312 ^ On Gypsum. 



that the river appeared, by sundry circumstances, to 

 have once ran over them, in a cataract of gi'eat eleva- 

 tion. Tlie stream, or some convulsion, must have 

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

 pence and difficulty of transportation, forbid much ex- 

 pectation of benefit to iis^ from this discovery. 



I have always been desirous to be assured, that we 

 could obtain among ourselves, a substance become so 

 es'sential 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- 

 very of this valuable commodity, are nevertheless well 

 worthy 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 Nova Scotia^ 

 though much of it v/as brought coastvrise from Passa- 

 maquoddif, Portland and Boston ; and amounts to Jour- 

 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 novel, to look back on 



