Autograph Letter Signed, New Philadelphia, Ohio, January, 30, 1841, to Leander Ransom, Columbus, Ohio

Folio, 3 pages, plus stamp less address leaf, separations along folds, small hole in bottom of second leaf, affecting signature, else in good legible condition.

An interesting letter with various proposals to better Ohio's economic prospects, arguing that Ohio's farmers needed better mills and infrastructure to better compete with the agricultural products of western New York:

"… It has long seemed to me that the interest of the agricultural portion of community of Ohio demands a change in regard to the disposition and marketing of their produce – of their grain in particular – That true policy would dictate to that class the propriety not selling their wheat in bulk, but of procuring the manufacture of it so that they may save what is called the "off-fall" for their own use. This "off-fall" consisting as I understand of the coarser flour – which many would probably choose to use at home if their superior could be sold in market – and the bran & shorts – or as some call it "Ship-stuff." The last mentioned article it seems to me should if practicable be reserved by the farmer for food for stock, that by so doing he would be enabled to realize additional profits from his farm, his horses, - cattle, hogs, would be sustained and fattened by that article which I apprehend is by the present course of trade viz sending off the wheat in bulk – entirely lost to him. I say lost for it appears to me that the cost of transportation at least of wheat in bulk must exceed the cost of transportation of flout in Bbl to an amount greater than the value of the "off fall" in cash. It appears to me that the price of superfine flour generally in our domestic market or the advances, even made on superfine flour are equal to the value of the wheat required to make the quantity – if so then all the "off fall" is a dead loss to the farmer – and is of no advantage to the purchaser for manufacture at a distant mill on account of the increased cost of transportation, and risk of injury in transit. Besides I am informed that at Rochester, mills are – or have been constructed so as to throw bran and shorts into the river because it was there of little value. It seems to me that a change in the course of trade in this particular is desirable in a general point of view – as by it the available – or rather procurable funds of the country would not be invested - "locked up" in the article of wheat as has formerly been the case – The wheat of our country is bullion – the flour is coined cash – at fair prices. And I cannot see why the funds of traders should be invested in the general purchase of wheat, any more than it should be in the Land that produces the wheat – or the hands that are employed to till the land – it is a misappropriation of funds. When the flour is manufactured it then becomes a legitimate article of traffic and whether sold here – or forwarded to an ultimate market it possesses within itself the value requisite to send it to the house of the consumer. It may if you please be sent for account of the producer through his commission merchant – or purchased here at a price which the ultimate market will warrant – it like gold possesses within itself the intrinsic value capable of defraying the expenses of its transmission to the desired ultimate market. Why does "Ohio flour" sell at lower prices in New York than "Rochester" of "Western"? The quality of our wheat is as good as N. York wheat – Indeed much of the "Rochester" or "Western" is made of Ohio wheat! The answer is simply that generally our mills are not so perfect no is such exact attention paid to the manufacture. I submit that sound policy requires of our public functionaries and commercial men a course of conduct in relation to the subject that shall tend to improve our manufacture, and retain in the country for our own use those portions which will not bear transportation – hence it would result that mills should be improved in their structure, and that they should be multiplied to such an extent as to manufacture all the surplus wheat of the country, as soon as practicable, commercial men are beginning to see the necessity and advantage of this – they are looking for desirable locations. Would not the desirable end, which I have endeavored to demonstrate, be much promoted by action of the canal commissioners in increasing the tolls on grain – and reducing tolls on flour of all kinds? I respectfully maintain that it would. It would operate as a bounty on our own skill and industry by improving machinery already in operation, and adding largely to our number of flouring mills – ensuring – when the number of them shall have arrived at a certain point – and successful competition with "Rochester" and "Western" manufacturers. Capital from abroad will seek investment here, rendering sites for manufacturing valuable – enhancing the value of existing establishments and opening up new kinds and channels of business thereby finally developing the immense resources of our State. Other manufactures will follow in the train of "the staff of life" the mineral riches of the soil will be brought into use. Manufactures of wool will increase and since the tolls on raw cotton are such as to enable our canal to compete with the coast navigation the manufacture of that article will in due time become extensive.

I trust you trust you will excuse the liberty I have taken in occupying so much of your time, perhaps uselessly – for the whole subject matter is doubtless much more familiar to you than to me, nevertheless as this is a free country and every man esteems himself at liberty to bother his neighbor as much as he pleases I am in so doing only what is the privilege of a free citizen of a Sovereign state … B. Atherton"