Dud Dudley's Mettallum Martis OR, IRON Made with Pit-coale, Sea-coal, etc. And with the same Fuel to Melt and fine Imperfect Metals, and Refine perfect Metals.  
〈…〉 Printed by T. M. for the Author   

TO THE KING'S Most Sacred Majesty.  
May it Please Your Majesty;  
ALl Your Kingdoms, Dominions, and Territories, being the happy Subjects of Your Cares, are therefore the proper Objects of Your View: Great Britain, O Great Britain, Your Principal Island, here Humbly Presents herself unto Your Royal Presence, View and Care; be Pleased, to interpret this her Obsequiousness, to be her Duty; for since Your Majesty's safe Return, has already Graciously dayned, to View, and often to review her Shiping, Stores, Armouries, Ordnance, Magazines, and Trade; Vouchsafe, Great Sir, Great Britain Your Royal Patronage, and once more, at some one hour, or two, to Grace it with Your Auspicious Aspect, in this Mite, with all Humility Presented, By,  
A Faithful Servant, of Your Sacred Fathers; And a Loyal Sufferer, for Your Sacred Majesty; And by Pattent-Servant, Dud Dudley.   

TO THE Honourable, His Majesty's Great Council; The High Court of Parliament.  
YOur Predecessors in former Ages, had both serious Consultations, and Considerations, before they made those many Wholesome and Good Laws, for the Preservation of Wood, and Timber, of this Kingdom, 1 Eliz. 15. 23 Eliz. 5. 27 Eliz. 19 28 Eliz. 3. 5. in whose days, and since in King James' Reign, Ships in most Ports and Rivers of this Kingdom, (Thames Excepted) might have been built, for forty Shillings per Tunn; but now they can hardly be built for triple the value, wood and timber is so much decayed; therefore men of War, Trade of Merchants, of Fishing, of Navigating, unto Plantations will decay, if not timely prevented, which is hoped will be one of Your Principallest Cares, seeing our Enemies have carried Timber from England, and the Iron Works have much exhausted it; For the prevention of so great a Consumption, almost incurable: First is to put the Wholesome Laws in Execution; Secondly, not to permit Timber to be Exported. Thirdly, to animate, as King James did, and also Prince Henry, the making of Iron in England, Scotland, and Wales with Pitcole, Sea-coal, and Peate; which if the Author (who had a Patent for it) had not been opposed, after he had made much good Iron with Pitcole, it had long since, by his Inventions, been fully perfected. The Fourth is, to stop all the Exportation of Pitcole, and Sea-coal (paying His Majesty's Duty) if the Coal be in a fit place, to make Iron therewith. Fifthly, That the Author, or his Agents may have power to preserve many thousand Tuns of Pitcole, which are annually destroyed, for ever in England, Scotland, and Wales which are fit to make Iron; and the Author in this Treatise hath demonstrated it, being moved with pity, seeing his Native Country decaying, Humbly offers but his Judgement, and and leaves the grave consideration thereof, to your Learned, and more serious Consultations and Actings, praying that you may animate good things, & new inventions, that may bring unto His Sacred Majesty, and all Loyal Subjects Safety, Strength, Wealth, and Honour by our Ships, and Men of War, Fishing, Navigation, and Merchandizing, unto Foreign Nations; but more especially, to, and from the Territories of Great Britain, our North Indies abounding in Mines and Minerals, that they that are of the Honourable Corporations of Mines Royal, and Batteries, or any others, would lay in a Common, or Joint Stock, fully to set the Mines at Work, by employing our idle, and burdensome supernumerary people therein, Iron, Tin, Led, Copper, Quicksilver, Silver and Gold, besides many other Minerals, and Marcesits, Lapis Calaminaris, Antimony, Maganes, etc. also many Mineral Earth's and Precious Stones: Did I call Great Britain our North Indies? give me leave to repeat a passage till further satisfaction, of King Josina of Scotland, a great Philosopher, Physician, and Herbalist, living before Christ, 161. years, at which time, two venerable Philosophers and Priests passing from Portugal to Athens, their Ship and Company, and Mariners, all perished at Ros, they only saved; after refreshing, and good Entertainment, the King desired of them what they understood by their Science of the Nature of the Ground of Scotland; after deliberate advisement, said, There was more Riches and Profit to be gotten within the Veins of the Earth of Scotland, then above, for the winning of Mines and Metals; They knew this by the Influence of the Heavens: This you may see in the Chronicles of Scotland.  
My Dear Master, our Sacred Martyr, Charles the First of ever Blessed Memory, did animate the Author by Granting him a Patent, Anno 14 of His Reign, for the making of Iron, and Melting, Smelting, Extracting, Refining, and Reducing all Mines and Metals with Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat and Turf, which was Extinct, and Obstructed by reason of the War; and had not this unnatural and unparallelled War been, His late Sacred Majesty himself had set at work many of His Mines, and much good had been produced to Great Britain before this time.  
