ish rule mainly contributed to the prosperity of several places, such as Querétaro, Acámbaro, San Miguel, Zinapécuaro, and others, where the mills made large quantities of common cloths, blankets, frieze, baize, and mangas, or cloaks. The industry fell into decadence from the same cause that so injuriously affected the cotton business, though not to the same extent, as the government continued to clothe the troops with Mexican woollens.[1] The number of woollen factories had greatly increased in 1845–6, the texture was improving, and the demand becoming larger. Early in the next decade the production had increased so much that the price of raw material rose considerably, and that of foreign woollen goods went down. In 1860 there were eight factories of cloths, kerseymeres, and carpetings, making the previous year 34,000 pieces, valued at $2,720,000.[2]
Silk manufacturing in Mexico owes its life to the Manila trade during the colonial period. The industry progressed but slowly. In 1844 the works of Morelia were started; the products were excellent, and happy results were expected. The business became profitable during several years. There were in 1857 21 factories and shops engaged in preparing the material, producing about 100,000 pounds, and employing about 4,000 persons in spinning, dyeing, etc., and 4,000 more made silk, and silk and linen rebozos, many of them of surpassing excellence. The business continued
- ↑ Alaman, Men. Agric. é Ind., 28.
- ↑ The fabrics were of good quality, but could not compete in European markets. Hernandez, Estadíst. Mex., 137. According to an account of 1868, the wool annually used by the large mills reached nearly three million pounds, while the smaller ones and hand-looms increased the demand perhaps another million. There were in 1879 about ten factories making yearly: Cassimere 1,500,000 varas, value $2,000,000, capital invested $3,500,000; barragan 2,000,000 varas, value $800,000, capital $1,000,000; carpeting 500,000 varas, value $500,000, capital $800,000; serapes 2,000,000 varas, value $1,000,000, capital $1,300,000; thread $200,000, capital $300,000; total value in market $4,500,000, total capital invested $6,500,000. It was stated by Deputy Pombo in congress, May 26, 1879, that the woollen progress was actually declining, and would soon come to an end. 'Y se puede asegurar que esta industria está tocando a su fin.' Diario Debates, 9th Cong., ii. 829. See also Busto, Estadíst. Rep. Mex., 1880, table no. 2.
