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William Priest - Travels in the United States of America
The last great purchase of land from the Indians, on the confines of Georgia, was at the rate of a cent per
acre; one hundred acres for a dollar!
Before the american war, flour, was sold at two dollars, per barrel; it is now selling at
fourteen.
But perhaps the most tempting speculation is that of the mines. Our friend, Parsons, who is here
looked upon as an agent to some english speculators, has lately received the enclosed, which I begged a
copy of, for your perusal but should first inform you, the cheapest fuel you can burn in some parts of
America, is english coal from Liverpool!
Farewell.
COPY OF A LETTER TO B. PARSONS.
"SIR,
"The coal mine, of which you requested, me to give you a description, is situate in the county of
Hampshire, on a spur or arm of the Allegany mountains. At the foot of this, within the distance of one
mile, is the river Patowmack, at the confluence of it's north branch with the Savage river. To this point,
the Patowmack Company, incorporated for this purpose, intend to extend their navigation, and have
already perfected it within the distant of six or seven miles. The work is going forward, and I believe will
be completed next summer. This being perfected, there will be a good navigation for large flat-bottomed
boats, within one mile of the coal-bank, to which a good road may be had on the side of the mountain.
"This immense body of coal, which lies not above two or three feet under the surface of the earth, was
discovered by the falling of a tree, the roots of which brought up some pieces of coal. It has been made
use of for some years by the neighbouring blacksmiths, who have made a perpendicular opening, about
ten feet on this side of the mountain. Intending to purchase this property, I employed a man about two
years ago to dig about twelve feel lower down than the first opening, and found nothing but a solid body
of coal, of an excellent quality. I am inclined to think it extends to the bottom of the mountain, and may
be procured with so much ease, that one hand, as I am assured, could deliver three hundred bushels a
day.
"From the information I have received, there is a body of iron ore within seven or eight miles of the
coal-bank; and I expect a very advantageous situation for water-works might be found at the confluence
of the North Branch and the Savage. Among the great objects contemplated by the Patowmack Company
in clearing the navigation of that extensive river, was that of forming an easy communication between
the eastern and western waters, which you know are divided by the Allegany Mountains. The space that
separates them at present is about sixty miles; but when the obstructions to the navigation down the
Patowmack, which, passing through an extensive and fertile country, leads to the seat[Footnote: The
writer means intended seat of federal empire.] of federal empire; and thence widening by degrees
to the width of twelve miles, empties itself into the bay of Chesapeak.
"Should any of your friends in England incline to form an establishment here, in the smaller branches of
non manufactory, I should he glad to treat with them on terms mutually beneficial.
"Yours, &c."
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