At present the Author is in good hope, and incessantly prays, that the Mines be set at work in his days, by the Honourable Corporation of the Mines Royal, for he verily believeth the time to be near, when the Omnipotent God, before he Judge the World in Fire, will show His Omnipotency unto the Nations, by revealing of the wonderful and incredible things of Nature, of which the Learned do believe very many to be, in the Mineral Kingdom, by working of Mines and Fusion of Metals, gotten by honest labour under ground profitable to Man, and Acceptable with God.  
I might here speak somewhat of Superior Planets producing Metal, Saturn, Led: jupiter, Tin: Mars, Iron: but these abound in Great Britain, so do the Inferior Planets produce Venus, Copper: Mercury, Quicksilver: Luna, Silver:  
If God permit me health and leisure from Suits and Troubles, not only to write of them, but also the manner of the Melting, Extracting, Refining, and Reducing of them with Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat, etc. In the interim to let you know that Great Britain abounds with Copper Mines, much neglected, yet of great use for Ordnance, at Land, and also at Seas, and for the making of Brass, with our Lapis Calaminaris, so much Exported by the Dutch, which doth hinder our manufactories of Brass, and causes the Dutch and Swedes to raise the price of Copper and Brass ever since our small loss at Sea by the Dutch. Mercury, Quicksilver is not wanting, but few Artists have made any Experiment of that Mine in this Kingdom.  
Luna, Silver doth abound in Great Britain, especially a very Rich Vein, Rake, or Fibrey thereof was wrought at Binny-Hills near Lithgo in Scotland, in the Author's days, some part of which he hath, is malleable Silver in the Oar or Mine, yet neglected. And so are many of our richest Mines in England, and Wales, etc. the cause is conceived to be the want of a general and joint-stock for the employing our idle people in getting, and working of the Copper, and Silver Mines.  
Of the Planet Sol, Gold: I may not be silent, whose Golden, Glorious, Pure, Sulphurous, Piercing, Spirit, communicating his virtue Mineral unto all things in the Mineral Kingdom, as well as to the Animal and Vegetable Kingdom, whose pure influence producing Gold, caused the poor indigent people of Scotland, which the Author did see, Anno 37 at Shortlough, six men to dig and carry with wheele-barrows, the common Earth or Mould unto Rivulets remote, out of which those men did wash Gold-grains, as good as is in the sand of the Rivers, in which Rivers many have gotten Gold, and seen Grains of Sol, near one ounce weight, both in the Low-lands, and in the Highlands; also he hath seen Gold gotten in England, but not so plentiful as in Scotland: For Sir James Hope, An. 1654. brought from Scotland, Baggs of Gold Grains unto Cromwell, some of which Grains were very large, and as fine as any Gold in the world, that is in Mines; thus I came to see the Bags, taking a view of the Low-lands, and Highlands of Scotland, Anno 37, in which year, I spent the whole Summer (in opening of Mines, and making of discoveries) was at Sir James Hopes Led Hills, near which I got Gold, and he coming to London, employed Captain David Acheson, a Refiner, whom I met with in Scotland, Anno 37 to find me out; when I came unto Sir james Hope, dwelling in White Hall, he produced the Bags unto me, and poured the Gold out upon a board, in which was one large piece of Gold, which had to it adjoining a large piece of white spar very transparent, which Cap. David Acheson yet living at Edinburgh saw; but I would never Act with Sir james Hope, hoping of these times to see good things acted, for I believe God is about to reveal many of his secrets, unto his Israel in this latter Age, which made me not to Answer the Letter of Sir james Hope, as followeth.  

Edinburgh 26. June 1654. Sir,  
If I had found the opportunity before my parting, I purposed to have been a suitor to you, and I persuade myself, you are so kind and generously disposed, that you would have answered my desire, and therefore also even at this distance adventure to offer it: And it is that you would confer upon me one breviate of your journey through the North of Scotland; as to the discovery of Minnerals upon some account, and at first view, this may seem as unreasonable of me desired, as improbable that you should grant it, but the circumstance of time and persons and substance of the things considered, I am not altogether out of hope of it; only, I shall say, if you condescend to me in this, though it be more in satisfaction, to my curiosity, then for any design I have upon the matter; yet you shall singularly oblige me to endeavour and be ready as opportunity shall offer, to express my thankfulness, in what way you will prescribe, that is in the power of;  
your very affectionate brother and Servant, james Hope.   
This Sir James Hope, was a Judge at the City of Edinburgh, and by Cromwell made Lord Martial of Scotland.  
