Mr. Stearns referred to the early knowledge of the existence of 

 coal oil in the United States, as follows : 



The existence of coal-oil in Pennsylvania was known in the last 

 century. In Volume I of the Massachusetts Magazine, published 

 in 1789, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews, names 

 which are historical among the earlier printers and publishers in this 

 country, I find, on page 416, the following : 



" In llie northern parts of Pennsylvania there is a creek called Oil Creek 

 ■which empties into the Alleghany River. It issues from a spring, on the top of 

 which floats an oil similar to that called Barbadoes tar ; and from which one 

 man may gather several gallons in a day. The troops sent to guard the West- 

 ern posts halted at this spring, collected some of the oil, and bathed their joints 

 with it. This gave them great relief from the rheumatic complaints with which 

 they were affected. The waters, of which the troops drank freely, operated as 

 a gentle purge." 



