The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-08
TcoMMuEIcArED.]
uAsurneroN. April ~, 1859.

corresponding increase of prosperity In our ag-
ricultural manufacturing, and commercial lnter-
ests. n brief sketch of its present state OF ad-
yancement may not prove undressing 10 your
readers. -.
About twenty five years ago the government
of the United States, DESTROYS OF furnishing the
navy and mercantile marine OF our country with
hemp grown within our own borders not only
as q means of national defence, but of promot-
ing the agricultural interests, attempted to intro
dnce the process of water.rotting into the hemp
growing region, it having been well ascertained
that foreign hemp owed all its superiority to
that process Experiments were made in many
parts of the country. which, from many unto
ward circumstances, led to the general conclu-
sion that the process was destructive TO animal
life in such degree as to render it impractcable
in our climate, in consequence OF Whlch the NJ.
tempt was abandoned utterly hopeless.
was one among those who attributed the lnJu.
ries alleged to have arisen,from the process to
other causes aggravated by eXaggeration and
prejudice. and did not doubt that the time would
arrive when all our shipping wonld be clad in
American hemp. Being extensively engaged
in the manufacture of cordage, and having much
intercourse with the board OF navy commission
ers, / found that Commodores Rodgers and
Chauncey concurred with me in the opinion,
who, in 1887, selected me to undertake to sup
Div the navy with that article, promising me at
, the time their Utmost influence and power 10
make the enterprise profitable. Being engaged
II q lucrative business, ! was willing to embark
IN an undertaking so hazardous and arduous
NV attention, however, continued to be liked
on the subject; and in June, 1899, having
business with the Hon. }. *. Pauding then
Secretary of the Navy, il became IL topic OF
conversation during the interview. lie also
urged me to nlertake the enterprise. As an
indication of my reply to his solicitation, quote
IN extract from his letter, February % h, lS49
"You thought the thing practicable, but stated
MANY objections, and declined the undertaking,
until offered such encouragement as overcame
your objections. ] have always believed that
one of your leading motives was that by which
was myself overwhelmingly, wish to con
fer benefit on your country"
embarked in this enterprise at the above pc.
Rod, when the growth of hemp was principally
confined to the State of Kentucky, and did not
exceed three thousand tons, which was of infc-
rior quality, Of dew rotted. IL appears from the
late census that the production of water and dew
rotted hemp in the Union has run up to sixty
two thousand tons per annum large portion Of
which is manufactured for domestic purposes.
the balance shipped to foreign countries lcoud
furnish much proof AS to the inslrumentality
of nv efforts in bringing about this great result,
but shall confine myself to All extract OF letter
from the late Secretary of the Navy, Hon. J. Is.
Paulding, dated April 20, 1852, which says:
"For this ] do not hesitate TO say on my own
personal knowledge the country is Indebted to
your exertions, experience, enterprise, and per-
severance, amid every species Of obstacles and
encouragement, and to the ruin of ysur affairs.
Ii is by these exertions and sacrifices that the
United States are now in great measure, II
not entirely, independent Of foreign nations for
an article so Indispensable to their naval and
commercial marine. perceive that motion to
take up the bill for your relief was objected to
in the House of Representatives by member
from North Carolina, whose motives have no
doubt were equally honest aud patriotic know
very well, from past experience, that great por.
ton Of the claims presented to Congress are
frivolou., fraudulent, aud deceptive, or at least
founded on weak, selfish principles, by which
men are so often led into erroneous ideas OF
what is due TO themselves and others. But the
recompense you ask OF Congress is no adequate
equivalent for your own labors and sacrifices,
much less for the benefit you have conferred on
our country; and il seems strange that, while
that body is displaying such unbounded liberality
in applying the public property 10 the construc.
ton Of railroads through deserts, and in behalf
of future rs well rs uncertain benefits, i. should
thus long have delayed TO discharge a debt Of
honest gratitude for one Of such magnitude al,
ready received. am rs great devoiee Of pub
lie economy az the member from North Carolina,
whose known vigilance in watching over the
peoples money cordially approve, at the same
lime that conceive the obligations Of justice
superior to those of mere penny saving.
"Rccollecting, as ] do, that was myself in.
strumeEtal in persuading you 10 enter on an
undertaking which had been declined by every
other man 10 whom il was proposed, cannot
but feel interested in the success Of your appli.
cation; still less can withhold my respect from
your firm reliance on the justice Of Providence.
IL not that Of Congress. II is the great sheet
anchor, and, though il may sometimes drag a
little in the storm, never fails 10 bring the ship
up at last. To that ] commend you, with my
best wishes for your 6nal success"
Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, in his able address
delivered before the Annual Fair Of the New
York State Agricultural Society. held at Roch.
ester in September 1851, advcrted 10 the growth
Of hemp 10 the United States, and eyinced much
knowledge on that branch Of industry, an ex
tract from which here give:
alt has long since been ascertained however,
that our soil and climate are well adapted 10 the
growth OF hemp, and that we can produce Il
that the hemp grown in Kentucky, Missouri
Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and perhaps other
States Of the Union, is fully equal 10 the Rus.
sian in strength and texture; and that our
countrymen have discovered process Of roiting
by which Il can be rendered equal IL not supe
rior 10 that Of Russia for all purposes TO which
The latter has been applied in this country.
This fact renders the culture Of hemp well
worth the attention Of American agriculturists.
A people now only the second, and destined
soon 20 be the FIRST, commercial and maritime
nation Of the world, ought 10 bestow a special
care on all products necessary TO tie success Of
ia commercial and naval enterprise. The ca.
pacity Of our soil for the production Of hemp is
unlimited, while our immense foreign coastwise
and internal navigation ensure TO il an ample
and increasing home market"
In corroboration Of his remarks, quote from
letter Of Messrs. Sewsl a. Day, Of Boston,
extensive manufacturers, dated July 81, 1916.
fTaI 4. Al