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finally secured his success. In Oziel Wilkinson's family, he found a father and mother, who were kind to him as their own son. He was not distrustful of his ability to support a family-did not wait to grow rich before marriage, but was willing to take his bride for better and for worse, and she received the young Englishman as the man of her choice, and the object of her first love. This connection with Oziel Wilkinson was of great service to him, as a stranger, inexperienced in the world beyond his peculiar sphere. Besides, it is well known, that sixty years since, the contrast of character of New England men and manners, in men of business, and other peculiarities, were very great between the two countries. He found consolation in that family, he found a home. Those who have left their native country, know something of what Slater felt when he was "home-sick." On seeing the old and worthless machinery, as Moses Brown expressed it, "Samuel felt down-hearted." No one knows the heart of a stranger but he who has been from home in a strange land, without an old acquaintance, without a tried friend to whom he could unbosom his anxieties-without confidence in those around him, and others without confidence towards him. These are sorrows only known to the sufferer who knows the heart of a stranger, and no sympathies can be expected but from those who have trodden in the same path. Mr. Slater always treated the numerous strangers who flocked to him for advice, assistance, or employment, with marked attention, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

It is easy to conceive that his correspondence with his old schoolmaster must have been highly gratifying to his feelings. In that way he heard of what they were doing in Belper, and proved the truth of the assertion, how valuable is good news from a far country.

BELPER, 11th Jan. 1792.

My dear friend,—I am much obliged to you for the favour of your letter, and with pleasure embrace this opportunity of answering it; though the Atlantic rolls between us, I hope our friendship will remain undiminished. I wish you every felicity which the honourable state you have entered into can afford-may you enjoy a long life of domestic comfort and prosperous fortunes, is my sincere wish. I myself have ventured to put on the shackles of matrimony, and find in it those charms which I in vain sought for in the idle and dissipated pursuits of a single life-though I am willing to hope I never materially trespassed against the laws of decorum.

I have delayed writing, some weeks, in order to be able to answer some of your enquiries more decidedly than I am at present able to do. This is the most important era which the history of the world has ever furnished. All is agitation and confusion; what the event will be, God only knows.

You have no doubt heard of the fate of the combined armies against France, and the success of the French commanders, Dumourier, Castine, &c., in Brabant and Germany. They have carried all before them; but I fear the French, elated with victory, are now aiming at too much. They seem, contrary to their former declarations, to be actuated by the desire of conquest. They have added Savoy to the republic as an 84th department. I am a warm admirer of the French revolution, as it is likely to establish the liberty of twenty-six millions of my species; but I lament, grievously lament, the many disorders with which it has been attended. The fate of the king I cannot send you, though it will finally be decided in a few days; they are now trying him, his defence has been heard by counsel; Deseze, his first counsel, dealt long and ably on the acts of the new constitution, which declares the inviolability of the king's person. I believe the business will be finally decided by the people at large, in their primary assemblies; and I believe that perpetual banishment will be the sentence. At least I hope this, for if they touch his life, there is not a state in Europe but what will join the detestable crusade against them. Indeed, there is something in the fate of monarchs which is interesting to the mind; I know it is a remain of the doctrine of divine right, which was formerly so prevalent in all countries. I own I shall feel hurt if they touch Louis's life, though I think him guilty. Much, very much, depends on the event, not only to France, but the world. France, I believe, is pretty free from internal commotions at present; but various preparations are making for the next campaign, in Germany, Prussia, Russia, &c. Britain and Holland, too, are arming to fall upon her next spring. They have given umbrage to their high mightinesses by attempting to open the river Scheldt. We, you know, are in alliance with Holland and Prussia; we, that is, our government, must assist them for that reason, but perhaps more for others, which will readily occur to you. A republic like France, cannot be a pleasant thing to a certain description of men, and I believe all that can be done will be done to crush it. But an armament is nothing with us; it is but an annual advertisement; we have had four in as many years, yet no war. However, I believe we have now a pretext for a war with France. Yesterday's papers inform us that an English sloop of war received a shot from the batteries at Brest,-quere, did not she go to provoke them? I believe the people in general of this country do not wish for war. Every thinking man knows we have a flourishing trade, which war must very much injure; he knows, too, that we have a public debt of upwards of two hundred and seventy millions, and a revenue to raise in these times of peace of seventeen mllions annually, yet we are purse proud. As to the stadtholder, I cannot suppose he has forgotten the disturbances of his people four years since. Does he think they have forgotten it? If he puts his finger in this fire, I am much mistaken if he will not have to call in Prussia and us to quell them again. Spain has declared her intention of neutrality in case the king's life is spared. I would here ask you what part America will take in case Britain does declare war against France. I think I can see it. I believe America will not overtly assist her by declaring formal war; but your ports will be open to France; you will fit out privateers under French colours. I fear, my friend, this will be the case, and that harmony which exists between this country and you will be suspended, perhaps to the inconvenience of both. It is rumoured that Turkey is arming

