No. 151.] 261 



enough to supply all the Union. The memorial was not presented, 

 cotton enjoyed its protective duty unmolested, and the prophecy was 

 quickly fulfilled. From this beginning, under protection, our cotton 

 crop has grown to an extent and importance unparalleled, still en- 

 joying (I believe) its protective tariff; and in it we have material 

 to clothe the world. 



" I have always looked upon England as a great and generally 

 well governed country, a country always looking to her own inte- 

 rests. There is much to admire in her character — more in her policy. 

 Yet I never had the least apprehension of her power. We want in 

 this country a little more self reliance, and the position we occupy 

 will be impregnable. I have often thought that if the government 

 of the United States should assume any just position in opposition to 

 European powers, and withhold our cotton from Ihem for one year, 

 they would be willing to concede to our terms. It is our duty to be 

 just to others, generous to ourselves. I have great hope in such bo- 

 dies as the American Institute, and desire that party may never 

 thrust its unwelcome presence therein. I hope that all our people, 

 without distinction of party, will look upon protection to our indus- 

 try as a question in which all are alike interested. I have no party 

 feeling therein; I urge it as an American measure of deep interest to 

 all Americans; and I believe that the gratitude of laboring men will 

 be the rich reward of those of our leading men who do most in this 

 great cause." 



Mr. Ellsworth spoke briefly of some eastern manufactories, and 

 urged the importance of that branch of our industry. 



Mr. Meigs. " What is protection? A defence against something. 

 A roof is a protection against the rain; a fort is protection against 

 an enemy. What do you ask of a power? Do you ask protection 

 in your religion? If it is not granted, who will blame you if you 

 plant a cannon in your church to defend your right of conscience? 

 Do you ask protection in your work shops? Plant your cannon there 

 also. My idea of protecdon goes this extreme length. And this 

 protection is no new discovery; it was familiar to such men as Ha- 

 milton and Jefferson, and President Stiles inculcated it in 1760." 



Mr. Ellsworth spoke briefly of the water power and manufacture's 

 in and near Hartford, Connecticut. 



Dr. Underbill, from the committee on grapes and wine, made the 

 following 



