hat
Great Brittain with her Men of Warr, Fleets and Shiping, have
had in all Ages, and in these latter Ages, as great Sucess at Seas as
any people whatsoever in the Universe cannot modestly be denied in 88,
overthrowing that Invincible Armado so long a preparing, and since other
Navies also; and whose Armadoes, Navies, Armes, and Men, have been a
Terrour to other nations; may her own Grand Magazins, are the very Granary
from whence all His Sacred Majesties Kingdomes, Dominions, and Territories
both in the East and West Indies, on this side and beyonid
the Line, they have their whole and thorow supply of Shiping, Men, Armes,
Food and Rayment, and more then can be, from any Kingdom of the Christian
World.
Now if Wood and Timber should decay still, and fail, the
greatest Strength of Great Britain, her Ships, Mariners, Merchants,
Fishings, and His Majesties Navies, and Men of War, for our Defence,
and Offence would fail us, which before, and since 88 made his Sacred
Majestyes Prodecessors, Queen Elizabeth, and her Great Council,
the then Parliament, to make Lawes for the preservation of Wood
and Timber, especially near any Navigable River; 1 Eliz.
15, 27 Eliz. 19. 28 Eliz. 3.5. 23 Eliz. 5.
All which Laws, and others, for the Preservation of Wood and Timber
are still in force, but not duly Executed; also King Iames His
Sacred Majesties Grand-father, and Prince Henry for the Preservation
of Wood and Timber in this Island, did in the 9th Year of His
Reign, Grant His Letters Pattents of Priviledge unto Simon Sturtevant,
Esq.; for 31 yenrs, for the makiug of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea- cole
for the preservation of Wood and Timber of Great Brittain so
greatly then consumed by Ironworks; This Invention was by King James’s
command to be at large put in Print, which Book did contain near a quire
of paper in quarto, called Simon Sturtevant His Metallica.
Anno. 1612. May 22. Printed by George Eld, Cum Privllegio.
After Simon Sturtevant could not perform his making
of Iron with Pit-cole or Sea-cole, according unto his Engagement, King
Iames, and Prince Henry, caused him to render up his Pattent,
and a new Pattent was Granted unto Iohn Rovenson, Esq. who also
was Enjoyned to write a Book of his Inventions, called, Rovenson’s
Mettallica. Printed for Thomas Thorp, Cum Privilegio: May
15. An. 1613.
After Iohn Rovenson, Esq. had often failed with
his Inventions, and great undertakings, Gombleton, Esq. a Servant
of Queen Ann’s, undertook (by Pattent) to perform the Invention
of making of Iron with Pit-cole, and Sea-cole; but he being as confident
of his Invention as others, did Erect his works at Lambeth, which
the Author view’d; and Gumbleton failing, the Learned and Ingenious
Doctor Iorden of Batsa, the Authors Acquaintance, and
sundry others obtained Pattents for the making of Iron, and melting
of Mines with Pit-cole aud Sea-cole, for the preservation of Wood and
Timber all which Inventions and endeavours to Effect and Perfect the
said. Works, have been by many hereto-fore well known, to have worthily
attempted the said Invention, though with fruitless success.
Having seen many of their failings, I held it my Duty
to endeavour, if it were possible to Effect and Perfect so laudable,
and beneficial, and also so much desired Inventions, as the making of
Iron into cast Works and Bars; and also the Melting, Extracting, Refining
and Reducing all sorts of Mines, Minerals and Metals, with Pit-cole,
Sea-cole, Peat, and Turf, for the preservation of wood and timber, so
much exhausted hy Iron Works of late.
Having former knowledge and delight in Iron works of my
Fathers, when I was but a Youth; afterwards at 20 years Old, was I fetched
from Oxford, then of Bayliol Colledge, Anno 1619,
to look and manage 3 Iron Works of my Fathers, 1 Furnace, and 2 Forges,
in the Chase of Pensnet, in Worcester-shire, but Wood
and Charcole, growing then scant, and Pit-coles, in great quantities
abounding near the Furnace, did induce me to alter my Furnace, and to
attempt by my new Invention, the making of Iron with Pit-cole, assuring
my self in my Invention, the loss to me could not be greater then others,
nor so great, although my success should prove fruitless; But I found
such success at first tryal animated me, for at my tryal or blast, I
made iron to profit with Pit-cole, and found Facere est addere Inventioni.
After I had made a second blast and tryal, the fesibility
of making Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, I found by my new Invention,
the “quality to be good and profitable, but the quantity did not exceed
above 3 Tuns per week: After I had brought my Invention unto
some perfection, and profitable, doubted not in the future to have advanced
my Invention, to make quantity also.
Immediately after my second tryal, I wrote unto my Father
what I had done, and withall, desired him to obtain a Pattent for it
from King Iames of Blessed Memory; the Answer to which Letter
I shall insert, only to shew the forwardness of King Iames, in
this his much animating the Inventor, as he did both Simon Sturtevant,
Iohn Rovenson, Doctor Iordanie and others; The Letter follows;
Son Dudley,
The Kings Majesty being at New-Market, I sent
Parkes thither on Saturday to some Friends of mine, to move the
King Majesty for my Pattent, which be coming on Sunday Morning, in the
Afternoon His Majesty sent a Warrant to Master Atturney fo dispatch
my Pattent, for the which I am infinitely bound unto His Hajesty, that
it pleaed Him of His Great Grace and Eavour to dsepatch it so soon;
I have been this night with Master Atturney, who will make hast for
me; God Bless you, and Commend me unto all my Friends:
March 10.
