64 MEMOIR OF DRURY. 



his wish, when the sand or gravel appeared metali- 

 ferous, that large quantities should be brought home 

 as ballast or otherwise, in order that he might 

 subject it to a careful examination, being, as he 

 himself expresses it, well experienced in the trade 

 and mystery of smelting, refining, washing, and 

 manufacturing gold and silver metals. Should the 

 product prove sufficiently rich to repay the labour, 

 it was his design to conduct the operations on a 

 large scale, as will appear from the following ex- 

 tract from a written agreement between himself and 

 a Captain Wilson : " And further it is mutually 

 agreed between the parties above said, that if in 

 future times it shall and may be thought proper to 

 bring over so large a quantity of the above named 

 sand or ballast, &c. so that the smelting, pounding, 

 and washing the same may require extensive room 

 for the erecting of furnaces, mills, or other imple- 

 ments, so as to occasion considerable expenses in 

 obtaining the said metals from the said ballast, &c. 

 It is further mutually agreed by the aforesaid parties, 

 that the said Dru Drury shall and will direct the 

 management thereof, and also build and conduct 

 such buildings and erections as his experience and 

 knowledge shall enable him to judge necessary and 

 proper for the carrying on such a business. * * * 

 And further it is mutually agreed, that the said 

 Dru Drury, so long as he shall live and be capable 

 of doing so, shall have the managing, superintend- 

 ing, and conducting the said manufacture and busi- 

 ness ; and it is further agreed, that, if it shall please 



