No. 151.] 257 



•1842 was favoralDle to our interests, when not fraudulently avoide<3, 

 but even this has been withdrawn. I was at Washino-ton when the 

 -question of repeal was agitating Congress. And when the subject 

 of silk was undergoing the discussions of the committee, its interests 

 were faithfully presented, and after Gen. M'Kay's bill had been re- 

 ported, an amendment every way favorable was introduced and adopt- 

 ed by the committee in answer to the petitions forwarded, and per- 

 sonal influence exerted in the committee-room; but this was subse- 

 quently recnvaidered and stricken out, and the wishes of speculating 

 importers allowed to prevail over the known and acknowledged inter- 

 ests of our own citizens, and the welfare of the Union. We have 

 urged, in our report, the Importance of connecting the culture of silk 

 with the other operations of our farmers, and thus making it general. 

 In our opinion this is the only way to accomplish what we desire. 



This is the course adopted by every nation in which the business 

 is carried to any great extent. It is not common to meet with those 

 who make it an exclusive business. I suppose that few establish- 

 ments in the world exceed that of the German society at Economy, 

 Penn. It can be made profitable upon a large scale; but we can 

 never expect to produce a supply except through the masses of our 

 citizens, whose other pursuits enable them to engage in it to a 

 moderate extent without interfering materially with other branches, 

 or adding much to their expense. The hutter and cheese p.inciple is 

 the onl} one upon which we can depend. 



As the only means for bringing this about, we have urged state boun- 

 ties. And here, rather than upon any measures the general govern- 

 ment can adopt, are my hopes centred. Give us from each state per- 

 manent liberal bounties, Jlrst upon mulberry-trees, and then upon co- 

 coons and reeled silk, and the progress of the business would astonish 

 the workl. 



I believe it would be a wise policy for every State to establish, 

 under competent superintendence, an extensive nursery, from which 

 to supply the farmers with trees; connected with which might be 

 besides several large buildings for feeding a normal silk school and 

 state filature. But with or without some such plan we must have 

 bounties, or we shall never make silk. I have spent much time and 

 some money in my efforts in this enterprise, but unless a new and 

 better policy is soon adopted, I must withdraw my influence and 

 abandon it forever. In this, I am sure, I speak the language of many 

 others, who have done much, and whose influence has, been felt, too, 



[Assembly, No. 151.] 17 



