none more powerfully than partizan politics. Such has been the fermentation excited by the activity of a few ambitious aspirants-so deeply have their deluded friends been "committed" on this question, that the whole south now stands on its consistency in proud sulkiness. Nothing but the gratification of their selfish ambition in a few of its leading men, will break the charm which now binds us to our own folly and undomg. That a tariff of protective duties is necessary for national independence, by continuing in existence our rising manufactories, was the doctrine of the leading men of the convention who framed the constitution--has been the doctrine of our most distinguished statesmen, and the practice of the government from its beginning, and now enlists in its support three fourths of the population of this flourishing empire. As long as legislative enactments are made in other countries to cripple our domestic industry, and keep us still, in effect, in the chains of colonial monopoly, they must be met by countervailing measures on our part. Against such a course of policy emphatically and truly called the American system, the ephemeral writings of the times couch their puny lauces, and challenge the wisdom and experience of the age. as loading itself in its progress by means of one of the wheels, which is hollow, taking up 40 square feet of earth in one minute. This is carried to any distance as in a common cart; and the load deposited or unloaded in less than half a minute, without trouble, by opening the bottom of the cart. The inventor states that one of his carts is now at work on the rail road within a mile anl a half of the Schuylkill river, near Philadelphia; that it is worked by a man and a boy, and three horses, and removes and embauks in a day twice as much earth as is removed by three common carts and twenty men, who are working at the same place. Thus doing (says Mr. B.) the same work at about one-sixth of the cost it would be in the ordinary mode. The excavator can be made for nearly the same price as a common three horse cart, and quite as easily kept in order. It seems to be entitled to the notice of enterprizing contractors. IMPORTANT DISCOVERY, Mr. J. B. Neilson of the Glasgow Gas Works, has made a very ingenious discovery, for which he has obtained a patent; that air discharged from bellows, or other blowing apparatus, greatly pro motes combustion in fires and furnaces by being heater! before it is thrown into them. A series of experiments has been going on for some time on founder's cupolas, and in the blast furnaces at Clyde iron works, where one advantage by means of heated air; and where other two blast furnaces are nearly ready to be blown in the same way. It is completely ascertained that a great saving of fuel is accomplished, and that sanguine bopes are entertained that the same work will be done with a less quan. tity of air, thus leaving what is saved to be applied to the blowing of new furnaces. This discovery will effect a great revolution in the theory, as well as practice of combustion. The blast furnaces at Calder iron-works, have for some time been also blown with heated air, but we have not heard with what success. [Bali. Gaz. COUNTERFEITERS. A gang of counterfeiters of spurious coin, have for a long time carried on their operations at Painesville, Ohio. Some of them were arrest-furnace has been blown for the last ten weeks with great ed some time ago, but discharged. They succeded in stealing the press with which they work. Two of them named Belcher and Croft have recently been detected and captured, The dies found in their possession bore date 1825, and are said to be admirably executed. The Painesville Telegraph, says: "Elisha Belcher, jr. a lawyer who resides at Ann Arbour, M. T. was formerly a resident of this county. It appears that he had been on a trip to Pennsylvania, and had in his trunk a superb die for stamping half dollars. After undergoing a laborious examination before Mr. Justice Holbrook, he was recognized in the sum of $500 to appear at the next common pleas for this county. The other person arrested was Charles Croft, a young buck of considerable notoriety in this village. He was one of the gang arrested in this village two years ago, and who testified in behalf the state. After his late arrest, and before an examination was had, he jumped from a window of the upper story, (where he pretended to be sick) and escaped from his keepers. He was, however, again dragged from his lurking place on Saturday night last, and it is expected he will undergo an examination to day. P. S. Croft has again made his escape, by jumping from the second story of a house." RAIL ROAD TO THE ROANOKE. The citizens of Petersburg, Virginia, have seriously taken into consideration the project of a rail road from that town to the Roanoke river. At a general town meeting, held on the 24th ult. the mayor was authorised, in the name of the people, "to request the president of the United States to permit an engineer in the service of the United States, to examine the route of a proposed rail road, from Petersburg to some point on the Roanoke river, and to estimate