153 [Assembly 



In the absence of these very important fabrics, and to show the 

 extent of what is going on in several parts of the country, the com- 

 mittee have obtained the following information which it deems im- 

 portant to have generally known, and particularly brought into no- 

 tice as worthy of the patronage and protection of the government. 



The interest taken by the Institute in the encouragement of hemp 

 and flax growing in this country at the last Fair, and by giving its 

 highest premium, and wide spread notice to the ingenious and useful 

 invention of Mr. Geo, W. Billings, of St, Louis, Mi. for his patent ma- 

 chinery for the speedy water rotting and spinning of hemp and flax, 

 ■we are glad to hear has done the country some service. Dew rot- 

 ting is found to be too expensive and uncertain, and water rotting, under 

 this new American process, bids fair to succeed belter than that of 

 any other country. We are glad to hear it well spoken of by a 

 practical manufacturer of hemp, and that Mr. Billings has satisfied 

 the government of the capacity and usefulness of his invention to 

 supply a stronger fibre, and better fabric for the yarns required to 

 make their cordage, than they have been able to get from Russia. 

 When confidence in its success shall have induced capitalists to come 

 forward to introduce it into the States where hemp and flax can be 

 raised to most advantage, we think the manufacturers can defy for- 

 eign competition, sustained by the privileges they will have of cheap 

 transportation to markets where it can be used; but to encourage 

 capitalists to embark with confidence in such undertakings, they 

 ought to be adequately protected by duties on the foreign manufactu- 

 res, which such countries as Russia, Germany and Scotland are sure 

 to d'.luge us with, even at great self-sacrifices, in order to defeat our 

 depriving them of a very extensive and hitherto profitable market. 

 It requires a governmental defence to stop the proclivity incident to 

 long accustomed trade, and it is not to be supposed that we are to 

 have the good will and possession of so valuable a property, even 

 though we have as good a right to it at least, as those who are not 

 native or naturalized to the soil v/hich furnishes us the staple, and 

 the 'instituti6ns which give us the freedom to manufacture it with our 

 own skill and labor. 



If our farmers and planters are not ready to admit the propriety ol 

 this reasoning, the committee would beg leave to compare the situ- 

 ation of our hew and enterprising manufacturers, trying to give en- 

 couragement to the growth of hemp and flax as a new variety among 

 the employments of our hardy yeomen, to the situation of a horti- 

 culturist or farmer who wishes to rear up a growth of }oung and 



