The memorial history of Boston : including Suffolk County, Massachusetts. 1630-1880, Vol. IV, Part 10

Author: Winsor, Justin, 1831-1897, ed; Jewett, C. F. (Clarence F.), publisher
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Boston : Osgood
Number of Pages: 760

USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The memorial history of Boston : including Suffolk County, Massachusetts. 1630-1880, Vol. IV > Part 10

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In consequence of the petitions to the General Court, within a year or two of the close of the war various laws were passed imposing a tax upon certain imported articles of manufacture; these laws were consolidated and amended by extending the list, by an act passed July 2, 1785, by which an impost duty was laid upon most of the articles manufactured in Boston and vicinity.2

In 1788, manufacturing having revived but slightly, the patriotism of the people was put to new tests. The new Constitution had been submitted to the States, and it contained ample provisions for the regulation of commerce by Congress. At this time the manufacturers of Boston issued the following circular,3 which so clearly illustrates the spirit of the times relative to the industries of the country and of the influence of Boston, that it is given in full : -

GENTLEMEN, -

BOSTON, August 20, 1788.

We, being appointed by the association of tradesmen and manufacturers of the town of Boston to write to our brethren throughout the several States, do now address you on the very important and interesting subject of our own manufactures.

The late system of commerce, pursued since the peace, of importing such articles as can be manufactured among ourselves, tends to discourage the whole body of trades- men and manufacturers of these States, who depend, for the support of themselves and families, on their various occupations ; and this practice, unless speedily checked by the prudent exertions of those who are more particularly interested, must eventually prove ruinous to every mechanical branch in America.

1 R. C. Winthrop's Addresses and Speeches, vol. i. p. 119.

2 The following is the list, and shows the kinds of goods manufactured in and around Bos- ton in 1785 :-

Wrought pewter ; leather ; books ; nails ; boots and shoes; plated ware; soap; candles ; glue ; carriages, parts of; harnesses, web for; whips; canes ; carriage trimmings ; copper-plate furni- ture ; umbrellas ; muffs ; tippets; combs; beer ; ale ; porter ; clothing (excepting leather); fur- niture; woollen cloth; linen cloth ; stockings ; anchors ; carpenters' tools ; knives; bit for boring of pumps; carriage hoops and tire; mill saws ; scale beams; steel-yards ; spades and shovels ; hoes ; wrought-iron hand-irons; cast-iron ware ; shovel and tongs (pair) ; crows; spikes ; tackle;

hooks; thimbles ; scrapers; marling-spikes ; pumps and whaling gear ; wrought copper (not inc. sheet c) ; worms for stills ; hats (ex. beaver, beaveret, castor); loaf-sugar (reduced afterward); cordage ; cables ; yarns; wrought gold and silver ; cotton cards ; buckskin breeches ; leather breeches ; leather gloves; wash leather; painters' colors (in oil) ; playing cards ; tobacco (manufac- tured); paper-hangings; clocks; house-jacks ; spirits ; wines ; watches, gold and silver ; jew- elry and paste work ; gauzes ; lawns ; cambrics ; muslins; silks; hose ; mitts; gloves; handker- chiefs ; velvet ; flowers; feathers; shawls ; rib- bons; sarcenet ; wigs and hair work; tin ware ; starch ; hair powder; toys ; marble and china tile ; linseed oil.

8 See Carey's American Museum, iv. p. 347.

THE MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BOSTON.

Impressed with these sentiments, and finding the evil daily increasing, the trades- men and manufacturers of the town of Boston, awaked by a sense of the danger which threatened them, assembled to deliberate on measures to relieve themselves from the destructive tendency of such importations.

An association was accordingly formed, consisting of a representation from each branch; and in this body the whole manufacturing interest of this town becomes an object of general attention.

The first measure adopted by this association was to pass resolves respecting the importation of certain articles from Europe by our own merchants and numbers of British agents residing among us ; but knowing that nothing could be effected to any radical purpose unless we had the authority of the laws, we petitioned the Legislature of this State, praying that duties might be laid on the several articles enumerated in our petition. In consequence of which application, our Legislature complied in a great measure with our request, by enacting laws for the encouragement of industry and for promoting our own manufactures.

However, as we are sensible that our present situation requires an extensive co- operation to complete the purposes we wish, we take this method to bring forward a confederated exertion ; and doubt not, from a union of sentiment, the most perma- nent benefits may arise.

