The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-03


ference TO this product of our own MiddIesex, TO
hear a little Rnecdote OF what once happened TO
myself When | had the honor 10 represent the
country at London, was little struck one day
at the royal drawing room to see the President OF
the Board Of Control (the board charged with the
supervision Of the government Of India) approach
ing me with stranger, at that time much talked
OF in London-the Babu Dwarkanauth Tagore
This person, who is not now living was hindoo
of great wealth, liberality, and Intelligence: he
was dressed with oriental magnincence; ne mad
rich Cashmere shawl held together with large
diamond breach, on his head, by way oil turban-
another Cashmere round his body; his countenance
and manners those OF highly intelligent and re-
markable person, as he was. Alter the ceremony
of introduction was oyer he said he wished TO make
his Acknowledgements TO me, as the American Min
lister, for the benefits which my countrymen had
conferred ON his countrymen. Al did not at first
know what he referred to; thought he might
have in view the mission schools, knowing as
did that he himself had done great deal for edu-
cation. He Immediately said that he referred
to the cargoes of ice sent from America to In
dia, conducting not only to comfort but health add
ing that numerous lives were saved every year by
applying Jumps Of American ice to the head of the.
patient in case Of high fever He asked me If
knew from what part Of America 1t came Wen,
SIR, II gave me great pleasure to tell him that
lived, when at home, within very short distance
Of the spot from which il was brought. IT was
most agreeable circumstance to hear, IN this au-
thentc way, that the sagacity and enterprise OF
my friend and neighbor had converted the pure
waters of our lakes into the means not only of pro-
noting health, but saving life at the Antpodes i
must say almost envicd Mr.. Tudor the satislac-
ton which he could not but feel IN refecung that
he had been able 10 stretch out an arm OF benevo-
lcnce from the other side OF the globe by which he
was every year raising up his fellow men from tho
vSrge of the grave. How few OF all the for
egners who have entered India, from the time OF
Sesostris or Alexander the Great to the present
time, can say as much! Others at best have gone
to govern, too often TO plumber and to STAY; our
countryman has gone there, not to destroy life, but
n aHV 6raf
ell-earned harvest himself.
And thus having got you, my friends, to the
banks Of the Ganges, in my rambling DISCOURSE
am going to bring you here to Middlesex-to
Lowell itself-by short cut; and furnish you, at
the same time, another illustration of the progress
of the arts you cultivate, and OF that connexion
between the husbandman and the manufacturer,
which was SO ably set forth by the orator of the
day. You are all aware that great quantities Of
coarse cottons used to be brought thirty years ago
from India. II was an important branch of COM
merce; the advertising columns in our newspapers
filled with long lists OF hard Hindoo names OF
goods now seldom heard Of. OF the younger por-
ton OF the company, lew, suppose, have ever
seen piece of this India cotton, such was for
merly imported in great quantities. 1 Will pre-
sently show you specimen oft, bought and worn
by me forty four years ago. but must first iell
you on what occasion and for what purpose.
In the month Of February, 1907, was sent for
few months to the academy at Exeter. There was
ut that time among the pupils OF the academy
military company, of which all the boys, who were
as arts, were members. Joined it, sir, and was
tolerably successful as soldier. did not get to
be commission or even warrant ofncer; but
rose in due time to be right hand man, or rather
boy OF the rank Of the fourth section; which,
for red haired urchin under thirteen years OF age,
and standing four feet six in his shoes, was thought
to be doing iamousy. Well, sir. our corps had
uniform, and that uniform was jacket and over.
alls of plain white India cotton 1t was intended,
/ suppose, by their pacific garb, TO tame down the
terrors OF our array; to smooth in some degree the
wrinkled front OF grim visaged war; and to show
that, even while preparing for its dire summons,
we were still willing to put on the vestrnents OF
white-robed peace. At any rate, sir, we wore
white jackets and trousers and here is my jacket,
which has. by know not what domestic chance,
been preserved. tit was held up by Mr.. Everett,
greatly to the amusement ofthe company.l
Here il is, sir, authentic specimen of the India
cotton once brought in great abundance u this
country. The name of such piece of goods is
unknown to me; whether it is from the piece of
Baftas, or Saunahs, Bedroom Gurrahs, or Now
Mahmoodies, or Gutchpoor nammicollies, pre-
tend not to say. can only say that they used to
come by the ship load; and specie by the ship load
went 10 pay for them 1t is, you see sir, coarse
as hop sack; you could almost shoot peas between
the threads II you ever wove piece of cloth like
that at Lowell, you would think it dear at five cents
per yard; and yet assure you, that to the best of
my recollection, this very piece cost at retail, when
it was bought in the country f0rtyfour years ago.
twenty five cents per yard!
Now, sir, compare the cloth of, which this poor
little jacket is made, with the cottons furnished at
third OF the price, at the present day by the manu-
facurers of Middlcecx and see the progress OF the
useful arts Then remember that the cottons Of
India to be paid for in specie, the least advan
tageous form Of trade; and that the coitons OF this
country manufactured from material which
grows on the soil of the United States, and is
In your own looms by those who eat bread raised
by your own husbandmen. Recollect all this and
you will, think, understand little better what
Middlesex manufacturers have done for Middesex
husbandmcn; and what BOTH while they sustain
each other, have done for the rest of the commu-
nifty.
beg leave, Mr.. President and gentlemen, in
taking my seat again, to thank you for your most
kind reception.