1619. |
Your Loving Father,
Edward Dudley. |
This Richard Parke, à Parks-house Esq; in
the Letter before mentioned, was the Authors Brother in Law, which did
about l year after the Pattent was granted, carry for the Author
much good Merchantable Iron unto the Tower, by King Iames’s command
to be tryed by all Artista, and they did very well approve of the Iron,
and the said Parkshouse had a fowling Gun there made of Pit-cole
Iron, with his name gilt. upon the Gun, which gun was taken from him
by Colonel Levison Governour of Dudley Castle, and never
restored.
The said Richard Parkhouse’s son my Nepbew, Edward
Parkshouse, the 5th. of Januray 1664. pressed me much to put Pen
unto Paper, to shew what I have done in the invention of making of Iron
with Pitcoale and Seacoal, not uknown unto this Country, and to my brother
Folliott, Esq; and my Nephew Parkshouse Esq; and to my
Kinsman Master- Francis Dingley, to whom I intend to leave the
Secrets of my Inventions, notwithstanding all my sad sufferings from
time to time this forty Years in the invention, my Sufferings in. the
War, and my Estate sold for my Loyalty; and also my sad sufferings and
obstructions since his Sacred Majesties happy Restauration many wayes;
and also upon sundry and many references, at the Authors very great
charge, pains, and time spent of Foure years in his aged dayes, for
the general good, by his inventions for the preservation of Great
Brittain’s Wood and Timber.
Now let me shew some Reasons that induced me to undertake
these Inventions, after the many failings of others, well knowing that
withing Ten miles of Dudley Castle there to be neer 20,000. Smith
of all sorts, and many Iron works at that time, within that Circle decayed
for want of Wood (yet formerly a mighty Woodland Country.)
Secondly, The Lord Dudley’s Woods and Works decayed,
but Pitcoal and Iron, Stone or Mines abounding, upon his Lands, but
of little Use.
Thirdly, Because most of the Coale Mines in these parts,
as well as upon the Lord Dudley’s lands, are Coals, Ten, Eleven,
and Twelve yards thick; the top or the uppermost Cole, or vein, gotten
upon the superficies of this Globe or Earth, in open works.
Fourthly, Under this great thickness of Coal, is very
many sorts of Iron, Stone, Mines, in the Earth Clay or Stone earth,
like bats in all four yards thick; also under these Iron mines is severall
yards thick of Coals, but of these in an other place more convenient.
Fifthly, Knowing that when the Colliers are forced to
sinck Pits for-getting of ten yards thick of Cole one third Part of
the Coles or more, that be gotten under the ground, being small are
of little or of no use in that inland Country nor is it worth the drawing
out of the Pits, unlesse it might be made use of by making of Iron wherewith
into cast works or Bars.
Sixthly, Then knowing that if there could be any use made
of the- smal-coale that are of little Use, then would they be drawn
out of the pits, which coles produceth often times great prejudice unto
the Owners of the works and the work it self, and also unto the Colliers,
who casting of the smalcoles together, which compelling necessity enforcing
the Colliers so to do, for two causes; one is to raise them to cut down
the ten yards thicknesse of coles drawing onely the bigger sort of cole,
not regarding the lesser or small cole, which will bring no money; saying,
He that liveth longest let him fetch fire further: Next, these
Colliers must cast these coles, and sleck or drosse out of their wayes,
which sulphurious small cole and crouded moyst sleck heat naturally,
and kindles in the middle of those great heaps; often fals the cole-works
on Fire, and flaming out of the Pits, and continue burning like Ætna
in Cicily, or Hecla in the Indies.
Yet when these loose Sulphurious compost of cole and sleck,
being consumed in processe of time, the Fire decayes, yet notwithstanding
the Fire hath continued in some Pits many years; yet colliers have gotten
coles again, in those same Pits, the Fire not penitrating the solid
and firme wall of coles, because Pabulum ignis est Aer, the Ayre
could not penetrate, but passe by it in the loose cole and sleck; for
comming into those pits afterwards, I have beheld the very blows of
Pikes or tools that got the coles there formerly. Also from these Sulphurious
heaps, mixed with Iron, Stone (for out of many of the same pits is gotten
much Iron, Stone, Mines; the fires heating vast quanties of Water, passing
thorow these Soughs or Adits, becometh as hot as the Bath at Bathe,
and more healing and sovereign even for old Ulcers and. Sores; because
many of these Baths doe proceed not onely from common Sulphur and vitriol
of Mars, but also from Solar sulphur in this Iron stone;
I hope, Filii Artis, will excuse my digesion from the making
of Iron with Pitcole, Seacole, Peat or Turf; and the melting of mines
and mettals and refining of the same, with the like fuell: the first
Pattent being granted by King James for 31, Years in the 19th
year of his Reign upon just and true information, that the Authour had
the year before made many Tuns of Iron with Pitcole at a Furnace or
Iron-work, in the Chase of Pensnet, in the County of Worcester,
besides cast Iron Works of sundry sorts with Pitcoles; and also at two
Forges or Iron Mills, called, Cradly Forges, fined the said Iron
iuto Merchantable good Bar Iron; But the year following, the grant or
Pattent for making of Iron with Pitcole or Seacole, There was so great
a Flood, by rain, to this day, called the great May-day-Flood, that
it not onely ruinated the Authours Iron works, and inventions; but also
many other mens Iron works: and. at a market Town called Sturbridge
in Commitate Wigorniæ, although the Authour sent with speed
to preserve the people from drowning; one resolute man was carried from
the Bridge there in the day time, and the nether part of the Town was
so deep in Water that the people had much ado to preserve their lives
in the uppermost rooms in their Houses.
