USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 39
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Mr. Samuel Slater made this town his residence many years, and died here on the 20th of April, 1835, aged 67. No man of his time engaged in business in this country was more gen-
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erally known or maintained more highly his integrity for fair and honorable dealing, or whose moral worth was more highly regarded. His naturally kind feelings inclined him to acts of benevolence, and no one with a just claim for favor left him without partaking of his liberality.
The extensive manufacturing business systematized and con- ducted here advantageously by Mr. Slater has since been carried on under the direction of his son, Horatio N. Slater, Esq., with equal success, for the joint benefit of the surviving heirs, and of whom it may be said that he ably sustains all the valuable characteristics of his father.
The rise and progress of this business has made the town of Webster; and whatever belongs to its history and that of this family, is but a part of the history of this town; and thus both must be treated in such connection.
It is known by persons generally acquainted with the his- tory of American manufactures, particularly of the cotton manufacture in the United States, that Mr. Slater was by birth an Englishman, and continued to reside in his native country until he arrived at the age of manhood.
During the period from the age of fourteen years to that of twenty-one he served an apprenticeship with Jedediah Strutt, an eminent cotton manufacturer, who was associated in a partnership in this business with the celebrated inventor of the water-power spinning machinery, Richard Arkwright.
It was during this apprenticeship that young Slater beamce an expert by his close application and attention to all parts, with both the manufacture of the machinery, and of the cotton by the same ; that made him in every respect a competent manufac- turer of cotton, and of the machinery upon which the goods were made.
He had served in all its parts, from the beginning with the raw cotton through the different processes till yarn was pro- duced. He also worked at the manufacture of the machinery
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upon which this process was carried on ; was a practical me- chanic, and understood perfectly the mode of construction of all its parts, through the picking, carding, roping, and spin- ning; which knowledge was the capital he employed in com- mencing his successful career of business in America.
Mr. Slater proved himself a practical example that knowl- edge is power ; and no better example can be found for the rising youth of our country? It demonstrates the problem that self-reliance and an application of individual power is far more sure of success and ultimate eminence and respectability than all the inherited wealth or character of renowned an- cestry.
When about completing his seven years of apprenticeship, there fell under his notice an offer of a premium from parties in Philadelphia for any person who could introduce the Ark- wright machinery into the United States, and other notices of the demand for skilled labor in this branch of manufacture. This circumstance attracted his attention to the advantages to be gained by the knowledge he possessed, by turning it to account in the rising business in this new government.
Under the English laws he knew he could not take with him any models or tools, or even drafts, without great haz- ard, and having decided to embark for America, he left his native land as a plain country farmer ; but when ready to sail placed a letter in the post for his mother (his father having deceased when he was but fourteen years of age), informing her that he had left the country for the United States. He left Derbyshire, his native place, for London, September 1, 1789 ; on the 13th sailed for New York, and after sixty-six days ar- rived in that city. He soon became acquainted with the New York Manufacturing Company, and engaged in their business ; but this proved unsatisfactory to him.
While here, through an introduction to a captain of a Pro- vidence packet, he learned of Moses Brown, who was engaged
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in the cotton manufacture at Providence. He had thought of going to Philadelphia, but, through the advice of this captain, he addressed the following letter to Mr. Brown :
"NEW YORK, December 2, 1789.
"SIR-A few days ago I was informed that you wanted a manager of cotton, spinning, &c., in which business I flatter myself that I can give the greatest satisfaction in making machinery, making good yarn, either for stockings, or for twist, as any that is made in England, as I have had opportunity, and an oversight of Sir Richard Arkwright's works, and in Mr. Strutt's mill, upwards of eight years. If you are not provided for, should be glad to serve you, though I am in the New York manufactory, and have been three weeks since I arrived from England. But we have but one card, two machines, two spinning jennies, which I think are not worth using. My encouragement is pretty good, but should much rather have the care of the perpetual carding and spinning. My inten- tion is to erect a perpetual carding and spinning (meaning the Ark- wright patents). If you please to drop a line respecting the amount of encouragement you wish to give, by favor of Captain Brown, you will much oblige, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
"SAMUEL SLATER.
