No 151.] 245 



his belief has become universal, although the pontifical decree, de- 

 nouncing it as a heresy, remains unappealed. 



The value and importance of the experiment you contemplate ma- 

 king is so great to the whole Republic, that it is impossible that it 

 shall not be undertaken, ^vhen the object is fully understood, in all 

 its vast scope and bearing, and by our almost unanimous voice. 

 The citizens of the United States are at times, difficult to be excited, 

 but when the course is made clear, and the anticipated result of mo- 

 mentous import, they evince an ardor and an energy which sweeps 

 like a flood every obstacle, and there is no relaxation until the work 

 has been consummated. How long were roads, canals and railways 

 urged upon the attention of the state and national legislatures before 

 they obtained any favorable consideration! And at last, indignant at 

 the slow movements and parsimonious policy of their governments, 

 the people came forth in their strength; and behold the glorious con- 

 sequences! Prove that a measure is based on tndh, and will be use- 

 ful, and it will be adopted. Let the pioneer of improvement enlight- 

 en the route he has taken with the flame of intelligence, and his 

 followers will be as numerous as the object to be accomplished de- 

 mands. 



One of the kind of fibres you sent me, that of the forest pine ap- 

 ple, Bromella pila, is of a remarkable glossy and delicate cha- 

 ' racter, and I should think would make a beautiful and excellent 

 thread, as the most perfectly prepared flax, or the filaments of the silk- 

 worm. 



The value of the culture of the Jlgave Sisalana, from which is 

 obtained the Sisal hemp of commerce, may be conceived from the 

 following facts, which I have taken some pains to ascertain since 

 the receipt of your first letter, as it is a substitute for the Manilla 

 hemp, which is the fibre of the petiole, of a species of Banana, cul- 

 tivated m the Phillippine islands. 



Cordage made of Manilla hemp is now preferred for the running 

 rigging and hausers of the vessels in the fisheries, coasting and for- 

 eign trade, as well as all the steamboats on the lakes and western 

 waters; it being as durable as hempen cordage and much lighter, the 

 weight being for ropes of like size and length nearly as eight to 

 ten. The whalemen, the five hundred ships engaged in that adven- 

 turous navigation, have given it a thorough trial, and from its bouy- 

 ancy, it is universally used for their long tow-li'nes employed in 

 the perilous capture of the leviathans of the deep. 



