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The first Discovery made for theEnglishinNorth-America, was in the Year 1584, (a hundred and forty Years ago) by CaptainPhilip Amidas, and CaptainArthur Barlow, by the Protection and Encouragement ofQueen Elizabeth; with the Persuasion and Direction of SirWalter Raleigh.
They anchored atRoenoakInlet, now belonging to the Government ofNorth Carolina, and from theVirgin Queen, and the apparent Purity of theIndians, and primitive Plenty of the Place, that new discover'd Part of the World was namedVirginia.
After that, SirRichard Greenvile, SirFrancis Drake, and SirWalter Raleighcarried on the Project, and made Advancements in it, with the Leave of the Government; which were promoted and continued by theMerchantsofLondon,Bristol,ExeterandPlymouth; with Variety of Accidents, Successes and Disappointments in Respect of their Trade andPossessions, and War and Peace with theIndians; especially under the Conduct ofCaptain Smith, who was employed by the Company of Merchants incorporated byKing JamesI. in 1606; and has written a large History of his particular Transactions.
They then fixed chiefly at, and nearJames Town, on a small Island inJames River, till the Year 1609, when they sent out Settlements toNansemond,Powhatan, and the Year after toKiquotan.
After that the Plantations ofVirginiawere formed into a Government, managed first by three, and afterwards by oneGovernor, to whose Assistance in a small Time they addedCounsellors; and in 1620, they called anAssembly of Burgesses, who being elected by the People, met theGovernorandCouncilatJames Town, and debated Matters for the Improvement and good Government of the Country.
About this Time theDutchbrought over someNegroesfor Sale, who are now wonderfully encreased; besides the constant Supplies of them imported yearly.
At this Time, they made new Settlements, laid out and apportioned Lands, some to theGovernor, some for aCollegeandIndian School, some to theChurchandGlebes, and some to particular Persons; and carried onSalt WorksandIron Works, besidesTobacco.
This Prosperity of the Colony so encouraged its Increase, that one thousand three hundred People have gone over in one Year to settle there; upon which they madeCountyCourtsfor the Tryal of some Causes and Criminals under theGeneral CourtandAssembly; but private Interest and Quarrels byassing the Governors and other Persons concerned, often introduced ill Success, Faction, andIndianWars.
The fatal Consequences of thisMale-Administrationcry'd so loud, thatKing CharlesI. coming to the Crown ofEngland, had a tender Concern for the poor People, that had been betrayed thither and almost lost: Upon which he dissolvedthe Company in 1626, reducing the Country and Government into his own immediate Direction, appointing theGovernorandCouncilhimself, and ordering allPatentsandProcessesto issue in his own Name, reserving to himself aQuit-Rentof two Shillings for every hundred Acres of Land.
In this happy Constitution, the Colony ofVirginiahas prosperously encreased gradually and wonderfully, to its present most flourishing Condition.
IndeedBacon's Rebellion against theGovernoroccasioned a great deal of Bloodshed and Disturbance; but that after his Death soon ceased.
The assured good Report of this vast Tract of Land and happy Climate encouraged several Gentlemen of Condition and good Descent, to transport themselves and Families, and settle in this new Paradise; some for the Sake of Wealth, some for Religion, and others because they could not well live elsewhere; and others because they dared not, or cared not to stay at Home.
But one particular Occasion that sent several Families of good Birth and Fortune to settle there, was the Civil Wars inEngland; for SirWilliam Barkleythe Governor being strong for theKing, held out the last of all theKing's Dominionsagainst theUsurper; and likewise proclaimedKing CharlesII. before theRestoration.
This safe Receptacle enticed over severalCavalierFamilies, where they made many Laws againstPuritans, tho' they were free from them; which had this good Success, that to this Day, the People are as it were quite free from them, being all of theChurch of England, without the odious distinguishing Characters ofHighorLowamong themselves. Indeed, there are a fewQuakersin some of the worst Counties, whereClergymenare unwilling to settle, such as the lower Parts ofNansemondCounty; but these might easily be brought over to theChurch; and I am fully persuaded that the Growth of their Doctrine might be easily nipped in the Bud, by very plain Methods.
