Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-12-22
Correspondence of the N. Y. American Advocate.

Correspondence of the N. Y. American Advocate.
\ Sovru OXFORD, Slatersville, Nov. 1881.
/ Dear Sir-The town Of Douglas is a
bout an equal distance from Uxbridgs,
and this place, being about six miles from
each. The source Of the Mumford Riv-
er, which have heretofore name ID to y you,
is within four miles Of Douglas, s. is from
Manchoug, Wallace ,and Badluck Ponds.
On this stream, and in the east part of the
town, the Douglas Manufacturing Com
pany have two mils-one of stone, and
both five stories high. They have 1000
spindles, | 10 looms, g. employ 200 hands.
They work up 275, 900 lbs cotton into
900, 900 of yards Of printing goods
They have also a small woollen concern
for making bookings: but, it is to be re-
linquished, as it does not answer their ex-
pectations. Samuel Lovett, agent
Douglas contains 9 900 inhabitants, and
three places of public worship, viz:-one
Methodist, one Presbyterian, and one
Friends
\ Slatersville, embraces part of Dud-
ley, as well as of this town, and an effort
is to be made, ! understand, TO have it set
off as separate and independent town.
Here resides Samuel Slater, Esq. the
patriarch of manufactures i'll this country.
1t is only known to a few that the world is
indebted to this gentleman for the dis
covery of cotton thread In 1894, while
spinning a quantity of Sea Island Cotton,
the evcnness and beauty of the yarn at
tracted the attention of Mrs. Slater
The question arose, if this be doubled &
twisted, why will it not make good sew
ing thread. The experiment was made,
and in order to be fully satisfied of the
result, sheet was made with one half of
linen thread and the other half with the
cotton. 1t was Immediately put into use,
and the first thread that gave way was
the linen! From this period, he COM
mcnced the manufacture of thread, and
it soon spread into England, France, land
other European countries, where 1t IS
generally supposed to be Of English orr
gin.
Mr.. Slater is also the author Of Sum
day Schools in this country, the good ei-
tects of which will be more durable than
monuments of marble. He is now in his
G4th year His benevolence and phi
lanlhropy have been co-extensive with
bis means; and few have done more to
bring young and enterprising men into
business than Samuel Slater. He has,
probably, now a larger amount employed
in manufactures than any single individ-
ual in the United States. The firm here
is Samuel Slater & Sons.
They have seven mills-two of stone,
three Of brick, and two Of wood. Five
of these derive their power from French
River; the other two are in the centre Of
the village, and obtain their power from
Slater's Lake; the Indian of which is
Chargoggagoggmanchoggagog.* 1t is a
large pond more than four miles long, +,
and is never failing source of supply.
They use 6OOO spindles, 80 looms, and
employ 100 hands, and work up 1000
bales Of cotton, which produce Is, 900
Yards a week, besides large quantities of
,atnet wares, and sewing thread. They
also, broadcloths, cassi
neres, and satinets. In this branch Of
heir business they use 600 lbs Of wool a
lay, or 100000 lbs year.
%To save you from unnecessary trouble, will
iivide the word as it should be pronounced-Char-
Iosg "A go ggman-chogg -a-gog.