the sugar consumed, and exceeds ten millions ol' 

 pounds, and of the vahie of twelve hundred thousand 

 dollars, it forms a prominent object in rural econom}'. 



The subject of manufactures presents to us many 

 interesting considerations. In the year 1811, the con- 

 dition of manufactures in this county, was desolate 

 and hopeless. The most we could boast of, was an 

 indiderent supply of -coarse and imperfect household 

 i'abrics. These small beginnings were indicacions of 

 successful progress, and an, earnest of what spjiit and 

 energy would eventually effect. The attempt was 

 fhade, and the event has realized all our anticipations. 

 The period at which this experiment commenced was 

 favorable, and numerous occurrences conspired to cre- 

 ate confidence. 



Desolating wars raging in Europe, and the prostra- 

 tion of the laws which commonly protected neutral com- 

 merce, concurred to accelerate this enterprize. The 

 consequences were such as to excite an almost instan- 

 taneous enquiry into the natural resources of the coun- 

 try, and the ability to apply them to useful purposes. 



Such was llie result, that in the autumn of the year 

 1815, the county was one general display of house- 

 hold manufactures, and also contained twenty- one 

 woollen and six cotton mamifacturing establishments, 

 of various extent and value. Also, an extensive manu- 

 factory for sail cloth, from which the American Navy, 

 in the proud days of her triun^ph, had respectable 

 supplies. There is also in this town an excellent es- 

 tablislrment for the manufacture of fire arms, supplied 

 with most valuable machinery, of the latest improve- 

 ments, and is conducted with skill and effect. These 

 establishments have employed a large capital, and ma- 

 r>y artizans. At present they do not operate so ex- 

 tensively as they have done, and must be contented to 

 move under a restricted nianagemcnt, imtil our gov- 

 ernment shall be able to devise a more efficient protec- 

 tion for them. In these great, and most useiul im- 

 pi-o\-emcMt!>, r;o i)0))orablc imd valuable to the county, 



