Hemp in Colonial America could have not been used for industrial purposes, however, that's how it was mostly used, to make rope and other items that were of use during the times. Therefore, hemp during the days of Colonial America was mainly used for industrial reasons.
Throughout George Washington’s life, he cultivated hemp in Mount Vernon for industrial purposes. The hemp was grown to make rope and sail canvas (even the word “canvas” can be traced back to the Latin word “cannapaceus,” meaning “made of hemp.”) which was a big need as ships were used all the time. In Colonial North America, hemp was of economic and strategic importance to Britain. Hemp fibers could also be used to make thread for nothing and be used to make fishing nets, Washington used these nets on a fishing operation near Potomac. Sometime in the 1760’s Washington wondered if hemp could be a bigger cash crop than tobacco, but then determined that …show more content…
While ambassador to France, it is known that Jefferson went to great lengths to get high quality hemp seeds from China. Jefferson, who lived in Monticello, Virginia was a farmer and a slaver (as his slaves did most/all of the work.) He had written many letters to other people about hemp writing things such as: "Gave Page to buy hemp seed 3. D." "It is necessary to break up meadow grounds once in 5 or 6 years, and on this 5th. or 6th. part of mine I [rely?] for hemp and flax which, with us, thrive nowhere so well as in the flat grounds on our little streams." and "An acre of the best ground for hemp, is to be selected, and sown in hemp and to be kept for a permanent hemp patch .... Hemp should be immediately prepared to set them [the spinners] at work, and a supply be kept up." Jefferson as well was considered to be a drug smuggler (for hemp) despite there being no real solid evidence but the evidence that has been shown could indeed put a criminal charge on him during his
Throughout George Washington’s life, he cultivated hemp in Mount Vernon for industrial purposes. The hemp was grown to make rope and sail canvas (even the word “canvas” can be traced back to the Latin word “cannapaceus,” meaning “made of hemp.”) which was a big need as ships were used all the time. In Colonial North America, hemp was of economic and strategic importance to Britain. Hemp fibers could also be used to make thread for nothing and be used to make fishing nets, Washington used these nets on a fishing operation near Potomac. Sometime in the 1760’s Washington wondered if hemp could be a bigger cash crop than tobacco, but then determined that …show more content…
While ambassador to France, it is known that Jefferson went to great lengths to get high quality hemp seeds from China. Jefferson, who lived in Monticello, Virginia was a farmer and a slaver (as his slaves did most/all of the work.) He had written many letters to other people about hemp writing things such as: "Gave Page to buy hemp seed 3. D." "It is necessary to break up meadow grounds once in 5 or 6 years, and on this 5th. or 6th. part of mine I [rely?] for hemp and flax which, with us, thrive nowhere so well as in the flat grounds on our little streams." and "An acre of the best ground for hemp, is to be selected, and sown in hemp and to be kept for a permanent hemp patch .... Hemp should be immediately prepared to set them [the spinners] at work, and a supply be kept up." Jefferson as well was considered to be a drug smuggler (for hemp) despite there being no real solid evidence but the evidence that has been shown could indeed put a criminal charge on him during his