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[Page 2]
[The words on this page have been crossed out]
There are 2 acts of Parliament that prescribe the materials to be used in making Canvas
1st James 1st Chap 24 directs that no stuff but good & sufficient hemp shall be put into Sail Cloth
9th Geo 2nd Chap 27 ordains that Sail Cloth shall be made of Long Flax Italian Hemp or Braack hemp
The experiment of Hempen sail cloth should seem by this to have been tried & to have faild
Sail cloth is said to be made in the Northern parts of this Island cheifly if not entirely of Hemp in the west it is made entirely of Flax but the Flaxen West Coast sails have a great preference amon with the officers of the Royal Navy as being stronger than the North County
all these Observations tend to dis show that the advantage of Mr Thermes Proposal is in some degree questionable it may be presumed in any case that their Lordships will not advise the Treasury & Enter into any engagements with him untill we be clear by actual experiment that his Sail cloth is stronger & will last longer than that now in use & also that many new hands will be employd in it & that inhabites at the Places where he intends to fix his works are actualy emigrating