312 On Gypsum. 



that the river appeared, by sundry circumstances, to 

 have once ran over them, in a cataract of great eleva- 

 tion. The stream, or some con^ailsion, must have 

 forced a passage, which is now navigable. The ex- 

 pence and difficulty of transportation, forbid much ex- 

 pectation of benefit to us^ from this discovery. 



I have always been desirous to be assured, that we 

 could obtain among ourselves, a substance become so 

 essential to our husbandry ; and not remain liable to the 

 caprice of other nations for a supply. I am not, how- 

 ever, over anxious on such subjects. It is a wise ar- 

 rangement of providence, that nations should depend on 

 each other for supplies for natural wants, comforts, and 

 even luxuries. This promotes intercourse and inter- 

 changes; which bind them by the most durable ties — 

 interest and necessity. An agricultural and commer- 

 cial country, should be the last to complain under this 

 dispensation. Enquiries and explorations, for disco- 

 ^•ery of this valuable commodity, are nevertheless well 

 worth}' the constant attention of our society ; and of all 

 others engaged in similar associations to promote the 

 prosperity of our country. 



I have procured from an authentic source, an account 

 of the quantity of plaister imported into this port in 

 1807. This was originally obtained from A''ova Scotkiy 

 though much of it was brought coastwise from Passa- 

 maquockly^ Portland and Boston ; and amounts to four- 

 teen thousand tons. From this State, all the improve- 

 ment produced by gypsum originally emanated. It 

 affords to me peculiar satisfaction, and should be an 

 encouragement to all who begin agricultural experi- 

 ments, however discredited or no\el, to look back on 



