and of the Manufactures of all kinds, within the Colony, to be used by our Delegates in the Continental Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, on or before the 10th day of May next, as they shall think proper. And the members of this Committee for each County be nominated by the Members of this Congress for said County, and the member for each maritime Town be nominated by the Representatives of such Town.
Ordered, That the several Counties be ready to report their nominations at three o'clock this afternoon.
Resolved, That Mr. Sullivan be desired to forward to the Honourable Jedediah Prebble, Esquire, a Resolve of this Congress appointing him a General Officer.
Adjourned to three o'clock this afternoon.
Afternoon.
The several Counties and maritime Towns nominated their members for the Committee according to the Resolve in the forenoon, who were accepted by the Congress, and are as followeth, viz:
County of SUFFOLK, Mr. Palmer; BOSTON, Doctor Warren; ESSEX, Colonel Gerrish; LYNN, Capt. Mansfield; MARBLEHEAD, Colonel Orne; SALEM, Honourable Mr. Derby; BEVERLY, Captain Batcheldor; MANCHESTER, Mr. Woodbury; GLOUCESTER, Captain Coffin; IPSWICH, Captain Farley; NEWBURYPORT, Captain Green-leaf; HAVERHILL, Samuel White, Esquire; DANVERS, Doctor Molten; MIDDLESEX, Col. Prescott; CHARLESTOWN, Mr. Gorham; MEDFORD, Mr. Hall; HAMPSHIRE, Honourable Major Hawley; PLYMOUTH, Doctor Perkins; Town of PLYMOUTH, Mr. Lothrop; KINGSTON, Colonel Thomas; DUXBURY, Mr. Partridge; SCITUATE, Nathan dishing, Esquire; BARNSTABLE, Daniel Davis, Esquire; SANDWICH, Captain Nye; EASTHAM, Mr. Holbrook; BRISTOL, Doctor Cobb; DARTMOUTH, Benjamin Aiken, Esquire; FREETOWN, Mr. Durfee; YORK, Mr. Sullivan; KITTERY, Charles Chauncy, Esquire.
Thursday, December 8, 1774, A. M
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As the happiness of particular families arises in a great degree, from their being more or less dependent upon others; and as the less occasion they have for any article belonging to others, the more independent, and consequently the happier they are; so the happiness of every political body of men upon earth is to be estimated, in a great measure, upon their greater or less dependence upon any other political bodies; and from hence arises a forcible argument, why every state ought to regulate their internal policy in such a manner as to furnish themselves, within their own body, with every necessary article for subsistence and defence, otherwise their political existence will depend upon others who may take advantage of such weakness and reduce them to the lowest state of vassalage and slavery. For preventing so great an evil, more to be dreaded than death itself, it must be the wisdom of this Colony at all times, more especially at this time, when the hand of power is lashing us with the scorpions of despotism, to encourage Agriculture, Manufactures, and Economy, so as to render this State as independent of every other State as the nature of our country will admit; from the consideration thereof, and trusting that the virtue of the People of this Colony is such that the following Resolutions of this Congress, which must be productive of the greatest good, will by them be effectually carried into execution, and it is therefore Resolved:
1st. That we do recommend to the people the improvement of their breed of Sheep, and the greatest possible increase of the same; and also the preferable use of our own Woollen Manufactures; that the Manufacturers ask only reasonable prices for their Goods; and especially a very careful sorting of the Wool, so that it may be manufactured to the greatest advantage, and as much as may be into the best Goods.
2d. We do also recommend to the people the raising of Hemp and Flax; and as large quantities of Flaxseed, more than may be wanted for sowing, may be produced, we would also farther recommend the manufacturing the same into Oil.
3d. We do likewise recommend the making of Nails, which we apprehend must meet with the strongest encouragement from the publick, and be of lasting benefit both to the manufacturer and the publick.
4th. The making of Steel, and the preferable use of the same, we do also recommend to the inhabitants of this Colony.
5th. We do in the like manner recommend the making of Tin Plates, as an article well worth the attention of this people.
6th. As Fire Arms have been manufactured in several parts of this Colony, we do recommend the use of such in preference to any imported; and we do recommend the making of Gun-Locks, and Furniture, and other Locks, with other articles in the Iron way.
7th. We do also earnestly recommend the making of Saltpetre, as an article of vast importance, to be encouraged as may be directed hereafter.
8th. That Gun Powder is also an article of such importance, that every man among us who loves his country, must wish the establishment of Manufactures for that purpose, and as there are the ruins of several Powder Mills, and sundry persons among us who are acquainted with that business, we do heartily recommend its encouragement by repairing one or more of said Mills, or erecting others, and renewing said business as soon as possible.
9th. That as several Paper Mills are now usefully employed, we do likewise recommend a preferable use of our own Manufactures in this way; and a careful saving and collecting of Rags, &c. And, also, that the manufacturers give a generous price for such Rags, &c.
10th. That it will be the interest as well as the duty of this body, or of such as may succeed us, to make such effectual provision for the further manufacturing of the several sorts of Glass, as that the same may be carried on to the mutual benefit of the undertaker and the publick, and firmly established in this Colony.
11th. Whereas Buttons, of excellent qualities, and of various sorts, are manufactured among us, we do earnestly recommend the general use of the same, so that the Manufactories may be extended to the advantage of the people and the manufacturers.
12th. And whereas Salt is an article of vast consumption within this Colony, and in its fisheries, we do heartily recommend the making the same in the several ways wherein it is made in several parts of Europe, especially in the method used in that part of France where they make Bay Salt.
13th. We do likewise recommend an encouragement of Horn Smiths in all their various branches, as what will be of publick utility.
14th. We do also recommend the establishment of one or more Manufactories for making Wool-combers' Combs, as an article necessary in our Woollen Manufactures.
15th. We do in like manner heartily recommend the preferable use of the Stockings and other Hosiery worn among ourselves, so as to enlarge the Manufactories thereof, in such manner as to encourage the manufacturers and serve the country.
16th. As Madder is an article of great importance in the Dier's business, and which may be easily raised and cured among ourselves, we do therefore earnestly recommend the raising and curing the same.
17th. In order the more effectually to carry these Resolutions into effect, we do earnestly recommend that a Society or Societies be established for the purposes of introducing and establishing such Arts and Manufactures as may be useful to this people, and are not yet introduced, and the more effectually establishing such as we already have among us.
18th. We do recommend to the inhabitants of this Province to make use of our own Manufactures, and those of our sister Colonies in preference to all other Manufactures.
Afternoon.
The Order of the Day was moved for.
Resolved, That Doctor Church, Mr. Wheeler, and Doctor Molten, be a Committee to count and sort the votes for two General Officers, and that the Congress vote for the Officers separately.
The Congress then proceeded to bring in their votes for a General Officer, the Committee having counted and sorted the same, reported that Colonel Thomas was chosen.
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