There seem to be widespread misunderstandings among American historians as to the nature and effects of the Iron Act (which prohibited the erection of certain kinds of ironworks in America).  Buried in Colonial Office Records are a series of certificates made under the Act as to what ironworks which would have offended against the Act already existed, but these seem to be little known.  Can some one suggest a journal which I could publish the certificates with a short commentary on the Act and its effects?  If I do this alone, it could only be a short article, as I am the wrong side of the "big pond" and am not in a position to carry out any supplementary research.  Alternatively, is there a list member (or a person known to one) who would be willing to work with me on something a little more substantial. 

 

The evidence covers all east coast states from Maryland to Massachusetts.  There ought to be a certificate for Virginia, but I have not traced one, perhaps because there were no potentially offending works.  I am thus looking for a historical journal whose scope covers the whole of the northeast of USA.  My guess is that Journal of Economic History or Explorations in Economic History (which are in theory worldwide in scope) would be aiming too high.  On the other hand the readership of Historical Metallurgy is probably too specialised, in that it is not read by general historians. 

 

Peter King

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