against Russia, but of the truth of this I can say nothing. This country, with respect to politics, never stood in so precarious a situation. Societies have been formed in various places for the discussion of constitutional subjects for the purpose of promoting a reform of parliament. Government has taken the alarm, and loyal meetings are calling in every considerable town in the kingdom to testify their adherence to the present government. Much difference of opinion prevails in parliament, and the business is discussed in a very intemperate manner, every night in every inn and alehouse in the kingdom. I am a friend to reform, because our representation is unequal, and dislike the conduct of both of the parties, because I think them both wrong. I am well assured that our present government, a mild and good constitution compared with others, is best for us; but many things call loudly for amendment. A few persons have avowed republican principles, and insisted too much for the introduction of French politics to this country. For America, I am sensible a republican (that is, the representative) form of government is best. But for Britain, a limited monarchy, certain. I have no room to give you my reasons for this. I made an able and manly speech at the opening of parliament. It will find its way to America, and is well worth perusal; it has been published some time. Burke rants against reformers and the "swinish multitude," as usual. Thomas Paine is one of the members of the French convention; he has been tried for treason. Rights of Man, parts 1 and 2, and Common Sense, condemned as a libel on our constitution. Many other persons are in prison, and in the courts of justice, for publishing what are termed seditious writings. French refugees are so numerous, and government is so alarmed, that a bill is now in the house of commons and will soon be passed, entitled the "Alien Bill," which will empower officers to search all foreigners who may arrive in Britain, and scrutinise them as to their means of living here, and their business. How will your independent republican merchants like this? From this you will see that this is not the happiest of countries. Happy America, thou hast no such foes-thou art free; and thy sons and daughters are not harassed by political arts. I have said nothing on local subjects, as I supposed your other friends would supply that. John Spencer, senr. was lately drowned. Sir R. Arkwright is dead. James Liggit is at Canterbury-I believe doing well. Messrs. Strutts go on swimmingly-they are erecting a very large mill at Belper; and Mr. George is beginning to build himself a noble house on the bridge hill, just above the watering troughs. Present my respects to Mrs. Slater, and believe me yours very sincerely,

To Samuel Slater, North Providence, North America.

T. J.

This letter from Mr. Jackson, shows that he was an intelligent man; and he appears to have continued his correspondence with his pupil.

Smith Wilkinson, Esq., the principal owner of that fine estate, called the Pomfret factory, Connecticut, has favoured me with his early recollections in relation to the commencement of the business in Pawtucket, as the following extract will evince:—

"Mr. Slater boarded in my father's family, at which time there were only a few houses, while building his first machinery, and in the course of the year was married to my sister Hannah, who died in 1812, leaving six sons quite young, having buried four children. When the manufacturing business first commenced in Pawtucket, it may be very naturally supposed that it was frequently a subject of conversation, especially in a family so immediately connected with it. I recollect to have heard frequent conversations on the subject, in which the state and progress of the business was discussed.