My Yron works and inventions thus demolished, to the joy
of many Iron masters, whose works scaped the Flood and who had often
disparaged the Authours Inventions, because the Authour sold good Iron
cheaper then they could afford it; and which induced many of the Iron
masters to complain unto King Iames, averring that the iron was
not Merchantable; As soon as the Author had repaired his works and.
inventions (to his no small charge) they so far prevailed with King
Iames, that the Authour was commanded with all speed possible
to send all sorts of Bar iron up to the Tower of London, fit
for making of of musquets, Carbines and Iron for great Bolts, fit for
Shipping, which Iron being so tryed by Artists and Smiths, that the
iron masters and Iron-monger were all silenced until 21th of King Iames:
At the then Parliament, all Monopolies were made Null, and diverse
of the Iron-masters endeavouring to bring the invention of making Iron
with Pitcole, Seacole, Peat and Turff, within the compasse of a Monopoly;
but the Lord Dudley and the Authour did prevaile; yet the Pattent
was limited to continue but Fourteen years; after which Act the Authour
went on with his invention cheerfully, and made annually great store
of Iron, good and merchantable, and sold it unto diverse men yet living,
at Twelve pounds per tun. I also made all sorts of cast iron
Wares, as Brewing-Cysterns, pots, Morters, and better and cheaper than
any yet made in these Nations, with Charcoles; Some of which
are extant to be seen by any man (at the Authors House in the City of
Worcester) that desire to be satisfied of the truth in the Invention.
Afterwards, The Author was ousted of his works and inventions
before mentioned by the Iron-masters and others wrongfully, over long
to relate: yet being unwilling his Inventions (having undergone much
charge and pains therein) should fall to the ground, and be buried in
him, made him to set forward his Invention again, at a Furnace called,
Himley Furnace in the County of Stafford, where he made
much Iron with Pit-cole, but, wanting a Forge to make it into bars,
was constrained for want of Forge to sell the Pig-Iron unto the Charcole
Iron-masters, who disparaging much prejudice, not onely in detaining
his stock, but also disparaging the Iron; Himley Furnace being
Rented out unto Charcole Iron-Masters.
The Authour Erected a new large Furnace on purpose, 27
foot square, all of stone for his new Invention, at a place called Hasco
Bridge, in the parish of Sedgley, aud County of Stafford;
the Bellows of which Furnace were larger then ordinary Bellows are,
in which work he made 7 Tuns of Iron per week, the greatest quantity
of Pit-cole-Iron that ever yet was made in Great Brittain; near
which Furnace, the Author disovered many new Cole-mines 10 yards thick,
and Iron-mine under it, according to other Cole-works; which Cole-works
being brought unto perfection, the Author was by force thrown out of
them, and the Bellows of his new Furnace and Invention, by riotous persons
cut in pieces, to his no small prejudice, and loss of his Invention
of making of Iron with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, &c. So that being with
Law-Suites, and Riots, wearied and disabled to prosecute his Art and.
Invention at present, even untill the first Pattent was extinct: Nothwithstanding
the Author his sad. Sufferings, Imprisonments wrongfully for several
thousand pound in the Counter in London, yet did obtaine
a new Pattent, dated the 2d of May, Anno 14. Caroli Primi
of ever Blessed Memory, not only for the making of Iron into cast-works,
and bars, but also for the Melting, Extracting, Refing and Reducing
of all Mines, Minerals and. Mettals, with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat,
and Turf, for the preservation of Wood and Timber of this Island; into
which Pattent, the Author, for the better support and management of
his Invention, so much opposed formerly at the Court, at the Parliament,
and at the Law, took in David Ramasey, Esquire, Resident at the
Court; Sir George Horsey, at the Parliament; Roger Foulke,
Esquire, a Counsellour of the Temple, and an Ingenious Man; and
also an Iron Master, my Neighbour, and one who did well know my former
Sufferings, and what I had done in the Invention of making of Iron with
Pit-cole, &c.
All which said. Patentees, Articled the 11th of
Iune following, the Grant not only to pay the Authour all the
charges of passing the Pattent laid down by him, but also to lay in
for a common and joynt-stock each man of the four, one hundred pounds,
and so from time to time, what more stock any three of the Pattentees
should think fit to be laid in for the making of Iron into cast works
and bars, and likewise for the melting, Extracting, Refining and Reducing
of all Mines, Minerals, and Metals, with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat and
Turf, which Articles are yet, extant.
Now let me without offence insert the opposition we all
had, by means of powerfull Iron-Masters, with Sir Philibeard Vernat,
a Dutch Man, and Captain Whitmore, who pretended much unto his
late Sacred Majesty, but performed not their undertaking, which caused
the Author, and his Partners thus to Petition.
To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty
The Humble Petition of Sir George Horsey Knight;
David Ramsey, Roger Foulke, and Dud Dudley, Esquires:
Humbly Sheweth,
That whereas Your Petitioners being called before the Right Honourable,
the Lord Keeper by your Majesties Appointment, touching the making of
Iron with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, and Turf, for which they have Your
Majesties Pattent; and seeing that Sir Philibeard Vernat , and
Captain Whitmore, who are not Inventors, have obtained a Pattent
also for the same; yet before their Pattent Granted, Sir Philibeard
was ordered at Council-board, according to his Great Undertaking, to
perfect his Great Undertaking and Invention within Two yeas, and there
hath been near Three Years passed, and yet have made little or no Iron:
still he Opposeth Your Petitioners, and doth neither benefit himself,
but hinders Your Majesty, and the Kingdom.
