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TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, I I

THE MEMORIAL OF JACOB B. CLARKE

RESPECTFULLY smzwnrn :_

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THAT your memorialist being impressed with the belief, that great benefit would result

to the Government and to the community from the culture of the Mulberry Tree in the United States, as food for the Silk Worm, submits a scheme to the consideration of the House, which would, if carried into operation, soon elevate the manufacture of Silk to a main article of com- merce in this country: the climate, and the enterprising spirit of our countrymen present,in this instance, all the facilities and inducements of internal resources in promoting one of the greatest objects of National Industry. Already this interesting subject has been sufliciently important to gain the attention of the most active spirits of the time; and though many hints have been thrown out on the great advantages arising from such a source of commerce, by men of acknowledged authority in public estimation, it has been confounded with subjects merely theoretic, without attending to the numerous proofs of the practically beneficial effects arising to a national community, from its obtaining a proportionate share of the attention of Government.

When the question of cultivating the Mulberry Tree was brought before a European

Government, it enlisted the feelings of the wisest in its favour, and won the patronage of the most distinguished statesmen; in almost every European State much speculative doctrine was taught before the culture ofthis tree was brought to perfection. In Bohemia, very large sums were expended in cultivating it; in England, the most weighty expenses were incurred in for- warding the same object; and in France, since the administration of the illustrious Sully, mil- lions have been devoted to similar purposes:-t-about eighteen months since,thatGovernment pur- chased a farm near Corbeil, for the further improvement of the system of rearing and bringing to perfection the Mulberry; and the Prefect ofthe Department of the Rhone offers 3000 francs to the individual who should raise the greatest number of trees in his Department; holding forth to the peasantry the rich reward of generous protection, and a liberal prize for industry, Which, from its comprehensive action, universally dispenses its blessings: yet, after these exer- tions, France imports one-third of the raw silk she manufactures, the capital engaged in which amounts to $27,000,000. - _ _ <.

In Italy and France the Mulberry Tree forms an important branch of culture and in-

dustry; the price is very high; great pecuniary funds are obtained from the ample revenue arising from the manufacture of silk to the Governments of these countries, and it is believed the article is not imported by any of them in a manufactured state, since the period of their success in preparing the raw material. The United States presents a strange contrast in this single article of trade, to the comparatively indolent habits of some of these Europeans, whose success has been so remarkable in this particular line of eommerce—the importation of Silk Goods into the States, in I825, being valued at more than ten millions of dollars.

If the Italians, who procured by two monks, with great trouble, Silk \Vorms from India

in 1455, had not used industrious zeal in promoting the domestic growth of Silk; had the French and English nations, (Who have acquired such Wealth by the cultivation and manufac- ture of that article,) not encouraged its introduction at first by premiums, and afterwards urged its extension by various laws, perhaps no other Silks would have been worn to this day, except those imported from China and the East Indies.

It is a fact well understood, that the most assiduous attention in planting and raising the

Mulberry Tree, is essential to the establishing of the culture of Silk, and that it forms the most tedious, ditficult, and by far the most expensive part of the process, and that improvements in this object must precede those of every other preparation, in carrying into efiect this profitable scheme of industry; and as this is the particular branch on which your memorialist Wishes to bestow his care, he respectfully invites the attention of your Honourable Body to this portion of what may justly be considered an interesting plan of commercial enterprise.