"An attempt to manufacture cotton was made at Derby, in Connecticut, under the patronage of Colonel Humphreys, late minister to Spain. One at or near Hurlgate, New York, under the patronage of Mr. Livingston, was commenced, but failed, and was abandoned. I believe nearly all the cotton factories in this country, from 1791 to 1805, were built under the direction of men who had learned the art or skill of building machinery, in Mr. Slater's employ. Mr. Slater used to spin both warp and filling on the water-frame up to 1803. The operations of manufactories up to 1817, were confined to spinning yarn only, which was put out in webs, and wove by hand-loom weavers. Mules for spinning filling had not then been introduced. The cotton used to be put out to poor families in the country, and whipped on cords, stretched on a small frame about three feet square, and the motes and specks were picked out by hand, at four to six cents per pound, as it might be, for cleanness."

From the above, it appears, that at the commencement of the manufacturing business, Mr. Slater was under the necessity of hiring mechanics, or workmen, in iron and wood, of the then common trades of the country, and teaching them the trade of building machinery; in consequence of which, he made very slow progress, in erecting his first and second establishments; it being the custom then, and for many years after, not only by him, but of all who went into the business, to erect machine shops; generally in the basement or first story of the building, where all the machinery was constructed. In 1798, Mr. Slater entered into company with Oziel Wilkinson, Timothy Green, and William Wilkinson, the two latter, as well as himself, having married daughters of Oziel Wilkinson. He built the second mill, on the east side of Pawtucket river, the firm being Samuel Slater & Co., himself holding one half of the stock.

A short time afterwards, his hands in this mill revolted; five or six of them went to Cumberland, and erected a small mill, owned

by Elisha Waters, and some others named Walcot. From these men and their connections, several factories were commenced in various parts of the country, and in fact most of the establishments erected from 1790 to 1809, were built by men who had, either directly or indirectly, drawn their knowledge of the business from Pawtucket, the cradle of the cotton business. Mr. Slater used to work cotton from Cayenne, Surinam, and Hispaniola, and made first quality of yarn. Some time after, when short cotton began to be used, he mixed about one third-he called the yarn of such, second quality, making fifteen cents per lb. difference. Thus while No. 12 was eighty-four cents of second quality, No. 12 of first quality was ninety-nine cents per lb.

Mr. Samuel Slater, on the establishment of the old mill, introduced among the labourers therein such regulations, as his previous observations of cotton mills in Derbyshire had shown to be useful and applicable to the circumstances of an American population. Amongst these, that which every philanthropist will deem the most important, was the system of Sunday-school instruction*which had been for some time in full operation, at all the mills of Messrs. Strutt and Arkwright, when Mr. Slater left England.

These schools, the first of the kind in America, are still continued at the present day. They have been copied, and extended with the extension of the cotton manufacture through this country; and they have prompted the establishment of similar schools in our seaport towns and in foreign countries. It was from Pawtucket that they were introduced into Providence in 1815, by the young men of the latter place, one of whom, William Jenkins, had been a clerk with Mr. Slater. These institutions were at first considered

* Twelve hundred persons are employed in the cotton factories of Mr. Thomas Ashton, of Hide, England. This gentleman has erected commodious dwellings for his work-people, with each of which he has connected every convenience that can minister to comfort. He resides in the immediate vicinity, and has frequent opportunities of maintaining a cordial association with his operatives. Their houses are well furnished, clean, and their tenants exhibit every indication of health and happiness. Mr. Ashton has also built a school, where 640 children, chiefly belonging to his establishment, are instructed on Tuesdays, in reading, writing, arithmetic, &c. A library, connected with this school, is eagerly resorted to, and the people frequently read after the hours of labour have expired. An infant school is, during the week, attended by 280 children, and in the evenings others are instructed by masters selected for the purpose. The factories themselves are certainly excellent examples of the cleanliness and order which may be attained, by a systematic and persevering attention to the habits of the artisans.

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