Qgi PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO I763. 



the sample of sand iron which was sent; that you are desirous to know how it 

 was made, and whether it can be made in large bars. The little bar you saw- 

 was cut off from a bar of 524- ^b., the first that was made at my son's work, the 

 first that was ever made in America, and probably the first that was ever made 

 in the world, in that manner, and so large a bar. I never heard of any attempt 

 made upon the iron sand till that of your's 20 years ago, of which Mr. Collinson 

 gave me an account in his letter. 



As to the manner of making the iron, it is wrought or smelted in a common 

 bloomary, in the same manner as other iron ore is smelted; excepting this dif- 

 ference, this iron sand is so pure, so clean washed, that there is not a sufficient 

 quantity of cinder or slag to promote and perform the smelting, therefore we 

 add either the slag which issues from other iron, or else add some bog mine 

 ore, which abounds with cinder ; in this way it is as capable of being wrought as 

 rock ore or bog mine. I was in hopes that if this iron sand could be wrought 

 at all, the particles being so very fine, it would smelt very quick; but herein I 

 found myself mistaken, every particle has a will of its own, and must have its 

 own particular smelting, for instead of its being performed in less time, it 

 took more than common iron ore, but upon further experience, and more ac- 

 quaintance with this sand, the workman has shortened the operation from 5 

 hours down to 3: if by any means it might be reduced to the same time with, 

 pig iron, it would be a most useful improvement. If you can afford any direc- 

 tions to hasten the operation, I should be greatly obliged for any instructions. 

 There is so much of this sand in America, that I am apt to think that there is 

 more iron ore in this form of sand than in mines. 



I have written an essay on the subject, which I hope Mr. Collinson will let 

 you see, as I hope to see what you are about to publish. My son has a steel 

 furnace, which was erected several years before the act of parliament prohibiting 

 them in the plantations: he has converted some of the sand iron into steel, of 

 which I send you a sample; as also a sample of the iron. As my son had no 

 instructions for making steel, we were forced to hammer out the skill by various 

 trials as we could; so conclude that he is still imperfect, and wants your help 

 and direction to bring it to perfection, in which art I understand you are a |:)erfect 

 master, and withal kind enough to offer your assistance; for which I am very 

 thankful, and look upon it as an additional favour, if you will be pleased to in- 

 dulge me with the benefit of your correspondence, for I live in a comer of the 

 world where such information, as I trust you are able to furnish, will be highly 

 beneficial. Previous to my attempt of making iron from sand, I proposed my 

 project to those who were the most skilful in those affairs, but met with nothing 

 but what was discouraging; yet after all had a persuasion of the practicability of 



