COTTON-SPINNING. 299 
being the first ever manufactured in their own 
islands. 
Cotton for another piece was prepared, and the 
natives commenced spinning; but the confinement 
required being irksome, and their expectations 
rather lowered, as to the quality of the cloth they 
were to receive as wages for their labour,—before 
the warp was ready for the loom, they simulta¬ 
neously discontinued their work. When interro¬ 
gated as to their reasons for this sudden change 
in their conduct, it was found that they had not 
indeed struck for higher wages, but had left off to 
think about it, and that, until their minds were 
made up, they could not return. The spinning- 
wheels and the loom now stood still, excepting 
that Mrs. Armitage and Mrs. Blossom, with the 
assistance of their own servants, spun the cotton, 
which Mr. Armitage wove into about fifty yards of 
cloth, for the use of the academy. 
Notwithstanding the inferior appearance of the 
cloth manufactured in Eimeo, it was soon found to 
be more durable than that procured from the ships. 
Yet the disappointment which the natives had ex¬ 
perienced prevented their cultivating the cotton ; 
and but little was available for the establishment, 
excepting that subscribed by the members of the 
native Missionary Societies : the people declined 
coming to learn, and prospects were most unpro¬ 
mising. This, however, was not the only source 
of discouragement. 
Traders, influenced by the narrow views and 
interested motives which too frequently regulate 
the proceedings of those who traffic with uncivilized 
nations, employed a variety of inducements to pre¬ 
vent the natives affording any encouragement to 
the establishment. At one time they assured them 
