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 counsels 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 

 to negotiate a sale of his patent right with the state of South Caroli- 

 na, 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- 

 ten in worth of every kind. Every respectable man in this region 

 will rejoice to see him liberally rewarded for so useful an effort, and 

 for a 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 

 a 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 

 terms, had I not believed that his own modesty would keep him 

 from 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 

 contributed much to inspire confidence in the leading men at the 

 south. Such efforts on the part of eminent men in favor of rising 

 worth, enrich the modest youth without impoverishing themselves. 



* Niles' Weekly Register. 



