PUBLISHED BY PARTICULAR REQUEST
LETTERS,
EARL OF DUN DO NA L D,
ON MAKING BREAD FROM POTATOES
THE discovery of a method to make good
bread of the Potatoe, or its farina,
been a desideratum, and the only thing wanting
to render it the moll ufeful of plants.—The in
tention of the following letters, is to communi
cate to the public the result of my experiments
on the above subject:—And which, I am happy
to have it in my power to lay, have been attend
ed with the wi(hed-for fnccefs.
The proeefs of making a flour, or farina, from
potatoes, is similar to what has long been prac
tised in the Weft Indies, by the negroes, in the
preparation of the Callado flour ; viz. by grating
down the root, and by subsequent and repeated
walhingswith water, to free it from the juice,
which is a flrong poifon—lt is likewise nearly
the fame as has been pra&ifed by families in the
making starch from potatoes ; for the meal or
flour got from potatoes is a starch powder.
It has for some years been known, that grain,
particularly wheat, consists of two diftind:, and,
in some circumstances, opposite substances : viz.
a powder insoluble in cold water, called starch ;
and another substance, which may be rendered
soluble in cold water, resembling completely in
its analysis to animal matter, hence called by
the French chemists, vegeto-animal.
Potatoes contain likewjfe those different sub
stances, with the addition of certain salts, not
contained in grain, at leaftin that abundance
Potatoes contain a large proportion of liquid,
which grain does not.—lt is from this liquid that
the vegeto-animal matter, as well as the saline
matter, are to be got. —The proportion of the
vegeto-animal matter in the potatoes, to the
starch-powder, is much less than in grain : and,
from the quantity of liquid contained in pota
toes, in which the vegeto animal is soluble, the
two fubftancesdo not join together, and form a
solid substance, as is the cafe in grain.
The powdery part of the potatoe is found in
the state of a powder extremely fine, and of a fi
brous part, which conne&s the particles of the
powder : which fibrous part is capable, likewise,
of being reduced to a powder by drying and
grinding. This last bears a proportion to the
former (according to the average of the trials
made) of about one to i wo.
The very fine and white powder got from po
tatoes, and which is ftateJfco be in the propor
tion to the fibrous part as two to one, precipitates
in cold water like sand. The particles have ns
union the one with the other, as in wheat-flour
The reason is : It contains no vegeto animal mat
ter. It is a pure (larch, free from the acidulous
smell of starch, separated from wheat by mace
ration in water.
The fibrous matter of the potatoe, when dried,
and ground, has a greater degree of tendency,
than the fine white powder, to form a palte with
water ; but not fufficient to allow it, by itfelf, to
make a proper palte or dough for baking : Al
though it thickens little inferior to wheat flour,
■when made with milk and eggs into a dumpling,
or boiled putting.
From what has been flared, it is obvious, that
the farina, or rather powder, got from potatoes,
does not contain that substance, which is the
cause of wheat flour forming a paste with water;
and that the desideratum, is to add to potatoe
powder something which should give it that qua
lity.
Nothing appears mart [imply, and more likely
to answer the purpose, than the mixing it with
differen t proportions of the flour of different
forts of grain, according to the kind of bread to
be made of it, whether leavened or unleavened.
Two parts of wheat-flour to one of potatoe
powder, make a leavened bread, in no "ways to be
dijlinguijhed from wheat-bread alone.
Equal quantities of wheat-flour, and potatoe
powder, make a bread which leavens, and rises
exceedingly -well .• but which has a taste. although
very ptcafant, a tittle different from wheat-bread.
Equal quantities of wheat-flour and potato
powder make a sea biscuit, -which cannot, by the
nicest tafle, be distinguished from biscuit baked
wholly of wheat flour.
Equal quantities of oat-meal ahd potatoe-pow
der unleavened, or with a small portion of yeft,
make a cake or flat bread more pliafant, to the
taste, than when made only of oat-meal.