My hope now is, that the Honourable and ingenious Corporation of the Mines Royal, will set the Mines at work, that my Inventions, in which I have spent much time and charge, in melting, smelting, extracting, refining and reducing of Mines and Metals with Pitcoal, Sea-coal and Peats; and have made with the same Fuel many hundred Tuns of good Merchantable Iron, into cast works and Bars; may by the Inventioner be enjoyed according to the Act of Parliament, 21. Jacob. Seeing the Author can make it appear he hath been much obstructed by lawsuits and the Wars hitherto: Desires that his Talon of Undoubted truths (may not be buried) for the general good, but be brought to light, after all the sad Sufferings of the Author, whereby he may add unto his new Inventions, what he conceives fit to be done: That not only this so exhausted Kingdom may enjoy the benefit thereof, but also Scotland and Wales which abound with Coals, Iron, Stone and Mines of all sorts, minerals and precious Stones, etc.  
Yet from England's Granery, Scotland making no Iron, and other Territories, have their thorough supply, not only of Iron, but of Iron manufactories many, so hath Wales; yet might Scotland and Wales not only supply themselves, but supply His Sacred Majesties other Territories with Iron and Iron Wares and Steel also, by Iron and Steel made with Pit-coale, Sea-coal and Peat; and thereby be helpful unto themselves and England, and all Plantations of his Majesties, on this side and beyond the line,   

To the Reader, especially of England, Scotland and Wales.  
THe injury and prejudice done unto me & to this Island, my native Country for the making of Iron, in cast works and bars with Pitcoal, Seacole, Peat and Turf, and with the like fuel, to melt, extract, refine and reduce all Mines and metals, moved me in the negligence of better Wits and Pens to apologise for it; in this ensuing Treatise, and believe me Reader, 'twas no private, or politic design in my Invention, but mere zeal, becoming an honest man, Patriae, parentibus & amicis; that Engaged me (after many others failed) in these Inventions, for the general good and preservation of Wood and Timber, which,  
Eque pauperibus, locupletibus eque,  
Eque neglectis pueris senibusque nocébit;  
Therefore it concerns His sacred Majesty, his high Court of Parliament, all his Counsels, Mariners, Merchants, Royal and Loyal Subjects (the destruction of Wood and Timber) to lay it to heart, and helping hands, upon fit occasions, in these so laudable Inventions, of making Iron & melting of mines and refining of them with Pitcole, Seacole, Peat and Turf; for the preservation of Wood and Timber for maintenance of Navigation, men of War, the Fishing and Merchants Trade, which is the greatest strength of Great Britain, and all other his Majesty's Kingdoms and Territories, whose defence and offence next under God, consists by his sacred Majesties assisting care, and view of his men of War, Ships, experienced marrinours, merchants, Ordnance of Copper, Bras and Iron Armouries, Steels and Iron, of all sorts; both of bars, squares, and cast works and which ought and may be suplyed from Scotland and Wales by Iron, Copper and Brass, and made there, with Pitcole, Seacole and Peat; and which abound there and in England also; In Cornwall, Devonshire, Somerset, Gloucester, Stafford, Derby, York, Lancaster, Westmoreland, Cumberland; are many Copper mines: so is there in Pembroke, Carmarthin, Merionith and Denbyshires, also there are very many rich Coper mines in very many places in Scotland, at Sterling, at Dumfad and many other places well known unto the Author,  Dud Dudley  

Dud Dudley's Mettallum Martis.  
THat Great Britain with her Men of War, Fleets and Shipping, have had in all Ages, and in these latter Ages, as great Success 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 Armadas, Navies, Arms, and Men, have been a Terror to other Nations; nay her own Grand Magazines, are the very Granary from whence all His Sacred Majesty's Kingdoms, Dominions, and Territories both in the East and West-Indies, on this side and beyond the Line, they have their whole and thorough supply of Shipping, Men, Arms, Food and Raiment, and more than 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 Majesty's Navies, and Men of War, for our Defence, and Offence would fail us, which before, and since 88 made his Sacred Majesty's Prodecessors, Queen Elizabeth, and her Great Council, the then Parliament, to make Laws 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 james His Sacred Majesty's Grandfather, and Prince Henry, for the Preservation of Wood and Timber in this Island, did in the 9th Year of His Reign, Grant His Letters Patents of Privilege unto Simon Sturtevant Esq for 31 years, for the making of Iron with Pitcole and Sea-coal for the preservation of Wood and Timber of Great Britain so greatly then consumed by Iron works; This Invention was by King James' command to be at large put in Print, which Book did contain near a choir of paper in quarto, called, Simon Sturtevant His Mettallica. Anno 1612. May 22. Printed by George Eld, Cum Privilegio.  
After Simon Sturtevant could not perform his making of Iron with Pitcole or Sea-coal, according unto his Engagement, King james, and Prince Henry, caused him to render up his Patent, and a new Patent was Granted unto john Rovenson Esq who also was Enjoined to write a Book of his Inventions, called, Rovenson's Mettallica. Printed for Thomas Thorp, Cum Privilegio: May 15. An. 1613.  
