Sir:—
The bearer, Mr. Wilcox now waits on your Excellency and the Honorable the Council of State in order to have something done with respect to the Iron Works in this County. At his request we went and viewed the furnace, and find that they have made sundry preparations, but have not yet begun to blow: and we conceive that it will be some time first as there does not appear to be near sufficient quantity of coal and ore nor limestone to begin with to advantage. Mr. Mills, the Superintendent informs us that the want of labourers is the reason of this. Mr. Wilcox has made repeated applications to us to make a representation of his situation. We verily believe that he suffers greatly at present not having any way or means to support his family. Nothing less seems to satisfy him than to have his works back, agreeable to the majority of the General Assembly. We do
not pretend to judge what may be best for him, but this we are certain of, that the country is at a very great expence daily, which we think they might as well have been clear of.