The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-11
Yours, sc
A. P. UPsHUR.
(Copy.l
NAVY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE,

| SIR BY the Resolution of Congress of the It'll
September, 1841 the Secretary of the Navy is " di
rected to purchase domestic water-rotted hemp, 70
the use of the Navy far the shall be foun
of suitable quality, and can be used benefciay TO
the service, having regard to the cost strength ant
durability of the artice'' and to cause purchases
of such hemp to be made in the different hempgrow
ing regions of the Union"
The States of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennes
see, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri produce
more hemp, it is believed, than any of the othe
States. Among these, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio
and Missouri, produce the greatest quantity
| AS agent, you will proceed hence through West
| ern Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Mis-
souri,, making vigant inquiries as to the quantities
OF hemp of good quality, growing in those and neigh
| boring States, and the prices at which, hemp, pro
perly water-rotted and prepared for market b.
obtained deliverable at points convenient for trans
portation by water.
| With the view to encourage the preparation O
hemp, by water-rotting, you authorized to Civ
assurances to the growers, that the Cove rnment il
disposed early may be practicable to adopt thu
use of hemp of the growth of country exclusive
OF all imported hemp, so far as may be required for
the Navy. We use, at this time, about 700 tons Of
clean hemp, and the probability is, that this consump
ton will rather be increased than diminished. You
will ascertain and report the terms upon which
water-rotted hemp be obtained, and the quaint
ties subject to the inspection of the yard at Boston,
where the hemp is to be delivered and should pass
inspection, will be made into cordage.
You will make engagements, as occasion and OPP
portuntes may arise, with the growers of hemp, that
their hemp passing the final inspection at Boston,
will be received and paid for, at not exceeding $3.50
per ton of 224O pounds This is $40 per ton
more than we give for the best Riga Rein hemp,
and is presumed to be a sufficient bounty, to
encourage the growth and preparation Of Anne
rcan Your own inspection of the hemp will
give assurance of the great probability of its passing
inspection at Boston, and place the growers upon
saer footing as to its reception than they otherwise
would be. 1t is thought that the Government in in
curing the expense of special agent, and giving
this bounty will operate to secure, ultimately,
an ample supply of American hemp. You will of
course not encourage the sending of any hemp to
Boston, on account of the Navy, unless you should
be entirely satisfied of its quality and mode of prepa-
ration.
Whenever you find parcel of hemp that you APP
prove and engage, you will report to the Board all the
particulars, with the place where the hemp is and the
name ofthe person with whom you make the engage
ment.
The sample of Riga Rein hemp, which you will
have, will enable you to give to the growers of hemp
correct information the quality of that article for
Navy You will give to them every information
in your power upon the subject of growing and pro-
pery preparing hemp for the Navy.
Further instructions will hereafter be given to you
occasions may arise. Let your reports be frequent
and minute
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
(SigneD D. WARRINGTON,
For the Board of Navy Commissioners.
ALBERT G. Browne, Esq,
Agent for procuring American Hemp
Washington.