After john Rovenson Esq had often failed with his Inventions, and great undertake, Gombleton Esq a Servant of Queen Ann's, undertook (by Patent) to perform the Invention of making of Iron with Pitcole, and Sea-coal; but he being as confident of his Invention as others, did Erect his works at Lambeth, which the Author viewed; and Gumbleton failing, the Learned, and Ingenious Doctor Iorden of Baths, the Author's Acquaintance, and sundry others obtained patents for the making of Iron, and melting of Mines with Pitcole and Sea-coal, for the preservation of Wood and Timber all which Inventions and endeavours to Effect and Perfect the said Works, have been by many heretofore 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 Pitcole, Sea-coal Peat and Turf, for the preservation of wood and timber, so much exhausted by Iron Works of late.  
Having former knowledge and delight in Iron Works of my Fathers, when I was but a Youth; afterward at 20 years Old, was I fetched from Oxford, then of Bayliol College, 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 Charcoal, growing then scant, and Pitcoles, 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 Pitcole, assuring myself in my Invention, the loss to me could not be greater than others, nor so great, although my success should prove fruitless; But I found such success at first trial animated me, for at my trial or blast, I made Iron to profit with Pitcole, and found Facere est addere Inventioni.  
After I had made a second blast and trial, the fesibility of making Iron with Pitcole and Sea-coal, 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 trial, I wrote unto my Father what I had done, and withal, desired him to obtain a Patent for it from King james of Blessed Memory; the Answer to which Letter I shall insert, only to show the forwardness of King james, in this his much animating the Inventor, as he did both Simon Sturtevant, john Rovenson, Doctor jordaine and others; The Letter follows;  
Son Dudley,  
The King's Majesty being at Newmarket, I sent Parks thither on Saturday to some Friends of mine, to move the King's Majesty for my Patent, which he coming on Sunday Morning, in the Afternoon His Majesty sent a Warrant to Master Attorney to dispatch my Patent, for the which I am infinitely bound unto His Majesty, that it pleased Him of His Great Grace and Favour to dispatch it so soon; I have been this night with Master Attorney, who will make haste for me; God Bless you, and Commend me unto all my Friends:  
Your Loving Father, Edward Dudley. March 10. 1629.  
This Richard Parks, à Parkshouse Esq in the Letter before mentioned, was the Author's Brother in Law, which did about 1 year after the Patent was granted, carry for the Author much good Merchantable Iron unto the Tower, by King James' command to be tried by all Artists, and they did very well approve of the Iron, and the said Parkshouse had a fowling Gun there made of Pitcole Iron, with his name gilded upon the Gun, which Gun was taken from him by Colonel Levison Governor of Dudley Castle, and never restored.  
The said Richard Parkshouse's son my Nephew, Edward Parkshouse, the 5th. of January 1645. pressed me much to put Pen unto Paper, to show what I have done in the invention of making of Iron with Pitcoale and Sea-coal, not unknown unto this Country, and to my brother Folliott, Esq and my Nephew Parkshouse Esq and to my Kinsman Master Francis Dingley, to whom I intent to leave the Secrets of my Inventions, notwithstanding all my sad sufferings from time to time this forty Years in the inventions, my Sufferings in the War, and my Estate sold for my Loyalty; and also my sad sufferings and obstructions since his Sacred Majesty's happy Restauration many ways; and also upon sundry and many references, at the Authors very great charge, pains, and time spent of Four years in his aged days, for the general good, by his inventions for the preservation of Great Brittain's Wood and Timber.  
Now let me show some Reasons that induced me to undertake these Inventions, after the many failings of others, well knowing that within Ten miles of Dudley Castle there to be near 20000. Smiths 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 Day or Stone earth, like bats, in all four yards thick; also under these Iron mines is several yards thick of Coals, but of these in an other place more convenient.  
Fifthly, Knowing that when the Colliers are forced to sink Pits for getting of ten yards thick 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, unless it might be made use of by making of Iron therewith 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, than would they be drawn out of the Pits, which coals produceth often times great prejudice unto the Owners of the works and the work itself, 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 yard's thickness of coals drawing only the bigger sort of coal, not regarding the lesser or small coal, which will bring no money; saying, He that liveth longest let him fetch fire further: Next, These Colliers must cast these coals, and sleck or dross out of their ways, which sulphurous small coal and crowded moist sleck heat naturally, and kindles in the middle of those great heaps; often falls the cole-works on Fire, and flaming out of the Pits, and continue burning like Aetna in Sicily, or Hecla in the Indies.  
