March 4th, 1775.
The Committee met at the House of Capt. James Sumner, and the gentlemen appointed at a former meeting of Directors, to promote subscriptions for the encouragement of Manufactures, informed the Committee that the Sum of Eighty Pounds Sterling, was subscribed by the inhabitants of this County for that laudable purpose. The Committee, taking into consideration the manner in which said sum may be applied, so as to redound to the utility of this Province in general, and to this County in particular, resolved, that the sum of
Forty Pounds Sterling be paid by the Chairman of the Committee to any person who shall, in eighteen months from the date hereof, first make in this Province, or cause to be therein made, under his direction, five hundred pair of Wool Cards, such as usually cost One Shilling and Three Pence Sterling, in Great Britain; and five hundred pair of good Cotton Cards, such as usually cost Two Shillings and Six Pence Sterling in Great Britain, which the Committee hereby oblige themselves to purchase and pay, ready money, for, at the rate of Two Shillings Sterling for the Wool Cards, and Three Shillings Sterling a pair for the Cotton Cards; and it is expected that the person entitled to such premiums shall furnish them at that price. The quality and price that such Cards usually cost in Great Britain to be submitted to the Committee.The Committee also offer a premium of Forty Pounds Sterling, to be paid by the Chairman of the Committee, to the person who shall first make for sale, in this Province, two thousand pounds of good Steel, fit for edged tools. The Committee are apprehensive the premiums here offered are too inconsiderable to induce any person to attempt the above branches of business; but they flatter themselves that the other Counties in this Province, stimulated by the same laudable motives to promote industry, one of the primary sources of virtue and wealth, may join them, in order that the above branches of Manufacture may be effectually carried into execution; in which case, it is hoped the Committee of such Counties as are desirous to contribute, will correspond with this Committee upon the Subject, that the whole Premium offered may appear at once in the papers abroad, in which it is proposed to have it published.
The Committee likewise offer a Premium of Ten Pounds, Proclamation Money, to be paid by their Chairman, to any person who shall, within twelve months from this date, first produce one hundred yards of well fulled Woolen Cloth to the Committee, spun and wove in this County, and fulled in any County within the District of the Superiour Court of Edenton; and a Premium of Ten Pounds, like money, to be paid by the Chairman, to the person who shall, within twelve months from this date, first produce to the Committee one hundred yards of well bleached Linen, such as usually costs Two Shillings Sterling in Great Britain; and the sum of Five Pounds, like money, to any person who shall produce one hundred yards of Linen, next in quality, not of less value than what usually costs One Shilling and Eight Pence Sterling, in Great Britain; and both kinds
of Linen to be manufactured in this County; and the quality of them to be submitted to the judgment of the Committee.Signed by order of the Committee.