill in the arts and sciences,
were brought into Greece from Phoenicia, by Cadmus, son of
Agenor, king of that country-some settled in Phrygia, and
were called Corybantes-others in Crete, where they were.
called Idaci Dactyli-some in Rhodes, called Telchines-
some in Samothrace, and were there called Cabiri-others in
EARLY PERIOD.
11
Eubœa, where, before the invention of iron, they worked in
copper, in a city called Chalcis-some in Lemnos, where
they assisted Vulcan-and some in Imbrus and other places.
By the assistance of these artificers Cadmus discovered gold
in the mountain Pangæus, in Thrace, and copper at Thebes
—whence copper ore is still termed Cadmia.
In the countries where they settled they first wrought in
copper till iron was discovered, and then in iron; they made
arms, and edged-tools for hewing and carving wood, which gave
Minos, king of Crete (B.c. 1406), an opportunity of building a
fleet and gaining dominion of the sea, and of establishing
the trades of smiths and carpenters in Greece. A short time
after, Dædalus and his nephew, Talus, invented the wedge,
the saw, and the axe, the wimble, the perpendicular, and
compasses, the turning lathe, glue, and potters' wheel, and
many other mechanical instruments, and the sails of ships;
and Epalamus invented the anchor-these were in the reign
of Solomon. The invention of the art of fabricating iron by
the Idaci Dactyli is, by Sir Isaac Newton, fixed at about 1035
years before Christ, which metal it is said, they discovered
from the fusion of minerals at the accidental burning of the
woods on the mountain Ida, in Crete; others make it 400
years earlier. It seems, however, that the historians of anti-
quity have, in most cases, either attributed the discovery of
metals to their gods, or they have deified those to whom
mankind are so wholly indebted, for having, by that means,
been the founders of the present state of society.
The early fame of Sidon, and afterwards its rival Tyre, for
trading and riches, mark their civilization; and these Phe-
nicians, whose numerous vessels proclaim nautical knowledge,
being a people from Asia, where iron was first discovered and
* Herodotus, book i. chap. 25. Beloe's Translation-Clio. (Glaucus, an in-
habitant of Chios, invented the art of inlaying with iron.-Pausanias, book x.) He
curiously inlayed a saucer of iron; it is of surprising workmanship, and as worthy
of observation as any of the things preserved at Delphi. The name of the maker
was Glaucus, an inhabitant of Chios, and the inventor of this art of inlaying iron—
presented as an offering at Delphi, by Alyattes, the father of Croesus, about 560
years before the Christian era.
12
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
used, lead to the conclusion that this busy nation taught their
arts to other people.*
In the Trojan war, at the period when the pyramids of
Egypt were built, before Christ 1186, the Tyrians seem to
have navigated the Mediterranean to the pillars of Hercules,
and shortly after the seas beyond, and their discovery of the
British Isles was, it is supposed, about coeval with Nebu-
chadnezzar (Babylonian Captivity, в.c. 600).
The earliest writers on the manufacture of iron are Diodo-
rus Siculus and Pliny the Elder; the former mentions the
island of thalia (Elba) as abounding with ironstone,
“which the natives dig and cut out of the ground to melt, in
order for the making of iron; much of which metal is in this
sort of stone. The workmen employed first cut the stone in
pieces, and then melt them in furnaces, built and prepared for
the purpose. In these furnaces the stones, by the violent
heat of the fire, are melted into several pieces, in form like
great sponges, which the merchants buy by truck, and ex-
change of other wares, and export them to Dicœarchea and
other mart towns.
"Some of these merchants that buy of these wares cause
them to be wrought by the coppersmiths, who beat and
fashion them into all sorts of tools, instruments, and other
shapes and fancies; some they neatly beat into the shape of
birds, others into spades, hooks, and other sorts of utensils-
all which are transported and carried about into several parts
of the world by the merchants."
Pliny, in his Natural History, enters at much greater length
into the account of the manufacture and general use of this
metal than Diodorus, and the exceeding interest of his history,
written in the early part of the first century, renders it peculiarly
valuable to this work. After treating on other metals, he
observes—“ It remaineth now, in the next place, to discourse
of the mines of iron, a metal which we may well say is both
the best and the worst implement used now in the world; for,
*Solomon, when about to build the Temple at Jerusalem, solicited Hiram, king
of Tyre, to send to him a man cunning to work in gold, and silver, and brass, and
iron, and Hiram did accordingly. 2 Chron. ch. ii.
EARLY PERIOD.
13
with the help of iron, we break up and tear the ground-we
plant and plot our groves-we set our portyards, and range
our fruitful trees in rows-we prune our vines, and, by cutting
off the superfluous branches and dead wood, we make them
every year to look fresh and young again. By means of
iron and steel we build houses, hew quarries, and cut in
stone-yea, and in one word, we use it to all other necessary
uses of this life.
"Contrariwise, the same iron serveth for wars, murders,
and robberies; not only to offend and strike therewith in
hand, but also to reach and kill afar off, with divers sorts of
darts and shot; one whiles discharged and sent out of engines,
another while launched and flung by the force of the arm-
yea, and sometimes let fly with wings. This I take to be the
wickedest invention that ever was devised by the head of
man; for, to the end that death may speed away the faster
to a man, and surprise him more suddenly, we make it to
fly as a bird in the air, and to the arrow, headed at one end
with deadly iron, we set feathers at the other, whereby it is
evident that the mischief proceeding from iron is not to
be imputed to the nature of it, but to the unhappy wit of
man.
"For good proof we had already by many experiments
otherwise, that iron might be employed and occupied without
any hurt or harm at all to mankind. And, verily, in those
capitulations of peace, which, after the expulsion of the kings,
Porsena, king of the Tuscanes, tendered unto the people of
Rome, I find this express article and imposition-that they
should not use iron, but only about tillage of the ground.
And, as our chronicles of greatest antiquity have left re-
corded, it was not thought safe to permit writing and en-
graving letters with a style of iron. Certes, in the third con-
sulship of Pompey the Great, by occasion of a tumult and
commotion raised within the city of Rome, for the murder
committed upon the person of P. Clodius, there was an ediet
came forth (which is now extant upon record), after this
form, Ne ullum telum in urbe esset.'
• That no man
throughout all Rome shall be seen to wear a weapon,' Ne-
6
5
14
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
vertheless, men did not forbear and give over to do some
honour unto iron; also, in some other occasions of this life,
tending to the entertaining of civility and humanity, for
Aristonides, the cunning artificer, minding to represent in an
image the furious rage of Athamas, beginning now to cool
and be allayed, together with his repentance for the cruel
murdering of his own son, Learchus, whom he flung head-
long against the hard stones, and thereby dashed out his
brains, made a temperature of brass and iron together, to
the end, that the rusty iron, appearing through the bright
lustre of the brass, might lively express a blushing red in the
countenance, beseeming a man confused and dismayed for so
unnatural a fact. This statue is, at this day to be seen at
Thebes; within the same city there is another image of Her-
cules, all of hard iron or steel, which Alcon, the famous
workman, made of purpose to signify the undaunted heart of
that deified Hercules, who underwent and endured all labours
and perils whatsoever. Here, also, in Rome, we may see
certain drinking cups of steel, dedicated in the temple of
Mars the Revenger.
"But to come unto the nature of iron, herein appeareth
still the same goodness of Nature, that this metal, working
such mischief as it doth, shall be revenged of itself, and
receive condign punishment by its own rust. See also the
wonderful providence of Nature, who maketh nothing in the
world more subject to death and corruption than that which
is most hurtful and deadly to mankind.
"As touching mines of iron ore, they are to be found almost
in every country, for there is not so much as the island of Ilua
(Elba), here within Italy, but it breedeth iron. And lightly
wheresoever any such be, they are easily discovered, for the
very leer of the earth, resembling the colour of ore, betrayeth
where they lie; and when it is found out they burn, try, and
fine it, as other veins of metal. Only in Cappadocia there is
some question and doubt made, whether, in the making of
iron, they be more beholden to the earth that yieldeth the
ore, or to the water for the preparing and ordering of it? For
this is certain, that unless the vein of ore be well drenched
EARLY PERIOD.
15
and soaked with the water of one river there, it will never
yield iron out of the furnace.
"As for the kinds of iron, many there are and all distinct.
The first difference ariseth from the diversity of the soil and
climate where the mines be found; for in some places the
ground and the position of the heavens do yield only a soft
ore, and coming nearer to the substance of lead than iron; in
another the metal is brittle and short, standing much upon a
vein of brass, such as will not serve one whit for stroke and
nail to bind cart-wheels withal, which tire, indeed, should be
made of the other, which is gentle and pliable. Moreover,
some kind of iron there is that serveth only, if it be wrought
in short and small works, as, namely, for nails, studs, and
tacks, employed about greaves and leg-harness: another,
again, that is more apt to take rust and canker than the rest.
Howbeit, all sorts of iron ore are termed in Latin stricturæ, a
word appropriate to this metal and to no other-à stringendâ
acie,' of dazzling the eyes, or drawing a naked sword.'
"But the furnace itself, where the ore or ironstone is tried,
maketh the greatest difference that is, for therein you shall
have to arise, by much burning and fining, the purest parts
thereof, which, in Latin, is called nucleus ferri-' the kernel
or heart of the iron' (and it is that which we call steel), and
the same also of divers sorts; for the best is it that hardeneth
the edge of any weapon or tool: there is of it which serveth
better for stithy or anvil heads, the faces of hammers, bits of
mattocks, and iron crows; but the most variety of iron cometh
by the means of the water, wherein the iron, red-hot, is oft
soon dipped and quenched for to be hardened. And, verily,
water only which in some place is better, in other worse, is
that which hath ennobled many places for the excellent iron
that cometh from them, as, namely, Bilbilis, in Spain, and
Tarassio, Comus, also in Italy, for none of these places have
any iron mines of their own, and yet there is no talk but of
the iron and steel that cometh from thence. Howbeit, as
many kinds of iron as there be, none shall match in goodness.
the steel that cometh from the Seres, for this commodity also,
as hardware as it is, they send and sell with their soft silks
16
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
and fine furs. In a second degree of goodness may be placed
the Parthian iron. And, setting aside these two countries, I
know not where there be any bars or gads tempered of fine
and pure steel, indeed, for all the rest have a mixture of iron
more or less; and, generally in the west parts of the world
wherein we live, all our steel is of a more soft and gentle
temperature than that of the Levant.
"This goodness of steel, in some countries, ariseth from the
nature of the mine, as in Austrich; in others from the hand-
ling and temperature thereof, like as by quenching, as I said
before, and, namely, at Sulmo, where the water serveth espe-
cially for that purpose; and no marvel, for we see a great
difference in whetting and sharpening the edge of any instru-
ment between oil whetstones that barbers use and the com-
mon water grindstones, for, surely, the oil giveth a more fine
and delicate edge. Furthermore, this is strange, that when
the ore or vein is in the furnace it yieldeth iron liquid, and
clear as water, and afterwards being reduced into bars and
gads, when it is red-hot, it is spongious and brittle, apt to
break or resolve into flakes. And, considering the difference
that is between the nature of oil and water, (as I have said),
this is to be observed, that the finer any edge tools be, the
manner is to quench them in oil for to harden the edge, for
fear lest the water should harden them overmuch, and make
the edge more ready to break out into nicks, than to bind and
turn again. But, wonderful it is above all, that man's blood
should have such a virtue in it, as to be revenged of the iron.
blade that shed it; for, being once imbrued therein, it is
given ever after eftsoons to rust and canker.
Concerning the loadstone and the great concord and
amity between iron and it, I mean to write more amply in the
due place. Howbeit, for the present thus much I must needs
say, that iron is the only metal which receiveth strength from
that stone-yea, and keepeth the same a long time, insomuch,
as by virtue thereof, if it be once well touched and rubbed
withal, it is able to take hold of other pieces of iron; and
thus otherwhiles we may see a number of rings hanging to-
gether in manner of a chain, notwithstanding they be not
EARLY PERIOD.
17
The ignorant people,
loadstone, and cleav-
Certes, any wounds
linked and enclosed one within another.
seeing these rings thus rubbed with the
ing one to another, call it quick iron.
made by such a tool, are more eager and angry than by an-
other. This stone is to be found in Biscay, scattered here
and there in small pieces by way of bubbation (for that is the
term they use); but it is not that true magnet or loadstone,
indeed, which groweth in one continued rock; and I wot not
whether these be so good for glass-makers, and serveth their
turn so well in melting their glass as the other, for no man
yet hath made any experiment thereof. But sure I am, that
if one do rub the edge, back, or blade of a knife therewith, it
doth impart an attractive virtue of iron thereunto, as well as
the right magnet. And here I cannot choose but acquaint
you with the singular invention of that great architect and
master deviser, of Alexandria, in Egypt, Dinocrates,* who
began to make the arched roof of the temple of Arsinoe all of
magnet or this loadstone, to the end, that within that temple.
the statue of the said princess, made of iron, might seem to
hang in the air by nothing-but prevented he was by death,
before he could finish his work, like as King Ptolemy also,
who ordained that temple to be built in the honour of the
said Arsinoe, his sister.
"But to return again to our iron: of all mines that be, the
vein of this metal is largest, and spreadeth itself into most
lengths every way, as we may see in that part of Biscay that
coasteth along the sea, and upon the ocean beneath, where
there is a craggy mountain, very steep and high, which
standeth all upon a mine or vein of iron. A wonderful thing,
and in a manner incredible-howbeit, most true, according as
I have showed already in my cosmography, as touching the
circuit of the ocean.
"Iron made once hot in the fire, unless it be hardened with
* Dinocrates, an architect of Macedonia, who proposed to Alexander to cut
Mount Athos in the form of a statue, holding a city in one hand, and in the other a
basin, into which all the waters of the mountain should empty themselves. This
project Alexander rejected as too chimerical, but he employed the talents of the artist
in building and beautifying Alexandria.-Lempriere.
C
18
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
the hammer, dost soon waste and corrupt. So long as it
looketh but red, it is not ready for the hammer, neither should
it be beaten before it look white in the fire. Besmear it with
vinegar and alum, it will look like copper or brass. If you
be desirous to keep any iron-work from rust, give it a varnish
with ceruse plaster and tar, incorporate all together, and this
is that composition which is called, by the Greeks, antipathia.
And some say that there is a kind of hallowing iron within
the city, called Zeugma,* seated upon Euphrates, wherewith
King Alexander the Great sometime bound and strengthened
the bridge over the river there; the links whereof, as many as
have been repaired and made new since, do gather rust,
whereas the rest of the first making be all free therefrom."
It appears, from these accounts, that iron was well known
in the early ages, and applied to various useful purposes.†
The earliest method of working the furnaces where ores were
smelted, seems to have been by exposing them to the wind-
such was the practice of the Peruvians before the arrival of
the Spaniards. From Alonso Barba we learn that their fur-
naces, called guairas, were built on eminences, where the air
was freest; that they were perforated on all sides with holes,
through which the air was driven in when the wind blew,
which was the only time when the work could be carried on,
Zeugma, a town of Mesopotamia, on the western bank of the Euphrates, where
was a well-known passage across the river. It was the western boundary of the
Roman empire, and, in Pliny's age, a chain of iron was said to extend across it.-
Lempriere.
+ Pliny also mentions some hidden qualities of this metal, which must not be for-
gotten :-"As touching the use of iron and steel, in physic, it serveth otherwise
than for to lance, cut, or dismember withal, for take a knife or dagger, and make an
imaginary circle two or three times round, with the point thereof, upon a young
child or an elder body, and then go round withal about the party as often, it is a
singular preservation against all poisons, sorceries, or enchantments. Also to take
any iron nail out of the coffin or sepulchre wherein man or woman lieth buried, and
to stick the same fast to the lintel or side post of a door, leading either to the house
or bed-chamber where any doth lie who is haunted with spirits in the night, he or
she shall be delivered and secured from such fantastical illusions. Moreover, it is
said, that if one be lightly pricked with point of sword or dagger, which hath been
the death of a man, it is an excellent remedy against the pains of sides or breast,
which come with sudden pricks or stitches."-Dr. Holland's Translation.
To smelt the silver ore.
EARLY PERIOD.
19
and that under each hole was made a projection of the stone-
work, on which was laid burning coals to heat the air before
it entered the furnace.
Mungo Park, in his travels in Africa, mentions that, during
his stay at Kamalia, there was a smelting furnace at a short
distance from the hut where he lodged, and that he assisted
the owner in breaking the ironstone. The furnace was a
circular tower of clay, about ten feet in height, and three in
diameter, surrounded in two places with withes, to prevent
the clay from cracking and falling to pieces by the violence of
the heat. Round the lower part, on a level with the ground,
but not so low as the bottom of the furnace, which was
somewhat concave, were made seven openings, into each of
which were placed three tubes of clay, and the openings
again plastered up in such a manner that no air could enter
the furnace but through the tubes; by the opening and shut-
ting of which the fire was regulated. These tubes were
formed by plastering a mixture of clay and grass round a
smooth roller of wood, which, as soon as the clay began to
harden was withdrawn, and the tube left to dry in the sun.*
The ironstone he describes as very heavy, and of a dull red
colour, with greyish specks; it was broken into pieces, about
the size of a hen's egg: a bundle of dry wood was first put
into the furnace, and covered with a considerable quantity of
charcoal, which was brought ready burnt from the woods;
over this was laid a stratum of ironstone and then another of
charcoal, and so on until the furnace was quite full. The
fire was applied through one of the tubes, and blown for
some time with bellows made of goats' skins. The opera-
tion went on very slowly at first, and it was some hours be-
fore the flame appeared above the furnace; but after this it
burnt with great violence all the first night, and the people
* "Dentila is famous for its iron; the flux used for smelting the iron is the ashes
of the bark of the kino tree. These ashes are as white as flour: they are not used in
dying blue, and must therefore have something peculiar in them. I tasted them:
they did not appear to me to have so much alkali as the mimosa ashes, but had an
austere taste. The people told me, if I ate them I would certainly die.”—M. Park,
vol. ii. p. 65.
c 2
20
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
who attended put in at times more charcoal. On the day
following the fire was not so fierce, and on the second night
some of the tubes were withdrawn, and the air allowed to
have free access to the furnace, but the heat was still very
great, and a bluish flame rose some feet above the top of the
furnace. On the third day, from the commencement of the
operation, all the tubes were taken out, the ends of many of
them being vitrified with the heat, but the metal was not
removed until some days afterwards, when the whole was
perfectly cool. Part of the furnace was then taken down,
and the iron appeared in the form of a large irregular mass,
with pieces of charcoal adhering to it. It was sonorous, and
when any portion was broken off, the fracture exhibited a
granulated appearance, like broken steel.
The owner informed him that many parts of this cake
were useless, but still there was good iron enough to repay
him for his trouble. This iron, or rather steel, is formed into
various instruments, by being repeatedly heated in a forge,
the heat of which is urged by a pair of double bellows, of a
very simple construction, being made of two goats' skins, the
tubes from which unite before they enter the forge, and
supply a constant and very regular blast. The hammer, for-
ceps, and anvil were all very simple, and the workmanship,
particularly in the formation of knives and spears, was not
destitute of merit. The iron he describes as hard and brittle,
and that it requires much labour before it can be made to
answer the purpose.
In the Himalaya Mountains, in Asia, iron is obtained by a
smelting furnace of the following description :-It consists of
a chimney, built of clay, about four feet and a half high, by
fifteen to eighteen inches diameter, placed upon a stage of
stone work, over a fire-place. In an opening below the stage
there is a hole, through which the metal, when melted, flows,
and this is stopped by clay or earth, easily removed by an
iron poker. The ore, which is black, but glittering with
metallic lustre (like black ore of antimony) is mixed with
charcoal pounded, and the chimney filled with the mixture,
and, as it falls and consolidates, more is added from above.
EARLY PERIOD.
21
The fire, once lighted, is kept alive by means of two pair
of bellows, each made of a goat's skin, fixed in some way to the
stone stage, and filled through apertures closed with valves, as
ours are; a woman or boy sits between two of these skins,
and raises and compresses them alternately with the hand;
four such skins are thus applied to each chimney.
The method pursued in the two former instances is ex-
tremely simple, but, at the same time, very uncertain, whilst
that employed in the latter presents a decided improvement,
by the application of the bellows, which, although of no great
power, yet, by affording a regular blast, renders the ope-
ration more certain, and the manufacturer independent of the
weather.
We shall, in the following pages, see the, at first, gradual,
and, subsequently, from the great improvements in machi-
nery, very rapid steps by which this manufacture has been
placed in its present leading station amongst the staple com-
modities of this and of other countries. The very high degree
of perfection to which it has attained, has not only rendered
it suitable to a variety of purposes, to which, until lately, it
was not considered applicable, but has also rendered it an
extensive article of exportation to every part of the world, and
of the very first use and importance to the agricultural and
manufacturing interests of our own country.
We cannot do better than conclude this introductory chap.
ter in the words of Locke:*" Of what consequence the
discovery of one natural body, and its properties, may be to
human life, the whole great continent of America is a con-
vincing instance; whose ignorance in useful arts, and
want of the greatest part of the conveniences of life, in a
country that abounded with all sorts of natural plenty, I
think may be attributed to their ignorance of what was to
be found in a very ordinary despicable stone-I mean the
mineral of iron. And whatever we may think of our parts or
improvements in this part of the world, where knowledge and
plenty seem to vie with each other, yet, to any one that will
Essay on the Human Understanding," book iv. chap. 12.
22
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
seriously reflect on it, I suppose, it will appear past doubt,
that were the use of iron lost among us, we should in a few
ages be unavoidably reduced to the wants and ignorance of
the ancient savage Americans, whose natural endowments and
provisions come no way short of those of the most flourishing
and polite nations. So that he who first made known the use
of that contemptible mineral, may be truly styled the Father
of Arts, and Author of Plenty."
M
ENGLAND AND WALES.
23
CHAPTER II.
ENGLAND AND WALES.
HERODOTUS, who died about B. C. 414, tells us that "the
Greeks knew the Phenicians fetched their tin from Britain.'
His remark establishes the fact of a trade of some standing;
and can we suppose that the Britons during that intercourse,
seeing the ships of their visitors, with all the usual requisites,
iron arms and appointments, did not, even if before ignorant
of iron and its uses, become fully instructed how to obtain it
from its ores, and probably to form it into such things as they
saw used, or as the Phenicians from accident or shipwreck
might need to replace losses. More to confirm the preceding
supposition, that the Britons knew and practised the manu-
facture of iron, we may remark, that Henry (in his Great
Britain, vol. ii. p. 215, quoting Diod. Sic. lib. 5, sec. 22,)
informs us that the Gauls were of the same origin, and spoke
the same language as the ancient Britons, and that the
Gaulish nations got possession of these coasts. It is un-
reasonable to suppose that a warlike nation should colonise
Britain, and that the colonists should not bring with them
their knowledge of iron and its uses in arms, &c., and at
once labour to supply themselves. The Gauls were well
skilled in mines. Strabo and Cæsar tell us in the Siege of
Bourges," they have great iron works, and every kind of
mine."-See chap. x. on France.
The worship of Baal, apparent in the Druid worship, may
originate from the Phenicians, and would seem to mark the
intimate connection of the two people, and the consequent
probability that they taught their arts also to the Britons.
The Phenician exclusive trading with Britain appears to
have lasted about 300 years, till interfered with by the
24
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Greeks at about the time when Aristotle flourished (he died
B. c. 322), and he speaks of the Britannic Isles. Pytheas, of
Marseilles, 330 years B. C., seems the first of the Greeks who
discovered the British Isles. That people speedily used the
discovery, and commenced trading for tin, an article much in
request both in Greece and Asia, and for which large dealings
seem to have been carried on then, and previously for a long
time by the Phenicians. This intercourse may have mate-
rially civilised the Britons, and have brought the nation to
the degree of advancement it attained prior to the Roman
invasion, which did not happen till after the lapse of about
250 years.
Polybius wrote, about 190 years B. C., a book now lost
concerning Britain, and the management of tin there, a proof
the Greeks traded there long before his day.-Henry, Great
Britain, vol. ii. p. 209. The Syracusans certainly visited
Britain up to B. c. 214, at which time they procured there
and brought away a tree for a mainmast of the colossal ship
of Archimedes.-Athen. Deipnos, lib. 5. c. 10.
The causes which operated to change the direct trading
between the Greeks and Britons it seems difficult to deter-
mine, nevertheless they proved beneficial to the Gauls,
through whose country, as we are informed (by Diod. Sic.
1. 5, sec. 22, p. 347,) a vast trade of tin was conducted. The
tin ingots were carried from Cornwall to the Isle of Wight,
sold to the foreign merchants who resorted there, and by
them were landed in Gaul, and taken overland in about a
month to the mouth of the Rhone. The same writer states,
"Those Britons (of the Land's-End, Cornwall), live in a very
hospitable and polite manner, which is owing to their great
intercourse with foreign merchants." Cæsar also states (De
Bel. G. lib. 5, c. 13,) that before his time the trade of Britain,
being carried on by the Gauls, the greatest number of ships
from the Continent came to the Kentish ports, whose inha-
bitants were the most polite and conversant with foreign
merchants.
Thus a mass of evidence brings us to the certainty that in
this so civilized state of the Britons, they had acquired or
ENGLAND AND WALES.
25
previously knew the art of mining well; and that iron making
and manufacture of arms were known and practised, it seems
impossible to disbelieve. Henry (Great Britain, vol. ii. p. 136,)
writes, “it is abundantly evident that our British ancestors
had discovered or been taught the art of working tin, lead,
brass, and iron before invaded by the Romans." The truth
of this is confirmed by Strabo, who mentions that iron was
one of the exports of Britain, as well as corn, cattle, gold, and
silver. Lib. iv. p. 200.*
Having resolved to punish the Britons for assisting the
Gauls in their wars with him, the difficulty which Cæsar found
to obtain information relating to Britain, before he ventured to
present himself and army as invaders, led him to the conclu-
sion that the merchants and others were acquainted only with
the neighbourhood of the sea-coasts, and country opposite to
Gaul (as mentioned Cæs. de Bel. G. lib. iv. c. 20); but it
appears rash to adopt this inference, which his subsequent
remarks seem not to justify. The jealousy of the Phenician
traders in tin had, it may reasonably be inferred, descended to
later merchants, and would render them also very silent when
questioned as to the source of their profits, and the detail
of British statistics. When, however, Cæsar tells us that the
other parts of Britain were unknown by, and had no trade or
intercourse with foreign nations, it is an assertion in some
degree improbable, if we reflect on the variety and extent of
the exports; and review his own subsequent remarks upon
the military discipline, arms, and warlike opposition of the
Britons to him; and also upon the knowledge and learning of
the Druids, who sent the embassy to him after their know-
ledge of Volusenus' visit of observation, and Comius' return
with those ambassadors. Cæsar's first invasion, (55 B.C.)
was vigorously opposed, and after much fighting, and
other battles of almost doubtful issue, Cæsar granted a
peace, and in less than a month from the day of his landing
left Britain. His next expedition in the following spring
* Henry, Great Britain, vol. ii. p. 269, 5th Edit. mentions that the Britons, at
least a century before Cæsar's invasion, built small vessels, and exported their com-
modities to the Continent. Would not iron be employed here also ?
26
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
arrived and landed, unopposed, at the same point, five legions
and 2000 horse; after some twelve hours, he found the
British, who attacked his army, and were worsted. Next
ensued the grand contest with Cassibelaunus, whose cavalry
and chariots charged the Romans vigorously; further en-
gagements occurred at the Thames, but the Romans prevailed.
Cassibelaunus still retained 4000 war-chariots, and his mili-
tary skill was very remarkable. These war-chariots were armed
with scythes and hooks, for cutting and tearing: they were
terrible to the Romans, and Cæsar's account of the great skill
of the British in the use of them, shews the progress of that
people in the art of war, as also does his detail of the arms of
their cavalry, long shields, broad swords, and long spears.
This rehearsal of the accounts of Cæsar's invasion is here
given to show that Cæsar himself proves to us that the British
were not so uncivilised, and points to the fallacy of the notion.
that the British then had iron only in such very small quan-
tities, that it was consequently made into money* and orna-
mental articles. Cæsar's first stay was about three weeks;
his second about four months; in both which (his narrative
shows) his constant care and attention were requisite to
maintain his footing, and he never extended his personal
inspection far into the country, not beyond Verulam. Bri-
*Utuntur aut æreo, aut talcis ferreis, ad certum pondus examinatis pro nummo."
Cæsar de Bel. Gal. lib. v. c. 12. They use either brass, or ion rings, and plates of a
certain weight, for money.
Gough's "Camden," 1789.-Translated from the edition of 1607.
P. 65. “I have already observed from Cæsar that the ancient Britons used brass
money, or iron rings, or plates of a certain weight, and some persons pretend to have
seen some of them found in urns.
""
Mr. Edward Lluyd, in his travels through Cornwall, sent in a letter to Thomas
Tonkin, Esq., dated Falmouth, Nov. 29, 1700, the outlines of two iron plates,
whereof several horse loads were found about six years before. He queries whether
they might not be the British money mentioned by Cæsar, on which Mr. Tonkin,
M. S. B., p. 193, remarks:-" I am apt to believe Mr. Lluyd concludes rightly,"
and then adds-" This present year, 1730, as they were pulling down the great
tower, and some very old buildings, at Boconnoc, the seat of the late Lord Bohun,
about a peck of the same sorts, but of larger size, were found in parts of an old wall
there."-Dr. Borlase engraved all these specimens in the second edition of his
Antiquities of Cornwall," p. 74.
46
+ Cæsar quitted Britain, 26th Sept. 54 B.C.
Strabo, lib. iv. p. 200.
ENGLAND AND WALES.
27
tain had for 500 years been, as we have seen, a trading
country, visited by Phenicians, Greeks, Gauls, and probably
by several other nations, many of which must have been in
turn visited by Britons, whose Druids, (famed for learning
originating from Asia), we find, taught useful arts to the
people. We have seen that the Gauls and this people were
skilled in war and mining, in trading and agriculture, and
why not in the reduction of their abundant iron ores to a large
extent for their own uses, and for export, as before shown
from Strabo.
The articles of luxury, gold chains, drinking glasses, amber
cups, which he also mentions as imported for the use of the Bri-
tons, would shew advanced refinement among their princes.
We will now dismiss entirely this part of our subject,
having, it is hoped, advanced proof that on comparing one
part of Cæsar's narrative with others, we have elicited the
truth, the only legitimate object of history.
The payment of tribute, which Julius Cæsar imposed on
Britain, was never fully made, and Augustus did not enforce
it except with threats, (B.c. 25, to A.D. 12-21.) but some
princes did give tribute and presents. In Tiberius's reign, he
accepted what was given in the same way, and there seems to
have been a good understanding. Caligula's insane, useless
adventure and invasion, A.D. 40, (Suetonius, in Calig. c. 44.)
needs here no other notice. At the invasion (in the reign of
Claudius) commanded by Vespasian, A.D. 43, arts seem to
have made great advances, and we remark, that their pro-
gress was continual to the year A.D. 61, when Suetonius, with
his small army of veterans overcame all opposition, and gained
his important victory over Queen Boadicea and her immense
host. From this period the Romans appear to have retained
possession of their dominion, and introduced, wherever they
saw fit, the manufacture of such things as they needed. The
seven campaigns of Agricola,† to A.D. 84, offer nothing in aid
of our object than the knowledge of his unremitted attention
*Tacitus, Annal. lib. xiv. c. 33. London was at this time a great city of trade,
and merchants, and shipping.
† Agricola lived six whole years in Britain, and visited every part.
I
28
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
to promote arts and civilization everywhere, so stimulating the
Britons to improve themselves.
The Emperor Adrian passed over into Britain in the year
of our Lord 120, accompanied by the sixth legion; part of
this body of troops was stationed at Bath, as may be inferred
from two sepulchral cippi, discovered there some years since,
commemorating an officer of this legion. During the year
ensuing his arrival, the fabrica, or great military forge, was,
probably by his directions, established at Bath. No other
time is so likely for its erection as the interval during which
Adrian remained in this country. These advantageous estab-
lishments had been lately introduced amongst the Romans,
and different parts of the empire already had their fabricæ,
from which immense utility was found to be derived. It is
reasonable, therefore, to suppose, that an Emperor like
Adrian, attentive to warlike affairs, skilled in tactics, versed
in military discipline, passionately fond of his legions, ever
desirous to promote their convenience, and assist their im-
provements, would transport into Britain, as early as possible,
an establishment from which such numberless advantages had
been produced on the Continent. Bath would be a spot of
all others calculated for such an edifice; contiguous to the
hills of Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire, where iron ore
was found in the utmost plenty, and centrical in situation for
the distribution of the arms, which were made at its furnaces,
to every part of the kingdom.
The fabrica of which we are speaking was a college of
armourers, where the various military weapons used by the
Roman soldiers were manufactured. The business of this
society, and the laws which regulated it, are developed by
the Theodosian and Justinian codes. It there appears that,
towards the commencement of the second century, the army
smiths were created into companies, each governed by its
own president or head, denominated the primicerius. That
the employment of these bodies was to make arms for the use
of the legion or legions to which it was attached, at public
forges or shops, called fabricæ, erected in the camps, cities,
towns, or military stations; that these arms, when forged,
4
ENGLAND AND WALES.
29
were to be delivered to an officer appointed to receive them,
who laid them up in arsenals for public service; that to prevent
any abuse in this important branch of military economy, and
to insure its proper and methodical management, no person
was permitted to forge arms for the imperial service, unless he
were previouly admitted a member of the society of the Fabri;
that, to secure the continuance of their labours after they had
been instructed in the art, a certain yearly stipend was settled
on each armourer, who (as well as his offspring) was pro-
hibited from leaving the employ till he had attained the office
of primicerius; and, finally, that no one might quit his busi-
ness without detection, a mark or stigma was impressed upon
the arm of each as soon as he became a member of the
fabrica.
These colleges were of two sorts, the smaller and greater,
the latter called, by way of excellence, fabrica sacræ. Not
attached to any particular legion, the fabrica sacræ supplied
whole provinces, and sometimes whole kingdoms, with mili-
tary weapons. Of this kind the college at Bath is, with good
reason, supposed to have been; furnishing arms not only to
the garrison of the colony, but to the troops at Caerleon,
Chester, and Ilchester, and to the whole army and line of
stations throughout Britain, and to some bodies of Roman
soldiers on the Continent. An establishment of this nature
would add considerably to the consequence of Bath, which
now became a scene of bustle and business. The road con-
necting it with the opposite side of the Severn was enlarged
and repaired, as it supplied the forges with the iron manufac-
tured at them, which, dug up in the Forest of Dean, and in
the hills of Monmouthshire, was transported across the river
at Lydney, landed at Aust, and brought to Bath by a military
way, running nearly parallel with the upper Bristol road. The
constant demand for military weapons from all parts of the
kingdom gave an additional life and spirit to the city; its
intercourse became general, and the roads which branched
from it, in every direction, were crowded with vehicles that
conveyed to different places the various destructive imple-
ments of war made at its fabrica.
30
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
The wise, vigilant, and accomplished Adrian, during his
stay, was active and diligent in improving the people; from
his time, his successors continued to work the iron mines, till
the final abandonment of Britain, by the Romans, about
A. D. 409.
Immense beds of iron cinders, relics of the Romans, have
been discovered in the Forest of Dean, in Monmouthshire.
Four miles north-west of Bolston Gaer, which lies near Miskin,
the seat of William Bassett, Esq., under a large bed of cin-
ders, a coin of Antoninus Pius was found in 1762, together
with a piece of fine earthenware, charged with greyhounds,
hares, &c., which the workmen broke to pieces. In Yorkshire,
and other counties,* cinders have also been discovered accom-
panied with coins, all which evince the frequency of iron foun-
dries during the period of the Roman reign in Britain.+
The Romans introduced iron foundries in Siluria, at Mon-
mouth, Hadnock, Keven Pwlldu, and other parts of the coun-
try. To the disturbed state of the country after the Romans
left Britain, is to be attributed the suspension of the produc-
tion of iron.
The conquest of Britain by the Saxons, a tedious and
bloody era, seems to have been at first nearly destructive of
all energy in the arts, and especially as relates to mines and
making of iron; yet we cannot be surprised at the honour
bestowed by the Anglo Saxons, on artificers who excelled
in fabricating swords, arms, and defensive armour, (Wil-
kins, Leges Sax. p. 25.) all persons being required by law
to have arms.
In the history of the five kings of England, from the union
*Our iron mines were as well known to the Romans, as those of lead, as appears
from an altar discovered at one of their walled towns, Condercum, or Benwell, in-
scribed to Jupiter Dolichenus, the deity who presided over this metal.— IVallis's
Nat. Hist. Northumberland, vol. i. p. 118.
+ Musgrave, in his "Belg. Brit." cap. xiii. sec. 4. says-" As regards iron, the
best and worst instrument of life, it is manifest that, in the time of the ancients, it
was produced in the country of the Silures (inhabitants of South Wales), and melted
in furnaces, which the half burnt ashes to be seen in it at this day in great abundance,
and the altar of Calpurnius, raised to Jupiter Dolichenus, as protector of iron works,
in our time in a state of ruin, testify."
Williams's History of Monmouthshire.
ENGLAND AND WALES.
31
of the Heptarchy by Ecbert's conquest, we have sought
unsuccessfully for information upon our subject.
The Danes having been at length subdued by Alfred, that
excellent monarch, being at peace twelve years, did all he
could to improve trade, naval power, and the arts, among his
subjects; but we do not discover either in this reign or in
that of his son Edward, or grandson Athelstan, (who died,
941,) any matter in aid of our history of iron.
The same may be also said of the succeeding seven reigns,
to Canute the Great, (18th king of England, who died, A.D.
1036,) who, having subjected England, wisely resuscitated
commerce and the arts. As no particular mention is made
of iron, in this and the reigns of four succeeding monarchs
to the conquest, it is uncertain to what extent the manufacture
was carried on; but Camden states, that in and before the
reign of William the Conqueror, the chief trade of the city of
Gloucester was forging of iron; and it is mentioned in Dooms-
day book, that there was scarcely any other tribute required
from that city, by the king, than certain dicars of iron, and
iron bars, for the use of the royal navy. The quantity re-
quired was thirty-six dicars of iron-a dicar, containing ten
bars, and one hundred iron-rods for nails or bolts.
Giraldus Cambrensis, who lived in the twelfth century, says
"the Forest of Dean amply supplies Gloucester with iron."
During the period from the Conquest to the death of John,
iron and steel were imported into Britain from Germany and
other countries; the "German merchants of the steel-yard"
are thought by some to have derived that name from the great
quantities of iron and steel which they imported, and sold at
a place called the steel-yard. The art of making defensive
armour was, during the same period, brought to such per-
fection, that a knight completely armed was almost in-
vulnerable.
In the north of England mines were very rare ;* there were
so few in the reign of Edward the Third, that the governor of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the year 1376, was obliged to send
* Holl. Chron.
32
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
for miners from the Forest of Dean, and the more southern
parts, to assist him in retaking the town from the Scots. And
in the tenth year of the preceding reign (Edward the Second),
iron mines were so scarce, that the Scots, in a predatory expe-
dition which they made in that year, met with no iron worth
their notice until they came to Furness, in Lancashire, where
they seized all the manufactured iron they could find, and
carried it off with the greatest joy, though so heavy of car-
riage, and preferred it to all other plunder.
By an Act passed in the twenty-eighth year of Edward the
Third, no iron manufactured in England, and also no iron.
imported and sold, could be carried out of the country, under
the penalty of forfeiting double the quantity to the king; and
the magistrates were empowered to regulate the selling price
and to punish those who sold at too dear a rate, accord-
ing to the extent of the transaction.
Although the art of forging iron had been so long, and so
extensively in practice, there is no trace of the precise period
at which the art of casting was discovered; in the year 1327,
we hear of cannon, which are then supposed to have been first
used in England, by Edward the Third, in his invasion of
Scotland.
That fire-arms were used in France about the same time,
appears from the following article in the accounts of the
Treasurer of War, A. D. 1338. "To Henry de Faumichan, for
gunpowder and other things necessary for the cannon, at the
siege of Puii Guillaume.*”
Edward the Third had cannon with his army at the famous
battle of Cressy, and still more famous siege of Calais, in the
year 1346.
The illustrious Petrarch, in one of his dialogues on the
remedies of good and bad fortune, which were written A. D.
1358, speaks of cannon as a comparatively new invention.
"G.—I have cross-bows, and other machines of war.
"R.-I am surprised that you have not also some of those
instruments which discharge balls of metal with most tremen-
* Henry's Great Brit.
ENGLAND AND WALES.
33
dous noise, and flashes of fire. These destructive plagues
were, a few years ago, very rare, and were viewed with the
greatest astonishment and admiration, but now they are become
as common and familiar as any other kind of arms. So quick
and ingenious are the minds of men in learning the most per-
nicious arts."
Cannon, or, as they were then called, bombards, were all
made of iron, until about the middle of the fifteenth century,
when a mixed metal, called font-metal, or bronze, was
invented. In 1378, Richard the Second gave a commission
to Thomas Norwich, to buy two great and two small cannon
in London, or any other place. Besides great guns, a smaller
kind of fire-arms, called "hand-cannon," came into use at this
time. They were so small and light, that one of them was
carried by two men, and fired from a rest fixed in the ground.
The 400 cannon, or the greatest part of them, with which an
English army besieged St. Malo, in 1378, must have been of
this kind.
During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, iron and steel
were imported from Germany, Prussia, and other places, and
also iron from Spain. But as several improvements in the
manufactures had taken place in the course of this period in
England, laws were made towards the end of it, against im-
porting any of the articles manufactured in this country in
iron and steel. Upon a petition to the House of Commons,
A. D. 1483, from the manufacturers of London and other towns,
representing the great damage they sustained by the impor-
tation of the articles which they manufactured, an Act was
passed against the importation of knives, hangers, tailors'
shears, scissors and irons, fire-forks, gridirons, stock-locks,
keys, hinges and garnets, spurs, bits, stirrups, buckler-chains,
latten-nails with iron shanks, buckles for shoes, shears, iron-
wire, iron candlesticks, grates, and other articles of home
production.
We are without any particular information respecting the
progress made in the manufacture of iron, until the reigns of
Elizabeth and James the First; there is no doubt, however, of
the works having materially increased in many parts of the
D
34
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
country, and particularly in Sussex. We learn from Leland,
speaking of the Forest of Dean, that "the ground is fruitful
of iron mines, and divers forges there to make iron;" also, in
Somersetshire, "iron ore found of late at Mendip, and iron
made there." In Camden, we find "Sussex is full of iron
mines everywhere, for the casting of which there are furnaces
up and down the country, and abundance of wood is yearly
spent; many streams of water are drawn into one channel,
and a great deal of meadow ground is turned into pools, for
the driving of mills by the flashes, which, beating with ham-
mers upon the iron, fill the neighbourhood night and day with
their noise. But the iron here wrought is not everywhere of
the same goodness, and, in general, more brittle than Spanish
iron. It yields, however, no small profit to the proprietors of
the mines, who cast cannon and other articles in it." He also
mentions Yorkshire and Staffordshire-of the former, "Shef-
field, remarkable, among many other places hereabouts, for
blacksmiths, there being much iron digged up in these parts ;"
of the latter—“the south, which has much pit-coal and mines
of iron, but whether more to their loss or advantage, the natives
themselves are the best judges, and so I refer it to them."
In 1558 an Act was passed that timber should not be
felled to make coals for burning iron. It was enacted that no
timber, of the breadth of one foot square at the stub, and
growing within fourteen miles of the sea, or of any part of the
rivers of Thames, Severn, or any other river, creek, or stream,
by the which carriage is commonly used by boat, or other
vessel, to any part of the sea, shall be converted to coal, or
fuel, for the making of iron. This Act not to extend to the
county of Sussex, nor to the weald of Kent, nor to any of the
parishes of Charldwood, Newdigate, and high in the weald
of the county of Surrey.-1 Eliz. c. 15.*
* Iron wire, in England, was, before 1568, all made and drawn by main strength
alone. In the Forest of Dean, and elsewhere, the Germans then introduced the art
of drawing it by a mill. The greatest part of the iron wire, and ready-made wool
cards, had been hitherto imported.—Gough's Camden (additions).
The iron and wire works, near Abbey Tintern, were erected by Germans.-D.
Williams's History of Monmouthshire.
ENGLAND AND WALES.
35
In 1581 a further Act was passed, to prevent the destruction
of timber, setting forth that, by reason of the late erection of
sundry iron-mills, in divers places of this realm, not far distant
from the city of London, and the suburbs of the same, or from
the downs and sea-coasts of Sussex, the necessary provision
of wood, as well timber fit for building, and other uses, as also
all other fellable wood serving for fuel, doth daily decay and
become scant, and will in time to come become much more
scarce, by reason whereof the prices are grown to be very
great and unreasonable. For remedy whereof, it was enacted,
that no new iron-works should be erected within twenty-two
miles of London, nor within fourteen miles of the river
Thames, nor in the several parts of Sussex near the sea
therein named, neither should any wood within the limits
described, be converted to coal, or other fuel for making of
iron. This Act not to extend to the woods of Christopher
Darrell, in the parish of Newdigate, within the weald of
Surrey, which woods have been, and are preserved and cop-
piced by him, for the use of his iron-works in those parts.—
23 Eliz. c. 5.
A subsequent Act prohibited the erection of any new iron-
works in Surrey, Kent, and Sussex, and ordered that no
timber, of the size of one foot square at the stub, should be
used as fuel at any iron-work.-27 Eliz. c. 19.* †
*Godfrey Box, of Liege, set up at Dartford, in the year 1590, the first iron mill
for slitting bars.—Gough's Camden (additions).
† In the Stradling Correspondence, edited by the Rev. J. Montgomery Traherne,
we find the following letter on the scarcity of iron in Glamorganshire in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, 1586.
"To the right wor, my very good cosen Sr. Edwarde Stradling, Knighte.
Sr., I am entreated by Robert Hensley, the bearer herof, to enforme you of the
troeth of a bargayne betwine him and one Thomas Sulley, late of St. Athens of yor
neere neighbourhoode, touchinge an anvyle wch he did sett unto the sayd Sulley for
a yere.
The bargayne is witnessed by two p'sons, viz. John Wattes, clerke, minister
of Porlocke, and John Bearde of Selworthye, who sayeth that, about our Lady-day
last past, Robt. Hensley did sett to heire the sayd anvyle to the sayd Thomas Sulley
at a rent of iiis. iiiid. for the yere; with further condicon that yf the sayd Robert, or
any of his brothers, woulde require to have agayne the sayd anvyll into theire pos-
session wthin the sayd yere, then, upon one qrter's warninge, the sayde anvyle was
to be restored, and he to abate of the rente according to the tyme that he possessed
D 2
36
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
The scarcity of fuel for the iron-works being now severely
felt, persons interested in the manufacture naturally turned
their attention to the subject, with a view to find a substitute,
if possible, for that fuel of which they had been deprived; and
attempts were made by many persons, in the reigns of James
the First and Charles the First, to smelt iron with pit-coal,
but without success; and, consequently, the iron-works in
many parts of the country were stopped entirely, and in other
parts materially decreased.
The following account, taken from the Metallum Martis, of
Dudley, published in the reign of Charles the Second, gives a
full and interesting history of his own various experiments for
the smelting of iron with pit-coal. It commences with an
epistolatory dedication to the king, which is followed by a
long prefatory epistle to parliament, wherein, amongst other
information, petitions, &c., he says:-
"MY DEAR MASTER, -Our sacred martyr, Charles the
First of ever blessed memory, did animate the author, by
granting him a patent in the fourteenth year of his reign, for
the making of iron, and melting, extracting, refining, &c., all
minerals and metals with pit-coal, sea-coal, peat, and turf,
which was extinct, and obstructed by this unnatural and un-
paralleled war." This concluded with a letter:
“To the reader, especially of England, Scotland,
and Wales:
"The injury and prejudice done unto me, and to this island,
my native country, for the making of iron with pit-coal, &c.,
moved me, in the negligence of better wits and pens, to apo-
logise for it in the ensuing treatise; and believe me, reader,
the same.
The ptyes yt dothe testifie this bargayne are honest and credible; wher-
fore I beseech yow extend yor lawfull favor to my honeste countreyman accordinge
to the equitye of his cause: so shall you have me ever ready to requite you or any
neighbour of yors in the like cause, or greater, as occasion shall move.
"Thus, making to you and to my good ladye my right harty comendacons, doe
take my leave of you.
"Att my house, Combsydenham, this xxixth of June 1586.
"Yor very loving frend and cosen,
"GEORGE SYDNAHAM."
ENGLAND AND WALES.
37
it was no private or political design in my invention, but mere
zeal, becoming an honest man, Patriæ, parentibus, et amicis,
that engaged me, after many others failed in these inventions,
for the general good, and preservation of wood and timber,
which,
Æque pauperibus locupletibusque,
Æque neglectis pueris senibusque nocebit.
"DUD. DUDLEY."
He then proceeds:-" Having former knowledge and de-
light in iron-works of my father's, when I was but a youth,
afterward, at twenty years old, was I fetched from Oxford, then
of Baliol College, anno 1619, to look over and manage three
iron-works of my father's, one furnace, and two forges, in the
chase of Pensnet, in Worcestershire; but, wood and charcoal
growing very scanty, and pit-coals, in great quantities,
abounding near the furnace, did induce me to alter my
furnace, and to attempt, by my new invention, the making
of iron with pit-coal, assuring myself, in my invention, the loss
to me could not be greater than others, nor so great, although
my success should be fruitless; but I found such success at
first trial as animated me, for, at my trial, or blast, I made
iron to profit with pit-coal, and found facere est addere
inventioni. After I had proved by a second blast and trial, the
feasibility of making iron with pit-coal and sea-coal, I found
by my new invention the quality to be good and profitable,
but the quantity did not exceed above three tons per week,
though I doubted not in future to have advanced my inven-
tion to make quantity also.
"Immediately after my second trial, I wrote to my father
what I had done, and, withal, desired him to obtain a patent
for it from King James, of blessed memory; the answer to
which letter I shall insert, only to show the forwardness of
King James, in this his much animating the invention, as did
others-
"SON DUDLEY, -The King's Majesty being at New-
market, I sent Parkes thither on Saturday, to some friends of
mine, to move the King's Majesty for my patent; which he,
38
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
coming on Sunday morning, in the afternoon his Majesty sent
a warrant to Master Attorney to dispatch my patent, for the
which I am infinitely bound unto his Majesty, that it pleased
him, of his great grace and favour to dispatch it so soon. I
have been this night with Master Attorney, who will make
haste for me.
God bless you, and commend me unto all
my friends.
"Your loving father,
"EDWARD DUDLEY.'
"This Richard Parkes, of Parkhouse, Esquire, in the letter
before-mentioned, was the author's brother-in-law, which did,
about one year after the patent was granted, carry from the
author much good merchantable iron unto the Tower, by
King James' command, to be tried by all artists, who did
very well approve of the iron; and the said Parkhouse had a
fowling gun there, made of pit-coal iron, with his name gilt
upon the gun, which gun was taken from him by Colonel
Leveson, Governor of Dudley Castle, and never restored.
"The said Richard Parkhouse's son, my nephew, Edward
Parkhouse, the 5th January, 1644, pressed me much to put
pen unto paper to what I have done in the invention of
making iron with pit-coal and sea-coal, not unknown unto
this country, and to my brother Folliott, Esquire, and my
nephew Parkhouse, Esquire, and to my kinsman, Master
Francis Dingby, to whom I intend to leave the secrets of my
inventions. Notwithstanding all my sad sufferings from time
to time, these forty years, in the inventions, my sufferings in
the war, and my estate sold for my loyalty, and also my sad
sufferings and obstructions since his Sacred Majesty's happy
restoration, many ways; and also upon sundry and many
references, at the author's very great charge, pains and time
spent, of four years, in his aged days, for the general good,
by his invention for the preservation of Great Britain's wood
and timber. Now, let me show some reasons that induced
me to undertake these inventions after the many failings of
others, well knowing that, within ten miles of Dudley Castle,
ENGLAND AND WALES.
39
there be near 20,000 smiths of all sorts, and many iron-works
at that time, within that circle, decayed for want of wood
(yet formerly a mighty woodland country). Secondly, the
Lord Dudley's woods and works decayed, but pit-coal and iron-
stone, or mines, abounding upon his lands, but of little use.
Thirdly, because most of the coal mines in these parts, as
well as upon Lord Dudley's lands, are coals, ten, eleven, and
twelve yards thick, the top or the uppermost coal, or vein,
gotten upon the superficies of this globe or earth in open
works. Fourthly, under this great thickness of coal are very
many sorts of ironstone mines, in the earth, clay, or stone
earth, like bats, in all four yards thick; also under these iron
mines are several yards thick of coals, but of these in another
place more convenient. Fifthly, knowing that, when the
colliers are forced to sink pits for getting of ten yards thick or
more, one-third part of the coals that be gotten under the
ground being small, are of little or of no use in that inland
country, nor is it worth the drawing out of the pits, unless it
might be made use of by making of iron therewith into cast
works or bars. Sixthly, then, knowing that, if there could be
any use made of the small coals that are of little use, then
would they be drawn out of the pits, which coals produced
oftentimes great prejudice unto the owners of the works and
the work itself, and also unto the colliers, who, casting of the
small coals together, which compelling necessity enforcing the
colliers so to do, for two causes, one is to raise them to cut
down the ten yards thickness of coals, drawing only the bigger
sort of coal, not regarding the lesser or small coal, which will
bring no money, saying-he that liveth longest let him fetch
fire furthest. Next, these colliers must cast these coals and
slack or dross out of their ways, which sulphurous small coal
and crowded moist slack heat naturally, and kindle in the
middle of these great heaps, often sets the coal works on fire,
and flaming out of the pits, and continue burning, like Ætna,
in Sicily, or Hecla, in the Indies.
"Yet, when these loose sulphurous composts of coal and
slack being consumed in process of time, the fire decays; but,
notwithstanding the fire hath continued in some pits many
40
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
be-
years, yet colliers have gotten coals again in those same pits,
the fire not penetrating the solid and firmer wall of coals,
cause, pabulum ignis est aer, the air could not penetrate, but
pass by it in the loose coal and slack, for coming into those
pits afterwards, I have beheld the very blows of pikes or
tools, that got the coal there formerly. Also from these sul-
phurous heaps, mixed with ironstone (for out of many of the
same pits is gotten much ironstone or mine), the fires heating
vast quantities of water, passing through these soughs or
adits becometh as hot as the bath at Bath, and more healing
and sovereign even for old ulcers and sores, because many of
these baths proceed not only from common sulphur and vitriol
of Mars, but also from Solar sulphur in this ironstone. I
hope filii artis will excuse my digression from the making of
iron with pit-coal, sea-coal, peat, or turf, and the melting of
mines and metals, and refining of the same with the like fuel.
The first patent being granted by King James, for thirty-one
years, in the nineteenth year of his reign, upon just and true
information, that the author had, the year before, made many
tons of iron with pit-coal, at a furnace, or iron-work, in the
chase at Pensnet, county of Worcester, besides cast-iron
works of sundry sorts, with pit-coal; and also at two forges,
or iron-mills, called Cradley Forges, fined the said iron into
merchantable good bar-iron. But the year following the
grant, or patent, for making of iron with pit-coal or sea-coal,
there was so great a flood by rain-to this day called the
great May-day flood '—that it not only ruinated the author's
iron-works and inventions, but also many other men's iron-
works; and at a market town, called Sturbridge, in comitatu
Wigornia, although the author sent with speed to preserve
the people from drowning, one resolute man was carried from
the bridge there in the daytime; and the nether part of the
town was so deep in water, that the people had much ado to
preserve their lives in the uppermost rooms in their houses.
(6
My iron-works and inventions thus demolished, to the
joy of many ironmasters, whose works escaped the flood, and
who had often disparaged the author's inventions, because the
author sold good iron cheaper than they could afford it, and
ENGLAND AND WALES.
41
which induced many of the ironmasters to complain unto
King James, averring that the iron was not merchantable. As
soon as the author had repaired his works and inventions, to
his no small charge, they so far prevailed with King James,
that the author was commanded, with all speed possible, to
send all sorts of bar-iron up to the Tower of London, fit for
making of muskets and carbines; and the iron being so tried
by artists and smiths, that the ironmasters and ironmongers
were all silenced, until the twenty-first of King James. At
the then Parliament all monopolies were made null, and
divers of the ironmasters endeavoured to bring the invention
of making iron with pit-coal, &c., within the compass of a
monopoly; but the Lord Dudley and the author did prevail,
yet the patent was limited to continue but fourteen years.
After which Act, the author went on cheerfully, and made
annually great store of iron, good and merchantable, and sold
it unto divers men, yet living, at 127. per ton. I also made all
sorts of cast-iron wares, as brewing-cisterns, pots, mortars,
and better and cheaper than any yet were made in these
nations, with charcoal; some of which are extant, to be seen
by any (at the author's house, in the city of Worcester) that
desire to be satisfied of the truth in the said invention.
*
"Afterwards, the author was ousted of his works and in-
ventions before-mentioned, by the ironmasters and others,
wrongfully-over long to relate; yet, being unwilling his
inventions (having undergone much charge and pains therein)
should fall to the ground, and be buried in him, made him set
forward his inventions again, at a furnace called Himley fur-
"
Provided also, and be it declared and enacted, that this Act, or any declara-
cion, provision, penaltie, forfeiture, or other thing before mencioned, shall not extend
to or be prejudiciall to a graunt or priviledge for or concerning the melting of iron
ewer, and of making the same into cast-workes or barres, with seacoales or pit-
coales, by his Majisties lettres patent, under the Great Seale of England, bearing
date the twentith day of Februarie, in the nyneteenth yeare of his Majisties Raigne
of England, made or graunted to Edward Lord Dudley, but that the same severall
lettres patent and graunte shalle and remayne of the like force and effect, and as free
from the declaracions, provisions, penalties, and forfeitures before mentioned, as if
this Act had never byn had nor made, and not otherwise.”
21 Jac. 1, c. 3. "Statute of Monopolies."
42
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
nace, in the county of Stafford, where he made much iron
with pit-coal; but, wanting a forge to make it into bars, was
constrained, for want of stock, to sell the pig-iron unto the
charcoal ironmasters, who did him much prejudice, not only
in detaining his stock, but also disparaging the iron-Himley
furnace being rented out unto charcoal ironmasters.
"The author erected a new large furnace on purpose,
twenty-seven feet square, all of stone, for his new invention,
at a place called Hascobridge, in the parish of Sedgeley, and
county of Stafford; the bellows of which furnace were larger
than ordinary bellows are; in which work he made seven
tons of iron per week, the greatest quantity of pit-coal iron
that ever yet was made in Great Britain. Near which fur-
nace the author discovered many new coal mines, ten yards
thick, and iron mine under it, according to other coal works;
which coal works being brought into perfection, the author
was, by force, thrown out of them, and the bellows of his new
furnace and invention, by riotous persons, cut in pieces, to his
no small prejudice, and loss of his invention of making of iron
with pit-coal, &c., so that being, with law-suits and riots,
wearied and disabled to prosecute his art and invention at
present, even until the first patent was extinct.
"Notwithstanding the author's sad sufferings-imprisoned
wrongfully for several thousand pounds, in the Counter, in
London, yet did obtain a new patent, dated May 2, anno 14
Caroli Primi, of ever blessed memory, not only for the
making of iron into cast works and bars, but also for the
melting, extracting, refining, &c., all mines, minerals, and
metals, with pit-coal, sea-coal, &c., for the preservation of the
wood and timber of this island; into which patent the author
for the better support and management of his invention, so
much opposed formerly at the Court, at the Parliament, and
at the Law, took in David Ramsey, Esq., resident at the
Court, Sir George Horsey, at the Parliament, Roger Foulke,
Esq., a counsellor of the Temple, and an ingenious man, and
also an ironmaster, my neighbour, and one who did well know
my former sufferings, and what I had done in the invention of
making of iron with pit-coal, &c. All which patentees articled
1
ENGLAND AND WALES.
43
the 11th June following the grant, not only to pay the author
all the charges of passing the patent laid down by him, but
also to lay in, for a common and joint-stock, each man of the
four, one hundred pounds, and so from time to time what
more stock any three of the patentees should think fit to be
laid in, for the making of iron into cast works and bars, and
likewise for the melting, &c., with pit-coal, &c. (as above)-
which articles are yet extant.
(C
Now, let me, without offence, insert the opposition we all
had, by means of powerful ironmasters, with Sir Philibeard
Vernat, a Dutchman, and Captain Whitmore, who pretended
much unto his Majesty, but performed not their undertaking,
which caused the author and his partners thus to petition:-
"TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
"The humble petition of Sir George Horsey, Knt., David
Ramsey, Roger Foulke, and Dud Dudley, Esquires, humbly
showeth-That whereas your petitioners being called before
the Right Honourable the Lord Keeper, by your Majesty's
appointment, touching the making of iron with pit-coal, &c.,
for which they have your Majesty's patent; and seeing that
Sir Philibeard Vernat, and Captain Whitmore, who are not
inventors, have obtained a patent also for the same; yet, be-
fore the patent granted, Sir Philibeard was ordered at council
board, according to his great undertaking, to perfect it, and
his invention within two years; and there hath been near
three years passed, and yet have made little or no iron; still
he opposeth your petitioners, and doth neither benefit himself,
but hinders your Majesty and the kingdom."
"At the Court at Greenwich, May 20th, 1638, his Majesty
is pleased to refer this petition to Master Attorney and
Master Solicitor-General, to call the petitioners before them,
and to compose the differences between them, if they can—or
otherwise to certify his Majesty their opinions therein.
"Sir Sidney Montague was then Master of the Requests,
but Sir Philibeard Vernat and Captain Whitmore, never ap-
peared any more for their invention.
"Not long after the wars came on, and caused my partners
44
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
to desist, since which they are all dead but the author; and
his estate (for his loyalty unto his late Sacred Majesty and
master), as by the additional Act of Parliament may appear,
was totally sold. Yet, nevertheless, I still endeavoured not
to bury my talents, took in two partners into my inventions-
Walter Sevens, of Bristow, linendraper, and John Stone, of
the same city, merchant. After the author had begun to
erect a new work for the inventions aforesaid, near Bristow,
anno 51, and there we three partners had in stock near 7007.;
but they not only cunningly drew me into bond, entered upon
my stock and work, unto this day detained it, but also did
unjustly enter staple actions in Bristow, of great value against.
me, because I was of the King's party, unto the great preju-
dice of my inventions and proceedings, my patent being then
almost extinct; for which, and my stock, am I forced to sue
them in Chancery.
"In the interim of my proceedings, Cromwell and the then
Parliament, granted a patent and an Act of Parliament unto
Captain Buck, of Hampton-road, for the making of iron with
pit-coal and sea-coal. Cromwell, and many of his officers,
were partners, as Major Wildman and others; many doctors
of physic, and merchants, who set up divers and sundry works
and furnaces, at a vast charge, in the Forest of Dean, and
after they had spent much in their invention and experiments,
which was done in spacious wind-furnaces, and also in pots.
of glass-house clay, and failing, afterwards got unto them an
ingenious glass-master, Edward Dagney, an Italian, then
living in Bristow, who, after he had made many pots for that
purpose, I went with them into the Forest of Dean, and built
for the said Captain Buck and his partner a new furnace, and
made therein sundry experiments and trials for the making of
iron with pit-coal and sea-coal; but he failing, and his pots
being all broken, he did return to Bristow frustrate of his
expectation, but further promising to come again and make
more experiments; at which time, Master John Williams,
Master Dagney's master of the glass-house, was then drawn
in to be a partner for 3007. deposited, and most of it spent.
The said Williams and Dagney hearing that the author had
ENGLAND AND WALES.
45
knowledge in the making of iron with pit-coal, sea-coal, &c.,
they, from Captain Buck, and the other partners, importuned
the author, who was at the time in great danger by the Par-
liament, being a colonel of the king's party, to go along with
them into the Forest of Dean, which at that time durst not
deny coming thither. I observed their manner at working,
and found it impossible that the said Edward Dagney, by his
inventions, should make any iron with pit-coal or sea-coal, in
pots, to profit. I continued with them till all their pots and
inventions failed. At every dinner and supper, Captain Buck,
Captain Robins, Doctor Ivie, Doctor Fowler, and others,
would ask the author why he was so confident that iron in
quantity could not be made by their new inventions? I found
it a difficult thing to dissuade the partners from their way, so
confident were they to perform the making of iron with pit-
coal or sea-coal to profit, that they desired me to come again a
second time into the forest to see it effected; but at that time
I saw their failings also, yet, nevertheless, Captain Buck and
his partner erected nine works, at the city of Bristow, in
which they did fail as much as in their former inventions.
"But Captain Wildman-more barbarous to me than a
wild man—although a minister, bought the author's estate,
near 2001. per annum, intending to compel from the author
his inventions of making of iron with pit-coal; but afterwards
passed my estate unto two barbarous brokers of London, that
pulled down the author's two mansion houses, sold 500 timber
trees off his land, and to this day are his houses unrepaired,
anno 1655. Captain Buck and his partner, wearied of their
invention, desisting anno 1656. Captain John Copley, from
Cromwell, obtained another patent for the making of iron with
pit-coal and sea-coal; he and his partner set up their works
at the coal works near Bristow, and endeavoured by engineers'
assistance to get his bellows to be blown at or near the pits
of coal, with which engines the work could not be performed.
But the author coming to see the said works, and after many
discoveries with Captain Copley, his former acquaintance, told
him plainly if his bellows could have been blown with those
engines, yet I feared he could not make iron with pit-coal or
46
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
sea-coal; he seemed disconcerted, whereupon, and without
these engines, I made his bellows to be blown forcibly, as by
the note under his hand appears, as followeth :—
66
"1656, December 30.-Memorandum, the day and year
above written: I, John Copley, of London, gent., do acknow-
ledge that after the expense of divers hundred pounds to
engineers, of the making of my bellows to blow, for the
making of iron with pit-coal or sea-coal, near Bristow, and
near the Forest of Kingswood, that Dud Dudley, Esq., did
perform the blowing of the said bellows at the works or pits
aforesaid, a very forcible and plausible way, that one man
may blow them with pleasure the space of an hour or two;
and this I do acknowledge to be performed with a very small
charge, and without any money paid to him for the said
invention.
'JOHN COPLEY.'
Captain John Copley thus failing in his inventions, anno
1657, so he went into Ireland, and all men now desisting from
the inventions of making iron with pit-coal and sea-coal, the
author, anno 1660, being sixty-one years of age, and moved
with pity, and seeing no man able to perform the mastery of
making of iron with pit-coal or sea-coal, immediately upon
his Sacred Majesty's happy restoration, the same day he
landed, petitioned that he might be restored to his place, and
his patent, obstructed, revived, for the making of iron with
pit-coal, sea-coal, peat, and turf, into cast work and bars, and
for the melting, extracting, refining, and reducing of all mines,
metals, and minerals with pit-coal, sea-coal, peat, and turf-
which said laudable inventions the author was, and is, unwil-
ling should fall to the ground and die with him; neither is
the mystery or mastery of the inventions effected and perfected
by any man known unto the author as yet, either in England,
Scotland, or Wales, all which three abound with pit-coal or
sea-coal, and do over much furnish other kingdoms, many
with pit-coal and sea-coal, when they might make better use
of it themselves (especially Scotland and Wales) both for the
making iron into cast works and bar, and also for the making
of steel, and melting, extracting, and refining of lead, tin, and
iron.
ENGLAND AND WALES.
47
"The author petitioned his Sacred Majesty sitting at the
council board, for the renewing of his patent; the reference to
that petition followeth :—
The author during the Lords Commissioners' their time,
could get no order upon his references, but his petition was
left with the new Right Honourable the Lord Treasurer, to
take or grant from their order therein, but the author hath
gotten hitherto no order, therefore compelling necessity doth
constrain (having prosecuted his petition hitherto) him to de-
sist from his inventions, in which he hath taken more pains,
care, and charge than any man to perfect his new inventions
in these kingdoms. Although the author hath not as yet so
fully perfected or raised his inventions to the quantity of
charcoal iron furnaces, yet the author's quantity being but
seven tons per week at the most, together with the quality of
his iron made with pit-coal and sea-coal, hath the most emi-
nent triplicity of iron of all that can be desired in any new
invention:-1. More sufficient-2. More cheap-3. More
excellent-upon which triplicity the author might enlarge,
but shall not be tedious, only give me leave to mention that
there be three sorts of cast-iron. 1. The first sort is grey
iron.-2. The second sort is called motley iron, of which one
part of the sows or pigs is grey-the other part is white inter-
mixed.-3. The third sort is called white iron; this is almost
as white as bell metal, but in the furnace is least fined, and
the most terrestrial.
"Of the three, the motley iron is somewhat more fined, but
the grey iron is most fined in the furnace, and more malleable
and tough than the other two sorts before mentioned, and of
this sort is the iron made with pit-coal (sea-coal for the most
part), and therefore more sufficiently to be preferred.-2.
More cheap iron there cannot be made, for the author did
sell pig or cast-iron made with pit-coal at 47. per ton; many
tons in the twentieth year of King James, with good profit.
Also, the author did sell bar iron, good and merchantable, at
127. per ton, and under; but bar-iron hath been sold for the
most part ever since, at 15l., 161., 177, and 187. per ton, by
charcoal iron masters.
48
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
"3. More excellent for divers reasons, principally being
the means whereby the wood and timber of this island,
almost exhausted, may be timely preserved yet, and vegetate
and grow again into its former wonted cheapness, for the
maintenance of navigation, which is the greatest strength of
Great Britain, whose defence and offence for all the territories.
that belong unto it, next under God, and his vicegerent, our
Sacred Majesty's cares consist most of shipping, men-of-war,
experienced mariners, ordnance, ammunition, and stores; the
ordnance made therewith will be more grey and tough, there-
fore more serviceable at sea and land, and the bar-iron will
wall, rivet, and hold better than most commonly chargeable
iron. But also in respect this my inventions will preserve
many millions of tons of small coal in Great Britain, which
will be lost in time to come, and as formerly they were; for
within ten miles of Dudley Castle is annually consumed four
or five thousand tons, at least, of small pit-coal, and have
been so consumed time out of mind, underground, fit to have
made pig-iron with, which coals are, and unless iron be made
therewith, will be for ever totally and annually lost. If four
or five thousands tons of coal be consumed within ten miles
of compass, what coal is thus consumed in all England,
Scotland, and Wales? which is no good husbandry for
Great Britain. Hinc illa lacrymæ, that our timber is ex-
hausted. Must I still be opposed, and never ensured my in-
vention, nor Great Britain the benefit? Must my patent be
obstructed in peace, as it was extinct by the wars? And
must not my patent be revived for the making of iron with
pit-coal, sea-coal, peat, and turf, but find enemies still to
oppose it? How many thousand tons of iron might have
been made, but since my first invention it is saved one-
eighth by my means with pit-coal, and sea-coal lost it, if I
had not had enemies, and had not wood and timber been
preserved. But most men will aver that it doth concern the
author to demonstrate the great loss mentioned formerly of
pit-coal annually; it is thus :-There is at least within ten
miles of the Castle of Dudley twelve or fourteen coal works,
some in Worcestershire, and some of them in Staffordshire,
1
ENGLAND AND WALES.
49
now in work; and twice as many in that circuit not in work;
each of which works get two thousand tons of coal yearly—
some get three, four, or five thousand tons of coal yearly, and
the uppermost or top measures of coals are ten, eleven, and
twelve yards thick, the coals ascending (basseting was the
colliers' term), it cropping up even unto the superficies of the
earth, and there the colliers formerly got the coals; but where
the coals are deep, and but little earth upon the measure of
coals, there the colliers rid off the earth, and dig the coals
under their feet; these works are called footrids, but of
these works there are now but few. Some of these small
coals in these open works the poor people did carry away,
but paid nothing for them in former times, termed the brain-
carriages, but now the colliers working more in the deep of
these works, they are constrained to sink pits, some of which
pits are from eight unto twenty yards deep, and some are
near twenty fathoms deep, which fathom contains two yards
in these pits. After you have made or hit the uppermost
measure of coals, and sunk or digged through them, the col-
liers getting the outermost parts of the coals first about two
yards in height or more, and when they have wrought the
cruts or stauls (as some colliers call them), as broad and as
far in under the ground as they think fit, they throw the small
coals, fit to make iron, out of their way on heaps, to raise
them up so high to stand upon, that they may, with the
working of their picks or maundrills over their heads, and at
the one end of the coals, so far in as their tools will admit,
and so high as their working cometh unto a parting in the
measure of coals, the which coal, to the parting by his self-
clogging and ponderous weight, often falls many tons of
coals, many yards high, down at once; with which fall, and
the colliers breaking of the said coal, many small coals do
so abound of no use, and unfit for sale, that in getting of
20,000 tons of pit-coal, one-half is small coal not drawn out
of the pits, but destroyed, left, and lost; which small coal,
with the thrown moyest together heats the sooner, and by
means of its sulphureous fire in the pits, to no small preju-
E
50
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
dice unto the owners of the works, and the workmen, besides
Great Britain's loss, which coal might have made many
thousand tons of iron, and also have preserved this island's
woods and timber.-I might here give you the names, and
partly the nature of every measure parting of each coal lying
one upon each other. The three uppermost measures are
called the white measure, for his white arsenical, satsuquo-
rious, and sulphureous substance, which is in that coal; the
next measure is the shoulder coal, the toe coal, the foot coal,
the yard coal, the slipper coal, the sawyer coal, and the fristy
coal; these last three coals are the best for the making of
iron, yet other coals may be made use of.
"I might give you other names of coals, but desire not
prolixity, yet must I tell you of a supernumerary number of
smiths within ten miles of these coal works, near twenty
thousand. Yet God of his infinite goodness-if we will but
take notice of his goodness unto this nation-hath made this
country a very cranati, for the supplying these men with iron,
coal, and lime, made with coal, which hath much supplied
the men with corn also of late; and from these men a great
part not only of this island, but also of his majesty's other
kingdoms and territories, with iron wares, have their supply ;
and wood in these parts almost exhausted, although it were
of late a mighty woodland country. Now, if the coals and
ironstone so abounding were made right use of, we need not
want iron as we do, for very many measures of ironstone are
placed together under the great ten yards thickness of coal,
and upon another thickness of coal two yards thick, not yet
mentioned, called the bottom coal or heathern coal, as if
God had decreed the time when and how these smiths should
be supplied, and this island also, with iron; and most espe-
cially that this coal and iron-stone should give the first and
last occasion for the invention of making iron with pit-coal,
no place being so fit for the invention to be perfected in as
this country for the general good; whose lands did formerly
abound in forests, chases, parks, and woods, but exhausted
in these parts."
ENGLAND AND WALES.
51
Now for the names of the iron-stone :-
"The first measure
is called the black-row-graines, lying in very hard and black
earth; the second measure is the dun-row-graines, lying in
dun earth or clay; the third measure is called the white-row-
graines, lying in very white earth or clay; under these three
measures are sundry other measures, and are called-first,
the rider-stone; secondly, the cloud-stone; thirdly, the bot-
tom-stone; fourthly, the cannock or cannot-stone-which
last may well be so called, although all the other measures be
very good, yet this stone is so sulphureous and terrestrial, not
fit to make iron, because the iron thereof made is very red-
share which is, that if a workman should draw or forge out
a share-mould fit for a plough in that red heat it would
crack, and not be fit for the use of the husbandman's plough
or share.
"I may take occasion here to speak of the nature of
coldshare-iron, which is so brittle if made of the grain ore, or
ironstone, would be almost as brittle as some regulus anti-
monii, made with iron, for with one small blow over an anvil
you may break the biggest bar that is, if it be perfect cold-
share iron-nay, the ploughman often breaks his share-point
off, if it be made of coldshare-iron; but perfect tough malle-
able iron will not break feasibly in hot heat or cold, as cold-
share will, or red hot as sulphureous redshare-iron will, but
yet tough enough when it is cold; all which aforesaid quali-
ties of iron the author very well knoweth how to mend their
natures, by fining or setting the finery less transhaw more
burrow, which are terms of art, and by altering and pitching
the works and plates, the fore-spirit plate, the tuiron bottom,
back and breast or fore plate, by the altering of which much
may be done, if the work be set transhaw and transiring from
the blast; the iron is more coldshare, less fined, more to the
master's profit, less profitable to him that makes it into
manufactorage, and less profitable to him that useth it, but
the iron made in a burrow work becometh more tough and
serviceable, yet the nature of all ironstone is to be considered
both in the furnace and in the finery; the sulphureous, arse-
E 2
52
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
nical, and veneriating qualities, which are oftentimes in iron-
stone, to be made to separate in both the works from the
fixed and fixing bodies of iron, whose fiery quality is such
that he will sooner self-calcine than separate from any sul-
phureous veneriated quality.
"No man, I hope, need to be offended at any terms of
art; it hath been always lawful for authors of new arts and
inventions, at their own pleasure, to give name to their new
inventions and arts; every tradesman is allowed it in his
mystery; but the author hath, as much as he could, avoided
the terms of art that Simon Sturtevant and others have used,
which are very many, only the author hath given you the
common names and terms for the most part, which are so
common among forgemen and founders, as is nothing more
common, but keep secrets amongst them, and a mystery not
yet known but unto very few owners of iron works; nay, I
have not yet troubled your memory with any of the founders'
terms, of but making his hearth-as the timpe-stones, the
windwall-stone, the tuiron-stone, the bottom-stone, the back-
stones, and the boshes, in the making and picking of which
hearth is much of the mystery.
"I must confess there is given unto some philosophers
and filii artis some few terms, how the sulphureous, ar-
senical, bituminous, antimonial, and other poisonous quali-
ties, either in the pit-coal, sea-coal, or the iron-stone, may be
in part at the furnace separated, and not permitted to be
incorporated, yet by fining at the forge to pitch it out; also
to melt, extract, refine, and reduce all mines, metals, and
minerals, unto their species with pit-coal, sea-coal, peat, and
turf, by ways not yet in use, which the author will make
known hereafter, if God permit him health, time, and space,
or leave his knowledge unto his brother, Aylmore Folliatt,
Esq., his nephew, Parkhouse, Esq., and to his kinsman,
Master Francis Dingby, to declare unto this latter age of
the world in which God is pleased to manifest many of his
secrets: Qui vult secreta scire, secreta secrete sciat custodire.
Having suffered much ever since the year 1618 unto this
(6
4
ENGLAND AND WALES.
53
present for the general good, as by the preceding discourse
appears, for the making of iron with pit-coal, sea-coal, peat,
and turf, for the preservation of wood and timber of Great
Britain, which is much exhausted, for the future prevention
of which is—1st, to permit the author to enjoy his patent, and
fully to perfect his said intentions, obstructed in the reign both
of King James and in the reign of his sacred majesty King
Charles the First, of ever-blessed memory, and lately since
his most sacred majesty's happy restoration, who desires
nothing but to be animated with the patent revived, accord-
ing unto the statute of 21 Jacobi for inventions; 2d, to
empower the author, or any other agents, to take care that no
pit-coal or sea-coal be anyways wilfully destroyed under-
ground; 3rd, to put all former good laws in execution, and
to make others for the preservation of wood and timber of
these nations, especially near navigable rivers or seas; 4th,
seeing there goeth out of England, Scotland, and Wales,
many thousand tons annually of pit-coal and sea-coal to
furnish France, and also the smiths thereof, Spain, Portugal,
and Flanders, and especially the smiths thereof, the Low
Countries, and the smiths thereof-besides, the Hollanders
carry great quantities of our coals unto foreign parts, without
which those countries cannot subsist. Now the author's
design is, that where there is a conveniency of ironstone or
ore, the coals may not be transported (paying his sacred
Majesty's duty) until order from his Majesty, or his privy
council; 5th, that no pit-coal be exported, seeing that wood
fuel, and timber is decayed for building, and instead thereof
brick-making (formerly spending wood, but now coals) is
much in use. Also is glass now made with coals, but for-
merly there were many thousand loads of wood fuel spent in
the making thereof, and the glass invention with pit-coal
was first effected near the author's dwelling; 6th, making
of malt brewings, making of copperas, alum, salt, casting of
brass and copper, dyeings, and many other works, were not
many years since done altogether with the fuel of wood and
charcoal-instead whereof, pit-coal and sea-coal is now used
54
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
.
as effectually, and to a better use and purpose, besides the
preservation of wood and timber; 7th, that which is some-
what nearer the mark and invention, the blacksmith forged
all his iron with charcoal, and in some places where it is
cheap they continue this course still, but small pit-coal and
sea-coal, and also peat and turf, hath and doth serve the turn
as well and sufficiently as charcoal; 8th, that which is nearest
to, and my perfect invention, and near the author's dwelling
called Green's-lodge, there are four forges, namely-Green's
forge, Swin forge, Heath forge, and Cradley forge, which
four forges have barred all or most part of their iron with pit-
coal, ever since the author's first invention in 1618, which
hath preserved much wood in these four; besides many
other forges do the like, yet the author hath had no benefit
thereby to this present. Yet, by this barring of iron with
pit-coal, 30,000 loads of wood and more have been preserved
for the general good, which otherwise would have been
consumed."
Simon Sturtevant, in his "Metallica," in the epistle to the
reader, saith, that there was then, anno 12 Jacobi, in England,
Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, 800 furnaces, forges, or iron
mills, making iron with charcoal. Now we may suppose at
least 300 to be furnaces, and each furnace making fifteen tons
per week of pig or cast-iron, and work or blow but forty weeks
per annum—but some furnaces make twenty tons of pig-iron
per week, and two loads of charcoal or thereabouts go to the
making of a ton of pig-iron, and two loads (or two cords) of
wood at the least go to the making of a load of charcoal.
Now what loads of wood or charcoal are spent in Great Bri-
tain and Ireland annually, but in one furnace, that makes
fifteen tons per week of pig-iron for forty weks, I shall give
you the table, and leave you to judge of the rest of the
furnaces :-
"
Wood .. 60 loads.
Wood.. 2400
"
15 tons per week, spends of charcoal.. 30 loads
Per annum, 40 weeks, spend charcoal.. 1200
Also, for one forge that makes three tons of bar-iron,
weekly, for fifty weeks; but some forges make double my
ENGLAND AND WALES.
55
proportion, and spend to fine and bar out each ton, three loads
of charcoal to each ton.
3 tons per week.... Charcoal....
Charcoal.... 9 loads
per annum .. Charcoal....450
Wood.... 18 loads.
Wood....900 ""
It does not, however, appear that Dudley succeeded in his
application, and the only further attempt which was made
about this time is mentioned by Dr. Plot, in his "History of
Staffordshire," he says-"The last effort that was made in
this country for making iron with pit-coal, was with raw coal,
by a Mr. Blewstone, a German, who built his furnace at
We
Wednesbury, so ingeniously contrived (that only the flame of
the coal should come to the ore, with several other conveni-
ences), that many were of opinion he would succeed in it.
But experience, that great baffler of speculation, showed it
could not be; the sulphureous vitriolic steams that issue from
the pyrites, which frequently, if not always, accompanies pit-
coal, ascending with the flame, and poisoning the ore, suffi-
ciently to make it render much worse iron than that made
with charcoal, though not, perhaps, so much worse, as the
body of coal itself would possibly do."
This last experiment is expressly stated to have been made.
with "raw coal," but it does not appear that this arose from
any want of knowledge of the method of coking the coal, as
Dr. Plot further mentions :-
"They have a way of charring the coal, in all particulars
the same as they do wood-whence the coal is freed from
those noxious steams that would otherwise give the malt an
ill odour. The coal thus prepared they call cokes, which
conceives as strong a heat almost as charcoal itself, and is as
fit for most other uses, but for melting, fining, and refining of
iron, which it cannot be brought to do, though attempted by
the most skilful and curious artists."
The various attempts to substitute pit-coal for charcoal
having thus failed, no further experiments were made till the
early part of the next century, when pit-coal was first used
by Mr. Abraham Darby, in his furnace at Colebrook Dale, in
1713; and in the forty-fourth volume of the "Philosophical
56
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Transactions," published in the year 1747, it is stated, that
"Mr. Ford, from iron ore and coal, both got in the same
Dale (Colebrook), makes iron brittle or tough, as he pleases;
there being cannon thus cast so soft, as to bear turning like
wrought iron."
At this eventful era in the history of the manufacture of
iron, when agriculture was progressively sweeping before it
what remained of the once immense tracts of woodland, till
then dedicated to the supply of the blast-furnace-when the
increased application of machinery, and the introduction of
the steam engine, gave hope of new life and impulse to
manufactures in general, the iron trade seemed dwindling into
insignificance and contempt.
It was not until impelled by necessity that pit-coal again
became an object of general consideration, nor until improve-
ments in machinery had attained a great degree of certainty, and
experience had taught the mechanic the manifest advantages
of the steam-engine that the adventurous manufacturer
found that he possessed in the immense beds of coal an extent
of means to which he had till then been a stranger. Small
furnaces, supplied with air from leathern bellows, worked by
oxen, horses, or human labour, were laid aside, and an in-
crease of size took place, together with an increase of the
column of blast necessary to produce combustion. But, not-
withstanding the efforts that were then made, there was
a gradual, but steady, diminution in the quantity of iron
produced, although every year witnessed an increased
demand for the article, particularly in its manufactured
state.
Recourse was had to foreign markets for the necessary
supply, and the immense annual importations from Russia
and Sweden may date their origin from this period. The
flourishing and extensive detail of Dudley no longer existed,
and the 300 blast-furnaces, mentioned by him, were now
diminished to fifty-nine, and their total annual produce to
17,350 tons, or not quite 300 tons from each furnace, which
is further shown in the following table, distinguishing the
ENGLAND AND WALES.
57
number of furnaces, and the make in each county, in the
year 1740:-
Brecon
No of Furnaces.
Glamorganshire
Carmarthenshire..
Cheshire....
Denbighshire
•
•
•
Derbyshire.
Gloucestershire
Herefordshire
Hampshire'.
..
Kent
•
3
2 2 1 0 2 63
Nottinghamshire
Staffordshire
•
Worcestershire
Q pad CO 2 2
Tons.
600
No. of Furnaces.
Tons.
Monmouthshire.
2
900
400
1
200
1
100
Salop
6
2100
1700
1000
550
700
4
800
Sussex
10
1400
2850
Warwickshire
2
700
1350
Yorkshire
6
·· • •
1400
1
200
4
400
Total
59
17,350
•
Annual average for each furnace-294 tons, 1 cwt. 1 qr.
58
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
CHAPTER III.
IRELAND.
THE history of the iron manufacture in England and Wales
having been continued from its commencement to its state of
prosperity, and subsequent decline, arising from the destruc-
tion of the forests, and, consequently, of the means of sup-
plying the furnaces with the fuel, which at that time was
indispensable, it will be desirable, before we enter on the
account of more extensive operations, to give a short history
of the manufacture in Ireland, and also in the British colonies
of America.
To the English who settled in Ireland during and after the
reign of Elizabeth, the Irish were indebted for the discovery
of the iron mines of that country; the natives, constantly
engaged either in quarrels amongst themselves, or with the
old English as they were termed—that is, those who settled
in Ireland from the time of the first conquest until the be-
ginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign-had neither time nor
inclination to attend to such inquiries; and the disorganized
state of the country also operated on the settlers.
James the First came to the throne soon after the submis-
sion of O'Neil, in 1603, and immediately proceeded by a
steady, regular, and well-concerted plan, to civilize the in-
habitants, to reconcile them to laws and industry, and to
render their subjection durable and useful to the crown of
England, and, in the space of nine years, he made greater
advances towards the reformation of that kingdom than had
been made in the 440 years which had elapsed since the con-
quest was first attempted.
He abolished many Irish customs which supplied the place
1
IRELAND.
59
of laws,* and which were calculated to keep that people for
ever in a state of barbarism and disorder, and substituted
English laws in their place; and having taken all the natives
under his protection, and declared them free citizens, pro-
ceeded to govern them by a regular administration, military
as well as civil, and no authority but that of the king and the
law was permitted throughout the kingdom. During the
peaceful interval which ensued, the English turned their atten-
tion to the mineral resources of the country, and, in a few
years, discovered many iron mines in different parts of the
kingdom, and, favoured by the extensive forests, carried on
a considerable manufacture. Giraldus Cambrensis, who ac-
companied Henry the Second into Ireland on its first con-
quest, states that the country was then full of woods on every
side, but the English, on gaining possession, cut them down,
partly in order to deprive the banditti of their lurking places,
and partly to gain the greater scope of profitable lands.
Another cause operated, which operates in all countries—the
desire to obtain wood for fuel. Forests, however, were still
numerous in those parts, especially, over which the English
had not acquired a perfect and tranquil power.
After the quelling of the great rebellion in Queen Eliza-
beth's time, the forests were still more reduced in extent and
number. The same motives which operated with the con-
*By the Brehon law or custom, every crime, however enormous, was punished,
not with death, but by a fine or pecuniary mulct, which was levied upon the cri-
minal. Murder itself, as among all the ancient barbarous nations, was atoned for
in this manner; and each man, according to his rank, had a different rate or value
affixed to him, which, if any one were willing to pay, he needed not fear assassi-
nating his enemy. This rate was called his eric. When Sir William Fitzwilliams
being Lord Deputy, told Maguire that he was to send a sheriff into Fermannah,
which a little before had been made a county, and subjected to the English law,
"Your sheriff," said Maguire, shall be welcome to me, but let me know, before-
hand, his eric, or the price of his head, that if my people cut it off I may levy the
money upon the county." As for oppression, extortion, and other trespasses, so
little were they regarded, that no penalty was affixed to them, and no redress for
such offences could ever be obtained.—Hume.
+ O'Neil, Earl of Tyrone, deserted by his allies (the Spaniards) and troops, sub-
mitted almost at the very moment of the queen's death. Thus, Elizabeth lived just
long enough to effect the subjugation of Ireland-a measure which had in vain been
attempted by her predecessors.
60
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
querors on their first invasion operated afterwards. Besides,
the prospect of gain by the sale of the timber was a further
inducement, and immense quantities were shipped to foreign
parts.
There were still, however, very extensive forests. In Lein-
ster, the counties of Wicklow, and King and Queen's counties,
were throughout full of woods, some many miles long and
broad; also many parts of the counties of Wexford and Car-
low. In Ulster, there were great forests in the county of
Donegal, and in the north part of Tyrone, likewise in Ferma-
nagh, along Lake Erne, in Antrim, and in the north part of
Down; the greatest part of this latter county, however, as
well as Armagh, Monaghan, and Cavan, were a good deal
destroyed. In Munster, the counties of Kerry and Tipperary
possessed sundry great forests.
The iron mines are divided by Gerard Boate, in his "Natural
History of Ireland," into three descriptions:-1st, what he
styles the bog mine, or, what is now termed, lowland ore,
found in moors and bogs; the ore resembling a yellow clay,
but, after long exposure to the air, mouldering into a blackish
sand.-2d, The rock mine; a bad sort, the ore intimately
combined with stone. "This mine or ore is not altogether so
rich as the bog mine, and yieldeth very brittle iron, hardly fit
for anything else but to make plough-shares (from whence
the name of 'colt-share' iron is given unto it), and therefore
it is seldom melted alone, but mixed with a portion of the bog
ore."
Of this ironstone only two mines were discovered—the
one in Munster, near the town of Tallow, where the Earl of
Cork established his iron works; and the other in Leinster, in
King's county, in a place called Desart, land belonging to
Sergeant-Major Piggot-this iron mine was very extensive,
and supplied many iron works which were established in its
immediate neighbourhood. The third sort he calls by dif
ferent names—the fire mine, white mine, and shell mine.
"The iron made from this ore is not brittle, as that of the
rock mine, but tough, and, in many places, as good as any
Spanish iron."
This mine was found in several parts of the kingdom-in
IRELAND.
61
Ulster, in the county of Fermanagh, upon Lough Erne; in
the county of Cavan, in a place called Doubally; and in the
county of Nether-Tyrone, by the side of the rivulet Lithaw,
not far from Lough Neagh, at the foot of the mountains Sluv-
galen; in Leinster, in King's county, near Mountmellick; and
in Queen's county, two miles from Limerick ; in the county of
Roscommon, by the side of Lough Allen; and in the county
of Leitrim, on the east side of the same lake, where the moun-
tains are so full of this metal that the Irish have given them
the name of "Slew-Neren "-mountains of iron; in the
province of Munster also these mines were found in various
places. These mines having been discovered, the English
commenced opening them, and erecting iron works in many
parts of the country. The most extensive works were those
of the Earl of Cork, in Munster; of Sir Charles Coote, in the
counties of Roscommon and Leitrim, in Connaught; and in
Leinster, by Montrath, in Queen's county; of the Earl of
Londonderry, at Ballonakill, in the same county; the Lord
Chancellor (Sir Adam Loftus*), and Viscount Ely, at Mount-
mellick, in King's county; Sir John Dunbar, in Fermanagh,
in Ulster; and another in the same county, by the side of
Lough Erne, by Sir Leonard Blenerhasset; in the county of
Thomond, by some London merchants; besides some other
works in other places, whose first erectors we have not been
able to ascertain.
In imitation of these there were also many iron works
erected in different parts of the sea-coast of Ulster and Mun-
ster, by persons who, having no mines in or near their own
lands, purchased the ore in England,† which they found
* One of the charges brought against the Earl of Strafford on his trial was his
extraordinary proceeding against the Lord Chancellor Loftus :-"The endeavour
was, to compel the Lord Chancellor to settle more of his land, and in another manner,
upon his oldest son, than he had a mind to, and than he could legally be compelled
to; this the Earl (Strafford) upon a paper petition preferred to him by the wife of that
son (a lady for whom the Earl had so great a value and esteem that it made his
justice the more suspected), pressed, and in the end ordered him to do. The Chan-
cellor refused, was committed to prison, and, shortly after, the Great Seal taken from
him, which he had kept with great reputation of ability for the space of above twenty
years."-Clarendon's History of the Rebellion.
†Three miles to the west of Ulverston, is Whitrich (the Peru of Furness), iron
62
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
cheaper than if they had caused the mine to be brought over
land from mines in the interior.
The works we have here noticed were all of them bar-iron
works, but there were some foundries where they cast ordnance,
pots, small round furnaces, and other cast iron wares; the
only work which is expressly mentioned is that of Christopher
Windesford, Esq., Master of the Rolls in Ireland. Upon the
Earl of Strafford quitting that kingdom, he was appointed
Lord Deputy-he had an extensive iron foundry on his lands
by Idough, in the county of Carlow.
The materials which we possess to found a history of the
extent of the manufacture at this period are extremely meagre;
but that it must have been very considerable we ascertain from
Boate, who observes—
"The Earl of Cork, whose iron mines being seated in Mun-
ster, afforded unto him very good opportunity of sending his
iron out of the land by shipping, did in this particular surpass
all others, so as he hath gained great treasures thereby; and
knowing persons who have had a particular insight into his
affairs, do assure me that he hath profited above one hundred
thousand pounds clear gain by his said iron works."
He then enters into a more particular description of the
works of Sir Charles Coote,t which appear, from the fol-
lowing account, to have been very extensive :—
"Nevertheless, few of them gained more or as much as
Sir Charles Coote, because they had not the same conve-
ore is found there at the depth of from twenty to thirty yards; it is raised at 3s. 6d.
and 4s. per ton, and pays Is. 6d. per ton to the lord of the soil.
ton to the lord of the soil. It is carted and put
on board vessels for exportation at 3s., and sells from 11s. to 12s. per ton.-West's
Antiquities of Furness.
* 3d of April, 1630.
+ On the breaking out of the rebellion, in 1641, Sir Charles Coote was appointed
Governor of the city of Dublin.-" Pursuing the rebels at Trim (1642), he was un-
fortunately shot in the body, as it was thought, by one of his own troopers, whether
by design or accident was never known; it being, for many months after his death,
generally reported, and as generally believed, that he was accidentally slain by one of
the flying rebels, who, in despair, turned about and discharged his musket at him¸
And this end had this gallant gentleman, who began to be so terrible to the enemy
as his very name was formidable to them. His body was brought to Dublin, and
there interred with great solemnity-floods of English tears accompanying him to the
grave.”—History of the Irish Rebellion.
IRELAND.
63
niency of transportation; and he himself did not gain so
much by his iron works in Connaught as by that at Mount-
rath, although the mines there afforded a richer ore, and that
the ton thereof did cost him but three shillings at the fur-
nace, because that Lough Allen, whereunto the same mines
and works are contiguous, gave him the opportunity of
carrying the ore by water from the mine unto the works, and
that in boats of forty tons. At that work (Mountrath, in
Queen's county) the ton of rock mine at the furnace head
came in all to stand in five shillings and sixpence sterling,
and the ton of white mine, which he had brought from a
place two miles further off, in seven shillings; these two were
mixed in that proportion, that to one part of rock mine were
taken two parts of white mine, for if more of the rock mine
had been taken, the iron would not have been so good, and
too brittle; and being thus mixed, they yielded one-third
part of iron-that is to say, of two tons of white mine,
and one of rock mine, being mingled and melted together,
they had one ton of good iron,* such as is called mer-
chant iron, being not of the first, but second melting, and
hammered out into bars, and, consequently, fit for all kinds of
use.
"This iron he sent down the river Nore, to Ross and Wa-
terford, in that kind of Irish boats which are called cots in
that country, being made of one piece of timber; which kind
of ill-favoured boats are very common throughout all Ireland,
both for to pass rivers in, and to carry goods from one place
to another, and not only upon shallow waters, such as the
aforenamed river is, in the greatest part of its course, but even
upon the great rivers and loughs.
"At Waterford the iron was put on board ships going to
London, where it was sold for sixteen, otherwhiles for seven-
teen pounds, sterling, and sometimes for seventeen and a
* In most of the other places did a ton of the iron mine or ore come to stand in
5s., 5s. 6d., and 6s. sterling at the furnace head; and it was an ordinary thing, as
well where they used white mine as where they mixed rock mine with it, to have a
ton of good iron out of three tons of ore; in some places where the ore was richer
they could have a ton of iron out of only two tons and a half of ore.-G. Boate's
Nat. Hist. of Ireland.
*
64
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
#
half; whereas, it did not stand Sir Charles Coote in more
than betwixt ten and eleven pounds sterling, all charges
reckoned, as well of digging, melting, fining, as of carrying,
boat hire, and freight, even the custom also comprehended
in it.
"It is to observed, that although there be wood enough
upon one's land, and that not very far from the mine, together
with the conveniences of water-courses, so as the water
needeth not to be brought from very far off, nevertheless the
charge is very great, both of erecting and stocking one of
the iron works, and of maintaining it and keeping it a-foot,
and that by reason of the great number of workmen and
labourers of several sorts which thereunto is requisite—a list
of whose names and offices here followeth :—
"Woodcutters-who fell the timber.
"Sawyers-to saw the timber.
((
Carpenters, smiths, masons, and bellows-makers-to
erect the iron works, with all the appurtenances, and
to repair them from time to time.
"Water-leaders, or water-course keepers to steer the
water-courses, and to look to them constantly.
"Basket-makers-to make baskets to carry the ore and
other materials.
“Boatmen and boatwrights-to make the boats, and to
go in them.
Diggers-who work in the mine, and dig the same.
"Carriers-who carry the ore from the mine.
"Colliers-who make the charcoal.
"Corders-who bring the charcoal to the work.
"Fillers-whose work it is from time to time to put the
mine and the coals into the furnace.
"Keepers of the furnace-who look to the main work, rake
out the ashes and cinders, and let out the molten
metal, at convenient times.
"Finers-who look to the works where the iron is ham-
mered.
"Hammerers-whose work is to see the iron hammered
out.
IRELAND.
65
"Besides several other labourers, who, having no particular
task, must help to put their hands to every thing.
"Of all which sorts of men, Sir Charles Coote, the elder,
that zealous and famous warrior in this present war against
the Irish rebels (wherein having done many memorable ex-
ploits, he lost his life in the first year thereof), did con-
tinually keep at work some five-and-twenty, or six-and-
twenty hundred, at his iron works, being three in number,
whereby may easily be gathered the greatness of the expenses
in erecting and maintaining of iron works; and for all this
the owners thereof did greatly gain thereby, ordinarily no
less than forty in the hundred per annum."
In the general destruction of property, belonging to the
English, almost the whole of the iron-works were destroyed
by the rebels; in the neighbourhood of Lough Conn, in the
county of Mayo, there were some valuable iron works re-
maining, and these were continued as long as they could
obtain a supply of fuel.
At a later period, about 1660, Sir William Petty* erected
extensive iron-works, near the village of Blackstones, in the
county of Kerry; these works were carried on till towards
the middle of the last century, when, having exhausted all
the timber in the neighbourhood, they were obliged to stop
the works. It seems a little surprising that Sir William
Petty should not have taken more care to preserve his
woods, by copsing them up as they were cut down, as the
practice is in Sweden, and other countries where there are iron-
works, by which means a continual succession of underwood
is obtained, but as these woods grow upon the best and driest
soils, the persons who first cut them down, found the ground,
thus cleared of trees, to be the most suitable places for pas-
ture, and therefore neglected to keep them up.
Sir William Petty, in his political anatomy of Ireland,
remarks that in 1672 there were 1000 tons of iron made in
Ireland, which gave employment to 2000 men and women;
* At the Restoration, Mr. Petty was treated with great attention by the King,
and knighted, and created Surveyor-General of Ireland. His son was created Lord
Shelburne by King William.-Lemp. Biog. Dict.
F
66
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
and that there were 6600 smiths' forges, or rather, as he
thinks, one-fifth more, and that the men and women em-
ployed therein amounted to 22,500.
By an Act passed in England, in the eighth year of Wil-
liam the Third, the duties on bar-iron, and iron slit and ham-
mered into rods, imported from Ireland were taken off, in
consequence of the then depressed condition of manufactur-
ing industry in Ireland. This removal of duty naturally
occasioned a great demand for Irish timber, which, moreover,
was constantly imported into England at the value, as
stated in the Book of Rates, of 13s. 4d. the ton, and, con-
sequently, liable to scarcely any duty. The unsettled state,
besides, in which Ireland had long been, and the refuge
which its forests afforded to criminals, outlaws, and those
who were hostile to the existing government, rendered the
landlords careless with regard to the preservation of their
woods, or rather, it should seem, averse to their existence, for
in many old leases, clauses are to be found requiring the
tenants to use no other article for fuel but timber.
From these causes, a scarcity was soon experienced, to
such a degree, as to lead the parliament of Ireland, in order
to put a stop to this improvident waste, to pass an Act* for
planting and preserving timber trees and woods, of which the
preamble runs thus:-" Forasmuch as by the late rebellion.
in this kingdom, and the several iron works formerly here, the
timber was utterly destroyed," &c.
This Act required that 260,600 trees should be planted in
Ireland, proportionably in the several counties, and laid
heavy penalties on such persons as neglected to comply with
the requisition. It also required proprietors and tenants to
plant a certain number annually, and the persons, or socie-
ties, who had iron works, to plant 500 in each year, during
the continuance of their works. But the number of trees
was inconsiderable, and no effect of an extensive and perma-
nent nature appears to have been produced. The Act too
was defective, inasmuch as it did not provide against the
waste of such few woods as still remained.
* 10th William III. c. 12.
IRELAND.
67
Besides, the consumption of home-made iron and Irish
timber was left unchecked by the importation of foreign,
iron and timber, as heavy duties on these continued until
1703, when they were reduced to 5s. custom and 5s. excise
per ton on iron, 6d. custom and 6d. excise per 1000 staves,
1d. per 1000 on hoops and laths, and 1d. per barrel on bark.
The same Act, 2 Anne, c. 2, laid a duty of 21. 10s. on every
ton of timber and plank, 5s. on every 1000 hoops or laths, and
31. on every 1000 staves exported from Ireland, except to
England-an exception which was calculated to render the
Act in a great degree nugatory. Moreover, by the 4th Anne,
c. 9, the penalties incurred by non-compliance with the
requisitions in the 10th William III. c. 12, were remitted to
such as had not paid them, and further time was given to
avoid them-in other words, the latter statute was virtually
repealed. It was finally so by the 8th George I. c. 8, which
acknowledged that the Act in question had proved ineffectual.
The manufacture of iron was thus lost to Ireland, and, with
a single exception, no attempt has been made to revive it.
A furnace was erected about fifty or sixty years since by a
family of the name of O'Reilly, and was worked by them,
and also since, on two or three occasions. An English com-
pany, called the Arigna Company, took this property, and
added a new furnace: no works, however, are at present
going on.
F 2
68
THE HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
CHAPTER IV.
BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA.
It was in the year 1516 that the British first took a share in
American trade. Sir Walter Raleigh's discovery of Virginia,
in 1584, and his attempts to colonise the English failed; but
in the reign of James the First better regulations were made,
and colonisation was successful for a time: in succeeding
reigns it arrived at importance. We soon perceive the
gradual increase of British dominion, and the colonies rising
into consequence, and, by victory over the French, increasing,
until the unhappy war with the mother country, which ended
in the union of the States, and their establishment in inde-
pendence.
Iron was first made in America in the province of Virginia,
about the year 1715, and the example was quickly followed
by the provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania. This opening
of a new source of wealth was a subject of great satisfaction
and importance to those who were interested in the prosperity
of the colonies, presenting to their view, at no distant date, a
prospect of independence of foreign countries for the supplies
of those most essential articles, iron and timber. That it
was considered in this light is shown by a writer of that day,
who observes-
"That the waste and destruction of the woods in the coun-
ties of Warwick, Stafford, Worcester, Hereford, Monmouth,
Gloucester, and Salop, by their iron-works, is not to be
imagined, and that if some care be not taken to preserve our
timber from these consuming furnaces, there will not be oak
enough left to supply the royal navy and our mercantile ship-
ping. That, within these sixty years, Ireland was better
2
69
BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA.
stocked with oak timber than we now are; but the iron-
works since set up there have, in a few years, swept away
the wood to that degree, that they have not small stuff
enough to produce bark for their tanning, nor timber for
common uses, insomuch, that at present they are forced to
have bark from England, and building timber from Norway,
and to suffer their large hides to be exported untanned to
Holland, Germany, and other countries. That about 20,000
tons of iron are annually imported into England from foreign
parts, over and above what is made at home, for which we
pay ready money, which, at 127. per ton, comes to 240,000l.,
paid annually to foreigners; and the boards and other timber
which we take of them come to 200,000l. more; whereas, our
own plantations would be paid for their iron and timber in
our own manufactures, thereby evidently bringing a double
benefit to the nation. That they have ironstone all along the
continent, from the southernmost part of Carolina to the
northernmost part of New England, in great plenty, and no
part of the world abounds more with prodigious quantities of
wood, nor with more rivers and streams. That the Swedes
have laid near 25 per cent, additional duty on their iron, and
that the interruptions of our trade in the Baltic had greatly
distressed our iron manufactures for want of iron. That, by
the naval store laws now in force, which comprehend only
pitch, tar, and turpentine, such great quantities thereof are
produced and imported from our plantations as enable us to
export great quantities thereof to the Straits, Spain, Portu-
gal, Holland, Bremen, and Hamburgh. That, taking timber
and iron, as well as flax and hemp, from our plantations,
would employ a vast many ships and people. That iron, in
particular, is a commodity of universal use, and certain in
all parts of the world, and therefore as much to be valued as
gold or silver. That the Dutch supply Portugal, the Straits,
and Turkey, with great quantities of iron, and had we a full
supply of it from our plantations, we might not only ballast
our ships with it, but export great quantities to those coun-
tries, and even to Africa and India." But the proprietors of
our own works took a very different view of the matter, to
70
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
them it was a cause of great jealousy and uneasiness, and
they used every exertion to render inoperative the legislative
enactments which were intended for the encouragement of
the manufacture.
-
In 1719 a bill was brought into Parliament with the
object of rendering the laws concerning the importation of
naval stores from the British American plantations more
comprehensive, by admitting from them all sorts of timber :—
"For whereas in our trade thither, it sometimes happens
that the crops of tobacco, sugar, &c., fall short, many ships
in that case are obliged to come home to Great Britain bad
freighted, and some remain there a whole season, waiting for
the next crop."
It was therefore imagined by the House of Commons, that
if encouragement were given for bringing timber from our
plantations, full freight would be secured for our ships, and
the demand from our northern colonies, for British manu-
factures of all kinds, would be greatly increased, and their
people diverted from further attempts to become themselves.
the manufacturers of such productions as could be much
more advantageously furnished to them by Great Britain
and Ireland. But the colonies were so surprised and dis-
appointed by some clauses in the bill, that rather than sub-
mit to them they preferred to forego entirely the benefits it
would have conferred upon them, and they were very glad to
have it dropped altogether. Such for instance," that none
of the plantations should manufacture iron wares of any
kinds, out of any sows, pigs, or bars, whatsoever, under cer-
tain penalties." By which clause no smith in the planta-
tions might make as much as a bolt, spike, or nail, whereby
the colonies must have been brought into a miserable con-
dition, the smith being, above all other trades, absolutely
necessary in all employments there; amongst the rest, that
of shipbuilding would have been utterly destroyed, although
thereby they made a great part of their returns for the
British manufactures. The House of Peers added another
clause-"That no forge going by water, or other work
whatsoever, should be erected in any of the plantations, for
BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA.
71
making sows, pigs, or cast iron, into bar or rod iron.” This
second clause must have ruined all the iron works in the
colonies to the great loss of their proprietors, and have
given the French a fair handle to tempt them into their
settlements.
Much was said in pamphlets and newspapers in the year
1737 in favour of the importation of iron and hemp from the
British American colonies, as being two articles of the first
importance for our navy and mercantile shipping, as well as
for numberless other services, and petitions were presented to
Parliament for this end by the merchants.
1st. It was computed that England imported annually
about 20,000 tons of foreign iron, whereof 15,000 tons were
from Sweden, which cost about 150,000l., and was mostly
paid for by us in money, as was most of the other 5000 tons
brought from Russia, and that our exports of wrought-iron
were from 3000 to 3500 tons per annum.
2d. That the iron of the British colonies is as good as any
foreign iron whatever, and, with proper encouragement,
might be imported in quantities sufficient to supply all the
iron we get from the two nations, on whom we are at present
dependent for that commodity, without their taking sufficient
of our product and manufactures in return; whereas, our
own colonies would be entirely paid by our manufactures, the
demand for which would thereby be much. increased, and
180,000l. per annum would be clearly saved to the nation in
the balance of our trade. It was, moreover, computed that
England makes annually about 18,000 tons of bar-iron; the
quantity of which, it was said, we could not increase, by
reason of our woods being so far exhausted as to have greatly
enhanced the price of cord wood used in the refining of iron-
stone; and were we to import more pig-iron from America,
and make less of it at home, we should be able, with the same
quantity of wood we now consume, to make much more bar-
iron at home.
3rd. That nothing is more likely to prevent our American-
colonies from falling into such manufactures, as must inter-
fere with our own, than giving them encouragement to pro-
72
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
duce such rough materials as pig, sow, and bar-iron, hemp,
&c., as it is well known of what great advantage to this king-
dom the bounties on the importation of pitch and tar from
thence have been since the year 1703.
4th. That for this end a duty should be laid in our colonies
on all iron imported there from Europe.
On the other hand, the great and natural opposers of the
merchants' petitions were the proprietors of the English iron
works and of the wood lands of England. The promoters of
this scheme for encouraging the importation of iron from our
American colonies, proposed that an additional duty should
be laid on all foreign bar-iron imported, excepting only such
as shall be imported from our American colonies, and to
repeal the present foreign duty on all bar-iron which may be
hereafter imported from our plantations; but so many jarring
interests prevented the legislature at that time from passing
any new law on the subject.
In the year 1750, an Act, 23d Geo. II., was passed, for
encouraging the importation of pig-iron from the British
colonies in America. Every well-wisher to his country
reflected with concern on the nature of the British trade with
Sweden, from which kingdom we imported more iron and
steel than all the other countries in Europe. For this article
a great balance was paid in ready money, which the Swedes
again expended in purchasing from the French and other
mercantile states those necessaries and superfluities with
which they might have been as cheaply furnished by Great
Britain. In the meantime, our colonies were restricted by
severe duties from taking advantage of their own produce,
in exchanging their iron for such commodities as they
were under the necessity of procuring from the mother
country. This restriction was not only a grievance upon
our own settlements, but also attended with manifest preju-
dice to the interest of Great Britain, annually drained of
great sums, in favour of a nation from whom we derived
no advantage in return. Whereas, the iron imported
from America must of necessity come in exchange for
our own manufactures. The Commons having appointed a
BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA.
73
day for taking this affair into consideration, carefully ex-
amined into the state of the British commerce carried on with
Sweden, as well as into the accounts of iron imported from
the plantations of America; and a committee of the whole
House having resolved, that the duties on American pig and
bar-iron should be repealed, a bill was brought in for that
purpose. "That pig-iron, made in the British colonies in
America, may be imported duty free, and bar-iron into the
port of London; no bar-iron so imported to be carried coast-
wise, or to be landed at any other port, except for the use of
his Majesty's dock-yards; and not to be carried beyond ten
miles from London."
The Act, however, contained the following clause :-" That
from and after the 24th day of June, 1750, no mill or other
engine for slitting or rolling of iron, or any plating forge, to
work with a tilt hammer, or any furnace for making steel
shall be erected, or, after such erection, continued in any of
his Majesty's colonies of America.'
And the governors of the colonies were ordered to transmit,
for the information of government, an account of all slitting
mills, plating forges, and furnaces for making steel-and
this return was accordingly made in the ensuing year. *
This precaution being taken, that the colonies might not
interfere with the manufactures of their mother country.
During the progress of this bill, which made its way through
both Houses, and obtained the Royal assent, the tanners in
and about the town of Sheffield, in Yorkshire, represented,
that if the bill should pass, the English iron would be under-
sold, consequently, a great number of furnaces and forges would
be discontinued; in that case, the woods used for fuel would
stand uncut, and the tanners be deprived of oak bark suffi-
cient for the continuance and support of their occupation.
They, nevertheless, owned, that should the duty be removed
from pig-iron only, no such consequence could be appre-
hended, because, should the number of furnaces be lessened,
that of forges would be increased. This was likewise the plea
urged in divers remonstrances by masters of iron works, gen-
* See Appendix A.
74
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
tlemen, and freeholders, who had tracts of wood-land in their
possession. The owners, proprietors, and farmers of furnaces.
and iron forges, belonging to Sheffield and its neighbourhood,
enlarged upon the great expense they had incurred in erecting
and supporting iron works, by means of which great numbers
of his Majesty's subjects were comfortably supported. They
expressed their apprehension that, should the bill pass into a
law, it could not in any degree lessen the consumption of
Swedish iron, which was used for purposes to which neither
the American nor British iron would be suitable; but that
the proposed encouragement of the manufacture of iron in
America, considering the plenty and cheapness of wood,
would enable the colonies to undersell the British iron-a
branch of traffic which would be totally destroyed-to the
ruin of many thousand labourers, who would be compelled to
seek their livelihood in foreign countries. They likewise sug-
gested, that if all the iron manufactures of Great Britain
were to depend upon a supply of iron from the planta-
tions, which must ever be rendered precarious by the hazard
of the seas and the enemy, the manufactures would probably
decay for want of materials, and many thousand families be
reduced to want and misery.
On the other hand, the ironmongers and smiths belonging
to the flourishing town of Birmingham, in Warwickshire, pre-
sented a petition, declaring that the bill would be of great
benefit to trade, as it would enable the colonists to make
larger returns of their own produce, and encourage them
to take a greater quantity of the British manufactures.
They affirmed, that all the iron-works in Great Britain
did not make half the quantity of the metal sufficient to
carry on the manufacture; that, if this deficiency could be
supplied from the colonies in America, the importation from
Sweden would cease, and considerable sums of money be
saved to the nation. They observed, that the impor-
tation of iron from America could no more affect the
iron-works and freeholders of the kingdom than the like.
quantity imported from any other country; but they prayed
that the people of America might be restrained from erecting
1
BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA.
75
slitting, or rolling mills, or forges for plating iron, as they
would interfere with the manufactures of Great Britain.
Many remonstrances to the same effect were presented from
different parts of the kingdom, and it appeared, upon the most
exact inquiry, that the encouragement of American iron would
prove extremely beneficial to the kingdom, as it had been
found upon trial applicable to all the uses of Swedish
iron, and as good in every respect as the produce of that
country.*
Such are the connexions, dependencies, and relations sub-
sisting between the mechanical arts, agriculture, and manu-
factures of Great Britain, that it requires study, deliberation,
and inquiry in the legislature to discern and distinguish the
whole scope and consequences of many projects offered for
the benefit of the commonwealth. The society of merchant
adventurers in the city of Bristol alleged, in a petition to the
House of Commons, in the year 1756, that great quantities of
bar-iron were imported into Great Britain, from Sweden,
Russia, and other parts, chiefly purchased with ready-money,
some of which iron was exported again to Africa and other
places, and the rest wrought up by the manufacturers. They
affirmed that bar-iron, imported from North America, would
answer the same purposes, and the importation of it tend not
only to the great advantage of the kingdom, by increasing its
shipping and navigation, but also to the benefit of the British
colonies. That, by an Act passed in the 23rd year of his
present Majesty's reign, the importation of bar-iron from
America into the port of London, duty free, was permitted.
But to carry coastwise, or further by land than ten miles,
had been prohibited, so that several very considerable manu-
facturing towns were deprived of the use of American iron,
and the outports prevented from employing it in their export.
commerce. They requested, therefore, that bar-iron might be
imported from North America into Great Britain, duty free,
by all his Majesty's subjects. This request being supported
by many other petitions from different parts of the kingdom,
other classes of men, who thought that their several interests.
* See Appendix B.
76
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
would be affected by such a measure, took the alarm, and, in
divers counter-petitions, specified many ill consequences which
they alleged would arise from its being passed into a law.
Pamphlets were published on both sides of the question, and
violent disputes arose on this subject, which was justly deemed
a matter of national importance.
The opposers of the bill observed, that large quantities of
iron were yearly produced at home, and employed multitudes
of poor people, there being no less than 109 forges in England
and Wales, besides those erected in Scotland, the whole pro-
ducing 18,000 tons of iron. That as the mines in Great
Britain are inexhaustible, the produce would of late years
have been considerably increased, had not the people been
kept under continual apprehension of seeing American iron
admitted duty free-a supposition which had prevented
the traders from extending their works, and discouraged
many from engaging in this branch of traffic. They alleged,
that the iron-works already carried on in England occasioned
a consumption of 198,000 cords of wood, produced in cop-
pices that grow upon barren lands, which could not otherwise
be turned to any good account. That, as the coppices
afforded shade, and preserved a moisture in the ground, the
pasture was more valuable with the wood than it would be if
the coppices were grubbed up; consequently, all the estates
where these now grow would sink in their yearly value. That
these coppices, now cultivated and preserved for the use of
the iron-works, are likewise absolutely necessary for the
manufacture of leather, as they furnish bark for the tanners;
and that, according to the management of these coppices,
they produced a great number of timber trees, necessary for
the purposes of building. They asserted, that neither the
American iron, nor any that had yet been found in Great
Britain was so proper for being converted into steel as that
which comes from Sweden, particularly that sort called ore-
ground; but as there are mines in the northern part of Britain,
nearly in the same latitude with those of Sweden, furnished
with sufficient quantities of wood, and rivers for mills and
engines, it was hardly to be doubted that people would find
BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA.
77
metal of the same quality; and in a few years, be able to
supersede the necessity of importing iron either from Sweden
or Russia. They inferred that American iron could never
interfere with that which Great Britain imported from Sweden,
because it was not fit for edged tools, anchors, chain plates,
and other articles required in ship building; nor diminish the
importance of Russian iron, which was not only stronger than
the American and British, but also could be afforded cheaper
than that brought from our own plantations, even though the
duty on this last should be repealed. The importation of
American iron, therefore, duty free, could interfere with no
other sort but that produced in Britain, with which, by means
of this advantage, it would clash so much as to put a stop in
a short time to all the iron-works now carried on in the
kingdom, and reduce to beggary a great number of families
whom they now support.
To these objections the favourers of the bill replied, that
when a manufacture is much more valuable than the raw
materials, and these cannot be produced at home in sufficient
quantities, and at such a price as is consistent with the pre-
servation of the manufacture, it is the duty of the legislature
to admit a free importation of these materials, even from
foreign countries, although it should put an end to the pro-
duction of that material in this island. That, as the neigh-
bours of Great Britain are now more attentive than ever to
their commercial interests, and are endeavouring to manufac-
ture their rough materials at home, this nation must take
every method for lowering the price of materials, otherwise,
in a few years, it will lose the manufacture, and instead of
supplying other countries, be furnished by them with all the
fine toys and utensils made of steel and iron. That, being in
danger of losing not only the manufacture, but the produce
of iron, unless it can be procured at a cheaper rate than that
at which it is sold at present, the only ways of averting this
evil are, by diminishing the duty payable upon the importa-
tion of foreign iron, or by rendering it necessary for the
masters of the iron mines in Great Britain to sell their produce
cheaper than it has been for some years afforded. That the
*
78
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
most effectual method for this purpose is, to raise up a rival,
by permitting a free importation of all sorts of iron from the
American plantations. That American iron can never be sold
so cheap as that of Britain, for in the colonies labour of all
kinds is much dearer than in England; if a man employ his
own slaves he must reckon in his charge a great deal more
than the common interest of their purchase-mony, because,
when one of them dies, or escapes from his master, he loses
both interest and principal. That the common interest of
money in any plantations is considerably higher than in Eng-
land, consequently, no man in that country will employ his
money in any branch of trade by which he cannot gain con-
siderably more per cent. than is expected in Great Britain,
where the interest is low, and the profit moderate—a circum-
stance which will always give a great advantage to the British
miner, who likewise enjoys an exemption from freight and
insurance, which press heavily on the American adventurer,
especially in time of war. With respect to the apprehension
of the leather tanners, they observed, that, as the coppices
generally grow on barren lands, not fit for tillage, and im-
proved the pasturage, no proprietor would be at the expense
of grubbing up the wood to spoil the pasture, as he could
make no other use of the land on which it was produced.
The wood must be always worth something, especially in
counties where there is not plenty of coal, and the timber
trees would produce considerable advantage; therefore, if
there were not one iron mine in Great Britain, no coppice
would be grubbed up, unless it grew on a rich soil, which
would produce corn instead of cordwood, consequently, the
tanners have nothing to fear, especially as planting hath
become a prevailing taste among the landholders of this
island.
The committee appointed to prepare the bill, seriously
weighed and canvassed these arguments, examined disputed
facts, and inspected papers and accounts relating to the pro-
duce, importation, and manufacture of iron. At length Mr.
John Pitt reported to the House their opinion, implying that
the liberty granted by an Act passed in the 23d year of his
BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA.
79
Majesty's reign, of importing bar-iron from the British colo-
nies in America into the port of London, should be extended
to all the other ports of Great Britain, and that so much
of that Act as related to this clause should be repealed.
The House having agreed to these resolutions, and the bill
being brought in accordingly, another petition was presented
by several noblemen, gentlemen, freeholders, and other pro-
prietors, owners and possessors of coppices and woodlands, in
the West Riding of Yorkshire, alleging that a permission to
import American bar-iron, duty free, would be attended with
numberless ill consequences, both of a public and of a private
nature-specifying certain hardships to which they, in par-
ticular, would be exposed-and praying that, if the bill should
pass, they might be relieved from the pressure of an Act
passed in the reign of Henry VIII., obliging the owners of
coppice woods to preserve them under severe penalties, and
be permitted to fell and grub up their coppice woods, in order
to a more proper cultivation of the soil, without being re-
strained by the fear of malicious and interested prosecutions.
In consequence of this remonstrance, a clause was added
to the bill, repealing so much of the Act of Henry VIII. as
prohibited the conversion of coppice or underwood into pas-
ture or tillage. It then passed through both Houses, and
received the royal sanction.
the car-
As there was not time, after this affair came upon
pet, to obtain any new accounts from America, and as it was
thought necessary to know the quantities of iron made in
that country, the House presented an address to his Majesty,
desiring he would be pleased to give directions that there
should be laid before them, in the next session of Parliament,
an account of the quantity of iron imported from the Ameri-
can colonies, from Christmas, in the year 1749, to the 5th
day of January, in the year 1756, each year being distin-
guished.
In 1765 an Act was passed allowing our American colonies
to ship their iron for Ireland.
As it began to be seen, that our true interests consisted in
giving some protection to the iron foundries in England,
80
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
which had arisen by individual interest alone, an Act of Par-
liament was passsd in 1769 for discontinuing, upon the ex-
portation of iron in foreign ships, the drawbacks of such
parts of the duties payable thereon as exceeded the duties
payable upon iron imported in British ships. In this year
the importation of iron from Russia alone amounted to up-
wards of 34,000 tons. To such an extent, through the fos-
tering care first given by Peter the Great, had the iron mines
arrived in Russia, that they materially injured the sale of the
Swedish iron, from whence, much less than a century before,
they used to import considerable quantities into Russia.
Such are the effects to be produced when governments wisely
patronize national objects of improvement and industry.
The American war breaking out in 1775, a formidable rival, as
then considered, to our iron trade was removed, and soon after
the close of that war the increase of our trade, and the extension
of our manufactures, created an additional consumption of iron
in the country; and although we had powerful competitors in
Russia and Sweden, yet our furnaces, with the agency of the
steam-engine, were producing an annual increase, by manu-
facturing iron with pitcoal instead of charcoal.
GREAT BRITAIN.
81
CHAPTER V.
GREAT BRITAIN.
BEFORE we proceed to detail the vast results in the iron trade,
consequent upon the use of pit-coal, aided by the powerful
assistance of the steam-engine, it will be desirable to take a
retrospective view of the means hitherto employed for blowing
the furnaces.
The machine first employed for this purpose was a pair of
leather bellows, worked by the hand; but when it became
necessary to smelt iron in large quantities, the size and num-
ber of the bellows were increased. Two pairs of bellows were
so connected, by means of a lever, that the one pair shut when
the other opened. The handle of each pair was successively
moved by two cogs, placed at right angles to each other on
the horizontal axis of a water-wheel, so that, during the revo-
lution of the wheel, one of the cogs shut one pair of bellows,
and forced the included air into the furnace-while the other,
which at this instant opened, was shut by the action of the
other cog, and thus discharged its contents into the furnace.
By this means a continued blast was kept up, excepting a
trifling pause when the motion was changed.
Another engine, called the water blowing machine, has
been used for producing a strong blast. It has been pretty
generally adopted on the Continent, but does not seem to
have come into use in this country. A current of water is
made to pass through a kind of cullender, placed in the open
air, and perforated with a number of triangular holes. The
water descends through these apertures in many small streams,
and by exposing a great surface to the atmosphere, it drags
along with it an immense quantity of air, and is conveyed
G
82
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
through a tube till it dashes against a stone pedestal inclosed
in a large vessel. The mixture of air and water which falls
upon the pedestal is dispersed in every direction—the air is
separated from the water-it ascends to the upper part of the
vessel, and rushes through a pipe to the furnace, while the
water descends through apertures at the bottom of the vessel.*
It is proper to observe, however, that, as by this method the
air was loaded with moisture, it was necessary to make the
condensing vessel as high as conveniently could be, that the
air might arrive at the furnace in as dry a state as possible.
Machines of such a description might have been sufficient.
for smelting iron, when charcoal was used for fuel; when,
from the small quantity of air that was then requisite for
blast, whether from the great inflammability of the fuel, or
the smallness of its capacity, the manufacturer had more fre-
quently felt the effects of over-blowing than under-blowing
his furnace; but now, when coal began to be used, it became
necessary to construct machines formed of the most durable
materials, and capable of affording a powerful and constant
blast.
The earliest contrivance of this kind was a forcing pump,
worked by a water-wheel or a steam-engine; and it would
appear, that the first cylinders-at least, of any magnitude-
were erected at the celebrated Carron Iron Works, in the
year 1760, by Mr. John Smeaton, soon after these works
(which, in a few years, became amongst the most famous in
Europe†) had been established by the projector, Dr. Roebuck,
and other parties.
* Franciscus Tertius de Lanis ("Magister Nat. et Artis," lib. 5. chap. iii.) ob-
that he has seen a greater wind generated by a machine of this kind than
could be produced by bellows ten or twelve feet long.
serves,
+ The Carron Works consist of five blast furnaces, sixteen air furnaces, a clay
mill for grinding clay and making fire bricks for the use of the said furnaces, an
engine that raises four tons and a half of water at one stroke, and, on an average,
draws seven strokes in a minute. This engine goes in time of drought, and consumes
sixteen tons of coal in twenty-four hours. Besides the coals consumed by this engine,
there are 120 tons burnt every day in the works, and by the inhabitants belonging
to them. Besides the air furnaces there are three cupola furnaces, that go by virtue
of the blast furnaces, by pipes conveyed from the machinery of the blasts-their
business is much the same with the air furnaces. There are also four boring mills
4
GREAT BRITAIN.
83
According to the custom of the times, the operation of
blowing was at first performed by large bellows, moved by
means of a water-wheel. Pitcoal was the staple fuel in use,
it having been very generally applied, since the year 1750, as
a substitute for charcoal in the blast furnace, but the scanty
supply of air, and its want of density, seldom permitted the
produce of the furnace to exceed ten or twelve tons weekly;
and frequently, in summer, the quantity was reduced even
below this. The Carron Company collected immense quan-
tities of charcoal, and they found that their blast was much
better calculated for the operation of smelting with it, than
with the uninflammable pit-coal obtained in their neighbour-
hood. Experience, however, gradually unfolded means of
adapting machinery better calculated to the nature of the coal
fuel; more powerful wheels were constructed, the bellows
were abandoned, and, in their place, large iron cylinders were
introduced.
These cylinders were four feet six inches diameter, exactly
fitted with a piston, moved up and down by means of a water-
wheel. In the bottom of the cylinder is a large valve, like
for boring guns, pipes, cylinders, &c. One of the boring mills is adapted for turning
the guns on the outside: they have likewise smiths' forges, for making the largest
anchors and anvils, as well as small work of various kinds; besides a forge for making
malleable iron, and a plating forge, also a forge for stamping iron, the hammer of
which, with the helve, are both of cast metal, and weigh a ton and a half.-Sir J.
Sinclair's Statistical Account of Scotland—1792.
Nobody is admitted to view the works on Sundays, except those who are pro-
perly recommended, or known to be worthy of attention. Mr. Burns, the Ayrshire
poet, not knowing, or not attending to, this regulation, made an attempt to be ad-
mitted, without discovering who he was, but was refused by the porter. Upon re-
turning to the inn at Carron, he wrote the following lines upon a pane of glass, in a
window of the parlour into which he was shown :-
"We cam na here to view your warks
In hopes to be mair wise;
But only, lest we gang to hell,
It may be nae surprise.
"But when we tirl'd at your door,
Your porter dought na bear us ;
So may, should we to hell's yetts come,
Your billy, Satan, sair us.'
-Ibid-1797.
G 2
84
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
that of a bellows, which rises as the piston is lifted up, and
thus admits the air into the cavity of the cylinder below.
Immediately above the bottom is a tube which goes to the
furnace, and as it proceeds from the cylinder, is furnished
with a valve opening outwards. Thus, when the piston is
drawn up, the valve in the bottom rises, and admits the air
that way into the cylinder, while the lateral valve shuts, and
prevents any air from getting into it through the pipe. When
the piston is thrust down, the valve in the bottom shuts, while
the air being compressed in the cavity of the cylinder, is
violently forced out through the lateral tube into the fur-
nace.
There were four of these large cylinders applied to blow the
furnace, and so contrived that the strokes of the pistons, being
made alternately, produced an almost uninterrupted blast.
The pumps being worked alternately by a water-wheel having
four cranks upon its axis, each of which moved the piston of
a cylinder, which had a stroke of four feet six inches, some
little intermission could indeed be perceived, but it was too
trifling to produce any sensible effect on the furnace. Even
this could have been prevented by means of a large re-
servoir, into which all the four cylinders might discharge
their blast.*
* The situation and singular construction of the Devon Iron Works, begun in
July, 1792, merit the attention of the curious in mechanics and architecture. A
steep bank rises more than fifty feet above the level of the river, and is composed of a
rock, or very thick stratum of freestone, very dry, and uniform in its texture, and
almost free from cracks and fissures. Instead of the usual method of building with
stone and lime, the several parts of the works have been formed in this bank by ex-
cavations made in the rock. Two furnaces, which are each above forty feet high
and fourteen feet diameter, and also the spacious arches which give access to the
workmen, at the bottom of the furnace, to draw off the liquid metal and slag, are cut
out of the rock. The roof which covers the casting-house, a room seventy feet long,
fifty feet wide, and twenty-three feet high, is supported by the sides of the quarry and
the solid pillars of the rock, that were left for this purpose in making the excavation.
In like manner is formed the engine-house and its apparatus, which is intended to
supply the two furnaces with wind, by throwing, at each vibration of the engine, a
sufficient quantity of air, out of a large cylinder into a long gallery, or close mine,
formed in the rock. This magazine of wind will contain above 10,000 cubic feet of
air, much condensed by the power of the engine, as the gallery is very closely shut
GREAT BRITAIN.
85
A larger column of air, of triple or quadruple density, was
thus obtained, and effects equivalent to these great improve-
ments followed. The same furnace, that formerly yielded ten
and twelve tons weekly, now, sometimes, produced forty tons
in the same period, and, on the average, in one year, 1500 tons
of metal.
In situations where a fall of water could not be obtained,
steam-engines were employed to work the pumps; but as
these machines were then only single, the piston descending
by the pressure of the atmosphere, it was necessary to have
some contrivance for producing a continued stream of air
during the descent of the piston. This object was effected by
receiving the air into a regulating cylinder, of the same size
as the blowing cylinder, and furnished with a piston loaded
with heavy weights. As every stroke of the engine would
pump into this cylinder twice the quantity of air that would
pass through the nose pipe into the furnace in the same time,
the air raised the loaded piston of the regulating cylinder,
and during the time that the engine ceased to act, the weight
of the regulating piston forced the air into the furnace. This
method of regulating the blast, which continued in general
use for many years, was superseded by the water regulator,
and by the double-acting blowing cylinder, wrought by a
steam-engine of Watt and Boulton's construction.
The iron trade began immediately to revive on the applica-
tion of pit-coal, aided by powerful engines, and its progress in
England and Wales was truly astonishing. The general use
of pit-coal, most unquestionably, occasioned an earlier relin-
quishment of many of the charcoal works than would
otherwise have been the case, but the manufacture had so
much increased as to render this an object of trifling im-
portance.
The following statement shows the manufacture of charcoal
pig-iron in England and Wales in the year 1788:-
up and made air tight, having only two apertures, one to receive the supply of air
from the air-pump, and the other to admit a pipe that conducts the condensed air to
blow the two furnaces.-Sir J. Sinclair's Statistical Account of Scotland-1793.
86
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRade.
No. of Fur. Tons at each. Total in each county.
Gloucestershire.
4
650
2600
Monmouthshire
3
700
2100
Glamorganshire
3
600
1800
Carmarthenshire
1
400
400
Merioneth..
1
400
400
Shropshire..
3
600
1800
Derbyshire
1
300
300
Yorkshire
1
600
600
Westmoreland
1
400
400
Cumberland
1
300
300
Lancashire
Sussex
3 2
700
2100
150
300
Total.... 24
Average produce from each furnace
Former average produce (page 57)
13,100
Tons. cwt. qr.
545 16 2
294 1 1
Total.... 251 15 1
Increased produce from each furnace, from the year 1740
to the year 1788, attributable entirely to the general improve-
ment in machinery and the introduction of the steam-engine,
251 tons 15 cwt. 1 qr.
About the year 1740 the annual quantity of charcoal pig-
iron manufactured in England and Wales amounted to 17,350
tons; in 1788 the quantity was 13,100 tons-being a decrease
in that period of 4250 tons, attributable chiefly to the decrease
of wood, but also, as we have before stated, to the use of pit-
coal as a substitute for charcoal in the furnace.
In the year 1788 the manufacture of coke pig-iron was as
follows:
No. of Fur. Make of each. Total in each county.
Shropshire..
Staffordshire
21
1100
23,100
6
750
4,500
Derbyshire
Yorkshire
7
600
4,200
6
750
4,500
Cumberland
1
700
700
·
Cheshire
1
600
600
Glamorganshire
6
1100
6,600
Brecknockshire .
2
800
•
1,600
Staffordshire, 3 new furnaces
expected to be in blast the
3
800
2,400
same year.
• •
Total....
53
48,200
GREAT BRITAIN.
87
Tons. cwt. qr.
Average annual produce at each furnace......
909 8 2
Total of charcoal pig-iron
13,100 0 0
Ditto of coke pig-iron
48,200 0 0
Total....
61,300 0 0
-being a total of 61,300 tons of pig-iron manufactured in
England and Wales. At the same period there were erected,
and in blast, in Scotland, in the West Highlands:—
Charcoal Fur. Make of each. Total in each county.
Goatfield
Bunawe
1
700
1
700
700
700
There were also-
Carron .....
Coke fur. 4
Wilsontown, or Cleugh
4 2
1000
4000
800
1600
Total....
8
7000
—being a total quantity of 7000 tons of pig-iron manufactured
in Scotland.
Average produce at each furnace..
Furnaces.
..875 tons.
Tons.
77 Total quantity of pig-iron made in England and Wales 61,300
8 Ditto, ditto, in Scotland
85
• •
7,000
68,300
17,350
Total increase.... 50,950
59 Annual quantity manufactured preceding the introduc-
tion of pit-coal for furnace fuel
26
As the period of 1788 or 1790 may be considered a new
era in the history of the manufacture of iron, arising from the
more general use by the iron masters, of the double power
engine of Mr. Watt, it may prove interesting to give a
short account of the introduction of this most valuable
machine.
Notwithstanding various attempts by the Marquis of Wor-
cester,* and others, to construct a steam-engine, no machine
* The Marquis of Worcester was the inventor of the steam-engine, or a machine
in which the elastic force of steam was proposed as the first mover in raising water.
In his "Century of Inventions," a work published in 1663, he has described this
88
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
In a
of this kind appears to have been completed and applied to
actual use, before the invention of Capt. Thomas Savery,
treasurer to the commissioners of sick and wounded.
pamphlet entitled "The Miner's Friend," published in 1696,
he describes a steam-engine, in which water is raised not only
by the expansive force of steam, but also by its condensation,
the water being raised by the pressure of the atmosphere into
receivers, from which it is forced to a greater height by the
elastic force of the steam. After having erected several of
these engines, Savery took out a patent, in 1698, for a new
invention "for raising water, and occasioning motion to all
sorts of mill work." In June, 1699, he exhibited a working
model to the Royal Society, who printed in their Transactions
for that year a drawing and description of it; but the most
complete account of it appeared in a small pamphlet of
eighty-four pages 12mo., which Mr. Savery published in
1707, under the title of "The Miner's Friend, or an Engine
to Raise Water by Fire Described; and the manner of fixing
it in mines, with an account of the several uses it is applicable
unto, and an answer to the objections made against it." This
book was separately addressed to King William III., to
whom the engine had been shown at Hampton Court.
Various engines on the principle of Mr. Savery's have been
erected since his time, and various improvements made on the
original construction-amongst others by Dr. Desaguliers,
but before his improvements were proposed, a very important
invention had been made by Mr. Thomas Newcomen, an
ironmonger at Dartmouth. There is reason to believe that
this ingenious workman was occupied in the improvement of
the steam-engine as early as Mr. Savery. Switzer, indeed,
who was a friend of Savery's, and therefore not likely to make
any statement injurious to his reputation, distinctly informs.
us that he had good authority for stating that Newcomen was
as early in his invention as Savery, but that the latter, being
nearer the Court, obtained his patent before the other knew of
engine, in No. 68, and he has again referred to it in Nos. 98, 99, and 100. He has
also left behind him, what he calls "A Definition of his Engine"-the only copy
of which is preserved in the British Museum.
GREAT BRITAIN.
89
it, on which account Newcomen was glad to come in as a
partner in the patent, which was granted to them in 1705.
Desaguliers, however, has given a different account of the
matter, and as the passage contains some interesting details,
we shall give it in his own words:-" Thomas Newcomen,
ironmonger, and John Calley, glazier, of Dartmouth, made
the several experiments in private, and having brought the
engine to work with a piston, &c., they, in the latter end of
the year 1711, made proposals to draw the water at Griff, in
Warwickshire; but their invention meeting not with reception,
in March following, through the acquaintance of Mr. Potter,
of Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire, they bargained to draw
water for Mr. Bach, of Wolverhampton, where, after a great
many laborious attempts, they did make the engine work;
but not being either philosophers to understand the reasons,
or mathematicians enough to calculate the powers, and to
proportion the parts, very luckily, by accident, found what
they sought for. They were at a loss about the pumps, but
being so near Birmingham, and having the assistance of so
many admirable and ingenious workmen, they so soon came
to the method of making the pump valves, clacks, and
buckets, whereas they had but an imperfect notion of them
before."
The engine thus constructed has received the name of the
atmospheric engine, in consequence of the power which is
employed, being only the weight of the atmosphere, the steam
exerting no force whatever, either upon the surface of the
water, or upon the piston, and having no other functions to
perform but that of forming a vacuum.
But to the great and comprehensive genius of the late Mr.
Watt are we indebted for those improvements, which have
rendered the steam-engine the present powerful agent of our
iron works and other manufactures. When Mr. Watt's
attention was turned to the subject of steam, in 1759, it was
then an effective and useful machine, and was used to a con-
siderable extent in the mines and manufactories of the king-
dom; but though it was then an effective machine, it was a
very imperfect one, and required for its improvement all the
90
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
energies of a mind deeply imbued with mechanical and che-
mical knowledge.
Mr. James Watt was a maker of mathematical instruments
at Glasgow, and being a man of a truly philosophical mind,
and well conversant with all branches of science, he was in the
habit of associating with the most celebrated scientific men at
that time in Scotland, particularly with Dr. Black, Dr. Roe-
buck, and Dr. Robison. In the year 1761 or 1762, Mr. Watt
had constructed a model, with which he showed the practica-
bility of what is now called the high-pressure engine; but it
was not till 1763, when he was repairing a working model of
Newcomen's engine, belonging to the college at Glasgow,
that his mind was usefully directed to the subject; during
this employment, he observed the great loss of steam from
the condensation of the cold surface of the cylinder. He
made various experiments during the ensuing year to obviate.
this, but it was not until early in 1765 that it occurred to him,
that if a communication were opened between a cylinder con-
taining steam, and another vessel exhausted of air and other
fluids, the steam would immediately rush into the empty
vessel, and continue to do so till it had established an equili-
brium, and if that vessel were kept very cool by an injection
or otherwise, more steam would continue to enter, until the
whole was condensed. Thus did he discover the great prin-
ciple of condensation in a separate vessel.
Mr. Watt was so much occupied in other business, that it
took him much time to complete his machine, and bring the
whole to bear, so that he did not apply for his first patent
until 1768, which bears date January 5, 1769, and is for his
"methods of lessening the consumption of steam, and, con-
sequently, of fuel in steam-engines.
>>
Soon after his patent was obtained, Mr. Watt became
associated with Dr. Roebuck; they proposed establishing an
extensive manufactory for such engines under the patent, and
Mr. Watt began his first real engine, of eighteen inches cylin-
der, at Kinneil, near Borrowstownness. This was a sort of
experimental engine, and was successively altered and im-
proved till it was brought to considerable perfection. In the
GREAT BRITAIN.
91
details of its construction, the greatest difficulty of all was
the packing of the piston, so as to be steam tight, because
Mr. Watt's principle did not admit of water being kept upon
the piston, to prevent the leakage, as in the old engines.
He found great difficulties in procuring a cylinder suffici-
ently accurate, until a new method was introduced at Burham
foundry, by Mr. John Wilkinson.* In the old method of
boring, the instrument which performs the part of cutting
the metal was guided in its progress by the incorrect form
given to the cylinder by the moulder, and although it insured
that every part of the cylinder should be circular, it gave no
certainty that the cylinder should be straight. This was
quite sufficient for the old engines, but Mr. Watt's engines
required greater precision. Wilkinson's machine insured the
accuracy required, and if the cylinder was cast ever So
crooked, the machine would bore it straight and true.
Dr. Roebuck becoming embarrassed, from the failure of
his vast undertaking in the Borrowstownness Coal and Salt
Works, was unable to prosecute the manufactory of steam-
engines; and, in 1774, disposed of his interest in Mr. Watts'
patent to Mr. Matthew Boulton, whose establishment at Soho,
near Birmingham, was then the most complete in England,
and conducted with the most spirit. A portion of the works
was allotted to Mr. Watt, who erected a foundry and the
necessary works to carry his invention into effect, on a grand
scale.
In consequence of the great loss of time, and the enormous
expense necessary for bringing the engine to perfection, Mr.
Watt was not able to produce any large engines, as specimens
of his invention, until 1774; and found, from the difficulty of
introducing them, that the term of his patent was likely to
pass away before he should be reimbursed; he, therefore,
applied to Parliament for a prolongation of his term, which
was granted for twenty-one years, by an Act passed in 1775,
* Mr. Wilkinson was the first who applied steam-engines to blow the furnaces.-
Lord Sheffield's Observations on the Manufactures, Trade, and Present State of Ire-
land-1785.
92
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
the period to commence from the expiration of his first
patent.
With this encouragement, and with the advantage of Mr.
Boulton's assistance in systematising the manufacture of the
parts, Mr. Watt soon produced many capital engines, which
were erected in Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Warwickshire,
and a small one at Stratford, near London, but chiefly in
Cornwall; and Messrs. Watt and Boulton granted licenses to
use their engines, on securing a third part of the saving in
coal, compared with an atmospheric engine performing the
same work with coals equal in quality. The amount of
this saving was determined by ascertaining experimentally
the coals consumed during any number of strokes made by
the common and the improved engine. The number of
strokes made in any given interval, was ascertained by a
piece of machinery called the counter, which was struck at
every ascent of the working beam. Two keys of this ma-
chine were kept, one by the patentees, and the other by the
proprietors; and a traveller, who examined it at stated
times, calculated the saving of coal from the number of
strokes.*
The regular and increased effects of this very powerful ma-
chine were soon felt in most of the iron districts. The pro-
duce of the furnaces greatly increased as to the quantity of
metal, and as the proprietors of the works became more
prosperous, other capitalists were induced to engage in similar
undertakings. Another cause also operated at this time,
namely, the high price of foreign iron,† and the vexatious
*For three large engines, at Chacewater mine, in Cornwall, the proprietors paid
8001. annually, instead of the third of the saving of coal.-Edinburgh Encyclopædia-
Art., "Steam Engines."
The iron used at the Cramond Works comes chiefly from Russia and Sweden,
upwards of 1000 tons being imported from the Baltic yearly. The average cost per
ton (including customs at 56s. and freight from 8s. to 15s.) is 171. for Russia and
181. 10s. for Swedish iron; but a very fine kind of the latter, the produce of the
famous mine of Dannemora, called Oregrund iron, from the port where it is shipped,
comes to 241. per ton. This sort is used solely for making steel. These different
kinds of iron are 50 per cent. dearer than they were in 1780, which rapid advance
has lately induced the proprietors to erect furnaces at Clyde, near Glasgow, with
GREAT BRITAIN.
93
proceedings of the Russians, who imagined that we were com-.
pletely at their mercy for the necessary supply of iron. New
works were yearly erected, and several furnaces were annually
added to those already in blast, and the increase was so con-
siderable that, in the course of eight years, the manufacture
of pig-iron was nearly doubled, as will appear by the follow-
ing returns, which were sent to the chairman of the committee
of the House of Commons, on the subject of the coal trade,
when Mr. Pitt, in the year 1796, had it in contemplation to
add to the revenue by a tax upon coal at the pit-mouth.
This, of course, led to a powerful opposition on the part of
the manufacturing consumers, and particularly so, as may
easily be imagined, in the iron trade. A committee was ap-
pointed-witnesses examined-facts collected-and the mea-
sure abandoned, as being unwise and impracticable.
1
1
• •
1
1
1
•
1
1
1
1
.. •
Names of Furnaces. No. of Fur. Excise return. Sup. quanty. Exact return.
A pedale
Silverdale.
Bearpost
Dudden
Newland
Backbarrow
Dale Abbey..
Mersey Park
Buttersby.
•
T. C.
Tons.
T. c.
CHESTER.
2100 O
1000
728 10
2600 0
1200
1230 0
CUMBERLAND.
2080 0
1200
240 O
1664 0
400
325 0
700 0
700
700 0
700 0
700
769 0
DERBY.
474 0
474
443 0
728 O
728
728 0
936 0
936
936 0
GLOUCESTER.
Flaxley
Forest of Dean
1
360 0
360
360 0
1
20 0
20
20 0
HEREFORD.
Abbey Tintern
Bishopwood..
Cornbrook
Bringwood
1
70 0
70
70 0
1
•
500 0
500
947 0
1
►
1000
0
1000
482 0
1
•
500 0
500
250 O
Leighton
•
1
780 0
780
780 0
the view of making bar-iron for Cramond, which they hope will, in a few years,
furnish them with sufficient materials, and save the great sums remitted for that
article.-Sir J. Sinclair's Statistical Account of Scotland-1791.
94
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Names of Furnaces.
No. of Fur. Excise return. Sup. quanty. Exact return.
T. C.
Tons.
T.
C.
LINCOLN.
Renishaw
2
500 0
500
705 O
SALOP.
Old Park..
3
11332 10
6240
5952 0
Horschay.
1
..
4927 10
2080
1458 4
Lightmoor
3
8946 0
6240
3498 15
Coalbrooke Dale..
3
7175 0
4162
2659 11
Madeley Wood
1
3777 10
2080
1856 8
Jackfield
•
2
7086 0
4160
1820 0
Benthal
1
2367 10
1600
1334 0
Willey..
1
3702 10
1600
1554 10
Brosely
1
1775 O
1400
1076 10
Kepley.
3
7590 0
6210
5068 19
Sondshill
2
4730 O
3400
3367 0
Donnington Wood
2
4720 0
4160
3323 0
SUSSEX.
Ashburnham
1
172 15
173
173 0
WALES-SOUTH.
Clydach
1
1820 O
1820
1625 0
Blaendare
Blaenavon
1
1404 O
1404
1500 0
3
5460 0
5460
4318 0
Sirhowy
1
1820 0
1820
1930 0
Beaufort
1
1560 0
1560
1660 0
Penyca, or Ebbervale .
1
1560 0
1560
397 0
Hirwain
1
1400 O
1400
1050 O
Melinicourt
1
648 0
648
503 0
Ennisygedyr
1
1352 0
1352
800 0
Caerfilly
1
600 0
600
695 0
Cyfartha
3
6000 0
6000
7204 O
Plymouth
1
2000 0
2000
2200 0
Pendarron
2
4000 O
4000
4100 O
Dowlais
3
4100 0
5400
2800 0
Llanelly
1
1664 0
1664
1560 0
Neath Abbey
2
3120 0
3120
1759 0
WALES-MIDDLE.
Dovey
1
200 O
200
150 O
WALES-NORTH.
Ruabone
1
1560 0
1560
1144 0
Brymbo
1
884 0
Brymbo-gate
0
728 0
•
Ponyrron...
0
1498 O
Lead work
Pentrobn.
Carmarthen....
1
0
1560 0
Ditto
WALES-WEST.
1056 0
1056
290 0
GREAT BRITAIN.
95
Names of Furnaces.
No. of Fur. Excise return. Sup. quanty. Exact return.
T. C.
Tons.
T. C.
STAFFORD.
Level
Brierly.
Duffield
Bilston
1
1560 0
1560
1391 0
1
1300 0
1300
1046 10
Bradley
2 23
2600 0
2600
2526 0
2340 0
2340
1429 0
3640 0
3000
1920 0
Grave-yard
1
1260 0
1336
213 0
Dudley Port
1
1040 0
1040
869 0
Tipton..
2
2080 0
2080
2203 0
Gospel Oak..
1
1613 O
YORK-LEEDS.
Bowling
2
2000 0
2000
2000 O
0
Wibsey Moor..
2
2000 O
2000
2500 0
Shelf
1
1000 O
1000
1140 O
Birkenshaw
1
780 0
780
846 0
YORK-SHEFFIELD.
Chesterfield
1
940 0
940
940 0
Little Brampton.
2
1800 O
1800
1560 0
Winger Worth
1
1274 0
1274
1274 0
Stavely
1
1000 0
1000
761 1
Park
1
1092 0
1092
853 0
Chapel
Horncliffe
1
1456 0
1456
1456 0
2
1092 0
1092
712 0
Elshar
1
800 0
800
950 0
Bretton
1
250 0
220
250 0
Holmes
3
6000 0
6000
2000 O
0
Total....
104
167,312 0
133,965 108,973 (
SCOTLAND.
Carron.
4
5200 0
5200
5616 0
Wilson Town
Muirkirk
Clyde
Omoa
2
Devon.
2
Goatfield-charcoal
1
Bunawe-ditto
2 2 ♡ a
2080
2080 0
3120
2878 0
3
3640
2216 0
3000
2396 0
1600
300 0
600 0
17
5,200
18,640
16,086
104
167,312
133,965
108,993
121
172,512
152,605
125,079
Average produce of each of the English and Welsh furnaces.. 1048 tons per ann.
Ditto of the Scotch furnaces
946
""
96
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
The demand for iron articles of all kinds in this country
not only continued unabated after the period of 1796, but
kept increasing in a greater ratio than formerly, so that, in
the short space of five years, situations were occupied for
nearly fifty additional furnaces, or additions made to esta-
blished works of that extent. In 1801 and 1802 it was
ascertained that the following new furnaces were either
building, or actually in blast, in England, Wales, and
Scotland :-
Furnaces.
In Blast. Building.
Furnaces.
In Blast. Building.
Silverdale
Snidshill
1
0
Duffield
1
0
2
0
Gornall Wood.
1
0
Wibsey Moor
1
0
•
Kittry
1
0
Madily Wood
1
0
•
Burnit's Leason
1
0
Billingsly.
Newcastle, Staffordshire
0
1
Brierly Hill..
Near Wolverhampton 0
Dudley Wood
Newcastle-upon-Tyne 0 2
1
0
1
0
5
0
1
Cyfartha
1
0
Bilston..
1
Llanelly
1
0
Sirhowy
1
0
20 20
Beaufort
1
0
Plymouth
1
0
SCOTLAND.
•
Union
0
1
Muirkirk
1
0
Aberdare
0
3
Glenbuck..
1
0
•
Tipton
1
1
Calder
0
2
• •
Bloomfield.
0
1
Markinch...
0
2
Longacres
0
1
Shotts
0
1
Wednesbury
0
1
Staffordshire
1
0
2
5
Coleford
1
0
England and Wales..20
Jackfield
1
0
•
0
1
2120
20
25
0
1
Old Park
•
Donnington Wood
Making the total number of new furnaces in blast and build-
ing in Great Britain forty-seven.
The great increase in the manufacture of iron attracted the
notice of government, and, in the year 1797, Mr. Pitt, then
Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposed laying a duty of 20s.
per ton on pig-iron, but, after full consideration, he aban-
doned the idea. Lord Henry Petty, however, revived the
subject in the year 1806. He proposed to levy a duty of
GREAT BRITAIN.
97
40s. per ton on pig-iron, as a war-tax, and submit its various
processes to the constant inspection of Excise officers. There
were, at this time, 133 iron works in Great Britain, the pro-
prietors of which met in the several districts, and deputed
fourteen of their body to assemble in London, and arrange
the information submitted to the committee of the House of
Commons on the bill for imposing this tax; showing its
impolicy and ruinous tendency on a manufacture which is
essential to the success of almost all branches of British
industry.
The following is an abstract of a statement which the de-
putation prepared of the several furnaces, which, in the spring
of the year 1806, were working with cokes of pit-coal, and
charcoal, in England, Wales, and Scotland.
No. of
works.
Counties.
Number of Furnaces.
Tons pig iron
In blast. Out. Total.
made ann.
Av. tons
p. Furnace.
4 Cumberland.
4
0
4
1,491
373
11 Derbyshire
12
6
18
10,329
861
2
Gloucestershire.
2
1
3
1,629
815
3
Lancashire
2
2
4
2,500
1250
1
Leicestershire
0
1
1
3
Monmouthshire
3
0
3
2,444
815
19
Salop
28
14
42
54,966
1963
25
Staffordshire.
31
11
42
49,460
1595
14 Yorkshire...
23
4
27
26,671
1160
82
Total in England 105
39
144
149,490
1424
25 South Wales.....
36
11
47
75,601
2100
3 North Wales...
3
1
4
2,075
692
12
Scotland...
18
9
27
23,240
1291
122
Total coke fur-
naces in Gt.
162
60
222
250,406
1546
Britain
...
11 Old charcoal fur-
naces still in
11
0
11
use in different
7,800
709
counties.....
133
Total Gt. Britain 173
60
233
258,206
Making the average annual produce of each of the 162 coke
furnaces in blast 1546 tons.*
* But this general average will not show the effect produced at those works
H
98
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
By this document it appears that, of the 233 furnaces then
erected, sixty were out of blast, and that the remaining 173
furnaces produced the astonishing quantity of 258,206 tons
of pig-iron-being an increase in ten years, from 1796, of no
less than 133,127 tons per annum; and, during the same
period, there were erected, as we have already seen, to the
year 1802, forty-seven new furnaces, and, subsequently, up
to 1806, sixty-five additional ones, making, however, some
allowance for the furnaces, if any, which were out of blast
in 1796.
It was calculated that 95,000 tons were converted into
bars and other descriptions of iron; that the capital employed
in the manufacture was five millions sterling, and that it
furnished employment to 200,000 persons.
When Lord Henry Petty proposed this tax on pig-iron, he
stated" This tax was formerly in contemplation, and as
the object is now greatly extended in use, and as 130,000
tons was the quantity then manufactured, I apprehend that
the quantity may now be estimated at 250,000 tons, which,
at 40s., will be 500,000l. Upon this head there will be
countervailing duties on foreign iron, and a fair drawback
will be allowed. This tax will be under the Excise.'
""
An account was moved for, and ordered, of the quantity of
iron consumed by the Ordnance, and of the iron purchased
for the Navy. This account was accordingly presented to
the House by Mr. Vansittart, and a copy, embodied in an
account, headed "Estimate of the Net Produce of the Duty
where powerful engines were erected; it will, therefore, be desirable to notice, that
at some of these, as at Cyfartha, in South Wales, the average per furnace is as high
as 2615 tons per annum, while, in twenty-three others, the quantity falls below
500 tons, being, at Dovey, in North Wales, stated at only 150 tons per annum.
Seventeen of these works make 4000 tons each, or upwards, of which the six
largest are-
Cyfartha, in South Wales.... 10,460 tons per annum.
Blaenavon
7,846
Penydarren
7,803
Old Park, Salop
8,359
"
Kepley
7,510
Carron, Scotland
7,380
GREAT BRITAIN.
99
upon Iron," was transmitted to the deputies of the iron trade,
who replied to it by counter statements.*
Upon the second reading of the bill, Sir John Wrottes-
ley asked, "Whether anything was proposed to be done
to obviate the difficulty of giving a sufficient drawback to the
manufacturers engaged in the export trade? A number of
gentlemen in town, whose opinions deserved the attention of
the House, thought the proposed drawback insufficient, as it
seemed the utmost to be allowed did not exceed 47. per ton.
The deductions on account of the Ordnance and Naval stores
would be considerable."
Lord Henry Petty stated "the amount of deduction for
iron used in the Ordnance and for the Navy department to be
altogether 51,4607.; the drawbacks on foreign iron 13,7707.;
that on British iron 123,000l.-making a total, with 50007.,
the estimated expense of the collection, of 193,0007., to be
deducted from the produce of the tax. The average of the
drawback was 47. a ton."
Mr. Vansittart observed, "that 41. per ton had been
calculated upon as an average, and not as the highest
allowance."
The bill was then read a second time and committed.
When the bill came under discussion, the opposers of the
measure contended that it had hitherto been our uniform
policy not to tax articles that were the staple commodities of
the country, such as iron, coals, or wood. That of all these
commodities iron might be considered the most important,
and any tax upon that article must be injurious to the gene-
ral interest, but the operation of this tax particularly
so. It was proposed to lay an equal duty on iron of all
qualities, although there was a variation of at least 50 per
cent. in the value of different kinds. How, therefore, could
this proposition be reconciled with the principles of justice?
The uses of iron were so multiplied, that it was probable
they had not been taken into consideration. With respect to
iron of the lowest quality-in the article of iron railways
from mines, the operation of the tax would increase the
* See Appendix C.
JorM
H 2
100
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
expense of such railways 7007. a mile-an expense which
would almost amount to a prohibition of them. It had been
found desirable to abolish wooden railways for the purpose
of substituting iron ones—an object which this tax must in a
great measure defeat. Yet it would, even then, be felt most
severely in the construction of those wooden railways. The
ramifications of injury that the tax would cause were in-
numerable. On a moderate calculation, it would raise the
price of coals 1s. per ton. The quantity imported into Lon-
don within the year exceeded a million of chaldrons. Thus,
from this small advance, 50,000l. would arise. The utmost
at which the friends of the tax computed its annual amount
was 300,000l. The opponents of it thought it would not
be so much. The additional charge, therefore, merely on
coals brought to London, came to a sixth of the whole pro-
duce of the tax.
Another baneful effect of the tax would be, that, by its
operation on the machinery of our manufactures, horses
would be substituted in many cases, and this at a time when
we were paying millions annually to the continent for foreign
grain. At the present moment iron was applied to purposes
for which large timber would then be used. Would it be
wise to increase the demand for timber of this description, at
a period when it was already so alarmingly scarce? With
regard to iron of the higher and finer kind, in many manu-
factures it had to pass through three or four different hands.
In each of these stages an augmentation of price would take
place.
With respect to the tax as it affected the manufactures,
the agriculture of the country, and the comforts of the poor,
it would raise the price of many of those manufactures
in which iron was principally employed 12 per cent., and in
some cases much higher. This was a most serious con-
sideration to the country, when the manufactures of Flanders,
of Prussia, and of Styria, were able to come into competition
with us in the foreign markets, and even to undersell us in
the coarser articles.
The seats of the great manufacture of iron ware had been
GREAT BRITAIN.
101
seriously affected by the wars on the continent, and this tax
would have on them the most injurious effects. Its in-
fluence on agriculture would also be pernicious; it would
tend to give the grazing farmer, who made less use of horses
and implements of iron, great advantages over the arable,
and thus would throw an undue proportion of the country
into pasture. It would press heavily also on the poor
-iron was a necessary part of most of the tools which they
employed, and thus the very implements which they used
might be placed almost beyond their reach.
The effects of this measure must inevitably be to throw a
gloom on the spirit of our manufactures-to cut up those
very resources to which the country would have to look for
its protection and defence, and to deprive of bread very nu-
merous classes of our industrious poor. It would have the
most injurious effects on a very large proportion of the in-
habitants of Birmingham-which place had been formerly
called the toy-shop of Europe; but since the convulsions
that had taken place on the Continent, the demand for those
articles of curious and elegant manufacture had entirely
ceased, and goldsmiths and silversmiths were now converted
into blacksmiths. Even in their articles, Germany and Ame-
rica had now begun to enter into competition with us. The
manufactures of these countries had received every encou-
ragement from their different governments, and surely our
own manufactures were equally entitled to the fostering care
of our own legislature.
The difficulties attending the proper allowance of draw-
backs were very great; the orders for the foreign market were
all made up in large casks, and it would be necessary to
submit them to the inspection of the exciseman-that the
whole would be vexatious in the extreme. That if the rising
manufacture of unwrought iron remained untouched, it would
prove a resource of incalculable riches to the country; but,
should it be strangled in its infancy by the hands of the
exciseman, the country would have reason to curse the hour
when such a tax had been imposed. It was by our trade and
manufactures that we were enabled to hold such a distin-
102
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
guished rank among the nations of the world; and, while
these were not discouraged by our own government, we had
no reason to fear that the efforts of Buonaparte would ever
be able to drive them from the markets of Europe. They
would continue to find their way into every part of the habit-
able globe.
It was acknowledged that the situation of the Minister of
Finance had, of late, every year grown more and more diffi-
cult, since almost every object of taxation had already been
resorted to. It had, therefore, become difficult to select a tax
that was not liable to some objections-but the present tax
appeared peculiarly objectionable. It had been well observed,
that the possession of iron was one of the great grounds.
of distinction between civilised and barbarous society; and
in the same proportion that this country had improved in
manufactures and civilisation, the manufacture of iron had
been extended and improved, and had found its way, by
numerous meandering streams, into every department of
civil life.
The number of those employed in producing the raw mate-
rial, and of those who afterwards wrought it up into every
article of utility or elegance, was very great; these were mostly
men of athletic make and great bodily vigour, which was a
consideration of no small consequence in viewing the general
utility of a manufacture, since it had been justly said, that
too many of our manufactures tended to deteriorate the phy-
sical constitution, and produce a feeble and degenerate race of
men, without spirit or ability to defend their rights. In this
view alone the manufacture of iron, in all its branches, was
highly deserving of encouragement, and any obstruction given
to its progress greatly to be deprecated.
It was computed that between 400,000 and 500,000 per-
sons were engaged in the various branches of the manufacture;
and when it was considered how much every one of them
contributed to the revenues of the state, by the produce of his
industry, it became a matter of serious consideration whether
the sum proposed to be raised by this tax would not be more
than countervailed by those defalcations in other parts of the
GREAT BRITAIN.
103
public revenue, which would arise from the discouragement
given to the iron manufacture by the present tax.
This tax had been proposed to the House ten years ago,
and had then, upon full consideration, been withdrawn. It
was then proposed to lay on a duty of only 20s. per ton, but
the late Chancellor of the Exchequer saw reasons, at that
time, to decline the prosecution of the measure; it was one of
the characteristics of that great man (Mr. Pitt) candidly to
give up any measure which, on investigation, he found inex-
pedient, without dreading the charge of inconsistency or
indecision.
The manufacture of iron had this peculiar recommendation
belonging to it, that it had arisen and flourished most in those
parts of the country which Nature seemed to have doomed to
everlasting sterility; and, as Mr. Wilberforce observed, “he
had never felt a more sensible pleasure in his life than when,
after the lapse of a few years, he had returned to a spot once
rugged and barren, but then covered by the fruits of human
industry, and gladdened by the face of man, in consequence
of the introduction of this manufacture."
It was a received principle of taxation that no duty should
press upon any article in its rude and early state, since it
caused an uniform rise of price in every article into which it
was afterwards wrought up. In this instance, though the
sum that would enter the Treasury would not be more than
200,0007., yet a tax of nearly a million would be raised from
the community at large. This was a prodigal waste of those
resources which ought to be husbanded for future demands,
and which the public spirit of the country would cheerfully
contribute whenever they were called for by the necessity of
the times. It was a sound principle of taxation, that every
tax should be as little vexatious as possible in its collection,
for the tax on the feelings of the subject might be more
galling than that on his pocket. The application of the
excise to any branch of commercial enterprise was to be
regretted; but, in this instance, it would prove more than
usually vexatious, from the number of those engaged in the
manufacture, from the multifarious variety of the articles, but,
104
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
above all, from the artisans being hitherto completely un-
accustomed to the operation of excise laws. Within the
short space of nine years, the manufacture of iron had been
more than doubled. The annual produce had then been
100,000 tons, but it had now risen to 250,000; it was, there-
fore, our duty to foster its progress and not to check it. This
tax would cause an increase of price to the amount of 10, 15,
and even 20 per cent. The proposed drawback was greatly
too small; government had estimated that it would amount to
150,000l., but the manufacturers calculated that 266,0007.
would be requisite.
It was a fact, that, even at present, some of the German
manufacturers were able to furnish their articles cheaper than
they could be produced in this country, and the tax would
tend still more rapidly to drive us from the foreign market.
There were considerable quantities of iron used in canals,
bridges, ship-building, and agriculture, on all which the tax
would severely operate. If the requisite sum could be raised
in another way, why impose it on a manufacture of universal
application? It was said to be an argument in favour of the
bill, that it would operate generally-it would certainly
operate as a general burden, but it would not be generally
productive.
The supporters of the bill, on the other hand, argued that
it was a principle of taxation to lay the tax on articles that
were most diffusive, and, consequently, would be most pro-
ductive. It was thought that necessaries ought not to be
taxed, and that every thing should fall on luxuries. All the
papers before the House showed that the opposition to the
bill came from the manufacturers, not the consumers.
foreign consumption, the tax could have but little effect; it
was not the quantity, but the quality, of our manufactures,
which was looked to. If we talked of exempting necessaries
from taxation, we must give up every resource, and tax
nothing.
As to
The use of iron for the purpose of agriculture had been
mentioned as an objection to the tax, but the consumption of
that article, in this respect, was trifling when compared with
105
GREAT BRITAIN.
its consumption in our West India plantations, where it was
used, instead of copper, for boilers and other culinary pur-
poses. The present tax could not affect our articles of hard-
ware in the foreign market, as the demand for those articles
did not depend on their price, but arose from their superior
quality. In this respect no foreign manufacture was likely
soon to rival us.
It had been stated that the iron trade was not yet ripe
enough to produce a revenue. If the iron trade had doubled,
as it was admitted had been the case, within the last ten years,
it was impossible to deny that it was a fit object for taxation,
considering the state of the country, and the necessity there
was for making every article contribute to the present exi-
gencies, considering the high duty on malt and even on salt;
and considering the great and extraordinary length to which
the income tax had been carried this year, it was rather matter
of surprise that the present tax had not sooner been thought
of. If it could be made out that, by proper drawbacks being
allowed, no loss would arise to our foreign market, and at the
same time that a great increase would thereby arise to the
revenue, of probably 300,000l. or 400,000l., it would require
some reasoning stronger than had been yet heard, to prove
the tax ought not to be adopted. The objections to the
Excise would have been perfectly applicable to the first intro-
duction of the Excise laws into this country. The gentlemen
now sought to be put under the regulations of Excise would
not have the same necessity for frequent visits from the officers
as others had.
To show that the excellence of the manufacture was that
which recommended it to foreign markets, the great fluctu-
ation which had taken place in the prices, being to the extent
of upwards of 20 per cent., was instanced, which, nevertheless,
had no effect on the amount of the exports; and, by taking a
comparative view of the drawbacks acknowledged by the
dealers themselves to be sufficient, and those proposed to be
granted by the present bill, showed that the drawbacks which
it was in the contemplation of the framers of the bill to allow,
were fully sufficient.
106
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
It had been stated that the House had always abstained
from imposing taxes on the raw material, and particularly
iron. It was but lately that iron came to be manufactured to
any great extent in this country, but the taxes on foreign iron
were multiplied session after session; and, in fact, there were
many other taxes which acted as a direct tax on iron, and
which never were opposed, namely, the taxes on wood and
coal. This tax would not destroy the great iron works, the
roads and bridges. The same argument would apply to that
which applied to the foreign trade, namely, that the fluctuation
in the price never put a stop to these great works, though it
differed so much as to be, in the year 1799, 167. a ton; in
1803, 197.; and immediately after that, to fall to 147.; and
yet the fluctuation had no effect on the trade. The statements
that had been referred to were much exaggerated, and the
drawbacks in the bill were sufficient to cover the trade from
the effect of the tax. In some instances the drawback pro-
posed to be allowed exceeded that demanded by the manu-
facturers in others they were less, but every liberality would
be extended, and the drawbacks might be modified or ex-
tended, so as to be satisfactory to those concerned.
:
As to the excise, no harsh provisions on that head existed
in the bill-indeed, such provisions were unnecessary, because
a bar of pig-iron could not easily be smuggled.
The tax would bear so small a proportion to the immense
capital employed in such concerns, that they could not be
materially affected thereby. There was nothing in the state
of the countries on the Continent to give rise to the apprehen-
sions entertained with respect to the foreign trade. As to
America, it was a country in the infancy of its population, and
no wise government would encourage in such a country the
employment of its subjects in manufactures to any extent
that would enable them to rival this country. The population
of that country would be wisely directed to the more produc-
tive employment of cultivating their country.
In reply to these arguments, the opposers of the bill stated
that the fluctuation in the price of iron, although it was great,
GREAT BRITAIN.
107
could not have had any effect on the foreign markets, as, when
iron was dear, we exported very little, on account of our hos-
tility with the northern powers. At that time the demand was
so great at home, that, to use a tradesman's expression, the
pigs were not allowed to be cold before they were taken
away. This demand, of course, raised the price of the com-
modity, but, some time after, it was lowered considerably, on
the suggestion of the manufacturers, who declared that they
would be unable to proceed with their business unless they
had the raw material considerably cheaper. Much of the
flourishing state in which that trade now was, should be
attributed to the ingenuity of the persons concerned in it, and
nothing could so effectually put a stop to the exertion of this
ingenuity as putting the manufacture under the Excise. For-
merly, and till within the last few years, wood or charcoal was
the only material by which it was supposed that iron could be
made, but the ingenuity of the manufacturers led them to
find a substitute in coke. Under the gloomy influence of the
Excise, there was every reason to believe that this useful dis-
covery would never have been made. The moment the legis-
lature put on the Excise, they imposed a specific mode of
working, from which no appeal could be made, and which
must at once put a stop to ingenuity. Insuperable difficulties
presented themselves to the execution of the plan laid down.
The manufacturers were called on to give notice to the Excise
officer of the time at which they were to proceed to work.
This was impossible with all their practice and skill in their
business, they could not judge within four hours of the time
it might be in their power to open the furnace and proceed to
cast, and the Excise officer must be always on the spot, or
the manufacturer must be under innumerable penalties. The
door must always be open to great frauds. Nothing could be
so unjust as to confer on the fraudulent manufacturer the
means of evading the duty, and of underselling the fair
dealer.
Notwithstanding this powerful opposition, the ministers
persisted in carrying the bill into a committee, and the House
108
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
divided upon the question. Upon the division there ap-
peared 119 in favour of the bill, and 109 against it-
leaving to ministers a majority of only 10 members; but
in a few days after the House had resolved itself into a
committee, the ministers were induced to abandon the mea-
sure altogether.
109
GREAT BRITAIN.
CHAPTER VI.
GREAT BRITAIN (CONTINUED).
In the years 1783 and 1784, Mr. Cort, of Gosport, obtained
two patents, one for the puddling, and the other for the rolling
of iron-discoveries and improvements of so much importance
in the manufacture, that it must be considered the era from
which we may date the present extensive and flourishing
state of the iron trade of this country; but, preparatory to
noticing his inventions, it will be necessary to give an account
of the processes hitherto in use for the conversion of iron into
malleable or bar-iron.
The ancient and modern methods of extracting iron from its
ores differing very materially from each other, it will be
necessary to treat of them separately.
Iron,* as it exists in the ore, whether in a state of greater
or less oxidation, is capable of being brought to the metallic
state, when heated in contact with charcoal, by a much lower
temperature than is required for its actual fusion; and the
iron being brought to this state, the earthy matter with which
it is mixed may be vitrified by the adoption of a proper flux,
so as to allow the particles of metallic iron to subside, in con-
sequence of their specific gravity, to the bottom of the mass,
although they are only in that soft pasty state which common
bar-iron exhibits when it is at a white heat. Now, the blow-
ing machines of the ancient metallurgists being greatly
inferior to those which are employed at present, they were
obliged to make use only of the richest and most easily
reducible ores; and even these they were never able, properly
* Aikin's "Chemical Dictionary."
110
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
speaking, to fuse in quantity, so that cast-iron was a modi-
fication of this metal wholly unknown to them.
That iron which was termed the best, was prepared in the
following manner :-A mass of brickwork was raised five feet
in length and breadth, and three and a half feet high, resem-
bling a smith's hearth, except that in the middle of this was
sunk a cup-shaped cavity or crucible, one foot in depth, and
half a foot wide, in the upper part of which was made a hole
opening into a channel through the brickwork. This hole
being closed with clay, the crucible was filled with lighted
charcoal, heaped up so as to be above the level of the hearth; a
blast of air was then admitted through a pipe, let into the wall
in the same manner as a smith's forge, and so contrived that
the focus of the blast should be just above the centre of the
crucible. Charcoal alone was added from time to time, till
the hearth became thoroughly hot, and then, at the discretion
of the workmen, the ore, in very small pieces, unroasted, but
mixed with unslacked quicklime, was laid on alternately with
the charcoal. As soon as it had descended low enough to be
within the immediate influence of the blast (which in a fur-
nace of this construction would be in a few minutes), the lime
and earthy part of the ore became fused into a slag, and,
enveloping the iron now in a metallic state, sunk down into
the crucible, displacing the charcoal with which it had been at
first charged. The matter remaining at rest in the crucible,
gave an opportunity to the particles of iron to sink to the
bottom, which they did in greater or less proportion according
to the fluidity of the slag, and the completely metallic state
of the iron. After this process had been going on for the
space of from eight to twelve hours, the crucible became filled
with melted metal; at this time the hole, which had been at
first stopped up with clay, was opened by means of an iron
bar, introduced through the channel in the brickwork, and
the scoriæ immediately flowed out, leaving the iron behind,
covered with hot charcoal. The blast being stopped, the
furnace soon got sufficiently cool to allow the workmen to
take out the iron, which was found imperfectly concreted
together, in a mass nearly of the shape of a wooden bowl;
111
GREAT BRITAIN,
this being transferred to an anvil, was first carefully ham-
mered with wooden mallets to break off the incrusting scoriæ,
and render it sufficiently compact to bear the tilt hammer, to
which it was next subjected. Being then divided into five or
six pieces, each was separately forged into a bar, and thus the
operation was finished. The iron thus obtained was ex-
tremely tough and hard, but difficult to work-was in great
request for helmets and other articles of defensive armour—
and in general for all purposes where toughness and hardness
united were particularly required. The rich quality of the
ore, and the circumstances in which it was reduced, were pro-
bably the chief causes of the excellence of this kind of iron;
a peculiarity, however, in the method of forging it, may also
have somewhat contributed to this, for while it was under the
tilt hammer, an assistant stood by with a ladle of water, with
which he sprinkled the bar as often as it was struck by the
hammer.
The poorer ores, which are incapable of being smelted in
the above method, were first picked, washed, and roasted,
then reduced to pieces no larger than hazle nuts, and reduced
(no doubt with the addition of lime) in blast furnaces from
seven to eight feet high, and shaped like a chimney. In these
a considerably greater heat could be produced than in the
former, but it does not appear that the metal, when taken out
of the furnace, was in the state of cast-iron; certain it is, that
it was always allowed to cool there, and was never run into
pigs, as is the modern practice.
Some ores that are very rich, and yield a soft iron, have
been occasionally wrought in a manner still more simple than
either of the preceding. The rich specular ore of the island
of Elba in particular, appears formerly to have been worked
to a considerable extent in this, which, if not the earliest, is
certainly the rudest method that has hitherto been devised.
"The ore being broken into small pieces, is heaped upon a
bed of charcoal, in a very simple reverberatory furnace.
When the whole has been glowing hot for some time, the
pieces being now soft, and at a welding heat, are, by the
dexterous management of the workmen, brought in close con-
112
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
tact with each other by means of an iron bar; they are then
lightly hammered, while still in the furnace, and thus the
whole mass acquires sufficient compactness to be removed to
the anvil without falling to pieces; it is now hammered with
a gradually increasing force, the earthy impurities are thrown
off together with the scales of black oxide, the lump is
divided into pieces of a convenient size, which by repeated
heating and hammering are drawn into bars."
These ancient methods have gone into disuse, not because
the quality of the iron thus produced was to be objected to,
but because the time and fuel consumed were enormous; and
the iron that remained in the scoriæ amounted at least to one-
half of the original metallic contents of the ore.
The modern methods of reducing the ores of iron are prin-
cipally two, depending on the nature of the fuel made use of.
In England and Scotland it is for the most part coal, but in
the rest of Europe charcoal, with the exception of some of
the furnaces in France and the Netherlands.
The best Swedish bar-iron, named "Oregrund iron," from
the port whence it is shipped for the English market, is
entirely prepared from the magnetic ironstone of Danne-
mora. The forges and foundries where it is manufactured
are those of Soderfors, and other places in the province of
Roslagia; and the most approved processes that it under-
goes for this purpose are the following:-
The ore, in moderately large pieces, such as it comes from
the mine, is first roasted. For this purpose, an oblong coffer
of masonry, 18 feet long, 15 feet wide, and about 6 feet in
depth, open at top, and furnished with a door at one of its
smaller extremities, is entirely filled with logs of wood; over
this the ore is piled to the height of from five to seven feet,
and is covered with a coating of small charcoal, almost a foot
and a half in thickness. Fire is then communicated to the
bottom of the pile by means of the door just mentioned, and
in a short time the combustion spreads through the whole
mass: the small quantity of the pyrites that the ore contains,
is decomposed by the volatilisation of the sulphur; the mois-
ture is also driven off, and the ore, from being very hard and
GREAT BRITAIN.
113
refractory, becomes pretty easily pulverisable. In the space
of twenty-four hours the roasting is completed, and the ore,
when sufficiently cool, is transferred to a stamping-mill,
where it is pounded dry, and afterwards sifted through a net-
work of iron, which will not admit any piece larger than a
hazel nut to pass. It is now ready to be smelted.
The smelting furnace is a strong quadrangular pile of ma-
sonry, the internal cavity of which, though simple in form, is
not very easily described; it may be considered, however, in
general, as representing two irregular truncated cones, joined
base to base; of these the lower is scarcely more than one-
third of the upper, and is pierced by two openings, through
the upper of which the blast of wind from the blowing ma-
chine is admitted into the furnace; and from the lower the
melted matter, both scoriæ and metal, is discharged from time
to time at the pleasure of the workmen.
The furnace is first filled with charcoal alone, and well
heated; after which, alternate charges are added, of ore, either
alone, or mixed with limestone if it requires any flux, and
charcoal; the blast is let on, and the metal in the ore being
highly carbonised in its passage through the upper part of the
furnace, is readily melted as soon as it arrives in the focus of
the blast, whence it subsides in a fluid state to the bottom
of the furnace, covered with a melted slag. Part of the clay
that closes the lower aperture of the furnace is occasionally
removed, to allow the scoriæ to flow out, and at the end of
every ninth hour the iron itself is discharged into a bed of
sand, where it forms from ten to twelve small pigs. As soon
as the iron has flowed out, the aperture is closed again, and
thus the furnace is kept in incessant activity during the first
six months of the year; the other six months are employed
in repairing the furnaces, making charcoal, and collecting the
requisite provision of wood and ore.
The next process for the conversion of pig into bar-iron, is
refining; for this purpose a furnace is made use of, resembling
a smith's hearth, with a sloping cavity, sunk from ten to
twelve inches below the level of the blastpipe. This cavity is
filled with charcoal and scoriæ; and on the side opposite to
I
114
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
the blastpipe is laid a pig of cast-iron, well covered with hot
fuel. The blast is then let in, and the pig of iron being placed
in the very focus of the heat, soon begins to melt, and, as it
liquifies, runs down into the cavity below: here, being out of
the direct influence of the blast, it becomes solid, and is then
taken out and replaced in its former position-the cavity being
then filled with charcoal; it is thus fused a second time, and
after that a third time-the whole of these three processes
being usually effected in between three and four hours: as
soon as the iron has become solid, it is taken out and very
slightly hammered, to free it from the adhering scoriæ; it is
then returned to the furnace, and placed in a corner, out of
the way of the blast, and well covered with charcoal, where
it remains, till, by further gradual cooling, it becomes suffi-
ciently compact to bear the tilt hammer. Here it is well
beaten till the scoriæ are forced out, and it is then divided
into several pieces, which, by a repetition of heating and
hammering, are drawn into bars, and in this state is ready
for sale. The proportion of pig-iron obtained from a
given quantity of ore is subject to considerable varia-
tion, from a difference in the metallic contents of different
parcels of ore, and other circumstances; but the amount of
bar-iron that a given weight of pig metal is expected to yield
is regulated very strictly, the workmen being expected to
furnish four parts of the former for five parts of the latter, so
that the loss does not exceed 20 per cent.
The method of preparing bar-iron in all the other countries
of Europe, where charcoal is the fuel made use of, is, upon
the whole, very similar to that just detailed, allowing for a
few variations, according to the different species of ore that
are employed; but, in Great Britain, the number of charcoal
furnaces, towards the end of the last century, were trifling
compared with those where coke was used, and the adoption
of this kind of fuel led, by necessity, to a method of manufac-
turing iron quite peculiar to this country, and wholly inappli-
cable to those establishments that are carried on by means of
charcoal.
The first step in the process, after the iron was run from
GREAT BRITAIN.
115
the furnace, was refining. For this purpose the pigs were
smelted in a refinery (the construction of which has been
already noticed) by means of charcoal, which was still used
in the refinery; and as soon as the metal was in fusion, it was
let out into a mould of sand, to separate the scoria that rise
As
to its surface, and in this state was called a half-bloom.
soon as it became solid, it was again transferred to the furnace,
and treated as before; sometimes even a third fusion was
required before the iron showed sufficient malleability to clot
into lumps when beaten down, almost at a fusing heat, by an
iron bar. When it had acquired this consistency, it was
taken out in moderate-sized pieces, which, being placed under
the great forge, or shingling hammer, was speedily stamped
into cakes, about an inch thick; several piles of these cakes,
about a foot high, were then laid on flat circular stones, and
placed on the balling or reverberatory furnace, where they
were strongly heated. As soon as the whole acquired a pasty
state, one of the piles was taken out by a workman, and
drawn under the hammer into a short bar, which, being
finished, was applied to another of the piles, to which it soon
adhered; and, being then withdrawn, the new portion was
welded firmly to the first, by means of the hammer, and thus
the bar was doubled in length; by repeating the same simple
and ingenious operation, the bar was made as long as its
weight would conveniently allow. The cracks in the bar
were then closed, and its tenacity was improved by heating
it afresh in a fire, made of coal, called the chaffery, and again
subjecting it to the action of the forge hammer. It was now
in the state of common bar iron, and ought to be entirely free
from all earthy particles. After this, according to the use for
which it was intended, it was transferred to the slitting mill,
where it was laminated, and cut up into bars and rods, of
various dimensions, by which its toughness and compactness
was much improved, and was then ready for the smith. The
above method was called stamping; but, besides this, there
was another, called flourishing, which requires a short notice.
In this the pigs of cast-iron, when put into the refinery, were
kept for about two hours and a half in a pasty state, without
1 2
116
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
actually melting; and at the end of this period the metal was
taken out by shovels, and laid on the open floor, on a plate
of cast-iron, where it was beaten with hand hammers, in order
to knock off the cinders, and other adhering impurities. It
was afterwards placed under the forge hammer and beaten-
at first gently, till the whole mass had acquired some tenacity,
and then the middle part was drawn into a bar four feet long,
terminated at each extremity by a cubical lump of rough iron
-in this state it was called an ancony. It was then taken to
the chaffery, hammered afresh, and the ends being also drawn
down to the same dimensions as the other part, the bar was
completed.
A considerable waste of iron was, in these various processes,
sustained, amounting to 10 or 12 cwt. for every ton of bars
that were finished; but the difference of the price of fuel
compensated for this additional loss, and the necessity of the
case, from the diminution of wood, and increased demand,
had become imperious.
The manufacture of bar-iron remained subject to the
stamping process many years, and the quality of the iron so
made was strong and generally tough, but the tardy finish of
the hammer, and the arrangement of the whole, was not
calculated speedily to overcome quantity, and it was con-
sidered a respectable establishment that could turn out, in one
week, twenty tons of bars fit for the market.
Refineries could not be multiplied without an additional
increase of blast, and this in general could not be done without
additional steam-engines, and the manufacture had become
apparently stationary, when the discoveries of Mr. Cort
furnished the iron masters with a new and interesting field
for enterprise.
The object of Mr. Cort's processes was to convert into
malleable iron, cast or pig-iron, by means of the flame of pit-
coal, in a common air furnace, and to form the result into
bars, by the use of rollers in the place of hammers. The pro-
cess was managed in the following manner :—
"The pigs of cast-iron produced by the smelting furnace.
are broken into pieces, and are mixed in such proportions,
GREAT BRITAIN.
117
according to their degree of carbonization, that the result of
the whole shall be a grey metal. This mixture is then
speedily run in a blast furnace, where it remains a sufficient
time to allow the greater part of the scoria to rise to the sur-
face. The furnace is now tapped, and the metal runs into
moulds of sand, by which it is formed into pigs, about half the
size of those which are broken into pieces. A common rever-
beratory furnace, heated by coal, is now charged with about
2 cwt. of this half-refined grey iron. In a little more than
half an hour, the metal will be found to be nearly melted; at
this period the flame is turned off, a little water is sprinkled
over it, and a workman, by introducing an iron bar, or an
instrument shaped like a hoe, through a hole in the side of the
furnace, begins to stir the half fluid mass, and divide it into
small pieces. In the course of about fifty minutes from the
commencement of the process, the iron will have been reduced,
by constant stirring, to the consistence of small gravel, and
will be considerably cooled. The flame is then turned on
again, the workman continuing to stir the metal, and in three
minutes' time the whole mass becomes soft and semi-fluid,
upon which the flame is again turned off. The hottest part
of the iron now begins to heave and swell, and emit a deep-
blue lambent flame-which appearance is called fermentation;
the heaving motion and accompanying flame soon spread over
the whole, and the heat of the metal seems to be rather in-
creased than diminished for the next quarter of an hour; after
this period the temperature again falls, the blue flame is less
vigorous, and, in a little more than a quarter of an hour, the
metal is cooled to a dull red, and the jets of flame are rare
and faint. During the whole of the fermentation the stirring
is continued, by which the iron is at length brought to the
consistency of sand; it also approaches nearer to the malle-
able state, and, in consequence, adheres less than at first to
the tool with which it is stirred. During the next half hour
the flame is turned off and on several times, a stronger fer-
mentation takes place; the lambent flame also becomes of a
clearer and lighter blue-the metal begins to clot, and be-
comes much less fusible, and more tenacious than at first-the
118
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
fermentation, then, by degrees, subsides-the emission of blue
flame nearly ceases the iron is gathered into lumps, and
beaten with a heavy-headed tool. Finally, the tools are
withdrawn-the apertures through which they were worked
are closed-and the flame is again turned on in full force for
six or eight minutes. The pieces being thus brought to a high
welding heat, are withdrawn and shingled; after this, they are
again heated, and passed through grooved rollers, by which
the scoriæ are separated, and the bars thus forcibly com-
pressed acquire a high degree of tenacity."
Mr. Cort made many experiments in the progress of esta-
blishing his inventions; but, so long as the various quantities
of pig-iron only were the subject of operation, the results in
the puddling furnace, his invention, were uncertain, attended
with waste, and unequal in quality.
These obstacles were at length removed by the introduction
of the coke refinery. The idea of melting the pig-iron in
fineries with coke, occurred to, and was put into operation by,
the late Mr. Samuel Homfray, at Penydarran. This suc-
ceeding, the puddling and balling furnaces came immediately
into action, and both into general use, with the addition of the
use of rollers in lieu of hammers.
Neither Mr. Cort nor his family, however, derived any
advantage from these most important and valuable discove-
ries, which have given to this country the command of the
markets of the world. In the year 1812, Mr. Coningsby
Cort, after the death of his father, presented a petition to
* Mr. Eaton, in his "Survey of the Turkish Empire," states the following cir-
cumstance as having occurred to his own knowledge:-An Arabian of Constanti-
nople had discovered the secret of casting iron, which, when it came out of the
mould, was as malleable as hammered iron. Some of his fabrication was acciden-
tally shown to M. de Gaffron, the Prussian Chargé d'Affaires, and M. Franzaroli
(men of mineralogical science), who were struck with the fact, and immediately
instituted an inquiry for its author. This man, whose art in Christendom would
have ensured him a splendid fortune, had died poor and unknown, and his secret
had perished with him. His utensils were found, and several pieces of his casting,
all perfectly malleable! M. Franzaroli analyzed them, and found that there was no
admixture of any other metal. M. de Gaffron has since been made superintendent
of the iron manufactory at Spandau, where he in vain attempted to discover the
process of the Arabian.
GREAT BRITAIN.
119
the House of Commons. Mr. Manners Sutton, by command
of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, acquainted the
House that his Royal Highness having been informed of the
contents of the said petition, recommends it to the considera-
tion of the House.
The petition set forth "that, in the years 1783 and 1784,
two respective patents were granted by his present Majesty
to the petitioner's late father; the one for a new and im-
proved method of making iron in a reverberatory, or air fur-
nace, heated by common raw pit-coal; and the other for
manufacturing the iron, when malleable, into bars, bolts, and
a variety of other uses, by passing it in a welding heat
through rollers, with grooves accurately formed, instead of
working it under forge hammers-a process never before
adopted or brought to perfection, and now in general use;
and that the petitioner's father expended the whole of his
private fortune in bringing the said discoveries to perfection,
and in endeavouring to establish the means of availing him-
self of the benefits of his patents; and that various unforeseen
misfortunes, arising from the failure of the funds of the
petitioner's father, prevented him reaping the benefit of his
discoveries, and in the meantime the period of his patents
expired, and the process had come into general use, and the
petitioner's father was wholly deprived of the means of par-
ticipating in the benefits of his discoveries-so valuable to the
public, and advantageous to all those engaged in the trade;
and that the patent method is not only generally adopted
throughout Great Britain, but, from its immense and pro-
gressive increase of late years, has been the means of render-
ing the nation, in this most important branch of commerce,
independent of all foreign countries, whereby very large
sums, formerly paid to Russia and Sweden at their ports of
exportation, and which, from the late vast augmentation of
demand in this article of trade, would be greatly increased,
are saved; and iron is now made in this country fit for the
use of his Majesty's navy, equal in body, strength, and
toughness, to the first sort of Swedish ore-ground iron, and at
a much cheaper rate than it could be obtained by importa-
120
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
tion; and that it is now computed, and admitted by the
trade, that there is about 250,000 tons of wrought-iron
manufactured according to the principles of the patent method
of the petitioner's father: and that about 150,000 tons of
iron, part of the above quantity, are rolled into bars, upon the
exact and precise principle laid down in the specification of
the patents granted to the petitioner's father, without any
practical deviation whatever."
This petition was referred to a committee, and was opposed
by some of the iron masters, who produced evidence to prove
that the iron manufactured, according to Mr. Cort's process
of puddling, was of very inferior quality. The committee re-
ported upon the petition, and an estimate of the sum wanted
for carrying into effect the resolutions of the committee,
amounting to 250l., was some time afterwards laid before the
House, and here the matter rested.
To give some idea of the importance of Mr. Cort's inven-
tion of the rollers, it may be as well here to mention that,
previous to their introduction, the smallest size drawn under
the hammer was three-quarters square; all below that size
were cut in the splitting-mill,* and it required the hammer to
The most extraordinary and the best attested instance of enthusiasm, existing
in conjunction with perseverance, is related of the founder of the Foley family.
This man, who was a fiddler, living near Stourbridge, was often witness of the im-
mense labour and loss of time caused by dividing the rods of iron, necessary in the
process of making nails. The discovery of the process called splitting, in works
called splitting-mills, was first made in Sweden, and the consequences of this ad-
vance in art were most disastrous to the manufacturers of iron about Stourbridge.
Foley, the fiddler, was shortly missed from his accustomed rounds, and was not
again seen for many years. He had mentally resolved to ascertain by what means.
the process of splitting of bars of iron was accomplished; and, without communi-
cating his intention to a single human being, he proceeded to Hull, and thence,
without funds, worked his passage to the Swedish iron port. Arrived in Sweden,
he begged and fiddled his way to the iron founderies, where, after a long time, he
became a universal favourite with the workmen; and, from the apparent entire
absence of intelligence, or any thing like ultimate object, he was received into the
works, to every part of which he had access. IIe took the advantage thus offered,
and having stored his memory with observations and all the combinations, he dis-
appeared from amongst his kind friends as he had appeared-no one knew whence
or whither.
On his return to England he communicated his voyage and its results
to Mr. Knight and another person in the neighbourhood, with whom he was asso-
ciated, and by whom the necessary buildings were erected and machinery pro-
GREAT BRITAIN.
121
be kept constantly at work to draw 20 cwt. of average sizes
in twelve hours, while, with the rollers they can manufacture,
in the same time, with one pair of rollers, about 15 tons,
which, in a work in full operation, are kept constantly em-
ployed, day and night, during six days of the week. Of the
small sizes they roll about five tons in the twelve hours.
The iron trade continued rapidly to increase, and as the
great addition was principally in Wales, where the manufac-
ture, as compared with Shropshire and Staffordshire, may be
considered as of modern growth, we will shortly refer to the
origin of the trade in that part of the country.
About the year 1755, Merthyr Tydvil, then an inconsidera-
ble village, attracted the notice of Mr. Anthony Bacon, on
account of the iron and coal mines with which this tract of
country abounds. For the low rent of 2001. per annum, he
obtained a lease, of ninety-nine years, of a district, eight miles
in length by five in breadth, upon which he erected iron and
coal works. At the beginning of the American war, Mr.
Bacon contracted with government for casting cannon. Pro-
per furnaces were erected for this purpose, and a good turn-
pike-road was made down to the port of Cardiff, along an
extent of twenty-six miles. At Cardiff likewise a wharf was
formed, still called the Cannon Wharf, whence the cannon
were shipped off to Plymouth, Portsmouth, and wherever the
service required. The cannon were carried in waggons down
vided. When at length every thing was prepared, it was found that the machinery
would not act; at all events, it did not answer the sole end of its erection-it would
not split the bar of iron. Foley disappeared again, and it was concluded that
shame and mortification at his failure had driven him away for ever.
Not so:
again, though somewhat more speedily, he found his way to the Swedish iron
works, where he was received most joyfully, and, to make sure of their fiddler, he
was lodged in the splitting-mill itself. Here was the very end and aim of his life
attained beyond his utmost hope. He examined the works, and very soon dis-
covered the cause of his failure. He now made drawings, or rude tracings; and
having abided an ample time to verify his observations, and to impress them clearly
and vividly on his mind, he made his way to the port, and once more returned to
England. This time he was completely successful, and, by the results of his ex-
perience, enriched himself and greatly benefited his countrymen. This I hold to
be the most extraordinary instance of credible devotion in modern times.-Letters,
Conversations, and Recollections of S. T. Coleridge, Esq.
122
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
to Cardiff, at a great expense of carriages, horses, and
roads.
This contract is supposed to have been very lucrative to
Mr. Bacon, but he was obliged to relinquish it about the
close of the American war, or rather to transfer it to the Car-
ron Company, in Scotland, where most of the cannon are still
cast. He made this disposal that he might be enabled to
hold a seat in Parliament, to which he had been elected.
Soon afterwards, about the year 1783, having accumulated a
splendid fortune, he disposed of his mineral kingdom, by
leases, to different parties, and in lots:-the Cyfartha works,
the largest portion, to Mr. Crawshay; Penydarran, to Mr.
Homfray; Dowlais, to Messrs. Lewis and Tate; and a fourth
part (the Plymouth works) to Mr. Hill.
Mr. Malkin, in his "Antiquities of South Wales," pub-
lished in the year 1803, says—“ Mr. Crawshay's Iron Works,
of Cyfartha, are now by far the largest in this kingdom. He
employs constantly upwards of 2000 men.
He makes, upon
an average, between sixty and seventy tons of bar-iron every
week, and has lately erected two new additional furnaces,
which will soon begin to work, when he will be able to make,
one week with another, 100 tons of bar-iron. Mr. Homfray
makes weekly, on a moderate average, fifty tons of bar-iron
and upwards, and is now extending Penydarran and its
buildings, which will soon be completed; he will then make
at least eighty tons per week. Dowlais Iron Works, belong-
ing to Messrs. Lewis and Tate, are on as large a scale as
those of Penydarran, and about to be augmented in an equal
proportion. Those of Mr. Hill make thirty tons of iron
weekly and upwards; additional buildings are now erecting,
which, when finished, will make at least forty tons per week.
At present more than 200 tons of iron are sent down the
canal weekly to the port of Cardiff, whence it is shipped off
to Bristol, London, Plymouth, Portsmouth, and other places,
and a considerable quantity to America.
"It is supposed
that, in the course of a year or two, they will be able to send
out 300 tons weekly. The number of smelting furnaces at
Merthyr Tydvil is about sixteen. Six of these belong to
1
GREAT BRITAIN,
123
Cyfartha works, the rest to the other gentlemen who have
been named. Around each of these furnaces are erected
forges and rolling-mills, for converting pig into plate and bar-
iron."
Great as this increase may appear, as compared with the
whole manufacture of Great Britain a few years previously,
yet how small as compared with the increase which shortly
took place, as will appear by the following account of the
iron sent down the Glamorganshire Canal, from the 1st day
of January, 1817, to the 1st day of January, 1831. These
returns consist almost entirely of manufactured iron, but the
proportions have not been ascertained :—
Cyfartha and
Hirwain..
1817. 1818. 1819. 1820. 1821. 1822. 1823.
14,191 15,706 16,646 19,010 18,070 17,137 19,452
Dowlais
9,936 9,694 10,796
Penydarran.... 8,275 8,834 7,549
Plymouth
7,095 7,377 7,633
Aberdare....
11,115 12,571 14,557 14,025
8,690 10,018 9,924 10,240
7,941 9,943 1,833 10,920
2,626 1,863 2,023 2,659
Total tons..39,497 41,611 42,624 49,382 52,465 52,474 57,296
1824. 1825. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1329. 1830.
20,399 23,063 20,206 29,312 30,011 24,768 19,892
12,594 15,851 16,601 20,726 23,575 23,352 27,647
Penydarran.... 10,358 10,611 8,691 10,369 10,223 10,085 11,744
9,499 11,269 7,836 12,907 12,976 13,534 12,177
Cyfartha and
Hirwain..
Dowlais.....
Plymouth
Aberdare
4,234
Brown and Co.
6,354 6,686
969 1,178
8,472 9,864
8,644
6,765
57
1,059
720
767
621
R. Blakemore..
•
2,101
2,056
2,001
2,702
Gadly's...
414
559
Bute
·
166
Total tons..58,053 68,326 60,077 84,946 89,839 83,876 81,548
The extraordinary increase of the manufacture in the Mon-
mouthshire district is, from its extent, more remarkable than
that which has just been described. Mr. Coxe, in his "His-
torical Tour in Monmouthshire," published in the year 1801,
speaking of the abundance of ironstone, coal, and limestone in
that county, says-
"The mountainous district which contains these mineral
124
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
treasures is held by the Earl of Abergavenny, under a lease
from the Crown. It was formerly let to the family of Han-
bury, of Pont-y-pool,* for less than 1007. a-year; and as the
value of the mines was not sufficiently appreciated, no works
were constructed, but the masses of ore found near the surface
were conveyed to the forges of Pont-y-pool. Soon after the
expiration of the term the district was granted, by another
lease, to Hill and Co., who began the Blaenavon works in
1788.
"On considering the rise and rapid progress of the iron
manufactories in this district, as well as in the neighbouring
mountains of Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire, it is a
matter of wonder that these mineral treasures should have
been so long neglected. This wonder will increase when it is
known that iron was manufactured in this country at a period
beyond the reach of tradition or history. Large heaps of slag,
or cinder, have been repeatedly discovered, some of which are
evidently the product of bloomeries-the most ancient method
of fusing iron; in other places are traced the sites of furnaces
long disused, of which no account of their foundation can be
collected. The appearance of these iron cinders, and the
vestiges of ancient furnaces, indicate that many parts of this
mountainous district, now wholly bare, were formerly covered
with large tracts of wood. This conjecture is corroborated by
numerous names, alluding to woods and forests, in places.
which have never been known to produce trees; and is still
further ascertained by the discovery of trunks and branches,
with their leaves, under the boggy soil, in the vicinity of
Blaenavon and on the neighbouring hills.
"The lands being cleared, and the forests neglected, their
destruction was hastened by numerous herds of goats, main-
tained in these mountainous regions; the want of fuel occa-
sioned the gradual decline of the bloomeries and furnaces, and
for a considerable period little or no iron was manufactured.
Capel Hanbury, descended from an ancient house in Worcestershire, is the
earliest proprietor on record of the iron works at Pont-y-pool. The earliest convey-
ance deeds are dated 1565, and a regular account of the sale of iron commences in
1588.-Williams's History of Monmouthshire.
GREAT BRITAIN.
125
"About forty years ago the iron works suddenly revived,
from the beneficial discovery of making iron with pit-coal
instead of charcoal, which was soon afterwards followed by
the improvement of manufacturing even bar-iron by means
of pit-coal: hence, a district which contained such extensive
mines of ore and coal, prodigious quantities of limestone, and
numerous streams of water, could not fail of becoming the
seat of many flourishing establishments. Besides these local
advantages, the progress of the manufactories has been power-
fully aided by the application of mechanics, particularly by
the use of the steam-engine, and the great improvement of
water machines; but in no instance have they derived more
advantage than from the adoption of rollers instead of forge
hammers, now used for the formation of bar-iron, with a
degree of dispatch, as well as exactness, before unknown.
From this concurrence of circumstances, the success has been
no less rapid than extraordinary. Fifteen years ago the weekly
quantity of pig-iron made in this part of Monmouthshire, and
in the contiguous district of Glamorganshire, did not exceed
sixty tons; at present it scarcely falls short of 600 tons; at
that period no bar-iron was manufactured, but now the quan-
tity amounts weekly to more than 300 tons. The works are
still rapidly increasing in extent and importance, and appear
likely to surpass the other iron manufactories throughout the
kingdom."
This prediction has been fulfilled, as will appear by the
following statements, showing the quantities of iron conveyed
down the Monmouthshire Canal, from the year 1802 to the
1st Jan. 1831. The first is a statement of the quantity from
each work distinguishing thereby the increase in their opera-
tions, and also the new works as they were put into blast.
The second statement shows the different descriptions of iron.
which were manufactured at the works.

