22 
tin plate works of Massachusetts, according to the enumer., 
ation of 1810, is $37,0004 These wares are sold through¬ 
out the union, from Louisiana to Vermont. 
Tin is also used in coating articles made from iron, to 
remedy the inconvenience arising from the facility with which 
the latter metal rusts. In this form, many things are pre¬ 
pared, particularly such as are required in horsemanship, 
such as harness, stirrups, bridles, &c Several small estab¬ 
lishments of this nature are springing up in various parts. 
The principal application of block tin, is its union with 
lead and antimony, forming the compound called fiewter, 
from which various articles are made.* 
Among the alloys of copper, a notice of those most im¬ 
portant, as well as most commonly used in the United States, 
will be sufficient. 
Brass is the most valuable. It is generally formed, by- 
calcining the calamine (the ore of zinc) with charcoal, and 
afterwards fusing the compound with plates of copper. Af¬ 
ter refining it, the brass becomes an article of commerce, 
and is imported into this country, principally from Great 
Britain, whose mines of calamine in Derbyshire, supply a 
large proportion of the brass works in Europe.f This al¬ 
loy is found to be infinitely more ductile than the original 
metals, and is in consequence drawn into wire, from which 
pins, seives, &c. are manufactured. In this country it is 
principally used in the making of stills, and other vessels. 
Buttons are also made in small quantities.§ 
The union of copper and tin forms bell metal. A foun- 
dery for casting bells was erected more than forty years 
since in Massachusetts,|| and the business has been contin¬ 
ued in that state ever since ; in 1810, the value of those cast 
$ Morse’s Geography, article Massachusetts. 
* It is stated in Mr. Spafford’s Gazetteer of the state of New- 
York, (now in the press,) with which I have been favored by the 
author, that ores of tin have been found in the Highlands, and 
in Essex and Clinton counties. 
f Chaptal’s Chemistry, vol. 3, p. 285. 
§ The union of copper and zinc by various processes, and in 
different proportions, forms pinchbeck, tombal, tinsel, manheim- 
gold, 8cc. 
|| Holmes’ Annals, vol. 2, p. 296. 
