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Extracts from Letters of Washington-Whitney's Cotton Gin. 615

for "cleaning cotton," and on 17th May, 1804, James Simonds and James M. James took out a patent for cleaning cotton; on 4th June, 1803, Saltonstall took out a patent for "a cotton saw-gin.” But on 14th March, 1794, (two years before any other,) Eli Whitney, of Massachusetts, took out a patent for a "cotton gin."

Whitney was born 8th December, 1765-prepared himself partly by manual labor and partly by teaching, for Yale College, at which he graduated October, 1792; came to Georgia, and in the family of Mrs. Greene, (widow of the General,) prepared to study law, but

they, therefore, recommend that the money and notes aforesaid be now deposited with the Comptroller General to be paid over on demand to the several persons from whom the same have been received, upon their delivering up the licenses for which the said notes of hand were given, and the said moneys paid to the Comptroller General; and that he be directed to hold the said licenses subject to the order of the said Whitney. That the excellent and highly improved models now offered by the said Whitney, be received in full satisfaction of the stipulations of the contract between the state and Miller & Whitney, relative to the same, and that the suit commenced by fortunately had his attention turned to the state against said Miller & Whitney cotton. His partner, Miller, married be discontinued. The joint committee, Mrs. Greene. The State of North Carotaking every circumstance alleged in lina bought the patent-right for a tax of the memorial into their serious conside- 2s. 6d., on every saw of every gin for ration, further recommend that (as the five years. But a great deal of this tax good faith of this state is pledged for the and $50,000 was spent in litigation in payment of the purchase of the said Georgia courts about the patent-right. patent-right) the contract be now ful. In 1812, Whitney applied to Congress filled, as in their opinion it ought to be, according to the most strict justice and equity. And, although from the documents exhibited by said Whitney to the committee, they are of opinion that the said Whitney is the true original inventor of the saw-gin; yet in order to guard the citizens from any injury hereafter, the committee recommend, that before the remaining balance is paid, the said Whitney be required to give bond and security to the Comptroller General, to indemnify each and every citizen of South Carolina against the legal claims of all persons whatsoever, other than the said Miller & Whitney, to any patent or exclusive right to the invention or improvement of the machine for separating cotton from its seeds, commonly called the saw-gin, in the form and upon the principle which it is now, and has heretofore been used in this state."

In 1805, (Resolutions, p. 114,) the Comptroller General says: În obedience to the will of the Legislature, the sum appropriated for Miller and Whitney has been paid to Mr. Whitney, the surviving copartner, and his receipts obtained therefor. The models of the saw-gin have been deposited by him, and the resolution of the 18th December last has been in every respect complied with.

for a renewal of his patent, but without success. He died in January, 1825. Fulton said that "Arkwright, Watt, and Whitney, did more for mankind than any of their cotemporaries." Perfectly just. Producers before consumersArkwright before Alexander, Whitney before Wellington, in small matters!

In the book of patents, I see patents for cotton cleaners, cotton scrapers, cotton thinners, cotton inspectors, &c., but no patent for making cotton without work, and none (as yet) for raising the price of cotton unless it be an act of Congress.

In 1805, (7th Statutes, p. 120,) an act fixing the rates of storage of cotton in Charleston, not to exceed 12 cents per week, for each bale.

In 1807, (7th Statutes, p. 122-3,) rates altered.

In Resolutions, 1808, (June,) p. 12, members resolve to attend dressed in homespun !

In Resolutions, 1809, p. 106, the following report, which was agreed to: "Report of the committee on incorporations on the petition of John Johnson, Jr., president of the Homespun Company of South Carolina. That they have considered the same and cannot recommend the granting the loan prayed for; but do recommend that the said South Carolina On the 2d Sept., 1801, G. F. Salton- Homespun Company be allowed until stall, of North Carolina, took out a patent the next meeting of the Legislature, to

purview; but the planters not only answered "nolimus mutare leges," but began to talk about false weights.

report on the utility of the machine troduced to bring "planting" within the called the Columbian Spinster, so as to entitle, in case the same be approved, the inventor of the same to the sum provided for by law, for his benefit."

