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Memoir of the Life of Eli Whitney. 253 
bales, which is nearly THREE HUNDRED MILLIONS OF PouNDS, of 
which about one fifth was consumed in ‘our own manufactories.* 
We cannot close this article without adding one or two reflections 
that have occurred to us while perusing the papers of Mr. Whitney. 
President Dwight, in his coupsels to his pupils, often insisted on the 
duty of men of high standing in society, to lend their influence in 
bringing forward young men of promise; and no one was ever more 
ready than that great and good man to take by the hand, and lead for- 
ward into the world, young men of modest merit. This noble dispo- 
sition he manifested strongly in his treatment of the subject of this 
memoir. He smiled upon his enterprising undertakings, encouraged 
him by the kindest assurances, and commended him strongly to the 
countenance and support of his friends. When Mr. W. was about 
negotiate a sale of his patent right with the state of South Caroli- 
ma, Dr. D. furnished him with a letter to the Hon. Charles Cotesworth 
Pinckney, from which we subjoin the following extract. After ad- 
verting to the proposed application of Mr. W., Dr. Dwight proceeds : 
“To you, sir, it will be in the stead of many ordinary motives to know 
that your aid will, in this case, be given to a man who has rarely, 
perhaps never been exceeded in ingenuity or industry ; and not of- 
tea in worth of every kind. Every respectable man in this region 
Will rejoice to see him liberally rewarded for so useful an effort, and 
ota life of uncommon benefit to the public. 
“Mr. Whitney is now employed in manufacturing muskets for the 
United States, In this business he has probably exceeded the ef- 
forts, not only of his countrymen, but of the whole civilized world by 
* system of machinery of his own invention, in which expedition 
and accuracy are united to a degree probably without example.—I 
should not have thought it. necessary to speak of him in so strong 
“tms, had I not believed that his own modesty would keep him 
tom discovering his real character.” 
Governor Wolcott, who cherished similar dispositions towards 
young men of merit and ingenuity, gave him similar letters to Mr. 
Pinckney and Judge Dessaussure. ‘These testimonials no doubt 
“sntributed much to inspire confidence in the leading men at the 
“uth, Such efforts on the part of eminent men in favor of rising 
Worth, enrich the modest youth without impoverishing themselves. 
* Niles’ Weekly Register. 
