[Several notes to follow are to have extracts from the book Spotswood Letters , published by the Virginia Historical Society. Though the book has about 350 pages, it is not a complete set of the material written by Spotswood.]
To the Council of Trade, 24 October 1710, My Lords:
- - - - There is a project intended to be handed to this next Assembly for improvement of the Iron Mines lately discovered in this Country, which upon Tryal have been found to be extraordinary rich and good. It is proposed that the work be carryed on at the Publick Charge; That the Assembly raise a Fund for that purpose and have the disposal of the profits thereof when it comes to perfection, for answering the publick expenses of the Government, if the Assembly should proceed so far therein this Session as to prepare an Act for the encouragement of this Work, I hope I may give my Assent to it without infringing her Majesty's Instructions, which restrains me from passing Acts of an extraordinary Nature; since I do not at present apprehend any Disadvantage which this may occasion to her Majesty's Service or the Trade of Great Britain, because the Nation is obliged to import great quantities of Iron from foreign parts, which if this succeeds may be supplied from hence, at least if it should be found prejudicial, the Act may be repealed by her Majesty long before it can take any effect here, since they can enter in no part of their Work till they have their Workmen and Materials from England, and here I take occasion to beg Your Lordships' favorable interpretations of the earnest endeavours I shall always use in these parts to promote the interest of her Majesty and that of my Mother Country (Great Britain). - - - - [Many recent notes have pointed out the iron was not newly discovered but was the ore to be used in the Falling Creek furnace built about 1622.]
To the Council of Trade, 15 December 1710, My Lords:
- - - - I gave your Lordships an account in my last of a project intended to be laid before the next Assembly for carrying on an Iron Work, but that design did not meet with the countenance which was expected from the House of Burgesses, it being the temper of the of the People here never to favour any Undertaking unless they can see a particular advantage arising to themselves, and these Iron mines, lying only at the Falls of the James River, the rest of the Country did not apprehend any benefit they should reap thereby. Since therefore the Country hath so little inclination to make use of the advantages which nature has put into their hands, I humbly propose to Your Lordships' consideration whether it might not turn to good account if her Majesty would be pleased to take that work into her own hands, sending over workmen and materials for carrying it on, and imploying therein the Revenue of Quitt-Rents which would be a sufficient fund to bring it to perfection. I have been assured that the Oar has been tryed and found extraordinary Rich, and I have discoursed the Owners of the Land [William Byrd], and find them very willing to yield up their Right into her Majesty's hands without expecting any other consideration than such as Office in the management of the work as they shall be found capable of. The Iron may be sent home as Ballast to Ships without any other charge than of Sloops or Lighters to put it on board, and by this means her Majesty may prevent its being manufactured in this Country, which is the only ill consequence that might have been feared if this work had been undertaken by the Inhabitants. - - - -
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.