Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-05-26
HISTORY OF AMERICAN SILK.

In a recent number 81 the Globe, there was
pctllsM iron, nLmbrr ni the cllzens oi the
:ih..s::;;c, OF Columbia. praying Congrts IS TO a
dept some measures Tor tie encouragement OF
the Growth Of Silk within the District, desert
bug The climate and sell as well adapted tot.
This is an attempt 10 revive culture III
which Virginia had once made considerable
progress. About the year 1922, King James
lhe LIST, turned his attention to this subject in
the colony, 'i,asi ing understood, he says, That
the sole naturally yieldeth store Gf excellent
uulbeIys;' and lie directs the Earl Of South
pyon 10 urge the cultivation Of silk, in pre-
ference to tobacco, which brngelh with 1t ma
nv disorders and Inconvenience In 1860.
,hey passed another act, aud describe the cul-
lure ii silk as the most profitable tor the coun-
try; and "a fine OF 10 lbs. oL tobacco (Which
was then the principal currency was Imposed
on every planter who failed to plant at least
10 mulberry trees, for every no acres Of land.
-Four thousand pounds 1f tobacco was given
10 induce person 10 remain in the colony and
follow the trade in Silk. and i0,Cc0ibs was o.
tered to 'aiie one wh) should export ..0O
worth of rave SiiEe.'
| Charles 81 wrote TO Gov. Berke'y. tat .l,s
had iovmariy worn some Of The Virginia silk,
hici, lie sound no wise inferior To that of 9TH
er 60, miles, Mr.. Eurke, il his history Of
that colony, n.e4,ions lLa, Maj. Walker,
member Of the Legislature. produced satisfac-
tory evidence lI.a,lie had 10000 mulberry trees
growing, and claimed the premium; aud hat
| other claims cf the same nature were preseni-
ed during the session. The Wilt: mulberry
is now frequently seen in the eastern parts Of
Virginia.
The most important production Of Silk in
this country, Was in Georgia aud South Caro-
lima. ..-fh. lands in Georgia were granted on
condition that tie settlers should plant one hum
bred white mulberry trees for every 10 acres.
Every encouragement was given ny the d'sln-
teres,eJ founders. by sending out trees, seeds.
and worms; a Piedmentese clergyman was
employed to instruct the coloni.ts in the art; It
was enacted ..tl,at raw silk. Of American
gr, with. should be imported duty free into the
port Of London;" even the seal If the State OF
IL orpia was adorned with the representations
Of silk worms, and the appropriate motto mon
sibi sed alis. -.
The frs, notice Of any exportasion Of silk
from the colonies, ia 10 1875. when 6ibs were
carried to England from Savannah: we Ind
il remarked in tn: Gen,lcmen's Magazine OF
,bat period. that the trustees Of Georgia wait
cd on her Majesty with some silk from Geor-
Ilds WHICH ptOvCu WY =.
A Public Fi,ature was established. and IN
1859 h.r. was exported from Georgia 10000
lbs raw silk, which was sold shilIings a
pound higher than that II any other country;
as confirmation Of which. we notice paper
Which was laid before the Commissioners ct
Plantations, by the mott eminent SILK throws.
tiers. in London. stating that having examined
3oGlbs Of Georgia Silk, they find ii. nature
and texture trnly good. the color beautiful. the
thread even. and clean az the hest Piedmont.
and will be worked with much less waste than
The China Silk This agrees with later ex-
pericOce; the American raw silk now, IS as
strong ard beautiful ss The Italian.
The ladies' were in the bs''i, Of sending th.if
own silk i, In dan! 10 ,aan"facsnr'. MIR.
Rains, y. in his history &c s. caroina. saw
,l.a, Mrs. Pinctney. he sa,nr lady wlo intro
Diced lie Indigo plar' into $. Csrfni. 'oos
wi,i, her to England. in 1853. a q'.n',,y cf
excellent six. which sl,e t,ad raise N the vi
cjri,y of Charleston. Sufficient to mike three
srsses. One she presented 10 the Princess
I,nwarcr of Wales. and another 10 ord Ches-
,crGcld. whc. were admitted. The 'hfi dress
was few years ago in The possession Of Mrs.
Houey, her daughter, ard was remarkable for
i.s beauty and strength. -. Bost. Mer. Jour.