490 [Assembly 



Flax is manufactured in Europe, into handkerchiefs, worth 3,500 

 per cent advance on its first cost. 



Judge Van Wyck, — And cotton at 5,000 per cent. 



Abstract of British Laws respecting bounties on Linen, 



[J2d XXIX. George IT. and X George 77/ ] 



British or Irish Linen, made of hemp or flax, of the breadth of 25 

 inches or more, for every yard which shall be exported to Africa, 

 America, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Malta, Island of Minorca, or 

 the East Indies, there shall be paid a bounty 



Under the value of 5d. per yard of, - \d. 



Of the value of 5d. and under 6d, 1 



Of the value of 6d. and not exceeding Is. 6d, 1| 



Checked or striped, not exceeding Is 6d., and not under the 



value of 7d. per yard. - ^ 



Diapers, huchabacks, sheetings and other species of linen, up- 

 wards of one yard English in breadth, not exceeding Is. 

 6d. per square yard in value, the square yard, 1\ 



Sailcloth and canvass, fit for, or made into sails, the ell, 2 



Which said bounty shall be paid upon demand to the exporter of 

 such linens, or the seller thereof for exportation, by the collector of 

 the port from whence the same shall be exported. The exporter or 

 seller for exportation, shall, before he receive such bounty, produce a 

 certificate verifying the shipment thereof, and shall likewise give se- 

 curity to the collector of the port, in the penalty of double the value 

 of the goods intended to be exported, and <£I00, that such linens or 

 any part thereof, shall not be re-landed or brought on shore again 

 in Great Britain or Ireland. 



Mr. Bergen, of Gowanus. — I have seen much flax raised. I do 

 not think it is now a profitable crop. After the farmer has raised 

 his flax, and even spun it into thread, he can buy his cotton thread 

 cheaper than he can get his thread wove into linen. Flax is no 

 greater exhauster of the soil than many other crops. He constantly 

 looks for the greatest profit. Now, sir, it is said that if machinery 

 shall be introduced, the profit will be got. It may be so; but how 

 are we to get it? There are many ways proposed for the encour- 

 agement of flax and hemp culture and manufacture. 



