On Gypsum. 311 



was believed to be gypsum; but experiment soon dis- 

 covered the mistake. There is there a fine body of 

 marie ; which I have tried by the common tests. It Hes 

 neglected in a country much in need of it, because some 

 injudicious attempts have been made with it. One 

 failure is enough to terrify most farmers ; many of whom, 

 liave yet to learn the peerless virtue of perseverance in 

 laudable pursuits. 



Wishing to ascertain whether the kind o^ gypsum in 

 common use, existed within the United States, I listened 

 to all information I could obtain on the subject. I mis- 

 took the name of the river where I say "it is found on 

 the Altamaha.'''' I should have said — the river Alabama. 

 I wrote to Daniel Clark, Esq. of A'erv Orleans for in- 

 formation ; knowing that no person could give it to me 

 with more certainty. He has been so obliging as to 

 UTite to me, in answer to my inquiries, as follows : — 



"I have been informed by persons worthy of credit, 

 that a cliflf of gypsum skirted the Alabama river, for 

 nearly the extent of two miles. The Alabama and Tom- 

 bigbee form the Mobile river ; but I cannot precisely say 

 in what place the cliff is. I have myself seen various 

 specimens of gypsum taken from some lands I own on 

 the Ouachita river, a few miles west of the Mississippi; 

 and it is the general belief that there is an immense 

 quantity of it there, extending, as it is believed, for 

 some miles. This fact is well known at AVty Orleans, 

 where the gypsum has been frequently made use of. I 

 know nothing of the marble in that quarter." He also 

 informed me in conversation, that a person who had 

 seen the rocks of gypsum on the Alabama, on both sides 

 of the river, told him they were of \ast height; and 



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