Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-03
AZ IurOrT,yT MOVEMENT.

In yicN Of the pcCuuiarv difficulties winch nov IA
tcrirrc with the general prosperity II will be gratifying
to those who think that large portion Of those difficult
ties are accustomed by purchasing too much and pro-
ducinn little perceive any thing that may hold
out fair prospect Of correcting the evil The immense
foreign debt against il is OF Importance I" meet III
some other way than by the payment Of specie. If our
country is capable Of yielding that which will furnish
ready mode ofliQudang this foreign balance, should
not the attempt be made TO realize important an OBJ
iect:
Thoroughly convinced that this object and ought
to BE- accomplished by of the cultivation of silk,
for the production of which the climate and soil of large
portions Of the country are proved TO be every way
suited meeting recently called for the purpos" of
taking the subject INTO earnest consideration. This
meeting. composed of large number of our most
spectacle and cnt"rprisng citizens, became satisfied
that the pos!tiom whichth City ofPladclpha occu-
pies as metropolis embracing amount Of capI-
tai and enterprise calls for the adoption Of such
surcs BY those Of her citizens who Interested in tn"
silk business Will place her in position of the most
commanding character in relation to that new and
growing interest. The meeting was further of OPP
nion that the silk business has been established more
firmly in our country than the public har" any know
ledge Of, and that national society would greatly cy-
tend this knowledge and produce conviction to lis
feasibility and proiitablcncss. 4 society there
upon projected, and after several meetings. It's organi-
cation has been completed under the title Of the 'sNa
tonal Association for the Promotion Of the silk Cnl-
turc in the United States Among the object. which
cocoonS, raw and manufactured silk OF American
growth with view to extensive public exhibitions;
the ncinorali2n. of Congress- the dissemination Of
information by means Of lectures, publications and
such other matters may lcgtnlaCly come wItnn The
power OF snclI an association. The members pay
nualy fly" dollars for the purpose ni creating iumG
for the prosecution OF IFS intentions, and already nearly
two hundred names have been enrolled upon IFS list,
and large acccssonS are made at each of lis weekly
meetings.
Aware that much would depend upon the character,
ability and public spirit of those who may preside
and direct its proceedings, il matter Of anxiety,
in filling the office of President 10 the co-opcra
ton of one who should combine III his person all
those essential qualities. This object the ASsoc;a-
ton has been fortunate enough 10 III the sclcc
ton of Nicholas Biddc, Esq, who conserving to pre-
side the deliberations Of The Association, observed
II an sensible Of the distinction conferred BY this APP
poim,ncnt, and regret only that shall be little able
Ia realize the expectations of the Association At The
time am so anxious 10 contribute BY any means in
my power TO the encouragement of our own national IN
dusry, that feel reluctant to decline any efforts hy
which may be useful The discerning mind of this
distinguished citizen, publicly cvncng his estimation
of the character of the silk culture has but second
ed the views promulgated by Benjamin Franklin in
l71O, and more recently by EXPresidcnt Adams, Mr..
Randolph, and others, who in Congress have recorded
their convictions of the perfect adaptation of our soil and
climate which, by the latter gentleman was, III his
port as chairman of the committee appointed by Com
investigate the subject, declared be iEIlr
equal TO the best portions of China for the production of
silk. The success of the present year IN producing SUI
peror silk al cost which will realize better profit
than any other crop that he put into the ground,
has hccn amply sufficient 10 satisfy all who have taken
the trouble TO examine for themselves and nothing ap
pears TO be wanting hut proper spirit of enter
prise and perseverance 10 effect the speedy and pcrma
nent establishment of this important branch of national
industry The immense tax which the silk produce
enables the French nation 10 levy upon other countries
has placed her, during the present commercial embar
with her abundant surplus of the precious
metals, in position which own country might now
have been the attainment of, had the advice and
example of Franklin been followed What this was,
We find stated in VI NTahons American Gardener, pub
shcd in this city so long ago let6. From page 81
We copy this: ''Sk has been raised and manufactured
nto most excellent fabric under the direction of that
treat and venerable patriot and friend to mankind, Dr.
Ben amin Franklin That so useful pursuit should be
uttered to die away, i'll country well adapted for II
any in the universe, is extraordinary ii is
ortunate, and injurious 10 the real interest of the
ion"
Too long has the nation neglected the advantage to
e reaped from this source The National association
low formed in aid of the culture of silk, will, it is
oped, succeed in awakening the country to sense of
s Importance. Among its officers we find the name Of
he venerable Duponceau, the folds Of whose American