thence.

If our Iron Works in _Virginia_ meet with any tolerable Encouragement,
we shall have no Need to apply to _Spain_ and _Sweden_ for Iron, for we
have there enough to stock all _Europe_; and as I have been informed it
surpasses all other Iron in Goodness and Cheapness. This Manufacture
might be carried on without any Detriment to the Iron Merchants and
Makers in _England_; for they might stint the Quantity, have it all
brought into their Hands, and use _themselves_ what they want instead of
foreign Iron, and vend Abroad the Overplus that they may permit to be
made. Certainly this most useful Commodity would come cheaper from our
own Dominions than from other Countries; and in working it from the
_Oar_ to the _Bar_ would employ great Numbers of People that now beg or
steal for their Living. As for working Iron up into Instruments and
Tools in _Virginia_, I believe they would scarce desire so great
Liberty; unless upon Consideration the Gentlemen concerned in such hard
Ware found it to be for the Interest of themselves, their Workmen, and
the Publick, to send over People to make all Sorts of Utensils in Iron
in _Virginia_, where they may have all Sorts of Provisions and Materials
for their Work much cheaper than in _England_; where they may have Land
to settle for little or nothing; where Wood, Oar, and Water Conveniences
are plentiful. What Detriment would it be to work up Iron there, if it
may be done cheaper, and by the same People, who are so numerous in
_England_ that they can (abundance of them) hardly get Work and a poor
Livelihood? But if it will not be granted that Iron shall be _wrought_
in _Virginia_, yet might it be _cast_ there; if _Forges_ will not be
allowed there, yet might _Furnaces_ be encouraged, from whence our
Merchants may be supplied with better and cheaper Iron than from other
Places; and Recompence might easily be made in the Trade to _Spain_ and
_Sweden_, &c. for the Deficiency that would ensue in the Quantities of
Goods exported thither in Exchange for their Iron.

_Virginia_ is justly esteemed one of the most considerable Branches of
the _British_ Dominions; may it then not be thought very hard that the
_Virginians_ should not only be debarred the Favours allowed other
_Britons_; but also have less Privilege allowed them than is given to
foreign Nations? What then may be the Reason why other Nations are
permitted to import their _bar Iron_, whereas the _Virginians_ shall not
make a _Bar