1843.] Mineral Resources of India. 559 



fection, I conceive it will still be advantageous to have a foundry always 

 in readiness for casting shot and shells. Mr. Osborne lately applied to me 

 for 100 7-inch shells, which he was much in want of, and which it was not 

 thought proper to spare from the stores. And some of our officers were 

 not long ago reduced to the expedient of casting shells of a sort of bell 

 metal for the reduction of several mud forts in the Doab. Besides, Gentle- 

 men, I presume it will appear to you an object of some degree of import- 

 ance to cast shot for the French guns that are already in our possession, 

 or may be taken in the course of the war, otherwise they must be absolute- 

 ly useless. 



I propose then after sufficient time for finishing the works being 

 allowed : — 



First. — To deliver at the New Fort such shot and shells, as may have 

 been required, at 15 per cwt. under what they at present stand the 

 Hon'ble Company when landed at the same place, to the amount of the 

 sum which your Hon'ble Board may be pleased to indulge me with. 



Second. — To enter into an engagement for any number of years either 

 now or after having made good the above sum to furnish whatever num- 

 ber of shot and shells may be demanded on the same terms, provided they 

 be for the use of the Hon'ble Company's garrisons or armies ; but that I 

 may be allowed to supply country ships, or their captains or owners pro- 

 ducing a licence signed by the Military Store Keeper, or any other officer 

 authorized by Government. 



Third. — To give security for faithfully fulfilling these articles. 

 Calcutta, 28th June, 1779. J. Farquhar. 



This letter was followed up by the present of a 61b. shot as a spe- 

 cimen of his casting. It seems not to have been smooth, which he 

 accounts for by the small size of the furnace which allowed charcoal 

 and dross to enter the mould. He states also, that the furnace proposed 

 to be erected will contain 15 cwt. of metal at a time. 



On the receipt of this last shot, Government surrendered at discre- 

 tion, and the advance of 15,000 Rupees was sanctioned, as well as 

 the transference of the matchlock guard. 



Farquhar now commenced in earnest. In the report on the proposed 



construction of the Rajmahl Canal,* furnished to Government, [July, 



* If it were permitted to turn from the history of that which has been, to that which 

 has not been — a parenthetical sigh might here be offered up to the memory of this un- 

 dertaking; so ably sketched, and completed in all its details— on paper. "Heu! 

 quanto minus est ciim reliquis versari quam tui meminisse !" May we hope that cir- 

 cumstances will draw attention again to it ! S. G. T. H. 



