2. The second sort is called Motley Iron, of which one part of the
Sowes or Piggs is gray, the other part is white intermixt.
3. The third sort is called white Iron, this is almost as white
as Bell-Mettle, but in the Furnace is least fined, and the most
Terrestrial; of the three, the Motley Iron is somewhat more fined, but
the Gray Iron, is most fined, and more sufficient to make Bar-Iron
with, and tough Iron to make Ordnance, or any Cast Vessels, being it is
more fined in the Furnace, and more malliable and tough, then the other
two sorts before mentioned; and of this sort, is the Iron made with
Pit-cole, Sea-cole for the most part, and therefore more sufficiently
to be preferred.
2. More cheaper Iron there cannot be made, for the Author did sell pigg
or cast Iron made with Pit-cole at four pounds _per_ Tun, many Tuns in
the twentieth year of King _James_, with good profit; of late Charcole
Pig-iron hath been sold at six pounds _per_ Tun, yea at seven pounds
_per_ Tun hath much been sold.
Also the Authour did sell Bar-iron Good and Merchantable, at twelve
pounds _per_ Tun, and under, but since Bar-iron hath been sold for the
most part ever since at 15_l._ 16_l._ 17_l._ and 18_l._ _per_ Tun, by
Charcole Iron-Masters.
3. More excellent for diverse Reasons, and principally, being the
meanes whereby the Wood and Timber of this Island almost exhausted,
may be timely preserved yet, and vegetate and grow again unto his
former wonted cheapness, for the maintenance of Navigation, which is
the greatest Strength of _Great Brittain_, whose Defence and Offence
for all the Territories that belong unto it, next under God and his
Vice-Gerent, our Sacred Majesties Cares, consists most of Shiping, Men
of War, Experienced Mariners, Ordnances, Ammunition, and Stores, the
Ordnance made therewith will be more gray and tough, therefore more
serviceable at Sea and Land, and the Bar-iron will wall, rivet, and
hold better then most commonly Charcole Iron.
2. More Excellent, not onely in respect the Invention of making of Iron
with Pit-cole and Sea-cole will preserve Wood and Timber of _Great
Brittain_ so greatly consumed by Iron-Works of late.
But also in respect, this my Invention will preserve many Millions of
Tuns of Small-cole in _Great Brittain_, which will be lost in time to
come, as formerly they were, for within ten miles of _Dudley Castle_,
is annually consumed four or five thousand Tuns at least of small
Pit-cole, and have been so consumed time out of mind under ground, fit
to have it made Pit-iron with; which coles are and (unless Iron be made
therewith) will be for ever totally and annually lost; if four or five
thousand Tun of Cole be consumed within ten miles compass, what Coles
is thus consumed in all _England_, _Scotland_, and _Wales_? which is no
good Husbandry for _Great Brittain, hinc ille lacrime_, that our Timber
is exhausted.
Must I still be opposed, and never enjoy my Inventions, nor _Great
Brittain_ the Benefit?
Must my Pattent be obstructed in Peace, as it was extinct by the Wars?
And must not my Pattent be Revived for the making of Iron with
Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, and Turf, but find Enemies still to oppose it?
How many thousand Tuns of Iron might have been made but since my first
Invention, _An. Jacob._ 18_th_ by my means with Pit-cole, and Sea-cole
(lost) if I had not had Enemies; and had not wood and timber been
preserved?
But most men will aver, that it doth concern the Author to Demonstrate
the great losse mentioned formerly of Pit-cole annually;
_It is thus_,
There is at least within ten miles of the Castle of _Dudley_, twelve
or fourteen Cole-Works, some in _Worcester_, and some of them in
_Stafford-shire_ (now in work, and twice as many in that Circute not in
work) each of which Works get two thousand Tun of Cole yearly, some get
three, four or five thousand Tun of Coles yearly: and the uppermost
or top measures of Coles are ten, eleven, and some twelve yards thick;
the Coles Ascending, Basseting, or as the Colliers term it, Cropping up
even unto the superfices of the Earth, and there the Colliers formerly
got the Coles; but where the Coles is deep and but little Earth upon
the measures of Coles, there the Colliers rid off the Earth, and dig
the Coles under their feet; these Works are called Foot-rids.
