1775.] OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND. 59

house, or in the neighborhood of Tobacco houses, or in some other
public and convenient place in each county, at the public expense,
for the making crude nitre; that thus, besides the advantage im-
mediately accruing from carrying on so many works in different
parts of the province, the good people thereof may be generally
instructed in the art of making crude nitre; and as a further in-
ducement thereto, and that this art may be still more extensively
diffused and practised, that a liberal price ought to be allowed for
all crude nitre manufactured in private families; that all the crude
nitre, whether made by individuals, or at the county manufactories,
be carried to one refinery, where the same may be purified by a
skilful refiner in large quantities without waste, and made fit for
manufacturing into gunpowder.

That seventeen hundred pounds common money be appropri-
ated, one hundred pounds to be placed in the hands of a discreet
and active person in the lower district, and one hundred pounds in
the hands of a discreet and active person in the middle district of
Frederick county; and the residue thereof, one hundred pounds for
each other county, to be placed in the hands of a discreet and active
person in each county, who shall be called a supervisor; and that
so much of the said one hundred pounds as may be necessary,
shall be laid out by the said supervisor in purchasing, procuring,
and setting up, proper kettles, tubs, and other necessary uten-
sils and conveniences, for manufacturing rough nitre, at some such
place as aforesaid, in his county; and also in erecting a rough
shed convenient thereto, under which the earth, from which the ley
shall have been drawn, may be placed, that the same may become
again impregnated with nitre.

That each of the said supervisors be empowered to lay out the
residue of his one hundred pounds, in hiring laborers to assist a
skilful workman, who shall be employed in each of the said works,
and in procuring; and removing earth impregnated with nitre fit to
be used at the said works.

That the supervisor of each of the said works employ a skilful
workman to carry on, direct, and manage the process of making
crude nitre at the said works respectively; and that the same super-
visor pay to the said workman one shilling common money, for
each pound of good crude nitre that he shall manufacture and de-
liver at the same works, as his wages and reward for his skill and
labor.

That the said workmen show and explain to those who will attend
the work, and may be desirous of instruction, the method and pro-
cess of making crude nitre.