1To George Washington from B. Francis, 25 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
A person who has been sometime in America, takes the liberty to address you on the subject of Metals. The want of Metals in a country inhabited by an ingenious and diligent people, must greatly retard their progress in manufactures, and operate as a check upon their population. The enquiry after the existence of the ores of the useful metals, in the United States has not, to my knowledge, ever...
2To George Washington from B. Francis, 27 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
An inquiry into the mineral productions of this country, appeared to me an object of so much importance, that I was induced to take the liberty of writing to you on the business from Boston, I think in June, and had the honour of receiving your reply in this City. The motives that occasioned my former letter (& the only excuse I can plead for taking this freedom) were similar to what dictate...