that women are to be instructed, so as to spread the art in the required degree of perfection through the land.

On my return home, I caused ten reels to be made on ruin those who undertake them. It is in large filatures an improved plan of M. D'Homergue's, much simplified from that of Piedmont, and which were found to work extremely well. I also caused a convenient shed to be erected for the filature, under which the reels were placed, with their furnaces and other necessary apparatus.

On my leaving Connecticut, I had left orders to an agent to purchase a large quantity of cocoons. From some misunderstanding, it happened that that order was not executed in time, so that obtained from thence a much less quantity than I expected.

It had been my wish to have made at least one hundred and fifty pounds of raw silk, in order to make a fair tri of the respective markets of England, France, and Mexicobut I soon discovered that it would be impossible in the first season, and therefore I determined to put the silk to another test. It was evident that, if it could be manufac tured here into fine stuffs, to an equal, or nearly equal, degree of perfection with those imported from Europe, ¿ By means of advertisements in the newspapers, insert- might be also manufactured elsewhere, and therefore there ed, however, too late in the season, and not extensively could be no defect in the mode of reeling it. I therefore enough, I obtained cocoons, in various quantities, from the engaged M. D'Homergue to weave several tissues out of States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, part of the silk that he had reeled, and the result was perVirginia, and North Carolina; a few were sent to me even fectly satisfactory. As a sample of that result, I have had from the States of Mississippi and Louisiana. From the last the honor of presenting the flag of the United States to of these States, and from South Carolina, I would have the honorable the House of Representatives; as it will be received some considerable quantities, if the rivers had no doubt accessible to the public eye, it does not belong been navigable in the interior. On the whole, I could only to me to pass judgment upon its workmanship. Part of collect, during the last season, about four hundred and the machinery with which it was woven was made on a twenty pounds of various qualities; but I have no doubt, model imported by me from Europe for the purpose. that, next year, by taking proper measures in due time, a Thus, sir, while I only meant to show to the nation the sufficient quantity may be obtained for any reasonable pur-importance of the art of reeling, and the ability of M. pose, and that quantity will be increasing every year. Al- D'Homergue in that branch of the silk business, circumthough the reeling season is over, I am still receiving stances, which I had not foreseen, have led me to demonsome from different parts of the Union. The last I have strate also the possibility, nay, the facility, of introducing purchased came from the vicinity of Richmond, in Vir- among us the manufacture of those fine stuffs for which ginia, and I expect every day six bushels from South Ca- we pay so large a tribute annually to Europe; so that our rolina. I found no difficulty in procuring women to work citizens will have the choice of exporting or manufactur at my experimental filature; they offered themselves in ing their raw silk, as experience shall show to them the abundance, and those whom I employed were well pleased advantage of either.

with the business: they like it much better than working Nothing proves better the excellence of American silk in the cotton factories, because the labor is lighter, and than that the various webs which M. D'Homergue has they have the advantage of the open air; for silk cannot be woven out of it, have not undergone the operation which reeled to advantage in a close room. That work must be is called throwing or throwsting, and yet that their texture done under a shed, into which the air has full and free ac-possesses the necessary evenness and strength. To undercess on all sides, except where the sun shines with too much stand this fully, some explanation is necessary; and I beg power; and that is provided against by curtains or sliders. to be excused for briefly stating the different processes I employed, at first, six, and gradually, afterwards, so which silk undergoes in Europe, from the cocoon to the web. many as twenty women at the reels, who have acquired 1. The first and most essential operation is that of reelmore or less skill in the art of winding silk from the co-ing. It is performed by women, either by themselves, in coons, and, in general, did very well under direction. M. their domestic filatures, or in large filatures, under the inD'Homergue praises very highly the adroitness and intel- spection of men capable of directing them. The men ligence of the females of this country; and has no doubt but never reel, but merely superintend the work of the wo that they will, in time, make excellent reelers. men, to make them produce, in their highest perfection, the various qualities of raw silk required for the different manufactures.

