The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-09-15

| NC vi Tie TedSUTy Has lSSu
ed to the iron manufacturers of the country
the following important circular, from which
a body of information is likely to be deriv-
ed of great value to the country:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
August 81, 1857.
Sir: This Department has been furnish
ed with unboubted evidence that there is G
great difference between iron from differ
| ent mines in the United States in the de-
gree and rapidity with which they become
| oxydized. Congress, during the last ses'
sion, appropriated the sum of $500 to test
the different irons in this country in that
particular. If these experiments shall es-
| tablish the important fact that we have irons
! entirely or nearly proof against the corro-
sion of oxygen, it will multiply the uses of
such iron to considerable extent for pur-
poses to which it is now applied, and give it
the preference over the other irons for many
purposes for which iron is now used.
The very large extent to which this mate
rial is superseding the use of wood and
stone in the public buildings erecting, at a
cost Of many millions of dollars annually,
under this Department, renders it of the
greatest Importance to know what irons re-
sist for the longest period the action of oxy-
gen. 1t is hoped that the great interest the
iron-masters have in the result of this ex-
pertinent will be considered q sufficient
apology for requesting samples of their iron
and the ores from which they are made.
l have, therefore, to request that you will
forward to this Department, by mail or ex-
press, two or three small samples of iron
and sample of ore from each of the mines
worked by you; the samples of iron not to
exceed a quarter of pound each, and the
ore not to exceed half pound in weight
l would also request information on the fol-
lowing points, viz: The extent of the ore
deposite; facilities of mining ore: its dis
tance from furnace, and distance of furnace
from market, and mode of transportation
thence the fuel used relative cost of char
coal, coke, crude, bituminous and anthra-
cite iron kind of fux and its cost, &C., the
capacity of the establishment and the
amount of iron produced during the last
year, and what it would be capable of pro-
duoins under a ready sale and remunerat-
ing prices; any popularity of the iron pro-
the vicinity, and what description of iron
they roll to what purpose most of the pro-
ducts of your furnaces are applied, and
what description of iron the establishment
mostly produces; when did your work first
go into operation; what has been the an
nual production, and what the ruling prices
each year since your work were first start
ed. You will please give the State and
county in which your iron mine is situated,
and the distance your fuel is transported
As it is the intention of the Department to
furnish you with the result of the expert
lnents, you will please name the post
Office through which to address you. If
you know of any one i'll your neighborhood
in the iron business who does not
receive copy of this letter, if you will for
ward his address one will be sent to him
You will realize the value of the information
when you reflect upon the growing impor-
tance of the iron interest of the country-a
fact attributable, in no small degree, to the
introduction of iron as substitute for other
in our public buildings.
The policy Of affording encouragement
to this great interest, by promoting its pro-
1uction and increasing its consumption,
has been commenced by the Government,
and l am desirous of obtaining all the in
formation which can be had on the subject, |
with view to its further development.
This circular will be addressed to per-
sons not Immediately connected with iron
as it is believed that there |
will be not willingness but an anxiety on |
the part of every one to advance the object |
which the Department has in view.
am desirous of obtaining the informa-
tion asked for at the earliest practical mo-
nent.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't.,
HOWELL COBB,
Secretary of the Treasury.