90 l7idustrial Expei^iments in Colonial America. 



num.^ This recommendation being approved, the Board were 

 directed to prepare a commission and draw up instructions for 

 Mr. Bridger.^ The instructions are interesting as showing 

 how the conception of the office had enlarged.^ The surveyor 

 was to show to the several governors in New England his com- 

 mission and such part of his instructions as might be necessary 

 from time to time; to survey the woods in New England and 

 do all he could for their preservation; to restrain the people 

 from taking liberties with the king's woods; to instruct the 

 people in the best methods of making pitch and tar, and in the 

 choice of trees, and of land proper for hemp; to correct mis- 

 takes and to see that the pitch and tar shipped were free from 

 dross, and that each cask was properly labeled with the name 

 and address of the maker. He was further directed to urge 

 governors to get acts passed for the promotion of the under- 

 taking, and for the prevention of abuses; and when he had 

 done all this for New England, to do the same in other colonies. 

 Lastly, he was required to keep a strict account of all proceed- 

 ings, and to report progress to the Secretary of State, the Board 

 of Trade, and the several governors. 



In February, 1706, Bridger received his formal commission.* 

 Having been heralded by a circular letter to the colonial gov- 

 ernors informing them of his appointment and directing them 

 to support and assist him in every possible way,^ the surveyor 

 arrived in Boston, September 15th, and soon afterward pro- 

 ceeded to Piscataqua. From here he wrote to the Board of 

 Trade that he had found the woods in a bad state, and that the 

 survey was very difficult on account of the Indians. He would 



^Recommendation from the Board of Trade, B. T. New Eng., 



P: 35- 



'Direction to the Board to prepare instructions, B. T. Plants. Gen., 

 H: 24. 



•Copy of instructions for Mr. Bridger, B. T. New Eng., Entry 

 Bk. F., December 19, 1705. 



*Copy of Mr. Bridger's commission, B. T. New Eng., Q: 45. 



'Circular letter to governors of the plantations, B. T. Plants. Gen., 

 Entry Bk. D., February 4, 1706. 