its probable cost, &c." ROTTERDAM CANAL. A letter from E. Wambersie, esq. U. S. consul at Rotterdam, which is published in the Boston Gazette, states that the ship canal from Hellevoetsluis to Rotterdam will be navigable in the month of August, ult. The depth of water can be brought to 21 feet, and the width of the locks is sufficient for the largest ship of the line. THE MILITIA SYSTEM. The state of Delaware has abolished their militia system altogether. The Philadel phia Aurora says that it is a creditable act, and we cherish the hope that Pennsylvania and other states will follow the example. It has been estimated that it costs the state of Pennsylvania and its citizens, upwards of three PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN BOSTON. The Boston Patriot millions of dollars annually to support the carricature says: "Twenty-five years ago there were but three pubof an army-to perpetuate a series of periodical nui-lic grammar and writing schools in this city. Now there sances; to scandalize and bring into contempt the miliare eight of these seminaries, and between fifty and sixtary art; to corrupt the morals of the people, &c. with- ty public primary schools. These latter receive children out the least particle of benefit, iminediate or prospective, to the state. The Aurora further says "It has been established by the concurrent testimony of most of the eminent military men of the country, that the militia laws, as universally enforced and observed, in place of promoting military science and discipline, produce a directly contrary result. No dispassionate person, who has ever witnessed our militia musters, trainings, and battalion days, will for a moment doubt the correctness of this conclusion. As military displays, they are a ridiculous burlesque-as schools of vice, deplorable: many a youth is there initiated into the practice of drunkenness, and the records of the country courts bear testimony to the violence done to morality. Insubordination, disorder, and debauchery reign predominant and uncontrolled." SELF-LOADING CAB. The Richmond Compiler contains a notice of an excavator. or self-loading cart, invented Mr. W. Beach, of Philadelphia. It is described between the ages of four and seven years, and the former from seven to fourteen. Besides these there is a Latin school, and English classical school, and schools for colored children: all maintained at the public expense. Connecting with these the infant schools, founded and supported by the munificence of individuals, into which children are received at eighteen months old, it will be seen that in this city the means of education are supplied to the children of the poor as well as the rich, from infancy to that period of youth when they are of age to enter into some one of the busy vocations of life, or to pursue their studies at one or the other of our colleges. No small portion of the city taxes is appropriated to this branch of expenditure, and we verily believe no portion is more cheerfully paid by the citizens. Our schools have earned for themselves a high reputation, and for our city, a character which it will retain so long as her citizens display the same zeal and continue to feel the same interest in the subject of education, which has sp eminently distinguished them for years past." CHOUMLA. The London Literary Gazette, of July 18, and Hayti has fallen off; but this can affect only certain contains a notice, with copious extracts, of captain Frank-particular ports. With Martinique, Guadaloupe and land's travels to and from Constantinople, in 1827 aud Bengal, business has been extended. 1828. The writer, on his way from Vienna, passed Bordeaux has had less trade than before with Bengal; Choumla in April 1827, and as this place is looked to but that has been compensated by a more extensive one with great interest at the present time, we quote what is with Havana and the old Spanish colonies. Marseilles raid of it. [N. Y. Post. has been unfavorably affected by the Algerine war; 130 "We reached Shumla, or Choumla, at about 2 o'clock, foreign vessels have arrived there, with only 75 French. having crossed a very high and steep ridge of sandy but The state of things there has proved particularly profitawell-wooded hills, in which we were caught by a violent ble to the Sardinian and American flags. Nantes has felt storm of snow and rain. Shumla, or Choumla, is called a diminution of her commerce with the West Indies and the Thermopyle of Bulgaria; and indeed the pass of the the Isle of France. Rochelle has done almost nothing; mountains which separate it from the Danube, is a very Caen has begun to fit out a few vessels, even some for difficult one; but the town itself is commanded by the the Indies; St. Malo is extending her business annually; heights which surround it on three of its sides, in the but the returns are principally made, as in case of other shape of a crescent. These heights seem nearly impreg-interior places, through the great ports of the kingdom; nable, and form the chief strength of the fortress, or Dunkerque, which had formerly scarcely any trade at all rather vast entrenched camp. We saw here