95 



information from Europe of the results of these experi- 

 ments, I prevailed on Mr D'Homergue, although with- 

 out much of the requisite machinery, to manufacture, 

 himself, in various forms, a part of the silk prepared at 

 the filature. It was not until the end of the last session 

 of Congress that we obtained proofs from abroad, that 

 our raw silk was esteemed in foreign countries, and might 

 become a valuable article in our commerce with other 

 nations. The details of these experiments, and their re- 

 sults at home and abroad, have been made known to the 

 House in former communications. 



The last session was short, and a great part of it was ta- 

 ken up by a State trial in the Senate, at which the members 

 of the House attended. The House, however, showed its 

 favorable disposition towards the bill, by fixing a day for 

 its discussion ; but, more pressing business intervening, 

 that discussion did not take place, and Congress adjourn- 

 ed, of necessity, on the day appointed by the constitution. 



At that time, sir, Mr D'Homergue had received tempt- 

 ing offers from a foreign minister, then at Washington, 

 and was hesitating whether or not he would accept them. 

 The fact was known to many members of the late Con- 

 gress, who considered it of the highest importance that 

 Mr D'Homergue should stay in this country, at least, to 

 wait the result of the present session. To obtain that end, 

 a paper was signed on the very day of the adjournment 

 of the late Congress, by eighty-nine members of the House 

 of Representatives, in which, without presuming to pre- 

 dict what might be done by a future Congress, they did 

 not hesitate to give it as their decided opinion, that, if the 

 bill had been considered at that session," it would have 

 met with the approbation of the House of Representa- 

 tives," That paper was brought to Philadelphia, and de- 

 livered to me by the Hon. Ambrose. Spencer. 



Under such circumstances, what could I do? However 

 inconvenient it might be to me to continue the efforts I 

 had begun, that was not now an object for my considera- 

 tion. A market had been established at Philadelphia for 



