GROWTH OF FALL RIVER. 17 



In 1833, Richard Borden, agent, was instructed to build 

 suitable buildings for the purpose of printing calico. 



In 1837, September 12, Holder Borden deceased at the early 

 age of thirty-eight years. He was the leading agent in all these 

 contemplated plans, and it was by his advice that this lately 

 organized company embarked in the extensive business of calico- 

 printing. Although the youngest of the eight, he was the first 

 to fall ; but he has left his mark upon the enterprises of this 

 city which time can never efface, and his mantle has fallen upon 

 others. One only remains of the noble eight ; he yet stands 

 among us as a wise counsellor and a safe guide. 



In 1845, January 29, the Iron Works Company obtained a 

 special Act to manufacture cotton cloth and prints, with a cap- 

 ital of $1,000,000. 



June 9, 1845, the company made its first dividend, it being 

 two hundred and fifty shares in the Fall River Branch Railroad. 

 The Metacomet mill, of about 24,000 spindles, is the profits, 

 in twenty-four years from organization, of the Iron Works. 



You have this corporation, which commenced its existence in 

 1821, now presented to you in its limited operations, having ex- 

 tended its means to found another corporation, the American 

 Print Works, with a capital of $360,000, printing 56,250,000 

 yards per annum; using-$600,000 worth of madder and gar- 

 ancin, and $400,000 worth of other drugs and dyes ; consum- 

 ing 18,000 tons of coal, and employing 900 hands. The value 

 of its annual production is $5,000,000. 



Thus, gentlemen, I have presented to you in a very imperfect 

 manner some of the features of the agricultural interests of 

 our county ; also our relative position in industrial pursuits ; 

 and lastly, in a brief sketch, the great leading interest of this 

 part of our State ; and happy shall I be if, in my remarks, I 

 have said anything which will show this subject more clearly, 

 and bind together more strongly these two great leading inter- 

 ests of our country, Agriculture and Manufactures. 



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The Board then adjourned to two o'clock. 

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