This step is the manufacturing of iron from the ore, and iron and
steel utensils. The most ingenious of our own race of people would be
puzzled to get into operation any works to answer that purpose,
naked-handed as those people were, and in their state of ignorance
when alone in this country. This discovery of manufacturing iron and
steel utensils is the most useful to mankind of any ever made.
Without the manufacture of iron, or some other metal which would have
answered the same purpose, mankind must all have remained in that
low, naked-handed and unimproved state in which the Indians were
found in this country. The production of this metal by the original
cause of all things, and its manufacture, are indispensable for the
whole business of mankind. The blacksmith and manufacturer of iron
and steel stand at the head of all other mechanics. If the
productions of the former were to pass out of existence, that of the
latter would inevitably become extinct and the farmer would have to
abandon the cultivation of the earth, and the wheels of all the
hydraulic works and manufacturing machineries whatever would cease to
move. The oceans, seas, lakes and rivers would become unburdened of
the ships and vessels passing thereon; the rattling of cars on the
railroads would stop their music, and the still voice of the
telegraph would cease to whisper its news. The consequence of all of
which would be starvation and a miserable life of such as should
survive to witness such a terrible catastrophe.
From all of which we are taught the great blessing we have derived in
being suitably formed for its manufacture, and the construction of
innumerable articles for our use and advantage, new inventions of
which are continually exhibited.
Dr. Franklin, a lover of science and friend of man, in the latter
part of his life said, that after a century from the time of his
decease he would like to revisit the earth to see what improvements
would be made in that time. If he now, after a shorter period, should
be reinstated on earth in his former capacity, he undoubtedly would
be astonished at the vast mechanical improvements made in our country
since his time, and his philanthropy would receive the very pleasing
satisfaction of having himself made a discovery from which has
originated one of the most wonderful discoveries ever made, viz.: to
convey intelligence instantaneously over any distance on our globe.
Now, although the Indians still remain disposed to pursue their own
habits of life, yet it appears obvious that the time will come when
it will be necessary for their descendants to become an improved and
educated people and to get a livelihood by agriculture, manufacture
and literature; for they, as well as ourselves, are susceptible of
such improvements. Their habits of life, continued from generation to
generation for a very great length of time, seem to have become so
seated in their minds that all the entreaties which the white people
have from time to time made to abandon their present mode of life and
pursue that of ours, has had but little effect on the great body of
Indians to lead them out of the long accustomed habits of their
ancestry.
As they were scattered over all parts of this country before
Europeans came into it, and, as their increase has been slow, it is
evident that their origin in it must have been in a very remote
period of time. They generally were most numerous where the animals,
fowls and fishes on which they lived were most plentiful, which was
in the vicinity of rivers and streams of water, lakes and ponds; and,
in consequence of living chiefly on those natural productions and
their destitution of the means to get a sufficient supply of these,
made it necessary for them to scatter thinly over this part of our
country for procuring a competency for their subsistence. It was said
they raised corn and beans in very small quantities.
We have accounts of the South American Indians manufacturing vessels
and trinkets of gold before Europeans came into it, in such parts of
that country and its islands where that metal was plenty. This would
have been easily done with the use of stones, as the same is very
ductile.