The reference unto the Petition followeth; At the Court
at Greenwich, May 20, 1638. His Majesty is pleased to refer this
Petition to Master Atturney, and Master Solicitor General, to call the
Petitioners before them, and to compose the differences between them;
(if they can) or otherwise, to certifie his Majesty their opinions therein:
|
Sir Sidney Mountegue was then
Master of the Requests.
|
But Sir Philibeard Vernat and Captain Whitmore
never appeared any more for their Invention.
Not long after the Wars came on, and caused my partners
to desist, since which they are all dead, but the Author, and his Estate
(for his Loyalty unto his late Sacred Majesty) and Master, (as by the
Additional Act of Parliament may appear) was totally sold.
Yet nevertheless, I still endeavoured not to bury my Tallent,
took in two Partners into my inventions, Walter Stevens of Bristow
Linnen Draper, and John Ston of the same City Merchant, after
the Authour had begun to Erect a new work for the Inventions aforesaid,
near Bristow, Anno 51, and there we three Partners had in stock
near 700l... but they not only cunningly drew me into Bond, entered
upon my Stock and Work, unto this day detained it, but also did unjustly
enter Staple Actions in Bristow of great value against me, because
I was of the Kings Party; unto the great prejudice of my Inventions
and Proceedings, my Pattent being then almost extinct: for which, and
my Stock, am I forced to Sue them in Chancery.
In the interim of my proceedings, Cromwell, and
the then Parliament, granted a pattent, and an Act of Parliament unto
Captain Buck of Hampton Road for the making of Iron with
Pit-cole and Sea-cole; Cromwell, and many of his officers were
Partners, as Major Wildman and others; many Doctors of Physick,
and Merchants, who set up diverse and sundry Works, and Furnaces at
a vast charge, in the Forrest of Dean, and after they had spent
much in their Invention aud Experiments, which was done in spacious
Wind furnaces, and also in Potts of Glass-House Clay; and failing afterwards,
got unto them an Ingenious Glass-Maker, Master Edward Dagney
an Italian then living in Bristow, who after he had made many
Potts, for that purpose went with them into the Forrest of Dean,
and built for the said Captain Buck and his Partners, a new Furnace,
and made therein many and sundry Experiments and Tryals for the making
of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, &c. But he failing, and his
Potts being all broken, he did return to Britow frustrate of
his Expectation; but further promising to come again, and make more
Experiments; at which time Master John Williams, Master Dagneys,
Master of the Glass-House was then drawn in to be a Partner for 300l.
deposited, and most of it spent, the said Williams and Dagney
hearing that the Authour had knowledge to the making of Iron with Pit-cole,
Sea-cole, &c. they from Cap Buck, and the other Partners
importuned the Author, who was at that time in great danger by the Parliament,
(being a Colonel of the Kings Party) to go along with them into the
Forrest of Dean, which at that time durst not deny; Coming thither,
I observed their manner of working, and found it impossible, that the
said Eward Dagney by his Invention should make any Iron with
Pit-cole or Sea-cole, in Pots to profit: I continued with them till
all their Potts and Inventions failed; at every Dinner and Supper, Captain
Buck, Captain Robins, Doctor Ivie, Doctor Fowler
and others, would aske the Author why be was so confident that Iron
in quantity could not be made by their new Inventions ? I found it a
difficult thing to disswade the Partners from their way, so confident
were they to perform the making of iron with Pit-cole or Sea-cole to
profit; that they desired me to come again a second time into the Forrest
to see it Effected; But at that time, I saw their failings also.
Yet nevertheless Captain Buck, and his Partners
Erected new Works at the City of Bristow, in which they did fail
as much as in their former Inventions; but Major Wildsmun, more
barbarous to me then a Wildman, (although a Minister bought the Authors
Estate, near 200l. per Annum, intending to compell from the Author
his Inventions of making of Iron with Pit-cole; but afterwards passed
my Estate unto two Barbarous Brokers of London, that pulled,
down the Authors two Mantion Houses; sold 500 Timber Trees off his Land,
and to this day are his Houses unrepaired.
Anno 1665. Captain Buck and his Partners wearied of their
Invention, desisting, An. 1656. Captain John Copley from Cromwell
obtained another Pattent for the making of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole;
He and his Partners set up their Works, at the Cole-Works near Bristow,
and endeavour’d by Engeneers assistance to get his Bellows to be blown,
at, or near the Pits of Cole, with which Engines the Work could not
be performed: But the Author coming to see the said Works, and after
many Discourses with Captain Copley, his former Acquaintance,
told him plainly, if his Bellows could have been blown by those engines,
yet I feared he could not make Iron with Pit-cole or Sea-cole; he seemed
discontented; whereupon, and without those Engines I made his Bellows
to be blown feisibly, as by the Note under his hand appears (the first
Note) followeth;
1656. December 30.
Memorandum, The day and year above-written, I John
Copley of London, Gent. Do acknowoledge, that after
the Expence of diverse Hundred Pounds to Engineers, for the making of
my Bellows to blow, for the making of Iron with Pit-cole or Sea-cole
near Bristow, and near the Forrest of Kings-wood; that
Dud Dudley Esq. did perform the blowing of the said Bellows at
the Works or Pits aforsaid; a very feisible and plausible way, that
one man may blow them with pleasure the space of an hour or two; and
this I do acknowledge to be performed, with very small charge, and without
any money paid to him for the same Invention:
Captain John Copley thus failing in his Inventions,
An. 1657, he went into Ireland, and all men now desisting
from the Inventions of making of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole: The
Author, Anno 1660. being 61. years of Age, and moved with pitty,
and seeing no man able to perform the Mastery of making of Iron with
Pit-cole or Sea-cole, immediately upon his Sacred Majesties happy Restauration,
the same day he Landed, Petitioned that he might be restored to his
place, and his Pattent obstructed, revived for the making of Iron with
Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat and Turf, into cast Works and Bars, and for
the Melting, Extracting, Refining and Reducing of all Mines, Mettals
and Minerals, with Pit-cole, Sea-cole Peat and Turf; which said Laudable
Invention, the Author was and is unwilling should fall to the ground
and dye with him, neither is the Mistery, or Mastery of the Invention
Effected and Perfected by any man known unto the Authour, as yet, either
in England, Scotland or Wales; all which three
abound with Pit-cole or Sea-cole, and do over-much furnish other Kingdomes
many with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, when they might make far better use
of it themselves, especially Scotland and Wales, both
for the making of Iron into cast Works and Bars; and also for the making
of Steel, and Melting, Extracting, and Refining of Lead, Tin, Iron,
Gold, Copper, Quicksilver, and Silver, with Pit-cole, and Sea-cole.