Yet when these lose Sulphurous composts of coal and sleck, being consumed in process of time, the Fire decays, yet notwithstanding the Fire hath continued in some Pits many years; yet colliers have gotten coals again, in those same Pits, the Fire not penitrating the solid and firm wall of coals, because Pabulum ignis est Aer, the Air could not penetrate, but pass by it in the lose coal and sleck; for coming into those pits afterwards, I have beheld the very blows of Pikes or tools that got the coals there formerly. Also from these Sulphurous heaps, mixed with Iron, Stone (for out of many of the same pits is gotten much Iron, Stone, or Mines; the Fires heating vast quantities of Water, passing thorough these Soughs or Adits, becometh as hot as the Bath at bath, and more healing and sovereign even for old Ulcers and Sores; but because many of these Baths do proceed not only from common Sulphur and vitriol of Mars, but also from Solars' 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 metals and refining of the same, with the like fuel: the first Patent being granted by King James for 31. Years in the 19th year of his Reign upon just and true information, that the Author had the year before made many Tuns of Iron with Pitcole at a Furnace or Ironwork, 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 into Merchantable good Bar Iron: But the year following, the grant or Patent 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 only ruinated the Authors Iron works, and inventions, but also many other men's Iron works and inventions; but also many other men's Iron works: and at a market Town called Sturbridge in Commitate Wigorae, although the Author 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 Iron works and inventions thus demolished, to the joy of many Iron masters, whose works scaped the Flood and who had often disparaged the Author's Inventions, because the Author sold good Iron cheaper than they could afford it; and which induced many of the Iron masters to complain unto King james, 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 james, that the Author was commanded with all speed possible, to send all sorts of Bar Iron up to the Tower of London, fit for making of Muskets, Carbines and Iron for great Bolts, fit for Shipping, which Iron being so tried by Artists and Smiths, that the Iron masters and Ironmongers were all silenced until 21th. of King james: At the then Parliament, all Monopolies were made Null, and divers of the Ironmasters endeavouring to bring the invention of making Iron with Pitcole, Seacole, Peat and Turf, within the compass of a Monopoly; but the Lord Dudley and the Author did prevail; yet the Patent was limited to continue but Fourteen years; after which Act the Author went on with his invention cheerfully, and made annually great store of Iron, good and merchantable, and sold it unto divers men yet living at Twelve pounds per Tun; I also made all sorts of cast Iron Wares, as Brewing-Cysterns, Pots, Mortars, and better and cheaper than any yet were 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 outed of his works and inventions before mentioned by the Ironmasters 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, Himly Furnace in the County of Stafford, where he made much Iron with Pitcole, but wanting a Forge to make it into bars, was constrained for want of Stock to sell the Pig-Iron unto the Charcoal Ironmasters, who did him much prejudice, not only in detaining his stock, but also disparaging the Iron; Himley Furnace being Rent out unto Charcoal Ironmasters.  
The Author 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, and County of Stafford; the Bellows of which Furnace were larger than 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 Britain; near which Furnace, the Author discovered 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 Fellows 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 Pitcole, Sea-coal, etc. So that being with Law-Suites, and Riots, wearied and disabled to prosecute his Art and Invention at present, even until the first Patent was extinct: Notwithstanding the Author his sad Sufferings, Imprisonments wrongfully for several thousand pound in the Counter in London, yet did obtain a new Patent, 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, Refining and Reducing of all Mines, Minerals and Metals, with Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat, and Turf, for the preservation of Wood and Timber of this Island; into which Patent, 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 Ramsey Esquire, Resident at the Court; Sir George Horsey at the Parliament; Roger Foulke Esquire, a Counsellor 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 Pitcole, etc.  
All which said Patentees Articled the 11th of june following, they Grant not only to pay the Author all the charges of passing the Patent laid down by him, but also to lay in for a common and joint-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 Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat and Turf, which Articles are yet extant.  
Now let me without offence insert the opposition we all had, by means of powerful Ironmasters, 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 Kings 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 Majesty's Appointment, touching the making of Iron with Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat and Turf, for which they have Your Majesty's Patent; and seeing that Sir Philibeard Vernat, and Captain Whitmore, who are not Inventors, have obtained a Patent also for the same; yet before their Patent Granted, Sir Philibeard was ordered at Council-board, according to his Great Undertaking, to perfect his Great Undertaking and Invention within Two Years, 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 Greenwith, May 20. 1638. His Majesty is pleased to refer this Petition to Master Attorney, and Master Solicitor General, to call the Petioners before them, and to compose the differences between them; (if they can) or otherwise, to certify 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 Talent, took in two Partners into my Inventions, Walter Stevens of Bristol Linen Draper, and John Ston of the same City Merchant, after the Author had begun to Erect a new work for the Inventions aforesaid, near Bristol, 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 unjusty enter Staple Actions in Bristol of great value against me, because I was of the King's Party; unto the great prejudice of my Inventions and Proceed, my Patent being then almost extinct; for which, and my Stock, am I forced to Sue them in Chancery.  
