IRON. 
245 
son’s description, it appears as if he had be¬ 
held the scene, not in its present state, but at 
the very moment when the disruption hap¬ 
pened, and when every thing was in a state of 
tumult and confusion. 
After crossing the Patowmac, I passed on 
to Frederic in Maryland, which has already 
been mentioned, and from thence to Baltimore. 
The country between Frederic and Baltimore 
is by no means so rich as that west of the 
Blue Ridge, but it is tolerably well cultivated. 
Iron and copper are found here in many 
places. No works of any consequence have 
as yet been established for the manufacture of 
copper, but there are several extensive iron 
works. The iron is of a remarkable tough 
quality ; indeed, throughout the states of 
Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, it is 
generally so; and the utensils made of it, as 
pots, kettles, &c, though cast much thinner 
than usual in England, will admit of being 
pitched into the carts, and thrown about, 
without any danger of being broken. The 
forges and furnaces are all worked bv negroes, 
who seem to be particularly suited to such an 
occupation, not only on account of their sable 
complexions, but because they can sustain a 
much greater degree of heat than white per¬ 
sons, without any inconvenience, In^hdjjhot- 
test days in summer they are nev6F without 
fires in their huts. 
