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which I have in my possession, shows the early savings of Slater : economy and indefatigable industry were the foundation principle of his fortune. Not by speculation, or by any circumstances peculiarly favourable to the accumulation of wealth, but by the dint of persevering attention to business for half a century.

The motive, or inducement, and first occasion of his thinking of leaving Mr. Strutt, and what finally determined him, was his observing in a Philadelphia paper, a reward offered by a society for a machine to make cotton rollers, &c. This convinced him that America must be very bare of every thing of the kind, and he prepared himself accordingly. He probably knew the risk he should run in attempting to leave England as a machinist, and it was characteristic of him, never to talk of his business-where he was going, or when he intended to return. John Slater, a surviving brother, says he remembers his coming home, and telling his mother that he wished his clothes, as he was going by the stage to London; this was the last time his mother, or any of the family, saw him, till his brother John joined him in Pawtucket. He was aware, that there was danger of his being stopped, as the government restrictions were very severe, and very unjust; the officers were very scrupulous in searching every passenger to America. He therefore resolved not to take any pattern, nor have any writing or memorandum about him, but trusted wholly to his acquirements in the business and to his excellent memory. His appearance was also in his favour, it being that of an English farmer's son, rather than that of a mechanic. He told me himself he had nothing about him but his indenture, which he kept concealed, and this was his only introduction and recommendation in the new world.

Though he left home for London, without making known his intentions, he did not design leaving his friends in suspense; he therefore prepared a letter for his mother informing. her of his destination; which, however, he did not venture to put in the

* During the last year or two of his apprenticeship, his thoughts as to his future course, and the establishment of the business on his own account, were turned towards this country, by various rumours and reports which reached Derbyshire, of the anxiety of the different state governments, here, to encourage manufactures. The newspaper account of a liberal bounty (£100) granted by the legislature of Pennsylvania, to a person, who had imperfectly succeeded in constructing a carding machine, to make rolls for jennies, and the knowledge that a society had been authorised by the same legislature for the promotion of manufactures, induced him finally to push his fortune in the western hemisphere.

post-office, till just before he went on board the ship bound to New York.

While waiting in London till the captain was ready to embark, which appears to have been a week or ten days, he spent his time in seeing the curiosities; the Cathedrals, the Tower, and other London shows. Of these he often spoke, in familiar conversation, with a great deal of interest. He told of a circumstance that happened to him in London :-a Jew accosted him, perceiving him to be from the country, and told him, in a private manner, that he had some silk stockings, that he would sell remarkably low, but he wished the bargain to be between themselves; which overture our young adventurer listened to rather incautiously; and found, on examination, after he went to his tavern, that he had bought stockings without feet. When he told this anecdote, he said, it served to "sharpen his eye teeth." Few countrymen, strangers in London, spend even a short time there, without experiencing some similar adventure; the above, however, was not of serious importance, and served only to laugh at, as a proof of his credulity.

Young people should be cautious how they spend their time in great cities, without the acquaintance of some of the resident inhabitants. The best way for strangers who only remain a short time in a city, is to put up at one of the most respectable hotels.

We cannot help reflecting on the unforeseen changes which take place in human life. When we are boys, we know not where our lot will be cast, nor what will be our destiny in this changing world. Nor is it proper we should-it is wisely ordered that it should be otherwise; "sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." It is for us to do our every day's duty, and leave the event; "what a man soweth, that shall he also reap." If we do well, we shall receive the reward of our labours, even in the pleasure of well doing. If young Slater had foreseen the difficulties he had to encounter, before he spun the first cotton yarn in America, he never would have undertaken it; but it is well that we have no such foresight, and that our strength is according to our day. Those who have left their native country, know something of the trials of parting. Young Slater's heart was full, when he looked the last time on Holly House, and all that was within; but a youthful ambition fired his soul, and enabled him to overcome his feelings. He took a last look of his mother, he tore himself away from his brothers and sisters, with whom he had taken sweet counsel, and with whom he was closely united in fraternal affection. The emigrant can understand all this, and feel it most in

tensely, and it is better felt than expressed; words are cold and imperfect to delineate such beatings of the heart, or the natural attachment we feel to our nation, "for with all its faults, we love it still;" it is our country, and no trifling consideration should cause a person to leave his native land for another. But emigration is the fashion of the day, for the traveling organ was never more active, not even in Arabia.

The cotton business was then in its infancy; if Mr. Slater had continued in England, and used the same exertions, and the same economy as he has done here, he would have realised a fortune there, equal to what Arkwright did himself; as the father of Sir Robert Peel did, and several others far inferior to Samuel Slaterin business talents, and mechanical genius. He himself entertained this opinion; but he was afraid the cotton spinning would be overdone in England, and listened to the overtures held out from the United States; we shall see how far his footsteps were prospered, and how far the country has been benefited by his labours. He brought with him all Arkwright's improvements in use at that time, and made articles equal to those made in England. He was not ashamed to send his first yarn home to Mr. Strutt, as it would bear a comparison with his, and with any made elsewhere.*

Mrs. Mary Wilkinson, of Providence, R. I., has a pattern of cotton check cloth, and presented me with a part of an apron, of the first check made by Mr. Slater, which she says she paid for in covering his rollers with leather; a specimen of which is in the Philadelphia Museum. I keep it by me as a curiosity, and it is quite equal to the same article made in England. Genius usually receives its early bias from some circumstances, in the general character of the age, and some in the particular condition of the person to whom it belongs: this observation is exemplified in the genius of Slater.