But of these Works there are now but few, some of these small Coles in
these open Works, the poor people did carry away, but paid nothing for
them in former times, termed the Brain Carriages.
But now the Colliers working more in the deep of these Works, they
are constrained to sink Pits, some of which Pits are from eight unto
twenty yards deep, and some are near twenty fathome deep, which fathome
contains two yards.
In these Pits, after you have made or hit the uppermost measures
of Cole, and sink or digged thorow them, the Colliers getting the
nethermost part of the Coles first, about two yards in height or more,
and when they have wrought the Crutes or Staules, (as some Colliers
call them) as broad and as far in under the ground, as they think
fit, they throw the small Coles (fit to make Iron) out of their way
on heaps to raise them up so high, to stand upon, that they may, with
the working of their Picks or Maundrills over their heads, and at
the one end of the Coles so far in as their Tool will permit, and so
high as their working cometh unto a parting in the measure of Cole,
the which Coles, to the parting by his self clogging and pondrous
weight, fall often many Tuns of coles, many yards high down at once;
with which fall and the Colliers breaking of the said Cole, many small
coles do so abound of no use, and fit for no sale; that in getting
of twenty thousand Tun of Pit-cole, one half near is small cole, not
drawn out of the Pits, but destroyed, left, and lost; which small cole,
with the sleck thrown moyst together, (heat the sooner) and by means
of its sulphurousness fire in the Pits, to no small prejudice unto
the Owners of the Works, and the Workmen, besides _Great Brittains_
Loss; which Cole might have made many thousand Tuns of Iron, and
also have preserved this Islands Woods and Timber: I might here give
you the names, and partly the nature of every measure, or parting of
each cole lying upon each other; the three uppermost measures are
called the white measures for his white Arcenical, Salsuginos and
Sulphurious substance which is in that Cole; the next measure, is
the shoulder-cole, the toe-cole, the foot-cole, the yard-cole, the
sliper-cole, the sawyer-cole, and the frisly-cole, these last three
coles are the best for the making of Iron, yet other coles may be made
use of.
I might give you other names of coles, but desire not prolixity, yet
must I tell you of a supernumerary number of Smiths within ten miles of
these Cole-Works near twenty thousand; yet God of his Infinite goodness
(if we will but take notice of his goodness unto this Nation) hath made
this Country a very Granary for the supplying these Men with Iron,
Cole, and Lime made with cole, which hath much supplyed these men with
Corn also of late, and from these men, a great part not only of this
Island, but also of his Majesties other Kingdomes and Territories with
Iron wares have their supply, and wood in these parts almost exhausted,
although it were of late a mighty wood-land Country.
Now if the Coles and Iron-stone so abounding were made right use of,
we need not want Iron as we do; for very many measures of iron-stone
are placed together under the great ten yards thickness of cole, and
upon another thickness of coles two yards thick, not yet mentioned,
called the bottom cole, or the heathen cole, as if God had decreed the
time when, and how these Smiths should be supplyed, and this Island
also with Iron, and most especially, that this coal and iron-stone,
should give the first, and just occasion for the invention of the
making of iron with pit-cole, no place being so fit for the invention
to be perfected in, then this Country, for the general good; whose
Woods did formerly abound in Forrests, Chases, Parks and Woods, but
exhausted in these parts.
Now for the names of the iron-stone, the first measure is called the
Black-row-graines, lying in very hard and black Earth.
The second measure is the Dun-row-graines, lying in dun earth or clay.
