54 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



different parts of the same fleece. I cau not help thinking that increasing and im- 

 proving our breed of sheep would be one of the most profitable speculations we 

 could undertake; especially in this part of the continent, where we have so little 

 winter that they require either no day fodder, or next to none; and where we are 

 sufficiently distant from the frontiers not to be troubled with wolves or other wild 

 vermin, which prevent the inhabitants there from keeping flocks. Though we do 

 not feed our sheep upon leaves, as you mention they do in some parts of France, yet 

 we can not want for pastures enough suitable for them. I am at a loss, therefore, to 

 account for the disproportion between their value and that of black cattle, as well 

 as for our not augmenting the number. So persuaded am I of the practicability and 

 advantage of it, that I have raised near two hundred lambs upon my farm this year. I 

 am glad to find that you are likely to succeed in propagating the Spanish breed of sheep 

 in England, and that the wool does not degenerate; for the muUiplication of useful 

 animals is a common blessing to mankind. 



Washington sent the wool mentioned in this letter, after his next 

 shearing of 1789, and it was put into the hands of English manufactur- 

 ers, who pronounced it to be equal in quality to the Kentish wool. Tlie 

 fleeces weighed on an average 5^ pounds. 



In his correspondence at this time Washington expressed the opinion 

 that it was better to raise sheep and black cattle than horses, and on 

 November 22, 1789, in communicating to Governor Beverly Eandolph, 

 of Virginia, a proposal of some parties to establish a woolen manufac- 

 tory in Virginia did not pretend to determine how far the plan might 

 be advisable or practicable, or whether any public encouragement should 

 be given to the enterprise, but he had, however — 



no doubt as to the good policy of increasing the number of sheep in every State. 

 By a little legislative encouragement the farmers of Connecticut have, in two years 

 past, added 100,000 to their former stock. In my late tour through the Eastern States 

 I found that the manufacturers of woolens (for the manufacture of woolens is car- 

 ried on there to a very considerable extent and advantage) preferred the wool raised 

 in Virginia for its fineness to that raised in more northern parts of the continent. If 

 a greater quantity of wool can be produced, and if the hands, which are often in a 

 manner idle, could he employed in manufacturing it, a spirit of industry might be 

 promoted, a great diminution might be made in the annual expenses of individual 

 families, and the public would eventually be exceedingly benefited. 



The woolen manufactory referred to in this letter of Washington was 

 that of Col. Jeremiah Wadsworth, at Hartford, Conn., where, between 

 September, 1788, and September, 1789, about 5,000 yards of cloth were 

 made, some of which sold at $5 a yard. Washington records in his 

 diary : 



Their broadcloths are not of the first quality as yet, but they are good, as are their 

 coatings, cassimeres, serges, and everlastings. Of the first, that is, broadcloth, I 

 ordered a suit to be sent to me at New York, and of the latter a whole piece, to make 

 breeches for my servants. All the parts of this business are performed at the manu- 

 factory except the spinning. This is done by the country people, who are paid by 

 the cut. 



George W. Parke Custis records that when Washington was inaugu- 

 rated President of the United States, April 30, 1789, he was wholly 

 clothed in goods of American manufacture, and he is said to have read 

 his address to Congress in the ensuiag January (1790) in a full suit of 