In the interim of my proceed, Cromwell, and the than Parliament, granted a Patent, and an Act of Parliament unto Captain Buck of Hampton Road, for the making of Iron with Pitcole and Sea-coal; Cromwell, and many of his Officers were Partners, as Major Wildman and others; many Doctors of Physic, and Merchants, who set up divers and sundry Works, and Furnaces at a vast charge, in the Forest of Dean, and after they had spent much in their Invention and Experiments, which was done in spacious Wind-Furnaces, and also in Potts of Glass-house Day; and failing afterwards, got unto them an Ingenious Glass-Maker, Master Edward Dagney an Italian then living in Bristol, who after had made many Potts, for that purpose went with them into the Forest of Dean, and built for the said Captain Buck and his Partners, a new Furnance, and made therein many and sundry Experiments and Trials for the making of Iron with Pitcole and Sea-coal, etc. But he failing, and his Potts being all broken, he did return to Bristol frusrate 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 Author had knowledge in the making of Iron with Pitcole, Sea-coal, etc. 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 King's Party) to go along with them into the Forest of Dean, which at that time durst not deny; Coming thither, I observed their manner of working, and found it impossible, that the said Edward Dagney by his Invention should make any Iron with Pitcole or Sea-coal, 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 Ivy, Doctor Fowler and others, would ask the Author why he was so confident that Iron in quantity could not be made by their new Inventions? I found it a difficult thing to dissuade the Partners from their way, so confident were they to perform the making of Iron with Pitcole or Sea-coal to profit; that they desired me to come again a second time into the Forest 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 Bristol, in which they did fail as much as in their former Inventions; but Major Wildman, more barbarous to me then a Wildman, (although a Minister bought the Author's Estate, near 200l. per Annum, intending to compel from the Author his Inventions of making of Iron with Pitcole; 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 1655. Captain Buck and his Partners wearied of their Invention, desisting, An. 1656. Captain John Copley from Cromwell obtained another Patent for the making of Iron with Pitcole and Sea-coal; He and his Partners set up their Works, at the Cole-Works near Bristol, and endeavoured 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 Pitcole or Sea-coal; 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 acknowledge, that after the Expense of divers Hundred Pounds to Engineers, for the making of my Bellows to blow, for the making of Iron with Pitcole or Sea-coal near Bristol, and near the Forest of Kings-wood; that Dud Dudley Esq did perform the blowing of the said Bellows at the Works or Pits abovesaid, 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 a very small charge, and without any money paid to him for the same Invention:  
John Copley.  
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 Pitcole and Sea-coal: The Author, Anno 1660. being 61. years of Age, and moved with pity, and seeing no man able to perform the Mastery of making of Iron with Pitcole or Sea-coal, immediately upon his Sacred Majesty's happy Restauration, the same day he Landed, Petitioned that he might be restored to his place, and his Patent obstructed, revived for the making of Iron with Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat and Turf, into cast Works and Bars, and for the Melting, Extracting, Refining and Reducing of all Mines, Metals and Minerals, with Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat and Turf; which said Laudable Invention, the Author was and is unwilling should fall to the ground and die with him, neither is the Mystery, or Mastery of the Invention Effected and Perfected by any man known unto the Author, as yet, either in England, Scotland or Wales; all which three abound with Pitcole or Sea-coal, and do overmuch furnish other Kingdoms many with Pitcole and Sea-coal, 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 Pitcole and Sea-coal.  
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, etc. with Pitcole, etc. 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 Attorney, 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 certify His Majesty, 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 Attorney, and Solicitor General would do nothing upon the Reference; the Author Petitioned His Sacred Majesty sitting at the Council-Board, for the Renewing of his Patent, for making of Iron, and Melting, of Mines with Pitcole, Sea-coal 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 Attorney, and Master Solicitor General, together with the Petitioners Reasons and Desires thereunto 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 Majesty's Service.  
Sir Edward Walker was Clark to the Council, and Garter King at Arms.  
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 Kingdoms.  
Although the Author hath not as yet so fully perfected or raised his invention to the quantity of Charcoal Iron Furnances, yet the Author's quantity being but seven Tuns per week at the most, together with the quality of his Iron made with Pitcole and Sea-coal, hath the most eminent Triplicity of Iron of all that can be desired in any new Invention.  

1. More Sufficient.  
2. More Cheap.  
3. More Excellent.   
Upon which triplicity, the Author 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 Grey Iron.  
2. The second sort is called Motley Iron, of which one part of the Sows or Pigs is grey, the other part is white intermixed.  
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 more fined, but the Grey Iron,  
1. 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 malleable and tough, than the other two sorts before mentioned; and of this sort, is the Iron made with Pitcole, Sea-coal for the most part, and therefore more sufficiently to be preferred.  
2. More cheaper Iron there cannot be made, for the Author did fell pig or cast Iron made with Pitcole at four pounds per Tun, many Tuns in the twentieth year of King James, with good profit; of late, Charcoal Pig-iron hath been sold at six pounds per Tun, yea at seven pounds per Tun hath much been sold of late years.  
Also the Author 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 Charcoal Ironmasters.  
3. More Excellent for divers Reasons, and principally, being the means whereby the Wood and Timber of this Island almost exhausted, may be timely preserved yet, and vegetate and grow again unto his former wont cheapness, for the maintenance of Navigation, which is the greatest Strength of Great Britain, whose Defence and Offence, for all the Territories that belong unto it, next under God and his Vicegerent, our Sacred Majesty's Cares, consists most of Shipping, Men of War, Experienced Mariners, Ordnances, Ammunition, and Stores, the Ordnance made therewith will be more grey and tough, therefore more serviceable at Sea and Land, and the Bar-iron will wall, rivet, and hold better than most commonly Charcoal Iron.  
