Thursday March 21. 1776. There are three Resolutions, which I claim
Resolved That it be recommended to the several Assemblies &c. that they exert their
Utmost Endeavours to promote the Culture of Hemp, Flax and Cotton and the grouth of
Wool.
Resolved that it be recommended to the said Assemblies &c. that they take the earliest
measures for erecting and establishing in each and every Colony, a Society for the
Improvement of Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures and commerce, and to maintain a Correspondence
between such Societies, that the rich and numerous natural Advantages of this Country
for supporting its Inhabitants may not be neglected.
{ 373 } Resolved that it be recommended to the said Assemblies &c. that they forthwith consider
of Ways and means of introducing the Manufactures of Duck, Sail Cloth and Steel, where
they are not now understood, and of encouraging, encreasing and improving them, where
they are.
These Resolutions I introduced and supported, not only for their Intrinsic Utility,
which I thought would be very considerable: but because they held up to the view of
the Nation the Air of Independence.
1