Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in London

v3:1253

Orders are given to fortify our river, that no ship of war can come up without much hot work, and the Militia still continue to exercise with as much assiduity as ever. All the commissioned officers for the new standing army are nearly appointed, and it is thought the Companies will be filled up directly, as the people, for months past, have been crying out for the measure. A very considerable quantity of gunpowder is lately arrived in New-England, which, when it reaches the camp, it is expected to bring on a very warm day, however late we are now in autumn.

The people in Maryland and Virginia have begun to dig up their tobacco-houses, and lixiviate the earth for nitre; and what would seem incredible, had a person of less credibility than Doctor Boyd, of Baltimore, related it, two ounces of saltpetre have been obtained from two quarts of loam. This success has excited a perfect enthusiasm throughout the Country, and the manufacture of nitre will be every where domestick. I know of three lead mines myself, whose ore yields seventy-five per cent., and we have assurance of as much copper from the Jerseys as will furnish us with as many field-pieces as we can wish to employ.