" P. S .- Please to direct to me at No. 37 Golden Hill, New York. "Mr. Brown, Providence."
Mr. Brown replied as follows :
" PROVIDENCE, 10th, 12th month, 1789.
"FRIEND-I received thine of 2d instant, and observe its contents. I, or rather Alny & Brown, who have the business in the cotton line which I began, one being my son-in-law and the other a kinsman, want the assistance of a person skilled in the frame or water spinning. An experiment has been made, which has failed, no person being acquainted with the business, and the frames imperfect.
We are destitute of a person acquainted with water-frame spinning; thy being already engaged in a factory with many able proprietors, we can hardly suppose we can give thee encouragement adequate to leaving thy present employ. As the frame we have is the first attempt of the kind that has been made in America, it is too imperfect to afford much encouragement ; we hardly know what to say to thee, but if thou thought thou couldst perfect and conduct them to profit, if thou will come and do it, thou shalt have all the profits made of them over and above the interest on the money they cost, and the wear and tear of them. We will find stock, and be repaid in yarn as we may agree, for six months,
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And this we do for the information thou can give, if fully acquainted with the business. After this, if we find the business profitable, we can enlarge it, or before, if sufficient proof of it be had on trial, and can make any further agreement that may appear best and agreeable on all sides. We have secured only a temporary water convenience ; but, if we find the business profitable, can perpetuate one that is convenient. If thy prospects should be better, and thou should know of any other per- son unengaged, should be obliged to thee to mention us to him. In the mean time, shall be glad to be informed whether thou come or not. If thy present situation does not come up to what thou wishest, and, from thy knowledge of business, can be ascertained of the advantages of the mills, so as to induce thee to come and work ours, and have the credit as well as the advantage of perfecting the first mill in America, we should be glad to engage thy care so long as it can be made profitable to both, and we can agree. I am, for myself and Almy & Brown, thy friend,
" MOSES BROWN.
"Samuel Slater, at 37 Golden Hill, New York."
Mr. Slater having received the above letter, and considered the inducements it appeared to hold out to him, decided to visit Providence, to have a personal interview with Mr. Brown and his partners, and left New York in January, 1790, for that purpose.
On arriving at Providence, and meeting Mr. Brown, he as- sured him that he was capable of performing all he had promised by his letter, and as corroborate evidence he exhib- ited to him his indenture with Mr. Strutt, who spun at that time the best yarn in England.
He then visited, with Mr. Brown, the mill and machinery (such as it was) at Pawtucket. On sight of this he shook his head, and exhibited much disappointment. He said, "These will not do ; they are good for nothing; nor can they be made of any value for making yarn; they are only valuable for old iron."
After some consultation on the subject, it was proposed and agreed between the parties that Mr. Slater should construct a set of the Arkwright machines for manufacturing cotton into yarn, with the promise of a suitable mechanic to aid
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him, who was competent to work on the part to be made of wood. " With such assistance," said he, " if I do not make as good yarn as they do in England, I will have nothing for my services." Upon this understanding a contract was made under the following
" AGREEMENT.
" This agreement, made between William Almy and Smith Brown of the one part, and Samuel Slater of the other part, Witnesseth : That the said parties have mutually agreed to be concerned together, in and to carry on the spinning of cotton by water (of which the said Samuel professes himself a workman well skilled in all its branches), upon the following terms, viz. : That the said Almy and Brown, on their part, are to turn in the machinery which they have already purchased, at the price it cost them, and to furnish materials for the building of two carding- machines (a breaker and finisher), a drawing and roving machine; and to extend the spinning-mills, or frames, to 100 spindles.
