From 1741 AN ACCOUNT, SHEWING THE PROGRESS OF THE COLONY OF GEORGIA IN AMERICA, FROM IT'S FIRST ESTABLISHMENT. [Edited for readability by Amy] APPENDIX 1: 1733-1-31 LETTER TO TRUSTEES FROM Thomas LOMBE [From above: The Trustees desired by a Letter, Sir Thomas Lombe's sentiments of the Goodness of the Raw Silk produced in Carolina, and the proper methods of carrying on that Undertaking with Success, on which they received * from Sir Thomas Lombe great Encouragement to proceed in it, by his Approbation of the Silk produced in that Climate, of which he had made Experiments.] To the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of GEORGIA. Gentlemen, IN Writing this Answer to a Letter I had the Honor to receive from you, dated the 29th Instant, wherein you desire to know my Sentiments of an Undertaking to raise Raw Silk in your new Settlement in Georgia; of the Probability of succeeding therein; the proper steps to be taken to bring that Work to Perfection, and my Opinion of the Nature, Quality and Use of the Raw Silk produced in Carolina: It is a great Pleasure to me, that from Experiments which I made some Years ago, I can now besides my Opinion, give you some Information concerning that Silk which may be depended upon. The Value and Usefulness of the Undertaking will appear as soon as we consider that all the Silk consumed in this Kingdom, is now of foreign Growth and Manufacture, which Costs the Nation very great Sums of Money Yearly to purchase; and that the raising our Supply thereof in his Majesty's Dominions in America would save us all that Money, afford Employment to many Thousands of his Majesty's Subjects, and greatly increase the Trade and Navigation of Great-Britain. It appears to me as Beneficial to the Kingdom, attended with as little Hazard or Difficulty, as much Wanted, and which may as soon be brought to Perfection in a proper Climate as any Undertaking so Considerable in itself, that I ever heard of. I therefore think that there is a very great Probability of it's succeeding, if such proper Methods are pursued, and such Assistance afforded to the poor People at their first setting out, as are necessary to Settle, Instruct and Encourage them. The Silk produced in Carolina has as much natural Strength and Beauty as the Silk of Italy (which is commonly called fine Silk) and by the several Experiments I have tried with it, I am satisfied that it might be made to answer the same Purposes that Italian Silk now does, if it be reeled in short Skains, a fine clean and even Thread: To effect which if some experienced Persons are at first sent to Teach the People, the Work will soon be made easy to the meanest Capacity, and the value of the Silk will be thereby greatly increased. As for my own Part, if at any Time you should think I can be of use to promote so good a Work, I shall be ready to execute your Commands as far as I am able; and always remain, Gentlemen, Your most Obedient, Humble Servant, Tho. Lombe. Old Jaory, Jan. 31, 1732.