1840.] SENATE.— No. 36. 143 



that to keep their teeth bright, or their hearts from aching ; es- 

 pecially when our country offers to those who will work, fields 

 of labor far more favorable to health, comfort, competence, and 

 morals. 



I am not disposed to enter upon any of the vexed questions 

 of political economy. One great reason of the high price of 

 labor among us is its scarcity, compared with the opportuni- 

 ties for its employment. This, to a considerable degree, is 

 felt throughout the country. While as yet mechanical skill 

 is so inventive and active ; such an infinite variety of arts and 

 trades are put in constant requisition, and private and public 

 improvements are every where advancing ; and especially while 

 as yet the immense and fertile prairies of the unpeopled West, 

 offer such powerful temptations to swarm from the parent hive, 

 we ought not lo lament that the manufacture of silk cannot ad- 

 vantageously be introduced among us. Certainly it need not 

 be desired, u!;til we ourselves produce the raw material in suf- 

 ficient quantities to supply such establishments. 



In discussing the expediency or inexpediency of introducing 

 the manufacture of silk among us, I mean of course upon an 

 extended scale, and not merely as a branch of household indus- 

 try; it is folly to overlook the differences in the condition of 

 the people of this country and of the old world. Here the 

 population is sparse ; there overflowing. Here it is difficult to 

 find hands for the work ; there as difiicult to find work for the 

 hands. Here it is what will men do ; there, what can they do. 

 Here in truth the laborer commands the employer; there the 

 employer commands the laborer, and takes him up or throws 

 him off at his pleasure. The sun shines upon no spot of this 

 earth, where, with reasonable desires,- and virtuous habits, and 

 moderate and healthful industry, the means not only of sub- 

 sistence but of competence are more attainable than in our own 

 Massachusetts. What occasion then for the introduction of a 

 branch of business, the manufacture of an article of mere lux- 

 ury, which, carried on in the old world with all the advantages 

 of centuries of experience and the most improved machinery, 

 has made the most meagre and uncertain returns to those who 

 have performed the labor ! The Chinese are not surpassed in 