In Resolutions of 1812, p. 81, the following report, which was agreed to, and the sum was appropriated. (See A. A. 1812. 5 Statutes, p. 693.) The committee to whom was referred the petition of certain persons praying aid to enable them to establish a cotton manufactory, having had the same under consideration, respectfully report

In 1826, (6th Stat. 284;) an act "to make the fraudulent and secret taking of cotton, &c., before severance from the soil, larceny." The body of the act said nothing about "before severance," but used the words "shall take from any field." Thereupon, in the State vs. Stephenson, (not Roland but David,) 2d Baily, 334, it was after most elaborated discussion decided, (but with a strong That from the information given them, dissentiente,) that cotton, &c, "before it appears that the purpose of the peti- severance," did come within the purtioners is to establish, at some suitable view. Stephenson contended that "beplace in Greenville District, a manufac- fore severance" was not in the body of tory for carding, spinning, and weaving the act; and that all presumptions were cotton, the machinery to be impelled by to be made in favor of the common law, water, the number of spindles to be em- which declares that you cannot steal ployed, not less than 500, which is cal- land, and that water and grass, &c., are culated will prepare thread sufficient for land. It seems to me one strong point weaving 250 yards of cloth per day. was overlooked, viz.: if the words "beThe sum with which the petitioners fore severance" had been in the body of pray to be aided is $10,000, to be repaid the act (and the court held them to be with 7 per cent. interest, one half at the there by implication) then how could he expiration of two years, the balance at take the cotton or corn "before severthe expiration of three years; and the ance?" However, it is easy for specusaid payment to be secured to the state by a mortgage of real estate, of the value of not less than $100,000. The committee, therefore, impressed with the importance of encouraging domestic manufactories, and believing that the small loan solicited may be extended to the petitioners without inconvenience or loss to the state, recommend that the prayer of the petition be granted, and that a clause to that effect be inserted in the appropriation bill.

In Resolutions 1815, p. 90, the Sheriffs of Charleston and Richland were directed to sell the models of Whitney's saw-gin, and pay the net proceeds in the treasury.

In 1822, (6th Statutes, p. 180.) an act to prevent fraudulent packing of cotton, by putting in stone, wood, trash cotton, cotton seed, or any matter or thing whatsoever.

In State vs. Holman, (3d McCord's Reports, p. 306,) it was decided that pouring in an undue quantity of water was within the provision of this act. It has been held on circuit that plaiting a bag, (putting inferior cotton inside with good cotton all round,) does not come within the purview.

In 1836, 1838, and 1843 bills were in

lators to make remarks. Indeed it takes the law to catch a rogue; for in State vs. A. (1st Hill, p. 364,) the judges decided that A. was guilty of larceny in taking part of the crop before division, though the planter had agreed expressly that poor A. should receive a part of the crop for his services. On similar principles it was held, in Rogers vs. Collier (2d Baily, p. 581), that the sheriff cannot levy on the overseer's part of an undivided crop.

In 1834 (6th Statutes, p. 516,) an act forbidding shopkeepers or traders from trading with slaves for cotton, rice, indian corn, or wheat, or with free persons of color (in Charleston) for rice or cotton, without permit from guardian.

In McCullough's Commercial Dictionary-cotton-so far had been written, Mr. Editor, when I exercised the faculty of forgetfulness so strenuously that I fell asleep; and, on waking, I received by the mail Mr. Seabrook's excellent memoir on cotton.

NEW DESCRIPTION OF COTTON.-We have received, says the New-York Economist, through the politeness of Messrs. J. C. Henderson & Co., of this city, a very remarkable specimen of cotton,

New Cotton-Mississippi Soils-Mode of Defecating Sugar. 617

destined for the World's Fair. It was The analysis seems to indicate that

procured by one of the most enterprising and intelligent merchants of Texas, from thePino" Indians. It is of a texture and strength of fibre superior to any ever before offered in this market. To the touch it has the feeling of silk, being destitute of the harsh feeling incident to cotton. It is of a long staple, and of a beautiful clear white color. We understand that the enterprising discoverer has procured a quantity of the seed, and will enter extensively into the culture. It has been found under circumstances which lead to the hope that the degeneration of the quality, usual upon these fine qualities, will not be encountered in

this case.

ANALYSIS OF MISSISSIPPI SOILS.-We publish with pleasure the following letter, and hope that our planters will give more attention generally to this subject of analysis of soils:

Dear Sir,-Enclosed you will find an analysis of two samples of soil (soil and subsoil), made by Professor Riddell and Brother, at the University, which may be interesting to some of your agricultural and scientific readers. The sub

soil was taken from a depth of about 8 inches, while the other was taken from the surface.

They are from No-mistake Plantation, the property of Mrs. Sarah D. Partee, situated on a prairie at the foot of the range of hills between the Big Black and Yazoo Rivers, about four miles from the latter, in Yazoo county, Miss.-being some twenty-five miles from Vicksburg.

