The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

Report on Manufactures.

The Committee appointed as judges of all articles manufactured of wool, cotton, and flax, exhibited for premium, report—

That the exhibition of these articles was too limited to be creditable to a district of country so favoured with water power, wealth, and skill, as is the county of Worcester.

If the manufacturers feel that a wise and enlightened government have taken them under their fostering care and patronage, so far as to no longer need the approbation of their neighbours and fellow-citizens, they would do well to consider that there is a laudable competition between different sections of the United States, and that that section which can excel on public occasions, will be likely to bring their cloths into public notice, to their great private advantage. They ought also to consider that this is an exhibition of the best products of a county that has been styled the "Heart and the Head of the Commonwealth"—and that each class of her citizens is bound to assist in making as good a display as her resources will permit.—The farmer still takes a pride in showing the best animals of his farm. No less ambitious and patriotic should the manufacturer be in showing the best specimens of his skill.

Some of the few cloths that were exhibited for premium, discovered great ingenuity and taste; and we doubt not but those who manufactured them will reap an ample reward for exposing them to public inspection.

The first premium of $15 the Committee have awarded to Mr. Thomas Bottomly, of Leicester, for the best piece of Blue Broadcloth—and the second premium of $10 to Messrs. Slater & Howard, of Oxford, for the second best piece, not less than 20 yards in each.

These gentlemen are not only entitled to the premiums awarded them, but to the thanks of this Society, for their readiness to co-operate with us, in our endeavours to raise the standard of improvement throughout our country.

The Messrs. Slater & Howard also presented a piece of superfine Cassimere, which would have been richly entitled to a premium, had it not fallen short in length. Other pieces were offered, of length but not of quality sufficient to entitle them to a premium.

The Committee feel gratified in being able to state, there was a greater display of carpetings than on any former occasion. For this, the ladies will please to accept our grateful acknowledgments.

The first premium of $15 we awarded to Mrs. Ethan Davis, of Holden, for the best piece of Carpeting, four quarters wide, and 21 yards long. The second premium we awarded to Mrs. Gideon Delano, of New-Braintree, for a piece of Carpeting, three quarters wide, and not less than 20 yards in length.

The first premium of $8 we awarded to Mr. Jonas Pollard, of Belchertown, for the best piece of Household Woollen Cloth—and the second premium of $5, to Mrs. Stillman Fitch, of Sterling, for the second best.

A premium of $10 we awarded to Mr. David Goodale, of Oakham, for the best piece of Flannel.

The first premium of $5 we awarded to Miss Sarah Wilcox, of New-Braintree, for the best piece of Tow or Linen Sheeting—and to Miss Catharine Holman, of New-Braintree, for the next best.

A premium of $4 we awarded to Mrs. Josiah Gleason, of New-Braintree, for the best Woollen Coverlet.

A premium of $5 we awarded to Miss Eliza Warren, of New-Braintree, for the best piece of Linen Diaper.

A premium of $2 we awarded to Miss Rebecca Billings, of Hardwick, for two of the best pairs of half Woollen Hose.

Mrs. Enoch Hill, of Worcester, though having met with the calamity of losing one of her arms by amputation, still shows a spirit of industry worthy of notice. She presented the Committee with a pair of large Drawers, and a pair of large Woollen Hose, which she knit with one hand, in a style that would do credit to two good hands. The Committee recommend her to the notice of the Society, for her ingenuity and perseverance, by awarding her, therefor, the sum of two dollars.

Mrs. John Hunter, of New-Braintree, exhibited two Rose Bed Blankets, of a beautiful texture, and finely wrought. For her ingenuity and disposition to aid in the design of our Society, we recommend to reward her with the sum of three dollars.

Miss Nancy Harrington, of Princeton, presented a beautifully wrought Counterpane, a quantity of Linen Thread, of various colours, and of first quality, together with a number of skeins of three-threaded Woollen Yarn, all which discovered a great degree of industry and taste—for which the Committee recommend a premium of $3. The Messrs. Farnums, of Grafton, offered two pieces of Sattinett, but not of sufficient length to entitle them to a premium.

Messrs. A. & A. Lawrence, of Boston, offered three pieces of beautiful Flannel, of various colours, for exhibition only, manufactured at their Flannel establishment at Amesbury.—These gentlemen know very well how to estimate the advantages resulting from exhibitions of this nature—and we feel much obligated to them for their patriotic spirit in sending to this county the fabrics of others, as a stimulus to public improvement.

All which is respectfully submitted.

NATH'L. P. DENNY, Chairman.