USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. I > Part 40
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This was a contest between slavery and freedom, or slave labor and free labor. The South, failing to secure a predominance in the government by the failure to elect their choice for chief magistrate, resorted to the force of arms, and by the result the power of the North was greatly strengthened.
The changes in the tariff since have been mainly governed by the necessities of the country and not by sectional interests, however much they favor the interest of manu- factures.
Although the question of free and slave labor has been definitely closed, yet not so the question of labor with that of capital.
The tendency at the present time is to bring into opposition those who produce from the soil and those of the manufacturing interest. At present this latter question appears at the West and South, to be uniting under the name of "Grangers," for the purpose, as set forth, to oppose railroad monopoly; but the under current is teuding against the tariff system as a source of protection to the manufacturing interest.
Incidentat protection to manufactures is unavoidable, so long as our national debt con- tinues at its present magnitude, and it must be much reduced before any considerable change in our present tariff can be made; still, the tendency of the time is to raise a new issue of a local character, which will be likely to create sectional animosity between the West and North. The tendency to railroad monopoly is a serious evil, and will no doubt command the especial attention of all political parties; but this, so far as relates to fares for passengers, will not be so essential as affecting the great producing interest.
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later was confined to the spinning of yarns; all the cloth woven at this period was by families, a process long existing as a necessity for preparing clothing for domestic purposes.
As the yarns accumulated on his hands, Mr. Slater availed himself at a later period of this family process, making cloth by hand-loom, which was about the time he erected his works at this place. This mode was soon superseded by the inven- tion and introduction of the power-loom, operated by water, introduced into the United States by the Waltham Manufac- turing Company, in the year 1814, but did not generally pre- vail until eight or ten years later.
Up to 1798 he operated the first old mill, at Pawtucket, in company with William Almy and Smith Brown; but through his connection with the family of Oziel Wilkinson, whose daughter he married, October 2, 1791, he introduced into his cotton business Timothy Green and William Wilkinson, who had married his wife's sisters, and his father-in-law, who formed a new company in this business, and erected the second cotton-mill at Pawtucket, on the east side of the river, Mr. Slater furnishing one half of the capital.
The Wilkinson family possessed a natural genius for the science of mechanics, and at the time Mr. Slater made his acquaintance with them, the elder (Oziel Wilkinson) was a blacksmith; but having an inventive mind, he had introduced the manufacture of steel from iron, known as blister steel, and
As that the high rates of freight which may prove a severe burden in making exchanges between the sea-board and the interior. will continue to be a source of ill-feeling between the Eastern and Western sections of the country, and particularly for the reason that the capital engaged in that great enterprise is owned mostly at the East.
On reflecting upon this subject, with a view to a remedy for reducing the cost of trans- portation, the idea has been suggested that roads should be constructed exclusively for the transport of products to and from the interior to the sea-board, with double tracks, to be free for the use of any and all parties at a very moderate rate of toll to run upon them. These roads to be operated only at a speed of eight to ten miles the hour, which would be a great saving of expense of repairs to the roads, and also in the cost of running trains. Such roads should be owned by the general government; and were the repairs of such roads to be exclusively at the expense of the government it would save tolls, and greatly reduce cost of transportation.
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through his knowledge and the skill of his sons he derived much aid. His family consisted of three daughters, married as aforesaid, and five sons-David, Daniel, Isaac, Abraham, and Smith Wilkinson-all engaged in the business of cotton manu- facture.
Oziel Wilkinson, his two sons-in-law, before named, and his tive sons, with James Christie and William Rhodes, united, in 1806, and formed the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, on the Qninebang, at the place then known as "Cargill's Mills." They bought here, in 1806, about 1,000 acres of land, and invested, in the two following years, sixty thousand dollars.
At the time of the commencement of the British war in 1812, Mr. Slater had arrived at a degree of success in the cotton manufacture, that enabled him to reap great advantage from the high price of fabrics, consequent upon closing the markets of the country against European goods.