Among other Persons of Distinction that went over to settle inVirginia, was the nobleCæcilius Calvert Lord Baltimore, aRoman Catholick, who with his Family, Friends and Attendants, was willing to retire thither for the free Exercise of his Religion.
He obtained a Patent for all that vast Part ofVirginia, which lies to the Northward of the great RiverPotowmack; which was confirmed to his Son and his Heirs in the Year 1633.
This Province was namedMarylandfrom theRoyal Consort of King CharlesI. and remains still the Propriety of the presentLord Baltimoreand his Heirs, with the Restriction of their beingProtestants; and is perhaps the largest Estate in the World belonging to any one Person, that is not a Prince.
Though theChurch of Englandbe establish'd inMaryland; yet it is a Sanctuary forPapists, who are pretty numerous there, and enjoy the Freedom of theirPriestsandMassin a great Measure, without Molestation.
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The firstMetropolis,James Town, was built in the most convenient Place for Trade and Security against theIndians, but often received much Damage, being twice burnt down; after which it never recovered its Perfection, consisting at present of nothing but Abundance of Brick Rubbish, and three or four good inhabited Houses, tho' the Parish is of pretty large Extent, but less than others. When theState HouseandPrisonwere burnt down,Governor Nicholsonremoved the Residence of the Governor, with the Meeting ofGeneral CourtsandGeneral Assemblies to Middle Plantation, seven Miles fromJames Town, in a healthier and more convenient Place, and freer from the Annoyance ofMuskettoes.
Here he laid out theCity of Williamsburgh(in the Form of a Cypher, made ofW.andM.) on a Ridge at the Head Springs of two greatCreeks, one running intoJames, and the other intoYork River, which are each navigable for Sloops, within a Mile of the Town; at the Head of whichCreeksare goodLandings, andLotslaid out, and Dwelling Houses and Ware Houses built; so that this Town is most conveniently situated, in the Middle of the lower Part ofVirginia, commanding two noble Rivers, not above four Miles from either, and is much more commodious and healthful, than if built upon a River.
Publick Buildings here of Note, are the College, the Capitol, the Governor's House, and the Church. The Latitude of theCollegeatWilliamsburgh, to the best of my Observation, is 37°. 21´.North.
The Front which looks dueEastis double, and is 136 Foot long. It is a lofty Pile of Brick Building adorn'd with aCupola. At theNorthEnd runs back a large Wing, which is a handsomeHall, answerable to which theChapelis to be built; and there is a spaciousPiazzaon theWestSide, from one Wing to the other. It is approached by a good Walk, and a grand Entrance by Steps, with good Courts and Gardens about it, with a good House and Apartments for theIndian Masterand his Scholars, and Out-Houses; and a large Pasture enclosed like a Park with about 150 Acres of Land adjoining, for occasional Uses.
The Building is beautiful and commodious, being first modelled by SirChristopher Wren, adapted to the Nature of the Country by theGentlementhere; and since it was burnt down, it has been rebuilt, and nicely contrived, altered and adorned by the ingenious Direction ofGovernor Spotswood; and is not altogether unlikeChelsea Hospital.
ThisRoyal Foundationwas granted and establish'd byCharter,by King William and Queen Mary, and endowed by them, with some thousand Acres of Land, with Duties upon Furs and Skins, and a Penny a Pound for all Tobacco transported fromVirginiaandMaryland, to the other Plantations; to which have been made several additional Benefactions, as that handsom Establishment of Mr.Boyle, for the Education ofIndians, with the many Contributions of the Country, especially a late one of 1000l.to buyNegroesfor the College Use and Service.
The Society is a Corporation establish'd for aPresident,six MastersorProfessors, with a hundredScholars, more or less.
