| THE STATE IN THE MARYLAND ECONOMY, 1776-1867 97
out cash? " No trade or business could pay the rates which
were " extorted " by moneylenders who were, at the time, the
only means of obtaining credit. He declared that some scheme
must be adopted to let manufacturers have money " on loan,
at an easy interest." $° The paper money bill failed of passage
in 1785 and again in 1786 and was not thereafter brought for-
ward.
A different way to aid American manufactures, increase the
state's population, retaliate upon British policy, and at the
same time set an example of humanity to the rest of the world
was proposed by some manufacturers and their friends dur-
ing the last two decades of the century. They suggested that
European artisans be invited, and even financially aided, to
come to America and set up their own factories or teach
Americans the use of new machines and trades. Maryland, one
wrote, -would be the ideal place for them to settle because
of cheaper living costs, if the state would only actively en-
courage them.gl John Frederick Amelung, a German artisan
who had taken advantage of pledges of private aid to come to
Maryland and had set up a glass factory in Frederick County,
was convinced that " no manufactory of any consequence can
succeed in this country, when Government does not grant ac-
cording to its utility and consequence, some real assistance for
its beginning, and some privileges for the encouragement of
foreign Manufacturers." 32
In- 1794, when war with Great Britain was threatened, a
writer in the Maryland Journal advised that a fund be set up
to encourage English immigration. His fund had a two-fold
purpose: not only would English and Irish workmen living in
" wretched conditions " be able to come to the United States,
but at the same time, it would serve as a politic way of mak-
ing war on Great Britain by draining it of men and money.
He said that hundreds of " mechanicks " would probably come
because of the certainty of employment.$$ This writer did not
°° rhid., Nov. 21, 1786, p. 2.
"A. Md. Gaz., Nov. 15. Dec. 6, p. 2 He went on to say that had the state
encouraged manufacturing, the skilled artisans would naturally have been at-
tracted to Maryland because they would have a better chance to become pro-
prietors or owners of factories than in the northern states.
e' Amelung, p. 7.
ae Md. J., Feb. 28, 1794, p. 2.
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