many tailors with the colonies, has this year sent out 20 vessels, and and braziers at work, which gave the town the appearance admitted 27. of activity and commerce. There are likewise many vines upon the sides of the sandy hills, which nearly surround Shumla, which therefore, I infer manufactures wine. The Russians have twice advanced as far as Shumla, in 1774 and 1810, but have never yet taken it. I should consider the fortress untenable in the hands of European troops. Dr. Clark inclines to think that Shumla is the BRAZIL. The Philadelphia Gazette states, on the auancient Marianopolis, the capital of Mesia Inferior. It thority of letters by the ship Georgia Packet, that Mr. is a large and straggling town, having a wall round it, Tudor, our charge d'affaires at Brazil, who had resignflanked at intervals by brick towers, in many parts bio-ed his station before Mr. Adams retired from office, ken down and decayed. It has a considerable commerce in braziery and clothing. The country round about it might be even beautiful, at a more advanced season of the year. Here we took coffee at the khan with the Turks, changed horses, and proceeded on towards a village called Dragole, observing on our left hand upon the herizon five very high and remarkable barrows." There has been a striking reduction in the import of coffee, particularly in direct arrivals from Hayti. The import of sugars from the West Indies has, however, greatly increased; from an average of 55,000 barrels to 74,000. N. Y. Daily Adv. was about to return to the United States. The copper coinsge of Brazil was still going on. The mint advertised on the 3d of July for an additional quantity of sheet copper to be cut into coins, and so great was the depreciation of the paper currency that even copper coins bore a premium of 30 to 32 per cent., although their value as currency was so much greater than their value as metal, that their manufacture was a very profitable branch of business in the hands of individuals, as well as of the government. In the month of June, there were cleared at the port of Rio de Janeiro, 140 national, and 42 foreign vessels, exclusive of packets, transports, and ships of war. REFORMS IN THE EAST. The following, said to be from a French physician, who has resided thirty years in Constantinople, furnishes another evidence that the sultan has resolved to abolish the useless restrictions which custom bas imposed upon him, and that the "light of the age" has even penetrated the sanctity of the harem. The doctor observes: "Formerly no Christian was permitted, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, &c. A French editor, whose on any account, to touch a prince of the Ottoman race, remarks are translated in the New York Daily Advermuch less to draw blood from him; but ali Turkey is tiser, congratulates himself upon the freedom of opinion astonished at the change which the sultan has brought and the press in this country. "The word," says he, about since the destruction of the Jannissaries. The "which you would not have written without tremor in troops now carry muskets with fixed bayonets; the regi- 1813, you may speak to-day against the king himself, and ments march to European tunes-the drum-inajor in nothing will come of it. In a coffee house or a theatre, front; and the grand seignor himself, in the uniform of an thunder against the government, all the world approves officer, issues his commands for manoeuvring. These are you: and if a base spy comes about you, to live by the astonishing, but I have to mention a still more remarka-pickings of your discourse, crush him, and the tribunals ble departure from ancient customs. On the 14th May I will hardly ask of you what you have done with his bones. received an order to make preparation to vaccinate the If this is not liberty, gentlemen, go to England-transchildren of the sultan. On the 16th 1 repaired to the port yourselves to the United States-and then come palace, and in the presence of the echim bachi, and the back and tell us in what country they breathe a better air chief of the black eunuchs, I vaccinated a young princess of independence than in France.” about 8 years old, her sister about a year and a half, and a still younger princess-all without the least difficulty STOCK SPECULATION. We noticed, in a brief paraor ceremony. Immediately after 1 performed the oper.. graph, some days ago, the recovery had against Rothstion upon two young ladies of the harem. On the 28th child of London, by a person for whom he had at various 1 returned to the palace and found the operation had suc- times bought and sold stocks. Our last London papers ceeded perfectly. I was dismissed with a handsome pre-furnish the particulars of this trial, as set forth in the desent from the sultan, as a testimony of his satisfaction,cision of the vice chancellor. This decision, if not reversand was told that my services would not he agam needed jed, establishes the principle "that an individual receivuntil the birth of a new prince or princess." ing the authority of another to dispose of stock, shall not himself become the purchaser of it, although it be proved that he took it