There were early indications of the genius of Samuel: when a child he gave a patient attention to whatever he attempted. The "boy is the father of the man;" he was his mother's best boy to wind worsted, for which purpose he made himself a polished steel spindle; his inclination led him to the machine shop. His schoolmaster admired him as a good writer, and as good at arithmetic ; observing that scholars well versed in duodecimals and vulgar fractions, made more business men, than attention to the other rules. Such early acquisitions gave indications of his great cal

* A specimen of the first yarn, stocking and twist, is deposited in the Philadelphia Museum.

culation, and his talents as an accountant, in which he afterwards so much excelled.

When Jedediah Strutt, the partner of Arkwright, applied to his neighbour Slater for one of his sons, expressing a wish to have the eldest, which after some consultation was refused, Mr. Slater, who had perceived his son Samuel's inclination, told his friend he had better take Samuel on trial, then not fourteen years of age, observing that he "wrote well, and was good at figures." This proved a judicious selection, which is a matter of great importance in a parent apportioning his sons to proper employments. None could have been more appropriate nor more successful, than the choice which was made in this instance. It appears there were strong and early developments of the bent of his mind. He became extraordinary for comprehensive calculations, and never forgot his good, plain, old-fashioned hand-writing.

Samuel was put to school to a Mr. Jackson, a very approved teacher in Belper, of whom he acquired the rudiments of a common business education, and like most of Mr. Jackson's scholars, learned to write a good hand, and a free and easy style. He always in after life spoke of this worthy gentleman with gratitude and affection, and maintained a correspondence with him after he came to America. This old schoolmaster, who was proud of his scholar, never forgot him; and the following letters were preserved by Mr. Slater.

BELPER, 21st Feby. 1790.

Dear Sir, I am glad to have so favourable an account of your health when your letters left the western world, the seat of patriotism and independence; your long and dangerous voyage I shall pass over in silence, as I suppose the reflection will now afford you pleasure. There is something truly pleasing in thinking upon calamities which we have surmounted and are passed away. You are in a sphere of action now where you are likely to see a considerable portion of this dirty globe: let me enjoin you to keep an exact and regular journal of every day's transactions and observations. It will be an amusement for you at the time you do it. The other advantages of it I need not point out, your own good sense will soon point them out: I know from your particular turn, that you are well fitted for it. A number of observations will often occur to you which would not be noticed by most other people-make private remarks upon the leading features in the characters of all you have to deal with. I hope to live to see you in Britain once again. Be particularly careful of your health; the countries you are likely to visit, demand some adherence to regularity and care. I shall at all times be happy to hear of your welfare. I have no local news to send you; I think Derbyshire wears much the same aspect (the difference of seasons allowed for) as when you turned your back upon it. At all events I can assure you, that the morals of a particular set are not at all improved since you left them. I am far from being well; I have the scurvy very ill, and am

at this time troubled with a cold; however, I intend this night drinking your health in a bumper. Let us hear from you as often as convenient; your opportunities will be frequent, perhaps as in your nautical travels you will frequently meet with ships bound to England.

I am, dear sir, with every sincere wish for your welfare,

Yours, &c. THOMAS JACKSON.

The Historical Society of Rhode Island voted, to request Mr. Slater to give them such particulars as he should think proper, in relation to his coming to this country; and the following was found among his papers; which shows, that had he lived, he intended to have granted their petition. "Samuel Slater was born in the town of Belper, in the county of Derby, June 9th, 1768. In June 28th, 1782, being about fourteen years of age, he went to live with Jedediah Strutt, Esq., in Milford, near Belper, (the inventor of the Derby ribbed stocking machine, and several years a partner of Sir Richard Arkwright in the cotton spinning business,) as a clerk; who was then building a large factory at Milford, where said Slater continued until August 1789. During four or five of the late years, his time was solely devoted to the factory as general overseer, both as respected making machinery and the manufacturing department. On the 1st day of September 1789, he took his departure from Derbyshire for London, and on the 13th he sailed for New York, where he arrived in November, after a passage of sixty-six days. He left New York in January 1790, for Providence, and there made an arrangement with Messrs. Almy and Brown, to commence preparation for spinning cotton at Pawtucket.

* PROVIDENCE, R. I. Dec. 13th, 1834.

Sir-At a late meeting of the board of trustees of the Rhode Island Historical Society, a resolution was passed of which the subjoined is a copy. Any communication that you may feel inclined to make in consonance with the request, will, if addressed to me, be promptly laid before the board.

I am, sir, respectfully yours,

THOMAS H. WEBB.

In board meeting-At the instance of the secretary, it was resolved, that Mr. Samuel Slater be requested to draw up and present to this society, a history of the first introduction of cotton spinning into this country, together with an account of the difficulties attendant thereupon, and of such other incidents in respect thereunto, as he may deem important or interesting to have preserved for the information of posterity.

A true copy from the records.

Mr. Samuel Slater.

Attest,

THOMAS H. Webb, Secretary R. I. Hist. Soc.

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