I shall not trouble you with the Petition, or my reasons
and desires that were annexed unto it, for the making of Iron, and Melting
of Mines, &c. with Pit-cole, &c. they are over long to relate,
only the Reference to them is thus; (after my first Petition was lost,
I Petitioned again.)
At the Court at Whiteh. 22. of June 1663.
His Majesty is graciously pleased to refer the consideration
of this Petition to Master Atturney, and Solicitor General, or to either
of them, together with the Petitioners Reasons and Desires hereunto
annexed; and they, or either of them, are to inform, and certifie His
Mjeasty, what they, or either of them in their Judgements respectively
conceive fit for His Majesty to do concerning the Petitioners Humble
Request, and then His Majesty will declare his further pleasure.
|
Robert Mason,
Master of Requests.
|
After Master Atturney, and Sollicitor General wou1d do
nothing upon the Reference; the Author Petitioned His Sacred Majesty
sitting at the Council-Board, for the Renewing of his Pattent for the
making Iron, and Melting, of Mines with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, often obstructed;
the reference to that petition followeth.
At the Court at Whitehall, July 25. 1660.
Upon reading of a Petition this day at the Board, being
the same in terminis with this above-written, which his Majesty was
graciously pleased by a Reference under the hand of Doctor Mason,
one of the Masters of the Requests, to refer to the consideration of
Master Atturney, and Master Solicitor General, together with the Petitioners
Reasons and Desires there- unto annexed, to the Consideration of the
Lords, and others Commissioners for the Treasury, who upon Examination
of the particulars, are to give such order thereupon, as they shall
find most proper for His Majesties Service.
|
Sir Edward Walker was
Clark to the Council, and
Garter King at Armes.
|
The Author, during the Lords Commissioners their time,
could get no Order upon his Reference; But his Petition was left, with
the now Right Honourable, the Lord Treasurer, to take or grant further
order therein, but the Author hath gotten hitherto no order.
Therefore compelling necessity doth constrain (having
prosecuted his Petition hitherto) him to desist, from his Inventions,
in which he hath taken more pains, care and charge, than any man, to
perfect his new Invention in these Kingdomes. Although the Author had
not as yet so fully perfected or raised his invention, to the quantity
of Charcole Iron Furnaces, yet the Authors quantity being but seven
Tuns per week at the most, together with the quality of his Iron
made with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, hath the most eminent Triplicity of
lron of all that can be desired in any new Invention.
1. More Suffcient. 2. More Cheap. 3.
More excellent.
Upon which triplicity, the Authour might enlarge himself,
but shall not be tedious, only give me leave to mention that; there
be three sorts of Cast Iron;
1. The first sort is Gray Iron.
2. The second sort is called Motley Iron, of which one
part of the Sowes or Piggs is gray, the other part is white intermixt.
3. The third sort is called white Iron, this is almost
as white as Bell-Mettle, but in the Furnace is least fined, and the
most Terrestrial; of the three, the Motley Iron is somewhat rnore fined,
but the Gray Iron, is most fined, and more sufficient to make Bar-Iron
with, and tough Iron to make Ordnance, or any Cast Vessels, being it
is more fined in the Furnace, and more malliable and tough, then the
other two sorts before mentioned; and of this sort, is the Iron made
with Pit-cole, Sea-cole for the most part, and therefore more sufficiently
to be preferred
2. More cheaper Iron there cannot be made, for the Author
did sell pigg or cast Iron made with Pit-cole at four pounds per
Tun, many Tuns in the twentieth year of King James, with good
profit; of late Charcole Pig-iron hath been sold at six pounds per
Tun, yea at seven pouds per Tun hath much been sold.
Also the Authour did sell Bar-iron Good and Merchantable,
at twelve pounds per Tun, and under, but since Bar-iron hath
been sold for the most part ever since at 15l. 16l. 17l.
and 18l... per Tun, by Charcole Iron-Masters.
3. More excellent for diverse Reasons, and principally,
being the meanes whereby the Wood and Timber of this Island almost exhausted
may be timely preserved yet, and vegetate and grow again unto his former
wanted cheapness, for the maintenance of Navigation, which is tbe greatest
Strength of Great Brittain, whose Defence and Offence for all
the Territories that belong unto it, next under God and his Vice-Gerent,
our Sacred Majesties Cares, consists most of Shiping, Men of War, Experienced
Mariners, Ordnances, Ammunition, and Stores, the Ordnance made therewith
will be more gray and tough, therefore more serviceable at Sea and Land,
and the Bar-iron will wall, rivet, and hold better than most commonly
Charcole Iron.
2. More Excellent, not onely in respect the Invention
of making of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole will preserve Wood and
Timber of Great Brittain so greatly consumed by Iron-Works of
late.
