The Virginia Gazette

The Project upon which Baron Stark, and Mr. Moore, are gone to France is, to make Cannon lighter, more lasting and more efficacious than they are at present. They have contrived a new Species of mixed Metal, and they give out, that a Cannon made of this Metal, one fifth of the Weight of a common Cannon, will carry farther with half the usual Quantity of Gunpowder, fire more expeditiously, and be less liable to burst or melt. The Experiment was in Part tried here, but not approved of by those who were appointed to inspect it: They therefore made Application to the Court of France, where, after repeated Trials, they have so far succeeded, that it is reported they have been offered 26,000 Louis d'ors, upon the Discovery of the Secret, 12,000 Louis d'ors yearly between them, which Annuity is to be continued to the Survivor, and to be besides entitled to the Rank and Pay of Lieutenant Colonel in the French Army.