A Discourse Concerning the Design'd Establishment of a New Colony to the ...

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Index To Volume IX

04 KflQQ

THE MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

WITH NOTES AND QUERIES ttstca jQumbec* 33 oa

A DISCOURSE ON AZILIA (1717) . Sir Robert Montgomery 1

SKETCHES OF THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN SAMUEL BRADY Anon 88

THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT . . Samuel D. Carpenter Tt

Capt. John T. Bolton 129

ABRAHAM LINCOLN Anon 149

LINCOLN'S FAVORITE POEM . . .Gen. James Grant Wilson 167

Robert Fulton 171

MEMOIR OF THADDEUSKOSCIUSZKO . . . . A. W.W. Evans 9S7

LETTERS ON KOSCIUSZKO Thomas Jefferson 273

Index

Alexander, Cur 248, 255

Andrew, John A 116

Asilia, Discourse on (Montgomery) 7

Bolton* John T., 1S1

Brady, Captain John 4, 17

Brady, Captain Samuel 39 et scq.

Brodhead, Colonel Daniel 6

Cameron, Simon 101 et eeq.

Carpenter, F. B 148

Chandler, Zachariah 127

Chase, Salmon P., 118 et seq.

Curtin. A. G„ 96

Dennison, William, 117

Dorothea, brig 177

Dougherty, Captain 22

Fessenden, William P 124

Foucht 247

Fulton, Robert, letter 178

Goodwin, Ichabod T., 117

Greelly, Horace 107

Irrepressible Conflict, (The,) (Carpenter) 81

Jefferson 245-246

" letters, 271

Knox, William, poet 167

Kosciussko, Thaddeus 281 et $eq.

Lament (The) poem, 170

Lincoln 87 et $eq.

Lincoln — his favorite poem 168

Montgomery, Sir R & et seq.

Mortality (poem) 168

Paul, Csar 241

Plater, Count 282

Scott, General Winfield 100

Smith, Caleb B 112 et teq.

Sobieski, King John 162

Stanton, Edwin M., Ill et $eq.

Stevens, Thaddeus 148

Sumner, Charles 125

Torpedo war (Fulton) 178

Trumbull, Lyman 125

Vanderhorst, Elias 242

Wade, Benjamin F 124

Warner, Rev. Richard 260

Welles, Gideon 101 et $eq.

Wilson, General James Grant 167

Yates, Richard 118

Zeltner 282 et $eq.

THE

WITH

NOTES AND QUERIES Extra Number— No. 33

CoifPRISINO

A DISCOURSE ON AZILIA (1717) - - Sir Robert Montgomery

SKETCHES OP THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN SAMUEL BRADY

OF PENNSYLVANIA Anon

Being Extra No. 33 of The Magazine or History with Notes and Queries

(It is a difficult thing to give newness to old things, authority to new things, beauty to things out of use, fame to the obscure, favor to the hateful (or ugly), credit to the doubtful, nature to all and all to nature. To such, nevertheless as cannot attain to all these, it is greatly commendable and magnificial to have attempted the same.

Punt, — preface to his Natural Hittory.

EDITOR'S PREFACE

MONTGOMERY'S tract is of the utmost rarity, being the first book published on the present State of Georgia. "Having obtained a grant of all the land between the rivers Altamaha and Savannah, he issued these proposals for settling the Colony (which he called Azilia") — Rich.

The folding plate (usually wanting) shows his plan for dividing the district (and also his utter inability to understand the needs of frontier settlements).

Close examination will show that of the divisions for livestock, one is used as a deer park, where a man is shooting one of the animals! Probably Sir Robert felt that no English nobleman's property could be complete without a deer-preserve: and could not see the absurdity of such an enclosure in an American frontier settlement, among Indians.

Of the story of Samuel Brady it need only be said that it is also scarce, being originally published in the pages of a country paper, and when collected, only a few copies were printed; so it is practically unknown to the public.

Though its subject never attained the celebrity of Boone or Kenton, he was an active patriot, and staunch defender of his part of Pennsylvania against the savage foe, and his memory deserves to be perpetuated. A portrait of him would have been inserted* had one been obtainable.

DISCOURSE

Concerning the defign'd

ESTABLISHMENT

Of a New

COLONY

TO T H E

South of Carolina,

IN THE

Moft delightful Country of the Univerfe.

By Sir Robert Mountgomery, Baronet.

LONDON: Printed in the Year. 1717.

