Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
I beg leave to refer you to my letter of this date to Mr. Saml. Adams for my poor Opinion on Several important publick matters and here congratulate you on our Success in this colony in our endeavours to investigate the art and to encourage the business of making Saltpetre. And in the first place We have found an ingenious publickspirited and industrious man an inhabitant of Sherburn in this county who has the Skill infallibly to discern and to determine at once by the taste whether earth is impregnated with Saltpetre or not and to what degree and by him we find out that there is no want of earth that is so impregnated. He has found some so high charged that of one bushel he made three-quarters of a pound but Such earth is rare. He is added to our 113Comtee. and we have augmented their pay and lengthn’d the time of their Commission. We have appointed a Zealous Comtee. for importing sulphur, another to fix on a proper place for a powder mill, have added 4/ pr. pound to the price of Saltpeter to every one who before the 1st of June next Shall manufacture 50 lb. We have provided encouragemt. for manufacturing fire arms in all our countys and are adjourned to the 29th of November Currt. then to Meet and push the business of Gunpowder Making to our utmost.
We have a Comtee. to collect all the Sulphur Now to be found in the colony, and have discoverd. that our Potash works are as well calculated for Saltpetre as for Potash.
One part of the skill of Mr. Phips is, that he knows precisely at what time or rather at what degree of heat the liquor will christalize which I had like to have not mentioned. I wish you health and largeness of heart as the sand on the sea shore. Take care of your health for without it a man is unfit for business. That you may keep your health Pray Make a point of keeping up a good degree of exercise and frequently take country air.
I am Sir with great esteem Your Most Obedient humble Servant