Gentlemen, New Brunswick July 5th 1776

I am now on my Return from Morris County. Col: Jacob Ford1 was marched with the Militia to Newyork. I therefore could not determin any Thing on account of his ore. There is a quantity of Sulphur ore at woodbridge 12 Miles from here, also about five miles from here another quantity; but in my oppinion it is too near the water and in Reach of the 241Enemy. I should, for that Reason advise not to errect any such works in those Places. I met a Man here this Day, who tells me, that there is an imense quantity of Pirithes near Charlottenburgh about 50 miles from here, in the woods of Morris County, to which Place I shall go tomorrow, take a Sample and examine the same. This Place will be remote and verry convenient for fire wood. The Person who told me of the Place in Bergen County, seems to be unwilling to discover it to me without a Reward; though it will not be worth a single Shilling to the owner. I wish on that head, that the Committee of Congress would be pleased to issue a more extensive order for the Discovery of such places without a Reward, only to pay the Damages on the Land, which cannot be much. I have sent the Letter from Committe of Congress to Mr. Ford to Newyork and requested his Terms.

I shall be with a Sample of different places, in Town by the latter End of next week. I am with the greatest Respect, Gentlemen Your obedient humble Servant,

Anthy. Mosengeil

RC ; addressed: “Robert Treat Paine, Esqr., Philadelphia”; endorsed in an unidentified hand.

1.

Jacob Ford, Jr., was involved in a number of business ventures including an iron mine, iron forges, a grist mill, a hemp-mill, a gunpowder mill, and farms. He was colonel of the New Jersey militia from 1776 until his death on Jan. 10, 1777. Samuel Adams wrote that “The late Behavior of the People of Jersey was owing to some of their leading Men, who instead of directing & animating, most shamefully deserted them. When they found a Leader in the brave Colo Ford, they followd him with Alacrity.” In the winter of 1779–1780 General Washington used the Ford mansion in Morristown, N.J., as his military headquarters (Letters of Delegates to Congress, 6:64).