But also in respect, this my Invention will preserve many
Millions of Tuns of Small-cole in Great Brittain, which will be lost
in time to come, as formerly they were, for within ten miles of Dudley
Castle, is annually consumed four or five thousand Tuns at least of
small Pit-cole, and have been so consumed time out of mind under ground,
fit to have it made Pit-iron with; which coles are and (unless Iron
be made therewith) will be for ever totally and annually lost; if four
or five thousand Tun of Cole be consumed within ten miles compase, what
Coles is thus consumed in all England, Scotland, and Wales
? which is no good Husbandry for Great Brittain, hinc ille lacrime,
that our Timber is exhausted.
Must I still be opposed, and never enjoy my Inventions,
nor Great Brittain the Benefit ?
Must my Pattent be obstructed in Peace, as it was extinct
by the Wars?
And must not my Pattent be Revived for the making of Iron
with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, and Turf, but find Enemies still to oppose
it ?
How many thousand Tuns of Iron might have been made but
since my first Invention, An. Jacob. 18th by my means
with Pit-cole, and Sea-cole (lost) if I had not had Enemies; and had
not wood and timber been preserved ?
But most men will aver, that it doth concern the Author
to Demonstrate the great losse mentioned formerly of Pit-cole annually;
It is thus,
There is at least within ten miles of the Castle of Dudley,
twelve or fourteen Cole-Works, some in Worcester, and some of
them in Stafford-shire (now in work, and twice as many in that
Circute not in work) each of which Works get two thousand Tun of Cole
yearly, some get three, four or five thousand Tun of Coles yearly: and
the uppermost or top measures of Coles are ten, eleven, and some twelve
yards thick; the Coles Ascending, Basseting, or as the Colliers term
it, Cropping up even unto the superfices of the Earth, and there the
Colliers formerly got the Coles; but where the Coles is deep and but
little Earth upon the measures of Coles, there the Colliers rid off
the Earth, and dig the Coles under their feet; these Works are called
Foot-rids.
But of these Works there are now but few, some of these
small Coles in these open Works, the poor people did carry away, but
paid nothing for them in former times. Termed the Brain carriages.
But now the Colliers working more in the deep of these
Works, they are constrained to sink Pits, some of which Pits are from
eight unto twenty yards deep, and some are near twenty fathome deep,
which fathome contains two yards.
In these Pits, after you have made or hit the uppermost
measures of Cole, and sink or digged thorow them, the Colliers getting
the nethermost part of the Coles first about two yards in height or
more, and when they have wrought the Crutes or Staules, (as some Colliers
call them) as broad and as far in under the ground, as they think fit,
they throw the small Coles (fit to make Iron) out of their way on heaps
to raise them up so high, to stand upon, that they may, with the working
of their Picks or Maundrills over their heads, and at the one end of
the Coles so far in as their Tool will permit, and so high as their
working cometh unto a parting in the measure of Cole, the which Coles,
to the parting by his self clogging and pondrous weight, fall often
many Tuns of coles, many yards high dlown at once; with which fall and
the Colliers breaking of the said Cole, many small coles do so abouud
of no use, and fit for no sale; that in getting of twenty thousand Tuns
of Pit-cole, one half near is small cole, not drawn out of the Pits,
but destroyed, left, and lost; which small cole, with the sleck thrown
moyst, together, (heat the sooner) and by means of its sulphurousness
fire in the Pits, to no small prejudice unto the Owners of the Works,
aud the Workmen, besides Great Brittains Loss; which Cole might
have made many thousand Tuns of Iron, and also have preserved this Islands
Woods and Timber: I might here give you the names, and partly the nature
of every measure, or parting of each cole lying upon each other; the
three uppermost, measures are called the white measures for his white
Arcenical, Salsuginus and Sulphurious substance which is in that Cole;
the next measure, is the shoulder-cole, the toe-cole, the foot-cole,
the yard-cole, the sliper-cole, the sawyer-cole, and the frisly-cole,
these last three coles are the best for the making of Iron, yet other
coles may be made use of.
I might give you other names of coles, but desire not
prolixity, yet must I tell you of supernumerary number of Smiths within
ten miles of these Cole-Works near twenty thousand; yet God of his Infinite
goodness (if we will but take notice of his goodness unto this Nation)
hath made this Country a, very Granary for the supplying these Men with
Iron, Cole, and Lime made with cole, which hath much supplyed these
men with Corn also of late, and from these men, a great part not only
of this Island, but also of his Majesties other Kingdomes and Territories
with Iron wares have their supply, and wood in these parts almost exhausted,
although it were of late a mighty wood-land Country.
Now if the Coles and Iron-stone so abounding were made
right use of, we need not want Iron as we do; for very many measures
of iron-stone are placed together under the great ten yards thickness
of cole, and upon another thickness of coles two yards thick, not yet
mentioned, called the bottom-cole, or the heathen cole, as if God had
decreed the time when, and how these Smiths should be supplyed, and
this Island also with Iron, and most especially, that this coal and
iron-stone, should give the first, and just occasion for the invention
of the making of iron with pit-cole, no place being as fit for the invention
to be perfected in, then this Country, for the general good; whose Woods
did formerly abound in Forrests, Chases, Parks and. Woods, but exhausted
in these parts.
Now for the names of the iron-stone, the first measure
is called the Black-row-graines, lying in very hard and black Earth.
The second measure is the Dun-row-graines, lying in dun
earth or clay.
