11James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
who have the misfortune of being prisoners of war in foreign countries—Should be instructed to provid them with spinning wheels, cards, knitting needles, wool, flax & Cotton, with these
simple means the poor fellows could C
12To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 13 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
...be used by the troops of the United States in marching from post to post as the public good may require.” In return for opening the road, the Creek Indians were to receive between 1812 and 1814 one thousand spinning wheels, one thousand pairs of cotton cards, and a quantity of iron, at a cost Hawkins estimated to be $4,350.62 (Hawkins to Eustis, 3 Oct. 1811, Grant,
13Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Appraisal of Chattels at Belmont Estates, [after 5 October 1810] (Jefferson Papers)
1. spinning wheel for cotton, & 2. wheels for spinning flax, with cotton & wool cards.
14To James Madison from Gabriel Richard, 12 October 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
...U.S. government still wishes to charge rent he asks that the improvements made to the farm be considered as an equivalent. Otherwise, he can only pay the rent by selling “the best part of our apparatus as Spinning wheels, looms, Electrical Machine &c. which shall prove exceedingly fatal and hurtfull to so valuable an Institution.”
15To James Madison from William Bentley, 2 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
...& the resistance of the Merchants, to whose habits he has no indulgence from inclination, or his manner of life, observed “The Worst Embargo upon our Country would be upon our plows & our spinning wheels. We should have no Embargo at home. We should dispise to give any nation any advantage over us from anything; it could possess. A Free people will never think themselves dependant upon any...
I am rejoiced to find by your Mamma’s letter, that you intend to “turn your spinning wheel,” the more we are qualified to help ourselves, the less dependent we are upon others, from the present temper of old England, it looks as if we should be less her customers than formerly. Manufactures of all...
I am rejoiced to find that you intend to turn your spinning wheel; the more we are qualified to help ourselves, the less dependent we are upon others; from the present temper of old England, it looks as if we should be less her customers than formerly. I would recommend...
18Gabriel Richard to Thomas Jefferson, 9 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already expended great deal of money to buy an Electrical machine, an air-Pump, an optics, a Spinning Jennie of 24 Spindles Cotton, wool, Spinning wheels, Cards, cloths for children, Timber, Shingles, Boards nails Glass, for Some buildings to be erected for the Indian School, and many other articles.
19From James Madison to Hobohoilthle, [6 November] 1809 (Madison Papers)
...will then have food and cloathing and live comfortably. The President advises you to do this. He knows that his red Children can live well if they will follow his advice. Colo. Hawkins will give you Cards and Spinning-wheels and Looms to weave in. Some of your white brothers are also poor, but their fathers put them to such work as is fit for them and they live very well.
20From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
To me he adds, “By the same vessel I propose consigning &c. a machine of prodigious consequence under present circumstances, combining great usefulness & little expence, and meant to take the place of the common small spinning Wheel in the manufacture of flax tow & hemp. It occupies little more room than the old spinning wheel, is put & kept in motion by any old or young negro wench, gives you...