C 127 ] 
might be made, by erecting a mill or some proper ^ 
machine for breaking of hemp ; the common mode 
is not only laborious, but slow; and I believe, by 
breaking the stalk short in the common break is apt 
to injure the coat. I should suppose, if it could be 
mashed or bruised flat in the first process, would be 
much preferable, 
I HAVE not the least doubt, that the flats on the 
Genesee and Tioga rivers, and many other tracts in 
the western country, would produce hemp of the 
first quality, and in great abundance, provided it 
was not injured by the overflowing of the rivers 
after the hemp had started. Should the people of 
the western country go largely into the raising of 
hemp, they would find their account in it to erect 
rope-walks, and manufacture it into cordage, as 
they would find it much safer and more convenient 
to transport the cordage to market than the hemp, 
as hemp is soon injured by wet, and very difficult to 
dry when wet, besides the manufactures could be 
supported at half the expense in a country abound¬ 
ing in provisions. 
I am,; with great esteenr, 
Your humble servant, 
W. THOMPSON. 
Simeon DeWitt,. Esquire. 
