Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-02-19

w. .TREGG diHpbiei, SH'itlCo LSsA1S
ON DOMESTIC INDUSTRY"
Al The request of a number ofsepte-
men who desire me 10 publish in pamphlet
form. the Essays which recently appeared
in The "Charleston Courier under the
head of"Don.estic Industry and signed
s.South- Carolina" they are now revised:
with few additions.
The Manufacturing OF Cotton in the
Southern States, is a subject that has en-
gagged nv attention for many years. and
elic!ed much interesting enquiry and la
borious investigation. About eight years
ago, purchased a considerable interest in
The Vancluse Manufacturing Establish
ment, near Aiken, aud my practical expe.
rence in it, lit being under my charge for
eight months, during The summer and fall
Of 1887 has produced sellled conviction
in my mind, that Manufacturing is busi-
ness that ought 10 engage rhe Two Caro-
Iinas and Georgia. had then but recently
retired from very lucrative business in
Columbia. on account Of III health, WHICH
forbade my becoming the purchaser of the
above named establishment. which was
sold by Ihe company in 1887. 1t. howev-
er, came into my possession.rin connection
with Gen. James Jones, i'm March, ls43.
The investigation prompted by This owner
ship, and the experience Of tOenty months
active operation flhis establishment, have
confirmed my previous impressions, and
am now prepared to stake my reputation
as 10 the issue. firmly believe, that our
advantages are such as 10 enable us 10
compete successfully with any country,
now engaged in the manufacture of Coarse
Cotton Fabrics. We have the materials
among US, which, set 10 motion by this
branch of Industry, would create an ener.
gy that would revolutiouize our State,
morally and physicaily,-uproot The i'm
mense forests that now cover the lairest
portion of our soil.-disembowel the hid
den treasures contained in our immense
beds of iron ore,-revive the dropping spir-
its oil our enterprising Iron Masters.-shake
the very foundation of,he beds of granite
that abound in all parts of our State,-
resusciiate our worn out Dil,--construcr
for US good roads and bridees,-erect-h hou-
ses Of such durable materials as should
make them monuments of our, enterprise,
and dwellings for the offspring of our chill
dren's children,-and which would place
US in condition 10 meet any emergency
that might arise.
tour of inspection through the manu-
featuring districts ofthe Northern States,
during The past summer, has moi only con-
frmed all my previous Impressions, but
has probably excited in me 100 much en-
thusiasm on this subject. which regard
as so vastly important to South. Carolina.
A portion of the matter contained in these
essays, was written during my soiourn
among The New England Cotton spinners
without any expectation that the author
would be known TO The public, and with no
desire beyond thai Of advancing rhe pros
perity of our State. To what exteut this
object may be promoted by these efforts,
time only will reveal; trust, however, that
if the facts here slated are no, The means
ofproduclns single eslablishmeni-to test
the matter. and prove to our people what
may be done in South CaroIna-Ihey will
at lerst. awaken spirit ofenapiry. and
elicit the efforts of those who are better
qualified To investigate the subject Than
myself
If the language employed in any portion
OF these essays. seems indicative of un-
friendly feelings towards Sourh Carolina,
or if The essays themselves. abound in re-
proachlu' epi,heis and unpalaIabIc truths,
| beg that il may NOT be construed az 10
imply want Of attachment te-she State.
The fact of my having gone 10 considcra
BILE trouble and expense. 10 procure the
data in them. with no other object in view
than that Of creating spirit of enterprise
among my fellow citizens. which trust
will even'uale in her good. must release
me from any impuration of a want ofat-
,achmenl 10 South. Carolina, or of detract.
ing from her merits. To be in the midst
of The scene. which surrounded me, when
| commenced writing these ESSAYS, and
to compare it with the existing condi.
lion OF thugs in our Stale, would indeed
require some philosophy TO write or speak
on the subject, without using reproachlul
epithes.
We all know what rhe Manufacturing
of Cotton has done for Great Britain. Ii
has given her an influence which make,
all other States tributary 10 her. We also
know. that this Lranch of manufactures.
was the foundation on which ,ha, vas, and
continually increasing structure has been
reared in New England, which has given
an impetus tn all other species Of manu-
faclutes, infuslns spirit Of enterprise
health, and vigor into every department
of industrial pursuits. lhave always been
a close observer Of hings, but when I-vis.
tied the mountainous districts of Connecti-.
cut, Massachusetts,, Vernon, and New
Hampshire, (for it is pushing itself to the
very SUBMITS of The mountains could
not but notice, with surprise, the effect
which this branch of manufactures had
produced. Wherever il finds its way, all
other branches OF industry follow. ,brings
into requisilion every element around II,
gives value to every species Of property,
and causes each and every individual IN