George Mason to John Hancock (November 23, 1775)

Virginia, Fairfax County Novemr. 23rd. 1775.

Sir

The Committee of this County inform'd of the present Scarcity of Salt in this Colony in general, & in this Part of it in particular, sensible of the Difficulty, perhaps Impracticability of procuring it, if not done this Winter, and apprehensive of the great Distress and Discontent that the Want of this necessary Article may occasion among the People, as well as the Impossibility of furnishing proper provisions for the Regiments of Minute-Men & Draughts from our Militia which may be call'd into Service next Spring, have directed us to apply to the honble the Continental Congress, praying them to encourage the Importation of Salt, either by permitting the Exportation of Country-Produce in Return, in such Manner as is allowed upon the Importation of Military-Stores, or in such other Manner as that honble Board shall judge best. We beg Leave Sir, thro' you, to lay the Request, as a Matter of the utmost Importance to the good People of this Colony, & the public Service, before the Gentlemen of the Congress, and are, with the greatest Respect, Sir Your most obdt. Servts.

G Mason
John Dalton
Wm. Ramsey
John Carlyle
John Muir
James Kirk