ancestry, gathered from the skillful ranks of all nations. Far back in the colonial period where the germs of American liberty and independence were implanted, were sown also the seeds of those frugal and industrious habits, that facility in adapting means to ends, and in meeting the peculiar contingencies of their lot, that still characterize the majority of American people. The early colonists planted most of the mechanic arts, and the roots of a vigorous civilization on our soil, while their children carried shoots from the same hardy stem, into the fast-receding wilderness. The revolutionary fathers, asserting the right to labor and enjoy the fruits of their toil as free-born men, defended the tree of liberty through the storm and tempest of war. The prohibition of their manufactures, restrictions upon their trade, and taxation of their industry, were serious counts in the bill of indictment against the mother country. The blow they struck for equal rights, was not in defense of a mere theory or abstract principle. But while their uncompromising assertion of the rights of the subject taught the sacredness of political freedom, the example of their earnest and laboring lives, also taught that— "Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought; They bequeathed us an enfranchised industry and respect for property, without which the useful arts can never flourish. And now the nation has been long sitting in grateful complacency beneath the vine and fig-tree of this early planting and defense, and historians and antiquarians, with affectionate zeal, are sifting the dust of the remote past, and are questioning every traditional source for anything pertaining to the personal history, thoughts and deeds of those who, in any way, contributed to build up the fair fabric of our national civilization and liberties. It cannot therefore be deemed unworthy of the subject, to inquire as to what were their everyday pursuits, how they lived and supported their families, and shaped the character or directed the channels of American labor, as well as to know their lineage and connections, for whom they voted, and how they fought. Unfortunately, history has been too little cognizant of anything but the public acts or words of the world's benefactors; while often the more instructive examples of their struggles and triumphs, the heroism of their daily life, is consigned to a narrower influence. It has been justly said, that "the world might well afford to lose all record of a hundred ancient battles or sieges, if it could thereby gain the knowledge of one lost art; and even the pyramids bequeathed to us by ancient Egypt in her glory, would be well exchanged for a few of her humble workshops and manufactories as they stood in the days of the Pharaohs. Of the true history of mankind, only a few chapters have yet been written; and now, when the deficiencies of that we have are beginning to be realized, we find the materials for supplying them have in good part perished in the lapse of time, or been trampled recklessly beneath the hoofs of the war-horse." Our histories, though in all other respects full and complete, contain very meagre and unsatisfactory accounts of the daily life and employments of the people, their modes of cultivation, their arts and systems of economy. In endeavoring to rescue from oblivion the facts in relation to our early industry, recourse has been had, as much as possible, to original or cotemporaneous records, and such later ones as appeared deserving of confidence. All the general histories of the country and those of particular States, as well as many town histories, State papers, volumes of laws, minutes of assemblies and councils, early periodicals, the publications of the various historical societies, and many English works, have been diligently sifted and collated. It would be tedious to particularize all the sources of information from which we have drawn: suffice it to say, that no accessible field which promised anything has been left ungleaned. Credit has been generally given, although it has been found impossible to assign authority for every separate statement where a multiplicity of facts is given. With a view to convenience, the matter in this volume has been topically arranged; thus grouping together such facts as could be gathered with regard to the history of each art in the several original States. The local details which might otherwise seem inadmissible, thus fall into their proper relations, and it is hoped may prove interesting, at least to many who are still pursuing in their original seats, the same forms of industry that were introduced several generations back. This method while it may have practical advantages by presenting a topic in its completeness, has involved, I am aware, some repetition in regard to governmental policy and other extraneous circumstances. In regard to dates, which I have endeavored to ascertain and give, in place of vague general statements, much care has been used, and it is hoped they may generally be found correct. But, at this distance of time, and with so many sources of error, it is impossible to vouch for entire accuracy in all cases. Notices of particular enterprises will in a few instances, as in that of Iron, be found to extend beyond the date (1790) which was intended as the limit of this volume. I have not pursued a strict method in that respect, when an increased activity in any branch generally, or in particular regions, warranted references which could not be made hereafter. It was intended, had space allowed, to have noticed several branches of colonial industry, which were relatively more important than some that have been noticed. Of this class, were manufactures of Pot and Pearl Ashes, Tar, Pitch, Turpentine, and other naval stores, Distilling, and some others, which were profitable occupations, while Vine-growing, and a few more, were quite otherwise. The former, however, are less strictly manufactures than most of those treated of, and have now-from the disappearance of much of our forestceased to be of national importance, while wine-making, if still an inconsiderable branch, will, it is confidently believed, one day become highly important. With these explanations, this volume is offered to the candid consideration of the public, in the hope that, whatever its imperfections, it will be found to contain a larger collection of facts than is elsewhere to be obtained pertaining to the early manufactures of this country. The author claims only the merit of pains-taking diligence, and a conscientious desire to render it useful and reliable by presenting a true and impartial statement of those facts. For the remaining portion of the work, which will probably require another volume larger than the present, the sources of information are not only more ample and multifarious, but also more strictly authentic and reliable. The matter being more fresh and recent, will be found to possess a much larger degree of interest to most readers, as a considerable portion of the events to be recorded have transpired within the recollection of living men. Much valuable material has been collected, and an earnest appeal is made to all interested in the subject, to communicate interesting facts in their possession, that nothing may be wanting for a presentation of the essentials of our recent marvelous progress. The summary which it is designed to furnish, of the Census statistics of manufactures in each decennium since they first began to be collected, will, it is believed, be a valuable feature of the work. The occasions and dates of the introduction of new branches of manufacture, the establishment of new centres of industry, throughout our rapidly expanding territory, the evidences of the manysided, fertile, inventive talent of the American's mind, furnished by the more important, labor-saving machines, and processes it has originated, and numerous other topics, it is confidently hoped, will render the book not unworthy the acceptance of intelligent Business Men. PHILADELPHIA, 1861. J. L. B. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. [A Revised List will be appended to Vol. II., and the Names, Business, and Address of all purchasers of this volume, and subscribers for the second volume, will be inserted if sent to the publishers before its publication.] AMOSKEAG MANUFACTURING Co., Cotton Goods, Machinery, &c., Providence, R. I. Waltham, Mass. Providence, R. I. Philadelphia. .Boston. Lowell, Mass. Boston. Philadelphia. Philadelphia. Philadelphia. Boston. Philadelphia. Providence, R. I. Shoe Find'gs & Carr'e Trim'gs, Philadelphia. Carriage Builders, BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUF. Co., Clocks, Brass, etc., BENNERS, H. B. & G. W., BENNETT & EDSON, BERRIEN, D. & Co., BIDDLE, E. C. & J. & Co., BISHOP, W. W., BLABON & SMITH, Dyottville Glass Works, 61 State St., Boston. Philadelphia. New Haven, Conn. |