The lands are elevated 3 feet above the

overflow of 1849, and 18 inches above that of 1828. Between them and the Yazoo, the growth consists of gum, palmetto, and a few bunches of cypress; the cypress being 4% feet below the gum, and from 2 to 3 feet below the palmetto.

The prairie has been in cultivation about 30 years, and when first cultivated gave a yield of from two to two and half bales of cotton to the acre. The same now produces only about one and

a third bales to the acre.

a

The upper or surface soil is dark, while the subsoil is comparatively light. My reason for getting the analysis made was to determine whether I might not expect to improve the crop by deep ploughing.

such will be the case, and I am now reaching a depth of eight inches, though the usual furrow has been only four.Yours, very truly, W. B. PARTEE. New-Orleans.

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NEW MODE OF DEFECATING SUGAR.

The public will be glad to learn that a
new and simple and highly successful
cently discovered and put in practice by
mode of clarifying sugar has been re-
Wade H. Gilbert, Esq., of the parish of
Ascension. The results of the experi-
obtained by simply clarifying the juice
ments thus far prove that sugar can be
in the grand, as white and fair as it is
possible to make it by any other means.

by Mr. Gilbert is prepared for the com-
The defecating fluid used exclusively
or outlay is required in its application.
mon open kettles, and no extra expense
The fluid is put into the grand, instead of
lime, which has hitherto been used, and
clarifies without coloring, or any way
juice. The clarification is so perfect
impairing the strength and purity of the
that the syrup, when thrown off into the
coolers for granulation, is to all appear-
ance as rich as ordinary vatting syrup,
and consequently more sugar is made,
mode.
and more rapidly too than by any other

The charges made by the discoverer for the use of the fluid is merely nominal in comparison to the benefit derived to the planter, say one dollar per hogshead for the season, and the cost of the fluid,

which is about 30 cents per hogshead horse-mill, the rollers being made of logs additional.

The system adopted by Mr. Gilbert offers every advantage which can be derived from the common style of sugar houses, without any change of fixtures, and without any additional cost.

The experiments thus far have been very satisfactory, and beautiful sugar and syrup have been made from inferior juice even, and sold at an advanced price.

set upright, and made sugar and several barrels of syrup or molasses. The boiling was done in common large pots. The cane grew luxuriantly, and matured often 12 and 13 joints. My quondam friend, Col. A. H. Anderson, of Burke Co., Ga., a man of considerable fortune, also made sugar pretty largely several years, but abandoned it because the crop interfered with cotton, and prices were not remunerative enough to induce him to go to the expense of a large establishment, and also the difficulties of reaching a market were too great, as he lived 50 miles from Augusta, and 95 from Savannah. My father lived a few miles from Col. Anderson, in the same county. The soil of that section of country is rather thin, the growth being oak and hickory, thickly interspersed with short-leaf pine.

Mr. Gilbert intends to issue circulars, and to call on the planters generally to introduce his defecating fluid in season for the coming crop; and we earnestly commend to those who are interested in the culture and manufacture of sugar, to avail themselves of his discovery. It is believed by many who are acquainted with the facts, that in the event all the expensive machinery and elaborate modes of fabricating sugar will give I have no doubt, though, that, as more way to this simple process, which re- rail-roads are made, and facilities for quires no additional outlay beyond the reaching market are increased, and also ordinary furnace, and is within the reach as the machinery required for sugarof all, even the most economical plant- making becomes cheaper, that thousands of planters will make it in regions much farther north than it has ever yet been thought practicable. Again, cane, like many other plants, can become acclimated gradually to regions which have generally been considered uncongenial to its growth.

ers.

EXTENSION OF SUGAR REGION NORTHWARD. Dr. Kilpatrick, of Louisiana, in a note to us, thus refers to the paper by Dr. Cartwright, which we published in our March number, upon the extension of the sugar region:

In addition to the many facts adduced by the Doctor, I can say that sugar-cane has been successfully reared in Georgia, as far north as the 33°. In 1827, 28, '29, and 30, my father raised several acres of the common creole or green cane, as well as the ribbon, from which he expressed the juice, with a common

About the time above specified, there was quite a cane fever, or sugar mania, in South Carolina, and no doubt many old planters there now can tell you of their experiments. By reference to old volumes of "The Southern Agriculturist," of Charleston, you may glean many interesting facts on this subject.

ART. XII-MANUFACTURES AND MINES.

