Who were Eli Whitney's friends?

Eli Whitney, best known for inventing the cotton gin, had several notable friends and associates, including fellow inventors and industrialists of his time. One of his close friends was John W. Mason, who supported Whitney in his legal battles regarding patent rights. Additionally, Whitney had professional relationships with figures like Oliver Evans, an inventor and engineer, and was connected to prominent individuals in the early American manufacturing sector. These friendships and collaborations played a role in advancing his innovations and the industrial landscape of the era.