No. 112.] 823 



In the spring of 1852, nearly every feeble^ private establishment 

 in Essex county was closed, and rapidly falling into decay and 

 ruin. With few exceptions the ore beds were unoccupied; Iheir 

 shafts and chambers filled with water; the structures dilapidated 

 and wasting, and the property without a purchaser and compara- 

 tively without value. The ore, which had formerly commanded 

 ready and cash sales at §4 the ton, was then sold, wdth a feeble 

 demand, at $1.50, upon long credit, and in barter trafics. One 

 year from that date, mines which had been offered at §10,000, 

 were refused at $40,000. The following table of prices exhibits 

 some of the results which have marked this period ; 



1852. 1853. 



Nails, $2 87J $6 00 



Blooms, 25 00 50 00 



Bars, 30 00 55 00* 



A change so vast and extraordinary has invigorated every de- 

 partment of the iron interest, and extended its inspiiations of 

 vigor and activity into all the pursuits of industry throughout the 

 region. In many districts of Essex county, the value of real es- 

 tate has increased one hundred per cent, in this period, and this 

 change has occurred without any specific system for encourage- 

 ment or protection by the national government. 



It is a subject of surprize and regret, that the manufacture of 



the finer iron fabrics has not been introduced into Essex county. 



• No extensive cotton or woollen factories have been established in 



this county, although the great consumption of their fabrics would 



seem to render it a highly eligilde position fur these manufactures. 



Other Mnnvfiictures. — I visited, in the course of my survey a 

 novel but interesting establishment in Crown Point, the door-blind 

 gash and pale factory of the Messrs. Flints. It is of recent ori«>^in 

 hilt nf)W gives employment, in its various occuiiations, to a lar<Te 

 number of operatives. Several hundred artirlcs, of most beauti- 

 ful execution, are daily manufactured and prepared for market. 

 A little village, of which this factory is the nucleus, is alreadv 

 clustering about the works. The superior (piality of the pine and 



• J. D. Kin^slnnd, E»q. 



