296 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

sons to learn the process & from thence be sent abroad to
teach those who have not opportunity of learning from these
public works; for it is thought an object of the greatest con-
cern that private families should be induced to make it; the
inconsiderable expense attending the making it in families,
when the method is once understood, & the quantities that
each family may make, should remove all objections to their
putting it in immediate practise. When we consider the great
consumption of Salt petre, used in medicine, in preserving
meat, & in gunpowder, even in times of peace, it should
seem a sufficient inducement to private families to learn &
practice this art, but most of all when so large quantities are
wanted for our necessary defence, & when it will in a great
measure supply the want of Salt which the rage of our enemies
may render scarce, it should not reasonably be supposed, that
any true American will neglect it, as there can be no doubt
but that every colony may produce Saltpetre enough at least
for their own consumption, it is necessary that powder mills be
erected & skillful persons provided to manufacture gunpowder
& proper regulations established for preventing their explo-
sion, it is supposed that sulphur may be found in many colo-
nies, & it is necessary that it should be collected, trials may be
made at places supposed to contain it at no great expence :
it must afford great pleasure to find that some colonies have
already in a measure anticipated the design of these resolves,
from the good effects of which it is clearly evinced, that we
can never want the most abundant supply of ammunition from
our own manufacture, but through inattention and neglect:
We doubt not you will consider these proceedings as designed
to promote the best welfare of the colonies, & that you will as
soon as may be & from time to time inform the congress of
the state of these manufactures in your colony, of the quantity
of Salt petre already made, the preparation for & prospects of
encreasing it, what quantity of gunpowder is already made, &
the state of your powder mills, & also what discovery is made
of sulphur mines & the progress in working them: supposing
the most approved method of making Salt petre may not have
reached you, we have inclosed such as experience in some
colonies has recommended: the laying together suitable com-
posts either in fences or beds in order to collect nitrous matter,
seems necessary to be immediately attended to, as the earth
from under old buildings may soon be exhausted: it is hoped
this effort of the congress will have the desired effect, without
which we have reason to fear, it will ere long be said of us,
that we are become slaves because we were not industrious
enough to be free by order of the Committee I subscribe Your
humble Servant
Phil^a March 28^th 1776. Rob^t Treat Paine :