Notice of the Malleable Iron of Lowisiana. 219 
‘of the United States——now the property of Col. Gibbs, by 
whom it has been deposited in the collection of the New- 
York Historical Society. As little is generally known, con- 
cerning this remarkable piece of metal, we shall republish 
the notice of Dr. Bruce together with additional facts and 
remarks.* 
‘There is at present in this city a mass of iron, which 
was sent hither a short time since from New-Orleaus,: by 
Mr. G. Johnson, and which from its size and weight has _ 
excited considerable attention. Its form isirregular. Its 
length is 3 feet four inches, and its greatest breadth 2 feet 
41 inches. It weighs upwards of three thousand pounds. 
Its surface, which is covered by a blackish crust, is greatly 
indented, from which it would ‘appear that this mass had 
been in a soft state. On removing the crust, the iron, on 
exposure to moisture, soon becomes oxidated. —Specific 
gravity, 7.400. 
It appears to consist entirely of iron, which possesses a 
high degree of maileability ; experiments having been made 
without detecting nickel or any other metal. This enor- 
mous mass of iron is said to have been found near the Red 
River. We regret that we are unable to say much as to 
its geognostic situation or origin, whether native, meteoric, 
or artificial. We hope, however, from the enquiries we 
have instituted, to have it in our power, shortly, to lay be- 
fore our readers some satisfactory information respecting 
this interesting object.” 
In the'year 1808, while Capt. Anthony Glass was trading 
among the Pawnee and Hietan nations, he was informed 
concerning a curious mineral which had been discovered 
* The additional facts are drawn from the following sources, all of them 
original, and addressed in MS. to the Editor. 
1. A letter from Judge aebnsen, of the Supreme Court of the United 
States. 
- 2. A letter from Mr. Molen Darby, the well known geographer. 
3. A letter from Dr. Sibley, Indian Agent at Natchitoches. 
4. The manuscript journal of John Maley, an erratic adventurer.— 
This journal was first mentioned to the Editor by Judge Johnson, and obli- 
gingly communicated by Mr. Isaac Riley, of Philadelphia. 
5. The manuscript journal of Capt. Glass and company. Information 
of the existence of this M. S. was obtained from Mr. Darby, and Dr. Sib- 
ley was so kind as to cause it to be copied and transmitted to me. 
July 10th, 1824. B.S. 
t Bruce’s Min, Journal, 1810 