With pease and barley-meal the potatoe-pow
der has not yet been tried : But it is more than
probable that equal quantities of pease meal, and
potatoe-powder will make a good wholesome
bread, fiinilar to a mixture of barley and peafe
meal.
There is reason a priori, however, to believe,
that a mixture of barley-meal and potatoe-pow
der will not answer equally well. To this ac
count of the component parts or analyses of po
tatoes, and the uses to which the powder ntay be
BY THE
LETTER I
applied, I shall subjoin the result of my last ex
periment made with 241b. avoirdupoife of pota
toes. From these were got 61b. 2 one half oz.
ot flour, and 2 oz. of bran, or skin of the pota
toes, making in all 61b. 4 one half oz. The
Hour was prepared into the different kinds of
ead stated below ; wherein the weights of
wheat-flour and potatoe-powder, as well as of the
bread weighed when it came out of the oven, are
accurately stated.
LEAVENED, OR LOAF-BREAD.
Potatoe-powder illb. ) ... . , .
Wheat-flour lbWeight of Bread — 3 lb. 135 oz,
Potatoe-powder i lb. > ,
Wheat-flour 2 lb. $ Wc, S h t of Bread — 3 lb. 14 oz,
6 lb.
Potatoe-powder 1 lb. ) .... , , „
Wheat-flour t lb. J Wc, g ht ° f Bread — 1 lb. 12 or.
Potatoe-powder zA lb. „ ,
Wheat-flour 2 | lb. J Wel S ht of Bread — 4 lb. ioi oz.
7 lb.
Enough has been dated in this letter to call
the attention of the public to the farther uses of
a plant, or root, which, in its simple and (unpre
pared ftatc, has been deemed, by one of the ablest
men in Europe, (Abbe Raynal) to have been the
only fuhftantial blessing which the inhabitants of
Europe derived from the discovery of the conti
nent of America.
Another letter will soon follow this, Hating
other experiments on potatoes, as well as uses to
which they, or the powder made from them, are
applicable; together with the beneficial conse
quences that will ensue to Britain and Ireland, by
the increafedcultivation of a plant which, contrary
to graniferous plants, produces its farina, or
flour, under the furjace of the earth, protected jrom
the injury of the -weatherand which yields that
farina, on the fame extent of ground, in the pro
portion of near to one, to what is got from
the bell crop of wheat.
Culrofs Abbey, Feb. 1 791
[LETTER 2, INOUR NEXT.]
Philadelphia, November 50.
of a Utter f rem James Maury, Consul of the. United. States at
I P-'.-- — >
Extra&
Liverpool, to the Secretary of State, dated September 14, 1791
" The Ports ol Britain arc shut againfl Foreign Wheat.—Many
of our vessels within my di6lritt have been under difficulties this
year ; and although, as yet, they have been released (except in three
cases not finally decided on) without any great expence, yet the
delay has been extremely injurious to, and been very hard on the
owners. The causes have been informality in manifefts, irregula
rity in crews, trading to Guernfcy, as before-mentioned, but prin
cipally excess of spirits.
" The brig Bctfy, Capti Salter, of Portsmouth, New-Hamp
shire, was refufed entry in the Cl)de fix weeks, for the tonnage
and where built being omitted in the manifeft, and the affidavit
thereto being made before a Justice of the Peace instead of the
British Deputy Consul, although it was afterwards certified by
said Deputy Consul.
" I submit to you the propriety of making public these par
ticulars that similar inconveniences may be guarded against in
future.
A notice from the Board oj Cujloms, to the Collector and Comptroller oj
Liverpool.
" Whereas it has been slated to have been the practice for
American (hips and veflels to land at Guernsey cargoes of tobacco,
the produce of the United States of America, contrary to the
12th Charles ad. Chap. 18th.
