The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-21
Tnr N.unrrAe MnI-GrsrnAL CnAnLrs =

The NAuMKEAG MfLL-GENERAL CHAnLEs = {.
~, s-ibs cotton mil is beautifully located .,
: Salem, Mass. II is the largest in the United
States, and Is believed to be the largest in Il e
world in winch the entire process OF conye ting
raw cotton into clolh is carried on under rnuf
The mill is an elegant structure, something mot e
Than 400 feet in length, aud about IS feet in
width. II is four stories high, and contains 81,
2s2 spndes, (Mason's scli-acting mulcs.) $50
broad looms, and the other requisite machinery
The machine y is driven by steam engine OF 400
horse power. The consumption Of anthracite coal
IS 81 tons per day, to generate steam for The ell
CINE for the mill and machine shop, to warm tLe
mill and Offices for drying, making sizing, and an
other purposes. The arrangement OF lhe ma
ehinery is made on the most simple and econonii'
cal principles, and the whole is geercd IRON one
upright shaft, which takes It's motion directly non
the main wheel. Ga the side OF the street orFo
site the factory are two beautiful blocks oil brick
houses for the accommodation Of operatives. They
sre, together, of the same length Of the mill, and
cost the company about s35, 0Oo, exclusive OF the
land. The entire establishment, including these
dwellings, the machine shop and three or four
wharf lots, cost the company nearly $500, 1000
Yet, such is the quality Of the goods, aud the re.
ducsd cost of manufacturing, that the mil has
run at a handsome profit during the late hgd
times.
This mill was planned and constructed by our
fellow townsman, Gen. Charles r. James, and
has been in full operation since February, lS47.
Though in the prime CT life. Gen. James is vet
eran in his profession. He fas devoted more than
twenty years to il, and with the aid Of first rate
genius OF his own for mechanical and mathemati-
cal science, has labored most assiduously to per-
tsct himself in a knowledge of its scientific and
practical department. He has been eminently
successful, and as, emphaticaliy, self made me-
chanic, manufacturer, and engineer, deserves
much credit. in proof of this, we will ADOPT the
rule he lfornly practices on when.appicatons
are made for his services, that is refer all inqui
ers - his past employers, and TO the works OF his
hands. Another rule to which he uniformly adj
heres, may also be recommended 10 every good
mechanic. To have nothing TO do with what is
called cheap establishment. AZ a good reputation
can never be established on the ba is of had work
His caution TO mill owners is, and TO which they
would do well TO take heed, that The ultimate loss
OF thousands frequently results from the incipient
savings Of hundreds.
During the period which Gen. James has de.
voted 10 his Profession, he has constructed either
wholly or IN part, more than tirsny estion mills,
and put IA operation ico hundred and thirteen thou
sand spindles Some idea may be formed Of the
extent of his business and its arduous character.
from the fact that, for some three years past, he
has paid out for contracts he has personally made
with machinists builders. &c., for machinery, ma
teriais, labor, &C., on an average Of about $500,
900 per annum; and besides which, he has con-
stant,y had on his hands the business agency
and general supervision of two or three cotton
mills Added TO this is the fact that the mills he
has had n hand during that period, some Of which
are completed and Others Of which are cow in
proeress. ar. situated, some in Massachusetts,
some in Connecticut one 10 New York, some in
Pennsy lvania, one on the Ohio, 1870 miles below
Louisville, Ky, and one in Charleston, s. c.
Proridtnce Journal.