We therefore apply to you, Gentlemen, to lend us your assistance ; and, like a band of brothers whose interests are connected, we beg you to join in such measures to advance the general good as your prudence shall suggest, and your wisdom dictate.

We would, with submission, recommend an association of your tradesmen and manufacturers, formed upon the most extensive basis and supported upon the most liberal principles : we may then hope the manufactures of this country will flourish, when each man becomes interested not only in his own branch, but in those of his brethren. Encouraged by such extensive patronage, each individual will be animated to pursue his business with alacrity, knowing that he acts in concert with those on . whose friendship he can with confidence rely.

An association being established in your State, we shall be happy to correspond with ; and we flatter ourselves from this social intercourse a general harmony will pre- vail throughout the whole manufacturing interest of this country.

As we hope to experience the good effects of the late acts of our General Court, we should recommend a petition for a similar purpose to your Legislature ; and from the known disposition of your State to promote the welfare of America, we doubt not some plan will be devised by your general assembly to prevent the importation of such spe- cies of articles as are commonly manufactured in America.

We need not urge the necessity of some measures being immediately taken by the whole confederacy. The embarrassment of our navigation, the large debts con- tracted in Britain, and the remittances of our currency, - all serve to put every real friend to his country upon serious attention ; and if any mode can be adopted to remedy these evils, we are convinced no American will be backward in the cause, but will join heart and hand to promote the desirable purposes.

The means we propose, we conceive are calculated to put each State upon delibe- rating on a subject highly important to the manufacturing interest ; and we cannot but hope that some lasting benefits will accrue from the united voice of the tradesmen and manufacturers of America.

These States are so extensive in their boundaries, so various in their climate, and

THE INDUSTRIES OF THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS.

so connected in their national interests, that if a plan could be adopted throughout the confederation for the exchange of the produce and manufactures of each State, we conceive it would serve to cement a general union, and prove a means to promote the interest of the whole.

The Northern States might furnish many articles of manufactures which are now im- ported from Europe ; and in return might receive those supplies peculiar to the growth and climate of the Southern.

An association formed throughout the States upon so liberal a plan, would establish many extensive branches of manufacture ; and if prosecuted with spirit, would put this country above the humiliating state of lavishing her stores of wealth to promote the manufactures of Europe.

We wish you to communicate this letter to such towns of your State as you shall think proper.

We are, Gentlemen, with every sentiment of respect,

Your most obedient servants,

JOHN GRAY, GIBBINS SHARP, BENJAMIN AUSTIN, JR. SARSON BELCHER,

WILLIAM HAWES, JOSHUA WITHELE.

Such appeals had their effect, and when the first Congress under the New Constitution assembled in 1789, it turned its immediate attention to the pro- tection of manufactures. The second act passed by this first Congress was "For laying a duty on goods, wares, and merchandises imported into the United States." It is also worthy of notice that this act, which was passed July 4, 1789, contained a preamble as follows: "Whereas, it is necessary for the support of Government, for the discharge of the debts of the United States, and the encouragement and protection of manufactures, that duties be laid on goods, wares, and merchandises imported ; Be it enacted," etc.

Whatever may be our opinions to-day regarding protection and free-trade, the wisdom of the actions of the representative manufacturers of Boston, of our General Court, and of Congress, at a time when general industrial depression - and, worse, general industrial decline - prevailed, cannot be questioned.

In spite of the most depressing influences, the decade from 1780 to 1790 was not barren of industrial enterprises and undertakings which gave life and impetus to affairs in some degree, and aided the people in sustaining business interests till a better time. An important enterprise undertaken in 1785 was the building of Charles River Bridge, of which accounts will be found in other chapters. That it could now be successfully carried out indicates the state of the mechanic arts, as well as the spirit and resources of the town. In 1787 the manufacture of glass was revived at Boston, by the formation of a company for the purpose; especial privileges being granted it by the Legislature in accordance with the prevailing public senti-

THE MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BOSTON.

ment. Chief among these privileges was the exclusive right of manufac- ture for fifteen years. Active operations were however delayed until 1792. The manufacture of rope and cordage, of which we shall speak more fully hereafter, was still an important one, and in the Federal procession of 1788 the men employed in this industry outnumbered any other class of mechan- ics. In 1787, also, a factory for the production of paper-hangings existed in Boston. These were now coming into extensive use, and the great cost of imported hangings led to the establishment of several American facto- ries, of which the above was one.1