He had previously (in 1806) invited his brother, John, to come to this country, who came and united with him and his partners, Brown & Almy, and erected the cotton-mill at Smithfield in the years 1806 and 1807, each having one fourth interest.
It has been seen by the foregoing purchases of the farm lands and water-power by Mr. Slater at Webster, and his ad- vancement here in both the wool and cotton manufacture, his perception regarding the future result was ample. He fore- saw that a rapid advance of population would follow: conse- quently as rapid an advance in the surrounding lands ; further- more, it enabled him to control the principal affairs of the place, and to prevent any intrusion upon his plans.
As has before been stated, one object in establishing mills in this interior was to introduce his yarn for weaving into cloth. While at Pawtucket his manufacture was principally yarn for sale, but now his plan was to produce cloth. The process for effecting this was to consign his yarn to country
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traders, and they to introduce the same among the wives and danghters of farmers and mechanics, to be woven into cloth.
This plan was successful; it was deemed a favor by the female department of families to obtain this yarn for weaving, as it enabled them to earn the means to pay the merchants for their necessary supplies. Each merchant distributed these yarns over a tract of six to ten miles from his store. The usual price paid for taking away the yarn and returning it in eloth was 4 cents per yard for & yard wide plain cloth ; 6 cents for 4-4th wide do; 6 cents for & wide stripes; 8 cents for ? wide plaids ; 10 cents for ? wide bed-tieks; and 12} cents for 4-4th wide do. This business continued from about 1812 to 1823.
The power-loom introduced in 1814, as before stated, did not supersede the hand-loom in this connection until about ten years later. But the carding, spinning, and weaving in families for domestic purposes was not displaced by the power-loom for many years after factories had ceased to employ the hand- loom for weaving their yarns.
The weaving of woolen yarn, by the manufacturers of wool cloth, by the hand-loom was continued till about 1823, when it was generally abandoned by substituting the power-loom for weaving these fabrics.
The persons employed by manufacturers for weaving woolen cloth by the hand-loom were generally English operatives, who, as a class, were ignorant about all things but their trade of weaving, and much inclined to intemperance, which introduced a elass of population about each establishment no ways credit- able to morals or respectable society. When the power-loom was introduced this class regarded it as an infringement upon their rights, and in many instances their opposition caused a serious disturbance of the peace.
This disturbance was but another example of what is some- times called " Conservatism." All progress is but change from
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past usefulness to new or better theories or principles, and is generally the product of that which is most valuable either in science or art.
It is worthy of remark in connection with an historical sketch of the life and labors of Samuel Slater, that a remark- able coincidence exists between the time of his coming to America, to found the system of manufacturing of cotton wool by machinery propelled by water-power, and the perfecting of the mode of culture of the cotton-plant, its commencement as an article of export as an American product, and the invention of the cotton-gin by Eli Whitney.
The date of Mr. Slater's coming to America is nearly iden- tical with the first exports of raw cotton as an American prod- net, and not till abont that time had the process for cultivating the cotton-plant been so successful as to make it an object to continue its growth to any considerable extent, nor could that cultivation have ever been largely increased as a profitable source of industry without the invention of the machine by Eli Whitney, or one of a similar character, to fit and prepare the cotton at little expense so as to admit of its extensive use for manufacture or export.
Thus it is clearly seen that it was by these contemporane- ous results that the product from the cotton-plant has become a vast source of wealth and industry ; not alone applicable to those who cultivate the soil, but to those who toil or invest in manufacturing establishments, for converting this fibrous ma- terial into many valuable forms of both elegance and utility, and to those " who go down to the sea in ships," dotting every ocean and inlet with the universal emblems of commerce.
There were some small lots of cotton cultivated in Sonth Carolina which appear among her exports as early as the year 1748, and some in 1754, and again in 1770 ; but the perma- nent establishment of the culture of cotton in this country was not until abont 1787, from which period may be traced the
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continuous and rapid increase of this staple, as a product of the Southern States of this Union.
