Item 106 - Letter from J Mascarene of Cambridge, New England about manufacture of potash

Cambrdige N England 10th Feb. 1766\n\nSir\n\nAs I have the honor to be (however unworthy) a member of the Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce, I think it a duty incumbent upon me to contribute any information, how small soever, which may tend to promote the laudable designs they are engag'd in, and hope my intentions will meet with a favourable interpretation. \n\nAbout twelve years ago I undertook the business of making Pot Ash in this Country, which tho attended with great trouble & expence & what at length depriv'd me of the little I had, owing to the difficulties and disappointments which are generally to be met with in new enterprizes; yet my labour have (as I think I may say without vanity, since the fact is well known here) been principally instrumental in laying a foundation for that manufactures (text missing) it to the respectable footing on which it now stands; and (text missing) ery fact, will doubtless be one of the best staples of (text missing) in England that ever this Country has produced. \n\nBut as all advantages are liable to abuse, and we have good reason to believe that a considerable quantity of Pot Ash has been exported within this Year or two from thence to the English market, which was found not only bad in quality, but some Casks filled with an heterogeneous mixture; I fear should this practice continue it will tend to destroy the good effects which may otherwise arise both to Great Britain & the Plantations from so valuable a branch of Commerce. \n\nIn order therefore to remedy this inconvenience and more especially as the Assembly of our Province had it in view to appoint an Assay master for the purpose, I wrote on the 11th of July last to Messrs Abraham & William Whittakers (Dry-Salters near the old Swan stairs London bridge) to whom I sold some Pot Ash of my own Manufacture when I was in London in the year 1762 for their information respecting the lowest standard that would be deem'd merchantable, and the proper method of making the Assay; and as Mr John Lane Merchant of London my friend and Correspondent was in America & with me soon after I wrote the same I communicated the contents to him jsut before his return to England and have received from him 5 days past a letter wher. (text missing) that he had called upon Messrs Whittakers to kno. (text missing) done for me with respect to procuring a proper Mach. (text missing). saying of Pot Ash, and learnt from them that my letter was then before the Society for Arts Manufactures &c, and that as soon as they could determine in what manner sufficient proof was to be made of the goodness of that article, they would write me word. \n\nTho' I did not expect at the time I wrote said letter that it would have been read before so respectable a Society, and therefore hope they will excuse the incorrectness & deficiency of it, yet I think myself happy in having the attention of that worthy Body, and doubt not of their generous assistance in so good a cause. \n\nSince the receipt of Mr Lane's Letter (which came very opportunely), I waited on some of the Gentlemen of the Committee of our General Court here who are now upon considering the proper method of preventing frauds in this Article, to whom I communicate the paragraph above recited, and from what they told me have reason to think the matter will be postpon'd till the method the Society is pleas'd to pitch upon be known; it is for this reason, Sir, that I have taken the liberty to write to you, that by your means the Society may be inform'd of the Opportunity they have of doing so public a service, and should esteem it as a favour if I could be made acquainted with the method they propose soon enough to prevent any false steps which maybe taken here, as I am very jealous whether their method (should they take ti on themselves to appoint one) will be effectual to answer the end propos'd and therefore would humbly subjoin a query. Wheter a forfeiture of the Bounty which is allowed by the Society on all Pot Ash that has not pass'd an inspection by the Person properly authoriz'd to examine it before exportation might not have a good tendency to prevent imposition; this I only hint at as one method, the Wisdom of the Society will doubtless suggest other methods for discouragement of bad Merchandize. \n\nI would just beg leave to mention that as I was one of the first if not the principal undertaker in this business and have been so great a sufferer therein, if it should be thought proper & expedient that any Person should be appointed by any Authority from England to have the inspection of this manufactory in America with liberty of substituting deputies where necessary, I am in such case have the interest of the Society for that purpose, and as my character may not be sufficiently known to them would beg leave to refer You to Mr John Lane Merchant in Nicholas Lane Lombard Street, or his Father Mr Thomas Lane who are well acquainted with me and my connections. \n\nIt gives me no small uneasiness that as Member of the Society I have not had it in my power as it has been in my inclination (tho' I found it was not required of corresponding members) to contribute my mite to the general Interest, chiefly occasion'd by my suffering as above mentioned'd, however as I obtain'd when at home a small commission in the Revenue (which I find will not obstruct my being serviceable in the Assay beforemention'd, if I should be approv'd for that purpose) I hope hereafter to be able to lend a helping hand to their generous design, in the meantime if anything I can at any time offer may be worthy their attention it will give me a very sensible pleasure. \n\nI have the honour to be Sir\n\nYour most obedt humble srvt\n\nJno. Mascarene

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B/1/4

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Colonies and Trade

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Creator Victoria 05/08/1998