at a fair market price, and even above what he sold stock of the same description belonging to himself, on the same day, and although a broker is employed; and that at any future time, and under any change of circumstances, the seller may cancel the transaction, and insist upon having his property returned to him." Up to the day of this decision, such transactions were considered in London as perfectly unexceptionable. [N. Y. Amer. ECCLESIASTICAL ANTIQUITY. Under this head, the London Literary Gazette of the 18th July, gives an account of a curious relict of antiquity, which has been recently discovered in the tomb of St. Cuthbert, at Durham, and thence transferred to the tower in London. It is a part succession would place in the hands of the prime minis- If such a minister were an honest one no of the pontifical vestments of a bishop, consisting of a maniple and stole, in excellent preservation, which are ascertained, by an inscription in embroidery, perfectly legible, to have been the gift of Elfled to Frithestan-a circumstance, says the Gazette, that at once fixes their date to the earlier part of the tenth century. Notwith. standing that these vestments must have been "quietly inurned" for nearly nine hundred years, yet the gold lace, which, from the account, seems to have been constructed solely of fine gold wire, with no admixtures of silk, is proud, overbearing, grasping, dishonest, and unprinsaid to retain its metallic color and brillianey almost as freshly as if just fabricated; and the material on which it is wrought is spoken of as having suffered but little from decay. The antiquity of this pontifical robe is rendered certain by the fact, that in the whole catalogue of English bishops there is but one of the name of Frithestan, and that contemporary with him there were three noble ladies bearing the appellation of the donor, one being a daugh ter of king Alfred, another his daughter-in-law, and the third his grand-daughter. The figures wrought in embroidery on the vestments are said to afford a curious and pleasing illustration of the costume of the period. gen The au The same paper intimates that in case the daughter of the duke of Kent should become queen of England during her minority, the nation, with one accord, would point to her uncle, the duke of Cumberland, as her guardian; but it is feared, and perhaps with reason, that the present premier, recollecting the proud title of "regent Murray," would aspire to, and induce parliament to grant him the same rank, notwithstanding the will of the people being expressed to the contrary. Who, says the Journal, would censure the duke of Wellington for aspiring to the station; it would be the ne plus ultra of humau granduer to be styled "regent Wellington," and he could not be blamed for his ambition in such a cause, The Courier denies that there is any ground for alarm on the subject. From indications in other prints, however, we have no doubt it is true that these speculations are more canvassed in certain quarters than is generally known, or acknowledged. {N. Y. Herald. ANTI-NEWTONIAN THEORY. The Indiana Journal gives an account of a new theory on the causes of the inotions of the planetary bodies of the solar system, which had been recently advanced, by John Richard son, esq. of Illinois, and explained and defended by him in a lecture in that place (Indianopolis.) The tleman has published a book on the subject, in which he endeavors to show that the universe moves by the principles of the laws of attraction and repulsion." thor proposes to deliver lectures as extensively as may be found convenient, in further illustration of his system. A gentleman who appears to have given attention to the subject, in a letter to Mr. Richardson, says, in the course of his remarks, 'the agency which your system gives to electricity in the solar regions, fully proves that the science of astronomy will be much indebted to your labors. Another gentleman says, 'Your system has so much of simplicity, that the philosophical world will be much to blame if they thrust it from them without a candid examination; and it recommends itself, by being based on the operation of causes so well understood as electrical attraction and repulsion.' Alluding to the office assigned to electricity by this theory, this gentleman says, your system appropriates the most powerful known agent to the most grand, and to use a home-cut by the retail merchant. This deduction, therefore, ly phrase, the most arduous operation in nature, subject to human observation.' Will it not occur to the philosophical mind,' says he, that this great and powerful agent (electricity) has never yet had ascribed to it operations commensurate with its energy and apparent universality of presence.' ELIZABETHAN MANUSCRIPT. There has been recent ly discovored in the state paper office, London, a translation of Boethius's De consolatione philosophie, nearly the whole of which is in the hand writing of queen Elizabeth. From another document, recently found, it appears that the queen made this translation at Windsor, during five weeks of the winter season. SUCCESSOR TO GEORGE THE FOURTH. Many of the