on the subjects that from time to time arise in the legislature, I have taken the liberty to show this paper to one or two of them; and indeed it seems to be a matter, both of propriety and prudence, as I am a citizen of Pennsylvania, and they are the guardians of her interests. I anxiously desire the detection of any errors in either the facts or reasonings, which I may bring forward; and in order completely to guard against their ill effects, I wish them unreservedly subjected, as well to the examination of these well informed judges, as to gentlemen of similar character and stations from the other states. As I may, in future, avail myself of the permission you have given me, to communicate with you as I shall see occasion, I apply these wishes to all such communications, leaving it in your discretion to determine to whose eye observations on points that require secresy may be safely confided.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, dear sir, your most obedient servant, TENCH COXE.

P.S. As it may throw some light upon the subject, I have enclosed a paper of mine, (No. 1,) which you have seen before. To this copy, I have added some manuscript notes; also a paper, (No. 2), to which I have likewise added some notes. The latter is not immediately interesting to your present enquiry, but may be thrown among your documents belonging to the subject.

To the Honourable Alexander Hamilton, Esq. New York.

PHILADELPHIA, December 16th, 1789. Dear Sir,-A few days ago I forwarded to you, per post, a 66 state of our navigation," which I presume you have received. I have the honour to transmit you in this inclosure some notes upon two subjects, one of them of great importance, that may be useful when arranging our affairs with France and Spain. The rough draughts of these papers were made a few weeks before I received your letter, and I then intended to have given them to Mr. Madison in his way to New York, for the purpose of submitting them to Mr. Jefferson, in whose department I thought they might be of use. The general request at the conclusion of your letter justifies me, I hope, in troubling you with them, and in requesting that you will dispose of them as you see fit.

On No. 7, I beg leave to suggest, it may be useful to converse with Col. J. Wadsworth, whose opportunities in the branch it concerns are greater than those of any other person among us.

Of the subject of No. 8 it may be truly said, that it is one of the most important objects of business in all our affairs. The calculations you will find are all within the truth, and of course the result on paper might have been rendered much greater.

I congratulate you most sincerely on the adoption of the constitution by North Carolina, which almost completes this wonderful revolution. The law of New Jersey abolishing the tender of their paper money, in cases wherein gold and silver have been specified in the contract, occasions a further subtraction from the objects, and of course a new inducement to the acquiescence of the opposition. The federal cause has received a fresh confirmation by our convention, for I think it may be justly said, that every recognition of the principles of the general constitution, and every step

To Tench Coxe, greeting:

Reposing especial trust and confidence in your integrity, diligence, and abilities, I, Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury of the United States, in virtue of the power to me given, by the act entitled "An act to establish the treasury department," do constitute and appoint you assistant to the said secretary: To hold and exercise the said office during the pleasure of the secretary of the treasury of the United States for the time being. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the treasury, the tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON. Secretary of the Treasury.

George Washington, President of the United States of America :—to all who shall see these presents, greeting:

Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, diligence, and ability of Tench Coxe of Pennsylvania, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, do appoint him commissioner of the revenue, and do authorise and empower him to execute and fulfil the duties of that office according to law; and to have and to hold the said office with all the rights and emoluments thereunto legally appertaining unto him, the said Tench Coxe, during the pleasure of the president of the United States for the time being.

In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the city of Philadelphia, this ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and of the independence of the United States of America the sixteenth.

By the president, Th: Jefferson.

G. WASHINGTON.

CHAPTER VI.

THE EXTENSION OF THE COTTON BUSINESS.

"The echoing hills repeat

The stroke of axe and hammer; scaffolds rise,
And growing edifices; heaps of stone

Beneath the chisel beauteous shapes assume

Of frieze and column; some with even line,

New streets are marking in the neighbouring fields,
And sacred domes of worship."

DYER'S FLEECE.

"All men naturally think themselves equally wise; and, therefore, as any ship that sails faster than another is said in sea phrase to wrong it, so men are apt to think themselves wronged by those who, with better talents than they, or greater skill in their use, get beyond them."

The workmen employed by Mr. Slater, in Pawtucket, took advantage of their opportunity to steal patterns and models of his machines; and in this way, attempts were made to extend the business, in a short time after its commencement at Pawtucket by the firm of Almy, Brown & Slater. Those attempts were generally so weak and ineffective, that they proved ruinous to the adven

turers.

Wm. Pollard, Philadelphia, obtained a patent for cotton spinning Dec. 30, 1791, which was the first water-frame put in motion; whether he obtained his patterns direct from England, or by the way of Pawtucket, is not certain; but it is indubitable that he could have no claim as the original inventor, nor as the first introducer of the machinery; because it has been shown in the previous chapter that the whole of the machinery was in full operation in Rhode Island, a year previous to the date of his patent.

Mr. Pollard's mill was a very early attempt at water-spinning, and I am sorry to have to record, that his business failed in his hands; which retarded the progress of cotton spinning in Philadelphia. Respect and pity are due to the character of a projector -respect, because society owes to it many obligations, and much of the progress of the useful arts must be ascribed to its existence;