304 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



prostrated by causes over which we have no control. Under 

 the present arrangement of our tariff, we are brought into more 

 direct competition with foreign labor, and the inevitable result 

 is, that our labor must be reduced in price, or that some of our 

 manufacturing pursuits must be abandoned. Nor is this all 

 that makes against us, for in the manufacture of cotton, es- 

 pecially, we shall very soon find rivals in the South. Cotton 

 factories are already established in South and North Carolina, 

 Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama, and they are found profita- 

 ble. The state of Georgia now numbers about forty of these 

 establishments. These will soon be followed by woollen fac- 

 tories, and, although we have great advantages in more abun- 

 dant capital, greater mechanical skill and larger experience, it 

 is reasonable to suppose, that factories established where the 

 raw materials are produced, where labor is cheap, and where the 

 productions are to be consumed, will succeed in the end, 

 especially, si?ice it has been found that an abundance of white 

 laborers can be had in the slave states who are willing to em- 

 bark in these occupations, though they would scorn to do any 

 sort of work which is the common employment of slaves. On 

 the whole, therefore, it is reasonable to suppose that some oc- 

 cupations which have heretofore been profitable with us will 

 have to be abandoned, while nothing but superior skill, untir- 

 ing industry, and close attention to the fancies and the fashions 

 of the day. will enable us to maintain a successful competition 

 in others. 



Our statistics are by no means perfect, and it is to be hoped 

 that the next taking of them will show a decided improvement. 

 It is an object to ascertain the amount of capital invested, but 

 it has not been ascertained yet by the United States, or by the 

 State. In many cases the amount set down, evidently covers 

 only the cost or value of buildings, while in others it includes 

 also the capital actually employed in the manufacture. The 

 answers should be confined to one or the other. In the very 

 large and important manufacture of boots and shoes, if we rely 

 on the returns made, no capital at all is invested. Another 

 improvement may be adopted which will be really useful, viz.: 

 to ascertain the amount paid out for labor. We know the 



