Daily National Intelligencer

DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES.

We observe, by the public prints, that the spirit of manufacturing begins to pervade every section of the country; persons of all classes, and of all parties, no longer deem it disgraceful to appear in what has been called homespun, because that very homespun is already equal in fineness and appearance, and superior in durability, to any imported article of the same description.

The practice, which we are happy to find has begun to prevail in many places, of publishing an account of the different kinds of manufactories established, and the quantity produced, will, we doubt not, produce the most beneficial effects, as well to the manufacturers as to the public at large; because by this means, manufactories which are hardly heard of beyond their respective neighborhoods, will, by becoming more extensively known, receive more general encouragement. We are convinced that very many articles are manufactured in this country in imitation of English, and sold as such, without the least suspicion on the part of the purchaser—this serves to confirm many in the idea that we are still dependent on Britain; these are, consequently, loud in their deprecation of restrictive measures against her, lest the supplies of those very articles which we ourselves manufacture, may be cut off—whilst such persons, were they aware of the real facts, and made sensible that their personal interests were secure, would join the country and the government in every measure necessary for distressing and humiliating the enemy: it is the duty of the public prints to bring about this result, so far as their information extends.

It is well known that manufactories of almost every article essential to our wants and comforts, have been for a length of time established in and about this city—the products of these manufactories have, beyond doubt, arrived to as great a degree of perfection as any of a similar nature in the United States, and whilst some exceed, others bid fair to rival those of foreign countries. Amongst those which have become pre-eminent in their kinds, we notice with much pleasure the manufactory of Floor Cloths, near the Centre Square in this city. This manufactory, in common with the others, has had to contend with that ancient superiority which has been awarded to every thing British, and that absurd prejudice which has existed against every thing not British—and also with the mean and malignant efforts of jealousy and envy.*

It has, however, triumphed over every difficulty. Its proprietor, Mr. Macauley, (with the view of imparting to his floor cloths that degree of age and seasoning which were the only advantages the English manufacture had) has enlarged the building to treble its former dimensions, covering at present a space of about 160 by from 20 to 30 feet; which enables him to hang up, in vast sheets, a variety of cloths, each of which are sufficiently large to cover a floor of any room in Philadelphia, and what shews the great degree of perfection to which this art has arrived, these floor cloths are all without seam, and can be made to fit recesses of any shape or form—the coloring is of the most vivid and brilliant hues—the patterns are the most diversified and splendid—and the cloths of such consistence, texture, and firmness, (but with the proper degree of flexibility) as would seem to assure the purchaser that he need never be under the necessity of obtaining another for the same floor.

These things we are enabled to state from personal observation—we have seen specimens of floor cloth, manufactured in other places, but in no manner to compare with these in any of the requisites necessary either for the preservation of the coloring or the durability of the cloth, and quite inferior in the manufacture—such inferior cloths may have left an impression in the minds of persons who have seen no other kinds, unfavorable to American manufactured floor cloths generally—but we undertake to say that as nothing was wanting to render this manufactory complete, except the seasoning of the work, so now that this inconvenience is removed by the erection of additional buildings to the manufactory, the floor cloths manufactured by Mr. Macauley, are decidedly superior in every point of view, to the English, or to any other that we have seen.

Mr. Macauley also manufactures carpeting from cotton and wool, agreeably to any pattern required, equal in appearance to that imported, and far superior in strength and durability.

Aurora

*The manufactory was clandestinely entered a few months ago, and several of the largest pieces of floor-cloth, which were in a state of preparation for finishing, were maliciously cut in different directions by some sharp edged instrument, and rendered almost entirely useless. Notwithstanding the proprietor offered a large reward for the apprehension of the perpetrator, he has not yet been discovered.