JOSEPH WILLARD, Preſident.
In 1788 the industry of the people of Providence, R.I., is set forth in the following notice, from the "Salem Mercury" of November 25:
American Manufactures.
A Providence paper informs, that the Carding and Spinning Machines uſed in England in manufacturing cotton ſtuffs, are introducing into that town by ſome publick ſpirited gentlemen—and that there are few families in that town which are not manufacturing ſome kind of cloth.
It appears from the "Columbian Centinel," July 14, 1790, that the wealthy of that day had a fondness for foreign articles.
Complaint is very prolifick in all countries. In the United States we complain, that,
Tho' rich at home, to foreign lands we ſtray,
And trade for trinkets our beſt wealth away.