[ 37 ] I have lately erected a Powder-Mill in the south end of Ulster county, in the province of New- York, at which I have made as good Powder as I have ever seen, and will bear the inspection of good judges, in the following manner :
GUNPOWDER is composed of nothing more than the four plain simple articles, Saltpetre, Brimstone, Charcoal and Water. The three first of which are to be made as fine as possible, so as to be sifted through a gauze sieve, or fine boult, as fine as common flour. But it being difficult to make the Saltpetre all fine, those parts that will not be easily got through the sieve, must be dis- solved in soft warm water, then let the Sulphur, Saltpetre, and Charcoal, be each separately weigh- ed. Take of the Saltpetre an hundred weight, of the Sulphur fifteen pounds, and Charcoal eighteen pounds, and in that proportion for any greater or smaller quantity. This being done, mix them all well together in some large vessel, such as a potash or any other kettle, and when well mixed, moist- en the whole with the aforesaid nitrous water, till it is as moist as dough for making bread. Then put an equal quantity in each mortar, and pound it well for at least twenty hours; and if the mill runs slowly, let it run twenty four hours; and as the paste by pounding will naturally grow dry, it must be kept moist by putting in a little of said water, and when pounded sufficiently take it out of the mortar, and put it in some tub, or any o- ther proper vessel. As to the graining, it must be done in the following manner, viz. Have a box made about five feet square, the sides eighteen inches deep, the bottom tight, and top entirely
Dopen;
