Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/544

524 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. 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.

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