224 [Assembly 



comparatively small number of good impressions can be taken, were 

 made on iron, it could easily be hardened on the engraved side, 

 without the least danger of injury. An unlimited number of " proofs " 

 could -be worked off, while the plate would remain as perfect as the 

 artist left it. This would be the case especially with that delicate 

 style of engraving called mezzotint. 



It is also admirably suited to the manufacture of every description 

 of fire-arms, from the smallest pistol to the largest ^'peacemaker" 

 as well as for mill rollers, wire, and all the purposes where steel is 

 now used in moving machinery. Many parts of the latter, which 

 are now made of cast steel, would be better and more readily made 

 of iron, could it be obtained as sound and perfect as cast steel, as 

 steel does not admit of being hardened, where in many cases this 

 quality would be very desirable. The journals of machinery, and 

 even the mandrills of large lathes, are used in a soft state, as the risk 

 in hardening is so great that no person would be willing to incur it, 

 but would rather submit to the inconvenience of frequent renewal. 

 There are numerous other uses to which it can be very profitably 

 applied, but which will naturally suggest themselves to every apprecia- 

 ting mind. In short, iron made by my process is free from all flaws, 

 seams and blemishes, which have hitherto marked the test iron. 



The certificate of one of the best judges of metals in the country, 

 who was formerly one of the proprietors of the Novelty Iron Works 

 in your city, is all that I deem necessary to add on this subject. 



Jersey City, 9th February, 1848. 



*'At the request of Mr. Joseph Dixon, I made some plates (for 

 engraver's use) of iron, which he informed me was prepared by 

 melting and casting into ingots, the Adirondac refined bar iron. 

 The material was v'ounder, more perfectly homogeneous in its texture, 

 than any other iron which I h%ve ever seen, and I should think it is 

 admirably adapted to supply the place of the steel plates now so 

 generally used for the finest engravings, where many impressions are 

 required from the same plate, as it requires no decarbonization to fit 

 it for being engraved upon. 



It will be more easily worked with the graver than steel, even 

 after decarbonization, and may be case-hardened after receiving the 

 engraving, at least as well as the decarbonized steel plates. 



JOHN D. WARD. 



