The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-07
and valuable Mineral.--MetalIic FIre-proof



Mr. Blake, lately citizen of Alexandria, Va, and
now of Akron, Ohio, has discovered mineral, in the
neighborhood of the latter place. which promises be
of great value He has visited Washington and received
patent for it We have thus had the opportunity of
seeing the mineral, and of the uses to which it is
applied
We understand that several acres of the substance
have been discovered by Mr. Blake and that they will
yield very large quantity for When first dug up,
is OF the consistence of alow and gradually hardens
in few days, TO resemble slate and finally it be-
comes as hard as rock 1t is of the color of indigo is
impervous both to water and fire, and admits of the
finest polish When reduced to powder, and mixed up
with nseed OIL has the appearance of black paint and
may be spread wood, canvass, sc. We have seen
block of wood which was coated with it, and then
polished, and we have beautiful
nsh There is every appearance of its retaining per-
ranent polish hence, may be used for carriages fur
nre, &c Its application to the roofs OF houses where
il may be spread shingles, plank canvass, which
absorbs the paint has been established by experiment be-
yond the possibility of doubt Roofs have been guarded
by against fire; and it does not absorb the rain it
protects the afters from decay 1t is fine preservatve
OF the woodwork of bridges, railroad depots cars, &c.,
and very extensive contract has already been made
with Mr. Blake by railroad company in Ohio, for the
purpose of covering its deFots, &C., with this singular
materalso easily worked and permanently preserva
tive. We have the chemical analysis of its compo
sition, made by DR.. James r. Chiffon. 1t consists OF
about half of silica, fourth alumna with less
proportions of magnesia black oxide of iron suphae of
iron, lime, and carbon.
We subjoin from the Rochester Gazette" further
specifications Of its qualities:
" METALLIo FfRK-rRooF PAINTING. William Blake, of
Akron, Ohio, called this morning with some hand
metallic substance recently discovered hear Akron. and
used extensively the coating for roof
boat decks and other structures exposed fire 1t pre-
pared for use by being ground first water after which
dried and again ground into fine soft POWDER free
from grit sand and earthly particles The powder mix
ed with lnseed OIL in the same manner ordinary paint
and applied with brush precisely as OF the leads
The substance coated with the presents smooth
and lustrous black surface, capable OF admitting
quse polish and in a mouths attains consistency
equal to marble, and remains afterwards mpervious
attacks of time aud the elements. Neither fire
affects its stability but long the substance which it
applied lasts, long will the retain its place.
impaired by wear OF surface cracks.
''The discovery OF such material it MS must
work a complete reformation in the mode of protecting
buildings and other structures from fire IL may be applied
shingles already laid boards hoorng
boat decks; paper canvass In eher application, its
effects the sameto present surface inpervious to
The wood to which is applied will char
the coating will fail.
'.For ornamental fire places the cement is verv hand
hand Italian marble. States the use of schools
been made from There few in conner ION
with building purposes to which tmay be applied with
advantage.
Hitherto the demand for cement has been greater
than the supply but the proprietor is making arunge-
ments TO furnish 1T in quantities proporoned to the call"
bill 10 exempt the homestead OF the family from sale
passed by the legislature of Michigan the 10Th ut