English papers are considering the present state of the succession to the throne, and it is stated that the greatest anxiety and concern exists among a large class of the people on the subject. There appears to be no difficulty in the line of descent, nor any cavilling among the claimants, the duke of Clarence being heir apparent, and the daughter of the late duke of Kent next; but from the ill health of the former and the infancy of the latter, there is good reason to apprehend that within a short time after the death of the present king, will be necessary to appoint a regent. The question is asked, upon whom would the cares and unlimited power and patronage of the sovereign devolve, in case of such an emergency? And it appears to be a hard one to answer. The Morning Journal, an opposition paper, and one extremely hostile to the duke of Wellington, says "We can imagine a case, and one not of mere visionary application, when the devolvement of royal honors on the next in CUSTOM HOUSE REGULATIONS. The following an extract of a communication from the secretary of the treasury, to the collector of the customs in New York, explanatory of the order of the 8th ult. published in our last sheet-which order, it seems, has given much dissatisfaction to some persons in that city. "Treasury Department, Aug. 24, 1829. "The deduction of 5 per cent. on broad cloths is understood to be a usage founded on the well established fact, that such goods strictly measured by the manufacturer will fall short by an average of that amount when relates to quantity not to value; and hence, whenever quantity and value are not the same, for the purpose of ascertaining the duties, the deduction must be made with reference to the former. But as the quantity and value under a regular ad valorem duty, bear a uniform relation to each other, they have no doubt been confounded in the custom-house calculations before the adoption of the tnriff of 1828, which fixes what may be termed a dutiable value on these goods, not in any uniform proportion to the real value but in classes; and hence the propriety of looking into the origin of the custom as an unerring guide or an uniform regulation. This was done in framing the recent instruction, the character of which admits of an easy illustration. Suppose for example that the deduc tion is to be made from the value. A merchant who imports broad cloth at 2 dollars per yard, must pay at the rate (say) of 40 per cent. on $2 50, which is the dutiable value fixed by law on such cloths. If a deduction of 5 per cent, upon $2 be made, the price will be $1 90, but the law imposes the same duty upon cloth at $1.90 that it does upon cloth at $2. Hence the importer could derive no benefit from the deduction, unless the value of the cloth should be above the minimum point, and within 5 per cent. of it; whereby it would be thrown from a higher to a lower class; and if from the $2 50 to the $1 class, the deduction, would be, not 5 per cent. but 60 per cent.; a most extraordinary result to be produced under color of an allowance for the shrink of cloth from the manufacturer's measurement. Every principle must be founded in error, which, instead of producing uniform justice, leads to results thus extravagant, irregular, and unequal. It is clear, therefore, that the allowance for measurement ought not to be made in calculating the value. But let us rest the deduction from the quantity (as di rected in the instruction,) in the same way. A merchant imports 100 yards of cloth at $2, the deduction of 5 per cent. being made, duty is charged on 95 yards, and at whatever price it may be invoiced or valued by the appraiser. The allowance being made from the quantity will be uniform, and operate alike upon every importation of that description. The importer will thus not depend upon any contingency whatever, for his right to have the duties charged upon the actual number of yards imported: equal and exact justice will be done in all cases, and in strict conformity with the principle of the usage that authorises the allowance. It was ascertained at the treasury that different rules were observed as to this, deduction in the principal importing cities, and it was of the utmost consequence, not only that the rule should be just, but that it should be uniform. For this purpose the supplemental instruction was issued after a due consideration. And while it is to be regretted that any one should suffer by its operation there are higher considerations found in absolute justice that forbid a relaxation of it." INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. Hon. William Drayton: send me.