August 10, 1776

In late July 1776, there was a fabric heist in Philadelphia, which resulted in the offer of a major reward. The cellar of the public manufactory at the corner of Market and Ninth Streets was broken into during the night. About seventy yards of “Cotton, Barragon, or Fustian” and “narrow striped Corded Dimity” were “cut out of the looms” and stolen. A $50 reward was offered for the recovery of these materials, and the managers of the manufactory hoped “for public assistance in detecting the villain, as losses of this kind (by discouraging weavers and manufacturers) may prove a fatal injury to America.”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

ROBBERY.
FIFTY DOLLARS Reward.

ON the 29th of July, in the night, was broke open the cellar of the Public Manufactory at the corner of Market and Ninth streets, and two pieces of goods cut out of the looms, viz. about twenty yards of Cotton, Barragon, or Fustian; and about fifty yards of narrow striped Corded Dimity. The goods, being rough and unfinished, may readily be known if offered for sale, or carried to any of the bleach-yards. The managers hope for public assistance in detecting the villain, as losses of this kind (by discouraging weavers and manufacturers) may prove a fatal injury to America. Any person detecting the robber, so that he may be prosecuted to conviction, shall have the above reward paid by the Managers.

Philad. August 1, 1776.