Southern Argus., 1842-07-19
For the Southern Argus.
To THE CITIZENS OF MISSISSIPPI.


No. 6.
"EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT US,
MANUFACTURES AXE now AS NEc-
EssARY TO OUR INDEPENDENCE AS
TO OUR COMFORT. ."-Je6erson.
Jefferson was truly an American.
All his aspirations were for his coun-
try's welfare. His exalted intellect
and research scanned luturi,y. He
foresaw, in the early dawn OF our re-
public. all its avenues 10 wealth and
greatness. His scrutiDizing vision
saw the period when our wide domain
Of fertile wilderness would be CONVEX
fed into fruitful fields. He also fore
toded the dangerous elements that
had arisen in all republics 10 undermine
the pillars of freedom and raze the
temple Of Liberty; and he warned US
against foreign dependence, which ]
know full well, that, since false ambi-
ton, would ride into power by the sac
rifice Of the dearest interests of our
country has reared its standard and
scattered discord and distraction throu
our land. Isolated extracts from the
writings Of that patriarch ofliberty have
been heralded forth 20 prove an adverse
propositioDj and | know as we'll these
were unconnected abstract reasonings
on what his individual views were, of
the provisions contained in the consti-
tu ton, which, when decided Oh by
the organised tribunals Of our country,
he never agtated, but acquiesced in
that decision. IN bis S years admin
istration. in all his official communiea-
tlons, have no recollection Of his
setting forth his individual opinion as
the exposition of the constitution, nor
do l recollcct Of his exercising the We
to power in a single instance.
The quotation at the head Of this
article shews his opinion Of the neces-
sity of home maEulactUres, TO secure
our independence, and that he was
favorable TO their protection is fair
inference.
Let US now review this subject as
respects Mississippi. The only way
TO arrive at any conclusion on the
amount ofmanu(actured articles we i'm
port for consumption, and their value,
is by taking the probable amount used
by each individual, and affix an aver
age value on the same.
[ have made diligent enquiries On
this subject and shall make my esti-
mates at what conceive minimum
rate. My feilow-ci.izens must Judge
for themselves, and add or diminish
in coming TO conclusion according to
their own opinions.
In this number / shall confine my
selfto the import of cotton fabrics. 1t
must be borne in mind, that the more
costly the article the less of material is
used, and the more labor paid for.
Take for example,an Infants cap with
the needle work on it will cost US 3,
4 or 5 dollars, whereas ,ce oEly furnish
some one 10 Two ounces Of cotton in
its manufacture; the rest is labor
abroad. So also Of all the finer arti-
cles offemale apparel. Most Of the
summer clothing of the men is of cotton
fabric. and imported, made into gar.
nientS,-the tailors bill here has TO be |
paid for, and is taxable against our
crop.
| hare placed the estimated con-
sumption at Is yards annually to an
inhabi,ant, and the cost at 5 cents per
yard.
If such data be allowable, and |
think it far below the actual cost, the |
account current of Mississippi will
stand thus with the manufacture.
Our pOpu'ation is, Free l6O.44O.
Slave 1921.