" And the said Samuel, on his part, covenants and agrees to devote his whole time and service, and to exert his skill according to the best of his abilities, and have the same effected in a workmanlike manner, sim- ilar to those used in England, for the like purpose. And it is mutually agreed between the said parties that the said Samuel shall be considered as owner and proprietor in one half of the machinery aforesaid, and ac- countable for one half of the expense that hath arisen, or shall arise, from the building, purchasing, or repairing of the same; but not to sell or in any manner dispose of any part or parcel thereof, to any other per- son or persons, excepting the said Almy and Brown; neither shall any others be entitled to hold any right, interest, or claim in any part of the said machinery, by virtue of any right which the said Slater shall or may derive from these presents, unless by an agreement expressed in writing from the said Almy and Brown-first had and obtained-unless the said Slater has punctually paid one half of the cost of the said ma- chinery, with interest thereon; nor then, until he has offered the same to the said Almy and Brown in writing upon the lowest terms, that he will sell or dispose of his part of the said machinery to any other person -- and instructed the said Almy and Brown, or some others by them ap- pointed, in the full and perfect knowledge of the use of the machinery and the art of water-spinning.
"And it is further agreed, that the said Samuel, as a full and ade- quate compensation for his whole time and services, both while in con- structing and making the machinery, and in conducting and executing the spinning, and preparing to spin on the same, after every expense
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arising from the business is defrayed, including the usual commissions of two and a half per cent. for purchasing the stock, and four per cent. for disposing of the yarn, shall receive one half of the profits, which shall be ascertained by settlement from time to time, as occasion may require ; and the said Almy and Brown the other half; the said Almy and Brown to be employed in the purchasing of the stock and disposing of the yarn.
" And it is further covenanted, that this indenture shall make void and supersede other articles of agreement between the said Almy and Brown and the said Slater, and that it shall be considered to commence, and the conditions mentioned in it be binding upon the parties from the beginning of the business; the said Samuel to be at the expense of his own time and board from thenceforward.
"And it is also agreed that if the said Almy and Brown choose to put an apprentice to the business, that they have liberty to do so. The ex- penses arising from the maintenance of whom, and the advantages derived from their services during the time the said Almy and Brown may think proper to continue them in the business, shall be equally borne and received as is above provided for the expense and profits of the business. It is also to be understood, that whatever is advanced by the said Almy and Brown, either for the said Slater, or to carry on his part of the business, is to be repaid them with interest thereon, for which purpose they are to receive all the yarn that may be made, the one half of which on their own account, and the other half they are to receive and dispose of on account of the said Slater, the net proceeds of which they are to credit him, towards their advance, and stocking his part of the works, so that the business may go forward.
"In witness whereof, the parties to these presents have interchange- ably set their hands this fifth day of the fourth month, seventeen hun- dred and ninety.
" Witness :
"OZIEL WILKINSON,
"WM. ALMY,
" ABRAHAM WILKINSON.
" SMITH BROWN.
"SAMUEL SLATER."
It took nearly one year for Mr. Slater to complete the machines according to the foregoing agreement.
The following letter (being a part of one written by Moses Brown to John Dexter, of the Beverly cotton-mill) will show nearly the time when Mr. Slater begun spinning yarn from cotton at Pawtucket; the first spun by water-power in America :
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"PROVIDENCE, 19th of 4th month, 1791.
" My son-in-law, William Almy, has handed me three sizes of cotton yarn ; a lay of each I inclose for your inspection. Almy & Brown, who conduct the business of cotton manufactory, with an English workman from Arkwright's works (have often fourteen laborers of the various mechanics necessary), completed the water-spinning machines to the perfection as to make the inclosed yarn, the former mule which I had purchased, made from the State's model at Bridgewater, proving not to answer. The weavers inform me the yarn works better (Slater's yarn) than any linen they have had, and takes less trouble to warp and weave it.
" As the doubling and twisting mill, by water, is not as yet ready, Almy & Brown have had a number of pieces of thicksets and fancy goods, made of single warps, which appear much superior to any linen warps.
" The two coarsest inclosed answer this purpose; the finest would answer for cords, velvets, etc., when doubled and twisted. If you should incline to try some warps, they can supply you with almost any size, weekly, monthly, or quarterly; that of about twelve skeins to the pound at 6d. per skein of 1,200 yards.
" Coarser or finer will vary some. As we find that warps can not be made equally as good on jennies, and apprehending that you wish to perfect the cotton manufacture, so as to preclude foreign manufacture, induces us to make the offer of supplying you in preference to any other works.
" Thy or the company's answer will be attended to by Almy & Brown, and thy friend,
" MOSES BROWN.