•• •

DISCOURSE

IT will perhaps afford some Satisfaction to the Gentlemen of Carolina to know that my Design arises not from any sudden Motive, but a strong Bent of Genius I inherit from my Ancestors: One of whom was among those knights of Nova Scotia purposely created near a hundred Years ago for settling a Scots Colony in America. But the Conquest of that Country by the French prevented his Design, and so it lies on his Posterity to make good his Intentions for the Service of their Country.

The Humour, however, Descended, and ran down with the Blood: For my Father was so far of this Opinion that, together with Lord Cardross, the late Earl of Buchan, and some other Gentlemen he enter'd into Measures for Establishing a Settlement on Port Royal River in South Carolina, and Lord Cardross went thither in Person: but the Spaniards dislodg'd them and destroy 'd the Plantation: Advantage being taken of some Confusions which arose through the want of full Powers, and distinct Jurisdiction.

The charming Descriptions which on this last Occasion I met with, of the natural Sweetness and Beauties of Carolina, inspired me with an early Affection to that Place in particular. But the Wars intervening, and calling for my Sword in the more immediate Service of my Country, gave me no Opportunity to put in practice certain Schemes which occur'd, for effectually forming a settlement there, till just now; when together with some of my Friends who unite their Endeavours with mine, I am like, by continuance of the Indian Disturbances, to enjoy my own Wish, with the Additional Pleasure of being useful. Tho' our Design does not altogether depend on the Subscription of Purchasers herein proposed, yet our own Stock so encreas'd will be made more effectual, and we shall give at the same Time an opportunity to many of sharing in our Benefits, who cou'd not be otherwise concern'd in the Undertaking.

If, therefore, the offer which we make shall meet with Encouragement, 'twill, by Dividing our Burthen, somewhat lighten it; If it fails 'twill no further Disappoint us than as it leaves us to do That alone which might better be done with the expected Assistance.

R. MOUNTGOMERY.

OF THE MOTIVES AND FOUNDATION OF THE UNDERTAKING

PLANTATIONS of new Countries, says the Great Lord Bacon, are among the Primitive and most Heroick Works of Man.

They are meritorious in a double Sense; Religiously, as they illuminate the Souls of Heathens through the Darkness of their Ignorance, and Politically, as they strengthen the Dominion which sends out the Colony, and wonderfully more than any other Means enrich the Undertakers.

But as such Attempts are Great, so also are they Dangerous. One early Caution easily secures their future Benefits; one little Error in Foundation overthrows the Building. It is to a Defect in setting out, that all our noble Colonies upon the Western Continent have ow'd their Disappointments; To a want of due Precaution in their Forms of Settling, or rather to their settling without any Form at all. The Planters grasp'd at an undue Extent of Land, exceeding their Capacity to manage or defend. This scattered them to Distances unsafe and solitary, so that, living in a Wilderness, incapable of mutual Aid, the necessary Artizans found no Encouragement to dwell among them. Their Woods remain'd unclear'd, their Fens undrain'd. The Air by that Means prov'd unhealthy and the Roads impassable. For want of Towns and Places of Defence they suddenly became a Prey to all Invaders;

even the unformidable Indian took Advantage of the Oversight, and Carolina is at present groaning under a most bloody Persecution from a wild and despicable kind of Enemy, who had not dar'd to think of the Attempt but from an Observation daily made, how open and unguarded they might take the English.

From these Examples, and the Neighborhood of the intended Settlement to Carolina thus distress'd, our future Eden, made Early wise by Dangers which she feels not, would not only fix her Foot upon a firm Foundation, so as to resist a Storm herself, but she wou'd also spread her Wings to a Capacity of shadowing Others. A British Colony shou'd, like the Roman, carry with it always something of the Mother's Glory.

Excited, therefore, by an earnest Inclination to establish such a Settlement as may, by new Means, yield new Benefits, as well in Wealth as Safety, and resolving to proceed upon a Scheme entirely different from any hitherto attempted, and which appears to promise great and inexpressible Advantages, the Grant on which we found the Undertaking will be seen in the following Abstract:

iif |lHE underwritten Palatine and Lords Proprietors of the JL Province of Carolina do, on the Considerations hereinafter mention'd, grant, sell, alien, release and confirm to Sir Robert Mountgomery, Baronet, his Heirs and Assigns forever, all that Tract of Land which lies between the Rivers Allatamaha and Savanna, together with the Islands, Ports, Harbours, Bays and Rivers on that Part of the Coast which lies between the Mouths of the said two Rivers to the Seaward; and moreover all Veins, Mines and Quarries of Gold and Silver, and all others whatever, be they of Stones, Metals or any other Things found or to be found within that Tract of Land and the Limits aforesaid; With Liberty over and above to make Settlements on the South Side of Allatamaha