With the aid of these women, M. D'Homergue made, in the course of the season, about fifty pounds of fine raw silk. When we consider the small quantity of cocoons 2. From the filature the silk goes to the silk throwster, out of which this was made, that a large portion of them to be thrown, as it is called. The throwster, partly by were bad ones, and the considerable waste that must have the aid of women, and partly of men or boys, winds, cleans, resulted from the want of skill of women just initiated in doubles, or unites more than two threads together into the art, it will be seen that the superiority ascribed to one. These operations are performed by means of a com. American silk is not imaginary, but has a real and solid plicated machinery, called a throwsting mill, to which are foundation. added, as parts of its necessary apparatus, winding, cleanWhile these operations were going on, every decent ing, and doubling or tramming engines. Silk, thus preperson who wished it, was admitted to see the filature, pared, is called throwing silk. If the silk has been badly and the manner in which the women were proceeding in reeled, the greatest part of it goes to waste in the opera their work. Nothing was done in secret; it was, on the tion of throwing; for the twisting machine, operating with contrary, the wish of M. D'Homergue, and my own, that the same degree of force through the whole length of the every thing should be open to the public eye. Nor were threads, if they are unequal (which is the common defect our women bound by any kind of engagement, to make a of silk unskilfully reeled) the same force which only twists secret of the knowledge they acquired, or not to hire the strong parts, breaks the weak ones, and thus the silk themselves to others if they thought proper. They were is wasted, and great loss follows. By these operations the left perfectly free, and are so still, now that the season is silk acquires consistency and strength, and becomes fit for at an end, and that they are no longer in our employ. At weaving after being dyed. the same time, sir, it is but fair to say, that they have not 3. From the throwster the silk goes to the dyer, to reyet reached that proficiency in the art which would enable ceive the impression of colors. The dyer begins with them to profit by their labor, without being under the di- boiling the thrown silk, in order to free it from a quantity rection of a person skilled in the business. The time will of gum which still adheres to it; that done, he plunges it come when they will be able to set up for themselves into his vats or kettles, to give it coloring. From the dyer small domestic filatures; larger ones must always be car- it is sent to the weaver, who manufactures it into different ried on under the inspection of men; otherwise, they will stuffs.

No silk in Europe, as I am informed, is boiled or dyed, which he threw all possible light upon the subject: those without being first thrown; otherwise, it is said, it would essays have circulated in America and Europe. The Lebecome furzy, and unfit for weaving. gislature of the Union have thought them worthy of their The silk manufactured by M. D'Homergue has been particular attention; and yet no reeler, except M. D'Hoboiled, dyed, and woven, without being thrown; and it mergue, has appeared in the United States, while silk madoes not appear at all deficient in evenness or regularity nufacturers, of other descriptions, have come here in numof the threads. I do not mean to say, however, that Ame-bers from various parts of Europe. rican silk will not be improved by passing through the hands of the throwster; still, it is a remarkable quality that sit possesses, that it can, without it, produce such stuffs as M. D'Homergue has exhibited. It proceeds from the strength and nerve of the material, which are the great characteristics of the silk of this country.