"P. S .- To be communicated to the proprietors of Beverly Factory."*
Mr. Slater possessed none of the traits of character of the cockneys or ordinary English mechanics, or operatives, that usually find their way to this country.
While he had the most entire confidence in his skill and ability, he was modest in his deportment and cautious ; weigh- ing well the import of his promises and assertions, taking care
* The Beverly Cotton Manufacturing Company was incorporated, February 3, 1789, the first incorporated company, it is believed, in the United States, for the manufacture of either cotton or wool. The corporators were: John Cabot, George Cabot, Deborah Cabot, Andrew Cabot, Moses Brown, of Providence, Joshua Fisher, Israel Thorndike, James Leonard, Thomas Somers, Isaac Chapman, and Henry Higginson, to be named " The Proprietors of the Beverly Cotton Manufactory;" with a capital of £10,000 in real estate, and £80,000 personal estate.
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to excite no expectations that he could not bring to a full real- ization.
Thus when he had labored long and brought his machinery nearly to the point of moving and producing yarn from cot- ton of the perfection of that made in England upon the cele- brated Arkwright machinery, agreeably to what he had prom- ised, there was some slight defect that prevented the machin- ery from moving to accomplish the expected result.
To remedy this, he studied and examined all its parts, and yet for a time the machinery could not be moved. This unex- pected state of things gave him intense pain, mentally ; he knew he had acted honestly, and should he not succeed he had a dread of the idea of being thought an impostor, which would be likely to be imputed to him ; but fortunately, after sleeping over the difficulty, his mind was directed to a trifling part of the machinery which before had escaped his attention. This being placed in order the best and most perfect results that he had promised now followed. His mind was relieved, and to the great satisfaction of all parties concerned, yarn equal to that promised was produced. Some of the yarn which Mr. Slater first spun, and some cotton cloth, the first made in America from his yarn, was sent to the Secretary of the United States to be preserved in the Treasury department, the 15th of October, 1791, and was preserved there many years, and may possibly remain there at this time.
Previous to the arrival of Samuel Slater in this country, in 1789, there had been introduced into the United States, at Providence, New York, Beverly, Worcester, and Bridgewater, jennies, billies, and cards for spinning cotton into yarn ; these machines were of English invention, probably by James Hargraves, or perhaps Thomas Highs, or Lewis, Paul who preceded Sir Richard Arkwright; but these machines were of such an imperfect character as to preclude any valuable or profitable use of them, and it began to be regarded as doubt-
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ful by many as to the ability of our people competing in this manufacture, unless much greater improvement could be made in machinery adapted to the business.
Such was the state of the business when Mr. Slater first appeared in this field of enterprise, in the United States.
The remarks of the Hon. Tristam Burgess, of Rhode Island, on this subject, at a subsequent period, are appropriate in this connection :
" A circumstance worthy of the attention of the whole nation, and worthy also of a fair page in her history, is the art and mystery of mak- ing cloth with machinery moved by water-power. This was introduced into Rhode Island, and commenced in Pawtucket, four miles from Prov- idence, about the same time that the American system was established by the Impost law of July 4, 1789. Samuel Slater, an English mechanic of the first order of mental ability, brought this invention to Pawtucket. He could not bring out from England, models, drafts, or specifications. The whole art was treasured in his own mind; that alone, which could not be rummaged and pillaged by any custom-house officers. He, on his arrival, addressed himself to Oziel Wilkinson and sons."
This is a mistake, as Mr. Slater (as has before been stated) addressed himself first to Moses Brown (a man remarkable for his ability and energy, and also for his ardent feeling and enterprise, in favor of introducing this branch of manufacture into the United States), and his son-in-law, William Almy, and his nephew, Smith Brown ; but through the mechanical skill of Oziel Wilkinson and his sons, Mr. Slater, no doubt, derived much aid; and it is well known that when he es- tablished himself at Pawtucket he found his lodgings and board in this Mr. Wilkinson's family, and soon after married his daughter, which will be more particulary referred to in another place ; which alliance, with a mutual taste and labors in this line, formed a close intimacy and a strong and lasting friendship between Mr. Slater and this family.