While the year 1791 may be taken as the date for the com- mencement of the manufacture of cotton under the present system for the operation of machinery by water-power ; the year 1793 is given as the date of Mr. Whitney's invention of the cotton-gin.
Thus within a period of six years the grand practical prin- ciples were established, that brought into existence in the United States the vast industrial pursuits, the production, manufacture, and commerce, resulting from the cotton busi- ness.
Samuel Slater was born in the town of Belper, in the county of Derby, June 9, 1768, and entered upon his service with Jedediah Strutt, June 28, 1782, about the age of fourteen years.
Eli Whitney was born at Westborough, Worcester county, Massachusetts, December 8, 1765. He presented his petition for a patent of his invention the 20th of June, 1793-Mr. Jefferson, then the Secretary of State, and the seat of gov- ernment being at this time at Philadelphia-but the patent was not obtained until several months later.
He was a graduate of Yale college in 1792, married Hen- rietta, daughter of Pierpont Edwards, 1817, and died, Janu- ary 3, 1825. Two daughters and a son survived him.
Samuel Slater was not only the founder of the cotton man- ufacture in this country, but, unlike many who are able to dis- cover a principle, or to introduce an important discovery or invention, yet often are not competent to conduct the business or principle to a practical and successful issue, he possessed those qualities, and a persistency of purpose that enabled him to take the lead in the manufacturing business of the country, and to sustain this reputation by actual results, up to the time of his death, which, as before related, occurred in 1835.
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But in the midst of this high state of prosperity he had great misfortune and grief, in the loss of his beloved wife, in 1812, then in the 37th year of her age.
The children by this marriage, which was solemnized the 2d of October, 1791, were as follows :
William Slater, born. August 31, 1796; died, January 31, 1801
Elizabeth Slater, " November 15, 1798; November 4, 1801 Mary Slater, " September 28, 1801; August 19, 1803
Samuel Slater,
" September 18, 1802; July 14, 1821
George Bassett Slater, "
February 12, 1804; ٠، November 15, 1843
John Slater, May 23, 1805;
January 23, 1838
Horatio N. Slater,
March 5, 1808;
William Slater,
October 15, 1809;
Thomas Graham Slater, " September 19, 1812; 66 September 1825
1844
Mrs. Slater (Hannah Wilkinson) died soon after the birth of her last child. After about five years Mr. Slater married his second wife, Esther Parkinson, of Philadelphia ; the ceremony was performed by Rev. Joseph Pilmore, rector of St. Paul's church in that city.
She was the widow of Robert Parkinson, who had been an acquaintance of Mr. Slater many years, and this lady had known his former wife, who esteemed her very highly. The following is Mr. Slater's letter proposing this marriage :
" NORTH PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, September 23, 1817. " Mrs. Robert Parkinson, Widow, Philadelphia :
DEAR MADAM-As the Wise Disposer of all Events has seen fit in His wisdom to place you and me in a single state, notwithstanding, none of his decrees have gone forth which compels either of ns to remain in a state of widowhood.
"Therefore, under these and other circumstances, I now take the liberty to address yon on a momentous subject. I have been inclined for some time past to change my situation in life, and have at times named you to my brother and sister for a partner, who have invariably recommended you as suitable, and have fully acquiesced with my ideas on the subject. Now, if you are under no obligations to any one, and weighing the subject fully, you should think that you can spend the remainder of your days with me, I hope you will not feel reluctant in
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writing me soon to that effect. You need not be abashed in any degree to express your mind on this business, for I trust years have taught me to receive your reply favorably, if my understanding has not. I have six sous to comfort you with ; the eldest is about fifteen years ; he has been at Oxford about a year (not Oxford in England); the youngest is in his sixth year; I believe they are all compos mentis, and they are as active as any six boys, although they are mine. Cousin Mary is now down from Ludlow on a visit ; she has a noble corpulent son about six months old. I should have divulged my intentions to you months past had not my brother given me to understand that he expected you daily on this way on a visit.