About the year 1789 the General Court encouraged the manufacture of cotton duck, by offering a bounty in behalf of this industry. A company was incorporated and was soon in successful operation in Boston. Within three years it was able to produce two thousand yards per week, and for several years thereafter the annual product was from eighty thousand to one hundred and twenty thousand yards, valued at from $26,000 to $39,000. It was found possible to compete successfully with the foreign manufacturers of sail-cloth. Great perfection of product was attained, and the factory affords an early instance of a workmen's union for mutual improvement and support. By its by-laws quarrels, profanity, and careless workmanship were punished.2 The following from the diary of General Washington, who in 1789 visited Boston and was shown this factory as one of the noteworthy institutions of the town, is worth reproducing, especially as it gives from the pen of an eye-witness a description of the methods of manufacture: -

" They have twenty-eight looms at work, and fourteen girls spinning with both hands (the flax being fastened to the waist). Children (girls) turn the wheels for them, and with this assistance each spinner can turn out fourteen pounds of thread per day, when they stick to it ; but as they are paid by the piece, or the work they do, there is no other restraint upon them but to come at eight o'clock in the morning and return at six in the evening. They are the daughters of decayed families ; none others are admitted." 8

The necessity of obtaining improved machinery for use in the manufac- ture of woollens led to measures on the part of the legislatures of several States in favor of the makers of this sort of machinery. By the year 1789 there were three quite extensive manufactories of cotton and wool-cards in the town, making sixty-three thousand pairs of cards per year, and underselling those of foreign manufacture. Concerning one of these, General Washing- ton says : "I went to a card manufactory where I was informed there were about nine hundred hands. . .. All kinds of cards were made; and there are machines for executing every part of the work in a new and expeditious manner, especially in cutting and bending the teeth, which is done at one stroke."4 Instead of the single Milton paper mill, there were now six on the

1 Bolles, Industrial History of the United Vernon Papers, No. 12, p. 112. In 1792 four States, p. 465. hundred hands were employed.

2 Bishop, i. 419. 8 General Washington's Diary, in Mount 4 General Washington's Diary, in Mount Vernon Papers, No. 12, p. 112.

THE INDUSTRIES OF THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS.

Neponset, near the head of the tide in Dorchester. Most mills of the sort had two vats and employed about twenty hands, half of whom were boys and girls.1

1790-1800. A glance at a map of the town at this time will discover a creek dividing the central part of Boston, and admitting the tide-water into a mill-pond formed by a cove extending up from the north to the line of the Green Street of to-day, and separated from the sea by a causeway, and con- necting West Boston with the north part of the town. At the entrance to this causeway were three mills devoted respectively to the manufacture of meal, lumber, and chocolate.2 The latter mill in 1794 could turn out twenty-five hundred pounds of chocolate daily. In Lynn Street, in this year, brass can- non, bells, and iron ware were made at the foundry of Colonel Revere. Near by, Mr. Fenton had established a new industry, and was making all kinds of earthen vessels similar to the imported Liverpool ware. Another newly estab- lished industry was that of calico printing, plain India cottons being employed. This industry was considered especially worthy of encouragement, it being found possible to make prints at a profit, calico then being in great favor as an article of female attire; large importations were made from England. The glass company, whose incorporation we have previously noticed, was now in full operation in a large new factory at the foot of Essex Street. The manufacture of combs in the State had greatly diminished their im- portation. This industry, having its chief seat at Leominster and West Newbury, was represented in the town, -Graham of Charter Street being the leading maker. Clocks and mathematical instruments were also made to some extent. The manufacture of soap and candles now gave employment to numbers. Large quantities of spermaceti candles were exported, there being four manufactories of this particular kind. Great improvements had been made in the quality of the product, by the use of new machinery. There were thirty distilleries in the town, and prior to the disturbances in the French West Indies the gross product is said to have been upwards of $16,000 annually on each. The disturbances referred to, and the existing excise law, had produced a decline in the business, so that in 1794 only eighteen were operated, and these at a diminished production.