"They (the Wilkinsons) were blacksmiths, whose hands were as skill- ful as their minds were intelligent and persevering. I have often thought
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Divine Providence directed Slater, and brought him to lay his project before the Wilkinsons, because he had not fitted any other men in this country with minds and abilities, either to see, and at once to compre- hend the immense benefit of it, or to understand and perform what must be understood and performed, to bring this scheme into full and perfect operation.
"The law of July 4, 1789, was enacted by the almost unanimous voice of the whole nation. By this law the great scheme was commenced.
"The law of protection, enacted in 1816, was equally national; men from the east, the north, the south, and the west, equally supported the measure. The bill was laid before the house by the lamented Lowndes, of South Carolina. It was advocated, in every stage of its progress, by another distinguished individual of the same State (John C. Calhoun). When it passed the house, Hall and Lumpkin, of Georgia, Canon and Powell, of Tennessee, Barret and Barbour, of Virginia, voted in favor of its passage. So far as the bill related to the cotton trade it was enacted with the sole view to the protection of that great and increasing in- terest.
" It was then known and acknowledged, though it seems now to be forgotten, that this law for the protection of the cotton trade was founded on a most able, luminous, and statesmanlike report, made to that Congress by the chairman of the committee on commerce, another distinguished gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Newton."> **
* The following are the dates and character of the several tariffs enacted by the Congress of the United States :
No. 1, July 4, 1789. Specific and ad valorem rates. The ad .valorem from 5 to 15 per cent. No. 2, August 10, 1790. Specific and ad valorem rates. The ad valorem range 3 to 1512 per cent., entitled, " An Act Making Further Provision for the Payment of the Debts of the Uni- ted States." The free list very small.
No. 3, March 3, 1791. This act only affected spirits paying specific duties.
No. 4, May 2, 1792. Specific and ad valorem rates; latter from 71/2 to 15 per cent. This act was for raising a sum of money to protect the frontiers and other purposes.
No. 5. June 7, 1794. Specific and ad valorem; latter from 10 to 20 per cent. The purpose for raising additional duties.
No. 6, January 29, 1795. This additional act affected but few articles. Specific 5, and ad valorem 10 to 20 per cent.
No. 7, March 3, 1797. This act affected but few articles. Specific 10, and the ad valorem 15 per cent.
No. 8, July 8, 1797. This act was duties on salt, 20 cts. per bushel.
No. 9, May 13, 1800. This act applied to few articles. Specific and ad valorem, the lat- ter 12/2 per cent.
No. 10, March 26, 1804. This was an addition of duties of 232 per cent. ad valorem, called the " Mediterrancan Fund," to pay expense of the war against the Barbary powers.
No. 11, March 27, 1804. This was specific altogether, and for collecting light money on foreign vessels.
No. 12, July 1, 1812. This act was for war purposes (called the " Last British War)," im- posing double duties upon all goods, wares, and merchandise from all countries. Vote, was in house, 76 yeas, 48 nays; senate, 20 yeas, 9 nays.
No. 13, July 29, 1813. This act levied 20 cts. per bushel of 56 pounds on salt; it also
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The first spinning-frame built by Mr. Slater, at Pawtucket, had but 24 spindles, but he added soon after 48 more, besides two carding-machines, and drawing and roping-machines, making a complete preparation for spinning.
granted a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to vessels employed in the fish- eries; this is the first act favoring fishermen and the fisheries.
No. 14, February 15, 1816. This act continued the act No. 12, imposing double duties of July 4, 1812; continued until June 30, 1817, and after that time until a new law shall be en- acted. This act did not take effect, being superseded by the act, April 27, 1816.
No. 15. April 27, 1816. Specific, minimum, and ad valorem, the latter ranging from 712 to 30 per cent. The whole tariff system was now remodeled. The minimum feature now for the first time was introduced and applied to cotton cloths of a certain description, and on cotton twist, yarn, and thread. This was the first tariff adopted as a protective act. Vote in house, 88 to 54 against; vote in senate, 25 to 7 against.
No. 16, April 20, 1818. This act only referred to seven articles paying specific duties.
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