-Not being a judge of any species of cloth, I asked the opinion of those who were conversant upon the subject, as to your sample. They tell me, that for the price at which it is sold in Providence (20 cents the yard) it is strong, fine and cheap, but that cotton of the same quality, could not be purchased here, for less than 25 to 30 cents the yard, a difference, as you will perceive of from 20 to 33 1-3 per cent. Entirely according with you in the conviction of the immense national importance of permanently flourishing manufactures, I yet am so unfortunate, as to differ from you respecting the mode best calculated to effect that desideratum. I will not tire you with the grounds and reasons of my opinion, in a written speech, as nolens volens, you have been, and probably will again be, sufficiently gratified that way. In laboriously and ably advocating the interests of the manufacturers, according to your conviction of what will best promote them, I am satisfied that you are influenced by the purest motives; and however impressed you may be, that I am in error, in taking a view different from yours, I feel assured that you will acquit me of being intentionally wrong. With great respect and esteem, I am, dear sir, your faithful and obedent servant, WM. DRAYTON, Hon. Tristam Burges. COTTON SAIL DUCK. secretary of the navy, dated SIR: I have taken the liberty to send you a small sample of cloth manufactured in Rhode Island by Messrs. Charles Jackson & Co. of this town. The wholesale price of such cloth is 18 cents per yard. It Copy of a letter from Warren R. Davis, esq. to the sells, at retail, for 20 cents. At these prices I understand this manufacture can be sustained by a fair profit. I do not believe any nation on this globe, other than the U. States, can at this time, furnish the material, the machinery, the skill and labor, for such a fabric, at such a cost. It is not recollected by me, that any other region produces the Sea Island cotton of a staple equal to that of the islands of your state and Georgia. The material of this cloth is of that kind, though very far from being the best of that kind of cotton. Washington, Aug. 12, 1829. I take the liberty, partly based on some personal intimacy, but chiefly as one of the representatives of a neglected portion of this confederacy, of addressing you on a subject that I consider of public interest. I respectfully request that you will cause an experiment to be made in the naval service of the United States, for the purpose of ascertaining the fitness and utility of cotton as a principal element of sails, rigging, &c. and of We know you of the south produce that kind of that its comparative cost, strength, durability, advantages and material; but we of the north have not hitherto been disadvantages. This request is predicated on informaenabled to put in operation the appropriate machinery, tion I have received of the results of some partial experior America night, at this time, exhibit to the world such ments recently made in the United States' sloop of war, fabrics as neither Europe nor Asia ever produced. Al- the Boston, lately returned from a South American Atthough I do not rank weaving, even as practised by the lantic station, and on other facts and experiments in the fairest hands of antiquity, among the fine arts, yet I must merchant service. That cails, rigging, &c. of cotton fabe permitted to believe that such products of that art, bric, have been long used in the navigation of the Gre whether in their own native whiteness, or when passed un- cian Archipelago is well known; and the fact that the der the operations of that skill which can give such va- Austrian as well as the Greek ships in the Levant, are rious beauty to their color, would form a drapery, giv-clothed entirely with that material, is amply sufficient to ing to animated intelligent beings a more interesting approve that cotton is there used, not as a substitute, but in pearance than the happiest pencil of antiquity could have preference to hemp. Hemp is one of the staple producconferred on the fairest form of muse or goddess, pro- tions of that country, and forms an important item in the duced and adorned by the painter's imagination and list of her exports; cotton is not, but is imported from skill. other countries. I am informed that the superior celerity of the Greek ships, and what are usually called the Baltimore clippers, is attributed, in part, to their use of cotton canvass. It is said to hold wind better, and to make a difference of a mile distance in six. The maintopsail of the Boston, which I understand was mostly used and relied on during the long voyage from which she has just returned, was of cotton canvass; and that experiment was abundantly satisfactory to the officers on board, of its strength, durability and usefulness. If the plantations, spindles, and looms of our country could never have produced, it will nevertheless be allowed that they can mightly strengthen our political fabric. These physical do in some degree resemble morals cords of union: they increase in strength as they progress in fineness. So long as those feelings which in the revolutionary war, united the mechanics of R. Island with the planters of S. Carolina, can be continued in fair operation, the production of your plantations and our looms will be as use- An officer of that ship, of skill, science and the most ful and ornamental to the people of this generation, as scrupulous accuracy, has promised me a written statethose "iron harvest of the field" were beneficial and il-ment of the facts referred to, as well, also, of some expelustrious to our fathers. riments in the merchant service; these shall be