112 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



(which appeared approaching) should raise the price of their goods. 

 In the city of Philadelphia alone, the number of sheep used in 1775 

 was 20,000 less than hall been used in the preceding year, which was 

 due to the patriotic resolve of the inhabitants not to eat mutton, that 

 the sheep might be preserved for its wool. At Savannah, Ga., there 

 was an association entered into by the deputies of the provincial con- 

 gress "to encourage frugality, economy, and industry, and to promote 

 agriculture, the art and manufacture of America, especially that of wool ; 

 and to discountenance and discourage every species of extravagance 

 and dissipation, especially horse racing and gaming." 



The General Congress of the colonies in October, 1774, "under the 

 sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of country," pledged themselves 

 and their constituents not to import British goods, and to use their ut- 

 most endeavors to improve the breed and increase the number of sheep, 

 by killing as few of them as possible and not exporting them, but sell- 

 ing on moderate terms to their neighbors who might need them, to 

 practice economy and industry, and to promote the agriculture and 

 manufactures of the country, especially that of wool. These resolutions 

 met with unanimous approval of the people, and those who disregarded 

 them were published as enemies to public liberty. All the dwellings 

 and workshops in the land felt the stimulating effect of these resolves, 

 and industry was awakened. The congress of deputies which met at 

 Annapolis in December, 1774, renewed the resolution to encourage the 

 breeding of sheep and to promote the woolen manufacture, which was 

 followed by Massachusetts the same month, which colony recommended 

 the people to improve their breed of sheep and secure the greatest pos- 

 sible increase of them; the use of their own woolen manufactures, and 

 a careful sorting of the wool, so that it might be manufactured as much 

 as possible into the best goods; the establishment of one or more man- 

 ufactures of wool-combers 7 combs; the use of domestic hosiery, and the 

 use of their own manufactures and those of their sister colonies in pref- 

 erence to all others. 



South Carolina encouraged the raising of cotton and North Carolina 

 encouraged manufactures by offering premiums, among which was one 

 of 100 for six pieces of woolen cloth, well dressed, each piece 25 yards, 

 and Essex County, Ya., offered a bounty of 50 to any person who 

 would produce 500 pairs of men's and women's stockings manufactured 

 in the county, one-third to be worth Is., one-third worth 2s., a third 

 worth 3s., sterling, a pair; the county to have the refusal of them at 

 75 per cent on these prices. 



The province of Virginia followed the action of Massachusetts, else- 

 where stated, and urged the. importance, wisdom, and necessity of a 

 State in providing Ayithin itself a supply of articles necessary for sub- 

 sistence, clothing, and defense, and recommended that no persons 

 should use in their families, unless in case of necessity, and in no case 

 to sell to butchers or kill for market, any sheep under four years old; 



