HISTORY OF THE COTTON GIN. 313 



correct calculation." " There is no probability that the patentee, 

 if the term of his patent were extended for twenty years, would 

 ever obtain for his invention one-half as much as many an 

 individual will gain by the use of it. Up to the present time, 

 the whole amount of what he has acquired from this source, 

 (after deducting his expenses,) does not exceed one-half the 

 sum which a single individual has gained by the use of the 

 machine in one year. It is true that considerable sums have 

 been obtained from some of the States where the machine is 

 used ; but no small portion of these sums has been expended 

 in prosecuting his claim in a State where nothing has been 

 obtained, and where his machine has been used to the greatest 

 advantage." 



This memorial was sustained by several distinguished in- 

 dividuals from the cotton-growing districts, but it was not 

 granted, and it was never renewed. 



This closes the history of the cotton gin, so far as the con- 

 nection of its inventor with it is concerned. But it does not 

 finish the history of Whitney's services to his country. In 

 the year 1798, despairing of anything of consequence from his 

 cotton gin, Whitney embarked in a new enterprise, that of 

 manufacturing arms for the government. He was ignorant of 

 the details of the business, and as yet had no works at com- 

 mand, no capital, and no workmen, and yet he ventured with 

 clear and well sustained confidence in his own resources, into 

 a business that was complicated, embarrassing, and new. The 

 result was, the most complete success or rather it might be 

 said that lie created this branch of manufactures anew. His 

 methods were entirely new and peculiar, both in the allotment 

 of the work, and in doing very much by machinery, of various 

 and complicated construction, that had hitherto been done by 

 the file, with an experienced eye and hand. The result was, 

 that the several pieces of a musket*, matfe at his establishment, 

 14 