For some Causes that I can't account for, the Revenue is not improved as much as might be wished; neither is the College brought to that Method of Education and Advantage, as it might be; tho' 'tis hoped, that in a few Years it will, like the Palm Tree, grow to the greater Perfection, under the weighty Obstacles that load it.
The Salary of the President Mr.James Blair, has been lately ordered to be reduced from 150 to 100l. per Ann.
The Salary of the Fellows (one of which I have been several Years) is 80l. per Ann.each, with 20s.Entrance, and 20s.a Year for Pupilage for each Scholar: The Payments are sometimes made in CurrentSpanish Money, and sometimes inSterlingBills.
The Nature of the Country scarce yet admits of a Possibility of reducing theCollegiansto the nice Methods of Life and Study observed inOxfordandCambridge; tho' by Degrees they may copy from thence many useful Customs and Constitutions.
When theCollegeshall be compleatly finished, and Scholarships founded, then is the Trust to be transferred from theTrusteesto thePresident and Masters; but at present it is managed by a certain Number ofGovernorsorVisitors, (one of which is chosen yearlyRector) appointed first by theTrustees, elected out of the principal and worthiest Inhabitants.
These appoint a Person, to whom they grant several Privileges and Allowances to board and lodge the Masters and Scholars at an extraordinary cheap Rate.
This Office is at present performed in the neatest and most regular and plentiful Manner, byMrs. Mary Stith, a Gentlewoman of great Worth and Discretion, in good Favour with the Gentry, and great Esteem and Respect with the common People.
Great Pity it is, but the noble Design of this College met with more Friends to encourage, and Benefactors to advance, its flourishing State.
One Happiness is, that it has always aChancellorinEngland, chosen by theGovernorsorFeoffees; to whose Patronage and Direction it may have Recourse upon emergent Occasions.
The lastChancellorwas the lateBishop of London; and the present is hisGrace the Archbishop of Canterbury.
TheChancellorcontinues in that Office but seven Years; so that it may happen as soon as he has obtained a perfect Knowledge and Acquaintance with the Persons and Affairs belonging to theCollege, his Term is expired: Besides their Business in other momentous Affairs at Home may divert them, and the Distance of the Country may prevent them from obtaining true Notions, and exact Accounts of the Nature of theColonyand theCollege; so that for these Reasons, they can't do for it the Good, which they otherwise might: For their better Information, and for Direction of all, in promoting Religion and Learning in thisPlantation, I have made Publick this Account ofit, anditsInhabitants.
Fronting theCollegeat near its whole Breadth, is extended a noble Street mathematically streight (for the first Design of the Town's Form is changed to a much better) just three Quarters of a Mile in Length: At the other End of which stands theCapitol, a noble, beautiful, and commodious Pile as any of its Kind, built at the Cost of thelate Queen, and by the Direction of theGovernor.
In this is theSecretary's Officewith all the Courts ofJusticeandLaw, held in the same Form, and near the same Manner, as inEngland; except theEcclesiastical Courts.
Here theGovernorandtwelve Counsellorssit asJudges, at theGeneral CourtsinAprilandOctober, whither Trials and Causes are removed from Courts, held at the Court-Houses Monthly in every County by a Bench ofJusticesand aCounty Clerk.
Here are also held theOyer and Terminer Courts, one in Summer, and the other in Winter, added by the Charity of thelate Queen, for the Prevention of Prisoners lying inGaolabove a Quarter of a Year before their Trial.
Here are also heldCourts Martial, by Judges appointed on Purpose, for theTrialofPyrates; likewiseCourts of Admiralty, for the Trial ofShipsfor illegal Trade.
The Building is in the Form of anHnearly; theSecretary's Office, and theGeneral Courttaking up one Side below Stairs; the Middle being an handsomPorticoleading to the Clerk of theAssembly'sOffice, andthe House of Burgesseson the other Side; which last is not unlike theHouse of Commons.
