1840.] SENATE— No. 36. 141 



ufactiiring silk to a profit. The cost of the establishment in 

 this place is about $15,000. It is calculated under full way, 

 to manufacture 175 lbs. per week into sewings. It is under- 

 stood that the investment in machinery should pay from nine 

 to fifteen per cent. ; that nine per cent, should be charged on 

 the buildings ; fifteen per cent, on all perishable articles ; and 

 six per cent, on the active stock. The cost of manufacturing, 

 including all extra expenses, is estimated at $1,26 per lb. ; or 

 the manufacturer professes himself willing to take a lease of the 

 establishment from the owner, paying as rent $2 per pound for 

 the silk manufactured. The raw silk purchased from Smyrna, 

 costs in Boston $4,28 per lb. cash ; the manufactured silk sells 

 for $8,10, and a credit of four months is allowed. What is tech- 

 nically called the weighting of silk, is increafing its weight by 

 the dye-stuff, which is used. By the use of sumac, the weight 

 is increased from 2 oz. to 3^ oz. per lb. It is said that abroad, 

 a preparation of lead is often used with sewings, both to in- 

 crease the weight of the silk, and render it more glossy and 

 brilliant. I suppose this may be mentioned with safety, for 

 certainly such an honest people as the Yankees, will never 

 think of adopting the tricks of the old countries. It is grati- 

 fying to be told that this establishment is expected to give a sat- 

 isfactory remuneration both to its conductor and proprietor. 

 Yet with these favorable prospects, it does not appear to me, 

 that a sufficiently long trial has been had to determine the 

 points at issue. 



The account of J. H. Cobb, of Dedham, which appears to 

 be made with exactness, gives a somewhat different result as 

 to the cost of manufacturing sewing silk- He makes it, after 

 detailing all the various processes, $2^55 per pound ; and here 

 no consideration is made for interest upon the stock, for super- 

 intendence, or for any commissions ; and undoubtedly, as in 

 all such cases, there are a great many incidentals, which must 

 somewhat increase the cost. We believe this gentleman was 

 soon satisfied that this manufacture could not be carried on to 

 advantage. 



With respect to the introduction of silk manufactures, other 