Ebbw
Varteg. Tredegar.
Nant-y-
glo.
Coal-
brooke
Abersy-
Blaina. Pentwyn. chan.
Bute.
Sundry Total tons.
persons.
Vale.
Blaen- Garndyr-Beaufort. Clydach. Vale.
Years.
avon.
ris.
1802
1091.5
1803
2079.10
1612.5 447.
1655.
81.10
1804
8190.
1805
7262.10
1806
6594.15
1807
6042.
1808
7163.15
4004.
2950.10 1266.5
4605.5 1455.10
3989.10 1599.10
3947.10 1196.15
963.
2890.10 771.
1012.15 1094.
956.5
3252. 2482.10 3124.
2209.52745.5 4138.15
1553. 2379.10 5529.10
1809
9848.15
181012254.
181112377.10
1812 14579.10
181313562.5
3566.5
3948.5 1372.
3910.15 872.10
3995.5 1774.
3204.7 2174.5
1136.10
786.10 2053.10
9105.15
2758.5 1676.10
7696.10
2633.15 583.
6643.5
77.
4648.
120.
7862.
1168.15
5939.2
141.15
7597.10 1855.
1814 12438.10
3146.10 1472.15
4752.
9131.10 2292.15|
181514002.15
3767.12 2999.10
4953.3
9225. 4684.5
181611773.
3164.2
2658.5 2949.9
7499.10
6160.5
181711080.2 2247.2
2104.5
3162.10
3127.5 127.10 10350.6
7242.10
1818 8771.
|
5097.10 2100.18
3947.15
2476.12
8258.2
7325.10
1819
6776.10 4427.
2124.
3788.5
1907.10 225.5
7140.10
7934.15
1820
9423.10 2798.5
3132.
3397.15
3605.15 360.10
8211.
8826.5
1821
8973.15 2838.
1822 5831.5 3476.
2962.10 3876.15
3786.15 4225.10
6041.5 3757.
9923.
182310745. 4370.
4269.15 3651.
182411265. 4517.10 5547.10
1825 9043.15 4218. 7091.5
1826
8059.10) 2145.10 6028.10
1827 8255. 2446.5 5914.5
1828 9766.5 2645.10 5701.5
|
2242.15 6896.15
9397.15 3654.15 5065.15
182910124.
1830 9397.15 365 | 5065.15
3617.5
5960. 4453.10
8613. 5031.15
10101.10 5290.10
3748.1510325.15 4512.
3660.5 10297.10) 5128.10
4107.1514403.10] 7427.5
10460.10 1880.5
8102.15 10906.10| 919.10
9903.15 12723.10 1582.
11444.1515134.5 1541.5
11012.10 16536.10 3596.5
10962.10 11512. 2874.10
13837.5 18059.10 3016.5
5183.15 15479.15 8131. 14341. 19032. 3756.
6967.10 | 16959.5 9232.10 13349.517433.10 1902.5
6771. 8133.15
18133.15 8988.10|12303.5 17115. 1905.5
212.15
1588.10 83.
•
·
•
•
1091.5
2804.13
8679.18
4106.10 20474.15
6045.10 22431.15
2952.10 23994.15
2740. 23019.10
2959.
24551.15
3244.
29741.5
4365.5
34070.15
3361.5 30459.
5873.5
40020.15
7348.
41822.4
8604.10
41838.10
6574.15 46207.
4239.4
38443.15
3966. 43407.10
4034.19 | 42012.6
3386.
37709.15
5707.6
45462.6
6577.
57290.
4770.5
52432.
5674.10 66564.5
7848.5 76320.10
7044.5
78800.10
2098.10 738.5
6278.5
69783.15
2991.5
3507.
4863.15 4698.15
4195.15 | 5425.5
4140.10 113.10
6906.
91618.5
4147.5 6478.10 6320.15
7760.10 9909.15
7615.15 | 5728.5
6428.10 110918.10
4191. 116531.10
6347.5 112647.5


·


GREAT BRITAIN.
127
Refined Puddled bars
Bars, rods,
Pigs.
Castings.
metal. and blooms.
hoops, &c.
Total
Years.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tous.
Tons.
Tons.
1802
985
106
1,091
1803
5,926
393
1,824
536
8,680
1804
15,227
519
3,159
1,281
288
20,475
1805
16,431
825
2,166
1,010
2,000
22,432
1806
12,948
486
3,557
1,717
5,286
23,995
1807
13,622
250
1,913
1,328
5,906
23,019
1808
18,134
207
865
747
4,599
24,552
1809
21,703 1,130
1,087
1,087
4,734
29,741
1810 16,623
2,320
1,783
1,143
12,201
34,071
1811
17,512
905
1,656
341
10,045
30,459
1812
19,194
1,512
4,073
472
14,769
40,021
1813
15,098
765
8,637
689
16,632
41,822
1814
13,690
690
10,440
897
16,121
41,838
1815
14,477
876
8,722
778
21,354
46,207
1816
12,148
801
6,467
489
18,539
38,444
1817
11,728
987
4,849
904
24,940
43,407
1818
9,778
-849
6,577
2,790
22,018
42,012
1819
6,305
541
5,566
1,258
24,039
37,710
1820
7,026 2,242
3,823
502
31,869
45,462
1821
8,465
1,871
7,119
361
39,474
57,290
1822
5,988
689
3,144
436
42,184
52,432
1823
9,440
511
3,231
542
52,840
66,564
1824
6,066 1,095
4,356
319
64,484
76,320
1825
4,687
977
3,600
292
69,244
78,800
1826 12,729 1,849
3,427
190
51,588
69,784
1827 12,833 3,054
5,444
397
69,889
91,618
1828 26,807 3,087
1829 32,629 1,879
1830 25,835 1,780
7,256
531
73,236
110,918
5,988
7,910
209
75,825
116,531
256 76,865 112,647
In the early part of the year 1825, Mr. Herries, then Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, on bringing forward the budget,
proposed a considerable reduction of the duties on foreign
iron these duties had been gradually rising for some
years :-
2 per ton.
From 1782 to 1795 the duty on foreign bars was £2 16 2
3 1 9
1796
1797
"
3
4 7
From 1798 to 1802
1803
1804
1805
*
3 15 5
4 4 4
4 17
1
5 10
A
128
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
From 1806 to 1808 the duty on foreign bars was £5
1809 to 1812
1813 to 1818
7
53 per ton.
5
9 10
"
6 9 10
""
6 10 0
"
1819 to 1825
"
if imported in British ships, and 7 18 6
if imported in foreign ships.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, after showing a prospec-
tive surplus revenue, stated the objects he had in view in his
intended application of it; the principal of which was, the
extension of commerce, by increasing the facility of con-
sumption of foreign produce in this country. "He considered
that there were many articles upon which the very high, and,
in many cases, the prohibitory duties ought to be withdrawn,
but there was one upon which he could not help saying a
few words-he meant foreign iron. He hoped that those
engaged in the home manufacture would not object to its
introduction. Indeed, if they consulted their own interests,
they must be aware that such a measure would, in the result,
be to their advantage. The price of iron had lately risen to
an enormous height, not from any new speculation in that
article not from any belief that the country was to be co-
vered with iron railroads, and that all the iron which could be
dug out of the bowels of the earth would be required to supply
the demand-but from a general increase of trade, produced
by the increased and increasing comforts and prosperity of
the people in this and other nations. The fact was, the
supply of iron in this country was not at all in proportion
to the demand. He knew that there were at the present
moment foreign orders in Sheffield and Birmingham which
could not be executed, because the manufacturers there could
not supply the article at the price which the foreign customers
could afford to pay. The consequence was, that several such
orders had been withdrawn and sent to other countries, where,
though they could not be executed in the same good style,
yet, as being much cheaper, they were preferred by those who
could not afford the higher price. It was not sound policy
in this country to continue restrictions which had the effect of
thus crippling a very important branch of her manufacture.
He was happy to say, that very many of the iron masters,
129
GREAT BRITAIN.
whose transactions were most extensive, did not object to the
measure which was about to be proposed, of reducing the
duty on foreign iron. They were above the narrow and sel-
fish policy of opposing the introduction of a foreign article,
which might seem for a moment to come in contact with their
own trade, but which, in reality, would be a benefit to them,
by giving an increased stimulus to other branches of our
domestic manufacture. He thought the interests of the com-
munity would be best consulted by reducing the duty from
67. 10s. to 17. 10s. As the high duty had acted as a kind of pro-
hibitory duty on the importation of foreign iron, the immediate
loss to the revenue would not be any thing worth naming;
but he was certain that, before the end of the year, it would be
found that the low duties would have made a considerable
addition to the income from customs. It was to be observed,
however, with respect to this particular duty, that the change
from the high to the low duty should be effected with caution,
and should not be made with respect to all countries at once;
and this was his reason-one of the objects which he had in
view in removing those high prohibitory duties, was to set to
other nations an example of what would, in the end, be for
their as well as our interests. Some countries had already
shown a disposition to avail themselves of it; but it could
not be expected that all countries would at once enter into
our feelings on that subject. We ourselves, it should be
recollected, were a long time before we got rid of the tram-
mels which fettered our trade in these points. There were,
however, some states who were willing to adopt our regu-
lations, and to open their ports to articles of our produce. To
these the remission of the heavy duties would, for the present,
be confined, and they would find from us a full compensation
for the advantages they were thus disposed to give. But to
those nations who were still so far behind in a practical appli-
cation of commercial knowledge--to those who continued to
heap restriction upon restriction, it was not to be expected
that we should grant advantages which they withheld from
us. Still he had every reason to hope that the exclusion of
those states from the benefits of a more enlightened commer-
cial policy would be but temporary, and that, before long, all
K
130
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
nations would see the propriety of imitating an example which
must, in the end, be for their advantage. He had no doubt
that our example would, in the end, produce general imitation,
provided that we did not alter our policy-that we did not undo
in one year the good which we had effected in another.”
This proposed reduction of duty met with opposition from
some of the iron masters, and a petition was presented to the
House against it. This petition, however, did not receive
much support, and the only iron master who was a member
of the House, Mr. Alderman Thompson, expressed himself as
favourable to the measure; and although he did not antici-
pate so great a reduction, yet he, who was largely interested
in the trade, was not afraid of the foreign competition.
He
was an advocate of liberal commercial principles.
Mr.Huskisson, President of the Board of Trade, proposed the
resolutions for an alteration in the duties, of which the follow-
ing relate to iron and steel:-
Present duty. Proposed duty.
IRON, viz.-In bars or unwrought, the produce of any
British possession, and imported from thence, per ton £1 2 2
In bars, or unwrought, the produce of any other coun-
try, per ton....
Slit or hammered into rods, and iron drawn or hammer-
ed, less than three-quarters of an inch square, per cwt.
Cast, for every 100l. of the value
•
Old, broken and old cast-iron, per ton
Ore, per ton
Pig, per ton
•
Pig, the produce of and imported from, any British
possession in America, per ton
•
Wrought, not otherwise enumerated or described, for
every 1001. of the value..
•
Wire, not otherwise enumerated or described, per cwt.
Hoops, per cwt...
STEEL-Or any manufacture of steel, not otherwise enu-
merated or described, for every 100l. of the value....
without discrimination of ships.
༤༢ོ⇨
£0 2 6
6 10 0
1 10
0
1 0 0
20 0 0
0
5
10
0
0
0 17 6
0 8 9
0 17 6
0 12
0
0
5 0
0 10 ()
0 8 0
013
50 0 0
5 18
20 0 0
9
1 0 0
1 3 9
1 3 9
50 0 0
20 0 0
These resolutions were agreed to and subsequently em-
bodied in The General Customs Act of the 6th Geo. IV. c. 3.,
which took effect on the 5th January, 1826.
At the request of Government, a comparative statement was
prepared by Mr. F. Finch, of the quantity of pig-iron made in
Great Britain in 1823 and 1830. This statement shows the
number of furnaces at these dates, and the number erected in
each intermediate year. Mr. Poulett Thomson, in his speech
on Navigation Laws and Commercial Policy, May, 1832, re-
ferred to this great increase in the manufacture of iron.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT.
SHROPSHIRE.

1823.
Erected in the years
1830.
FURNACES.
No.
Total Quantity
made.
Total Quantity
1824 1825 1826|1827|1828 1829 1830
No.
made.
Tons.
Broseley
Barnett Leasow
Benthall
Calcutts
Coalbrooke Dale
Dawley Castle..
Donnington
Horsehay
Hadley.
Kitley
• •
Lightmoor
Madeley Wood
Old Park
Snedshill
Wombridge
Wrockwardine.
Stirchley
221222∞ ∞ 2 ∞ co co + 222
2755
1833
4925
3
8074
2
5
3
4854
3
2
2080
2
3
4984
3
6052
3
2475
3
4
6900
2786
5084
2212 2 2 1 ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ 42*2
Tons.
270
1316
4312
15110
6833
3
5763
3
6194
3471
15300
317
3
7134
5121
4
Lawley.
Langley
Total.., 38
57,923
3
1
1 4 2
12
3073
4325
48 73,418
The two at Donnington built in lieu of the two at Wrockwardine, which are blown out.
Erected in 1832, Madeley 1.-The increase in the quantity made in the year 1830 upon
the quantity made in the year 1823, is 26 per cent.
*The quantity made in 1830 is included in Old Park return.
YORKSHIRE.
1823.
1830.
FURNACES.
Total No.
Quantity.
Tons.
Total No.
Quantity.
Tons.
Bowling
3
5366
3
5117
Brierley
1
2450
2*
4590
Chapel Town
1
1400
. • •
Elsicar
Field Headt
Holmes
Low Moor
Shelf
3
1400
13
1631
3
1460
1
•
Milton.
• •
Merfieldt..
Swallow Woodt
Sheffield Park...
Thorncliffe
•
Worsborough
Total..
3432
11
231
2000
3
1000
6200
2187
cool low A
4
3
7480
2
1715
26
2018
2
2081
2909
3
2188
1381
1
1664+
27,311
27
28,926
The increase of the quantity made in the year 1830, upon the quantity made in the year
1823, is 5 per cent.
+ These furnaces have not been worked for several years.
* Erected in 1824-Brierley, 1.
This quantity is estimated.
к 2
STAFFORDSHIRE.

FURNACES.
1823.
Erected in the years
Total Quantity 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830
1830.
Total Quantity
No. made.
No. made.
Tons.
Bradley
Ditto Lower.
Birch-hills
• •
4195
1920
Barber's-field
Bilston.
Bilston-brook
Broadwaters.
Brettell-lane
...
Brierley-hill....
Brierley
Blower's-green.
Buffery.
Buffery, Old
Cotham
•
Coseley
Capon-field
Chillington
•
•
Corbyn's-hall
•
Dudley-port....
Ditto
Deepfield
•
1
2340
·
N.
212
422
1
1
7696
4345
2
2123-22 N
4348
5348
6551
2646
5200
1
2
3
2
2
Deepdale
1
2084
Dudley Wood
4
10467
..
Eagle
2
4900
Fiery Holes
1
•
Glebe
1
5312
2
Gospel Oak
Gold's-green
Grave-yard
Gorwall Wood..
Horseley
Hall-fields
High-fields
Lea-brook
Leys.
Level
2211 212 -
4888
1671
4308
|
•
•
2454
•
•
1
4
6464
•
Ditto, Old
1
2072
•
Mill-fields
Moor Croft
Netherton
Oldbury
Old Park
Priestfield
Parkfield
Parkhead
Rough-hills
Russell's-hall
422213
6768
3700
1406
2600
2600
3664
1
2289
2
•
•
2
ته
1
212242222-23 — NON N◄
21
Tons.
4194
2113
5720
4680
3771
6368
2949
5257
5246
1
2158
2
3
10140
2
2
6240
4
7350
1
2340
2
4060
2
1
1634
4
8664
2
0656
1
1634
1
4
6840
3
9412
}
•
1
•
2
4680
1
2454
2
1
2
2
4160
4
1
1028
4
8112
2
4791
1
222
5033
5720
5280
3
1
4897
9500
2
• •
Stow-heath
2 1
Toll-end
3
5075
Tipton Company.
3
5640
Tipton
1
2040
Union
2
Wednesbury Oak 2
6240
Willingsworth.
2 1
•
•
Wolverhampton.
1
1
Wallbrook
2359
1
Windmill End..
2
Total
4122 ∞∞∞ 123 M N 2 C
2468
2080
3
5408
3
6112
3
3515
2040
4650
3
7684
5704
2
3200
2886
2
3776
123 212,604
1832-Bentley 2.
84 133,590 3 12 5 6 10 3
The increase of the quantity made in 1830 upon that in 1823, is 58 per cent.
Erected in the year 1831-Leys, 1; Shutend 2.-
SOUTH WALES.

1823.
Erected in the years
1830.
FURNACES.
No.
made.
Total Quantity 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830
Total Quantity
No.
made.
Tons.
Tons.
Abersychan
Aberdare
Abernant
Blaenafon
Beaufort
6
6
10640
•
..
•
7
3
5676
•
6
12571
3
•
16882
•
3
5243
1
Blaina
3
·
Coalbrooke Vale
1
2704
1
Cefw Crubur
1
1432-
5
13843
7276
4905
2780
•
Cyfaithfa
Clydach
Dowlais
Gadlys
Hirwen.
·
Maesteg
Nant-y-glo
Pentwyn
Pontihydy Ven
82 8
24200
1
9
29000
5200
1
3
10190
22287
3
12
32611
• •
2
4160
2
4
9360
1
2430
5
17750
7
23883
•
3
3
5391
2
2
•
Pentycch
1
1235
Plymouth
3
6387
1
15
2412
18582
•
Penydarran
5
15547
5
17015
Romney and Bute
3
5500
3
6
7608
Race
3
3173
3
2421
•
Ryddry
1
1
220
Sirhowey and
6
20425
6
26020
Ebbw Vale
Tredegar
•
Varteg hill
12
5
16385
5
18514
6513
1
5
13536
Vig. & Smith's,
1
1560
1
Cwm Avon
•
1950
Yniscedwyn.
1
1498
1
•
Neath Abbey
2
Pembray
2
22N
2111
2374
Total.. 72 |182,325 12 7 14 2 4
2 113
277,643
The increase of the quantity made in the year 1830 upon the quantity made in the year
1823, is 52 per cent.
Erected in the year 1831-Sirhowey, 1; Maesteg, 1.
DERBYSHIRE.
1823.
1830.
Total No.
Quantity.
Tons.
Total No.
Quantity.
Tons.
Alfreton..
Brampton
Butterley
2
2690
Calow
Codnor Park
Duckinanton
Grassmoret
Morley Park
•
2312-
1807
2639
2096
1091
220 I3 I
2950
1245
3
3981
•
123
3*
2455
1
1446
1
544
2*
1428
Renishaw
Staveley..
2
2120
2
2810
1
1051
2*
1561
Total..
15
14,038
18
17,999
The increase of the quantity made in the year 1830 upon the quantity made in the year
1823, is 28 per cent.
*Erected in the year 1825-Morley Park, 1; Staveley, 1.- -1828-Codnor Park, 1.
+ Has not been in blast for many years.
134
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM.
1823.
Total No.
FURNACES
Quantity.
Tons.
1830.
Total No. Quantity.
Tons.
Birtley
Lemmington
2*
3080
2
2379
2
2247
Total..
2
2379
4
5327
The increase of the quantity made in the year 1830 upon the quantity made in the year
1823, is 123 per cent.
* Erected in the year 1829-Birtley, 2.
NAMES OF
WORKS.
Clyde
Calder
•
Monkland
Muirkirk
Gartsherry
Shotts
Carron
Devon
Wilsontown
Omoa
BLAST FURNACES IN SCOTLAND.

1823.
Erected in the years
1830.
Total Quantity 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830
No. made.
Total Quantity
No. made.
ය: යස
Tons.
2500
1
4000
1
1
1
3500
3
15322
2000
7000
3000
•
Tons.
4423TI 3 2 2
8000
9000
2000
4000
1
1
2000
5
7000
3500
2000
2500
Total.. 22
24,500
1
1
1
2
27❘ 37,500
TOTALS BROUGHT TOGETHER.