In each Wing is a good Stair Case, one leading to theCouncil Chamber, where theGovernorandCouncilsit in very great State, in Imitation of theKing and Council, or theLord ChancellorandHouse of Lords.
Over thePorticois a large Room whereConferencesare held, andPrayersare read by the Chaplain to the General Assembly; which Office I have had the Honour for some Years to perform. At one End of this is a Lobby, and near it is theClerk of the Council's Office; and at the other End are several Chambers for theCommitteesofClaims,Privileges, andElections; and over all these are several good Offices for theReceiver General, for theAuditor,Treasurer, &c. and upon the Middle is raised a loftyCupolawith a large Clock.
The whole is surrounded with a neatArea, encompassed with a good Wall, and near it is a strong sweetPrisonforCriminals; and on the other Side of an open Court another forDebtors, when any are removed thither from other Prisons in each County; but such Prisoners are very rare, the Creditors being there generally very merciful, and the Laws so favourable for Debtors, that some esteem them too indulgent.
The Cause of my being so particular in describing theCapitolis, because it is the best and most commodious Pile of its Kind that I have seen or heard of.
Because theState House,James Town, and theCollegehave been burnt down, therefore is prohibited in theCapitolthe Use of Fire, Candles, and Tobacco.
Parallel to the main Street mentioned is a Street on each Side of it, but neither quite so long nor broad; and at proper Distances are small cross Streets, for the Convenience of Communication.
Near the Middle stands theChurch, which is a large strong Piece of Brickwork in the Form of a Cross, nicely regular and convenient, and adorned as the best Churches inLondon. This from the Parish is calledBruton Church, where I had the Favour of being Lecturer.
Near this is a large Octogon Tower, which is theMagazineor Repository of Arms and Ammunition, landing far from any House exceptJamesTown Court-House; for the Town is half inJames Town County, and half inYork County.
Not far from hence is a largeAreafor aMarket Place; near which is aPlay Houseand goodBowling Green.
From theChurchruns a Street Northward calledPalace Street; at the other End of which stands thePalace or Governor's House, a magnificent Structure, built at the publick Expence, finished and beautified with Gates, fine Gardens, Offices, Walks, a fine Canal, Orchards,&c.with a great Number of the best Arms nicely posited, by the ingenious Contrivance of the most accomplishedColonel Spotswood.
This likewise has the ornamental Addition of a goodCupolaorLanthorn, illuminated with most of the Town, uponBirth-Nights, and other Nights of occasional Rejoicings.
At theCapitol, at publick Times, may be seen a great Number of handsom, well-dress'd, compleat Gentlemen. And at theGovernor'sHouse uponBirth-Nights, and atBallsandAssemblies, I have seen as fine an Appearance, as good Diversion, and as splendid Entertainments inGovernor Spotswood's Time, as I have seen any where else.
These Buildings here described are justly reputed the best in all theEnglish America, and are exceeded by few of their Kind inEngland.
In every Part of this Town are excellent Springs of good Water, or else may be made good Wells; and the Ground falling on both Sides, conveys the Water and Rain by small Channels into the Creeks; but to make the main Street exactly level, the Assembly lately gave a considerable Sum, which was expended in removing Earth in some Places, and building a Bridge over a low Channel; so that it is now a pleasant, long dry Walk, broad, and almost level from theCollegeto theCapitol.
Williamsburghis now incorporated and made aMarket Town, and governed by aMayor and Aldermen; and is well stock'd with richStores, of all Sorts of Goods, and well furnished with the best Provisions and Liquors.
Here dwell several very good Families, and more reside here in their own Houses at publick Times.
They live in the same neat Manner, dress after the same Modes, and behave themselves exactly as theGentry in London; most Families of any Note having aCoach,Chariot,Berlin,or Chaise.
The Number of Artificers is here daily augmented; as are the convenientOrdinariesor Inns for Accommodation of Strangers.
The Servants here, as in other Parts of the Country, areEnglish,Scotch,Irish,or Negroes.
