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Whereas from the present great scarity of gunpowder and the difficulty
of procuring a sufficient quantity thereof, it is found expediens for the better securing of this Colony
in this time of imminent danger to encourage the manifacturing of Sulpher and Salt petre

Be it therefore ordain'd by the delegates and representatives of the several Counties and
Corporations within the Colony and Dominion of Virginia now in general Convention
assembled and it is hereby ordain'd by authority of the same. That proper works be erect-
ed and established for the making of Salt petre at the most convenient places on James,
York, Rappahanock and Potonmack rivers and the branchesthereof, And that be
director of the works to be erected on James river and its branches
be director of the works to be erected on York river and its branches.
That be director of the works to be erected on Rappahannock
river and its branches, and that be directors to be allowed and paid
a salary of of annum each as a consideration for their
trouble.

And be it further irdain'd that each of the said directors do forthwith
employ a sufficient number of labourers with proper Overseers to erect the said work
and to carry on the process of making salt petre at any of the Tobacco warehouses in
his district which he shall judge proper, and shall likewise purchase and procure
kettles, casks, hoppers, and other necessary utensils for carrying on the said work
the expence of the same to be defrayed by the publick

Provided nevertheless that where a proprietor of any of those warehouses shall
chuse to carry on the said work for his private benefit at his own warehouse, it shall
be as the option of the said Proprietor so to do, he determining within one month after
the paying of this ordinance whether he will or not.

And be it further ordain'd that where any proprietor of warehouses shall
refuse to erect and carry on the said works with effect or permit the publick director
to do the same, the Committee of the County where such warehouses is sitaute, shall
order the director of the works on the river to which such warehouse belongs to take
the management thereof for the use of the publick, making such allowances to their
proprietor as by seven free[...] of the said County ( being first sworn before a
magistrate truly to value the damages of such proprietor) shall be adjudged,
reasonable.

And be it further ordain'd that the directors of the works aforesaid
shall transmit samples of Salt petre by them made to the Committee of Safety for their in-
spection, and all such Salt petre as shall be by them approved shall be forewith shall be conveyed