of the Council of Safety, 1776. 315

miles from the South Branch near Colonell Hights: it is a
perpendicular rock, in the middle of which is a Cavern
and which was formd from the stones composing the rock
decaying and tumbling down carrying along with them a
good quantity of rich mould, which contains the Saltpetre,
and as the Cavern is so deep that no rain can come in, the
Saltpetre is not washed off. If stones are broke off or lifted
up, there is sometimes a good quantity of real Saltpetre
in its white colour found, which can be scrap'd off out of the
Interstices where it collects. As for its formation there is a
similarity with old cellars which are known to contain often
according to their age great quantities, with this difference
only, that the collection of nitre in these Caverns may be
from thousands of years which accounts for their richness.
From the situation and causes I had reason to suppose that
the mountains must contain a great many such Caverns and
accordingly informed the inhabitants with my notion, who
have since searched and discovered about 3 miles further
another such Cavern equally rich, and as I have received a
sample of Saltpetre from the Ohio which was found and
scraped off from interstices of stones in a cavern, which I
hereby send for the inspection of Convention, it is evident
that our mountains contain every where such caverns full of
Saltpetre as to furnish the Colonies with that desirable article
to the fullest extent at reasonable rates.
I attempted a Trial to make some Saltpetre out of the
mould, and took 2 bushels thereof from which I extracted
between 2 and 3 pounds, but am sure that it would have pro-
duced considerable more, if I had the necessary utensils on
the spot, a sample of the nitre I have brought to the Council
of Safety. This Saltpetre was exceeding strong and in very
large Cristales.
The people on the spot now make Saltpetre and make use
of it partly in gunpowder, and partly for salting meat, that
being a scarce article there, and no doubt squander away
great quanties, not being sufficiently skilld to make it to
advantage. I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obed^t & Hble Serv^t
Baltimore Town Octob 1^st 1776. C. F. Wiesenthal.

Wednesday Oct^r 2^d 1776.

Council met. Present as on yesterday.
Ordered That Western shore Treasurer pay W^m Wilkins
three hundred Pounds on Acc^t of Fortifications at Annapolis.
Permit granted to William M^cGaray Master of Sloop Nancy,

C. S. J.