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, and 

 dilapidated by time. Mr. Whitney, then in declining health, su- 

 perintended every part of the business in person, although its ex- 

 ecution was protracted almost into the winter, when massive stones 

 were to be laid, in the midst of cold water and ice. It is ne- 

 cessary only to inspect the work, and the flume ways, and the 

 walled borders of the river below, and the canal which he construct- 

 ed, to take the water from the dam to the forging shop, to be satis- 

 fied, that both genius and taste presided over these useful, although 

 unostentatious constructions. The small river, by and upon which they 

 were raised, washes the foot of the celebrated mountain ridge called 

 the East Rock, as already mentioned in the preceding memoir. 



* The manufactory has advanced, in these respects, since it has been superin- 

 tended by Mr. Whitney's nephews, the Messvs. Blakes, and to them it is indebted 

 for some valuable improvements. 



