APPENDIX. 43 



sciences, and trades, and might become the depot of discoveries, 

 and of specimens of every substance connected with the useful 

 arts, which might in this way be essentially benefitted. Through 

 him mechanics and artists of every description, who arrive in 

 the United States, might know where to find the particular earth 

 or material, of the qualities best suited to their respective pur- 

 poses. The glass maker, in particular, might find where the 

 proper materials for making his glass-pots were to be had — that 

 great desideratum, and, as I am informed, powerful drawback 

 on the profits of the manufacturers. Ascertaining also the par- 

 ticular minerals that have been discovered in different parts of 

 the country, and their qualities, would aid and confirm the just 

 notions of the practical miner, and check the projects of unadvis- 

 ed persons.* Already we possess the art of converting one of 

 the materials of a turnpike in Maryland, (chrome), into the most 

 brilliant yellow paint now known;! and due encouragement would 

 lead to the discovery of fuller's earth, and pipe clay, (the ex- 

 portation of which from England are prohibited), and other sub- 

 stances equally valuable. 



A chemical operator should be attached to the proposed de- 

 partment, whose duty it should be to analyse all minerals sent to 

 him for the purpose, in order to ascertain their composition: and 

 when these are known, the qualities of i]\e article, and its capa- 

 bilities of manipulation, could be readily determined. And let me 

 ask, in what way could 1000, or 2000 dollars, be more profitably 

 employed, or with more honour to the Government? Such an as- 

 sistant is always found connected with the officers exercising du- 



* Mr. Godonwas called about six years since, to examine the quality of 

 copper ore, in Chester county, Penn. in working which, 50,000 dollars had 

 been expended. He informed the proprietors that the same kind of ore had 

 often been attempted to be worked in Europe, and always without advan- 

 tage, owing to the difficulty of separating the iron from the copper, and ad- 

 vised the proprietors to abandon their works, which they were reluctantly 

 compelled to do. 



\ The discovery of Mr. Gfodonj but the process has been since perfected 

 by Mr. Hembel, of Philadelphia. 