The third measure is called the white row grains, lying in very white
Earth or Clay; under these three measure are sundry other measures,
and are called, first, the Rider Stone; secondly, the Cloud Stone;
thirdly, the bottom Stone; fourthly, the Cannock or Cannotstone, which
last may wel be so caled (although all the other measures be very good)
yet this Stone is so Sulphurous and Terrestrial, not fit to make Iron;
because the Iron thereof made is very Redshare, which is that if a
workman should Draw or Forge out a Share mould fit for a Plough in that
red heat, it would crack and not be fit for the Use of the Husbandmans
Plough or Share. I may take occasion here to speak of the Nature of
Coldshare Iron, which is so brittle if made of the grain Oare or Iron
stone would be almost as brittle as some _Regulus Antimonii_ made Iron,
for with one small blow over an Anvil you may break the biggest Bar
that is, if it be perfect coldshare Iron; nay the Plough-man often
breaks his Share point off if it be made of coldshare Iron. But perfect
tough malliable Iron will not break feisibly in hot-heat or cold, as
coldshare wil, or red hot as Sulphurious veneriated redshare iron will;
but yet tough enough when it is cold: All which aforesaid qualities
of Iron the Authour very well knoweth how to mend their Natures, by
finning or setting the finery, lesse transhaw, more borrow which are
terms of art, and by altering and pitching the works, and plates, the
fore spirit-plat, the tuiron, bottome, back and breast or fore-plate,
by the altering of which much may be done, if the work be set transhaw
and transiring from the blast, the Iron is more coldshare lesse Fined,
more to the Masters profit; lesse profitable to him that makes it into
manufactorage, and less profitable to him that useth it; but the Iron
made in a Burrow work, becometh more tough and serviceable; yet the
nature of all Iron stone, is to be considered, both in the Furnace,
and in the finery, that the Sulphurious Arceniall and Veneriating
qualities which are often-times in Iron stone be made to separate, in
both the works from the fixed and fixing bodies of Iron, whose fiery
quality is such, that he will sooner self calfine than separate from
any Sulphurious veneriated quality.
No man, I hope, need to be offended at any terms of Art, it hath been
alwayes lawfull for Authours of new Arts and Inventions, at their
own pleasures, to give name to their new Inventions and Arts, every
Tradesman is allowed it in his mystery.
But the Authour hath as much as he could avoided the terms of Art
that _Simon Sturtenante_ and others have used, which are very many:
onely the Author hath given you the common names and terms (for the
most part) which are so common among Forge-men and Founders, as is
nothing more common; but kept secret amongst them and a mystery not
yet known, but unto very few Owners of Iron-works; nay I have not yet
troubled your memory with any of the Founder terms, of but making his
harth as the Timpe stones, the Wind-wall stones, the Furion stones,
the Botton-stone, the Back-stones and the Boshes, in the making and
pitching of which harth, is much of the Mystery.
I must confesse, there is given unto some Phylosophers, _etc filii
Artis_, some few terms how the Sulphurious Arsenicall, Bituminos,
Antimoniall, Venerial, and other poysonous qualities, either in the
Pit-cole, Sea-cole, or the Iron-stone, may be in part at the Furnace
separated, and not permitted to incorporate in the Iron, and if it
be incorporated, yet by Fining at the Forge, to fetch it out; also
to melt extract, refine, and reduce all mines mettals and minerals,
unto their species with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, and Turff, by wayes
not yet in use, which the Authour will make known, hereafter, if God
permit him health, time and space, or leave his knowledge unto his
Brother _Aylmore Folliott_, Esq; his Nephew _Parkshouse_, Esq; and to
his Kinsman Master _Francis Dingley_, to declare unto this latter Age
of the World, in which God is pleased to manifest many of his Secrets;
_Qui vult secreta scire, secreta secrete sciat custodire_.
