At a Council held at Hillsborough Aug 25th 1772
His Excellency the Governor & Council as above [22nd August].
His Excellency communicated to this Board certain informations which he had received from several intelligent persons who had lately traveled thro' the western parts of this Province of the bad state of the Corn in general from the long drought that hath prevailed, and the great appearance there was of the total failures of the crops in many places, and considering the advices he had received of the like calamity in the Province of New York, and the great scarcity of grain in South Carolina, with the high price wheat already bears in other Colonies particularly in Philadelphia the great granary of North America and that this may prove a strong temptation to merchants and others for the sake of present advantages to export wheat and flour, upon which alone multitudes here must depend for their support should the crop of corn fail wholly or even in part. He was pleased to submit to their consideration the expediency of laying an immediate embargo until it should be ascertained whether
Providence will avert the evil with which this Province is threatened. The Council were unanimously of opinion that the embargo was a measure of the most urgent necessity and the only probable means of preserving this Country from the miseries of impending famine.North Carolina—Ss. By His Excellency Josiah Martin Esq, &c., &c. A ProclamationWhereas it hath been represented to me that the severe drought which hath prevailed in this Province for many months past hath greatly damaged and in many places totally destroyed the crops of Indian Corn now growing and if the exportation of Wheat, Rye and flour to the neighboring provinces which (according to my information) have suffered the same dreadful calamity is not speedily prevented the most alarming consequences may be felt by the inhabitants of this Province. I have therefore thought fit by and with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council to issue this Proclamation hereby strictly enjoining and prohibiting the exportation of wheat rye or flour thereof from any port or place within this province to any of the neighboring provinces or parts beyond the seas for the space of three months next ensuing the date hereof of which His Majesty's officers of the Customs and all other persons are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.
Given under my hand &c at Hillsborough.
JO. MARTIN.