Seven sugar refineries existed, having a productive capacity of one hun- dred thousand pounds each, annually ; but the new tariff on sugar, like the tax on rum, was injurious to this industry, causing diminished production in 1794. But if the making of rum and sugar had declined on account of raw mate- rials imported and the difficulties with France, the cordage and card man- ufacturers found their business steadily increasing. The latter industry now gave employment to twelve hundred persons, of whom the larger number were women and children, and was one of the largest and most important

1 Bishop, i. 207. creek was on the line of the present Blackstone

2 Massachusetts Historical Collection, iii. [See 'Street. Its formation at a very early day has the map at the beginning of Volume I. This been explained in Vol. I. p. 553. - ED.]

THE MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BOSTON.

enterprises of the town. A wind-mill was utilized for cutting the card- board at the principal factory. We have already spoken of the improved machinery employed. One man working at the machine for cutting and bending the wire and perforating the leather employed in the card, could prepare the wire for twenty dozen pairs of cards in twelve hours.1 This was thought a great achievement; but a few years later, -in 1797,-when over two thousand persons were engaged in this industry, Amos Whitte- more, an ingenious mechanic of the town, was still further to perfect the machinery employed, by reducing the various operations to a series of per- · fect automatic movements, thus revolutionizing the- business both here and abroad.2

There were in 1793 fourteen rope-walks in operation, and this industry was thriving. The manufacture of twine and lines was fostered by a bounty from the General Court; over fifty men were employed in this branch alone. A disastrous fire this year destroyed one half the rope-walks; six being at once rebuilt, to be again burned in 1806.3 Fine beaver hats were now made, rivalling those of foreign manufacture. Fish-hooks were manu- factured, the wire for these and for the card-makers being made at Dedham.4 Besides the industries we have enumerated, the building trades were likewise flourishing.

Outside the town limits, but in its immediate vicinity, were manufactories of axes, hoes, shovels, scythes, nails, tow cloth, cotton and linen sheeting, thread, checks, bed-ticks, striped flannels, thread, cloth, and worsted hose, gloves and mitts, diapers, and cotton and woollen coverlets; and most of these were brought to the town for sale. Lynn was now producing one hundred and. seventy thousand pairs of shoes annually. Powder was made at Andover and Stoughton.5 In 1796 the making of morocco, which had declined during the war, was revived at Charlestown.6

During the last decade of the century, the town was growing in size and importance. Many important public and private improvements were car- ried out. The building industry was thriving. Boston was now the chief depot of supply of brick, -large quantities being made in the immediate vicinity, the town of Medford alone producing four millions annually. Labor was still scarce and now in demand, wages being high. The apprentice system was then in vogue, and, under the pressure of competition, apprenti- ces were frequently induced to leave their masters in violation of the terms of their indentures, by promises of increased pay or lighter service.7

1 Massachusetts Historical Collection, iii.

2 Bishop, i. 497.

8 Massachusetts Historical Collection, iii.

4 Ibid.

5 Bishop, ii. 58, 59.

6 Ibid., ii. 84.

7 To protect their interests in this respect, an association of the mechanics of Boston was formed in 1795; Colonel Paul Revere being chosen president, and Edward Tuckerman, vice-

president. The society prospered greatly, and with enlarged aims soon took the name of the Association of Mechanics of the Commonwealth, and still later, in 1806 (see various sources; among others, Bishop, ii. 62), became the Massachu- setts Charitable Mechanics' Association, still in flourishing condition, after an active service of more than eighty years devoted to the best in- terests of mechanics and the improvement of the industrial arts.

THE INDUSTRIES OF THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS.

Prior to the Revolution, Boston, as we have noted, carried on a large ship-building business, there being upwards of twenty-seven dock-yards in the town at one time; 1 a large number of mechanics being employed in the various branches. One yard alone had been known to launch twelve ships during one year, and in all the docks at one time at least sixty vessels were on the stocks.2 The embarrassments of the war caused this large industry to decline, so that during the last decade of the last century few vessels were built in Boston, though considerable numbers were built within the Commonwealth. The establishment of the Navy Yard 3 at Charlestown, in 1798, gave quite an impetus to business generally, especially to the building trades. It aided in bringing about a state of affairs industrially, at the close of the century, which was exceedingly encouraging, especially when all the difficulties which beset manufacturing enterprises of all kinds after the war are taken into consideration.