River, which Tract of Land the said underwritten Lords do erect into a distinct Province, with proper Jurisdictions, Privileges, Prerogatives and Franchises, Independent of and not Subject to the Laws of South Carolina; to be holden of the said Lords by Sir Robert, his Heirs and Assigns forever, under the Name and Title of the Margraoate of Azilia, at and under the yearly Quitrent of one Penny Sterling per Acre, or its Value in Goods or Merchandise, as the Land shall be occupied, taken up, or run out; Payable Yearly to the Lords Proprietors' Officers at Charles-Town; but such Payment not to commence till three Years after Arrival of the first Ships there which shall be sent over to begin the Settlement; over and above which Penny per Acre, Sir Robert, his Heirs and Assigns, shall also yield and pay to the Lords Proprietors onefourth part of all Gold or Silver Oar, besides the Quota reserved to the Crown out of the said Royal Minerals. Distinct Courts of Judicature to be erected and such Laws enacted within the Margraoate, by and with the Advice, Assent and Approbation of the Freemen thereof in Publick Assembly, as shall be most conducive to the Utility of the said Margraoate, and as near as may be conveniently agreeable to the Laws and Customs of England; but as such Laws do not extend to lay Duties or Custom or other Obstruction upon the Navigation of either of the said Rivers by any Inhabitant of South or North Carolina, or their free Commerce and Trade with the Indian Nations either within or to the Southward of the Margraoate, Sir Robert consenting that the same Duty shall be charg'd on Skins within the Margravate which at this Time stands charg'd on such Skins in South Carolina, and appropriated to the Maintenance of the Clergy there, so long as that Duty is continued in South Carolina; but the said Duty shall not be encreas'd in Azilia, tho* the Assembly of South Carolina shou'd think fit to encrease it there; nor shall it longer continue to be paid than while it shall remain appropriated, as at present, to the Maintenance of the Clergy only. In Consideration of all

A DISCOURSE ON AZILIA (1717) II

which Powers, Rights, Priviledges, Prerogatives and Franchises, Sir Robert shall Transport at his own Expence, a considerable Number of Families, with all Necessaries for making a new Settlement in the said Tract of Land; and in Case it be neglected for the Space of Three Years from the Date of this Grant, Then the Grant shall become void, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

Dated June the Nineteenth, 1717.

Cartaret, Palatine.

JA. BERTIE, for the Duke of Beaufort, M. ASHLEY, JOHN COLLETON, &c.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY.

IT lies about the 31st and 32d Degree of Northern Latitude, is bounded Eastward by the great Atlantick Sea, To the West by a Part of the Apalachian Mountains, and to the North and South by the two great Rivers mentioned in the Grant.

In the Maps of North America it may be taken Notice of, how well this Country lies for Trade with all our Colonies and in Regard to Every other Prospect which can make a Situation healthy, profitable, lovely and inviting. Florida, of which it is a Part, receiv'd that Name from its delightful, florid and agreeable Appearance.

It has been commonly observed that gay Descriptions of new Countries raise a Doubt of their Sincerity. Men are apt to think the Picture drawn beyond the Life, to serve the Interest of the Representer. To shun the Prejudice of this Opinion, whatever shall be said upon the Subject here is all extracted from our English Writers, who are very numerous, and universally agree that Carolina, and especially in its Southern Bounds, is the most amiable

Country of the Universe; that Nature has not bless'd the World with any Tract which can be preferable to it; that Paradise, with all her Virgin Beauties, may be modestly suppos'd at most but -equal to its Native Excellencies.

It lies in the same Latitude with Palestine Herself, that promised Canaan which was pointed out by God's own Choice, to bless the Labours of a favorite People. It abounds with Rivers, Woods and Meadows. Its gentle Hills are full of Mines, Lead, Copper, Iron and Even some of Silver. Tis beautified with odoreferous Plants, green all the Year. Pine, Cedar, Cypress, Oak, Elm, Ash or Walnut, with innumerable other Sorts, both Fruit, or Timber Trees grow everywhere so pleasantly that, tho* they meet at Top and shade the Traveller, they are at the same Time so distant in their Bodies and so free from Underwood or Bushes, that the Deer and other Game, which feed in Droves along these Forests, may be -often seen near half a Mile between them.