The Town is laid out regularly inLotsor square Portions, sufficient each for a House and Garden; so that they don't build contiguous, whereby may be prevented the spreading Danger of Fire; and this also affords a free Passage for the Air, which is very grateful in violent hot Weather.
Here, as in other Parts, they build with Brick, but most commonly with Timber lined with Cieling, and cased with feather-edged Plank, painted with white Lead and Oil, covered with Shingles ofCedar, &c. tarr'd over at first; with a Passage generally through the Middle of the House for an Air-Draught in Summer.
Thus their Houses are lasting, dry, and warm in Winter, and cool in Summer; especially if there be Windows enough to draw the Air.
Thus they dwell comfortably, genteely, pleasantly, and plentifully in this delightful, healthful, and (I hope) thrivingCity of Williamsburgh.
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Under the Meridian is extended the ExpanseBay of Chesapeak, esteemed one of the noblest and safest Bays in the World.
The Land on theEastSide of it is called theEastern Shore, the Northern Part of it belonging toMaryland, and the Southern containingAccomackandNorthampton Countiesbelonging toVirginia; at the extreme Point of which lies one of theCapes of Virginia, the other being opposite to it, one calledCape Henry, and the otherCape Charles;withoutthese runs a bold Shore Southward, being the Coast ofNorth Carolina.
After Ships are clear ofEngland, they need go near neither Land, Rocks, nor Shoals, but in a direct Course might cross the vastAtlantick Oceanabout a thousand Leagues nearlyW. S. W.till they make Land somewhat to the Southward of the Capes; then knowing (by their Latitude, or Landmarks, or by certain Trees) what Land they are near, they may easily get within the Capes, unless they happen to be kept off to Sea for some Time by blusteringNorthwesters; or unless they carelessly fall uponCape Hatteras, or other Shoals on that Coast, in known Latitudes; so that this may be esteemed as easy a Voyage as any.
There are belonging toVirginiafour principal Rivers (neither of them inferior upon many Accounts to theThamesorSevern) that empty themselves into the Bay after they have glided someHundreds of Miles fromwards the Mountains, the Western Bounds ofVirginia.
The most Southerly of these Rivers is calledJames River, and the nextYork River, the Land in the Latitude between these Rivers seeming most nicely adapted forsweet scented, or the finestTobacco; for 'tis observed that the goodness decreaseth the farther you go to the Northward of the one, and the Southward of the other; but this may be (I believe) attributed in some Measure to the Seed and Management, as well as to the Land and Latitude: For onYork Riverin a small Tract of Land calledDigges's Neck, which is poorer than a great deal of other Land in the same Latitude, by a particular Seed and Management, is made the famous Crop known by the Name of theE Dees, remarkable for its mild taste and fine Smell.
The next great River isRappahannock, and the fourth isPotowmack, which dividesVirginiafrom theProvinceofMaryland.
These are supplied by several lesser Rivers, such asChickahommonyand others,navigablefor Vessels of great Burthen.
Into these Rivers run abundance of greatCreeksor short Rivers, navigable forSloops,Shallops,Long-Boats,Flats,CanoesandPeriaguas.
TheseCreeksare supplied with theTide, (which indeed does not rise so high as inEurope, so prevents their making goodDocks) and also with fresh-Water-runs, replenished withBranchesissuing from theSprings, and soaking through theSwamps; so that no Country is better watered, for the Conveniency of which most Houses are built near some Landing-Place; so that any Thing may be delivered to a Gentleman there fromLondon,Bristol, &c. with less Trouble and Cost, than to one living five Miles in theCountry in England; foryou pay no Freight for Goods fromLondon, and but little fromBristol; only the Party to whom the Goods belong, is in Gratitude engaged to freightTobaccoupon the Ship consigned to her Owners inEngland.
Because of this Convenience, and for the Goodness of the Land, and for the sake of Fish, Fowl,&c.Gentlemen and Planters love to build near the Water; though it be not altogether so healthy as theUplandsandBarrens, which serve forRanges for Stock.