Thus, sir, with the exception of reeling, the United States have all the arts at hand that are necessary for carrying on silk manufactures, for which they only want the raw material properly prepared. I should add that the men who profess those various arts are all in search of labor, and that there is danger of their taking to manuFor all the operations above mentioned, except that of facturing foreign silks, to the great detriment of that of reeling, there is no danger of competent workmen being our country. The republic of Mexico offers a strikat any time wanting in the United States. A number of ing example of what may happen here. In that country, silk manufacturers, such as throwsters, dyers, weavers, they manufacture a very great quantity of sewing silk, and even machine makers, have arrived in our seaports, besides shawls, and some other articles. They have imin the course of the present year, from various parts of ported foreign manufacturers, who taught them their arts; Europe, but chiefly from England, expecting to find here but they neglected the planting of mulberry trees, and encouragement for their business. Several have inquired raising silk worms, although their soil and climate are adof me where they could get employment; and finding none mirably calculated for these purposes. The silk they mafor want of raw silk, most of them have betaken themselves nufacture is imported from abroad, chiefly from China, to the cotton manufactories. There is no doubt that many and a great deal of it passes through this country on its more will come in consequence of the general excitement way to them. This sufficiently explains the large importwhich the culture of silk has produced in this country, and ations of raw silk which annually take place in the United also because it is well understood that the silk manufac- States. It appears from the treasury reports, that, in the tories are in a declining state in England, as well as in year which ended on the 30th September, 1828, raw silk France, whereby many workmen are thrown out of em- was imported into this country to the amount of $608,709, ploy. This was asserted to me, as to the former country, which amount, converted into silk stuffs, would produce by the English manufacturers who arrived here in the several millions, but would, at the same time, destroy the course of the last season. hopes of our agriculturists. By manufacturing foreign As to France, I need only refer you, sir, to the me-silks, the Mexicans encourage their manufactures and morial from the merchants of Lyons to their Government, commerce at the expense of agriculture. I am told, which I had the honor of communicating to the committee however, that they are beginning to plant mulberry trees during the last session of Congress, where the fact is clear-in the neighborhood of Acapulco, on the Pacific; but it is ly and distinctly stated; and you will recollect that this probable they will not succeed for want of good reelers, decline is chiefly attributed to a great deal of silk badly and because bad habits, when once fixed, are with diffireeled being brought to the market. Another very re-culty laid aside. I think there is danger of the same thing markable fact will corroborate this assertion. I am in- taking place in this country. Some coarse articles have formed by my French correspondents, that, as soon as the already been made in New York, out of foreign silks, and report of the committee of the 12th March last, with offered for sale there and in this city. my letter to you, reached Nismes, (a considerable silk The English, it is true, have enriched themselves by manufacturing town in the South of France, in which the manufacture of silk, although their country does not there are several extensive filatures,) the Chamber of produce the raw material, which they are obliged to imCommerce of this city called a meeting of the merchants port from abroad; but there is no doubt that they would be of the department of Gard, in which it is situated, to con- much richer if they raised it at home. Of this they are sider the expediency of petitioning the French Govern- very sensible, and it is evident from the efforts they made ment to adopt for France the plan which that letter sug- to introduce the culture of silk into the United States gests, to wit, the establishment of a school for the instruc- while British colonies. They raise a great deal of it in tion of young men, to enable them to become directors of their possessions in Bengal, which is said to be the finest filatures. The meeting was appointed for the first of Au- in the world, but it comes to Europe badly reeled and gust last. The revolution which took place at Paris at the otherwise ill prepared, and therefore is considered inferior latter end of July, and which was attended, at Nismes, to all others. (See the Manual published under the auwith considerable disturbance and bloodshed, by compel thority of the House of Representatives, in 1828, p. 172.) ling the peaceable inhabitants to fly the city, prevented In addition to this, and in support of the importance of good that assembly from taking place; but I am informed that it reeling, I beg leave to insert here the statement of an Engis not lost sight of, and that the plan will be resumed as soon lish silk broker, communicated in a letter from the respectas possible. In the mean time, my letters also inform me able house of Rathbone, Brothers, & Co. of Liverpool, to that an eminent lawyer has been employed to draught the a gentleman of South Carolina, who published it in the intended petition, and the cities of Lyons and Avignon Sumpter Gazette of the first of May last: "Although," says have been invited to join in the measure. the writer, "our importations from the East Indies are great, and this trade of vital importance to our successful competition with the continent, it is to be regretted that neither the East India Company nor the private merchants have hitherto employed any competent persons to superintend the reeling of the silk; if that was done, I have not the slightest doubt but that silks of the Eastern production would render us altogether independent of France or Italy; for it is an established fact that silk of the best quality can be produced in the East Indies at a lower rate than in Europe.

ވ.

Such is the importance that is attached in France to the art of reeling silk; and I ought to mention here, that, notwithstanding the great influx into this country of silk manufacturers, of every description, not one reeler has appeared, either male or female; and this comes in support of what I have stated in my former letter respecting the difficulty of obtaining such.

Eighteen months have elapsed since M. D'Homergue arrived in this country, at the instance of a society who well understood the importance of the art of reeling. Almost immediately on his arrival, he published his essays, in It is also an established fact that America produces silk

VOL. VII.-N

servant,

Hon. AMBROSE SPENCER,

PETER S. DUPONCEAU.

Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture of the

House of Representatives Ü. S.

of the best quality; and experiments have shown that M. can be obtained here from the ingenuity of our workD'Homergue possesses the necessary qualifications for di- men. recting a filature, and for giving instruction in the art of I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration reeling. In addition to the evidence which results from these and respect, sir, your most obedient and very humble experiments, I beg leave to state that, in the course of last summer, some small samples of Philadelphia raw silk, reeled by M. D'Homergue, were sent to Lyons and Nismes, in both of which places it was much admired. At Lyons, the Chamber of Commerce caused the samples to be submitted to the proper tests by a sworn assayer, who pronounc ed it well reeled; and in the account of these proceedings, which was inserted in a Lyons newspaper called the Precurseur, it was said to be worth there twenty-six francs MINT OF THE UNITED STATES, (five dollars) a pound. At Nismes it was estimated at Philadelphia, January 31, 1831. thirty francs. I have no doubt that it will produce at SIR: Conformably to general instructions from the least those prices in our seaports, to which it is under- Treasury Department, assays have been made of the fol stood that orders will be sent from France as soon as lowing foreign coins, the result of which is now respectit is known that it may be obtained in sufficient quan- fully submitted. tities. In England, the prices of silk follow pretty nearly

ASSAYS OF FOREIGN COINS.

