J. Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur's "Letters from an American Farmer"

contrivance

/kənˈtrʌɪvəns/ (n)
a. The action of contriving or ingeniously endeavouring the accomplishment of anything; the bringing to pass by planning, scheming, or stratagem; manœuvring, plotting; deceitful practice.
b. The action of inventing or making with thought and skill; invention.
OED