Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-05-13

sive and extremely interesting view OF thec
present situation of the u. S. as relates I
foreign nations, and pointed out in the mos
lorcioie manner the necessity of rendering
ourseive independent of them, by furnishing
our own supplies of manufactured articles.
He adverted in reserved and highly de-.
corous manner, to his own efforts on these
SUBJECTS; declared his conviction of the du-
" which every member of society owes to
the community, to contribute by individual
exertion, and by example, to the betler;ng
the condition OF his fellow men, and to in
1fouuce and encourage such improvements
as are calculated to produce so desira-
bic an end. He disclaimed every thing
like personal emclument from the esta.
ciishment-asked the aid OF the gentlemen
present, and of the neighboring country, to
carry into execution, by degrees, his sys-
TEN, Calculated for the good of The commu
| hity, not for himself. He stated that he
should IN short time publish a prospec
'us ar the whole, containing some valuable
ADDITIONS to the present plan, and concluded
by soliciting the annual attendance of the
gentlemen present, and of their friends.
Inc address was received with great sa.
usiaction and applause. MIR Dieges, as
soon asst was closed, gave" The Airing
ten sheep shearing, many prosperous re-
turns of the day.
Mr. Gusts, after a few predatory and feel.
ing remarks, in which he took occasion.
In very appropriate manner, TO introduce
the Tent under which his guests were then
seated, and which, in former days. had oft
proudly convered his illustrous relative in
the held OF privation, of toll, and ofdauger;
j anu amidst general emotion, excited in
the breasts of the whole company (most of
whom had been the neighbors and personal
friends of that good many by the recollecti-
on or past times, gave-ss The memory of
Gen Washington"
Gen. Mason moved, that on the next,
and each succeeding meeting, st the Airing
ton sheep shearing, the visitors should ap-
pear clad in American manufacture--the
motion was warmly applauded, and imme-
diately and unanimously adopted.
arlington Sheef-shearing, .Hhr1l 60, 1908.
The subscribers, appointed by the gen..
tiemen visitors present to adiudge the pre-
miums offered by the proprietor, George
Washington Parke Gusts, esq for the Il
nest year cid Lamb, and for the hest spec
men OF home spun cloth--proeeedcd to ex
anime three pieces of cottoh clote. one pro.
dnced By Mrs. Dcnnison, of Fairfax county,
Virginia; dark mixture, fully a yard wide,
very fine, and remarkably handsome. One
by Mrs. Ball, of the same county, cheouer
ed, OF hrm and excellent texture, a yard
wide, and Of neat pattern and the third
BY Miss Peggy Fields, of the same county,
white, OF exceeding fine thread. pattern
Marseilies, OF small figure, very soft and
even, and extremely beautiful, 7.8ths yard
wide.
Four gentlemen offered Lambs, and en-.
tered into competition for the prize.
Lawrence Lewis, esq ofWoodawn, Vir..
ginia, exhibited Lamb called DishIey.
his sire of the Arlington long wooded race,
bred by Mr. Gusts he weighed on the
hoof 14o lbs. fleece IL lbs.
Hayward Foote, esd. of. Hayiiell, V.
Showed Lamb called Badger, OF same
breed and age, weighed on the hoof unshorn
los lbs his fleece 3-4 lbs.
John Tayloe, esq. of Mount Airy, Virgi4
MIA, Showed Lamb called Superb, his
dam a eve of Col. Dorsey's stock, (veil
known) by ram of Mr. Tayloe's own breed,
his weight on the hoof unshorn $50 lbs.
fleece, 2 Ia lbs. height 9 feet8 81 inches,
length from tip of the nose to the end of
the rail feet 10 "a inches
VIM. Alexander esq. of Preston, Virgil
MIA, Showed Lamb called Preston, of the
home breed, weight on the hoof unshorn
l49 lbs. fleece z S4 lbs. height two feet, s
ID inches, length from the tip of the nose
to the end of the tail S feet 10 Il inches.
In the opinion of the judges, the wool of
Mr. Foote'S lamb was OF the longest staple,
il measured full 10 inChes-that of Mr.
TaylOe's lamb was the finest fibre-that of
the lambs OF Mr. Lewis, and of Mr. Alex
ander, was inferior somewhat in fibre to
Mr. Tayloe's, and in length of staple to MIR
Foote'S
Taking into consideration the great
weight and size of MIR Tayloe's lamb, and
the fincness Of the wool, although the fleece
was not so heavy as that of one of the others
the judges unanimously declare the pre-
MUM to be his-and they adjudge to Miss
| Peggy Fields the prize for the best speci-
men of cloth: They do this with more
pleasure as this beautiful piece of cloth
was spun aud woven by Miss Fields herself
THOMAS BIGGES,
| J. MASON,
WILLIAM LEE,
| JONATHAN SWIFT,