GOLD COINS.

those of France. In Mexico, our raw silks of the second From the assayer's report, it appears that the gold coins and third quality are most in demand, and will produce of Great Britain and Portugal contain 22 parts of fine gold good prices. It is a remarkable fact that they lay heavy in 24 parts; those of France 21 19-32 parts of fine gold in duties there on the importation of raw silk, which they 24 parts; and those of Spain 20 63-64 parts fine in 24 manufacture and do not produce. With this system, they parts. are not likely soon to rival us, if we should adopt one caThe value, per pennyweight, of the gold coins of Great pable of bringing our native resources into full activity. Britain and Portugal, deduced from the above assay, is the The only system, in my opinion, that will produce that same as that of the gold coins of the United States, viz. 888-9 effect, is the introduction of a good method of reeling silk, cents; that of the gold coins of France is 87 1-4 cents; and and its equal dissemination through the United States. that of the gold coins of Spain 84 78-100 cents per pennyThis done, every thing else will follow. The agricultu- weight. rist will raise cocoons, because he will find purchasers; and These results are very nearly conformable to those of the raw silk will be purchased by the foreign agents, or our previous assays of the above coins, except in regard employed by the manufacturer at home. I have received to gold coins of Spain, which, in this instance, give a vaseveral letters from North and South Carolina, informing lue slightly above the average of those usually obtained. me that a great many cocoons are raised there, but that, It may be confidently inferred that no reduction in finefor want of a market, they are devoured by rats and insects. ness has been made in either of the coins mentioned. A lady writes to me that she has lost this year, in that way, In addition to the above, assays have been made of the near one hundred bushels. A general desire is expressed, gold coins of Mexico and Colombia, issued in 1829, and from one end of the United States to the other, to see this of Central America, issued in 1827; being the latest dates rich production turned to a profitable account. I have procured. The result indicates an adherence, on the part received numerous letters to that effect from almost every of those Governments, to the gold standard of Spain; the State in the Union. The excitement in favor of the silk greatest deviation from that standard not being greater culture appears to me to be general, and numbers are pre-coins of those new States may be estimated at 84 25-160 than Spanish gold coins frequently exhibit. The gold paring to apply themselves to it.

SILVER COINS.

It remains now with Congress to take such measures as cents per pennyweight, which corresponds with the ave they shall think most proper for the attainment of that ob- rage value thereof, ascertained by the assays of 1826. ject. In making experiments and collecting facts, in order to throw some more light upon the subject, I have done Of Spanish milled dollars, no latter dates have been promy duty as a citizen, anxious for the welfare of his coun- cured than those heretofore assayed and reported on, viz. try. The committee will please to recollect that I have of the year 1824. The fineness thereof may be stated at not obtruded upon them my opinions or my advice; and 10 oz. 15 dwts. 12 grains of fine silver in 12 ounces, conthat, in addressing them at the last session, I only yielded formably to previous reports. The value per ounce corto the most flattering invitation. At present, it is a duty responding thereto is 116 1-10 cents. Standard silver of that I owe to them, as well as to myself, to support, by the United States contains 10 oz. 14 dwts. 4 5-13 grains of facts, the theory that I have advanced, and which they fine silver in 12 ounces, the value corresponding to which have sanctioned by their approbation. is 115 38-100 cents per ounce.

I have only to add, that M. D'Homergue persists in the Specimens of the Mexican and Peruvian dollar of 1830, offer he made of his services, and I in that of my gratui- the Central American of 1829, and that of La Plata of tous assistance. Should the bill proposed by the commit 1827 and 1828, have also been submitted to examination. tee be brought again to the consideration of Congress, it The three first mentioned are found to be of the full is to be observed that three years are no longer required, Spanish standard; they even incline to a fineness slightly and that M. D'Homergue will be ready to begin the in-superior to the ordinary Spanish dollar, but not such as to struction of the sixty young men on the first of July next. indicate any authorized appreciation in this respect. Be This will require an alteration in the terms of payment of ing of recent emission, their weight exceeds that of the the forty thousand dollars. He suggests four equal half-dollar of Spain now in circulation. The intrinsic value of yearly instalments, the first to be immediately after the these coins may be stated at 116 1-10 cents per ounce. By passing of the act. tale, they may be estimated to average 100 cents 44 mills.