KENTUCKY MINERALS-COAL AND IRON OF MARYLAND-COPPER OF EAST TENNESSEE-SOUTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURES.

KENTUCKY MINERALS.-Mr. Kettell, of New-York, speaks of a discovery in Kentucky likely to be of great importIt is of a lithographic stone. We give an extract in regard to it:

ance.

"Some time since we made some mention of a land and marble company, organized to work marble quarries discovered in the Kentucky mountains, and promising to afford an ample supply

of building and ornamental stone, so much wanted at the West. We have since learned that, of the five descriptions of marble got out upon the lands of the company, one of them has been discovered to be lithographic stone of a quality, said, by some artists who have used it, to be superior to the German stone.

This discovery is the more singular,

Kentucky Minerals-Coal and Iron of Maryland.

619

"As many of these strata are but two feet in thickness, and may not be economically mined, it was judged best not to estimate the workable seams at more than forty-five feet or fifteen yards. Assuming this quantity as correct in the following calculations to ascertain the whole number of cubic yards in the coal field, we shall have: extent in acres, 86,847; number of square yards per acre, 4,840; thickness of beds, 15 yards. These numbers multiplied together will give the whole number of cubic yards, 6,305.137,287; and as one ton of coal is regarded as occupying the space of one cubic yard, there is in the basin no less than six thousand three hundred and five millions one hundred and thirtyseven thousand two hundred and eightyseven tons of coal!

that since the invention of the art of as area underlaid by beds of coal and lithography, a suitable stone has never iron ore. been found, except at one place in Germany, viz: Solohofen, near Munich. Many similar stones, (viz., compact limestone,) have been discovered, but none that have fully answered the purpose. It has resulted that the art has been cramped by an insufficient supply of the material. The German quarry has been worked some 300 feet below the surface, and when the blocks are out they are subject to the expensive land carriage of the interior of Germany. They consequently come very high, and in NewYork vary in price from eight to twentyfour cents per pound, according to the size and freedom from crystals and veins. A stone of a few feet surface sells for some $600. The Ohio River Marble Company state, that their facility of quarrying is such that blocks of any dimensions can be supplied at merely nominal rates. Thus, a block of stone measuring a cube yard will weigh 4,050 lbs. or two tons, and will cut into seven lithographic stones one yard square and four inches thick. These, free from blemish, at present minimum market rates, would be worth $300.

COAL AND IRON OF MARYLAND.-We take the following from the Baltimore American, in regard to the Coal and Iron products of Maryland:

"In 1836 and 1840 our late scientific fellow-citizen, Professor Ducatel, who was then geologist of Maryland, made an examination of the great coal and iron basin in the western part of the state, which should be recurred to at the present day, when Baltimore is tak. ing an inventory of her treasures.

"The iron ore is scarcely less wonderful in quantity. It is calculated that quite nine feet, or three yards, may be assumed as workable: accordingly, if we take the same elements for calculation as for coal, the total amount of ore was 1,126,027,457 yards, and in weight, 3,237,576,144 tons, or about one half the weight in the coal basin; but enough to yield, in the proportion given by the test of practice, one thousand and seventynine millions one hundred and ninetyone thousand seven hundred and fourteen tons of crude iron.

"At the period when Dr. Ducatel made his calculation, it was supposed that this prolific mineral district would be much sooner tapped and developed by the exclusive channel of the canal. In those days coal transportation by railway was not dreamed of. But the fail"In 1836 systematic researches were ure to complete the canal until within a made under the direction of the George's short period, and the very recent equipCreek Coal and Iron Company, in order ment of our rail-road for coal trade, have to expose a complete section of the left the Alleghany basin comparatively Frostburg basin. This operation de- virgin; so that to Baltimore, in all likeli veloped, in a height of four hundred hood, will belong the privilege of supand fifty feet, eighteen beds of coal, the plying the world with our valuable largest of which is fourteen feet thick, minerals. This is properly a Maryland while the total thickness of all combined business. The city of Baltimore conis not less than fifty-two feet. In this tributes about one-half of the taxes of space there are also seventeen feet of the state; and, profiting by the experiiron ore. Dr. Ducatel estimated the ence of Philadelphia, it cannot see this whole coal field to be one hundred and trade wrested from us by the towns of seventy six square miles, or nearly the district. The concentration of our 113,097 acres, from which he subtracted coal and iron in a market out of the 26,250 acres for denudation by streams limits of Maryland would be a disgrace and water courses, leaving 86,847 acres to the enterprise of our people, especially

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