1800-1810. Messrs. Dix and Brinley had previous to 1800 established chemical works at South Boston,4 and these works were now in operation. The copper works of the Messrs. Revere are referred to by various wri- ters as of Boston; Bishop saying that "in 1802 the only manufactory of sheet copper in the country was that of the Messrs. Revere at Boston." The facts are, that while this firm made Boston the headquarters of its business, the manufactory was at Canton, where soon after the war $25,000 had been invested in plant by Colonel Revere's sons.

In 1804 a company which had been incorporated in 1789 completed the Middlesex Canal, which became of great importance in the development of the cotton industry, and was mainly in the interest of the industries carried on by Boston capital.5 In 1805 a man named White began the building of carriages at Dorchester. It is claimed for him that he built the first carriage made in the United States. This may be true so far as the special style of carriages made by him is concerned; but it is hardly true as to carriages in general, for Philadelphia had an establishment for the manufacture of coaches of all kinds previous to 1790, and New York as early as 1768. The first recorded patent granted by the United States for planing machines was issued June 1, 1805, to John Bennock of Boston. Mr. Jesse Reed, who had made several inventions in the manufacture of nails, took an important patent in 1807 for a machine for cutting and heading nails by one operation. Twenty of these machines were soon afterward put in operation at Malden. The Messrs. Revere sent a petition to Congress in 1808, praying for a duty of 172 per cent on copper in sheets, and for the free importation of old copper ; the reason of the prayer being, as alleged by the firm, their ability to supply the whole United States with sheet copper: they did not wish to have foreign makers take a part of the trade. Their prayer was not granted,

1 Massachusetts Historical Collection, iii. 286.

4 Simonds, History of South Boston, p. 204.

2 Ibid. 5 Bishop, ii. 108. [See Mr. C. F. Adams, Jr.'s 8 [See Admiral Preble's chapter, in Vol. III. chapter on "Canals and Railroads." - ED.]

-ED.] VOL. IV. - II.

THE MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BOSTON.

no duty being placed upon copper plates till 1842. The twine manufac- turers of Boston, the same year, 1808, petitioned for a protective duty. They produced, with the makers in Charlestown, Salem, Beverly, and Ply- mouth, forty-six thousand dozen hemp-lines and twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds of flax twine per annum. In 1812 the duty was in- creased. Important patents were granted in 1808 to Elisha Callender of Boston for lightning-rods, being the first patent in the United States for that article; and in 1810, to Phineas Dow for a leather-splitting machine, one of the most important inventions used in the preparation of leather for the manufacture of various articles besides boots and shoes. At this time the soap and candle factories of Roxbury employed a capital of $100,000, producing three hundred and seventy thousand pounds of candles, three hundred and eighty thousand pounds of brown soap, and fifty thousand pounds of Windsor and fancy soaps per annum. The manufacture of tin, japanned and plated ware, was also in successful operation.

The first decade of the new century was one eventful, indeed, in the industrial history of the country as well as of Boston. The bad effects of the embargo of 1807-8 were in some degree counterbalanced by the stimulation it gave to manufactures. The latter were benefited at the 'expense of commerce, and much of the capital and effort engaged in commerce were directed to industrial channels. New demands for labor sprang up by the establishment of various manufactures for the supply of domestic wants.1 The effect of the embargo is well illustrated by the fact that prior to it there were in the United States but fifteen cotton mills, with eight thousand spindles ; while at the end of 1809 the number built was eighty- seven, and the number in operation was sixty-two, with thirty-one thousand spindles.2 Many more mills were in process of erection everywhere, and the prospect of industrial prosperity stimulated speculation, the usual ac- companiment of artificial causes. The war of 1812, of course, but added to these causes ; and the first half of the second decade of this century saw many establishments rise in Boston, only to go down during the second half. Some lived, to be sure; but peace brought the old experience which the manufacturers of the years at the close of the Revolution had passed through in their time.

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The memorial history of Boston : including Suffolk County, Massachusetts. 1630-1880, Vol. IV, Part 10

Author: Winsor, Justin, 1831-1897, ed; Jewett, C. F. (Clarence F.), publisher Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Boston : Osgood Number of Pages: 760

Author: Winsor, Justin, 1831-1897, ed; Jewett, C. F. (Clarence F.), publisher
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Boston : Osgood
Number of Pages: 760