The third measure is called the white row grains, lying
in very white Earth or Clay; under these three measure are sundry other
measure, and are called, first, the Rider Stone; secondly, the Cloud
Stone; thirdly, the bottom Stone ’, fourthly, the Cannock or Cannotstone,
which last may well be so caled (although all the other measures be
very good) yet this Stone is so Sulphurous and Terrestrial, not fit
to make Iron; because the Iron thereof made is very Redshare, which
is that if a workman should Draw or Forge out a Share mould fit for
a Plough in that red heat, it would crack and not be fit for the Use
of the Husbandmans Plough or Share. I may take occasion here to speak
of the Nature of Coldshare Iron, which is so brittle if made of the
grain Oare or Iron stone would be almost as brittle as some Regulus
Antimonii made Iron, for with one small blow over an Anvil you may
break the biggest Bar that is, if it be perfect coldshare Iron; nay
the Plough-man often breaks his Share point off if it be made of coldshare
Iron. But perfect tough malliable Iron will not break feisibly in hot-heat
or cold, as coldshare will, or red hot as Sulphurious veneriated red-share
Iron will; but yet tough enough when it is cold: All which aforesaid
qualities of Iron the Authour very well knoweth how to mend their Natures,
by finning or setting the finery, lesse transhaw, more borrow which
are terms of art, and by altering aud pitching the works, and plates
the fore spirit-plat, the tuiron, bottome, back and breast or fore-plate,
by the altering of which much may be done, if the work be set transhaw
and transiring from the blast, the Iron is more coldshare lesse Fined,
more to the Masters profit; lesse profitable to him that makes it into
mauufactorage, and less profitable to him that useth it; but the Iron
made in a Burrow work, becometh more tough and serviceable; yet the
nature of all Iron stone, is to be considered, both in the Furnace,
and in the finery, that the Sulphurious Arceniall and Veneriating qualities
which are often-times in Iron stone be made to separate, in both the
works from the fixed and fixing bodies of Iron, whose fiery quality
is such, that he will sooner self calfne than separate from any Sulphurious
veneriated quality.
No man, I hope, need to be offended at any terms of Art,
it hath been alwayes lawfull for Authours of new Arts and Inventions,
at their own pleasures, to give name to their new Inventions and Arts,
every Tradesman is allowed it in his mystery.
But the Authour hath as much as he could avoided the terms
of Art that Simon Sturtenante and others have used, which are
very many: onely the Author hath given you the common names and terms
(for the most part) which are so common among Forge-men and Founders,
as is nothing more common; but kept secret amongst them and a mystery
not yet known, but unto very few Owners of Iron-works; nay I have not
yet troubled your memory with any of the Founder terms, of but making
his harth as the Timpe stones, the Wind-wall stones, the Furion stones,
the Botton-stone, the Back-stones and the boshes, in the making and
pitching of which harth is much of the Mystery.
I must confesse, there is given unto some Phylosophers,
etc filii Artis, some few terms how the Sulphurious, Arsenicall,
Bituminos, Antimoniall, Venerial, and otherpoysnous qualities, either
in the Pit-cole, Sea-cole, or the Iron-stone, may be in part at the
furnace separated, and not permitted to incorporate in the Iron, and
if it be incorporated, yet by Fining at the Forge, to fetch it out;
also to melt extract, refine, and reduce all mines mettals and minerals,
unto their species with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, and Turff, by ways
not yet in use, which the Authour will make known, here-after, if God
permit him health, time and space, or leave his knowledge unto his Brother
Aylmore Folliott, Esq; his Nephew Parkshouse, Esq; and
to his Kinsman Master Francis Dingley, to declare unto this latter
Age of the World, in which God is pleased to manifest many of his Secrets;
Qui vult secreta scire, secreta serete sciat custodire.
Having suffered much, ever since the Year 1618. unto this
present, for the general good, as by the preceding discourse appears
for the making of Iron with Pitcole, Sea-cole, Peat, and Turf; for the
preservation of Wood & Timber of Great Brittain so much exhausted,
for future prevention of which,
Is first, to permit, the Authour to enjoy His Pattent,
and fully to perfect his said Inventions (obstructed in the Reign both
of King James and in the Reign of his Sacred Majesty King Charles
the First, of ever Blessed Memory; and lately since his most Sacred
Majesties happy Restauration) who desires nothing but to be animated
with the Patent revived according unto the Statute of 21 Iacob.
For Inventors.
Secondly, to impower the Authour or any other Agents to
take care that no Pit-cole, or Sea-cole be any wayes wilfully destroyed
under ground.
Thirdly, To put all former good Laws in Execution, and
to make others for the preservation of Wood and Timber of these Nations,
especially neer Navigable River or Seas.
Fourthly, Seeing there goeth out of England, Scotland,
and Wales, many thousand Tuns Annually of Pitcole and Seacoles
to furnish France, and also the Smiths thereof Spaine, Portugal
and Flanders, and especially the Smiths thereof; the Low-Countries
and the Smiths thereof, besides the Hollanders carries great
quanties of our Coles unto Foreigne parts, without which those Countries
cannot subsist: Now the Authors desire is, that where there is a conveniency
of Iron stone or Ewre, the Coles may not be transported (paying His
Sacred Majesties Duty) until Order from His Majesty or his Privy Couucil.
Fifthly, That no Pitcole be Exported, seeing that Wool
fuell and Timber is decayed for Buildings, and instead thereof Brickmaking
(formerly spending Wood, but now coles) is much in use; also is Glasse
now made with cole, but formerly were there many Thousand Loads of Wood
fuell spent in the making thereof, and the Glass Inventio with Pitcole
was first effected near the Authours Dwwelling.
Sixthly, Making of Steel, Brewings, making of Coppras,
Allum, Salt, casting of Brasse aod Copper, Dyings, and many other Works
were not many years since done altogether with the Fuell of Wood and
Charcole; instead whereof, Pitcole, and Seacole is now used as Effectually,
and to a far better use and Purpose; besides the preservation of Wood
and Timber.
