Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-13
Correspondents Of the Free Press.l
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 1851.
fsssrs. Editors Of the Free Press
One effect Of the war was brought TO my notioe
yesterday in going up Broadway. A year ago,
or the distance Of dozen blocks above Canal St.
I seemed almost as If every other shop was a
sewing machine agency. Machines Of every kind,
single and double thread lock stitch, chain stitch
and double chain -stitch-at all prices from five
dollars to hundred, might be purchased within
the distance Of few steps. 1t is well known that
Of really good and valuable machines, there are
but three or four kinds: and the rebellion has |
had the effect, doubtless entirely undersigned by
its authors, to show Enthusiastically which they are.
The single thread machines and "cheap" machines
general y, have nearly all "gone under" their
signs have disappeared, their flaming advertise
ments vanished and their web Of life raveled ont,
as soon as their own stitching. Curious to learn
what effect the present condition of tho country
has had upon the better class Of mach ines, went
into the salesroom of the Wheeler e. wilson Co.,
and made some inquiries, the answers to when
may interest you.
ern trade was at once cut of. But though quite
lossI am surethis patriotic firm would not nave II
restor ed at any nc 49,. ". ,4s vvup.vYv cup
preston Of the rebellion and the dismemberment
of the rebel COnfoderacy. Nay, they would glad
and as clo.bing has the peculiar faculty of weaT-
ly have furnished any number of sewing machines,
if they could have been used eTectually, to "sew
up tho ports of the rebels, chem in" their
forces, and "gsther" them within Uncle samuePs
strong clutch. Their trade in machines suffered
much, all over the country, as every other busi-
ness did. County agencies that had been selling
one or two day, hardly sold one week. But
the Sewing machine has become too much Of o
household necessity TO be dispensed with. The
Lyons looms may their weaving, but the
cloths which take the place of their costly fab
RIGS, still must be fashioned and sewed. SO the
sale Of the Sewing Machines revives, and now one
hundred a week so from this Broadway agency
alone.
There Is no loss without some gain: the war
make work, we'll as stops 1t. The equipment
Of the vast army of the Union tho providing Of
taxes the mills of the untry beyond their capac-
ity to supply cloth-which all the tailors, who
haven't enlisted are doing their utmost 10 make
up. The task would be hopeless one, but for
the sid Of macainery's iron fngers. Many mach
inc is Sc ing shoes, sewing coats, sewing panta-
looms, overcosts, shirts and drave rs, which, but
for the vast wants of the army, would be rusting
| idly in It's case One firm, l was told, COM
pleting contract for $780, 600 suits Of clothes in
this city, runs constantly in its large workrOOms
more than 100 o! the Wheeler " lson machines
There many such cases here and in other cities
ing Ou;, the demand is not likely to be lessened
for some time to come.
! The foreign trade Of the Wheeler & Wilson Co.
| was never better. The Company have not taken
cut letters patent in foreign countries, but have
! gene on the theory that the market can be better
controlled through the regular channels of trade
by de7oting the expe Of neces airy litigation
! TO the reduction Of prices. And so, with no lest
profit to themselves, they drive cut inferior mach
ines and limitations, by the low cost Of theirs, [;
would require very large capital and year;
q
factories, that should equal in beauty and accu.
ray Of workm anship, those which the enornou.
| factory at Bridgeport, Conn, turns out by the
| hundred thousand. And &C : Wheeler & Wilson
Sewing Machine of American max, can be pur.
chased in Paris for 10 or 2 dollars less than the
| best French machine. From Liverpool the Com.
pany have standing order 10 furnish FIVE hundred
machines month, and letters from purchaser,
among the titled aristocracy Of Great Britain " be
favor nothing American If they can help it, are
constantly received, expressing their satisfaction
with the new Yankee notion.
Among the curiosities in the way Of foreign
testimonials, Is letter from the Tycoon q
Japan, expreasing his thank for beau.
tiful Sowing Machine, sent by Wheeler
& Wilson Co, On tie Niagara, when she carried
home the japanese Ambassadors. It was accom-
panied by l.ttcr from Mr.. Harris, the American
Minister, saying that the machine delighted the
( women Of the Tyeoon's household, who very
speedily learned to use it; AID that a number Of
pisces CT velvet, richly figured silk, etc, etc
were ordered to be sent to the company, as pres
arrive they will be exhibited es 2 further adorn-
ment Of the CompaEy's beautiful rooms on Broad.
way. Under Royal patronage j, m ght be at first
supposed that large and profitable trade nigh, e,
onoe be opened with Japan an Mr.. Harris say:
consignment Of machines would be speedily
sold But thcrs are few people SO skilled 10 imi-
t.tion as the Japanese, and in six months they
would produce sewing machines in such numbers
and at 30 low price as TO cut of efIectually all
profitable sale Of foreign made articles. II is
wonderful With what skill and accuracy they will
reproduce anything Of which they have pattern,
and already many Of the articles sent out as Gu
rosities from this country, are N de by them, in
every respect equal to she originals; and steam
engines, rifed cannon and other modern i'm
provementS" are coming into use among that Gu
rious and heretofore isolated people.
No, Tho immense mandatory at Bridgeport
will not have to be enlarged to meet tho wants of
the Japanese market. 1t fact it will be year or
two, probably, before the capacity Of that great
factory, which covers four acres snd can prod ace
more than 500 machines a day, will be fully
taxed. Bot what contrast already to the first
little shop in Watertown, that could build but ten
machines week
Yours, BEN
FIRE IN EssEx.-Monday morning, between
five and six, two barns and shed in Essex,
opposite the Drury place, owned by Thomas