The Air is healthy and the Soil in general fruitful, and of infinite Variety; Vines, naturally flourishing upon the Hills, bear Grapes in most luxuriant Plenty. They have every Growth which we possess in England, and almost every Thing that England wants besides. The Orange and the Lemon thrive in the same common Orchard with the Apple, and the Pear-Tree. Plumbs, Peaches, Apricots, and Nectarins bear from Stones in three Years' growing. The Planters raise large Orchards of these Fruits to feed their Hogs with; Wheat Ears have been measured there seven inches long, and they have Barly, Beans, Pease, Rice and all our Grains, Roots, Herbs and Flowers; not to speak of Numbers of their own, which we can find no Names for. Beef, Mutton, Pork, Tame Poultry, wild Fowl, Sea and River Fish, are all there plentiful, and most at lower Rates than in the cheapest parts of Wales -or Scotland.

A DISCOURSE ON AZILIA (1717) IS

The many Lakes and pretty Rivulets throughout the Province breed a Multitude of Geese and other Water Fowl. The Air is found so temperate and the Seasons of the Year so very regular that there is no Excess of Heat or Cold, nor any sudden Alterations in the Weather. The River Banks are cover'd with a strange Variety of lovely Trees, which being always green, present a thousand Landskips to the Eye, so fine and so diversified that the Sight is entirely charm'd with them. The Ground lies sloping towards the Rivers, but at a Distance rises gradually, and intermingles little Hills of Wood with fruitful Plains, all cover'd over with wild Flowers, and not a Tree to interrupt the Prospect. Nor is this tempting Country yet inhabited, except those Parts in the Possession of the English, unless by here and there a Tribe of wandering Indians, wild and ignorant, all artless and uncultivated as the Soil which fosters them.

OF THE FORM PROPOS'D IN SETTLING.

OUR meaning here relates to what immediate Measures will be taken for Security against the Insults of the Natives, during the Infancy of our Affairs. To which End we shall not satisfie ourselves with building here and there a Fort, the fatal Practice of America, but so dispose the Habitations and Divisions of the Land, that not alone our Houses but whatever we possess, will be enclos'd by Military Lines, impregnable against the Savages, and which will make our whole Plantation one continued Fortress.

It need not be suppos'd that all the lands will thus be fortified At once. The first Lines drawn will be in just Proportion to the Number of Men they enclose. As the Inhabitants encrease New Lines will be made to enclose them also, so that all the People will be always safe within a well-defended Line of Circumvallation.

The Reader will allow it is not necessary that these Retrenchments be of Bulk, like those of Europe; small Defence is strong against the poor, unskilful Natives of America. They have accomplished all their bloody mischiefs by Surprizes and Incursions* but durst never think of a Defyance to Artillery.

The Massacres and frequent Ruins which have fallen upon some English Settlements for want of this one Caution, have sufficiently instructed us that Strength, producing Safety, is the Point which shou'd be chiefly weigh'd in such Attempts as these. Solon had Reason when he said to Croesus, looking on his Treasure — " You are rich indeed, and so far you are mighty; but if any Man shou'd come with sharper steel than yours, how Easily will he be made the Master of your gold!"

At the Arrival therefore of the first Men carried over, proper Officers shall mark and cause to be intrench'd a Square of Land in just Proportion to their Number; On the Outsides of this Square within the little Bastions or Redoubts of the Entrenchment, they raise light Timber Dwellings, cutting down the Trees which everywhere encompass them. The Officers are quartered with the Men whom they command, and the Governour in Chief is plac'd exactly in the Center. By these means the labouring People (being so disposed as to be always watchf ull of our Enemies' Approach) are themselves within the Eye of those set over them, and All together under the Inspection of their Principal.

The Redoubts may be near enough to defend Each other with Musquets, but Field-Pieces and Patareros will be planted upon Each, kept charged with Cartridge shot, and Pieces of old Iron. Within these Redoubts are the common Dwellings of the Men who must defend them. Between them runs a Palisadoe'd Bank, and a Ditch which will be Scour'd by the Artillery. One Man in Each Redoubt kept Night and Day upon the Guard, will give alarm upon Occasion to the others at their Work; So they cultivate their Lands* secure their Cattle, and follow their Business with great Ease and Safety. Exactly in the Center of the inmost Square will be a Fort, defended by large Cannon pointing Everyway, and capable of making strong Resistance in Case some Quarter of the outward lines shou'd chance to be surpriz'd by any sudden Accident, which yet with tolerable Care wou'd be impracticable.

