Faraday to John James Chapman   11 August 1832¹

Royal Institution | Aug 11. 1832

My dear Sir

I received your letter and would willingly answer the one accompanying it if I could, but it is no easy task. When a set of Capitalists embark immense sums into such a trade as that of Iron for the purpose of manufacturing it, they soon for their own sakes get all the knowledge that is well ascertained, & add to it much more, experimentally, of their own. This early possession is a consequence of the close connection existing between such knowledge & the increase or even safety of their property. It is hardly to be expected, therefore that such as I or Daniell or others, should have any information on the point that has not been demanded; for large offers are continually being made for such knowledge; and if a man has any that is useful he quickly obtains an equivalent for it.

These causes have brought large manufacturers like that of iron into what might be called a discovery state: those concerned know all that has been ascertained, & apply it; & further improvements (of which there are no doubt plenty in the womb of time) can only be made by further discoveries[.]

Now I really have no time or inclination to take up a manufacture like that of iron. A very important fact to a manufacturer, & requiring much labour for its development, is very often of such a nature as to give no scientific reputation; and then, on the other hand, the remaining stimulus of interest is not with me; for if I improved, others would profit, & at the same time try to evade acknowledging the source of the improvement that they might not be expected to share their profits[.]

I had enough of endeavouring to improve a manufacture when I gave all my spare time for nearly three years in working on glass²: one such experiment in a mans life is enough. I think I might have made three or four philosophical discoveries in that time if I had pursued my own thoughts & views instead of working for a committee on a trading matter[.]

With regard to Mr. Gibbons³ queries, many of them in conversation would bear of a qualified answer; or rather would deserve discussion: but none of them can be answered by a mere yes or no. I am therefore shy of putting on paper any thing which may be supposed to express my opinion, because, there it would stand, I do no know how long, or in what company, and might be quoted as proof of ignorance, when of course it could hardly be proof of any thing else because as I have said I think all well ascertained knowledge is already in the hands of the Iron Masters[.]

Mr. Gibbons I think was at Oxford⁴ and talked perhaps with Mr. Johnstone [sic] who has some recent expts on steel⁵. No man can have better opportunities than Mr Gibbon of working & thereby getting the true answers to his queries. Wishing you a cheerful journey

I am | Dear Sir | faithfully Yours | M. Faraday

Capt. Chapman FRS⁶