" Probably you may consider me rather blunt in this business; hope you will attribute that to the country that gave me birth. I consider myself a plain, candid Englishman, and hope and trust you will be candid enough to write me a short answer, at least, whether it be in the affirmative or negative ; and should it be in the negative, I stand ready and willing to render you all the advice and assistance in my power relative to settling your worldly matters.
" With due respect, as a friend and countryman, I am, dear madam, your well-wisher,
"SAMUEL SLATER. " N. B .- Hope you are a Freemason as respects secrets."
Mr. Slater, in this letter, exhibits his character very truth- fully. He says, very truly :
" I consider myself a plain, candid Englishman."
He was frank and direct in his letters, and in his actions, naturally benevolent and kind of heart, and particularly to his countrymen, to whom he was always ready to give good advice, and often pecuniary aid. His disbursements in this way were free from ostentation, and often in private, and generally with words of kindness and encouragement.
It is proper to remark further respecting the manufacturing interest in this town, that, as heretofore, it having been the chief source of growth and prosperity, there has never been a time when that business was so extensively carried on as now ; and it is believed under the entire control and ownership of Samuel Slater & Sons, by which style the business has been conducted since, as before Mr. Samuel Slater's decease in 1835.
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The product of these mills, both cotton and wool manufac- tures, it is understood, exceeds annually over three millions of dollars. . And while the firm buys all its raw material and at- tends exclusively to every department of the productive power, they have their own warehouse in New York, where they dispose of all these various manufactures. There is one chief head, Horatio N. Slater, Esq., who direets all and keeps a close and careful supervision of every department of this complicated but nicely diversified system of business. By passing through the various parts of this establishment, any person accustomed to seeing and managing business methodi- cally will readily discover that great exactness prevails in all its parts, and so wonderfully adjusted, that the numerous parts shall combine, with that perfection which shall produce com- plete results in the most economical manner.
The design is to produce goods of the best and most perfect quality of the description intended to be made, and in that re- spect they have so well succeeded, that their manufactures have a known reputation as such in every market of the country, enabling them to dispose of their product with great facility and at remunerating values.
From the commencement of the cotton manufacture by the founder of this branch of domestic industry, the policy has been nothing for show, but all for utility ; thus you witness no vast piles of brick and mortar and elegant displays of archi- tecture, but plain works suitably adapted to produce the best results in the business there to be conducted. Such has here- tofore been and is now the character of this immense estab- lishment.
There are three grand compartments in this business-as conducted-known as the east, the south, and the north villages.
The east is the place of residence formerly of Mr. Samuel Slater, and now of Horatio N. Slater, Esq. It was here that
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Mr. Slater, through Mr. Bela Tiffany, as before stated, began his first operations, which, during the past sixty years, have increased to their present magnitude, and since radiated and produced the other villages, as before described.
As before remarked, when Mr. Slater made here his first purchases, it was but the outskirts of three towns-Oxford, Dudley, and Thompson ; and, as Mr. Tiffany wrote in his let- ter to Mr. Slater, when he made his first visit for examination, with a view to establish the cotton business here, "The prin- cipal objection is, in my opinion, that it is the most benighted part of the globe."
All that was then to be seen (in 1811) was a few small farms, which were but poorly managed, and a grist-mill, saw- mill, and blacksmith shop, as the extent of the improvements of this water-power, and that only to a very moderate extent.
As then seen, all the territory in the vicinity evinced a poor quality of soil, and very rocky, giving a barren and unpro- ductive appearance. In most instances the original growth of the forests had been cut off, leaving a scattered and unsightly undergrowth, all betokening unthriftiness and general lack of enterprise. But to the present beholder a wonderful change has come over all the former dilapidated state of this region. Much of the change respecting the general face of the lands has taken place within the last ten or fifteen years. Now, instead of the unsightly and repelling aspect formerly ex- hibited, everything connected with the farm lands of this firm, and that includes all the territory surrounding the three villages and the intermediate vicinity, constituting several thousand acres of ground, all is found in a high state of cul- tivation, exhibiting good taste in all the arrangements. In- stead of the small lots into which this vicinity had been divided by unsightly walls, piled promiscuously to dispose of the superabundance of stone that covered these grounds, may be
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seen vast lawns, or meadows, where grass is grown for sup- plying hay for an extensive herd of cattle of superior breed.