1823.
Erected in the years
1830.
COUNTIES.
•
•
South Wales
Staffordshire..
Shropshire
Yorkshire.
Derbyshire
Northumber-
land and
No. made.
Tons.
72 182325 12
Total Quantity 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830
826 1827 18
Total Quantity
No.
made.
Tons.
•
84 133590 3
12
38 57923 3
26
27311
15
•
14038
2
2379
72
14
5
264
4
2
113
277643
10
3
123
212604
2
48
73418
12
27
28926
1
18
17999
:
:
:
:
:
2
4
5327
Durham
Total.. 237 417566 18 22 20 | 12
17 5
2 333
615917
The increase in the quantity made in the year 1830 upon the quantity made in the
year 1823, is 47 per cent,
GREAT BRITAIN.
135
This account of the make of iron we adopt in preference
to other statements made about the same time, knowing the
pains that were taken to obtain an accurate return.
It is,
however, defective, in the omission of the North Wales fur-
naces; and though it shows the number of furnaces belonging
to each work, it does not show the number in blast, so that an
average may be taken of the annual make of a furnace.
From various statements we find that, in
1825, the make of pig-iron in North Wales was
1826
1828
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
13,100 tons.
15,756
··
25,168
1830 the make may be taken at about the same, say 25,000
The make will then be, in 1830:-
England and South Wales..
North Wales
Scotland
Total
•
615,917 tons.
25,000
37,500
678,417
By the same returns we also find that, in 1825, there were
364 furnaces, of which 261 were in blast, and 103 out-make
581,367 tons.
In 1828-367 furnaces, 277 in blast and 90 out-make
703,184 tons.
In 1825, average per furnace
1828 do.
do.
2228 tons.
2530
The following statement will show the quantities of pig
iron made in England, Wales, and Scotland, and also the
increased make, at different periods, from the year 1740 to
the year 1830:-
Years.
1740
Tons.
17,350
Tons.
1788
1796
68,300 48 years-increase 50,950
125,079 8 do.
do.
56,779
56
107,729
1806
258,206-10 do.
do.
133,127
66
240,856
1823
452,066*— 17
17 do.
do.
193,860
83
434,716
* Taking North Wales at 10,000 tons.
136
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
1825
581,367
2 years increase 129,301
85
1828
703,184
3 do.
564,017
do. 121,817
88
685,834
1830
678,417
2 do. decrease 24,767
90
661,067
Making the total annual increase at this period, as compared
with that of 1740-661,067 tons.
SPAIN.
137
CHAPTER VII.
SPAIN.
PRIOR to the further consideration of the home trade, we will,
in pursuance of the original intention, give some account of
the iron trade in foreign countries; and, although the manu-
facture in Spain cannot be considered as a matter of any great
importance in itself, we will, nevertheless, devote to it a small
space in this work.
The darkness which obscures the history of the Spanish
population before the settlement of the Celts, 1649 B. C., it is
not the province of this treatise to discuss. The people were
called Celtiberians after they had united in friendly inter-
course and family compacts with the Celts or Gauls then
located west of the Ebro. The indefatigable Phenicians
traded with Spain at a very early period; they established
colonies and built Gades, their emporium of traffic. The
contests between them, their Carthaginian allies, and the
Spaniards, induced the Saguntines, B. c. 216, to call in the
aid of the Romans, who eventually conquered all the country
and converted it into one of the richest provinces of their
pire. This was not until they had warred with the Spaniards
nearly 200 years, during which time mining was extensively
practised, and long anterior, for it is well known that the
Spaniards had, at a very early period, acquired a considerable
knowledge of mining in general; and, in the time of the
*
em-
* Pumps used in the Silver Mines in Spain.-Sometimes, at a great depth, they
meet with rivers under ground, but by art give a check to the violence of their cur-
rent, for, by cutting of trenches under ground, they divert the stream, and being
sure to gain what they aim at, when they have begun they never leave till they have
finished it; and to admiration they pump out these floods of water with those instru-
ments called Egyptian pumps (Egyptian cochleans), invented by Archimedes, of
138
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Romans, they had arrived at a great degree of perfection in
the manufacture of arms. An ancient writer * tells us―" The
Celtiberians carry two-edged swords, exactly tempered with
steel; and they have daggers besides, of a span long, which
they make use of in close fights. They make weapons and
darts in an admirable manner, for they bury plates of iron so
long under ground, until the rust hath consumed the weaker
part, and so the rest becomes more strong and firm; of this
they make their swords and other warlike weapons, and with
these arms, thus tempered, they so cut through every thing in
their way, that neither shield, helmet, nor bone can withstand
them.† The military arms of the Celtiberians were early
adopted by their conquerors.
Syracuse, when he was in Egypt. By these, with constant pumping by turns,
they threw up the water to the mouth of the pit, and by this means drain the mine
dry, and make the place fit for their work; for this engine is so ingeniously contrived,
that a vast quantity of water is strangely, with little labour, cast out, and the whole
flux is thrown up from the bottom to the surface of the earth.-Diodorus-G. Booth's
Translation, p. 192.
* Diodorus.
IMPROVEMENT OF IRON AND STEEL BY THEIR BEING BURIED IN THE EARTH.
+ The following is an extract from the "Chronicles of Old London Bridge".
1833:-
"An eminent London cutler (Mr. Weiss, of the Strand), to whose inventions
modern surgery is under considerable obligations, has remarked that steel seemed to
be much improved when it had become rusty in the earth, and provided the rust was
not factitiously produced by the application of acids. He accordingly buried some
razor blades for nearly three years, and the result fully corresponded to his expecta-
tion. The blades were coated with rust, which had the appearance of having exuded
from within, but were not eroded, and the quality of the steel was decidedly im-
proved. Analogy led to the conclusion that the same might hold good with respect
to iron, under similar circumstances; so, with perfect confidence in the justness of
his views, he purchased, as soon as an opportunity offered, all the iron, amounting
to fifteen tons, with which the piles of London-bridge had been shod. Each shoe
consisted of a small inverted pyramid, with four straps rising from the four sides of
its base, which embraced and were nailed to the pile; the total length, from the
point, which entered the ground, to the end of the strap, being about sixteen inches,
and the weight about eight pounds.
"The pyramidal extremities of the shoes were found to be not much corroded,
nor indeed were the straps, but the latter had become extremely and beautifully
sonorous, closely resembling in tone the bars and sounding pieces of an oriental
instrument, which was exhibited, some time since, with the Burmese state carriage.
When manufactured, the solid points in question were convertible only into very
SPAIN.
139
The manufactures of Spain fell with the Roman power, and
were almost annihilated while under the dominion of the
Goths; but they were again revived by the genius and in
dustry of the Moors, who formed several independent king-
doms in the centre of the country. The Spaniards, driven to
the mountains, and having acquired a spirit of energy which
they had not for a long time experienced, had the wisdom to
profit by the example of the Moors. Possessing the mines of
Biscay, and the flocks of Leon, they retained the fabrication
of woollen cloths and of arms, and allowed the manufacture
of leather, linen, silk, &c., to remain almost entirely in the
hands of the Moors.
After the death of Philip the Second the manufactures
experienced an almost instantaneous decline, which nearly
amounted to an absolute annihilation of trade. This was
produced by the combination of various causes-the expulsion
of the Moors in 1614-a general taste for foreign stuffs, in
preference to those fabricated in the country-and the impo-
licy of the government in not only permitting the importation
of foreign manufactures, but in laying a stamp duty, called
bolla, upon articles manufactured in Catalonia, and a heavy
tax upon silks. The effect of these measures was such, that
the national manufactures were generally neglected, and in a
short time almost entirely abandoned. The manufactures of
cotton, linen, gloves, and swords entirely vanished; and, by
the close of the seventeenth century, scarcely a vestige of the
inferior steel; the same held good with respect to such bolts and other parts of the
iron work as were subjected to the experiment, except the straps: these, which, in
addition to their sonorousness, possessed a degree of toughness quite unapproached
by common iron, and which were, in fact, imperfect carburets, produced steel of a
quality infinitely superior to any, which in the course of his business Mr. Weiss had
ever before met with; insomuch, that while it was in general request among the
workmen for tools, they demanded higher wages for working it. These straps,
weighing altogether about eight tons, were, consequently, separated from the solid
points, and these last sold as old iron. The exterior difference between the parts of
the same shoe, led, at first, to the supposition that they were composed of two sorts
of iron; but, besides the utter improbability of this, the contrary was proved by an
examination, which led to the inference that the extremities of the piles having been
charred, the straps of iron closely wedged between them and the stratum in which
they were imbedded, must have been subjected to a galvanic action, which, in the
course of some six or seven hundred years gradually produced the effects recorded.”
140
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
former prosperity remained. Such was the state of destitu-
tion in which Philip the Fifth found the trade of Spain when
he ascended the throne in 1700. The intestine wars which
accompany a disputed succession, and the low state of the
national finances, prevented for a time any attention being
paid to the subject of manufactures; but Philip having
restored tranquillity to his dominions, and established the
public revenue, induced his subjects to wear the national
fabrics, and thus laid a foundation for the revival of trade,
which was ably and cordially supported by his successor,
Ferdinand the Sixth. This prince not only encouraged the
formation of manufactories, by peculiar privileges and pecu-
niary assistance, but also established several at his own ex-
pense, and by giving employment to foreign artizans, induced
many of them to settle in the kingdom.
By the following returns it appears that a few years after
Philip the Fifth came to the throne, the manufacture of iron
was considerable, at least it may be considered so, for that
period. The quantity of iron exported to Great Britain was,
from the year 1711 to 1718, inclusive-
• •
1340 tons.
1711
1712
1713
1714
1715
1716
1717
1718
Total
1184
•
1261 "
721 "
1309
"
1750
2744
2192 >>
• •
12,501
being an average on the 8 years, of about 1560 tons per ann.
From the year 1729 to 1735 inclusive, it was as follows:
1729
1726 tons.
1730
1438
1731
1551
"
1732
1795
1733
1860
•
•
"
1734
1735
1967
2072
•
12,409
"
Total....
being an average on the 7 years, of about 1770 tons per ann.
SPAIN.
141
From the year 1750 to 1755 inclusive :-
1750
1751
1752
1753
1754
1755
Total
1156 tons.
1017
1293
348
"
1035
969
5818
being, upon the average of the six years, about 970 tons per
annum.
From which period the trade in iron with Great Britain
continued to decline in quantity, and in
1786
only
50 tons were exported.
1787
146
1788
244
""
"
1789
69
1790
104
"
"
1791
76
1792
273
1793
45
1794
64
"
when the exportation ceased entirely.
Laborde, in his view of Spain, in the early part of the pre-
sent century, informs us that the principal iron factories and
forges of Spain are in Catalonia, Aragon, the three provinces
of Biscay, and in the Asturias. Eleven are enumerated in
the Asturias; fifteen in Guipuscoa; sixteen in Biscay Proper,
which manufacture annually about 100,000 quintals ; *
twenty-five in the district of St. Andero alone, which annually
produce 24,000 quintals. The principal forges of Aragon are
those of St. Pedro, in the territory of Albarrazin, Origuela,
There are manufactured in each
Xea, Torres, and Tormon.
district, on an annual average, about 2500 quintals.
* Every province has its own particular weights, but in the kingdom of Castile
the pound generally consists of sixteen ounces, and of twelve in the kingdom of
Aragon.
The quintal of Castile is
Galicia
Biscay
Guipuscoa
•
Aragon
Valencia.
Catalonia
•
lbs. OZ.
100 0
125 0
154 13
105 157
111
13
126 0
91
0
142
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Iron abounds in most provinces of Spain, and Biscay might.
have a far greater number of forges, or, at least, it might
greatly improve those which it possesses. This province
contains numerous iron mines, that of Samosostro, more espe-
cially, is very prolific, furnishing an abundance of ore, and of
an excellent quality-but it is common property. Every
person may dig there-take whatever quantity he chooses-
sell it agreeably to his wishes, or send it where he pleases.
The greatest portion of the ore from this mine is sent into the
adjoining provinces. It forms an irregular bed, between
three and ten feet thick. The metal is soft, ductile, and per-
haps the most malleable of any in Europe. Toledo and
Barcelona were celebrated for the superior quality of the arms
and swords manufactured there. The largest forge in Gui-
puscoa is that of Aspeitoa: this country, at a former period,
has been so filled with forges, that the forests which once
covered it are nearly destroyed. Not any of the best con-
ducted forges of Biscay, Alava, and Guipuscoa yield the
proprietors above from 300 ducats (341. 7s. 6d.) to 500 ducats
(571. 5s. 10d.) annual profits; while the profits of those in
Aragon are nearly double; the first, on an average, do not
produce a thousand quintals of iron each, while the last fabri-
cate 2500 quintals.
Spain has also numerous iron mills; there are many near
Tolosa, twelve in Biscay, forty-eight in the Asturias, and one
in New Castile. These equally manufacture iron and copper;
those in the Asturias are thus appropriated-two for copper,
nine for bar-iron, and thirty-seven for the nail trade.
Iron foundries are established at Equi, in Navarre; Renteria,
in Guipuscoa; and in the vicinity of Oviedo and St. Jago de
Sargadelos, in the Asturias.
Iron ordnance is cast at Lierganez and Cavada.
Steel is manufactured at Utrillos, in Aragon, but in no very
considerable quantity.
Locks, and various iron utensils, are made in divers places.
Locksmiths are numerous at Vega de Ribadeo, in Galicia; at
Helgoivar, in Biscay; at Vergera, Solsona, and Cardona, in
Catalonia.
SPAIN.
143
Different kinds of cutlery and other iron wares are also
manufactured at these towns, particularly at Solsona, which
are held in high estimation, although they will not bear com-
petition with similar articles introduced from other countries.
Shears, for the use of the clothing trade, are particularly
manufactured at Monistrol, and Aulot, in Catalonia.
It would appear, from a report made to the deputation, or
junta, of the province of Biscay, in 1827, on the state of the
iron manufactures, that they were then very much depressed
—hardly, in any instance, paying the expenses. This report
was, however, made in the view of inducing government to
prohibit the introduction of any iron, except that of Biscay,
into the other provinces, and it may, therefore, be fairly pre-
sumed that it is a good deal exaggerated. In 1828 the iron
manufactories were in considerable activity. They are very
numerous, but none of them are on an extensive scale, gene-
rally employing only four or five workmen. There is only
one smelting manufactory at Bilbao, and both funds and
workmen seem to be wanting to conduct this operation on
any considerable scale.
The importation of cast-iron utensils is prohibited, which
affords a fine field, had the Spaniards talent and industry to
take advantage of it. With the exception of the Biscay pro-
vinces, iron has not been wrought to any extent in Spain.
The works commenced at Pederosa, in Andalusia, by a com-
pany in Seville, have not hitherto been attended with success,
in consequence, it is said, of mismanagement.
On the opposite side of Andalusia, at Martulla, another
company has recently been established, which brought
machinery from Germany and England, and is expected to
conduct its operations upon a scale not previously attempted
in Spain.
In almost every village in the three Biscay provinces there
are manufactories of some kind of iron ware; horse-shoes,
coarse locks, fusils, and bedsteads, are the leading articles
with which they supply the interior. A number of mules
pass daily through Vittoria for the interior, carrying each
about 200 lbs. weight of horse shoes. Government has an
1
144
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
establishment in Valencia for the manufacture of muskets,
pistols, and sabres. There is another at Durango, carried on
by private individuals.
There is a general complaint of the increasing scarcity of
wood for fuel, and of its consequent advance in price. The
coal mines nearest to Biscay are in Asturias, at Aviles and
Gijou, but coal is hardly used in the manufacture of iron. It
appears, from a report made by the Intendant of Asturias, in
January, 1828, relative to a request made by a company esta-
blished for the navigation of the Tagus, for permission to im-
port foreign coal for the use of the steam-vessels they propose
employing, that these mines are of great extent and very rich.
The lowest price at which coal can be put on board at
Gijou and Aviles, varies, according to this report, from
13s. 6d. to 15s. 6d. per ton of 20 cwt.
The inquiries made by a committee of the junta of Biscay,
in 1827, show an extraordinary variety in the cost of extract-
ing the ore, as well as in the proportions in which ore, labour,
fuel, &c., enter into the cost of iron.
Per cent.
For every 100 lbs. of iron, the ore is valued differently, at from 142 to 27,
Fuel
Workmen and labour
521 to 681
13 to 10%
Rent of buildings
•
61 to 103
considerable
The exportation of iron ore is prohibited, but
quantities are, notwithstanding, sent to France. It does not
appear that any of the manufactured articles are exported. A
small quantity of iron in bars is exported to Bayonne and
Bordeaux.
The average make of iron may be considered about 175,000
quintals, or nearly 8000 tons a-year.
Although the quantity of iron made in Spain is so trifling
as to be totally inadequate to supply the consumption, yet
the importation of foreign iron is nearly interdicted by the
present narrow policy of the Government, which it is evident
must prove very injurious. The following circular speaks
strongly upon the subject:~
"The general deputation of the lordship of Biscay (Senorio
de Viscaya), wishing to prevent the pernicious abuse that
SPAIN
145
may be committed by the introduction of foreign iron, which
has already commenced in great quantities, the said general
deputation, applying to this patriotic and important object the
faculty confirmed to Biscay, by the order published by the
Royal Council on the 29th of January, 1836, to levy ad-
ditional duties upon articles of consumption when the ordinary
duties were insufficient, has adopted the following measures:-
"Art. 1. All foreign iron that may be introduced into Bis-
cay will, immediately on its being landed, be taken direct to
the bonded warehouse of the deputation.
Art. 2. After having been duly deposited in the bonded
store, it will continue in the custody of the storekeeper.
"Art. 3. The bonded iron may be freely exported from
Biscay, with a permit from the judge of contraband (Guia),
on payment to the general deputation of eight maravedis per
100 lbs. for store room, should the time of its remaining in
store not exceed one year; double that sum, should the time
not exceed two years, and so on; and eight maravedis per
100 lbs. for weighing.
"Art. 4. The general deputation will adopt measures to
prevent foreign iron from being smuggled into the country, on
its way from the bonded stores to the line of the Ebro.
"Art. 5. Foreign iron imported for consumption in Biscay
will pay to the general deputation, on being removed from the
bonded warehouse, a duty in accordance with the following
tariff:-
Forged iron in bars, bolts, &c., per Castilian quintal
Sheet iron, per ditto
Reals.
70
30
Hoops for casks (not exceeding one line in thickness), ditto
Worked in locks or padlocks, per lb.
3
7
·
Files, chisels, hatchets, hammers, pincers, spades, tridents,
&c., for each dozen pieces..
8
Smoothing irons, per lb.
5
Steel in bars or wrought, per lb.
1
3
Steel in thin bars, for watchmakers' use, per lb.
(Signed)
FREDRICO VICTORia de Lecea.
MANUEL MARIA DE MUSGA.
MANUEL DE BARANDICA, Sec. ad int.
Bilbao, April 16, 1840.
L
146
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
CHAPTER VIII.
SWEDEN AND NORWAY.
SWEDEN has been long celebrated for its mines and mineral
productions, particularly iron, which still forms one of the
principal exports, although it has much decreased of late
years. By an account taken by the government in the year
1748, we find that, at that time, there were 496 foundries,
with 539 large hammers, and 971 small ones, for making bar
and other manufactures of iron, which produced 304,415 ship-
pounds,* or nearly 40,600 tons.
The government established an office in 1740 to promote
the production of iron, by lending money on the ore, even at
so low a rate as 4 per cent.; a correct register was then made
of the mines, which is still continued. Each forge has its
particular mark stamped on the bars of iron it produces, which
is correctly copied into the manuscript, with the name of the
place where the establishment is situated-the names of the
proprietors of the work-the commissioner or agent for the
sale of the iron-the assortment each makes, and to what
country it is generally shipped-the quantity annually made
by each work—the quantity which each work delivers to the
government (which is about 1 per cent. on the quantity of the
iron produced)—the estimation of the quality of the iron of
each work, which is variable-the place and province in which
the works are situated-the place from whence the iron is
generally shipped-and how many hammers each work has-
all which particulars are regularly and alphabetically described
and arranged.
As the working of the mines is attended with considerable
7} to a ton.
SWEDEN.
147
expense, and the sale of the iron uncertain, the Bank of Stock-
holm receives that metal as a proper security for a loan. The
iron being duly appraised, and lodged in the public warehouse,
the proprietor receives three-fourths of its value, at the interest
of 3 per cent., and when he can find an opportunity to dispose
of his iron, it is again delivered to him, on producing a certifi-
cate from the bank, that the loan upon it is duly discharged.
The following account of the state of the forges, producing
1500 ship-pounds of iron and upwards, is taken from the
"Voyage de deux Français, dans le Nord de l'Europe; 1790-
92." It is to be observed that they only speak of those forges
of which the produce is taken to Stockholm :-
Axmar
Malingsbo
Bakkammar
Boggo
Forsbacka
Name.
•
Willingsberg
Watolma..
Bjorkborn and Bæufors
Lasona...
Gammelbo
Wirsbo..
Larsbo
• •
•
Engelsberg
Forsmark
•
D
•
•
Province.
Gestricia
Dalecarlia
Westmania
Ditto
•
•
•
Gestricia
•
Nericia
Upland
Shipp'ds. Quality. No.
60 500 € 2 on box to 2 0 2 60 to
2
2
2
3
2
2
1500
1500
1750
g & m
2127
M
•
1600
•
772
1800
D
•
2000
Wermeland
2070
m Str s
Nericia
1748
3
2
Westmania
2875
•
Ditto.....
•
Dalecarlia
• •
1725
2200
1539
· • • W
3
•
2875
2450
T S
3
2000
S
rs &
in
3
2875
g & b
Westmania
•
1943
g
Helsingia
Dalecarlia
2000
2450
• •
m
Upland
Nericia
g
1725
§ & b
•
•
•
Medelpadia
M
Angermannia...
Finland
DOD E É O 3 £ £ £
3
3
4
6
2
Maroker
Graninge
•
•
►
Westmania
Upland
Helsingia
Angermannia
Gimo, Romæus, and Robersfors.. Upland
Finoker
Kihlafors
• • •
Gravendahl
Læfta
Hasslefors
Austerby
Lægdæu and Logfors
Olorsfors
Koscis
·
Kerby
Paulistræum
9 to 10000
Upland 5 to 6000
Romnæs
•
Bernshammer
Longwind
•
·
•
* ∞ ∞ ∞ NA NICO coco C Cf 19 His N 2 CO 10 1 W N 19 19
1525
m
2
•
2000
3
1500
go
2
Upland
• •
2000
112
3
•
Smoland
•
• •
• •
2400
دار
•
•
Westmania
•
2025
> S
3
•
Ditto...
•
•
1950
972
•
Helsingia
•
•
1600
19 1 W
L 2
148
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Name.
Province. Shipp'ds. Quality.
No.
Schebo..
Upland
2275
M
Niksiæu
Gestricia
1600
g
Stromberg and Ulfors
Haugbo
Upland
Gestricia
3100
•
g
1625
m
Woxna..
Krakfors
Helsingia
Nericia
1900
g
1500
g
Suderfors
Upland
1840
·
Gysinge
Ferna
Tolfors
Finspong
Lædvicka.
•
Hargs
Gestricia
1800
•
g
Westmania
2400
Gestricia
1800
g
Ostrogothia
1810
60 2 60 2
m
m
Dalecarlia
2400
M
Upland
3400
مه
g
♡ 2 4 2 3 2 6 2 4 2 + ~ LO
so so ₤ do so o
3
5
4
3
5
J
m, middling; g, good; r s, red-short; b, best.
There are in all 299 large forges, which furnish 227,507
ship-pounds, besides 92 small ones belonging to a company
of peasants, furnishing 18,236 ship-pounds.-Total, 245,743
ship-pounds. These forges employ 373 hammers; there are
besides, twelve inconsiderable forges, of which neither the
hammers nor the products are stated.
The iron mine of Dannemora, the most celebrated in Swe-
den, is situated in the province of Upland, about one English
mile from Osterby, and thirty English miles north of Upsala.
This mine was discovered in the year 1448, and though it has
now been wrought for nearly four centuries, it still yields
abundance of the best iron in Europe.
The iron mine is on a hill so little elevated above the sur-
face of the neighbouring country as easily to escape observa-
tion. It is about two English miles long, and nearly half a
mile broad; it is almost surrounded by lakes, those of Dan-
nemora, Films, and Grufve, lying quite contiguous to it. On
the side where there are no lakes there is a turf moss. The
ore forms a large vein in this hill, which stretches in a north-
west and south-east direction. The mine was some years ago
inundated by the water from the adjacent lakes; a strong
wall, however, has been built to keep off the water. It is
drained by two steam-engines, kept at work by means of
wood for fuel.
It was first wrought as a silver mine, the silver being ex-
SWEDEN.
149
tracted from galena. This source of emolument soon failing,
or becoming unproductive, the iron ore began to be extracted
and smelted, and the excellent quality of the iron gradually
drew to it the attention of the public. At first it belonged to
the King of Sweden, but that monarch consigned it over to
the Archbishop of Upsala as a part of his revenues; at pre-
sent it belongs to a number of private individuals, who work
it separately, each on his own account.
At the side of the mine is a large opening, about fifty fa-
thoms deep and fifty wide, and at the lower part of this is the
entrance to the mine, which is wrought about thirty fathoms
deeper than this opening. The mines are thus described in
"Coxe's Travels," who visited them in the year 1790:-" The
pits are deep excavations, like gravel pits, and form so many
abysses or gulfs. The descent is not, therefore, as is usual
in mines, down a narrow subterraneous shaft. At the side of
the mine I stepped into a bucket, and, being suspended in the
open air, in the same manner as if a person was placed in a
bucket at the top of Salisbury spire, was gradually let down to
the ground by a rope and pulley. The inspector accompanied
me to the bottom, and while I was placed at my ease in the
inside upon a chair, he seated himself on the rim of the bucket,
with his legs extended to maintain the equilibrium. He had
in his hand a stick, with which he gently touched the sides of
the rock, and the rope of the ascending bucket, in order to pre-
vent our bucket from swerving against them, which must have
infallibly overset us.
"While hung suspended in mid-air, and so giddy that I
could not venture to look down, I observed three girls stand-
ing on the edge of the ascending bucket knitting, with as
much unconcern as if they had been on terra firma; such is
the effect of custom. We were about five minutes in descend-
ing, and the depth which we reached before I stepped out of
my aërial seat was 500 feet. Not being a mineralogist, my
curiosity was soon satisfied; I again got into the bucket, and
was drawn up in the same manner.
"The inspector informed me, that the richest ore yields 70
per cent. of iron, the poorest 30-that, upon an average, the
150
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
collective mass gives one-third of pure mineral-that about
12,000 tons are annually drawn from the mines, which yield
about 4000 tons of bar-iron.
"The mass of ore occupies a small compass. The length
of the pits, considered as one, is 760 feet, and the breadth
from three to twelve. The ore runs from east to west. The
richest ore is near 500 feet in depth, and the Storoe Grube is
not yet fathomed.
"The matrix of the ore being a calcareous earth, conse-
quently contains but little sulphur, which is, perhaps, the
reason of its superior quality."
The ore is blasted with gunpowder. The part of the vein
which lies under the great opening, which forms the mouth of
the mine, is called stor rymning; it constitutes by far the
greatest portion of the mine. The next portion is called jord
grufva (earth mine), and it yields the ore of the very best
quality. The portion farthest south is called sodra grufva,
or southern mine; it yields the worst kind of ore of
all the three, probably from being mixed with galena and
blende. The rock through which the vein runs is said to be
quartz. The substance immediately contiguous to the vein
appeared to Dr. Thomson to be hornstone, and to contain
hornblende. The ore itself contains limestone, quartz, and
actinolite, and affords from 25 to 75 per cent. of cast-iron.
In the worst kind of ore Dr. Thomson also perceived blende,
fluor-spar, galena, and amethyst, but in small quantities.
Carbonate of lime, crystallised in dodecahedrons, also occurs
in this vein; and likewise sulphate of barytes, mountain cork,
and the aplome of Haüy.
The ore is broken into small pieces, and roasted; it is then
put into conical-shaped furnaces, constructed of the slag from
cast-iron. In these furnaces it is mixed with the proper
quantity of charcoal, and then melted and separated from the
slag. The cast-iron obtained in this manner is as white as
silver, completely crystallised, and very brittle. The cast-
iron is reduced to malleable iron by heating it in a bed of
charcoal, and hammering it out into bars. In this state it is
whiter than common iron, and is less liable to rust, is dis-
SWEDEN.
151
tinctly fibrous in its texture, and much stouter than any other
iron.
The quantity of iron which this mine yields every year,
amounts as before stated to about 4000 tons; the whole of it
is sent to England, to the house of Messrs. Sykes, of Hull,
where it is known by the name of Oregrund iron, taking its
name from the port at which it is shipped.
The first, or best, marks are
L
which sells at 40l. per ton.
ཅི་
}
391. ""
while the best Russian mark, the C.C.N.D., seldom fetches a
higher price than 207. per ton.
The cause of the superiority of the Dannemora iron has
never been explained. Some chemists ascribe it to the pre-
sence of manganese. Berzelius attributed it to the presence
of the metal of silica, while others suppose it to arise from
the nature of the process employed. Dr. Thomson was as-
sured by one gentleman, who had bestowed particular atten-
tion to the subject, that by following a similar process he has
obtained as good iron from other Swedish ores. But that
something is due to the ore itself is evident from the circum-
stance, that the quality of the iron, though the same process
is followed, differs a good deal, according to the part of the
vein from which the ore is taken.
In the neighbourhood of the mines are establishments for
forging the iron, and for the accommodation of more than 300
workmen and their families. Each of the little villages has
three or four regular streets, often planted with trees, a
church, a school, and an hospital.
The whole make of iron in Sweden was, in the year 1803,
364,315 ship-pounds, or about 48,000 tons, taking 73 ship-
pounds as a ton English; in 1812 it had increased, as appears
by the following table, to 431,137 ship-pounds, or about
60,000 tons.
Dor M
152
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.

COUNTIES.
Produce
Smelt-
Iron of the ore
Mines. in shiping fur- Forges.
pounds.
naces.
Privileged iron
works to the 15th
June, 1803.
Coarse
Iron bars
Total
produce
in iron.
in ship
iron uten-
sils in
pounds.
ship pds.
Vesterbotten and
2
Norbotten
2,000
4
7
2,595
2,595
Wester Norrland..
5
15
:
9,539
1,469
11,008
Norrland.... 2
9
22
12,134
1,469
13,603
Stockholm
6
5,751
6
5
10,970
10,970
Upsala
19
72,940
13
9
24,646
1,585
26,231
Vesteros
17
100,516 31
49
42,339 1,077
43,416
Nyköping
12
81,482 8
22
12,854
1,946
14,800
Orebro..
55
164,431
82
64
53,548
5,167
58,715
Carlstad
35
126,818
35
69
66,214
1,974
68,188
Stora Koppaberg.
20
146,000
Gefleborg..
6
21,168
230
72
56
32,712
4,932
37,644
30
47
43,365
905 44,270

Svealand..
170
277 321
286,648
17,586 304,234
Linkoping
Kalmare
Tönköping
3
3,000
13
25
13,693 1,906
15,599
10
13
•
6,505
6,505
8,000
14
11
4,775
517
5,292
Kronaberg
13
10
3,366
323
3,689
Skoraborg
2
9
6,043
112
6,155
Elfsborg
:
10
5,289
3,949
9,238
Götaland...
4
52
78
39,671
6,807 46,478
Total
176
338 421
338,453
25,862 364,315
New works since
47,257
19,565 66,822
385,710 45,427 431,137
15th June, 1803
Total
In 1833 there were in the whole of Sweden from 330 to 340
smelting furnaces, producing 90,000 to 95,000 tons of pig-iron;
in converting this into bar-iron, about 23 per cent. is allowed for
waste, and as near as can be ascertained the annual manufac-
ture of this latter is 63,000 to 65,000 tons. The number of
iron works is about 420 to 430, having about 1100 forge ham-
The annual export of bar-iron, on an average of ten
years, ending 1831, was 49,568 tons. The smelting furnaces
and iron works are licensed for a particular quantity, some
being as low as 50 tons, others as high as 400 to 500 tons per
annum; some few bar-iron works draw licenses for 1000 tons
each. The licenses are granted by the College of Mines,
mers.
SWEDEN.
153
which has a controul over all iron works and mining ope-
rations. The iron masters make annual returns of their manu-
facture, which must not exceed their privilege, on pain of the
overplus being confiscated, and the college has subordinate
courts, called courts of mines, in every district, with super-
vising officers of various ranks; and no iron can be sent to
any port of shipment without being landed at the public
weigh-house, the superintendent of which is also a delegate
of the college, and his duty is to register all that arrives, and
to send his report quarterly to the college. It is impossible
for an iron master to send to market more than his license.
Many, however, sell at the forges to inland consumers, returns
of which are never made, and so far licenses are exceeded, but
it is supposed this excess cannot be above 3000 tons.
There is no chance whatever of the manufacture of iron in
Sweden becoming free-on the contrary, there is much greater
probability of its decrease, as in those parts of the country where
iron works are established there are already as many forges as
the neighbouring forests can supply with charcoal. If there
are proprietors of forests on which they can prove that iron
works have not been privileged in former times, in that case
the government cannot refuse to grant the right of erecting
works in proportion thereto-but, except either very far north,
or far in the interior, there do not exist such woods.
It does not always follow that the forests belong to the pro-
prietors of the iron works, but they have, nevertheless, the right
of purchasing all the charcoal sold from these woods. We may
consider the case in this manner :-A person, a century back,
who had 20,000 acres of forest, may have obtained the privi-
lege of manufacturing 200 tons of iron annually; the estate
in the lapse of time has become divided amongst a number of
heirs, or has been sold in lots to different persons; but the
proprietor of the iron works still retains the right to the char-
coal of the whole, if any is made, for sale.
There is no department in Sweden conducted with more
fairness than the College of Mines, which manages thesc
matters.
IRON EXPORTED FROM SWEDEN FROM 1830 TO 1838.
DESCRIPTION.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836.
1837.
1838.
Bar-iron*
366,617
427,995
401,376
423,400
400,175
493,601
470,627
336,883
543,329
Pig-iron
·
Iron not specified
Round iron
8,500
6,097
7,022
6,627
6,476
5,762
9,749
7,485
10,336
9
1,949
739
838
658
778
24,381+
38,674
26,140
•
1,363
1,333
1,546
1,750
1,409
2,286
2,234
2,182
2,664
Spike iron
3,209
5,349
8,789
2,961
2,250
3,985
3,744
1,488
4,054
Sheet iron
Nails
} 10,858
2,153
2,009
1,963
1,798
4,821
2,326
2,055
2,626
9,125
7,505
7,760
8,422
4,745
6,303
7,970
7,816
Nail rods
838
1,087
627
537
849
780
884
652
779
Hoop iron..
2,245
2,309
2,454
2,273
1,783
2,945
2,037
2,791
1,944
Castings, cannon, balls, &c.
1,911
2,905
3,816
7,214
5,307
4,561
7,670
8,119
7,228
Saltpan plates
165
176
187
158
123
157
98
67
213
Anchors, anvils, &c.
68
79
213
175
249
70
65
96
98
Ploughshares
114
356
370
584
508
382
552
577
1,044
Hardware..
1,069
1,063
83
215
10
16
35
103
105
Scrap iron
2,445
•
2,922
2,996
2,270
1,669
2,651
2,012
3,449
3,844
Manufactured iron
1,261
1,156
842
789
831
929
548
517
424
Old cannon
Retorts
·
31
115
32
473
144
Chain cables
Machinery
Total ship-pounds..
400,847
tons
53,446
"}
25
:
7
30
466,054
62,141
440,689
58,759
459,546
61,273
432,517
57,669
528,469
70,463
533,265
71,102
413,133
55,084
613,154
81,754
*
Ship-pounds, 7 to a ton.-t In 1836 seventy tons of pig-iron were sent to England; with this exception, the whole of the pig-iron went to Finland.
Iron not specified also goes to Finland, with a trifling exception.

1832.
Other
261.. 320
460..1618
661..1268
329.. 79
617..1449
251.. 304
851..1455
30.. 6
Prussia
Denmark
German States.
Portugal
Holland
Belgium
Austria
3,319.. 598 4,051..1010 2,944.. 862
2,481.. 926 3,557.. 930 3,926.. 788
3,508.. 463 4,383.. 540 3,724.. 546
2,705.. 97 2,052.. 104 1,319.. 68
3,302.. 76 1,110
76 1,110.. 113 1,658.. 66
2,419.. 722
1830.
COUNTRIES
TO WHICH
Other
1831.
Other
Bars. iron. Bars.
EXPORTED.
Tons.
Tons.
iron. Bars. iron. Bars. iron. Bars. iron. Bars.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
iron. Bars. iron. Bars.
Tons.
Tons.
Great Britain and Ireland | 9,851.. 5 11,907.. 55 11,717.. 62 13,021. 12 11,509.. 49 13,050.. 42 16,530.. 137 11,932..
United States of America 15,532.. 422 23,133.. 683 20,002..1222 20,644.. 343 19,618.. 287 28,728.. 476 27,342.. 560 10,709..
5,749.. 14 3,810.. 5,398.. 36 5,820.. 40 6,304.. 11 5,732.. 56 3,574.. 2 4,812..
France
Norway
Finland
Russia
210.. 310
iron. Bars. iron.
Tons.
3 14,546.. 10
151 25,669.. 585
18 7,413.. 47
335 34.. 176
6923 1,098..4952
1..
1833.
Other
1834.
Other
1835.
Other
1836.
Other
1837.
Other
1838.
Other
144.. 129
719..1370
179.. 152
792..1428
1.. 70
1
2
2,740.. 892
1,936.. 849
4,330.. 960
3,442.. 844
3,306.. 617
4,707.. 607
4,712.. 421
4,980.. 549
1,098.. 55
1,093.. 53
3,953.. 214
1,302.. 107 1,215.. 80
337..
1,809.. 167
133..
161.. 213 162.
348..4626 603..
154
1,805.. 865 2,453..
2,979.. 911 3,846..
5,160.. 569 4,640..
2,482.. 143 1,744..
1,503.. 104 1,718..
93..
939 2,672.. 935
742 4,495..1144
552] 6,742.. 795
106 3,327.. 125
323 3,091.. 347
53
152.. 16
22.. 5
Italy
Spain
Gibraltar
85..
204..
૭
•
179.. 6
94..
27..
2 175.. 26
4.. 17
6 25..
87.. 2
301.. 36
34..
82
93.. 54
213..
7
272.. 20
20
4
395..
15
36..
204..
71
5.. 73
22..
62
Greece
East Indies
689.
Brazil
353..
704.. 23 1,490..
5 321.. 3
39 1,505.. 11
624..
853..
:22
28
67..
3
75..
677..
1,004..
27
654.
3 860..
14
674
1,083..
4 1,231
94
Other parts of S. America
West India Islands
78..
32
Africa
254.. 6
16.. 56
58..
44
45
Total.
2
4 465.. 46
48,882..4564 57,066..5075 53,516..5243 56,453..4820 53,357..4312|65,815..4648 62,750..8352 44,918. .10,166 72,444..9310
9..
10..
10..
2 29.. 3
88..
193.. 72
6..
10
112..
156
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
NORWAY.
Of the mines of Norway, those of iron are esteemed the
most profitable. They are chiefly situated not far from Arin-
dal, in the southern province of Christiansand ; and near them,
between Arindal and Konsberg (according to Busching, vol. i.
page 341), ochre is found at Wardhus, in Finmark, of a
beautiful skyblue, probably like that of Elba, and is the sign
of a rich iron mine. The iron ore of Arindal is black mingled
with quartz. At Bderum the Count Wedel von Jarlberg has
iron mines and works, where are made grates, pots, and a
variety of other articles.
Oddy, in his work on "European Commerce," observes,
that iron makes no regular article of export from Norway;
yet there does not appear any reason why they might not
have cultivated this branch of manufacture as well as Sweden.
Wood they have in sufficient abundance. There are several
foundries in Norway, but they have not been worked with
spirit, their produce is therefore but small. Since the year
1792, they have not much extended their works. Moss, a
town of a thousand inhabitants, contains a principal iron work.
Skaggerak is also in repute for its iron trade.
PRODUCE OF THE IRON WORKS IN THE YEARS 1791 and 1792.
Unwrought
Iron.
Bar
Iron.
Ship-pds.
Ship-pds.
Cast Iron
Wares.
Ship-pds.
Forged
Iron.
Ship-pds.
Bolvig
3192
2843
647
Barum
3102
2464
1474
Dikkemark
1379
872
215
England
1218
922
2
Eidifors
2340
1663
252
Fossum
1469
1151
1152
59
Frocland
2302
1436
1046
4
Ulifoss
2990
2480
932
29
Hassel
1678
1209
601
Lessoi
50
Mass
2201
959
491
I
Mostmarken 1034
194
232
SWEDEN.
157
Unwrought
Iron.
Ship-pds.
Bar
Iron.
Cast Iron
Wares.
Forged
Iron.
Ship-pds.
Ship-pds. Ship-pds.
Nass
3662
2394
616
Qudal
2037
1954
426
22
Total in 1791
28604
20591
8086
114
1792
26502
20483
8586
1693
IRON EXPORTED FROM NORWAY,*
In the years
1829,
Tons
3164,
1830,
3000,
* Porter's Tables.
1831.
2516.
158
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
CHAPTER IX.
RUSSIA.
Or the vast tract of country now comprehended under the
appellation of Russia, we glean from ancient authors little
that tends to illustrate the early history of iron.
The Scythian nations, from their mixture of rude, pastoral,
and warlike habits, cannot be expected to supply posterity
with their own history; we, therefore, are indebted to other
sources for such information. The Greek authors do not
much enlighten us in our researches after the extent of
knowledge which the Scythian nations had of the useful
arts, nor as to the extent of advantages they derived at that
remote period, from the riches of their inexhaustible mineral
soil.
The literary records of China, may, when explored, open at
some future day, many interesting facts in the history of the
Scythians, Tartars, and Russians; their early trading, and
extent of their knowledge. It is much to be lamented that
so vast a field of antiquity as China, has not yet been fully
explored and ably gleaned. In that isolated empire, the arts
and sciences flourished for ages anterior to the era of our
Lord. Sematsien, who wrote his valuable history of China,
97 B.C., dates his authentic chronology from 841, B.C. After
about six centuries (in which war and anarchy held sway),
we arrive at the bright period of revival of learning and
improvement in letters, by the invention of paper and
printing; about 206 B.C. We may also mention that about
this time the great wall was built, mainly as a defence against
the nations at war with China; the latter, by the adoption of
the improved nature and quality of the arms of her opponents,
RUSSIA
159
became victorious, the cuirass and lance being now of
common use. This brief notice, we conceive, justifies our
expectation that China possesses much which we think may
enlighten the industrious enquirer. The immense value of
iron as material for arms, was manifest wherever introduced,
and its great superiority over other metals so employed,
immediately commanded attention. Those nations who had
previously been ignorant of its manufacture, seeing its utility,
would at once become eager to obtain it and learn the method
of procuring it from their own soil. Such reverence did the
Scythians pay to a sword of iron, that they worshipped it as
the shrine of Mars.-Herodotus, lib. iv. Again; we learn
from the same source, that "the Massagetæ had all their
arms, their spears, arrow-heads, battle-axes, helmets and
breast-plates of brass decorated with gold; they use neither
silver nor iron, which indeed their country does not produce."
"The Scythians," he says, "possess neither silver nor brass."
Lib. lxiv. 71.
The ancient writers knew little or nothing of the north parts
of Scythia, or the hyperborean region of Siberia, in later times
found to be immensely stored with valuable minerals, and
surpassingly rich in ores of iron.
In Siberia, at a time reaching back beyond all history,
mining was vigorously practised by a nation bearing the
name of Tschudes, whom Georgi takes to be the ancient
Mandshures: an interesting account of the mine works of
this nation, may be read in Pallas' Travels, tom. iii. p. 608
to 610.
Thus, Russia, we see, was possessed of iron ores from time
immemorial, but previous to the reign of Ivan Vassillievitch,
history says nothing of any regular mining operations. This
prince, in the year 1491, sent two Germans to the river
Petschora, on mineral discoveries, who were so fortunate as
to find silver and copper ore. During the reign of Ivan
Vassillievitch the Second, the English, by a treaty con-
cluded in the year 1569,* obtained the privilege of seeking
* The communication with Muscovy had been opened in Queen Mary's time, by
the discovery of the passage to Archangel, but the commerce to that country did
160
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
for and smelting iron ore, on condition that they should
teach the Russians the art of working this metal, and
pay, on the exportation of every pound, one denga, or
halfpenny. *
The first regular mine works, which may be properly so
called, were established about ninety versts from Moscow, by
two foreigners, who, in the reign of the Czar Alexy Michaelo-
vitch, were at Moscow, on commercial affairs, and had found
ore in that territory-they requested, and obtained permission
to work it.
These works, the first and only ones in Russia, prior to
Peter the Great, were visited by that monarch, who wrought
in them himself before he set out, in 1698, on his first journey
into foreign countries. Remaining some time in Saxony, he not
only made himself acquainted with the arts of mining, but
requested the King of Poland to give him some workmen ;
and, in the following year, twelve of them, with a master at
their head, and the assayer, Bluher, went to Russia, where
they found ore in the districts of Kazan and Kalula, and
began to work. The emperor, however, finding that with
these two establishments he should be in want of people, sent
Bluher, in 1701, again to Saxony, who returned in the same.
year with several persons skilled in mining, and repaired
immediately to Olonetz, where they opened a mine of copper
ore. The subsequent journeys of Bluher, gave the first
occasion to the discovery of the Siberian minerals, for in the
not begin to be carried on to a great extent till about the year 1569. The Queen
(Elizabeth) obtained from the Czar (John Basilidus) an exclusive patent to the
English for the whole trade of Muscovy. After the death of John Basilidus, his
son Theodore revoked the patent, which the English enjoyed for a monopoly of the
Russian trade; when the Queen remonstrated against this innovation, he told her
Ministers that princes must carry an indifferent hand, as well between their sub-
jects as between foreigners, and not convert trade, which, by the laws of nations,
ought to be common to all, into a monopoly, for the private gain of a few. So
much juster notions of commerce were entertained by this barbarian than appear
in the conduct of the renowned Elizabeth! Theodore, however, continued some
privileges to the English, on account of their being the discoverers of the commu-
nication between Europe and this country.-Hume.
* Of the first arrival of the English, and the origin of their commerce, there is an
account in the "St. Petersburgh Journal," vol. ix. p. 149.
RUSSIA.
161
year 1703, he was dispatched to the Permian mountains, near
Solikamsk, where he found an old mine; whence he pro-
ceeded further along the Kama, and soon after his return to
Moscow, made a fresh journey in the districts of Azof, Astra-
chan, and pushed forward to Caucasus.
In the meantime the emperor had appointed Lieutenant-
Colonel Henning to be director of the mines of Olonetz-
a foreigner of great activity, who restored the old ruinous iron
works, and put them in a condition to furnish the newly-
created navy with large and small cannon, and other iron
ammunition. In the year 1719, Henning travelled through
several countries of Europe, for the purpose of collecting
information concerning the state of the mines and foundries;
and, on his return, got together by permission of the Kings of
Poland and Prussia, a considerable number of master work-
men, by whose assistance he set up several wire manufacto-
ries, forges for steel, hammers for tin plates, and making iron
bars, steel furnaces, anchor smithies, and other engines, all
worked by water.
As it appeared from the accounts delivered in, that ore was
to be found in almost every part of the empire, Peter the
Great, in the year 1719, constituted a peculiar mine college,*
and shortly after sent Major-General Henning, whom he had
promoted for his useful services, in quality of director, to
Siberia, for the purpose of completing the works already
begun there. Henning established a chief mine office at
Ekateringburg, and a subordinate office in the territory of
Perm; he also built several work-shops, furnaces, forges,
foundries, and mills for flattening and slitting; and within
the space of six years, had made such progress in all these
works, that the various expences attending them were repaid,
with interest, by the metals obtained. In the years 1726
and 1727, he sent annually 140,000 to 150,000 poods + of
* On the 1st of May, 1784, the mine college came to end, being dissolved by an
ukase, bearing date January 27, 1783.
↑ Sixty-three poods to a ton, or 2268 lbs. English.
M
162
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
bar-iron, besides a great quantity of other kinds of wrought-
iron, by means of the water communication from Siberia to
Moscow. These services procured him the rank of lieutenant-
general of the artillery, and the post of general director of all
the copper and iron works in Siberia.-(Schlætzer, from Von
Haven, pp. 85-92.)
The art of mining, which, properly speaking, had taken its
rise under Peter the Great, was thus, by the wise and un-
wearied exertions of that prince, encouraged and advanced
in all imaginable ways. In the year 1716, the emperor, by
a manifesto, had given his subjects the first encouragement in
mining. In three years afterwards he instituted the college of
mines, and, "as his empire was full of subterranean treasures,
and these rich sources of subsistence were hitherto neglected,
partly from ignorance, and partly from the insecurity of the
possession," he found it necessary, with the view of encou-
raging the search after ores, and the working of mines, to
establish several remarkable privileges. By an ukase of the
year 1720, these privileges were extended to all foreigners,
without distinction. Other ordinances, of similar purport,
enjoined that persons who were searching for ores should
have no impediments thrown in their way-that the woods
about the works should be kept up-and that, for the protec-
tion of the mines, fortresses should be constructed on the
frontiers.
Such was the state of the Russian mines when Peter the
Great quitted the stage on which he had laboured so much,
and with such great success.
Akinfy Demidof, a wealthy individual, and the father of
the Uralian mine works, in 1725, received intelligence of the
Tschoudian mines in the mountains of Kolyvan, and caused
them to be visited by German miners, whom he had at former
works. As here were found very rich veins of copper ore, he
erected some works in the year 1727, adjoining to the Lake
Kolyvan. The number of his labourers was soon increased
by people who had run away from the estates to which they
belonged, whom he, by a special privilege, might admit and
4
RUSSIA.
163
employ in his works; and a considerable number of crown
boors were at the same time granted him.
In the reign of the Empress Anna, the iron mines began to
be of such consequence, that, in order to gain the preference
from the Swedish iron, the price of the Russian was fixed at
56 copecs* the pood.
The mine undertakings of private individuals met with every
needful encouragement. Whoever discovered a mine, and
was inclined to work it, was allowed to make the proper
dispositions in erections, diggings, &c., for which he was
granted ten years free; the adventurer was put in possession
of the property of the ground as a freehold, provided it
belonged to the crown,† with convenient places on the banks.
of streams and rivers for the works and necessary buildings,
and a considerable extent of forest; and when he had no
boors of his own that he could set to work, he received a
certain number out of those raised for recruits, who were to
remain, as well as their posterity, with the works. If these
proved insufficient, other boors were given him to perform the
occasional labours in lieu of their head money, which the
owners of the works were obliged to pay in their stead. In
all private undertakings of this sort, the crown retained
certain imperialia.
1st. A yearly tax on every furnace-for the principal one
in iron works 100 rubles.
+
2d. Of crude iron, one-tenth.
3d. All sorts of vessels for the artillery and the admiralty,
for a stated price, settled in 1715 and 1728.§
* 100 copecs to a ruble.
+ The crown has occasionally not merely granted one of its mine works, but has
regularly sold it to a private individual. Thus, one of three iron works, and that
a very productive one, was purchased, with all the people belonging to it, pits and
erections, together with a considerable forest, for 200,000 rubles, as we are informed
by Professor Pallas, who also mentions another in similar circumstances. The
crown has also bought some of them back again.
A ruble 4s.
§ The Empress Catherine the Second, by several edicts, relinquished the impe-
rialia, and abolished the taxes. The delivery for the admiralty and artillery was
given up in 1770, and, as an act of grace, on occasion of the peace of 1775, the
M 2
164
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
In regard to the workmen, it has just been observed, that,
at first, it was the practice to assign a certain number of
crown boors to private adventurers, many of whom, being of
the class of merchants, had no vassals, and could not procure
any voluntary workmen; those labourers were to work out
their head-money in that capacity; but, from this method,
oppression arose- the people were allowed no respite from
labour, and hardly any recompense. During the reign of the
Empress Elizabeth, these men, no longer able to bear the
oppression under which they groaned, rose against their em-
ployers, and the government was obliged to send some regi-
ments of soldiers to suppress the insurrection. Many most
distressing scenes occurred in consequence, which were finally
put a stop to by the Empress Catherine the Second, who, on
ascending the throne, immediately adopted measures for
checking the flagrant proceedings of the masters.
In the year 1766 she appointed a commission, composed of
the chief officers of state, to examine into the matter, and to
lay before her their proposals for an alteration; but as there
was no hope of a termination to this weighty concern, it
being delayed by every kind of difficulty that could be
thrown in the way, the empress issued some special precepts
from her own hand, whereby the grossest of the abuses were
remedied for the present-till at last the laudable ordi-
nance of the 23d May, 1779, appeared, by which the fate
of the enrolled boors was fixed on a humane and equitable
footing.
tenth of the capital of the minerals, as well as the tax on the furnaces, with the
tenth of the raw iron, were remitted.
The tribute or taxes attached to private mines, altered by the ukase of the 28th
June, 1780, are the following:
1st. Instead of the tenths on each pood of raw iron, four copecs (100 copecs to a
ruble) were paid. Since the 23d June, 1794, all iron works erected with the assist-
ance of the crown pay an additional four copecs, and those without that assistance
two copecs.
2d. For every forge the owner pays the crown 200 rubles yearly. Until the 23d
June, 1794, only 100 rubles-at which time the tax was doubled.
3d. The duty on exportation on every berkovetch (ten poods) of bar-iron is thirty-
seven copecs. Tooke, 1799.
RUSSIA.
165
At the crown mines of Barnaul, besides their own people,
they employ about 48,000 boors, who earn their head-money
there these people were always well treated.
The mines of Schlaugenberg, and in general the Barnaul,
are in all respects of great consequence. They have iron-
stone that yields 50 to 60 per cent. Herman speaks even of
70 per cent., but most commonly it is 25 per cent.
In the Uralian mountains, in the year 1779, there were
generally at work 70 forges and 532 large hammers, besides
two smelting-houses, in the Altaian and Sayansk mountains,
and several in the governments of Olonetz, Vologda, Nisney-
gorod, Kostroma, Kursk, Tula, Tambof, &c. In 1798 there
were in the whole empire about 100 forges and 800 hammers;
but, besides these large iron works, there are a great many
smiths, who smelt the ore at home, and of the iron make
various kinds of utensils. Such little smithies are principally
in the governments of Olonetz and Archangel-in some re-
gions of the Volga, and in Siberia, near Krasnoyarsk, Yeni-
siesk, &c.
The produce of the mines at the Uralian iron works of the
governments of Perm, Ufa, and Winska, amounted, in the
year 1782, to 3,940,400 poods of wrought iron; and, as we
may allow for all the other Russian and Siberian governments
at least a million of poods, the total quantity of iron manu-
factured will be about 5,000,000 poods,* independent of the
various cast wares, which are not included. To obtain this
quantity of wrought-iron, it requires from seven and a half to
eight million poods of raw iron. The average produce of
iron, from the year 1779 until 1793 or 1794, was about
80,000 tons annually, of which about one-half was exported,
and to that end conveyed to St. Petersburgh, which, even
from the Ural, notwithstanding the great distance, is done
* The largest iron works belong to the families of Demidof, Yakovlef, Stroganof,
Iverdischef, Lazaref, Luginin, and Bateschef. The family Stroganof possesses, in the
government of Perm alone, 540,000 square versts of land, and had on it, at the re-
vision before the last, 83,453 vassals of the male sex. Of the private works and
villages there are many which, in magnitude, in neatness of buildings, and in the
number of their inhabitants, exceed most of the towns in this government.-
Tooke, 1799.
166
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
almost throughout by water.* The expense of this transport,
which is greatly favoured by the rivers and lakes of the
Uralian territory, comes to, for the greatest part, from fifteen
to twenty, for some above twenty, and for a small proportion
about twenty-five copecs the pood. With the majority of the
Uralian iron works the pood of iron delivered at St. Peters-
burgh did not cost more than fifty-five, or, at the most, sixty
copecs the pood. The other half was used in the interior and
at the various manufactories—the cast-iron is principally dis-
posed of to the Asiatic nations.
The manufactures increased by the prohibitions that took
place in 1794, when the importation of all hardware was pro-
hibited (scythes excepted), which the Russians could not
make in sufficient quantities. The following is a statement of
the manufactures about the year 1798-
“Iron Foundries.-Almost at every iron mine, where there
is a forge, cast-iron ware is prepared in clay and sand, various
sorts of pans, pots, kettles, and other domestic utensils, as
also such as are wanted at the mines and manufactories. At
almost all the mines, particularly at those belonging to the
crown in Siberia and at Olonetz, they cast cannon and other
implements of artillery. At Petrozavodsk, in the govern-
ment of Olonetz, is a grand cannon foundry, where iron can-
nons are cast, of excellent workmanship, by means of a
cupola furnace. The principal castings hitherto produced by
the Siberians are some masterly balustrades and railing, with
a few statues, cast at the foundry of M. Demidof.†
* This navigation first commences on the borders of China, passing by the Se-
livga to the Baikal Lake, from thence, upon the Angara into the Yenesei; as far
down as Yenesei, there the iron is unloaded and carried over a short tract of land,
and embarked on the river Ket; from thence down that river into the Ob, from
which, up the Irtish, the Tobol, and thence overland to the Tchussovaia; upon
which river it is embarked again, and goes into the Kama, and the Kama into the
great river Volga.-Oddy.
+ The history of the origin and wealth of this most respectable family, and of
their possession of such productive mines, is not destitute of interest, and I believe to
be correctly, as follows:-" The Demidofs are descended of a very industrious
working miner, who had a small iron mine on the confines of Siberia. This was the
great-grandfather of the present generation. Peter the Great, on visiting the spot,
upwards of a hundred years ago, was much pleased with the activity and reputation
RUSSIA.
167
"Iron Works.-Here are meant all manufactories where
raw iron is wrought into malleable iron and various instru-
ments and utensils. Of these are bar-hammers, that are con-
nected with every forge. A great majority of the iron here
consists in thick bars, whereby the works reap infinite ad-
vantage, as many of them can be made at less expense,
trouble, arts, money, and people. Indeed, several sorted
irons are made, but proportionably in small quantities, quad-
rangular bar-iron, and thin wheel-iron or strakes. There are
also, though not many, rollers and shears for cutting nail-iron.*
"Steel Hammers.-Though there has been long in Russia,
at several works, what is called "uklad," or raw steel, or
even, perhaps, refined steel, for the use of their own shops,
made merely of old iron, yet not made, as has sometimes
been said, of half raw iron and half bar-iron.
"For obtaining true steel, it has been advanced that they
forge together the bar-iron with an equal weight of raw iron,
without cooling the raw iron or remelting it; bend it together,
if it be straight, forge it again, and repeat this three or four
times."
A company of Frenchmen, and others, attempted, some
years ago, to make cemented steel of Siberian bar-iron.
These works, however, came to nothing; but, seeing that every
year great quantities of foreign steel were imported, a manu-
factory was established, in 1785, by sovereign authority, at
for honesty of Demidof, and being anxious to encourage the working of mines, and
also to set an example of emulation for others, made him and his heirs, for ever, a
present of an extensive district, immediately surrounding his small patrimonial
mine, with full liberty to work it. The enormous extent of ground thus obtained,
proved a source of inexhaustible wealth to the good miner, for it was found to cover
some of the richest veins of iron, of the finest quality, in Russia. Its produce soon
enriched the industrious proprietor, and his son, having continued to work the
mine, and to explore more ground, was enabled to employ the enormous capital
thus justly acquired in purchasing additional estates, and among others that of
Nijnetabilski, in which a gold mine was discovered soon after, that has yielded, on
an average, forty-nine poods yearly, or 100,6797, sterling iu pure gold.”—Granville's
Travels.
* A very curious article, produced by the Russian workmen, are the little bullets,
which are made in the village Pavlovsk, on the Volga. They are no bigger than a
pea, and cost, in Shahlenborg's time, only half a ruble per dozen-at present one of
them costs as much.-Pallas.
168
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
at Ekateringburg, on the model of that at Steyermark,where,
from raw iron alone, a strong condensed steel, like that of
Steyer, is prepared, and where since, as the works have been.
enlarged, as much steel can be made as is wanted for the
empire, though the ores of those parts have by no means the
quality necessary for that purpose.
Anchor Forges.-There are, at several of the mine works,
very large anchors made, both for the use of the navy and for
exportation.
Flatting Mills, at which tin plates are made for home.
consumption.
Nail Manufactories.-Most of the nails for the inland
trade are made by the smiths in some districts of the Volga,
for which they generally use the slit iron from Siberia. There
is a manufactory of nails near Narva.
Wire Mills are not numerous, and do not make enough for
home demand, therefore wire and wire work are imported.
Needle Manufactories.—There is a needle fabric in the
Pranskoi circle, and a needle maker lives in Reval; neverthe-
less, several millions of needles are imported every year.
There is no manufactory for scythes in Russia. In three
years were imported, at the ports of the Baltic alone, 2,118,033
scythes. If we add to this what come in through Poland
and over the Euxine, the number will amount to greatly above
a million per annum. In Moscowa scythes cost usually fifty
to sixty copecs, but in Siberia they are not to be had for less
than a ruble. At some of the mines attempts were made to
make scythes and sickles; however, they turned out but
badly, and, therefore, the business was dropped.
Manufactories of Fire Arms.—In the empire are four, all
belonging to the crown. The oldest, and the greatest, is at
Tula. It was put on its present establishment in 1717, aud
employs upwards of 4000 workmen. Besides muskets and
side-arms, at Tula, are likewise made bits for horses, various.
kinds of locks, iron bedsteads, frames for sofas, taburets,
chairs, and stools of iron, shears, files, chains, &c. So early
as under Peter 20,000 muskets and 10,000 pairs of pistols
were made every year at Tula; and at Petrozavodsk 12,000
RUSSIA.
169
muskets and 6000 pairs of pistols. In the ten years, from
1770 to 1780, at Tula, were made for the field regiments
(those who never change their head quarters) 112,893 mus-
kets for the infantry; 4581 for the yoeger corps; 18,333 for
the dragoons; 2347 musquetoons for the fleet; 42528 car-
bines, 224 blades, 63,073 pairs of pistols, 11,170 large scymi-
tars, 51,639 sabres, 933 hangers, and 95,590 side-arms for
the infantry.
The price of a musket for the infantry is four rubles, for
the yægers five rubles, for the dragoons 397 to 409 copecs; a
carbine 331 to 389 copecs; a pair of pistols 369 to 384
copecs; a dragoon sabre 2431 copecs; a hussar sabre 266
to 300 copecs; an infantry side-arms one ruble, a large scymi-
tar 269 copecs.
The second is Sestrabek, forty versts from Petersburgh;
the third is at Petrozavodsk, in the government of Olonetz;
and the fourth in Orel. That at Sestrabek has upwards of
400 master workmen.
The works at Tula were, by supreme command, newly
built in 1782, for which 388,000 rubles were allotted: it de-
livers every year arms for 15,000 men. Its yearly expendi-
ture amounts to about 100,000 rubles, for which, besides
the above, a considerable quantity of arms are made.* The
* The Emperor of Russia has just set out to inspect the southern provinces of his
vast empire. It is confidently asserted that the object of his journey is to examine,
himself, the terrible disaster caused by the burning of the manufactory of arms at
Tula. Whoever feels the importance of such an event in Russia, will not be asto-
nished at the promptness with which the emperor proceeds to this place. In the
town of Tula were the only manufactories of fire-arms and swords in the Russian
empire. It contains also three cannon foundries and 600 forges, which supplied
cutlery and hardware to all parts of Russia. The arms which were made in that
town vied in appearance with the best of those of England or France, but were not
equal in solidity. The environs of the town consist of villages belonging to the
crown, and whose inhabitants are entirely exempt from taxes or military service;
although living in a fertile plain, slightly undulated and covered with immense fields
of wheat, these poor slaves, excited by despair, and unable to procure sufficient sub-
sistence for their families or themselves, set fire to the manufactories-which act has
become their utter ruin.
For ages past, these skilful, but wretched, workmen had laboured from father to
son for miserable wages, which were hardly sufficient to support them. The mode
of working adopted in this manufactory never allowed the men to complete an entire
170
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
manufacturers receive for their own work 25,000 poods of
crown iron. In 1797 the following tariff was published at
St. Petersburgh :-
DUTIES UPON EXPORTATION.
R.* C.
Iron, old and broken
·
per berkovetch t
1 0
in bars of all sorts
0 40
"
in lumps, not wrought..
0 80
DUTIES UPON IMPORTATION.
Steel, per cask of three poods
Needles, per 1000
Wire for needles, per pood
1 30
0 30
•
0 12
Goods imported at St. Petersburgh in 1797, with their
amount in rubles:
Needles, 58,000,000
Steel, 1220 poods..
56,410 rubles.
10,143
Exports from all ports of the Russian empire, except those
of the Caspian, in the year 1793:—
Bar-iron
Sorted
•
Poods.
2,503,757
Value in Rubles.
4,258,228
491,575
901,464
Plate iron, kettles, and other
cast-iron wares.
37,917
44,433
weapon. One village was obliged to furnish so many thousand barrels-another so
many blades-and another so many screws, and so on. These were afterwards
deposited in the warehouses of Tula. As there was in Russia no other manufactory,
and as the continual wars of Russia required enormous supplics, each new cam-
paign of the autocrat became a source of additional misery to the workmen. It may
be easily conceived that, under such circumstances, they would seek to put an end to
their insupportable condition. They imagined that if the manufactories ceased to exist,
the emperor would establish others at St. Petersburgh, and even were he to take only
a part of the workmen to the capital, their condition could not but improve. But
they were mistaken in their hopes. The emperor is accompanied by architects,
charged to rebuild the manufactory, and he goes himself to choose a more suitable
plan, and to hasten the conclusion of the works. The embarrassment of the govern-
ment can scarcely be described. Fortunately, however, for them, the arsenal of
St. Petersburgh was sufficiently provided with arms of every description.-Times
Paper, Oct. 15, 1834.
*The ruble may be estimated at 4s., during the greater part of the reign of the
late empress.-Toke. The present value is about 3s. 1d. A ruble is divided into
100 copecs.
† A berkovetch contains ten poods.
RUSSIA.
171
Comparison of the amount of the exportation in 1768 with
that of 1793, in rubles :-
1768.
Iron....
1,443,000
Small iron ware 20,000
1793.
5,159,000
44,000
Increase of 1793.
3,716,000
24,000
And in 1798 there was exported in British ships from St.
Petersburgh:
Iron
♥
Old iron
Hoop iron
2,352,217 poods.
24,860
2,120
"
To such an extent had the trade in iron with Great Britain
increased, that the government of Russia imagined that we
could not carry on our manufactures without their assistance.
They raised the price, by degrees, from 70 to 80 copecs per
pood, which it was in 1770, up to 200 to 220 copecs for new
sable, and 250 copecs for the best old sable. And, in 1794,
the government established a loan bank, to accommodate the
Russian iron masters, by advancing them money on the secu-
rity of their iron, to compel the English to give them such
prices as they demanded.
In 1798 the proprietors of the iron mines succeeded in pro-
curing a prohibition to the exportation of timber altogether,
which they afterwards modified, with a view of benefiting
themselves.* This measure was the means of raising the price
of iron, in consequence of the additional freights the English
were obliged to pay, because they could not get deals suffici-
ent with which to load their ships. In 1790, in consequence
of a fall in the price of wood, a new regulation was made,
partly through the influence of the iron proprietors, who
maintained, that if the English must have deals, they ought
to be proportioned to the quantity of iron they took, which
was, therefore, regulated at 284 standard dozen of white wood
deals, for every 100 tons of iron.
By an ukase, in the spring of 1804, half that quantity of wood
was allowed, in addition to the white wood deals, for the same
quantity of iron. To these ill-advised measures may be added
* In the government of Perme alone it is supposed that betwixt three and four
hundred thousand tons of charcoal are consumed to smelt and work iron and copper.
172
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
the following arbitrary conduct on the part of the Emperor
Paul, who had in various instances displayed the capricious-
ness and irrationality of his character. He indulged a resent-
ment against England on several accounts, of which the prin-
cipal was the disappointment of his expectations of obtaining
possession of Malta, which he fancied due to him as the grand
master of the order. Particular attention had also been paid.
to him by the French Government, and he had become an
avowed admirer of the character of the first consul. As he
was very open in his declarations, he had caused to be inserted
in the Petersburgh Gazette, of Sept. 10, 1800, as the motive
for posting large bodies of troops on the coasts of the Baltic,
that several political reasons induced the emperor to think
that a rupture of the friendship between Russia and England
might ensue; and he published in the same paper, in the end
of October, a declaration of his determination to revive the
armed neutrality. Shortly after, he took the decisive step of
laying an embargo on all the British ships in his ports, amount-
ing to near 300, accompanied with the measure of taking out
their masters and crews, and sending them into confinement
in remote places of the interior. He also sequestered all
British property on shore, and put seals on all warehouses
containing English goods. He announced that the embargo
would not be taken off till Malta should be given up to Rus-
sia, conformably, as he said, to the convention of December,
1798.
The emperor's actions had long denoted insanity, and
having become intolerable to his subjects, and dangerous to
those about him, he was removed from his throne by the only
mode practicable under a despotic monarchy; and, on the 22d
March, 1801, it was announced that he was found dead in
his bed. His son and successor, Alexander, immediately
declared for the laws and political system of his august grand-
nother, Catherine the Second; and one of his first acts was
to liberate and bring back from their places of confinement all
the British mariners belonging to the sequestrated ships.
England, by these acts, was thrown on her own resources,
and with the aid of improved machinery, and the great alter-
RUSSIA.
173
ations which had taken place in the process of manufacture,
was soon able to do altogether without the assistance of
Russia, if we except the C.C.N.D. old sable iron, which is
extensively used in the manufacture of steel.
We learn from Mr. Granville that, in 1828, there were
throughout the whole extent of Russia, as well as in the Ural
chain, nineteen foundries, forges, and mines belonging to the
crown, yielding annually 1,301,000 poods of mineral, which,
independently of a vast number of pieces of artillery manufac-
tured out of it, produced 500,000 poods of pure iron, 12,000
poods in anchors, 9000 poods in steel, and crucibles for smelt-
ing silver ore, and 32,000 small arms.
The establishments belonging to private families were 148 in
number, yielding annually from 7,453,999 to 8,622,396 poods
of mineral, out of which were made from 5,142,921 to 6,120,997
poods of iron, 23,379 to 70,244 poods of steel, and 234,873
scythes.
The duty which the crown received from this produce
amounted to from 802,220 rubles 963 copecs to 1,268,365 rubles
954 copecs on the mineral.
According to "Porter's Tables" there were the following
number of manufactories of steel, iron, and needles, in
Russia:
Years.
1812
1816
1820
1824
Number.
33
75
88
170
EXPORTS OF IRON.
Total quantity of iron exported from Archangel in the
following years-about sixty-three poods to a ton :-
Years.
Poods.
Years.
1795
106,885
1800
1796
152,553
1801
1797
175,542
1802
1798
157,127
1803
1799
68,463
1804
Poods.
75,581
85,868
153,781
74,951
4,016
Iron exported from Archangel to Great Britain and Ireland,
in the following years:
174
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Years.
Poods.
Years.
Poods.
1795
64,422
1800
57,565
1796
104,349
1801
70,188
1797
125,386
1802
116,623
1798
97,026
1803
58,723
1799
37,791
1804
Iron exported from St. Petersburgh, in the following
years:-
Years.
Poods.
Years.
1787
1,699,478
1795
1788
2,479,982
1796
1789
2,072,596
1797
•
1790
1,998,556
1798
• •
• •
1791
2,646,132
1799
1792
2,234,780
1801
•
1793
2,630,239
1802
1794
2,173,006
1803
Poods.
2,329,766
1,857,710
2,689,842
• •
•
2,019,379
1,495,799
2,055,018
2,205,707
Iron in bars exported from St. Petersburgh to Great Britain
in the years 1753 to 1804:-
Years.
Poods.
Years.
Poods.
1753
441,440
1779
1,337,299
1754
498,956
1780
1,770,411
1755
733,196
1781
3,203,487
1756
458,716
1782
1,255,269
1757
338,736
1783
• •
1,615,760
•
1758
514,228
1784
2,644,162
1759
863,579
1785
1,938,944
1760
630,894
1786
1,792,986
1761
1,014,967
1787
1,565,131
1762
754,415
1788
2,206,242
1763
740,990
1789
1,831,181
1764
1,091,488
1790
1,706,106
1765
1,532,086
1791
2,347,145
1766
756,767
1792
1,869,842
1767
1,152,018
1793
2,325,254
1768
1,550,352
1794
1,732,698
1769
2,141,673
1795
2,023,241
1770
2,157,192
1796
1,837,593
1771
2,172,201
1797
•
1,579,658
1772
1,581,827
1798
2,345,287
1773
2,124,467
1799
1,584,920
1774
1,877,878
1800
908,805
1775
1,531,458
1801
1,058,281
1776
1,958,992
1802
1,421,264
1777
2,268,719
1803
1,665,496
1778
1,139,703
1804
868,420
RUSSIA.
175
Iron in bars exported from St. Petersburgh to France in
the following years:-
Years.
Poods.
Years.
Poods.
1772
102,330
1788
96,383
1773
121,865
1789
86,959
1782
137,496
1790
92,916
1783
17,515
1791
99,070
1784
75,591
1792
43,758
1785
48,950
1793*
1786
59,485
1803
9,700
1787
11,571
1804
•
32,837
Iron exported from St. Petersburgh to America, from the
period of its independence to 1805:-
Bars.
Years.
Poods.
Nail Rod-iron.
Poods.
Hoop-iron.
Poods.
1783
6,615
1784
6,612
1785
38,618
15
1786
31,858
2322
1787
10,833
1260
61
1788
17,054
846
378
1789
24,981
1259
411
1790
78,160
2526
1791
48,136
2621
757
1792
132,380
1132
1830
►
1793
177,826
1071
3576
1794
256,635
694
1959
1795
206,039
504
1284
1796
296,691
6405
2019
1797
•
*
•
112,260
560
1002
1798
142,654
1259
631
1799
239,885
126
503
1800
112,568
314
1260
1801
269,709
426
427
1802
309,425
21
1803
413,822
253
1804
278,264
Iron exported from St. Petersburgh in the year 1804 to the
following countries:
Prussia
Lubeck
Denmark
2,050 poods.
1,470
16,254
* By an ukase of March 1793, all intercourse with France was prohibited.
L
176
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Amsterdam
Spain..
Portugal
Italy
8,388 poods.
16,396
"}
6,940 ""
18,803 ""
The exportation of iron from Russia has been upon the
decline since the year 1784, when the whole export from
Archangel and the Baltic was about 50,000 tons, of which
Great Britain took above 40,000 tons; and in the year
1781 she took from St. Petersburgh alone 3,203,487 poods,
which is about 50,000 tons. In the year 1804 Great Britain
imported 868,420 poods, nearly 14,000 tons; and in 1805
only 5848 tons.
the
Bar-iron exported from Archangel and St. Petersburgh from
year 1824:
ARCHANGEL.
ST. PETERSBURGH.
Years.
Poods.
Years.
Poods.
1824
20,790
1824
700,734
1825
63,000
1825
988,347
1826
35,910
1826
594,808
1827
64,575
1827
871,648
1828
65,016
1828
689,628
1829
118,440
1829
·
1,096,480
1830
117,180
1830
•
602,520
1831
86,688
1831
1832
1832
930,429
1,189,649
1833
1833
•
•
•
1834
1834
1835
1835
1836
1836
1837
81,854
1837
1838
22,064
1838
828,935
540,008
731,514
998,748
660,424
648,650
Of which quantity the principal part is exported to the
United States.
1832.
1833.
1834.
Bars.
Bar.
Sheet.
Bar.
Sheet.
Poods.
Poods.
Poods.
Poods.
Poods.
Great Britain 350,689
299,441
130,108
United States 803,508
504,750
64,234
345,080
13,186
Continent..
France
17,098
18,399
24,744 {
70,820
801
1,189,694
828,935
64,234
546,008
13,987
RUSSIA.
177
In 1831 the exports to the United States were 537,000
poods.
Exports from Russian ports in the Caspian sea:
ASTRACHAN AND BAKU.
IRON.
Years.
Value.
Years.
Value.
1824
£17,449
1828
£23,967
1825
15,978
1829
38,162
1826
7,107
1830
40,251
1827
10,555
1831
15,243*
Cwts.
Value.
1830
88,830
£40,251
1831
44,869
15,253*
1830-Hardware, value, £7063-1831, £5236.
By caravans between Russia and Independent Tartary :-
1830
1831
IRON.
Cwts.
9226
7204
Value.
£4211
3163
1830-Hardware, value, £12,469-1831, £9608.
1837.
1838.
Bar.
Sheet.
Bar.
Sheet.
Poods.
Poods.
Poods.
Poods.
Great Britain
..
351,000
353,000
126
United States
262,000
40,000
270,000
36,593
Other parts
48,000
47,000
661,000
40,000
670,000+
36,719
Leaving a supply to meet the next year's demand of
1,030,000 poods.
*From "Porter's Tables."
+ Including the shipments from Archangel.
N
178
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
CHAPTER X.
FRANCE.
ANCIENT Gaul, comprehended between the Alps, the Rhine,
the Pyrenees, and the ocean, contained within itself sufficient
riches for the attraction of the industrious Phenicians, whose
trading occupations rendered them at a very early period
acquainted with the inhabitants of Gaul and Spain, to whom
it is more than probable they communicated their methods of
working mines and metals with a view to their own advantage,
in the same manner as they instructed the early Britons after-
wards. The warlike nations of Gaul appear to have been
well armed, and their prodigious armies were well disciplined.
Their early practice of mining had rendered the uses of metals
familiar, and the army which had nearly sacked Rome under
Brennus, about 370 B.C., and the host led by another Brennus
into Greece, 278 B.C. to plunder the Temple of Apollo at
Delphos, both mark advanced skill and organisation. Cicero
mentions his opinion, that the Gauls were the most obstinate
and formidable enemies of the Romans, and were so powerful,
that had they been able to find sustenance they might have
destroyed Rome, prior to their subjection by Julius Cæsar.
We have just traced this outline in order to confirm the fact
of the progress of the early Gauls in the art of war, the sinews
of which are metals, and especially iron, which abounds so
largely, and the manufacture of which was well known
amongst them. We find that the most ancient inhabitants of
this country occupied themselves in the manufacture of this
metal as a matter of the first necessity; this fact is attested
by Rutilius, Strabo, and particularly by Julius Cæsar, in
179
FRANCE.
speaking of the vigorous resistance which the Berruyers made
while he was engaged in the siege of Bourges. He says-
'They took down our embankment by mines, the more scien-
tifically, because they have great iron works, and every kind
of mines known and in use.
66
""*
Thus, then, long before the conquest of Gaul, the Berruyers
worked their iron mines; and proof of the immense extent of
their works is found in the enormous heaps of cinders which
are to be seen in various parts of the forests and open lands of
the department.
These works were carried on with portable furnaces and
forges, which were worked by manual labour or beasts of
burden-which cannot reasonably be doubted, because, where
these cinders are found, there are no streams of water, nor are
there to be found any traces of water having ever flowed
there.†
Such was the state of this branch of industry when the
Romans, after having made the conquest of Gaul, applied their
knowledge in mechanics to the construction of furnaces and
forges worked by streams of water.
and the strata are most
The Pyrenees abound in
There is an iron mine of
Abundance of iron ore is found in France, particularly in
the north-eastern departments. The ore is not unfrequently
found in large lumps on the surface,
commonly but a few feet below it.
large banks containing iron ore.
considerable repute at Vicdessos, situated very high in these
mountains, about fifteen miles to the south-west of Tarascon,
and not far from the frontier of Spain. The "chantiers," or
places where the ore is dug, are some hundred fathoms deep,
and the passage to them, in many parts, very narrow and
steep. Up these passages the ore is brought, with amazing
toil, on the backs of the miners. Some carry 100 lbs., some
120 lbs., and some even more, according to their strength.
* Lib. vii. c. 21.
↑ That method was adopted in the department of the Cher, but not exclusively so,
since there were also at the commencement of the last century portable forges in the
canton of Henrichemont, and it is not many years since the bellows of the works of
La Guerche were worked by oxen or horses, when the waters were too low for the
purpose.-M. de Barval.
N 2
180
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
The mine is the property of government. There are generally
400 persons at work in it, under inspectors, but paying them-
selves by the sale of the ore to the forge-masters. It is miser-
ably wrought—without a single improvement, Mr. Birkbeck
supposes, since the days of Julius Cæsar. The ore is rich,
and containing calcareous spar, is reduced without the ad-
dition of any other substance. It lies very irregularly, under
lime of a schistose appearance. The mass of ore is in some
parts upwards of sixty feet of thickness. The miners are
mostly proprietors of land. The whole surface of the moun-
tain is divided into patches of different dimensions-all culti-
vated and watered with the utmost assiduity, and clothed with
luxuriant vegetation. There are also abundant mines of iron
in Upper Languedoc, in the mountains of the Rouergue, which
bound the western part of the province; and in the county of
Foix, which joins Languedoc to the south, there is a mine of
iron, so extensive, that it has supplied forty foundries for
upwards of two centuries. In these parts the furnaces to the
iron foundries, instead of being blown with bellows, are sup-
plied with a current of air, by means of water precipitated
through a vertical tube, to which is given the name of a trombe*
-the same word which is used in France for a water-spout.
This practice is of very ancient standing. There are also iron
mines in Franche Compté, Lorraine, Champagne, and Berri,
near the departments of Cher and Indre. The department of
Cher being peculiarly adapted to the growth of wood, of good
quality, and presenting in several parts a great extent of land
rich in iron ore, of the best quality.
Towards the end of the last century the French Govern-
ment took active measures to become acquainted with the state
of the mines, and also to introduce any improvements which
would facilitate the working of them. Scientific men were sent
to the most celebrated mines of Europe, and a Royal College
of Miners was established, where distinguished savans taught
gratuitously all the sciences connected with the sinking of
mines. The young men admitted to the lectures had before
them a collection of minerals, comprising the mineralogical
See page 81.
FRANCE.
181
history of the kingdom; and, to join practical to theoretical
knowledge, indispensable to the miner, the pupils in the sum-
mer season devoted their time to the most important workings
-pursuing their labours under able instructors.
In furtherance of their object to obtain a knowledge of the
mines which furnish the first materials, and also of the forests,
the wood of which is consumed in the manufacture, the govern-
ment, in the year 1784, appointed the Baron de Dietrich to
make a general survey, and report on the state of the mines
and manufactures, and to estimate the extent of the forests
relatively to the establishments which are consuming them,
in order that government might check the increase of works
in some places, or authorise the erection of new ones, as the
state of the forests would allow, and the local interests might
require.
The baron accordingly visited and reported on the whole.
extent of the Pyrenees, included in the districts of Pau and
Auch, Alsace, and the duchies of Lorraine and Bar.
By his report it appears that, in the districts of Pau and
Auch, they made, in thirty-eight forges, 75,800 quintals, of
100 lbs., of forged-iron. Alsace, 92,000 quintals of cast-iron,
and 62,720 quintals of forged iron. Lorraine and Bar,
204,750 quintals of cast-iron, and 145,150 quintals of forged-
iron. Also in Franche Comté 40,100 quintals of cast-iron.
The memoir does not show how much of this cast-iron was
used in the forges, nor what was employed in making castings,
but it states that a considerable quantity was consumed in
castings, and also that a portion of the metal was sent to the
Duchy of Luxembourg.
At this time, encouragement was given by the government
to the establishment of works for the use of coal instead of
wood, which subject occupied considerable attention. The
memoir of the Baron de Dietrich states, that the queen, in
order to encourage those of her subjects who wished to form
establishments for lessening the consumption of wood, gave
them her patronage, and wished that a considerable capital
should be advanced to the forges and royal foundries of
Indre—and, to give confidence to the nation, that the king
182
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
had not agreed to the adoption of the new processes until he
had been convinced of the immense advantages which might
be derived from them, the queen interested herself directly in
the prosecution of the new undertakings.
"Four furnaces, thirty-nine feet high, form at Mont Cenis
the iron work with coal, free from sulphur; four reverberatory
furnaces are erected there, capable of making 12,000 lbs. weight
at a single cast, and in a state to be refined with coke—an
important discovery of the English, which has cost them
twenty-five years' labour, and from which we shall reap the
advantage as soon as they will.”
Five engines are actively employed at the foundry of Creu-
sot; they serve, at the same time, to raise from the bosom of
the earth the coals which are consumed-furnish blast to the
furnaces—and, also, to work the immense forge hammers.
The absence of a stream of water, so often an obstacle to the
erection of works in the best situations, will present no diffi-
culties to such works as have recourse to these processes.
Works constructed like those of Mont Cenis, upon the land
which will supply them with coal, will answer the double
object of saving the expense (often ruinous) of the carriage of
coal, and checking the destruction of the forests.
The briskness of coke, increased by the impetuosity and the
volume of air given out by the bellows from the blast engine,*
will increase to so great an extent the produce of one work,
that the four furnaces of Mont Cenis will produce easily
10,000,000 to 11,000,000 lbs. of cast-iron per annum-a quan-
tity that ten of our largest furnaces would hardly yield in work-
ing the same mines.
The memoir then calls on the works of Alsace and Lor-
raine to adopt the same methods, and states that the Comp-
troller-General intends to publish the particulars of the me-
chanism of the engines, in order to bring them the sooner into
general use.
The annual produce of the 108 departments of the Repub-
* The largest bellows of our forges give 500 cubic feet of air per minute; the eight
bellows, required for four furnaces, will give 2000 cubic feet; the three belonging to
the engines furnish 9000 cubic feet in the same time.-Baron de Dietrich.
FRANCE.
183
lic had already reached, in 1801, to nearly 140,000 tons of
cast-iron, resulting from the working of 550 blast furnaces
(1,000 kilogrammes to the ton); of these, 140,000 tons, about
111,000 to 112,000 were the produce of 450 furnaces belong-
ing to France, reduced to her present boundaries.
The produce of wrought-iron in the 108 departments of the
Republic, at that time, was 94,000 tons, of which about 79,000
were furnished by the eighty-six departments now belonging
to France.
One single blast furnace (that of Creusot) was worked with
coke.
M. de Bonnard (an engineer of mines) published, in 1809,
by order of council, a description of the English process of
making iron; another engineer of mines (M. de Gallois),
after having passed several months in England, in studying
their methods in the most minute detail, established near
St. Etienne (in the same department where, some years later,
a member of the same body, M. Beaumier, constructed the
first iron railway) the first blast furnace in France, wherein
the minerals were treated in the same manner as the English,
and the third in which coke was employed.* M. de Gallois,
notwithstanding the extent of his knowledge, both theoretic
and practical, could not overcome the difficulties to be en-
countered by those who wish to introduce new processes into
districts where they have hitherto been unknown; the blast
furnace, constructed under his direction, had not at first that
success which he had expected, and his premature death is
attributed to the grief and trouble which this enterprise occa-
sioned him.
The manufacture of wrought-iron with pit-coal proceeded
step by step with the making of cast-iron with coke. In
1820 Messrs. Boiguer and Dufand, at Fourchambault, and
M. de Vendel, at Hayange, had built extensive works, which
have served as models for all which have since been erected.
These examples were not fruitless; an increase was soon
*The first blast furnace in France, worked with pit-coal, was that of Creusot;
that of Etienne is the second-it was only established in 1818.
184
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
seen in the number of iron works wherein pit-coal was em-
ployed, either partially or in the whole of their operations.
In 1818, the total consumption of iron in France did not
exceed 122,000 tons annually, of which 114,000 were pro-
duced by the blast furnaces-5000 were old castings from
the magazines—and 3000 were imported.
In 1824, the production had increased to 164,000 tons—
the importation to about 7000-the consumption may be taken.
at 175,000.
Production
Importation
Consumption
•
1818.
114,000 tons.
3,000
122,000
"
"}
1824.
164,000 tons.
7,000
175,000
Referring to the statement already made of the production
of 1801 in the departments now actually French; statements
extracted from one of the best statistical works of that period,
it is evident that the annual production of cast-iron from 1801
to 1818 had not materially increased.
It appears, also, from some approximative data, that the
quantity of cast-iron consumed in the foundries increased
nearly in the same proportion with the total quantity of cast-
iron consumed. It was in 1818 and 1824 nearly a sixth part
of the total quantity. The proportion of castings made at the
blast furnaces bore nearly the same ratio to their produce of
iron, being almost constantly one-sixth.*
Total quantity of bar-iron used in the years-
Consumption
1818.
86,000 tons.
Made in France t.. 76,000
""
Imported
10,000
1824.
118,000 tons.
112,000
6,000,,
"
Thus, the production of bar-iron in 1818 was nearly the
same as in 1801, or rather it was a trifle less; within ten
* It is estimated that the quantities of iron made into castings, in 1818 and 1824,
may be stated at 20,000 and 28,000 tons, and the proportion made at the blast fur-
naces into castings, either at the first or second fusions, may be taken at 17,000 and
22,000 tons.
† From 9000 to 10,000 tons of these quantities of bar-iron have been made in the
southern departments, by immediate reduction from the iron ore-a process com-
monly called the Catalonian method.
FRANCE.
185
years the consumption was nearly doubled, the production
actually so, and the importation was reduced one-half.
The iron imported into France was principally from Sweden
and Russia.
The importation in the years-
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
Swedish iron in tons, about.... 1900
Russian iron in tons, about.... 100
2400
3900
5400
140
330
540
We have already observed, that the first forges on the
English plan were established in 1820. In 1823 there were
eleven in work, and four building. In 1826 there were only
four blast furnaces using coke in full work, but there were
thirty-one forges, or wrought-iron works.
In 1818 only a very small quantity of cast-iron was made
with coke, and no wrought-iron was prepared with pit-coal.
In 1824 the produce of cast-iron with coke was about 3000
tons, but of wrought-iron manufactured with pit-coal, 4400
tons were brought into the market.
In 1828 the production of cast-iron was more than 200,000
tons, the importation about 8000, and the consumption about
213,000.
Bar-iron..-Quantity made in France, 152,000 tons; im-
ported 6000 tons; consumption, 158,000 tons.
Quantity of iron made into castings 37,000 tons, and the
proportion made at the blast furnaces 32,000 tons.
In 1828 the number of blast furnaces had increased to four-
teen, and that of forges on the English plan to forty; 17,000
tons of cast-iron were smelted with coke, and 48,000 tons of
bars made with pit-coal. Thus, the manufacture of cast-iron
with coke chiefly developed itself from 1824 to 1828, whilst
that of wrought-iron with pit-coal had already considerably
extended itself in 1824.
These 17,000 tons of cast-iron, made with coke do not
amount to a tenth of the whole produce; and the 48,000 tons
of bars made with pit-coal form nearly a third of the total
manufacture of wrought-iron.
This disproportion between the respective quantities of cast
186
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
and wrought-iron, as compared with the total produce, arises
from the number of situations where it is found advantageous
to make the cast-iron with wood charcoal, and to refine it with.
pit-coal.
M. Auguste Perdonnet, in his report made to the society
"Du Bulletin Universel des Sciences et de l'Industrie," read
at the sitting of the society on the 24th April, 1831, as to
"what improvement has the art of making iron received in
France during late years."
"I will say but few words as to the improvement which the
art of making iron has received. The attention of the French.
iron masters has of late years been principally directed to the
perfect naturalization of the English methods in this country,
and to the advantages which might arise from combining to-
gether, the process of fabrication with wood charcoal, and
those with pit-coal. They have, above all, applied themselves
to economise fuel, the cost of which forms a very great part
of their expenses.
"It is not many years since the working of our charcoal
blast furnaces, being altogether left to the routine manage-
ment of workmen only, was in a very backward state. But
competition has succeeded much better in leading our iron
masters into the way of improvement than all the advice of
ingenious persons; and it suffices to compare the number of
charcoal blast-furnaces, and their total produce in 1801 and
1828, to be convinced of the progress that has been made in
their manner of constructing and working them.
"In 1801 it required 450 charcoal blast-furnaces, of which
420 at least were in work, to produce 112,000 tons of cast-
iron. In 1828 only 379 furnaces produced 184,000 tons;
thus, in the time elapsed between 1801 and 1828, the mean
produce of a charcoal blast furnace has nearly doubled. At
the same time, we are obliged, with regret, to acknowledge
that all our charcoal iron works have not followed the pro-
gress of improvement. We yet find at a great number of
them water-wheels, wretchedly constructed, and blowing
machines more miserable.
"The reason why blast furnaces with coke have been so diffi-
FRANCE.
187
cult to forward in France is, that our materials not being the
same as the English, we have been obliged to make a great
number of very expensive experiments to learn even now how
to use them. But these furnaces have at last begun to give
satisfactory results, at least in a technical sense.
“We should, however, very far deceive ourselves, if we were
to form an opinion of the prosperity of our manufactures by
their increased production. If we penetrate into these esta-
blishments, and examine them closely, we soon are convinced
that this immense development of the means of manufacturing
has not always been a source of benefit to the iron masters.
Many of their works are in a state of real distress-enormous
capitals have been swallowed up-each one in his turn has
attempted their management-they have had in succession at
their head clever theorists, expert practicians, Frenchmen,
Englishmen, and Germans-the custom-house duties have
been increased for their protection, and still they are in gene-
ral far from being in a state of prosperity.
"The causes are numerous-the too great distance of some
of these works from the raw material—also the bad quality of
the mineral-or the inability, perhaps, of some of the persons.
to whom the management has been intrusted—and, lastly,
the blow given to commerce by late events; all these circum-
stances have, doubtless, contributed to arrest the progress of
the iron manufacture in France. But part of these circum-
stances have, at the present time, ceased-the cost of labour
has much decreased, and the experiments are finished. The
want of means of transit and communication is more grievously
felt by our iron manufacturers than by any others, for some of
our iron works are threatened with ruin from this cause, if it
be not speedily remedied.
"Thus, at Fourchambault, at St. Etienne, Hayange, and
other iron works where the cast-iron is made with coke, the
expense of carriage alone amounts to one-third, if it be not
nearer one-half, of the total cost of manufacture, so that the
ton of metal is charged with 60, 70, or 80 francs for the cost
of transport only.*
* The cost of transport upon an ordinary road may be estimated, on the average,
188
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
"We have an inexhaustible supply of minerals, excellent in
quality-most of them equally rich with the English. We
have pit-coals in abundance, many kinds yielding coke, well
suited for the blast furnaces, and costing us less at the mine
than theirs, except at a very few places. Limestone and fire-
clay are to be had at the quarry equally cheap, and labour
costs less in France than in England. But no where, as I
believe, are all these raw materials found together exactly at
the same point, as is the case in Wales, where the same mine
supplies coal, ironstone, fire-clay, and limestone—or, if in
some localities, as at Allais and at Aubin, they are near to
each other—there are no canals or railways, or even good
roads, to take the produce away."
There are at this time in France twelve distinct localities
or districts, in which the making of iron is prosecuted, which
are distinguished in the official reports:-*
1. Group of the north-east.
2.
3.
4.
of a to o
6.
7.
8.
9.
"}
""
""
""
of the north-west.
of the Vosges.
of the Jura.
of Champagne and Burgundy.
of the Centre.
of the Indre and La Vendée.
of the coal-fields of the south.
of Perigord.
""
10.
of the Alps.
>>
11.
""
12.
of the Landes.
of the Pyrenees.
to be 1f. 50c. for 100 kilogrammes carried one league (about four kilometres). At
Chatillon, where they refine with coals the metal made with charcoal, the coal of
Rive de Gier, their best for the purpose, costs 56f. per ton, whilst it sells for only 20f.
at the pit. At Hayange, the coal of Sarrebuck, sold for 5f. per ton, costs 30f. At
Fourchambault the coal of St. Etienne, only 5f. at the mine, comes to 30f. at the
iron works. At Audincourt they use the coal of Rouchamps, which, bad as it is in
quality, costs 25f. per ton on the place, and 38f. 50c. at the furnace, but it is only
used in the chaferies to reheat the blooms before drawing them into bars.
* "A Statistical View of the Recent Progress and Present Amount of Mining
Industry in France," by G. R. Porter, Esq.
france.
189
Group.
Wood
charcoal.
Coke. Coal. Wood.
The actual and relative importance of these groups may be
seen from the following particulars, having reference to the
working of 1836:-

Number of
Iron Works.
Number of
Workmen.
Quantity of Fuel in tons and steres. Quantity of Products.
Value of
Products
in
Cast- Bar-
iron.
Steel
English
iron.
Money.
123
94
2233
2
59 1771 54,051
Tons. Tons. Tons. Steres.
90,844 3,530 8,230 33,583
2,964
Tons.
Tons. Tous
£
46,233
30,450 162
530,599
23,755 11,182
210,238
7 388
7,315 24,830
2,226 9,189
147,500
4 148
2090 126,754
5 152
2807 139.602
910
40,947
54,737 28,900 581
652,030
81,499 42,309
691,528
6 124
2133 71,098 14,094 35,798
36,993 27,029 766
501,362
7
21
499 17,564
5,824 2,870
61,085
8
15
1243
87,444 115,038
28,440 27,276
377,158
9 115
1175 39,120
•
3,399
14,893
9,064 96
173,646
10 39
174 6,614
11 21 410 17,466
251
2,021
2821120
6,916
32 478
7,118
3,674
62,535
12 99
815 30,742
9,466
171,140
894 15,738 593,855 112,383 232,399 34,061 303,739 201,691 2725 3,585,737
The figures given in the foregoing table do not present in
all their importance the extent of this branch of industry in
France. The number of workmen employed for the produc-
tion of pig-iron (fonte), malleable iron (gros fer), and steel,
which alone are there included, does not much exceed one-
third of the number engaged in all the various processes of
the iron manufacture; and the total value of the material
produced, instead of being, as in the above statement,
3,585,7391., amounted in 1836, according to the returns of
the inspectors, to 4,975,4247. The following abstract contains
all that it appears desirable to offer on this occasion, and
presents under five principal divisions the total number of
workmen engaged in the manufacture, with the value created
by them in each of those divisions:-
No. of workmen.
Value created.
1. Extraction and preparation of the ore
2. Production of pig-iron (fonte)
3. Production of malleable iron (gros fer)
4. Founding, drawing, rolling, &c.
17,557
500,632
•
6,776
1,969,132
8,678
1,506,247
8,615
812,486
5. Converting, moulding, casting, &c., steel
2,149
186,927
Total.... 43,776
4,975,424
190
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Rather more than 40 per cent. of the value here stated is
made up of the cost of the fuel used in the various processes,
viz.:
Wood charcoal
Wood
Coke..
Coal..
Peat.
· •
£1,643,826
13,040
96,972
285,235
694
£2,039,767
This sum is divided among the different processes in the
following proportions:-
1. Roasting the ore.
2. Smelting
•
3. Refining, puddling furnaces, &c., &c.
4. Casting, drawing, rolling, &c.
5. Moulding, casting, &c., steel
·
£
1,782
Dec. Propor.
0.087
•
1,132,039
55.500
737,888
36.175
121,556
5,959
46,502
2,279
Total.... 2,039,767
100.000
It will be seen that four-fifths in value of the fuel is com-
posed of wood. Coke was not used in the iron works of
France until 1821, and at the present time is employed almost
exclusively for processes subsequent to smelting the ore. The
proportionate value of different kinds of fuel consumed in the
various processes in each year, from 1833 to 1836, has been—
Wood charcoal....
Coal...
Coke.
Wood
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836.
0.838
0.818
0.864
0.806
0.098
0.129
0.098
0.140
0.062
0.050
0.037
0.048
0.002
0.003
0.001
0.006
1.000
1.000
1.000
1·000
The average prices of the different kinds of fuel in 1836, as
stated in the report, were—
Wood charcoal
Coal
Coke
Wood
54s. 10d. per ton.
18 5
20
3
"
2
10 per stere.
The increased proportion of wood, observable in the work-
ing of 1836, is caused by the substitution in part, in some
FRANCE.
191
works, of wood dried by heat or partially carbonised. By
the introduction of a proportion of dry wood in place of char-
coal, a diminution in the cost of fuel has been attained; but
against this advantage must be placed the smaller produce
obtained from the furnace in a given time, as well as a dimi-
nution of metal from a given quantity of ore. Where wood
charcoal alone is used for smelting, it requires eighteen metri-
cal quintals for the production of thirteen metrical quintals of
iron. Where coke and coal are used in the proportion of ten
of the former to nine of the latter, it requires about three
quintals of fuel to produce one quintal of iron. In some
cases, coke is used with charcoal in the proportion of one
quintal of coke to two quintals of charcoal, and the produce
has been eight quintals of iron for ten quintals of fuel. In
the first case (where wood charcoal is used), the cost of the
fuel has been 9.92 francs per metrical quintal of iron, or
41. Os. 6d. per English ton. The cost, when coke and coal
are used, is stated to be 4:45 francs per quintal, or 36s. 1½d.
per ton; and in the third case, where coke and charcoal are
mixed, the cost is said to be 7.60 francs per quintal, or
31. 1s. 8d. per ton. The value assigned to the produce is—
Francs.
Per ton.
In the first case.... 20.99 per quintal, equal to £8 10 4
In the second case... 11.13
In the third case 20.32
4 10 4
"
8 4 11
""
The mixture of coke and charcoal would, upon the whole,
appear to be the most profitable in its result. Deducting
from the value of the metal the sum expended for fuel, there
would remain, when charcoal alone is used, 41. 9s. 10d. per
ton; when coal and coke are used, 21. 14s. 23d. per ton; and
when coke and charcoal are used, 51. 3s. 3d. per ton. These
calculations are, of course, wholly inapplicable to the circum-
stances in which the manufacture is placed in this country,
from the actual and relative cheapness of our mineral fuel.
The use of the hot-blast has been adopted in several of the
furnaces in France. At first it was found that the iron thus
obtained was not so well adapted for making bar-iron as that
for the smelting of which cold air had been used; but some
192
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
modifications, which are not particularised in the reports, have
been introduced into the process, and this advantage, it is said,
has been remedied. No account is given of the quantity of iron
made in France earlier than 1824; but from that year the ac-
count is regularly stated in the reports from which the following
abstract (in English tons) has been computed :-
Years.
Pig-iron.
Malleable iron.
1824
194,636
139,564
1825
195,588
141,396
1826
202,756
143,336
1827
213,175
146,621
1828
217,604
149,117
1829
213,868
151,319
1830
222,965
146,242
1831
221,423
138,942
1832
221,660
•
141,336
1833
232,559
149,982
1834
265,028
174,507
1835
290,378
206,396
1836
393,739
201,691
As in the case of coals, the importations of foreign iron into
France have kept pace with the increase in the native produc-
tion. The custom-house accounts of that country are detailed
with great minuteness, but it is not necessary here to particu-
larise the quantities of each description of foreign iron used in
France. The value so consumed in each year since 1815,
and the amount of duty collected on the same, were as
follows:
Value of foreign iron
Amount of
duty collected.
Years.
imported for use.
1815
£87,556
£29,840
1816
98,063
45,600
1817
202,205
122,024
1818
163,173
89,491
1819
164,238
94,180
1820
162,107
81,517
1821
226,571
126,945
1822
144,193
74,540
1823
141,501
86,258
1824
164,812
94,157
1825
150,690
86,894
1826
218,212
130,326
1827
186,846
98,960
FRANCE.
193
Value of foreign iron
imported for use.
179,635
Amount of
duty collected.
Years.
1828
95,073
1829
160,625
84,396
1830
187,117
•
100,476
1831
123,185
63,644
1832
159,222
82,192
1833
174,601
91,569
1834
200,573
104,598
1835
231,208
121,346
1836
252,702
122,842
Having traced the manufacture of iron to the present time,
we will now refer to the measures of the French govern-
ment to protect this branch of their trade. During the
war, and the interruption to foreign commerce which it occa-
sioned, several branches of industry grew up in France, or were
considerably extended, for the successful prosecution of which
she is not, under ordinary circumstances, any wise fitted. Of
these iron may be specified as one. The extraordinary de-
mand for warlike instruments, occasioned by the war, gave a
powerful stimulus to this trade; and when peace was restored,
those engaged in it were necessarily involved in considerable
difficulties. But these, howsoever severe they might be in
the first instance, were not of a sort that could have continued
for any considerable period. Had no adventitious principle
been interposed, the manufacturers would gradually have
changed their business, and instead of producing cannon and
muskets, would have learned to produce those improved agri-
cultural and manufacturing instruments, that were either un-
known in France, or obtained only from the foreigner-but
matters were not allowed thus to adjust themselves. The
iron masters represented to government that they were in a
state of extreme distress, and that this distress was occasioned
by the importation of foreign iron, and not by the transition
from war to peace. The government lent a favourable ear to
these representations, and, in consequence, the duty on foreign
iron, which had continued at 2f. 20c. the 100 kilogrammes,*
from 1790, was raised, in 1814, to 15f., being an increase of
nearly seven times its previous amount. This, however, was
* A kilogramme is equal to 2 lbs. 2 oz. avoirdupois.
O
194
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
not found sufficient to secure to the iron masters that mono-
poly which they were naturally anxious to obtain, and, in
1821, they again represented that this enormous increase of
duty was insufficient for their protection, and, on the 3d of
November, in the same year, an ordinance was published
relative to the importation into France of foreign iron manu-
factured by rolling.
The preamble of the ordinance refers to the law which
authorises the government to change the regulations of the
tariff of the customs, and to present the alteration to the
Chambers in the form of a law project. Then, after stating
that it is necessary to protect the manufactured iron of France
against the competition of foreign iron, manufactured by roll-
ing (the price of which is greatly inferior to hammered iron),
it is ordered that, from fifteen days after the publication of
the ordinance, all such iron, when imported, shall be placed
in entrepôt, and shall afterwards pay the duty which may be.
fixed by law when taken out of the warehouse for consump-
tion.
In the course of the financial discussions, some members of
the opposition endeavoured to recommend a liberal system of
commercial policy, and to imitate, in this respect, the example
which England was now setting to the world. But proposi-
tions of this kind met with no favour from any party, and
with vehement condemnation from the ministers. "Let the
system of prohibition," said M. de St. Cricq, Director-General
of the Customs, "be for an instant abolished, then Odessa
inundates us with her grain-England with her steel, with
her hardware, her cottons, and with almost all the objects of
daily use and convenience, in which she possesses the same
superiority over us which we have over her in the productions.
of our soil and the objects of our industry.”—“Let us sup-
pose these relations established between other countries, and
observe the change in your situation. There is not a person
who, understanding the interests of our trade, would consent
to enter on the career of freedom."
The ex-minister, M. Laine, quoted England as an autho-
rity for severe commercial restrictions, and maintained that
FRANCE.
195
her late departures from that system were not examples to be
imitated by other countries. "England," he said, "had first
adopted the system of exclusion, and it was not, therefore,
very remarkable, that, finding it enforced against her, she
should be inclined to change her practice. She had derived.
from prohibition all the advantages that she could hope for-
she had accumulated immense capitals-her industry had
been so much developed, that she was obliged to seek for a
large outlet, and, perhaps, on this account, she had come to
the point of saying-' Now we will receive you, only receive
us.›››
The duty was again raised from 15f. to 25f. the 100
kilogrammes.
The duty is of two kinds-that of 15f. per 100 kilogrammes,
which was imposed in 1814, and which is levied on iron
fabricated with charcoal and the hammer-that is to say, on
the iron of the North, of Spain, and even of the Netherlands:
that of 25f., imposed in 1822, and which is chargeable on the
iron fabricated with coal and the rollers-in other words,
almost exclusively on the English iron.
"The French iron was, in 1814, at 60f. the 100 kilo-
grammes, but, as the most accurate calculation had made it
clear that the iron masters could not afford to sell the
common iron below 50f. to get any reasonable profit, it was
understood that, below that rate, foreign iron should not be
admitted to compete with ours in our own markets. The
northern irons, the only ones whose rivalry was at that time
taken into consideration, were generally sold in our staples at
the medium price of 36f.—a tax of 15f. and (with the tenth)
of 16f. 50c. was added to it in order that they might not be
offered to purchasers below 52f. or 53f. But a few years
afterwards a rapid depreciation, not hitherto warranted by
better conditions in the means of production, having taken
place in the prices at home, signalized the invasion of the
English irons, which, being fabricated with coal and the
rollers, were sold in our maritime entrepôts at the moderate
price of 21f.; and it was only in 1822, after two years of
recrimination and complaints, that it was deemed necessary,
o 2
196
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
both to protect our own charcoal fabrication, and to encou-
rage the incipient efforts of France to fabricate with coal, to
apply to this particular species of fabrication a tax of 25f. and
(with the tenth) of 27f. 50c., which, making the cost 48f. or
49f., a rate very near that which had been fixed for the iron
of the North, was considered less as a real aggravation than a
rational—and in some degree, a necessary application of the
principle of the tariff of 1814."*
These exaggerated duties completely answered the purpose
for which they were imposed. In 1817 the importation of
bar-iron alone was 18,789,014 kilogrammes, and continued to
be a prosperous trade to the importers, in spite of the duty
of 15f., till 1822. In 1821 the importation was 13,843,724
kilogrammes. The increase of the duty on English iron was
immediately succeeded by the following decrease of imports.
In 1822 the importation was only 5,069,171 kilogrammes.
1823
1828
""
ور
4,521,656
5,794,942
In 1828, the government, urged on by the complaints of the
public against these high duties, appointed a commission to
inquire into the state of the iron trade, and M. de St. Cricq,
whose opinion on free trade has already been given, was chair-
man of the commission.
It had been the intention of the French legislature to favour
the iron masters, into whose hands the difference of price created
by the tax was intended to fall. These expectations were, at
first, fulfilled; the iron masters made large profits, and
doubled their production in the first six or seven years after
the peace. What was the consequence? Their success drew
fresh capital into the trade. "Of the 93,850,000f. of capital
sunk," says the Enquête, "about 47,000,000f. belong to the
newly-erected establishments." The manufacture was pushed
forward with accelerated speed. Certain materials are neces-
sary in the manufacture-the most indispensable of which is
fuel, which, in France, consists chiefly of wood, or rather
charcoal. If the prix de revient, or cost-price of iron at the
furnace be examined by the data furnished to the commission,
*Enquête sur les Fers, 1829.
FRANCE.
197
it will be found that the ore, inclusive of the mining expenses,
forms only 11 per cent., whilst the fuel, exclusive of the
cutting and carriage, amounts to 39 per cent. The increased
production of iron gives rise to a greater consumption of wood
and what follows? The price of iron rises, but the price
of wood rises simultaneously, with this peculiar disadvantage,
that being of slow growth,* the market cannot be supplied
with an increasing quantity of wood, as with an ordinary com-
modity, so that a general rise in price continues of necessity
for a long period. An iron master at Chatillon-sur-Seine, in
the Côte d'Or, says, that in 1822, he bought the banne of
charcoal (fifty cubic feet) at 16f., for which he now pays 23f.
50c. In the Meuse the banne cost 18f. 3c. in 1822—it now
costs 37f. 50c. At Fourchambault, in the Nivernais, the iron
master bought the corde of wood (sixty-four cubic feet), in
1821, at 3f. 50c., which now costs from 5f. to 6f. In the
Meuse it was 3f. the corde of forty-nine cubic feet in 1820—
now it is nine. In 1818 the produce of the year's fall of the
government woods brought into the Treasury 20,181,000f.;
in 1828 the same quantity produced 29,309,000f., being a
difference of nearly 50 per cent. in the price.
The prodigious effect of the iron manufacture on the price
of wood becomes more credible, when we read the following
words of M. Le Baron Pasquier, the reporter of the com-
"The total value of combustible wood used
every year in the forges, may be reckoned at 30,000,000f.
(1,200,0007.), which is about a fourth of the forest
mission:
revenue.'
In spite of the tariff of 1822, the trade was not so profit-
able as it was before that period. One of the witnesses, an
* The total extent of the forests of France is 6,521,470 hectares (nearly equal to
two acres)—this total, after deducting one-fifteenth part, which consists of large
timber, and one-fourth of wood consumed in public and private establishments, is
reduced to 5,610,833 hectares of wood, susceptible of being cut in twenty years
upon an average-which allows to be cut annually 280,541 hectares. According to
the evidence of various statisticians, we may calculate the annual cutting of wood
in France amounts to 9,804,928 cords, of eighty cubic feet, or two and three-
quarters stivers.†—M. Heron de Villefosse, 1827.
† A measure of wood equal to a cubic metre, or a little better than a cubic yard.
198
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
extensive iron master of Champagne, says-"We made some
profit when we sold at 450f. (the 1040 kilogrammes), and we
are now losers in selling at 500f.; the cause of which is,
that, in 1819, the banne of charcoal cost 18f. 3c., while it
now costs 37f. 50c."
The proprietors of wood (the landowners) received the
profits.
In 1818 the manufacture of bar-iron amounted to 800,000
quintals—that of cast-iron to 1,400,000 quintals—all smelted
with charcoal. The increased price of wood having led to
the use of cheaper fuel, a vast number of the forges esta-
blished by the new comers were erected on the English
plan. We find that of 1,521,881 quintals, forged in 1828,
476,116, or nearly one-third, were made with coal. The
difference in the cost of production is surprising. One of the
witnesses says-that to produce 1040 kilogrammes, of ordi-
nary iron smelted with charcoal, he is obliged to use five
bannes and a quarter of charcoal, which, at 41f. 50c. per
banne, amounts to 207f. 50c., whilst, to produce 1000 kilo-
grammes with coke, he has only to employ 1700 kilogrammes
of coal, at 49f. 50c. per 1000 kilogrammes, which amount only
to 84f. 15c. The proportion of the cost of coal to charcoal
is nearly as nine to twenty. The difference in the expense of
labour and carriage is not less striking. M. Pasquier says
that labour and carriage form at least, on the average, 43 per
cent. of the prix de revient of the wood-made iron, whilst in
that of the coke-made iron they do not reach higher than
29 per cent.
The reporter avers that "the average price of iron smelted
with charcoal is 49f. 12c., and the average price smelted with
coal is 38f. 50c." The result of the Enquête was, that the
commission proposed that the existing tariff on iron shall be
maintained for five years longer, at the expiration of which
period the present import duty on foreign iron shall be reduced
by one-fifth.
The following is an abstract of the speech delivered by the
French Minister of Commerce, in the Chamber of Deputies,
FRANCE.
199
on the 21st May, 1829, on the proposed alterations in the
French tariff:*
“The king, gentlemen, has commanded us to lay before
you a law project, containing certain modifications in the tariff
of our custom duties, the principal provisions of which are the
fruit of the researches and deliberation of a commission
appointed to that effect. In recommending the appointment
of this commission, gentlemen, I did not abandon my per-
sonal conviction. My opinion, which has been frequently ex-
pressed to you, remains unchanged, namely, that it was not
expedient that every thing should be prohibited, nor every
thing permitted. Unrestricted freedom for trade at home,
and all the freedom compatible with manifest necessities for
foreign trade, are the conditions of our industry of every kind.
If a protecting system were to yield abruptly to a system of
unrestricted freedom in transactions between all nations, fo-
reign labour would come into the French markets, and usurp
the place of national labour. A prudently-devised protecting
system is the necessary and permanent regulator of the divers
conditions under which nations exercise their industry. Almost
every branch of French industry would be in peril the
moment it had to stand in competition in the market of
France, without protection, against foreign produce and manu-
factures. Even if, as some persons argue, the branches of
industry destroyed could be replaced by other branches more
profitable, this would occasion a social perturbation—the con-
sequences of which could not be anticipated without alarm.
It is not that France would cease to produce corn-to culti-
vate the olive-tree, flax and hemp, and to breed cattle, horses,
and sheep, if the corn of the Crimea and Poland, the hemp of
the north, the flax of Belgium, the oil of the Levant and
Italy, the oxen of Germany and the Netherlands, the wool of
Spain and Moravia, and the horses of Friesland and Meck-
lenburgh, were admitted duty free; but the price of all these
* Duchatet's (Secretary of State for the Department of Commerce) report to the
king-1834. (J. Bourwingis' Reply, p. 22.) Cast-iron could not formerly be
imported in pigs under 400 kilogrammes. This minimum is reduced to 25 kilo-
grammes."-8th July, 1834.
3
200
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
objects would become discouraging, and, perhaps, insupport-
able, to the French grower and breeder. Still less would the
iron works, the cotton, the linen, and woollen cloth, and the
hardware manufactories of France, be able to stand against
the unchecked invasion of English cotton goods, Flemish
linen and woollen drapery, the iron and hardware of Sweden,
England, and Germany. Even the flourishing manufacto-
ries of Lyons would receive a shock by the free importation
of India silks, which, in 1820, at the outcry of the manufac-
turers of Lyons, were prohibited-instead of paying a duty of
20 per cent. By what other branches of trade, gentlemen,
could those which I have enumerated be replaced? I ad-
mit that we should supply a greater quantity of wine to other
nations; but I know no other article in which we have an
advantage in point of price. Assuredly, our wine-growers
would not purchase their prosperity by the ruin of so many
other interests? and, besides, is it certain that this ruin would
not reduce the consumption of wine at home in a proportion
equal to or greater than we might obtain abroad? An advan-
tage might at first accrue to wine growers by a greater sale
abroad; but they would soon feel the painful effects of an in-
evitable re-action. Let them look at wealthy England, of
whose market they are so envious; in that country the con-
sumption of wine is scarcely 30,000 pipes, whilst a moderate
tax on beer yields 200,000,000f. to the revenue. In coun-
tries where the vine is indigenous, a few of the best growths of
France find a market; but in countries to which nature has
refused the vine, other beverage is made use of, and little
room is left for a consumption which the wealthy alone can
obtain. The inference to be drawn from hence is, not that
our present tariff is the best that can be, and that no figure
can be altered; but that our productions and manufactures
cannot dispense with a tariff. The question is, what extent
of protection shall be given to each of the branches of our
industry? Here is the controversy, and the field is suffi-
ciently ample. The controversy arising between interests ever
distinct and often opposed - the necessities of different
branches of industry being variable in their nature, and a
FRANCE.
201
need existing of protecting the interest of the consumer-at-
tentive inquiries and prudent revisions became necessary from
time to time. Objections have been started against the ap-
pointment of a commission, but when was it ever known that
an examination of complaints was injurious to the interests of
the complainants? Vehement complaints have been made.
upon the duty of foreign iron, and upon the utility and possi-
bility of maintaining the actual colonial regime. The govern-
ment could not suppose that there were no points connected
with these subjects of which it might not be ignorant, and
hence these questions were submitted to the commission.
The general opinion of the commission, in which every doc-
trine had organs, and every interest defenders, is, that the
commercial system is an obliged consequence of the political
separation of nations; that in this system, prudently applied,
is the guarantee of public and private property; that all
unnecessary prohibitions are an evil, but that certain prohi-
bitions may be indispensable; that the protection resulting
from duties is, therefore, habitually preferable to that result-
ing from formal prohibitions; that there exist rights wherever
interests have been created under the protection of the laws;
and that in France a reasonable system of protection should
be adhered to. This opinion of the commission coincides
with my own, and if it adds nothing to my conviction, it in-
spires me with confidence in supporting it. You now know,
gentlemen, upon what principles, and under the influence of
what idea, the commission proceeded to the solution of the
two weighty questions to which I have already referred.
The problem that remained to be solved was, what degree of
protection should be granted? It relates to iron and sugar-
two articles of immense consumption in France. The com-
mission began with the question on iron, and then proceeded
to that on sugar. In 1814, at which period France knew no
competition in iron, except that of the north, a uniform duty
existed of 15f. per 100 kilogrammes. In 1822 the duty was
augmented to 25f. Nothing but wood being at that period
employed in working iron, the effect of the augmentation of
the duty was to increase the price of iron and that of wood.
202
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Coal, however, soon began to be made use of instead of wood,
and the law of 1822 was justified in the protection of the
capital of the new system of working with coal. The con-
sumption of iron, however, became much greater than before,
and hence the price of both iron and wood rose, because coal
was as yet employed but in few iron works. The duty upon
iron had been fixed at a time when the price of that article in
England was only 77. 10s. or 81. per ton; but the price sud-
denly rose to 157. and 167. If it had kept at the former price,
English iron would have come to the relief of the consumer,
and supplied the demand, to which the quantity produced in
France was not equal, in consequence of the great augmenta-
tion in the consumption; and the price of wood would, at the
same time, have kept within its due limits. In France, as in
England, things have now returned to their natural order,
except that the consumption has diminished. England now
offers iron at 71. per ton; and in France the production,
which, in 1814, was computed at 800,000 or 900,000 quin-
taux metriques, has gradually increased to 1,500,000, of
which nearly 500,000 quintals are wrought by means of
coal. There is reason to believe that this production exceeds
the consumption-the calculation being made upon the last
three years. The inquiry of the commission shows that the
price has already fallen 20 per cent. The use of coal is ex-
tending rapidly, and iron works are establishing in every
direction, so that it has become a question whether, in a few
years, the market will not be overstocked. Convinced that
the production of iron in France is equal to the consumption,
the commission are of opinion that foreign competition should
not be invited, and consequently, that the present rate of duty
should be maintained. In examining the question, they have
come to the conclusion that the reduction of the duty on iron
would not lead to a greater exportation of wine to the coun-
tries that produce iron. The wine duties in England have
been recently reduced, and yet it has had but little influence
on the quantity of wine imported there from France. But,
although the commission consider that no reduction could be
at present made without danger in the duty on iron, they are
FRANCE.
203
of opinion that it would be advantageous to fix a period when
a reduction could be made in proportion to the ameliorations
that might reasonably be expected. They, therefore, propose
that the present duty should be continued for five years—that
at the expiration of five years the duty should be reduced
one-fifth-and that after five years more, namely, in 1840,
the Government and the Chambers should again take the
question into consideration. The government approves this
principle, but proposes that, in 1835, the duty should be re-
duced only one-tenth, and in 1838 another tenth-leaving,
according to the recommendation of the commission, the duty
upon its present footing till 1835, and the question for re-
consideration in 1840. Relative to cast-iron, which, when
brought by sea, pays a duty of 9f. per 100 kilogrammes,
several founders are of opinion that the manufacture of France
for machines and ornamental mouldings is far inferior to that
of England. The commission, therefore, proposes to reduce.
the duty of 9f. upon cast-iron for the above purposes-the
government proposes to reduce it to 7f. The government and
the commission coincide in opinion that, with respect to cast-
iron for the above purposes, the restriction which requires it
to be of a certain form, and of a weight not less than 400
kilogrammes, should be done away."
The following Table, taken from the "Résumé des Tra-
vaux Statisques de l'Administration des Mines, en 1839,"
shows the quantity and other particulars relating to the make
of iron in France, in the year 1838.

