The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
COMMERCE / MANUFACTURES IN THE WESTERN STATES
I received 4uly your favor of December the 15th, and with it the
copies of your map and travels, for which be pleased to accept my
thanks. The book I have read with extreme satisfaction and
information. As to the Western States, particularly, it has greatly
edified me; for of the actual condition of that interesting portion of
our country, I had not an adequate idea. I feel myself now as familiar
with it as with the condition of the maritime States. I had no
conception that manufactures had made such progress there, and
particularly of the number of carding and spinning machines dispersed
through the whole country.
I have not formerly been an advocate
for great manufactories. I doubted whether our labor, employed in
agriculture, and aided by the spontaneous energies of the earth, would
not procure us more than we could make ourselves of other necessaries.
But other considerations entering into the question have settled my
doubts.
John Melish, 13 January 1813
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