" We dire£l you to make it known to all owners and mailers
of American veflels which may trade to and from your part, that
two American veflels have been on that account lately seized
there, and that the said ast which not only prohibits the before
mentioned article, but all other species of goods, the produce of
America, from being imported into the aforefaid Island, or the
Iflaud of Jerfcy, in foreign ships, will be ftri&ly enforced in fu
ture."
The produce of the Rice Plantations the present season, are
much larger than were ever before known in Carolina—and this
is owing principally to the use of machines, the introdu&ion of
the plough instead of hoes, and to the humane treatment of the
slaves, who are found to encreafe thereby, instead of diminiftiing,
as is the cafe in the Islands.
The Englifti papers fay, that the elections for the new Legisla
ture of France go on with great rapidity, and every where with the
mod profound tranquility.
The harvest in England the present year, has turned out very
favorably.
It is aflerted in a late French paper, that the Abbe Raynal was
not the real author of the work entitled, u The History of the
European Eftabliftiments in the Eaftand Weft-Indies."
From the general tenor of the late European papers, the new
French Government is now universally looked upon as estab
lished.
Amongst the objefls which will claim the attention of the pre
sent Congress, will be a provision for the refiduarv surplus of the
unfublcribed debts of the States. This fubjecl, which was sug
gested in the President's speech, has been specially referred to the
Secretary of the Treasury by the House of Representatives, and the
liberal policy of that officer leaves little room to doubt that he
will be an advocate for the measure, without which the Finances
of the Union can never aflume an orderly (hape. Confufion mull
be the result of clashing revenue systems among the several States,
and between the general Government and the States ; —one gene
ral system should embrace the whole debt. N. Y. frapcr.
The glory of old England was ihe burthen of the song, from the
Tar who swabbed the deck, to the immortal Pitt who guided the
elm—tbe enthusiasm excitcd by this ignisfatuus, carried their
triumphs round the globe; —but, happy for mankind, tne princi
ples of reason and philosophy are inspiring jufter sentiments —a ri
valry in the arts of peace, and univeifal philanthropy, will crown
the labors of that country which (hall make the molt diftingmfhed
exertions to level the jealousies and prejudices in the family ol
man, with more real dignity than is comprized in all the victories
from Alexander to Caesar, and from Caesar to Catharine.
APPOINTMENT.
The President of the United States has been pleased to appoint,
bv and with the advice and consent of the Senate, Richard Har
r'i son, of Virginia, to be Auditor of the Treasury.
247
7 lt>- 113 oz,
BISCUIT.
6 lb. 6g oz,
It is an old adage, Hove fly is the heft policy—this
applies to individuals and societies—to rulers and
people—it extends to opinions and actions—to
giving and receiving, and in all implies that
golden rule of doing as -j>e wo'/Id be done nrito—ic
carries its own reward with it—and in all ages
and countries has rewarded the fathers and be
nefactors of mankind with the love of the peo
ple, promoted their happinels and celebrity while
living, and embalmed their memories in the pre
cious repositories of a grateful recollection in fnc
ceedingages. Why then will liuman folly and
a falfe greatness stimulate the ambitions pigmies
of a day to iuch conduct as renders the tenure
of their present enjoyments in (ecu re, and trans
mits their name to posterity with execration 1—»
It is becnufe the demon of avarice hath extracted
from their bosoms every drop of the " milk of
human kindness."
Many people read newspapers who read little else—They live
in retired situations, and feel a strong curiosity to know the news,
and to join in the opinions of the day. To a retired man,a news
paper is always company—sometimes inftru£lion. Bad newspa
pers, therefore, fliould be difccuraged—becaufe it is fumifhing
bad company to those whose folttary way of living makes them
willing to accept of almost any. The mind profits as much, or
more, by discipline, than the body. No exercise, therefore,
should be encouraged, which tends to make it worse. When
Gazettes are filled with tales to set credulity gaping, with slander
of private characters, to supply malice with more poison ; or with
sou' afpcrfions on government, to make patriotism sick at the
heart—what is it but to nurfethe bad paflions with the food lup
plied lor wisdom and virtue f
Liberty is not only secured against many former dangers, but
it has fewer enemies to contend with. As knowledge spreads
through Europe, it gains authority over the hearts of its adversa
ries ; Kings begin to talk like good republicans—they give a tone
to the fafhion of being free. But let those who love liberty be
careful how they mistake the love of liberty for the practice of its
discipline. No man loves to be under the power of a master.
