The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-07-25
IMPROVEMENT OF MANUFAC.
TIRES

IMPROVEMENT OF MANUFAC-
TURES
In these times, when our commerce is shack
led by the asgressons of foreign powers, and
the most solemn pledges of the British go
vernment, arc trampled under foot, it becomes
our dstv to support the independence, and che
rish the internal Resources OF orr country. Un-
der this persuasion, we Law before our rea-
ders, the following letter from gentle man in N
Hampshire--in reply to one from the Editor of
this paper, suggesting certain queries to him a
bout the nature and utility of his Water Loom.
EXETER, July 70, 1909. :.
SIR,
With much pleasure acknowledge the re-
ceipt Ola letter from you of the 3Oth ult. accom-
paving your paper the " Enquirer of the 9th.
The Note, headed " Improvements in Manu-
features" gave me much satisfaction. rs an II.
| merriam rejoice exceedingly that those arts
| or inventions which are monty the offspring
| OF necessity, (and which, with their needy pro
jectors have been left to combat foreign Influence,
SUPPORTED by foreign cap;talists under the power
tul stimulus, rivaship and jcalousy,) should at
tract the attention of gentlemen whose situation
and profession enable them to give tone to public
! opinion.
From the general character of your" paper, -
I think you will readilyjoin in the sentiment, that
10 pretend to high state of civilization and re-
| al independence, without the ability 70 clOthc
ourselves, or To answer the ordinary demand OF
nature, is an egregicus sOecisrn the opinions OF
our importers to the contrary notwithstanding
The letter you mention, and which appears Ia
make small part of the note in the Enquirer, u
presame, was communication made to nv
| friend Mr.. Pitman OF Providence r. l. and which
4 / have since learned by letter from N. Y. was
published in the % Aurora"
The following answers, TO your queries, are
founded on facts, connected with such observati
ons, rs the novelty ofmy Machine will allow me
to make.
Ii is about Is months since entered on the
Subject with full bcliefthat water might super
sedc manual labor in weaving. My model has
been completed about 10, and my large loom
bout E months-the cost of one loom may be es-
ltimated at 80 to 40 dolls. One loom may be e
recteh by quick workman in - or - days
A common joiner or miilwright, of tolerablc me
chanical ingenuity, may do all the wood work the
ironwork is plain and SIMPLE, and may be done
bya common blacksmith--The number to each
person shall state as before.
Of duck, No. l, each loom will weave bolt
per day, which is three days work for man-o
common shir,itg. from 20 to 25 yards, 10 loom
The highest Nos. we have yet wove, are about
90 skeins yarn, which compared with low mum
bers. affords the most Aatterfns prospects of it.
success, in fine cloths. The fan or body of wa
Ter, to work single loom, is so triliins as hardly
to admit of calculation You will form an opini
on of the necessary power, from; the circmm
stance, that, with crank. or winch, ~ inches
long. person may work the machine easily, will
one hand.
To person tolerably conversant in mechan
les, it must appear very obvious, that machine
operating by motions, adjusted to given purDo
ses, and propelled by an uniform power, mus
be exempt from much of that irregGarity, Incl
dent to muscular action, which depends Oh a new
impulse for every succeeding notion.
Hence two important points are obtained, ex
elusive of saving labor, VIZ. the weaving of ten
der warp, with less ends, as the weavers term it
&putting given quantity of wool or filling into
given number OF yards, which may be done will
the greatest possible exactness, and which con
stitutes almost the whole art of weaving fine
cloths, muslins, &c. Each loom being Furnished
with two shuttles, that the renewing of bob
bins, (the work of small chldren,) may not pro
duce hindrance, the weaver has only to throw
the wbirl or pulley which carries the loom, in o.
out, of gedr /; to work, or stop the machine
work easily performed with one hand, vithou
moving the body, or changing place, and in one sc
cond of time. So that the water loom has all th,
i advantage of management common to the hant
loom. The remaining labor of the weaver is t.
take UP ends or threads, as they break, which il
good wraps may average four ends to yard, 8
to exchange shuttles when the bobbin is wove up
which requires 70 be repeated two or three time,
in weaving yard.
Since writing the letter, which appears to have
attracted your attention., l have visited Proyi
dence, for the purpose of viewing the carding 8
spinning works erected in the vicinity Of tn
place, which bids fair to become the Mancheste
of America. The capital employed is immense
was informed that the number of spindlos, nov
in operation, & owned principally in Providence
amounted to $4,000, and from what could oh
serve, should not be surprised if the nunbe
: were doubled in two years.
Should weaving be established on basis e
qually permanent, it will hardly need the aid 0
prophecy to predict, that the United States, EN-
bracing variety of climate, and rich soil, adapt
ed TO the Culture of wool, cotton, FAX and hemp
may ere long vie with any section Of Europe, 70
the value of her cloth manufactures at least,
cherish hope, that our annals will exhibit tn,
fact.
Believe me, with respect,