Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-10-01
From The National LaieiGgsnesr.


its aDpiications, ii merits Farther consideration
II is that use of it which the last hall century
deyrloped: first, in SIaffordshire, in England
when The forests OF that kingdom had been ex-
hsusted, as have already been those OF Mary
land and Virginia, near their mines on TIDE
wafer. by the manufacture of iron. again
avail myself Of The appendix from which de-
rived the greater part of Ely last number, 10
conclude the remarks which desire to add on
the extent TO which the manufacture OF iron,
by means of cooked coal, may be expected TO all
yarce the profit OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canals
The application of the Canal 10 the menufac-
ture of iron, and the tolls TO be derived from the
transportation Of the iron itself, as well as OF
the heavy mearerials employed in its produc-
lion, may be Illustrated, perhaps, with more
satisfaction TO the inquirer, by referring TO the
operations Of existing iron works on Anuetam
in MARYLAND, situated below the chief obstruc-
tons TO the upper navigation OF the river.
It's iron enters into competition with that ot
England and Sweden, through the county OF
Washington and the adjacent counties OF Jci-
fsrson. Berkeley, and Loudoun, III Virginia, and
Frederick in MARYLAND. Theore Of this manu-
factory is dug from the mine near Harpcr's Fer
ry, and taken up the current ot The Potomac In
buats ten miles. and the Aniieiam Greek, q dis
than twelve II is then smelled and wrought
with the aid OF charcoal from the neighboring
forests; and he iron which i. yields desc ends
the creek and river again, 10 reach its usual mar
keis This iron has already, add with oeauii-
ful fret, supplied The pisces oil the ornament
al brick ana stone arches over the windows oil
some of the houses Of the city oil Frederick, the
enclosures before the fronts OF others, and the
large capitals OF the columns that adorn its
public square.
What would be saved 10 the wealthy, in;elli-
gest, and en,srprising owners OF those works
and their customers, by canal which should
take their crude oie up The river and the creek
Extract Uns the Report ofthe Committee Of The House
of Representatives,.
MORE Is When the forests Of a country have
be, lhinnrd or exhausted by the various uses
TO which wood is applicable, the cost Of the
manufacture Of both lime and iron depends on
the price Of either fuel or mineral coal, il TO be
had at all.
Russia has been sometimes induced TO pro-
hibit or suspend The tx3ortation of timber, for
the sake OF her iron manufacture, TO the serious
inlScy, and, indeed, almost total ruin, OF part
of her subjects. Ireland which early manuiac-
turrd iron, at one time ceased 10 do so, because
ITS forests would no longer supply necessary flu
the Eng!ish mines, was, after the middle Of the
last century, reduced, from the same cause, 10
bu, $4,000 tons, when Dudley discovered that
il could be smelted by the substitution Of cooked
coal for the common charcoal In consequence
of this dis overy, the annua! production Of iron
in Grea, Britain had risen, in 1908, 10 100000
tons. Such will be the result in America, Of
pushing internal navigation from the Atlantic
10 the bases Of those mountains that supply, in
the same neighoorhood, iron and mineral
coal. The foreign Importation ofthis necessa-
ny commodity will then cease, and an immense
stock arise for expectation on terms cheaper
than any other country now known can supply
il to tn world.
Pit coal, freed by coking from its bitumen,
and made TO resemble, as nearly as possible,
the charcoal of wood, is consequently dimin-
ished in gravity. Coke is, therefore, transport
ed in great quantity on he English canals.
The tar which is separated from the coal, and
condensed in fluid form in this process, is
applicable to various uses as well as to the
smelling Of iron ore, for which it is SO extern
sively employed in England, Wales and Scot
land. where it may be said to be the basis of
the British iron works. England, howe yer,
continues to import into New Castle and Hull
large quantities at Swedish iron for the man
ufacture otstetl, and especially Of that species
WHICH % i'S aHCichl'y uSeQ 10 make sheep
shears, is called shear-steel, in her manufac-
lures.
Iron has not been found in any considerable
quantity on he Erie Canal of New York Ii IS
manufactured in the high lands on the Hudson,
and procured from L axe Champaign of excel
lent quality, by the Northern Canal. II a
bounds in every quality on the Potomac, in
the vicinity of the Coal Banks. and on the nav
igabe streams of Maryland and Virginia,
whichempty their waters into tina, river. The
hux, essential to the manufacture of the crude
ore, is abundantly supplied by lime stone and
other materials in the vicinity of the ore banks
The mountains which seem to impede the
progress Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
will, therefore become the fruitful source Of It's
income; which mus, surpass that Of any Canal
which yields nei,,ses >o-i i.ot iron.