Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-06-27

ininshed the products oil her soil, whilst the size
ld number OF her armies called for, and demand
ed an increased supply of food. Hence a demand
arose and continued for every species of our pro.
ducc. The demand enhanced the price; and Pro-
violence, as il willing 10 act in concert with the
movements OF mankind FOR our advantage, bestow-
ed upon our then prosperous country, the finest
seasons. and our land smiled with plenty. Nor
were those days of accidental prosperity OF short
duraton-years rolled around and prosperity
seemed to increase as time progressed. Under
such circumstances il was TO have been expected
OF human nature, that our habits of living and ex-
penditure, would be fashioned TO suit our then pros
porous condition. Thus 1t happened that the ex-
tent and duration of our prosperity proved calami-
tous, as IL served TO fasten more firmly upon US
those habits OF profusion. But though many, those
golden days to were numbered. Europe, cx-
hausted by the duration and violence of her own
commissions, ceased those spasmodic exertons, and
once more ieposed i'll peace ana tranquility. Her
devastations ceased. The soil was well cultivated
and her fields were covered with magnificent pro.
fusion Her armies that had DESTROYED the sub
stance of man with the rapidity of the fiery ele.
inent had been dsbanded and each soldier instead
OF consuming the labours OF Others returned To
subsist HIMSELF and aid in the subsistence of o.
theirs. The demand for the breadstufIs of America
ceased; and Providence, either TO punish u for
the i'll use which had made OF her former boun-
ties. or for other more wise and lust purpose
withheld from our land its former abundance
Insects and disastrous DESTROYED our crops
mus we brought into the Markcts-of the world n
diminished supply, and for what we did furnish,
received diminished compensation. Our habits OF
extravaganza still continued. Their duration had
been so long that luxuries had become necessaries
And to accelerate the ruin OF our prosperity arti
Giles purchased by from others, were not receiv-
ed at those diminished prices, at which we had to
sell ours. The operation of the Tariff laws " hate
yer effect they may now have upon some of our
sister states, and upon ourselves some future Pc
Rod; for the present certainly have contributed in
10 small degree in placing us in that ianguishing
condition In which we now hnd ourselves. Such
Is the deporable state in which find our Socie-
ty, that ruin threatens most opulent families:
and althoughth the most OF Farmers commence
the year somewhat involved, the close of the sea-
son finds them still more embarrassed. Such a
tide oil events II continued must over helm us; and
10 arrestlt, we are left toour resources They
| are ample if we will use them, and act in concert
we cannot, II Is true, create revolution i'm the
| movements OF thesword, nor could IRE produce any
change in the laws of our own land, but over our
| own habits and customs could certainly exer.
else controui. Our habits we can revoutionize
without censure, and ii would eyince weakness,
we had almost said wickedness, longer to delay
the commencement OF such revolutiop-Ihat only
can save our country, ourselves, and our riends-
Will we longer delay when thus called upon by
patriotism, love, and philanthropy. We have
said the remedy within our reach. We re-
peatit. Iii plain, simple remedy. Let US shake
OFT those habits ofeNtravagance formed in the DAYS
oil our prosperity and instead of purchasing go ,s
manufactured in other parts of the world at price
beyond what our surplus produce commands, let
us resolve that until relief is afforded 10 the
section OF our Country, that viii not purchase
articles OF the growth or manufacture OF any other
Country equal in value TO what we may sell OF our
own BY such course the balance OF trade would
be once more in our favour, and with the change
pecuniary prosperity would return. Cash coming
in our County faster than il would be sent out
money would accumulate amongst us-its possess
sors would soon seek investments, and thus would
life aud activity be impaired to all fair and honora-
bic pursuits. Property offered for sale would at all
times ind willing purchaser al n full and ade-
qudte price This happy change we can accom-
plish. lnfatuation should not longer delay u.s.
Why is ii that we must wear the broadcloths of Old
or New England? Have We not the wool and tn.
spinners amongst us to clothe ourselves? II pains
be taken with our jeans even fancy cannot find
fault with its appearance.
| And your Committee are Of the opinion that If
all who now reside in Culpeper and who wear
broad cloths, were to substitute for such cloths
goods equally comfortable, made within the limits
| OF our County, that an annual saving of at least
fifteen thousand dollars would be effected IL will
not do To contend hat such hands as we should
employ in spinning, could be more profitably en-.
gagged III cutivating the soil. When our wheat
sold Tor ten shillings and two dollars per bushel
andour corn at from three 10 five dollars per bar.
rel such an argument had force; but those times
have passed, and IT IS with difficulty that corn
can be sold for cash at any price, and our wheat
will not nett than fifty cents per busheI
at market. In the article of groceries alone your
! Committee think that an annual County saving of
at least twenty thousand dollars could b.. eff.
fected, by diminishing the quantity used one half,
and that such diminutiOn would neither impair our
heaiths nor substract from comforts asa refer
ence to our former habits, and manner of liyinp
VIII aOundanty prove. The youngest amongst
us can recOllect when our County having IA gopu-
ldtion equal 10 its present, did not consume one
half OF the groceries used. Health and hap
piness were then at least general as now aud
our Society then had advantages over the present
state, for which there cannot now be found, any
correspondent advantage to compensate.
| Bfoddcloths and Groceries, only have been spc-
cihed, not because they the only articles too
freely used by US, but because they are the most
important "A general system of retrencbnent is
necessary to save us, and such system is most
earnestly recommended.
| In conclusion your Committee will recommend
the adoption of the following resolutions:
LIST. RESOLVED, that this Association be called the
| Culpeper Society for the encouragement of the
wearing OF home manufactured clothing, and for
the promotion OF domestic economy.
End. ReSOived, that the officers of this Society
consist OF President and Secretary TO be elected
by the Society and iod their Offices for the term
OF one year; the President shall have power to
cali special meetings, whenever in his opinion the
Interests OF the Society shall require il.
Sd. ReSOiUed, that the members of this Society
tor the future will not purchase for themselves any
articles OF clothing which might with proprey be
dispensed with, that may have been manufactured
out of the County Of Culpeprr
| 18th RESOLVED, that we will use our best exer.
tons TO dimini,h the quantity OF groceries used in
our families.
5th ResoiUed, that the members Of this Society
viii conform as nearly they can to the spirit oil
sucii resolutions are adopted, and such 9th
ers as may hereafter be adopted by majority OF
the Society
9th. Resoiued that when any person hereafter
wishes 10 become a member of this Society il