232 Memoir of the Life of Eli Whitney. 
it then to be imagined that if this machine had been before discov- 
ered, the use of it would ever have been lost, or could have been 
confined to any tract or country left unexplored by commercial en- 
terprize? but it is unnecessary to remark further upon this subject. 
A number of years have elapsed since Mr. Whitney took out his 
patent, and no one has produced or pretended to prove the existence 
of a machine of similar construction or use. © é 
“2d. With regard to the utility of this discovery, the court would 
deem it a waste of time to dwell long upon this topic. Is there a 
man who hears us, who has not experienced its utility ? the whole 
interior of the Southern States was languishing, and its inhabitants 
emigrating for want of some object to engage their attention, and 
employ their industry, when the invention of this machine at once 
opened views to them which set the whole country in active motion- 
From childhood to age it has presented to us a lucrative employment. 
Individuals who were depressed with poverty and sunk in idleness, 
have suddenly risen to wealth and respectability. Our debts have 
been paid off. Our capitals have increased, and our Jands trebled 
themselves in value. We cannot express the weight of the obligation 
which the country owes to this invention. ‘The extent of it cannot 
now be seen. Some faint presentiment may be formed from the re 
flection that cotton is rapidly supplanting wool, flax, silk, and even 
furs in manufactures, and may one day profitably supply the use af 
specie in our East India trade. Our sister States, also, partic 
in the benefits of this invention; for, besides affording the raw ma 
terial for their manufacturers, the bulkiness and quantity of the ar 
afford a valuable employment for their shipping. i) 
“3d. The third and last ground taken by defendant, appears 1 
be that on which he mostly relies. In the specification, the tect 
made use of are of strong wire inserted into the cylinders A Mr 
Holmes has cut teeth in plates of iron, and passed them over the 
_ thing. Every characteristic of Mr, Whitney’s machine is preservet! 
~The cylinder, the iron tooth, the rotary motion ) 
west work and brush, and all the merit that this discov") ee 
is that of a more expeditious mode of attaching the t° ie 
After being attached, in operation and effect they : 
y the same. Mr. Whitney may not be at liberty to 05? 
(9°) 
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