256 Reminiscences of the late Mr. Whitney. 
and intelligent observer. I have, many times, visited the establishment 
with strangers and foreigners, who have gone away delighted with 
what they have seen.* Under all the successive administrations of 
the general government, from that of the first President Adams, re- 
peated contracts have been obtained for the supply of arms. 
Mr. Whitney received substantial proofs of the approbation of the 
government in the terms which he obtained. He was personally ac- 
quainted with all the Presidents of the United States, from the be- 
ginning of the government, and in every fluctuation of party he re- 
tained their confidence, although his own political sentiments were de- 
cided and well known. . 
He was, from frequent and long visits at the seat of government, 
familiar with the principal officers, and with the leading members of 
both houses of Congress; and thus he was enabled to sustain the in- 
fluence which he had acquired, and even to extend it, so as to obtain 
important contracts from several of the State governments. 
The private establishment of Mr. Whitney, has proved a model for 
the more extensive manufactories which are the property of the nation. 
Into them, as the writer of the foregoing article has stated, and as I 
have been informed by Mr. Whitney, his principal improvements have 
been transplanted, chiefly by the aid of his workmen, and have now 
become common property. 
A few years before Mr. Whitney’s death it became necessary 
to renew the mill dam at the manufactory; it had been originally 
constructed for a flour mill, and was both defective in plan, 
dilapidated by time. Mr. Whitney, then in declining health, sur 
perintended every part of the business in person, although its 
ecution was protracted almost into the winter, when massive stone 
were to be laid, in the midst of cold water and ice. It 1s ne 
cessary only to inspect the work, and the flume ways; and 1 
walled borders of the river below, and the canal which he construct: 
ed, to take the water from the dam to the forging shop, be it 
fied, that both genius and taste presided over these useful, althoue 
unostentatious constructions. The small river, by and upon which they 
were raised, washes the foot of the celebrated mountain ridge ¢@ J 
the East Rock, as already mentioned in the preceding menor 
if , - erin: 
* The manufactory has advanced, in these respects, since it has bec® waebte 
tended by Mr. Whitney’s nephews, the Messrs. Blakes, and to them it 
for some valuable improvements: 