TABLEAU DES CONSOMMATIONS ET DES PRODUITS DES FONDERIES DE MINERAI, ET DES FORGES DE FRANCE, 1838.
Designation des Groupes
Matieres premieres.
Nombre.
V. a Va-
d'usines et des
Departements faisant Partie
Ouvriers.
peur. Nom-
H. Ily-
Minerai.
bre.
Force.
de chaque Groupe.
drau-
liques.
Fonte Brute (y
compris une
tres-petite
qunutite de
ferraille et de
fonte nazee.)
Combustibles.
Produits.
Fabrication
Charbon de
Bois.
Bois.
Coke.
Houille.
Tourbe.
Fabrication de
la Fonte.
Fabrication
du gros fer.
de l'acier de
forge.
Poids. q. m.
1. Groupe de l'Est
S v.
16 121
2026
1,676,197
Poids. q. m.
404,549 1,111,358
Poids. q. m.
Volume st. Poids. q. m. Poids. q. m. Vol. st. Poids. q. m.,
Poids. q. m.
Poids. q. m.
135,065
920
48,147
527,354
301,245
4,209
H. 676
5650
2. du Nord-ouest
SV.
6
1879
1117
785,278
H.
289
1831 S
3. de l'Indre
S V.
3
48
609
311,658
182,547
66,356 278,916
628,631
65,522
274,197
121,149
106,696
45,961
H.
107
845 S
4. du Périgord
S v.
1
61
1252
430,912
H.
401
2506 S
5. du Sud-est
S V.
135
78,940
H.
80
777 S
6. du Nord-est.
S V.
4
60
2446
1,424,480
128,425 400,902
30,123 86,591|
425,681 840,518
:
:
35,546
171,979
93,071
930
4,300
3,525
30,962
5,320
19,275
106,056
80,826
160,479
508,098 307,416
2,691
H.
476
3283
7. de Champagne ?
V.
7
247
et Bourgogne (
3067
2,531,766
635,536 1,498,014
1,712
416,196|
965,083 474,487
H.
521
3664 S
8. du Centre.
S V.
301
604
2071
1,095,596
H.
320
1802 S
9. du Sud-ouest
SV.
1
15
...
439
207,405
61,799
370,660 753,197
181,981
125,938
293,359
368,462 271,781
7,735)
3,383
5,580 2883
82,065 42,526
:
H.
10. des houillères
du Nord
434
11. des houillères
1301
du Sud
12. des Pyrénées et
de la Corse
849
EVHYHVH
69
631 S
13
517
166,391
149,126
H.
8
215
17
H.
865 1,037,651
447,032
117,071 243,559
916,347 1,200,097)
48,419
394,451
107,332
:
326,491
20
678
318,689
341,362
102,053
:
:
H.
284
5549 S
Totaux*
SV.
116,508 H. 3251 27431 §
98
269410,064,963 2,901,834 6,121,470| 250,516 1,241,102 2,472,010 2883
3,477,766 2,198,832
34,840
Valuer fr.t
13,915,940 52,011,077 45,094,733 1,447,276 2,853,680 5,049,464 4372 63,334,140 90,420,827 2,407,856|
FRANCE.
205
NOTES REFERRED TO IN PRECEDING TABLE.
* Le poids des produits et des matières premières a toujours été évalué avec l'unité
de 100 kilogrammes, nommée quintal métrique. On emploie aussi une unité assez
commode pour certaines évaluations: c'est la tonne de 1000 kilogrammes ou de
10 quintaux métriques. Le rapport simple qui existe entre la tonne et le quintal
métrique rend très-facile la comparaison entre les deux sortes d'évaluations. L'unité
employée en Angleterre diffère peu de la tonne de 10 quintaux métriques, et l'on
peut, sans inconvenient, dans une foule de comparaisons générales, regarder ces
deux unités comme identiques. Si l'on voulait toute fois comparer, d'une manière
précise, les documents de ce résumé avec ceux qui ont été publiés sur L'Angleterre,
il faudrait se rappeler qu'il existe, entre la tonne la plus usitée en Angleterre et le
quintal métrique, les rapports suivants :--
1 tonne Anglaise=10.1464 q. m,
1 quint, métrique≈ 0.0985 t. a.
+ Les valuers indiquées dans ce résumé sont toujours pour les matières pre-
mières, leur valuer sur le lieu où elles sont élaborées ; pour les produits, leur valuer
sur le lieu où ils sont obtenus.
March, 1841.
COMMERCE OF FRANCE.-The recent French papers contain a summary of the
report laid before the Chamber of Peers, by M. Cunin Gridaine, the Minister of
Commerce, from which it appears, that since the French government reduced the
protecting duties on foreign produce, the trade of the country had increased con-
siderably. Thus in the year 1829 the general trade of France, including the mer-
chandise in the government stores, amounted to 616,000,000 francs, and the ex-
ports to 604,000,000f., and the foreign produce imported amounted to 483,000,000f.,
and the exports to 504,000,000 francs, whilst in 1839 the general trade amounted
to 947,000,000 francs, and the exports to 1,003,000,000 francs, and the amount
of foreign produce imported to 650,000,000 francs, and the exports to 677,000,000
francs. French navigation improved in a similar proportion with that of trade.
The French tonnage in the year 1839 amounted to 647,000 tons, and in the year
1839 to 1,200,000 tons. Domestic produce increased in a similar proportion. The
French coal mines produced but 17,000,000 of metrical quintals in the year 1829,
and in the year 1839 they produced more than 30,000,000. "And what is
still more remarkable," observes M. Cunin Gridaine, "this immense progress
in domestic consumption was realised concurrently with the consumption of fo-
reign coal, for the quantity of that article imported in the year 1829 amounted to
5,000,000 of metrical quintals, and in the year 1839, it amounted to 12,000,000.
If," continues M. Cunin Gridaine, "from coal we pass to iron, we find that in the
year 1828, France possessed 393 furnaces, producing 2,000,000 metrical quintals of
cast-iron, and 1,295 furnaces for refining, manufacturing annually 1,500,000 me-
trical quintals of iron. At present France possesses 475 furnaces, which produce
annually 3,477,000 metrical quintals of cast metal, worth 63,000,000 francs,
and 1,500 furnaces for refining, which produce 2,241,000 quintals of iron, worth
nearly 93,000,000 francs. Similar improvement is to be found," observes M.
Cunin Gridaine, "in most of the domestic productions. Lyons has increased her
silk looms from 27,000 to 40,000; and the exportation of silk stuffs, which in the
year 1829 amounted only to 111,000,000, reached, in the year 1839, to 141,000,000.
206
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
No less remarkable has been the improvement in the woollen and cotton manufac-
tures. The exportation of woollen stuff amounted in 1829 to only 30,000,000
francs, and increased in the year 1839 to 60,000,000 francs. And the export of
cottons increased from 47,000,000 to 85,000,000 francs within the same period.
The natural consequence," concludes M. Cunin Giidaine, "to be derived from this
increase of manufactures is the diminution in their price, which renders them more
accessible to the mass of consumers. Bar iron, which ten years since sold at from
49 to 68 francs the 100 kilogrammes, according to the quality, now produces not more
than from 35 to 50 francs at most. Woollen stuff, which sold at the same period at
from 40 to 50 francs the piece, now brings only 25 francs; and calico, which in
1829 was sold for 80 centimes, is not now worth more than from 40 to 50 centimes."
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
207
CHAPTER XI.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
DURING the war of the Revolution the commerce of the United
States was interrupted, not only with Great Britain, but in a
great measure with the rest of the world. The Americans
were then compelled to depend almost entirely upon them-
selves for supplies, not only of arms and munitions of war, but
of those articles of common consumption which they had pre-
viously imported from Great Britain and elsewhere. Those
articles which their soil would not produce, or which they
were unable to make, they were obliged to obtain at great
risk and expense from other countries, or to be content with-
out them. Encouragement was given to all the necessary
manufactures, and the zeal, ingenuity, and industry of the
people supplied the place of a foreign market.
At the close of the war, when the independence of the
States was acknowledged, their commercial, as well as their
political, situation was new, and they had many difficulties to
encounter. During a contest of seven years their commerce
was annihilated-shipping nearly destroyed, and public credit
impaired-a general constitution for the American States was
framed. They entered into a perpetual union, or confede-
ration, with each other, for their mutual defence and advantage.
They agreed that delegates should be appointed by each State,
to meet in Congress on the first Monday of every year—that
no State should be represented by fewer delegates than two,
or by more than seven-that each colony should have a single
vote—and that the laws and decisions of the Supreme Assem-
bly should be obligatory on all the provinces under its juris-
208
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
diction. Each State, however, was to be governed wholly by
its own legislature, and with the enactments of that legislature
the Congress had no right to interfere. It was not difficult to
perceive that this constitution had not within itself sufficient
energy to produce and ensure a vigorous administration of
affairs. The Congress had no authority over individuals-it
had no power to force even the States to a compliance with
its injunctions—and in case of any quarrel it could not pre-
vent them from making war upon each other. Difficulties
occurred, and distresses were multiplied on every side. The
army, though disbanded, had received only four months' pay.
The debts contracted by the Congress, as well as by many
individual States, had not been discharged, and, therefore,
were daily increasing; and the government possessing no
revenue, could give no effectual value to its paper currency.
Taxes were imposed by some of the provincial legislatures;
but as they were far beyond the means of the inhabitants, and
levied with the utmost rigour, they occasioned very general
discontent; and though it had been fondly expected that, after
the termination of the war, the commerce of the United States
would revive, it was still embarrassed and languid. The vast
influx of goods, also, drained the country of money, and some
of the importing States levied duties for their own advan-
tage.
In this situation all became sensible of the insufficiency of
the general government, and of the necessity of vesting Con-
gress with the power of regulating trade and commerce, and
bringing into operation the energies and resources of the
country for the general benefit. In consequence of a propo-
sition from the State of Virginia, commissioners from that
State, and from the States of Pennsylvania, New York, New
Jersey, and Delaware, met at Annapolis, in Maryland, in
September, 1786, to take into consideration the "trade and
commerce of the United States-to consider how far a uniform
system, in their commercial intercourse and regulations,
might be necessary to their common interest and permanent
harmony, and to report to the several States; such an act,
relative to this great object, as, when unanimously ratified by
4
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
209
them, would enable the United States, in Congress assembled,
effectually to provide for the same."
This report and address was sent to Congress, and to the
several executives of States not represented at Annapolis; and,
in consequence of the recommendation contained in the address,
by a resolution of Congress, of 21st February, 1787, a general
convention of the States, with the exception of Rhode Island,
assembled at Philadelphia, and, after choosing General Wash-
ington for their president, they proceeded to the arduous duty
which they had undertaken to perform "To take into con-
sideration the situation of the United States-to devise such
further provision as shall to them appear necessary to render
the constitution of the federal government adequate to the
exigencies of the Union," &c.
On the 17th September following, a new constitution was
agreed upon, and by it the general government, among other
important matters, were vested with power to "regulate com-
merce, and to levy duties, imposts," &c.
On the 4th day of March, 1789, the first Congress, elected
according to the new institute, met at New York, having pre-
viously, by the unanimous voice of the provinces, elected
General Washington to the chief magistracy of the American
nation.
No sooner had this new form of government, with the father
of his country at its head, begun to operate, than a new vigour
seemed to be diffused through all the provinces. Trade and
commerce revived-public and private credit was restored—a
new spring was given to agriculture and manufactures-and
new security afforded to the various pursuits of honest indus-
try. The finances were arranged-the public debt was gra-
dually reduced-a national bank, with a capital of 10,000,000
dollars, was established-the arrears due to the army were
paid a small permanent force was organised-the adminis-
tration of justice was decisive, but equitable; and, though
some disturbances arose on account of the taxes, or the way
in which they were collected, yet the peace and prosperity of
the colonies were, happily, secured.
From the establishment of the government the progress of
P
210
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
national, as well as individual, wealth kept pace with the
increase of population; and, until the commencement of com-
mercial restrictions, in December, 1807, and the declaration
of war against Great Britain, in 1812, no nation, it is believed,
had ever increased so rapidly in wealth as the United States.
The well-known orders of the British council, and the Berlin
and Milan decrees, almost destroyed American commerce.
Great Britain declared France to be in a state of blockade,
and the ports of Holland, with the whole Continent, from the
Elbe to the Weser, as well as the ports of Italy and Spain,
were included in this declaration. The British islands were
declared to be in a similar state of blockade, and American
vessels, bound to their coasts, were denationalised, confiscated,
or burned on the high seas. England insisted that the United
States should renounce all trade with the colonies of the
enemy, from which they were excluded during peace, and
prevent their citizens from trading with France, or with any
powers adopting or acting under the French decrees; and all
American vessels bound to any port on the Continent, from
which the British flag was excluded, were seized and con-
demned. Those sailing to or from France, with American or
French produce, were declared liable to seizure if they did not
put into some British port, and then pay for permission to
sail for the port of original destination. Under these decla-
rations more than 900 American merchant-vessels were cap-
tured by the English in time of peace. On the other hand,
France declared that the British islands, being in a state of
blockade, all commerce with them was prohibited, and every
American vessel bound to England or her colonies, or that
paid a tax, or suffered a visit, was condemned as British
property.
By the Bayonne decree, all vessels sailing under American
colours were considered as British. American vessels destined
for Sweden, Russia, and Denmark, were captured by Danish
cruizers, and condemned in their courts, notwithstanding the
most unquestionable evidence of their neutrality, and their
destination to countries in amity with France--the ports of
211
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
which had been declared open to American vessels. In the
ports of Naples American vessels were also sequestered.
American property, to the amount of 30,000,000 of dollars,
was placed at the discretion of the Admiralty courts of
England, and a still greater amount was submitted to the
French Council of Prizes, or Council of State. In this situa-
tion an Act of Congress was passed, by which no vessel was
allowed either to leave or enter her ports. This embargo was
a necessary measure, to put an end to the seizure and confis-
cation of property-to recall the ships and seamen, and
prevent them from being employed abroad in the licensed
trade.
The distress felt in America, in consequence of these pro-
hibitions, was very great: insomuch, that she made an at-
tempt to regain, by an amicable settlement with France or
England, the commercial freedom which she once enjoyed.
To France she proposed to re-establish her commerce on such
a footing, that Britain should not share in the benefit to be
derived from it; and she hinted, that if the peaceful com-
munication between the two countries should be interrupted
by England, that then she would join in the war against her.
To Britain she proposed, if she would agree to rescind her
orders in council, to repeal her embargo, and also to shut her
ports against France, provided France persisted in her hostile
decrees.
France declared that the decrees of Berlin and Milan were
repealed, but the American commerce in France was impeded
in various ways.
The introduction of colonial articles was
prohibited, and vessels arriving with the productions of the
United States were subject to exorbitant duties, tedious
examinations, and forced exportations. Great Britain, there-
fore, doubted the fact of the repeal of those decrees, and
refused to revoke or modify her orders in council, and the act
of commercial non-intercourse was enforced against her.
The temper of the government in the United States, at the
commencement of the year 1812, rendered it evident that
nothing could prevent extremities with Great Britain, except
the repeal, by the latter, of its orders in council, or a dread in
P 2
212
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
the former of entering into a very hazardous contest, with a
prospect of much domestic discontent. The spring passed in
the discussion of various measures of preparation by the
Congress, in which the war party displayed a manifest pre-
ponderance.
An act for an embargo on all the shipping of the United
States, for the term of ninety days from its date, passed the
Congress in the beginning of April; the purpose of which was
to expedite the fitting out of the American ships of war, and
to prevent any more pledges from remaining in the power of
an enemy on the commencement of hostilities. The result of
the discussions in Congress was an act passed, on the 18th
June, declaring the actual existence of war between the United
States and Great Britain.
With the view of putting an end to the war, Russia, in
August, 1813, had proffered her mediation, which was ac-
cepted by the United States, but declined by England. This
power, however, afterwards proposed to treat directly with
the American government; and, in consequence of this, the
American plenipotentiaries, then at St. Petersburgh, repaired
first to Gottenburgh, and afterwards to Ghent. Here, after
some months of negotiation, a treaty was signed on the 24th
December, 1814. In this treaty the parties mutually agreed
that certain disputed boundaries should be settled by a com-
mission that peace should be made with the Indian tribes-
and that the treaty should become binding four months after
its ratification. On the original ground of dispute between
the parties, nothing is said-the cessation of hostilities in
Europe having changed the circumstances out of which the
war arose; neither party felt itself under the necessity of
discussing the claims for which it took up arms.
The treaty,
after being submitted to Congress, was ratified by the Presi-
dent, on the 17th of February, 1815.
We have thus briefly sketched the principal events con-
nected with the declaration of war against Great Britain, as
they were the immediate cause of the investment of capital,
hitherto employed in commerce, in iron works, and other
manufactures. To protect the capital thus invested, heavy
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
213
duties were fixed on the foreign manufactures, so that, at
the present time, they amount almost to a prohibition of the
English bar-iron.
The restrictive commercial regulations of Europe, and the
late war with England, gave a great stimulus to American
manufactures, and their progress during the course of a few
years was almost incredible. Many new branches were
introduced, and those which had been already established
were carried to a much greater extent. The principal cause
of the neglect of manufactures formerly, was the great profits.
afforded by agriculture, with the high price of labour. All the
materials for manufactures are found in America. Fuel is
inexhaustible; the ores of the most useful metals are in great
abundance. In the year 1809, the Secretary of the Treasury
unfolded the resources of the country, in relation to the raw
material, and proposed various means for the promotion of
manufactures-protecting and prohibitory duties, drawbacks,
premiums, bounties, encouragement to new inventions, ar-
rangements for facilitating pecuniary remittances, &c.
The immense capital which had been employed in com-
merce, previously to the restrictions, was transferred to manu-
factures, and workshops, mills, and machinery for the fabrica-
tion of various commodities, were erected as if by enchantment.
Foreign artists and tradesmen were encouraged to settle in
the country. The implements, tools, and even the furniture
of emigrant mechanics, were made free of duty. In Pennsyl-
vania such persons were admitted as freeholders on the day
of their arrival, provided they declared their intention of
becoming citizens within the time prescribed by law. A
knowledge of machinery, and processes for the saving of
labour, were communicated, through the daily journals, to all
descriptions of people. Mineralogy became an object of
attention, and every district was ransacked for useful
minerals.
In 1810 the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States,
presented to Congress a report on the manufactures, in which,
amongst many other branches, iron, and the manufactures of
iron, are mentioned as being firmly established-supplying, in
214
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
several instances, the greater, and, in all, a considerable, por-
tion of the consumption of the United States.
The furnaces, forges, and bloomeries, of the United States
amount to 530, of which the State of New York furnish
sixty-nine. The annual value of iron and its manufactures
was estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury (M. Gallatin)
at 12,000,000 or 15,000,000 of dollars. The average value
of imported metal, in bar-iron and steel, was 4,000,000 dollars.
The Franconia Iron Works, in New Hampshire, established in
1810, employ a capital of 100,000 dollars. The Vergennes
Iron Works, in Vermont, promise to be very important. The
price of bar-iron at this establishment is 140 dollars per ton-
the ore three dollars-charcoal four dollars and a half per 100
bushels: 19,000 muskets are annually made at the two public
armories of Springfield and Harper's Ferry. There is now
a considerable surplus of small arms.
Some of the ores of iron are found in every State in the
Union; and, about the period of M. Gallatin's report, mines
of this metal were worked in New Hampshire, Vermont,
Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina.
MASSACHUSETTS-PRODUCTS.*
Dollars.
37 forges-978 tons of bar-iron, value
121,980
440 ditto of anchors
92,712
2340 ditto of hollow ware
132,200
Wrought-iron
521,718
Edge tools....
44,000
8 factories-19,095 muskets..
229,085
36
5218 tons of wrought nails
69,235
2925 ditto of cut nails t
644,990
Small nails
1,360
11,000,000 tacks, or small nails
2,000
10,000
4,000
2777 dozen of steel thimbles..
20 tons of manufactured steel
At Springfield, in the county of Hampden, the United
States had an extensive establishment for the manufacture of
In or about the year 1810.
+ Mr. Perkins, of Newbury Port, invented a machine for cutting nails, by means
of which 200,000 may be cut in a day.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
215
arms; in 1810 the number of workmen employed was 220-
the muskets manufactured were 10,240.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.-The iron works at Exeter produced
sufficient iron for the consumption of the state.
VERMONT.-The iron works of Bennington county consist
of a furnace and three forges. Those of Rutland of three
furnaces, fourteen forges, and a slitting mill. In Addison
county four forges, and in Chittendon two forges-which
yield annually 1200 tons of bar-iron.
RHODE ISLAND.-As early as the year 1796, there were
established, at North Providence, a slitting-mill, three anchor
forges, and two machines for cutting nails, which have since
greatly increased.
NEW YORK.*-Sixty-nine furnaces, forges, and bloomeries.
In 1811 the bloomeries produced about 2000 tons of bar-iron.
The product of cut nail factories (fifty in number) was valued
at 300,000 dollars.
CONNECTICUT.-Iron ware, hollow iron ware, and other
species of ironmongery, are made at Stafford, in sufficient
quantity for the supply of the State. Iron works at Salisbury,
Norwich, Stafford, and East Hartford. Several manufactories
of nails, tinned plates, and iron wire. The manufactures have
been valued at 250,000 dollars. At Newhaven an extensive
manufactory of arms.
NEW JERSEY.-The iron works in the counties of Gloucester,
Burlington, Sussex, and Morris, produce annually 1200 tons
of bar-iron, 80 tons of nail rods, besides a quantity of hollow
ware and castings.
PENNSYLVANIA.†-At Pittsburgh extensive manufactures of
iron; also at Clarkesville, Brownsville, Harmony, and other
places; a rolling and slitting-mill-three foundries. In
Philadelphia several foundries-manufactories of steam-
+
Fulton's first steam-boat was launched at New York the 3d Oct. 1807.
† In 1816 there were, in Pennsylvania, forty-four blast furnaces, seventy-eight
forges, and 175 naileries.
"The wire bridge, over the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia, is 400 feet in length,
extending from the window of a wire factory to a tree on the opposite shore. The
wires, which form a curve, are six in number, three on each side, and three-eighths
3
216
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
engines. Iron manufactories in Lancaster county, near Car-
lisle, at Fort London, and in Sherman's Valley, at Shippen-
burg, in Cumberland, Hanover, in York, and Merusburg, in
Franklin. Value of manufactures of iron 5,869,487 dollars.
DELAWARE.-A considerable manufacture of iron on the
Brandywine Creek. Wire also manufactured here.
MARYLAND. Two iron works in Frederick county.
VIRGINIA. The manufacturing establishments on the
southern banks of Cullaway, Ross, and Balendine, produce
each about 150 tons of bar-iron in a-year. There are forges
of different kinds in Shenandoah and other counties, and part
of the celebrated natural bridge is converted into a shot
manufactory.*
ОнIO.-Three furnaces, value 118,490 dollars. Twenty-
four naileries, value 64,723 dollars.
INDIANA.Nails manufactured 20,000 lbs., value 4000
dollars.
of an inch in diameter. The floor timbers, two feet in length, and one inch by three
are suspended in a horizontal line by stirrups of No. 6 wine, at the end of the bridge,
and No. 9 in the centre. The floor, of one inch board, is eighteen inches wide, and
is secured by nails to the floor timbers, which are themselves fastened with wires.
On each side three wires are stretched along the stirrups, with a board, six inches
wide, to serve as a barrier for protection to passengers. The floor is elevated sixteen
feet above the water.
The whole weight of the wire is...
Of wooden work
•
Of wrought nails..
Total....
1314 pounds.
3380
>>
8
4702
In good weather a bridge of this kind might be constructed in the space of two
weeks, and the whole expense would not exceed 300 dollars.
"The Leheigh chain bridge, over the river of the same name, a mile below the
borough of Northampton, is 475 feet in length-in two whole and two half spans or
arches. It was finished in 1815. There is a double passage for carriages, with a
footway of six feet between the middle chains, which are of 13-inch square bar-iron.
Twenty tons of bar-iron were consumed in the work, of which the whole expense.
amounted to 20,000 dollars."-Warder.
*The armoury at Richmond furnishes 4000 muskets a-year, and, during the late
war, it supplied the government with 300 pieces of cannon (twelve and six pounders)
of which only one burst on trial. The legislature, in 1815, voted the sum of 100,000
dollars for the support of the armoury, and the establishment of four arsenals. At
Harper's Ferry, the United States armoury, founded in 1798, employed 250 persons.
In August, 1817, there were 20,000 complete stand of arms.-Warder.
217
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
KENTUCKY.-Four furnaces and three forges. At Lexinton
four nail factories, making seventy tons of nails yearly.
TENNESSEE. Six furnaces, value 98,077 dollars; six
bloomeries, value 17,799 ditto; seven forges, value 110,438
ditto; seven naileries, value 128,236 ditto; guns, value 5845
ditto.
NORTH CAROLINA.-Iron works in Lincoln and Johnson
counties, on the Yadkin River, in the counties of Guilford,
Surry, and Wilkes.
SOUTH CAROLINA.-The first iron works, erected in 1773,
were destroyed by the English during the revolutionary war,
and rebuilt in 1783. On Allison's Creek, in York district, a
forge, a furnace, a rolling-mill for making sheet-iron, and a
nail manufactory. On Middle Tiger River are iron works on
a small scale; also on the Enoree River and Rudy River, on
the north fork of Saluda River, on George's Creek, and
Twenty-six Mile Creek. In 1802 an air-furnace was erected
on a neck of land between Cooper and Ashley Rivers, where
good castings are made.
COLUMBIA. About a mile beyond Georgetown, on the
Potomac River, there is a cannon foundry. There are two
boring-mills, situated near each other; in one five cannons
are bored at the same time—in the other three. The streams
which move the machinery are small, but the water falls to
great advantage over an overshot wheel of twenty-nine feet in
diameter. About thirty workmen are employed, chiefly emi-
grants from Europe. Foremen have two dollars, moulders
one and a-half, and common workmen two-thirds of a dollar
per day. The iron ore, of an excellent quality, is brought
from the banks of the Potomac, near Harper's Ferry. It is
rare that a gun bursts in firing it with a double charge. A
cannon was cast at this foundry of 100 lbs. ball, to which was
given the name of Columbiad. It requires two days to make
a cannon, and two to bore it. The price is 501. currency per
ton.
At the town of Alexandria two manufactories of cut nails
have been lately established.*
* According to the "Statistical Annals of the United States," by Adam Seybort
218
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
A commercial treaty between Great Britain and the United
States was signed on the 3d of July, 1815, to remain in force
during four years, according to which each country was to
enjoy reciprocal freedom of commerce. No higher duties.
to be imposed than those which extend to all other nations,
in relation to articles imported and exported; and the vessels
which carry them to be subject to the same duties, and
entitled to the same bounties.
Duties payable by law on all goods, wares, &c., imported
into the United States of America, commencing on the 30th
June, 1816:
Anchors
Arms (fire and side) and muskets
Cannon
•
Iron or steel wire, not exceeding No. 18
Ditto
ditto
over No. 18
Iron sheets, rods and hoops
Iron bars and bolts, excepting iron manufactured by
rolling.
...
Iron bars and bolts, when manufactured by rolling, and
on anchors
•
•
Iron cast, and all manufactures of which iron is the
material of chief value
Drs. 1 50c. per cwt.
20 per cent. ad val.
20 ditto ditto.
5c. per
lb.
9c. ditto.
Drs. 2 50c. per cwt.
45c. ditto.
Drs. 1 50c. ditto.
20 per cent. ad val.
Nails
Spikes.
3c. per lb.
2c. ditto.
Steel
Steel manufactures, or of which steel is the article of
chief value
Dr. 1
per cwt.
20 per cent. ad val.
To meet the expenses of the war, the following rates were
imposed on iron, the produce and manufacture of the United
States, to commence on the 15th April, 1815:-Upon pig-
iron one dollar per ton; castings one dollar and fifty cents;
bar-iron one dollar; rolled and slit iron one ditto; upon nails,
brads, and sprigs, and other than those usually denominated
wrought, one cent per lb. In 1816 these duties were re-
pealed.
founded on official documents, the manufacture of iron, in the year 1810, was as
follows:-153 furnaces, making 53,908 tons of iron; 330 forges, making 24,541 tons
of bar iron; 316 trip hammers; 34 rolling and slitting mills, which required 6500
tons of iron; 410 naileries, in which 15,727,914 lbs. of nails had been made.
Manufacture of iron, value 14,364,526 dollars.
219
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A statement of the duties which accrued upon iron, manu-
factured in the United States, from 18th April, 1815, to the
22d February, 1816, being the period during which those
duties were in force:
States and Territories
New Hampshire..
Massachusetts
Vermont....
Iron.
Dollars. Cents.
134 45
2,753 48
584 824
Nails, brads, and sprigs.
Dollars. Cents.
168 42
21,209 18
1,007
16
7
89
1,154 21
Rhode Island
3 60
•
Connecticut
1,735 12
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
5,567 63
8,885 11
27,941
20
30,701 50
3,699 97/
31,876 87%
179 921
868 38
Maryland
4,983 861
Virginia
4,982 86
North Carolina
762 06
Ohio
1,150 101
Kentucky
670 831
South Carolina
Tennessee
Georgia
Mississippi territory
District of Columbia
•
285 251
1,267 48
15 44
9,368 951
1,800 474
229 73
1,790 51
877 51
38 081
610 811
263 62
77 441/
1,173 27
Total
61,903 23
106,924 12
In the year 1818 an alteration was made in the tariff of the
United States; and, again, in 1824, to come into operation
on the 1st July of that year; and, in the year 1828, a still
further alteration was made, particularly affecting British
iron-it commenced on the 1st September.
The following table shows the rates of duty at the three
periods :-
DESCRIPTION.
1818.
IRON, on all manufactures of, not otherwise specified, or of which iron is Drs. 20 per cent. ad val.
||||
a component material.
in bars or bolts, rolled.
in sheets, tinned
··
in bars or bolts, not manufactured in whole or in part by rolling
round, or braziers' rod, of 3-16ths to 8-16ths of an inch diameter.
inclusive, and on iron in nail or spike rods slit, and on iron in
sheets, and hoop iron, and on iron slit or rolled, for band iron or
casement rods
S
1 50c. per cwt.
15 per cent. ad val.
75c. per cwt.
Drs. 2 50c. per cwt.
1824
Drs. 25 per cent.
Drs. 1 50c. per cwt.
15 per cent.
90c. per cwt.
1828.
Drs. 25 per cent.
37
per ton.
15 per cent.
Ic. per lb.
3c. per lb.
3 c. per lb.
spikes
3c. per lb.
4c.
4c.
"
5c.
nails, cut or wrought
"
tacks, brads and sprigs, not exceeding 16 ounces to the thousand..
5c. per M.
5c. per M.
ditto
ditto,
exceeding 16
ditto ditto.
4c. per lb.
5c. per lb.
IRON, OF STEEL WIRE, not exceeding No. 18
5c.
5c.
over No. 18.
9c.
9c.
on square wire, used in the manufacture of Drs. 20 per cent. ad val.
Drs. 12 per cent.
stretchers for umbrellas..
IRON, OLD, fit only to be re-manufactured
15
IRON, weights, with rings of wrought iron
20
50c. per cwt.
15
25
50c. per cwt.
"
pig
hoops, made fit for use.
Drs. 20 per cent. ad val.
Drs. 25 per cent.
4c.
5c.
"
5c. per M.
5c. per lb.
No. 14-6c. per lb.
No. 14-10c.
Drs. 12 per cent.
15
25
""
621c. per cwt.
Drs. 25 per cent.
cables or chains, or parts thereof, and no drawbacks shall be allowed I
20
"
"
3c. per lb.
on the exportation of iron cables, or parts thereof.
mill cranks and mill irons, of wrought
20
4c.
"
screws of, weighing 25lbs or upwards
20
3c.
per
lb.
4c.
Drs. 30 per cent.
"
"
20
screws of, for wood, called wood screws
vessels of cast, not otherwise specified
weights, and on all other castings of iron, not specified
chains, except chain cables
cranks, except mill cranks
STEEL
anchors
specified
manufactures of, or which steel is a component part, not otherwise
20 per cent. ad val.
20
>>
2c. per lb.
Dr. 1 per cwt.
Drs. 20 per cent. ad val.
Drs. 30 per cent.
30
14c. per lb.
1c.
"
Drs. 25 per cent.
25
"
2c. per lb.
Dr. 1 per cwt.
Drs. 25 per cent.
25 per cent. ; if under.
112lbs. 40 per cent.
lc.
c. per lb.
""
Drs. 25 per cent.
25
2c. per lb.
Dr. 1 50c. per cwt.
Drs. 25 per. cent.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
221
Previous to the settlement of the tariff of 1828, a commit-
tee was appointed by Congress to examine into and take
evidence respecting the state of the home manufactures. The
gentlemen examined with regard to the manufacture of iron
were Messrs. Mitchell, Keese, and Jackson, and the following
extracts are selected from their evidence:
“Mr. Mitchell, of Bellefonte, Centre county, Pa., states,
that in the counties of Mifflin, Huntingdon, and Centre, there
are annually made 4000 tons of bar-iron, and of pig-iron and
castings 8500 tons, from which the 4000 tons of bar are manu-
factured the remainder is sold in pigs and castings. He
estimates the sum total of iron annually manufactured in
Pennsylvania at 21,800 tons of bar-iron, and 47,075 tons of
cast metal, of which 37,200 tons are used in making bar-
iron, and 14,365 tons castings-a part in air and a part in
blast-furnaces; 100 tons of iron are converted into nails. Also,
that there were as many forges built in 1820 as there are now,
but were not all in operation; there were 450 tons more ma-
nufactured in 1827 than in 1820 (of bar-iron). Thinks the
business will not increase, owing to the scarcity of timber.
There may, perhaps, be an increase of 600 tons per annum.
"Mr. Keese states, there are manufactured in the neigh-
bourhood of Lake Champlain 3000 tons of bar-iron.
"Mr. Jackson, of Rockaway, Morris county, New York,
has a rolling-mill, in which he rolls iron into rods, from three-
eighths to three inches diameter, and squares from three-
eighths to an inch spike-nail rods, slit band iron, iron scrolls,
&c. There is another large establishment of the same kind,
said to roll 1000 tons annually-here are also made chain
cables. Within a circle of thirty miles diameter there are
eighty-one forge fires now in use. Each forge has two fires
and one hammer. In the same circle there are also thirty
forge fires abandoned, prior to 1818, owing to the low price
of iron at that time. The quantity made in Morris, Bergen,
and Sussex counties, is estimated at 2050 tons. Capital
invested in 110 forge fires now in operation, 1,210,000 dol-
lars; number of hands 5720-each fire capable of making
twenty-five to thirty-five tons per annum."
4
222
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
EXPENSES OF MAKING IRON.
Mr. Keese exhibits a statement in detail of making seventy-
five tons, viz.:-225 tons of rock ore at six dollars. per ton-
carting two: 37,500 bushels of coal, at four and half cents:
bloomers' wages eighteen dollars per ton: labourer one dollar
per day mechanics three dollars per ton: insurance 12 per
cent. on 2000 dollars: carting to Lake two dollars per ton:
expenses to New York six dollars per ton: commissions 516
(on sales of seventy-five tons, at ninety dollars, 750 dollars):
-Total, 6330 dollars. Exclusive of proprietor's time and
attention-interest on capital. Requires forty hands.
Mr. Mitchell estimates the expense of making a ton of bar-
iron from the pigs at seventy-five dollars, including the value
of the pigs, 26 d. 67 c. All the bar-iron is made from pigs in
this section. Mr. Jackson pays the bloomers for making a
ton of bar-iron 16 d. 50 c., finding themselves. The coal
costs 42 d. 50 c., and the three tons of ore twelve dollars.
The petition from three counties of Jersey estimates the cost
of a ton, and getting it to New York, at 79 d. 25 c.
Mr. Jackson estimates the expense of rolling a ton of bar-
iron into iron, one inch square, at 14 d. 87 c., and it will lose
in weight by the operation 3 per cent. on eighty dollars,
making 2 d. 40 c.-Total 17 d. 27 c. Two tons a-day will
constitute the average work, which yields a profit on rolling
of 2 d. 73 c. per ton, equal to 5 d. 46 c. per day on an esta-
blishment worth 20,000 dollars. The expenses have not
since increased.
QUANTITY OF IRON TO ONE TON OF BAR-IRON.
Mr. Mitchell states that 6000 tons of pigs will make 4000
tons of bar-iron, and it is sometimes a part of the contract
with the workmen that they shall make it yield at that rate
one ton and a half of pigs to a ton of bars.
QUANTITY AND COST OF ORE TO ONE TON OF IRON.
Mr. Jackson-three tons of ore, at four dollars at forge.
Mr. Keese-ditto ditto, at six ditto ditto.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
223
Mr. Mitchell-two and a half to three ditto, at five ditto
ditto.
QUANTITY AND COST OF COAL TO ONE TON OF IRON.
Mr. Keese-500 bushels for converting the ore directly into
bar-iron at the forge, without the intervention of a furnace, at
four and a half cents.
Mr. Mitchell, in making a ton of pigs, 220 bushels, and in
making a ton of bar-iron from pigs 175 bushels. Forge coal
worth six cents at forge, and furnace coal five cents.
Mr. Jackson-800 bushels to make one ton of bar-iron
from the ore; costs five cents per bushel. Coal from oak,
chesnut, &c.
THE PRODUCT OF EACH FIRE.
Mr. Mitchell-generally 100 tons to each fining fire.
Mr. Jackson-Twenty-five to thirty-five tons each forge
fire.
MARKET, AND PRICES OF IRON.
Mr. Mitchell-Pittsburgh is the best market for that which
goes west, say 2 d. 3 c. Sometimes the iron masters go down
the river with it. It costs from twenty-five to thirty dollars
per ton to take it to Pittsburgh; the price there is from 100
to 115 dollars. A small part is sent to Baltimore and Phila-
delphia, where it sells at from eighty-five to ninety-five dollars
per ton. Carriage to the former ten dollars, to the latter
twelve.
Mr. Jackson sends to New York-costs 3 d. 75 c. per ton.
Sells, on an average, at eighty dollars; rolled iron 100 to 110
dollars.
PRICE OF IRON AT THE WORKS.
Mr. Keese-bar-iron hammered from blooms eighty to
eighty-five dollars per ton; small bars to order five dollars
more.
Mr. Mitchell-bar iron, fixed price in barter or exchange,
100 dollars; pig-metal 26 d. 67 c., when bar is at 100.
Mr. Jackson-bar-iron from bloomery, worth, in 1825,
224
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
seventy-five dollars; 1826, eighty dollars; 1827, seventy-five
dollars.
SUPPLY OF ORE.
Inexhaustible in the neighbourhood spoken of.
DUTY REQUIRED.
No protection is required for hoop, boiler, rolled, and slit
nail and spike, rods; with this last a species of iron from
Russia interferes, and requires to be placed on the same foot-
ing as nail-rods. Hammered bar-iron requires protection of
about five dollars per ton. A duty is proposed on some kinds
of rolled and slit iron and sheet-iron.
STEEL.
There are no facts stated respecting this article. The
opinions entertained respecting the duty are various. Mr.
Keese thinks it should be increased; Mr. Mitchell believes it
would be injudicious, until it is ascertained whether the
quality necessary for use can be made here; and Mr. Jackson
conceives the duty is at present sufficient.
The settlement of the tariff of 1828, increasing an already
high rate of protecting duties, gave great dissatisfaction to
many of the States, and petitions were presented against it.
In the subsequent pages, in speaking of the operation of the
tariff, it must be borne in mind that the arguments apply
equally to the manufactures of cotton and wool as they do to
iron, but, of course, keeping strictly to the subject-matter of
this work, they are here, as much as possible, confined to the
manufacture of iron.
On the 5th January, 1830, Mr. Mallary, from the committee
of manufactures, to which had been referred that part of the
President's message which related to domestic manufactures,
reported to the House of Representatives against the expe-
diency of altering the existing tariff. The report stated that,
in the opinion of the committee, the tariff had not had a fair
trial, and that the fear of an alteration in the tariff had had
the effect of preventing competition in those manufactures for
the benefit of which it was laid.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
225
"The committee give it as their decided opinion that it is
inexpedient to make any change in the existing laws, intended
for the aid and protection of domestic industry.'
Early in the following month the committee of ways and
means reported to the House "A Bill to reduce and modify
the Duties upon certain Imported Articles."
"That from and after the 30th day of June, 1830, the fol-
lowing duties shall be levied, in lieu of those now imposed by
law, on the following, amongst other articles, viz. :—
“On iron in bars and bolts, whether manufactured by
hammering or rolling, ninety cents per 112 lbs.-provided
that all iron in slabs, blooms, and loops, and other form
less finished than iron in bars and bolts, pay duty accord-
ingly.
"On iron in pigs fifty cents per 112 lbs."
The tariff men of every description, in the House of Repre-
sentatives, joined in refusing all consideration to this bill-
the votes being 107 against consideration to 79 in favour of it.
This method of meeting a measure, introduced by a standing
committee, on the recommendation, too, of the President,
subject to the consideration of Congress, and putting it down
without permitting argument or amendment, was without
parallel in American legislation.
On the 8th February, 1830, Mr. Cambreleng, the chairman
of the committee on commerce and navigation, submitted to
the House of Representatives of the United States his cele-
brated report:-
“In 1807 the outrages of the two great belligerent powers
made it necessary to commence a series of irregular restrictions
on trade, which led to the war of 1812, and terminated finally
with that contest in 1815. Previous to these political re-
strictions, from 1789 to 1807, our country presented a spec-
tacle of prosperity which had never been surpassed by any
nation in any age. We had been suddenly emancipated from
a colonial condition-we had united the energies and resources.
of the States-we had not then learned to intermeddle with
private employments--we had no heavy taxes to encourage
smuggling, diminish consumption, and repress industry-we
226
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
had no stimulants but profit and enterprise-no guides but
intelligence and judgment. We had, it is true, discrimina-
tions, minute and manifold, but, happily for the country, our
imposts were moderate, our speculations harmless, and our
trade was free. The succeeding eight years of restrictions.
and war checked the natural and rapid march of our industry,
and drove us into employments new and unsuited to our age
and condition. The peace of 1815 naturally restored us to
our old occupations; and the sudden reaction of the tide of
commerce swept away a large portion of capital which had
been prematurely invested. Peace had not only returned, but
the world had every assurance of its long continuance. The
bloody wars which preceded the fall of Napoleon-the termi-
nation of his ambitious career-the revolutions of
govern-
ments, and the critical condition of thrones, left Europe and
her sovereigns in no disposition to embark speedily in new
wars. We had before us the prospect of a long and general
peace, and our policy should have been regulated accordingly.
Our revenue laws should have been restored gradually, but
decisively, to their condition previous to the war. Our policy,
unfortunately, took another direction. The tariff of 1816 laid
the foundation of all our subsequent errors, and we have now
been engaged for fifteen years in an unprofitable experiment,
to effect what embargo, non-importation, non-intercourse, and
war, failed to accomplish. We have attempted, by the mere
force of Congressional decrees, to resist the natural and salu-
tary tendency of our industry to commercial and agricultural
pursuits. We have been steadily sacrificing the commerce,
navigation, and capital of New England, merely to bring for-
ward new competitors in manufacturing, to embarrass our old
and skilful artisans, and to ruin themselves. We have, from
session to session, kept trade in such agitation and uncertainty,
that the value of property could never be ascertained till the
adjournment of Congress-and this we have called encourag-
ing and protecting our industry. We have wasted millions of
our ancient profits of commerce in a visionary experiment to
increase our national wealth. In a legislative attempt to
make ourselves more completely independent of foreign
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
227
nations, we have most effectually undermined the foundation
of that naval power which can alone protect our country from
foreign aggression.
Your committee are as unwilling to agitate this question
as they are little disposed to disturb the value of our national
property. But when our commercial policy for the last fifteen
years is candidly reviewed, they feel persuaded that the House
will come to the conclusion, that, however harsh it may be,
to reform the policy of a nation-its permanent welfare—its
honour and its safety-may sometimes render it necessary to
avoid the calamities which may result from an obstinate per-
severance in bad measures. The regulations of our co
commerce
and revenue now existing, not only put in jeopardy our na-
tional honour and safety, and the interests of agriculture and
navigation, but they will be found, on examination, to be of
the most unfriendly character to the largest portion of our
manufactures. Whatever may have been the honest intention
of those who framed our laws, they can have no other ten-
dency than to increase our taxes, diminish consumption,
destroy trade, and, however extraordinary it may seem, to
draw premiums from American industry to encourage British
manufactures, and to perpetuate their ascendancy even in our
own markets. In making a last attempt to arrest the pro-
gress of measures so destructive to our national prosperity, we
shall not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the rapid suc-
cession of our acts since the war; and, however willing they
might be to leave the pliability of industry to accommodate
itself, even to the worst of laws, it is impossible to view this
question in any other light than as an unsettled one.' The
late President of the United States, in his last message to
Congress, most truly said, that our tariff was, in its details,
not acceptable to any portion of the Union, not even to the
interest which it was specially intended to subserve.' Our
present chief magistrate expressly invites our attention to the
existing tariff, believing that some of its provisions require
modification,' and he solicits our particular attention' to the
agricultural interest. With the approaching redemption of
our public debt, he justly anticipates that our population will
(
Q 2
228
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
be relieved from a considerable portion of its present burthens.'
The committee, therefore, indulge the hope, that the political
calm now existing will be wisely employed in devising and
adjusting, in a spirit of mutual concession, some general plan
which may relieve our industry from all unnecessary imposi-
tions-save our manufactures from capricious legislation and
party vicissitudes-arrest the growth of unlawful trade, and
give a fresh impulse to our commerce and navigation; and,
above all, that we may, with patriotism, unite in our efforts to
restore that good feeling which should always be cherished
between the different sections of our Union.
"Our present tariff is, certainly, national in one respect-
it is injurious to every interest and to every section of the
country. Our manufactures, commerce, and agriculture may
still slowly advance-for the energies of a young country
may resist the repressing tendency of the worst of laws; but
what would be the celerity of their march were we to reduce
our duties on raw materials-our taxes on navigation, and
our heavy burthens on agriculture? It would be some con-
solation to us if the taxes we have imposed upon ourselves
had any tendency to give permanent encouragement to our
own manufactures; but, unfortunately, the provisions of our
tariff are so singularly and ingeniously contrived, that the
only result of our taxation must be to perpetuate the ascen-
dancy, even in our own markets, of the manufactures of
Great Britain.
"We have imposed an enormous duty on the fine wools of
England, Saxony, and Spain-while the British manufactu-
rer, besides having his supplies uniformly cheaper, pays on all
foreign wool only from a halfpenny to a penny per pound.
We have deprived our hardware manufacturers of all chance
of competition with their British rivals, by charging so high a
duty on their raw materials; that, in many instances, the mere
duty on the latter actually amounts to more than the entire
cost of the foreign manufacture. Our manufacturers of
cordage, also, are about to be driven from our markets under
the operation of our own laws. Our tariff is nothing but a
tissue of such absurdities. By no rule of calculation can we
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
229
ever expect that our manufactures can be permanently as
cheap as foreign fabrics, while we persist in imposing enor-
mous duties on raw materials, or higher imposts on the mate-
rial than on the manufacture. Our existing revenue laws tend,
inevitably, to perpetuate the manufacturing ascendancy of
Great Britain.*
(<
Banishing the manufacture of cordage from our country
is not the only injury we have inflicted on our navigation; we
are actually destroying the trade of ship-building. The state-
ment below exhibits the comparative taxes on British and
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF DUTIES.
* "Iron in bars, per ton
pigs
Great Britain.
drs. 6 66
2 22
United States.
drs. 22 40 per ton, and drs. 37 if
rolled. This is a British
manufacture.
12 50
"Our manufacturers of hardware generally, and our blacksmiths and iron foun-
ders, are in a condition most discouraging. They, of necessity, consume sheet,
hoop, bolt, rod, and bar-rolled iron as raw materials. The Birmingham manu-
facturer is supplied with them at 30 drs. to 50 drs. per ton. Our duties vary from
37 drs. per ton to 3 cents per pound, or 78 drs. 40 c. per ton, or from 123 to 156
per cent. ad valorem. In other words, the effect of our own law is to give a pre-
mium to the hardware manufacturers, blacksmiths, &c., of Great Britain, equal, on
an average, to 55 drs. 70 c. on every ton of iron manufactured in that country for the
use of the United States. The actual prices on these raw materials, in Great
Britain, are 30 drs. to 50 drs., and in the United States 75 drs. to 180 drs. per ton.
The duty on fifteen pounds of sheet and band iron, for fender plates, is 52 cents. ;
on twenty pounds of sheet-iron, for grate pans, 70 cents. ; on the manufactured
article 183 cents. ; on 100 pounds of sheet iron, for stove pipes, 3 drs. 50 c. ; on the
stove pipe manufactured 68 cents. The duty on hardware generally is 25 per cent.,
while the duties on the various kinds of iron used in manufacturing average about
140 per cent. ad valorem-giving more than 100 per cent premium to the British
manufacturer.
;
"The American iron masters, &c., may see how effectually they are destroying
our home market for their productions by perpetuating duties, which are actually
nothing but so many premiums, drawn from the consumption of the United States,
to encourage the manufacturers of Great Britain, &c. Our existing tariff, which is
proclaimed to be for the encouragement of our manufacturers, is replete with such
palpable absurdities. If we had all the capital and labour of Great Britain, our
manufacturers would inevitably decline under the gradual influence of such laws.”
-Report.
† COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN NAVIGATION IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING OUT OF SHIPS.
"Duties levied in each country on the materials consumed in building and
rigging a ship of 500 tons :—
230
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
American navigation. The incidental effect of our own
policy is to give a premium of 1655 drs. 89 c. on every ship of
500 tons, built and fitted out in Great Britain."
BRITISH DUTY.
copper fastened,' 20 tons of iron-say 7 tons Russian and Swe-
dish, at 6 drs. 66c.
If not
drs. cts.
46 66
13 tons English-no duty.
20,160 lbs. chain cables-say 9 tons, at the duty on iron, 6 drs. 66c.....
4600 lbs. anchors.
60 0
62 pieces heavy duck, 2356 yards
20
light duck
760
"
3116 at 7 d.
•
432 67
15 tons cordage, requiring 12 tons hemp, at 4s. 8d. per cwt.-say
20 drs. 74c. per ton
248 88
British tax on a ship of 500 tons
788 21
If not
AMERICAN DUTY.
copper-fastened,' 20 tons of iron-say 7 tons Russian and Swe- drs. cts.
dish iron, at 22 drs. 40c.
156 80
13 tons English, at 37 drs.
481
20,160 lbs. chain cables, at 3 cents.
604 80
4600 lbs. anchors, at 2 cents.
92
3116 yards duck,* at 10 cents.
311 60
12 tons hemp, at 60 drs.
720
American tax on a ship of 500 tons
2366 20
American duty on 500 tons
British duty on 500 tons
2366 20
788 21
drs. 1577 99
Add for increase on 3116 yards of duck, at 2·1-2 cents
Premium on every British ship of 500 tons
For every hundred tons, American..
•
* Add for the duty on duck, which is to be increased to 12-1-2 cents. per
square yard
For every hundred tons, British
77 90
1655 89
•
473 24
15 58
488 82
157 64
331 18
Premium on 100 tons
-American and English chain cables are indiscriminately used in this
country. It is immaterial whether we consume foreign or domestic hemp, iron,
duck, or any of the above-mentioned materials; the price of the American, as well
as the foreign, is enhanced in proportion to the duty.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
231
Mr. Cambreleng followed up his report by bringing in a
bill to amend the Navigation Laws of the United States,
which was read twice:-
"Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled,
that whenever the President of the United States shall receive
satisfactory information of the existence of any law or decree
of any foreign government, authorising the importation of the
produce and manufactures of the United States into such
foreign country, and all its possessions, at a rate of duty not
exceeding 30 per cent. on the actual value thereof, and at such
times as the produce and manufacture of that country may not
be admitted into the United States on reciprocal terms; there-
upon the President of the United States shall issue his pro-
clamation, declaring that he has received such evidence, and,
from and after twelve months from the date of such procla-
mation, it shall be, and is hereby declared to be, lawful to
import into the United States the produce and manufactures
of such country, and all its possessions, at a rate of duty
not exceeding 30 per cent. on the actual cost or value,
thereof," &c.
The effect of such an enactment would have been a virtual
repeal of the tariff law, and the trade of Great Britain would
have been the chief gainer by the change. The blacksmiths,
and other manufacturers of iron, residing in Philadelphia,
presented a petition to the House, praying that the duty on
certain descriptions of iron might be so modified as to afford
to them an adequate protection in their business: this petition
was referred to the committee on manufactures, and ordered
to be printed; an answer was drawn up by the committee to
this petition, which it will not be necessary at this time further
to allude to, as the substance of it is introduced in a subse-
quent petition. The tariff party were, however, too strong for
the Chamber of Commerce, and also for the memorialists,
and the act introduced by Mr. Cambreleng was not allowed
to pass.
The rejection of this measure gave great dissatisfaction to
the Southern States, and Mr. Blair, a member for South
3
232
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Carolina, expressed himself in strong language on the sub-
ject; in substance he stated-"We (the people of South
Carolina, and of the Southern States) do not wish to separate
from the Union, if you will let us alone, and not impose
oppressive laws upon us: but if you attempt to sacrifice our
interests to the manufacturers of the Northern States,* we will
separate from you, and, if necessary, we will defend our
separate existence by force of arms."
On the opening of the next session of Congress (8th Decem-
ber, 1830), the President, in his message, said—
"While the chief object of duties should be revenue, they
may be so adjusted as to encourage manufactures. In this
adjustment, however, it is the duty of the government to be
guided by the general good. Objects of national importance
alone ought to be protected: of these the productions of our
soil, our mines and our workshops-essential to national de-
fence-occupy the first rank. Whatever other species of
domestic industry, having the importance to which I have
referred, may be expected, after temporary protection, to
compete with foreign labour, on equal terms, merit the same
attention in a subordinate degree."
The report of the majority of the committee on manufac-
tures, to which had been referred this part of the President's
message, was hostile to any alteration or modification of the
existing tariff—the committee expressing their belief that “the
tariff, having been so recently revised, any attempt to change.
its provisions, at this time, would spread alarm among the
great interests of our country-shake confidence in the plighted
faith of Government-destroy the supposed well-founded
hopes of millions of our fellow-citizens-reduce them to
penury, and expose the whole country to the dangers of a
most selfish policy, which might be adopted by foreign
nations."
The minority of the committee published a counter report,
in which they took a view of the question, respecting the
tariff, diametrically opposite to that taken by the majority.
In the mean time the opposers, as well as the supporters,
* Pennsylvania was among the most decided friends of the tariff.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
233
of the existing tariff were not idle, and a petition of the iron
manufacturers of Philadelphia* was presented to the Senate
and House of Representatives, praying—
"1st. That all the existing duties on pig-iron, scraps, boiler
* The following is a recapitulation of the quantity of iron imported, in the shape
of hardware, with the duty thereon, to which it is now subject, namely-
Hardware, subject to the duty of 25 per cent. ad valorem, in which the
•
• 傷
​iron paid a proportional duty of 5 dollars 50 cents per ton
Ditto, paying 35 per cent. duty, the iron paying 8 ds. 25c. per ton
Ditto, paying specific rates of duty, in which the iron pays 7 ds.
per ton..
Tin, paying 15 per cent., in which the iron pays 12 ds. 50 c. per ton.
Wire, paying from 6c. to 10c. per lb.
38,939 tons.
6,289
2,579
3,000
206
"
"
Sheet, rod, hoop, and other descriptions of iron, paying 31c. per lb...
Bar-iron rolled, paying a duty of 37ds. per ton..
1,1673
3,3321/
Making the total of the above descriptions of iron, all manufac-
tured by the process of rolling
55,5141
"
To which add the imported hammered iron
29,484
Making the aggregate quantity of iron imported into the United
States during the years 1828-29 amount to
• •
84,9981
"
Of which amount there has been re-exported, in all forms
• •
3,6541
Showing the actual home consumption of foreign iron to be
Now, if to this amount there also be added the quantity produced
in the United States, which, according to the estimates of iron
masters, examined before the committee of the House of Repre-
sentatives, in 1828, was 30,000 tons, but which an intelligent
practical man, who travelled through the United States, for the
express purpose of ascertaining the fact, as the result of the most
careful inquiries, estimates at
81,344
35,000
"
The annual consumption of iron in the United States, will be 116,344
Of these 35,000 tons, produced in the United States, 10,000 tons only reaches
the sea board; and, with the 81,344 tons of imported iron, makes the actual quantity
passing through the hands of the dealers in iron on the sea board to be 91,344 tons,
and 25,000 tons retained in the interior, there to be used. From this statement it
appears that, of rolled iron, ten-elevenths were imported in the manufactured, and
the remaining eleventh in the raw state; that the quantity of rolled iron, in all its
various forms, compared with hammered iron, is nearly in the proportion of two to
one; that the American manufactured bar-iron, which comes to the sea board, com-
pared with the imported foreign iron, in all shapes, is in the proportion of one to nine,
or out of 90,000 tons, only 10,000 tons; and that the American iron, compared with
foreign iron, imported in the state of hardware, is in the proportion of one to six, or
out of 60,000 tons only 10,000 tons; which last-named quantity, according to the
statements of the iron masters, who were examined before a committee of the House
234
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
plates, and all other iron in loops, slabs, blooms, or any other
state, but manufactured, and bar-iron, be abolished or repealed,
and the importation on the same be admitted free of duty.
"2d. That all bar-iron, manufactured by hammering, be
admitted, subject to the duty of April 27, 1816, on its impor-
tation, to wit, at the rate of 45 cents per cwt.
"3d. That all descriptions of iron manufactured by rolling,
including bar, bolt, rod, sheet, and hoop, of every size and
quality, be admitted, subject to a duty not exceeding that
now imposed on the importation of hardware - namely,
25 per cent.
"4th. That wire of iron or steel, of all sizes and numbers,
be admitted, subject to the same duty as the manufactures
of wire now are, on their importation,—namely 25 per cent.
"5th. That the duty now imposed on railroad iron, when
punched in the United States, be remitted, or a drawback of
the existing duty be allowed thereon, on all sums exceeding
50 dollars.
"And, lastly, That the existing duties on steel be abolished
or repealed, and the importation of the same admitted free of
duty."
On the other hand, a numerous delegation from several
States in the Union assembled in convention at New York,
styling themselves the " Friends of Domestic Industry;" in an
address to the people of the United States, they maintained
the right of Congress to levy duties for the protection of
manufactures as well as for revenue.
In furtherance of the objects of the convention, committees
were appointed to inquire into the state of the home manu-
factures, and it was resolved that a committee be appointed
to report on the production and manufacture of iron and steel.
The committee consisted of members from Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Rhode Island, Maryland, New York, Connecticut,
Massachusetts, and Vermont. They printed the following
report, which contains a great deal of valuable information
respecting the state of these manufactures :-
of Representatives, in 1828, included every description of iron brought from the
interior to the sea board of the United States.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
235
REPORT ON IRON AND STEEL.
"The committee on iron and steel respectfully report-
"That, in discharge of the duties assigned to them, they
have availed themselves of the information obtained by the
convention of the manufacturers of iron, recently assembled at
Philadelphia (of which several of your committee were mem-
bers), which information was originally collected for the pur-
pose of answering the call made upon the Secretary of the
Treasury at the close of the last session of Congress; and is,
they have every reason to believe, as precise and accurate, in
all its parts, as any body of facts, of equal magnitude and
importance, which, under similar circumstances, has ever been
submitted to the public.
"From abstracts of statements made to that meeting (an-
nexed and marked A*), it appears that at 202 furnaces, known
to have been in operation, there were made in the year 1830,
155,348 tons of iron. This iron, further investigation enables
your committee to say, is converted into 90,768 tons of bar-
iron, and 28,273 tons of castings, as there also set forth;
which, with the bar-iron made at the bloomeries, amounting
in that year to 5853 tons, and making a total of bar-iron of
96,621 tons, will, if estimated at the average wholesale prices.
of the principal markets of the country, as therein more par-
ticularly detailed, give an aggregate value for the production
of that year of 11,444,410 dollars.
"The same statements exhibit, for the three years ending
with 1830 (when the bar-iron made at the bloomeries is re-
duced to pig-iron, and added to that made at the furnaces),
the following results :-
Years.
For 1828
1829
"
1830
"
Iron.
130,881 tons
142,870
163,542
Value.
10,861,440 dollars.
11,528,134
11,444,410
Increase in quantity in two years very nearly 25 per cent.
Increase in market value not quite 53 per cent.
"It will be perceived, in examining the last statement, that
the increase in value does not keep pace with that of quan-
Appendix D.
236
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
tity; and your committee would here, for a moment, call the
attention of the convention to this fact, to which they shall
have occasion to allude more particularly hereafter, as afford-
ing a practical refutation of the doctrine, that an increased
impost necessarily enhances the price to the consumer.
"In this instance, the average price of bar-iron, in 1828,
was 118 dollars. In that year an addition to the duty on
hammered iron was made of 4 ds. 40 c. per ton, and on rolled
of 7 dollars. In the following year the price fell to 1143, and
in 1830 to 96-showing a decline in two years of 21 dollars
per ton, in the face of the increased duty above-mentioned—a
decline effected exclusively by domestic competition, inas-
much (as will hereafter appear), no corresponding diminution
of price took place abroad, and the fall here was greatest in
those markets which are inaccessible to foreign iron.
In making these statements, your committee have been
careful to found them upon data, which they believe will bear
the test of the most rigid scrutiny. They have been par-
ticularly cautious to guard against exaggeration. They be-
lieve the cause they desire to sustain needs no aid beyond the
simple truth; and, when that is made known, it will require
no extraneous support, but may safely rest its claims to the
favour of their fellow-citizens-upon their sense of justice
and expediency, and its own intrinsic merits.
"
Notwithstanding their own convictions on this subject—
however satisfactory to themselves these statements certainly
are-yet, as they are so much at variance with others, which,
having been extensively spread before the public, under the
sanction of a select committee of the Senate of the United
States, are, on that account, entitled to the most respectful
consideration, your committee will, in this place, submit
some additional facts and statements, in proof of what they
have already adduced.
In 1810 the quantity of bar-iron made in the United States was, agreeably
to Cox's tables.
This quantity was probably short of the truth, as the tables are
known, when they err, to err in this particular, excess never having
been attributed to them.
Tons.
27,051
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
237
We have no account of the quantity imported before 1816. It was then
of all kinds of bar-iron, agreeably to a return made by the Register of
the Treasury, upon a call by Congress, 21,537 tons. If the importation
of 1810 be estimated at three-fourths of that of 1816, it cannot be far
from the fact, and would be.
•
Tons.
16,152
·
Giving a total for the consumption of 1810, of bar-iron
Our population was then 7,000,000—it is now 13,000,000. If the con-
sumption of iron be estimated at only the same rate, it would require for
the year 1830
43,203
80,236
The importation of foreign bar-iron for 1829 (the last return in possession
of the committee) was 32,750-exported 260—for consumption
32,490
47,746
Leaving a void to be supplied by the domestic article of......
"But if the consumption be estimated not only by the rates.
of increase of the population, but also by that of the vast
increase of every branch of industry requiring the use of iron,
it cannot be doubted that the consumption of 1830 was fully
threefold that of 1810; it is probable that it was even greater,
but equal at that rate to 129,609 tons, from which deduct
that part imported, estimated as of 1829 (from which it can-
not materially vary), and the result is 97,119 tons, instead of
35,000 tons, as asserted in the statements referred to—cor-
responding in a remarkable manner (the difference being less
than 500 tons) with the estimates of the committee, founded
upon the facts now collected, believed still to be under the
truth, and showing the extraordinary errors into which the
most enlightened and intelligent may be betrayed, by adopt-
ing the conjectures of others, without due investigation.
"Your committee have already referred to the fact of the
decline in the prices of iron from 1828 to 1830, as establish-
ing the doctrine that a duty on a foreign article, which can be
abundantly produced at home, does not necessarily enhance
the price to the consumer. In further illustration of that part
of the subject, and of other beneficial consequences flowing
from the system of protection, they beg leave now to refer to
the accompanying statements marked B and C.† By the
one it will be seen, that while iron in some foreign markets ad-
vanced from 40 to 50 per cent. from 1824 to 1825, and from
* Appendix E.
+ Appendix F.
238
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
1822 to 1825 experienced fluctuations amounting to nearly 75
per cent. on the lowest cost, our own varied but about 17 per
cent. including an additional duty of about 5, and actually
receded, at a subsequent period, although sustained by a
second addition to the duty, to prices below what had pre-
vailed ten years before, when the existing duty upon ham-
mered iron was but nine dollars, or less than one-half of that
now levied.
"This comparative stability, so important to the success of
all well-regulated industry, was due, exclusively to the do-
mestic supply, which effectually protected the consumer from
the foreign speculator, who could otherwise have controlled
this market, and produced here the same disastrous conse-
quences that ensued in his own.
"If such has been the result of protection upon the general
market of the country, its effects have been still more striking,
when examined with reference to particular, but most import-
ant, districts. Our western brethren, the hardy pioneers of
our country, were restrained and limited in their contest with
the wilderness, by the difficulty of obtaining, on almost any
terms, this article, so indispensable to their success, in every
stage of their arduous enterprise. The second statement
exhibits the prices of iron of various descriptions at different
periods, at Pittsburg and Cincinnati-the great marts of the
west. Comment can scarcely be necessary upon the facts
there disclosed. The decline in price (in some instances more
than one-half) has been in exact proportion with the stability
given to the domestic manufacture, by additional impost on
the foreign, until it has reached a point that now enables the
mechanics of the first mentioned city-that Birmingham of
America―to enter into successful competition with those of
almost any other quarter, in the fabrication of nearly every
article of necessity, and in one justly esteemed the proudest
effort of human ingenuity, they have attained a degree of per-
fection which enables them to challenge comparison with the
skill and experience of any nation whatever.
"As your committee are assured that contracts can be
made for any number of engines at the prices indicated in the
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
239
table referred to, it cannot be necessary that they should
press this point further.
"Here your committee might, perhaps, leave this branch of
their subject, satisfied with having, as they believe, demon-
strated, that protection to the manufacturer, when effectual in
amount, and connected with such an assurance of permanence
as stimulates enterprise, and excites skill, does not operate as
a tax on the consumer, but the reverse. But they believe that
facts will justify them in going even further, and will enable
them to maintain the position, that an impost may, under
some circumstances, operate as a tax, not upon the consumer
of the importing country, but upon the producer of the foreign
article, compelling him, for the purpose of preserving even
partial possession of the market, to reduce his own profits in
proportion to the increase of impost, which reduction is, in
fact, a contribution to the treasury of the importing country,
and may relieve its citizens from the burthen of taxation to
that extent.
"The circumstances under which this may occur are two.
First, when the importing country is the only or the principal
market for the article in question, and that article one which
the exporting country unavoidably produces in the manufac-
ture of some other of greater value. Second, where there is
an increasing surplus of production in the exporting country,
and an extensive and growing manufacture of the same article
in the country where this surplus has, theretofore, sought a
market.
“Without detaining the convention longer than to make a
passing reference, as an example of the first case, to the addi-
tional duty laid by the tariff of 1828 (since repealed) upon
molasses, which duty was exclusively laid by the foreign
planter, who thus contributed, during its existence, more than
half a million of dollars per annum to the support of the
government of the United States, the committee will proceed,
in proof and illustration, at once to the second, again to refer
to statement marked B, and to that marked D,* where, among
other facts, it will be seen, that in July, 1828, after the in-
telligence of our additional duty reached England, iron fell at
* Appendix G.
240
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
once 4 ds. 44 c. per ton, and that in the following year a further
reduction of 6 ds. 50 c. was submitted to. Our additional duty
gave additional confidence to the American manufacturer, he
extended his operations, and increased the supply, without
advancing the price. The foreign manufacturer could only
reach the market by the payment of the additional impost.
American competition prevented him from charging this to
the consumer, and he was, therefore, compelled to diminish
his profits by this much, and to the same extent to become a
contributor to the treasury of the United States.
"An examination of the last-mentioned statement (D) will
show that, by this means, through the instrumentality of
American manufactures, their foreign competitors have been
made tributary to the public treasury, upon the article of iron
alone, since that article has been really protected, more than
two millions and a half of dollars, while the consumer, as has
been already shown, has been benefited to an amount even
greater than this.
"If it be alleged that the same benefits would have re-
sulted to the consumer-that the same decline in prices would
have occurred without this competition-we answer, that such
allegation would be contrary to all experience, which has
taught all who have given attention to the subject, to know
that, while we are dependent, exclusively, upon foreigners for
any article of consumption, they are enabled to prescribe their
own terms, and that these always include a large profit to
themselves. But the moment it is discovered that domestic
ingenuity is at work to produce the same article, that moment
their prices are reduced-and often to an extent that excites
astonishment-when it is accompanied with the knowledge that
no sensible change in the cost of production has taken place.
"But, it may be asked-if additional protection, by ex-
citing domestic competition, invariably brings down prices,
of what benefit is this protection to the domestic manufac-
turer? To this we reply—that permanence and stability, not
high prices, are our objects. American manufacturers are
not so blind to the constant and inevitable course of events,
as not to foresee that, as these objects are approached, they
must expect a more active competition from their fellow-
241
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
citizens, as well those who are already engaged in the same
pursuits, as from others who may be induced to enter. But
for this they are prepared-they can calculate its extent, and
its effects are wholesome and salutary upon all. It stimulates
to greater care, economy, industry, and skill; profits are
reduced, but they are stable; and the prudent man looks for-
ward, with confidence, to realising a fair reward for his
labours. Against foreign competition there is no guarding,
because the manner of its approach can never with certainty
be foreseen, nor can its extent be calculated. The ordinary
production of foreign industry, in any particular branch, may
be estimated with some accuracy; but the extraordinary fluc-
tuation to which their markets are liable, from great political
convulsions, and from other causes, cannot be estimated.
Every violent change invariably forces upon our mar-
kets their vast accumulations, which easily breaking down
the feeble barrier of a mere revenue protection, involves in
ruin all who have essayed competition in the same branch.
The consumer may be benefited for the moment, but a re-
action certainly follows: great fluctuations engender a spirit
of speculation, and mere gambling is substituted for all
regular traffic. The frequent recurrence of these evils (every
where acknowledged to be such) is only to be prevented by a
system of protection, which, when efficient for the main pur-
pose, is, as has been proved, abundantly so for this also.
"Having, as they believe, satisfactorily shown the benefi-
cial effects of a system of real protection to the consumer of
iron, your committee will proceed with a few brief remarks
upon its influence on the agriculture, labour, and internal
trade of the country.
"From a critical examination of the returns from seventy-
three furnaces and 132 forges, in a great variety of situations,
the details of which are more particularly stated in the paper
annexed, and marked E,* they find that in the manufacture of
the iron, in its first stages only, made in the United States in
the past year, agricultural produce, to the amount of nearly
three and half million of dollars, has been consumed; which
* Appendix H.
R
242
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
vast sum has been paid by the manufacturers, and those em-
ployed by them, to the farmer-showing how completely his
interest is identified with theirs, and furnishing him with the
means of estimating the probable consequences to himself of
the destruction of this branch of industry, and the conver-
sion of so large a body of consumers into cultivators and
producers.
"By the same statement it appears that nearly 25,000
workmen are constantly employed, receiving annually the sum
of 7,493,700 dollars-making, with their families, nearly
125,000 persons directly dependent upon this manufacture.
"For transporting this iron to the markets, where it is sold
to the consumer, it is calculated that about one million and
a quarter of dollars are annually paid-being a further con-
tribution to labour and agriculture.
"These facts, your committee believe, sufficiently show
how completely interwoven are the interests of agriculture
and labour with those of manufactures. They think, and
they hope hereafter to demonstrate it, that those of commerce
are not less so; but, for the present, will refer to one fact, fre-
quently alleged, and recently and triumphantly reiterated, in
support of a different view of the subject-namely, that every
ship, of the burthen of 500 tons, is subjected to a tax, occa-
sioned by the duties on the foreign articles entering into her
construction, of 2000 dollars-of which that on iron forms a
large proportion. Without wishing to detract, in the slightest
degree, from the merits of a branch of our industry that has
secured so much of glory to our national character, as well as
profit to our country, it must not be forgotten that this inte-
rest, which was one of the earliest subjects of national regard,
has for a long period enjoyed a protection in the discriminat-
ing tonnage duty of 94 cents per ton, which, on a vessel of
500 tons, amounts to 470 dollars on every voyage; and,
admitting the supposition that she makes three voyages
yearly, such protection amounts to 1410 dollars per annum.
And, inasmuch as it is understood to be a principle of mercantile
calculation, that a new outfit is to occur every five years,
there is a protection, amounting to 7050 dollars, against the
tax of 2000; and if it be true that the community suffers by
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
243
protecting our domestic industry, it would seem not politic
for those interested in navigation to appear as complainants.
And this, it must be observed, is independent of the 10 per
cent. discriminating duty on all merchandise imported in
foreign bottoms imposed solely to foster the shipping interests
of the country.
"It may be argued, that this system of discriminating du-
ties is disappearing before the reciprocities offered and em-
braced in many of our commercial treaties. But, let it be
remembered, that these reciprocities have been the fruit of a
rigid adherence to the protecting system to which even the
'Mistress of the Ocean' has been obliged to succumb-afford-
ing a perfect illustration of the efficacy of those principles for
which we contend, and which will eventually oblige the
manufacturing nations of Europe, and elsewhere, either to
extend the right hand of reciprocity to our agriculturists,
manufacturers, and mechanics, as they have done to our mer-
chants, or to sink before the unequal conflict with American
ingenuity and American enterprise.
"The committee deem it here proper to advert to the at-
tempts which have, for some two years past, been made to
array the interests of the manufacturers of iron, in its higher
stages, to wit, hardware, &c., against its primary manufac-
turers, and the efforts which have accompanied these attempts
to obtain a large reduction of the existing duties upon some
descriptions of iron, and a total abolition of those upon
others, for the alleged purpose of placing those two branches.
of industry upon an equal footing in the home market.
Fully to counteract such efforts, your committee believed
it would only be requisite to ascertain what proportion of the
value of the manufactured article consisted of the duty on
the bar and sheet-iron entering into its composition; and
what, of that, upon the value given abroad by the subsequent
elaboration. To determine this, they took a lock, called a
Scotch spring-lock, which weighed two pounds-they sup-
posed that half a pound of iron was lost in making—total
weight two and a half; deduct half a pound of brass-weight
of iron two pounds, which at the highest duty of 3 cents
R 2
244
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
per lb., is 7 cents. The stirling cost of this lock, with charges
subject to duty, was 23 pence, and the duty, as calculated at
the Custom-house, very nearly 12 cents.
"In this case, if the American manufacturer of locks had
imported his iron at the highest rate of duty, he would have
paid a tax (if the duty be a tax) of 7 cents. and would have
received a protection of 12 cents, as against the foreign ma-
nufacturer of hardware.
"Another lock, called a closet lock, cost, with charges,
2s. 3d.; duty, as above, nearly 14 cents, and weighed, with
the same allowance, three-quarters of a pound-duty, at the
highest rate of 3 cents, is 2 cents. Here the manufacturer
31 2ğ
of hardware would receive five times more protection on the
same article than the iron manufacturer.
"A third lock, called a mortice lock, cost, with charges, 5s.
-duty, as above, 30 cents, and weighed, with the same
allowances and deductions for brass, two pounds, which, at
the highest rate of duty, as before, is 7 cents.
"Here the protection to the hardware manufacturer, as
compared with the iron maker, is nearly four and a half to
In all these cases the highest duty is taken on iron and
the lowest on hardware.
one.
"The inquiries of the committee having, so far, exhibited
results so entirely at variance with statements which had been
widely circulated, under high authority, they became appre-
hensive that it would be alleged these examples had been
purposely selected with reference to such result; and although
they were, in truth, taken entirely at random, yet they be-
lieved it to be their duty to pursue the investigation on a
more extended scale, and, if possible, to embrace the entire
importations of the country-a course, the perfect fairness
of which, they think, cannot be called in question. It was
known to one of your committee that, when the applications
already referred to were before Congress, a highly respectable.
house, of this city, engaged both in the manufacture of iron
and importation of hardware, had taken up the memorials
and statements upon which the subsequent report of the
select committee of the Senate was founded, and examined
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
245
them in detail. They were, accordingly, invited by the com-
mittee to assist them in the investigation; their aid was
cheerfully and promptly furnished, and the result will be
found in the document annexed, and marked F.*
"To refer particularly to every part of this elaborate and
most valuable paper, would occupy too much of the time of
the convention, and would swell this report beyond all rea-
sonable limits. Nor could justice be done to it by any refer-
ence, however particular. It is respectfully, but earnestly,
recommended to the careful perusal of every member.
"Your committee, however, solicit the attention of the
convention to a few remarks upon some of the most striking
errors of fact contained in the memorials, statements, and
report already alluded to, which they deem too important to
pass without such notice.
"One great object of the memorialists was to obtain the
importation of English iron at a very low rate of duty, on the
alleged ground that it was superior to other iron for many,
and equal for most, purposes for which iron is used.
"In answer to this, it is shown that, although this iron can
now be imported in every required form of bolts and bars, at
full 20 per cent. less than other iron, yet such is the character
which experience has stamped upon it, that only one-seventh
of all the iron imported is of this kind, and of the entire con-
sumption it forms but one thirty-ninth part. To admit the
statement of the memorialists, in this respect, to be true,
would, therefore, be to suppose an ignorance of their profes-
sion and interests, on the part of the American blacksmiths
and others, workers in iron, which your committee cannot for
a moment sanction.
"The memorialists stated that the duty on iron was from
159 to 282 per cent., or from six to eleven times the duty on
hardware. The want of candour manifested by the general
character of this statement, is fully exposed in the examin-
ation, where it is shown that the quantity paying the duty of
37 dollars per ton, is but one-seventh, and that paying 78 drs.
40c., but one-thirtieth of the whole importation, and but
1-39th and 1-112th parts of the entire consumption.
* Appendix I.
246
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
"Your committee have already had occasion to advert to
the extraordinary error committed by the memorialists, when
they fixed the manufacture of iron in this country at 35,000
tons. They now beg to call the attention of the convention
to an error as remarkable on the other hand.
"For the apparent purpose of exhibiting, in mortifying
contrast the insignificance of the domestic manufacture, when
compared with the foreign importations, the entire consump-
tion is assumed at
116,344 tons,
35,000,,
Leaving, after the deduction of the above
To be supplied from abroad the quantity of ..
(
81,344,,
"Of this last quantity it is stated that 47,798 tons were
imported in the form of hardware, at a duty varying from
5.50 to 8.25 per ton, and that, in this way, this large quan-
tity of iron was introduced, at an aggregate
duty of....
'While the same weight of iron, imported in
its raw state, of bar, sheet, rod, or hoop iron,
estimating the duty at only 37 dollars per
ton, and leaving out of consideration the
284,293,1%
duty of 3 cents, would have paid........ 1,568,526
At this rate,' they say, 'the discriminating duty in favour of the
British manufacturer (of hardware) was actually 1,284,2328
dollars for the fiscal year 1828-29.'
"The above weights, it is admitted, are obtained by
estimates—that is, by assuming one-third of the gross value
of the hardware imported to be the cost of the raw material
of iron, and then bringing that third into tons, at 23drs. 33c.
per ton. The experiments, on a small scale, already recited
in this report, showed the error of these estimates. When
brought to a practical test, on a scale embracing every article
in the whole range of importation, their true character was
made even more manifest. The committee again refer to the
examination of Messrs. Green and Wetmore, by which it will
appear that the whole weight of the above hardware (includ-
ing brass, horn, and all other materials) was but 9763 tons,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
247
instead of 47,798 tons, and that the
duty actually paid was
That, if the American
rather more than 104 dollars per ton.
manufacturer of hardware had imported the iron and paid the
duty mentioned by the memorialists, of 37 dollars per ton, he
would have paid the sum of ....
and would have been protected by a duty
on the manufactured article of
361,231 dollars,
1,003,843
Making a discrimination, for the fiscal year 1828-9, in favour,
not of the British manufacturer of hardware, of 1,284,232 drs.
83c., but in favour of the American manufacturer of hard-
ware-over both the British hardware manufacturer and the
American manufacturer of iron, of 642,612 drs.
"Here your committee might, they believe, safely rest
this part of the subject, deeming their duty in relation to it
fully discharged. They will detain the convention only
while they present a brief summary of the different, and, in
some instances, opposite conclusions, to which a careful ex-
amination of the same subject has brought them, when com-
pared with those put forth by the memorialists.
"They (the memorialists) say that the entire consumption
of iron in the United States is..
116,344 tons,
158,280,
"Your committee have shown that, in do-
mestic and imported bar-iron, taking the
imports (with the exception of hardware)
as stated by the memorialists themselves,
and in castings, it amounts to ...
"If the estimates of the memorialists, as
respects hardware, had been retained, the
quantity would have been swelled to....
instead of 116,344, and it is with reference to that quantity
that the comparison of statements should be made.
196,315
"
"The memorialists say that, of this quantity consumed, but
35,000 are made in the United States.
"Your committee have shown that, of bar-
iron, there is produced....
"And of castings...
96,621 tons,
28,273
""
Together.
124,894,,
248
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
but if reduced to pig-iron, the mode of computation always
adopted in Great Britain, the quantity would rise to 163,542
tons, instead of 35,000.
"Of the quantity made here, the memorialists say but
10,000 tons reach the sea board.
"Your committee, upon what they deem good authority,
believe that one-third of all the bar-iron, and more than two-
thirds of all the castings, pass through the markets on the
sea board: they shall have occasion to notice this item more
particularly hereafter. For the present, they will only re-
mark, that more than 10,000 tons are annually made in New
Jersey alone-all manufactured within a few miles of the sea.
board, and nearly all sent to the markets there.
"The memorialists say that, of rolled iron, ten-elevenths
are imported in the manufactured state, and the remaining
eleventh in the raw state. Your committee have shown that
the actual proportions are a little more than two to one, in-
stead of eleven to one.
66
They say that the quantity of rolled iron, in all its
various forms, compared with hammered iron, is nearly in the
proportion of two to one-Your committee show that the true
proportion is but a little more than one to nine.
"They say that, of 90,000 tons of iron sold in the markets
of the sea board, but one-ninth, including all descriptions, is
American. Your committee have shown that, of about
95,000 tons sold in those markets, about 52,000 tons, or
four-ninths, are of American manufacture.
"They say that the American iron, compared with foreign
iron, imported in the shape of hardware, is in the proportion
of one to six, or out of 60,000 tons but 10,000.-Your com-
mittee have shown that the true proportions are, as nearly as
possible, the reverse-namely, as six to one, or but 9763 tons,
imported in hardware, against 52,000 tons American, brought
to the sea board.
"The memorialists allege that 47,798 tons of iron, in the
form of hardware, were imported in one year.-Your commit-
tee have shown that the real amount was 9763 tons.
"The memorialists assert that the duty on iron is from six
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
249
to eleven times that on hardware.-Your committee show that
the duty on hardware is three to four times that on the iron
entering into its composition, even if that duty be estimated
at 37 dollars per ton, which is 11 dollars per ton more than
the average rate.
"The memorialists assert that sheet-iron, in the form of
tea-trays, can be introduced at a cost of 83 drs. 72c. per ton.-
Your committee show that the true cost is 396 drs. 22c.
"They assert that but 11,000 persons are employed in the
United States in the manufacture of iron.- Your committee
have shown that the number is nearly 25,000.
(
Finally, the memorialists complain of the oppressive
burthen which the protection afforded to this inconsiderable
quantity, as they call it, of American iron, has been to them
in their business. To show the extent of this burthen, they
had previously asserted that the existing laws had operated,
in a single year, in favour of the British manufacturer of
hardware over the American, to the amount of 1,284,232d. 83c.
-Your committee have shown that the actual discrimination
in favour of, not the British, but the American manufacturers
of hardware, that is, of all of the petitioners themselves who
are such, in that same year, at the lowest computation, very
nearly 650,000 dollars.
"Your committee earnestly invite every practical American
mechanic to examine this subject for himself to look well
into their statements, and ascertain to what extent his
interests are guarded by existing laws; and having done so,
they cannot doubt an unanimous opposition on the part of
that repectable and valuable class of our citizens, to any such
suggestions as those embraced in the concluding prayers of
the memorialists, which have been under examination.
"Your committee feel that they ought to apologise for
having occupied so much of the time of the convention in the
examination of this memorial, which might be thought not
strictly within the range of their duties. It would seem that
errors of such magnitude must be self-evident, and could
require no exposition. Your committee would willingly have
adopted this opinion, but the importance that had been given
250
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
to this document, by the course pursued in the Senate of the
United States, forced them to a different conclusion. In that
venerable body it was referred to a select committee of its most
distinguished members—a majority of whom, by adopting all
its statements as facts, and its opinions and arguments as just
-reaffirming them, indeed, after they had been questioned in
counter-memorials-have thereby changed their character-
have lent to them the high authority of their names and station,
and stamped them with an importance which they did not
originally possess. They have been widely and industriously
circulated under the imposing sanction of a report of the
Senate, and so much have they been relied on, that it has been
triumphantly asserted they would break the iron arch' which
supports our system, and thus bring the whole fabric to the
ground.
"These were the considerations that governed your com-
mittee in the course they have pursued, and they hope to find
in them a sufficient excuse for their trespass upon the time and
attention of the convention. In the performance of this duty,
they have found it impossible to be brief, where so many
assertions were to be met and refuted-this was out of the
question. The same allegation met them again and again, in
some new form, varied to suit the occasion-hence repetition
was unavoidable. They trust their apology will be found in
the necessity of their situation.
"Before dismissing this subject, your committee owe it to
justice and themselves to say, that they entirely acquit the
distinguished gentlemen, composing the majority of the com-
mittee of the Senate, of even a suspicion of any intention to
mislead. They cheerfully concede to them the same sincerity
and singleness of motive and purpose which your committee
claim for themselves; while they regret, as they do most
deeply, that they should have been made the instruments of
so extensive a dissemination of error.
"In the preceding examination, your committee had occa-
sion to notice and refute the statement, that but a small
portion of American iron reached the markets on the coast.
In a communication, addressed to the convention, recently
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
251
assembled in a neighbouring city, which derives impor-
tance from having been adopted by that respectable body
as a part of its proceedings, it is, among other things,
asserted, that but 430,000 dollars, in value of all the iron
manufactured in this country, including duty or bounty,
reaches the sea board. The presumed object of this asser-
tion, as well as those in which the quantity was stated at
10,000 tons, is to make it appear that the abolition of the
duty on foreign iron would affect but a small number of
the manufacturers of the domestic article, while it would
relieve the mass of the consumers on the sea board from the
supposed tax upon the foreign.
"To show the value of this assertion, your committee beg
leave to refer again to statement A, where it will be seen that,
in a small district of West Jersey alone, iron, amounting to
more than half a million of dollars, is annually made-the
whole of which finds a market in the neighbouring sea-ports.
"Your committee were instructed to report upon cutlery,
and the manufactures of iron in its higher stages.
"They have found it impossible, in the limited time allowed
them, to do more than ascertain that they are numerous, and
of great extent and value. They annex two statements,
marked G* and H†-the one exhibiting the annual amount of
manufactures in a single county of Connecticut, the value of
which is nearly 1,900,000 dollars; iron constituting one-fourth,
and those of that material, in its higher branches, nearly one-
tenth. The second shows the value of manufactures, for one
year, in the small county of Delaware, in Pennsylvania,
amounting to nearly 1,400,000 dollars, of which those of iron
form more than one-seventh. These two instances, taken at
random, may serve to convey some idea of the vast amount
and value of the manufacturing interest of the entire country.
"The committee have deemed the article of steel of suffi-
cient importance to merit a distinct report, which will be
found annexed, marked I,‡ and is respectfully recommended to
the particular attention of all those who take an interest in
that valuable branch of our industry.
"The last consideration that occurs to your committee, as
+ Appendix L.
+ Appendix M.
Appendix K.
252
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
properly within their duty to notice, is the capability of the
United States to furnish a supply of iron equal to their own
wants. Of this the committee cannot entertain the smallest
doubt. The tabular statements, heretofore referred to, show
that, in two years, from 1828 to 1830, the supply has increased
very nearly 25 per cent.; and it is known that old establish-
ments, in many situations, are enlarging, and new ones erect-
ing-giving assurance that this increase will be progressive,
until not only the domestic market will be fully supplied, but
a surplus remain for exportation-creating thereby a new
source to meet the demands of foreign commerce, and ad-
ditional means of employment for our navigation.
"If we compare our situation with that of Great Britain,
in this particular, less than a century ago, we shall see abun-
dant reason for self-gratulation. Ninety years since, her
entire production of iron did not much exceed that which is
now made in the State of New Jersey. In 1802, within the
limits of a single generation, her furnaces were less in number
than those now existing in the United States; and their pro-
duction not more than will be made here during the present
year-and this without availing ourselves of the means to
which she is indebted for the extraordinary change which this
comparatively short period has effected. We have the benefit
of her experience-we can
can command her skill, if it be
necessary—we have the mineral fuels, which have done so
much for her, in unlimited abundance, when our forests fail-
our citizens yield to none in enterprise and ingenuity, when
adequate rewards for the exercise of those qualities are held
out—and, knowing this, with the experience of our rapid
progress in the last two years, furnishing, as we now do, more
than three-fourths of the entire consumption-is it, we repeat,
extravagant to assert, that we are fully competent to supply
our own wants, and furnish a surplus to minister to those of
our neighbours ?
"In conclusion, your committee cannot refrain from the
expression of the gratification which the result of this investi-
gation has afforded them. Deserted by the Government, and
denied that protection which, at the close of the late war, was
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
253
freely granted to almost every other interest-this important
branch of domestic industry, so essential to the prosperity, if
not to the existence, of all others, and so closely allied to real
national independence, seemed threatened with absolute ex-
tinction. A wiser policy, adapted to a later period, aided by
the unconquerable spirit of American enterprise, has raised it
from comparative insignificance to the elevated rank it now
holds; and to maintain it in which, it asks, as it believes, no
sacrifice from its fellow-citizens engaged in other pursuits.
Grateful for the consideration which its well-founded claims
upon their justice, after years of delay and suffering, at last
obtained, it is now returning to them the full measure of
benefit, which it has received at their hands, and will continue
to protect them, as heretofore, from speculation and monopoly
from abroad-should it not a second time become the victim
of that unnatural policy, which cherishes foreign, while it
neglects and destroys our native industry.
66
By order of the committee,
"B. B. HOWELL, Secretary."
SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT.
"Before separating, the committee instructed the secretary
to make a further report, of any facts that might be received
in time, for the permanent committee. In conformity there-
with, he has now to state, that Mr. Peter Townsend, who was
delegated by those engaged in the manufacture of iron in this
city, to visit all the establishments in this State, and those
east of it, has returned, and reported the result of his exami-
nation; by which it appears that, in New York, there are in
operation, of blast furnaces, not included in the estimates of
the above reports, 8; in Connecticut, 3; and information from
various other places enumerates furnaces, not before known,
to the number of 26; in the whole, 37 additional furnaces,
making, of pig-iron and castings, 25,250 tons, and a large
number of forges employed in converting the pig into bar-
iron.
"There are returns also of thirty-two bloomery fires, in
situations where it was not before known that any existed—
254
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
making thirty tons each per annum, or nearly 1000 tons
yearly of bar-iron by this process; and the returns brought
by Mr. Townsend show that the committee estimated this
kind of iron nearly 1000 tons too low in the districts which
he visited.
"The result of the whole would be, if 20,000 tons of the
above pig-iron be converted into bars-
Bar-iron
Bloomed bar-iron, as above
Bar-iron, per former statements.
•
Total of bar-iron made in the United States, agreeably
to the information received by the committee to this
date
"Stated in pig-iron, it would be-
Former statement.....
Pig-iron and castings, as above
Bloomed bar-iron, equal to
•
14,285 tons.
1,960
96,621
"
112,866,
163,542
25,250
2,744
"
"
Total of iron equal to pig-iron.... 191,536,,
"The value of which, according to the mode of estimation
already explained, would be 13,329,760 dollars.
"It is hardly necessary to add, that these additional facts
strengthen all the inferences and calculations heretofore made.
by the committee.
"New York, November, 1831."
"B. B. HOWELL, Secretary.
No alteration in the tariff was made until the succeeding
session, when an Act was passed, and approved by the Presi-
dent, on the 14th July, 1832-"That from and after the 3d
day of March, 1833, so much of the Act, entitled 'An Act in
Alteration of the several Acts imposing Duties on Imports,'
approved the 19th May, 1828, as is herein otherwise provided.
for, shall be repealed."
The following are the rates of duty fixed on iron, &c.:-
DESCRIPTION.
IRON, in bars or bolts, not manufactured in whole or in part by
rolling; also all iron in slabs, blooms, loops, or other
form, less finished than iron in bars or bolts, and more
advanced than pig-iron, except castings
drs. cts.
0 90
90 per 112 lbs.
1
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
255
IRON, bar and bolt, made wholly or in part by rolling.
"
in pigs..
"
"
"
"
"}
"
cast, vessels of, with or without appendages of wrought
iron-such as handles, hoops, &c. (not otherwise speci-
fied)
·
all other castings of (not otherwise specified)..
round, or braziers' rods, of 3-16 to 8-16 of an inch dia-
meter inclusive, and on iron in nail or spike rods, or
nail plates, slit, rolled, or hammered, and iron in sheets,
and hoop-iron, and on iron, slit, rolled, or hammered for
band-iron, scroll-iron, or casement rods
scrap, or old..………….
manufactures, or of which iron is a component part (not
otherwise specified)
drs.
cts.
30
0 per ton.
0
50 per 112 lbs.
0
13 per lb.
0 1
0
3
3,,
12
50 per ton.
25 per cent. ad val.
0
5 per. lb.
0
9
manufactures of, partly finished, same as entirely finished 25
or steel wire, not exceeding No. 14
Ditto exceeding No. 14
square wire, used for the manufacture of stretchers for
umbrellas, and cut in pieces, not exceeding the length
used therefore..
•
12 per cent. ad val.
0 4 per lb.
"
spikes
"
nails, cut or wrought
0
5
>>
"
tacks, brads, and sprigs, not exceeding 16 oz. per M.
Ditto
ditto exceeding 16 oz. per M.
0
5
per
M.
0
5 per lb.
anvils and anchors, and all parts thereof, manufactured
in whole or in part..
0 2",
cables or chains, or parts thereof, manufactured in whole.
or in part
0
3
mill cranks and mill irons
"
"
mill saws
blacksmiths' hammers and sledges
·
0
4
1
O each.
0
21 per lb.
"
axes, adzes, hatchets, drawing knives, cutting knives,
sickles, or reaping hooks, scythes, spades, shovels,
squares of iron or steel, steel yards, scale beams, socket
chisels, vices, screws, &c.
STEEL.
"
all articles manufactured in whole of sheet, rod, hoop,
bolt, bar-iron, or of iron-wire, or of which sheet, rod,
hoop, bolt or bar-iron, or iron wire, shall constitute the
greatest weight, and which are not otherwise specified,
shall pay the same duty per lb. that is charged on sheet
rod, hoop, bolt or bar-iron, or iron-wire, of the above
number respectively, but the duty in no case to be more
than
manufactures of, or of which steel is a component part
(not otherwise specified)
30 per cent. ad val.
25
1
50 per 112 lbs.
25 per cent. ad val.
256
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Ja
This alteration in the tariff was far from being satisfactory
to the State of South Carolina, which persisted in opposing
these laws, on the ground that it was unconstitutional to im-
pose taxes for the purpose of protecting particular interests.
They called a convention of the State, for the purpose of
declaring the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within its
limits; and this was not only done, but the Legislature was
directed to pass laws prohibiting the collection of duties, and
punishing any person who shall dare to do so after the 1st of
February 1833. The other Southern States refused to take
part with South Carolina, preferring the constitutional course
of applying to Congress again for a further reduction of the
tariff.
On the 4th December, 1832, the Congress met, and the
message of the President (A. Jackson)—at all times a subject
of interest and curiosity-was this year expected with more
impatience than usual, from the events which had lately taken
place in South Carolina, and the menacing attitude of other
southern sections of the Union. It was naturally imagined
that the President would be compelled to take notice of such
angry dissensions, combined with threats of resistance, and
that he would detail the measures which Government had
already taken, or intended to take, to allay discontent, or to
ensure obedience.
The message, as will be seen by the following extract, did
not disappoint these expectations. After alluding to the
foreign relations of the Republic, the President frankly enters
upon the question of the tariff, and expresses his disapproba-
tion, both of the principle on which it is founded, and the
excessive duties which it imposes :-
“I cannot too cordially congratulate the Congress and my
fellow-citizens on the near approach of that memorable happy
event the extinction of the public debt of this great and free
nation. Faithful to the wise and patriotic policy marked out
by the legislation of the country for this object, the present
administration has devoted to it all the means which a flou-
rishing commerce has supplied, and a prudent economy pre-
served, for the public Treasury. Within the four years for
1
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
257
which the people have confided the executive power to my
charge 58,000,000 dollars will have been applied to the pay-
ment of the public debt. That this has been accomplished
without stinting the expenditures for all other proper objects,
will be seen by reference to the liberal provision made, during
the same period, for the support and increase of our means of
maritime and military defence-for internal improvements of
a national character- for the removal and preservation of the
Indians—and, lastly, for the gallant veterans of the Revo-
lution.
“The final removal of this great burden from our resources,
affords the means of further provision for all the objects of
general welfare and public defence which the constitution
authorises, and presents the occasion for such further reduction
in the revenue as may not be required for them. From the
report of the Secretary of the Treasury, it will be seen that,
after the present year, such a reduction may be made to a
considerable extent, and the subject is earnestly recommended
to the consideration of Congress, in the hope that the com-
bined wisdom of the representatives of the people will devise
such means of effecting the salutary object as may remove
those burdens which shall be found to fall unequally upon
any, and as may promote all the great interests of the
community.
"Long and patient reflection has strengthened the opinions
I have heretofore expressed to Congress on this subject, and
I deem it my duty, on the present occasion, again to urge
them upon the attention of the Legislature. The soundest
maxims of public policy, and the principles upon which our
Republican institutions are founded, recommend a proper
adaptation of the revenue to the expenditure; and they also
require that the expenditure shall be limited to what, by an eco-
nomical administration, shall be consistent with the simplicity
of the Government, and necessary to an efficient public service.
In effecting this adjustment, it is due, in justice to the
interests of the other States, and even to the preservation of
the Union itself, that the protection afforded by existing laws
to any branches of national industry should not exceed what
S
258
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
may be necessary to counteract the regulations of foreign na-
tions, and to secure a supply of those articles of manufacture
-essential to the national independence and safety in time.
of war. If, upon investigation, it shall be found, as it is
believed it will be, that the legislative protection granted to
any particular interest is greater than is indispensably requi-
site for those objects, I recommend that it be gradually di-
minished, and that, as far as may be consistent with these
objects, the whole scheme of duties be reduced to the revenue
standard as soon as a just regard to the faith of the Govern-
ment and to the preservation of the large capital invested in
establishments of domestic industry will permit.
"That the manufactures adequate to the supply of our
domestic consumption would, in the abstract, be beneficial to
our country, there is no reason to doubt; and to effect their
establishment, there is, perhaps, no American citizen who
would not for a while be willing to pay a higher price for
them. But, for this purpose, it is presumed that a tariff of
high duties, designed for perpetual protection, has entered
into the minds of but few of our statesmen. The most they
have anticipated is a temporary and generally incidental pro-
tection, which they maintain has the effect to reduce the price
by domestic competition below that of the foreign article.
Experience, however, our best guide on this as on other sub-
jects, makes it doubtful whether the advantages of this system
are not counterbalanced by many evils, and whether it does
not tend to beget in the minds of a large portion of our coun-
trymen a spirit of discontent and jealousy, dangerous to the
stability of the Union.
"What, then, shall be done? Large interests have grown
up under the implied pledge of our national legislation, which
it would seem a violation of public faith suddenly to abandon.
Nothing could justify it but the public safety-which is the
supreme law; but those who have vested their capital in
manufacturing establishments cannot expect that the people.
will continue permanently to pay high taxes for their benefit
when the money is not required for any legitimate purpose in
the administration of the government. Is it not enough that
2
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
259
the high duties have been paid as long as the money arising
from them could be applied to the common benefit in the
extinguishment of the public debt?
"Those who take an enlarged view of the condition of our
country must be satisfied that the policy of protection must
be ultimately limited to those articles of domestic manu-
facture which are indispensable to our safety in time of war.
Within this scope, on a reasonable scale, it is recommended.
by every consideration of patriotism and duty, which will,
doubtless, always secure to it a liberal and efficient support.
But, beyond this object, we have already seen the operation
of the system productive of discontent. In some sections of
the Republic its influence is deprecated as tending to concen-
trate wealth into a few hands, and as creating those germs of
dependence and vice which, in other countries, have charac-
terized the existence of monopolies, and proved so destructive
of liberty and the general good. A large portion of the people
in one section of the country declares it not only inexpedient
on these grounds, but as disturbing the equal relations of
property by legislation, and, therefore, unconstitutional and
unjust.
"Doubtless, these effects are in a great degree exaggerated,
and may be ascribed to a mistaken view of the considerations
which led to the adoption of the tariff system; but they are,
nevertheless, important in enabling us to review the subject
with a more thorough knowledge of all its bearings upon the
great interests of the Republic, and with a determination to
dispose of it so that none can with justice complain.
"It is my painful duty to state that, in one quarter of the
United States, opposition to the revenue laws has risen to a
height which threatens to thwart their execution—if not to
endanger the integrity of the Union. Whatever obstructions
may be thrown in the way of the judicial authorities of the
general Government, it is hoped they will be able peaceably
to overcome them by the prudence of their own officers and
the patriotism of the people. But should this reasonable
reliance on the moderation and good sense of all portions of
our fellow-citizens be disappointed, it is believed that the
s 2
260
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
laws themselves are fully adequate to the suppression of such
attempts as may be immediately made. Should the exigency
arise rendering the execution of the existing laws impracti-
cable from any cause whatever, prompt notice of it will be
given to Congress, with the suggestion of such views and
measures as may be deemed necessary to meet it.”
The resistance of the people of South Carolina to the fiscal
laws of the Union, threatened the Confederation with an im-
mediate civil war, or with a political separation. To ward
off such a catastrophe, the President issued a proclamation
against the revolters of the refractory State, and, at the same
time, ordered his ministers to introduce into the Legislature
measures which might prevent the necessity of resorting to
violence.
These measures were a tariff bill, sanctioned by Govern-
ment, which was reported with all convenient speed in the
House of Representatives, obviously designing, by the satis-
factory reduction of duties before the 1st of February, to
deprive the inhabitants of South Carolina of all pretext for
putting into execution the great project of resistance which
they had fixed for that date. On almost all manufactured
articles the reductions were considerable.* The other mea-
sure was a bill introduced into the Senate, for more effectually
* On iron, in bars or bolts, not manufactured in whole or in part by rolling, a
duty at and after the rate of 18 dollars the ton, until the 2d day of March, 1834,
inclusive-and thereafter a duty at and after the rate of 15 dollars the ton.
On bar and bolt iron, made wholly or in part by rolling, a duty at and after the
rate of 30 dollars the ton, until the 2d day of March, 1834, inclusive-and thereafter
a duty of 24 dollars the ton, provided that all iron in slabs, blooms, or other form less
finished than iron in bars or bolts, and more advanced than pig-iron, except castings,
shall be rated as iron in bars and bolts, and pay duty accordingly. All scrap and old
iron shall pay a duty of 12 dollars 50 cents. the ton. Nothing shall be deemed old
iron that has not been in actual use, and fit only to be remanufactured; and all
pieces of iron, except old, or more than six inches in length, or of sufficient length to
be made into spikes and bolts, shall be rated as bar, bolt, rod, or hoop-iron, as the
case may be, and pay duty accordingly. All manufactures of iron, partly finished,
shall pay the same rates of duty as if entirely finished. All vessels of cast-iron, and
all castings of iron, with handles, rings, hoops, or other addition of wrought-iron,
shall pay the same rates of duty as if made entirely of cast-iron.
On iron, in pigs, a duty at and after the rate of 50 cents. for every 112lbs. weight,
until the 2d day of March, 1834, inclusive-and thereafter a duty at and after the
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
261
enforcing the duties of customs, so long as they should be
exacted.
The State of South Carolina extended the term from the
1st February to the 3d March, to give an opportunity for the
passing of some satisfactory measure by Congress.
The bill for the regulation of the tariff was disputed in the
House for nearly two months-it was opposed by both par-
ties, and could give satisfaction to neither. The permanent
committee of the New York Convention drew up a series of
resolutions against it; and the committee on agriculture,
who had been instructed to inquire into the influence which
the encouragement given to the manufacturing interests of the
State, had upon the interests of agriculture, and upon the
purchase and settlement of the unseated lands of the Common-
wealth, also reported against the reduction of duties.* In the
Senate likewise the Enforcing Bill met with great and violent
opposition. The session was drawing to a close and nothing
had been done. The termination not only of the session, but
of the 22d Congress, was to take place on the 2d March;
and though a new election, and a long interruption of legis-
lative labours were to intervene, nothing had been effected to
pacify the plantation states, or to quell the threatened insur-
rection in South Carolina. Under these circumstances, Mr.
Clay, alarmed at the view of political affairs, brought forward
a new tariff bill in the Senate, which met with the support of
rate of 40 cents. for every 112 lbs. weight. On cast-iron vessels, and all other cast-
ings of iron, a duty at and after the rate of 1 cent. the pound.
On steel a duty at and after the rate of 1 dollar 50 cents. for every 112lbs. weight,
until the 2d day of March, 1834, inclusive-and thereafter a duty of 1 dollar for
every 112 lbs. weight.
On manufactures of iron and of steel, not herein enumerated, there shall be levied,
collected, and paid, the several rates of duty provided by existing laws, until the 2d
day of March, 1834, inclusive-and thereafter the lowest rate of duty which should
have been payable on the same, either under the Act of the 27th of April,
1816, entitled "An Act to regulate the Duties on Imports and Tonnage," or by
virtue of the Acts of the 13th of July, 1832, entitled "An Act to alter and annul
the several Acts imposing Duties on Imports."
* There is nothing of consequence in this report beyond what has been already
introduced in the report of the Convention, from which it is evidently drawn up.
262
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Mr. Calhoun, the senator from South Carolina, and of other
senators from the southern section of the Union, being cor-
dially received as the pledge of peace.
It was entitled a bill "To modify the Act of the 14th
July, 1832, and all other acts imposing Duties on Imports."
The first section fixes all duties at 20 per cent. ad valorem,
after 1842.
"That from and after the 31st day of December, 1833, in
all cases where duties are imposed on foreign imports, by the
Act of July 14th, 1832, entitled 'An Act to alter and amend
the several Acts imposing Duties on Imports,' or by any
other act, shall exceed 20 per cent. on the value thereof, one-
tenth part of such excess shall be deducted; from and after
the 31st day of December, 1835, another tenth part thereof
shall be deducted; from and after the 31st day of December,
1837, another tenth part shall be deducted; from and after
the 31st day of December, 1839, another tenth part thereof
shall be deducted; and from and after the 31st day of De-
cember, 1841, one-half of the residue of such excess shall be
deducted; and from and after the 30th day of June, 1842,
the other half thereof shall be deducted."
This bill, as well as the Coercion Bill, passed both Houses,
and were approved by the President on the 2d March, 1833.
The statements of the votes on the two measures are im-
portant, as indications of the complete separation in commer-
cial interest and political feeling between the different sections
of the great American Union.* It will be seen that the new
* VOTES IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS ON THE TARIFF AND ENFORCING BILLS.
States.
Maine
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Vermont
Connecticut
..
TARIFF BILL.
Ayes.
Noes.
Absent.
Total.
6
1
0
7
4
1
1
6
•
0
13
0
13
0
0
0
256
2
0
5
6
•
10
28
1
39.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
263
tariff, which is to deprive manufacturing industry of all pro-
tection after the year 1842, is opposed by twenty-eight out of
States.
A yes.
Noes.
Absent. Total.
New York
11
19
4
34
New Jersey
0
6
0
6
Pennsylvania
4
21
1
26
Delaware
0
1
0
1
Maryland..
9
0
0
9
24
47
5
76
Virginia
20
1
0*
21
North Carolina
13
0
0
13
•
South Carolina.
9
0
0
9
Georgia
6
0
1
7
Alabama
со
3
0
0
3
Mississippi
Louisiana
~♡ |
1
0
0
3
0
0
13
1
3
1
55
1
1
57
Kentucky
Tennessee.
Ohio..
Indiana
12
0
0
12
9
0
0
9
7
6
1
14
•
2
1
0
3
Illinois
1
0
0
1
Missouri
0
1
0
1
31
8
1
40
120
84
8
212
ENFORCING BILL.
States.
Ayes. Noes.
Absent.
Total.
Maine
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Vermont
7
0
0
7
4
1
1
6
13
0
0
13
• •
Connecticut
22 50 10
0
0
•
0
0
22 50
•
5
0
1
6
1
1
36
1
d
2
39
New York
27
3
4
34
New Jersey
0
3
3
6
Pennsylvania
24
1
1
26
Delaware
1
0
0
1
Maryland.
8
0
1
9
1
60
7
9
76
* Add Speaker (Stevenson), who did not vote, of course.
264
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
thirty-eight votes in the Northern States, and by forty-seven
out of seventy-one in the Eastern, while, in the Southern, it is
supported by fifty-five out of fifty-six, and in the Western by
thirty-one out of thirty-nine. On the contrary, it will be ob-
served, that the Enforcing Bill was supported by thirty-six
out of thirty-seven votes in the Northern, and by sixty out of
Ayes. Noes. Absent. Total.
States.
Virginia
8
13
0*
21
North Carolina..
9
3
1
13
South Carolina.
3
6
0
9
Georgia..
1
6
0
7
..
Alabama
0
3
0
3
Mississippi
0
1
0
1
Louisiana
3
0
3
1
24
32
1
57
Kentucky
7
4
1
12
Tennessee.
7
2
0
9
Ohio
11
1
2
14
Indiana..
3
0
0
3
Illinois
0
0
1
1
Missouri
1
0
0
1
29
7
4
40
149
47
16
212
On the passage of the Enforcing Bill in the Senate there was but one vote in the
negative-that of Mr. Tyler, of Virginia: fifteen senators were absent-viz. Messrs.
Seymour, of Vermont; Smith, of Maryland; Brown and Mangum, of North Caro-
lina; Calhoun and Miller, of South Carolina; Troup, of Georgia; King and Moore,
of Alabama; Black and Poindexter, of Mississippi; Bibb and Clay, of Kentucky;
and Benton and Buckner, of Missouri. About eight of these gentlemen, had they
been present, would have voted against the bill.
Bringing together the votes in the Senate and House of Representatives in one
view, they afford the following results :-
TARIFF BILL.
States.
Ayes.
Noes.
Ayes.
ENFORCING BILL.
Noes.
New England
16
34
38
Middle States, including New York 32
52
69
7
Southern
67
1
28
33
Western
37
13
37
7
...
•
152
100
172
48
• Add Speaker.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
265
sixty-seven in the Eastern States, whilst its opposition in the
Southern was reduced to thirty-two out of fifty-six, and in
the Western to seven out of thirty-six.
The President still continued to make preparations for com-
pelling the South Carolinans to obey his authority, but his
instructions to the officer in command at Charlestown proved
his moderation of temper, and his anxious wish for an amicable
adjustment. And this object was attained; the passing of the
Tariff Act gave great satisfaction; they considered it as an
abandonment of the existing system, and an engagement that
industry should henceforward be released from all fiscal
regulations. The South Carolina Convention for organising
resistance to the enforcement of the tariff, in consequence
resigned its office, and by the following "ordinance" nullified
its own nullification acts.
"Whereas, the Congress of the United States, by an Act
recently passed, has made such a reduction and modification
of the duties on foreign imports as amounts substantially to
an absolute reduction of the duties to the revenue standard;
and that no higher duties shall be laid than may be necessary
to defray the economical expenditures of the government:
"It is, therefore, ordained and declared, that the ordinance,
entitled 'An Ordinance to nullify certain Acts of the Con-
gress of the United States, purporting to be Laws laying
Duties on the Importation of Foreign Commodities,' and all
acts passed in pursuance thereof, be henceforth deemed and
held to have no force or effect, provided that the Act, entitled
'An Act further to alter and amend the Militia Laws of this
State,' passed on the 20th day of December, 1832, shall
remain in force until it shall be repealed or modified by the
legislature."
In conclusion, we will take a brief review of the principal
facts recorded in this portion of the history. There is no data
by which we can ascertain the quantity of iron produced in
the United States prior to 1810. At that time, according to
the official returns, the quantity of bar-iron made in this
country was 24,471 tons, then valued at 2,640,778 dollars, of
which 10,969 tons were made in Pennsylvania. From that
1
266
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
time to 1830, the quantity had increased to 112,866 tons; in
addition to which, 25,250 tons of castings were also made-
the value of both amounted to 13,329,760 dollars: in making
this quantity, 29,254 men were employed, and 146,273 sub-
sisted, whose annual wages amounted to 8,776,420 dollars,
and that in their support the farmer furnished food to the
value of 4,000,490 dollars.
The average quantity of hammered iron imported into the
United States from 1821 to 1830 was about 26,200 tons
annually, and of rolled iron about 5600 tons-making together
31,800 tons, valued at 1,762,000 dollars. The whole quantity
of hammered and rolled iron consumed in the United States
in 1830 may be estimated at about 144,666 tons.
The value of the various foreign manufactures of iron con-
sumed in this country, on an average, from 1821 to 1830, was
about 4,000,000 dollars yearly-making the whole amount of
foreign iron and its manufactures annually consumed in the
United States-say 5,762,000 dollars.
If the whole quantity made in the United States in 1830
were computed in pig-iron it would amount to 191,536 tons
-produced from 239 furnaces, averaging fifteen and a half
tons each furnace per week-two-fifths of this quantity were
made in Pennsylvania.
"The quantity made in all the States in 1837 may be fairly
taken at 250,000 tons."* +
* Extract of a letter from Isaac Lea, Esq., to Nicholas Biddle, Esq., dated Phila-
delphia, 4th April, 1838, and printed in the " Colonization Herald," at Philadelphia,
25th April, 1838.
+ The following is an extract from the Memorial of the Citizens of Lancaster City
and County, in the State of Pennsylvania, presented to the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled, and embodied in the
Report of a Select Committee to whom was referred "so much of the Executive
communication as relates to the establishment of a National Foundry for Cannon, to
be common to the service of the Army and Navy of the United States.
Read, January 12, 1839.
"
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.
"The memorial of the subscribers, citizens of the city of Lancaster, in the state of
Pennsylvania, respectfully represents :
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
267
"That they have observed, with great satisfaction, the recommendation by the
Secretary of War, in his last annual report, of the establishment of a national foundry
for the manufacture of cannon for the use of the army and navy of the United
States; and believing, that if carried into effect, it will essentially promote the
public interests, they respectfully request its adoption by Congress.
They beg leave also to suggest the advantages possessed by the city of Lancaster
as a site for the proposed foundry. It is situated in the heart of a fertile, well-cul-
tivated, and populous country: removed from all danger of attack by a foreign foe,
yet sufficiently near the seaboard to afford ample facilities for speedy communication
with it, at several points. Connected by an inland water-communication with the
three principal ports of Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, and also with
Philadelphia by rail-road, the means of transportation to these points, and to the
navy yard at Norfolk, are ample.
"Lancaster county furnishes an inexhaustible quantity of iron ore, supplying
eleven furnaces within its borders and in its immediate vicinity: the iron is pro-
nounced by competent judges to be superior to any other known, in the qualities
requisite for the manufacture of cannon. The county is well supplied with wood,
and the city is connected by canals and rail-roads with the immense coal regions of
Pennsylvania. All the materials wanted for conducting such an establishment can
be obtained at Lancaster, with the greatest facility and at the least expense; and
the abundant supply of water, and the remarkable healthiness of its location, are
advantages not to be overlooked in the selection of a site for the contemplated
foundry.
"At a more remote distance, but easy of access, by canals and rail-roads, it
would be vastly greater at the site proposed for the election of a National Foundry
near the debouche of the Conestoga river, in Lancaster county, into the waters of
the river Susquehanna, and the Susquehanna and tide-water canals, terminating at
Havre-de-Grace, in Maryland.
The probable average cost of coal would be from 3 drs. to 4 dol. per ton. Cost
of pig-metal, say 30 drs. per ton. Water-power from 13 to 25 feet. Breadth of
river, 280 feet. It is constant and believed to be abundant. Distance to tide-water
about 35 miles. A great abundance of iron ore exists in the neighbourhood, within
a mile; and within eight miles the best pig-metal is made for foundry purposes,
which comes to the Philadelphia market.
"The county of Lancaster is one of the most fertile and best cultivated of any in
the State of Pennsylvania. Provisions there are cheap and abundant.
"The quantity and quality of iron mines is believed to be inexhaustible, and of
the best description for the purposes of a foundry. Iron ore abounds in the imme-
diate vicinity. The pig-metal, made from the Conowingo mines, situate at a
distance of about eight miles, is considered the best for foundry purposes, that comes
to the Philadelphia market.
"The nearest coal-field, now extensively opened, is between 70 and 80 miles
distant, and accessible by a short rail-road, and by canals. It is the lightest and
easiest of ignition of any anthracite coal yet discovered. Veins of coal are now
opening much nearer and within a few miles of the Conestoga river. With present
facilities, coal could be delivered at a cost of from 3 to 4 drs. per ton.
"The number of furnaces, forges, and rolling-mills, within the distance of
268
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
about 50 miles from Lancaster, all now in active operation, is one hundred
and two."
Furnaces, forges, and rolling-mills in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania :—
Furnaces
Forges
No.
29
59
14
Total Make.
Average per
Furnace.
Tons.
Tons.
30,700
1058
12,615
not given.
Rolling-mills
a range of fifty miles.
102 Total number of iron manufactories within
The make of three forges not given-two furnaces building.
OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND ASIA.
269
CHAPTER XII.
OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND ASIA.
BELGIUM. This country, formerly comprehended in the dis-
trict of Gaul, needs not for our purpose the recapitulation of
early and obscure accounts of what in our days we find
carried out so efficiently and scientifically in the manufac-
turing of iron. With a view, therefore, to condensation,
having already in our chapter on France touched upon remote
periods, we now pass at once to notice the present era.
The whole of the iron produced in Belgium is consumed in
home manufactures of cutlery, hardware, &c.-none of the
raw material is exported. In the year 1822 there was placed at
the disposal of the king an annual sum of 1,000,000 florins for
the encouragement of industry by premiums, loans, and other
means. We shall not notice any of the minor instances of
the useful application of this fund, in the way of loans of
capital, but shall mention the assistance afforded to Mr.
Cockerill, an Englishman, on account of the more general
effect which the encouragement given to him was intended to
produce. The first object was to improve the method of
smelting and manufacturing iron in the mining districts; for
that purpose Mr. Cockerill had been invited by the king to
settle in the neighbourhood of Liege. He received a very
large sum, by way of loan, in order to assist him in the ex-
tension of his works; coupled with a condition that the iron-
masters of Liege and Namur should have liberty to go there,
to learn the true principles, and the latest improvements in the
art. The unremitting industry of Mr. Cockerill formed a
large establishment for machinery of every description, one
270
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
of the most perfect establishments in Europe.* Belgium is
now celebrated for its iron manufactures. In 1822 there were
93 furnaces, 206 forges, 68 hammers, 19 foundries, and
17 rolling mills, producing of wrought iron about 500,000,
and of cast-iron about 100,000 quintals.+
In 1835 the minister of commerce, in a report to the King,
stated that in the provinces of Namur, Hainault, Liege, and
Luxembourg there were 95 furnaces, 200 forges, and more
than 20 rolling mills, amongst which are 7 on the English
plan.
The rolling mills produce the following quantities per
annum :-
Liege
Seraing
A cos
Ives
• •
Fayt
Marchiennes
•
2800 Tops.
3000
2000
"
2800 ""
3000
"
2100
"
15,700 Tons.
A report, addressed to the Chamber of Deputies in 1837,
states:-
89 furnaces in work.
66 charcoal.
23 coke.
The coke furnaces produce from three to five times as much
as the charcoal.
Total produce 1,350,000 quintals.
ISLE OF ELBA.—Ancient Ilua is about nine miles long and
three in breadth, and has been remarkable from early anti-
quity for its metallic productions, particularly ores of iron, often
* Times paper, 7 April, 1840.-Liquidation de John Cockerill à Liége. Sur la
proposition de M. John Cockerill, et de l'avis de MM. les Commissaires au Sursis,
le public est informé que l'Etablissement de Seraing, situé près de Liége, sera mis
en Vente Publique le 30 Avril, 1840. Liége, le 1er Avril, 1840. Par délégation,
le Secrétaire de la Commission, L. Tremp'ier.
Liege, March 10.-The sale of Mr. Cockerill's establishment, comprising two
lots, the 1st, Seraing and its dependencies; 2d, the house at Liege and those of
Spa and Tilleur, could not be effected to day, as had been announced, no buyers
having appeared.-Brussels paper, March 12, 1841.
+ About 220 lbs.
OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND ASIA.
271
crystallized and mingled with native Prussian blue. The
chief mine is that of Rio, worked like a quarry, in the east-
ern part of the isle; but as there is no water, it is smelted
near Piombino. Ferber, 1772, himself a Swede, says that
the iron ore of Elba is equal to that of Sweden. "It is not
found in veins, but in a large hill or mass of solid ore,
surrounded with granite mountains. They dig it not in expen-
sive mines, but in quarries; but these people are greatly de-
ficient in its smelting and preparation, which I have also
observed in the iron magazine at Florence. The iron ores are
exported from Elba to the Roman and Tuscan dominions."
MODENA has iron foundries near the Apennines.
SWITZERLAND.-The chief mines of Switzerland are those
of iron, in the country of the Sargans.
AUSTRIAN DOMINIONS. In this improving empire, the
iron of Styria supplies the finest steel; it is chiefly found at
Eisenerst and Vonderberg. The former in the district of
Ensthal, so called from the river Ens. These mines were
discovered in 1712. Styria also affords coal at various places.
On the east extends the Duchy of Carinthia, also yielding
excellent iron; the mine Friesach, on the north, being par-
ticularly famous as well as those on the sources of the Lyser.
The mountain of Erzeberg is a solid mass of iron ore; it
annually yields 13,000 tons. The total produce of Styria in
iron is said to be from 16,000 to 20,000 tons. There are
200 forges and thirty manufactories, where about 300,000
sickles and some scythes are annually made (1830). The
iron mines of Styria have been worked more than a thousand
years.
It is difficult to ascertain the extent of the iron produced in
Styria; the greatest part is consumed in Austria itself, and
only a small part exported in the shape of agricultural im-
plements, and other manufactured articles, to different parts of
Italy, the Levant, and Africa, within the Mediterranean.
There is no export beyond the Straits of Gibraltar. Some
272
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
attempts made to trade to the Brazils and St. Domingo failed
entirely, on account of the cost being much higher than that
of English manufacture.
It is also difficult to state the extent of the iron produced
in Carinthia. The Carinthian iron is principally converted
into steel, of which the export is considerable, and now
forms the chief supply of the South American mines, where
this steel, on account of its hardness, is preferred to the Bis-
cayan steel, which was formerly used. The export of steel
may be stated at about 1,300 tons annually.
By Porter's Tables it appears, that the exports from Ve-
nice, during the three years ending 1831, were as follows:-
1829.
1830.
1831.
Iron-Bars and Plates, cwts. 1839
2960
1947
Beaten (Steel)
Manufactures
904
1245
1118
1526
2179
208
SAXONY.-In the year 1837 there were 19 blast furnaces,
15 iron foundries, and 31 other manufactories. The produce
of iron was 99,427 quintals. The iron mines of Dresden are
very productive. Nor must coal and turf be forgotten as
among the mineral productions of this remarkable district.
CARNIOLA, or KRAN, has a few iron works.
MORAVIA produces iron in great abundance.
TYROL.-Nasereit on the Verner mountains, about thirty
miles north-west of Inspruck, is rich in iron.
HUNGARY.-The iron mines in this country are almost in-
exhaustible. The best iron is drawn from a mountain called
Kradek, near Esetnek; but as this metal is not subject to
any duty or tithe, the annual produce of these mines is not
ascertained. In the county of Goemer, including the dis-
trict Kleinhout, there are 8 great furnaces and 87 small
ones, and 49 forges, which furnish annually 94,200 quintals,
worth 1,304,240 florins, yet this country is indebted to Austria,
OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND ASIA.
273
for most of their tools as well as their vessels made of this
metal.
BOHEMIA possesses both iron and coal.
PRUSSIA.In this kingdom good government has been,
and still is producing its invaluable consequences of general
improvement. In the southern provinces there are consider-
able foundries of iron. Coal occurs in various parts of
Silesia. In our introductory chapter we have adduced a
remarkable fact from the notice of the manufactory of Deva-
ranne; and besides the object for which it was there adduced,
we may here specially instance it, as shewing also the im-
portance of the manufacture in these improved minutiæ,
and the genuine patriotism which originated their introduction.
The cast-iron ornaments of Berlin foundry are extremely
beautiful.
HANOVER possesses iron, coal, peat, and limestone, the last
from the hill Kalkberg, near Luneberg.
WURTEMBURG.-Iron is found, but was chiefly brought
from Mont Beliard. Coal is also found.
ANSPACH.-In this district the chief mines are iron.
NASSAU. This duchy has mines of lead, silver, and iron,
the ore of which is extremely rich, but the quantity wrought
is not very considerable.
PORTUGAL.-There is neglect of the iron mines in this
kingdom from deficiency of fuel, though coal is found in
several places, and that of Buarcos supplies the royal foundry
at Lisbon.
M. Theodore Virlet, in his General and Statistical Review of
Metallurgy (Paris, 1837), gives the following statistical table
of iron produced in Europe:-
T
274
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Quintals.
England (1827)
•
7,098,000
France (1834)
2,200,000
Russia (1834).
1,150,000
Austria (1829)
850,000
Sweden (1825)
850,000
Prussia
800,000
The Hartz Mountains
600,000
Holland and Belgium
600,000
Elba and Italy..
280,000
Piedmont..
200,000
Spain
180,000
Norway
Denmark
Bavaria
Saxony.
Poland
Switzerland
150,000
135,000
130,000
80,000
75,000
30,000
Savoy
* 25,000
ASIA.
In Chapter IX. we have already spoken of the portion
of Asia included in the dominions of Russia. It remains now
to enter upon the remaining part of that most interesting
quarter of the globe, where man was first blessed with exist-
ence. The sacred volume has vouchsafed to inform us in
many things, for which we may vainly search the writings of
profane heathen writers. We have already in our first
chapter enlarged upon this part of the subject, in evidence
that in Asia originated the knowledge of metals and the art of
mining, and those arts were practised extensively by the early
inhabitants, the Phenicians.
DAMASCUS was formerly celebrated for the manufacture of
sabres of such superior excellence that they would bend to
the hilt without breaking, while the edge was so keen as to
divide the firmest coat of mail, and which are supposed to
have been constructed by a process now lost, of alternate
layers of iron and steel.
Tamerlane, when he took the city in 1400, is said to have
carried into Persia their best artists in steel; but Brocquierere
speaks of the inhabitants of Damascus, in 1432, as still excel-
ASIA.
275
ling in those manufactures.
"The Damascus blades are the
handsomest and best of all Syria, and their mode of burnish-
ing them is by rubbing the blade up and down with a small
piece of wood fixed in an iron, which thus cleans off all
inequalities as a plane does to wood. They then temper and
polish it. The polish is so highly finished as to resemble a
mirror." He adds, "There are made at Damascus and the
adjoining country, steel mirrors that magnify objects like
burning glasses. I have seen some that reflected heat so
strongly as to set fire to a plank 15 or 16 feet distant.”
ARABIA.-There are mines of iron in the district of Saade,
in the North of Yemen, but the metal is brittle. There are
also iron mines in Diarbekr and Siwas.*
CHINA. This immense empire contains much iron ore, yet
they import some iron from Britain and Russia. Fossil
coal is used generally by the people. Pekin is supplied with
it from the high mountains in its vicinity, and the mines seem
to be inexhaustible. Iron is sold at a moderate price, and is
abundant. It was the policy of government to discourage the
working of ores of copper, silver, gold, and iron.
JAPAN.-Iron seems in this country to be scarce; it is how-
ever found in the provinces of Mimasaka, Bitoju, and Bisen;
but they are reluctant either to export or import it for sale.
Of it they manufacture scimetars, arms, knives, and scissors,
and various other implements. Pit-coal is found in the
northern provinces.+
SUMATRA.-There are excellent ores of steel and iron in
this island.
BORNEO Contains iron,
THE MANILLAS.-Luzon.-Iron is among the products of
this island.
Niebuhr, 135.
+ Pinkerton, Mod. Geog.
T 2
276
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
SIAM.-The iron mines in this kingdom, called mines of
steel by Turpin, would probably imply a pure iron ore easily
convertible into steel, or rather perhaps a carbonated ore,
which however was so little wrought, that wooden anchors
were used. Near Luovo is a mountain of loadstone, and an-
other in Junkceylon of inferior quality.
The BIRMAN EMPIRE contains abundance of iron ore.
CEYLON.—Iron is mentioned by Thunberg as among the
minerals of this island.
PERSIA. In this nation the people were much famed for
their bows, which were the most esteemed of all in the East,
and also for sabres finely damasked, in a manner which
Chardin thought inimitable in Europe; for, not content with
their own mines of steel or carbonated iron ore, they imported
from India and wrought it in a particular manner. Their
razors and other works in steel were also of good workman-
ship. In the northern provinces there are many mines of
iron, but the metal is harsh and brittle. Mines of steel ore
or carbonated iron are also wrought in the same region, and
are so impregnated with sulphur, that filings, when thrown on
the fire, flash like gunpowder.
The following recent interesting notice of the iron mines of
Caradogh, near Tabreez, by Major James Robertson, late
director of the Shah's ordnance works, was read before the
Royal Society of Edinburgh.
that
"We have no historical record from which to ascertain the
period at which the iron mines in the district of Caradogh
were first wrought; but there is every reason to suppose
they were resorted to from the remotest antiquity. The dis-
trict itself is very secluded, and is of a wild, forbidding
aspect; it has, without almost any interval, formed part of
the Median, and latterly of the Persian empire; and, under
the rule of native princes, has all along been free from the
revolutions which have so frequently convulsed Western Asia.
The iron mines themselves also bear evident marks of anti-
ASIA.
277
quity. They form large quarry-like excavations, thickly
surrounded by immense tumuli of iron sand and small pieces
of ore, thrown out in the course of working. Upon a rough
calculation, founded on the size of the excavated hollow which
it exhibits, one only of the numerous iron mines, which abound
in the district, was estimated by the writer of this notice to
have now afforded above 4,000,000 cubic feet of iron ore.
Taking the specific gravity of the ore at five, a cubic foot
would weigh about 300 lbs., and, consequently, seven cubic
feet would weigh about a ton; and 4,000,000 cubic feet, the
total quantity excavated from that mine, would weigh 571,428
tons. Now, at the present day, 2000 horse loads is a full
allowance for the yearly quantity carried away, and as each
horse carries about two cwt., we have a total of 200 tons per
annum as the exported produce at present. It may be rea-
sonably assumed that this quantity has, upon an average,
never been exceeded during the many ages in which the mines
have been wrought. Indeed, this estimate certainly exceeds
the actual average yearly produce; for although a consider-
able quantity of Russian iron is now imported, to supply the
increasing wants of the inhabitants, it cannot be imagined
that, in periods of their early history, the natives would require
nearly so much iron as they now do. Upon that assumption,
and without taking into account the other neighbouring mines,
it would follow that 2857 years have passed since the soil was
first removed from the surface of the mine alluded to. Were
the other neighbouring mines taken into account, the antiquity
of the whole would be proportionally increased. The writer
has not by any means stated these as calculations, or as at
all approximating to accuracy, but still he thinks that, from
such data, fanciful as they may in some measure appear, an
estimate may legitimately be formed on the very great anti-
quity of the Persian mines.
The native smiths are dispersed in small hamlets, situated
in the woods which clothe the sides of the ravines, through
which the mountain torrents flow into the river Arras (the
ancient Araxes). The iron which is produced, although soft,
is extremely tough. It is much superior to the Russian iron,
278
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
with which the greater part of Asia is now supplied, and is
manufactured chiefly into horse-shoes and horse-shoe nails,
for which there is a great demand in Tabreez and the sur-
rounding districts, and among the Koords or Nomadic tribes
who frequent the mountain pastures in summer. The trade
in it is shared between the Mahomedans and the native Ar-
menians; and although by no means extensive or deserving
the name of the "Persian iron trade," it gives employment to
a considerable part of the population in quarrying the ore,
burning the charcoal, and transporting these articles to the
forge.
“There are numerous mines in Caradogh, affording iron ore
of the most valuable description, and of various kinds; but
those held in the highest estimation are the Jewant, Koord-
kandy, and Marzooly ores.
ore.
"The Jewant Mine is situated in an immense vein of red iron
This ore, on its fracture, often exhibits streaks of pris-
matic colours, as if at one time it had been subjected to the
action of heat; quantities of iron sand are dispersed in the
interstices of the vein.
"The Koordkandy Mine, situated on the summit of a very
steep mountain, produces rich magnetic iron ore, from a vein.
of great dimensions. The Marzooly Mine also affords excel-
lent magnetic iron ore in great abundance. The vein in which
the last is situated runs across the several hills, and is in most
parts 100 feet in width.
"In working these mines, the richest pieces only of the ore
are carried away; the remainder is thrown aside. They are
worked very irregularly, and without concert, as there is no
restriction imposed as to the mode of mining by the govern-
ment. A few individuals sink a shaft through the rubbish,
and excavate as much as they require; another party soon
after arrive, and fill the first hollow up in the course of sink-
ing another shaft; and in this way the rubbish is repeatedly
turned over, and gradually subsides, and is consolidated into
a mass as the ore is removed from beneath-thus forming a
serious obstacle to any one who might attempt to work the
vein in a more regular manner. The ore is carried to the
279
ASIA.
villages only during the summer, as the depth of the snow
in winter renders the mountain paths impassable. It is there
retailed to the smiths, who purchase a horse load of two cwt.
for about 1s. sterling, or 10s. per ton.
"The ores above described, when smelted singly, produce
that kind of iron which, by English workmen is called red-
short, and by the Persians, salt-iron. The smiths, however,
by means of a mixture, produce iron of an excellent quality,
which they term sweet-iron. The most common mixture is
two parts Jewant ore to one of Koordkandy, and two parts of
Koordkandy to one of Marzooly.
"Materials for smelting the ore are found in an extensive
natural forest which occupies the natural parts of the district
of Caradogh. This forest covers the flat bottoms between the
mountains, and spreads to a considerable height up their
sheltered sides, dwindling into dwarf trees and bushes in the
elevated and more exposed situations. It consists chiefly of
coppice oak, which springs from the roots of trees cut and
recut during a long succession of years. This jungle is par-
titioned among the villages situated on its confines, the in-
habitants of which earn a livelihood by supplying the city of
Tabreez and adjoining towns with fuel.”
EAST INDIES. In the year 1833, an association was formed
at Madras, with a view of establishing charcoal iron works,
upon the European plan. By a statement* circulated by the
association, it appears that the magnetic oxide of iron, which
produces the steel-iron of India, is confined to that part of
the peninsula south of the parallel of Madras. The ore mixed
with quartz, "forms mountain masses," and is removed simply
by quarrying with a crow-bar. "The ore is separated from
the quartz by pounding and winnowing, and in this state,
when ready for the furnace, it contains 72 per cent. of iron,
and 28 of oxygen; and is absolutely free from any trace of
sulphur, arsenic, or phosphorus." "This ore upon a large
* Statement of the origin, present state, and future prospects of the Indian Iron
and Steel Company, with a view of extending its operations, and enlarging its
capital. June 1, 1839.
280
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
average has been found to yield 68 per cent. of metal in the
blast furnace." The extent of land for the supply of fuel in the
neighbourhood of those situations which may be selected for
the erection of iron works, "amounts to several millions of
acres."
The works are situated at Porto Novo, a town on the sea-
coast, about 120 miles south of Madras; they consist of four
blast furnaces, a forge, and also a foundry; the make at
present is confined to 50 tons of pig-iron per week, the engine
not being of sufficient power to blow more than one furnace
making that quantity.
This iron is sent to England and converted into steel of a
superior description; it has also been tried for all purposes in
which iron of the best quality is used, with satisfactory
results. In the following years were forwarded,
Bars.
T. C. qr. lb.
Pigs.
T. C. qr. lb.
1835
0 6 0 0
34 5 3 0
Unwrought Steel.
T. C. gr. lb.
3 4 3 1
1836
13 14 3 19
59 3 2 27
1837
273 5 1 1
1838
489 4 0 8
1839
57 13 0 25
376 1 0 14
2,232
8 14
0 8
0 17
3 17
In the Himalayas, near Kusshain, a large village of
Naawur, there are iron mines of micaceous iron ore; they are
worked by running a horizontal shaft three feet and a half diam.,
into the side of the mountain. The ore is brought out in skins;
it is pounded and washed, and then smelted; when reduced
into small pigs, it is again put into the fire and hammered till
malleable, all which is done on the spot. The furnaces are
nothing but large clay crucibles, three feet high. When the
contents are fused sufficiently, the impurities are run off into
the ash-pit, leaving the iron in the crucible. (Major Sir W.
Lloyd's Narrative, vol. i. p. 214.)
In Chapter I. we have already spoken of the mode of smelt-
ing iron ore in the Himalayas.
LAHORE.-Runjeet Sing, at his iron works in his capital,
Lahore, was quite indefatigable in promoting their successful
operations, and he produced there, cannon and fire arms,
SOUTH AMERICA, ETC.
281
sabres and knives, of very superior quality, and to a con-
siderable extent.
SOUTH AMERICA.
MEXICO.-Iron, though little used by the ancient Mexi-
cans, is more abundant than is generally believed, and parti-
cularly in the "Provincias internas," but is wrought with
any degree of spirit only when a maritime war has inter-
rupted the importation of iron or steel from Europe.
The enormous mass of malleable iron with nikel, near San
Gregorio, is a natural curiosity, so exceedingly hard as to
resist the chisel.
In the town of Leon, cutlery is manufactured which is
much esteemed; it is the Sheffield of Mexico.
CHILI.-Iron is so abundant that there are few rivers in
Chili which do not deposit a sandy ore of that metal. For-
merly, by special regulation, iron could not be wrought in the
Spanish Colonies, but was a monopoly of the parent country.
Many provinces of Chili have the compact black ore, the
granular grey, and the solid cubical blue ore. Araucana
contains also excellent mines of iron, supposed to be not
inferior to that of Spain.
BRAZIL.—In the Serro de Frio, or the Cold Mountains,
there are mines of iron very rich.
AFRICA.
The first chapter is supplied with some notices by Mungo
Park.
GUINEA.-On the western coast, the Foulahs of Guinea,
are iron mines which are worked by women.
MOROCCO.-In the ridge of the Atlas, there are mines of
iron, but they are neglected by the unskilful Moors.
282
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
CHAPTER XIII.
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
ARRIVING now at the final chapter, the arrangement, as laid
down in the concluding paragraph of the Introduction, will
be carried out. The history of the home manufacture from
1830 up to the present period, with remarks upon its state
and prospects, and the surprising extent of improvements in
the mode of operations, will occupy attention.
The rapidity with which skill, under the tuition of science,
is advancing production, is not less striking than the novel
and valuable application of iron to innumerable purposes un-
heard of anterior to the enormous supply now always attain-
able in the British market.
The great and increasing importance of the iron trade to
this country, caused theory and practice to be brought into
play to discover the best means of improving both the quan-
tity and the quality of the iron, and the blast furnace under-
went almost every variety of form, with the exception of those
which have been found most beneficial in the present day.
The old charcoal furnaces, from 12 to 18 feet high, or where
a good water power existed, even 28 feet, gave place to coke
furnaces of 40, 50, 60, and even in one instance 70 feet, of
which height a furnace was erected in South Wales,* but,
after in vain attempting to work it, they were obliged to
reduce it, which they did to the extent of 30 feet by cutting at
hole in the side, narrowing the mouth, and throwing in the
materials at 40 feet instead of 70. The width of the boshes
also varied from 10 to 15 feet, and an experiment was tried
at Muirkirk, in Scotland, where they reduced the width of
* Rees' Cyclopædia.
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
283
:
the boshes from 10 feet to 8; the height of the furnace being
40 feet but it was soon found that with the same volume of
blast, which was formerly applied to the ten-feet furnace,
very inferior effects were now produced. The combustion,
apparently, was carried to too great an extent, and the ma-
terials, owing to this circumstance, entered into fusion before
the iron had imbibed a sufficient dose of the coally principle
from the fuel. Another great evil which resulted from this
diminution of diameter, was a friction, or retardation of the
descent of the materials upon the lining of the furnace. This
evil was increased, and the materials made more buoyant, by
the usual volume of air elevating itself in a cone not much
more than half its former area. The consequences were,
that the whole mixture of coke, ironstone, and limestone,
would frequently hang for an hour together, or until the
blast had cleared the hearth and boshes of materials, a
slip would then ensue, and bring with it a large propor-
tion of newly-introduced matter. The introduction of this
into the fusing point, before being properly heated, and long
before any affinity had been established betwixt the particles
of metal and the carbon of the furnace, invariably changed
the quality of the metal, and caused frequent and sudden
alterations from grey to white iron.* But the general average
height and width of the furnaces, about thirty years back, may
be taken at 40 feet from the upper surface to the hearth bot-
tom, 11 feet across the boshes, and 3 feet for the u.neter of
the tunnel head, or furnace mouth. Till that time it had been
the custom to blow the furnace with one tuyere; they now,
however, at some works began to blow with two, and the
beneficial effects being soon experienced, they became very
generally introduced. No material alteration took place for
some years, when accident in some degree discovered what
now constitutes one of our greatest improvements. One of
the Blendare Furnaces,† near Pontypool, built as usual, with
a narrow top, carrying but little burden, and making neither
quantity nor quality, by some chance gave way in the top, so
* Rees' Cyclopædia.
+ Mushet's Papers on Iron and Steel.
1
284
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
far as to widen the filling place to 9 or 10 feet. This acci-
dent was immediately followed by a cooler top, a better
quality of iron, and a greater weekly quantity; and this
accidental alteration furnished a model for the construction
of other furnaces at the same works. Changes of this kind
are not brought about rapidly, by reasoning or knowledge of
principle, but by a series of slow observations and chance
circumstances. The subject is, however, now better under-
stood, and within the last five or six years the mouth or filling
place of the furnace has been very generally enlarged; and
instead of 3, 34, or 4 feet, are now from 8 to 11 feet, and in
some few instances larger.
One of the most striking varieties in the modern form of
the furnace, and from which the greatest quantities of iron
have been run, is the cylindrical form. Furnaces of this
description are erected in many places, and amongst others
at the Govan Works in Scotland, of which the following is an
account of a fortnight's work :—
No. 1 Furnace-15 feet 8 inches in diameter, 45 feet high,
cylindrical, from the boshes to within a few feet of the charg-
ing plate, where it is rapidly brought in to a convenient
diameter for the tunnel head. Blown in 21st November,
1840.
Two weeks, ending December 12th, produced—
1st week 140 tons I cwt. (No. 1.
2d do. 145
""
S
1st week
}
6,, iron. stopped 12 hours.
Blown with hot air, and 5 tuyeres, pillar of blast-3 lbs. per
square inch, at tuyere pipes.
No. 2 Furnace-15 feet diameter, cylindrical, 45 feet high.
1st week 128 tons 15 cwt. stopped 12 hours,
2d do. 150
""
11
No. 1 iron.
No. 3 Furnace-Out of blast, being enlarged.
No. 4 Furnace-11 feet diameter, 45 feet high, and cylin-
drical:-
1st week 75 tons
2d do 77
22
13 cwt.
stopped 12 hours,
No. 4 iron.
No. 5 Furnace-15 feet diameter, 45 feet high, and cylin-
drical:-
1
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
285
1st week 95 tons
29
}
No. 4 iron
2d do 116 13 cwt. stopped 12 hours.
These furnaces were all blown with heated air, and have,
within these few years, been erected by the proprietor, Mr.
William Dixon, who made a series of experiments at the
Calder Iron Works, the results of which satisfied him of the
superiority of the cylindrical form, which he has here adopted.
And the make is a good proof of the advantage of this form of
furnace; but from 90 to 100 tons per week from a furnace is
now by no means unusual; in fact throughout most of the
works of South Wales the average make is seldom below
80 tons per week, but more generally as above stated.
But the boldest and most successful alteration in the form
of the blast furnace was made by Mr. John Gibbons, of Cor-
byn's Hall. The account of his furnace was published by
himself in a small pamphlet, and circulated amongst his
friends. Mr. Gibbons' furnace is considered the best in
Staffordshire, for the duration of the hearth and boshes,
working to good yields, making good iron, and greatest quan-
tity. The duration of the hearth and boshes appears to arise
from the fact of the hearth being put in wider than they
generally are, and consequently giving more room for the
blast to act. The boshes commence a little above the tuyeres,
and have nearly the same inclination as the curve of the fur-
nace; the boshes, in fact, running 30 feet high; at which
height is the widest part of the furnace, it being there 14 feet.
Mr. Gibbons, an eminent ironmaster, a gentleman having
ample opportunities of watching the blast furnace in its opera-
tions, observes, that he acquired the habit of observing with
much attentive interest the changes effected by fire in its
inner form; his attention was first more particularly directed
to the very rapid destruction that takes place in the hearth
and boshes during the early period of the furnace being
worked: "at the end of six months it may, I believe, be
safely stated as a general fact, that both of them have been
carried away to the extent of at least a third of their sub-
stance. From this time, or about this time, for exact accu-
racy cannot be obtained on such a subject, the destruction
286
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
becomes gradual, and proceeds more or less slowly, till the
boshes, either in some part of their circle, or the whole of it,
are obliterated; and this may be called the natural death of
the furnace it will carry on its operations no longer." "The
hearth may be replaced or repaired from without for an in-
definite period, but the boshes are beyond our reach, and
when they are gone the case is hopeless-the furnace must be
blown out." Mr. Gibbons' observations extend in the second
place to the upper part of the furnace. He states, that it
appeared to him, if he at once made the room which the
furnace makes for itself by a rougher operation, "I might
probably preserve thereby a considerable portion of my hearth
and boshes. I put in my hearth stones as wide asunder as
the pillars of the stack would allow; I cut them upwards
from the tuyeres to their junction with the boshes in a diago-
nal line, so as to bring them into the same, or nearly the same
angle with the boshes, and I certainly found that my purpose.
was thus far answered.* The furnace lasted longer, the
hearth did not call for repairs so soon; and there was this
additional advantage, I arrived at my full burden and average
make for months before the accustomed period." The second
alteration Mr. Gibbons considers of even more importance:-
From the appearance of the lining bricks, it was evident that
in the old form of furnace, the heat in the upper part had
little intensity, the fire-bricks were barely glazed. With the
view, therefore, of accumulating heat in this hitherto useless
part, instead of building the interior of his furnace in a straight
diagonal, or nearly so, from the top of the boshes to the fill-
ing hole, or tunnel head, "I scooped it outwards, so far as I
could do so with safety to its structure; this gave me much
room upward, the effect was unequivocal, particularly in my
yield of coal." He next increased the diameter of the tunnel
Till this time the hearth stones were put in, forming a square of 24 to 2 feet at
the bottom, and running up about 7 or 8 feet; and even to the present day there is a
prejudice that the fire had better form its own hearth, but Mr. Gibbons very justly
observes, "If the stones melted it would be true to the full extent, but they do not
melt, they shatter, and detach themselves in fragments of irregular shape and size,
according to their natural clefts or fissures.-If he were to build a new stack, he
would place the pillars wide enough asunder to admit a five-feet hearth."
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
287
head, of which Mr. Gibbons considers that eight feet will be
found the proper maximum, and in which case there must be,
at least, four filling holes.
"Instead of beginning to contract the interior from the usual
termination of the boshes (about twelve or fourteen feet from
the bottom of the hearth) I have kept widening it upwards to
the height of thirty feet (more than one-half of its total height)
so that my boshes being twelve feet across, the widest part of
my furnace, which becomes virtually the crown of my boshes,
is full fourteen feet."
By which he attained the great object of removing the
boshes from the action of the fire, by giving to their plane a
steeper slope, and much greater elevation.
Mr. Gibbons states his last six months' make as averaging
100 tons per week. His best three months' work 107 tons
per week; and his best week's work 115 tons, which shews
an extraordinary regularity in the working of his furnace: this
is the great point to be desired, especially where good and
uniform quality is required. Mr. Gibbons' make “was al-
ways good grey forge-pigs."
Mr. Gibbons presses on the attention two circumstances
which operate against his make; the first is the use of cinder,
the second is an insufficient supply of blast, its density being
only 1 lb. 13 oz. per inch, and its volume not adequate to the
necessities of a common sized furnace.* The largest blast
furnaces in South Wales are those of the Plymouth iron workst
* A Furnace on the Common Plan,
45 feet high
12 boshes
would contaiu
,,
4
3
filling hole
hearth
2660 cubic feet.
divided into two parts.
The upper half 22 feet 1060
19
1600
No. 4. Corbyn's Hall Furnace.
50 feet high
Diameter as in the text
8 feet filling hole
4
hearth
contains
4850 cub. ft.
The upper half 25 feet 2950
The lower do.
1900
The lower do.
Mr. Gibbons says, he believes that there are not many furnaces in Staffordshire,
which exceed the dimensions given of the furnace on the common plan; but he
knows that some of those which work the best are only 11 feet across the boshes.
At the Plymouth Iron Works there are seven furnaces, all in blast, and all blown
with cold air, making 700 tons of cast iron per week on an average.—“ On the State
and Prospects of the Iron Trade in Scotland and South Wales in May 1839, by
J. Johnson. Liverpool."
288
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
at Duffryn, near Merthyr, 18 feet diameter in the boshes, and
9 or 10 feet at the filling place, the height 40 feet: so that
their capacity is equal to at least 7000 cubic feet, and when
at work each of them must contain at least 150 tons of ignited
materials for iron smelting. There are three of these enormous
furnaces into which are discharged per minute at least 20,000
cubic feet of atmospheric air, under a pressure of 1½ lbs. to
the square inch.* This is below the general pressure in
South Wales, which may be taken at 2 lbs. on the inch;
these furnaces, however, thus blown, frequently make 120
tons each weekly.
We cannot but be struck with this extraordinary increase
in the make of a furnace, to which various causes have con-
duced-larger and better formed furnaces, improved blast,
and also superior knowledge in the preparation of the materials,
application of the blast, and working of the furnaces. It has
been observed, that some of the furnaces which make the best
work as to quality and yield, in Staffordshire, do not exceed
11 ft. 6 in. or 12 feet in the boshes. Where quality is an
essential, a furnace of this size is more to be depended on
than the very large ones. All furnaces require unremitting
attention on the part of the manager; and even with this
attention, aided by superior knowledge, the furnace will,
owing to the great difficulty there is with some materials,
occasionally get out of order, in which case a change is sooner
brought through in a small furnace, than a large one—it is
more manageable.
We must briefly refer to another and important process in
the making of iron,† and which has mainly contributed to
place our manufactured iron in its present high position. We
speak of the puddling, an improvement for which we are
indebted, as already shewn in the sixth chapter, to Mr. Cort.
* Mushet's papers on Iron and Steel.
+ It has not been the object of this publication to enter into the particulars of the
manufacture, beyond what was necessary to introduce any alteration and improve-
ment; but, for those who are desirous of knowing the detail of the manufacture, we
cannot do better than recommend for their perusal No. 106 of the Library of Useful
Knowledge, “Manufacture of Iron," where they can learn every necessary particular.
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
289
This process, although so beneficial in itself, was nevertheless
attended with a waste of about 20 cwt. of pigs to a ton of
bars, or in other words, it took two tons of pigs to make one
ton of bars;* and for some years afterwards it required 35
to 30 cwt., even when the process became much better known:
at the present time the waste does not generally exceed from
6 to 7 cwt. of pigs to a ton of bars, including the waste in the
refinery.
The principal improvement in the puddling is the substitution
of iron for sand bottoms in the furnaces. At the time when
the sand-bottoms were used, the puddlers seldom charged
more than 2 cwt. of metal, and could not work more than
four heats in the twelve hours: the principal cause of delay
arose from the puddler having to make a fresh bottom each
time before he charged. Neither could they puddle pig-iron
alone, in consequence of its boiling and getting mixed with
the sand, the waste also was considerably more in this process
than in any other mode of working.
They then tried another plan with a large metal basin to
work pig; but they did not succeed, the pig melted so raw
and liquid, it fastened to the edge of the basin and could not
be got off by the puddler. Iron bottoms were then substi-
tuted, and are now very generally used.
In some works they have within a few years puddled all
pig by a process called boiling, originating in the impression
that the waste in the refinery might in a great measure be
saved.
In Puddling Refined Metal.—The metal is first put in the
furnace and melted; when melted, a small quantity of hammer
slag is added to ferment it, and discharge the impurities of
the iron; it is then worked by the puddler till it is in a suffi-
cient state to be dried; the damper is put down, and the
iron dried, after which the damper is raised up and fresh coals
put on, and the iron is puddled till it is ready to ball and be
taken to the hammer.
* Mr. Cort made 29 tons 3 cwt. 16 lbs. of bar-iron from 60 tons of government
ballast.-Mushet's papers on Iron and Steel, p. 32.
U
290
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Time melting
25 minutes.
From melting till dry
15
"}
From being dried till shingled
30
70
Time lost in cleaning grate, charging furnace, &c. about
90 minutes in the course of 12 hours. 8 heats of 32 cwt.
may be worked in the 12 hours.
In Boiling Pig-iron. Before the charge is put in the fur-
nace, a sufficient quantity of hammer-slag is put in, and then
the pig-iron. Fresh coal is put on to melt the pig and
hammer-slag. When it begins to melt, the puddler commences
working it, and the more he works it the more it boils and
the purer it is. If the iron is of good quality, it will boil
for thirty or thirty-five minutes from the time it is melted.
When done boiling, the cinder, which has been floating on
the top of the iron, drops through it on to the plate, leaving
the iron to be worked up, till by working it becomes malle-
able, and fit for balling. After the iron is taken to the ham-
mer, the cinder is drawn from the furnace, and fresh hammer-
slag used for the next heat.
Time melting
Time boiling
25 minutes.
35
Worked into a malleable state 55
115
"
From the time of drawing a heat it is ten or fifteen minutes
before the puddler is again able to charge. Six heats of
3 cwt. may be worked in the twelve hours.
There is also a difference in wages.
Say for puddling refined metal 8s. per ton.
""
boiling pig
10s.
""
The yield also is in favour of the refined metal, not only in
the puddling, but likewise in the after process of heating and
rolling.
Boiling pig-iron, although not so advantageous to the
ironmaster, is nevertheless generally done where they have
not the convenience of refineries: it was adopted with the
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
291
idea of its being a cheaper mode of working, in saving coals,
labour, and yield; but this is met by the extra quantity of
coals used in the puddling, bearing on a smaller make, be-
sides which the wages are higher, and there is a greater waste
in the more expensive process. Also, a greater expence is
incurred in keeping the furnace in order, as the pig-iron
works hotter than the refined metal, and injures the bottom as
well as the walls of the furnace.
In South Wales the boiling process has been very gene-
rally done away with, as it is not found to suit the general
nature of the iron. The Staffordshire and Shropshire iron is,
however, well suited for boiling, being of a strong-bodied
nature, and there this method of working is still used to
some extent, but more frequently where they have not re-
fineries. Where, however, the iron is of a red short nature,
a small quantity of grey pig is very beneficial, and materially
assists the quality as well as the appearance of the iron.
With the view of saving the time, which is lost in heating
the iron to the state in which it becomes fit for the puddler
to commence his operations, there have been various con-
trivances for heating the fresh charge of metal, whilst the
preceding heat is in progress. One plan is, to make the flue
rather wider, so as to form a sort of recess for the reception of
the fresh charge, which is placed there by the puddler's
assistant through a small door for the purpose; and when his
heat is finished, is drawn forward, and is ready for him to go on
with, without any delay. The simplest method, however, is to
make the body of the furnace longer than according to the
old plan, and to have a second door, between where the pud-
dler works and the stack. This affords sufficient convenience
and room for the succeeding charge of metal.
With these furnaces nine heats can readily be worked by
one man in twelve hours; and if, as is sometimes the case,
the furnace is provided with three sets of men, instead of
two, ten or even twelve heats may be finished in the twelve
hours.
Economy of coal is the object of the iron master in this
mode of working; and as the quantity used is nearly the
U 2
292
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
same, whether the furnace be constructed on the old or new
plan, there is a considerable saving. The men, however,
generally prefer the usual mode of working, and make about
seven heats in the twelve hours, a quantity which they sel-
dom exceed. The weekly average of a puddling furnace
being from 12 to 13 tons.
The iron trade in Great Britain continued to make the
most rapid progress; and as we shall see by the returns, the
quantity of pig-iron during the nine years, subsequent to our
last statement in 1830, doubled itself. The following we
believe to be as correct an account of the quantity produced
in 1839 as can be arrived at, considering that part of it is
necessarily estimated :-
1839.
Furnaces, number
South Wales and Forest of Dean
Staffordshire, South
Make
per Annum.
532,480 Tons.
338,730
in Blast.
125
108
"}
Ditto
North
10
28,600
Shropshire
24
86,060
"
Yorkshire (1840)
31
89,960
""
Derbyshire (1840)
13
37,440
North Wales
12
28,080
"
Newcastle-on-Tyne
Scotland
5
11,440
50
195,000
378
1,347,790*
* Mr. Mushet, in his elaborate
""
make of 1839 as follows:-
South Wales
•
Forest of Dean
Shropshire
Staffordshire, South
Ditto
North Wales.
North
Derbyshire..
Yorkshire
Newcastle-on-Tyne
Scotland...
Papers on Iron and Steel," p. 421, states the
Furnaces in Blast.
Tons.
122
453,880
5
18,200
29
80,940
106
•
•
346,213
7
18,200
13
33,800
14
34,372
22
52,416
5
13,000
54
196,960
377
1,247,981
Lancashire Charcoal
800
Total of Pig Iron, Tons 1,248,781
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
293
of 1830.
being an increase of 669,373 tons per annum on the returns
Canals, from 1831 to 1840 inclusive.
pig-iron, conveyed on the Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire
Wales is shown by the following Tables of manufactured and
The gradual increase of the two great districts of South

