548 Mineral Resources of India. [No. 139. 



property, is one, amidst upwards of 60 different kinds, described by the 

 Abbe Chappe, the produce of Siberia, and he regrets that the iron of it 

 is not more known in France. 



Now we conceive that by casting that peculiar iron in the form of kent- 

 ledge, and by exchanging it with that of the Europe ships, such quantities 

 of it could be sent to England, as would be a valuable addition to the 

 Honourable Company's commerce, and the Europe kentledge might be sold 

 to advantage for the use of country ships : for besides its being as admi- 

 rably adapted to the fabrication of artillery, it would be of equal value for 

 several other uses, but particularly for wire-drawing, and we flatter our- 

 selves that it might be the means of securing to some of the British ma- 

 nufactures that superiority which they have hitherto possessed over those 

 of every other nation. 



The benefits which would accrue to this country in particular from the 

 establishment of iron works would undoubtedly be very considerable, for 

 at present vast numbers of cast iron pots, frying pans, and other utensils 

 are yearly imported into Bengal from China, and are sold at very high 

 rates ; but by supplying the market with these articles manufactured within 

 the Company's possessions, not only considerable sums would be saved, 

 but a valuable branch would be added to the exports of this settlement. 

 Cylinders for sugar mills, boilers for sugar works, salt works, saltpetre 

 works, and for several other purposes are much wanted : and there is no 

 doubt but they would greatly contribute to the improvement of those 

 manufactures. Cast-iron rails, pale-gates, and rails for staircases and bal- 

 conies, would add much to the beauty, as well as to the convenience of 

 the houses in Bengal. And every merchant will allow, that iron kentledge 

 for the country ships, especially such as are employed in the cotton trade, is 

 an object of the greatest importance to the commerce of this port. How 

 far it would be politic to give such encouragement to the manufacture of 

 bar iron and steel in the Western Provinces, as would enable them to sup- 

 ply all Bengal, and consequently to prevent the other European nations 

 from importing any, you, Gentlemen, are best able to judge. This would 

 undoubtedly be highly beneficial to the country, both by furnishing the 

 implements of agriculture readier and at a much cheaper rate than they 

 can be procured for, at present ; and by saving very considerable sums 

 which now go to Balasore for Mahratta iron and steel, with which last arti- 

 cle these provinces, you well know, Gentlemen, are very ill supplied. And 

 certain it is, that this could in no way affect the interest of the mother 

 country : for it is well known, that instead of being able to exports iron 

 and steel of the produce of Great Britain, she is obliged to import at least 

 two-thirds of what is used in her own manufacture. Nor will the increase 