It is with pleasure that I mention that M. D'Homergue, The specimens of the dollar of La Plata, examined in having inspected several of our manufacturing establish- 1826, were found equal in fineness to the Mexican, though ments, has been astonished at the proficiency that this of less value by tale, by reason of their inferiority thereto country has made in mechanics and the mechanical arts, in weight. On an average, they were not found to be which will, in a great degree, supersede the necessity of worth more than 100 cents each."

importing machinery from abroad, when the same effect The latest dates then examined were of 1813 and 1815.

The specimens of this coin issued in 1827 and 1828, now Houses, which, in the Senate, was referred to the Comassayed, present results materially different from the mittee on Manufactures, and, in the House of Representabove, and indicate a very sensible deterioration in the standard thereof. These specimens vary from 10 oz. 1 dwt. 12 grains fine silver, to 10 oz. 7 dwts. 6 grains in 12 ounces. The former is equivalent to 1084 cents per ounce, and the latter to 111 6-10 cents per ounce. The value of the former, according to their ordinary weight, will be, by tale, about 93 6-10 cents, and that of the latter 964 cents. Nothing can be usefully affirmed of the average value of coins liable to variations of this extent.

atives, to the Committee of the Whole House; that, in the Senate, the Committee on Manufactures made a report thereon, printed by order of that body, which contains statements, supposed to have been made by your memorialists in the petition in question, and conclusions deduced therefrom, not conceived to be correct by your memorialists; they therefore feel satisfied that the facts referred to by the committee of the Senate have not been fully comprehended, and that the committee has thus Late deposites of large amounts in Spanish dollars, ex- been led into material errors, which, when clearly and hibit a result not observed at the mint before the latter distinctly pointed out, your memorialists believe, will bepart of the last year. They have heretofore been stated come evident to both Houses. Your memorialists accordas producing on an average 100 cents 3 mills, conformably dingly respectfully ask permission once more to exhibit to the ascertained value of large quantities received from to Congress, in greater detail, and with all the perspitime to time for coinage. Recent deposites have produced cuity they can give them, the practical facts on which less than one mill above their nominal value. This is to they found their claim for legislative relief, accompanied be attributed to the diminished average weight of those by such remarks on the report of the Committee on Macoins, arising in part from the cessation of new issues, and nufactures in the Senate as are absolutely necessary to probably still more to the fact, that a large proportion of prevent the former statements of your memorialists from the Spanish dollars now remaining in the United States being misunderstood. may be the residue of parcels from which the most perfect have been selected for the purposes of commerce and the

arts.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. S. D. INGHAM,

SAMUEL MOORE.

Secretary of the Treasury.

WORKERS IN IRON.

First. The report of the Committee on Manufactures in the Senate, after quoting some of the statements of your memorialists, remarks: "That, as this petition is printed for the use of the Senate, and placed among our documents for future reference, if necessary, it is proper that explanations should be given, to prevent erroneous impressions, which it is calculated to make." Your memorialists believe the erroneous impressions here alluded to, to be the prices given by them, in their petition, of the cost of iron; but the committee, and not your memoPHILADELPHIA, January 14, 1831. rialists, on this point, have fallen into error, by assuming, I have the honor to transmit the accompanying memo- Treasury Department as the basis of their calculations, as the committee have done, the returns made to the rial, and, on behalf of the petitioners, to request you will when, as is well known, no distinction whatever is made present the same to the House of Representatives, over in the Treasury returns between the prices of refined and which you preside. The memorial is signed by three hundred and fifty-eight ists expressly declared, that, on refined iron, manufacturcommon iron; whereas, in their petition, your memorialpractical workers in iron, and will be found, by the mem-ed by rolling, which then actually cost ten pounds sterbers of the House from our districts, and others acquaint-ling per ton, or, at the par value of exchange, forty-four ed with the names, to contain the signatures of not only dollars and forty-four cents, and has since fallen to nine the principal, but all the intelligent master-workmen and journeymen in the smithing business, of the city and county of Philadelphia.

