Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-09-22
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, ,
 -An1lAst 3l. 1857.


 August 3l, 1057 {
 SIR-This department has been furnished with uuioubted evidence that there Is great difference between iron from different mines in the United State. in the degree and rapdity with which they become oxydized. Congress, during the last session, appropr ated the stun of S25OO to test the different irons in this country ln that particular Ii these experiments shall i76abIish the important fact that we have irons entirely or nearly proof against the corrosion of oxygen, 1t will multiply the uses of such iron to d very considerable extent for purposes to which 1t is now applied, and give it the pre- ference over other irons for meny purposes for which iron Is now used.
 The very large extent to which this mate rial is superSedlng the use of wood and stone ill the public buildings erecting at d cost of many millions of dollars annually, under this department, renders It of the greatest impOr- tonce to know what irons resist for the longest period the action of oxygen. It Is hoped that the great interest the lron-masters have III the result Ol this experiment will be considered d sufficient apology for requesting samples of their iron and ores from which they are made
 l have, therefore, 10 request that you will forward to thls department by mail or express two or three small sam ples of iron, and a sam pie of ore, from each oi the mines worked by you; the samples of iron not to exceed quar- ter of pound each, and the ore not to exceed d half pound in wei Lht. 1 would also request attenuation on the following points, viz: The eXteut of the ore deposit; facilities of mining ore; its distance from furnace, and distance of furnace from market, and mode of transporta- ton thence; the fuel used; relative cost of charcoal, coke, crude bitumiuous aud anthracite ..l l.,fA Ar,,- |
 paclty of the establishment and the amount of iron produced during the last year, and what It would be capable of producing under ready sale and remunerdtins prices; any peculiarly of the iron produced; whether there are rolling mills in the vicinity, and what descriptions of Iron they roll; to what purposes most of the products oG your furnaces are applied, and what description of iron the establishment mostly produces; when did your works first go into operations; what has been the annual production, and what the ruling prices each year since your works were first started. You will please to give the State and county in winch your Iron mue Is situated, aid the dis tauce your fuel Is transported. As 1t Is the intention ot the department to furnish you with the result of the experiment, you will please name the post office through which to address you. II you know ot any one in your nei gh- borhood interested in the iron business who does not receive copy of this letter, if you will forward his address one will be sent to him. You will realize the value of the information when you reflect upon the growing importance ot the iron interest of the couutry-a fact at tnbutable, in no small degree, to the introduc- ton oi iron as a substitute for other materials u our public buildings.
 The policy If 4tlolIin5 encouragement to th4a great interest, by prompting it's production auI increasing its consumption, has been con- meuced by tae government and 1 am desirouS ot ob'almrg all the information which can be had on the subject, with view to its further development.
 This circular will be addressed to persons not immediately connected with iron establish. mentS as 1t Is believed that there will be not only willingness but an anxiety on the par ot every one to advance the object which the department has in view
 am deslrous of obtaining the information asked for at the earliest practical moment.
 Very respectfully, your ob't servt,
 HOWELL COBB, Secretary of the Treasury.