The Early Beginnings of Indigo. 133 



of Bengal as of this country. In order to effect 

 every possible improvement in this article, we trans- 

 mit you herewith copy of a letter from William 

 Fowkener, Esq., Secretary with Lords Committee 

 of the Privy Council for Trade, covering a report 

 of some experiments that have been made by a manu- 

 facturer of this country, with some hints necessary to 

 be attended to in the management and preparation 

 -of the same. As it is probable, the information therein 

 contained may be useful to the gentlemen concerned 

 in indigo plantations, we direct that the same be 

 made known in a manner that shall be most likely 

 for rendering them publicly useful." 



In the report above alluded to, Mr. Taylor (of 

 Manchester, February, 1789) observes : " I suppose 

 the East India Indigo [samples sent from Bengal] 

 marked A, to be worth eleven shillings per pound, 

 and equal to any Spanish Flora or Guatimala ; that 

 marked B> is only worth five shillings and sixpence 

 C, eight shillings and sixpence, and D, six shillings 

 and ninepence, per pound ; and adds, that the re- 

 sult of all these experiments confirms him in the 

 opinion, that the East Indies can furnish every kind 

 of indigo wanted in Great Britain." 



