Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-12
VISIT TO PROVIDENCE. ~

ror OF tie salem Register, recently MADE
visit to this town. In his last paper, he gives
an account Of his journey. We extract the
following
"From Pawtucket, we proceeded to Provl-
dence, about four miles distant, over n smooth
and beautiful road; and there fou-l illustrated
the grcat advantages Manufa curing seaport
enjoys over one which has nothing for its sup
port bu, a remnant of foreign commerce;
commerce which affords nothing more than
the crumbs which fall from the rich mans ia
be This interesting town, which is beauti-
fully situated at the head Of Narugansct Bay,
35 miles from the ocean, with a river flowing
through its centre, and another, tho Black
stone, on its eastern side, we found ell bustlc
and activity. Houses were building N every
directions; streets improving; the market
crowded with an abundance of sIl good
things; stage Goa chcs, private currages, ard
country vehicles innmnerable passing in all di-
rections; steam boais in motion; the whares
filled with vessels, and all kinds Of mcrchan-
dize- moving to and fro. Besides the Arcade,
u splendid building intended for a conccntra-
tion of stores for the retail of fashionable and
elegant merchandise there is an immense brick
building erecting to BE occupied as a Cotton
Factory, and to be driven by steam. The
erection OF this building we understood 10 be
solely the work Of the enerprning, liberal,
and We add, benevolent people of that cnigh,-
ened town, for the purpose of employing the
young and dependent portion Of the popula-
ton residing there.
providence owes every thing TO her liber-
al, cntcrprirng, patriotic citizens. Her most
| wealthy men have been most forward in con-
tributlng TO her prosperity, by promoting every
public improvement, and encouraging every
| &c
ploymcnt and activity to her population. One
of her richest merchants has been The jealous
promoter of the Black stone Canal, and though
q man worth his many hundred thousands, Us
| found laborng like common workman, in his
sleeves, while engaged in tho opening of the
Canal, for the improvement Of this fortunate
town. He has also got up system of I'M
provGment in the side walks Of the town; and
with all these public labors, he finds time TO
attend 10 his commercial business, being the
principal India merchant of the place. Be-
sides her numerous religious and moral insti'u-
tions, Providence supports Theatre, a Circus,
a Museum, four semi-week!y newspapers, be-
sides several weekly publications (issuing more
than four times the number of sheets in week
than are published in this town. and her Bank
| ing institutions, which are numerous, and con-
Quoted with great liberality, are not sufficient,
the immense business which her great onler-
prize, active industry, and favorable situation,
has created. A neat Observatory is erected
on n height southeast of the town, which af-
fords commanding view of the town. the
rivers and Narraganset Bay, and the surround
ing country-wo had the pleasure Of view
from this elevated position, and more beaui-
full scenery can no where be presented to the
| eye.
Our visit to Providence was too short TO
enable US to present minute description OF
its numerous improvements, its immense busi-
ness and fourishing condition. We merely
| took a " birds-eye view" of the place. If we
recollect Alright, one of its able editors some
the growth and present condition of the town
We hope he will shortly find an opportunity to
fulfil the promise. A brief historical and sta.
tistcal account Of Providence would be rcat
with great interest hero, and by the friends
of the " American System" throughout the
Union--for to that enterprizing people are
they indebted for the first practical illustration
of the benign effects of that system"
Mr. Palfrcy on his return, visited the flourish
ing village Of Central Falls, of which he re
marks:
"At this place arc three large and fin
looking Cotton Factories, two of stone an,
one of brick, besides smaller one Of wood,
, ma ch inc shop, grist mill, &c. all in operation
Q There is a very elegant Hotel, four store
: high, built ofdressed stone, several stores, an
Q a considerable number of neat dwelling hous
cs, in this village, the settlement Of which wa
commenced in 1928. It now contains abou
600 inhabitants. The cotton ia actories contai
q about 5000 spindes. We we're politely re
nct 4
s proprietor, and wcrc shown every part ofit.-
:. 1t was in perfect order, and the people cm
/ ploycd in it, particularly the young womer
k were remarkably neat and decent in their az
pearancc. Mr.. Kennedy is native of Sco
land, and with his wife, came 10 this countr
some ten or fifteen years since, poor and frlent
: loss, and were for some time employed as con
) mon weavers BY his great industry and CO
J. rect habits; he was soon enabled to hire
: small factory, which he carried on, on his ow
n, account, and beng successful in his busines
he is now the proprietor of this large and va
uablc establishment, besides store, and tw
or three dwelling houses. Thus may loudab
II, cntcrprizc, and pcrscvering industry, ever
OF rewarded. MIR. Kennedy inquired particula
OF ly respecting the progress Of our Gre
nc DAM as he called it, and expressed his OPT
IL ion decidedly in favor Of The project, as bcir
OF calculated, more than any thing else, TO a
vance the prosperity of Salem. Wo wou
here observe, that every gentlcman with who
,y we conversed, at Providence and other pla &c
n made tic same enquiries, with much appare
It. interest; there was but one opinion as TO q
ic utility of the undertaking, and much astonis
tie ment was expressed at tho extraordinary del
G. which has taken place in carrying our mol
Isl: project INTO execution"
by Mr. p. thus speaks Of the Factory of Sal
IN ucl Greene, Esq. Of Pawtuckct:
,p- eve examined Mr.. Grcenc's Factory,
-ty elegant building of hewn stone, in which abc
cir 500 Yards Of Cotton Cloth are manufa ctur
,or nor day. employing nearly 100 persons, pr