232 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



poses for which leather is used, the subject must address itself 

 forcibly to all interested in affairs of government in any country. 

 The articles before enumerated, and also carpeting, tissue, and 

 vegetable leather, being made of raw cotton, in combination 

 with gum-elastic, an additional argument will be presented to 

 the government of the United States, in favor of its use, as 

 connected with the great cotton interests of the South. 



Individuals of the mercantile classes, finding it more lucrative 

 to follow the demands of the market, are not induced to make 

 experiments for government purposes ; and, beside, they have 

 generally less information respecting the wants of govern- 

 ment, than the officers and engineers in its service. A branch 

 of business like this, therefore, is not so likely to be de- 

 veloped for the purposes of government, without its special 

 attention. 



The writer cannot doubt that after sufficient opportunity for 

 examination of the facts presented, the subject will obtain even 

 from a republican government, that consideration which it so 

 justly merits. 



There is a portion of this subject in which the writer feels a 

 deep and absorbing interest, and one to which he would be glad 

 to devote himself in the evening of his life, should that be spared 

 beyond its meridian, and also one which he would take delight 

 in as a manufacturer ; which is, its philanthropic and humane 

 department, comprising articles for the preservation of life and 

 property. There is danger, even now, notwithstanding all that 

 has been done, that it will be too much neglected, in comparison 

 with other branches of this manufacture, which, although per- 

 haps more immediately available in a pecuniary point of view, 

 are of much less importance. There is great danger that this 

 part of the subject will not be sufficiently understood, and so 

 far appreciated, as to be developed so that the present generation 

 can be benefitted by it, as they otherwise might and should be. 

 That the attention of the reader and the public may be drawn to 

 this particular subject, I have classed all the articles under one 

 head, that appeared to me to be of prominent importance in this 