IRON CARRIED ON THE GLAMORGANSHIRE CANAL IN THE
NAMES OF
PROPRIETORS AND WORKS.
Guest and Co., Dowlais
Crawshay & Co., Cyfartha and
Hirwain
Thompson and Co., Penydarran
R. & A. Hill, Plymouth.
Aberdare Co.
Blakemore & Co..
Brown, Lennox, & Co.
Gadly's Iron Co...
Taff Vale Iron Co.
Bute Co., Rhymney
FOLLOWING YEARS :-
1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840
22075 29395 35072 33477 39145 39286 38914 39361 40495 45218
15465 24668 37380 34952| 35090 34654| 33580| 36986 37009| 35507
11819 10582 12150 12752 12834 12537 12834 12707 15540 16130
10498 9200 12093 12073 12631 13573 15353 16143 15762 12922]
6903 5997 6964 8497 9261 9981 9830 12247 11307 10327
2947 3042 3519 31941 4020 3957 3594 3474 3304 3175
626 757 890 1163 1854 2437 2756 3394 4037 2476
214 731 1828 1816 1756 1127 1081 1345
3461 3739 3068 4723 6171 5198 4246 4902
36 572 434 127 124
22
Tons 70333 83677112316 111012119858 123088 124810130637|132781|132002)

294
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
IRON CARRIED ON THE MONMOUTHSHIRE CANAL AND TRAM ROADS IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS :-
NAMES OF PROPRIETORS AND WORKS.
J. and C. Bailey, Nanty Glo..
Kendall and Co., Beaufort
Harfords and Co., Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy
Kenricks and Co., Varteg.
British Iron Company, Abersychan
Hills and Wheeley, Blaenavon.
Hills and Wheeley, Garnddyris.
Frere and Co., Clydach
Sl. Homfray, Tredegar
Coalbrook Vale, Company
Russell and Co., Blaina..
Hunt Bros, Pentwyn
Bute Company, Rhymney
C. H. Leigh, Pontypool
Daniels and Co., Abercarne
Pontymister Company..
W. Russell, Machin.
J. Brown, Tydee
R. Walker, Cwm Tylery
J. Kennedy, Lanhiddel
J. Jenkins and Company
Sundry Persons...
•
J. and C. Bailey, Beaufort
Varteg Iron Company.
•
•
Blaenavon Company, Blaenavon.
1831. 1832. 1833. 1834. 1835. | 1836. 1837. 1838. | 1839. | 1840.
17866 21333 21007 22594 24957 25384 23981 25263 24945 26662)
5150 6052 2257
18778 19740 19226 20228 25392 23120 22475 23579 25342 24199
11519 11171 10627 14762 14831 11209 7753
80221 7751 7295 8430 9724 12278 10261 11857 12481 12290
9706 8986 8285 8406 90231 7606 5058
4133 1833 3600 2214 4286 4257 4159
6231
13340 13304 12323 12858 13909 12133 12641 15526 14861 15288
2189 2396 2429 2898 3211 3754 3325 4000 5204 7824
2921 7960 4880 6324 9233 8911 6675 7482 1140
4057 6527 8207 6895 1848
3662 4198 2346
4077 5253 3341 5337 9067
279
1158
989 828 931 1060
227 1039
1101 2258 2413
8002 9584
4850 4038 4406
7548 7180 5611
2710 2680 4064
1023 889
1060
1351 239
1179
846
520
363
1257
796
737 847 961
15
51
100
64
66
524
25
235
520 107
150 108 365
39
62
159 217
362 174
841
276
432
14]
168
10
5255
CO
9
9808 12976 14567 11145 10903 10505 10049
2669 9857 12820] 12669
2092 8074 5718 7347
1456 5688 6708 6955
6261 7618 7640 7081 9283 9606 10038
2614
1027 2509
Blaenavon Company, Garnddyris
Clydach Iron Company
6542 7252
Pentwyn Iron Company
Golynos Iron Company
Pentwyn and Golynos Company.
Rhymney Iron Company
2963
..
Cwm Celyn and Blaina Company
Victoria Iron Company
2982 12533 17783
6797 13547| 1488]] 18581
4663 8937
77 692 2050 6436
Tons
119165 124207|118924|127554155317|151408|144277|169367|176346|194661


FROM THE YEAR 1830.
295
DESCRIPTION OF IRON CARRIED ON THE MON-
MOUTHSHIRE CANAL AND TRAM ROAD IN THE
FOLLOWING YEARS :-

Bais, Rails, Total
Years. Pigs. Castings. Metal.
and other
Manufac. Iron.
Tons.
1831
30508
2137
9155
77365
119165
1832
36753
1214
4314
81926
¡ 124207
1833
34077
1719
3800
79328
118924
1834
43238
619
2801
80896
127554
1835
50799
5748
4286
94484
155317
1836
51097
5327
3790
91194
151408
1837
42844
5947
3209
92277
144277
1838
42139
5459
5047
116722 169367
1839
36259
1840
34584
4592 10906
4085
124589 176346
8081
147911 194661
The most extraordinary increase, however, is in the Scotch
furnaces, and this leads us, in the first place, to speak of a
very important discovery, as connected with the manufacture
of iron, one which has already had a great effect, and will
eventually exercise the greatest influence on the trade-I
mean the substitution of hot for cold air in blowing the
furnaces. It was long thought that the disadvantage ex-
perienced in the summer months, in the working of the
furnaces, was to be attributed to the heat of the weather, and
it was therefore supposed that a cold blast was most favor-
able to the smelting of the iron. The results obtained by the
invention for the heating of the blast artificially before it
passed into the furnaces, have proved how mistaken this
notion was.
In 1829, Mr. Nielson, of Glasgow, manager of the gas
works in that city, took out a patent for the application of
hot blast in the manufacture of cast iron.
Some experiments made by Mr. Neilson, led him to imagine
that advantage would be gained by heating the air previously
to passing it into the furnace; he communicated his ideas to
Mr. Mackintosh, and they united in undertaking at the Clyde
iron works, in concert with Mr. Wilson, one of the proprietors,
a series of experiments to determine this important question.
The fuel made use of at the Clyde iron works, and in Scot-
296
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
land, generally, was coke, derived from splint coal.* During
its conversion into coke, this coal underwent a loss of 55 parts
in 100, leaving 45 of coke.
During the first six months of the year 1829, when all the
cast iron in Clyde iron works was made by means of the cold
blast, a single ton of cast iron required for fuel to reduce it,
8 tons 1 cwt. of coal, converted into coke. During the first
six months of the following year, while the air was heated to
near 300° Fahrenheit, one ton of cast iron required 5 tons
34 cwt. of coal, converted into coke.
The saving amounts to 2 tons 18 cwt. on the making of one
ton of cast iron; but from that saving must be deducted the
coals used in heating the air, which were nearly 8 cwt. The
saving therefore was 2 tons of coal to a ton of cast iron.
But during that year, 1830, the air was heated no higher
than 300° Fahrenheit. The great success, however, of these
trials induced Mr. Dunlop,† and other iron masters, to try the
effect of a still higher temperature. Nor were their expecta-
tions disappointed. The saving of coal was greatly increased,
insomuch, that about the beginning of 1831, Mr. Dixon, pro-
prietor of Calder iron works, substituted raw coal for coke,
proceeding on the ascertained advantages of the hot blast; the
attempt was entirely successful, and since that period, the
use of raw coal has extended so far as to be adopted in the
majority of the Scotch iron works. The temperature of the
air under blast had now been raised so as to melt lead, and
sometimes zinc, and therefore above 600° Fahrenheit, instead
of being only 300°, as in the year 1830.
During the first six months of the year 1833, one ton of
cast iron was made with 2 tons 54 cwt. of raw coal-add to
this 8 cwt. of coal for heating, we have 2 tons 13 cwt. of
coal required to make a ton of iron; whereas, in 1829, when
the cold blast was in operation, 8 tons 14 cwt. of coal was
used.
The same blowing apparatus was in use during the three
successive periods which have been specified, and not the
* Dr. Clark, professor of Chemistry, in Marischal College, Aberdeen.
+ Clyde Iron Works.
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
297
least remarkable effect of Mr. Nielson's invention, has been
the increased efficacy of a given quantity of air in the produc-
tion of iron. The furnaces at Clyde iron works, which were
at first three, have been increased to four, and the blast
machinery being still the same, the following were the weekly
averages of iron made and coal used, not including that
which was used in heating the blast :-
Tons of
Coke.
111 from 403 from
Tons of
Iron.
In 1829, from 3 furnaces,
1830,
1833,
3
4
162
245
376
Tons of
Coal.
888
836
554
being an average of coals used in the furnace to one ton of
cast iron-
1829, coke and cold air 8 tons, 1 cwt., 1 qr.
1830, coke and heated air 5
1833, coal and heated air 2
3
1
5
1
The hot blast has been introduced into many parts of
England and Wales, but not with the same extraordinary effect
as in Scotland. The quantity of coal consumed in the fur-
naces, both in England and Wales, being much less than that
which is shewn in the foregoing statement as having been
used in Scotland before the introduction of Mr. Nielson's
patent this arises from the different quality of the coal;
and as the reduced consumption of coal is at the present
time its principal advantage, its introduction has not been
considered of so much importance; independent of which, a
strong prejudice exists with many of the iron masters, against
the quality of the iron produced.
It has, however, as we have already observed, great effect
on the increase of the manufacture in Scotland.
According to Mr. Finch's statement, there were in 1830,
eight works in operation* which made in that year, 37,500
tons of pig-iron.
In 1838, there were 11 works consisting of 41 furnaces
in blast, and they made 147,500 tons of pig-iron, being
* At these works there were 24 furnaces, but the statement does not show how
many were in blast.
298
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
an increase in eight years of 110,000 tons per annum.
And
in 1839, there were 50 furnaces in blast, making 195,000, or
according to Mr. Mushet, 54 furnaces producing 196,960 tons
of pig-iron.* Independently of the advantage of the hot blast,
the Scotch iron masters are indebted to the excellence of their
ironstone called the black-band, or Mushet-stone, it being
in the first instance discovered and brought into use by
Mr. David Mushet. This gentleman mentions, "the discovery
of this stone took place in the year 1801, in crossing the
river Calder, in the parish of Old Monkland."+
"For several years after its discovery, the use of this iron-
stone was confined to the Calder iron works, erected by me
in the years 1800, 1801 and 1802, where it was employed in
mixture with other iron stones of the argillaceous class. It
was afterwards used in mixture at the Clyde iron works, and,
I believe, no where else; there existed on the part of the iron
trade a strong feeling of prejudice against it. About the year
1825, the Monkland Company were the first to use it alone,
and without any other mixture than the necessary quantity
of limestone for a flux. The success of this company
soon gave rise to the Gartsherrie and Dundyvan furnaces,
in the midst of which progress, came the use of raw
pit coal and hot blast-the latter, one of the greatest dis-
coveries in metallurgy of the present age, and, above every
other process, admirably adapted for smelting the black-band
ironstone. The greatest produce in iron per furnace, with the
black-band and cold blast, never exceeded 60 tons a-week.
The produce per furnace now averages 90 tons per week."
"Instead of 20, 25 or 30 cwt. of limestone formerly used to
make a ton of iron, the black-band now requires only 6, 7 or
8 cwt. to the production of a ton. This arises from the
extreme richness of the ore, when roasted, and from the small
quantity of earthy matter it contains, which renders the
operation of smelting the black-band with hot blast, more
like the melting of iron than the smelting of an ore. When
properly roasted, its richness ranges from 60 to 70 per cent.,
*The quantity is at the present time increased to a considerable extent.
+ Papers on Iron and Steel, p. 121 and 127.
1
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
299
so that little more than a ton and a half is required to make
a ton of pig-iron; and as one ton of coal will smelt one ton of
roasted ore, it is evident that when the black-band is used
alone, 35 cwt. of raw coal will suffice to the production of
one ton of good grey pig iron."*
From information which we have every reason to believe
correct, pig-iron is, in some of the Scotch works, produced at
a cost not exceeding 21. per ton. We need hardly point out the
effect it must have on many of our works. In North Wales
they have already severely felt it, and many furnaces are
blown out; it must also be severely felt by many of those
works in South Wales, the high character of whose iron will
not enable them to withstand its fearful competition. The
resources of this Scotch mineral field appear exhaustless in
coal,† connected with this valuable ironstone. It does not
* Papers on Iron and Steel-p. 128.
+ Extract from the "Remarks on the Mineral Resources of Lanarkshire, by John
Craig, Mineral Surveyor, read at the Andersonian Soiree, Dec. 12, 1836."
The coal group consists of thirty-three seams of coal, six or seven of which are
generally workable. These are called by different names in different localities. In
the following summary I shall adopt the Monkland nomenclature, and give the com-
mon thicknesses :-
1st. The Upper Coal, very variable, from 1 to 4 feet.
2d. The Ell Coal, 3 to 4 feet.
3d. The Pyotshaw, 4 feet.
4th. The Main Coal, 5 feet.
5th. The Humph Coal, 1 to 4 feet.
6th. The Splint or Hard Coal, 2 to 4 feet.
7th. The Virtue Well or Cleland Laigh Coal, 2} to 4 feet.
8th. The Killtongue Coal, 3 to 4 feet.
9th. The Drumgray Coal, 24 feet.
These give an average of more than thirty feet of coal. The first of these, and
consequently all the others, have been deposited on an area of not less than one
hundied square miles, in which I include the thirty-two square miles of new red
sandstone, beneath which, save to the south of the deposit, where I consider the red
sandstone to extend beyond the limit of the coal group, all the regular coal strata
are to be found. The under seams, that is, those below the splint coal, extend to
about 140 square miles, exclusive of that portion of them which is overlapped
by trap.
The following calculation of the quantity of coal contained in the group
I am
attempting to describe, is made according to the estimate of Mr. Taylor, before a
Committee of the House of Commons:
The quantity of coal in a square mile of coal 12 feet thick, after leaving one-
300
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
however, appear that the manufacture of bar-iron is as yet.
equally successful, or holds out a prospect of so decided an
advantage in price over the Welsh or English, as in the case
third for posts, is 8,200,000 tons. The sum multiplied by 21 will give the quantity
contained in a thickness of 30 feet, viz. 20,500,000 tons. This again multiplied by
100, the number of square miles in which all our coal seams are contained, gives
2,050,000,000 tons. If we take 6 feet as the average thickness of the seams, occu-
pying the remaining 40 square miles, we have, according to Mr. Taylor's calcu-
lation, for every square mile, 4,100,000 tons. Multiply this by 40, the number of
square miles, and we have 164,000,000 tons; which, added to the former result,
gives no less than 2,214,000,000 tons, as the quantity of workable coal contained
in what is commonly called the Lanarkshire Coal Basin.
The city of Glasgow, according to the calculation of Dr. Cleland, consumed,
including the different manufactories and public works, 561,000 tons in the
year 1834.
Allow forty tons a-day each, to twenty-five blast furnaces, and the annual con-
sumpt by these will be 365,000 tons. To these add 200,000 tons, as the annual
consumpt of the rest of the inhabitants of the district, and the whole annual consumpt
is 1,126,000 tons.
If we divide the quantity by the consumpt, we obtain a quotient of 1,966, as the
number of years our common coal fields are capable of supplying a demand equal to
that created by the present consumpt of the lower and middle wards of the county.
Ironstones.-The principal ironstones of the upper coal series are—
1st. The Upper Black Band.
2d. Mushet's Black Band.
3d. The Crofthead Black Band.
4th. The Shotts Coal Ironstone.
And
1st. The Upper Black Band occurs at Palace Craig, parish of Old Monkland,
being the only place where it has been found worth working. It is of inferior quality
to Mushet's Band, and is no longer wrought. It is 18 inches thick, and lies about
24 fathoms above the Ell coal.
2d. Mushet's or Monkland Black Band lies about 16 fathoms below the splint
coal. It is of very superior quality, measures generally from 14 inches to 18 inches
thick, and occupies an area of 9 or 10 square miles in the neighbourhood of Airdrie.
It forms the principal supply to Clyde, Calder, Gartsherrie, Dundyvan, Summerlea,
and Chapelhall Ironworks.
3d. The Crofthead, or Slaty Black Band, is about the same thickness as the
Monkland Band, and is of equally excellent quality. It lies below the coal enume-
rated as workable, at what distance I cannot precisely say, nor am I able to state in
what extent of area it may be found. What is known of it is principally in tack by
the Messrs. Holdsworth, of Coltness, who are erecting furnaces for its manufacture
into pig-iron. It is found also in the estate of Langside, in the parish of Shotts.
4. The Shotts ironstones overlie the Shotts Laigh coal, and consist of a thin band
with excellent nodules, in which occur immense quantities of bivalve shells, scales of
fishes, &c.-J. Craig on the Carboniferous Formation of the Lower Ward of La-
narkshire.
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
301
of pig-iron; the manufacture hitherto has been an expensive
process, the iron being tender, and the waste being consider-
able. An ironmaster looks for his waste in the refinery; the
hot-blast iron, besides a considerable waste in the refinery,
also suffers in the after and more expensive processes;
which, although it is in some measure met by the first cost of
the pig-iron, nevertheless has hitherto prevented the Scotch
iron-masters from producing cheap bar-iron, or of a quality
which will stand competition with a good description of bars,
manufactured from the cold-blast pig-iron.
Although the principal advantage of this discovery is at
present confined to Scotland, it may, before many years have.
elapsed, exercise a material influence on the manufacture of
iron both in France and America. This observation arises.
from the circumstance of an ironmaster in South Wales* hav-
ing with some success, aided by the hot blast, employed the
coal called Anthracite, in the smelting of iron. Nearly twenty
years back a patent was taken out, and a furnace erected on
the borders of Brecknockshire, for the smelting of iron with
stone coal (anthracite); many experiments were made with
different proportions of the stone coal and bituminous coal
used together. The iron produced was of good quality, but
the object being to use the anthracite in its raw state, which
could not then be effected, the furnace, after a few months'
trial, was blown out. In France, also, experiments have
been made. M. A. Perdonnet, in his report (1831) on the
state of the iron manufacture, says-
"In the blast furnaces of France, carbonized fuel of all
kinds has been tried, and the same fuel in a raw state, either
wholly or mixed with the other. I will now speak of some
experiments made with a curious combustible substance,
called anthracite,-a kind of pure carbon, without any mix-
ture of bitumen, compact, igniting with great difficulty, and
giving out such a heat, when once in a state of combustion,
that it is very difficult to procure materials for the construc-
tion of the blast furnaces which will not melt. It has been
ascertained that cast-iron cannot be made with anthracite,
* Mr. Crane.
302
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE
except by excessive care, and that the furnace will not work
regular unless three parts of coke be mixed with seven of the
anthracite; and indeed, by reason of its burning so slowly,
it has been found more advantageous to use them in equal
quantities.
The cast-iron obtained with these different proportions of
anthracite has always been of excellent quality. This may
cause surprise, as the combustible used without preparation
as it comes from the mine always contains a large quantity of
sulphur."*
Mr. Crane's works are situated on the anthracite formation,
and his attention has naturally for many years been directed
to the application of it to smelting purposes, but without suc-
• Extract from the Franklin Journal, dated 1st Jan. 1838 :—
Trial made by Merrick and Agnew at the Franklin iron works, Philadelphia, on
the comparative use of anthracite coal and gas coke.
"Our cupola is thirty inches in diameter. The blast is urged into it by a fan
with four wings, having an aggregate area of 384 inches of fan surface, moving
1800 revolutions per minute through three tuy eres, two of them 4 inches in diame-
ter and one of 5 inches, the aggregate area being 51½ inches.
"The trial was made in two heats, with each kind of fuel, and the results given
are the aggregate of both heats respectively,—
"1st. Anthracite coal, white ash of very excellent quality.
Time of blowing 1st heat.
2d
hrs. m.
3 15
3 30
Aggregate.... 6 45 or 405 m.
* 2d. Coke.
Metal melted 15464 lbs. or 2300 lbs. per hour.
Fuel used .. 3300
"
470,, to the ton.
Time of blowing 1st heat...
2d
Aggregate....
hrs. m.
1
54
1
18
3 12 or 192 m.
Metal melted 14342 lbs. or 4450 lbs. per hour.
Coke used .. 3056
470 to the ton of iron.
"The weight of fuel used to each ton of iron was precisely the same, but the quan-
tity melted nearly double. Our castings were confined to those not weighing more
than from 3000 to 3500 lbs., we should now have no hesitation in undertaking a
piece of work weighing from three to four tons, from our cupola using coke as fuel."
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
303
cess, until the idea occurred to him that a heated blast, upon
the principle of Mr. Nielson's patent, might by its greater
power enable him to complete the combustion of this peculiar
coal. Mr. Crane, in his report to the British Association
(1838) says-
"One evening, after I had placed a piece of the anthracite
upon my parlour fire (which had before been made up with
bituminous coal), and had allowed it to arrive at a red heat,
upon my applying as fierce a blast to this piece of coal as I
could raise from a pair of bellows, I noticed the appearance of
a black mark or spot upon that part of it where the air
impinged upon it; on my continuing the like rapid current, in
the same direction, I shortly blew the fire out of it.
I at
once perceived that the effect of the strength of a current of
air, when cold, which we of necessity are obliged to blow into
our furnaces to secure the passage of the blast through the
high and dense column of materials contained in an erection
like a blast furnace, instead of encouraging ignition, was
actually unfavourable to it. On giving the thing but a mo-
ment's reflection, the question promptly occurred to me, what
would be the effect of turning a blast into a furnace upon this
coal, which would itself burn-which would itself melt lead?
I at once determined that it was a thought which was really
worthy of mature reflection. The further consideration which
I gave to the matter, and the further experiments which I
shortly afterwards instituted have at length been crowned
with full success."
Mr. Crane states that on an average of three months he
made the ton of iron with less than twenty-seven cwt. of
anthracite coal, not including the heating of the blast, and
that the iron produced was decidedly stronger than any other
before smelted at his works.*
The anthracite formation probably occupies about one-third
of the mineral basin of South Wales; it commences near the
upper part of the vale of Neath, in the county of Glamorgan,
*Mr. Crane has three furnaces, in two of which he uses three-fourths bituminous
and one-fourth anthracite; and in the third, a small cupola, he used only anthracite.
Other works are being erected in this district.
304
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
and proceeds in a westerly direction through the remainder of
that county, thence through that of Carmarthen, and crops.
out in the sea, in St. Budes Bay, after passing through a con-
siderable portion of the county of Pembroke. It is likewise
found in France, Austria, Bohemia, and Sardinia, and very
large deposits have been already discovered on the continent
of America, particularly in the state of Pennsylvania.
It is stated that in the early part of 1840 there were fifty
anthracite furnaces at work in America. On the 18th of
January of that year, a dinner was given at Pottsville, Penn-
sylvania, by W. Lyman, Esq., on the occasion of his having
successfully introduced the smelting of iron with anthracite
by the use of hot blast. Mr. Nicholas Biddle, who attended
to witness the result of the experiments, after expressing his
entire satisfaction in their success, observes," And this,
after all, is the great mystery-the substitution of what is
called the hot blast for the cold blast. Let us see the
changes which this simple discovery are destined to make.
As long as the iron ores and the coal of the anthracite region
were incapable of fusion, the ores were entirely useless, and
the coal nearly unavailable for manufactures, while, as the
disappearance of the timber made charcoal very expensive,
the iron of Eastern Pennsylvania was comparatively small in
quantity and high in price, and the defective communications
with the interior made its transportation very costly. The
result was that with all the materials of supplying iron in our
own hands, the country has been obliged to pay enormous
sums to Europeans for this necessary. In two years alone
-1836-7, the importations of iron and steel amounted to
upwards of twenty-four millions of dollars. The importations.
for the last five years have been about forty-nine millions of
dollars. It is especially mortifying to see that even in Penu-
sylvania, there has been introduced within the last seven
years, exclusive of hardware and cutlery, nearly 80,000 tons
of iron, and that of these were about 49,000 tons of railroad
iron, costing probably three millions and a half of dollars.
Nay, this very day, in visiting your mines, we saw at the
farthest depths of these subterranean passages, that the very
1
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
305
coal and iron were brought to the mouth of the mines on rail
tracks of British iron, manufactured in Britain, and sent to us
from a distance of 3000 miles. This dependence is deplor-
able. It ought to cease for ever, and let us hope that with
the new power this day acquired, we shall rescue ourselves
hereafter from such a costly humiliation. We owe it to our-
selves, not thus to throw away the bounties of Providence
which in these very materials has blessed us with a profusion
wholly unknown elsewhere. The United States contain,
according to the best estimates, not less than 80,000 square
miles of coal-which is about sixteen times as much as the
coal-measures of all Europe. A single one of these gigantic
masses runs about 900 miles from Pennsylvania to Alabama,
and must itself embrace 50,000 square miles, equal to the
whole surface of England Proper. Confining ourselves to
Pennsylvania alone, out of fifty-four counties of the State, no
less than thirty have coal and iron in them. Out of the
44,000 square miles which form the area of Pennsylvania,
there are 10,000 miles of coal and iron, while all Great Britain
and Ireland have only 2000; so that Pennsylvania has five
times as much coal and iron as the country to which we
annually pay eight or ten millions of dollars for iron. Again,
the anthracite coal-fields of Pennsylvania are six or eight
times as large as those of South Wales. Of these great
masses it may be said confidently that the coal and the iron
are at least as rich in quality and as abundant in quantity as
those of Great Britain, with this most material distinction in
their favour, that they lie above the water level, and are easily
accessible, while many of the mines of England are a thou-
sand or fifteen hundred feet below the surface. With these
resources you would have abundant employment, if you could
only supply the present wants of the country, for which we
are now dependent on foreigners. But the sphere of demand
is every day widening for the consumption of iron. The time
has come when nothing but iron roads will satisfy the impa-
tience of travellers and the competitions of trade. The time
is approaching when iron ships will supplant these heavy,
X
306
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
short-lived, and inflammable structures of wood. We shall
not long be content to cover our houses with strips of wood
under the name of shingles, prepared for the first spark, if we
can have low-priced iron, in which event too, the present
pavements of our towns would be superseded by footways of
iron. The only difficulty which is suggested is the high price
of labour in this country. Allow me to say that I consider
this a misapprehension. The high rate of wages is always
put forward as the obstacle to any effort to make for ourselves
what we import, but I do not believe that it ever made any
serious obstacle in practice. I believe, on the contrary, that
in any comparison between the price of labour in England and
the United States, if we consider not the nominal price paid
the labourer, but the amount of work actually done for a
given sum of money, and if we regard the English poor-rates,
which are only a disguised addition to the rate of wages, we
shall arrive at the conclusion that labour is very little, if at all
higher in the United States than in England.
"If coal and iron have made Great Britain what she is, if
this has given her the power of 400,000,000 of men, and
impelled the manufactories which have made us, like the rest.
of the world, her debtors, why should not we, with at least
equal advantages, make them the instruments of our own
independence."
Whether these sanguine expectations will be realized,
remains to be seen, but at present in this country only one
small cupola making about 35 tons per week, is worked with
anthracite unmixed with any bituminous coal.
In any inquiry into the probability of injury arising to our
manufactures from the competition of foreign countries, par-
ticular regard must be had to the facilities of transport, and to
the existence in our own country of a mass of capital in roads,
canals, machinery, &c.; and also to the cheap rate at which
the abundance of our fuel enables us to produce iron, the
basis of almost all machinery. It has been justly remarked
by M. de Villefosse, that "Ce que l'on nomme en France,
la question du prix des fers, est, à proprement parler, la
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
307
question du prix des bois, et la question des moyens de
communications intérieures par les routes, fleuves, rivières
et_canaux.”*
The same writer states the following to be the price of
bar-iron at the forges of various countries, in January 1825.
France
Belgium and Germany
Sweden, at Stockholm; and
Russia, at St. Petersburg
England, at Cardiff....
£26 10s. per ton.
16 14
do.
13 13
do.
10 O
do.
In France, bar-iron, made as it usually is with charcoal,
costs three times the price of the cast iron out of which
it is made.
By this statement it appears, that in England it is produced
at the least, and in France at the greatest expence. The
length of the roads which cover England and Wales, may be
stated roughly at twenty thousand miles of turnpike, and one
hundred thousand miles of road and turnpike. The internal
water communication of England and France, may be stated
as follows:
Navigable rivers
IN FRANCE.
Navigable canals
Miles in length.
4668
915.5
Navigable canals in progress of execution (1824) 1388
6971.5+
But if we reduce these numbers in proportion of 3.7
to 1, which is the relative area of France as compared
with England and Wales, then we shall have the following
comparison:-
Babbage, Economy of Machinery.
+ This table is extracted and reduced from one in the Ravinet Dictionnaire Пly-
drographique, 2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1824. (Babbage.)
x 2
308
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
Portion of Fiance
England.
Navigable Rivers
Miles 1,275.5
equal in size to
England & Wales.
1,261.6
Tidal Navigation*
545.9
Canals, direct
2,023.5
branch
150.6
2,174.1
247.4
Canals, commenced
375-1
Total Miles
3,995.5
1,884.1
Population in 1831,
13,894,500
8,608,500+
The commercial legislation of France has been founded,
for the most part, on the desire to make that country indepen-
dent of every other, and to force within itself the production
of the principal articles of consumption, in spite of natural
difficulties, and without any reference to their cost. This
legislation received its greatest encouragement under the
Imperial régime, when France was excluded from many of
the markets of the world, and when, in order to possess with-
out interruption those objects of luxury which long usage had
made necessary, it appeared absolutely needful they should
be created by her own industry, or grown on her own soil.
And though the cost of so producing was ruinous to the con-
sumer, and, in the long run, scarcely less so to the producer,
yet the Government and the people lulled each other with the
* The tidal navigation includes the Thames from the mouth of the Medway,
the Severn from the Holmes, the Trent from Trent-falls in the Humber, the Mersey
from Runcorn Gap.
+ Babbage.
In 1831, a commission was appointed, consisting of George Villiers, Esq., and
Dr. Bowring, to discuss conjointly with the French Government, the commercial
relations between Great Britain and France. Mr. Poulett Thomson, President of
the Board of Trade, in his letter of instructions, says :-
"There are several articles of vast importance, such as iron, cotton manufac-
tures and others which are the subjects of a ruinous system of legislation; but
though it is obvious that a reduction of duty on them would be as important to
England as advantageous to the general interests of France, yet the opposition to
such an amelioration would be so powerful, that you would probably find it vain to
contend against it at the present moment, and it may be only by degrees that it will
be possible to introduce material alterations in this particular."
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
309
fallacy, "that the cost mattered not, as the money was spent
in the nation, and the wealth of France was not expended on
foreigners."
The fact, however, cannot be denied, that many of the
efforts made by France to produce the commodities she had
been accustomed to import, were forced upon her by her
isolation, into which she was thrown by the naval superiority
of Great Britain. But these efforts, however well suited to
the peculiar exigencies of the time, and however creditable
to the ingenuity of those who exerted them, necessarily flung
the capital of France into false and unfavorable positions.
When the return of the Bourbons opened to France the com-
merce of the world, so many interests had been created, so
much labour and wealth were engaged in the production
of articles which might have been more economically im-
ported, that it was found difficult suddenly to change the
legislation which gave to the French producers the benefit of
a monopoly, without which they would have fallen; and their
fall would inevitably have brought with it much suffering
and distress.*
In France, as has already been observed in the Introduc-
tion to this work, "a very large proportion of those who are
interested in the continuance of the existing commercial
system, are elevated public functionaries, or are placed in
immediate contact with them." It would have been idle,
therefore, to have attacked great monopolies in their strongest
holds. Nor can it be denied, that some of the protected
manufactures are of such magnitude as to demand attention
and respect.
In many of them, considerable numbers of
workmen are engaged; and though their employment in pro-
tected fabrics leads to the exclusion of a far more consider-
able number of labourers in those branches of industry whose
cultivation would be the natural, instead of the forced growth
of capital, yet all serious shiftings or transfer of labour, cannot
but involve questions of difficulty and deep concern. In the
meantime, the labouring classes, impatient of the suffering
which is of necessity consequent upon the changes which
* Report on the Commercial Relations between France and Great Britain, p. 1.
310
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
every alteration of the tariff brings with it, naturally ally
themselves with their manufacturing masters, who demand
the exclusion of the foreign articles which are in competition
with their own. *
It is quite clear, that those high prices which it is the
design of a protecting system to create, are wholly incom-
patible with an extended foreign trade; for though a Govern-
ment may force its own dependents to purchase a dear or
an inferior commodity, because it is national, no Government
can compel an independent nation to buy a foreign commo-
dity that is costly or bad. A protective system necessarily
relinquishes the markets of the world for the home market,
or, if not, the public (already overcharged for the protected
articles of its own consumption) must be made to pay, in the
shape of premiums on exported articles, the whole difference
of price to the foreign consumer, between those articles, and
the similar ones which come into competition with them.†
The history of French prohibition is that of a struggle to
obtain what is inaccessible, without a violation of those laws
by which capital and labour should properly be governed; in
other words, it is the rejection of those natural advantages
which are at the command of industry, in order to acquire
advantages which, after all, are denied to it. The wines of
France, for instance,‡ afford unbounded means of exchange,
* Report, p. 8.
t Ib. p. 16.
J. Bowring, p. 167, Appendix, Second Report, 1834.
Address of the Merchants of Bordeaux, to the Legislative Chambers.-Necessity of
a Commercial Reform.
"What shall we say of iron and cast-iron which has not been repealed to satiety
for years? We regard their prohibition as the chief cause of the decline of our city
and of its commerce. The nations where iron appears the principal production were,
in effect, precisely those which consumed the most of our productions. As an object
of universal necessity, it is inconceivable that a great nation should submit to pay
treble the value of a metal which her neighbours offer in exchange for commodities
with which she overflows.
"If the mines of Aveyron present us already a slight diminution in the price,
and lead us to hope for one more considerable, we must not forget that the expence of
production is double the cost of English iron, and its transport from the mines in
ships to Bordeaux two-thirds dearer than the freight from England to Bordeaux.
Now let any one judge of the disadvantages which will always result to us in being
obliged to supply ourselves from the produce of Decazeville, seeing that the company,
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
311
and its consequent benefits have hereby been sacrificed to
iron, which is produced only at extravagant cost, and which,
when produced, is valueless, in consequence of its high price,
for all purposes of foreign trade. With her iron France can
buy nothing that is not French; the same with a great pro-
portion of her cotton and her woollen manufactures; her
wines open to her all the markets of the world.*
The annual sacrifice made by the agriculturists to the pro-
tected ironmasters, has been frequently allowed to be not less
than from 1,500,000l. to 2,000,000l. sterling per annum.
The lands cultivated in France are supposed to amount to
22,818,000 hectares, equal to 57,045,000 acres English; and it
is calculated that a team of oxen would cultivate 15 hectares:
hence, the quantity of ploughs employed in France are esti-
mated at about 1,500,000. M. de la Rochefoucault repre-
sents the annual use and waste of iron at 40 kilogrammes per
team; but it has been frequently estimated at 50 kilogrammes;
making, for the whole consumption, 75,000,000 kilo-
in order to fabricate iron of a superior quality, is obliged to procure cast-iron from
England, and to melt it again, at considerable expence at their works, situated 100
leagues from the sea. Here are facts which pass before our eyes, and which speak
more loudly than the most skilful arguments in favour of our deplorable system of
protection, France ought now to see if she can reckon upon her own resources, and
whether it is not time to restore the ancient relations which caused the prosperity of
her southern districts, by freely admitting the products of nations which offer her such
advantageous exchanges. We think, then, that it is urgent, if financial considerations,
of which we are not qualified to judge, do not allow a complete abolition of duties on
iron, that our tariffs should be reduced to the most moderate rate, and that iron should
be admitted almost free at all times when its importation shall be justified by the
wants of any enterprise of public interest, such as railroads, canals, suspension
bridges, &c. This advantage is a matter of right from the instant that the increase
of the public means of activity and general prosperity becomes concerned. Our
maritime position induces us to turn our attention to anchor and chain cables, which
we receive from England. The first pay from 11fr. to 16fr. 50c. per 100 kil. This
duty is an additional tax upon our navigation, as if it had not to struggle already
against too many disadvantages. English large anchors of a superior quality, and
better made than ours, are almost indispensable for large ships: chain cables being
prohibited, we cannot make any observations upon the duty paid. They are
smuggled: but we are too well assured of the repugnance experienced by those who
are obliged to have recourse to this extremity, not to call for a change which may
relieve them from that unpleasant position."
Report, p. 27.
312
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRade.
grammes of iron, which, at 90 francs per 100 kilogrammes,
consumes 67,500,000 francs, equal to 2,700,0001. sterling.
Now, though this estimate is too high for an average calcu-
lation, it is undeniable that the iron could be imported from
foreign countries at half the price; and the loss to agriculture
alone must be taken at above one million sterling per annum.
The annual consumption of France cannot be estimated at less
than 160,000 tons of iron. The average difference of price
between France and England has been for the last twenty
years more than 107. per ton. The smallest annual loss is
therefore 1,600,000l. The law of 1822 has been more than
ten years, that of 1814 was eight years in operation. They
have cost the French people above 30,000,000l. sterling in
positive and direct sacrifice of the national wealth, and double
that amount in indirect sacrifice. The relative prices of
French and English iron are now far more remote than they
were when the protective system was called into its present
active operation. Ruinous losses have attended many of the
iron-making adventurers; the largest of the iron companies
have become bankrupt, and so far from the protecting experi-
ment having produced the consequences anticipated by its
advocates, we shall be enabled to show that its failure bas
been as signal as its cost has been enormous.*
The ship-owners, also, represent that one of the main
causes of their non-progressive state is the burdens entailed on
them by the restrictions of the French commercial system.
The shipping of France, they report, consists of about 11,000
vessels employed in foreign commerce and fisheries. They
calculate that 102 metrical quintals of iron are employed per
250 tons: hence 1,122,000 cwts. of iron are in use in the
French commercial shipping; at 56fr. (Enquête sur les Fers,
p. 53), its value would be 62,832,000fr. It is believed that
the annual waste is about 10 per cent., say 6,283,200fr., of
which more than half, they state, is sacrificed by the shipping
*First Report on the Commercial Relation between France and Great Britain-
1832, p.
28.
+ The Enquête sur les Fers, p. 52, gives 22fr. 40c. per quintal, as the average price
of English iron, from 1816 to 1828.
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
313
interests to the ironmasters of France, whose monopoly, at
the same time, leads to an enormous increase in the value of
timber.*
While, on the other hand, the revenue is diminished by the
operation of the restrictive system, the expenses of the State
are increased on the other, wherever purchases are made for
the public service, of articles whose price has been increased
by protecting duty. The annual purchase of iron in France,
for instance, for the naval and military services, amounts to
10,000,000fr., of which considerably more than half would
be saved, if foreign iron were admitted at a moderate duty.+
The same observations as on the French restrictions may be
applied to America. These are the only rivals with whom we
have to contend, and even with respect to these, it is only in
their own markets, where the manufacture is protected at the
expence of the consumer. After the year 1842, however, our
iron will be admitted into America at a moderate duty; and
at the present time, rail-iron is admitted there, under certain
regulations, duty free.
By an Act passed on 14th July, 1832, for all iron imported
for railroads or inclined planes, by any State or Incorporated
Company, bond is to be given for the duty as usual, and
the same shall be actually laid down, the drawback shall be
allowed, or if actually paid, refunded. Provided no iron
shall be considered railroad or inclined plane iron, but such
as is prepared to be laid down without further manufacture.
It further enacts, that the secretary of the treasury may
extend the time for paying the duty bonds from time to time,
not exceeding three years.
And if the company has paid the duty the treasury will
refund it, upon their giving bond to repay it if the iron is not
laid down within three years.
And a certificate from the collector, of the time and quan-
tity of import, and another certificate of its being laid down
within the three years, are required, either to cancel the bond
or recover the drawback.‡
* Report, p. 34.
† Ibid. p. 38.
Railroad iron, as taken at the Custom House, entitled to drawback:-Bars or
rails, pedestal washers, splicing plates, flat clamps, narrow and broad.
314
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
The great advantages possessed by our own country are of
a nature not to be injured by any foreign manufacture. Our
works are situated on mineral fields containing coal and iron-
stone in abundance, both of which can be raised at a moderate
cost. Fire-clay is also found in the same ground, and lime-
stone in the immediate neighbourhood of all the mines. This
may occur in particular situations in other countries, but even
where it does, there are not the same facilities which we
possess of conveying at a moderate rate the manufactured
iron to the different markets for exportation or home con-
sumption.
*
It is truly astonishing, when we look back and consider
in how few years the iron manufacture has arrived at its present
vast extent, and that this rapid increase has occasioned no
heavy accumulations of stock; the iron trade, in common
with all other trades, feels the effect of any general stagnation,
but not from over production-as with its growth new chan-
nels of consumption have kept pace. The endless detail into
which the foundry trade branches itself, the almost universal
fabrication which it embraces, consumes a very large pro-
portion of the make: in buildings, iron is becoming a very
general substitute for wood; railroads may also be particularly
mentioned as consuming a very considerable quantity of
* As in the following instance, the ironmasters have occasionally, during a tem-
porary cessation of demand, entered into an agreement to reduce the make, rather
than lower the price.
In December 1836 the ironmasters of South Wales called a meeting of the trade,
at Newport, and agreed to the following resolutions:
"That the make of pig-iron be reduced 20 per cent."
"That the reduced make be persevered in till the 31st March, 1837."
"That the price of iron be continued at £10 per ton."
The iron-masters present agreed to blow out twenty-two furnaces, and to meet,
by a reduction of make in their remaining furnaces, the specified quantity required
of them of the one-fifth proposed to be reduced-to be calculated on the make of the
previous twelve months.
The Staffordshire, Shropshire, North Wales, and Scotch ironmasters were requested
to join in this arrangement, to which they acceded.
Again, in 1840, there was an agreed reduction in the make, of 20 per cent, to
remain in force from 22d Feb. to 1st July.
At a meeting of the Staffordshire ironmasters in March in the same year, an
interesting paper was read, relative to the source and strength of the Staffordshire
2
FROM THE YEAR 1830.
315
manufactured as well as cast iron, but principally the
former. It would be endless to shew where it has been,
within a few years introduced, but we cannot omit noticing
its recent application to the building of ships. The success
attending these first trials cannot but lead to the con-
clusion, that for the future, ships will very generally be
made of iron instead of wood, and if so, what a field it
opens to the ironmaster, and how greatly it will add to the
consumption. The plates of which the ships will be built
must necessarily be of a very superior description of iron,
involving a greater waste, and consequently increasing the
consumption of the pig-iron; and those works must be bene-
fited, the quality and character of whose iron stands high-as,
where the safety of hundreds or thousands of individuals is at
stake, the very best iron alone should be used.
With increased facilities of procuring iron at a reasonable
price, America, and also France,* provided that in this latter
Iron Trade. By which it appeared that there were 581 puddling furnaces, con-
suming weekly 7262 tons of pigs.
The make of pigs in 1839 was ....
Deduct, as agreed upon, 20 per cent.
•
338,737 tons.
67,747
270,990,,
5211 tons.
which is equal to per week
Deduct used in castings and foundry purposes 1400
Shropshire, Welsh, and other pigs used in
Staffordshire..
supply for the puddling furnaces.
3811,,
to which quantity add
}
1000
There are left 4811 tons of forge pigs as a weekly
The consequence is, the stocks accumulated during the late stoppage are rapidly
decreasing, and prices therefore must keep up.
* The duties were to be taken into consideration in 1840; but the commercial
treaty lingered till the misunderstanding between this country and France, on the
affairs of the East, seems to have stopped it for an indefinite period.
In answer to a question on this subject from Lord Strangford, who stated his
conviction was, that nothing could tend more to the prosperity of the empire than
the establishment of a fair and liberal system of commercial intercourse between this
country and France:
Lord Melbourne said, that negotiations had been in progress on this subject up
to a few months ago, and they had been brought to such a point that there was every
reason to hope for a speedy and successful termination of them. Circumstances,
316
HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE.
country the duties are reduced, will become large purchasers;
and our iron-trade, unlike many of the other manufactures,
being altogether the production of our own soil, will continue
to give employment to hundreds of thousands of our popula-
tion, to the great advantage of the country at large, as well,
we trust, as the individual benefit of the ironmaster.
however, had taken place in the last year, interrupting the negociation, which had
not since been renewed. The misunderstanding was now, however, at an end, and
there was every reason to hope that the negociation would be renewed, and that it
would lead to an arrangement between the two countries, which would promote the
interchange of their respective productions to the great benefit of both.-The Times,
27 March, 1841.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
NOTES TO CHAPTER II.
1. Ship-building, and the founding of iron cannon, were the
sole manufactures in which the English excelled in James the
First's reign. They seem, indeed, to have possessed alone the
secret of the latter, and great complaints were made every Parlia-
ment against the exportation of English ordnance.-Appendix to
Hume's History of Great Britain.
2. Charles the First, in 1637, by proclamation, ordered the
pigs and bars of iron made in England to be marked by his sur-
veyors of the iron works, to prevent the sale of bad iron, and that
iron was not to be exported without the king's licence, under pain
of forfeiture, &c. Those surveyors were also empowered to enter
any woods that were felled, cut or corded, to be converted into
coal for making of iron, whereby it might appear of what condition
those woods were that should be employed that way, and that
they be not cut down contrary to law.-Macpherson's Annals of
Commerce.
3. 1661.-A petition from persons connected with the manu-
facture of iron was presented to the House, praying that a duty
might be put upon foreign iron; it was referred to a committee,
who reported that they were of opinion that the whole imposition
upon all foreign iron, except Spanish, be 40s. per ton. It was
negatived in the House.-Journals of the House of Commons.
4. 1679.—A duty of 10s. per ton was laid upon all foreign iron
imported.— Ibid.
320
APPENDIX.
5. 1681.-Andrew Yarrington, in a work entitled " England's
Improvement by Sea and Land," asserts that tin plates (iron plates
tinned over) were now made in England through his means, he
having learnt the art of making them in Bohemia. Little was at
this time done in this manufacture; in the year 1720 it was one of
the many projects set afloat, and, in 1740, it was brought to con-
siderable perfection.
6. 1685.-Manufacture of fine ironmongery in England im-
proved by French refugees.
7. 1689.—A petition of divers freemen of London was presented
to the House, praying that the importation of iron wire might be
allowed.-Journals of the House of Commons.
8. 5th William and Mary, c. 17, an Act was passed for the
exportation of iron, &c., setting forth that, "Whereas, by several
statutes, the one made in the 28th year of Edward III., and the
other in the 33d year of Henry VIII., and another in the 2d year
of Edward VI., iron, copper, &c., are prohibited to be exported
out of this realm, under several penalties, in the said statutes
respectively contained:
"Be it, therefore, enacted, &c., that from and after the 25th
March, 1694, it shall be lawful to ship and export all manner of
iron, &c., except unto and for the use of the French king, or any
of his subjects residing within his dominions, &c., during the
present war."
9. The ingenious William Chetwyord, of Rugely, Esq., at
Madely furnace, cast iron rollers for gardens, hollow, like the mills
for sugar canes, of 5, 6, 7, or 800 weight a-piece; the hollow
whereof being filled with timber, and wedged up close, the other
iron work of the roller is fastened to the wood in the same place as
in other rollers, which are weightier and more substantial than any
other rollers I have elsewhere seen. For such purposes as these,
this serves well enough, but for others it will not, for it is so brit-
tle, that, being heated, with one blow of a hammer it will break all
to pieces. Plott's Nat. History of Staffordshire, 1686.
10. In the early part of the eighteenth century, John Hanbury
invented the method of rolling iron plates by means of cylinders,
and introduced the art of turning into England.-Coxe's Tour in
Monmouthshire.
11. In 1720, celebrated in the annals of our history for the
great South Sea speculation, among the many projects of that
APPENDIX.
321
year, Mr. W. Wood, a great iron proprietor, endeavoured to
establish an iron partnership, or company. Mr. Wood had then a
lease of all the mines on the crown lands of thirty-nine counties-
some of the best iron works in the kingdom; several forges for
refining and drawing iron into bars; also a mill, for rolling,
slitting, and preparing the iron for its several uses in manufac-
tures, furnaces for making pig-iron, pots, rails, and banisters,
backs and hearths for chimneys, and all other sorts of cast-iron.
With a view to introduce his scheme, he wrote a pamphlet, to prove
that England possessed within herself all the essentials to the manu-
facture of iron. He observes-
“That the iron manufacture, next to the woollen manufacture,
is the most considerable of all others in this nation. That we
then used about 30,000 tons of iron per annum, of which, for
want of a sufficient supply of cord wood, we are forced to buy of
our neighbours about 20,000 tons, with ready money, which, at
107. per ton, is 200,000l. per annum. That we have ironstone
enough, and may be able to supply ourselves with cord wood to
make the greater part, if not the whole, of the iron we want, by
planting and raising coppices on waste, and other lands of small
value, and laying down a certain quantity of acres for the growth
of timber trees."
The distress which ensued on the bursting of the South Sea
bubble, put a stop to all the other schemes of the day, and Mr.
Wood's iron partnership was not carried into effect.
APPENDIX A.
Copies of the certificates transmitted to the Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations by the Governors, Lieutenant-Governors,
or Commanders-in-Chief of his Majesty's Colonies in America,
in pursuance of an Act of the 23d of his present Majesty's
reign, containing accounts of any mill or engine for slitting or
rolling of iron, and any plating forge to work with
a tilt
* Page 73.
Y
322
APPENDIX.
hammer, and any furnace for making steel, erected in any
his Majesty's Colonies in America.
Maryland ...
Pennsylvania 1
Mill or engine for
slitting or rolling
iron.
Plating forge to work
with a tilt-hammer.
Furnace
for making
steel.
2
1, with 2 tilt-hammers
1
New Jersey.. 1, not now in use 1, not now in use..
New York
Connecticut ..
Massachus. B. 1.. 1
1, ditto
1
1 ditto
1..1..1
1. 1..1..1.. 1
•
1
APPENDIX B.*
Navy Office, 8th March, 1736.
Copies of the several REPORTS made to the Commissioners of the
Navy, by the Officers of his Majesty's yards, of the tryals of
iron imported from the plantations, prepared pursuant to an
order of the Honourable House of Commons of the 4th instant.
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at Dept-
ford, to the Navy Board, dated the 3d October, 1735" Hav-
ing, in obedience to your warrant of the 11th July last, received
from Mrs. Crowley about six tuns of the bar-iron of different
sorts which she lately imported from America, we sent one tun
thereof to each of the other yards, and have made a strict and
careful survey and tryal of the sorts that remained, by causing
several bars to be broke cold, and others wrought into bolts and
hoops, seeing them drove very tight, by which the said iron
appears to be a good tough sort, and fit for the service of the
navy. We are, therefore, of opinion, it is equal in goodness to the
first sort of Arground's Sweeds iron, and worth the same price,
namely-177. 10s. a tun."
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at Dept-
ford, to the Navy Board, dated 23d February, 1736" Pur-
suant to your order of the 17th instant, we pray leave to acquaint
you, that the tun of American iron imported by Mrs. Crowley, and
directed to this yard for an experiment, has been wholly wrought
up, and applied to such uses for which it was most fit, as hoops,
bolts, &c., and were carefully surveyed in making and driving, as
we acquainted your honours in our report of the 3d October last;
and we continue of the same opinion of its goodness and value.
* Page 75.
APPENDIX.
323
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at Chat-
ham, to the Navy Board, dated the 8th September, 1735 :-" In
obedience to your warrant of the 11th of July last, we have re-
ceived and made tryal of Mrs. Crowley's iron, imported from
America, which we have wrought-the flatts into strakes for timber
carts, horse-shoes, for mooring collars, scrapers, and sockets for
scavel men, and mast hoops-the squares into tackle hooks, cart
nails, and several sorts of bolts; and, upon working the same, it
appeared to be very tough, and in every respect equal in goodness
and value to the best Sweeds iron."
Copy of another letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard
at Chatham, to the Navy Board, dated the 23d February, 1736 :—
"The tun of American iron of Mrs. Crowley's, sent to this yard
for a tryal of its goodness, was all worked up into bolts, tackle
hooks, strakes, and nails for cart wheels, &c., as we acquainted
you by our letter of the 8th September last, since which the bolts
have been used, and drove very well; the tackle hooks have been
tryed as usual, and stood the strain of a fourfold tackle, and the
strakes and nails that were put upon cart wheels are still remain-
ing on them, and in good order-none of the heads of the nails
having broke, and we have had no complaints of any of the other
particulars mentioned in our letter that were made of the said iron,
all which confirms us in our opinion that it is tough in its nature,
and equal in goodness and value to Sweeds iron."
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at
Sheerness, to the Navy Board, dated 26th February, 1736" As
we are ordered by your warrant of the 8th August last, to cause
the tun of Mrs. Crowley's American iron, sent hither from Dept-
ford, to be worked up, we humbly acquaint you, in answer thereto,
and to your order of the 17th instant, that, as the service here has
called for the sorts that were sent us, which were flatts of two and
a quarter inches broad, and half an inch thick, and squares of
seven-eighths of an inch, those sorts have been used, and about
one-third part of the whole converted to boom iron, square
staples, bolts, and thimbles; in the making of them the iron
proved very extraordinary, and the bolts that have been drove,
which is the only proof we have had of it, proves equal to the best
Sweeds iron, and in our opinion is of equal value."
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at Ports-
mouth, to the Navy Board, dated 24th February, 1736-" In
Y 2
324
APPENDIX.
obedience to your directions of the 24th September last, we have
caused the tun of iron, imported from America by Mrs. Crowley,
to be wrought up, which we found to be very tough, not any ways
coldshire, but two or three of the bars in working proved a little
redshire. It is equal in goodness to the best Sweeds iron that
hath at any time been received into his Majesty's stores here; and
is, in our humble opinion, worth 177. 10s. per tun.”
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at Ply-
mouth, to the Navy Board, dated 22nd February, 1736" Obe-
dient to your directions of the 17th, have to acquaint you, that from
the several tryals we have had from the tun of iron imported by
Mrs. Crowley from America, it is both in the nature and goodness
and value in all respects with Sweeds iron."
"Mrs.
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at Dept-
ford, to the Navy Board. dated 20th September, 1735 :—
Crowley having sent hither the Philadelphia and Maryland iron,
mentioned in your honours' warrant of the 26th May last, we have
surveyed the same, found no marks thereon to distinguish one
sort from the other, but broke several bars of each sort, and find-
ing most part of the said iron to be brittle, with a grain like cast
iron, or pott mettle, and no ways fit for his Majesty's service in
this yard, we returned the whole quantity to Mrs. Crowley again."
Copy of a letter from the officers of his Majesty's yard at
Woolwich, to the Navy Board, dated 3d September, 1735:-
"We have lately received from his Majesty's yard at Deptford,
barr-iron flatts of two and a quarter inches broad, and half an
inch thick-15 cwt. 0 qr. 4 lbs., squares of seven-eighths of an
inch-5 cwt. 0 qr. 12 lbs., imported by Mrs. Crowley from Ame-
rica; and, pursuant to your warrant of the 11 July, 1735, have
made sufficient tryal of each of the sorts, find the said iron to be
very good, and fit for his Majesty's service, superior in every
respect to the best Sweeds iron, and, in our opinion, worth
171. 10s. 6d. per tun."
The following are Parliamentary Tables of IMPORTS and EXPORTS
of IRON and STEEL, from the year 1710 to the year 1776.
These returns, ordered by the House of Commons at different
times, have reference principally to the trade and encouragement
of the manufacture of iron, in our American Colonies.
2
APPENDIX.
325
TABLE I.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED INTO
ENGLAND FROM CHRISTMAS, 1710, TO CHRISTMAS, 1718, FROM
FOREIGN COUNTRIES,
With Duties payable thereon, and how much the same amounted to, distinguishing each
country and each year.
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1710, TO CHRISTMAS, 1711.
Amount of
Custom.
£114 19
342 15 10
4
1,569 5 5
493 10 4
173 17 11
London.
Out Ports.
Total of both.
COUNTRIES.
T.
c. q. lb.
T. c. q. lh.
T. C. 7. lb.
Denm. & Nor.
15
8 3 17
E. Country
48
81 0
35 50 5
116 15 0 8
50 13 3 22
165 3 1 8
France
•
Germany
581
4 0 22
Holland
Ireland.
167 5 0 1
237 15 1 13
174 5 0 19
Portugal
0 12 1 21
748 9 0 23
237 15 1 13
174 5 0 19
0 12 1 21
Russia
Spain.
Sweden.
869 73 22
5890 19 2 21
Guernsey
470
5962
14
6 3 13
3 3 16
3 3 7
1339 14 3
11853
14
7
32 9
3 3 7
3,370 7 3
25,164 11 7
29 8 11
Jersey
Totals..
7406
1 1 19 7178 0 0 26
14584
1 2 17 31,260 8 3
1 11 8
1711-1712.
Denm. & Nor. 280 14 1 11
E. Country
55 16 0 0
89 8 3 24
1465 13 2 14
370
1521
3 1 7
9 2 14
£828 9
3,156 18 0
1
France
• • •
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden..
Guernsey
•
•
• •
563 5 1 22
•
•
•
111 32 9
182 17 0 18
7 2 3 26
674 9 0 3
182 17 0 18
7 2 3 26
1,407 15 4
379 10 11
7 0 8
594 4 1 0
7627 12 2 18
•
589
5681
1 19 1 0
48
6 2 15
23 4
62 1
1183 10 3 15
13308 15 1 22
50 5 3 1
2 968 4 9
27,913 10 11
104 7 5
Jersey
Totals.. 9123 11 3 23
1712-1713.
8175
2 0 27
17298 14 0 22 36,765 17 1
Denm. & Nor. 182 10 2 7
138 2 1 19
E. Country
121 5 1 14
141 15 1 0
•
•
320 12 3 26
263 0 2 14
£664 1 3
545 18 9
France.
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Portugal
Russia
257 16 2
7
339 13 0 12
597
48
7 3
5
71 13 3 16
45
120
9 2 19
1 2 21
1,240 4 4
249 4 11
4 3 16
•
•
45
4 3 16
45 3 0
Spain
Sweden
Guernsey
Jersey
240
4565
•
11 18 1
0
1 1 14 1021 4 3 2
6 3 8 6892 2 2 19
16 1 2 0
3 16 1
9
1261 6 0 16
11457 9 1 27
16 1 2 0
15 14 2 9
2,742 17 7
24,191 13 5
33 7 1
32 12 10
Totals.. 5427 6 2 27 8669 14 3 9
14097 1 2 8
29,745 3 2
326
APPENDIX.
1713-1714.
TABLE I. (continued.)
London.
Out Ports.
Total of both.
COUNTRIES.
T. c. q. lb.
T.
Denm. & Nor.
E. Country
France
Germany
Holland
248 0 0 18
125 15 1 22
3 13 0 0
359 5 1 13
c. q. lb.
97 2 0 17
159 17 0 17
T.
Ireland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden.
Guernsey
Jersey
315 12 3 20
61 13 3 13
37 3 1 24
3 1 24
c. q. th.
345 2 1 7
285 12 2 11
3 13 0 0
674 18 1 5
61 13 3 13
37
Amount of
Customs.
£733 13 1
384 16 2
16 0.
0.6
1,400 17 6
128 1 0
37 1 10
•
13
252 17 0 17
• •
• •
12002 19 3 18
0 0 0
467 15 0 7
7751 2 1 15
2 1 15
13 0 0
720 12 0 24
19754
19754 2 1 5
0
26 19 8
1,553 10 8
41,019 17 0
•
3
1 1
0
3
1 1 0
6 7 1
Totals..12992 11 0 4 8906 8 1 1 21898 19 1 5
45,337 4 6
1714-1715.
Africa
Denm. & Nor. 402 17 i
E. Country
Flanders
France
Germany
Holland
•
0
148
6 0 12
551
3 1 12
£1,165 10 5
..
83 6 0
0
72
16 3 1
156
2 3 1
341 2 3
20
5 0 21
20
5 0 21
42
1 0
93 13 0 0 391
8 2 24
522 14 1 12
40 1 3 14
485 1 2 24
522 14 1 12
40 1 3 14
1,007
7
4:
4
1,083
4 4
40 O 4
Ireland
Italy.
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden
303 13 3 21
8266 16 0 2
1005
6278
4 1 17
4 0 21
1308 18 1 10
14545 0 0 23
2,843 8 4
30,621 15 0
Guernsey
Jersey
22 11 3 7
22 11 3 7
113
Totals.. 9150 6 0 23
8501 13 1 17
17651 19 2 12
46 15 9
37,191 4 9
1715-1716.
Africa
Denm. & Nor.
178 12 3 0
E. Country
8 1 3 0
281 3 0 25
65 6 2 24
459 15 3 25
73 8 1 24
£979 0 11
153 1 9
Flanders
France
Germany
37 12 2 7
Guernsey
Jersey
Holland
Ireland
...
Italy.
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden.
•
30 0 0 0
795 14 0 15
7604 17 3 7
5 10 0 0
242 18 3 23
245 5 1 27
2 51 1
280 11 2 2
582 11 8
245
5 1 27
509 1 10
2
5 1 1
2 4 3
4 4 1
44 60 0
954 13 2 27
4283 13 1 0
18 0 2 22
25 4 1 0
7
4
4 1
7
8 14 11
74
6 0 0
1750 7 3 14
11888 11 0 7
23 10 2 22
25 4 1 0
154 4 3
3,886 6 7
25,061 4 5
48 17
1
52 6 7
Totals.. 8660 9 0 1 6167
1 3 16 14827 10 3 17
31,437 14 3
APPENDIX.
327
TABLE I. (continued.)
1716-1717.
COUNTRIES,
Africa
London.
Out Ports.
Total of both.
T. c. q. lb.
Ꭲ .
c. q. lb.
T. c. q. lb.
4 4 1 14
4 4 1 14
Denm. & Nor.
247
E. Country
22 0
3 17 3 0
124
9 3 18
371 12 1 18
Amount of
Customs.
£8 15 1
783 3 1
39
2 0 2
42 19 3 2
16 2 7
Flanders
107 13 2 19
5 10 0
0
113
3 2 19
254 4 8
France
3 17 0
0
3 17 0 0
Germany
398 8 1 19
74 12 2
5
473
0 3 24
Holland
Ireland
•
Italy
Portugal
Russia
1478
9 2 22
450 17 1
9
1929
7 0 3
8
12
1 2 0
209
9 3
1
217 11 1
1
7 19 10
919 14 6
4,004 13 0
217 2 2
•
166
Spain
Sweden.
•
...
7 1 2
1368 5 2 15
1020 19 3
5
2 2 26
1375 17 3 14
171 10 0
0
2744
3 2
3 2
1
1
0
406 13 0 7
Guernsey
Jersey
6 14 2
0
18 15 3 14
15 14 1 0
1427 12 3 7
25 10 1 14
15 14 1 0
355 19 5
5,986 18 6
3,184 1 2
52 19 4
32 12 3
Totals.. 4810 5 0 7 2730 2 1 12
7540 7 1 19
15,824 5 7
1717-1718.
Africa
2 16 0
0
Denm. & Nor.
734 15 3 0
E. Country
..
Flanders
..
France
Germany
Holland
...
Ireland
Italy..
Portugal
Russia
3076 1 0 3
218 11 0 24
21 22 0
180 19 1 14
3687 17 1 26
35 0 0 0
3 17 3 0
320 3 0 11
1257 11 3 21
7 9 1 13
13 5 3 10
434 12 0 4
4242 14 0 25
370 14 3 6
97 3 2 10
1178 19 3 9
2 16 0 0
1054 18 3 11
4333 12 3 24
226 0 2 9
34 8 1 10
615 11 1 18
7930 11 2 23
405 14 3 6
3 17 3 0
£5 16 2
2,191 8 0
9,036 17 9
498 2 4
120 5 9
1,284 13 10
16,460 18 3
407 17 11
8 1 4
•
Spain
Sweden.
237 5 1 19
1013 9 1 25
74 11 0 0
Guernsey
19 9 1 15
Jersey
7 15 3 14
334 9 0
2192 9 1
74 11 0 0
19 9 1 15
7 15 3 14
1
6
699 5 9
4,704 2 0
154 14 8
23 16 4
16 3 5
Totals.. 9286 6 3 27 7949 19 3 26
17236
17236 6 3 25 35,612 3
3 6
DUTY PER TON ON BAR IRON IMPORTED.
From all places except Ireland.
In a British ship. In a Foreign ship.
•
per ton £1
1 613
Impost,
Old subsidy
New subsidy
13 and subsidy
Totals....
0 6 718
£1 10 115
20
0 6 7100
0 6 716
0
6
716
20
0
6 718
0 6
2 1 620
20
6 71890
2 10 1013
Imported
from Ireland.
£0 6 716
20
20
0 6 7180
0 6 718
0 19 11
The Inspector-General keeps in his books the quantity of goods imported from all
foreign countries into England only, under the heads of "London," and the "out-
ports," which is the reason he cannot distinguish what is imported into the several
out-ports. He receives not accounts from Scotland, so that this is for England only.
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
328
APPENDIX.
TABLE II.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITIES OF IRON IN BARS, PIGS, OR
SOWS, IMPORTED INTO ENGLAND FROM THE PLANTATIONS.
Distinguishing each species, with the duties payable thereon, and how much the same
amounted to, from Christmas, 1710,* to Christmas, 1718, distinguishing each plan-
tation and each year.
Barbadoes... .... London.
Nevis'
•
BAR IRON.
CHRISTMAS, 1717.
Imported.
T. c. q. lb.
St. Christopher.. London. 1 10 0 0
Duty.
CHRISTMAS, 1718.
Imported. Duty,
T. c. q. lb.
£1 18 3
Out-ports
0 18 1 20
London.
Out-ports 0 10 0
10 0 0
£1
0
9
0 16
0 16 1 12
1 13 11
3 2 3
Out-ports
Virginia
Maryland.
> London.
..
S Out-ports
3 700
6 19
1
Totals.... 2 00 0
4 3 0
5 13
4
10 11 3
DUTY ON ONE TON OF PIG IRON.
Old subsidy
New subsidy
and subsidy.
Impost, 16903
Totals...
£0
0 11280
0
0 11/0
20
0 0 11280
0 0 11
£0 3 920
3920
DUTY ON ONE TON OF BAR IRON.
Impost
Old subsidy
New subsidy
•
and subsidy
Total
£1
1
6!
600
20
0
6
716
20
0
6
74
20
0
6
7
£2
1 6320
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
TABLE III.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF STEEL IMPORTRD INTO
ENGLAND, FROM CHRISTMAS, 1718, TO CHRISTMAS, 1735,
The Duty payable thereon, and what the Duties have amounted to, distinguishing each
year and each country from whence imported.
1718-1719.
C.
Imported.
1. lb.
Duties.
£ s. d.
1720.
Imported.
C. q. lb.
Duties.
£ s. d.
E. Country
Flanders
Germany
Holland.
43 3 14
62 0
2212 2 12
20 13 9
3 1 3
1043 7
8
19 1 7
2719 1 14
9 1 0
1282 7 1
Ireland
Sweden
Venice
• • •
.. •
20 1 27
9 13 3
9 1 0
12 1 7
4 6 3
5 16 1
Totals
2283 1 25
1076 15 11
2760 1 0 1301 10 5
*The returns were ordered from 1710, but no iron was imported previous to 1717.
329
E. Country
Flanders
Germany
Holland..
Ireland
Imported.
C. q. lb.
Duties.
£ s. d.
APPENDIX.
TABLE III. (continued.)
1721.
Imported.
C. q. lb.
1722.
Duties.
£ s. d.
36 0 24
2912 1 12
17 1 7
1373 7 2
34 1
1963 1 13
4
16 3 5
925 17 0
702
3 6 2
22 0
1 3 7
•
Sweden
Venice
Totals
2951 0 8
1391 12 4
2004 2 19
945 6 7
1723.
1724.
E. Country
Flanders
Germany
Holland.
10 3 3
❤
2526 3 17
1191 11 10
Ireland
2412 2 13
01 0
5 1 7
1137 14 0
0 2 4
Sweden
Venice
..
37 3 3
33
17 163
Totals
2564 2 20 1209
8 1
2423 2 16
1142 17 11
1725.
1726.
E. Country
Flanders
Germany
Holland.
Ireland
Sweden
Venice
•
•
17 2 17
2909 0 0
47 1 0
8 6 6
1371 17 0
22 3 4
8 3 0
2925 0 7
4 2 7
1379 7 0
Totals
2973 3 17
1402 6 10
2933 3 7 1383 9 7
1727.
1728.
E. Country
26 0 7
Flanders
58 0 0
12 5 9
27 7 0
3 3 21
1 17 1
Germany
Holland..
19 1 0
2620 3 16
9 1 7
1235 18 3
34 1 16
2132 1 16
16 4 4
1005 11 1
Ireland
•
Spain..
Sweden
42 0
2 2 5
60 022
500
28 8
2 7
82
2
Venice
Totals
2728 2 23
1286 15 0
2235 3 19
1054 8 4
1729.
1730.
E. Country.
Flanders
Germany
Holland.
•
Spain.
Sweden
Venice
50 0
1879 0 19
100
2 7 2
886 2 10
3264 0 9
1539 4 5
1 0 0
0 95
1 1 16
40 0
0 13 0
1 17 8
5 1 19
2 11 1
Totals
1885 0 19
888 19 5
3274 3 16
1544 6 2
330
APPENDIX.
TABLE III. (continued.)
1731.
Imported.
C. 9. lb.
Duties.
£ s. d.
Imported.
C. q. lb.
1732.
Duties.
£ s. d.
Denmark & Norway
4 2 24
2 4 8
E. Country
Flanders
20 0 0
9 8
8 7
Germany
Holland.
•
1 3 4
2312 2 17
0 16 9
1090 11 11
Italy
Spain.
Sweden
Venice
5 3 19
2364 1 10
20 0 0
19
2 15 9
1114 18 5
9 8 7
•
410 0 0
193 6 9
Totals
2749 0 17 1296 8 8
25 1 4
2415 2 5 1139
12 0 1
2 10
1733.
1734.
E. Country
Denmark & Norway
Flanders
Germany
Holland..
Italy
Spain..
Sweden
Venice
35 1 11
2236 2 10
16 13 4
1054 13 9
4154 3 25
1959 6
6 10
•
13 21
0 18 3
Totals
2271 3 21 1071 7 1
4156 3 18 1960 5 1
1735.
Imported.
C. q. lb.
Duties.
£
Denmark & Norway
2 1 14
s. d.
1 1 4
E. Country.
60 0 0
28 5 10
Flanders
0 1 21
0 4 1
Germany
Holland.
4 1 20
2 1 9
2645 1 10
1247
8 9
·
Italy
Spain.
Sweden
Venice
•
•
19
19 2 15
9 5 1
•
•
Total ... 2732 0 24
1288 6 10
DUTIES ON ONE CWT OF STEEL.
Old subsidy
New subsidy
and subsidy
Impost, 1690..
Total
£0 1
0
52%
1 520
0 1 520
05
117
£0 9 520
Note. The accounts for the out-ports not being yet returned to the Inspector-
General for the year 1736, is the reason this account ends at Christmas, 1735. He
also receives no account from Scotland, so that this account is for England only.
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
Custom House, London, March 28, 1737.
1
APPENDIX.
331
TABLE IV.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IN BARS, PIGS, OR
SOWS, IMPORTED INTO ENGLAND FROM CHRISTMAS, 1728,*
TO CHRISTMAS, 1735, FROM THE PLANTATIONS.
Distinguishing each species, with the Duties payable thereon, and how much the same
amounted to, and distinguishing each Plantation and year.
BAR-IRON,
1731.
Countries. London. Out Ports.
T.c.q. lb.
lb.
T.c.q.lb.
Amount of
Customs.
Carolina
1
2 0 0 £2 14 0
Jamaica...
New York..
Pennsylvania
Virgin. Myl.
Totals..
1734.
Carolina
Jamaica...
New York..
Pennsylvania
1733.
London. Out Ports.
T.c.q. lb. T. c. q. lb.
o il
•
0 11 3 0
Amount of
Customs.
•
£1 4 4
1 2 0 0 2 14
0 0 1130
1 4 4
1735.
0 0 2 12 £0 1
4
Virgin. Myl.
10 17 3 0
44 9 0 21
£22 12 0
92 5 7
0 0 2 12 0 1 4
Totals..
114 17 7
* No bar-iron imported in the years 1729, 1730, and 1732 inclusive.
55 6 3 21
PIG-IRON.
1728-29.
Countries.
Antigua
Barbadoes
London.
T. c. q. lb.
Out Ports.
Total of both.
T.
c. q. lb.
T.
c. q. lb.
1
0 0 0
1 0 0 0
Amount of
Customs.
£0 3 9
Carolina
1 10 0
4
0 0
0 0
0
5
1 0 0
0 19 1
•
Jamaica
3 0 0
0
17
14 1 18
20 14 1 18
3 18 6
Pennsylvania
99 13 2
0
174 12 3 21
274
St. Christopher.
200
0 0
0
Virginia, Maryl. 344 9 1 24
508 6 3 15
315
2
852 16 1 11
61 21
0 0 0
51 19 0
0 7 7
161 10 0
W.Indies in gen.
Totals.. 450 3 3 24
705 14 0 26
1155 18 0 22
218 17 11
1730.
Antigua
Barbadoes
9° 0 0 0
9 00 0
18
Carolina
10
3 1 0
Jamaica
9 13 1 0
5
1 1 10
Pennsylvania.. 105 16 0 0
83
0 0 20
St. Christopher.
2 9 1 21
Virginia, Maryl. 779 17 3 14 746 17 2 1
W.Indies in gen.
0 0 0
10 3 1 0
14 14 2 10
188 16 0 20
2 9 1 21
1526 15 1 15
£3 8 3
1 18 6
2 15 9
35 15 1
0 9 4
289 2 6
Totals.. 906 16 2 7 854 2 1 3
1760 18 3 10
333 9 5
332
1730-1731.
APPENDIX.
TABLE IV. (continued.)
Out ports.
London.
Countries.
T.
c. q. lb.
T. c. q.
lb.
Total of both.
T. c. q.
c. q. lb.
Amount of
Customs.
Antigua
Barbadoes
Carolina
Jamaica
5
0 0 0
Pennsylvania
88
1 3 27
81
17 10 0 0
1 2 16
St. Christopher
5 16 3 0
Virgin., Maryl. 1367 15 3 7
713 6 1 20
W. Ind. in gen.
5 19 1
0
22 10 0 0
169 3 2 15
5 16 3 0
2081 2 0 27
5 19 1 0
£4 5 3
32 0 9
1 2 1
394 2 4
1 2 7
Totals.. 1472 13 3 6
811 18 0 8
2284 11 3 14
432 13 0
1731-32.
Antigua
Barbadoes
::
Carolina
Jamaica
10
0 0
0 0
0
Pennsylvania.
52
11 0 26
54
0 0 17
St. Christopher
Virgin. Maryl. 1504 18 1 15
721 5 0 13
10 0 0 0
106 11 1 15
2226
£1 17 11
20 3 7
2226 .3 2
32 0
W. Ind. in gen.
422 11 7
Totals.. 1567 9 2 13
775
5 1 2
2342 14 3 15
444 13 1
1732-1733.
Barbadoes
Carolina
Jamaica
New England.
Pennsylvania
43 3 2 11
52
St. Christopher
Virgin., Maryl. 1669 14 1 13
1 3 7
639 17 2 9
95 5 1 18
2309 11 3 22
18
0 10
437 7 6
Totals.. 1712 17 3 24
691 19 1 16
2404 17 1 12
455 8 4
1733-1734.
Barbadoes
6 12 8
6
1 2 8
£1 3 0
Carolina
700
7
0 0 0
1 6 6
Jamaica
New England.
Pennsylvania.
59 4 3 0
St. Christopher
Virgin., Maryl. 1397 17 3 7
88 3 0 11 147 7 3 11
644 4 2 24
2042 2 2 3
28 18 3
386 14 7
Totals.. 1464 2 2 7
738 9 1 15
2202 11 3 22
418
2 4
1734-1735.
Barbadoes
Carolina
3 90 0
3 90 0
£0 13 1
7 00 0
0 6 0
147 14 0 1
0
*
1 13 0 0
Jamaica
New England.
Pennsylvania
St. Christopher
Virgin., Maryl. 1353 8 0 10
Totals.. 1513 10 0 11
1056 17 3 0 2570 7 3 11
7
0 0 0
1 6 6
0
6 0 0
0 1 1
47 17 2 21 195 11 2 22
32 0 9
1009 0 0 7
1 13 0 0
2362 8 0 17
0 6 3
447
7 7
481 15 3
APPENDIX.
333
•
DUTY ON ONE TON OF PIG IRON.
Old subsidy
New subsidy.
and subsidy
Impost 1693
•
•
Total....
£0
0 11/2/200
0
0 11
0 0 11
20
0
0 115
20
0 3 920
DUTY ON ONE TON OF BAR IRON.
Impost
Old subsidy
New subsidy
•
and subsidy
•
£1 1
615
0 6
716
20
0 6
716
20
0 6
716
20
Total.....
2 1 620
Note The Accounts for the out-ports not yet being returned to the Inspector-
General for the year 1736, is the reason this ends at Christmas, 1735. The Inspec-
tor-General in his books keeps the quantity of goods imported from all foreign coun-
tries into England only under the heads of London and the out-ports, which is
the reason he cannot distinguish what is imported into the several outports. He
receives no accounts from Scotland, so that is for England only.
TABLE V.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED INTO
ENGLAND FROM CHRISTMAS, 1728, TO CHRISTMAS, 1735, FROM
FOREIGN COUNTRIES,
With the Duties thereon payable, and how much the same amounted to,
distinguishing each country and each year.
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1728, TO CHRISTMAS, 1729.
Total of both.
T. h. 9. lb.
362 9 0 10
76 10 0 2
10 0 1 26
35 7 0 25
Amount of
Customs.
£784 15 11
158 16 3
20 16 1
189 18 6
1469 11 11
35 4 8
London.
Denm. & Nor.
East Country.
T.
c. g. lb.
270 8 2 20
26 3 2 21
10
28 6 0 0
72 11 3 18
Out Ports.
T. h. q. lb.
92 0 1 18
50 6 1 9
0 1 26
62 18 3 24
634 18 3 22
35 7 0 25
91 4 3 24
707 10 3 12
994 3 0 14
488 17 2 0
8704 1 3 11
90 7 1 22
1237 1 3 19
6456 10 0 21
1084 10 2 8
1725 19 1 19
15160 12 0 4
Guernsey
Jersey
• •
:
5 18 2
1
5 18 2 1
12 6
1
Totals.. 10584 12 3 0 8675 10 1 19
19260 3 0 19
3 0 19 40,915 0 11
Flanders
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Italy
Russia
Spain
Sweden..
•
2279 18 9
3525 5 8
32439 7 7 1
334
APPENDIX.
1729-1730.
TABLE V. (continued.)
London.
Out Ports.
Total of both.
Denm. & Nor.
East Country
Flanders
Germany
Holland
Ireland
T. h. 9. lb.
397 0 1 11
T. h. q. lb.
T.
h.•
9. lb.
193
37 10 3 26
0 2 18
202 3 1 23
590
1 0 1
239 14 1 21
Amount of
Customs.
£1237 6 10
503 3 8
•
•
26
•
60
1 0 27
11 12
197 14 2 23
223 15 3 22
1048
9 2 24
1108 11 0 8
37
8 3 18
•
Italy.
Russia
Spain
Sweden.
Guernsey
Jersey
•
21 10 3 0
357 14 1 3
37 8 3 18
21 10 3 0
464 10 9
2301 0 3
37 7 1
44 14 1
115
20 6
472 16 1
9
983 8 6
529 14 1 19
9897 12 3
3
•
908 8 1 12
7743 11 3 25
1 10 0 0
1438
23 3
2970 14 11
17641
4 3
0
36970 1 6
1
10 0
0
3 2 3
2 10 0 0
2
10 0 0
5 3
9
Totals.. 11327 6 0 17 10449 19 2 9 21777
21777
5 3 26
5 3 26 45,520 13 7
1730-1731.
Denm. & Nor.
172 19 0 0
205
East Country
193
2 3 14
132
6 3 20
41 6
378
325
53 20
7 0 20
£780 17
697 1 6
7
Flanders
.
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Italy
Russia
Spain
Sweden.
Guernsey
9
2 1 0
60
6 3
7
125
248 19 0 17
42 10 3 9
7 2 1
134
9 3 1
283 7 9
309
5 3 24
42 10 3 9
646
42
9 0
8 7
• •
1305 16 1 25 320 16 2 7
327 17 3 20 1223 3 0 11
8839 10 1 12 11244 3 3 10
12 90 0
1626 13 0 4
1551 10 3
20083 14 0 22
12 9 0 0
3377 4 11
3265 8 8
41977 06
25 16 10
•
Jersey
Totals.. 10921 4 2 22 13542 12 0 25
24463 16 3 19 51095 15 4
1731-1732.
Denm. & Nor. 279 18 0 9
East Country.
182 6 3 18
259 18 2 5
148 6 0 13
539 16 2 14
330 13 0 3
£1166 15
698 10 0
1
Flanders
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Italy.
Russia
•
•
141 15 3 8
165 0 3 13
468 16 3 22
6 17 3 20
165 0 3 13
610 12 3 2
6 17 3 20
342 11 4
1277 5 8
6 17 5
•
Spain
Sweden
Guernsey
Jersey
3231 19 2 25
522 18 3 18
7781 18 1 22
• •
1224 0 0 13
1272 11 3 4
7593 13 0 7
4455 19 3 10
1795 10 2 22
15375 11 2 1
9248 18 9
3773 13 8
32449 17 9
760
Totals.. 12140 17 3 16 11142 15 3 3 23283 13 2 19 48,971 15 8
•
3 10 1 18
3 10 1 18
APPENDIX.
335
1732-1733.
TABLE V. (continued.)
Denm. & Nor.
London.
T. h. q. lb.
255 9 0 11
Out Ports.
Total of both.
T. h. 9. lb.
East Country.
France
Germany
Holland
Ireland.
Russia
87 18 0 8
14 8 2
222 6 3 21
75
203
135
5 0 23
4 1 12
T. h. 9. 16.
458 14 1 6
0
6 2 24
• •
2820
Spain
Sweden
70 6
693 9 0 25
9432 6 1 27
67 17 1 6
344 12 1 19
26 15 1 13
1298 11 1 4
1166 7 0 19
7405
5 2 5
223
14
290
2 1 20
A mount of
Customs.
£979 0 0
463 16 2
8 2 0
37 1 1
4 0 27
419 19 0 15
26 15 1 13
4118 18 1 10
1859 16 1 16
602 7 6
871 13 5
16837 12 0 4
26 13 11
8549 6 4
3983 12 2
35095 3 1
Totals.. 13601 12 0 10 10647 18 2 17
24249 10 2 27
50608 13 8
1733-1734.
Denm. & Nor. 210 9 3 27
231
5 2
7
441 15 2
East Country. 186
186
6 3 7
25
0 0
0
211
6 3
67
£952 3 6
448 9 10
France
•
Germany
Holland
13
1 1 7
121
3 0 10
134
4 1 17
284 14 0
• •
54
1 0 26
387
8 2 22
441
9 3 20
922 14 2
•
Ireland
Russia
Spain
Sweden..
.. •
2994 14 1 8
383 6 0 14
8999 3 1 13
49 13 3 15
543 2 1 25
1583 10 2 2
8906 18 3 25
49 13 3 15
3537 16 3 5
1966 16 2 16
17906 2 1 10
49 11 2
7354 13 9
4146 3 9
37361 5 5
•
3 0 18
11848
3 0 22
24689
6 1 12
51519 15 7
Totals.. 12841
1734-1735.
Denm. & Nor. 220 5 0
0
East Country.
97
2 3
8
38 5 2 6
69 11 1 18
258 10 2 6
166 14 0 26
£547 11 10
346 0 3
France
Germany
Holland
Ireland.
Russia
•
121 11 1 0
61 2 1 20
150 14 0 24
483 11 3 20
272
272 51 24
592 5 2
544 14 1 12
1134 5 8
•
Spain
•
Sweden... .10287
1960 13 1 1
591 62 27
1 3 11
689 12 2 21
1480 6 3 3
9759 17 0 27
2650 5 3 22
5500 19 5
2071 13 2 2
20046 19 0 10
4464 16 11
42165 9 10
Totals..13339
3 1 11 12671 19 3 7
26011
3 0 18
54751 9 1
DUTY PER TON ON BAR-IRON IMPORTED.
From all places except Ireland.
British Ship.
£ s. d.
Foreign Ship.
£ s. d.
Imported from
Ireland.
Impost..
1
1 615
1 10 11
Old subsidy.
0 6 719
0 6
£0
6
に
​New sul sidy
0 6 716
6 7
•
•
and subsidy
0 6 710
0 6
0 6
0 6
Totals.. 2 1 6530
2 10 1013
0 19 115
The
Note. The accounts from the out-ports not being yet returned to the Inspector-
General for the year 1736, is the reason this account ends at Christmas. 1735.
Inspector-General keeps the quantity in his books of goods imported from all foreign
countries into England only under the heads of London and the Out-ports, which is
the reason he cannot distinguish what is imported into the several out-ports.
Custom House, London, March 24, 1736.
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
336
APPENDIX.
TABLE VI.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED FOR TEN
YEARS LAST FROM THE BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA,
Distinguishing each year, and the quantity imported from each Colony, and distinguish-
ing how much in Pig and how much in Bar.
1739.*
Barbadoes
Carolina
Jamaica
New England.
Pig-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
i 9 2 27
8 8 3 21
3 18 1 0
170 5 3 19
Bar-iron.
1740.
Pig-iron.
T.
c. q. lb.
T.
c. q. lb.
0 4 1 21
New York
Pennsylvania
St. Christopher
Virginia, Maryland
Totals
2242 2 2 14
2426 5 1 25
5 4 1 21
7 10 0 0
200
0
94 0 i 12
159 4 2 22
0 10 0 0
2020 2 0 22
5 000 2020
2283 7 1 0
71
1741.
Barbadoes
Carolina
Jamaica
New England
New York
Pennsylvania
•
St. Christopher
Virginia, Maryland.
1743.*
Totals......
Bar-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
T.
Pig-iron.
C. 9. lb.
1742.*
Pig-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
2
0 0 14
18
2 3
23
0
42 16 1 16
5
0 0 0
153 4 1 25
143 16
143 16 3 18
5 000 3261
ai 5
1926 3 1
5
5 0 0 0 3459 9 1 4
2093
23 23
Pig-iron.
T.
c. q. lb.
18 19 0 16
Bar-iron.
T. c. 9.
c. q. lb.
1744.
Pig-iron.
T.
c. q. lb.
25 11 1 17
•
Barbadoes
Carolina
Jamaica
..
New England..
New York
• •
Pennsylvania
•
St. Christopher
•
Virginia, Maryland
81 4 2 7
62 12 0 25
•
2816 1 1 15
57 0 0 0
Totals...... 3004
3004 8 2 24
20 1 0 19
16
0 0 0
5 16 0 0
87 15 0 0
1748 4 1
4 1 3
57 0 0 0 1877 16 1 22
* No bar-iron imported in the years 1739, 1742, and 1743.
337
APPENDIX.
TABLE VI. (continued.)
1745.
Barbadoes
Carolina
Jamaica
New England.
New York
Pennsylvania
St. Christopher
Virgin., Maryl.
·
Bar-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
•
•
1746.
Pig-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
Bar-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
Pig-iron.
T.
c. q. lb.
•
25 93 0
•
•
2000
18 12 0 0
29
0 0 0
97
7 1
7 1
7
3 91
9 i 0
103
1 3 11
•
4 5 2 14
i
2130 16 1 10 193 8 3 12
1729
10 2
Totals..
4 5 2 14
2274 5 1 17
196 18 0 12
1861
2 3 13
1747.
1748.*
Pig-iron.
Barbadoes
Carolina
Bar-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
Pig-iron.
T.
c. q. lb.
T. c. q. lb.
8
11
1 1
8
•
1
4 1 21
6
0 0 0
13
0 0 0
24 14 3 20
22
9 1 20
114 10 0 0
82 11 2 11 2119 0 3 24
2017
2017 11 3 10
Totals..
82 11 2 11
2164 17 0 24
2161 15 2 23
Jamaica
New England.
New York
Pennsylvania
St. Christopher
Virginia, Maryland..
TOTALS BROUGHT TOGETHER.
Years.
Bar-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
1739
Pig-iron.
T. c. q. lò.
2426 5 1 25
1740
/
5 4 1 21
2283
7 1 0
1741
5 0 0 0
3459
9 1 4
1742
2093
2 3 23
1743
3004 8 2 24
1744
57 0 0
0
1877 16 1 22
1745
1746
1747
1748
4 5 2 14
196 18 0 12
82 11 2 11
4 00 0
2274 5 1 17
1861 2 3 13
2164 17 0 24
2161 15 2 23
Totals..
354 19 3 2
23606 11 1 7
Custom House, London, Feb. 1, 1749.
* Only four tons of bar-iron imported in 1748.
N
338
TABLE VII.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED INTO THAT PART OF GREAT BRITAIN CALLED SCOTLAND,
FOR TEN YEARS LAST PAST, ENDING AT MICHAELMAS, 1749, FROM THE BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA,
Distinguishing each year, and the quantity imported from each Colony, and how much in Pig and how much in Bar.
Pennsylvania.
Periods.
Pig-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
Bar-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
Virginia.*
Pig-iron.
T. c. q. lb.
Maryland.
Pig-iron. Bar-iron.
T. c. q. lb. T. c. q. lb.
Totals.
Pig-iron.
Bar-iron.
T.
c. q lb.
•
T. c. q. lb.
Michaelmas, 1739, to ditto, 1740
11
6 2 18
11
6 2 18
"
1740
1741
"
1741
1742
9 800
9 8
0 0
""
1742
1743
3 7 2 12
"
1743
"
1744
1744
"
1745
1 12 2 18 1 16 3 18
27 14 3 0
5 0
1
2
1 16 3 18
27 14 3 0
>
1745
1746
3 10 3 7
7 16 2 21
3
00 0
"
1746
1747
1
0 0 0
6 17 3 14
"
1747
1748
42
0 0 0
1748
1749
10
3 3 25 144 16 0 18
6 10 3 7
6 17 3 14
42 0 0 0
155 0 0 15
1
7 16 2 21
ооо
"
Totals for the 10 years.
24 5 1 25
8 16 2 21 65 9 1 23 174 3 2 8 1 16 3 18 263 18 2 0 10 13 2 11
* No bar-iron imported from Virginia during these ten years.
Custom-house, Edinburgh, Feb. 15, 1749-50.
APPENDIX.
339
TABLE VIII.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED INTO
ENGLAND FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES, FROM CHRISTMAS,
1749, TO 5TH JANUARY, 1756.
With the Duties payable thereon, and how much the same amounted to, distinguishing
each country and each year.
Denm. & Norw.
E. Country.
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Italy
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Guernsey
Jersey.
• •
•
•
Τ.
415
...
1749 TO
c. g. lb.
Quantities.
5 0 D
636 12 3 19
111 15 0 14
149 7 1 14
1750.
£ s. d.
Duties.
1063 17 10
1544 5 2
271 1 7
362 6 4
1751.
T. c.
c. q. lb.
Quantities.
461 18 1 14
1040 8 3 0
278 10 1 5
£ S. d.
Duties.
1229 6 2
2521 14 2
675 11 6
146 8 2 26
356 0 2
30
4 3 22
40 15
5
70 0
15 9
2 O
26 10 2 4
35 14 11
9
26
0 0
0 0
0
14976
0 0
•
4
36326
3 2
5632
6 3 10
63
13664 8 10
1 4
1143 9 1 0
17575 2 0 12
2780 1 6
43519 9 10
991
17859
7 0 18
6 1 18
2412 5 10
44093 17 2
Totals.. 35,043 3 3
1 85,923 10 4 26,462 17 0 11 65,052 0 1
1752.
1753.
Denm. & Norw.
556 17 1 27
1451 15
175 11 2
4
425 17
•
115 18 0
0
281 2
• ·
50 15 1
7
•
•
•
123 2
•
148 0 0
0
0
8599 8 0 23
1262 16 0 16
13935
0 1 10
•
•
16
6 2 0
4
2 0 15
E. Country.
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Italy
Russia
•
Spain
Sweden
Guernsey
Jersey..
Totals.. 24,864 15 2 18 60,877 0 10 29,576 8 3 20 69,974 7 1
199 8 7
168 ∞ A
4
291 17 2 23
729 4 5
8
132 15 1
0
322 1 9
257
1 2
1
726 6 7
9
202
3 3
7
491 15 11
14 12 3
7
19 14 7
20858 19 1
3063 1 0
34424 2 11
39 11 7
9 19 3
7285 12 0 13
347 17 1 19
20044 8 1 6
17672 2 11
839 12 3
49173 8 8
1754.
E. Country.
Denm. & Norw.
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Italy
Russia
·
178 5 0 10
•
•
186 5 0 15
167 9 0 0
214 8 3 26
460 4
457
1
406 3
522 17
1755.
2 00 40 0
2
141 1 0 21
365 0 0 3
8
54 14 3 9
134 17
5
80 0 3 16
194 3
8
86 15 3 15
211 8 1
Spain.
Sweden
6610 18 0 25 16050 11 10
1024 1 1 14 2541 19 5
22424 10 2 2 54856 13 3
9949 9 3
967 5 3 25
17762 3 0 20
3
24133 14 7
2374 16 10
43638 13 7
Guernsey
Jersey...
17 10 0
49 17 0
Totals.. 30,805 18 1 8 75,295 11 529,058 12 2 25 71,102 10 6
Note.-The Inspector-General receives no accounts from Scotland, so that this
account is for England only. He likewise keeps his accounts from Christmas to
Christmas, and cannot divide the several years, so as to make out this account from
Midsummer to Midsummer, as required by the order; and the out-ports accounts for
the year 1756 not being all returned to the Inspector-General, is the reason this
account ends at Christmas, 1755, viz., the 5th January, 1756.
Custom-house, London, Feb. 18, 1757.
z 2
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
340
APPENDIX.
TABLE IX.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF PIG AND BAR-IRON WHICH
HAVE BEEN IMPORTED FROM THE BRITISH COLONIES IN
AMERICA, FROM CHRISTMAS, 1749, TO 5тн JANUARY, 1756,
Distinguishing each year and each Colony, and how much in Pig and how much
Barbadoes
Carolina...
Jamaica.
New England..
New York....
Pennsylvania..
in Bar.
1750.
1751.
Bar.
Pig.
Bar.
Pig.
T. c. 9.
18.
T.
c. q. lb.
T. c. q.
lb.
T.
c. q.
lb.
18 12 0 16
17 14 0 12
4 2 1 0
9 16 2 13
21
1 2
75 12 1 4
318 9 3 11
2000
33 0 3 22
199 15 2 22
St. Kitt's
5
5 2 4
Virginia (Mary-
[land)
5 17 3 0
2508 16 1 25
3 429 2950 5 3 15
Totals.. 5 17 3 0
2924 0 0 20
23 16 2 25 3220 1 0 4
1752.
1753.
Barbadoes
•
Carolina.
Jamaica
New England...
0
20
50 8
0 0 0
0 12 1 8
0
6 3 26
10
00 0
2
0 0 0
2 8 0 19
40 10 1
7
New York...
Pennsylvania.. 64 16 2 5
41
50 0
97
4 3
4 3 2
156
8 2 26
147 13 2 1 242
15 1
0
St. Kitt's
2
4 2 7
Virginia(Mary-
[land)
16 10 2 21
2762 8 0 4
97 18 0 19 2347
9 2 18
Totals.. 81 7 0 26
2982 11 1 17
248 12 0 19 2740 6 3 25
1754.
1755.
Barbadoes
•
Carolina..
Jamaica
New England...
New York.... 6 10 0 0
9 3 24
Pennsylvania..110 9 3 24
St. Kitt's
30 00 0
20 0 0 0
0020
14 13 0 0
4 16 0 22
115 16 2 0
512 19 3 12
11 12 0 0
79 5 0 20
457
836
8 0 14
6 1 0
Virginia (Mary-
[land) ..153 15 1
1 8
Totals..270 15 1 4
2591 4 3 17
3274 17 1 23
299 1 3 0 2132 15 1 22
389 19 1 20 3441 23 8
Note.-The Inspector-General keeps his accounts from Christmas to Christmas,
and cannot divide the several years, so as to make out this account from Midsummer
to Midsummer, as required by the order; and the out-ports account for the year
1756 not being all returned to the Inspector-General, is the reason this account ends
at Christmas, 1755, viz., 5th January, 1756.
Custom-house, London, Feb. 18, 1757.
JOIN OXENFORD, A. G.
APPENDIX.
341
TABLE X.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED INTO
THAT PART OF GREAT BRITAIN CALLED SCOTLAND, FROM
FOREIGN COUNTRIES, SINCE THE 24TH JUNE, 1750,
With the Duties payable thereon, and how much the same amounted to, distinguishing
each country and each year.
24th June, 1750, TO 24TH JUNE, 1751. TO 24TH JUNE, 1752.
Duties. Quantities. Duties.
£ S. d.
Quantities.
T.
c. q. lb.
Dantzic
Denmark
7
5 1 14
•
17 13 7
Germany
Holland
27
1 3 6
65 14
2
2 12 3 21
152 12 1 20
T.
c. q. lb. £ s.
d.
4
Ireland
7
7 2 24
17 18
3
36 14 3 18
6 8
370 4 0
89 2 7
271
Livonia
5 13 0 0
13 14
1 1/1/
0 15 0 0
Norway
110 1 2 25
270
270 7
43
182
8 2 21
1 16 4
477 1 73
Poland
Prussia
Russia
15 14 1 1
13 7 1 14
38 2
3
11 10 3 7
27 19 101
32 6
63
14 11 3 24
35 8 101
•
172 10 0 21
417 14
51
182 7 3 13
442 8 31
Spain..
Sweden
12
1199
0 1 3
5 1 9 2909 15
29 1
91
25 10 0
0
61 17 1
113
1412 12 2
8
3429 18 31
Totals.... 1570
1570 7 0 5 3812 8
1752, To 1753.
72021 17 0 20 4942 5 42
TO 1754.
Dantzic
Denmark
Germany
•
Holland.
Ireland
Livonia
•
4 1 3 0
28 12 1 26
9 18 3
3 53 4
7 19 63
2
19 3
7
69 8 71
19
2 1 17
46
4 103
7
7 61
8 15 1 27
Norway
Poland
Prussia
Russia
Spain
Sweden
•
•
26 0 2 10
• •
6 19 1 3
6 13 2 5
63 2 10
16 17 10
16 3 11
19 13 3 24
2
21 5 83
47 15 7
80 7
5 18 01
1 4 0 14
2 18 81
189 11 3
4
459 15 101| 184 16 1
0
448 5 91
30 0 1
1195 15 0
5
72 16 31
•
Dantzic
Denmark
Germany
Holland..
Ireland
Livonia
·
Norway
Poland
Prussia
Russia
Spain..
Sweden
Totals.... 1487 14 3
4 2899 10 01134 0 2 11 2756 4 4
1 3607 13 7 1376 6 1 20 3344 0 2
1754, To 1755.
To 1756.
7 2 0 19
1
9 2 14
9 13 0
17
4 101
3 11 111
22 0 93
20 16 1
4
50 9 91
4 17 0 17
0 10 3 13
13 2 2 2
11 17 63
1 6 6 41
31 16
31 16 93

