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of Europe, and in many parts of our own country ; it be- 

 comes of great importance that we should reel the co- 

 coons, at least, and that in the most economical and 

 profitable manner. The art of reeling was formerly car- 

 ried on to considerable extent in Georgia, and large 

 quanities of raw silk were exported. It has been car- 

 ried on in Connecticut for seventy years, in a way 

 which will be mentioned hereafter. Dr Franklin ad- 

 dressed a letter on the subject to Dr Cadwallader Evans, 

 from London, January 1 5, 1770. The Philosophical So- 

 ciety of Pennsylvania, to whom he sent the work of the 

 Abbe Sauvage, a summary of which has been published by 

 Mr Odell, of Burlington, resolved to petition the Legisla- 

 ture for the encouragement of this new branch of industry, 

 and proposed to raise a fund by subscription, for the 

 purchase of cocoons and a filature. Eight hundred and 

 seventyfive pounds, were obtained the first year among 

 the citizens, and this money was laid out for the purpose. 

 But unfortunately the war of the Revolut on put a stop 

 to the scheme. Lately, however, Peter S. Du Ponceau, 

 Esq. of Philadelphia, the friend and companion in arms of 

 Lafayette, has made successful exertions in this depart- 

 ment. He has associated to his labors Monsieur J. 

 D'Homergue, who is a native of Nismes in France, and 

 was educated in that country in an extensive manufacto- 

 ry of silk, and is familiar with all the processes used in 

 that country. These gentleman have published a valua- 

 ble series of essays on the subject of silk culture, the 

 impulse of which has been felt throughout the Union, and 

 their publication has on the whole, thrown great light on 

 the general subject. And although the establishment of a 

 national school of filature as contemplated by these gentle- 



