724 REPORT—1863. 
White Lead.—The greater portion of this article is manufactured by the 
old Dutch process, and we have no important improvement to notice. The 
levigation is conducted with improved machinery, and the yield of white lead 
has increased, with a greater attention to the conditions necessary to ensure 
a more perfect corrosion of the lead. 
Mr. Pattinson’s beautiful process for making oxychloride of lead is worked 
at Washington. This plan consists of decomposing lead ore by hydrochloric 
acid, when a pure chloride of lead is easily obtained. This substance is then 
partially decomposed by an earthy base, leaving an amorphous oxychloride 
of lead behind, which is used in the same way as ceruse or white lead. 
Red Lead, §c.—The manufacture of orange and red lead, litharge, is still 
conducted in the same way, but in every case with improved and more 
effective machinery. 
Sheet Lead and Lead Pipe.—-The manufacture of these articles has largely 
increased, and much more powerful machinery has been introduced, by 
which the sheet lead-is now made of a greater width than formerly. Messrs. 
Walker, Parker and Co. manufacture a tinned lead pipe, which admits. of 
its use in many cases where a leaden surface would be objectionable. 
Shot have been long manufactured here. The Shot Tower is a striking 
object, towards the west of the town, on the banks of the river. It was 
erected at the close of the last century, to carry out the patent process of 
Mr. Watts. A short time afterwards the late Mr. Burnett, with great 
shrewdness, substituted an old pit-shaft at Wylam for the purpose of cast- 
ing shot. The manufacture of shot embraces several interesting processes ; 
but as no recent improvement has been introduced, we must limit our re- 
marks to the above brief historical notice of this branch of manufactured 
leads. 
Statistics —From the information which has been kindly furnished by 
Messrs. Forster, Leithart, and Parker, we are enabled to give the following 
details of the quantities of these articles made in this district. 
tons. tons. 
White Lead and Paint ...... 7,500 | Lead. Pipes |. .cessses0cbuuleer see Ly 500 
Red Lead............ssseeseseeeee 4500 | Shot: ..ccajeescuaataectesaeseenteskan 750 
WAUBAEO *:..0's'.220055052010.000000, SOO | 
Sheet Lead .................0088 4,500 10,559 
Coprrr. 
The smelting of ores of copper in this locality is of recent origin, and is 
due to the importation of cupreous pyrites, which are used by the alkali- 
makers for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The chief supply is obtained 
from Spain; but the pyrites which arrive from Cornwall, Ireland, and 
Sweden also contain copper. The following analyses, by Messrs, Browell, 
Clapham, and Marreco, exhibit the composition of the sulphur ores :—- 
Cornwall. Ireland. Spain. Sweden. 
Sulphurnsadisvesni 34 Sas san AGAL \atsene IAC Sig bees: 38°05 
TROT Swe Wwerdstesctaie PAE ZOOL wed AT7S FE ees AOiZO) eee ces 42°80 
Copper vi.icceeee ees "SOON? seyice ROS) esate Brie) Miewens 1°50 
Beas s6ites ga MOOML Eevee hanes Prd oo rinoce — 
PANG) sachs ceueten Pirsig 1032150). cue 2 OO) ecawen O82 feene ea = 
SATROMIC nenueee tenets OWL ts teceh ek | aces AINSI Acer = 
Silica... ..cncessessy 00s 2OOOO Pash oan BO 3h veviece Stoo! My. -1ses 12°16 
Insoluble matter... — = ...... TASH desea —= PY) veeseee — 
Moisture we ae TTAQiEL sate WS 4Ayiiiere se -- 
Oxygen andloss ... —  ...... Rp st Bit ner ene 5°49 