0 10 0
49 5 2 9
3 13 1 10
9 18 3 17
7
86 16 1 3
1 4 5
120 8 21
8 17 10
24 1
210 11
66 0 1 27
160 18 113
17 10 0 11
42 9 11
43
54 19 3
0
133 7 74
8
120 13
7
291
5 103
11 53 0
27
7
6
6/ 2 7 2
0
5 15 2
41310 10 2
2 3178 18 31
1543 13 0 19 3746 11
Totals.... 1743 12 3 18 4232 9 10 1590 0 2 23 3857 15 93
2
342
APPENDIX.
TABLE X. (Continued.)—TOTALS BROUGHT TOGETHER.
Dantzic
Deumark
Germany
Holland
Ireland
Livonia
Norway
Quantities.
Duties.
T.
c. q.
lb.
£ S. d.
T.
7
2 0 19
17 4 101
Poland
Quantities.
c. q. lb.
57 15 3 11
Duties.
£
S. d.
140 4 11:
20 19 2 21
51 0 111
Prussia
100 15 2 18
244 7 0
15
5 1 6
37
0
0
4
Russia
936 4 0 20
261
7 3 19
634 0 101
•
44 2 2 14
107
0 11
Spain
Sweden
15 13 2 6
38 0 73
453 11 0 4
1139 14 81
Totals.
9789 19 0 3
81 3 3 8
7795 17 0 25
Note.-The accounts from Orkney and Zetland not being come up, are not included in this account.
Custom-house, Edinburgh, March 22, 1757.
2270 1 111
196 17 10/2
18920 18 3
23796 13 412
A. CAMPBELL.
TABLE XI.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF PIG-IRON IMPORTED FROM THE BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA INTO
THAT PART OF GREAT BRITAIN CALLED SCOTLAND, FROM THE 24TH JUNE, 1750, TO THE 24TH JUNE, 1756.
Distinguishing each year and each Colony, and how much in quantity.
Periods.
Maryland. New York. North Carolina. Pennsylvania. Philadelphia.
Virginia.
Totals.
T.
c. q. lb.
T.
c. q.
lb.
From June 24, 1750, to June 24, 1751
T. c. g. lb. 1.
2 5324
c. q. lb. T. c. Չ lb.
T.
c. q. lb. T.
c. 9.
lb.
4
0 0 0
6
5 3 24
"
24, 1751,
"}
"
24, 1752,
"
24, 1752
24, 1753
24, 1753,
24, 1754
35 0 0 0
20
25
55
0 0
0
90
0 0
0
0 0 0
3
0 0 0
5 0 0 0 14 00 0
42
0 0 0
0 0
0
0 17 1 14
25 17 1 14
24, 1754,
24, 1755,
24, 1755
35
0 0 0
19 10 0 0
54 10 0 0
"
24, 1756
10 0 0 0
10 0 0 0
"
Totals.... 80 0 0 0
Note.-The accounts from Orkney and Zetland not being come up, are not included in this account.
Custom-house, Edinburgh, Murch 22, 1757.
38 17 1 14
2 5 3 24
19 10 0 0
5 0 0 0
83 0 0 0 228 13 1 10
A. CAMPBELL.
APPENDIX.
343
T. C. J. lb.
1761
1762
2139 13 2 20
··
1700 5 1 20
• •
1763 .. 2388 11
2 25
1764 2606 2
1 19
TABLE XII.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED INTO
SCOTLAND FROM ALL PLACES EXCEPT AMERICA, FROM 1760,
TO 1st JANUARY, 1777,
Being as far as the same can be made up, together with the Gross and Net Produce of
the Duties of the same, and distinguishing the years.
Years.
Wrought.
Quantity.
Gross produce of
Net produce of
Duties.
2
£ S. d.
5168 12 2
4124 3
5793 12 0
6229 6 6
Duties.
£ S. d.
5190 1 4
4124 3 2
5793 12 0
6321 8 6
3
1765 . 2693 12
0 13
6533 8 8
6505 3 11
1766
2423 5
2 15
5877 18 0
5761 4 0
1767
2511 8
2 10
• •
6091 15 0
5953 6 0
1768 .. 2921 11
2 0
7086 10 0
7086 10 0
1769.. 3354 14
2 16
8135 1 0
8135 1 0
1770
3111 2
0 14
7546 7 6
·
7546 7 6
1771 .. 2612 4
2
2 7
6336 6 8
..
1772 3276 10 2 22
7947 11 6
་
1773
2601 5
2 14
..
6309 13 0
6336 6 8
7947 11 6
6266 13
1774 3480 9
3 22
8442 7 8
1775
2876 13 0 4
6977 12 1
1776
3038 14 2 10
7370 12 8
0
8336 4 0
6955 0 3
7370 12 8
RICHARD MENZIES, for the Inspector of Imports and Exports.
Custom-house, Edinburgh, January 22, 1778.
TABLE XIII.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF IRON IMPORTED INTO
ENGLAND FROM CHRISTMAS, 1760, TO CHRISTMAS, 1776.
DISTINGUISHING THE QUANTITIES OF EACH SORT IMPORTED FROM AMERICA.
Foreign.
T. C. 9. lb.
42,328 9 3 5
1761-Bar
Pig
•
1762-Bar
•
32,049 5 1 21
Pig
•
37,262 8 13 6
Pig
1763-Bar
1764-Bar
Pig
1765-Bar
Pig
1766-Bar
1767-Bar
• •
•
•
Pig
• ·
Pig
1768-Bar
Pig
•
1769-Bar
•
►
Pig
•
•
•
1770-Bar
Pig
1771-Bar
• •
Pig
· • •
42,752 1 2 3
America.
T. C. 9. lb.
39 1 0 0
2766 2 3 12
122 12 2 14
1766 16 0 2
310 19 3 2
2566 8 0 25
1059 18 0 10
2554 8 3 21
1078 15 0 16
3264 8
1 22
1257 14 3 9
2897 5 1 15
1325 19 0 18
3313
• •
•
•
50,203 0 3 6
+
30,684 16 0 11
35,097 0 3 0
•
42,626 7 1 25
2 1 19
1989 11 0 6
•
2953 0 2 14
•
46,848 12 0 10
1779 13 1 23
3401 12 2 2
44,221 12 2 20
1716 8 0 21
4232 18 1 18
43,614 0 3 24
•
2222 4 3 24
•
5303 6 3 13
344
APPENDIX.
1772-Bar
Pig
1773-Bar
Pig
Pig
•
•
T.
46,911 3 3 8
c. q. lb.
T. C.
I. 16.
•
965 15 0 23
3724 19 2 25
45,541 5 2 12
837 15 0 6
•
2937 13 0 2
1774-Bar
44,475 14
1 26
639 0 0 23
3451 12 2 19
1775-Bar
·
40,771 18
Pig
1776-Bar
Pig
49,828 9 0 0
5 2 11
2996 0 0
28 0 0 0
316 1 2 8
GROSS PRODUCE OF DUTIES ON IRON IMPORTED.
Net produce on iron.
0 17
916
224
Foreign parts.
1761
£102,673
0 10
£95,550 6 1
1762
77,739 10 2
70,423 14 7
1763
90,384 14
6
84,085 13 7
1764
103,700 10 1
1765
121,173 14 11
93,455 11 10
109,807 16 3
1766
74,429 15 9
1767
85,132 5 10
1768
103,395 11 11
1769
113,637 2 11
1770
107,255 2 0
1771
1772
1773
•
•
110,466 1 3
1774
107,881 8 6
105,791 6 3
113,788 9 9
68,105 6 4
75,361 14 3
92,712 2
101,767 9
96,175 0
92,929 2
100,115 10
102,138 3
97,838 6 8
38763 22
1775
98,897 7 0
1776
120,865 2 8
90,123 14
110,878 16
8
8
* Iron imported from America-duty free.
Note.-The Inspector-General is not yet supplied with the materials for the port
of London, nor the proper returns for the several out-ports, to enable him to make up
this account for the year 1777.
JOIN TOMKYNS, Assist. Inspec.
TABLE XIV.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF WROUGHT-IRON IN BARS
EXPORTED TO THE PLANTATIONS, FROM CHRISTMAS 1710,
TO CHRISTMAS, 1718,
Distinguishing each Plantation and each Year.
1710 TO 1711.
Iron, wrought.
Bars.
C. q. lb.
Antigua
Barbadoes
960 0 14
2330 1 20
T. c. 9.
lb.
0 200
31 10 0 16
C.
Bermudas
Carolina
1143 0 27
1712.
Iron, wrought.
9. lb.
877 2 7
2973 2 14
1 0 0
1551 0 7
Bars.
T. c. g. lb.
0 11 0 0
34 10 0 26
•
Hudson's Bay
12 0 0
0 10 0 0
2
4 13 0 0
20 0
·
Jamaica.
2346 0 13
4
5 2
4
4240 O 8
28 18 2 10
Montserrat..
Nevis..
New England
New York
209 3 0
153 0 18
204 3 21
0
8 0
0
238 1 7
25 00 0
4596 2 6
200
19 3
7
5344 3 24
281 13 3 19
567 0 19
10 2 1 10
Pennsylvania..
987 2 0
12 10 2 21
•
St. Christopher
282 1 0
Virginia (Maryland).. 3014 0
W Indies (in general)
8
397 2 14
1 10 1 1
0300
639 1 7
540 0 20
248 3 21
5653 2 4
651 0 7
32 3 0 0
200 0
5 3 2 14
54 17 1 1
Totals....
17051 3 2
262
1 3 3
23112 3 4 471 12 2 14
APPENDIX.
345
TABLE XIV. (continued.)
1713.
1714.
Iron, wrought.
C.
Antigua
Barbadoes
Bermudas
q.
1700 0 10
4212 3 25
lb.
Bars.
T. c. g. lb.
8 11 0 0
52 13 3 10
Iron, wrought.
lb.
C. q.
948 3 20
T.
Bars.
c. q. lb.
17 15 2 U
•
·
Carolina
1406 2 7
27 5 0
50 0
Hudson's Bay
Jamaica
Montserrat
Nevis
•
30 0 0
3676 2 15
1 0 0
1051 1 18
101 0 0
38 19 2 7
8 10 0 0
3790 1 18
28 5 2
5 2 4
5088 0 21
21
80 0
240 3 7
15 2 0
795 1 13
1
5 0
0
627 3 0
1
10 0
New England
4883 0 13
211
9 0 2
4633 0 9
279
6 3 0
New York
985 2 21
49
8 2 16
1136 3 15
98
7 0 18
Pennsylvania
1040 0 9
7
4 3 26
923 2 1
24 12 0 7
St. Christopher
517 0 17
465 1 14
10
0 0
0
.. •
Virginia (Maryland).. 2859 2 21
8
5 2 4
6597 2 12
8
5 0 0
W. Indies (in general) 1971 0 25
51
16 0
0
3150 3 7
23
13 0
0
Total
24433 0 18
446
4 2 6
28417 2 20
531 18 0 4
Jamaica
Antigua..
Barbadoes
Bermudas
Carolina
Hudson's Bay
Montserrat
Nevis
New England
Now York..
Pennsylvania
St. Christopher.
...
Virginia (Maryland)
W. Indies (in general)
Totals
1715.
1900 2 9
3897 1 0
1716.
6 17 3 20
83 3 2 12
1430 2 21
4453 1 11
0 10 0 0
47 5 2 9
•
134 0 14
•
691 0 21
1 18 0 0
670 1 7
•
64 0 0
1
4500 1 14
9
1 0
9 3 11
22 0 0
4432 0 7
0 12 0 0
45 11 1 13
91 3 6
265 1 21
5795 2 24
1379 3 0
987 3 4
330 0 12
186 0 21
508 1 7
•
372 16 1 16
110 19 0 20
8 5 0 20
8946 3 15
2082 0 27
16 17 0 14
10 4 0 0
5397 2 2
1094 0 14
962 2 0
794 3 21
7446 0 22
1300 3 8
372 19 3 11
147
10
0 0 21
00 0
1 10 0 0
8 19 0 6
47 18 2 18
.31067 0 27
621 12 1 1
28699 0 1
682 6 2 22
•
•
Antigua..
Barbadoes
Bermudas
Carolina
Hudson's Bay
Jamaica..
Montserrat
Nevis..
New England
88 0 0
5166 3 17
143 0 13
1717.
1754 2 0
3830 1 9
145 2 0
1718.
8 12 0 0
44 0 1 24
1147 2 9
3534 3 17
29 3 0
46 16 1
4
866 1 11
4 20 0
969 0 21
2 00
0
3 10 0 0
46 15 0
0
76 0 0
4429 1 14
0 0 0
0
2 10 0
7 15 0 0
•
New York..
•
Pennsylvania
240 0 14
3819 O 5
1145 0 5
1147 0 26
1 2 0
20 0
140 16 3 20
42 14 1 23
38 0
165 1 14
3110 1 1
1396 1 26
0
1
0 0
0 0
0
154
4 0 0
2 18 2 18
8 15 2 18
887 0 2
3 10 0 18
St. Christopher..
1231 2 7
•
•
Virginia (Maryland) 8728 1 27
10
0 1
8
W. Indies (in general)
964 3
8
3
8 0
0
382 2 0
6734 2 3
752 1 0
0 13 3 12
26 10 3 14
0 11 0 0
Totals
29271 0 2 313 16 3 9
23653 0 23 248
248 9 3 10
346
APPENDIX.
TABLE XV.
AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT WROUGHT-IRON, AND IRON IN BARS,
HAVE BEEN EXPORTED TO FOREIGN PARTS.
Exclusive of the Plantations, from Christmas, 1710, to Christmas, 1718.
Iron, wrought.
Years.
C. • lb.
1711
10,128 0 23
1712
9,214 2 19
Iron in Bars.
T.
c. q. lb.
772 8
0 27
1074 1
2 26
1713
13,453 0 7
1714
16,749 1 16
2939 9 1 22
2001 3
3 3
1715
15,330 3 3
1716
1717
11,980 1
16,167 0 8
9
1079 13 2 13
5905 12 1 9
1718
13,117 3 11
989 0 0
995 1
3 12
0 23
Totals.... 106,141
106,141 1 12
15,756 11 0 23
Years.
1719
1720
1721
TABLE XVI.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF STEEL EXPORTED FROM
ENGLAND, FROM CHRISTMAS, 1718, TO CHRISTMAS, 1735.
English Steel.
C.
9. lb.
885 1 14
1216 3 7
504 1 21
C.
Foreign Steel.
q. lb.
98 0 26
320 0 10
202 0 22
1722
948 2 1
146 2 1
•
•
1723
1032 0 07
227 0 0
1724
1337 3 24
150 1 12
•
1725
1728 2 14
197 2 10
•
1726
1010 3 12
394 1 6
1727
622 2 21
436 2 3
1728
524 0 21
118 1 0
1729
586 0 7
117 3 0
1730
1214 0 0
335 2 7
1731
1513 0 24
605 3 11
1732
946 0 15
213 0 15
1733
2250 0 24
202 1 0
•
1734
2269 3 22
119 1 7
1735
3339 3 4
272 1 14
Totals.. 21,930 3 14
4157 1 1 4
Note. The out-port accounts not being yet returned to the Inspector-General for
the year 1736, is the reason this account ends at Christmas, 1735. He also receives
no accounts from Scotland, so that this account is for England only.
Custom-house, London, March, 1737.
JOHN OXENFORD.
APPENDIX.
347
TABLE XVII.
AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT WROUGHT-IRON, AND IRON IN BARS, HAVE BEEN EXPORTED TO FOREIGN PARTS,
EXCLUSIVE OF THE PLANTATIONS, FROM CHRISTMAS, 1728, TO CHRISTMAS, 1735,
Distinguishing London and the Out-ports, and the Places to which exported.
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1728, TO CHRISTMAS, 1729.
IRON, WROUght.
IRON IN BARS.
London.
Out Ports.
Total.
Countries.
C.
7.
lb.
C. q.
lb.
Africa
Canaries
4364
3 (
1748 3 0
859
0 19
C.
q
6113 2 0
859 0 19
lb.
London.
T.
lb.
c. q.
138 11 2 10
Out Ports.
Total.
C
T.
g. lb.
541 12 2 25
T.
c. I.
lb.
680 4 1 7
Denmark and Norway
6 3 21
11 0 14
18 0 7
East Country
477 3 0
295 0 0
·
East India
1427 1 0
Flanders.
268 3 21
France
Germany
Holland
105
0
0 19
0
0 14
772 3 0
1427 1 0
268 3 21
105 1 5
579 19 2 12
2000
579 19 2 12
2000
1029 0 10
143 3 0
1172 3 10
::
1438
3 10
208 2 21
•
Ireland
776 0
0 0
1786
0 27
Italy
130 0
00
1647 2 3
2562 0 27
130 0 0
9 11 0 0
122 9 0 19
20 0 0 0
12 17 0 21
9 11
142 9
0 0
0 19
Madeiras
331
2 14
488 1 7
819 3 21
38 0 0 17
12 17 0 21
38 0
0 17
Newfoundland
77 0 0
322 0 0
399 0 0
Portugal.
5778 1 0
75 3 8
5854 0
Russia
18 0 (
Spain
8337 0 0
37 2 14
Straits
654 0 21
Sweden
14 2 0
600
Turkey
37
0 0
8
18 0 0
8374 2 14
654 0 21
20 2 0
37 0 0
86 9 2 25
9 18 2 14
96 8 1 11
89 10 3 11
162 9 2 0
6 12 1 21
96 3
162
1 4
9 2 0
2000
2000
Venice
0 2
0
Guernsey
27 1
Jersey
Totals..
0
12 0 0
26171 0 23
116 0 7
65 2 0
5305 0 0
0
0 2
143 1 7
:
•
77
2 0
31476 0 23
1231 1 2 10
591 0 3 25
1822 2 2 7
348
APPENDIX.
TABLE XVII. (continued.)
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1729, TO CHRISTMAS, 1730.
IRON, WROUGHT.
IRON IN BARS.
London.
Out Ports.
Countries.
C. q. lb.
C.
q. lb.
Africa.
3138 0 0
2252 1 0
Canaries
799 2 0
20 0 0
Total.
q. lb.
C. q.
5390 1 0
819 2 0
T.
177 12 3 22
London.
c. q. lb.
Out Ports.
Total.
T. C. 9.
471 5 2 27
lb.
T.
c. q. lb.
648 18 2 21
Denmark and Norway
131 2 0
50 0 0
181
2 0
East Country.
389 3 10
90 0 0
East India
1540 2 6
479 3 10
1540 2 6
336 0 0 0
336 0 0 0
Flanders.
763 2 27
763 2 27
France
282 1 0
282 1 0
Germany
1118 0 26
Holland
Ireland
Italy
1667 3 2
541 1 0
84 0 0
301 3
3 0
1524 2 8
1202 0 26
49 2 0
Madeiras
313 0 7
Newfoundland
100 0 0
403
98 0 0
1 10
1969 2 2
2065 3 8
49 2 0
411 0 0 7
503 1 10
4 2 3 21.
3 14 2 2
1 19 2 24
39
0
0 0
6 2
42 14
2 17
2 2
33 5 3 3
6 3
0
0
Portugal..
4830 3 26
27
4
4858 1 2
60 0 3 13
12 9 0 0
48 14 0 8
39 8 3 3
12 9 0 0
108 14 3 21
Russia
49 2 10
20 0 0
Spain
6539 1
1
0
114 0 18
Straits
698
1 14
Sweden
12 2 0
69 2 10
6653 1 18
698 1 14
12 2 0
49 0 0 0
22 1 3 0
88 17 1 0
71 1 3 0
88 17 1 0
Turkey
Venice
1636
3 7
1636
3 7
1
0 0
1
0 0
Guernsey
Jersey
•
23
0
0
42
2 14
65
2 14
27
0 0
62
0 0
89
0 0
:
Totals.. 24653 2 23
5089 3 26
29743 2 21
752 14 1 5
601 13 1 3
1354 7 2 8
APPENDIX.
349
TABLE XVII (continued).
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1730, TO CHRISTMAS, 1731.
IRON, WROUGHT.
IRON IN BARS.
Countries.
London.
Out Ports.
Total.
C.
lb.
C.
Africa.
Canaries
•
Denmark and Norway
East Country
East India
9.
2617 3 14
q. lb.
C.
9.
lb.
T.
1782 0 14
4400 0
0 0
201
London.
c. q. lb.
2. 0 10
Out Ports.
Total.
T.
c. q. lb.
478 10 1 11
T.
c. g. lb.
679 12 1 21
448 1 2
13 0 0
461 1 2
77 3 0
10 2 0
88 1 0
552 2 6
128 3 3 0
681 1 6
3485 2 24
3485 2 24
525 0 0 0
525 0 0 0
Flanders..
France
Germany
601 0 7
601 0 7
Holland
222 2 0
1250 3 27
1251 2 17
Ireland
664 0 18
600
199 2 24
271
2409 3 23
228 2 0
1450 2 23
0 0
1522 2 17
6
0
0 0
3074 0 13
167
6
2 18
1 10 0 0
55 11 2 17
7 10 0 0
222 18 1 7
Italy
126 2 7
126 2 7
Madeiras
220 1 7
10 0 0
Newfoundland
33 0 0
Portugal.
4907
1 24
518 0 0
128 3 3 2
Russia
42
3 0
Spain
1797 2 2 0
192
500
2 8
230 1 7
551 0 0
5036 0 26
47 3 0
4 19
1 0
1 0 3 17
6 0
0 17
0 10 0 0
0 10
0 0
34 6 2 24
10 0 0 0
44 6 2 24
1990 0 8
33 16 0 21
13 14 1 11
Straits.
1317 3 21
1317 3 21
32 1 1 10
Sweden
12
0 7
25 0 0
00
37 0 7
Turkey
80 0 10
80 0 10
58::
47 10 2 4
32 1 1 10
Venice
2 2 0
2 2 0
Guernsey
64 0 0
Jersey
39 0 0
Totals.. 19815 2 23
97 0 0
52 0 0
5849 1 15
161
0 0
9000
9 0 0 0
91
0 0
25665 0 10
1014 2 0 27
560 7 1 0 1574 9 1 27
350
APPENDIX.
IRON, WROUGght.
Countries.
London.
Out Ports.
Total.
C. q. lb.
C. 1. lb.
Africa
1368 0 7
2392 1 3
Canaries.
446 0 0
Denmark and Norway
39 1 0
46 3
0
East Country
444 3 23
168 3 0
C.
q. lb.
3760 1 10
446 0 0 0
86 0 0
613 2 23
TABLE XVII. (continued).
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1731, TO CHRISTMAS, 1732.
IRON IN BARS.
Out Ports.
T. c. q
c. q. lb.
London.
T.
241 2 1 23
c. q. lb.
496 16 3 18
Total.
Ꭲ. c. q. lb.
737 19 1 13
·
East India
2195 2 0
2195 2 0
547 19 3 8
547 19 3 8
Flanders
766 3 7
766 3 7
France
78 2 7
78 2 7
Germany
1231 0 26
•
85 0 0
1316 0 26
Holland
917 0 1
288
1 0
1205 1 1
10 0
0 0
10 0
0 0
Ireland
789 2 0
2383
3 21
3173
1 21
226 19
1 20
47 10 0 0
274 9
1 20
Italy
544 1 0
1 0 0
545
1 1
0
Madeiras
160 0 0
85 2 2
245 2 2
2 2 2
2 6
] 8 0 6
3 10
2 12
Newfoundland
158 0 0
640
3 16
798 3 16
1 0 0 0
1 0
0 0
Portugal
8286 0 14
92
0 14
8378 1 0
50 0 0 0
33 13 3 26
83 13 3 26
Russia
35
0
0
0
25 0 0
60 0 0
Spain
1968 0 27
68 2 0
2036 2 27
13 0 1 14
13 0
Straits..
1824 1 14
1824 1 14
58 0 2 14
Sweden
13 0 0
13 0 0
Turkey
48 0 11
48
0 11
::::
58
1 14
0 2 14
Venice
1
0 0
1
0 0
•
Isles-Alderney
0
0 21
0
0 21
Guernsey
81
·
Jersey
15 2
3 2
0
70 0 0
151 3 0
0
82 0 26
97
2 26
:
Totals.
21412 0 25
6430 1 19
27842 2 16
1149 5 1 1
580 8 3 22
1729 14 0 23
APPENDIX.
351
TABLE XVII. (continued.)
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1732, TO CHRISTMAS, 1733.
IRON IN BARS.
IRON, WROUGHT.
London.
Out Ports.
Total.
Countries.
C. g. lb.
C.
Africa..
1354 0 0
Canaries
116 1 14
5 0
q. lb.
1635 3 2
0
C.
q. lb.
2989 3 2
London.
T. c. 9. lb.
77 12 0 19
Out Ports.
T. c.
I. lb.
245 12 0 24
Total.
T. c. q. lb.
323 4 1 15
121
1 14
Denmark and Norway
36
3
3 0
47 2 0
84
1 0
East Country
369 1 21
204 0 0
573
1 21
East Indies.
2151
2 0
2151 2 0
430 0 0 0
430 0 0 0
Flanders.
France
670
1 20
670
1 20
174
0
0 0
10 0 0
184 0 0
Germany
1106 0 15
Holland
831 3 13
Ireland
1040 2 14
59 0 7
239 0 0
1448 3 2
Italy
116 1 19
Madeiras
324 2 0
200
2 0 0
1165 0 22
1070 3 13
2489 1 16
118 1 19
..
61 1 2
8
10 0 0 0
71
1
---
326 2 0
16 10 0 0
Newfoundland
168 2 0
823 1 2
991 3 2
Portugal
8609
3 11
84 0 0
8693 3 11
71 10 0 14
58 11 0 16
4 11 3 12
2 8
16 10 0 0
58 11
76
Russia
48 0 0
69 0 0
Spain
2623 3 21
92 2 0
Straits.
Sweden
2272 3 14
22 1 0
100
117 0 0
2716 1 21
2272 3 14
23 1 0
50 0 0 0
52 0 0 0
21 7
1
སྐྱབ. 3
0 16
1
3 26
7
1 0
52 0 0 0
Turkey
62 1 7
62 1 7
Venice
7 0
0
0
0 14
7 0 14
Guernsey
39 2
0
300 3 0
340
Jersey.
26
0
0
116 2 14
1 0
142 2 14
Totals.. 22172 1
22172 1 1
5140 1 13
27312 2 14
758 13 3 13
340 2 1 24
1098 16 1 9
352
APPENDIX.
TABLE XVII. (continued.)
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1733, TO CHRISTMAS, 1734.
IRON, WROUGHT.
IRON IN BARS.
Countries.
Africa.
London.
C.
4.
1323 3 0
Out Ports.
Total.
London.
Out Ports.
lb.
C. q. lb.
1604 1 0
C.
2928 0 0
9. lb.
0
T. c.
q. lb.
91 6 0 9
T.
267
C. q. lb.
4 3 17
T.
C.
Total.
358 10 3 26
lb.
Canaries
358
Denmark and Norway
0 0
10 2 14
358
0.0
28
2 22
39 1 8
East Country
542 2 10
70 0 0
612 2 10
East India.
5413 0 26
Flanders.
775 3 18
5413
775
0 26
568 0 0 0
568 0 0 0
3 18
France
47 3 10
4 0 0
51 3 10
Germany
Holland
Ireland
1002 1 7
793 1 3
515 2 0
93 0 0
1597
123 0 0
1 12
1095 1 7
916 1
2112 3 12
Italy
98 2 0
98 2
2
Madeiras
208 0 0
Newfoundland
24 0 0
Portugal..
5622
1 7
Russia
23 0 0
Spain
3066 3 7
9 0 0
362 0 0
198 0 0
28 0 0
1 0 0
Straits.
1307 2 21
217 O
386 0 0
5820 1 7
51 0 0
3067 3 7
1307 2 21
-3200
617 11 2 19
16 9 3 0
634 1 1 19
0
10 6 3 27
8410
84 10 2 7
8 8 3
0 5 1 7
30 16 3 24
6
18 15 3 5
0 5 1 7
115
7
2
3
12 16 3 4
31 9
12 16 3 4
20
31 9 2 0
Sweden
23
0 0
23 0 0
Turkey
4
Venice
0 14
200
4 0 14
2 0 0
Alderney
Guernsey
Jersey
46 2 0
183
Totals.. 21391
0 0
3 25
1 0
0 0
52 2 2
109 3 0
1
0 0
99 0 2
292 3 0
4281 2 8
25673 2 5
1416 1 2 10
323 5 2 26
1739 7 1 8
APPENDIX.
353
TABLE XVII. (continued.)
FROM CHRISTMAS, 1734, TO CHRISTMAS, 1735.
IRON, WROUGHT.
IRON IN Bans.
London.
Out Ports.
Total.
Country.
H.
q. lb.
H.
9. lb.
H.
g. lb.
Africa.
1220 3 22
1914
1 25
3135
1 19
London.
T. h. 9. lb.
70 19 1 11
Out Ports.
Total.
T. h.
321 19
q. lb.
2 13
T. h.
392 18
q. lb.
3 24
Canaries.
818 0 0
818 O
0
0
Denmark and Norway
45 1 0
33
3 14
79 0 14
East Country.
379 3 7
381
0 0
760 3 7
East India
7948 0 0
7948 0 0
417 19 1 0
417 19
1 0
Flanders.
627 2 6
627 2 6
France
Germany
Holland.
Ireland
Italy
•
Madeiras
Newfoundland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Straits.
Sweden
Turkey
Venice
Guernsey
106 2 0
5 0 0
· ·
1453 1 4
99 1 0
•
•
872 0 24
155 2 0
111
1552 2 2
1027 2 24
2 0
1000
1 0 0 0
4
1375 2 2
2137
0 26
3512 3 0
404 17
2 17
21 12 1 21
426 10 0 10
382 0 7
382 0 7
836 2 14
27
0 0
863 2 14
6000
49
2 1 5
55 2 1 5
75 0 0
514 2 20
589 2 20
0 3
0 0
0 3
0 0
6481
0 17
181
1 21
6662 2 10
200 18 0
8
22
8
3 7
223
6
3 15
39 2 7
14 0 0
53
2 7
2939
1 18
18 0 0
2957
1 18
50 4 0 24
2060
1 14
2060
1 14
204 19 3 0
50 4 0 24
204 19 3 0
4 1 0
4
I 0
•
69
3 25
69
3 25
8
2 0
8
2 0
59
0
52
1 22
111
1 22
260
600
2 600
Jersey
73 0 0
104
3 0
177 3 0
Totals.. 27875 3 27
5638 2 16
33514 2 15
1355 18 1 4
418 12 0 18
1774 10 1 22
A A
Note. The out-ports' accounts not being yet returned to the Inspector General for the year 1736, is the reason this account ends at Christmas,
1735. The Inspector General, in his books, keeps the quantities of goods exported to all foreign countries from England, only under the
heads of London and the out-ports, which is the reason he cannot distinguish what is exported from the several out-ports.
Custom-house, March 24, 1736.
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
354
APPENDIX.
TABLE XVIII.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF WROUGHT-IRON, AND
IRON IN BARS, EXPORTED TO THE PLANTATIONS, FROM
CHRISTMAS, 1728, TO CHRISTMAS, 1735, DISTINGUISHING EACH
PLANTATION AND EACH YEAR.
1729.
1730.
Iron, wrought.
Antigua.
Barbadoes.
Bermudas
Carolina
*
H.
9.
2170 0 25
2854 1 21
269 1 14
1342 1 21
ib.
Bars.
T. c. g. lb.
Iron, wrought.
Bars.
H. q. lb.
T. c. q. lb.
3 10 0
24 17 1
0
1496 3 12
2
1
3585 3 22
27 18 0
1 3 0
0
20 0 0
3 10 0 0
1479 3 23
5 10 0 0
D
Jamaica
Nevis..
Georgia..
Hudson's Bay
Mountserrat
New England
New Providence
·
94 2 0
8742 0 14
2 12 0
0
19 18 2
4
170 0 0
6322 0 8
2
00 0
17
7 0
0
213 2 4
199 0 0
•
570 1 5
1
7393 3 0
337
0 0 0
12 2 23
246 3 26
0
6 0
0
7329 2 24
149 13 1
5
•
New York...
1903 2 23
58
0 0 25
2775 0 0
91 10 2 13
Pennsylvania
851 0 14
4
0 0 0
2628 3 20
0 0 2 3
St. Christopher's
1673 1 15
1
10 3
0
1733 3 11
•
Virginia (Maryland) 4866 0 23
1
1 0
0
6389 2 24
W. Indies (in general) 2394 0 3
27
92 0
2507 3 2
2 90 7
137 11 1 18
Totals
..35339 0 14
485
1 3 25
36885 3
4 436 7 2 18
1731.
1732.
Antigua.
Barbadoes
Bermudas
1543 2 19
827 2 2
3140 0 0
28
2 1 14
2470 3
28
18
13
0 0 0
73 6
•
38 0 0
1
0 0
0
22 0 0
• • •
Carolina
Georgia.
1770 0 11
10
18 1
7
2167 3 7
9 0 0 0
271 0 0
•
Hudson's Bay
Jamaica
Mountserrat
Nevis..
New England
New Providence
New York
9727 1 7 243 8 2
112 0 0
1
5 0
0
142 2
0
5320 2 26
26 14 0
0
5582 1 8
20
10 0
9900
35 1 14
51 3 0
84 0 7
167 2 0
8 2 7
8597 2 4
413
5 2 17
30 0
2627 2 7
101
11 1
1
2380 0 24
58
5 3 27
Pennsylvania
St. Christopher's
2946 0 7
5
00 0
2207 2 26
2 16 0 21
1084 2 0
0
10 0
0
776 2 21
2 11 0 0
Virginia (Maryland)
W. Indies (in general)
Totals
9681 3 11
3 18 0
0
7445 3 27
2192 2 21
36
21 0
3085 1 24
4 14 0 0
11 11 2 4
40306 3 18
458 9 3
1
36196 3 11
545 2 0 19
APPENDIX.
355
Antigua
Barbadoes
Bermudas
TABLE XVIII. (continued).
Iron, wrought.
C. 9. lb.
1080 2 21
1733.
Iron, wrought.
1734.
2625 1 5
Bars.
T. c. q. lb.
1 0 0 0
2400
Bars.
C.
Carolina.
2692 3 11
25 0 0 0
ö
1.
q. lb.
1401 2 18
1298 2 13
207 0 0
T. c. q. lb.
1 0 0 0
10 10 1 0
2880 2 19
7 15 3 21
Georgia
332 1 0
41 0 14
1
00 0
Hudson's Bay
159 0 0
4
20
200
122 0 0
2
12 0
0
Jamaica..
5545 0 0
17
19 0
0
4840 0 5
26
0 0
00
0
Mountserrat
Nevis..
New England
New Providence
217 0 7
•
169 1 14
166 1 0
127 1 0
7104 3 14 370 14 2
7
6191 3
5 263 8 3 0
30 0
•
New York..
1609 3 7
55
0 0
0
2291 0 6
90 6 3 20
Pennsylvania..
2419 2 8
2
0 0
0
3149 2 21
St. Christopher's
1470 1 21
544 1 0
Virginia (Maryland).. 8815 1 10
12
0 0
0 0
0
8641 0 7
1 15 3 2
W. Indies (in general) 1995 2 13
7
10 1
0
3683 2 0
5 14 2 0
Total.... 36237 0 5
497 9 3 7
35589 0 10 410
410 4 0 15
1735.
Iron, wrought.
Bars.
C.
9. 16.
T. c. q.
lb.
Antigua
Barbadoes
Bermudas
1721 0 10
1
7 0 0
· •
1795 0 16
•
Carolina..
Georgia
•
3353 1 23
5 19 0 14
•
1700 0 0
4
00
0
•
Jamaica.
Nevis...
Hudson's Bay
Mountserrat
New England
New Providence
New York
Pennsylvania.
•
St. Christopher's
·
•
0 12 0 0
9709 1 24
2 13 0
W. Indies (in general)
4960 2 15
3
70 0
Virginia (Maryland)..
74 0 0
1 15 0
0
6247 2 1
3 13 0
0
473 1 14
150 3 0
6543 2 23 101
14 0 0
9 3
2136 2 7 108 8 1 5
2102 O 0
840 2 7
41822 1 0 233 4 0 19
Note. The out-ports' accounts not being yet returned to the Inspector General,
is the reason this account ends at Christmas, 1735.
Custom-house, London, March 24, 1736.
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
TABLE XIX.
AN ACCOUNT OF BAR-IRON EXPORTED TO THE BRITISH PLANT-
ATIONS, FROM CHRISTMAS, 1746, TO CHRISTMAS, 1749, DIS-
TINGUISHING EACH YEAR.
1747
From Christmas, 1746, to Christmas 1748
1749
T. c. q. lb.
26 13 2 6
57 4 1 17
159 18 2 23
•
Custom-house, London, March 8, 1749.
Total...... 243 16 2 18
JOHN OXENFORD, A. G.
A A 2
356
APPENDIX.
NOTES TO CHAPTER V.
AMONGST other curious calculations, in the year 1783, iron is
estimated in what we imported and made from its rough state,
through all its various manufactured branches, to be of the value
of 8,700,000l.-the greatest part of which may be reckoned
labour; indeed, it is astonishing to see this branch extended to
so great an extent in so short a period, not so much in the rough
material as the hardware manufactures at Birmingham, and other
places, but particularly at Sheffield, so famous for cutlery. The
first knives made in England were by one Thomas Mathews, of
London, in the year 1563, when we imported the greatest part of
our manufacture requisite from Flanders and other countries.-
Oddy's European Commerce.
1785. The manufactures in iron and steel being objects of
great importance, the exportation of any of the tools or engines
used in them, or of models or plans of such, was prohibited, under
the penalty of one year's imprisonment, and a fine of 2007., besides
forfeiture of the articles shipped, or proved to have been intended
to be shipped. The same fine was also inflicted upon the com-
mander of any vessel knowingly receiving such articles on board,
and on custom-house officers permitting them to be shipped;
such officers, and also commanders of the king's ships so offend-
ing, being, moreover, rendered for ever incapable of holding any
office under his Majesty; but the exportation of the artificers
themselves is more strictly prohibited. Any person enticing or
endeavouring to seduce any one who has wrought in the iron or
steel manufacture to go to a foreign country, is liable to one
year's imprisonment, and a penalty of 5007. for every person he
has enticed, or endeavoured to entice; and in case of committing
the offence a second time, the imprisonment and fine are to be
doubled. Nothing in this Act, however, prevents workmen from
removing to Ireland; or tools, &c., from being shipped for that
kingdom (25 Geo. III. c. 67). This Act was amended the next
year, making it lawful to export from Great Britain to the British
3
APPENDIX.
357
West Indies, or to any part whatever, any tools or utensils made
use of in the iron or steel manufactures of this kingdom, which
might have been legally exported before the passing of 25 Geo. III.
c. 67, except" rollers, either plain, grooved, or of any other form or
denomination of cast iron, wrought iron or steel, for the rolling ofiron,
or any sort of metals, and frames, beds, pillars, screws, pinions, and
each implement, tool, or utensil thereunto belonging; rollers, slitters,
frames, beds, pillars, and screws for slitting mills; presses of all sorts
in iron, steel, or other metals, which are used with a screw exceeding
one inch and a half in diameter, or any parts of such articles, or
any model of any such utensils, engines, or machines, or any part
thereof; and all sorts of utensils, engines, or machines, used in
the casting or boring cannon, or any sort of artillery, or any parts
thereof, or any model tools, utensils, engines, or machines used
in casting or boring of cannon, or any sort of artillery, or parts
thereof." It was afterwards confirmed by 30 Geo. III. c. 18, s. 12,
and made perpetual 35 Geo. III. c. 38, s. 4.
1788. It is worthy of observation, that orders were sent from
Paris to Mr. Wilkinson (a gentleman of great eminence in the
iron manufacture) for iron pipes, to the extent of no less than
forty miles, to be used in supplying that capital with water.—
Macpherson's Annals of Commerce.
358
APPENDIX.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE QUANTITY OF BAR-IRON IMPORTED INTO
GREAT BRITAIN, DISTINGUISHING FROM WHAT PLACES IM-
PORTED INTO ENGLAND, AND ONLY THE TOTAL QUANTITY
INTO SCOTLAND.
[From "Oddy's European Commerce."]
YRS.
DENMARK.
RUSSIA.
SWEDEN.
GERMANY. SPAIN. OTHER COUN.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
1786
1218
26,029
16,834
50
197
1787
1636
21,829
18,492
18
146
283
1788
1337
27,816
16,877
413
244
174
1789
798
25,005
19,903
675
69
58
1790
175
22,440
20,466
573
104
51
1791
1100
29,971
19,572
220
76
622
1792
705
26,892
24,442
20
273
119
1793
961
33,511
20,079
45
180
1794
408
21,170
15,816
64
119
1795
172
26,215
18,171
32
239
1796
962
29,083
18,006
3
220
1797
464
20,537
11,428
425
279
1798
302
29,446
15,799
272
142
1799
264
23,451
18,623
12
97
:
YEARS.
ENGLAND.
SCOTLAND.
TOTAL.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
1786
44,330
4235
48,565
1787
42,407
4321
46,728
1788
46,836
4633
51,469
1789
46,511
4532
51,043
1790
43,812
5428
49,340
1791
51,564
5609
57,173
1792
52,453
5240
57,693
1793
54,780
4182
58,962
1794
37,578
4901
42,479
1795
44,830
4696
49,526
1796
48,276
5001
53,277
1797
33,135
3825
36,960
1798
45,964
5964
51,928
1799
42,479
5852
48,331
APPENDIX.
359
MAY, 1790-COKE FURNACES IN GREAT BRITAIN.
CUMBERLAND.
NAMES.
SITUATION.
PROPRIETORS.
Miles from
Seaton
OCCUPIERS.
NO. BT. BLT.
1 Workington.. Christian, Esq... Spedding & Co. 1 W 1760
LANCASHIRE.
Lord Balcarras.. Lindsey & Co.. 1 1 E 1789
Hay
2 Wiggan
YORKSHIRE.
Masborough
Chappel Town. 6 Sheffield.
Seacroft
Park
Barking Shaw.. 2 Halifax
Wingerworth
1 Rotherham .. Earl Effingham
..
•
Walker & Co.. 2
Swallow
2 E 1765
2
E 1778
•
4 Leeds
1 W 1780
2 Sheffield
Duke of Norfolk.. Booth & Co..
1
WV 1786
•
Emmett
1 W 1780
་
•
Chesterfield
•
DERBYSHIRE.
2 Chesterfield.. Sir H. Hurlsake.. Butler
Ditto...
142
Stone Gravel.. 1
Ditto..
Smith & Co...
Barnett & Co...
Hurt
2 E 1780
2 E 1777
2 E 1780
J. Shimmell
Hurt
1
• •
•
.. 1782
Stayley
·
•
4 Chesterfield.. Mather
•
Dale Abbey
7 Derby..
Earl Stanhope
Mather
English
1
•
• •
1 E 1790
Athersley 10 Derby...
► •
Bradley
Tipton
STAFFORDSHIRE.
4 Whampton.. J. Wilkinson
J. Wilkinson.. 2
•
1 Dudley
Lord Dudley
•
Parkers
Gibbons's
E 1758
2
E 1782
Fenn & Co.
•
•
1 E 1788
1 E 1788
S. Hallen
1
E 1785
Gibbons's
1
E 1787
Parkers
1
E 1768
..
Bancks & Co..
1 E 1790
Ettingshall.. 3 Whampton.. Messrs. Buckley..
•
•
·
• •
4
4
Deepfield
Wednesbury
Level
Ditto... Penn & Co.
..
Ditto.... S. Hallen
•
3 Stourbridge.. Lord Dudley
•
Apedale
Brierly
3 Newcastle
•
..
Sir N. Gresley
2 Stourbridge.. Bancks & Co.
Newcastle Sir J. Heathcote..
..
MONMOUTHSHIRE.
Kinnersley&Co. 1 E 1790
6 Abergavenny. Earl Abergavenny T. Hill & Co...
Ditto.... Duke of Beaufort Kendalls
Blaenavon
Beaufort
Ebury..
9
•
9
Ditto.... J. Miles....
Sirhowy
.10
Ditto....
Sir Johns
Blaendair
1 Pontypool
D. Tanner
· •
•
3
3
E 1790
1 W 1780
Watkins & Co. 1 E 1790
Atkinson
1 WV 1778
D. Tanner.
•
1 E 1790
Ketley
Horse Hay
Dunnington
SHROPSHIRE.
2 Wellington.. Lord Stafford....
4
•
Ditto.... M'Slaney
. 3 Ditto.... Three Lords
Reynolds & Co. 4 E 1758
Ditto
Ditto
• •
1 E 1758
1 E 1786
• •
360
APPENDIX.
SHROPSHIRE-(continued).
PROPRIETORS.
NAMES.
SITUATION.
Miles from
Coalbrook Dale 2 Broseley
Madeley Wood 1
Ditto..
Lightmoor 5 Wellington..
•
•
R. Reynolds ....
Ditto..
Lord Craven
• • ·
•
OCCUPIERS.
NO. BT. BLT.
Dale Company 2 W 1720
• •
Ditto.
Homfrays
2 E 1757
2 E 1758
Barthall
Conney berry
Cleehill
Hollingswood.. 2 Ditto...
Snedshill
Willey
Calcut..
•
•
•
1 Broseley
1
•
2 Ditto.. Lord Jerningham J. Wilkinson
2
E 1778
Ditto....
Ditto...
2
E 1787
G. Forrester
•
Ditto....
Ditto....
Ditto.
Brodie
1
E 1757
·
•
1
E 1775
•
Ditto.
•
•
·
•
4 Cleobury Lord Craven
Ditto.... Harris, Esq.
Davenport, Esq..
Bancks & Co..
2
E 1775
Ditto......
1
E 1786
Botfield & Co..
1
1
E 1778
•
Park
2
E 1790
•
3 Wellington.. H. Browne, Esq.. Brown & Co...
GLAMORGANSHIRE.
Cyfartha.....
Plymouth
Herwain.
Merthyr
Lord Talbot
Crawshay & Co. 2
E 1767
1
•
• •
•
Ditto... Lord Plymouth
R. Hill
1
W 1766
•
5
•
•
Ditto..
Dowlais
2
• •
•
Ditto....
Lord Cardiff
Ditto..
Glover
1
W 1756
Dowlais Co...
2
E 1758
Pen-y-darran.. 1 Ditto..
Mellin Court .. 4 Neath
Cefn-Cripps
L. Evans
•
S. Homfray...
1
E 1785
Lord Vernon..
•
Myers & Co...
1 W
Cowbridge..
Bedford
Green & Co..
1
W 1790
Carron
2 Falkirk
Wilson Town.. 6 Whitburn
SCOTLAND.
Bruce of Kinnair Carron Co.....
Wilson
Clyde
Cleland
•
• •
3 Glasgow
• •
E. Dunlop
•
•
• • •
Mr. Strong
•
5 W 1760)
Wilson
2 E 1782
Eddington Co.. 2 E 1787
.12 Ditto.... Col. Dalrymple.. Col. Dalrymple 2 E 1788
Greave & Co.. 1 E 1788
North Kirk....12 Douglas
MAY, 1790-CHARCOAL FURNACES.
Duddon......12 Ulverston
CUMBERLAND.
Mr. Copeland
Latham & Co.. 1 .. 1750
WESTMORELAND.
Leighton
2 Milnthorp
Lord Derby
Halton Co..... 1 .. 1715
Halton
2 Lancaster
Backborough 10 Ulverston
Newlands
1 Ditto....
LANCASHIRE.
Bradshaw
J. Mitchell
Halton Co.....
1. . 1756
•
•
1
1705
Exrs. G. Nott.. 1
1750
Exrs. G. Nott....
Backborough Co.
APPENDIX.
361
NAMES.
SITUATION.
Miles from
··
Masborough 1 Rotherham..
Hague
5 Leeds .....
YORKSHIRE.
PROPRIETORS.
OCCUPIERS.
NO. BT. BLT.
Lord Effingham.. Walkers
Sir W. Blackett..
1 .. 1740
Cook & Co....
1
SHROPSHIRE.
Brinswood
Bowden
4 Ludlow
Cleobury
R. Knight, Esq..
Sir W. Blount
Downing & Co.
Sir W. Blount..
1
1
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Bathers, Esq..... D. Harford.... 1 .
•
Lidney
•
Near Lidney
Bishop's Wood 6 Ross
•
Flaxley
Redbrook
•
Newnham
Lord Foley.
Crawley, Esq.
•
•
...
·
3 Monmouth ..
Lord Gage...
་
W. Partridge.. 1
Crawley, Esq.. 1
Partridge & Co. 1
Tintern Abbey.. 5 Chepstow
MONMOUTHSHIRE.
..
Duke of Beaufort D. Tanner
1
Ditto...
Ditto..
1
1
•
Pont-y-pool 1 Pont-y-pool.. Hanbury, Esq.
Llanethly
5 Abergavenny.
Ditto..
· •
GLAMORGANSHIRE.
Pen-y-tyrck.. 8 Cardiff
...
Lord Talbot
Lewis....
1.
Caerphilly 7 Ditto.... J. Morgan
Harford & Co..
1
Pen-y-skedwin. 6 Swansea ....
T. Aubery
Parsons
1
Carmarthen
Aberdovey..
CARMARTHENSHIRE.
J. Morgan ...... J. Morgan
MERIONETHSHIRE.
1 ..
•
L. Edwards
Kendalls
1 ..
SCOTLAND.
Bunnawe
Argyle
Nr. Inverary
Ditto...
Duke of Argyle.. Exrs. G. Nott..
Ditto....
1.
•
Kendalls
1
SUSSEX.
Ashburnham .. 3 Battle
Lord Ashburnham
Heathfield
...
Near ditto
J. Fuller.....
Ditto
1 ..
J. Fuller...
1
: :
::
•
362
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX C.*
COMPARATIVE VIEW OF THE ESTIMATES OF THE
Estimate of the Net Produce of the Duty upon Iron, as transmitted to the Deputies
of the Iron Trade, by the Right Hon. N. Vansiltart.
Gross produce of the tax, as stated by the iron masters
Duty on iron imported on an average of the last six years-
Pig and cast, 1,967 tons, at 21.
£500,000
112,612
Other iron 36,226
at 31.
Deduct iron consumed by the Ordnance, on an average of the last
two years-
Foreign iron, 859 tons, at 31.
Native cast, 10,790 tons, at 21.
Ditto bar, 1,942 tons, at 31.
£2,567
21,580
5,826
29,973
£612,612
NAVY.
Foreign, 964 tons, at 31.
British, 307 tons, at 31...
£2,892
921
Ditto ballast, on average of two last years,
3,837 tons, at 21.
7, 674
11,487
Suppose for victualling and other services not
included-say..
£10,000-10,000
51,460
Drawback on Foreign iron exported, 4,590 tons,
at 31.
£13,770
Ditto on British iron exported, (See Statement
of Drawbacks, No. 1)
123,138
136,908
188,368
Expense of officers-say
:
:
:
5,000
193,368
Total
£419,244
From which is to be deducted in the two first years, the war duty suspended,
amounting to about 50,000/., but which will be more than compensated by the
duty on the stock in hand.
3
* Page 99.
APPENDIX.
363
NET PROCEEDS OF THE DUTY ON PIG-IRON.
Contra Statement of the Net Produce of the Duty upon Iron, estimated by the
Deputies of the Iron Trade.
..
Duty on the pig-iron made in Great Britain in the year 1805,
250,000 tons, at 21.
Ditto on foreign bar-iron imported in 1805, 27,173 tons, at 41.
Ditto on pig-iron imported in 1805,
Ditto on nails
ditto
915 tons, at 21.
ditto,
15 tons, at 61.
DEDUCT.
Ordnance Board used, in 1805, as per government documents-
Foreign bar-iron, unwrought, 460 tons, at 41.
··
£500,000 0
108,692 0
1,830
0
90 0
£610,612 0
£1,840 0
Ditto ditto, wrought, 612 tons, at 5l. 10s.
Native iron, unwrought, 137 tons, at 51.
3,366 0
685 0
Ditto ditto, wrought, 1,407 tons, at 6l. 10s.
9,145 10
Ditto ditto, cast-iron, 16,043 tons, at 31. 10s.
56,150 10
71,187 O
Deduct old stores sold from government account, at
three-fourths of the duty paid on them
8,117 10
63,069 10
Navy Board purchased in 1805—
Ballast ditto, 5,220 tons, at 21. 10s.
Foreign iron, 1,025 tons, at 41.
English ditto, 770 tons, at 5l.
Besides the iron used in the King's yards they are supplied,
by contract, with anchors, mooring-chains, cabouses,
bolts, spades, shovels, tools of all kinds, crows, pole-
axes, augers, saws, locks, hinges, chains, hooks, screws,
ladles, frying-pans, hammers, spikes, ship-hearths, &c.,
supposed to be at least 2,000 tons, at 51. 10s.
13,067 0
4,100 O
3,850 0
11,000 0
32,017 0
The Victualling-office-
Hoops, nails, &c., 1,200 tons, at 5l. 7s. 6d.
6,450 0
Increased charge of muskets-say 150,000-furnished last year, at
1s. each
7,500 0
Iron work of the artillery and ammunition waggons and carts, which
are furnished by contract, amounting to 50,000l. annually, which
will be increased at least 10 per cent.
5,000 0
Nails, iron work for barracks and depôts, accoutrements for cavalry,
intrenching and camp equipage-suppose
3,000 0
Shoes for cavalry horses, 30,000, at 4s. 6d. each
6,750 0
£123,786 10
Drawbacks on British iron, and iron wares exported, calculated on
Ditto on foreign iron exported, 4,200 tons, at 41.
Expense of collecting the duty, supposed 5 per cent. on the gross
produce of the duty on British iron..
the basis proposed by Mr. Vansittart, (See Statement of Draw-
backs, No. 2.)
200,104 0
16,800 0
25,000 0
£365,690 10
*£244,921, 10
As per Statement of Drawback, No. 3.
Exceeding the drawback above stated of
:
266,804
200,104
66,700 0
Net produce of the tax
£178,221 10
*This sum of 244,921., is made out upon the supposition of a drawback being
364
APPENDIX.
Explanatory Remarks on the Statement transmitted by the Hon.
N. Vansittart, and that prepared by the Deputies of the Iron
Trade.
1. The quantity of pig-iron made in Great Britain is supposed
to have been doubled since the year 1796. The duty is estimated
on the produce of the last year, 1805; but the duty on foreign
iron is taken on an average of the importation for six years, being
more than the importation of 1805 by 9000 tons. Had the
produce of the tax been likewise estimated on the average quan-
tity of native iron made in six years, the amount would have been
80,000l. less than is now assumed. The Treasury statement is
estimated, not only on the whole quantity made in 1805, but also
on 9000 tons of foreign iron, for which native iron has been
substituted.
2. The duty of 21. per ton, proposed to be charged on foreign
iron, will not protect the British iron master; as bar-iron, of that
quality, must, in consequence of the duty, be raised from 41. to
51. per ton. Nor will the merchant importer sell his iron to
government, with the exact advance which he has paid in the form
of duty, as this statement presumes; still less will the maker of
British iron wares be able to supply government with them, at an
advance only equal to four-fifths of the duty paid on the raw
material employed in their manufacture. Instead of an advance of
21. per ton on cast wares, and 37. per ton on bar-iron, he must, to
indemnify himself, charge an advance of 31. 10s. on the former,
and 47. to 51. on the latter.
3. By reference to the account prepared by the iron masters, as
stated above, it will appear how much the average consumption
of the Ordnance department, assumed in the Treasury estimate,
differs from the amount used last year; and the same may be said
of the averages stated for the Navy department. All these items
should certainly have been taken for the same year, upon which
the produce of the furnaces has been calculated.
4. The sum set down in the Treasury estimate for services, not
allowed only on the amount of the raw materials employed in the manufacture of
the different articles. To give a proper indemnification to the export merchant, for
the advance consequent upon this tax, he must be allowed a drawback, not only
upon the raw material consumed in his wares, but also upon the expenses incurred
by and profits charged on the duty in the successive stages of the manufactory; and
the amount of such drawback, even supposing the stamps upon the debentures to be
allowed by government.
APPENDIX.
365
included, is so small, that the deputies of the iron trade conceive
that some very material error must have occurred in making out
the amount.
5. The allowance of the war tax for two years is not included
in the statement made above by the deputies of the iron trade. If
the tax alluded to is a temporary one, it may cease to operate at
the moment when encouragement is most wanted, and when their
competitors can take their iron wares to every independent mar-
ket. At all events, it appears to be matter of indifference to the
result of this calculation, from what source the compensation to
the exporter is derived. The amount of it must, in any case, be
considered as a deduction from the proceeds of the tax. If the
war tax is relinquished, other supplies must be had to an equal
amount, and such a mode of compensation would have a partial
operation, from the difference in the duty, as it respects Europe
and America.
6. It is presumed that the expense of collecting this duty will
not be less than that of any other important excise duty. The
average expense of collection, management, and other incidental
charges of the whole of the excise duties, has been stated, by Sir
John Sinclair, at 5 per cent., but, allowing for improvements in
the system, the iron masters have only assumed 5 per cent.
366
APPENDIX.
COMPARATIVE VIEW OF DIFFERENT ESTIMATES OF THE DRAWBACK UPON THE EXPORTS OF IRON WARES.
No. I.
Computation of the proposed Drawback on British Iron
exported; transmitted to the Deputies of the Iron Trade,
by the Right Hon. N. Vansittart, Secretary to the Treasury.
Pig-iron
Cast.
Tons. Tons.
1,665
£
2,357
Bar
1,550
Nails
Wrought-iron and hardware 20,487
4,022, at 21.- 8,044
3,382, at 31.-10,146
-22,037, at 41.-88,148
Tin plates
2,100, at 41.- 8,400
Ordnance and small arms, suppose
equal to tin plates..
2,100, at 41.- 8,400
Total... £123,138
Remarks on the Statement of Drawbacks, transmitted by the
Right Hon. Nicholas Vansittart.
As the amount of the duty is estimated on the quantity of pig-iron made in the year 1805,
it is proper that the drawback should also be calculated on the exports of that year,
and not upon an average of years when less pig-iron was made, the produce being
proportioned to the vent.
(The pig and cast-iron are taken in the Treasury statement, upon an average of ten years.
The drawback proposed on cast wares exported is the same as that on the pig-iron from
which those cast wares are made, without allowance for waste, although one ton of
cast-iron wares for exportation uses 25 cwt. of pig-iron.
The bar-iron is also taken upon an average of ten years, but an average is quite in-
applicable to this article, as the export is rapidly increasing, owing to the large demand
from Ireland. In the year 1796, the first year of the average, it was only 407 tons
10 cwt., and, in 1805, the last year of the average, it amounted to no less than 6594
tons. The demand occasioned by this exportation, of course, induced a larger produce
to which the duty attaches. The drawback is taken too low, for it requires 35 cwt. of
pig-iron, on an average, to make one ton of bars.
The government statement of the export of nails shows that our trade in them is much
decreased. They and the hardwares are both taken upon an average of ten years. The
drawback is calculated upon the tax paid by two tons of pig-iron, which are consumed
in making one ton of nails; but is much too low for the hardwares, one ton of which
is supposed, on an average, to consume three tons of pig-iron.
This quantity is calculated on an average of ten years. The pig-iron consumed in making
one ton of tin plates, is two tons and a half; but, as it has been by some estimated
lower, the deputies call it two tons and a quarter.
It is not easy to discern any connexion, or ground of comparison, between tin plates and
ordnance; the average value of ordnance being supposed 167., and of tin plates 621. per
ton. The amount of the exports of ordnance and small arms, upon the Treasury ave-
rage of ten years, is 245,3061. The separate amount of ordnance and small arms is
not stated; but supposing only one-half to have been ordnance, at 167. per ton, the
weight of it alone would have been 7665 tons.
APPENDIX.
367

COMPARATIVE VIEW OF DIFFERENT ESTIMATES, &c.-continued.
No. II.
Computation of a Drawback on Iron and Iron Wares exported in the year
1805, supposing the Drawback only to be allowed on the quantity of
Raw Material consumed in the manufacture of the article.*
Difference
between
the two
computa-
tions.
No. III.
Difference
between
the two
estimates
Computation of a Drawback on Iron and Iron Wares which
would indemnify the Export Merchant for the duty and
the advances necessarily charged upon it in the succes-
sive stages of the manufacture, supposing the stamps Drawbacks
and debentures to be allowed by government.
of
Pig-iron
£ s.
Tons.
3,276 at 2 0-
£
6,552
1,983 at 2 10- 4,957
له
£
£
Pig-iron
Cast-iron wares
Tons.
s. d.
起
​3,276 at 2 7 6-
1,983 at 3 10 0-
£ £
£
7,780
6,940
14,720 6,676
11,509
3,465
Bar and rod-iron 6,594 at 500
32,970 22,824
6,594 at 3 10
23,079 12,933
725 at 4 0- 2,900
20,685 at 6 0-124,110
Nails
Hardwares
725 at 6 0
20,685 at 8 0
0. 4,350
0-165,480
169,830 81,682
127,010
38,862
3,000 at 4 10
13,500
5,100
Tin plates
Ordnance and small arms-these cannot be ac-
curately computed for want of the weights, but
it is supposed the advance on both will be at
least 15 per cent. on the value, 198,5667.
3,000 at 6 10 0
19,500 $11,100
29,784 21,384
£266,804
Cast-iron wares, using 25 cwt. of
pig-iron per ton
•
Bar-iron, supposed to include rod-
iron, using at least 35 cwt. of pig-
iron per ton
Nails
Hardwares, using 3 tons of pig-iron
per ton of wares .
Tin plates, using 24 tons of pig-iron
per ton
Ordnance & small arms- -the value
exported last year is 198,5667.
Suppose one-half is ordnance, value
99,2831,, at 16l. per ton, 6205
tons, using 27 cwt. per ton
Small arms, supposed value 99,2831.,
at 8 per cent.
Totals
at 2 15- 17,063
7,943
25,006
Total
16,606 Deficiency in the Right Hon. N. Vansittart's estimate
of the drawback, compared with one which would in-
£200,104 | £76,966 demnify the exporter.
•
143,666
* This statement was prepared upon the above basis, at the suggestion of the Right Hon. Nicholas Vansittart, but is by no means considered by the
deputies of the iron trade as an adequate drawback, as it contains no allowance for additional expenses incurred, and profit upon the increased capital in
the various stages of the manufacture subsequent to that in which the tax is imposed.
368
APPENDIX.
CHAPTER VII.
SPAIN.
By a law recently passed, pig-iron is allowed to be imported on
the following terms :—
Government duty :—
If in Spanish ships, 6 rials*
Foreign...... 8
}
per Spanish cwt. about
22 to a ton.
Port charges 2 rials; say, therefore, 10 rials per 100 lbs., being
at the rate of about 21. per ton.
A work is established at Malaga, called the Constantia Iron
Company, who are importing considerable quantities of metal from
this country.
About ninety-six rials to a pound sterling.
CHAPTER X.
FRANCE.
The following tables are taken from the "Résumé des Travaux
Statistiques de l'Administration des Mines, en 1839."
Note. With reference to the " Méthodes Catalane et Corse" in the following
table, it may be remarked, that the difference between the Corsican and the Cata-
lonian methods consists in the latter roasting the ore at a distinct operation, and
employing a second one in the reduction, agglutination, and refining of the metal.
B B
Désignation des Groupes
d'usines à Fer et des
départements faisant
partie de chaque groupe.
•
48
|09
4
19 1
23
:
253
70
81
:9
40
3
Co
2
A l'air froid.
A l'air chaud.
A l'air froid.
A l'air chaud.
Au charbon de bois seul.
Au bois cru ou partielle-
ment carbonisé, seul ou
mélangé de charbon de
bois.
A l'air froid.
A l'air chaud.
A l'air froid.
A l'air chaud.
A l'air froid.
A l'air chaud.
Foyers catalans.
Foyers corses.
Alternativement au char-
bon de bois seul et au cokej
seul.
Au charbon de bois et au
coke mélanges.
Au coke seul.
corse. [See NOTE, p. 368.]
Méthodes catalane et
Foyers d'affinerie.
Méthode comtoise.
Foyers bergamasques.
Foyers d'affinerie.
Foyers de chaufferie
au charbon de bois.
Foyers de mazerie.
Foyers d'affinerie.
Foyers d'affinerie.
Foyers de chaufferie
à la houille.
Fours à réverbère de
chaufferie.
Fours à Puddier.
Foyers de chaufferie.
Fineries.
Fours à Puddler.
Fours à réverbère de
chaufferie.
Foyers d'affinerie.
Foyers de mazerie.
Foyers d'affinerie.
Méthode bergamasque.
Méthode wallonne.
TABLEAU DU NOMBRE ET DE LA CONSISTANCE DES USINES A FER DE FRANCE, EN 1838.
Fabrication de la Fonte.
Hauts Fourneaux marchant.
Fabrication du Gros Fer.
Travail au Charbon de Bois.
Fabrication de
Travail mixte au
Travail à la houille.
l'Acier de Forge.
charbon de bois
et à la bouille.
Méthode nivernaise.
Avec
Méthodo com-
Méthode
champe-
Méthode
un
Aveo
deux
toise modifiée.
noise.
Anglaise.
senl
foyers.
foyer.
Nombre total des fonderies de minerai et des forges.
1. Groupe de l'Est
2. — du Nord-ouest
3.
de l'Indre
4.- du Périgord
5. — du Sud-est
..
89
19
6. — du Nord-est
39
7.-deChampagne (
135
6
et Bourgogne (
8.
du Centre
48
9.
du Sud-ouest.
19
10.
des houillères
du Nord.. S
11.
- des houilleres
du Sud
:
23
3
185
3
163
•
·
2
127
121
:
37
:
221
:
:
12.- des Pyrénées
114
8
:
:
:
:
et de la Corse S
Totaux
442 25
16 31
1
5
12′21 117
8 961
9 81
40 3145 26
..
..
5 151
60
23
2
•
2
118
29
40
26
23
26 15
1
1
83
51
57
28
21
158
1
] 12
40
15
37
122
5
22
3
6
4
35
14
:
10
1
2
55
68 37
..
15
:
..
:
:
1 10 86 93
74 218 113 44 26 43 911
:
601




Ponte des Minerais.
STATISTIQUE DE L'INDUSTRIE DU
DU FER-PRODUITS DE 1838.
PRODUITS
FEUX ET ATELIERS.
Nombre des
Feux et
Ateliers.
Ouvriers
employes
aux divers
Exploitation {
Lavage.
Minières
Mines.
Lavoirs à bras
à cheval
"}
à machine
Grillage-Fours de Grillage.
Transport des minerais
Actifs. Inactifs.
Feux et
Ateliers,
NATURE.
§ 1. EXTRACTION ET PREPARATION DES MINERAIS.
Poids Total
sans defalca-
tion pour
cause de
transportation
ulterieure.
VALEUR.
Valeur creee
ou valeur du
produit, de-
falcation faite
de la valuer
de la mattiere
primiere em-
ployee.
MINERAL.
quint. mét.
2184 261
10,273 (
144
97
3,681 J
brut (à fondre, à laver, ou à
griller) (a)
23,050,081
francs.
5,429,296
francs.
5,429,296
1465
566
41
11
1,751
lavé
8,072,139
303
42
116
22
173
grillé
9,690,810
877,230 1,140,879
2,139,346
(b)
244,999
6,481,544
15,878
14.295,185
OBSERVATIONS.
(a) Les minières ont pro-
duit 20,820,910 q.m. valant
4,229,025fr., et les mines
2,229,171 q.m. valant
1,210,271fr.
(b) Les transports de
mineraise font ordinaire-
ment pendant la belle sai-
son, par les habitans des
campagnes, dans l'inter-
valle des travaux agricoles.
On n'a point fait de re-
cherches sur le nombre
très-considérable des ou-
vriers, qui se livrent à
cette industrie, parceque
ceux-ci ne se rattachent
qu'accidentellement à l'in-
dustrie du fer.
§ 2. FABRICATION DE LA FONTE (BRUT OU MOULEE DE 1" FUSION.) (c)
FONTE OBTENUE
Hauts fourneaux marchant au charbon de )
bois suel
389
78
5,457
au charbon de bois seul.{
brute
moulée
Hauts fourneaux marchant au bois (cru ou
partiellement carbonisé) seul ou mélangé
de charbon de bois...
au bois (cru ou part.brute
43
4
636-
Hauts fourneaux marchant alternativement
au charbon de bois et au coke
6
308
Hauts fourneaux marchant au charbon de)
bois et au coke mélangés
5
158
carbonisé) seul ou mél.
de charbon de bois
au charb. de bois et ou coke
employés alternat. ...
au charbon de bois et au
coke mélangés
moulée
brute
2,166,113 | 37,798,251
378,957 | 10,846,044
184,074 3,484,124
58,430 1,625,859
97,410 1,516,878
38,925,966
4,162,481
moulée
25,370
brute
72,562
moulée
12,080
Hauts fourneaux marchant au coke seul ou
22
11
mélangé de houille..
432
au coke seul, ou mélangée
de houille..
brute
482,247
{ moulée
4,623
749,340
1,308,116
350,320
5,541,633
115,575
2,039,408
1,411,211
3,924,955
465
DB
6,991
Total des diverses sorts de fontes.
3,477,766 | 63,334,140 50,464,021
(c) La fonte obtenue se
subdivise comme il suit,
cu égard au combustible
employé à sa fabrication:
Fonte au combustible vé-
gétal 2,788,474 q.m.
Fonte au combustible mi-
néral 486,870 q.m.
Fonte obtenue à l'aide du
mélange ou de l'emploi
alternatif des combus-
tibles vegetal et mine-
ral 207,422 q.m.

$3. FABRICATION DU GROS FER.
FER OBTENUS PAR
(d)
(d) Le fer obtenu se sub-
divise comme il suit eu
égard au combustible em-
ployé à sa fabrication :
Fer combustible végétal
1,043,409 q.m.
Fer au combustible mi-
néral 1,107,979 q.m.
For au mélange des deux
sortes de combustibles
47,444 q.m.
Affinage de la Fonte.
Traitement direct) Forges Catalanes
des Minerais.
ct}
Méthode comtoise-Foyers d'affinerie
wallonne..
nivernaise
98
19
806
les méthodes catalane et corse
103,153
Corses
8
735
226
3,805
l'affinage comtois
76
5
...
523
wallon
Feux de chaufferie
33
に
​Foyers de mazénge
17
14
85
nivernais
•
4,291,431
839,409 | 39,930,863
89,675 3,869,492
11,172 538,541
3,245,010
17,377,052
1,867,852
303,789
d'affinerie
25
20
comtoise mo-
difiée...
24
2
de chaufferie.)
1
413
comtois modifié
•
47,444 2,003,228
800,130
Fours à rév. de chie.]
10
à puddler..
67
19
champenoise Foyers de chaufferie.
78
15 S
1,030
champenois.
279,434 | 10,289,798
3,995,749
Fineries
64
10
anglaise
Fours à puddler
176
42
2,535
anglais.
à rev. de chie.)
87
20
le traitement des riblons
828,545 29,487,474
(e) 43,125 2,477,337
11,033,330
10,057
Total des diverses sorts do gros fer.!
B B 2
2,241,957 92,898,164 38,623,518
§ 4. ÉLABORATIONS PRINCIPALES DU GROS FER ET DE LA FONTE.
Etirage du fer au martinet) Foyers de chaufferie.
et au laminoir
Fours
Fabrication du fer de fon- ) Foyers
derie.
...
Fours
du fer de tirerie Feux
du fil de fer
de la tôle
de fer-blanc
Traitement nes riblons....
Fabrication de la fonte
moulée de 2d fusion..
1,854,716
1,209,213
119
41
834
Petit for
83
12
20
5
956
For de fenderie
90
22
42
6
415
Fer de tirerio
1,382
Fil de fer
•
821
Tôle
250,954 | 12,583,663
325,080 | 15,160,640
110,870 6.300,050
123,000 9,699,088
106,032 | 12,520,979
559,451
2,558,220
2,500,701
3-12
For-blanc
39,340 4,530,200
1,464,545
Foyers de chaufferie.
Fours
à réverbère
Cubilots
43
333
Fer de riblons
43,125
2,477,337
20
66
21
3,757
Fonte moulée de deuzième fusion.
400,880 | 10,093,877
898,632
7,453,950
271
62
8,840
18,404,497
(c) Pour obtenir le total
du fer neuf livré par les
usines françaises au com-
merce ou aux élaborations
dont il est question dans
le $4, on à reporté ici lo
produit des forges à riblons;
mais comme ces usines ne
sont qu'élaborer du vieux
fer, c'est au $4 qu'on à dû
faire figurer à valeur créée
par cette industrie.
(ƒ) On a obtenu en
outre dans cette fabrication
5,872 q.m. de gros fer va-
lant 422,799 fr. qui ont été
compris ci-dessus dans le
gros fer obtenu à l'aide des
diverses méthodes § 3.
(g) A ce nombre il faut
joindro un nombre au moins
aussi considérable l'ouvriers
employés dans les usines, à
l'exploitation et à la cur-
bonisation des bois, au
transport des minerais, des
combustibles et des divers
produits.

Foyers de mazéage
d'affinerio ..
Fours do cómentation,
25
76
11
29
15
Fabrication de l'acier de
forge
de cémentation
§ 5. FABRICATION ET ELABORATIONS PRINCIPALES DE L'ACIER.
200
Acier de forge
(f) 34,840 2,407,856
1,147,227
135
Acier do cémontation.
30,215 1,974,701
507,654
Corroyage de l'acier
.Feux de corroyage
Fusion de l'ucier
.Fours de fusion..
Fabrication des faux ......Martinets
des limes
125
25
64
60
16
3:2:
600
Total des deux sortes d'acier brut
Acier corroyé
65,055 4,382,017
1,654,781
35,864 4,800,110
1,473,917
52
Acior fondu
6,423
1,024,050
506,293
280
Faux
·
7,028
2,100,915
1,104,300
1,089
Limes......
3,155
980,830
509,512
2,476
5,338,863
TOTAUX.
Total des ouvriers employés aux travaux spéciaux
(1)
44,242
Total des valeurs créées par l'industrie
du fer..
127,210,084


STATISTIQUE DE L'INDUSTRIE MINERALE.-PRODUITS DE 1838.
Nature de l'Industrie.
Nombre des
mines, mi-
nières, &c.
Exploitées.
Non
Exploitées.
Ouvriers
employés
aux mines, minières
et usines.
Nature.
PRODUITS.
Poids.
Valeur.
Valeur créée.
Exploitation de la houille.
>>
du lignite...
de l'anthracite
de la tourbe
Totaux
EXPLOITATION DES COMBUSTIBLES MINERAUX ET DE LA TOURBE.
157 64 23,751 Houille
1366 Lignite
51 38
28 18
1099 Anthracite
236 120 26,216|
Total.
2011 488 36,958 Tourbe
2247 608 63,174]
Francs.
Quint. mét.
29,446,947 29,078,083
1,010,886 916,528
674,692) 939,189
31,132,525 30,933,800
Francs.
30,933,800
3,955,530 3,482,770| 3,482,770
35,088,055| 34,416,570| 34,416,570
FABRICATION ET ELABORATIONS PRINCIPALES DE LA FONTE, DU FER ET DE L'ACIER.
12328 358 15,878] Minerai préparé
Extraction et préparation du minerai de fer
Fabrication de la fonte..
du
"
fer.
gros
Elaborations principales du fer et de la fonte
Fabric. et élaborat. principales de l'acier
•
Totaux.
6991 Fonte brute et moulée (1re fusion)
10,057 Gros fer
8840 Fer élab. et fonte moulée (2d fusion)
2476 Acier brut et élaboré
14,295,185
3,477,766 63,334,140
50,464,021
2,221,957 92,898,164
38,623,518
18,494,497
5,338,863
2328 358 44,242|
Voyez le tableau précédent pour le résumé détaile de la production des diverses branches de l'industrie du fer.
127,216,084

APPENDIX.
373
En 1838, les quantités de matières premières extraites du sol ou
importées en France pour les besoins de l'industrie du fer ont été les
suivantes :*
Fer en barres
importé
Minerai brut fourni par les mines et minières QUINT. MET.
françaises
Minerai importé de l'Ile d'Elbe et de Suisse
Fonte brute importée d'Angleterre, de Belgique,
d'Allemagne, de Toscane, de Prusse, de Sar-
daigne, &c.
[(Fabriqué au de Suède, de Russie,
charbon de bois d'Espagne,d'Autriche,et
et un marteau) | de Norwège
23,050,081
9,646
162,793
52,773
d'Allemagne, de Sar-
57,144
daigne, de Prusse, etc.
4,371
(Fabriqué à la d'Angleterre, d'Espagne
houille et au
au
Ulaminoir)
Acier brut importé de Prusse, d'Angleterre, d'Au-
triche, d'Allemagne, de Hollande, de Suisse,
de Suède, etc.
8,821
Riblons ou ferrailles d'Angleterre, et des Pays-
Bas, etc.
9,917
• Résumé des Travaux Statistiques de l'Administration des Mines, en 1839.
374
APPENDIX.
CHAPTER XI.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
APPENDIX D.*
STATEMENT A.
The committee of manufactures of iron, appointed by the Con-
vention, assembled at Philadelphia, to examine the returns re-
ceived in answer to the circulars addressed to different individuals
engaged in that branch of industry, report the following tabular
statement as the result of their investigations:

1828.
1829.
1830.
STATES.
Pennsylvania
New Jersey.
Maryland.
Virginia
Ohio....
Delaware
Missouri
Furnaces.
Pig-iron.
Castings.
Furnaces.
Pig-iron.
Castings.
No. Tons. Tons.
11
44 24822 3693
1733
No.
44
6264 11
5
2247
483
5
..
1715
2
400
50
2
702
72
Tons. Tons. No.
27425 4564 45 31056 5506
1941 5998 10 1671 5615
1065 6 3163
538
Tons. Tons.
1259
2
43
450
350
450 350
7-2
5400
250
450 350
590 250
63 29652 10840
63 32233 12049 73
4286813273
One furnace, erected in Pennsylvania in 1830, will, in 1831,
make 1100 tons of pig-iron.
In addition to the seventy-three furnaces mentioned in the
preceding Table, from which detailed returns had been received,
the committee had information of 129 furnaces, in the States of
Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Tennessee, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Ohio, in actual opera-
tion, but from them had then received no returns. Taking the
production of the seventy-three furnaces, from which returns have
been received, as the rate for estimating the whole, and the follow-
ing would be the result:-
Years. Furnaces. Pig-iron.
Total.
Castings.
No.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
1828
192
90,368
33,036
123,404
1829
192
98,234
36,720
134,954
1830
202
118,620
36,728
155,348
But as the greater part of the furnaces, not included in the re-
turns, are situated in districts where but few castings are made,
* Page 235.
APPENDIX.
375
the committee have not felt authorised to estimate the quantity of
castings made at them at more than about 5 per cent. of their
entire production, which would give the following proportions and
results :
Years. Furnaces.
Pig-iron.
Castings.
Total.
No.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
1828
192
108,564
14,840
123,404
1829
192
118,405
16,549
134,954
1830
202
137,075
18,273
155,348
From the best information the committee have been able to col-
lect on this subject, they estimate, that of the pig-iron made in
these
years, about 10,000 tons per annum, have, upon an average,
been converted in the air furnaces and cupolas into castings, leav-
ing to be manufactured into bar-iron—
In 1828, of pig-iron, 98,564 tons, making of bars 70,403 tons.
>>
108,405
127,075
""
""
77,432
90,768
>>
1829
1830
And which quantities severally correspond with remarkable pro-
portional accuracy with the returns from 132 forges, which accom-
panied the returns from the seventy-three furnaces first mentioned.
In East Jersey-in a part of Connecticut-in a large district of
New York, and in Vermont, bar-iron is extensively made by the
process technically denominated "blooming "-or by a single
operation from the ore, without the intervention of the blast-
furnace.
The returns already received justify the committee in putting
down this description of bar-iron, for the year 1828, at 5341 tons;
1829, 5654 ditto; 1830, 5853 ditto; of which 2197 tons in East
Jersey-making a total of bar-iron for 1828, of 75,744 tons;
1829, 83,086 ditto; 1830, 96,621 ditto; and the entire quantity
of iron, in its first stage, as shown in the following Table :-
1830.
Description of iron.
1828.
1829.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Pig-iron
108,564
118,405
137,075
Castings from blast-furnaces
14,840
16,549
18,273
Bloomed bar-iron, for the years respectively,
reduced to pig-iron, at 28 cwt. to the ton of bars
7,477
7,916
8,194
Total iron in pigs and castings
130,881
142,870
163,542
Total increase of all kinds of iron in two years very nearly 25 per
cent.
For the purpose of determining the value of the above iron, the
376
APPENDIX.
committee have taken the average prices of the principal sea-
ports, and those of Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, and have esti-
mated that two-thirds of the bar-iron made in the United States
is sold in the western markets. The proportion may be greater,
which would increase the entire value.
In 1828 the average price of American hammered iron in the
principal cities east of the Susquehannah was 105 dollars, and at
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati 125 dollars; the average estimated as
above would be 118. In 1829 the prices were 100 and 122—
giving an average of 114; and in 1830, 90 and 100 dollars—
average 963. Castings from the blast furnaces are valued at
sixty dollars, although many sell higher; and from the air fur-
nace and cupola at 44 cents per lb., which is certainly not above
the average rate.
At these prices the aggregate value of the iron made in—
1828
1829
1830
would be
""
""
10,861,440 dollars.
11,528,134
11,444,410
""
"
Increase in market value in two years less than 5 per cent.-
decrease in value from 1829 to 1830 nearly three-fourths of 1 per
cent.
APPENDIX.
377
APPENDIX E.*
STATEMENT B.
Prices of iron in England, taken from the invoices of the im-
porters in New York:


Flat.
Rounds.
Square.

