Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-11

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Aug. 81, 1857.
SIR: This Department has been furnished with
undoubted evidence that there is grea: difference
between iron from different mines in the United
States in the degree and rapidity with which they
become oxydized. Congress, during the last ses-
sion, appropriated the OF 81 500 TO test the dit
ferent irons 10 this country in that particular. II
these experiments shall establish the important fact
shat we have irons entirely nearly proof against
the corrosion of oxygen il will multiply the uses OF
such iron TO a very considerable extent for purpo-
to which il is applied, and give 1t the pref
erence otherirons for many purposes Tor which
iron is now used.
The verv large extent to which this material is
supersedng the use Of wood and stone IN the pub
lie buildings erecting at cost OF many millions of
dollars annually, under this Department, renders it
of the greatest importance to knoW what irons re-
sst for the longest period the action OF the oxygen
Il is hoped that the great interest the iron masters
have in the result of this experiment will be consid-
cred sufficient apology for requesting samples Of
their ircn, and the from which they are made.
have, therefore, to request that you will for
ward to this Department, by mail or express, two
or three small samples of iron and a sample of ore
from each of the mines worked by you the sam
pies OF iron not TO exceed quarter of pound each
and the ore not to exceed a half pound in weight
would also request information the following
points, viz: The extent of the depOsite faci-
ties of mining ore its distance rom furnace, and
distance OF furnace from Market and mode of trans
charcoal, coke, crude, bituminOus and anthracite
iron kind of hux, and its cost &c. the capacity
of the establishment and the amount of iron pro
duced during the last year, and what G would be
capable of producing under ready sale and remu-
nerating prices; any peculiarly OF the iron pro-
duced; whether there are rolling mills 10 the vi
cnity, and what descriptions of iron they roll; to
what purposes most OF the products of your iurna-
ces are applied, aud what description of iron the
establishment mostly PRODUCES; when did your
works FIRST go into operation what has been the an
nual production, and what the ruling prizes each
year since your works first started. You viii
please give the State and county in 1hich your iron
mine is situated and the distance your fuel Is trans
ported. As it is the intention of the Department.
70 furnish you with the result of the experiments,
YOU will please name the post Office through which
10 address you If you know of any one in your
neighbor hood interested in the iron business who
does not receive copy OF this letter, II you Will
forward his address sill be sent to him. You
will realize the value of the information when you
reflect upon the growing importance of the iron in-
terest OF the country-a fact attributable, IN no
small degree to the Introduction of iron q sub
stitute for other materials in our public buildings
The policy of affording encouragement to this
great interest, by promoting its production and in
creasing its consumption, has been commenced by
the Government, and am DESTROYS of obtaining all
the information which can be had on the subject
with a view to its further development.
This circular will be addressed to persons no
Immediately connected with iron establishments,
it is believed that there will be not only willing
ness but an anxiety the part of every one to ad
vance the object which the Department has il
view.
am DESTROYS of obtaining the information asked
for at the earliest practical moment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HOWELL COBB,
Secretary of the Treasury.