2. More Excellent, not only in respect the Invention of making of Iron with Pitcole and Sea-coal will preserve Wood and Timber of Great Britain so greatly consumed by Iron-Works of late.  
But also in respect, this my Invention will preserve many Millions of Tuns of Small-coal in Great Britain, 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 Pitcole, and have been so consumed time out of mind under ground, fit to have made Pit-iron with; which coals 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 mile's compass, what Coals is thus consumed in all England, Scotland, and Wales? which is no good Husbandry for Great Britain, hinc ille lacrime, that our Timber is exhausted.  
Must I be still opposed, and never enjoy my Inventions, nor Great Britain the Benefit?  
Must my Patent be obstructed in Peace, as it was extinct by the Wars? And must not my Patent be Revived for the making of Iron with Pitcole, Sea-coal, 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 Pitcole, and Sea-coal (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 loss mentioned formerly of Pitcole 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 Coals yearly: and the uppermost or top measures of Coals are ten, eleven, and some twelve yards thick; the Coals Ascending, Basseting, or as the Colliers term it, Cropping up even unto the superfices of the Earth, and there the Colliers formerly got the Coals; but where the Coals is deep and but little Earth upon the measures of Coals, there the Colliers rid off the Earth, and dig the Coals under their feet; these Works are called Foot-rids.  
But of these Works there are now but few, some of these small Coals 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 fathom deep, which fathom contains two yards.  
In these Pits, after you have made or hit the uppermost measures of Cole, and sink or digged thorough them, the Collier's getting the nethermost part of the Coals 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 Coals (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 Coals 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 Coals, to the parting by his self clogging and ponderous weight, fall often many Tuns of coals, many yards high down at once; with which fall and the Colliers breaking of the said Coal, many small coals do so abound of no use, and fit for no sale; that in getting of twenty thousand Tun of Pitcole, one half near is small coal, not drawn out of the Pits, but destroyed, left, and lost; which small coal, with the sleck thrown moist together, (heat the sooner) and by means of its sulphurousness fire in the Pits, to no small prejudice unto the Owners of the Works, and the Workmen, besides Great Britain's Loss; which Coal 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, parting of each coal lying on upon each other; the three uppermost measures are called the white measures for his white Arcenical, Salsuginos and Sulphurous substance which is in that Coal; 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 coal, these last three coals are the best for the making of Iron, yet other coals may be made use of.  
I might give you other names of coals, but desire not prolixity, yet must I tell you of a 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 Granaris for the supplying these Men with Iron, Cole, and Lime made with coal, which hath much supplied 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 Kingdoms 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 Coals and Ironstone so abounding were made right use of, we need not want Iron as we do; for very many measures of ironstone are placed together under the great ten yard's thickness of coal, and upon another thickness of coals two yards thick, not yet mentioned, called the bottom-cole, or the heathen coal, as if God had decreed the time when, and how these Smiths should be supplied, and this Island also with Iron, and most especially, that this coal and ironstone, should give the first, and just occasion for the invention of the making of iron with pitcole, no place being so fit for the invention to be perfected in, than this Country, for the general good; whose Woods did formerly abound in Forests, Chases, Parks and Woods, but exhausted in these parts.  
Now for the names of the ironstone, 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 measures, 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 called (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 Husbandman's 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 Antimony made with Iron for which one small blow over an Anvil you may break the biggest Bar that is, if it be perfect coldshare Iron; nay the Ploughman often breaks his Share point off if it be made of coldshare Iron. But perfect tough malleable Iron will not break feisibly in hot-heat or cold, as coldshare will, or red hot as Sulphurous veneriated redshare Iron will; but yet tough enough when it is cold: All which aforesaid qualities of Iron the Author very well knoweth how to mend their Natures, by finning or setting the finery, less transhaw more borrow which are terms of art, and by altering and pitching the works, and plates, the fore spirit-plat, the tuiron, bottom, 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 less Fined, more to the Master's profit; less profitable to him that makes it into manufactorage, 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 Sulphurous Arceniall and Veneriating qualities, which are oftentimes 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 calfine than separate from any Sulphurous veneriated quality.  
No man, I hope, need to be offended at any terms of Art, it hath been always lawful for Authors 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 Author hath as much as he could avoided the terms of Art that Simon Sturtenant and others have used, which are very many: only 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 hearth as the Timpe stones, the Wind-wall stones, the Fuiron stones, the Botton-stone, the Back-stones and the Boshes, in the making and picking of which hearth, is much of the Mystery.  
