“encourage and promote American manufactures” — Georgia State Quarter Coin

Today, the Georgia State Quarter Coin remembers the meetings of the merchants who signed an agreement 247 years ago to limit their importation of English goods.

Though Georgians learned of the Northern non-importation agreements as early as October 1767, they did not finalize their own agreement until September 19, 1769.

The Historical Collections of Georgia, by George White, published in 1855, included those documents published in the Georgia Gazette in September 1769:

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DOCUMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE REVOLUTION.

MEETING OF MERCHANTS.

At a meeting of the merchants, 16th Sept., 1769, at the house of one Alexander Creighton, in Savannah, it was agreed that the late acts of Parliament so fully and unanimously remonstrated against by the Northern Colonies, were in themselves unconstitutional, and the mode of taxation inconsistent with the liberties of the people.

At a time when we have great reason to believe that healing measures and a redress of grievances will be effectually pursued at the next meeting of Parliament, we think it unnecessary to enumerate the whole further, that, in general, and as far as yet we know, we approve of and agree in sentiment with the other Provinces.

It was agreed respecting this Province in particular, that the mode of payment of such duties is a great and additional grievance.

The sterling money of this Province which was, by act of Assembly, assented to by his Majesty, and declared equal in value to the sterling money of Great Britain, and a lawful tender in all the payments, being refused in payments of such duties, tends greatly to depreciate its value, a circumstance affecting every person interested in the Province.

After having wisely excluded us the benefit of the Spanish trade, the only channel through which specie could be procured, and then, by subsequent acts, imposing duties upon us payable in gold and silver, shows that they are entirely ignorant of our internal police, and know little of what is beneficial to the colonies, and thereby prevent our giving a regular and constitutional aid to the mother country, if such was demanded.

We, therefore, resolve that any person or persons whatsoever importing any of the articles subject to such duties, after having it in their power to prevent it, ought not only to be treated with contempt, but deemed an enemy to their country, it being a circumstance that needs only be mentioned to any person inspired with the least sense of liberty, that it may be detested and abhorred.

Without Signature.

MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS.

At a meeting of a number of inhabitants of this Province on the 19th inst., 1769, the Hon. Jonathan Bryan in the chair.

The Committee appointed to prepare resolutions at this alarming crisis, by the imposition of several acts of the British Parliament, presented the following, which were agreed to, and ordered to be published in the next Gazette:

We, inhabitants of Georgia, finding ourselves reduced to the greatest distress and most abject condition by the operation of several acts of the British Legislature, by means whereof our prosperity is arbitrarily wrested from us, contrary to the true spirit of our Constitution and the repeatedly confirmed birthright of every Briton; under all these oppressions, finding that the most dutiful and the salutary purpose we intended, and being destitute of all hope of relief from our multiplied and increasing distresses but by our industry, frugality, and economy, firmly resolved never to be in the least accessory to the loss of any privilege we are entitled to.

Therefore, we whose names are hereunto subscribed, do solemnly agree and promise to and each other, that until the said acts are repealed, we will most faithfully abide by, and adhere to and fulfill the following resolutions:

1st. — That we will encourage and promote American manufactures, and of this Province in particular.

2nd. — That as the raising of sheep for the benefit of wool will be of the utmost utility, we do therefore engage not to kill or sell any lambs that shall be yeaned before the first of May in every year to any butcher or other person whom we may have reason to think intends to kill the same.

3rd. — That we will promote the raising of cotton and flax, and encourage spinning and weaving.

4th. — That we will, upon no pretence, either upon our own account or commission, import into this province any of the manufactures of Great Britain, or European, or East India goods, other than may be shipped in consequence of former orders, except only negro cloth not exceeding 1s. and 4 pence per yard, osnaburgs, canvass, cordage, drugs, and hardware of all sorts, paper not exceeding 10 shillings per ream, fire-arms, gunpowder, shot, lead, flints, saltpeter, coals, printed books and pamphlets; white and striped flannels, not above 9 shillings per yard, white linen not above 15 shillings and 8 pence per yard, woolen and thread hose not exceeding 24 shillings 5 pence per dozen, striped cottons not exceeding 13 shillings and 4 pence per yard, checks not above 13 shillings and 3 pence per yard, felt hats not above 48 shillings per dozen, bolting cloths, mill and grind stones, cotton and wool cards, and wire thread not above 8 shillings and 5 pence per pound, shoes not above 48 shillings per dozen; as also the following goods necessary for the Indian trade, strouds, vermilion, beads, looking-glasses, and paint; and exclusive of these articles, we do solemnly promise and declare that we will immediately countermand all orders to our correspondents in Great Britain for shipping any goods, wares or merchandise other than herein before excepted, and will sell and dispose of the goods we now or hereafter may have, at the same rate and prices as before.

5th. — That we will neither purchase or give mourning at funerals.

6th. — That from and after the 1st of June, 1770, we will not import, buy or sell any negroes that shall be brought into this Province from Africa; nor after the 1st of January next, any negroes from the West Indies, or any other place, excepting from Africa aforesaid; and if any goods or negroes be sent to us contrary to our agreement in this subscription, such goods shall be reshipped or stowed, and such negroes re-shipped from this Province, and not by any means offered for sale therein.

7th. — That we will not import, on our own account, or on commission purchase, from any masters of vessels, transient persons, or non-subscribers, any wines after the 15th day of March next.

8th. — That we will not purchase any negroes imported, or any goods, wares, or merchandise, from any resident of this Province or transient person that shall neglect to sign this agreement within five weeks from the date thereof, except it appear he shall be unavoidably prevented from so doing; and every person signing and not strictly adhering to the same, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, and also every non-subscriber, shall be looked upon as no friend to his country.

Without Signature.

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Meanwhile, the British continued to meet to discuss how to deal with the colonies.

The Georgia State Quarter Coin shows with a political cartoon of May 1769 where members of Parliament debate the issues of the colonies.

Georgia State Quarter Coin