The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-22
INSPECTION OF HEMP.
Navy DEPARTMENT, July 10, l8.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 10, lo4o.
Sir: In the instructions which you may here
after have occasion TO give TO the agents for testing,
inspecting, and purchasing American water-rotted
hemp for the use of the navy, you will authorize
the inspection and test that may be made at the
several agencies in the hemp-growing regions to be
final and conclusive, instead of requiring them to
be repeated at Boston.
Whenever il shall become necessary to procure
further supplies of hemp, you will direct that con-
tracts be made for its delivery at either of the agen-
ces established the department to be at the risk and
expense Of conveying it thence to the Charesown
yard, or wherever else It may be wanted.
fully appreciate the considerations which have
heretofore induced you to require the nal lnspec-
ton to be made at the place Of manufacture, and
have not, without hesitation, adopted different
conclusion. But from careful perusal Of the reso-
lutions of Congress the subject, and the opinions
Of some of the Legislators who assisted in passing
them, cannot resist the conviction that they were
designed TO encourage the culture of this important
staple by opening to its producers valuable mar
ket in their own region. To require them to sell
at an inspection twelve hundred miles distant from
their homes, must operate in great measure to de-
privc them of this market and have tendency,
therefore, to defeat the expressed in entions OF
Congress in their behalf
Entertaining this opinion, and feeling deep in
terest in whatever concerns the agriculture of the
country, am induced TO hazard the slight mconve-
nience and expense which may temporarily result
to the government from the proposed change, for
the sake of the permanent benefit which it may con-
fer upon it in the increased culture, improved quail
ity, and reduced prices of American hemp. While
our agents at the West are competent and faithful
in the discharge of their dues the department may
reasonably rely upon them, or upon such special
agents il may appoint, for safe and rigid inspec-
ton Of the supplies which may be offered for their
approval; and the risk of Transporting the quantity
thus approved to the place where is required for
manufacture, Congress seems to have devolved, by
its recent action, upon the government
One Of the principal reasons which have induced
your previous action on this subject, appears to be
that provision of Congress which requires all sup
plies for the navy to be furnished, after public adj
vertisement, by the lowest bidder. You will meet
the requirements of this law and the purposes Of the
congressional resolves, to which have referred, by
advertising, in the first instance, exclusively for
American hemp and you will allow foreign hemp
to come into competition with own, only when
the latter cannot be obtained on the conditions pre-
scribed by law
Acknowledging the interest which you have uni
formly manifested in this important subject, and
assuring you of the diffdencs with which direct
this change in your accustomed action,
am, very respectfully, yours,
GEORGE BANCROFT.
Commodore G. MoRRs,
Chief of Bureau of Construction, &c.