No. 50.] 
297 
The second inquiry is, whether there is wood in sufficient abundance 
to justify the estabhshment of iron works on the most hberal scale. On 
this point I may observe that the village of Mc Intyre is situated in the 
midst of an unbroken forest. Towards the east, there is at least 25 
miles of forest. To the south it is 16 miles to the Pendleton settle- 
ment. In other directions, the extent of unbroken forest is much 
greater. It will be perceived, then, that there can be no lack of fuel 
for a long period, if these resources are properly husbanded. The 
abundance of wood is that which gives so much value to this locality. 
It is a positive good, and nothing yet discovered can supply its place if 
it were wanting ; for it is agreeable to the experience of all who have 
been in the manufacture of iron, that charcoal and wood are the best 
combustibles which can be employed. Coke and mineral coal are re- 
sorted to as substitutes, when the former cannot be obtained. When 
we look at the whole subject, it seems to be worthy of remark in the 
affairs of this State, that so wide an extent of territory has been pre- 
served in its primitive state, untouched by the axe, until its mineral 
value should be fully known, its peculiar riches pointed out, and the 
mode by which they can be made available, well understood. For had 
the progress of settlements gone on as in other sections of the State, 
the forests of timber would have been, ere this, so far prostrated as to 
diminish greatly the use, for which nature seems to have intended them. 
The neglect, therefore, which this portion of the State has suffered, 
will prove an ultimate advantage. The time has arrived when the in- 
quiry is made, not only into the value of production on the surface, 
but beneath it ; and it is hoped, that the policy will no longer prevail 
of converting, indiscriminately, the products of the vegetable kingdom, 
so slow of growth, into ready cash, by the unsparing axe of the hus- 
bandman, but that some regard to the future may be paid both to ques- 
tions of taste and utility. 
With regard to the third inquiry, w^hether there is water power for 
moving machinery, I need only remark, that the amount of water fall, 
and the number of mill sites within short distances of each other, in 
and near the village, will afford any amount of water power that can be 
desired. 
In giving an account of the iron ores of Mclntyre, it can scarcely be 
considered unjust to other sections, where^similar ore occurs, to state 
the peculiar advantage of this place above others at present known for 
the manufacture of iron. It is in fact proper that the truth should be 
[Assembly, No. 50.] 38 
