iB8 A. D. 1732. 



undertakings of this nature ; fo much the rather, becaufc thofe ma- 

 nufadures, in proccfs of time, may be carried on in a greater degree, 

 unlefs an early ftop be put to their progrefs, by employing them in 

 naval flores. Wherefor we take leave to renew our repeated propo- 

 fals, that reafonable encouragement be given to the fame. More- 

 over, we find that certain trades carried on, and manufadurcs fet up 

 there, are detrimental to the trade, navigation, and manufaftures of 

 Great Britain. For the (late of thole plantations varying almolt every 

 year, more or lefs, in their trade and manufa6lures, as well as in other 

 particulars, we thought it necefiaay for his majedy's fervice, and for 

 the difcharge of our truft, from time to time, to fend certain general 

 ' queries to the feveral governors in America, that we might be the 

 ' more exadly informed of the condition of the plantations, among 



* which there were feveral that related to their trade and manufactures, 

 ' to which we received the following returns, viz. 



' The governor of Nevv-Hampfliire, in his anfwer, faid, that there 

 ' were no fettled manufactures in that province, and that their trade 

 ' principally confifted in lumber and fifli. 



' The governor of Maffuchufets-bay informed us, that in fome parts 

 ' of this province the inhabitants worked up their wool and flax into 



* an ordinary coarfe cloth for their own ufe, but did not export any. 

 ' That the greateft part of the woollen and linen clothing, worn in this 

 ' province, was imported from Great Britain, and fometimes from Ire- 

 ' land ; but, confidering the exceilive price of labour in New- England, 

 ' the merchants could afford what was imported cheaper than what was 

 ' made in that country. That thore were alfo a few hat-makers in the 

 ' maritime towns ; and that the greater part of the leather ufed in that 



* country was manufactured among themfelves ; that there had been 

 ' for many years fome iron works in that province, which had afforded 

 ' the people iron for fome of their neceflary occafions ; but that the 

 ' iron imported from Great Britain was efteemed much the beft, and 

 ' wholely ufed by the (hipping. And that the iron works of that pro- 

 ' vince were not able to fupply the twentieth part of what was neceflary 

 ' for the ufe of the country. 



' They had no manufactures in the province of New-York, that de- 

 ' ferved mentioning : their trade confifted chiefly in furs, whalebone, 

 ' oil, pitch, tar, and provifions. 



' No mannfuCtures in New-Jerfey, that deferve mentioning : their 

 ' trade being chiefly in provifions fhipped from New- York and Penn- 

 ' fylvania. 



' The chief trade of Pennfylvania lay in the exportation of provifions 

 ' and lumber ; no manufactures being eftabliflied, and their clothing 

 ' and utenfils for their houfes being all imported from Great Britain. 



' By further advices from New-Hampfliire, the woollen manufacture 



