the manufactories in this country that have fallen under my observation are one of rifles at lancaster, another of musquets at connecticut, and at german town, in pennsylvania, a peculiar sort of winter stockings. an american has lately procured a patent from congress, for cutting brads out of sheet iron with an engine. the american iron is of an excellent quality, and possesses a great degree of malleability, which perhaps suggested the first idea of this invention. the following extract from the advertisement of the patentee will enable you, to form some judgment of this singular undertaking: he begs leave to observe their superiority to english-wrought brads consists in their being quite regular in their shape, so much so, that ten thousand may be drove through the thinnest pine board, without using a brad-awl, or splitting the board. they have the advantage also of being cut _with the grain_ of the iron; others are cut _against_ it. he has already three engines at work, which can turn out two hundred thousand per day. another patent has been granted for making the teeth of cotton and wool cards by an engine, which is supposed to be a similar process. there are also manufactories of cotton, sail cloth, gun-powder, glass, &c., but of no great consequence. their sawing-mills are numerous, and well constructed; this circumstance, and the great quantity of timber, mast, spars, &c., with which this country abounds, enable them to build vessels considerably under what you can afford in england, though the wages of a shipwright are now two dollars and a quarter per day. theirs ships, in point of model and sailing, if not superiour, are at least equal to the best european-built vessels, and when constructed of _live oak_, and _red cedar_, are equally durable. vessels of this description are scarce. live oak is rarely met with north of the carolinas: that used in the boston ship-yards is brought from georgia; a distance of more than a thousand miles, yours sincerely, &c. _philadelphia, february 21st 1795._ dear sir, you know one motive for my coming to this country was, that i might have an unlimited range in my two favourite amusements, shooting, and fishing, and in both i have had tolerable sport. but as few except emigrants, follow the european method of shooting, i cannot purchase a pointer for any sum: pray send me one by an early fall ship, and if possible smuggle me half a dozen pounds of battel powder; for since you have begun to cut one anothers throats in europe, i find it impossible to procure any but dutch, and that unglazed, at the _moderate_ price of two dollars a pound. we have two kinds of partridges; one larger, and the other smaller, than those of europe: the former reside chiefly in the woods, and is in the southern states called a pheasant; but it is in fact neither one nor the other: the latter is called a quail in the northern states. the flesh of these birds is perfectly rich, white, and juicy, and though it has not a game flavour, is a very great delicacy. in other respects (except their size, and that they occasionally perch on the branches of a tree,) they differ very little in their plumage, call, manner of keeping in coveys, &c., from the partridge of england. they are amazingly prolific; i have often found twelve or fourteen coveys in the course of a few hours shooting; this will appear extraordinary, when you are informed there are no game laws in america, and that all ranks of citizens, or even a negro, may destroy them in any manner he pleases. when the snow is on the ground, whole coveys are taken in traps, and brought alive to market. they fly swiftly, and afford an excellent shot; but if the same covey be shot at a second time, they will often seek a refuge in the woods, whence it is difficult to dislodge them. they are very hardy, and will bear almost any degree of heat and cold; this circumstance, and their being so prolific, i should think would make a breed of them in england a very desirable acquisition. i am determined to bring over a few couples, by way of experiment. we are visited by a sort of woodcock in july and august; we have also a kind of grouse, plover, dove, and wild pigeon, snipe, wild fowl, and a wonderful variety of small birds; among which, the _reed-bird_ [footnote: so called from their note resembling the word _reed_.], or american ortolan, justly holds the first place: they visit us from the south, and are found at certain seasons as far as the west indies in that direction. the back woodsmen, and indeed all western settlers, affect to despise our mode of shooting; they all use rifles, and throw a single ball to a great degree of certainty. the riflemen in the last war were all of this description, _their_ game are deer, bear, beaver, and other animals. the only _bird_ they think worthy their attention is the wild turkey. an american naturalist (bartram) says, our turkey of america is a very different species from the meleagris of asia and europe. i have seen several that have weighed between twenty and thirty pounds, and some have been killed that have weighed nearly forty pounds. why do not the americans domesticate this noble bird? they are much better adapted to bear this climate than the puny breed their ancestors imported from england. the few that are shot so far to the eastward as to be brought to our markets bear a great price. the shooting of the back settlers is rather _business_ than _sport_. when they are inclined for a frolic of the latter sort, they meet in large parties to shoot the gray squirrel: the devastation made on these occasions is incredible; the following is from the kentucky gazette; and i have no doubt, that it is strictly true: _lexington, july 13th._ at a squirrel-hunt in madison county, on the 29th and 30th ult., the hunters rendezvoused at captain archibald woods, and upon counting the _scalps_[footnote: by scalp is here meant skin, which is an excellent fur.] taken, it was found they amounted to 5589! this sport is not confined to the back woods, but is in such general estimation, as to be preferred to all other shooting. they find this game by means of a mongrel breed of dogs, trained for that purpose; the squirrel, on being pursued, immediately ascends one of the most lofty trees he can find; the dog follows, and makes a point under the tree, looking up for his game. the squirrel hides himself behind the branches, and practises a thousand manoeuvres to avoid the shot; sometimes springing from one tree to another, with astonishing agility. nature has given him a thick fur; this circumstance, and the height of the trees, make a long barrel, and large shot, indispensable in this kind of shooting. the best method of cooking the squirrel is in a ragout; this i learnt of a french epicure, who always speaks with rapture of this _bonne bouche_: it has a high game flavour, and is justly thought by the americans to be an excellent dish; but we have many english, who, through mere prejudice, never tasted this animal; their antipathy also extends to bear, opossum, racoon, and cat-fish:oh! say the english ladies, the _sight_ of such frightful creatures is quite enough for me! fishing parties among the farmers, and in small towns in some parts of america, are very agreeably arranged: twelve or fourteen neighbours form themselves into a sort of club, and agree to fish one day in the week during the summer; previous: to which they fix on a romantic situation on the side of a wood commanding the intended scene of action. under some of the large trees they erect a sort of hut, forming a dining-room and kitchen. when the time is fixed to begin fishing, the steward for the day sends down a negro cook, with bread, butter, wine, liquors, culinary utensils, etc. about ten in the morning the fishermen arrive, and follow the sport in boats, canoes, or from the shore, either with angles or nets; but they seldom make use of the latter, except when they are disappointed in angling: they are then determined the fish, though not in a humour to bite, shall not deprive them of their dinner. at one they all meet at the place of general rendezvous, where all hands are employed in preparing the fish for the cook; by which means the dinner is soon on the table.when over, and a few glasses have circulated, those who do not choose to remain drinking, take a nap during the heat of the day, which in this country is from two to four in the afternoon. at five the ladies arrive, and the company amuse themselves in catching fish for supper, walking in the woods, swinging, singing, playing on some musical instrument, &c