The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

From the MAGAZINES for the Month of October, and the London Prints to the 3d of November, brought by Capt. Hatch, and Capt. Skilling, who are arrived at Boston from London, we have the following Advices, viz.

To the Printer of the St. James's Chronicle.

SIR,

At a Time when the Legislature are said to be doing all in their Power to prevent the Growth of Manufactories in America, I beg Leave, through your Paper, to offer the Article of Wool, of the Growth of America, to the Consideration of the Public. There are now in Long-Island, Pennsylvania, and New-England, a great Number of fine Sheep, and these with their Lambs, regularly sheared, as ours are in England. Any thinking Person may easily judge, that the Produce of these Sheep and Lambs is of extreme small Value, on Account of the great Height Wages are there at, and the Difficulty they meet with in Manufacturing it: For they actually sell their Manufactures upon Par with our European Goods, owing entirely to the very small Value Wool is of to them, as being prohibited sending it out of the respective Governments, which is included in a general Prohibition of manufactured Goods. My Intention, therefore, is to point out, in the best Manner I am able, the Advantage that would arise both to Great-Britain and America, if this Bar were taken away, and our Ports laid open to receive Wool the Growth of our American Colonies.

It is obvious, if they were allowed to send their Wool here, they would manufacture less, perhaps none; and the free Importation of it into our Ports would help to lower the Price of all Sorts of Wool, which are now risen to such a Height, as to enhance the Price of coarse Goods 25 per Cent. Some may object, it would hurt the Grazier; but would not the Advantage arising to the Woollen Manufactures sufficiently counterbalance that (only conjectural) Complaint? If the above be not attended to, we may expect to see England rivaled in her Trade to the West-Indies. I remember seeing an Account in your Paper, that the New-York Merchants had given Orders for 50,000 Yards of Cloth in America; how astonishing that no one enquires into the Foundation of that Manufactory! The true State of the Case is this; they must either work their Wool into Clothing, or manure the Land with it. I hope some of our worthy Patriots, in particular the truly noble Earl Gower, will interest themselves in behalf of so numerous a Part of the Community as the Woollen Manufactures are, and they may rest assured of the Blessings and Thanks of MILLIONS.

Newcastle, Staffordshire, Sept. 25, 1764.