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is, in general, neither durable nor strong, and hence the defect which is observed in their merchant ships.[1] There is, however, in the islands and inlets of the South, much excellent timber, particularly the oak, which is employed in the navy, and which is superiour to the greater part of the timber of Europe.
From the ashes of the trees, which are burned upon newly cleared lands, they prepare two kinds of Soda or Barilla, from the want of these plants, which do not grow in their territory. The one they call pearl ashes, and the other pot ashes. The first is used for dyes, and the second in the manufacture of soap, glass, and glazed earthen ware.[2]
They purchase hides and skins from the Indians, who live altogether by the chace, and this affords them considerable profit; but those who en-
- ↑ No country in the world produces the best quality of ship timber, in greater quantities, than the United States; and the ships, and vessels of every description built here, command a higher price in the European markets, than those of any other country—which would hardly be the case if there were any defect in the timber. T.
- ↑ This branch of industry employs a great number of saw mills, and affords subsistence to many useful people, principally to a particular race of rough hardy men, who live in the woods, and form an intermediate class between the American farmer and the aboriginal Indian. They are exclusively employed in felling trees and cutting timber: they are robust, intrepid, and half savage.