In theUplandsnear the Ridge generally run themain Roads, in a pleasant, dry, sandy Soil, free from Stones and Dirt, and shaded and sheltered chiefly by Trees; in some Places being not unlike the Walks inGreenwich Park.
Thus neither the Interest nor Inclinations of theVirginiansinduce them to cohabit in Towns; so that they are not forward in contributing their Assistance towards the making of particular Places, every Plantation affording the Owner the Provision of a little Market; wherefore they most commonly build upon some convenient Spot or Neck of Land in their own Plantation, though Towns are laid out and establish'd in each County; the best of which (nextWilliamsburgh) areYork,Glocester,Hampton,Elizabeth Town, andUrbanna.
The Colony now is encreased totwenty nine Counties, naturally bounded (near as much as may be) one with another about as big asKent; but the frontier Counties are of vast Extent, though not thick seated as yet.
The whole Country is a perfect Forest, except where the Woods are cleared for Plantations, and old Fields, and where have been formerlyIndian Towns, andpoisoned FieldsandMeadows, where the Timber has been burnt down in Fire-Huntingor otherwise; and about the Creeks and Rivers are large rankMorassesorMarshes, and up the Country are poorSavannahs.
The Gentlemen's Seats are of late built for the most Part of good Brick, and many of Timber very handsom, commodious, and capacious; and likewise the common Planters live in pretty Timber Houses, neater than theFarm Housesare generally inEngland: With Timber also are built Houses for theOverseersandOut-Houses; among which is theKitchenapart from theDwelling House, because of the Smell of hot Victuals, offensive in hot Weather.
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TheNegroeslive in small Cottages calledQuarters, in about six in aGang, under the Direction of anOverseerorBailiff; who takes Care that theytendsuch Land as the Owner allots and orders, upon which they raiseHogsandCattle, and plantIndian Corn(orMaize) andTobaccofor the Use of their Master; out of which theOverseerhas a Dividend (or Share) in Proportion to the Number ofHandsincluding himself; this with several Privileges is his Salary, and is an ample Recompence for his Pains, andEncouragement of his industrious Care, as to the Labour, Health, and Provision of theNegroes.
TheNegroesare very numerous, some Gentlemen having Hundreds of them of all Sorts, to whom they bring great Profit; for the Sake of which they are obliged to keep them well, and not over-work, starve, or famish them, besides other Inducements to favour them; which is done in agreat Degree, to such especially that are laborious, careful, and honest; tho' indeed some Masters, careless of their own Interest or Reputation, are too cruel and negligent.
TheNegroesare not only encreased by fresh Supplies fromAfricaand theWest IndiaIslands, but also are very prolifick among themselves; and they that are born there talkgood English, and affect our Language, Habits, and Customs; and tho' they be naturally of a barbarous and cruel Temper, yet are they kept under by severe Discipline upon Occasion, and by good Laws are prevented from running away, injuring theEnglish, or neglecting their Business.
Their Work (or Chimerical hard Slavery) is not very laborious; their greatest Hardship consisting in that they and their Posterity are not at their own Liberty or Disposal, but are the Property of their Owners; and when they are free, they know not how to provide so well for themselves generally; neither did they live so plentifully nor (many of them) so easily in their own Country, where they are made Slaves to one another, or taken Captive by their Enemies.
The Children belong to the Master of the Woman that bears them; and such as are born of aNegroeand anEuropeanare calledMolattoes; but such as are born of anIndianandNegroeare calledMustees.
Their Work is to take Care of theStock, and plantCorn,Tobacco,Fruits, &c. which is not harder thanThrashing,Hedging, orDitching; besides, tho' they are out in the violent Heat, wherein they delight, yet in wet or cold Weather there is little Occasion for their working in the Fields, in which few will let them be abroad, lest by this means they might get sick or die, which would prove a great Loss to their Owners, a goodNegroebeing sometimes worth three (nay four) Score Pounds Sterling, if he be a Tradesman; so that upon this (if upon no other Account) they are obliged not to overwork them, but to cloath and feed them sufficiently, and take Care of their Health.
