u 
men who are sufficiently intelligent, or acquainted with mod^ 
ern improvements. The consequence is, that the iron ha& 
not been properly prepared, and holds in our markets a 
comparatively small value, on account of its inferior quality.! 
A short period of time will doubtless remedy this defect. 
Men of capital and information are taking these establish- 
ments into their hands, and will press into their service 
American ingenuity and talents, together with all the aid 
that emigration affords* 
Although foreign iron* (particularly Russia and Swedes) 
has in general the superiority of character in our markets, 
yet there are some instances in which American ranks 
higher than either ; this is particularly the case with that 
manufactured at the Ancram iron nvorkx in this state. It 
is said to be superior to any now in Use for iron wire, chains, 
&c. since it Combines malleability and strength in a re* 
markable degree. This kind of iron sells at a higher price 
than either of the above. 
An enumeration of what has been effected in this branch 
of manufactures, will evince our rapid improvement, as 
well as mark, what is yet to be done. Our domestic re* 
sources at this time supply us with almost every article that 
is needed in agricultural labors. Should it be found im¬ 
practicable at any period to procure iron from foreign 
countries, the present works would doubtles be fully com¬ 
petent to meet the demand. The various implements 
which are necessary in husbandry, and the thousand uses to 
which different forms of this metal are applied on farms, 
together with those needed for domestic, and culinary pur¬ 
poses, employ much of the active industry of our citizens. 
Various mechanical occupations also consume a large 
quantity of iron. Ship building is an art in which a vast 
amount is used. The contrast between our situation, half a 
century ago, and our commercial greatness some years 
since, w when our thousand sails whitened every sea, and vis¬ 
ited every shore,” is a proud proof of our advancement in 
X This fact is noticed by Mr. Gallatin in his report. Vide al¬ 
so Col. Gibb’s notice of the Vergennes* iron works in Bruce’s 
Mineralogical Journal, No. 2, p. 84 
