305 [Senatk 



3. During the last sixteen months, 280 lbs. reeled silk. 



4. Including factory buildings, machinery, &c., &c., $5,400 ; ex- 

 pended the last 16 months, for cocoons, reeled silk, weavers, wind- 

 ers, dyeing, and girls employed^ $11,371. My son has now 25 hands 

 engaged and constantly employed. 



5. My opinion of the American silk, if well prepared, is that it is 

 quite equal to any I have seen in England, from France, Italy, China, 

 or Valencia, and in some qualities superior. 



7. I would give the preference to an orchard of white Italian va- 

 rieties, believing them to possess medicinal as well as nutritive pro- 

 perties. 



8. I do not consider the protective tariff as answering the end for 

 which it was intended, and very little good will be effected by it, un- 

 less it is ad valorem as well as specific. But as Mr. G. has expatiated 

 upon this topic so ably, I shall say no more, 



9. I have no more doubt of the ultimate success of the silk busi- 

 ness in this country, than I have of my own existence. 



Thus far I have answered the questions proposed, as far as my 

 knowledge extends. I am happy to say the Richmond (Indiana) 

 Silk Factory is in the hands of my two sons on their own responsi- 

 bility, who are progressing as well as can be expected. 



I will now close with a few remarks of some importance. It isev- 

 ident from the greatly increased quantity of cocoons raised this 

 year, that something must be done to provide reeling establishments, 

 and that quickly ; otherwise there must be a decline. I would sug- 

 gest that filatures be established in several parts of every silk raising 

 State, that the raisers may have a market at a convenient distance ta 

 resort to with their cocoons. My son that is with Mr. Gill, has pur- 

 chased for him upwards of 500 bushels of this year's crop, and I am 

 satisfied not half has come in yet. The distance they have cojnehas 

 in some instances much injured the cocoons. The expense to estab- 

 lish these filatures would be trifling, compared to the convenience, 

 safety, and cheapness of transporting the silk. I hope some of my 

 highly esteemed friends far east, will give the subject that consider- 

 ation it merits. But the most effectual means for working up the raw 

 material is to establish silk factories. This would be an honor to the 

 Union, and evince the patriotic sentiments of its citizens, and within 

 five years bring in a lucrative return for their investments. "When I 

 look back only six or seven years, there was not the semblance of a 

 silk factory in the west. Now v»hat a change ! We see them at 

 Mount Pleasant, Ohio — at Richmond, Ind. — at Nashville, Tenn. — 

 and at Economy, Pcnn, and elsewhere, in a smaller way. Dr. White, 

 Mr. Gill, myself -and three sons, were the only individuals engaged 

 in the cause. We pioneered our way through evil report and through 

 good report. The public looked upon us either as maniacs or de- 

 signing men. The latter was the fact ; for we designed to save 

 twenty millions per annum from being foolishly sent away from these 

 shores. We have partially succeeded ; and all that is wanting to 

 complete our designs fully, is men of the same liberal and patriotic 

 principles as Mr. G. I am aware that able and disinterested super- 