Having suffered much, ever since the Year 1618 unto this present, for
the general good, as by the preceding discourse appears for the making
of Iron with Pitcole, Seacole, Peat, and Turff; for the preservation
of Wood & Timber of Great _Brittain_ so much exhausted, for future
prevention of which,
Is first, to permit the Authour to enjoy His Pattent, and fully to
perfect his said Inventions (obstructed in the Reign both of King
_James_ and in the Reign of his Sacred Majesty King _Charls_ the First,
of ever Blessed Memory; and lately since his most Sacred Majesties
happy Restauration) who desires nothing but to be animated with the
Patent revived according unto the Statute of 21. _Iacob._ for Inventors.
Secondly, to impower the Authour or any other Agents to take care that
no Pit-cole, or Seacole be any wayes wilfully destroyed under ground.
Thirdly, To put all former good Laws in Execution, and to make others
for the preservation of Wood and Timber of these Nations, especially
neer Navigagable River or Seas.
Fourthly, Seeing there goeth out of _England_, _Scotland_, and
_Wales_, many thousand Tuns Annually of Pitcole and Seacoles to
furnish _France_, and also the Smiths thereof _Spaine_, _Portugal_ and
_Flanders_, and especially the Smiths thereof; the _Low-Countries_ and
the Smiths thereof, besides the _Hollanders_ carries great quanties of
our Coles unto Foreigne parts, without which those Countries cannot
subsist: Now the Authors desire is, that where there is a conveniency
of Iron stone or Ewre, the Coles may not be transported (paying His
Sacred Majesties Duty) until Order, from His Majesty or his Privy
Council.
Fifthly, That no Pitcole be Exported, seeing that Wood fuell and Timber
is decayed for Buildings, and instead thereof Brickmaking (formerly
spending Wood, but now coles) is much in use; also is Glasse now made
with cole, but formerly were there many Thousand Loads of Wood fuell
spent in the making thereof, and the Glass Invention with Pitcole was
first effected near the Authours Dwelling.
Sixthly, Making of Steel, Brewings, making of Coppras, Allum, Salt,
casting of Brasse and Copper, Dyings, and many other Works were not
many years since done altogether with the Fuell of Wood and Charcole;
instead whereof, Pitcole, and Seacole is now used as Effectually, and
to a far better Use and Purpose; besides the preservation of Wood and
Timber.
Seventhly, That which is somewhat neerer the mark and Invention; the
Blacksmith forged all his Iron with Charcole, and in some places where
they are cheap, they continue this course still, but small Pitcole and
Seacole, and also Peat and Turff hath and doth serve the turn as well
and sufficiently as Charcole.
Eighthly, That which is nearest, and my perfect Invention, and neer
the Authours Dwelling, called _Greens-lodge_, there are four Forges,
namely, _Greens-forge_, _Swin-forge_, _Heath-forge_ and _Cradley-forge_.
Which Four Forges have Barred all or most part of their Iron with
Pitcole ever since the Authours first Invention, 1618. which hath
preserved much Wood: In these Four, besides many other Forges do the
like; yet the Author hath had no benefit thereby to this present.
Yet by this Barring of Iron with Pitcole 30000 loads of Wood and more
have been preserved for the general good, which otherwayes must have
been had and consumed.
_Symon Sturtevant_, in his _Metallica_, in the Epistle to the Reader,
saith, _That there was then_ Anno 12. Jacobi _in_ England, Scotland,
Ireland _and_ Wales 800 _Furnaces, Forges, or Iron Mills making
Iron with Charcole_: Now we may suppose at least 300 of these to be
Furnaces, and 500 to be Forges; and each Furnace making fifteen Tun
_per_ week of Pig or cast Iron, and work or blow but Forty week _per
Annum_, but some Furnaces make Twenty Tuns of Pig Iron _per_ Week, and
two Loads of Charcole or there about, go to the making of a Tun of Pig
Iron: And two Loads (or two cords) of Wood, at the least, go to the
making of a load of Charcole.
Now what Loads of Wood or Charcole is spent in great _Brittain_ and
_Ireland Annually_? but in one Furnace, that makes Fifteen Tun _per_
Week of Pig-Iron for Forty weeks: I shall give you the Table, and leave
you to judge of the rest of the Furnaces.
