In Praise of Domestic Manufacturing

THE WEEKLY REGISTER, Home Influence (1813)

The War of 1812 had economic origins and consequences. Here, in an article from the January 23, 1813, Weekly Register, published in the commercial city of Baltimore, Maryland, the author describes one effect of the war with Britain: an encouragement of domestic manufacturing. With trade curtailed because of the war, Americans were forced to “wean” themselves from foreign goods and rely on American manufactures. This necessity transformed into a virtue, as it became another element of republican self-reliance, industry, and pride.

The belief of years has resolved into moral certainty. It was an old opinion that the United States could never become a really independent, distinct and Separate nation, while so many of our necessaries, conveniences and luxuries were received from abroad. Our ablest politicians, knowing the influence generated by these considerations, always predicted what the declaration of war against England has realized; for now it is evident matter of fact, that our people on the sea board must be weaned from their late great commercial intercourse with that country, before they can possess one genuine and generous American feeling. To the shreds of the old predilection in favor of Great Britain, handed down from father to son, and imbibed through a multitude of mediums, such as books, business and all the circumstances of social life, is superadded the more powerful dispositions of pecuniary interest. In the scale of affections, the love of self preponderates; and the many thousands who grow rich by dealing in foreign goods must needs be under foreign influence. “Where the treasure is the heart will lie also” and it is too much the case with the trading world that money is the god they worship. It is not to be expected that these narrow personal feelings can be eradicated; but time and perseverance may divert them to better objects at home.

It is cause of rejoicing that many, very many millions of dollars have latterly been invested in domestic manufacturing establishments, and to observe the current of wealth still urging the erection of new and magnificent works. This mighty and increasing capital begets a new feeling; for the “treasure” is at home. The influence of money is wonderful; and the mind changes as the means of acquiring it are presented. Hence a powerful home influence is spreading itself through society, and the people are becoming more abstracted from foreign considerations. In the city of Baltimore are now sold various kinds of goods to the value of at least half million of dollars per annum, all of which species, five years ago, were received from abroad: and the pith and marrow of the matter is this, that the supply is immensely increasing, because all who deal in them find their profit in doing so —

“Men follow money

As bees follow honey”

And many very valuable establishments for the chief sale of domestic goods have sprung up in different parts of the city; while every day brings to market some new commodity.

It is true that the manufactures of the United States are not yet adequate to the consumption of the country; but hundreds of thousands are clothed entirely with home-made apparel; while many of our most important branches of mechanical industry are completely supplied with all their tools and apparatus from other work-shops among us. Our bountiful country pours forth its resources; and genius applies its productions to the wants and conveniences of life. Our progress in improvement has no parallel; nor is the increase of our population more surprising than the proceeds of our manufactures, rising in all their varied form in every direction, and pursued with an eye to profit in almost every farm house in the United States. The merino breed of sheep is spreading with astonishing rapidity — they are already numerous, and much attention is paid to improving the common species. The manufacture of all the coarser kinds of cotton goods, with some of the most delicate fabrics, may be considered as fully established. The western states will supply us with an abundance of hemp and hempen manufactures. The chief part of the heavy metallic articles are now made amongst us, while many of the lighter kinds are extensively and profitably furnished. The woolen manufacture keeps pace with the rest, and great investitures are made in its various departments. Ancient prejudices have yielded to the impulses of patriotism or the dictates of prudence, and it has become fashionable to use home manufactures. This is a most important point gained, for we are creatures of prejudice; and, “like blind horses in a mill,” pursue the beaten track without a why or wherefore. Six years ago our whole export of flour, beef, pork and provisions, generally, did no more than pay for the foreign liquors we consumed: the case is materially altered — the long despised whiskey, rectified, and improved, has driven from the side-board English rum and French brandy, or suffers them to remain as mere monuments of former favor. Our most dashing bucks are proud to boast a homespun coat; and the prudent house-wife delighted exhibits her newly made table linen, sheeting, carpets, etc. This is that pride that destroys a foreign influence — it is an honest pride, and should be encouraged, and so indeed it is — for no man is ashamed for his apparel, though it be coarse, if it is clean and decent, and HOME-SPUN.

Seeing the importance of domestic manufactures in lessening our connection with the old world, corrupted and corrupting, the patriot heart leaps with joy at the speedy prospect of “reversing the tables” upon it, in making it the necessity of foreign nations to depend on us for those raw materials and articles of food which it was our object to exchange for their productions — but which they must have, not possessing within themselves the means to furnish them. — Then will our country stand on high ground; and wealth flow gradually in from all quarters, without subjecting us to foreign partialities or the gamblings of commerce. The trade of the country will increase; but the anxiety of the merchant will be not to receive from Europe the chief articles of his adventure, but to obtain of his neighbors, responsible men vouching for their good qualities and on whose faith he can recommend them abroad, all that he wants. — This time is not far distant — the political mellenium in America is fast approaching, and will come; though like the croaking raven, a FOREIGN INFLUENCE predicts all calamity. The righteous war for our seamen and our rights, grossly violated, is one of the grand means by which a good Providence will bring about a blessed union of the people, in directing them to look AT HOME for all they desire. Let the real American be of good cheer — we shall triumph by land as well as by sea; but more than all in establishing a HOME INFLUENCE that will guard and defend happy Columbia amidst the “throes and convulsions of the old world,” when “infuriated man, th[r]ough blood and slaughter, shall seek his liberty,” with horrors unprecedented.

This state of things is clearly manifested to the view of England. With unspeakable hatred and bitterness of spirit, like Babylon of old, she sees the time “when no man [in America] shall buy her merchandize any more” — and herein is the true cause of that rancour of party which is excited in the United States by her turbulent advocates. We should bear with that patiently, well assured that her influence here is at its last gasp. It will not expire without great screamings and noise; but they shall not divert us from our course. Home manufactures, with steady perseverance, will destroy the hydra; and when, hereafter, we shall calmly view his deformity, great will be our wonder that we bore with it so long.

The Weekly Register: Documents, Essays, and Facts, vol. 3, ed. H. Niles (Baltimore: The Franklin Press, 1813), 328–329.

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