The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-03-24
RUR.EE ECO.sTD.E9Y:
MANuFAcTuRE or SIZE IN ONO.


subject, originally published in the Zanes.
vile Gazette, has been handed 10 US by
one Of the Representatives from Ohio, with
whom we agree that il is worthy Of relub.
LEGATION MAI. Intel.
Mr. Bennett: Having recently paid a
visit to the silk manuiaciory Of MIR. John
w. Gill, Of Mount Pleasant, Jefferson coun.
ty. in this State, | offer you for publication
a few notes taken on the spot, which may
serve, IN some degree, TO show that the
manufacture Of silk IN this country is not
only practicable, but, under skilllul and
proper management, really profitable.
The first operations Of Mr.. Gill were
commenced in 1888, by purchasing S400
worth of mulberry trees. Ia 1889 he
commenced manufacturing producing that
season 81 900 worth ol iabncs. lie has
now 10 operation four Picdnun,ese reels
with improvements, enc winding machine
( for raw or reeied silk, ,ws twisting ma.
chimes preparatory for lramping, one dou
/ bling machine, two trammiug machines for
organZine, one winding machine for dress
ed silk. Al the machinery, excepting that
for weaving, is propelled by steam en-
CINE, ye. The most delicate operations are
performed with the greatest exaciiiude.-
The whole cost Of engine and machinery,
up 10 this time, is about S4,200. Thirty
acres Of land, worth 800 per acre, are dc.
voted TO mulberry trees. lie employs al
/ the factory 20 handsome half Of whom
are females, and several Of these are chill.
dfcn from 10 TO IA years of age. The
children tend the reels, prepare The cocoons
! fur reoling, &c. The females are paid
from 81 to 81 per week. For Weaving
and all job work, he pays the London es
lab!ished prices, and with these the opera.
tiyes are well satisfied. Some experienced
females can make at Job work So per week.
Mr.. Gill's fabrics are all excellent, and
some OF them uncommonly beautiful. lie
exhibited a piece of lustring, which is by
the best Judges pronounced superior to the
best imported, aud yet this, as well Us all
his other articles, are afforded at the same
or less price than The foreign ones Of the
same kind.
MIR. Gill has manufactured, during the
last year, upwards OF $4,000 worth Of
goods; and. notwithstanding all the obsta.
cles attendant on new and untried bust
ness, has been able TO realize a clear profit
on the Capital invested Of 10 per cent.
Mr.. Gill is clearly of the opinion that
nothing but little legislative protection is
wanting 10 the outset, to establish the silk
manufacture among Va upon sure, sub.
siantial, and profitable basis. The progress
which has already been made towards CT.
lectlug this impof,an, result, cannot but be
truly gratifying TO every well wisher to bis
coun,rv's independence and prosperity and
the time is approaching when those who
have demonstrated the feasibility OF the
silk manufacture, will be regarded as among
the creates, public benefactors of tho age.
Mr.. G.'s establishment is managed With
admirable nea,ness and order, by Mr.. Fox,
the superintendent. Mr.. John Fox, lr.,
appears to be a man Of much mechanical
ingenuity, and under his direction he ma.
chinery has been made and pu. up. The
machinery at the extensive silk works be.
/ longing 10 the community under MIR. Rapp,
at Economy, Pa, was also erected by him.
Ga visiting this place year or two ago,
was struck with admiration at the per.
! formauce of a machine which he had Just
nut in operation. With it Mr.. +. was
weaving, a, the same time, nine diheren,
pieces of riband, each varying in width,
colors, and figure This machine, so com
plicaled in its structure, and wonderful in
its operations, he erected aHd set in motion
vita no other guide than his own broin--
not being permitted TO bring with him from
London even draught or figure relating
TO il. Yet OH its first trial il was found
perfect in all lis parts.
While viewing the difiareni departments
Of Mr.. ellis establishment, and observing
the apparent cheer(uluess and contentment
of the operatives, could not help rejecting
how much better il would be for many Of
the children ia cur towns and in the coun
try, could they be similarly engaged, earn
ing their dollar or dollar and a halt per
week, instead of being brought Up, as they
too frequently are, in ldleness, tllthness
and vice. Here they were clearly, indus.
trious, and happy.
would thank you to publish the accom-
paving memorial of Mr. Gin, presented to
the Ohio Legislature at IFS present session.
A remark by way Of explanation of Mr.,
G.'s memorial may not be out of place. II
will be seen that Mr.. 6. asks for bounty
on the production OF cocoons and reeled silk.
lie asked no protection for the manufac.
ture he is willing to risk the competition
with the foreign article. All he wants is
|, enough of the raw material to keep the ma
chluery he now has, and such as he wishes
to add, in motion. He has no doubt thai
! the production of cocoons and reeled sill
may be made good business. |, viii be
; recolected that he has already three thou
sand dollars worth of land devoted to mul
berry trees. From those no will continue
TO make all the cocoous no can, hut he can
not produce enough to supply all his ma
chinery. He is, therefore, anxious that