Letter from William Trent to Jacob S. Howell: Informing where sulphur ore and flint-stones may be found

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Trenton, September 8,1776.

SIR: By the bearer I have Sent you two samples of sulphur ore, the largest piece which is part of a ball I got from Mr˙ Van Swearingham, tavern-keeper at Middletown, on the road that leads from Hagerstown to Fredericktown, in Maryland; the other comes from the Ohio. If either of them are of value enough to make the mines worth inquiring after, Mr˙ Van Swearingham can inform you of the place where the first was got, and I can give directions to find the mine the other was taken from.

On a plantation of one Adam Small, a Dutchman, near the Red-House on the road leading from the mouth of Conicocheque to Winchester, are plenty of black flint-stones. Several hunters who have made flints for their guns of them, say they are very good. If flints are wanted for present use, I am informed there are stones which were brought for ballast and unloaded at Moles' Point, Petapseco Landing, sufficient to make flints to last the army several years.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

WILLIAM TRENT.