Years.
Com'on Com'on
size. size.
5-8.
1-2.
3-8.
1.4.
Com'on
size.
1-2.
£ s. d. £
s. d. £
s. d. £
s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £
s. d. £
s. d. £
s. d.
1806 20 6 022
6 023
6 027
0 0
19
6 0
1808
14
5 015
5 0
1809 14 0 015
0 016 0 0
14
0 017
0 0
1810 13 0 014
1815 11 0 611
181610 0 010 0 0 10
010
0 0
17
0 0
13
0 0 16
0 0
0 011
0 016
0 0
11
0 0.13
0 0
0 0
10
0 012
0 0
1819 12 6 012 6 012
1820 9 16 910 0 010
6 0
12
6 0
6 011
6 012 5 0
11 6 0
1821 8 15 6 8
15 6 8
15 6 9
5 611 14 013 13 0 8 15 6 9 15 6
1822 8 0 0 8
0 0
8
0 010
3 0
800
1823 8 4 0 8
4 6
8
4 6 9
4 6
8
4 0 9 4 0.11
4 0
1824 9 2 0 9
1825 13 15 013 15 014
182610 6 010 6 011
1827 9 13 0 9 13 010
Feb. 1828 8 9
90 8
209
20
11 6 0
9
20
60
14
6 015
6 0
6 012 3 014
3 0
10
6 0
0 0
11
7 013
7 0 9 13 010 7 011
7 0
9 0 8
9 0
13
0 0 8
0 0 8
9 0 9 10 0.11
0 0
July 1828 7
9
907
9 0 7
9 0
7
9 0
10
5
0
1829 6
0 0 0 6
0 0
6
0 0
6
0
0 0
1830 6
0 0 6
0 0
6
0 0 7 0 0 9
0 011
0 0
6
0 0
1831
{
5 10 0 5
10 0 5
10 0 6 10 0
5
10 0
9
0 011
0 0
6 0 0 6
0
0 0 6
6
0
0 0 7 7 00
:
:
6
0
0 0
In 1806 the difference between common sizes and half-inch was
nearly 71. sterling per ton. It required twenty-five years to bring
it down to the present difference of about 11.
"B. B. HOWELL, Esq.
"SIR,-I have the honour to hand you the following prices of
iron in Sweden, from 1815 to 1831, and you may consider the
Russian new sable was at the same prices, and P.S.I. at 20s.
sterling per ton higher, at the same periods. Your's, &c.
(Signed)
"N. SALTUs."
* Page 237.
378
APPENDIX.
March
•
June
February
December
March
July
October
£
8. d.
1815 12 0 0
1816 13 10 0
1816 12 10 0
1817 13 10 0
1817 14 0 0
1819 16 10 0
September
December
April
September
June
July
October
£ s. d.
1824 10 7 6
·
1824 11 5 0
1825 14 3 0
1825 14 19 0
1826 12 0 0
1827 12 90
1819 13 3 0
1827 13
13
5 5
0
January.
1820 14 10 0
December
1827 13 5 0
June
1821 13 5 0
September
1828 13 15 0
September
1821
11 14 0
May
1829 13 15 0
November
April .
August
December
1822
11 10 0
June
1829 13 90
•
1823 12 4 0
1823 11 10 0
September
December
..
1823 11
11 0 0
April
1829
1829 12 0 0
1830 11 0 0
12 19 0
1824 11 5 0
May
1831
10 10 0
1824 10 11 0
March
August
Wholesale prices of hammered bar-iron in the sea-ports of the
United States:
Years.
Dollars.
Years.
Dollars.
1793-1796
90 to 95 per ton.
1816
110 to 120 per ton.
1797-1798
100 105
1817-1820
90 100
"
1799-1800
95 100
1821-1822
85
95
""
"
1801
110
120
1823-1824
90
1802-1806
105 110
1825-1826
105
"
1807-1809
110 115
1827
100
"
"
1810
115 120
1828
105
"
1811-1812
110 115
1829
100
"
1813
">
115 125
1830
90
1814
125
145
1831
75,, 85
1815
130,,
150
APPENDIX F.*
STATEMENT C.
Showing the effects of a tariff of protection on the article of iron
at Pittsburgh and Cincinnati :-
In the years 1818, 1819, and 1820 bar-iron, in Pittsburgh, sold
at from 190 to 200 dollars per ton. Now the price is 100 dollars.
per ton.
In the same years boiler-iron was 350 dollars per ton. Now at
140 dollars per ton.
* Page 237.
APPENDIX.
379
Sheet-iron was but little made in those years, and sold for
eighteen dollars per cwt. Now made in abundance, and sold at
eight and a half dollars per cwt.
Hoop-iron under same circumstances-was then 250 dollars,
and is now 120 dollars.
Axes were then twenty four dollars per dozen, and are now
twelve dollars.
Scythes are now 50 per cent. lower than they were then-as are
spades and shovels.
Now a
Iron hoes were, in these years, nine dollars per dozen.
very superior article of steel hoes at four to four and a half dollars.
Socket shovels are made at four and a half dollars by the same
individual, who, a few years ago, sold them at twelve dollars per
dozen.
Slater's patent stoves, imported from England, sold in Pittsburgh
at 350 to 400 dollars. A much superior article is now made there,
and sold for 125 to 150 dollars.
English vices then sold for twenty to twenty-two and a half
cents. per lb.-now a superior article is sold at ten to ten and a
half.
Braziers' rods, in 1824, were imported, and cost fourteen cents.
per lb., or 313 drs. 60c. per ton. Now supplied at any amount
of a quarter to three-eighths diameter, at 130 dollars per ton.
Steam-engines have fallen in price, since 1823, one-half, and
they have one-half more work on them.
The engine at the Union Rolling Mill (Pittsburgh), in 1819,
cost 11,000 dollars. A much superior one, of 130 horse-power,
for Sligo Mill, cost, in 1826, 3000 dollars. In 1830 there were
made in Pittsburgh 100 steam-engines. In 1831, 150 were made,
averaging 2000 dollars, or 300,000 in that article alone.
A two-horse power engine costs 250 dollars; six-horse 500
dollars; eight to nine-horse 700 dollars. These last are the
prices delivered and put up.
At least 600 tons of iron, made in Pittsburgh, are manufactured
into other articles before it leaves the city, from steam-engines, of
the largest size, down to a threepenny nail.
Eight rolling and slitting mills, of the largest power, are in the
city of Pittsburgh-- five of which have been erected since 1828.
Thirty-eight new furnaces have been erected since 1824, in the
380
APPENDIX.
western parts of Pennsylvania, and that part of Kentucky border-
ing on the Ohio River-most of them since 1828.
The quantity of iron rolled at Pittsburgh was-
In 1828
1829
1830 .
3291.19 tons.
6217.17 ""
9282.2 ""
being an increase of nearly 200 per cent. in two years.
The above facts were furnished by members of the committee
residing at Pittsburgh, who vouch for their accuracy.
One fact there stated, suggests the following remarks to the
committee: To the report of the select committee of the Senate of
the United States, on the subject of iron, is appended, among
other papers, one in which it is stated, that" it is now ascer-
tained that the superiority of England over France is entirely due
to the cheapness of iron; a six-horse steam-engine, for instance, in
France, costs, on the average, at least 500 dollars more than in
England, owing to the cheapness of iron in Great Britain. It is
still dearer in the United States than in France."
Here it is asserted that a six-horse power steam-engine costs
500 dollars more in France than it does in England, and that it is
still dearer in the United States than in France. Now, it so hap-
pens that, in the United States, at Pittsburgh, a steam-engine, of
that power, can be put up, ready for action, for the identical sum
of 500 dollars.
PRICES OF IRON AT CINCINNATI.
1814 to 1818-bar iron 200 to 220 dollars per ton-now, 100,
105, 110. The fall in prices has been nearly as follows:
1826, bar-iron assorted, 125 to 135 dollars.
1827
120
130
""
1828
115
125
""
""
1829
""
1121/1 122/1/20
""
1830
100
110
""
>>
1831
100
110
""
>>
Castings, including hollow ware-1814 to 1818-120 to 130
dollars per ton; present price sixty to sixty-five, and the quality
much improved.
4
APPENDIX.
381
APPENDIX G.*
STATEMENT D.
The duties on iron imported into the United States were- -1804
to 1812-15 per cent. ; double war duties from 1812 to 1816.
In 1816, duties, rolled iron thirty dollars per ton-hammered nine
dollars. The law of 1816, fixing the duties at these rates, ruined
many of the manufacturers, and compelled them to abandon their
works. By the Act of April 20, 1818, the duty on hammered
iron was raised to fifteen dollars. This, in some measure, revived
the manufacture, and many who had abandoned, resumed their
operations. The foreign manufacturer, to keep possession of the
market, offered his iron at a less price, so that there was an actual
decline here. In 1824 the duty on hammered iron was raised to
eighteen dollars, and in 1828 to 22 drs. 40c. These additions
to the duty had no permanent effect in raising the price. The
foreign manufacturer could not advance his prices beyond those
of 1824, because the American iron maker supplied the market
at those rates; and iron, at a duty of 22 drs. 40c., sells at less
than it did at one of nine dollars. The foreign manufacturer has
been compelled to take the additional duties from his profits-and
these deductions from his profits have been paid into the Treasury
of the United States, without adding to the price paid by the
American consumer.
The following table shows the operation of the additional duty
levied since 1818 on hammered iron alone :—
Duties.
Tons.
1818-imported of hammered iron
•
13,931 Ds. 208,950
1819
ditto
ditto ditto
16,160
242,394
1820
ditto
ditto ditto
•
19,531
272,877
1821
ditto
ditto ditto
·
15,374
230,413
1822
ditto
ditto
ditto
26,373
378,641
1823 ditto
ditto
ditto
•
29,014
435,210
1824 ditto
ditto
ditto
•
21,298
383,364
1825
ditto
ditto
ditto
23,085
428,490
1826 ditto
ditto
ditto
23,837
427,066
1827
ditto
ditto
ditto
21,718
•
390,924
1828
ditto
ditto ditto
•
·
33,155
663,100
1829 ditto
ditto
1830
ditto
ditto..
ditto-estimated.t
29,202
654,141
29,202
654,141
301,880
5,369,711
Duties at 9 dollars, the rate per law of 1816
•
Ds. 2,716,920
Gain in the Treasury, at the expense of the foreign manufacturer 2,652,791
* Page 239.
+ Since ascertained to be 30,973 tons, of which only 439 tons were British. The
382
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX H.*
STATEMENT E.
The following calculations were made by Hardman Phillips and
George Valentine, Esqrs., and are derived from the average
returns submitted to the committee from two counties (those most
extensively engaged in the manufacture of iron in Pennsylvania),
namely, Centre and Huntingdon, and have been carefully verified
by a comparison with returns from seventy-three furnaces and
132 forges.
For each ton of bar-iron and castings made, the following agri-
cultural produce is found to be consumed :-
Twenty bushels wheat and rye-averaged at 75 cents.
Fifty-seven pounds pork
Forty-three ditto beef
Ten ditto butter
Two bushels potatoes
Half ton hay
ditto
5
"
ditto
4
ditto
12/
19
ditto
30
")
ditto drs. 7
drs. 15.00
2.85
1.72
1.25
•
•60
•
For every ten tons of bar-iron one horse is employed one whole year, worth
100 drs., and experience shows that the mortality among horses so em-
ployed is, per annum, one in seven, and constitutes a charge of, per ton
For fruit and vegetables, of which no return has been made, we feel justi-
fied in putting down
3.50
1.43
1.00
drs. 27.35
which, multiplied by the quantity of bar-iron and castings, will
give the sum of 3,415,850 dollars, paid by the iron manufacturers,
and those employed by them, to the farmers.
The same returns enable them to state that every five tons of
iron, as above made, requires one able-bodied man throughout
the year, or in the whole 24,979; and, as it appears that, upon an
average, each one of these has four dependent upon him, it fol-
lows that 124,895 persons are supported by this branch of in-
dustry, in its first stages; and the average of the wages of the
workmen being fully one dollar per day, or say 300 per annum,
small amount of the latter importation is the best possible evidence of the bad quality
of English iron, as stated in subsequent pages, and of its unfitness for the usual
purposes to which hammered iron is applied. All such iron pays the same duty.-
Permanent Committee.
* Page 241.
2
APPENDIX.
383
they receive for wages, in the whole, the large sum of 7,493,700
dollars for the labour of one year.
The expense of transporting this iron to the different markets,
by land and water, may be estimated at an average of 10 dollars
per ton, amounting to 1,248,940 dollars; the whole of which is
distributed among those engaged in the transportation and coast-
ing trade of the country, and subdivided among those who furnish
subsistence to the many persons employed, and in furnishing means
for this branch of the business.
APPENDIX I.*
STATEMENT F.
New York, 29th October, 1831.
To the Committee on Iron and Steel, appointed by the Convention
of the Friends of Domestic Industry, now in Session in this
City.
The following examination of the memorial of the workers of
iron, and others, in Philadelphia-presented to Congress in
January, 1831-we submit to you for the use of the convention :—
1. Under their first head the memorialists embrace two subjects;
first, the high duty on English iron; and, secondly, its quality.
With respect to the rate of duty, we will answer when we re-
view what is said on the same subject, under their sixth head.
With respect to its quality, the memorialists contradict the
report of the committee of the senate,† which pronounced it
bad;" and say that "English iron is preferred for various pur-
poses, on account of the decided superiority it possesses in various
qualities for its strength of cohesion-its excellence in welding,
surpassing every other iron, as in chains and anchors, in rails for
railways, spikes, and bolts-on account of the superior manner in
which it is prepared in all the various forms required, as well as
from its acknowledged superiority in durability-and for wheel
tuyeres for the same properties, as well as from the greater even-
ness with which it is always drawn "—and concludes by saying,
* Page 245.
+ This refers to a report of a committee of the Senate, made at the previous
session, adverse to the memorialists.
384
APPENDIX.
"the American, Swedish, Russian, and English iron all sell in the
Philadelphia market at about 100 dollars per ton.
In answer to the above, we would remark, that the small quan-
tity of English iron imported, in comparison with the total im-
ports of iron, itself confutes their statement as to its superior
quality, and conclusively shows that the properties it possesses are
not in great requisition here. The ratio of English iron imported
being less than one to seven, notwithstanding the advantage it has
over other foreign iron, of being procured of any size, and at a cost
of 20 per cent. less.
The little use to which this iron is put will appear more mani-
fest, when compared with the total quantity cousuined, as will be
seen by referring to our statement under the sixth head, being
only 1-39th of the total consumption, and this, too, with its advan-
tages as to size and price, above-mentioned. These facts show in-
contestably in what repute this iron is held by customers. We
have been importers, and wholesale and retail dealers in the
article, for many years, and our experience is, that the united
testimony of all consumers is in direct variance to the statement
of the memorialists, as to its good quality; the low price and the
convenient size in which it may be obtained, is as a general re-
mark, the only reason why it is sold at all.
The memorialists particularise for what purposes this iron is
decidedly superior; first, as for chains and anchors, on account of
its strength of cohesion and excellence in welding. If it has more
strength of cohesion than other iron, it is new to us, as well as to
all the workers of iron that we have inquired of on the subject.
We have no facts before us of the strength of English iron, but
we have a certificate from Commodore Hull, commandant of the
navy yard at Washington, giving the strength of chain iron lately
supplied by the New Jersey Iron Company. The 1-inch round
broke with sixty tons weight on it; the 1-inch round broke
with forty-one tons weight on it. If the memorialists have any
trials to show that English iron has more strength of cohesion than
this, they are right; but we have no idea that the English
iron sent to this country will bear any comparison with the
above. As to its superiority in welding, we have inquired of
*The proof required by government for 1-inch round iron is thirty-five tons, for
14-inch round iron sixteen tons.-(I find that, at a trial at a chain cable factory in
England, the best 14-inch iron broke at forty-three tons.-B.B.H.)
APPENDIX.
385
several blacksmiths as to the facts, and they universally say, that
American iron is better for welding. As to its being used for
anchors in this country, we have made inquiries, and cannot as-
certain that any is used for that purpose in the anchors that come
to New York. It appears very strange that American iron for
anchors should be sold at 115 dollars per ton, and preferred at
that price, while English iron can be bought at 72 dollars, if the
English is superior.
With respect to its being superior for railways, we cannot con-
ceive how the fact could be ascertained, as an experiment, we
think, could not have been made in this early stage of railways in
this country; but as to its superiority for spikes and bolts, we
positively deny it. Being sellers of both English and American
iron, we know that the American iron is always preferred as to its
quality. The English is only used in small vessels of seventy tons
and under, while, in larger vessels, the American iron, at 20 per
cent. higher price, is universally preferred.
As to the "6 superior manner in which it is prepared in all the
various forms required," we would reply—that the rolling-mills in
this country make all the sizes required quite as handsome, and
far better in quality, than the English.
Lastly, with respect to its "superiority for wheel tuyeres."
The experience and information of the memorialists is in direct
opposition to ours; nor can we conceive how persons would con-
tinue, for years, to purchase Swedish and American iron for that
purpose, as they do, at 25 per cent. higher price, if the English
was superior. It is, without question, the poorest iron for that
use that can be purchased, and is only used on account of its low
price, which, instead of being five dollars per cwt., we sell by the
single ton at 25 per cent. less-viz., 3 drs. 75c. per cwt.
2. The second head of the memorial speaks of the manner of
making iron in England, which requires no answer.
3. Under this head the memorialists speak of the hardships of
purchasing imported iron, of small size, at a high price, in conse-
quence of the duty being three and a half cents. per lb. on it.
That difficulty is now in some measure removed, as one factory in
New Jersey is prepared to supply the United States with a better
article, and at less price, than it can be imported; and the rolling-
mills now erecting in different parts of the United States, will be
able, from next spring, to furnish all the iron that pays a duty of
C C
386
APPENDIX.
three and a half cents. per lb., at less price, and better quality,
than it can be imported for.
The following statement will show the comparative price of
common bar-iron and half-inch round in England, from 1806 to
1830:-
Common bar-iron.
Half-inch round.
1806
£20 10 0
1806
... £27
£27 0 0
1809
14 0 0
1809
18 0 0
1815
11 0
0
1815
16 0 0
1822
8 0
0
1822
10 5 0
1830
6
0 0
1830
7 10 0
From the above it appears that the cost in England, as late as
1806, of common bar-iron, was 207. 10s., and at the same time
the price of half-inch round was 271., or 61. 10s. higher, which is
a greater difference than is now made by our rolling-mills; and we
do not doubt but that the difference in price between bar-iron and
small round, made by our mills, will be reduced as the quantity
made is increased, and our factories become more perfect, as has
been the case in England. From 1806 to the present time the
price of iron in England has been gradually reduced in proportion.
to the increase of the rolling-mills, perfection of machinery, and
skill of workmen. The present difference between bar-iron and
half-inch round is but 17. per ton. The quantity made in England
in 1787 was 30,000 tons; 1796 was 130,000 ditto; 1830 was
nearly 700,000 ditto.
4. Requires no answer.
5, 6, 7. Under these heads the memorialists state that the pre-
sent rate of duties on the raw material being so much higher than
on the manufactured article, gives a decided monopoly to the
manufacturers of hardware at Sheffield and Birmingham, that
many articles can be imported at or under the present cost of bar-
iron—that they "have no other object in the relief they now pray
for, than to enable them to bring their own industry into fair and
equal competition with the foreign manufacturer." Here rests the
whole ground of complaint of the memorialists-viz., on the in-
equality between the duty on what they call the raw material and
on the manufactured article. In order to substantiate the above,
they instance a number of articles of hardware, which they endea-
vour to show can be imported cheaper than the raw material itself.
We will first examine their statements of the articles particularised,
APPENDIX.
387
(6
and endeavour to show that they do not prove the point they
wish to establish, and then show the true proportion between the
duties on hardware and on the raw material; and we think it will
be made to appear that the manufacturers of hardware in this
country, instead of being less, are protected to a much greater
extent than those of iron-which, if proved, will show that the
whole ground of their complaint is without foundation. The first
articles they instance are hammers and sledges for blacksmiths,
which they say
are imported at 4 drs. 66c. per cwt., which is
33 cents below the cost of the bar-iron in this market, exclusive
of duty." We have imported hammers and sledges regularly for
many years. The poorest article we ever heard of being sent to
our market cost seven and a half cents per pound, those we import
are of a quality fit for use, and cost eight and a quarter, which is
9 drs. 25c. per cwt., while we sell English bar-iron at retail for
3 drs. 75c.—leaving a difference of 5 drs. 50c. per cwt. in favour
of the manufacturer of these articles in this country. The next
article they instance is wheel tuyere, which they say can be im-
ported at less cost than bar-iron. We have never known of its
interfering with the sale of iron for that purpose. There has, in-
deed, been two lots of it imported into New York, but the house
who had it found a difficulty in selling it, and told us to-day that
they would have no more.
The next article they advance is frying-pans, and state that
they are, and ever have been, imported at a less price than the
cost of sheet-iron-meaning to draw a comparison between the
cost of iron in sheets and in its manufactured state. This com-
parison is evidently unfair, and calculated to deceive. Frying-
pans are not made of sheet-iron only, but partly of sheet-iron and
partly of bar-iron. We import the sheet-iron part of frying pans-
viz., the bowls separate from the handles, and they cost, by an
invoice, dated January, 1831, ten cents per pound to import,
while the sheet-iron, in sheets, costs only six cents per pound-
leaving a difference of four cents per pound in favour of the
sheet-iron in a manufactured state. Frying-pans, at the same
time, cost six cents per pound. The next article presented by
them is tea-trays. They state that tea-trays, with one coat of
japan, can be imported at 83 drs. 72c. per ton, while the iron
required for the same purpose is selling at from 160 to 170 dol-
lars per ton.
We have imported tea-trays for many years, and
C c 2
388
APPENDIX.
are totally unable to devise how this can be done. The largest
tray ever imported, or, if imported, would be used, is thirty by
twenty-two inches, and the poorest article that we ever saw cost
fifty-two cents each tray to import, and weighed four pounds,
which is thirteen cents per pound, or 290 dollars per ton, instead
of 83 drs. 72c., as stated by the memorialists. If tea-trays were
imported to cut up for stove-doors, blowers, &c., as stated in the
memorial, the edges, which are turned up, must be cut off, or
flattened to a plain surface. And unless the memorialists should
be more successful than ourselves in an experiment made to ascer-
tain whether it could be flattened out, as it was before it was
made into a tray, that business would not amount to much. The
smith into whose hands we put it, gave it its proper heat, and
endeavoured to flatten it under his hammer, but the edges burst,
and the iron cracked at the angles where it had been bent to
form a rim—so we were convinced that the edges, or rims must
be cut off, which we had done for the sake of experiment-the
weight of which was one and a half pounds-which, being only
scrap-iron, is not worth more than twenty-five dollars per ton;
and this loss, added to the cost of the tray, would bring the iron
imported in the shape of trays, suitable for other purposes, as
follows:-
One ton of trays, as above, cost
Loss in rims cut off-37 per cent.
Labour in cutting-one cent. per tray....
Deduct 7 cwt. scrap iron-worth 25 dol-
lars per ton...
Making cost of sheet-iron imported by this
process, per ton
291.00 dollars.
109.00
>>
5.60
""
405.60
>>
9.38
396.22
""
The cost of importing sheet-iron of the thickness of tea-trays is
135 dollars per ton, instead of 160 to 170 dollars, as stated in the
memorial. We do not say that what the memorialists state is
untrue-but we do know the above statement to be correct, and
cannot conceive how it could be reduced to 83 drs. 72c. per ton,
when we make them to cost 396 dollars per ton.
The memorialists next show that iron knitting-needles can be
imported cheaper than wire No. 18. This is true, because there
APPENDIX.
389
is so little labour in cutting wire into knitting-needles. The
amount of this article sold per annum, we think, may amount to
200 dollars.
The memorialists next proceed to show that the duty on wrought
nails precludes all possibility of competition between the domestic
and foreign manufacturer. The fact about the nail making is-
that the manufacture of nails (whether cut or wrought, it matters
not) has been brought to such perfection in this country, that
40,000 tons are annually made here, while only 266 tons are
imported.
The memorialists further state, that the duty on wire being
high, operates against the manufacture of wire sieves and fenders.
We think they are unhappy in the selection of these articles also,
to prove their point-as, from all the information we are able to
collect, there are no wire sieves nor fenders imported into New
York, but that market is supplied exclusively by the domestic
labour.
The next article they bring forward is horse-shoes, which they
say can be imported at the price of bar-iron, and have become an
article of import. This might have been said for many years
past, as attempts have been made, from time to time, to import
them to advantage-but all experiments, within our knowledge,
have failed. We ourselves made the attempt about three years
since, but could not do it to a profit, and are perfectly willing that
others should purchase experience at the same cost. Common
English iron would not answer for horse-shoes. We have im-
ported best English iron in bars for that purpose, but never could
get any good enough. The American and Swedish are exclu-
sively used.
The last article they instance is hoops for coopers, bent and
rivetted, ready for use, which they say can be imported cheaper
than the hoop iron. This may be true, for aught we know, but
we have never heard of any having been imported-yet are in the
practice of importing and selling hoop-iron-and if there had
been any competition from that quarter we think we should have
known it. For our part, we do not feel disposed to enter into the
import of finished hoops, and it appears that others in the trade
have a similar indisposition. We leave the reader to judge
whether, on the few articles they have selected to show that the
manufactured article can be imported cheaper than the raw mate-
390
APPENDIX.
rial, they have proved the point, which, if they have proved, would
establish the principle as to a few articles only, and not on hard-
ware in general.
We now proceed to show the true relative proportion between
the duties on hardware and on the raw material. The memo-
rialists say that "the duty on iron is from 159 to 282 per cent.,
or from six to eleven times the duty on hardware."
When they
say the duty on iron is from 159 to 282 per cent., they speak in
such general terms as to convey the idea that the duty on iron
generally is that much. We will first show what is the average
duty on imported iron.
The quantity of iron annually imported, as stated by the memo-
rialists, is as follows:-
For 5 years past
Tons.
Duty per Total duty
ton.
paid.
Dollars. Dollars.
cost per ton,
including
Total cost,
including
duty.
Dollars.
duty.
Dollars.
Swedish and Russian.. 29,486.. 22.40 .. 660,486
95.00
2,801,170
English bar-iron..
Sheet, rods, &c. ....
3,332.. 37.00 123,302
1,168 .. 78.40
75.00
..
.
249,938
91,571
130.00
151,840
33,986
875,359
3,202,948
By the above statement, it appears that the average duty on
all the iron annually imported is less than twenty-six dollars per
ton.
The following statement shows the annual consumption of iron in
this country, as per report made to the convention of manufac-
turers of iron, lately held in Philadelphia :-
Tons.
In 1830 there was made at 202 furnaces
155,348
Of which was made into castings
28,273
127,075
Which rendered into bars, at 28 cwt. per ton. would yield
There was made of bloomed iron..
90,768
5,853
Total bar-iron made annually in the United States
96,621
Add the quantity imported
33,986
Annual consumption of bar-iron in the United States
Besides what is made from the blast-furnaces into castings
130,007
28,273
Iron consumed in the United States, annually
158,280
APPENDIX.
391
Though the duty on a small portion of the iron imported is
high, yet, as we have shown that the average duty is less than
twenty-six dollars per ton, while the proportion of the iron im-
ported that pays thirty-seven dollars per ton is less than one-
seventh of the total imports, though it sells at 20 per cent. less
than any other iron, and that part which pays a duty of 78 drs.
40c., is only one-thirtieth of the entire importation.
But when we compare the quantity of iron consumed in this
country that pays a duty of thirty-seven dollars, or 78 drs. 40c.
per ton, with the total consumption of bar-iron-to say nothing
about iron made into castings-it sinks into insignificance. The
proportion of that paying thirty-seven dollars duty being only
1-39th part, while that paying a duty of 78 drs. 40c. is only
1-112th part to which, if we add the iron made from the blast-
furnaces into castings, it will sink still lower.
In order to ascertain the actual duty paid per ton on iron, in
the shape of hardware, we have taken an account of all our im-
ports of hardware, from June to November (this year), as well as
those of another hardware house, for the same time-viz., Messrs.
Hyers-the result is as follows:-
Cost sterling. Tons. c.
q. lb.
Duty paid.
··
Duty per ton.
drs. 103.40
ነ
104.50
G. and W. imports.. £4314 59 15 1 6 .. drs. 6,180-24
Hyers
ditto
5710
69 19 1 4
7,112.02
The approximation of the duties paid per ton by the Messrs.
Hyers and ourselves, renders it certain that the above is as cor-
rect a view of the average duty paid on hardware as could be
obtained *—from which we draw the following results :-
There was imported of hardware in 1828—9
The duty upon which, estimated as paid in the two importations
above-mentioned, is 30 per cent.
The weight of which, taking the two importations stated as the data,
was 9763 tons
If the American manufacturer of hardware had his iron at the average
rate duty paid on iron, it would have been, on 9763 tons, at
26 drs. per ton.
drs. 3,346,146
1,003,843
253,848
drs. 749,995
And he would have received a clear protection of....
that is, the importer of the manufactured article would have had to
pay four times as much duty as the manufacturer who imported
* It included every article usually imported, subject to specific as well as ad va-
lorem duty, anvils, &c. No part could probably be a more fair specimen of the
whole imported.
392
APPENDIX.
the raw material and worked it up here; or, if the manufacturer
of hardware had imported his iron, and paid the duty, as on
English iron, of thirty-seven dollars per ton, as calculated by the
memorialists, he would have paid 361,231 dollars, and received a
clear protection of 642,612—that is, the importer of the manu-
factured article would have had to pay nearly three times as much
as the importer of the raw material, who worked it up here.
From the above statement of facts, the reader can judge how
much weight should be given to what the memorialists say as to
the exclusive protection given to the raw material over the manu-
factured article.
8. Under this head the memorialists recommend that pig-iron
should be admitted free of duty. They exhibit a calculation, to
show that, if pig-iron was admitted free, bar-iron could be
made here at forty dollars per ton. We will examine the cor-
rectness of these statements upon their own ground. We im-
ported a parcel of pigs from England, about the time the memorial
was written, and so have the expenses of importation, which are as
follows:-There are two iron districts in England-Wales and
Staffordshire-we will take the price of a ton of pigs in Wales, as it
is less there, and more favourable to the memorialists :
Cost of one ton pigs in Wales....
Freight and insurance to Liverpool..
Charges at Liverpool
Export Duty....
2 per cent. commission for purchasing
£3 5 0
08 0
0 1 8
0 0 4
0 19
£3 16 9
066
0 10 0
Exchange, insurance, 8 per cent.
• •
Freight to New York
£ 4 13 3 is drs. 20-70
Cartage in New York to store
*50
Merchants' commission and storage, 5 per cent.
1.05
Transportation to nearest works..
3.00
25.25
28 cwt. to make one ton bar-iron
10.11
Cost of pigs to make one ton bars
35.36
200 bushels of charcoal to convert pigs into blooms, at 5 cents
Labour on ditto
10.00
7.00
175 bushels of charcoal to convert blooms into bars.
Labour on ditto
8.85
5.00
Re-transportation to market
3.00
Water privileges, dam, and overseering.
•
2.00
Total
drs. 71.21
APPENDIX.
393
Cost of bar-iron made of imported pigs, free of duty; and this, the
memorialists say, could be made for forty dollars per ton—and, if
puddled, less. We have shown that it could not be done for
anything like the money with charcoal-neither could it be pud-
dled, as we know by experience. The consequence of a repeal of
the duty on pig-iron would be-not that we could make bar-iron
here at forty dollars per ton, but it would cost us 71 drs. 21c.,
which is more than we now pay for iron imported from England,
made of the same material; and, in doing so, would destroy all
the furnaces within the influence of the imported pig-iron.
That pig-iron could be imported, free of duty, cheaper than we
can make it in this country with charcoal, is without question ;
but suppose it to be admitted free, what would be the conse-
quence? From these pigs we could either make an iron that
would suit our wants, or we could not. If it were good enough
for general use, all the furnaces within the reach of its influence
must stop, of course, because they would be undersold-the
selling price of American pigs being from twenty-eight to forty
dollars. If it would not make a better article than we now import
from England, made of the same pig-iron, we should not want
more than we now take; for, if the quality was adapted to our
wants, we would consume it now-its price being a sufficient in-
ducement. By granting the prayers of the memorialists to admit
pig, boiler, scrap, blooms, &c., free, and bar-iron 25 per cent.
ad. val. duty, it is manifest that we must either substitute an
inferior article of English iron in place of that made in this coun-
try, or, if we can make a better article from the pigs than they do,
we will cause a considerable portion of our furnaces to stop, which
would destroy more capital, and throw out of employ more in-
dividuals than would be employed in manufacturing hardware in
very many years.
By granting the fourth, you would destroy those manufacturers
of wire who have commenced since the tariff of 1828, in the faith
of the government-one of whom told us that he can make, this
year, wire enough to supply the United States, and sell it at a
less price than it can be imported.
By granting the last, you would cut off all inducements to the
manufacture of steel, which we think (and we have given the
subject some investigation, with a view to manufacture) can, and
will, be successfully accomplished. Lastly-what would be the
394
APPENDIX.
state of our country in case we had to depend upon a foreign sup-
ply for so necessary an article as iron, and especially when our
main dependence would be upon England, who, in time of war,
could blockade our ports-stop supplies-and cause greater evils
than the nation, we think, is willing to expose itself to?
From the preceding statements, it is manifest that the quantity
of iron manufactured in this country is not inconsiderable, as the
memorialists call it but is about four times as much as is im-
ported in any shape, which is more than is made in any other
country, excepting England-more than two and a half times as
much as is exported from Sweden-and as much as was made in
England at the beginning of this century.
The amount annually manufactured in the United
States, is
while the amount imported in bars, &c., is 33,968
Imported in hardware..
158,280 tons,
9,763..43,731
""
The value of American iron, as per report of the committee on
the subject of iron, appointed by the convention lately held in
Philadelphia, is
while the value of that imported in bars, &c.,
including the duty, is...... 3,202,948
Value of iron on 9763 tons, im-
ported in the shape of hard-
ware, estimated at the same
rate as the above....
11,444,410 dollars,
678,670 .. 3,881,618 dollars.
From which it appears that the total quantity of iron imported in
every shape is about one-fourth of what is made here, and its value
about one-third.
It is incumbent upon the memorialists to show whence we are
to get a supply to meet the deficiency occasioned by the suspen-
sion of a large portion of our furnaces. For our part, we do not
see how we could get a supply, unless we could make a better
article out of English pigs than they send to this country. Any
one who is acquainted with the situation of Russia, with respect
to the quantity we could get from thence, and the practicability,
under the existing state of society and civil government, would
think an increase of 10,000 tons a large calculation. Sweden
exports only 50,000 tons per annum, that being the total quan-
tity the law allows to be made for foreign consumption, as each
factory is confined to a certain quantity in proportion to the wood-
APPENDIX.
395
land owned; and the woodland that is proximate enough to be
used for iron making has been brought into use for that purpose
long since. Of that 50,000 tons we take 20,000, and a consider-
able portion of the remainder-say 10,000 tons (including the
steel-iron, which the English monopolise)-go to England; the
remaining 20,000 tons go to the continent-so that we cannot get
much more from thence without paying more for it than others
can pay.
But suppose we get from Sweden an increased supply
of 15,000 tons, there remains unsupplied yet upwards of 71,000
tons, which the memorialists will please inform us where to obtain,
unless the price should advance enough to enable our manufac-
tories to go into operation again? In which case the proposed
change would be of no avail.
We will conclude with showing the comparative value to the
country of the present manufacture of iron and of hardware-if
we should make all the hardware we consume, and import the
iron for it, as proposed by memorialists. Made in the United
States 158,230 tons iron-value
Total amount of hardware im-
ported—―value ...
3,346,146
390,520
11,444,410 dollars.
2,955,626,,
The value of 9763 tons iron to be
imported to make this hard-
ware, would be, free duty
they would, therefore, nearly destroy the manufacture of an arti-
cle valued at 11,444,410 dollars to establish one valued at
2,955,626 dollars-even if we allow that all the hardware now
consumed could be made in the United States.
We think we have proved in the foregoing statements-
1. That the quality of English iron, instead of being good, as
the memorialists represent, is the worst iron in use.
2. That the duty on iron in bars, &c., instead of being from six
to eleven times higher than the duty on iron imported in the shape
of hardware, as stated by the memorialists, is but one-fourth as
high, inasmuch as the average duty paid on iron in bars, rods,
sheets, &c., is twenty-six dollars, and that imported in the shape of
hardware is 104 dollars per ton.
3. That the quantity and value of iron actually manufactured in
this country is not insignificant in amount, as there is made here
per annum 158,000 tons-11,444,410 dollars, while that imported
in the shape of bars and hardware is 43,731 tons-value, includ-
396
APPENDIX.
ing the duty, 3,881,618 dollars; and of course the statement made
by the memorialists is not true, that there is only made in the
United States 35,000 tons, and imported 81,000 tons.
4. That by granting the prayer of the memorialists, you would
almost annihilate the manufacture of an article which has grown up
under a protection to the value of 11,444,410 dollars to establish
one of 2,955,626 dollars. Yours, respectfully,
GREEN AND WETMORE.
APPENDIX K.*
STATEMENT G.
B. B. HOWELL, Esq.
New York, Oct. 31, 1831.
Dear Sir,-In conformity with your request, I herewith give
you a statement of the iron produced in Litchfield, county Connec-
ticut, with the manufactures of iron and steel in said county, to
which I have added the other productions of the county, as esti-
mated by the delegates to the convention from that county. It
may not be perfectly accurate, as a portion of it is founded upon
conjecture; but the total will rather fall short of, than over-run, the
true amount, as a very considerable list of articles, each of small
comparative value, are entirely omitted.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN M. HOLLEY.
Value.
Value.
Pig and bar-iron, &c. .... drs. 293,000
Carriages and waggons.... drs. 38,000
Clocks
•
382,000
Manufactures of iron, &c.-
Leather
181,000
Scythes..
56,000
Cabinet work and chairs
27,000
Hoes.
7,150
Cordage..
•
500
Axes.
26,500
Machinery, part wood and part
Rat and mouse traps
• •
9,500
iron and steel
19,000
Shoe tacks and sparables.
40,000
Brick, clay furnaces & marble
38,200
Shovels and spades
•
6,500
Rakes and brooms
5,000
Augers
Steel.
•
Pitchforks.
Ploughs
200
Lime
5,000
•
8,000
20,000
Musical instruments
2,200
Buttons
•
3,800 Cheese
•
Butter
20.000
115,000
17,600
drs. 177,650
Other productions—
drs. 1,414,200
Wool...
Woollen cloths.
•
151,000 Pig and bar-iron
•
215,000 Manufactures of iron, &c.
293,000
177,650
Cotton ditto
15,000
Hats
drs. 1,884,850
Shoes and boots
70,700
112,000
* Page 251.
APPENDIX.
397
APPENDIX L.*
STATEMENT H.
Manufactures of Delaware County,† Pennsylvania.
To the Delegates to the Convention to be held at New York.
The committee appointed, in pursuance of a resolution, adopted
at a meeting of citizens of Delaware county, convened agreeably to
public notice, in Chester, on the 17th inst., “to ascertain the
number and extent of the different manufacturing establishments in
the county; the quantity of manufactures produced; the quantity
of raw material consumed the number of hands employed," &c.,
report-That, from the short time to which they were necessarily
limited, they have been unable to collect that full and complete
information on the subjects committed to them, which the im-
portance of these interests require; but, referring the delegates for
more minute details of the distribution of our manufacturing and
mechanical industry to a printed report (a copy of which is in-
closed), taken by Benjamin Pearson, Esq., under the direction of
a committee appointed for the purpose in 1826, your committee
offer the following statement, made up of such details as they
have been able to procure, in addition to their personal knowledge
of facts, and they believe it will prove, in the aggregate, not far
from correct.
October 22, 1831.
JOHN P. CROZER, Chairman.
Mills and
Factories.
Quantity per
annum.
Kind.
Value per
annum. employed.‡
Persons
4 Rolling & slit--
ting...
300 tons sht. iron drs. 45,000
1,400 tons
2 nail factories
4 tilt mills.
13 paper ditto....
13 cotton spinning
3 cotton weaving
woollens mill..
600 ditto nails.... 81,000
500 ditto hoops
205
60,000
edge tools, &c.
21,175
30
41,000 reams .
1,080,000 lbs. . . . .
800,000 lbs. yarn
900,000 lbs. wool
various..
215,000
400
yarn
300,000
720
• •
ticking, muslin, &c.
flannel & satinetts
350,000
300,000
400
350
Total...
...drs. 1,372,175
2185
* Page 251.
+ This small county contained 14,810 inhabitants in 1820.-Per Com.
Including families.
398
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX M.*
STATEMENT I.-REPORT ON STEEL.
On the subject of steel, your committee reports, that, as no
preparation whatever had been made for collecting information an-
tecedent to this convention in New York, they are not able to
supply it from any other source than what is attainable in this
city. They have no time left for collecting and collating tabular
statements or statistical reports of the quantity of steel imported
and manufactured in this country; nevertheless, enough informa-
tion has been acquired, in the course of a day, to satisfy the com-
mittee that the article in question is one that requires the con-
tinued protection of government. The committee assume the prin-
ciple that, if steel can be manufactured now, or within a few
years, to supply the wants of our own citizens, at a reasonable
price, it cannot be an object towards which the legislature will be
indifferent; and it is deemed expedient that even the limited in-
formation now produced should be disclosed, in order to encourage
reflection, and secure that consideration which the article of steel
unquestionably merits.
Without seeking further, the members of your committee are
enabled, from their recollection, to enumerate fourteen steel fur-
naces in the following places, viz. :-Pittsburgh 2, Baltimore 1,
Philadelphia 3, New York 3, York County, Pa., 1, Troy 1,
New Jersey 2, Boston 1.
These furnaces are known to be now in operation, and of a
capacity sufficient to supply more than 1600 tons of steel an-
nually an amount equal to the whole importation of steel of
every kind. But it should be observed, that steel, for common
agricultural purposes, is not the best, although it is most used, and
that American is quite equal to English steel, used for such
purposes in England. American competition has excluded the
British common blister-steel altogether. The price of blister-steel
* Page 251.
+ Mr. Coates has subsequently requested the chairman of the permanent com-
mittee to add the following note :-This calculation is believed to fall far short of the
quantity of steel made in the United States. It appears that the fourteen furnaces
have only one batch, or blast, in a month-whereas two weeks are sufficient for
conversion of iron into steel.
APPENDIX.
399
is less than it was before 1828, and, probably, as low as it ever
will be certainly as low as it ought to be, having a just conside-
ration for the manufacturer and his customer. The only steel now
imported from Great Britain is of a different and better quality
than that just mentioned. It has been the laudable pride of
American legislation to advance with the increasing enterprise of
the people, and to encourage discoveries of those mineral trea-
sures, towards which that enterprise might be profitably directed.
The committee having shown the result of such countenance from
government, in the instance of common blister-steel, may be
allowed to anticipate the effects of its continuance, and that pro-
tection will be hereafter acknowledged as the parent of perfection.
Steel imported here, from all parts of the world, except England
(although the German steel is freely employed in some branches of
manufactures), amounts to so considerable a quantity, that the
competition for ascendency in our own market must rest between
that nation and this. We already supply ourselves, to her exclu-
sion, with common steel; and, to give some idea how extensively
it affects our manufactories, the committee will state two or three
striking facts. The iron of this country, when properly made, has
been found equal in quality to the Russian and Swedish iron used
in England for conversion into steel, and, being so converted, is
employed in making large and rough implements of manufacture
and agriculture. It is used in the fabrication of ploughshares-it
is worked up by shovel-makers-among whom one in Philadelphia
uses more than fifty tons a-year. Scythe-makers are among the
best customers of a steel furnace-and cross-cut and mill saw-
makers use more than any other manufacturers. One factory of
this kind, in Philadelphia, requires a ton and a half of steel per
diem, for every working day of the year. These isolated instances
may give some idea of the vast consumption of steel in the nume-
rous factories of the United States, and for this purpose alone they
are stated.
The English, however, continue to supply us with the superior
qualities. These are-
1. Blister-steel, from iron of the Danamora Mines, in Sweden.
2. Sheer-steel, of the same origin.
3. Cast-steel.
As to the first, being the best quality of blister-steel, a house in
Hull monopolises all the iron made from Danamora ore, under a
4
400
APPENDIX.
contract, by which the parties in Sweden are to forfeit 10,0002.
sterling if they sell to anybody else-so that no other European
country can furnish a good file, without resorting to England for the
steel that is made of Danamora iron-this excelling all others in Eu-
rope for files, and many other instruments. The British manufac-
turers, aware of the advantages of their monopoly, continue to
exact the same price for their steel delivered in America that they
did before the duty on the Swedish iron was reduced in England,
from 28.88 to 6.66 dollars per ton-thus proving that an article
whose low duty approaches nearest to no duty (almost "free
trade"), is charged to this country at a rate no less than before the
reduction of duty took place in England.
It is, however, a cause for congratulation here, that iron, of
similar, or equal, quality to that which has thrown all the ad-
vantages of manufacturing the best articles of cutlery into British
hands, has been made recently, by improved processes, from the
ore of Juniata, and both sides of the line between New York and
Connecticut-the latter denominated the Ancrum, the Livingston,
and the Salisbury ore. Steel is now made at Pittsburgh, and may be
made in New York and Connecticut, bearing a fair comparison with
the best hoop L (L) or Danamora steel that comes from England.
No difference is observed where trials have been made, without
disclosing to the judges the origin of either. Two establishments,
one in New York and another in Pittsburgh, have justified this
statement, and encouraged a hope that the products of our own
mines, smelted by means of modern improvements in the construc-
tion of furnaces and application of the blast, and elaborated by
machinery lately introduced, will rival the best quality of steel that
England can furnish.
The second kind of first-quality British steel is called "sheer-
steel." This is nothing more than blister-steel, drawn under a
tilt-hammer into bars of the various sizes used in the fabrication of
some articles of cutlery, and the finer kinds of edge tools. Eng-
land has hitherto monopolised this branch also, from being in pos-
session of the only European steel that would bear the expense of
preparation, and from the perfection of her machinery. She has
now the honour of transferring a portion of her experience and
skill to the United States. Her workmen in steel, wanting em-
ployment or adequate recompense for labour at home, continually
seek these among us; and it is believed that these may be afforded
1
APPENDIX.
401
to such an extent as to yield them support commensurate with
their industry, and that ingenious men, who, under other circum-
stances, might have been compelled to pursuits not congenial with
their education, or to be dependents upon public bounty, will be-
come useful citizens, instead of idlers and beggars in the land.
The third kind of steel (best quality) is called " cast-steel,"
and this is made from the best blister-steel only. There is none
made in the United States. Several attempts to make it with
profit have proved unfortunate.
The causes of failure were-
1. The want of best quality blister-steel (of which only it can be
made) at a reasonable price.
2. The want, or expense, of crucibles of proper quality, wherein
the blister-steel is to be melted and smelted.
The first difficulty may be surmounted by the discovery that
iron, well made, from the ores of Juniata, New York, and Connec-
ticut, may be converted to the best blister-steel; and the second
difficulty is believed to be at an end, since the explorations of the
present year have disclosed the existence of clay analagous to that
of Stourbridge, which is considered the best in the world for cru-
cibles. Centre, Clearfield, and Lycoming counties (Pennsylvania),
have yielded large specimens of clay that satisfy geologists, mine-
ralogists, and chemists, of the identity of its properties with those
of Stourbridge. Clay, in the vicinity of Baltimore, has been suc-
cessfully employed in the manufacture of fire-brick, and may
probably be used for the manufacture of crucibles for cast-steel, if
properly prepared. The great impediment to the making of
cast-steel has not arisen from any mystery in the art, but the want
of strength in the crucibles. Black lead, and a variety of clays,
have been tried, but the weakness of these materials have hitherto
caused a loss to the manufacturer, because the crucibles made of
them would not bear moving when the melted metal was in them
(generally about 28 lbs). The Stourbridge was the only kind of
clay that possessed the requisite qualities of preserving its shape
and soundness when exposed to the greatest heat, and its strength
and tenacity when moved for the purpose of discharging the
melted metal. Capital, enterprise and perseverance will be en-
gaged to bring this desirable material, so indispensable to the finer
arts of cutlery and machinery, into market-if protection be con-
tinued to the efforts which our citizens are willing to make.
D D
402
APPENDIX.
If these views are correct-we have steel for agricultural purposes
in the greatest abundance; we have steel (sheer-steel), for nicer
purposes, and we may have cast-steel for the most refined articles of
manufacture among ourselves. But this is not all, we may export
our steel to Russia, Prussia, and France, in competition with
England herself; and thus justify the further importation of foreign
commodities which we can have the means of paying for. The
subject of steel becomes more interesting as our investigation of it
advances; but it is believed that the facts and inferences now set
forth, will suffice to continue the protection already granted, and
to procure time for more extensive practical development, which,
if realised, will add to the means of domestic employment and
beneficial intercourse with foreign nations.
[The preceding report on steel was presented by Mr. John R.
Coates, of Philadelphia, to whom this branch of the subject had
been specially referred, for a collection and arrangement of the
facts; as was that on iron proper, to Mr. B. B. Howell, of New
York, by the general committee on the manufactures of iron.]
GENERAL RECAPITULATION,
BY THE PERMANENT COMMITTEE.

By the
Report.
Supplementary
Returns.
Total.
Bar iron made in the United States, tons
Pig-iron, the whole quantity made.
96,621
16,245
112,866
being computed as such
163,543
27,994
191,536
Value
dollars
13,329,760
Men employed..
.number
24,979
29,254
Persons subsisted.
124,895
•
146,273
Annual wages
dollars 7,493,700
8,776,420
Paid for food furnished by farmers
3,415,850
4,000,490
The following statement may be useful in making comparisons,
and is therefore added:
The importation of manufactures of iron and steel in 1830,
were:-
Side-arms and fire-arms, other than muskets and rifles.
Drawing knives, axes, adzes, and socket chisels..
Bridle bits of every description
Drs. 179,153
29,007
62,271
APPENDIX.
403
Steelyards, scale beams, and vices
Cutting knives, sickles, scythes, reaping hooks, spades, and shovels
Screws, weighing 24lbs. or upwards
Wood screws
Other articles not specified
Muskets
Rifles
•
Iron and steel wire
Tacks, brads, and sprigs
Nails
•
Spikes
Cables and chains, and parts thereof
Mill cranks and mill iron, wrought..
•
Mill saws.
Anchors
Anvils
Hammers and sledges
Castings
Braziers' rods
Nails and spike rods
Sheets and hoop
Slit or rolled for band, scroll or casement rods
In pigs.....
Bar and bolt, rolled....
Hammered
Steel..
Drs. 30,899
95,004
17
66,817
2,908,978
No. 8341
25,142
8
85
lbs. 592,733
59,485
2,799
613,704
40,906
37,873
1,391
540,628
25,885
2,781
200
4,395
12,252
22,672
1,121
677,246
31,249
75,616
3,096
1,157,256
38,686
218,428
5,945
32,848
784
2,326,796
59,822
2,845
81
cwt. 22,499
25,644
138,981
226,336
•
Ibs. 68,753,943
1,730,375
cwt. 24,472
291,957
Nearly all the iron, with its manufactures imported, was received
from England, except the hammered bar and bolt iron, of which
21,912,702 lbs. were from Russia, 45,206,082 lbs. from Norway
and Sweden, 984,399 lbs. from England, leaving less than a million
of pounds for all other places.
DD 2
404
APPENDIX.
GENERAL.
PRICES OF IRON.
(T. Tooke's High and Low Prices, 1824.—Iron.)
THE first considerable rise in foreign iron did not occur till 1796,
when it advanced suddenly about 30 per cent. This was the year
before the bank restriction, and the rise occurred in consequence of
the importation having fallen off, instead of keeping pace with the
increasing demand for consumption in this country, and in the rest
of Europe, as well as in the United States of America; and the
produce of our mines was at that time comparatively insignificant.
Between 1796 and the close of 1800 there was no further advance.
But the embargo in Russia in the latter year had the effect of rais-
ing the price 10 per cent. more, and an additional duty of about 17.
per ton had been laid on the importation, in the interval between
1796 and 1798. The advance altogether, therefore, including the
new duty, was nearly 107. per ton since 1795; and this great
advance operated as a sufficient premium for applying increased
capital to the production of iron in this country, and for bringing
into operation for that purpose, all the powers of machinery, which
was then undergoing a rapid improvement. Thenceforward the
produce of iron in this country proceeded so rapidly, that, with the
aid of further duties, amounting almost to a prohibition of importa-
tion, it not only kept pace with the increasing demand, but has
eventually nearly superseded the use of foreign iron in this country,
and has furnished a surplus for exportation. The price of foreign
iron, accordingly, fell almost progressively from 1801 till the
close of the war.
English iron advanced a little between 1800 and 1803, as a
natural and inevitable consequence of the high price of foreign iron,
which had been further raised by additional duties on importation ;
the quality, moreover, had been improved, and it was therefore really
worth more, relatively to foreign iron, than it had before been.
From 1803 till the close of the war, and further till 1817, being a
period of fourteen years, the price maintained a singular degree of
uniformity. In 1816 and 1817 a considerable demand for iron from
this country to France took place, and continued through 1818
and 1819, on a very extensive scale, which had the effect of raising
APPENDIX.
405
the price of British iron higher than it had been during any period
of the war. But, in 1820, such restrictions were laid on the import
into that country, as to preclude any further shipments. In the
meantime the continued improvements and increased power of ma-
chinery having been brought into extended operation, so as to aug-
ment the produce while the demand for export to France has fallen
off, the subsequent decline is sufficiently accounted for.

ENGLISH
IN
1788 3
5
15
3
7
13
1789 3
7
133
4
7
141
7 13
10 10 10
5/1/ 71
14/
143
15 to 14
сл
5
171125
14
15
15}
LO
5
- 8
121/1
RUSSIAN BARS.
SWEDISH IN BARS.
PIGS.
No Duty.
Ton.
Duty.
Ton.
Ton.
Ton.
Duty.
Ton.
Years.
£
& to
£ £
£ s. d.
£.
£ s. d.
1782
6 to 7
1783
6
4
1784 412
3
1785 3
5
CO CO LO LO CO CO
1786 5
3
1787 3
4. 6
cola cole cold ca}+ 09}+ −59 osjet onl
12 12
524
10 10
66 +45 CO CO IO 1 COLONNNNNNNN
12
1790 3
1791
5/1/2 73 15
5
1792 5
1793
1794
143
113
2 16 2
153/
2 16 2
15%
174
6
152
10元
​102
15
128
142/
14
141 to 142
143
151
سرات
15
174
151
113
17
143
141
142
152
1511
15
16
151
161
15
17
15
15/1/20
1611
173
163
17 to 181
16
15
12
17
1795
10
5
8
13
15
15 to 16
16
17
161 18
1796
5
1
8
164
174 3 19 174
19 3
1 9
20
214
221
21/9/
22/31
1797 5
8
20
21 3 4 7 21
21
3 4 7
22
23
21
1798
10
5
8
201
19
1799 5
8
20
aaaa
20/1/1
21/
201
211
رات سورت سردار سرات
20
21
3 15 52 22
23
3 15 50
21
22
22
23
1800
10 10
5
17
21
21/
23
5
9
211 23/1/20
22/12/
24
1801
53
9
225 231
221/1
23
231/ 26
251
261
18
221
201
221
406
APPENDIX.

ENGLISH
IN
PIGS.
RUSSIAN BARS.
SWEDISH IN BARS.
No Duty.
Duty.
Duty.
Ton.
Ton.
Ton.
Ton.
Ton.
Years.
£
£
£
1802 5
9
184
152
1803
1804
677
5
- - -
9
16
4222
£ s. d.
£
£
£ s. d.
-
20
221/
201
19
20/
20
4 4 4
19
20
4 4 4
9
21
22
9
161
19
4 17 1
20/2
21
4 17 1
15
18
20
21
1805
7
- 9
15
19
5 1 0
19
21
5 1 0
15
191
19!
201
1806 7
- 9
151
19
5 7 58
19/1/20
201
5 7 52
1807 7
9
151
14
1808 7
9
14
કારો
20/1/1
19/
2012
19
19/1
19
20/1/1
17/
19/
1809
7
9
14}
J
19 5 9 10
17
18
5 9 10
15/1/
17
1810 7
9
14}
19
15/1/20
17
1811 7
- 9
14}
181
15.
17/1/20
1812
7
9
14
18/1/2
15/1/2
17/1/20
16/1
19/1/
•
1813 7
9
16
19/ 6 9 10
15
17!
6 9 10
12/1/0
161
16
17
1814 7
- 9
12
16
16/
17
15
16!
1815 7
9
12}}
161
15/1
161
1816 7 - 9
12/31/
17
151
161
13/
16/
123/
151
1817 7
- 9
121
15
15-
16}
21
161
None.
152
1818
777∞
9
16
21/
15
7/1
9
15
21/
18
HAHRIA
16!
161
19/20
121212
7
18
21
16
17
8
9
20
22
18
181
1819
9/1/2
20
24
6 10 0
18
19
6 10 0
8
9 17
21
165
1820
8/3/2
17
21
16 ½
1212
17!
17/2
1212
712
8/1/20
161
201
16
17
14
19
1821
6
7
6
72
77
15
20
16
17
14/1/
163
15
16
1822 6
6
63 14/1/
7 16
16
151
161
18
14
15
Note.-In 1826 the reduced duty on Foreign Iron (fixed at 30s. per ton),
came into operation.
The price of Russian Iron, according to marks, generally varies from 147. 10s.
to 187. 10s. per ton; of Swedish, common marks, 137. to 131. 10s. per ton;
exclusive of duty.
APPENDIX.
407
Per ton.
1818.
£ s. d.
1825.
£
NET PRICE OF SHROPSHIRE BAR-IRON IN BRISTOL.
Per ton.
£ S. d.
Per ton.
s. d.
1833.
April.
11
0 0
Nov.
July.
10 0
0
0
Dec.
10 0
0
July
6 10 0
Aug.
6 15 0
Oct.
10 10 0
1826.
Sept.
1819.
Jan.
10 0 0
Oct.
7 15 0
Jan.
11 10 0
April.
8 10 0
1834.
April.
11 10 0
July.
7 10 0
Jan.
• •
July.
10 10 0
Oct.
8 0
0
April.
·
Oct.
10 10 0
Dec.
8 10 0
July.
1820.
Oct.
77
7 15 0
7 15 0
7 0 0
0 0
1827.
Jan.
11 0 0
1835.
Jan.
8 10
0
April.
9 10 0
Jan.
7
0
0
April.
8 10 0
July.
9 10 0
Oct.
9 10 0
July
Oct.
8 10 0
April.
7 0
0
8 10 0
July.
7 0
0
1821.
Oct.
7 0
0
1828.
Jan.
8 10 0
1836.
Jan.
8 0 0
0
April.
8 10 0
Jan.
8 0 0
July.
8 10 0
April.
7 10 0
Oct.
8 10 0
July.
Oct.
7 0 0
April.
July.
10 15 0
11 15 0
7 10 0
1822.
Oct.
11 15
U
Jan.
7 10 0
1829.
1837.
April.
7 10 0
Jan.
7 0
0
Jan.
July.
Oct.
.7 10 0
April.
6 15
0
April.
10 15 0
9 15
8 10 0
May.
6 10
0
July.
7 15 0
1823.
July.
6 10
0
Oct.
7 15 0
Jan.
7 10 0
Oct.
6 0
0
Nov.
900
Feb.
700
1830.
Dec.
10 0 0
April.
7 10 0
Jan.
5 10 0
1838.
July.
Oct.
7 10 0
April.
5 10
0
Jan.
10 O 0
7 10 0
July.
6 10 0
April.
10 0 0
1824.
Oct.
5 10 0
July.
Jan.
8 0 0
1831.
Oct.
9 10 0
9 10
0
April.
8 0 0
Jan.
5 10 0
1839.
July.
900
April.
5 10
0
Jan.
9 10 0
Oct.
S 10 0 0
July.
5 10 0
Mar.
10 10 0
11 0 0
Oct.
5 10 0
July.
10 10 0
Nov.
13 0 0
1832.
Oct.
10 10 0
1825.
Jan.
5 10
0
1840.
Jan.
13 0 0
•
April.
5 10
0
Jan.
9 10 0
April.
May.
14 0 0
July.
5 10
0
April.
9
5
5 0
13 10 0
Oct.
5 10 0
July.
June
13 10 0
1833.
Oct.
5 0
8 5
9 5 0
July.
11 10 0
Jan.
600
1841.
Aug.
11 10 0
April.
•
600
Jan.
9 5 0
Oct.
10 0
0
May.
6 10 0
April.
8 5 0
PRICES OF STAFFORDSHIRE IRON.
Date. Qr.
1825. July.
Oct.
£ s. d.
£ s.
d.
From 7 0 0
0
0
1826. Jan.
6 0 0
April.
5 0 0
5 5
0
July.
4 17 6
Oct.
4 12 6
1827. Jan.
4 10 0
April.
3 17 6
:::::
5 2
6
Staffordshire Forge Pigs.
7 10 0
5 15 0
to 8 0
2 ::
40765 L
Staffordshire Merchant Bars.
42
s. d.
00
£ s.
d.
to 14 10 0
From 12
12 0
0
··
12 5 0
10 15
11
0 0
9 15 0
10 0 0
9 0
0
9 50
4 15
0
8 5
0
8 10 0
4 15
0
8 5
0
8 10 0
4 2
6
7 10 0
7 15
а
July.
4 10 0
•
4 12 6
8 0 0
8 5
5
0
Oct.
4 5
0
4 10 0
•
8
0 0
8 5
0
1828. Jan.
3 17 6
4 0
0
7 10 0
7 12
6
April.
3 15 0
3 15 0
7 10 0
July.
3 15 0
3 15
0
6 15 0
7 0
0
Oct.
3 17 6
4 0
0
7 0
0
7 5
0
1829. Jan.
3 15 0
3 17 6
6 15
0
7 0 0
April.
3 12 6
·
3 15 0
6 10 0
6 15 0
July.
Oct.
3 12 6
3 15 0
•
6 10
0
3 0 0
3 0 0
5 17
6
• •
•
6 15
6 0
0
0
1830. Jan.
April.
300
3 5 0
5 10
3 5 0
3 10 0
5 15
0
0
6
0
0
•
6 5
•
July.
Oct.
3 15 0
..
3 15 0
6 15
0
7 0
0
•
3 15 0
1831. Jan.
3 0 0
•
Apr.
July.
Oct.
1832. Jan.
•
April.
July.
3 10 0
2 17 6
2 17 6
3 0 0
3 2 6
300
Oct.
1833. Jan.
2 17 6
300
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ð en að að ∞ ∞ ∞ɔ
3 15 0
300
6 15
0
7 0
5 17 6
6 0
0
3 10 0
6 5
0
6 10
0
3
3
224
6
5 10 0
6 0
0
2 6
5
5
0
6
0
0
3 5 0
5 10 0
6 0
0
3 5 0
5 10
0
6
0
0
April.
3 12 6
3 5 0
3 0 0
326
315 0
5 15 0
6
0 0
5 10 0
6 0 0
5 10
0
6 0 0
•
6 5
0
6 10 0
July.
3 15
0
3 17 6
6 10
0
6 15 0
Oct.
4 10 0
4 15 0
7 5 0
7 10 0
1834. Jan.
4 12 6
4 15 0
7 15
0
8
0 0
April.
4 10
0
4 12
6
7 5 0
::
•
July.
Oct.
4 0
3 17 6
0
4 5
0
6 15 0
•
4 0 0
6 10 0
1835. Jan.
3 17 6
4 0 0
6 10 0
·
April.
3 15 0
3 17 6
July.
3 12 6
3 15 0
•
Oct.
1836. Jan.
4 10 0
5 15
0
4 15 0
6 15 0
6 10 0
7 10
6 0 0
•
April.
6 10
0
6 15 0
11 0 0
0
9 15 0
0 0
0 0
10 0 0
11 10 0
776778
7 10 0
7 0 0
7 0 0
6 15 0
0
•
July.
6 10 0
•
6 15 0
11 0 0
Oct.
6 5
0
6 10 0
10 15 0
.. 11 10 0
.. 11 10
1837. Jan.
6 0 0
6 7 6
10 10 0
April.
4 15 0
5 0 0
9 0 0
•
July.
3 10 0
3 15 0
6 15 0
11 10 0
11 0 0
10 O
7 0
Oct.
4 15 0
5 0
0 0
8 10
0
900
1838. Jan.
4 17 6
5
26
9
0 0
9 5 0
April.
July.
4 15
0
5 0 0
9
0 0
950
Oct.
1839. Jan.
April.
July.
Oct.
1840. Jan.
455 LO LOLO +
4 15 0
500
9
0 0 0
9 5 0
•
5 0 0
526
9
0 0
9 5 0
•
0 0
5 10 0
9 10 0
10 O 0
5
0
0
5 5 0
9 10 0
·
•
5
0
0
•
500
5 5 0
500
9 10 0
•
9 10 0
4 10 0
4 15 0
8 10 0
10 0
0
10 0 0
10 0 0
9 0 0
April.
4 10 0
4 15 0
8 10 0
9 0 0
•
July.
4 0 0
4 5 0
7 15
0
8 0 0
·
Oct.
4 15 0
5 0 0
9 0
0
9 5 0
1841. Jan.
4 10 0
4 15 0
8
5 0
9
0 0
•
April.
3 15
0
4 5 0
7 0 0
8
5 0
Years. January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
PRICES OF SOUTH WALES BAR IRON IN LONDON PER TON.
August. September. October.
July.
November. Decemb.
£ S.
£ S.
£ S.
£
S.
£
S.
£
S.
£ S.
£
S.
£
S.
£ S.
£
S.
£ s.
1812
16 10
15 10
15
10
14
10
14
10
14 10
1813
14 10
14 10
14 10
14 0
14
0
14
0
13 10
13 10
13
10
13
10
13
10
13 0
1814 13 0
14 0
14
0
14 10
14
10
14 10
14 10
14 10
14
10
15 0
15
0
15 0
1815
15 0
15
0
15
0
15
0
14 10
14 10
13
10
13
10
13
10
13
10
13
10
13 10
1816
13 10
13 10
13 10
13
10
13 10
13 10
13 10
13
10
13 10
10
0
10
0
9 10
1817
9 0
9 0
9 0
9
0
9 10
9
10
11
0
12
0
13 5
13
5
14
10
14 10
1818 14
0
13 10
13
0
13
0
12 10
12 10
12 0
11
10
11 10
12 10
12
10
12 10
1819 12 10
13
0
13
0
13 Q
13
0
13
0
13 0
12 10
12
10
12 10
12 10
12 10
1820
12 10
12 10
12 10
12 10
11
0
10
10
10 10
10 10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10 0
1821
9 10
9 10
9 10
10
0
10
0
10
0
9
10
9 10
9
0
9
0
8
15
8 15
1822
8 15
8 5
8 5
8
5
8
10
8
10
8 10
8
10
8
15
8
15
8
15
9 0
1823
8 10
8
10
8 10
8
10
8
10
8
10
8
10
8
10
8
10
8
10
8
10
8 10
1824
8 10
9
0
9 0
9 0
9
0
9 0
9
0
9
0
9
0
10
0
10
0
13 0
1825
13 10
13 10
15 10
15 10
15
10
15 10
14 10
11
0
11
0
11
0
11
0
11 0
1826
11
0
11 0
11
0
10
0
10
0
10 0
10 0
10
0
10
0
10
0
10
0
10 10
1827
10 10
10 10
10
10
10 10
10
9
10
9
10
9
10
9
10
9
10
1828
9 5
9 5
9
5
9
0
8
15
8
15
5
8
5
8
5
8
1829
8 0
8
0
7 10
7
10
7
10
7 10
7
5
5
7
5
7
1830
6 10
6 10
6 10
6 10
6 15
7
0
7
7
0
7
0
6
15
1831
6 0
6 0
6
0
6 5
6
5
6
6
6
5
6
5
6
200000
9 10
9 10
5
5
8 5
6 15
6 10
6 10
6 5
5
6
5
6 5
1832
6 5
6
5
6
5
6
5
6 5
6
6
5
6
0
6
0
6
0
6
0
6
5
1833
6 10
6 10
6 15
6
15
6 15
1834
8 0
8
0
8 0
8
0
8
0
1835
6 15
6 15
6 15
6
15
6 15
1836
9
()
11 0
10 15
11
0
11
15
1837
10 15
10 10
10 10
10 0
9
15
1838
9 15
9 15
9 15
9 15
9 15
176200
5
7
5
7
5
5
7
10
8
0
8 0
10
7
5
7
0
7
0
7
0
6
15
6 15
15
6
15
6
5
6
15
7
15
8
0
8 0
0
11
15
11 15
11 10
11
10
10
15
10 15
9 0
8
5
7
10
9 0
10
0
10
0
9 10
9
10
9
10
9 10
9
15
10
0
10
0
9 15
1839
10 10
10 10
10 10
10 10
10 0
1840
9 15
9 0
9 0
9 0
18 10
10 0
8 10
10 5
10 5
10 5
10 5
10
5
9 15
5
7 15
8
15
9
0
8
15
8 0
The London price is 20s. per ton above the prices at Cardiff and Newport, and 10s. per ton higher than Liverpool.


410
APPENDIX.
SOUTH WALES PRICES, FROM NEWPORT QUARTER-DAY BOOK.

Bars.
£ s. d.
Foundry
Pigs.
£ s. d.
Forge
Pigs.
£ s. d.
1803
Average price
1804
Do.
1805
Do.
15 0 0
14 0
16 0 0
6 10 0
0
600
6 10
0
1806
Do.
16 0 0
7 10
0
5 10 0
5 0
600
600
1807
Do.
13 0 0
6 6
8
5 0 0
1808
Do.
14 0 0
6 10 0
5 6 8
1809
Do.
14 0 0
6 10
0
5
6 8
1810
The prices open for every one to
sell as he likes.
1811
Average price
13 0 0
•
1812
Do.
12 10 0
6 0 0
5
6 8
1813
Do.
12 10 0
600
5 6 8
•
1814
Do.
13 0 0
6 10 0
1815
Do.
12 0 0
1816
Do.
8 0
0
1817
Do.
12 0 0
6 5 0
1818
Do.
12 0 0
6 10 0
1819
Do.
11 0 0
7 0 0
1820
Do.
900
5 15 0
5 0 0
1821
Do
8 0 0
500
1822
Do.
8 0 0
5 15 0
1823
Do.
7 10 0
500
1824
The meetings at Newport given up.
The following Papers, collected during the progress of this Work,
are added with the view of assisting any statistical inquiry as to
the consumption of Iron.
SHIPPING.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE NUMBER OF VESSELS, WITH THE AMOUNT
OF THEIR TONNAGE, THAT WERE BUILT AND REGISTERED
IN THE PORTS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, IN THE YEARS
1837, 1838, AND 1839.

1837.
1838.
1839.
Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage.
United Kingdom
936
Isles of Guernsey,
69
Jersey, and Man
British Plantations
510
Total.
1,515
131,171
4,751
71,306
207,228
1,089 157,255 1,217 181,301
58 4,204
606 79,947
1,753 241,406
61 5,602
368 47,898
1,646 234,801
APPENDIX.
411
SHIPPING (continued.)
AN ACCOUNT OF THE NUMBER AND TONNAGE OF VESSELS,
BELONGING TO THE BRITISH EMPIRE, ON THE 31st DECEM-
BER, OF EACH OF THE THREE YEARS, 1837, 1838, and 1839.

On 31 Dec. 1837. On 31 Dec. 1838. On 31 Dec. 1839.
United Kingdom
Isles of Guernsey,
Jersey, and Man
British Plantations ..
Total
21,037 2,531,005
633 39,630
6,075 497,798.
Vessels. Tons.
19,936 2,296,227
600 37,294
5,501 457,497
Vessels. Tons.
Vessels. Tons.
20,300 2,383,484
612 37,275
5,697 469,842
•
26,037 2,791,018 26.609 2,890,601
27,745 3,068,433
G. R. Porter's "Parliamentary Tables of the Revenue, Commerce, &c. of the
United Kingdom, and its Dependencies, 1839."
AN ACCOUNT OF THE NUMBER AND TONNAGE OF STEAM
VESSELS BUILT AND REGISTERED IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE,
Distinguishing British Possessions in Europe from the British Plantations, in the
year 1839.
Vessels.
Tons.
England
Scotland
Ireland
•
43
2,885
18
2,968
1
286
Total (United Kingdom)..
62
6,139
Isles of Guernsey, Jersey, and Man
British Plantations
3
383
Total
65
6,522
AN ACCOUNT OF THE NUMBER AND TONNAGE OF STEAM VES-
SELS BELONGING TO THE BRITISH EMPIRE,
Distinguishing British Possessions in Europe from the British Plantations, in the
Year 1839.
Vessels.
Tons.
England.
517
45,160
Scotland
117
15,704
Ireland
86
18,376
Total (United Kingdom)..
720
79,240
Isles of Guernsey, Jersey, & Man
3
389
British Plantations.
47
•
7,132
Total
770
86,731
G. R. Porter's "Parliamentary Tables, &c. &c., 1839."
4
412
APPENDIX.
SHIPPING-(continued.)
MACHINERY EXPORTED, 1830-9.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE OFFICIAL VALUE OF MACHINERY
EXPORTED,
Distinguishing the several heads of Steam Engines and parts of Steam Engines,
Mill-work of all sorts allowed by Law to be Exported, Machinery of all other
kinds allowed by Law to be Exported, and Machinery Exported under Licence
from the Treasury or Privy Council, in each Year, from 1830 to 1839

1830. 1831. 1832. 1833.
1834.
£ £
28,803 33,257
£ £
36,404 | 63,683
Steam Engines and parts of Steam £
Engines....
Mill-work, of all sorts allowed by law
to be exported
Machinery, of all other kinds allowed
by law to be exported
Machinery exported under licence from
the Treasury or Privy Council ....
Total
103,800
40,434 18,229 13,093 18,735 15,563
60,028 51,926 38,961 55,490 115,385
4,505 6,533
6,533 7,404 16,435 17,351
|208,767 |105,491 | 92,715 127,064 (211,982


Steam Engines and parts of Steam
Engines
Mill-work, of all sorts allowed by law
to be exported
•
Machinery, of all other kinds allowed
by law to be exported
Machinery exported under licence from
the Treasury or Privy Council
Total
•
...
•
1835. 1836. 1837. 1838. 1839.
£
£ £ £ £
88,644 89,917 195,753 185,963 213,235
21,565 29,707 39,304 41,095 25,955
176,418 167,406 230,452 346,252 387,096
21,324| 15,062 | 27,959 | 54,120| 56,999
|307,951 |302,092 493,468 627,430 683,285
G. R. Porter's "Parliamentary Tables, &c. &c., 1839."
APPENDIX.
413
STAFFORDSHIRE AND SHROPSHIRE IRON CARRIED ON THE
GRAND JUNCTION CANAL TO LONDON IN THE YEARS 1814
TO 1840, INCLUSIVE.
Toys.

Manufac-
tured Iron
Years.
of all
Pigs.
Cast Iron Sundry
Pipes.
Wrought
Iron
Total.
Castings. Bedsteads
sorts.
1814
19,4523
2026
22211/2
3330
27,030/
1815
14,9001
2832
24742
32392/
23,447
1816
9,029
2397
12873
26261
15,341
1817
15,8093
2175
53543
46961
28,0363
1818
21,4531/
2305
49961
5499
34,254
1819
22,2641/2
2285
4229
7071
35,850/1
1820 17,722
52073
445
8237
31,6121
1821 17,269
302611
11851
9349
30,8293
1822
14,2923
31291
24033
8825
28,650
1823
13,1503
20231/
3725
47081
23,608
1824
16,2391
3587
2873
4495$
1361
27,332
1825
15,258
34702
9051
99011
5801
30,1153
1826 18,212
4688
11,7904
576!
35,2663
1827 17,675
24083
13,5231
82
33,689
1828
16,041
1049/
842622
25,5174
1829
17,382
14073/
72601
2571/
1830
17,3381
12883
82043/
1831
22,1171
5261/
211/
8572/9/
53
57
772
26,3071/
26,889
322/1
31,270
1832 22,0401
8093
96061
4
32,4601
:
1833 25,194
428
8327/
68
34,018
1834 26,864
1811
10,9001
565
38,0021
1835 25,4271
419
13,542
4
39,3934
1836
21,9951
20891
10,0941
18
34,197
1837 27,256
3558
16,351
300
47,465
1838 33,055
3107
12,959
170
49,291
1839
1840 43,613
35,855
1547/
11,142/1/
133
48,678
1254
10,736
91
55,694
IRON CONVEYED ON THE ELLESMERE AND CHESTER
CANAL.
Iron conveyed to Liverpool in the year 1838-
From Staffordshire
North Wales
Shropshire.
Total
38,758 tons.
11,687
""
9,961
60,406
of which the Staffordshire may be considered manufactured iron;
and also about 7000 tons from North Wales.
By the Middlewich branch of the Ellesmere Canal there went
10,370 tons, principally from North Wales, to Manchester.
The returns from Preston Brook were not obtained. A small
quantity also went by the Macclesfield Canal to Manchester.
414
APPENDIX.
IRON WORKS IN THE WEST RIDING, YORKSHIRE-
APRIL, 1840.
Low MOOR.-8 blast furnaces, average about 50 tons each per
week. Average about 150 tons of finished iron, boiler, plate, and
merchant bars. Likewise manufacture locomotive engines; also
cast cannon, bomb-shells, and shot. (14 puddling furnaces.)
BIERLY.-4 furnaces, average about 60 tons per furnace.
BOWLING.-4 furnaces, average about 60 tons per furnace; 11
puddling furnaces, finish about 100 tons of boiler plate and bar-
iron; also manufacture steam-engines.
BIRKSTALL ABBEY.-No blast furnaces, 2 puddling furnaces, 4
scrap furnaces, finish about 40 tons of small merchant iron per
week; 2 drawing-out hammers, get up axles for railway carriages,
ships' knees, patent arms, &c.; also uses of different kinds. This
work was erected in 1740.
LEEDS.-1 furnace, about 60 tons per week; 5 puddling and 1
scrap furnace, finish about 60 tons of bar-iron per week; 1 draw-
ing-out hammer. Purchase part of their pigs.
WATERLOO.-1 charcoal blast furnace, about 40 tons per week;
1 charcoal fire; 1 puddling furnace.
HUNSLET. No blast furnace; 1 puddling, and 1 scrap furnace;
drawing-out hammer for country use, about 15 tons per week.
PARK GATE.-1 blast furnace, about 60 tons per week; 11 pud-
dling furnaces, finish about 100 tons per week of boiler plate, sheet
iron, merchant iron, &c. Get the principal part of their pig-iron
from Derbyshire.
MILTON. 2 blast furnaces, about 70 tons each; 7 puddling
furnaces; 2 drawing-out hammers, finish about 70 tons per week,
boiler plate, merchant iron, &c.; also get up many cast iron
bridges.
ELSICAR.-3 blast furnaces, about 60 tons each. Sell the pig-
iron.
CHAPLETOWN.-2 blast furnaces, about 50 tons each; cast pipes
and retorts.
THORNCLIFFE.—3 blast furnaces, about 50 tons each.
HOLMES.-2 blast furnaces, about 60 tons each.
SHEFFIELD PARK.-2 blast furnaces, about 50 tons each. Make
sundry castings.
THORNHILL LEES.-No blast furnace; 2 puddling furnaces,
wrought into boiler plate, and use iron, from 10 to 15 tons per week.
APPENDIX.
415
GATE HEAD WIRE MILL.
charcoal fire, melting scraps, about
4 tons per week. Purchase blooms from north of Lancashire;
manufactured into card wire, about 150 bundles per week.
IRON WORKS IN DERBYSHIRE-MAY 1840.
DERBY (Suburbs of.)-No blast furnace; 5 puddling furnaces,
finish about 50 tons per week of sheet and merchant iron.
BUTTERLY. )—2 blast furnaces, about 50 tons each.
CODNOR PARK.—3
ditto, about 60 tons each, same
proprietors; 20 puddling furnaces, finish about 200 tons per week,
boiler plate, sheet and merchant iron, and rails; also different
castings, and steam-engines.
LILLEYSHAW.—2 blast furnaces, about 55 tons each.
their pigs into Yorkshire.
Send
DUCKMANTON.-2 blast furnaces, about 50 tons each. Sell the
pigs.
STAVELY.—2 blast furnaces, about 50 tons each.
MORLEY PARK.-2 blast furnaces, about 55 tons each, worked
up at Atherslee; where are 4 puddling furnaces; 2 charcoal fires,
finish about 60 to 70 tons per week of sheet, rod, and merchant
iron.
IRON WORKS IN NORTHUMBERLAND-1839.*
Works in operation :—
The Birtley, about 90 tons per week of pig-iron.
50
Wylam,
Lemington, 40
""
دو
Ridsdale
40
220 tons per week, or about 11,440 tons
per annum.
* IRON WORKS IN NORTHUMBERLAND—1841.
Birtley Iron Company 3 furnaces, 2 in blast.
2 do. 1 do.
Lemington do.
Benjamin Thompson
1
do.
1
Hareshaw Iron Company 1
do.
do.
1 do.
Ridsdale Iron Company 4 do.
1
do.
ROLLING MILLS.
Birtley roll about
30 tons per week.
Lemington
15
do.
Ridsdale Iron Company
150
do.
Hawks, Stanley and Company 150
do.
Losh, Wilson and Bell...... 200
do.
416
APPENDIX.
GOVERNMENT RETURN OF HORSES AND CARRIAGES.
(From the Office of Stamps and Taxes—1839.)
HUSBANDRY HORSES.-None are now returned; but up to the
end of 1838 they were returned, partly from some districts and not
others.
Total exemptions for 1838:-Horses*
Of which husbandry horses
add for supposed short returns
535,485
382,920
76,584
76,584
459,504
Also included in 535,485 as exempt,
stage-coach and hackney-car-
riage horses
Mileage duty paid on upwards of
4000 stage-carriages, number of
miles averaged per day 126,000.
The above number of horses may
be doubled
15,626
15,626
15,626
31,252
1700 hackney-coaches in London,
employing about 5000 horses .
5,000
632,695
Horses charged with duty-1838
309,364
942,059
Allow for short returns
57,941
Total horses
1,000,000
* Average of exemptions for horses in the preceding
588,988
407,074
5 years
Of which husbandry horses..
Carriages.t-Four wheels.-Total number charged
58,812
Ditto exempted 3,642
62,454
Two wheels. Total number charged 45,248
Ditto exempted 22,472
67,720
130,174
† Does not include waggons or carts, nor stage or hackney-carriages, which cannot
be far short of 10,000 (th 4 wheels) about 6000 being licensed by Board of Stamps
and Taxes, of stages in Great Britain; and hackney-carriages in London only. The
hackney-carriages in other large towns being licensed by the Excise Board under the
post-horse duty act, there being always many spare carriages.
1
APPENDIX.
417
WASTE OF IRON IN FARMING.*
Arable land in England, 11,500,000 acres.
Annual waste of iron on a farm, taking 100 acres as an average.
Starting a farm of 100 acres.
Required 2 carts, broad wheels.
1 do. narrow wheels.
2 ploughs.
4 horses.
WHEELS. 6 cwt. iron per cart, broad wheels.
12 cwt. 2 carts.
4 cwt. iron per cart, narrow wheels.
16
7 cwt. lost for ever.
9 cwt. change every 8 years.
4 cwt. old iron.
4 cwt. waste in 8 years, or per year 60 lbs.
HORSE SHOES.-Large shoes 10 lbs. per set, small shoes 6 lbs.=
8 lbs. per set.
Shoes 8 lbs. 4 sets per year, 32 lbs. per horse.
CHAINS.-1 set 16 lbs. will last 4 years, 4 lbs.
Waste per annum, after allowing for old iron :-
4 horses at 32 lbs. per horse
at 4 lbs.
3 carts at 20 lbs. per cart
•
2 ploughs at 20 lbs. per plough
per
horse.
128 lbs. shoes.
16 chains.
60
40
""
244 lbs. per annum
Loss of iron in every 100 acres, arable land, or about 12,500 tons on
11,500,000 acres.
4 horses per 100 acres
3 carts
460,000 horses,
=335,000 carts,
2 ploughs
230,000 ploughs,
""
besides harrows, scythes, sickles, forks, spades, and shovels.
* Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopædia, vol. 8. p. 734.
E E
418
APPENDIX.
BRITISH IRON AND IRON WARES EXPORTED FROM GREAT BRITAIN FROM 1796 TO 1814 INCLUSIVE.
WROUGHT IRON AND HARDWARE.
ORDNANCE AND
SMALL ARMS.
BAR IRON.
PIG.
CAST IRON.
NAILS.
Quantity.
Real Value.
Years.
T.
1796
c. q. lb.
407 16 1 15
T.
c. q. lb.
1797
1,317 15 0
1
1,756 9 0 0
897 10 0
0
T. c. q. lb.
1,709 16 2 1
1,573 9 3
5
T.
c. q. lb.
1,727 4 1 24
1,202 4 1 16
T.
c. q. lb.
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
18,983 4 2 22
2,292,657 5 5
243,848 9 6
17,235 18 1 11
1,930,841 11 9
1798
170,066 11 5
1,888 16 2 23
500 0 0
0
1799
2,675 14 2 12
1,446 13 0
0
1800
2,844 12 2 8
1,610 7 0 0
2,154 13 1 7
2,619 15 1 21
2,789 19 1 21
1,602 6 1 19
17,599 13 0 21
2,061,748 18 9
211,837 9 3
2,101 9 1 22
23,756 0 2 25
1,862 12 3 11
22,848 0 2 2
1801
3,001 3 1 6
1,583 14 0
0
2,908 3 3 2
2,155 1 3 11
20,883 9 2 21
2,780,037 10 10
3,070,797 14 7
2,673,787 2 10
1802
5,459 1 3 13
1,815 7 0
0
3,496 13 0 10
9 0 18
1803
3,574 2 1 18
1,532 19 0
0
1804
6,064 18 1 24
2,237 11 3 11
1805
6,594 16 3
3
3,276 0 0 25
2,342 8 3 1
2,000 2 2 8
1,982 18 3 16
1,726
1,441 3 2
965 10 3 18
725 7 2 7
Wrought Iron, not
otherwise described.
24,008 11 1 16
3,307,166 5 5
349,631 7 11
316,825 9
254,657 6 8
263,524 15 6
9 6
0
16,966 5 1 17
21,757 19 2 14
20,685 6 1
2,361,813 10 9
201,988 17 11
2,992,056 1
5 | 2,833,832 19
0
242,121 13 5
6
198,566 4 11
Hardware and
Cutlery.+
Ordnance.
1806
8,123 11 3 4
2,549 21 4
1807
10,863 4 1 18
2,925 18 3 16
2,736 16 1 5
2,286 15 2 26
T. c. q. th.
11,434 11 2 26
18,373 12 0 11
T. c. q. lb.
4,629 17 2 27
4,669 0 0 16
T.
1808
16,195 17 2 17
c. q. lb.
2,080 10 2 24
2,603 13 2 12
3,388 13 0 12
2,329 4 2 17
15,788 7 3 27
2,672 17 2 25
1809
1,329 4 1 21
1810
1811
}
The documents of these years destroyed by fire.
1812
1813
1814
23,810 2 3 2 4,066 6 1 6 3,690 19 2 12
The documents of this year destroyed by fire.
22,635 14 3 13 | 3,354 14 0 13 | 5,716 9 0 26
18,911 1 3 0
5,854 11 1 20
1,458 16 1 13
18,450 2 0 1
6,162 5 3 22
699 17 0 9
+ Value not given.
Quantity not given.
Parliamentary Papers from which this Table was arranged :-No. 119, 21 April, 1806. No. 146, 5 May, 1806. No. 265, 2 May, 1815.

APPENDIX.
BRITISH IRON.-COUNTRIES TO WHICH EXPORTED.
419
United States
British West
Foreign
Countries in
and Foreign
Indies and
Ireland.
Settlements
Africa.
Northern
Possessions
in
Europe.
in America.
Colonies.
East Indies.
Years.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T. C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
1796
3,505 9
3,721 14
6,538 9
490 15
7,848 8
2,419 17
1797
1,999 8
2,689 2
5,246 12
957 13
8,884 11
2,469 14
1798
2,516 8
2,424 10
5,816 13
1,505 17
9,732 16
1,899 2
1799
4,297 1
4,019 6
6,695 16
1,703 18
12,742 5
3,141 6
1800
6,438 13
4,370 8
6,218 7
1,085 4
10,277 10
3.585 11
1801
3,924 16
5,253 19
5,852 7
1,340 6
11,174 3
2,080 2
1802
6,243 17
6,671 19
6,735 8
1,250 16
10,701 7
4,812 15
1803
4,092 19
5,709 15
5,524 19
811 15
6,481 11
3,296 11
1804 4,933 7
8,290 15
6,044 6
1,308 3
8,697 0
3,752 13
1805
3,676 9
10,111 5
7,037 14
982 18
8,354 12
3,101 11
Parliamentary Paper :-No. 140, 5 May, 1806.
BRITISH IRON EXPORTED FROM 1806 TO 1814 INCLUSIVE.

COUNTRIES TO WHICH
EXPORTED.
1806.
1807.
1808.
1809 to
1811.
1812. 1813.
1814.
T. C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
Russia
Sweden
•
253 18
134 16
0 1
28 2
323 6
3 14
1 9
57 11
115
G
40 16
Norway and Denmark
238 3
356 10
23 0
85 10
54 5
•
·
Poland
Prussia
2 5
14 1
78 6
2 9
211
14 12
191 14
►
Germany.
Holland
Flanders
France.
·
Heligoland
•
Portugal and Madeira
Spain and Canaries
Gibraltar
•
Italy, Sicily, &c..
Malta
•
Turkey and Levant
Ireland
Isles-Guernsey, Jersey, &c..
United States of America
British Provinces in N. America
0
86 7 304 7
150 16 1,693 1
0 10
10,219 14 13,238 15 14,357 17
334 17 424 9
6,700 15 8,229 2
530 10
2,154 5
1,385 0 1,637 4
1,801 10
British West Indies, includ-10,735 3 7,667 5 6,477 14
ing conquered Colonies..
Brazils...
200 9
0 1
710 13
29
6
17 18
9 11
0 6
2,284 17
2,719 16
174 2
145 10
1,364 17
1,270 14
•
145 1
388 12 1,281
36 0
180 5
15 14
Official Documents destroyed by Fire.
1 12
0 15
1 10
4,685 13
1,199 2
1,346 19
1,256 19
2,122 2
27 7
21,101 16
597
5,339 1
2,980 11
5,921 12
Official Documents destroyed by Fire.
4 4
1,049
348 8
2
1,913 4
2,084 17
2,901 15
1,130 0
2,814 1
1,324 6
99 19
14,564 17
398
4,270 5
8,140 13
Foreign Colonies in America
and the West Indies
Honduras Bay
Asia..
Africa
•
35 5
1,473 15 751 0
4,130 18.
429 19
1,151 14
447 S
1,750 0
1,477 10
D
36 16 77 4
4,918 16 4,586 4
94 9
33 0
27 17
4,415
4
8,601
6
9,133
8
1,918 19 1,079 11 1,285 3
732 15
1,352 2
Totals
41,354 7 41,722 541,704 4
57,791 17
57,019 3
Parliamentary Paper :-No. 265, 2 May, 1815.
EE 2
420
APPENDIX.
FOREIGN IRON IMPORTED FROM 1800 to 1814 INCLUSIVE.


Years.
Bar.
Cast, old,
Broken, &c.
Drawn or
hammered.
Pig.
Hoops.
Wrought
Nails, &c.
T. c. q. lb.
T.
c. q. lb.
T.
1800 38,154 18 3 11
180133,145 15 2
716
31332
19 3
5
c. q. lb.
1 13 0 16
T. c. lb.
•
q.
T.
c. q. lb.
T.
c. q. lb.
184 18 2
2
1 15 0 0
26
0 2 18
2 1 10
6 19 2 25|
1802 52,873 1 3
94766
0 1 27
5 17 2 14
370
682
2 1 23
5 6 1 21
52
8 0 23
5 3 2
61
1 1 23
180343,442 17 0
19 1176
9 3
4
2
1804 22,300 3 2
1805 27,157 16 2 12
1806 32,127 18 2 9
1807 23,731 0 2 19
1808 21,000
21,000 4 3 7
16 436
8 3
1
28
4 0 4 768 13 1 25
6 1
3 12 2
5
29 13 1 25
1463 1 3 17
13
60 6
547
1 2 23
16 2 1
830
6 2 15
263
10 3 3
2**
3 368
8 3 24
1
88 5 0 15
1809 24,479 10 2 13
1810 20,183 17 0 21
1811 27,956 0 0 1
***
******
* * * * * * Co
3 1 26
15 16 2 3
181217,428 17 1 15 130 11 0
0
26 17 0 5
1813
*
7 12 3 5
*
*
1814 21,909 0 2 24 687 19 3
6
33
9 3 14
13 2 0 201
20
1 19 2 22
(declared value)
£1425 3 1
*
410 15 3
36 3 2 241
0 51
2
20 10 1 14
39 5 2 8
2
FOREIGN IRON EXPORTED FROM 1800 TO 1814 INCLUSIVE.
1800 4993 3 0 17
1801 4029 13 1 8
1802 6691 18 2 2
1803 3609 2 3 24
34 7 1 16
64 19 2 22
16
00
0
9 15 2 17
12 19 3 12
5 1 27
10
0 0
0 0 0
24 02 4
52 91 0
1805
1804 3618 4 1 26
2
1
i 8
81
сл
5
33333
7 1 13
4207 16 0
5
1806
4716 18 3 0
•
1807
6537 5 2 6
1808
6621 18 2 21
Q***
22 6
*
13 15 3 1
13 10 1
8
* *
(declared value)
1809
8602 10 2 4
57 15 0
2
8 12 3
4
•
44 18 1 17 £2403 16
6
181011,367 16 2 9
44 18 3 19
11
5 1 0
1802 16 0
1811
8103 17 1 11
1812
9958 16 2 3
1813
*
*
181410,274 19 2 0)
62 5 0 27
36 17 3 19
3 1 2 21
Nearly the whole of these Exports of Foreign Iron are to Ireland and Asia.
Parliamentary papers No. 76, 31st March, 1806-263–4, 2d May, 1815.
FOREIGN IRON-COUNTRIES FROM WHICH IMPORTED.
13
1 1 22
862 18 6
11
1 2 20
599 7 4
*
3
0 2 11
322 14
8

Yrs.
Russia.
Sweden.
Norway and
Denmark.
Other
Countries.
Prize Iron.
Total.
T.
c. q. lh.
2 0 15 16,976
T.
c. y. lb.
4.1.
6 2 17 298
T.
c. g. lb. T. c. g. lb.
T. c. q. lb.
T.
0 1 24313 16 1 13
96
211,966
1 3 12 69
1805 10,108
1806 20,410 2 2
c. q. lb.
7 0 23 27,792 12 3 8
3 1 10360 10 1 5152 7 0 23 32,958 5 0 24
27 21,088 9 3 22
524,479 10 2 13
1807 10,460 19 1 7 13,133 10 1 20117 11 0 24 115 17 0 9 166 13 1 18 23,994 11 1 22
1808 3402 16 1 5 16,500 4 1 6
153 5 3 121032 3 1
1809 7158 15 3 116,542 16 0 4127 0 1 10 85 62 21 565 11 3
1810 7376 19 2 11 12,051 15 3 13201 18 0 23111 5 2 20 441 17 3 10 20,183 17 0 21
1811 8518 6 0 11 18,791 14 2 16 207 12 3 22 8 0 7 431 18 1 127,956 00 1
1812 9837 3 3 27 6854 5 0 19 605 12 0 20 0 0 3 213 16 3 12 17,593 18 0 25
1813
*
*
1814 9853 18 0 712,156 10 0
6
83
*
*
1138 18 1 4448 8 0 0 47 17 3 18 22,645 12 1 2
1800 to 1804 countries not specified.
The columns marked * cannot be filled up in consequence of the destruction of the official docu-
ments by fire.
Parliamentary paper-No. 263, 2d May, 1815.
BRITISH IRON, &c. EXPORTED FROM 1815 TO 1839.
WROUGHT IRON, viz.
British hardwares
Bar
Iron.
Bolt and
Rod Iron.
Pig Iron.
Cast Iron. Iron Wire. Anchors,
Grapnels,
&c.
Hoops.
Nails.
Iron, old,
Of all other for remanu-
sorts except facture.
ordnance.
Unwrought
and cutlery.
Steel.
Quan- Declared
tity. value.
Years.
T'.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
T.
C.
T.
1815
26,309 0
8971 13
2708 9
6208
2
380 10
1311 14
1816
26,281 13
7875 3
2977 19
7307 2
141 5
854 4
1817
43,382 18
6660 0
6773 11
7180 12
120 3
1013 3
1818
51,507 6
7862 16
5419 7
7622 7
165 3
1159 1
1819
36,032 9
6366 1
3541 3
8410 19
218 5
684 18
1820
46,469 4
7937 11
5630 19
6647 14
169 2
545 2
1821
50,123 17
8484 5
7386 5
6555 12
248 7
560 13
1822 44,617 6
10,665 G
8259 1
6698 15
357 16
579 3
1823
45,699 11
10,596 2
11,304 11
7269 14
288 10
1148 13
1824* 38,387 15
7745 10
5370 13
9150 0
355 13
1459 11
1825
25,613 19
4835 3
2815 16
5944 13
203
I
1395 12
1826
33,253 0
7163 16
6563 6
5940 8
189 3
1679 14
1827
45,284 7
7337 7
7095 13
6292 01
207 10
1416 9
1828
51.108 10
7449 10
7826 19
6205 10
310 11
1230 1
>
1829
56,178 9
6475 13!
8931 16
8219 16
329 3
1253 13
1830
59,795 4
8042 16
12,036 18
8851 14
365 11
1246 12
1831
64,012 12
6191 11 12,444 4
10,361 11
538 19
1004 18
1832
74,024 5
1833
75,333 19
1834
70,809 2
6938 2 17,566 1
7311 2 22,988 15 14,763 18|
9154 3 21,788 1 13,870 3
12,495 1
666 7
1606 19
517 19
398 ()
1835
94,323 16
13,331 12 33,073 2 12,604 7
541 (
1836
88,536 17
9225 18 33,880 6 19,891 9
643 11
1837
1838 128,715 12
1839 |124,137 8
86,729 4
8934 0 44,387 18 12,373 11
13,207 11 48,554 1 14,942 ]
12,315 11 43,460 2 10,836 9
453 5
545 14
776 19
* There are no returns of iron to Ireland after this date.
4
695 14
549 81
T. C. T.
£
1280 12 15,472 2,349,662|
959 14 13,915 1,987,082
532 19 8190 1,197,875|
809 10|11,058| 1,721,364
662 14 8699 1,316,047|
438 14 6697 949,086|
694 19 9037 1,237,692
784 16 10,467 1,334,895
654 110,376| 1,264,444|
734 4 12,286 1,454,296
533 17 10,980| 1,391,113|
472 11 9627 1,169,105|
535 9 12,444 1,392,880
917 7 12,100 1,385,617
714 17 13,029 1,389,516
832 12 13,369) 1,410,936|
1207 3 16,799 1,620,632
1112 0 15,295 1,433,298
1587 9 16,498 1,466,362
1709 216,276| 1,485,233
2810 3 20,197 1,833,0453|
3014 1121,072 2,271,813
2432 17 13,372| 1,460,807
2946915,295| 1,498,327
3974 221,177 1,828,521
Parliamentary Papers from which this Table was arranged: No. 279, 5th May, 1819--376, 3d April, 1821-191, 30th March, 1825-313, 5th June, 1829–
45, 2d Dec. 1830-455, 18th May, 1832--297, 17th May, 1833-299, 18th June, 1835-116, 17th July, 1839-104 and 105, 1840.
T.
C.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C
6173 19
3806 12
6884 15
5415 6
4096 I
6261 16
5720 0
이
​4128 10
6528 11
87 13
1057 4
1331 6
7006 10
4495 1
8015 11
604 15
6198 2
3399 5
7166 3
568 4
7552 ຍ
2846 15
6063 15
768 14
7898 15
3288 17
6805 17
599 9
8947 12
3353 17
8104 19
920 12
7772 10
3785 2
8686 15
7102 16
3980 11
8884 8
18 13
43 17
5656 I
3555 5
8222 13
71 19
7956 9
3538 2
9567 16
34 12
8505 13
3957 11
11,620 13
[ 30
8807 19
4596 8
11,703 G
108 10
9532 9
4528 4
11,673
2
226 1
8057 0
4118 18
12,813
5
884 18
8229 8
4361 12 14,013_6
1413 10
9417 14
4347 18
18,595 1
773 6
2244 2 10,923 4
5069 9
21,378 9
696 0
1941 16 12,046 7
5005 1
20,947 I
497 2
2347 이 ​0 13,957 1
5180 0 20,182 19
595 11
2222 4 8992 51
2461 8
2849 19 12,482 12
3107 9| 11,225 8
5580 5| 19,939 15
429 16
10,074 16
5249 15 19,414 12
1780 6
6696 C) 24,381 2
7195 8 30,334 01

422
APPENDIX.
FOREIGN IRON IMPORTED FROM 1815 TO 1839.


Iron, slit, or
hammered
Iron in bars,
or unwrought. less than in. cast iron.
square.
into rods, or
Old broken
and old
Iron wire
Un-
Iron in
Pigs.
and wrought
hoops. Steel.
Years.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T. C.
T.
T.
C.
C.
1815
21,378 14
17 12
760 10
189 15
2 11
486 7
1816
8489 13
4 10
406 5
27 &
947 0
•
1817
10,138 15
123 7
1219 11
1818
16,603 7
152 13
1 10
1629 18
1819
13,968 13
17 19
236 7
1 0
*1014 11
1820
2 17
170 15
30 18
9869 9
1821
§ 10,155 4
4 9
224 5
23 2
4 9
*371 1
12 15
1822
12,768 19
*3 6
156 19
1
5
4 8
*345 10
1823
13,456 15
1 14
206 18
3 12
no returns.
*369 10
14,246
1
1824
4 7
511 0
0 10
6 9
*351 1
23,181 16
1825
65 4
1273 17
1393.15
7 16
165 15
*232 0
1826
12,952 19
0 16
520 11
149
8
5 14
207 14
1327
18,478 1
256 19
77 3
3 18
276 16
1828
15,050 13
1 3
230 8
164 3
1 15
375 9
1829
15,148 0
6 1
200 4
30 12
1 7
407
4
1830
14,947 4
207 4
6 3
1 19
945 17
1831
17,421 8
52 14
253 9
5 10
11 14
1313
6
1832
18,961 12
1 15
159 7
30 6
0 12
622 4
1833
17,913 5
3 15
125 12
41
1 2
834 16
1834
16,215 7
10
7
65 0
108
9
0 11
698 6
1835
19,750 8
3 1
69 18
60 14
3 17
969 6
1836
25,033 11
8 5
634 6
84
3
1 0
1064 11
1837
19,272 0
210 3
194 19
6 1
423 10
1838
$ 23,007 2
12 2
286 12
519 16
11
2
497 1
+37 19
1839
20,826 9
154 3
2241 18
0 3 650 16
+389 10
* Foreign Iron imported into Ireland.
+ Bloom Iron.
The Unwrought Steel is imported from Sweden, with the exception of a
small quantity principally from Italy.
Parliamentary Papers, &c. from which this and the following table were
arranged: Nos. 280, 5 May, 1819-281, 5 May, 1819-376, 3 April, 1821-
191, 30 Mar. 1825–313, 5 June, 1820—45, 2 Dec. 1830–455, 18 May, 1832
-297, 17 May, 1833-299, 18 June, 1835-416, 17 July, 1839-103, 1840.
FOREIGN IRON EXPORTED FROM 1815 TO 1839.

Iron in bars,
or unwrought.
Iron slit, or
hammered
into rods, or
less than in.
less than in.
square.
Old broken
and old
cast iron.
Iron in
Pigs.
Iron wire
and
Un-
wrought
hoops. Steel
Years.
1815
T. C.
14,018 O
T.
C.
T. C.
T.
C.
T. C. T. C.
13 9
2 11
1816
8623 16
1 17
1817
4057 3
1818
4977 10
307 2
805 2
1016 5
1053 10
1819
3909 3
1820
3627 12
018
1821
4002 10
21 7
1822
3993 9
10 18
1823
3332 11
1 17
1824
4037 4
3 2
0
1
no returns.
1825
0705 18
2
9
1826
2261 19
45
1
1827
3453 13
28 2
130
On
210 19
153 18
397
4
1828
2991 5
15 6
10 9
235 1
1829
3024 7
2
1830
2968 10
5 8
0 3
53
12 9
0 10
587 9
44
9
625 6
1831
4254 14
6 10
10 17 1122 17
1832
3450 13
46 4
9 9
810 13
1833
2024 9
3 13
17 8
769 9
1834
2885 6
4 5
43 13
762 19
1835
2635 9
3 19
4 19
30 0
3 3
1361 4
1836
4761 17
3 14
0 8
965
1837
2617 13
14
4
0 11
341
+
1838
4368 10
3 18
1839
4484 10
70 0
3 14
11 19
648 0
699 6
IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Quantities
Quantities
entered for
Gross amount
Imported.
Home
consumption.
of duty
received.
IRON AND STEEL.
Yrs.end. 5 Jan. Yrs.end.5Jan. Yrs.end.5Jan·
1840. | 1841. 1840. 1841. 1840. | 1841.
£ £
Iron, in bars or unwrought.... Tons 20,826 18.648 18,437 13,368 27,155 20,855
Steel, unwrought.....
•
Cwt. 13,016 14,702 177
2
32
EXPORTS OF FOREIGN IRON AND STEEL FROM THE UNITED
KINGDOM.
QUANTITIES EXPORTED.
Year ending 5th January,
1840.
1841.
T. c. q.
Iron, in bars or unwrought.... 4484 9 3 25
Steel, unwrought..
C. q. lb.
13,199 0 11
EXPORTS OF BRITISH IRON AND STEEL, AND HARDWARES
AND CUTLERY, FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Declared value of the Exportations in the
C.
9. lb.
༤༤
lb.
T.
C. q. lb.
5661 6 0
6 0 17
13,986 2 16
1840.
Iron and Steel....
£2,719,825
Hardwares and Cutlery 1,828,521
year ending 5th January,
Parliamentary Paper-No. 61, 19 Feb. 1841.
1841.
2,508,526
1,345,881

1815.
1816.
1817.
1813.
1819.
1820.
FOREIGN IRON IMPORTED FROM 1815 TO 1839, DISTINGUISHING THE COUNTRIES FROM WHICH THE SAME WAS IMPORTED.
1827.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1820.
From
T. C
Russia
Sweden
6,147 14
15,539 7
Norway
388 9
T. C. T.
T. C.
2,645 13 1,710 7 4,450 15
6,979 49,645 7 18,715 17
8 4
10 19
0
T. C.
1. C. T. C.
4,750 68,354 2 3,071
9,270 18 7,695 11
10 G
5 14
7,508
30 9
Deninark
30 14
29 15
10 G
157 15
18 17
T. с
8 3,022 4
0 10,120 10
21 0
4 G
T.
5,763 18
7,985 5
23 11
471 13
T. C.
T. C. T. C. T. C.
4,669 11 8,896 10
9,861 0 15,356 13
35 18
5,131
7,972 11
7
8,472
0
9,902 1
111 9
135 19
12 4
37 1
32 13
73 8
9 9
Prussia & Germany
247 19
113 13
21
1
2 18:
85 6
51 2
118 19
200 14
697 16
149
7
57 14
Belgium
0
6
2 0
64 13
299 16
2 0
33 I
'France.
32 01
79 18
24 12
0
8
281
7
1
Spain
()
()
Other Countries
Totels
479 9 97 E
22,835 7 9,874 1611,291 12, 1887
7- 10
195
80 18
8 14.233
33 31
611,088 10 10,732 0
68
9
61
7
132 13
15 11
135 11 551 11
0 16
395 16
10
0
191 6
9
15
13,289 1 14,038 10 15,084
15,084 9 26,346 15 13,837 219,092 17
1828.
1829.
1839.
1.31.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836.
1837.
1838.
1839.
From
Russia
Sweden
Norway
66 7
T. Ր.
T.
7.
T.
T.
5,131 16 5,705 13 5,122-14 5271 6,624
124 19
9,216 15 9,364 17 10,262 1112,961 112,280
343 8 300 10 876 17 510 7
T. C
T
4,870
4,870 2 2,688 0
T. C. T. C.
6,533 18 3,358 3
13,003 213,288 13 14,699 117,708 1511,655 816,043 16 17,838 12
COS 17 605 6 380 15 625 19
T. C. T. (. T. C.
5,462 14 7,579 14 7,123 1
519 15
399 0 512 12
Denmark
13 13
1
0
31
21 16
5 11
Prussia & Germany
50 11
85
ર
141 12
153 11
26
BI 14
36 8
45 10
119 14
5 11
7 3
61 7
6 19
61
4 2
188 11
33 19
18 14
78 19
Belgium & Holland
23 2
30
9
27
7
125
1
France
378 8
8 G
78 14
•
Spain
6 17
Other Countries
929 5
135 11
118 81
85
96 12
•
016,108
Totals 15,821 14 15,793
Principally from the East Indies.
9*1,230 17 2,453 2
140 19
17 9
20 4 106 3
5'19,008 1319,775 17 18,913
5'19,008 18 19,775 17 18,913 117,081 11 20,857 426,825 16 20,110 12/24,370 15 24,300 1
Parliamentary Papers from which this Table was arranged:-No. 280, May 5, 1819. 281, May 5, 1819.
376, April 3, 1821. 191, March 30, 1825.
313, June 5, 1829. 45, Dec. 2, 1830. 455, May 18, 1832. 297, May 17, 1833. 299, June 18, 1885. 416, July 17, 1839-103, 1840.
151 8
117 2 177
94 8 156 B
( 11
0.12
4 15
72 19
32 0
15 19
27 14
10 12
8 11
17 51
252 15 496 8 *669
149 3
74 7
123 2
33 1


COUNTRIES.
1815.
1816.
1817.
1818.
1819.
1824.
BRITISH IRON EXPORTED, INCLUDING UNWROUGHT STEEL, HARDWARES AND CUTLERY, FROM 1815 TO 1839, DISTINGUISHING EACH YEAR AND THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH THE SAME WAS EXPORTED.



1820.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836.
1837.
1838.
1839.