furnished I pray of you, sir, to accept this little sample of our you as soon as received. These facts, together with the national skill. It is, I confess, but a very madegate ex-certificates subjoined, I hope will be considered sufficient pression of the very high estimation entertained here by me and my friends, of the patriotism and candor of him to whom it is presented. I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest respect, your obedient servant, TRISTAM BURGES. Charleston, 1st August, 1829. DEAR SIR: In consequence of my having lett New York for Charleston, before Mr. Heyward had received your letter and parcel, they did not reach me until a day or two ago, or I should sooner have done myself the pleasure of answering your friendly letter, and of returning to you my thanks for the specimen of the skill of the Providence looms, which you had the goodness to to authorize a full and fair experiment; especially as the cost of an extra set of sails, &c. would be but little, and repay that little by their service. This application is justified not only by its probable important results, but by frequent and recent precedents. The navy department Irave been repeatedly and pressingly importuned to test the comparative merits of American hemp, sail duck, &c.; and in 1828, the naval board of commissioners made a full report on the subject, which was immediately tollowed by a law imposing the heavy and oppressive duty of £45 per ton on manufactured hemp, until the 30th June, 1829, and $5 per ton, annually, until the duty shall be $60 per ton. A similar call was made in 1827, and responded to in 1828, by the secretary of the trea sury, on the culture of silk. If I mistake not, a resolution was adopted by the house of representatives at the last session of congress, directing the secretary of the treasury to digest a plan for supplying the American navy with cordage and canvass of domestic produce and manufacture. The request I make is at least as humble; it is only to an article aiready within your reach, to test its usefulness and importance. times I have been under the necessity of standing my own underwriter to the amount of $100,000 on a single vessel-thus situated, every attention was bestowed on the outfit of the vessel, but at this time I was not acquainted with the great value of cotton duck. It was during our late war with Great Britain, that it began to be introduced, and my first knowledge of it was in about 1813, by being used on a Baltimore schoonIf the result of the experiment should be, as I most er, called the Tuckahoe, and which vessel, in conseconfidently expect, its importance to the nation will be quence, had the reputation of outsailing all the other vast indeed. It would increase the demand for almost Baltimore schooners. In 1815, I built two fine schoondouble the amount of cotton now annually produced in ers, burthen about 200 tons each, the one called the Rosthe United States. If successful here, it would be speed-sie and the other the Plattsburg, both these vessel's ily adopted by the navigating interest of other countries, principal sails were made of cotton duck, and fully anand increase the demand, and open a market for that swered expectation as far as heard from,-both being product to an amount beyond the reach of calculation.- uncommon fast sailing vessels, and in which I consider Hemp can be profitably cultivated only on a few rich al- the cotton duck had a principal sbare; in the year 1823 I luvial spots or veins of land, but cotton, (not unequally build the fast sailing schooner Yellott, burthen about burthened as it now is) would yield to honest industry, 180 tons, and this vessel's sails were entirely made of wealth and comfort, from the 56th degree of north lati- | cotton, both light and heavy sails: her reputation for tude to the utmost verge of our southern and southwest- sailing is not exceeded, if equalled, by any vessel of her ern limits. The wealth added to the general stock of class. She has made two voyages around Cape Horn national riches by the cultivation of hemp is small indeed with cotton duck, and two to Smyrna; none but cotton according to the treasury reports from 1818 to 1827, in- duck has ever been used during those voyages, and so clusive. During the latter year the exports of hemp, fully satisfied am I with cotton duck, that I shall never canvass and cordage, amounted only to $63,074, but the permit any other to to be used on board my vessels, as I exports of cotton, during the same year, from seven am fully convinced that it is far superior to all other states only, amounted to $29,359,540; that article alone duck, without exception. In the first place the cost is being of greater value than all other exports or all other rather under the best Holland duck-second, that it states together, and yielding, by the duties imposed upon will outlast any other duck, as it never mildews-third, its returning exchanged value, more than half the reve- that a vessel with a suit of cotton duck sails, will sail nue of this government. But however advantageous the nearly a mile per hour faster that with sails of any other experiment may prove