I must confess, there is given unto some Philosophers, & filii Artis, some few terms how the Sulphurous arsenical, Bituminos, Antimonial, Venerial, and other poisonous qualities, either in the Pitcole, sea-coal, or the Ironstone, 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 metals and minerals, unto their species with Pitcole, Sea-coal, Peat, and Turf, by ways not yet in use, which the Author will make known, hereafter, if God permit him health, time and space, or leave his knowledge unto his Brother Aylmore Folliott, Esq his Nephew Parkshouse, Esquire; 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 secrete 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, Seacole, Peat, and Turf; for the preservation of Wood & Timber of Great Britain so much exhausted, for future prevention of which,  
Is first, to permit the Author to enjoy His Patent, 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. jacob. for Inventors.  
Secondly, to empower the Author or any other Agents to take care that no Pitcole, or Seacole be any ways 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 near Navigagable 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 Spain, Portugal and Flanders, and especially the Smiths thereof; the Low-Countries and the Smiths thereof, besides the Hollanders carries great quanties of our Coals unto foreign parts, without which those Countries cannot subsist: Now the Author's desire, is, that where there is a conveniency of Iron stone or Ewer, the Coals may not be transported (paying His Sacred Majesty's Duty) until Order from His Majesty or his Privy Council.  
Fifthly, That no Pitcole be Exported, seeing that Wood fuel and Timber is decayed for Buildings, and instead thereof Brickmaking (formerly spending Wood, but now coals) is much in use; also is Glass now made with coal, but formerly were there many Thousand Loads of Wood fuel spent in the making thereof, and the Glass Invention with Pitcole was first effected near the Authors Dwelling.  
Sixthly, Making of Steel, Brewing, making of Coppras, Alum, Salt, casting of Brass and Copper, Die, and many other Works were not many years since done altogether with the Fuel of Wood and Charcoal; 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 nearer the mark and Invention; the Blacksmith forged all his Iron with Charcoal, 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 Charcoal.  
Eighthly, That which is nearest, and my perfect Invention, and near the Authors 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 Pitcole ever since the Authors 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 30000 loads of Wood and more have been preserved for the general good, which otherways must have been had and consumed.  
Simon Sturtevant, in his Mettallica, 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 Charcoal: 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 weeks per Annum, but some Furnaces make Twenty Tuns of Pig Iron per Week, and two Loads of Charcoal 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 Charcoal.  
Now what Loads of Wood or Charcoal is spent in great Britain 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.  
 Charcoal, Wood 15. Tun per week spends of 30 loads 60 loads Per Annum 40 weeks spends 1200 2400 loads  
Also for one Forge that make 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 Coals: To each Tun.  
 Charcoal Wood 3 Tun per week 9 Loads 18 loads Per Annum 450 loads 900 loads  
By these Examples, may you see, the vast quanties of Charcoal, or Wood, that the 300 Furnaces spend weekly, or yearly, and the 500 Forges workings all the year, spend little less than the Furnaces: It being impossible, after this rate for great Britain's or Ireland, to supply these her works with Charcoal in Fining of Iron at the Fineries, may be permitted to use Charcoal, and may be supplied 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 malleable, until it were long burned and wrought under Hammers, and whose first slag, sinder or scorius, doth contain in it as much, 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 Iron and easier of Fusion than any Iron stone or Mine of Iron whatsoever of which slag and Cinders, there is in many Countries 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 only make a greater quantity of iron, but also extracted more iron out of the slag or sinder, and left them more poorer of iron than the foot-blasts, so that the Founders cannot melt them again, as they do the foot-blast cinders 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 feisible, or malleable, but is unfined until it be much burned, and wrought a second time in fire.  
But some of the now going Furnaces with Charcoal, 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 pitcole and Sea-coal, 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 Pitcole and Sea-coal, as well as England; and our supernumery Smiths, Founders, and Forgemen, and other Tradesmen might be there employed, thereby to furnish His Majesty's Plantations, as well, if not better than England, where Coals are far cheaper than in England.  
Although vast quantities of Coals do abound near the Author's 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, employ them in other parts, or permit them, not to take so many Prentices, all which have great occasions to use Pitcole, and had not these parts abounded with coal, it would have been a great deal worse with them than it is; but of the coal there is, nor will be any want, nor of ironstone.  
The manner of the cole-veins, or measures in these parts, and also of the measures of ironstone, or mines, how they lie, be, or increase, some veins lie circular, some sami-circuler, some oval, some works almost in a direct line, and some works parts of a Circle; as by the Circle, it being only for a small Example to judge the rest of the Mines by may appear.  
FINIS.   


ΛΛ East.  
Λ West.  
ΛΛΛ North.   
Time not permitting me to give you a Larger Map, conclude, etc.  

A Two Gutters out of which issueth Water, as hot as that at Bath.  
B The way from Himley to Dudley, and from Dudley to Burmicham.  
C Dudley Castle.  
O Coles ten yards thick.  
o Ironstone four yards thick.  
o Coals two yards thick.   
The Scale for Cole, and Stone per yard.  Scale for map  
By the white innermost Circle, you may conceive the Scale under to be over in Diameter, a mile and a half.  Scale for map  diagram and geological map of the coalfield around Dudley Castle