The Nature of this Scheme, when weighed against the Ignorance and wildness of the Natives, will shew that Men thus settled may at once defend and cultivate a Territory with the utmost Satisfaction and Security, even in the Heart of an Indian Country. Then how much more rather in a Place considerably distant from the Savage Settlements.

As the Numbers shall encrease and they go on to clear more Space of Land, they are to regulate their Settlements with like Regard to Safety and Improvement, And indeed the Difference as to Time and Labour is not near so great as may be thought, betwixt enclosing Land this way, and following the dangerous common Method. But what is here already said will serve the End for which it has been written, which was only to give a general Notion of the Care and Caution we propose to act with.

It will not, however, be amiss, as you have seen the first rude Form of our Azilia in her Infancy, to view her also in the Fulness of her Beauty, And to that End we have affix'd a Plan of one whole District, clear'd, planted, and inhabited; for as the Country thrives, all future Townships will be form'd according to this Plan, and measured out as near Each other as the Rivers, Hills and other natural Impediments will any way admit of.

But lest it shou'd be fear'd from the Correctness of this Model, that 'twill be a Work of too great Difficulty, and require a mighty Length of Time to bring it to Perfection, we think it proper to declare that Purchasers will not be obliged to wait this Form of Settlement, but are entitled to the immediate Profits of peculiar

Lands, assigned them, from the very first Arrival of the Colony; which Lands, being set apart for that Purpose, will be strongly enclos'd, and defended by the Lines, or Entrenchments before mentioned.

Neither wou'd we have it thought a labour so tedious, as 'tis generally f ancy'd, to establish in this manner a Colony, which may become not only an advantage, but a glory to the Nation: We have Prospects before us most attractive, and unprecedented, in the three tempting Points wealth, safety, and liberty : Benefits, like these, can never fail of drawing Numbers of Inhabitants from Every Corner: And, Men once got together, 'tis as easy to dispose them regularly, and with due Regard to Order, Beauty, and the Comforts of Society, as to leave them to the Folly of fixing at Random, and destroying their Interest by indulging their Humour; So that we have more than ordinary Cause to expect, that in a very short Time, we shall be able to present the solid life its self, as now we give the shadow only, in the following Explanation.

You must suppose a level, dry, and fruitful Tract of Land, in some fine Plain or Valley, containing a just Square of twenty Miles Each Way, or two hundred and fifty six thousand Acres, laid out„ and settled, in the Form, presented, in the Cut annex'd.

The District is defended by sufficient Numbers of Men, who, dwelling in the fortified Angles of the Line, will be employed in cultivating Lands, which are kept in Hand for the particular advantage of the Margrave; These Lands surround the District just within the Lines, and every where contain in Breadth one Mile exactly*

The Men, thus employ'd, are such, as shall be hir'd in Great Britain or Ireland, well disciplined, arm'd, and carried over, on Condition to serve faithfully for such a Term of Years, as they before shall agree to; And, that no Man may be wretched in so happy a Country, at the Expiration of those Peoples Time; besides some other considerable, and unusual Incouragements, all' such, among them, who shall marry in the Country, or come married thither, shall have a Right of laying claim to a certain Fee-Farm, or Quantity of Land, ready clear' d, together with a House built upon it, and a stock sufficient to improve, and cultivate it, which they shall enjoy, Rent, and Tax free, during Life,, as a Reward for their Services; By which Means two very great Advantages must naturally follow; Poor labouring Men, so secur'd of a fix'd future Settlement, will be thereby induced to go thither more willingly ; and act, when there, with double Diligence,*, and Duty; And when their Time expires, possessing just Land enough to pass their Lives at Ease, and bring their Children up honestly, the Families they leave will prove a constant Seminary of ' sober Servants, of Both Sexes, for the Gentry of the Colony ; whereby they will be under no necessity to use the Dangerous Help of Blackamoors, or Indians; The Lands set apart for this Purpose,., are two miles in Breadth, quite round the District, and lie next within the Margraves own reserv'd Lands abovemention'd.

The 116 Squares, Each of which has a House in the Middle,, are, Every one a Mile on Each Side, or 640 Acres in a Square, bating only for the High Ways, which divide them; These are the Estates, belonging to the Gentry of the district, who, being so confin'd to an Equality in land, will be profitably Emulous of out doing Each other in improvement, since that is the only way, left . them to grow richer than their Neighbours; And when the Mar-- gravate is once become strong emough to form many Districts, the Estates will be all given gratis, together with many other benefits, . to honest and qualified Gentlemen in Great Britain, or elsewhere, . who having Numerous and well-educated Families, possess but. little Fortunes, other than their Industry; and will therefore bechosen to enjoy these Advantages,which they shall pay no Rent, or other Consideration for; and yet the Undertaking will not fail to* find its own Account in their Prosperity.

