Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-11-22

vi tle world.
1t is we'll known, that the cotton ia
bricks of India are made from very inferior
stock, and that they are so badly manuiac-
tured as to he of little intrinsick value -om-
pared with the substantial and durable
manufactures of our own country, and it is
believed that almost every nation of Eu-
rope has found it expedient to discourage
their use, by suhjecting them to very hea-
Wy duties, or have prohibited their impor-
tatlon entirely and it is deserving of par
tlcular observation, that their consumption
is nterdicted in England, although they
are the production of her own colonies
it is also weighty consideration, that be-
ing made wholly of a material of foreign
growth so far as their introduction is per-
mitted, they operate to deprive our own
citizens engaged in the cultivation of cot
ton, OF thep best aud surest market, aud
mus snlurIousiy affect one of our most i'm
portant branches of agriculture.
In order to show the extent and inpor-.
lance OF the cotton manufacture in the u
nIted States, your petitioners beg leave
respectfully to state, that it has been salts
factorlly ascertained, that in the small dis
trlct alone comprised within a circle of
thirty miles from Providence, there are
not less than one hundred and forty manu-
factories. containing in actual operati IN
more than 10000 spindles, and CAPABLE
Ut holding much larger number, a few of
them having yet received their full COM
plement OF machinery. The quantity of
cotton which, in their present state. they
SPIN IN year, may be computed at $4,000
oales, which, when manufactured into
cloth OF the descriptions commonly made,
Will produce 27,840,000 yards, the weav-
ing OF which at the average price of eight
cents, amounts to 1927 200 dollars. and
the total value of the cloth will exceed six
millions OF dollars. To complete the ma
nutacture from the raw paterial. until the
goods are fit for market. it is estimated
would afford steady and constant employ
meHt to $4,000 persons. But the benefits
resulting from this vast amount Of labour
are much more extensively difused than if
the whole were done by people constantly
engaged IN the business, considerable
portion OF II being performed by those who
are partially occupied in other pursuits.
particularly the weaving, which is almost
wholly executed at the farm houses
throughout the country, few of which are
to be found not supplied with looms. In
this estimate are not intended to be in
Guided the numerous classes of persons
engagett IN uCCuuations indirectly con
nected with aud dependent upon the man
ulacture, such as those employed in fur
nishing the various kinds of machinery rs
ed IN the works in supplying the people
with provisions and other necessaries and
cOnveniences, IN transporting goods 10
and from the manufactures, together with
Chose engaged in the coasting trade, in
bringing the raw material and other com
modltles required fur the use of the estab-
lIshments, and in conveying the manufac-
tGres to market.
From this cursorY view of the subject.
q faint representation is exhibited how IN
timately the cotton manufactures. although
buti1 its iniaacy. is united and blended
with almost every other occupation, thus
creating an interest, in greater or less
degree, in all classes for its maintenance
and success, and involving in its destruc-
ton very disastrous consequences to the
whole body of the community.
Your petitioners know of no description
OF persons who are not, either directly or
indirectly, benefited by this branch of me-
nufacture, except few capitalists engag-
Fed IN the trade to India, commerce at
fOrding employment for comparatively but
few of our ships and mariners, far less, it is
humbly conceived, than would be necessa-
ry to carry on the cOastng trade arising
from the manufacture at home Of the same
quantity of goods imported from thence
Nor dues it afford market for single ar
ticie OF our own production, but operates
as continual and destructive drain of the
specie of the country, the scarcity of
which IS at this moment most severely felt.
1t may be also worthy of remark, that the
augmentation OF the revenue arising from
the increased consumption of Indigo and
other articles used in dying, and the yari-
Gus commodities and materials required
IN the erection Of the works and i'm the diff
lerent processes of the manufacture. many
OF which are subjected to heavy duties,
would, it is humJly believed, nearly, if not
entirely, remunerate the treasury for the
loss occasiOned by the Introduction propos-
ed.
Your petitioners are aware, that It has
been fayOiite maxim with some, that
commerce should be left free and uure.
strained and while they are far from be
Ing disposed to cOntroyert its correctness
as general rule, subject like all others.
according to circumstances, to particular
exceptions and notifications. they beg