In the rear of Mr. Slater's residence, which he styles his back-door yard, is one hundred acres or more of highly-culti- vated ground, coming up to the rear of his house, with the back-door opening immediately upon the same. This is beau- tifully diversified by undulations, presenting to the eye, as far as it can reach, in a west and north-westerly direction, gentle slopes and valleys of the most charming and delightful character. This is one vast mowing-field, with here and there a barn to be seen in the distance, located on the sides of the hills, where the loads of hay driven upon the high part of the surrounding grounds can be easily transferred to the spacious compart- ments of the barn below, to be removed in the seasons when required to the stock barns in another part, distinct from these depositories in the fields. The object of the separate location of these hay depositories, is not only for convenience in rapidly storing hay, in the haymaking season, but to guard against loss by fire.
There is not only good taste and an adaptation for economi- cal management, but a completeness of arrangement for con- ducting the business of this large tract of land, and providing for this large herd of cattle, which consists of about 100 of the breed known as the short-horn Durham; of which about eighty are cows, with several yoke of fine oxen, and four or five excellent specimens of bulls.
All, it was noticed, were in fine flesh, large and well-pro- portioned, indicating the best attention for their welfare.
The large and commodious buildings used for stabling these animals and preparing their feed is a place worthy of the at- tention of all stock farmers. Here also may be witnessed both convenience of arrangement and economy, in the preparation and distribution of feed to the different classes of this large herd, where all is done in the best manner and without waste
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of material used. The mode for feeding is what is styled cut feed, hay being eut fine, and then mixed with corn-meal, boiled and made into mush in large kettles set for that purpose, where, between the quantity of cut hay on one side and the inush-kettles on the other, an oblong box is run upon an iron railway track a few feet below, to admit of an easy and con- venient deposit of this prepared feed therein, which box is then run over the railway to the stalls of the herd, and fed to the right and left, with much dispatch, into eribs before each sepa- rate animal.
This large herd of cows is a wise provision for the supply of the best of milk to the mummerous operatives that labor in the mills of the three villages, and the laborers connected with the farm and dairy establishment.
Another provision for the numerous dependents, who look to this firm for sustenance, is their large variety stores, where all descriptions of merchandise are provided that is required, either for clothing, food, or convenience, of good quality, and at fair prices ; these supplies are kept in each of the villages, although the chief depot is at the south village, from which the east and north villages receive their share.
There seems nothing wanting in all the detail of arrange- ments by this firm for forming a completeness, whether in their system of manufacture, their farming, or the conveniences that accommodate all engaged in their behalf.
Mr. Horatio N. Slater labored many years and expended much capital for bringing railroad accommodation to his mills, which undertaking was accomplished in 1866 by a branch of the Boston, Hartford, and Erie road, which continues from this place across the rising ground, westerly, to the valley of the Quinebang, and thence along the margin of that river to its termination at Southbridge.
The Norwich and Worcester railroad passes a short distance west of the Slaters' villages, passing through a part of the
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north and south villages before named; but the depot of that road, near the margin of the French river, abont half a mile from the south village, and located on land away from the Slater territory, has caused the principal village of the town to grow up in that vicinity.
This has been produced, as has been understood, partly from the aversion of this firm to part with any of their lands, with the view of keeping their large operations under their control, and free from intrusion from the ordinary town busi- ness affairs.
As now located, their three villages are isolated from the town village, where there is a remarkable quietness, consider- ing the vast and diversified business here conducted.
In the midst of this large establishment no disturbing ele- ment appears, and the whole in the perfection of its manage- ment may be likened to one large and well-conducted family, where the head is not only respected but regarded with attach- ment and pride, as the patriarch and father.
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