to a particular section of our coun- description-this fact is so well established, that all the try, I admit that it can properly be asked for or expected fast sailing boats in the Chesapeake bay, as Mr. Hooper, on the ground alone of national interest. a respectable sail makro, this place, has just informed In the present case the result can be of no local or sec-me, have no other sails than cotton duck, Mr. James tional interest; unless it proves useful and beneficial to the nation. The former will depend upon, and be the consequence alone of the latter. Its success and future triumph will require no aid from legislation, no exclusive privileges for itself or burthens upon the industry, or encroachments upon the rights of others. I herewith enclose you a part of the testimony I have received, and have the honor, &c. &c. Navy Department, Aug. 24th, 1829. Sin: I have received your communication of the 12th jast, containing your views of the expediency of introducing into our navy the use of cotton canvass. The testimonials presented by you, from highly respectable sources, of the result of various experiments in the merchant service, added to the trial of a topsail of that material, during the late cruise of the sloop of war Boston, are sufficiently satisfactory to authorize a more extended experiment. The fitness of this great staple of our country for the manufacture of canvass, suitable for naval purposes, shall, as it deserves, be fully and fairly tested. I have accordingly, with the approbation of the president ordered a full suit of sails for the sloop of war Peacock, now fitting for sea, to be made of cotton canvass. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. Hon. Warren R. Davis. JNO. BRANCH. Copy of a letter from Isaac Mc Kim, esq. to Warren R. Cooper, a highly respectable pilot for the port of Charleston, has informed me, in a conversation respecting cotton duck, within a few days past, that he was obliged to use cotton duck in self-defence, as he found the other pilot boats laid nearer to the wind with cotton duck sails, and outsailed his boat, but when he put the cotton duck on her, she outsailed them. Captain Kelly's fine ship Peruvian, built in this port, has made 4 voyages around Cape Horn with no other sails than cotton duck-he prefers it to all other canvass, as to its lasting and increasing the sailing of his ship. I saw a sail on board the other day, which had made the above voyages, and looked quite well-he has promised me a certificate respecting the wear of the Peruvian's sails, which, when received, I will send you. I am much pleased to hear that the secretary of the navy has it in contemplation to make an experiment of cotton duck. I am fully persuaded that it will succeed if attempted, and that it will be a great step for the country, the navy, and all concerned. As it respect the navy, it will give them the capacity of outsailing or catching their enemies, as may best suit the occasion; but I hope the experiment will be fairly made, that is, let a sloop of war, or a frigate, have an entire suit of sails (both light and heavy sails) made of cotton duck, and go out in company with another sloop of war or frigate with the canvass now in use in the navy, and have a trial of sailing-after this has been done, let the vessel with the cotton duck sails unbend them, and put to the yards the canvass now in use, when the difference in point of sailing will be perceived, As for the cost of the experiment, it is not worth mentioning-the sails will not be lost, Baltimore, Aug. 15th, 1829. and in justice to the country the experiment ought to be I received this morning your letter of the 13th instant, made without delay; there is only one objection to the requesting my experience and opinion respecting cotton use of cotton duck, which requires consideration; and duck, which I shall give with great candor, as I have no that is, whether it is more likely to take fire in time of interest in the use of cotton duck, farther than the gene-action than other canvass-in answer to this, I say, let ral interest of the country. Having been constantly en- a fair experiment be made at the navy yard, Washington, gaged in the shipping business as owner, for about 30 under the inspection of the president, secretary, and all years past, and particularly in fast sailing Baltimore concerned.-My plan would be to have an old mast rigschooners, my attention has been constantly applied to ged with shrouds, &c. with a fore yard and cotton duck whatever would improve their speed in sailing, as those sal affixed thereto, and a similar mast and fore yard with vessels are generally employed in such voyages where foresail affixed to the canvass now in use by the navyevery thing depends on fast sading; and when the Brit then let as many 24 pounders be fired at those sails at ish orders in council were in force, France was prine- such distance as the wads would strike, and see which pally supplied with colonial produce by this description sail caught fire first-the only way to meet objections is of vessels under French imperial permits--and some- to have the experiment made to test them. As to the |