Several of the memorialists have been informed by iron masters, and owners of forges and furnaces, that these gentlemen themselves are at length becoming satisfied that some modification of the present ruinous tariff on iron is necessary; experience having sorely taught them that the existing exorbitant duties on the importation of the raw material, so far from increasing, actually dimi

nishes the demand for American iron.

With the highest respect and consideration, I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

To the Hon. ANDREW STEVENSON,

JOHN SARCHET.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington.

MEMORIAL.

pounds sterling per ton, the duty was eighty per cent.; and that, on common iron, which then cost six pounds the duty was one hundred and forty per cent.; and, so far sterling, or twenty-six dollars and sixty-six cents per ton, memorialists have since ascertained that common English from thereby conveying "erroneous impressions," your iron, at cargo price, was then selling at five pounds five shillings sterling, or twenty-three dollars and thirty-three and fifty-nine per cent., or nineteen per cent. more than cents per ton, thus making the duty actually one hundred of iron, such as half inch, either square or round, and unyour memorialists alleged in their petition. Smaller sizes der, are subject to a duty of seventy-eight dollars and forty cents per ton, the price of half inch being six pounds five shillings sterling, or twenty-seven dollars and seventyseven cents on that size, equivalent to two hundred and eighty-two and three-quarters per cent., which, nevertheless, continues to be imported! On the smaller sizes

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United of iron, in consequence of a difference in cost, although

States, in Congress assembled.

subject to the same specific duty, the duty actually paid is somewhat less per cent. than that on half inch iron. The memorial of the subscribers, citizens of the city and As the committee of the Senate, in their report, have county of Philadelphia, mechanics, employed in various pronounced common English iron to be "bad," your mebranches of the manufacture of iron, namely, as steam morialists will be excused for here inserting a set of exengine makers, anchor and chain smiths, shipsmiths, periments on the strength of the various malleable metals, machinists, founders, hardware manufacturers, edge-given in the works of different French and English scientool makers, locksmiths, coach and wagon smiths, far-tific writers on mechanics, incontestibly establishing the riers, whitesmiths, and blacksmiths, respectfully repre- relative cohesive properties of these metals, and fully verified by the practical experience of several of your meThat, at the last session of the present Congress, a morialists. These experiments are on the suspension of number of your memorialists presented a petition to both metallic bars, one-quarter of an inch square and six inches

sents:

21st CoxG. 2d SESS.]

Cast steel,

Workers in Iron.

8,391 pounds.