1 herefore, to become free men have only to let their paflions
loose ; -to secure freedom, they must contrive to put them under
prudent restraints. This is the work of the understanding—it is
never easy though often necessary to persuade men to surrender
present power for future fafety.
Our Allies, in forming their Government, have, according to
the English paragraphifts, deviated from the opinions of the great
Democrat, Mr. Paine, in several points ; —they have eftablifiied a
monarchical form of government, and made the monarchy heredi
tary—and their constitution they have made perpetual, by declar
ing that it is fufccptible of no alteration. This is, in cffeft, bind
ing those that are to exist, at a future period ; or which is the fame
thing, it is faying that those who will in a few years be no more,
(ball bind those who may then be on the flage of life.
Perhaps there is a point of perfe&ion in government, if not in
other things, beyond which mankind cannot progress—and if men
can agree and determine precifefy, when that point is attained, in
which the two great objects ot forming the social compact, liberty
and security, may be most compleatlv realized, why is it not a
di&ate of wisdom to resolve, that a Confirmation thus organized,
shall never be changed ?
Monday the ele&ion of Directors to the institution for pro
moting American Manufa&ures, was made at Trenton—seven
from New-York, and fix of New-Jersey. We are not in pos
session of the names at present.
To JOSIAH HARM AR, Esquire,
Brigadier-General in the service of the United States. and Lieutenant
Colonel Commandant of the firfl United States Regiment.
S I K,
THE officers of the firft regiment beg leave to express the
warmth of their attachment to your person, and that perfect
fatisfa&ion which they have severally experienced under your
command.
United as they have always been in sentiments of affeflion and
friendfhip towards you, it is with extreme regret they are Inform
ed of your intention to quit the army. —If, Sir, upon this inter*
efting occasion your officers might presume their advice—or would
you attend to the refpe£tful solicitations of men anxious for your
welfare—they might yet hope for your continuance in the service.
But—whatever may be your final determination, that honor and
happiness may attend you, is amongst their firft and moll ardent
wishes.
We have the honor to be, with perfect esteem and refpeft,
Sir, your very humble servants,
[Signed by twenty-fix commijioned Officers.]
TO THE OFFICERS OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES
REGIMENT.
Gentlemen,
YOUR very affe£lionate address of this morning, claims my
warmest acknowledgments.
If I have been so fortunate, during my command, as to give
fatisfa&ion to ray officers, believe me it has been reciprocal.
I sincerely thank you, gentlemen, for your expreflions of af
fcftion and friendfhip towards me, and of the obliging part you
appear to take in my future welfare. When I tell you that I (hall
continue to remember you, my companions, with emotions of
friendfhip and affe&ion, and that my best wilhes for your hap
piness through life, can only cease to exist with myfclt, I beg
you to receive it as the gennine cffufion of my heart.
I have the honor to be, with the most affe&ionate regard,
Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
J. H A R MA R, B. G.
Fort-WaJhingtoVy Augujl il, 1791.
From PELOSI's MARINE LIST.
ARRIVALS *t the PORT of PHILADELPHIA.
Brig James, Roe, Cape-Francois
Minerva, Raden, Jamaica
Charleston, German, Charleston
Brothers, Carpenter, Cadiz
Snow Noftra Seignora, Bernardo, Oporto
Schooner Ann & Mary, Sweetman, Virginia
Sloop Peggy, Whitby, Ditto
Merrimack,
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