15. Tun per week | _Charcole_, _Wood_,
spends of | 30 loads 60 loads.
_Per Annum_ 40 weeks| 1200 2400 loads.
spends |
Also for one Forge that make Three Tuns of Bar Iron weekly for Fifty
weeks, but some Forges make double my Proportion, and spend to Fine and
Bar out each Tun three Loads of Coles: To each Tun.
Charcole Wood
3 Tun _per_ week | 9 Loads | 18 loads
_Per Annum_ | 450 loads | 900 loads
By these Examples, may you see, the vast quantities of Charcole, or
Wood, that the 300 Furnacis spend weekly, or yearly, and the 500.
Forges workings all the year, spend little lesse then the Furnaces: It
being impossible, after this rate for great _Brittain_ or _Ireland_, to
supply these her works with Charcole in Fining of Iron at the Fineries,
yet the Forges that need but half the Charcole may be permitted to use
Charcole, and may be supplyed with under Woods.
Let us but look back unto the making of Iron, by our Ancestors, in
foot blasts, or bloomenies, that was by men treading of the Bellows,
by which way they could make but one little lump or bloom of Iron in
a day, not 100 weight, and that not fusible, nor fined, or malliable,
until it were long burned and wrought under Hammers, and whose first
slag, sinder or scorius, doth contain in it as much, or more Iron,
then in that day the workman or bloomer got out, which Slag, Scorius,
or Sinder is by our Founders at Furnaces wrought again, and found to
contain much Yron and easier of Fusion than any Yron stone or Mine of
Yron whatsoever of which slag and Sinders, there is in many Countryes
Millions of Tuns and Oaks growing upon them, very old and rotten.
The next invention was to set up the Bloomeries that went by water,
for the ease of the men treading the bellows, which being bigger, and
the waterwheel causing a greater blast, did not onely make a greater
quantity of iron, but also extracted more iron out of the slag or
sinder, and left them more poorer of iron then the foot-blasts, so that
the Founders cannot melt them again, as they do the foot blast sinders
to profit: Yet these Bloomeries by water (not altogether out of use) do
make in one day but two hundred pound weight of iron, or there abouts
neither is it fusible, or malliable, but is unfined untill it be much
burned, and wrought a second time in fire.
But some of the now going Furnaces with Charcole, do make two or three
Tun of Pigg or cast iron in 24 hours.
Therefore _I_ do not wholly compute the vast quantities of charcoles
and wood spent in these voragious works, which quantity of cast iron,
with pit-cole and Sea-cole, at one Furnace _I_ desire not, but am
contented with half the proportion, which once _I_ attained unto before
my Bellows were riotously cut, that is one Tun in 24 hours; we need
not a greater quantity, if the like quantity were made in Furnaces in
_Scotland_, and _Wales_, which abounds with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, as
well as _England_; and our supernumery Smiths, Founders, and Forgemen,
and other Tradesmen might be there imployed, thereby to furnish His
Majesties Plantations, as well, if not better then _England_, where
Coles are far cheaper then in _England_.
Although vast quantities of Coles do abound near the Authors dwelling,
yet twenty thousand Smiths or Naylors at the least dwelling near these
parts, and taking of Prentices, have made their Trade so bad, that many
of them are ready to starve and steal; so that it is wished there were
some courses taken to mend their Trade, imploy them in other parts,
or permit them, not to take so many Prentices, all which have great
occasions to use Pit-cole, and had not these parts abounded with cole,
it would have been a great deal worse with them then it is; but of the
cole there is, nor will be any want, nor of iron-stone.
The manner of the cole-veins, or measures in these parts, and also of
the measures of iron-stone, or mines, how they lye, be, or increase,
some veins lye circuler, some sami-circuler, some ovall, some works
almost in a direct line, and some works parts of a Circle; as by the
Circle, it being onely for a small Example to judge the rest of the
Mines by may appear.
_FINIS._