articles were not enumerated, some of which are manufactured to a considerable extent. In 1820 the returns made to the Legislature, by the assessors of the several towns, exhibit the number and kinds of the principal manufacturing establishments, but give no account of their annual products. These two sources are all, from which can be derived any extended and comprehensive view of the manufactures of the State; and though the materials are very deficient in some respects, and far from perfect in any; yet by comparing them with the population, and taking into consideration the circumstances and advantages of the State in respect to its agriculture, commerce, and fisheries, we may arrive at some general comparative idea of its manufacturing interests; which is as much as, in the present state of information on the subject, can be expected,

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TABLE I.

Statement of the Manufactures of Maine, as returned to Congress in the year 1810, with the amount of the corresponding articles in Massachusetts, and in the whole United States respectively.

TABLE II.

Excess and deficiency of Manufactures in Maine, in proportion to its population in 1810, compared with Massachusetts and the United States respectively.

The preceding tables, though they exhibit but a very limited and imperfect view of the manufacturing interests of the State, yet they afford results of some importance, in respect to its industry and character, and furnish grounds for some useful estimates with regard to the future.

For the manufacture of cloth, which is one of prime necessity, it appears that (exclusive of household manufactures) there are but comparatively few factories in the State. These are principally employed in the manufacture of cotton, and send, a part at least, of their products to Boston and elsewhere out of the State for their market. The great number of carding machines and fulling mills, which are employed only in the previous preparation of the wool, and in dressing the cloth after it is fabricated, together with the great number of yards of cloth of various descriptions stated in table 1, indicate clearly that this important manufacture is conducted chiefly in private families; and it is well known that it is confined almost wholly to the female part of the families, to whom other modes of profitable employment, are not generally open; and a large part of whom, without this manufacture, would probably have opportunity to contribute but very little to the general wealth of the State. The fact is highly creditable to the character of the inhabitants for domestic economy and industry; and this ́ will appear in a still stronger light from the comparisons in table 2, exhibiting the excess of this household manufacture in proportion to the population, when compared with Massachusetts, but especially when compared with the average of the United States; this excess being about 17 per cent. over the proportion compared with Massachusetts, and more than 65 per cent. over that of the average of the United States.

It may be farther remarked with respect to the manufacture of woollen cloth, that the climate and soil of Maine, fit it especially for a grazing country, and more particularly for the growth of sheep, and of the finest kinds of wool; that every circumstance of the country is favorable to the growth and manufacture