C 988 ) 
Immediately into Water, and it darted not at all. The 
Country abounds mightily with Iron Oare, that as I 
have been aflured by fome upon tryal, has been found 
very good. There are Rocks thereof appear at the pre- 
cipice of Hills, at the foot whereof there runs a River 
fit for a Forge, and there's Wood enough to fupply it 
with Charcoal as I have heard there was formerly 
fome Perfons undertook the Work, and when they had 
made but a fmall quantity of Iron , which proved ve- 
ry good, the Indian Maflacre happened, and they be- 
ing higher feated then the then Inhabited part of the 
Country, were all cut off, and the Works demolifhed ; 
fb that it has frighted others I think from the like at- 
tempt ; befides, luch a work requires a greater Fund, 
and Bank of Money to carry it on, then any there are 
able to lay out ; and for Perfons in England to meddle 
therewith, is certainly to be cheated at luch a diftance, 
fome Indians brought Coll. Bird fome Black Lead , 
whereof he has told me there was great {tore. There's 
very curious Talk towards the falls of Rapahanock Ri- 
ver, which they burn and make a delicate white Wafli of 
it. The Secretary of State Coll. Spencer, has aflured 
me, there were Vitriolick or Alluminous Earths on the 
Banks of Potomack • and thus far of what my Memory 
fupplies me, referring to the Earth, in the next place I 
iball give a fhort account of the Birds. 
Of the BIRDS. 
I had indeed begun once whilft I was in that Country 
to have made a Coile&ion of the Birds, but falling fick 
of the Griping of the Guts, fome of them for want of 
care Corrupted, which made them fling others away 
that I had thoroughly cured ; for I was paft taking 
care of them my felf, there remaining but fmall hopes 
of my Life* 
There 