Seventhly, That which is somewhat neerer the mark and
Invention; the Blacksmith forged all his Iron with Charcole, and. in
some places where they are cheap, they continue this course still, but
small Pitcole and Seacole, and also Peat and Turf hath and doth serve
the turn as well and sufficiently as Charcole.
Eighthly, That which is nearest, and my perfect Invention,
and neer the Authours Dwelling, called Greens-lodge, there are
four Forges, namely, Greens-forge, Swin-forge, Heath-forge and Cradley-forge.
Which Four Forges have Barred all or most part of their
Iron with Pit-cole ever since the Authours first Invention, 1618. which
hath preserved much Wood: In these Four, besides many other Forges do
the like; yet the Author hath had no benefit thereby to this present.
Yet by this Barring of Iron with Pitcole 80000 loads of
Wood and more have been preserved for the general good, which otherwayes
must have been had and consumed.
Symon Sturtevant, in his Metallica, in the
Epistle to the Reader, saith, That there was then Anno 12. Jacobi
in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales 800 Furnaces, Forges, or
Iron Mills making Iron with Charcole: Now we may suppose at
least 300 of these to be Furnaces, and 500 to be Forges; and each Furnace
making fifteen Tun per week of Pig or cast Iron, and work or blow but
Forty week per Annum, but some Furnaces make Twenty Tuns of Pig Iron
per Week, and two Loads of Charcole or there about, go to the making
of a Tun of Pig Iron: And two Loads (or two cords) of Wood, at the least,
go to the making of a load of Charcole.
Now what Loads of Wood or Charcole is spent in great Brittain
and Ireland Annually ? but in one Furnace, that makes Fifteen Tun
per Week of Pig-Iron for Forty weeks: I shall give you the Table, and
leave you to judge of the rest of the Furnaces.
|
Charcole |
Wood |
15. Tun per week spends of |
30 loads |
60 loads |
Per Annum 40 weeks it spends |
1200 1oads |
2400 1oads |
Also for one forge that Makes Three Tuns of Bar Iron weekly
for Fifty weeks, but some Forges make double my Proportion, and spend
to Fine and Bar out each Tun three Loads of Coles: To each Tun.
|
Charcole |
Wood |
3 tuns per week |
9 loads |
18 loads |
Per Annum |
450 1oads |
900 1oads |
By these Examples, may you see, the vast quantities of
Charcole, or Wood, that the 800 Furnacis spend weekly, or yearly, and
the 500. Forges workings all the year, spend little lesse then the Furnaces:
It being impossible, after this rate for great Brittain or Ireland,
to supply these her works with Charcole in Fining of Iron at the Fineries,
yet the Forges that need but half the Charcole may be permitted to use
Charcole, and may be supplyed with under Woods.
Let us but look back unto the making of Iron, by our Ancestors,
in foot blasts, or bloomenies, that was by men treading of the Bellows,
by which way they could make but one little lump or bloom of Iron in
a day, not 100 weight, and that not fusible, nor fined or malliable,
until it were long burned and wrought under Hammers, and whose slag
or more Iron, then in that day the workman or bloomer got out, which
Slag, Scorius, or Sinder is by our Founders at Furnaces wrought again,
and found to contain much Yron and easier of Fusion than any Yron stone
or Mine of Yron whatsoever of which slag and Sinders, there is in many
Countryes Millions of Tuns and Oaks growing upon them, very old and
rotten.
The next invention was to set up the Bloomeries that went
by water, for the ease of the men treading the bellows, which being
bigger, and the waterwheel causing a, greater blast, did not onely make
a greater quantity of iron, but also extracted more iron out of the
slag or sinder, and left them more poorer of iron then the foot-blasts,
so that the Founders cannot melt them again, as they do the foot blast
sinders to profit: Yet these Bloomeries by water (not altogether out
of use) do make in one day but two hundred pound weight of iron, or
there abouts neither is it fusible, or malliable, but is unfined untill,
it be much burned, and wrought a second time in fire.
But some of the now going Furnaces with Charcole, do make
two or three Tun of Pigg or cast iron in 24 hours.
Therefore I do not wholly compute the vast quantities
of charcoles and wood spent in, these voragious works, which quantity
of cast iron, with pit cole and Sea-cole, at one Furnace I desire
not, but am contented with half the proportion, which once I
attained unto before my Bellows were riotously cut, that is one Tun
in 24 hours; we need not a, greater quantity, if the like quantity were
made in Furnaces in Scotland, and Wales, which abounds
with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, as well as England; and our supernumery
Smiths, Founders, and Forgemen, and other Tradesmen might, be there
imployed, thereby to furnish His Majesties Plantations, as well, if
not better then England, where Coles are far cheaper then in
England.
Although vast quantities of Coles do abound near the Authors
dwelling, yet twenty thousand Smiths or Naylors at the least dwelling
near these parts, and taking of Prentices, have made their Trade so
bad, that many of them are ready to starve and steal; so that it is
wished there were some courses taken to mend their Trade, imploy them
in other parts, or permit them, not to take so many Prentices, all which
have great occasions to use Pit-cole, and had not these parts abounded
with cole, it would have been a great deal worse with them then it is;
but of the cole there is, nor will be any want, nor of iron-stone.
The manner of the cole-veins, or measures in these parts,
and also of the measures of iron-stone, or mines, how they lye, be,
or increase, some veins lye circuler, some semi-circuler, some ovall,
some works almost in a direct line, and some works parts of a, Circle;
as by the Circle, it being onely for a small Example to judge the rest
of the Mines by may appear.
FINIS.
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