Swedish iron, (proper to make steel of,) 4,504
Other descriptions of iron

Wrought copper,

Cast copper,

Yellow brass,
Cast tin,

Cast lead,

66

3,492
2,112 66
1,192

1,123

296
114

long, and show their respective cohesive strength, ex- expense;" and refer to the rolling mills "which have pressed in the number of pounds which each bar of me- been in operation for several years in the county of Mortal would hold, namely: ris, in the State of New Jersey," and elsewhere; where, the committee assert, "common bar iron may be converted into bars and bolts, of the smaller size, at a small expense." Now, your memorialists must be permitted to say, in replying to this statement of the committee of the Senate, that the hardship they complained of, arising from the duty in question, is not, on their part, "voluntarily" incurred, and for the reasons which they proceed to give. First-Iron of the small sizes, paying three and a half cents per pound duty, is still imported and purchased by By the foregoing table, it will be seen that lead, the many of your memorialists, although these small sizes, toughest of all the metals, possesses least strength of co- manufactured in this country, receive a bounty or "prohesion; whilst, on the other hand, cast steel, the most tection" equivalent to the duty. This, your memorialbrittle of the malleable metals, possesses in the highest ists clearly conceive, proves that the statement of the comdegree strength of cohesion. Accordingly, in the appli-mittee of the Senate is not borne out, and is certainly at cation of the malleable metals to the various purposes of variance with all their experience upon a point in which business, their cohesive strength, as well as their tough- they cannot be mistaken; for, notwithstanding "the many ness, have their respective values; and in the same me- mills erected for rolling iron of these small sizes," spoken tal-that, for example, which your memorialists exclu- of by the committee as being done "at a small expense," sively work up, namely, iron-these opposite properties your memorialists still find their advantage in purchasing are found advantageous, and are respectively turned to the imported article of the same description, subject to the best practical account. Hence, from its superior the heavy duty in question, as well as the other charges of toughness, Spanish iron, by all competent judges, would importation. Secondly--Your memorialists will add, that be preferred for rivets, harpoons, and other articles, in some of them have actually paid the American manufactu which toughness is principally required; and next in point rers twenty-five dollars per ton for rolling iron of one inch of excellence, for the same uses, the best American iron and under into five-eighths of an inch; and from the same would be selected. For implements of husbandry, crow- sizes into half an inch, thirty dollars perton; whilst the forbars, cut nails, and other articles requiring stiffness, and mer sizes, of five-eighths of an inch, only cost the manufacresistance against friction, Swedish iron is the best adapt- turer of hardware in Great Britain twenty-three dollars thired for these purposes. For sheet and rod iron, on ac- ty-three cents per ton, and the latter sizes, of half an inch, count of its superior ductility, Russian iron is generally only twenty-seven dollars seventy-seven cents. Hence it preferred. English iron is preferred for various pur- is, that, from our own present absurd duties on all sizes poses, on account of the decided superiority it possesses of rolled iron above half an inch, the British manufacturer in various qualities; in chains and anchors, from its supe- is enabled to import into the United States, in the form of rior strength of cohesion, its great excellence in welding hardware, a ton of iron, at the rate of twenty-eight dolor uniting, and surpassing every other known iron, both lars eighty-three cents, including duty; and that, on all in this latter quality, and in its power of resisting rust or sizes of rolled iron of half an inch, he is also enabled to corrosion when exposed to the action of dampness or import into the United States, in the same form, a ton of fresh or salt water, for more than a double period of time; iron, at the rate of thirty-five dollars thirty-nine cents, inin rails for railways, spikes, and bolts, on account of the cluding duty; the discriminating duties, in favor of the superior manner in which it is prepared in all the various British manufacturer, being, on all sizes of iron over half forms required, as well as from its acknowledged supe- an inch, thirty-one dollars fifty cents, and, on half inch, riority in durability; and for wheel-tires, for the same seventy dollars seventy-seven and a half cents: the duties properties, as well as from the greater evenness with on hardware manufactured of the smaller sizes of iron which it is always drawn. From the various qualities being only one-eleventh of what they are on iron as a raw above enumerated, American, Swedish, and Russian iron, material; and on hardware made of larger sizes about one. all manufactured by hammering, and English and some American iron manufactured by rolling, of the common sizes, are all sold in this market at nearly the same price, to wit, at about five dollars per cwt.; Spanish iron being not much used or known here.

sixth: thus excluding such of your memorialists as are engaged in the manufacture of hardware, from any thing like a fair competition with the same articles brought by the British importer into our own market! Some of your memorialists, besides, have been informed by owners of Secondly. Your memorialists did not mean to state, in the largest and best rolling mills "in this country," that, their former petition, that the quality of the iron made in at the present prices, they are by no means desirous to Great Britain, which sells at from sixty to sixty-two dollars convert common bar iron into bars and bolts of the smalland twenty cents per ton, is dependent on the hammering est sizes, notwithstanding the declaration of the committee process, as inferred by the committee of the Senate. The of the Senate, that your memorialists' preference of the quality of this, as well as of every other description of imported iron of this description "must be altogether voiron, arises from the purity or fineness it receives from luntary." the furnace or forge, in the application of heat, and not from the process by which it is drawn. The hammer is used in England in preparing large and irregular pieces of iron, in which the rolling process cannot be resorted to; and hence this difference of price.

Thirdly. The report of the committee of the Senate alleges that your petitioners complained of the hardship of purchasing small sizes of iron at the high price, arising from the duty of three and a half cents per pound on it; which, the committee remark, "if incurred to any considerable extent, must be altogether voluntary, as the iron may be imported in bars of a large size, and converted into those of a lesser size in this country at a very small

Fourthly. The Committee on Manufactures, in their report to the Senate, refer to a part of the former petition of your memorialists, which stated that wheel-tire with holes punched in it, sheet iron cut and punched for stovepipes, boiler plates of a size and punch for steam engine boilers, and hoop iron punched, were imported at the ad valorem duty thereon of twenty-five per cent., as "all cases of evasions of specific duties, and frauds upon the revenue;" and style this part of your memorialists' petition "an exhibition of the mysteries of trade, which must be new to the Senate;" "as an ingenious plan to evade the duties on bar iron, and, when carried into execution, a gross and palpable fraud upon the revenue."

And the