HISTORY OF VERMONT. 361 



Tvidthways, it does not answer so good a pur- 

 pose ; though it is neither coldshire, nor red. 

 shire. The same kind of ore is found in many 

 of the mountains, on the west side of the lake, 

 as far south as its waters extend. A country 

 thus abounding with the richest kind of iron 

 ore, naturally invites the settlers to the iron 

 manufactures. And they have already (1792) 

 erected several forges, and furnaces. In Ben- 

 nington county they have one forge ; in Rutland 

 county fourteen ; in Addison county four ; and 

 in Chittenden county two. In addition to which 

 three furnaces are also erected, in the county of 

 Rutland. From these M'orks, large quantities 

 of bar iron are annually produced. The manu- 

 facture of nails is already become common, and 

 profitable ; and every other branch of the iron 

 manullicture, must soon be so. These manu- 

 factures, like every thing else in the new settle- 

 ments, are as yet in their infancy. But if we may 

 judge from the plenty, or the ease and cheap- 

 ness, with which an immense quantity of the 

 best kind of iron ore may be procured, we shall 

 be apt to conclude that nature has designed this 

 part of the United States, to be the seat of very 

 flourishing manufactures of every thing that can 

 be made of iron, or steel. At this period (1806) 

 the iron works and manufactures have greatly 

 multiplied and increased. 



The manufacture of pot and pearl ashes, is 

 still more extensive, and useful. The immense 

 quantity of wood, with which the country is 

 every where covered, may supply any quantity 

 of ashes for this purpose : And the greatest 

 economy takes place in collecting the ashes, 



VOL. II W 2 



