lii INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



of its discovery, and the encouragement tliat was held out to 

 collect it, and send it to England, are recorded in a letter from 

 the Court of Directors, dated the 16th December, 1743, in these 

 words. 



•• We are well satisfied, that our island abounds with archell, 

 of which some sent us, is of the right sort, particular samples 

 whereof came enclosed, as also of what grows in other parts. Mr. 

 Goorlwin has informed himself concerning this product as far as 

 the short time would admit, therefore we must further refer you 

 to him. 



As this product is for dyeing, and will be of great benetit to 

 our country, we are willing to give our inhabitants all encourage- 

 ment for the gathering it. 



The best sort of what our island produces, as by the samples 

 sent us hitherto, if cleansed, gathered and picked, is worth £40. 

 or ^50. a ton, and as the freight home will be one-third of our 

 freight from India, being about ^10. a ton of 20cwt. net, we 

 will therefore give to all such of our inhabitants as bring in any 

 quantity not less than half a hundred, after the rate of 15 shillings 

 a hundred, to be paid down by you as they bring it in. 



But further to encourage them to gather large quantities, we 

 will give leave to any of our inhabitants to ship it and send it 

 home upon their own accounts on the following terms. 



As it is the product of the island, which is our property, we 

 will have 25 per cent, on the gross sale, in full of all charges for 

 our indulgence, and £10. per ton freight, which we must pay the 

 owner ; there being no custom payable to the crown, the re- 

 mainder will come to the proprietor, which we will take care 

 shall be duly paid to his attorney. 



You are to receive and pay for accordingly what they shall 

 bring in to you, the parcels not being less than half a hundred. 



