Benjamin Ruggles letter to Thomas Rotch, Washington, February 4, 1818

              A-309-1 
       
                            Washington Feb 4 - 1818
	Dear Sir
              Your letter of  Jan. 18th was received yesterday.
	The Petition I presented to the Senate, and had it re-
	fered to the Committee of Commerce and manufac-
	tures, where several other Petitions of a similar na
	ture, from different parts of the Country, have been,
	refered.  I think something will be done this session
	to favor manufacturers.--- The subject has not yet
	come under consideration.   I thank you for the
	specimens of manufactured cloth you sent me from
	your factory---I showed them to the members of the
	Senate and several other gentlemen,who seemed
	much surprised to see the manufacture of cloth car-
	ried to such perfection in the Western woods.   I
	intend to show them to the President the first oppor-
	tunity that occurs.  I have no news of importance,
	the preceedings of Congress you will see in the papers.
	   	Please to remember me to your Lady - to
	Jonathan Winters and family.
                                       Yours  Benjamin Ruggles