T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
Russia
213 6
170 19
339 6
377 10
412 3
548 16
653 12
C.
222 14
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
148 10
191 9
C.
152 14
T.
C.
158 13
T.
C.
T.
C.
T.
292 15
198 8
C.
205 5
T.
C.
243 0
T.
C.
559 19
T.
513 15
C.
T.
C.
471 8
T.
C.
816 2
T.
486 6
C.
T.
C.
T. C.
T. C.
T. C.
3,136 13
944 12
934 10
952 2
Sweden
36 17
2 10
2 8
2 11
30 7
10 18
4 12
5 1
8 8
14 7
211 9
10 11
27 11
125 5
54 16
80 7
66 11
132 0
132 19
63 17
109 12
89 11
117 15
149 16
238 3
Norway
69 4
35 11
19 8
17 19
17 5
60 12
27 2
24 10
44 0
45 11
44 6
94 6
50 12
63 4
Denmark...
94 3
86 18
96 19
121 13
86 3
271
0
135 7
167 10
216 13
Prussia
106 13
77 7
106 17
Germany
793 8
806 2 1,767 4
128 2
1,434 5
76 4
78 1
..
Holland
Flanders
The Netherlands...
Belgium
France
648 7 1,190 15 1,299 14
220 6 946 5 1,776 3
885 16 1,398 5
1,295 0 1,323 8 2,083 6
850 17 1,441 11 1,308 12
79 14
1,395 15
2,051 19
1,246 5
91 8
1,744 19
2,787 18
82 11
213 0
50 17
313 9
60 3
1,882 9 1,724 4 1,803 19 2,615
319 10
68 16
239 8
321 18
515 10
1,116 1
3,418 5 3,805 9
97 7
1,042 4
262 9
5,975 8
161 16
1,259 0
401 3
8,165 13
129 18
183 0
1,641 7
502 5
6,631 3
4,297 12 3,167 5
139 9 173 17
195 5
1,888 2 2,426 8 2,558 17
3,238 6 2,238 7
3,457 2 11,867 2
514 8 629 8 873 2 896 5 822 19 1,894 10
2,047 17
9,370 15 10,100 5 8,049 16 11,281 1 6,097 9 11,607 15 16,818 10 12,850 9
9,873 2 11,078 18 15,792 16 10,026 10 18,900 1 26,837 18 24,226 1
176 5
277 3
320 15
307 12
6,179 10
3,384 6
1,369 17
869 17
864 16
:
2,441 9 4,759 15
5,565 16
5,928 17
8,093 14 12,312 7
7,508 13 12,148 13
804 18
2,102 19 2,440 8 4,917 14 10,995 1 6,982 1 2,657 17
7,619 0 8,607 4 15,177 14 14,422 4 15,521 19 16,231 3 14,934 1
Portugal, Azores, and Madeira
Spain and the Canaries.
Gibraltar
•
Italy
Malta
The Ionian Islands
Turkey, Greece, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt
Ireland
78 13
290 16 1,623 10 12,761 18 10,227 6 6,149 610,013 6 15,245 3
3,415 10 3,064 17 4,518 18 4,373 18
4,002 8 4,005 17 3,028 15
2,168 19 1,935 4 1,687 18 998 7
1,921 9 2,037 7 1,857 13
933 3
1,491 17
898 2 854 8
1,413 8 1,080 16 1,401 11
9,358 5 3,664 17 7,759 11
2,429 14 1,541 10 3,146 4
5,212 16
462 15
879 15 661 19 370 17
979 14 386 11
1,998 19
9 19
29 2
6 5
95 0
7,359 6 1,714 14 3,330 1 1,773 13
837 2,461 14
16,782 0 12,360 10 17,108 19 17,560 121,839 119,022 7 27,192 11 24,389 5 24,554 18 25,640 10*
7,048 16
3,990 11
1,183 1
1,837 13
8,502 6
1,625 2
30 6
1,809 18
7,242 5 3,506 3 3,273 0 7,910 12
5,663 11
5,784 13
7,603 16
9,889 18
2,841 18
5,840 10
4,503 11 3,362 18 3,859 2 6,067 9
5,043 6
4,130 13
5,730 6
5,041 11
3,875 4
3,384 15
805 18 1,765 2 1,749 16 1,493 9
1,223 16
1,477 8
1,255 19 1,646 6 1,232 14 1,601 7
9,583 18 4,392 4 6,805
6,805 0 9,435 2
327 1 107 18 503 12 660 17
2 3 22 0 29 1
1,881 0 1,546 5 1,208 11 2,273 11
99 13
2,100 8
8,242 18
1,628 8
127 3
2,515 11
2,143 9
515 3 967 2
1,405 7
8,679 5 13,028 13 10,982 8
560 19
829 10
1,113 15
179 13 164 0 282 9
1,312 0
4,865 5 6,217 7
2,572 13
1,870 0
1,854 5
3,109 16
6,614 2
7,779 14
5,239 5 6,304 4
2,119 16
2,195 18
2,179 17 1,578 9 1,524 5
616 14
948 0 1,369 11
746 8
1,306 0
1,122 3
1,631 14
8,915 6 13,473 12 10,969 5 16,500 0 13,366 17 10,878 7 12,460 13 21,004 6 19,125 2
8,336 14 6,721 2
1,572 16
2,291 1
1,244 2
2,776 1
1,168 8
1,457 19
7,448 11
835 15
218 8
5,993 11
601 7
136 2
5,464 13
1,064 18
499 10 488 1
7,465 15 11,961 17
468 12
290 3
386 15
1,156 5 830 3
150 18
4,049 2
343 18
5,386 7
524 8
9,368 4
206 4
7,486 17
Morca and Greek Islands
Isle of Man.
Guernsey, Jersey, and Alderney, [and Mant]
102 17
794 13
Asia
Africa
British Colonies of North America
British West Indies
Foreign West Indies
United States of America………..
The Brazils
Foreign Colonies on Continent of America..
Southern Whale Fishery
162 13 125 19
145 2 200 15
336 2 406 12
738 15 1,332 16
9,234 9 9,554 0 13,256 0 12,319 12 7,246 2 9,518 14
1,449 19 1,936 4 2,024 7 1,791 4 1,590 14 1,811 17
5,705 14 5,989 5 4,545 19 4,339 7 4,404 18 4,167 8
7,381 2 6,924 15 7,713 7 8,460 16 9,457 10 6,975 4
1,528 19 2,118 3 2,428 0 2,616 17 2,939 1 2,353 7
21,501 15 21,634 4 10,725 3 13,373 10 8,251 3 8,199 0
2,095 19 2,052 7 2,127 17 3,603 14 2,832 4 2,303 16
540 7 293 17 674 16 815 4 340 1 718 18
153 4
511 15
143 8
969 14
154 16
211 14
581 19
518 12
1 C
237 0 190 12
601 17 1,093 5
10,360 0 12,157 2 15,069 0 12,482 17 8,612 5 12,631 11
2,162 5 2,335 15 2,247 0 1,450 12 1,456 5 1,411 14
4,012 12
4,035 0
5,341 8 7,143 11 7,431 2 6,067 19
6,990 19 6,036 4 6,538 2 6,712 14 6,534 0 6,908 16
1,832 3 1,866 16 1,844 16 2,198 16 1,527 0 2,515 5
9,502 3 15,835 9 13,841 11 11,781 14 13,037 412,491 3
1,974 4 1,596 16 2,118 2 2,897 17 2,602 7 2,789 7
1,475 0 2,325 9 2,163 3 1,814 8
1 18
215 8
541 11
133 2
982 15
19,786 17
2,834 15
6,117 17
6,709 10 7,780 2 8,396 1
2,763 5 3,309 2 3,991 18
21,855 19 22,685 19 17,387 10
5,263 6 4,486 4 3,645 17
1 0
214 17
1,045 8 †1,774 12
24,836 10 18,743 11
3,530 14
4,433 8
6,598 5 8,818 10
313 14
603 12
1,497 3 1,419 5 729 16
37 18
473 8 581 0
1,100 3
8,882 5 13,738 5
7,383 1 6,372 19 5,343 17
5,400 1 6,030 6
7,305 9 8,194 2 8,088 11
7,251 10 6,626 0
3,352 6 2,410 19 2,571 11
2,804 16
4,620 3 3,821 4 4,887 13 7,903 15
7,259 10 6,973 12
21,330 5 41,452 6 45,436 15 62,253 4 47,676 0 63,012 16 91,387 14 54,120 2 78,039 17 85,171 11
3,857 17
1,626 10
1,637 0
1,421 9
1,617 12
17,611 14 18,303 16 24,930 15 22,482 7 17,888 6 29,002 15 18,730 18 21,395 19 25,137 10 27,376 0
1,603 6 1,892 6 1,063 9 1,155 6 1,306 7 1,518 0
5,326 10 5,907 18 5,897 1 7,474 3 5,684 15 3,778 1 3,603 7 3,237 13 4,402 15 4,867 19
13,544 10 14,622 1 11,963 8 12,303 14| 12,800 9 12,449 0 13,964 1 21,547 1
2,258 7 2,707 9 2,753 7 3,730 3 6,563 6 4,304 19 3,369 8 4,285 15 4,581 13
Mexico and the States of South America ..
:
4,101 4 2,317 8
Totals
* There are no returns of Iron to Ireland after 1824.
79,596 19 77,244 13 91,561 18 105,724 13 82,546 17 91,766 18 101,683 19 103,756 1 107,600
Parliamentary Papers from which this Table was arranged :--No. 279, May 5, 1819.
-No. 279, May 5, 1819.
1
95,500 12 69,828
9 85,985 16 104,726
6
376, April 3, 1821.
376, April 3, 1821.
191, March 30, 1825.
191, March 30, 1825.
1,817 14 2,594 8 2,575 19 2,069 12
1,888 18 2,766 13
112,365 1 121,092 0 130,417 0 139,577 18 162,837 10 179,312 1 174,441 11 219,203 11 213,428 19 207,663 4271,312 0 269,088 13
313, June 5, 1829.
313, June 5, 1829. 45, Dec. 2, 1830. 455, May 18, 1832. 297, May 17, 1833. 299, June 18, 1835. 416, July 17, 1839.
2,827 3 3,782 10 3,809 10 3,558 6 3,716 8 2,640 9 5,206 13
416, July 17, 1839. 104 and 105, 1840.
INDEX.
A.
Antipathia, how made, 18.
Appendix, 320.
ACTs relating to the importation of iron Arabia, mines of, 275.
from America, 72, 80.
Address of the merchants of Bordeaux,
310, 311; n.
Africa, method of smelting iron in, 19.
Aikin's Chemical Dictionary, extract
from, 109.
America,
competition of, 6.
iron first made in, 68.
act to prevent the manufacture of iron
in, passed 1719, 70.
act to encourage the importation from,
72.
iron exported to, from St. Peters-
burgh, 175, 176.
commerce of the United States of,
207, 213.
manufactures of, 213.
iron ore found in, 214.
consumption of iron in, 233.
iron works, in South, 281.
duty on iron reduced in, 313.
tables concerning the iron trade of,
376, 377.
quantity of iron imported from, 336.
American iron,
encouragement of, beneficial, 75.
statement respecting manufactured
iron, 221-376.
rates of duty on, 254.
report on, and steel, 235, 264.
rates of duty on iron, 254, 255.
Anspach mines, 273.
Anthracite,
used for smelting, 301.
experiments with, 302, 303.
found in South Wales, 303.
furnaces of, in America, 304.
|
Arabian, important discovery by an,
118, n.
Aragon, principal forges of, 141.
Archangel, iron exported from, 173.
Archimedes, pump invented by, 138.
Arigna Company, 67.
Armour, complete defensive, 31.
Armourers, colleges of, 28, 29.
Armoury, the, at Richmond, U. S., 216.
Artists in metals, early, 10.
Asia, the iron trade of various countries.
of, 274.
Asturias, iron factories of, 141, 142.
Atmospheric engine, the, 89.
Austrian dominions, iron trade of, 271.
B.
Baal, origin of the worship of, 23.
Bacon, contract of Mr., 121, 122.
Bar iron,
duties on, 66.
admitted from America, 73.
methods of preparing, 112, 114.
exported from Russia, 174-177.
quantity of, made in France, 185-
198.
quantity made in the U. S. in 1800,
quantity made
236, 237.
quantity imported in the U. S., 247.
price of, in various countries, 307.
duty on, imported, 327.
quantity imported from the plantations,
328.
imported from the plantations from
1728 to 1735, 333.
2
426
INDEX.
Bar iron,
duty on a ton of, 335.
exported to the plantations from 1746
to 1749, 355.
imported from 1786 to 1799, 358.
comparative price of half-inch round,
in England, 386.
net prices of Shropshire, 407.
of South Wales, 409.
Basilidus, patent granted by John, 160.
Bath, great military forge at, 28.
Bayonne decree, the, 210.
Belgian rolling mills, produce of, 270.
Belgium, iron trade of, 269.
Berlin, important manufactory at, 3.
Berwick-upon-Tweed, waut of miners in,
31, 32.
Biddle, Mr. Nicholas, 304.
Bilbao, smelting manufactory at, 143.
Birman empire, 276.
Biscay,
free iron mines in, 142.
report of the iron manufactures of, 143.
circular restricting the importation of
iron to, 144, 145.
Biscay provinces, manufactories of iron
in the, 143.
Biscayan government, circular of, 144.
Black-band, or mushet-stone, discovery
of, 298-300, n. 301.
Blast furnaces,
decrease of, 56.
in Pennsylvania, 215, n.
Blowing furnaces, 81.
Boate's natural history of Ireland, 63, n.
Bohemia, 278.
Bordeaux, address of the merchants of,
310, 311, n.
Borneo, 275.
Bowring, Dr., 7, 308, 310.
Brazil, 281.
Brehon law, the, 59, n.
Britain,
early trade to, for tin, 24.
refinement of, before the Roman in-
vasion, 26, 27.
Britons, the ancient, 25.
British colonies, in America, 68.
iron exported from 1796 to 1839, 418,
420, 425.
Bullets, curious small, 167, D.
Cæsar,
C.
improbable assertion of, 25.
tribute imposed by Julius, 27.
Calculations of Hardman Phillips, and
George Valentine, Esqrs., 382.
Calder iron works, iron stone used in,
298.
Cambreleng, celebrated report of Mr.,
respecting the American iron
trade, 225-230.
Canals, iron carried by various, 413.
Cannon,
or bombards, 32.
early, made of iron, 33.
cast at Merthyr Tydvil, 121.
Canute, the Great, 31.
Carinthian iron, 272.
Carniola, 272.
Carron iron works, the, 82, and n. 83.
Cassibelanus, war chariots of, 26.
Cast-iron, quantity produced in France,
185.
Celtiberians, two-edged swords of the,
138.
Certificates, containing accounts of slit-
ting and rolling-mills, 322.
Ceylon, 276.
Chain-bridge,
an ancient, 18.
the Leheigh, 216 ; n.
Charcoal pig iron, table of quantity
manufactured in 1788, 86.
Charcoal furnaces in Great Britain,
360.
Chatillon, cost of coal at, 188.
Chetwynd, Wm., 320.
Chili iron, 281.
China, iron ore in, 275-281.
Cincinnati,
effects of protecting duties at, 378.
prices of iron at, 380.
Circular of the Biscayan government,
144.
Cleland, calculation of Dr. 300.
Clyde iron works, furnaces at the, 297.
Coal introduced in the French foun-
dries, 181.
Coal-pits, early method of working, 49.
Coal-works in Worcester and Stafford-
shire, 49.
Coal group, the Lanarkshire, 299, n.
Cockerell, establishment of Mr., 269.
Coke,
manufacture of, 55.
Dr. Plot's method of making, 55.
employment of, in the furnaces of
Mont Cenis, 182.
first used in France, 191.
furnaces in Great Britain, 359.
Coke-pig-iron, manufacture of, 86.
Coldshare iron, nature of, 29.
Colleges of armourers, ancient, 28, 51.
INDEX.
127
Colebrook Dale, coal successfully applied
to the manufacture of iron at,
56.
Columbia, cannon foundry, 217.
Commerce of France, report of, 205.
Connecticut iron manufactories, 215.
Coote, iron works of Sir Charles, 62-
65.
Copley, petition of John, 43-46.
Copper used before the discovery of iron,
10.
Cork, the earl of, 62.
Cort,
process of Mr., for refining iron, 116.
application of his son to parliament,
119.
rollers invented by Mr., 120.
Coxe's description of a Swedish mine,
149.
Cornwall, iron plates found in, 26, n.
Crane's works, Mr., 302, 303.
Crawshay, large iron works of Mr.,
122.
Cutlery manufactured in Spain, 143.
Cylinders,
first used at the Carron iron works, 82.
improvement in, 83.
Drawbacks,
difficulties of, 101.
on the exports of iron wares, 366.
Druids, learning of the, 25, 27.
Dudley,
experiments of D., in smelting with pit
coal, 36.
patent granted to Edward, 38.
Duties,
on the export and import of iron goods
in Russia, 170.
on iron, American and English, 229,
230.
on iron imported into the United
States, 381.
reduced on foreign iron, 127.
scale of, 130.
on rolled iron in France, 194-197.
on good imported in the United
States, 218.
rates of, on American iron, 254, 255.
on rolled iron in America, 260, 262,
note.
on bar-iron imported, 327.
on pig-iron, 328.
on steel, 330.
on iron, estimate of the net produce
of, 362, 363.
D.
Damascus sabres, 274.
Dannemora,
the largest iron mine of Sweden, 148.
iron, superiority of, 151, 400.
Dartford, first slitting mill at, 35, n.
Davaranne, price of manufactured goods
at, 3.
Delaware,
manufactures, 216.
county, U.S., manufactures of, 397.
Demidof Akinfy, 162.
family of M., 166, n.
Dentilla, famous for iron, 19.
Derbyshire,
iron manufactures in, 133, 415.
iron works in, 415.
Desaguliers, improvement by Dr., 88.
Devon iron works, singular construction
of the, 84, n.
Dietrich, report of Baron De, on the
forges of the Pyrenees, 181.
Dinocrates,
temple began by, 17.
project of, ib., n.
Diodorus Siculus, an early writer on the
manufacture of iron, 12.
Double power engine, Mr. Watt, 87.
E.
East Indies, charcoal iron works in the,
279.
Eaton, Mr., 118.
Elba,
rude method of working iron ore in,
111.
metallic productions of, 270.
Ellesmere and Chester canal, iron car-
ried by the, 413.
Engine,
the atmospheric, 89.
improvements in the steam, by Mr.
Watt, 89.
England,
price of half-inch bar iron in, 386.
iron imported into, 343.
England and Wales, iron trade in, 23.
Enthusiasm, extraordinary instance of,
120, n.
Europe, iron trade of various countries
of, 269, 274.
Experiments,
in smelting iron with coal, 37, et seq.
failure of these, 55.
428
INDEX.
F.
Factories, the principal iron, of Spain,
141.
Fabricæ, or great military forge, 28.
Fabrica, the, a college of armourers,
28.
Finch, statement of Mr., 297.
Fire arms,
the introduction of, 32.
Russian manufactories of, 168.
Foley family, founder of the, 120, n.
Ford, Mr., maker of iron from coal,
56.
Forest of Dean,
iron cinders in the, 30.
supply of iron from the, 31.
mentioned by Leland, 34.
iron wire drawn there, 34, n.
Forests,
reduction of, in Ireland, 59.
extent of the French, 197, n.
Forge,
the great military, at Bath, 28.
portable, 179, n.
English kind of, first established in
France, 185.
Foundries,
Russian iron, 166, 173.
French, 181.
France and America, monopoly of, 6.
France,
bar-iron made in, 185-198.
iron exported from St. Petersburg to,
175.
consumption and production of iron in,
184.
quantity of iron made in, 193.
iron districts in, 181–189.
ancient iron trade of, 178.
report of the commerce of, 205.
commercial legislation of, 308.
tables respecting the statistiques des
mines, 368.
Franklin journal, extract from the, 302.
French government, measures of the,
for protecting their iron trade,
193, 197.
iron, price of, 195.
Fuel, cost of, in the French iron manu-
factories, 190, 191, 197.
Furnaces,
methods employed for blowing the,
81.
table of, in the various counties,
93-96.
statement of the several, working in
1806, 97.
in blast and building, 1801, 1802, 96.
Furnaces,
working with pit coal and charcoal
in 1806, 97.
of the United States, 214.
modern, 284.
increase in the size of, 288.
increase in the Scotch, 295.
coke, of Great Britain, 359.
charcoal, ditto, 361.
Gaul, ancient, 178.
Gauls,
G.
well skilled in mines, 23.
trade of Britain, carried on by, 24.
Germany, importation of iron from, 31
33.
Gibbons, blast furnace of Mr. John,
285.
Glamorganshire canal, quantity of iron
conveyed down the, 123, 293-
295.
Glaucus, inventor of inlaying with iron,
24, n.
Gloucester, forging iron in, 31.
Grand Junction Canal, iron carried by
the, 413.
Granville, Mr., 173.
Great Britain,
iron manufacture in, 81.
iron exported to, from St. Petersburgh,
from 1753 to 1804, 174.
charcoal furnaces in, 360.
Guinea iron mines, 281.
II.
Hanbury, Captain, 123, 124.
Hanbury, John, 320.
Hand cannon, 33.
Hanover, iron of, 273.
Henry on Great Britain, 25, n.
Herodotus, assertion of, 10.
Himalaya mountains, smelting in, 20.
Himalayas, iron mines in the, 280.
History of the Irish Rebellion, extract
from, 62, n.
Horse shoes, manufactured in Biscay,
143.
Horses and carriages, government return
of, 416.
Hot blast, advantage of, 295, 296.
Hungary, iron mines of, 272.
INDEX.
429
I.
Idaci Dactuli, the first fabricators of
iron, 11.
Imports and exports of iron and steel,
from 1710 to 1776, 324-327.
Indiana, 216.
Indian iron and steel company, 279.
Ireland,
iron manufacture in, 58.
forests of, 60.
Lish iron mines discovered by the Eng-
lish, 58.
Irish mountains, iron on the, 61.
Iion,
natural origin of, 9.
scriptural reference to, 10.
period of the fabrication of, 11.
art of inlaying of, discovered, 11, n.
early writers on the manufacture of,
12.
Pliny's observations on the manufac-
ture of, 12, et seq.
various kinds of, 15.
influence of the loadstone on, 16.
well-known to the ancients, 18.
hidden qualities of, 18, n.
method of smelting in Africa, 19.
how obtained in the Himalaya moun-
tains, 20.
manufactured by the early Britons, 23.
early exportation of, 25.
importation of, from Germany, 31, 33.
experiments for smelting with pit coal,
36, 37.
the best made with pit coal, 47.
importation from Russia and Sweden,
56.
quantities on the Irish mountains,
61.
duty on, in the reign of William III.,
66.
manufacture of, lost to Ireland, 67.
annual importation of, 69.
value of British colonial, 72.
new era in the manufacture of, 87.
great increase in the manufacture of,
96.
duty on, proposed by Mr. Pitt, 98-
103.
abandoned, 108.
bad effects of a tax on,
99-104.
patents for puddling and rolling, 109.
ancient and modern methods of ex-
tracting from ores, 109.
method of preparing the best, 110.
separating from the ore, 111.
Mr. Cort's processes for rolling and
puddling, 116.
Iron,
quantity conveyed down the Glamor-
ganshire canal, from 1817 to
1831, 123.
conveyed down the Monmouthshire
canal, from 1802 to 1831, 126.
reduction of the duty on foreign, 127–
130.
great increase in the manufacture of,
exhibited by tables, 131--136.
improvement of, by being buried in
the earth, 138.
quantity imported from Spain, from
1711 to 1735, 140.
from 1750 to 1755, and from 1786
to 1794, 141.
abundance of in Spain, 142.
annual quantity made in Spain, 144.
superiority of the Dannemora, 151.
the quantity made in Sweden, 151.
exported from Sweden, from 1830 to
1838, 154, 155.
produced in Norway in one year, 156.
exported from Norway from 1829 to
1831, 157.
increase of the trade in, between Great
Britain and Russia, 171.
exports of from Russia, 173-177.
consumption and production of, in
France, 184.
improvement in the making of, in
France, 186.
quantity made in France, from 1815
to 1836, 192, 193.
importation of foreign into France,
192.
price of French, 19″.
table concerning he particulars of
making i France, 204.
duties on, manufactured in the United
States, 219, 220.
statements respecting American, ma-
nufactured, 218, n. 221.
expenses of making in the United
States, 222.
price of in America, 223.
comparative American and English
duties on, 229.
imported to America as hardware,
233, n.
consumption of in the United States,
233; n. 247.
American report concerning, and steel,
235-264.
American rates of duty on, 254, 255.
duty on American, 260, n. 262.
hammered, imported into the United
States, 266.
made in the United States, 266.
430
INDEX.
Iron,
Iron,
produced and consumed in Belgium,
269.
the, of Styria, 271.
exported from Venice, 272.
statistical tables of, produced in Eu-
rope, 274.
history of the home manufacture of,
282, et seq.
important process in making, 288.
quantity produced in Great Britain, in
1839, 292.
carried on the Glamorganshire canal,
293-295.
facilities for procuring, at a reasonable
rate, 315.
imported from the plantations, 328-
331.
imported from foreign countries, from
1728 to 1735, 333.
quantity imported from the British
colonies in America, 336.
imported into Scotland, from 1739 to
1749, 338.
imported into England, from foreign
countries, from 1749 to 1756,
339.
quantity of, imported into Scotland,
from foreign countries, since
June, 1750, 341, 342.
imported into Scotland, from all places
except America, from 1760 to
1777, 343.
quantity imported into England, from
1760 to 1776, 343.
wrought, in bars, exported to the plan-
tations, from 1710 to 1718,
344.
exported to foreign parts, for the same
period, 346.
wrought, and in bars, exported to fo-
reign parts, exclusive of the
plantations, from 1728 to 1735,
347.
exported to the plantations, from 1728
to 1735, 354.
estimate of the net produce of the
duty on, 362, 363.
price of American hammered, 376.
price of in England, from the Ameri-
can invoices, 377, 378.
duties on, imported into the United
States, 381.
superiority of English or American,
383.
prices of 1824, 404.
statistical statements of the consump-
tion of, 410,
carried by various canals, 413.
waste on farming, 417.
British, exported from 1796 to 1814,
418.
foreign, imported from 1800 to 1814,
420.
from 1815 to 1839, 422.
British, exported from 1815 to 1839,
425.
Iron cinders, beds of, in Monmouth-
shire, 30.
Iron districts in France, 188, 189.
Iron foundries, introduced by the Ro-
mans, 30.
protection granted to the English, 80.
Russian, in 1794, 165-173.
Iron-masters, reduction of the make of
iron by the, 314.
Iron mills and foundries of Spain,
142.
Iron mines,
the most celebrated of Sweden, 148.
division of the Irish, 60.
Persian, 276, 278.
of Hungary, 272.
See also Mines.
Iron ore,
mines of, 14, 15.
price of a ton of, 63.
early possession of by Russia, 159.
abundance of in France, 179.
See Ore.
Iron plates
found in Cornwall, 26, n.
method of rolling invented, 320.
Iron pipes ordered for Paris, 357.
Iron stone,
how originally worked into iron, 12.
the, of Africa, 19.
names of, 51.
Iron trade,
revival of the, 85.
rapid progress of in Great Britain,
292; in South Wales, 293.
Iron wire, the art of drawing introduced
by Germans, 34.
Iron works,
want of fuel in, 36.
on the Irish coast, 61.
of Sir Wm. Petty, 65.
singular construction of the Devon,
84, n.
Mr. Crawshay's the largest, 122.
increase of in Monmouthshire and
Glamorganshire, 124, 125.
in the Uralian Mountains, 165, n.
Russian, 167.
early French, 179.
in the United States, 215.
4
INDEX.
431
Iron works,
blast furnaces at the Plymouth, 287.
in Yorkshire, 414.
in Derbyshire, 415.
J.
Jackson, message of President, 256.
Japan, iron scarce in, 275.
K.
Kentucky nail manufactories, 217.
Kolyvan, mines in the mountains of, 162.
Knives first made in England, 357.
L.
Laborde's view of Spain, 141.
La Guerche, 179, n.
Lahore iron works, 281.
Lanarkshire, the coal group of, 299, n.
Laws against the use of iron, 13.
Leheigh chain bridge, the, 216, n.
Leland, mention of the Forest of Dean
by, 34.
Levant, steel of the, 16.
Litchfield, United States, iron produced
at, 396.
Loadstone,
influence of the, on iron, 16.
where found, 17.
Locke, on the importance of iron, 21.
Locks, cost of American, 244.
M.
Machinery exported, 412.
Machines for smelting iron, 82.
Manillas, the, 275.
Manufactories, various Russian iron,
168, 169.
Manufacture of iron lost to Ireland, 67.
Manufactured iron, increased value of, 2.
Manufactures of Delaware county,
Pennsylvania, 397.
Maryland iron works, 216.
Massachussets products, 214.
Matthews, Thomas, 356.
Memorial from Lancaster city, United
States, 266.
Merthyr Tydvil,
iron and coal mines of, 121.
number of furnaces at, 122.
cannon cast at, 121.
Metallica, the, of Simon Sturtevant, 54.
Metallum Martis, extract from the, 36,
37.
Metals,
man's early ignorance of, 9.
the first discovered, ib.
Mexico, iron of, 281.
Mine college, founded by Peter the
Great, 161.
Mines
of iron ore, 14, 15.
of Sweden, 146.
of Norway, 156.
in the Uralian mountains, forges and
produce of the, 165.
See also Iron Mines.
Mining,
early knowledge of, in Britain, 25.
encouragement to Russian, by the
Empress Anna, 163.
attention of the French Government
to, 180.
Mine works,
the first Russian, 160.
visited by Peter the Great, 160.
Monmouthshire district,
use and progress of works in, 123.
different descriptions of iron manu-
factured in, 127.
increase of the iron works in, 124,
125.
beds of iron cinders in, 30.
Monmouthshire canal, iron conveyed
down the, from 1802 to 1830,
126, 127; from 1831 to 1840,
293-295.
Mont Cenis, iron works of, 182.
Moravia, 272.
Morocco, mines of, 281.
Mushet,
on iron and steel, 283, 288, 292.
black band of, 300.
Muskets,
price of a Russian, 169.
Spanish manufactories of, 144.
N.
Nail manufactories, Russian, 168.
Nassau, mines of, 273.
Navigation laws, bill to amend the
American, 231.
Navigation from China, 166, n.
432
INDEX.
Needle manufactories, Russian, 168,
Neilson, experiments by Mr., 295.
Newcomen, engine made by Mr., 88.
New Hampshire, iron works at, 215.
New Jersey iron works, 215.
Newton, date fixed for the fabrication of
iron, by Sir Isaac, 11.
New York,
statement of the friends of the domestic
mission at, 383.
bloomeries, 215.
North Carolina, iron works, 217.
Nijorétahilski, gold mines at, 167, n.
Northumberland, iron made in, 134, 415.
Norway,
state, of forges in 147.
produce of the iron works in, 156.
iron exported from, 157.
0.
Official documents, importance of, 4.
Ohio furnaces, 216.
Olonetz, mines of, 161.
O'Neil, submission of, 56, n.
Ordinance of the South Carolina Con-
vention, 265.
Ore,
cost of extracting, in Spain, 144.
abundance and richness of, in France,
179, 180.
of iron found in American States, 214.
quantity and cost of, to one ton of
bar iron in America, 222.
methods of extracting iron from, 109.
simple method of working, 111.
See also Iron Ore.
Ores,
rich and poor, 111.
modern methods of reducing, 112.
P.
Park, mention of a smelting furnace, by
Mungo, 19.
Parkes, Richard, of Park House, Esq. 38.
Parliamentary tables of imports and ex-
ports of iron and steel, from
1710 to 1776, 324–327.
Pasquier, M. Le Baron, 197.
Patents
for smelting with coal, 38, 40, 42, 43.
limitation of, 41.
granted by Cromwell for the same.
purpose, 44.
Paul, arbitrary conduct of the Emperor,
172.
Pennsylvania,
decrease of blast furnaces in, 215, n.
manufactures of, 215-397.
Perme, charcoal consumed at, 171, n.
Persia, curious steel works of, 276.
Perdonnet, Report of M. Auguste, on
the improvement of making
iron in France, 186, 301.
Peruvians, practice of the, 18.
Peter the Great, encouragements to
mining given by, 160-162.
Petition of Mr. C. Cort to Parliament,
119.
from Birmingham and Warwickshire,
74.
Petrarch, mention of cannon by, 32.
Petty,
iron works of Sir Wm., 65.
statement of Lord Henry, 98.
Phenicians, trading of the, 23.
Phillips, calculations of Hardman, Esq.
382.
Pig iron,
importation of, from America encou-
raged, 72.
charcoal manufactured in 1788, 85,
86, 87.
return of the quantity manufactured
in 1796, 93.
proposed tax upon, 96, 98.
conversion of, into bar iron, 113.
made in Great Britain in 1823 and
1830, 130, 134.
production of in France, 189.
quantity converted into bars in Ame-
rica, 264.
boiling of, 290.
cost of producing in the Scotch works,
299.
imported from the American colonies
from 1749 to 1756, 340.
imported from the plantations from
1728 to 1733, 331.
duty on a ton of, 333.
laws respecting the importation of, to
Spain, 368.
Pit-coal,
consumption of, near Dudley Castle,
48.
use of, introduced in iron works by
Mr. Darby, 55.
Pittsburg, effect of protection at, 378.
Plantations,
bar-iron imported from the, 328, 333.
bar-iron exported to the, 354, 355.
Pliny, value of the natural history by,
12.
INDEX.
433
Plot, mention of coke by Dr., 55.
Plymouth iron works, blast furnaces of,
287, n.
Polybius, lost book of, 24.
Porter's Tables, 173-177, 412.
Portugal, mines of, 273.
Pound, the Spanish, 141.
Products of American mines, 214-217.
Protecting duties, mischief of, 310.
Prussia, iron foundries of, 273.
Puddling,
important improvement of, 288.
refined metal, 289.
Pumps in Spanish silver mines, 137.
Pyrenees, report of Baron de Dietrich,
on the forges of the, 181.
Pytheas, the Greek discoveries of Bri-
tain, 24.
R.
Rail-road iron, drawback on, 313.
Refining iron, 115.
manufacture of, 116.
See Iron.
Reports to the commissioners of the navy,
on the trial of iron, 322.
Restrictive system, mischief of the,
313.
Rhode Island, a slitting mill at, 215.
Richmond, United States, armoury at,
216.
Rochefoucault, M. de la, 311.
Roebuck, Dr. 82.
Rolling mills, produce of the Belgian,
270.
Romans, introduction of iron foundries
by, 30.
Runjeet Sing, 280,
Russia,
superiority of the iron of, 6.
early possession of iron ore by, 159.
manufactories in iron, 166-169, 173.
importation and exportation of iron,
171, 174-177.
Russian mine, sale of a, 163, n.
Rust, how to preserve iron from, 18.
S.
Saucer, a curious iron, 11, n.
Savery, invention of Capt. Thomas, 38.
Saxony, furnaces in, 272.
Schuylkill, wire bridge over the, 215, n.
Scotch furnaces, increase of, 295.
Scotland,
blast furnaces in, 134.
iron imported into, 338.
Scriptural allusions to the use of iron,
10.
Sheet iron, cost of, in America, 249.
Shropshire,
bar iron, net prices of, 407.
furnaces in, 131.
Siam, mines of, 276.
Siberia, ancient mining in, 159.
Siberian minerals, discovery of the first,
160.
Siberians, castings produced by the,
166.
Sidon, early fame of, 11.
Sinclair, Sir John, 85, n. 93, n.
Smeaton, Mr. John, 82.
Smelting iron with pit-coal first attempt-
ed, 36, 37.
Smelting furnace in Africa, 19.
in the Himalaya mountains, 20.
the Swedish, 113.
Smelting manufactory at Bilbao, 143.
Solsona, cutlery made at, 143.
South America, iron works in, 281.
South Carolina Convention, ordnance of
the, 265.
South Carolina iron works, 217.
South Wales,
furnaces in, 133.
price of bar-iron in, 409, 410.
anthracite found in, 303.
bar iron of, 400.
Spain,
quality of the iron of, 5.
iron trade in, 137.
fall of the manufactures in, 139.
quantity of iron exported from, to
Great Britain, 140.
iron mills and foundries in, 142.
complaint of the decrease of wood in,
144.
laws respecting the importation of pig-
iron to, 368.
Splitting iron accomplished by Foley the
fiddler, 120, n.
F F
Staffordshire,
furnaces in, 132.
prices of iron, 408.
and Shropshire iron, carriage of, 413.
coal works in, 49.
Statement to the friends of domestic ia-
dustry at New York, 383.
St. Malo beseiged, 33.
Statute of monopolies, extract from the, 41.
Statue, curious, at Thebes, 14.
Steam-engine, inventor of the, for raising
water, 87, n.
434
INDEX.
Steam-vessels, number and tonnage of Timber,
Steel,
British, 411.
of the Levant, 16.
improved by being buried, 138.
American, 224.
quantity of, imported from 1718 to
1735, 328.
duty on one cwt. of, 330.
American report concerning, 398; and
iron, 234-264.
quantity of exported, from 1718 to
1735, 346.
hammers used in Russia, 167.
St. Petersburgh, iron exported from, 174,
175, 176.
Strabo, assertion of, 25.
Stradling, letter to Sir Edward, 35, n.
Strafford, charges against the Earl of,
61, n.
Styria, ore and coals of, 271.
Sumatra, 275.
Sweden,
quality of the iron of, 6.
importation of iron from, 56, 228-
331.
mines and minerals of, 146.
the largest iron mine of, 148.
quantity of iron made in, 151, 152.
Switzerland,
produce of wrought iron in, 183.
mines of, 271.
destruction of, by iron works, 68.
Tin fetched from Britain, 23.
traded in by the Pytheans, 24.
Tooke's low and high prices of iron, 404,
405.
Tschoudian mines, 162.
Tula, burning of the manufactory at,
169, n.
Tyre, early fame of, 11.
Tyrol, iron of the, 272.
Tyrone, submission of the Earl of, 59.
U.
Ulverston, iron found at, 61, n.
United States,
quantity of bar iron made in 1800,
236, 237.
bar iron imported to the, 237, 394.
duty on iron imported to the, 218, 381.
furnaces of the, 214.
duty on manufactured iron in the,
219, 220.
consumption of iron in the, 233, n.,
247.
iron works in the, 215.
Uralian iron works, produce of the, 165.
Ure, opinion of Dr.,, on the uses of me-
tal, 2.
V.
T.
Tanners, alarm of the, 73.
Tarif of duty on foreign iron at Biscay,
145.
of duties on Russian iron and steel
goods, 170.
speech on the alteration of the French,
199-203.
alteration of the American, 260.
bill, American, 260-262.
and enforcing bills, votes on the Ame-
rican, 262, 263, 264.
of protection, effects of, on articles of
iron at Pittsburgh and Cincin-
nata, 378.
Tax on pig iron proposed, 96.
abandoned, 108.
Valantine, calculation of George, Esq.,
382.
Vansittart, statement of the Hon. N.
362-365.
Venice, iron exported from, 272.
Vermont, iron works at, 215.
Villiers, report of Mr. 67.
Virginia, iron made in, 68.
manufacturing establishments, 216.
Votes on the tariff and enforcing bills,
262-264.
W.
War chariots of the Britons, 26.
Watt,
Temple of Arsinoe, 17.
Tennessee furnaces, 217.
Thebes, curious statue at, 14.
Timber,
acts to restrict the use of, in manufac-
turing iron, 34, 35.
experiments in steam engines by Mr.,
90--92.
double-power engine invented by Mr.,
87.
account of Mr. 90.
INDEX.
453
Water,
Worcestershire, coal works in, 49.
influence of on the quality of iron, Wrought iron, produce of, in Switzerland,
15.
blowing machine, the, 81.
communication of England and France,
307.
Whitrich, the Peru of Furness, 61, n.
Weights, Spanish, 141.
Weiss, observations on steel by Mr.,
138, n.
Wildman, Capt. 45.
Wilkinson, steam engine of Mr., 91, n.
Wire bridge over the Schuylkill, 215, n.
Wood, former extensive use of, in manu-
factures, 53.
Woods, waste and destruction of, 68.
Woollen stuff, exportation of, 206, n.
183.
Wurtemburg, iron, 273.
Yorkshire,
furnaces in, 131.
Y.
iron works in the West Riding of, 414.
Z.
Worcester, invention of the Marquis of, Zeugma, town of, 18, n.
87, n.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY,
OLD BAILEY.
January, 1848.
CATALOGUE
OF
SMITH, ELDER AND CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.
WORKS IN THE PRESS.
SIR THEODORE BROUGHTON; or, LAUREL WATER.
A Romance. By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. Author of "The Convict,"
"Russell," " Ehrenstein," &c. &c.
(Early in April.)
ADVENTURES OF AN AIDE-DE-CAMP:
Or, A CAMPAIGN IN CALABRIA. BY JAMES (RANT, Esq. Author of
"The Romance of War; or, the Highlanders in Spain." 3 vols. post
8ro.
(Just ready.)
THE PRACTICAL SUGAR PLANTER:
A COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF THE CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE
OF THE SUGAR-CANE, according to the latest and most improved pro-
cesses; describing and comparing the different Systems pursued in the
East and West Indies, and the Straits of Malacca, and the relative
expenses and advantages attendant upon cach: being the result of Six-
teen Years actual experience as a Sugar Planter in those Countries. By
LEONARD WRAY, Esq. One vol. 8vo., with numerous Illustrations.
(Nearly ready.)
THE PATRIARCHS THE PROPHETS—THE APOSTLES.
Their characters and influence on the ages in which they lived, considered
in connexion with the Christian Dispensation. By the Rev. GEORGE
CROLY, LL.D. To form a series of three separate and independent
volumes.
The First Volume, treating of the PATRIARCHS, will shortly appear.
ENGLISH EPITHETS, NATURAL AND FIGURATIVE:
With ELEMENTARY REMARKS, and MINUTE REFERENCES TO
ABUNDANT AUTHORITIES. In one vol. imperial 8vo. (Nearly ready.)
Preparing for Publication, by the same Author,
THE ENGLISH GRADUS.
TO APPEAR IN PARTS.
A Prospectus and Specimen will shortly be issued.
器
​૭
2
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
MR. LEIGH HUNT'S GIFT BOOK.
A JAR OF HONEY FROM MOUNT HYBLA.
By LEIGH HUNT. Illustrated by RICHARD DOYLE. Square demy
8vo, in a novel and elegant binding, price 14s.
"A jar of honey!-the announcement is seasonable. There is a promise of enjoyment
in the very shape of the vessel-to say nothing of the graceful devices with which it is in
this instance adorned. Not only does it contain a genuine sweetness, but it is wreathed,
so to speak, with the flowers from which that sweetness has been derived. The volume
includes a retrospect of the mythology, history, and biography of Sicily, ancient legends,
examples of pastoral poetry selected from Greece, Italy, and Britain; illustrative criticisms
on these topics, and pleasant discursions on others which are collateral. These are pre-
faced by a genial introduction. It is a book acceptable at all seasons. Its value is enhanced
by the graceful fancy displayed in Mr. Doyle's illustrations; and amongst the books which
suggest themselves as the best of gifts in a season of gifts, we know none that more grace-
fully recommends itself than The Jar of Honey."-Athenæum.
"A luxury of taste pervades the illustration, the printing, even the binding. The jar is
filled with delicate and noble fancies; with genuine Christmas associations of poetry,
piety, revelry, superstition, story-telling, and masquing;' with pastoral and fire-side
thoughts, and thoughts of deep humanity; with Fairy tales of antiquity, and the gossip of
ancient holidays, and the Christmas poetry and cheerful piety of old. Everything is turned
to pleasurable account."-Examiner.
"The title of this collection of pastoral and poetical fireside talk gives us a hint of the
suggestive character of the contents. Out of a chaos of sweet fancies and high thoughts
springs this elegant volume-the work of a poet and civiliser, who has done more in his
time to multiply the springs of intellectual and social pleasure than most of his contem-
poraries. The binding and illustrations deserve a word of admiration--the cover for its
quaintness and appropriateness, and the designs for their delicacy and poetical spirit. The
volume is abundantly rich in claims of every kind."-Atlas.
"This is by far the most beautiful gift-book of the season.
This Sicilian and Cerulean
jar is full of honey, which in its sweetness never cloys. Leigh Hunt has learned on Hybla
a new chemistry, and has imparted to this vase a power to preserve its purity and sweet-
ness, while it imbibes a spirit and a flavour as healthful and as varied as the most fastidious
and exacting taste can require."-Tablet.
"Mr. Leigh Hunt's Jar of Honey from Mount Hybla' is just one of those gossiping,
kindly things that emanate from this author's pen, showing reading of the works of all
sorts of poets, ancient and modern, English and foreign, and a disposition to quote them.
right heartily. There is a revelling in the stores of poetical literature, an aptness in chas-
ing a thyme from poet to poet, a luxuriance of quotation, which marks the rambling prose
papers of Mr. Hunt from the days of the Indicator downwards. The cover itself is pro-
mising, with the blue jar standing in such commanding relief among the flowers and leaves
that are gilt and illuminated around it."-Times.
"As a pleasant and very various melange, touching upon mythology, poety, history, cus-
toms, tales of life, and sketches of nature, opposite to each other as a flood of lava and a
purling stream, A Jar of Honey' is just the thing for the season-pretty to look at, a
something to pass about from hand to hand, full of pointed specimens to be read in a
minute or two, and so divided that the book may be laid down at any time. The main
composition is full of penetrating remarks cleverly expressed: Addison's definition of fine
writing-thoughts natural but not obvious."--Spectator.
"The author of this work is fully justified in designaling it A Christmas Book.' It is
one of the very best we have ever read, for it has a sound practical moral attached to it.
It is the very book to be placed in the hands of boys at this season; for, whilst it amuses
and delights them, it is particularly well calculated to give them a taste for classical liter-
ature—to make them relish at the fireside at home that which has been so harsh and so
unpleasant in the school-room. It induces a love for classical literature. Most justly does
Leigh Hunt designate his work A Jar of Honey;' for within its narrow compass will be
found compressed the very aroma of many a day's reading, many a night's study, and many
an hour's intense thought, It is a charming book, full of delicate fancies.”—Morning
Herald.
"This beautiful volume is the graceful result of extended reading and elegant taste. As
a work suggestive of fine literature, pure morals, and good feeling, it may take rank with
the best productions of its class in the entire range of English compilation.”—Observer.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
3
MR. LEIGH HUNT'S ESSAYS.
MEN, WOMEN, AND BOOKS:
A SELECTION FROM HIS HITHERTO UNCOLLECTED PROSE WRIT-
INGS. BY LEIGH HUNT. In two vols. post 8vo., with a Portrait of
the Author by Severn.
CONTENTS.
VOL. I.
FICTION AND MATTER OF FACT.
INSIDE OF AN OMNIBUS.
THE DAY of the Disasters of Carfing-
TON BLUNDELL, Esq.
A VISIT TO THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
A MAN INTRoduced to HIS ANCESTORS.
A NOVEL PARTY.
BEDS AND BEDROOMS.
THE WORLD of Books.
JACK ABBOTT'S BREAKFAST.
ON SEEING A PIGEON MAKE Love.
THE MONTO of May.
THE GUILI TRE.
A FEW REMARKS ON THE RARE VICE
CALLED "LYING."
CRITICISM ON FEMALE BEAUTY.
ON DECEASED STATESMEN WHO
HAVE
WRITTEN Verses.
FEMALE SOVEREIGNS OF ENGLAND.
VOL. II.
SOCIAL MORALITY-SUCKLING AND BEN
JONSON.
POPE IN SOME LIGHTS IN WHICH HE IS NOT
USUALLY REGARDED.
GARTH, PHYSICIANS, AND LOve-Letters.
COWLEY AND THOMSON.
BOOKSTALLS AND "GALATEO.”
BOOKBINDING AND "HELiodorus."
VER-VERT; OR, THE PARROT OF THE
NUNS.
DUCHESS OF ST. ALBANS; AND MARRIAGES
FROM THE STAGE.
SPECIMENS OF BRITISH Poetesses.
LIFE AND WRITINGS OF LADY MARY
WORTLEY MONTAGU.
LIFE AND AFRICAN JOURNEY OF PEPYS.
LIFE AND LETTERS OF MADAME De Se-
VIGNE.
"The sketches before us have durable characteristics. They are full of variety,
beauty, and cheerfulness. This is a book to be in the cherished corner of a pleasant
room and to be taken up when the spirits have nced of sunshine. The book which the
present most resembles in Mr. Hunt's former writings (and this is a great compliment)
is the "Indicator.
Indicator." Its papers have the same cordial mixture of fact and imagination.'
-Examiner.
"Mr. Leigh Hunt never writes otherwise than cheerfully. He will have sunshine--
will promote gay spirits---will uphold liberal truths; blithely, yet earnestly. He is the
Prince of Parlour-window writers.”—Athenæum.
"A book for a parlour-window, for a summer's eve, for a warm fireside, for a half-
hour's leisure, for a whole day's luxury---in any and every possible shape a charming
companion."-Westminster Review.
"There is much variety and agreeable lore of all kinds in these volumes; a soul of
reflection, brilliant animal spirits, and a cheerful philosophy. The subjects embrace
almost every topic of a pleasurable and a refining kind."-Atlas.
(C
Papers illustrative of social matters, comicalities, and jovialities, arising from fine
spirits and delicate perceptions, light and elegant criticisms, and dissertations on beauties,
floral and feminine; all abounding with that suggestive power which marks the long
course of this author's writings."-Jerrold's Newspaper.
"Here we have grouped together the raciest of the papers which Leigh Hunt wrote in
the palmiest days of his literary strength, when bis wit was two-edged, and his humour
richest, merriest, most hilarious, running over into lavish abundance of conceits, and
occasionally as boisterous as the veriest group in the playgrounds."--Atlas.
Pa
類
​4
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
FIRST WORK OF A NEW NOVELIST.
JANE EYRE; AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
By CURRER BELL. Second Edition, with Preface by the Author.
3 vols. post 8vo, price £1 11s. 6d. cloth.
"A book of decided power. The thoughts are true, sound, and original: and the
style is resolute, straightforward, and to the purpose. The object and moral of the work
are excellent. Without being professedly didactic, the writer's intention (amongst other
things) seems to be, to show how intellect and unswerving integrity may win their way,
although oppressed by that predominating influence in society which is a mere conse-
quence of the accidents of birth or fortune. In the end, the honesty, kindness of heart,
and perseverance of the heroine, are seen triumphant over every obstacle.
analysis of a single mind, as an elucidation of its progress from childhood to full age,
it may claim comparison with any work of the same species."-Examiner.
As an
"Almost all that we require in a novelist the writer has: perception of character and
power of delineating it; picturesqueness, passion, and knowledge of life. The story is
not only of singular interest, naturally evolved, unflagging to the last, but it fastens it-
self upon your attention, and will not leave you. The book closed, the enchantment con-
tinues: your interest does not cease. Reality-deep, significant reality, is the character-
istic of this book."-Fraser's Magazine.
"The most extraordinary production that has issued from the press for years. We
know no author who possesses such power as is exhibited in these three volumes. No
writer who can sustain such a calm, mental tone, and so deeply interest without having
recourse to any startling expedients. From the first page to the last, it is stamped with
vitality."-Weekly Chronicle.
"One of the most powerful domestic romances which have been published for many
years; full of youthful vigour, of freshness and originality, of nervous diction, and concen-
trated interest. It is a book to make the pulses gallop and the heart beat, and to fill
the eyes with tears. It is a book with a great heart in it."—Atlas.
66
Of all the novels we have read for years this is the most striking, and we may add,
the most interesting. Its style as well as its characters are unhackneyed, perfectly fresh
and life-like. It is thoroughly English. The story is artistically managed, the characters.
boldly and vigorously drawn, and the whole calculated to interest and enchain the reader."
--Economist.
"The autobiography of Jane Eyre' is simply the development of a human mind: the
growth, the strength, the restraint, direction, and subduing; the education and guidance,
under formation, of a powerful intellect prompted by a strong will. The thread of the
story is strung with pearls--pearls of thought and sentiment, and it winds round the rea-
son and the affections. The reading of such a book as this is a healthful exercise."
Tablet.
"Original, vigorous, edifying, and absorbingly interesting.---Jerrold's Newspaper.
"The characters introduced are strongly marked; the incidents are various, and of a
kind which enlist the sympathies: the style is fresh and vigorous, and thrilling interest
is excited."---Morning Post.
"An extraordinary book of its kind, and as truly of a most noble purpose, considerable
originality, and high promise. It will be read by most people with pleasure, and laid
down by all with regret."--Observer,
"The fiction belongs to that school where minute anatomy of the mind predominates
over incidents; the last being made subordinate to description or the display of character.
The book displays considerable skill in the plan, and great power."-Spectator.
"For power of thought and expression we do not know its rival among modern pro-
ductions. The tale is one of the heart, and the working out of a moral through the
natural affections; it is the victory of mind over matter; the mastery of reason over
feeling, without unnatural sacrifices. The story itself is unique. There is much to pon-
der over, rejoice over, and weep over, in its ably written pages."---Era.
"One of the freshest and most genuine books which we have read for a long time. It
is a domestic story, full of the most intense interest, and yet composed of the simplest
materials, the worth of which consists in their truth."---Howitt's Journal.
"This is one of the most notable domestic novels which have issued from the press
for many years past. The style is bold, lucid, pungent; the incidents are varied, touch-
ing, romantic; the characterisation is ample, original, diversified: the moral sentiments
are pure and healthy; and the whole work is calculated to rivet attention, to provoke
sympathy, to make the heart bound and the brain pause."---People's Journal.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
5
MR. G. P. R. JAMES'S LAST NOVEL.
THE CONVICT.
A TALE. By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. Three vols. post 8vo., price
£1 11s. 6d.
"The volumes are well filled with incident; the sentiments are those of a reflective and
well-constituted mind; there is a perpetual flow of invention in the conduct of the story;
and it agreeably combines a spirit of romance with a just delineation of social life and
manners."-Britannia.
(C
That novel reader must have an exorbitant appetite, who should complain of want
of variety in this tale. It is crush-full of incidents, and presents changes of scene
which bring the antipodes together. It is studded with effects, and has enough ma-
terials for at least a couple of ordinary novels."-Atlas.
"The plot is cleverly contrived, so as to arrest the attention of the reader unflag-
gingly, and to introduce a great variety of scenery, incident, and character. All the
points of this excellently told tale are managed with a skilful hand. It is stirring, en-
tertaining, and oftentimes affecting; and there are scenes, thoughts, descriptions, and
traits of character, which, while they amuse, are valuable from their suggestive, ele-
valing, and purifying tendency.”—Morning Advertiser.
A WHIM AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
In three vols. post 8vo., price £1 11s. 6d.
"Full of talent, equal to the most touching pictures of human life, and descriptions
of rich scenery-to the development of character, and to those minute touches of the
pencil which prove great acuteness of observation, and a peculiar tact in illuminating
a whole subject by a brilliant stroke of nature and art."-Literary Gazette.
"One of the most brilliant fictions the season has produced. The author's style is
singularly vigorous and graphic. Whether he attempts humour or pathos, the author
is equally happy in rousing the sympathies of his readers."-Critic.
"The story is worked out with such remarkable dramatic powers as fairly to fascinate
the reader. It is a perfect piece of legal romance.”—Atlas.
HARDEN HALL; or, THREE PROPOSALS.
Edited by the Hon. FB. Three vols. post 8vo., price £1 11s. 6d.
“The writer appears to be well acquainted with the circles he describes. The leading
characters are drawn with considerable force and skill.”—Literary Gazette.
"A very pleasantly written, amusing, cleverly conducted, fashionable novel. The chief
persons of the story are strongly conceived, ably pourtrayed, and preserved in excellent
keeping throughout. The scenes of fashionable life, too, are sketched with more than usual
vividness of style."-Naval and Military Gazette.
LECTURES ON THE HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF
ANCIENT COMMERCE.
By J. W. GILBART, Esq. F.R.S. Post 8vo, price 7s. 6d. cloth.
"Full of practical intelligence and sound reasoning."-Literary Gazette.
"An able and very readable compendium."-Spectator.
“A work useful to students of political economy, and interesting to the general reader.”
-Economist.
Mr. Gilbart writes forcibly and well, and has collected together a mass of useful
information, well digested and lucidly arranged.”—Morning Post.
This volume contains much valuable information, rendered more interesting by a
wise deduction of sound principles."―Jerrold's Newspaper.
6
WORKS PUBLISHED BY SMITH, ELDER & Co.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Suggested by a Consideration of some of the Arrangements and Rela-
tions of Social Life; being a Sequel to the "Outlines of Social Economy,"
by the same Author. Foolscap 8vo. price 2s. 6d. half-bound.
"The author of these various manuals of the social sciences has the art of stating
clearly the abstruse points of political economy and metaphysics, and making them level
to every understanding. His book gives a fair, concise, and clear view of all the im-
portant questions of political economy, and is admirably well calculated to introduce
students to more formal works."-Economist.
VIEWS OF KOT KANGRA :
Representing the Passage of the British Force under Brigadier Wheeler,
C.B., to whom the Fortress surrendered; with Portrait of Soondur
Singh, Killadar of the Fort. Coloured facsimiles of six original drawings
made on the Spot by Lieut.-Col. JACK, 30th Regt. N.I., with Descrip-
tions. Colombier, in a Portfolio. Price Two Guineas.
SERMONS,
Preached at the FOUNDLING HOSPITAL; with others preached in ST.
STEPHEN'S, Walbrook. By the Rev. GEORGE CROLY, LL.D. One
vol. 8vo, price 10s. 6d. cloth.
THE HAMPDEN CONTROVERSY.
A CONCISE HISTORY OF THR HAMPDEN CONTROVERSY, from the
Commencement in 1832 to the present time. With Extracts showing
the tendency of the Bampton Lectures delivered by Dr. HAMPDEN, and
Copies of all the Documents that have appeared on the subject. By the
Rev. HENRY CHRISTMAS, M.A., F.R.S., F.S.A., &c. &c. 8vo. price
4s. 6d. boards.
SCRIPTURAL EPITAPHS.
A SELECTION OF PASSAGES FROM SCRIPTURE SUITABLE FOR
CHRISTIAN EPITAPHS. Price 2s. 6d. cloth lettered. An edition on
large paper, price 4s. cloth.
"This is a highly useful and much wanted work, bringing into one view all the pas-
sages in Holy Writ that can be deemed applicable to the faith and hope of departed
spirits, or the love of the survivors. The inscriptions are all brief, and most judiciously
selected."-Nottingham Mercury.
"The work is appropriately got up,' each page representing a monumental slab, the
Epitaphs being printed in black letter."-Bath Herald.
REASON, REVELATION, AND FAITH :
SOME FEW THOUGHTS BY A BENGAL CIVILIAN. 12mo, price 5s.
cloth.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
3
器
​LATEST ACCOUNT OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS.
SAVAGE LIFE AND SCENES IN AUSTRALIA AND
NEW ZEALAND.
Being an Artist's impressions of Countries and People at the Antipodes.
By GEORGE FRENCH ANGAS, Esq. Second edition, in two vols. post
8vo., with numerous Illustrations, price 24s. cloth.
"Mr. Angas's volumes are enriched with numerous illustrations, and are emi-
nently worthy of the confidence of readers. They bear the impress of truth, are the
productions of an observant and intelligent mind, and will do more to familiarize our
countrymen with the scenery and natives of the colonies described, than any other work
with which we are acquainted.”—Eclectic Review.
"Mr. Angas writes as an artist; and he does not write the worse for that. We can see
what he sees, because he understands the art of word-painting. All that he writes is
eminently objective. There is an individuality in his descriptions which brings the scene
or the person vividly before our eyes. It is nature-it is life-that is presented to us.”—
Atlas.
"Mr. Angas bas evidently a passion for travelling, and nature has, in many ways, fitted
him for this arduous pursuit. His style is joyous and readable, and we know not when
we have read two volumes containing so much that is new and interesting.”—Jerrold's
Magazine.
"After a careful reading of these two volumes, we pronounce them, without any hesi-
tation, to afford on the whole the most faithful pictures of savage life in Australia and New
Zealand yet published."-Weekly Chronicle.
"Mr. Angas has happily shown the present state of the countries he has seen; and we
will venture to say that his experience amongst the inhabitants of New Zealand extends
further than that of any adventurer who may have preceded him.”—Douglas Jerrold's
Weekly Newspaper.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A NEGRO SLAVE.
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF ZAMBA,
An Africa Negro King, and his experience of Slavery in South Carolina.
Written by Himself. 1 vol. post 8vo. with Frontispiece, price 7s. 6d.
cloth. Corrected and arranged by P. NEILSON.
"We have never read a more life-like book, or one in which there was a greater
amount of truth-seeming. There is a simplicity about the style and incidents that is
quite Crusoish."-Weekly Chronicle.
"We can conscientiously pronounce it to be a very well-written, interesting, and
useful volume-useful, because it is another and severe blow levelled against the
accursed stronghold of slavery; and we earnestly recommend its perusal to our readers."
-Weekly Dispatch.
"It has a Robinson Crusoe sort of interest."-Spectator.
"The narrative has all the simplicity and strength of De Foc."-Indian News.
A very interesting production. It is a plain, unvarnished tale, artless and unaffected,
and carries conviction of its truth from its very simplicity."-Journal of Fine Arts.
"A curious production, and not without interest to the social and political student, as
well as to the general reader. There is an air of natural simplicity about it not likely to
be the result of artifice."-Daily News.
"Replete with deep interest. It is a genuine and interesting sketch of African domes-
tic manners."-New Monthly Magazine.
"It bears internal evidence of truth. We think the book worth attention, because we
regard it as essentially true.”—Britannia.
"There is no want of interest in the story. The narrative is one which the reader, old
or young, will not willingly throw aside.”—Atlas.
ACCOUNT OF THE ASSAMESE.
A SKETCH OF THE ASSAMESE.
With some Account of the Hill Tribes. By an OFFICER in the Hon.
East India Company's Service. One vol. 8vo.. with 16 Coloured Plates,
a Map, and several Woodcuts, price 14s. cloth extra, or 20s. elegantly
bound in calf.
4
NEW WORKS JUST PUBLISHED BY
MR. JAMES'S NEW NOVELS AND ROMANCES.
RUSSELL: A TALE OF THE REIGN OF CHARLES II.
By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. 3 vols. post 8vo. (Just ready.)
THE CASTLE OF EHRENSTEIN:
Its LORDS SPIRITUAL and TEMPORAL; its INHABITANTS EARTHLY
and UNEARTHLY. By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. Author of "Heidelberg,"
"The Stepmother," The Smuggler," &c. &c. In 3 vols. post 8vo.
price 17. 11s. 6d.
(C
"This is undoubtedly one of the very best of Mr. James's Novels. The interest never
flags throughout. It gives a most vivid picture of old German Chivalry."-Weekly
Chronicle.
"We know not when we have been more-or indeed so much-gratified by the
perusal of a work of fiction. It presents a great variety of well and strongly drawn
characters.
We doubt whether Mr. James were ever more successful."
Naval and Military Gazette.
*
*
"This Romance is the best which its author has produced for a long time. It will
prove very popular at the libraries."-Critic.
"We have a notion that this will prove the most permanently popular of all Mr.
James's Novels, for it is compounded of those materials which delight all novel readers.'
-John Bull.
"Mr. James has laid the scene of this tale of the 15th century, on the banks of the
Rhine. Admirable descriptions supply pictures of the period, such as the author can
draw so well; he realizes the superstitions of that age, and fills the dreaded unknown
as vividly as the actual and familiar of customary existence.”—Literary Gazette.
HEIDELBERG:
A Romance.
17. 11s. Gd.
By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. Three vols. post 8vo. price
THE STEP-MOTHER.
By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. In 3 vols. post 8vo. price 17. 11s. Gd.
ARRAH NEIL; or, TIMES OF OLD.
By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. Three vols. post 8vo. price 17. 11s. Gd.
THE SMUGGLER.
A Novel. By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. Three vols. post 8vo. price 17. 11s. 6d.
MR. JAMES'S CHARLEMAGNE.
THE HISTORY OF CHARLEMAGNE,
With a SKETCH OF THE STATE AND HISTORY OF FRANCE, from the
Fall of the Roman Empire to the Rise of the Carlovingian Dynasty.
By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. A new edition, in demy 8vo. price 12s. cloth.
!
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
5
LEIGH HUNT'S SELECTIONS FROM THE ENGLISH POETS,
EXEMPLIFYING
I. IMAGINATION AND FANCY. II. WIT AND HUMOUR.
Bound in cloth, with gilt edges, price 10s. 6d. each.
Each volume is complete in itself, and preceded by an Essay illustrative
of the qualities respectively exemplified in the selections; the best pass-
ages are marked and commented upon, and each author is characterized.
In "IMAGINATION AND FANCY," Mr. Leigh Hunt has given an
answer to the question "What is Poetry?" in an Essay that forms an
Introduction to the whole range of poetical invention; one region of
which the purely imaginative and fanciful-is investigated in a spirit of
critical and genial enjoyment.
"WIT AND HUMOUR" is prefaced by an illustrative Essay, exemplify-
ing the various modes in which these qualities have been manifested in
Prose and Poetry.
Opinions of the Press on WIT AND HUMOUR.
"The design of this delightful series extends beyond a collection of elegant extracts,
while it combines the best features of such collections. The two volumes already
published are precisely the books one would wish to carry for companionship on a
journey, or to have at hand when tired of work, or at a loss what to do for want of it.
They are selections of some of the best things some of our best authors have said,
accompanied with short but delicate expositions and enforcements of their beauties.
They are truly most genial, agreeable, and social books."-Examiner.
"This is really a delightful volume, forming a proper complement and companion to its
predecessor on Imagination and Fancy.' Each of them gives us the best passages of the
best writers, in their respective kinds, illustrated by one who will himself leave no mean
remembrance to posterity, in the spirit of genial criticism, informed by a delicate faculty
of discrimination. What more could literary epicures desire?"-Morning Chronicle.
If we were to choose the subject and the author of a fireside book for the long winter
evenings, we should certainly call some such volume as this into existence. The reader
will look for exquisite things in this book, and he will find a great deal more than he looks
for in the prodigal resources opened up in its pages. It is the very essence of the sunniest
qualities from English poets."-Atlas.
"There is something genial in the very title of this volume; and it does not belie its
title. 'Wit and Humour,' forms a pendant to 'Imagination and Fancy,' by the same
author. A like design is embodied in both works. The book is at once exhilarating and
suggestive it may charm frivolous minds into wisdom, and austere ones into mirth."-
Athenæum.
Opinions of the Press on IMAGINATION AND FANCY.
"This volume is handsomely printed, and beautifully bound in a new style of ex-
quisite delicacy and richness. In external beauty Imagination and Fancy' equals any
gift-books that have appeared; and it will form a more enduring memorial than any
other volume that might be selected as a gift for the coming season."-Spectator.
"This is a Christmas gift, worth half a dozen of the Annuals put together, and at half
the cost of one of them. We have often wished for such a book, and in our aspiration,
the name of Leigh Hunt has ever presented itself as that of the man above all others
qualified to do justice to so charming a subject."-Morning Chronicle.
"The volume is, we trust, the precursor of many more, which will complete and do
justice to the plan. The series so completed would be the best elegant extracts' in the
language."-Examiner. 25
Kr
"This is a charming volume: both externally and internally it is most attractive.”—Atlas.
"It is a book that every one who has a taste must have, and every one who has not
should have in order to acquire one."-Jerrold's Magazine.
"This book is tastefully got up, and we should think better of the house where we
saw a well-read copy of it lying about."-Tait's Magazine.
"These illustrations of Imagination and Fancy' are distinguished by great critical
sagacity, and a remarkable appreciation of those qualities."-Herald.
The Third Volume of this Series, illustrative of
“ACTION AND PASSION,”
Will appear in the Autumn.
然
​路
​6
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
!
THE OXFORD GRADUATE ON ART.
"MODERN PAINTERS.”
VOLUME THE FIRST. By A GRADUATE OF OXFORD. A New
Edition, revised by the Author, being the THIRD. In imperial 8vo.,
price 18s. cloth.
SECOND VOLUME OF "MODERN PAINTERS."
Treating of the IMAGINATIVE and THEORETIC FACULTIES. By a
GRADUATE OF OXFORD. In one volume, imperial 8vo., price 10s. 6d.
cloth.
"We are prepared emphatically to declare, that this work is the most valuable contri-
bution towards a proper view of painting, its purpose and means, that has come within our
knowledge."-Foreign Quarterly Review.
"A work distinguished by an enlightened style of criticism, new to English readers,
and by the profound observation of nature displayed by the author.”—Dublin University
Magazine.
"This is the production of a highly gifted mind, one who has evidently bestowed time.
and labour to obtain a practical knowledge of the fine arts, and who writes eloquently,
feellnglF, and fearlessly."-Polytechnic Review.
"It has seldom been our lot to take up a work more admirably conceived and written
than this beautiful and elaborate essay. To a perfect idea of the scope of the inquiry,
and a mastery of all the technicalities required for its due treatment, the Graduate unites
considerable metaphysical power, extent of philosophical and scientific knowledge, a clear
ond manly style of expression, and no inconsiderable command of humour and satire."-
Atlas.
બ A
very extraordinary and delightful book, full of truth and goodness, of power and
beauty. This remarkable work contains more true philosophy, - more information of a
strictly scientific kind,-more original thought and exact observation of nature,—more
enlightened and serious enthusiasm, and more eloquent writing than it would be easy to
match, not merely in works of its own class, but in those of any class whatever."
North British Review.
"A generous and impassioned review of the works of living painters: a hearty and
earnest work, full of deep thought, and developing great and striking truths in art. The
work, as a whole, commands our admiration. It lays before us the deeply studied reflec-
tions of a devout worshipper of nature-of one thoroughly imbued with the love of
truth.”—British Quarterly Review.
OUTLINES OF SOCIAL ECONOMY,
Written specially with a view to inculcate upon the rising generation the
three great duties of Social Life:
1st. To strive to be self-supporting-not to be a burthen upon Society.
2nd. To avoid making any engagements. explicit or implied, whether
with persons now living or yet to be born, for the due performance of
which there is no reasonable prospect.
3rd. To make such use of all superior advantages, whether of knowledge,
skill, or wealth, as to promote to the utmost the general happiness of
mankind.
Foolscap 8vo., price 1s. 6d. half-bound.
The Publishers have instructions to supply to National Schools, British
and Foreign Schools, and to all schools supported by Voluntary Contributions,
a limited number of copies, at 6d. each.
OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY AND FORMATION OF
THE UNDERSTANDING.
By the AUTHOR OF "OUTLINES OF SOCIAL ECONOMY." 1 vol. foolscap
8vo. price 28. half bound.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
7
器
​THE JESUITS IN ENGLAND.
THE NOVITIATE; or, THE JESUIT IN TRAINING.
Being A YEAR AMONG THE ENGLISH JESUITS: a Personal Narrative.
By ANDREW STEINMETZ. Second Edition, with Memoir and Portrait
•
of the Author. In one vol. post 8vo. price 7s. 6d. bound in cloth.
"This is a remarkable book-a revealer of secrets, and full of materials for thought.
It is written with every appearance of strict and honourable truthfulness. It
describes, with a welcome minuteness, the daily, nightly, hourly occupations of the
Jesuit Novitiates at Stonyhurst, their religious exercises and manners, in private and
together; and depicts, with considerable acuteness and power, the conflicts of an intelli-
gent, susceptible, honest-purposed spirit, while passing through such a process. If our
readers should be disposed to possess themselves of this volume, it will be their own
fault if the reading of it be profitless.”—British Quarterly Review.
"This is as singular a book of its kind as has appeared since Blanco White's
'Letters of Doblado,' with the advantage of dealing with the Jesuits in England, instead
of Popery in Spain.
It will be found a very curious work."-Spectator.
"If it be desirable to know what is that mode of training by which the Jesuit system
prepares its novices for their duties, this is the book to inform us, for it is a chronicle of
actual experience.
The work of Mr Steinmetz is throughout marked by great
fairness,
•
•
·
•
he neither conceals nor exaggerates; a spirit of candour pervades
the whole narrative.
Could we know the experience of other novices, we should
find that all have undergone, with more or less intensity, the process so vividly described
in this volume.
It is written in an extremely animated style. The author's
thoughts are original, and the passages relating to his personal history and feelings are
agreeably introduced, and add to the interest of his narrative. It is a sufficient proof of
his accuracy, that, though the Jesuits have many pens in this country, not one has been
hardy enough to impugn a sentence of his statements."-Britannia.
·
"Mr. Steinmetz writes a most singular and interesting account of the Jesuit semi-
nary, and his way of life there.
He seems to be a perfectly honest and credible
informer, and his testimony may serve to enlighten many a young devotional aspirant
who is meditating 'submission' to Rome, and the chain and scourge systems. There is
nothing in the least resembling invective in the volume.”—Morning Chronicle.
•
"At a time when Jesuitism seems to be rising once more, any work on this subject
comes very opportunely. How the writer became a member of this mysterious body
gives a key to the character of the man himself, and the spirit of his book.
This
narrative is well written, and as interesting as we expected.”—Weekly Chronicle.
“The work has all the interest of a romance, and yet we do not believe that any portion
of it is fictitious.
The author writes well, and evinces a strong and disciplined mind.
The picture he draws of Jesuitism is a fearful one. The reader will find abundant matter
for grave consideration in this most singular and striking volume."—John Bull.
•
·
•
"A more remarkable work it has seldom been our fortune to peruse. We hear and
read much of the Quietism and Passive Obedience inculcated amongst the Jesuit body;
but here we become personal spectators of these principles in action.
Mr. Stein-
metz appears to be a most remarkable character. He may be received as an unbiassed
witness.
We repeat it, Mr. Steinmetz's book is most valuable; earnest and truthful
in its tone, and extremely interesting in its detail.”—New Quarterly Review.
•
•
THE JESUIT IN THE FAMILY.
A Tale. By ANDREW STEINMETZ.
cloth.
In one vol. post 8vo. price 9s.
“A well-written and powerful novel, constructed for the development of Jesuit prac-
tices, and to show the Jesuit in action. The interest in some parts is intensely wrought
up. Mr. Steinmetz has produced a work of no ordinary character, full of talent and full
of interest.”—John Bull.
<<
Remarkable for force of ideas and originality of style.
The narrative is dra-
matic, both in construction and language, and marked with great vivacity. In the conduct
of the story and action of the personages, Mr. Steinmetz shows that he has closely studied
human life, and profited by his observations. Indeed, we recollect no recent fiction that
gives a more acute exposition of the varieties of individual character.”—Britannia.
8
WORKS JUST PUBLISHED BY
FIRST SERIES OF TALES OF THE COLONIES.
TALES OF THE COLONIES; OR, THE ADVENTURES
OF AN EMIGRANT.
By CHARLES ROWCROFT, Esq., a late Colonial Magistrate. The Fifth
Edition. In foolscap 8vo., price 6s. cloth.
"Tales of the Colonies' is an able and interesting book. The author has the first
great requisite in fiction-a knowledge of the life he undertakes to describe; and his
matter is solid and real."-Spectator.
"This is a book, as distinguished from one of the bundles of waste paper in three
divisions, calling themselves 'novels.'"-Athenæum.
"The narration has a deep and exciting interest. No mere romance, no mere
fiction, however skilfully imagined or powerfully executed, can surpass it. The work to
which it bears the nearest similitude is Robinson Crusoe, and it is scarcely, if at all
inferior to that extraordinary history."-John Bull.
"Since the time of Robinson Crusoe, literature has produced nothing like these
Tales of the Colonies.'"-Metropolitan Magazine.
•
Romantic literature does not supply instances of wonderful escape more
marvellous.
The book is manifestly a mixture of fact and fiction, yet it gives, we
have every reason to believe, a true picture of a settler's life in that country; and is
thickly interspersed with genuine and useful information.'
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal.
"The contents of the first volume surpass in interest many of the novels of Sir
Walter Scott.”—Westminster Review.
"An exceedingly lively and interesting narrative, which affords a more striking view
of the habits of emigrant colonial life than all the regular treatises, statistical returns, and
even exploratory tours which we have read.
It combines the fidelity of truth with.
•
the spirit of a romance, and has altogether so much of De Foc in its character and com-
position, that whilst we run we learn, and, led, along by the variety of the incidents,
become real ideal settlers in Van Diemen's Land."—Literary Gazette.
SECOND SERIES OF TALES OF THE COLONIES.
THE BUSHRANGER OF VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
By C. RowCROFT, Esq., Author of "Tales of the Colonies." In 3 vols.
post 8vo. price 17. 11s. 6d.
"These volumes have the same qualities that gained so much popularity for the
Author's previous work 'Tales of the Colonies.' No one has depicted colonial life, as
manifested in the settlements of Australia, with so much vigour and truth as Mr. Rowcroft.
Ile rather seems to be a narrator of actual occurrences than an inventor of imaginary ones.
His characters, his manners, and his scenes are all real. He has been compared to De.
Foe, and the comparison is just.”—Britannia.
"These volumes form a second series of Tales of the Colonies,' and the pages
are marked by the same vigorous and graphic pen which procured such celebrity for the
first series. The interest, generally well sustained throughout, is occasionally of the most
absorbing and thrilling kind. Altogether, there is a freshness about these volumes which
brings them out in strong contrast to the vapid productions with which the press is
teeming."- Globe.
"The story contains all the merits of the Tales of the Colonies' as regards style ;
being simple and Crusoite, if we might use the term, in its narrative. Mr. Rowcroft
possesses invention to an extraordinary degree, in the manner in which he manages
the escapes of the bushranger, and he produces, by the simplest incidents, most
interesting scenes ;-pictures of nature and of a society totally different from anything to
be found elsewhere."-Weekly Chronicle.
FANNY THE LITTLE MILLINER; OR, THE RICH AND
THE POOR.
By CHARLES ROWCROFT, Esq. In one vol. 8vo., handsomely bound in
cloth gilt, with Plates, price 14s.-The twelve parts may be had
separately, price 18. each, sewed.
器
​SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
9
THE FARMER'S FRIEND. A Periodical Record of Recent Dis-
coveries, Improvements, and Practical Suggestions in Agriculture.
One volume, post 8vo. price 7s. 6d. cloth.
"This may emphatically be called "The Farmer's Friend." It is one of the most
valuable and complete farming books that has been published, and ought to be in the
hands of every farmer."-Sunderland Times.
"Decidedly one of the most useful books: a really excellent work."-Cumberland
Pacquet.
A more valuable and important addition to the book shelf of the English yeoman can
scarcely be made."—Nottingham Mercury.
"A most excellent work."-Cambridge Advertiser.
"We recommend this work to every farmer."-Bridgewater Times.
"This admirable work every practical farmer in the land should have in his possess-
sion."-Cheltenham Journal.
"A cheap and sterling work."—Oxford Herald.
"The best adjunct to the farmer."-Kentish Observer,
THE INDIAN MEAL BOOK:
>>
Comprising the best American Receipts for the various Preparations of
that excellent Article. By ELIZA LESLIE, of Philadelphia; Author of
"American Domestic Cookery; The House Book;" "Seventy-five
Receipts;" "French Cookery ; " &c. &c. Second Edition. Foolscap
8vo. sewed in a wrapper, price 1s. 6d.
"Next to the corn itself, we cannot conceive a more acceptable present to the poor of
any neighbourhood, either individually or in parochial libraries, than Miss Leslie's work.
It is very simple, and embraces recipes for every purpose to which maize is put in the
United States, and therefore cannot but add to the comfort of the too limited table of the
labouring man."-Indian News.
"This little volume contains about sixty receipts for different preparations of Indian
meal, and all of which may be found useful in the threatened dearth. Maize, or Indian
corn, is now admitted to be the best and most available substitute for the potato.'
Economist.
A FAMILIAR EXPLANATION OF THE ART OF
ASSAYING GOLD AND SILVER ;
And its bearing upon the Interests of the Public demonstrated; with
considerations on the Importance of the Pix Jury; a Review of the past
and present state of the Goldsmiths' Trade; and a Table, showing the
mixture and sterling value per ounce of every quality of Gold that can be
alloyed. By JAMES H. WATHERSTON, Goldsmith. 12mo., price 3s. 6d.
cloth.
COMMENTARY ON THE HOLY GOSPELS,
Arranged according to the TABLE OF LESSONS FOR DAILY SERVICE;
designed for Family Reading. By the Rev. HENRY MACKENZIE, M.A.,
of Pembroke College, Oxford; Incumbent of Great Yarmouth. 8vo.,
price 7s. 6d. cloth; or in Five Parts, at Is. 3d. each.
ON THE SITE OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.
With a Map of Jerusalem. BY GEORGE FINLAY, Esq., K.R.G., Author
of" Greece under the Romans." In 8vo., price 1s. 6d. sewed.
A NARRATIVE OF THE RECOVERY OF H. M. S.
GORGON.
(CHARLES HOTHAM, Esq. Captain), Stranded in the Bay of Monte
Video, May 10, 1844. By ASTLEY COOPER KEY, Commander, R.N.
(late Lieut. of H. M. S. Gorgon.) 1 vol. 8vo. with numerous Plates.
Price 7s. 6d. cloth.
10
B***
WORKS JUST PUBLISHED BY
ENGLAND'S COLONIAL EMPIRE.
An HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, and STATISTICAL ACCOUNT of the
BRITISH EMPIRE, its COLONIES and DEPENDENCIES. By CHARLES
PRIDHAM, Esq., B.A., Member of the Royal Geographical Society, &c.
VOLUME I.-Comprising
{THE MAURITIUS AND ITS DEPENDENCIES.
"The first volume of a work intended to completely exhibit England's Colonial Empire.
The author is Mr. Pridham, who, in a modest preface, apologizes for having at so early an age
undertaken so gigantic a task. The first volume, however, shows no lack of either ability,
research, or knowledge. It is occupied with an excellent account of the Mauritius, divided
into four parts: the first part gives its history from its discovery by the Portuguese to the
present time; the second describes its inhabitants, and their institutions and states; the third
its physical features and natural productions; and the fourth its industry, commerce, and
government. Ample information is given on all these heads, and regarding the extent of the
author's design, and the evidence he gives of the requisite qualification to carry it out satis-
factorily, we make no doubt that his work will be a valuable addition to the history and geo-
graphy of our colonial empire. The present volume is complete in itself.”—Britannia.
"This is the first volume of what promises to be an important national work. The instal-
ment now before us is brimful of valuable and interesting information, making up by far the
most complete account of Mauritius which has yet been given to the world. The author has
the qualificatious necessary to the due fulfilment of the task which he has set himself. He is
patient and pains-taking, accurate and impartial.”—Atlas.
This is the first volume of a series, which we hope to see completed in the spirit which the
task has been undertaken. As a whole, we are bound to say, that the book is a standard one,
and that England's Colonial Empire' has met with a chronicler of zeal, industry, and ability."
-Colonial Gazette.
"There is no other such description of the Mauritius extant. The author has not only
consulted the best, and perhaps all the authorities, but he has added information of his own,
apparently gathered on the spot."-Economist.
THE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN EUROPE AND
INDIA THROUGH EGYPT,
Considered in relation to the Political and Commercial Interests of Great
Britain, and the Policy of France. By GEORGE FINLAY, Esq., K.R.G.,
Author of "Greece under the Romans."-In 8vo., price 2s. 6d.
"A well-written and very interesting pamphlet on a subject of immense interest to the
government and people of Britain, and one on which, we are afraid, sufficient attention
has not been bestowed by the authorities in this country."-Cumberland Pacquet.
CLINICAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE DISEASES OF
INDIA: As Exhibited in the MEDICAL HISTORY OF A BODY OF
EUROPEAN SOLDIERS, for a Series of Years from their Arrival in that
Country. By WILLIAM GEDDES, M.D., Member of the Royal Medical
Society of Edinburgh, and the Medical and Physical Society of Calcutta,
and late Surgeon of the Madras European Regiment. In one vol. 8vo.
Price 16s. cloth.
"It is hardly possible to conceive a more complete medical history than the one furnished
by Dr. Geddes. He has conferred an inestimable benefit upon medical science; and no prac-
titioner who regards either his interest or his duty can be without the book."-Indian News.
"To the medical officers in India, and especially to those about to proceed thither, this will
be found a valuable book of reference, and well merits to be included in the list of works
with which officers are required to provide themselves on joining the service."-British and
Foreign Medical Review.
"We strongly recommend every medical man going to the East Indies to have a copy of
it at his side, as affording an excellent pattern for him to follow in the accumulation and
arrangement of his observations when engaged in practice. Dr. Geddes has done for the
symptoms of the diseases which he describes what Louis has done for the microscopic pheno-
mena of fever."-Medico-Chirurgical Review.
"The leading characters of this volume are great precision and accuracy. This work must
be referred to as a source of correct information on most questions relating to the diseases.
prevalent among Europeans in India."-Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal.
"The book will be valuable to every future practitioner as a means of knowing the success.
of certain methods of treating the diseases of India; and the student will find in it a minute
description of those diseases which he is most likely to meet, should he be destined to serve in
the East."-Lancet.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
11
Scientific Works Illustrated.
COMPLETION OF
SIR JOHN HERSCHEL'S SURVEY OF THE HEAVENS.
RESULTS OF ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS,
Made during the years 1834, 5, 6, 7, 8, at the Cape of Good Hope;
being the completion of a Telescopic Survey of the whole surface of the
visible Heavens, commenced in 1825. By Sir JOHN HERSCHEL, Bart.,
K.H., M.A., D.C.L., F.R.S., L. & E., Hon. M.R.I.A., P.R.A.S., F.G.S.,
M.C.U.P.S., &c. &c. &c.
In 1 vol. royal 4to., with 18 Plates, price Four Guineas.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF H. M. GOVERNMENT, AND OF THE HON. THE
COURT OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.
FAUNA ANTIQUA SIVALENSIS,
THE FOSSIL ZOOLOGY OF THE SEWALIK HILLS, in the North of
India. By HUGH FALCONER, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., F.G.S., Member
of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, and of the Royal Asiatic Society; of
the Bengal Medical Service, and late Superintendent of the H. E. I. C.
Botanic Garden at Saharunpoor: and PROBY T. CAUTLEY, F.G.S.,
Major in the Bengal Artillery, Member of the Asiatic Society of
Bengal, &c. Edited by Dr. HUGH FALCONER.
The Fossil Bones,
drawn from nature and on stone, by G. H. FORD, and Assistants.
Plan of Publication.-The work will appear in about Twelve Parts, to
be published at intervals of four months; each Part containing from Twelve
to Fifteen folio Plates. The descriptive Letterpress will be printed in
royal octavo. Price of each Part, one Guinea. Part I. contains
PROBOSCIDEA.-Parts II. and III., containing the continuation of
PROBOSCIDEA, will be published shortly. Prospectuses of the Work
may be obtained of the Publishers.
•
"A work of immense labour and research.
Nothing has ever appeared in
lithography in this country at all comparable to these plates; and as regards the repre-
sentations of minute osseous texture, by Mr. Ford, they are perhaps the most perfect
that have yet been produced in any country.
The work has commenced with the
Elephant group, in which the authors say is most signally displayed the numerical rich-
ness of forms which characterises the Fossil Fauna of India;' and the first chapter
relates to the Proboscidea-Elephant and Mastodon. The authors have not restricted
themselves to a description of the Sewalik Fossil forms, but they propose to trace the
affinities, and institute an arrangement of all the well-determined species in the family.
They give a brief historical sketch of the leading opinions which have been entertained
by paleontologists respecting the relations of the Mastodon and Elephant to each other,
and of the successive steps in the discovery of new forms which have led to the modifica-
tions of these opinions. They state that the results to which they themselves have been
conducted, lead them to differ on certain points from the opinions most commonly enter-
tained at the present day, respecting the fossil species of Elephant and Mastodon.".
Address of the President of the Geological Society of London, 20th Feb. 1846.
*
12
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED AND IN PROGRESS UNDER THE AUTHORITY
OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY.
** In order to secure to science the full advantage of Discoveries in Natural
History, the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury have been pleased to
make a liberal grant of money towards defraying part of the expenses of the fol-
lowing important publications. They have, in consequence, been undertaken on
a scale worthy of the high patronage thus received, and are offered to the public
at a much lower price than would otherwise have been possible.
I.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE ZOOLOGY OF SOUTH
AFRICA.
Comprising all the new species of Quadrupeds, Birds, Reptiles, and
Fishes, obtained during the Expedition fitted out by "The Cape of Good
Hope Association for exploring Central Africa," in the years 1834, 1835,
and 1836, with Letterpress Descriptions, and a Summary of African
Zoology. By ANDREW SMITH, M.D., Surgeon to the Forces, and
Director of the Expedition. In Royal Quarto Parts, price 10s. and 12s.
each, containing on an average ten beautifully coloured Engravings, with
descriptive Letterpress. Twenty-four Parts are now published.
II.
THE ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. SULPHUR,
Under the Command of Captain Sir EDWARD BELCHER, R. N., C.B.
F.R.G.S., &c. Edited and Superintended by RICHARD BRINSLEY
HINDS, Esq., Surgeon R.N., attached to the Expedition.
Among the countries visited by the "Sulphur," and which in the
present state of science are invested with more particular interest, may
be mentioned the Californias, Columbia River, the North-west coast
of America, the Feejee Group (a portion of the Friendly Islands), New
Zealand, New Ireland, New Guinea, China, and Madagascar.
In Royal Quarto Parts, price 10s. each, with beautifully coloured
Plates.
THIS WORK IS NOW COMPLETE, and may be had in sewed Parts,
price 57., or in half-russia, or cloth binding, at a small addition to the
price.-Parts I. and II. contain MAMMALIA, by J. E. GRAY, Esq.,
F.R.S.-Parts III. and IV. BIRDS, by J. GOULD, Esq., F.L.S.-
Parts V., IX., and X. FISH, by J. RICHARDSON, M.D., F.R.S.-
Parts VI., VII., and VIII. SHELLS, by R. B. HINDS, Esq.
III.
THE BOTANY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. SULPHUR,
Under the Command of Captain Sir EDWARD BELCHER, R.N., C.B.
F.R.G.S., &c., during the years 1836-42. Edited and Superintended
by RICHARD BRINSLEY HINDS, Esq., Surgeon R.N., attached to the
Expedition. The Botanical Descriptions by GEORGE BENTHAM, Esq.
THIS WORK IS NOW COMPLETE, and may be had in six sewed Parts,
price 31, or in half-russia, or cloth binding, at a small addition to the
price.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
13
PUBLISHED WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF
HER MAJESTY'S TREASURY.
GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING THE
VOYAGE OF H. M. S. BEAGLE,
Under the Command of CAPTAIN FITZROY, R.N.
Part I.-On Coral Formations.
By CHARLES DARWIN, M.A., F.R.S., Sec. G. S., &c. Demy 8vo.,
with Plates and Woodcuts, price 15s. in cloth.
Part II.-On the Volcanic Islands of the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans.
Together with a brief Notice of the Geology of the Cape of Good Hope,
and of part of Australia. By CHARLES DARWIN, M.A., Esq. Price
10s. 6d. demy 8vo. cloth, with Map.
Part III.-On the Geology of South America.
By CHARLES DARWIN, M.A., Esq. Demy 8ro., with Map and Plates,
price 12s. cloth.
AN INQUIRY INTO THE NATURE AND COURSE OF
STORMS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN,
SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR; with a view of discovering their Origin,
Extent, Rotatory Character, Rate and Direction of Progression,
Barometrical Depression, and other concomitant phenomena; for the
practical purpose of enabling ships to ascertain the proximity and
relative position of Hurricanes; with suggestions on the means of
avoiding them. By ALEXANDER THOM, Surgeon 86th Royal County
Down Regiment. In one vol. 8vo., with Map and Plates, price 12s.
cloth.
•
•
"The work before us is most valuable to seamen.
Mr. Thom gives us the result
of his observations at the Mauritius; a station which is peculiarly well adapted for ob-
serving the hurricanes of the Indian Ocean, the ravages of which seamen have annually
experienced; and those observations, combined with the results obtained by indefatigable
enquiry, have entitled him to the gratitude of seamen, who may now profit by them.
Mr. Thom's theory is rational and philosophical, and to us it is most satisfactory.
There are important considerations for seamen in this work."—Nautical Magazine.
"The author proceeds in strict accordance with the principles of inductive
philosophy, and collects all his facts before he draws his inferences or propounds a
theory. His statements are so full and clear, and drawn from such simple sources, yet
are so decisive in their tendency, that we think there can be no doubt he has established
the rotatory action of storms. The practical application of his investigations are too
palpable to be missed."-Britannia.
A DISSERTATION ON THE TRUE AGE OF THE EARTH,
As ASCERTAINED FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. Containing a
Review of the Opinions of Ancient and Modern Chronologers, including
Usher, Hales, Clinton, and Cuninghame; and a Chronological Table
of the Principal Epochs and Events in Sacred and Profane History,
from the Creation to the Present Time. By PROFESSOR WALLACE.
In demy 8vo., price 12s. cloth.
"It is learned and laborious.”—Britannia.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES, CHEMICAL AND
AGRICULTURAL.
Part I. contains-Carbon a Compound Body made by Plants, in quan-
tities varying with the circumstances under which they are placed.-
Part II. Decomposition of Carbon during the Putrefactive Fermentation.
By ROBERT RIGG, F.R S. In demy 8vo., price 78. 6d.
14
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
#
ILLUSTRATED WORKS ON NATURAL HISTORY BY
CAPTAIN THOMAS BROWN.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE RECENT CONCHOLOGY OF
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
With the Description and Localities of all the Species,-Marine, Land,
and Fresh-Water. Drawn and Coloured from Nature, by Captain
THOMAS BROWN, F.L.S., M.W.S., M.K.S., Member of the Manchester
Geological Society. In one vol. royal 4to., illustrated with fifty-nine
beautifully coloured Plates, price 638. cloth.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE FOSSIL CONCHOLOGY OF
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
By Captain THOMAS BROWN, F. L. S. To be completed in about
Thirty Numbers, each containing four Plates. Royal 4to, price 3s.
coloured, and 2s. plain.
Twenty-eight Numbers have appeared, and the work will soon be
completed.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE GENERA OF BIRDS.
Embracing their Generic Characters, with Sketches of their Habits,
By Captain THOMAS BROWN, F.L.S. Now publishing in Numbers,
royal 4to., cach containing four Plates, price 3s. coloured.
Part I. is just completed, price 36s. cloth.
THE ELEMENTS OF FOSSIL CONCHOLOGY;
According to the Arrangement of Lamarck; with the newly-cstablished
Genera of other Authors. By Captain THOMAS BROWN, F.L.S.
With twelve Plates, fcap. 8vo., price 5s. cloth.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE SHELLS OF GREAT
BRITAIN AND IRELAND;
Embracing the Nomenclature of LAMARCK, GRAY, TURTON, and
BROWN, for the purpose of effecting exchanges and naming collections.
On a sheet, price 18.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
15
Miscellaneous.
THE DUTIES OF JUDGE ADVOCATES,
Compiled from HER MAJESTY'S and the HON. EAST INDIA COM-
PANY'S MILITARY REGULATIONS, and from the Works of various
Writers on Military Law. By Captain R. M. HUGHES, 12th Regiment
Bombay Army; Deputy Judge-Advocate General, Scinde Field Force.
In one vol. post 8vo., price 7s. cloth.
"Captain Hughes's little volume on this important subject will well supply the
absence of that full and particular information which officers suddenly appointed to act as
'Deputy Judge Advocates' must have felt the want of, even though tolerably well versed
in military law."-Spectator.
"A professional vade-mecum, relating to most important duties, and executed in the
ablest manner. We consider this, the only complete separate treatise on the subject, to
be one of great value, and deserving the study of every British officer."-Lit. Gazette.
"This book is a digest as well as a compilation, and may be emphatically called
"The Hand-Book of Military Justice.'"-Atlas.
We recommend the work to every British officer.”—Army and Navy Register.
THE NOTE-BOOK OF A NATURALIST.
By E. P. THOMPSON. Post 8vo., price 9s. cloth.
•
•
"The author of this modestly-styled 'Note-Book' not only possesses and communi-
cates scientific intelligence, but he has travelled far and near, and from very infancy been
devoted to natural history.
We rely on the quotations to support our opinion of
the very agreeable and various character of this volume."-Literary Gazette.
"In all that relates to original observation the Note-Book of a Naturalist' is
agreeable, interesting, and fresh.
The more original and numerous passages may
vie with the observations of Jesse. In fact, there is a considerable resemblance between
the two authors. Anecdote is substantially the character of the better part."-Spectator.
LIFE IN NORTH WALES.
LLEWELLYN'S HEIR;
Or, NORTH WALES; its MANNERS, CUSTOMS, and SUPERSTITIONS
during the last Century, illustrated by a Story founded on Facts. In
three vols. post 8vo., price 11. 11s. 6d.
"It is a real work, with more material and original knowledge than half the manufac-
tured novels that appear in these days."-Spectator.
"We can most cordially recommend it as a series of Sketches of North Wales well
worthy of perusal; so various and so curious as to be as welcome to the library of the
antiquary and portfolio of the artist as to the leisure hour of the novel reader.”—Literary
Gazette.
A NEW SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Containing Critical Essays, and Biographical Sketches of Literary and
other Eminent Characters of the Present Time. Edited by R. H.
HORNE, Esq., Author of "Orion," "Gregory the Seventh," &c. &c.
These volumes are illustrated with Engravings on steel, from new and
original Portraits of DICKENS, TENNYSON, CARLYLE, WORDSWORTH,
TALFOURD, BROWNING, SOUTHWOOD SMITH, and Miss MARTINEAU.
Second Edition, Revised by the Editor, with "Introductory Comments."
In 2 vols. post 8vo., price 24s. cloth.
"Two volumes of clever and subtile dissertation on the merits of almost every living
writer of any pretension, written in a very animated and pleasant style."-Morning
Herald, March 25, 1844.
"Mr. Horne's admirations appear to us to be well placed, and his sympathies generous
and noble."-Morning Chronicle.
16
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES: TALES, SKETCHES, AND
CHARACTERS.
With BEAUTIES OF THE MODERN DRAMA, in Four Specimens. By
JOHN POOLE, Esq., Author of "Paul Pry,” &c. &c. In one vol. post
8vo., price 10s. 6d. cloth, with a Portrait of the Author.
"A capital book for the season.”—Britannia.
PRYINGS OF A POSTMAN.
In one vol. post 8vo., price 58.
OUR ACTRESSES ;
Or, GLANCES AT STAGE FAVOURITES, PAST and PRESENT.
By Mrs. C. BARON WILSON, Authoress of the "Life of the Duchess of
St. Albans,"
""Memoirs of Monk Lewis," &c. &c. In 2 vols. post 8vo.,
illustrated with numerous Engravings on Steel, from new and original
Portraits, price 24s. cloth.
"Handsome volumes, adorned with several portraits, and the biographies are full of
amusing anecdotes."-Atlas.
"So attractive are the stage and its denizens that considerable amusement will be
derived from the perusal of these pages."-Literary Gazette.
THE HOME BOOK; OR, YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER'S
ASSISTANT.
Forming a Complete System of DOMESTIC ECONOMY, and Household
Accounts. With Estimates of Expenditure, &c. &c., in every Depart-
ment of Housekeeping. Founded on Forty-five years personal experience.
By a LADY. 12mo., price 5s., boards.
THE HOME ACCOUNT-BOOK; OR, HOUSEKEEPER'S
REGISTER OF FAMILY EXPENSES.
Arranged upon the improved system recommended in the "Home
Book ;" and exhibiting the Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual
Expenditure for every article of Domestic consumption. For the use of
either large or small Families. By the Author of the "THE HOME
Book." Post 4to., half-bound, price 4s. 6d.
"These two useful little volumes form the most complete system of Domestic Manage-
ment for the guidance of the young Housekeeper that has ever appeared. Of the Home
Book we cannot speak too highly."-Gentleman's Magazine.
"Incomparably the best arranged work of its class that we have seen."-La Belle
Assemblée.
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF THE WOOLLEN
TRADE.
From the earliest Records to the present Period, comprising the Woollen
and Worsted Manufactures, and the Natural and Commercial History of
Sheep, with the various Breeds and Modes of Management in different
Countries. By JAMES BISCHOFF, Esq. In two large volumes, 8vo.,
illustrated with Plates, price 17. 6s. cloth.
"Mr. Bischoff's work will be found valuable to all persons interested in the subject."—
Athenæum.
"Mr. Bischoff has in these volumes collected a vast mass of curious and valuable in-
formation, acceptable to readers of varied tastes, even though quite unconnected with
manufactures and trade. We recommend every reader to peruse attentively this merito-
rious compilation.-We finally recommend these volumes of Mr. Bischoff's to the careful
consideration of all those interested in the subjects of which they treat."-Times.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
17
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF THE IRON TRADE
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, from the earliest Records to the
present Time. With an Appendix, containing Official Tables, and other
public Documents. By HARRY SCRIVENOR, Esq., Blaenavon.
one vol. demy 8vo., price 15s. cloth.
In
"Mr. Scrivenor's History is written with elaborate research and anxious care, and
goes into and exhausts the entire subject; it contains numerous facts full of interest to
common readers."-Tait's Magazine.
THE BRITISH MERCHANT'S ASSISTANT.
Containing :-Part I. Tables of Simple Interest at 3, 3, 4, 4½, and
5 per cent.-Part II. Tables showing the Interest on Exchequer Bills
at 1 d., 1 d., 2d., 21d., 21d., 3d., 34d., and 31d. per cent. per diem.-
Part III. Tables for Ascertaining the Value of every description of
English and Foreign Stock. Also the amount of Brokerage, Commission,
Freight. Marine, and other Insurance, at every rate per cent., &c. &c. &c.
By G. GREEN. Royal 8vo, price 17. 11s. 6d. cloth. Each of the above
Three Parts is sold separately.
ASSURANCES UPON LIVES,
:
A Familiar Explanation of the NATURE, ADVANTAGES, and IMPORT-
ANCE arising therefrom, and the various Purposes to which they may be
usefully applied including also a particular Account of the routine
required for Effecting a Policy; and of the different systems of Life
Assurance now in use, the Principles, Terms, and Tables of Seventy
London Assurance Offices, &c. By LEWIS PocoсK, F.S.A. In post
POCоcă,
8vo, price 7s. cloth.
"There are no technicalities in Mr. Pocock's work to prevent its being useful to all;
and those, therefore, who are likely to have recourse to Life Insurance will do wisely in
consulting this familiar explanation of its nature and advantages."-Globe.
AN INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSES AND MODES OF THE
WEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS;
Or, THE PRINCIPLES OF TRADE AND SPECULATION EXPLAINED.
By THOMAS CORBET, Esq. Post Svo, price 6s. cloth.
"Mr. Corbet deserves our best thanks for laying down so clearly and methodically
his ideas on the subject of such vast importance."-New Monthly Magazine.
OUTLINES OF NAVAL ROUTINE;
Being a Concise and Complete Manual in Fitting, Refitting, Quartering,
Stationing, Making and Shortening Sail, Heaving down, Rigging Shears,
and, in short, performing all the ordinary duties of a Man-of-War,
according to the best practice. By Lieutenant ALEXANDER D.
FORDYCE, R.N. In royal 8vo, price 10s. 6d. boards.
SCENES IN THE LIFE OF A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.
By a MEMBER OF THE IMPERIAL GUARDS. In 12mo., price 5s.
"This tale has a strange personal history. It purports to be the autobiography o
an Italian soldier, who fought under the banners of the French Republic; and who, later
in life, when become a teacher, told his story to an English traveller, his pupil, who has
here set it down."-Tait's Magazine.
ESSAY ON THE LIFE AND INSTITUTIONS OF OFFA,
KING OF MERCIA,
t
A.D. 755–794. By the Rev. HENRY MACKENZIE, M.A. In Sro.
price 3s. 6d. in cloth, gilt leaves.
"A very scholarly composition, displaying much research and information respecting
the Anglo-Saxon institutions."-Spectator.
缀
​18
WORKS PUBLISHED BY:
THE OBLIGATIONS OF LITERATURE TO THE
MOTHERS OF ENGLAND.
PRIZE ESSAY, 1840. By CAROLINE A. HALSTED. In one vol.
post 8vo., price 5s. neatly bound in cloth.
"The object of the writer has been to show the services rendered by the mothers of
England to religion and the state, and to science and learning generally; and the examples
adduced display considerable knowledge and research, and are always happily selected and
placed in the most attractive point of view."-Britannia.
THE LIFE OF MARGARET BEAUFORT,
i
COUNTESS OF RICHMOND AND DERBY, and Mother of King Henry
the Seventh, Foundress of Christ's and of St. John's College, Oxford;
Being the Historical Memoir for which the Honorary Premium was
awarded by the Directors of the Gresham Commemoration, Crosby Hall.
By CAROLINE A. HALSTED, Author of "Investigation," &c.
In one
vol. demy 8vo., with a Portrait, price 12s.
"This work cannot fail of success. The subject is deeply interesting, and has been
hitherto almost unexplored. The style is chaste and correct, and it has high claims to
popularity wide and permanent. On many topics the authoress has accumulated some
valuable historical details from sources which have not hitherto been consulted, and has
thus compiled a work which, if not entitled to rank amongst the curiosities of literature,'
s at least one of the most interesting and instructive books of the season."-Atlas.
THE LAST OF THE PLANTAGENETS:
An Historical Narrative, illustrating some of the Public Events and
Domestic and Ecclesiastical Manners of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth
Centuries. Third Edition. In one vol. fcap. 8vo., price 7s. 6d. cloth
boards.
"This is a work that must make its way into a permanent place in our literature. The
quaintness of its language, the touching simplicity of its descriptions and dialogues, and
the reverential spirit of love which breathes through it, will insure it a welcome reception
amongst all readers of refined taste and discernment."-Atlas.
ANGLO-SAXON LITERATURE.
ANALECTA ANGLO-SAXONICA.
A SELECTION, in PROSE and VERSE from ANGLO-SAXON AUTHORS
of various Ages; with a GLOSSARY.
A New Edition, corrected and revised.
By BENJAMIN THORPE, F.S.A.
Post 8vo., price 12s. cloth.
THE ANGLO-SAXON VERSION OF THE STORY OF
APOLLONIUS OF TYRE,
Upon which is founded the Play of "PERICLES," attributed to
Shakspeare; from a MS. in the Library of Christ Church College,
Cambridge. With a Literal Translation, &c. By BENJAMIN
THORPE, F.S.A. Post 8vo., price 6s.
By
A GRAMMAR OF THE ANGLO-SAXON TONGUE,
With a PRAXIS. BY ERASMUS RASK, Professor of Literary History
in, and Librarian to, the University of Copenhagen, &c. &c. A New
Edition, enlarged and improved by the Author. Translated from the
Danish, by B. THORPE, Honorary Member of the Icelandic Literary
Society of Copenhagen. 8vo., price 12s.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
19
Oriental and Colonial,
WAR WITH THE SIKHS.
THE PUNJAUB:
Being a brief account of the Country of the Sikhs, its Extent, History,
Commerce, Productions, Government, Manufactures, Laws, Religion, &c.
By LIEUT.-COL. STEINBACH, late of the Lahore Service.
A new
edition, revised, with additions, including an account of the recent events
in the Punjaub. In post 8vo. price 5s. cloth, with Map.
The Map
may be had separately, price 1s. coloured, and 1s. 6d. in case.
"There is much information in this volume, condensed into brief space, about a
people to whom late occurrences have given a common interest."-Examiner.
A VISIT TO THE ANTIPODES,
With some REMINISCENCES OF A SOJOURN IN AUSTRALIA. By
A SQUATTER. In one vol. fcap. 8vo., with Illustrations, price 5s. cloth.
COMMENTARY ON
THE HINDU SYSTEM
SYSTEM OF
MEDICINE. ·
By T. A. WISE, M.D., Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and
of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, Corresponding Member of
the Zoological Society of London, and of the Philomathic Society of
Paris; Bengal Medical Service. In one vol. 8vo., price 12s. cloth.
NEW ZEALAND AND ITS ABORIGINES:
Being an Account of the Aborigines, Trade, and Resources of the Colony;
and the advantages it now presents as a field for Emigration and the
investment of Capital. By WILLIAM BROWN, lately a member of the
Legislative Council of New Zealand. Post 8vo., price 8s. cloth.
"A very intelligent and useful book.”—Times.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE SETTLEMENTS OF THE NEW
ZEALAND COMPANY,
From Personal Observations during a residence there. By the Hon.
HENRY WILLIAM PETRE. In demy 8vo., with a Map and Plates.
Fifth Edition. Price 3s. cloth.
"This is a valuable contribution to our sources of information respecting New Zealand,
and the best proof of the Author's very favourable opinion of the country, is his making
immediate arrangements to return there as a Colonist."
SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE ;
With Remarks on the Present State and Future Prospects of New South
Wales, and Practical Advice to Emigrants of various classes; to which is
added a Summary of the Route home, by India, Egypt, &c.
CHARLES JOHN BAKER, Esq. Post 8vo., price 8s. cloth.
By
20
{ WORKS PUBLISHED BY
TRAVELS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.
By ALEXANDER MARJORIBANKS.
1 vol. 12mo., price 7s. 6d. cloth.
NEW ZEALAND,
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, AND NEW
SOUTH WALES.
A Record of recent Travels in these Colonies, with especial reference to
Emigration, and the advantageous employment of Labour and Capital.
By R. G. JAMESON, Esq. Post 8vo., price 8s. cloth, with Maps and
Plates.
"Mr. Jameson is an intelligent and unprejudiced observer, and has made good use of
his faculties."-Spectator.
A SKETCH OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
By J. O. BALFOUR, Esq., for Six Years a Settler in the Bathurst District.
Post 8vo., price 6s. cloth.
"To Emigrants to the quarter of which it treats it must be a valuable guide.”
Literary Gazette.
imm
CALIFORNIA: A HISTORY OF UPPER AND LOWER
CALIFORNIA,
From their first discovery to the present Time; comprising an Account
of the Climate, Soil, Natural Productions, Agriculture, Commerce, &c.
A full view of the Missionary Establishments, and condition of the
Free and domesticated Indians. With an Appendix, relating to Steam
Navigation in the Pacific. Illustrated with a new Map, Plans of the
Harbours, and numerous Engravings. By ALEXANDER FORBES, Esq.
8vo., price 14s. cloth.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A GENERAL PLAN OF RAPID
COMMUNICATION BY STEAM NAVIGATION AND
RAILWAYS,
And applying it to the Shortening the Time of Communication between
the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. By EDWARD MCGEACHY,
Esq., Crown Surveyor, Jamaica. With 2 maps, 8vo. price 3s. bds.
CHINA OPENED;
;
Or, a Display of the Topography, History, Customs, Manners, Arts,
Manufactures, Commerce, Literature, Religion, Jurisprudence, &c., of
the CHINESE EMPIRE. By the Rev. CHARLES Gutzlaff. Revised
by the Rev. ANDREW REED, D.D. In 2 vols., post 8vo., price 24s.
cloth.
"We obtain from these volumes more information of a practical kind than from any
other publication; a closer view of the Domestic life of the Chinese of the public
institutions-the manufactures-natural resources-and literature. The work in fact is
full of information, gathered with diligence, and fairly leaves the English reader without
any excuse for ignorance on the subject."-Atlas.
"This is by far the most interesting, complete, and valuable account of the Chinese
Empire that has yet been published."-Sun.
By
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
21
A HISTORY OF THE CHINESE EMPIRE, ANCIENT
AND MODERN.
Comprising a Retrospect of the Foreign Intercourse and Trade with
China. Illustrated by a new and Corrected Map of the Empire. By the
Rev. CHARLES GUTZLAFF. In 2 vols. demy 8vo. bds., price 28s.
"We cordially recommend this exceedingly interesting account of this very interesting
country."-London Review.
"Mr. Gutzlaff has evidently combined industry with talent in producing this work,
which far exceeds in information, research, and apparent veracity, anything we have be-
fore seen concerning this curious and singular nation."-London News.
•
HAND-BOOK FOR INDIA AND EGYPT:
Comprising Travels from Calcutta, through India, to the Himalaya
Mountains, and a Voyage down the Sutlege and Indus Rivers; a Visit to
the city of Hyderabad, in Scinde; and a Journey to England by the Red
Sea and Mediterranean: with Descriptions of the Three Presidencies of
India; and the fullest details for parties proceeding to any part of India,
either by the Overland Route, or by way of the Cape of Good Hope.
By GEORGE PARBURY, Esq., M.R.A.S. Second Edition, one vol. post
8vo., with an entirely new Map, price 12s. cloth.
**The press, both of Great Britain and India, have combined in eulogizing the value
of this work, but it may only here be needful to quote the following remarks from the
editorial columns of the Standard of the 10th of April, 1843:-"We have elsewhere
copied from Mr. Parbury's Hand-Book to India and Egypt, an interesting account of the
City of Hyderabad. Let us, in acknowledgment of the means afforded to us to inform
and gratify our readers, say of Mr. Parbury's work, as we may with truth, that it is the
best Topographical Guide to the countries to which it refers we have ever seen, a most
interesting book, independently of its topographical utility, and an almost indispensable
key to the late transactions in Central Asia.
THE MODERN HISTORY AND CONDITION OF EGYPT.
Its CLIMATE, DISEASES, and CAPABILITIES; exhibited in a Personal
Narrative of Travels in that Country, with an Account of the Proceedings
of Mahommed Ali Pascha, from 1801 to 1843, interspersed with Illustra-
tions of Scripture History, the Fulfilment of Prophecy, and the Progress
of Civilization in the East. By W. HOLT YATES, M.D., &c.
two thick volumes, demy Sro., with numerous Illustrations, price 34s.
cloth.
In
"He fulfils his historic vocation by an ample resumé of the more prominent incidents
which have distinguished the fortunes of the Pascha, upon whose policy of general mono-
poly his strictures are severe enough, and acquits himself creditably from his spirited and
bigbly coloured sketches of the abundant objects to which he draws attention.”—Morning
Herald.
THE INVALID'S GUIDE TO MADEIRA.
With a Description of Teneriffe, Lisbon, Cintra, and Mafra; and a Voca-
bulary of the Portuguese and English Languages. By WILLIAM WHITE
COOPER, M.R.C.S., Surgeon to the Hon. Artillery Company. In one
vol. fcap. 8vo., price 4s. cloth gilt.
"There has recently been published a small work by Mr. Cooper, which may be con-
sulted with advantage."-SIr James Clark on Climate.
22
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE IONIAN ISLANDS
AND MALTA;
With some REMARKS on CONSTANTINOPLE and TURKEY; and on the
system of Quarantine, as at present conducted. By JOHN DAVY, M.D.,
F.R.SS., L. & E., Inspector-General of Army Hospitals, L.R. In two
vols. demy 8vo., price 32s. cloth, with a large Map by Arrowsmith, and
illustrated with Plates.
"Dr. Davy's work deserves to be bought as well as perused, so carefully, completely,
and expensively has it been got up. We hope that the consciousness of having discharged
such an important duty will not only be the result of his long labour, but that the work
will prove as remunerative as it ought to be."—Westminster Review.
"There probably is not another work in our language in which so ample and substan-
tially useful an account is given of the Ionian Islands as is here to be found. There cau
be little doubt that to these volumes will be assigned an honourable place amongst the
recognised master-works of the class to which they belong."-Morning Herald.
THE NATURE AND
PROPERTIES OF THE SUGAR
CANE ;
With Practical Directions for the Improvement of its Culture, and the
Manufacture of its Products. To which is added an additional Chapter
on the MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM BEET-ROOT. By GEORGE
RICHARDSON PORTER, F.R.S., Corresponding Member of the Institute
of France. New Edition, demy 8vo., price 12s. cloth, revised throughout,
with many additions and corrections by the Author, and illustrated with
Plates.
THE ANGLO-INDIAN AND COLONIAL ALMANACK.
And CIVIL, MILITARY, and COMMERCIAL DIRECTORY for 1847.
In post 8vo., price 2s. 6d. in ornamental wrapper.
The HOME DEPARTMENT of the Almanack comprises-I. CIVIL and
ECCLESIASTICAL; including the Government offices and the India
House; together with the forms of procedure, and educational studies,
requisite for obtaining Civil Appointments, and all matters connected
with those appointments, from the commencing salary to the retiring
allowance.-II. MILITARY and MARINE; including information of a
similar kind respecting these services, and the Home Establishment of
the East India Company.-III. COMMERCIAL; containing Lists of
Merchants, Agents, Associations, &c., throughout the United Kingdom;
likewise, the trades connected with India and the Colonies; and Tariff
of Indian and Colonial produce.
The EAST INDIAN AND COLONIAL DEPARTMENT embraces
I. CIVIL. The Government Lists of Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Ceylon,
Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, and the Cape of Good
Hope; Lists of Civil Servants and their appointments, and of Judicial
Establishments, with a detailed account of the Benefit Funds. - II.
MILITARY. Staff and Field Officers; Distribution of the Army, in-
cluding the Royal troops; Ecclesiastical Establishment; and all Benefit
Funds.-III. COMMERCIAL. List of Mercantile Firms, Banks, Insurance
Companies, Public Institutions, &c., in India and the Colonies; with the
respective Tariffs, and Tables of Money, Weights, Measures, &c., and
other miscellaneous information.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
23
Religious and Educational.
MRS. ELLIS'S MORAL FICTIONS.
PICTURES OF PRIVATE LIFE.
By Mrs. ELLIS, Author of the "Women of England," &c. &c. &c.
Each Volume is complete in itself, and may be purchased separately.
In 3 vols. fcap. 8vo. beautifully illustrated, price 7s. 6d. each, in a
handsome and uniform cloth binding, or 10s. 6d. morocco. Contents:—
>> "THE HALL
Vol. I. "OBSERVATIONS ON FICTITIOUS NARRATIVE,'
AND THE COTTAGE," "ELLEN ESKDALE, "THE CURATE'S
WIDOW," and "MARRIAGE AS IT MAY BE."
Vol. II. "MISANTHROPY," and "THE PAINS OF PLEASING."
Vol. III. "PRETENSION; or, the FALLACIES OF FEMALE EDUCATION."
"I could give abundant evidence, gratuitously offered to the writer, that these simple
stories were not sent forth to the world without some degree of adaptation to its wants
and its condition."-Author's Introduction.
THE LIGHT OF MENTAL SCIENCE;
Being an ESSAY on MORAL TRAINING. By Mrs. LOUDON, Authoress
of "First Love," "Dilemmas of Pride," &c. &c. In one vol. fcap. 8vo.,
price 38. cloth.
"One of the most philosophical books we have seen for a long time."-Observer.
THE PARENT'S CABINET OF AMUSEMENT AND
INSTRUCTION.
A valuable and instructive Present for the Young. Each volume of this
useful and instructive little work comprises a variety of information on
different subjects :-Natural History, Biography, Travels, &c.; Tales,
original and selected; and animated Conversations on the objects that
daily surround young people. The various tales and subjects are
illustrated with Woodcuts. Each volume is complete in itself, and may
be purchased separately. In six neatly bound vols., price 3s. 6d. each.
"Every parent at all interested in his children must have felt the difficulty of providing
suitable reading for them in their hours of amusement. This little work presents these
advantages in a considerable degree, as it contains just that description of reading which
will be beneficial to young children."-Quarterly Journal of Education.
LITTLE STORIES FROM THE PARLOUR PRINTING-
PRESS.
By the Author of "THE PARENT'S CABINET." Royal 18mo., price
2s. 6d. neatly bound in cloth.
"A very nice little book for children. The author has evidently been familiar with
children, and brought himself to understand their feelings. No child's book that we have
ever seen has been so admirably levelled at their capacities as this admirably written little
book.”—Weekly Chronicle.
THE JUVENILE MISCELLANY OF AMUSEMENT AND
INSTRUCTION.
Illustrated by numerous Plates and Woodcuts. Fcap. 8vo., price 4s. 6d.
neatly bound in cloth.
"Filled with amusement and instruction as its title indicates.”—Court Journal.
24
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
INVESTIGATION; OR, TRAVELS IN THE BOUDOIR.
By CAROLINE A. HALSTED, Author of "The Life of Margaret
Beaufort," &c. &c. Fcap. 8vo., with highly-finished Plates, 4s. 6d.
cloth.
"This is an elegantly-written and highly instructive work for young people, in which
a general knowledge of various interesting topics, connected with every-day life, is pre-
sented to the youthful mind in an attractive and amusing form."
THE PROGRESS OF CREATION,
Considered with reference to the PRESENT CONDITION OF THE EARTH.
An interesting and useful work for young people. By MARY ROBERTS,
Author of "Annals of My Village," &c. &c. In fcap. 8vo., beautifully
illustrated, price 4s. Gd. cloth.
"We have seldom met with a work, in which instruction and entertainment are
more happily blended.”—Times.
"This beautiful volume forms an instructive collection of striking facts, interspersed
with amiable reflections."-Spectator.
THE CHRISTIAN'S SUNDAY COMPANION.
Being Reflections, in Prose and Verse, on the Collect, Epistle, and
Gospel ; and Proper Lessons for each Sunday; with a view to the
immediate connexion. By Mrs. J. A. SARGANT. In one vol. post 8vo.,
price 8s. cloth.
"We cordially recommend this volume as an acceptable present to be made to the
heads of families, and also an admirable school book to be read on Sunday morning to
scholars before proceeding to the Temple of God.”—Church and State Gazette.
"The whole production is eminently fitted to elevate the tone of religious feeling, to
strengthen in the minds not only of the rising generation, but also of the older friends to
our venerable ecclesiastical institution, sentiments of firm and fervent attachment to the
pure faith and reformed worship established in this Protestant country, and for these
reasons especially we recommend it to the perusal of our readers."-Norfolk Chronicle.
THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF MAN;
In which RELIGION and SUPERSTITION are traced from their source.
By D. MORISON. The Second Edition, enlarged, fcap. 8vo. price 6s. cloth.
"The intention of this book is not less admirable than the manner in which it is
written. It is most instructive, and the tone of its contents is in the highest degree pious,
without the least tinge of puritanism. The information it gives on the most difficult points
of biblical reading renders it a valuable book to all who desire true knowledge."—Age.
"Curious, industrious, and learned, and well worthy the attention of the public.'
Literary Gazette.
"
"The plan of this book was both extensive and important-embracing an inquiry into
the nature of Revelation, and its influence on the opinions and customs of mankind;"
"the writer uses Scripture as an interpreter," and "sticks to the literal text of the
six days."-Spectator.
* 威
​THE FAMILY SANCTUARY;
A Form of Domestic Devotion for every Sabbath in the Year: containing
the Collect of the Day; a Portion of Scripture; an Original Prayer or
Sermon; and the Benediction. Second Edition. One vol. 8vo., price
78. 6d. half bound in cloth.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
25
WORKS BY THE REV. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M.A.
Author of "MAY YOU LIKE IT,” &c. &e.
"These are truly Christian Parents' Books, and happy would it be for the rising gene-
ration if their instructors and tutors would put these admirable works of Mr. Tayler into
the bands of the young, while their tender minds are yet open to receive the good im-
pressions which they are also calculated to convey."-Christian Monitor.
I.
RECORDS OF A GOOD MAN'S LIFE.
Seventh Edition, in one vol. small 8vo., price 7s. neatly bound in cloth.
II.
MONTAGUE; OR, IS THIS RELIGION ?
New Edition, in fcap.
A PAGE FROM THE BOOK OF THE WORLD.
Svo., Illustrated, price 68. cloth, and 9s. morocco extra.
111.
A VOLUME OF SERMONS
On the DOCTRINES and DUTIES of CHRISTIANITY.
demy 12mo., price 5s. boards.
IV.
Second Edition,
LEGENDS AND RECORDS, CHIEFLY HISTORICAL.
Contents:-Lucy-Lorenzo; or, a Vision of Conscience-The Lady Lisle
-Fulgentius and Meta-Anne of Cleves; or, Katharine Howard-
George the Third-The Lady Russell-Guyon of Marseilles-The Earl
of Strafford-Donna Francesca-Joan of Kent-The Lady Anne Carr-
The Son and Heir-Leonora. In post 8vo., beautifully Illustrated, price
10s. 6d. elegantly bound.
V.
THE CHILD OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
Price 2s. neatly half bound.
VI.
SOCIAL EVILS AND THEIR REMEDY.
A Series of Narratives. The First Number, entitled "THE MECHANIC,"
was pronounced to be "One of the most useful and interesting publica-
tions that had issued from the press."
The following are the Contents of the different Numbers, price 1s. 6d.
each :-II. "The Lady and the Lady's Maid."-III. "The Pastor of
Dronfells."-IV. "The Labourer and his Wife."-V. "The Country
Town."-VI. "Live and Let Live; or, the Manchester Weavers."
VII. << The Soldier."-VIII. "The Leaside Farm." Every two con-
secutive Numbers form a Volume, which may be procured, neatly bound,
price 4s. each.
The design of Mr. Tayler is praiseworthy; his object being to counteract, by a series
of tales illustrative of the power and necessity of religion in the daily and hourly concerns
of life, the confusion of error with truth in M19S MARTINEAU'S ENTERTAINIG STORIES.'
-Christian Remembrancer.
26
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
THE RECTORY OF VALEHEAD;
Or, THE EDIFICE OF A HOLY HOME. By the Rev. ROBERT WILSON
EVANS, B.D., Vicar of Heversham. Thirteenth Edition, with an illustra-
tive Plate, price 6s. neatly bound in cloth; or 9s. elegantly bound in
morocco.
"Universally and cordially do we recommend this delightful volume. We believe no
person could read this work and not be the better for its pious and touching lessons. It
is a page taken from the book of life, and eloquent with all the instruction of an excellent
pattern it is a commentary on the affectionale warning, Remember thy Creator in the
days of thy youth.' We have not for some time seen a work we could so deservedly
praise, or so conscientiously recommend.”—Literary Gazette.
THE LIFE-BOOK OF A LABOURER.
By A
PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE.
WORKING CLERGYMAN, Author of the " Bishop's Daughter," &c. &c.
In one vol. 8vo., price 7s. neatly bound.
"We never in all our experience met with a more interesting work, and one breathing
more fully and firmly the very essence of Christian philanthropy and national patriotism,
and that too in the most simple and unambitious language, as if the writer were not
aware of his power of influencing all the better feelings of the human heart."-Literary
Chronicle.
"This volume reminds us forcibly of that most delightful of all biographies, The
Doctor,' to which indeed it is little if at all inferior."-Britannia.
"It is the pious offering of one who may be deemed a proper follower in the footsteps
of that good man, Legh Richmond."-Argus.
MORTAL LIFE; AND THE STATE OF THE SOUL
AFTER DEATH;
In one
CONFORMABLE TO DIVINE REVELATION. By ALEXANDER COP-
LAND, Esq., Author of "The Existence of Other Worlds," &c.
thick vol. 8vo., price 15s. bound.
"The work will afford in perusal, to all sorrowing relations, the consolation and diver-
sion of mind of the most congenial kind. It neither leads the thoughts to dwell painfully
on one idea that of loss-nor does it altogether withdraw the mind from its contempla-
tion: an effort still more painful. The study of a work like this, on the contrary, while
it gradually weans grief from its melancholy occupation, supplies it with the sweetest and
most cheerful of all balm-the happy certainty of re-union, not after the lapse of vast
ages of time, but at the instant term of mortal existence."-Theological Review.
A HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
In a Course of Lectures. By the Rev. CHARLES MACKENZIE, A.M.,
Vicar of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, and Head Master of Queen Elizabeth's
Grammar School, St. Olave's, Southwark. In one vol. post 8vo., price
88. 6d. neatly bound in cloth.
"Although the author is able and earnest, be is not bigoted or intolerant."-Literary
Gazette.
"It is but an octavo, yet within its conveniently compendious pages it contains a re-
view carefully taken of the progress of the Church of Christ, through all the perils of per-
secution, dissent, and heresy, by which it has been tried as in a furnace, up to its con-
firmed establishment in this country at the epoch of 1688."-Herald.
漿
​#
碧
​SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
27
THE IDEAL OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH.
A Sketch. By the Rev. R. MONTGOMERY, M.A., Author of "Luther,"
"The Gospel before the Age," &c. &c. 8vo., price 2s. 6d. sewed.
A
NEW
SPELLING-BOOK
OF THE
LANGUAGE.
ENGLISH
Containing all the Monosyllables; a copious Selection of Polysyllables,
carefully arranged and accented; Progressive Lessons, chiefly from the
Holy Scriptures; a List of Words of various Meanings; a short Bible
Catechism; Questions on Scripture History; and School Prayers. By
12mo.,
J. S. MOORE, Master of the Brewers' Company's School.
price 18. 6d. bound.
ARITHMETIC UNVEILED:
Being a Series of Tables and Rules, whereby most of the calculations in
business may be either mentally performed, or so abridged as to save
half the time usually employed. To which are annexed a Multiplication
Table extending to 200 times 200, and Tables of Interest on an improved
plan. The whole adapted to the use of both the first merchant and the
most humble trader. By JAMES MCDOWALL, Accountant.
In demy
12mo., price 5s. bound in cloth.
THE GRAMMARIAN ;
Or, THE ENGLISH WRITER AND SPEAKER'S ASSISTANT: comprising
SHALL and WILL made easy to Foreigners, with instances of their
Misuse on the Part of the Natives of England. Also SCOTTICISMS,
designed to correct Improprieties of Speech and Writing. By JAMES
BEATTIE, LL.D. 24mo., price 2s. cloth boards.
A SYSTEM OF ARITHMETIC,
With the PRINCIPLES OF LOGARITHMS.
Compiled for Merchant
Taylors' School. By RICHARD FREDERICK CLARKE, Teacher. Third
Edition, demy 12mo., price 3s. bound.
"The great object attained in this excellent work is a most judicious abridgment of
the labour of teaching and learning every branch of Arithmetic, by rendering the Rules
and Explanations so very simple and intelligible, that the study becomes a pleasure
instead of a task, to the youthful pupil."
28
WORKS PUBLISHED BY
Poetry.
RHYMES AND RECOLLLECTIONS OF A HAND-LOOM
WEAVER.
BY WILLIAM THOM, of Inverury, Aberdeenshire. Third Edition, with
a Portrait. Post 8vo., price 4s. An Edition on large paper, 8vo., price
78. 6d.
"An' syne whan nichts grew cauld and lang
Ae while he sicht-ae while be sang."-Old Ballad.
"The Rhymes are to be read with interest, and not without admiration."
Examiner.
"Let every good man and woman think of the author: from this book be looks for
some consolation, and we trust it will bring him still more effectual protection from other
sources.”—Literary Gazette.
THE COTTAR'S SUNDAY, AND OTHER POEMS,
Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. By PETER STILL.
price 3s. cloth.
In fcap. 8vo.,
THE PALACE OF FANTASY; OR THE BARD'S
IMAGERY.
WITH OTHER POEMS. By J. S. HARDY, Author of "Hours of
Thought; or, Poetic Musings." In fcap. 8vo., price 3s. 6d. cloth.
"There is much of the pure gold of poetry in this handsome little volume.
Macclesfield Chronicle.
"
"The principal poem in this little volume, written in the Spenserian Stanza and dic-
tion, contains many pleasing passages.
Much talent is evinced by the author."
-Oxford Herald.
"This poem contains many passages which one would read again after the first
perusal a remark which cannot be made of much of the poetry which is published.
Some of the miscellaneous poems are very sweet, reminding one of Cowper's smaller
poems."-Herts County Press.
"The 'Palace of Fantasy' is of a higher character than the generality of poems: the
spirit of poetry is perceptible throughout, and the work has a healthy tone and purpose."
-Cheltenham Journal.
"This little volume is one of considerable merit. The principal poem contains many
beautiful passages, original and striking, which cannot fail to please."-Plymouth Herald.
"Mr. Hardy has produced a poem which, had it appeared during the last century,
would have secured for him a sure place among the British Poets.”—Derbyshire Chron.
A METRICAL VERSION OF THE SONG OF SOLOMON,
AND OTHER POEMS. By A LATE GRADUATE OF OXFORD. In
fcap. 8vo., price 4s. 6d. cloth.
KING RENE'S DAUGHTER.
A Lyrical Drama.
From the Danish of HENRIK HERTZ. By JANE
FRANCIS CHAPMAN, Translator of "Waldemar," and "King Eric and
the Outlaw.” In fcap. 8vo., price 2s. 6d. cloth.
ISLAFORD, AND OTHER POEMS.
A Book for Winter Evenings and Sunnmer Moods. By GEORGE
MURRAY. In fcap. 8vo., price 4s. cloth.
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
29
THE COLUMBIAD :
Comprising Geographical Sketches, and a Narrative of Nautical Adven-
tures in the Eastern Seas, including the perils of a storm, and provi-
dential escape from shipwreck: with Meditations on a Future State.
By ARCHIBALD TUCKER RITCHIE, Esq. In demy 8vo., price 10s.
handsomely bound in cloth.
"Under this title the author has given a poetical narrative of his voyage in the
Indian Ocean, somewhat in the manner of 'Falconer's Shipwreck.'
The most
remarkable passage is that where he announces a new attempt to explain the phenomena
of Geology in connexion with the first chapter of Genesis.
We would recommend
the perusal of this poem, which contains some pretty passages both to interest and in-
struct the reader."-Edinburgh Weekly Journal.
"This is an interesting poem.
In so far as it is descriptive, it is a painting
from Nature, and a narrative of real life. The author can say, 'All which I saw, and
part of which I was.' If to landsmen the poem is interesting, it must be peculiarly so to
those whose march is on the deep.'
The author is evidently a person of right
principles, of a kind and pious heart, and of a generous and polished mind.
has a higher object than merely giving pleasure; he seeks to benefit his readers.
Scottish Guardian.
"
He
DAYS IN THE EAST:
A Poem in Two Cantos. Descriptive of Scenery in India, the Departure
from Home, the Voyage and subsequent Career of an Officer in the East
India Company's Army. By JAMES HENRY BURKE, Esq., of Marble
Hill, Lieutenant Bombay Engineers, Member of the Bombay Branch of
Royal Asiatic Society. In demy 8vo., price 6s. bound.
"The stanzas of Mr. Burke bespeak at once high feeling, a vigorous cultivated intel-
ligence, and a delicate poetic taste."-Morning Herald.
"The execution is even, finished, and good."-Weekly Chronicle.
Embellished Works and Prints.
THE BYRON GALLERY:
A Series of thirty-six Historical Embellishments, illustrating the Poetical
Works of LORD BYRON; beautifully engraved from Original Drawings
and Paintings by Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A., H. Howard, R.A.,
A. E. Chalon, R.A., J. Stothard, R.A., R. Westall, R.A., and other
eminent Artists: adapted, by their size and excellence, to bind up with
and embellish every edition published in England of LORD BYRON'S
WORKS, and also the various sizes and editions published in France,
Germany, and America. Price 12s. elegantly bound, forming a splendid
ornament for the drawing-room table.
STANFIELD'S COAST SCENERY:
A Series of Picturesque Views in the British Channel and on the Coast of
France. From Original Drawings, taken expressly for the work, by
CLARKSON STANFIELD, Esq., R.A. Second edition. Forty plates
engraved in line, in the most finished style, with descriptive letterpress.
One volume 8vo., handsomely bound in cloth, gilt edges. Price 12s.
30
* WORKS PUBLISHED BY
ILLUSTRATIONS TO "ADVENTURE IN NEW
1
ZEALAND.”
By EDWARD JERNINGHAM WAKEFIELD, Esq. Lithographed from
Original Drawings taken on the spot, by Mrs. WICKSTEED, Miss KING,
Mrs. Fox, Mr. JOHN SAXTON, Mr. CHARLES HEAPHY, Mr. S. C.
BREES, and Captain W. MEIN SMITH, R.N. One volume folio, with
fifteen Plates, including Views of Port Nicholson, Wellington, Nelson,
Petre, New Plymouth, and other Settlements; with Portraits of Native
Chiefs, and their Dwellings; and Drawings of Trees and Plants.
Price 31. 3s. plain; 47. 14s. 6d. coloured.
Drawn with great skill, and exceedingly well lithographed; their great value consists
in their giving correct representations of the scenes and objects they depict."-Atlas.
MADEIRA ILLUSTRATED.
A series of Eight Views, drawn from Nature, and on Stone by ANDREW
PICKEN. With a Map, and a description of the Island. Edited by
Dr. James Macauley, M.A., Imperial folio, price 21. 2s. plain; 47. 4s.
coloured.
THE ORIENTAL PORTFOLIO:
A Series of splendid Illustrations of the Scenery, Antiquities, Architec-
ture, Manners, Costumes, &c. of the East. From original Sketches in the
collections of Lord William Bentinck, K.C.B., Captain R. M. Grindlay,
Lady Wilmot Horton, Sir Henry Willock, K.L.S., Thomas Bacon, Esq.,
James Baillie Fraser, Esq., and other travellers. The Literary Depart-
ment of the Work by HORACE H. WILSON, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., &c. &c.
The series is now completed, comprising eleven beautifully finished
Plates, tinted in imitation of Drawings. Price 21. 2s. elegantly bound
in large folio.
The object of this undertaking is to supply what has long been felt to be a desidera-
tum; namely, Graphic Illustrations of the Scenery, Antiquities, Architecture, Manners,
Costumes, &c. of the East, which, as the theatre of so many brilliant military achieve-
ments, and such extensive commercial enterprise, is daily increasing in interest with the
British public. The Drawings for the work are made by the first Artists in the Kingdom,
from the Original Sketches taken on the spot.
A GENERAL VIEW OF THE FALLS OF NIAGARA.
Etched in the best manner, on Copper. By F. C. LEWIS, Esq.,
Engraver to the Queen. From a Drawing made on the spot, by Captain
JAMES GRAHAM, of H. M. 70th Regiment. On an extended scale of
forty-three by nineteen inches. Price, India Proofs, 2. 28.; Plain
Prints, 15s.; beautifully coloured as Drawings, 21s.
The view embraces the two Falls, including Goat Island and the country on both
banks of the river; and presents a faithful and complete picture of this majestic scene.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP'S OFFERING.
A few Proof Impressions of the varied and beautiful designs illustrative of the several
volumes of this elegant Annual, particularly suited for ornamenting Albums and Scrap-
books, may be had separately.
Price, India proofs, 2s. 6d. each; plain prints 1s. each.
x
SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
31
PORTRAITS OF EMINENT AUTHORS AND ACTRESSES.
PORTRAITS of the following eminent AUTHORS and ACTRESSES,
engraved in line from Original Drawings, of a size suitable for Illustra-
tion, may be had at 18. each, prints; and 2s. 6d. each, India proofs.
THOMAS CARLYLE, Esq.
LEIGH HUNT, Esq.
CHARLES DICKENS, Esq.
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, Esq.
ALFRED TENNYSON, Esq.
ROBERT BROWNING, Esq.
ANDREW STEINMETZ, Esq.
MISS HARRIET MARTINEAU.
MRS. NESBITT.
MISS HELEN FAUCIT.
MISS ELLEN TREE.
MADAME VESTRIS.
MISS ADELAIDE KEMBLE.
MISS O'NEIL.
MISS FOOTE.
MISS BRUNTON.
ARIEL. Designed by E. T. PARRIS, finely engraved in line by F. BACON.
Proofs 15s., prints 10s.
THE SMUGGLER'S ESCAPE. Painted by H. W. HARVEY,
Engraved by C. ROSENBERG. Plain 5s., coloured 10s. 6d.
A Marine picture, representing the chase of a smuggling lugger by a Frigate, taken
from a scene in Mr. James's Novel "The Smuggler."
VIEW OF MELBOURNE, PORT PHILIP. Painted by W. F.
LIARDET. Engraved by J. W. LOWRY. With Index-plate, price 10s. 6d.
In this View every public and private building of importance is represented with
minute accuracy, and referred to by name in the Index-plate; the foreground being
animated by characteristic groups of natives, &c. The plate is published under the
auspices of the Superintendent and principal residents of Melbourne.
VIEWS IN CALCUTTA. By JAMES B. FRASER, Esq. Engraved in
Aquatint, and beautifully coloured from nature. Price 10s. 6d.
These Views embrace the principal edifices of Calcutta, and represent the streets,
squares, promenades, and suburbs of this splendid city, filled with the motley groups of
Europeans and Natives; the river and shipping being also shown under atmospheric
effects characteristic of the climate and country.
VIEWS OF SETTLEMENTS IN NEW ZEALAND :—
VIEW OF WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND. Plain 3s., coloured 5s.
VIEW OF LAMBTON HARBOUR, NEW ZEALAND. Plain 38.,
coloured 5s.
VIEW OF NEW PLYMOUTH, NEW ZEALAND.
coloured 58.
VIEW OF MOUNT EGMONT, NEW ZEALAND.
coloured 5s.
Plain 3s.,
Plain 38.,
These Views are faithful representations of the features of those parts of the coast
of New Zealand selected as sites of the Company's principal settlements. They were
taken by Mr. Charles Heaphy, Draughtsman to the New Zealand Company, and exhibit
the appearance of the country under the influence of colonization; showing the first
habitations of the settlers, and the dawnings of commerce and civilization on a savage
state. They are executed in tinted Lithography by Mr. Allom.
VIEWS OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS IN SCOT-
LAND. Each, coloured, 7s. 6d.
32
WORKS PUBLISHED BY SMITH, ELDER AND CO.
MAPS AND CHARTS :-
A NEW MAP OF THE PUNJAUB. Coloured 1s. ; in case 18. 6d.
*ARROWSMITH'S MAP OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
In sheets, coloured, 1s. 6d. ; in case, coloured, 2s. 6d.
ARROWSMITH'S MAP OF NEW ZEALAND. In sheets, coloured,
1s. 6d.; in case, coloured, 2s. 6d.
By CHARLES
CHART OF COOK'S STRAITS, NEW ZEALAND. By
HEAPHY, Esq. Price 8s.
HEIGHTS OF
OF ALL THE
Plain 18., coloured 2s.
MOUNTAINS IN THE WORLD.
PARBURY'S MAP OF OVERLAND ROUTE TO INDIA. In
case 8s., in sheets, 6s.
BOOKS FOR THE USE OF THE BLIND.
Printed with a very distinct Raised Roman Letter, adapted to their Touch.
The HOLY BIBLE, in 15 vols. 4to. bound.
separately:-
Vol. 1. Genesis
| | | | | |
2. Exodus and Leviticus
3. Numbers
·
4. Deuteronomy
•
5. Joshua, Judges, and Ruth
6. Sarouel
7. Kings
Any volume
£ 8. d.
0 9 0
0
0 13 0
09
0 7 7 6
0 10 0
0 11 0
0 11 0
0 11 0
0 9 0
0 13 0
0 8
8 6
0 10 6
0 11 0
0 10 0
8. Chronicles
9. Job, Ezra, and Nehemiah
10. Psalms
11. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and
Esther
12. Isaiah
•
ntations
13. Jeremiah and Lamentations
14. Ezekiel
15. Daniel, to the end
•
The NEW TESTAMENT, complete, 4 vols. bound
The Four Gospels, separately
Matthew
Mark
0 11 0
200
0 5 6
0
Luke
0
John
0
5444
0
6
6
The Acts of the Apostles
The Epistles to the Ephesians and Galatians
The Church of England Catechism
Church of Scotland Shorter Catechism
0 5 6
0 3 0
0 1 0
0 2 6
Selections from Eminent Authors
0 1 6
Selections of Sacred Poetry, with Tunes
0 2 0
Arithmetical Boards.
0 10 6
Map of England and Wales
0 2 0
Ruth and James
0 2 6
Report and Statement of Education
0 2 0
Specimens of Printing Type
0 2 6
First and Second Book of Lessons
0 2 0
A Selection of Æsop's Fables, with Woodcuts
0 2 0
Lessons on Natural Religion
0 1 6
The Psalms and Paraphrases, 2 vols.
0 16 0
The Morning and Evening Services
0 2 6
The History of the Bible
0 2 0
English Grammar
Musical Catechism, with Tunes
Tod's Lectures, vols. 1 and 2, cach
Description of London, by Chambers
Meditations on the Sacrament
0 3 0
0 4 0
0 3 6
0 5 0
0
2 6

el
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
GRADUATE LIBRARY
NOV - 7-
NOV
APR 02 1976
DATE DUE

1
1

-:
W. NOKI
NEW & SECOND-HAN
larence Street, Cheiter
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 06703 5066
DO NOT REMOVE
OR
MUTILATE CARD
::