The four great Parks, or rather Forrests, are Each four Miles Square, that is 16 Miles round each Forrest, in which are propagated Herds of Cattle of all Sorts by themselves, not alone to serve the uses of the District, they belong to, but to store such new ones, as may from Time to Time be measur'd out, on Affluence of People.

The middle hollow Square, which is full of Streets, crossing each other, is the City, And the Bank, which runs about it, on the out-side surrounded with Trees, is a large void Space, which will be useful for a thousand Purposes, and, among the rest, as being airy, and affording a fine Prospect of the Town in Drawing near it.

In the Center of the City stands the Margraves House, which is to be his constant Residence, or the Residence of the Governour, and contains all sorts of publick Edifices for Dispatch of Business; and this again is separated from the City by a Space, like that, which, as above, divides the Town from the Country.

OF SOME DESIGNS IN VIEW FOR MAKING PROFIT

Our Prospects in this Point, are more extensive than we think it needful to discover; It were a Shame shou'd we confine the Fruitf ulness of such a rich and lovely Country to some single Product, which example first makes common, and the being common robs of Benefit. Thus sugar in Barbadoes, rice in Carolina, and tobacco in Virginia, take up all the Labours of their People, overstock the Markets, stifle the Demand, and make their Industry their Ruin, merely through a Want of due Reflection on Diversity of other Products, equally adapted to their Soil atod Climate.

Coffee, tea, figs, raisins, currants, almonds, olives, silk, cochineal, and great Variety of still more rich Commodities, which we are f orc'd to buy at mighty Rates from Countries, lying in the very Latitude of our Plantations: All these we certainly shall Propagate, tho* it may Perhaps be said, that they are yet distant Views; mean while, we shall confine our first Endeavors to such easy Benefits, as will (without the smallest waiting for the Growth of Plants) be offer'd to our Industry, from the spontaneous Wealth, which overruns the Country.

The Reader may assure himself, our Undertakings upon all occasions, will be the plainest, and most ready Roads to Profit: not form'd from doubtful, and untried Conceits, nor hamper'd by a Train of Difficulties; none are more apt than we to disregard Chimerical, or rash Designs; but 'tis the Business of Men's Judgment to divide Things plain from things unlikely.

We cannot think it proper to be too particular upon this Subject, nor will it, we suppose, be expected from us: One Example, however, we will give, because we wou'd present a Proof, that much is practicable there, which has not yet been put in practice; we shall Pitch on pot-ash, a Commodity of great Consumption in the Trades of dying, glass-making, soap-boiling and some others; not that this is the only present Prospect which we build on, but as 'tis necessary we shou'd particularize one Benefit, that others may be credible.

And here it will not be amiss, if we describe what pot-ash is, and how they make it; since, 'tis likely, some may have attempted it already, in the Forests of America, and miscarried, by depending upon ignorant Undertakers.

It is not very properly indeed calTd pot-ash, not being any kind of ashes, but fix'd, and vegetable salt of ashes, which, if mix'd with Water, melts away, and turns to lye; For this Reason 'tis preferred to all other Lixiviate Ashes, Foreign or Domestick, which, not being perfect salts, but Ashes of Bean-Straw, and other Vegetables, made stronger by the Help of Lye, bear no Proportion, as to Price, with pot-ash itself, which is, as we said before, the pure salt without any of the ashes.

To procure this Salt, in Russia, and the Countries famous for it, they burn great Quantities of oak, firr, birch, and other Woods, i cut down, when flourishing, and full of Sap; The Ashes they throw into Boilers, or huge Caldrons full of Water, and extract a thick, sharp Lye by boiling; They let this Lye grow clear by settling, and then draw it off, and throw away the Ashes left at Bottom.

This Lye, so clarified, they boil again, and as the Watry Part evaporates apace, they supply the Waste thro* a small Pipe, from another Vessel of the same Sort of Lye, set higher than the Boiler; At last, by a continued Evaporation, the whole Vessel becomes full of a thick brownish Salt, which being dug out in Lumps, and afterwards calcin'd, compleats the Work, and gives a Colour to the pot-ash, like a whitish Blue, in which Condition it is barrelled up, and fit for Merchants.