Several of them are taught to beSawyers,Carpenters,Smiths,Coopers, &c. and though for the most Part they be none of the aptest or nicest; yet they are by Nature cut out for hard Labour and Fatigue, and will perform tolerably well; though they fall much short of anIndian, that has learn'd and seen the same Things; andthose Negroesmake the best Servants, that have beenSlavesin theirown Country; for they that have beenKingsandgreat Menthere are generally lazy, haughty, and obstinate; whereas the others are sharper, better humoured, and more laborious.
TheLanguagesof thenew Negroesare various harshJargons, and theirReligionsandCustomssuch as are best described by Mr.Bosmanin his Book intitled (I think)A Description of the Coasts ofAfrica.
TheVirginiaPlanters readily learn to become goodMechanicksin Building, wherein most are capable of directing their Servants and Slaves.
As for Timber they abound with excellent good; having about eight Sorts ofOak, several Kinds ofWalnut-Tree, andHickoryandPignut,Pine,Cedar,andCypressforShingles; which Covering is lighter thanTiles, and being nailed down, are not easily blown off in any Tempest orGust.
The Oak,&c.is of quick Growth, consequently will not last so long as ours; though it has a goodGrain, and is freer from Knots, and will last long enough for Shipping, and ordinary Uses.
When aTract of Land is seated, theyclearit by felling the Trees about a Yard from the Ground, lest they should shoot again. What Wood they have Occasion for they carry off, and burn the rest, or let it lie and rot upon the Ground.
The Land between the Logs and Stumps theyhowup, plantingTobaccothere in the Spring, inclosing it with a slightFenceof cleft Rails. This will last forTobaccosome Years, if the Land be good; as it is wherefine Timber, orGrape Vinesgrow.
Land whentiredisforcedto bearTobaccoby penning their Cattle upon it; butCowpen Tobaccotastes strong, and that planted in wet marshy Land is calledNonburning Tobacco, which smoaks in the Pipe like Leather, unless it be of a good Age.
When Land is tired ofTobacco, it will bearIndian CornorEnglish Wheat, or any otherEuropean GrainorSeed, with wonderful Increase.
TobaccoandIndian Cornare planted inHillsas Hops, and secured byWormfences, which are made of Rails supporting one another very firmly in a particular Manner.
Tobaccorequires a great deal of Skill and Trouble in the right Management of it.
They raise the Plants inBeds, as we do Cabbage Plants; which theytransplantandreplantupon Occasion after a Shower of Rain, which they call aSeason.
When it is grown up theytopit, or nip off the Head,succourit, or cut off the Ground Leaves,weedit,hillit; and when ripe, theycutit down about six or eight Leaves on a Stalk, which they carry into airyTobacco Houses; after it is withered a little in the Sun, there it is hung to dry onSticks, as Paper at the Paper-Mills; when it is in proper Case, (as they call it) and the Air neither too moist, nor too dry, theystrikeit, or take it down, then cover it up inBulk, or a great Heap, where it lies till they have Leisure or Occasion tostemit (that is pull the Leaves from the Stalk) orstripit (that is take out the great Fibres) andtieit up inHands, orstreight lay it; and so by Degreesprizeor press it with proper Engines into great Hogsheads, containing from about six to eleven hundred Pounds; four of which Hogsheads make aTun, by Dimension, not by Weight; then it is ready for Sale or Shipping.
There are two Sorts ofTobacco, viz.Oroonokothe stronger, andSweetscentedthe milder; the first with a sharper Leaf like a Fox's Ear, and the other rounder and with finer Fibres: But each of these are varied into several Sorts, much as Apples and Pears are; and I have been informed by theIndian Traders, that theInland Indianshave Sorts ofTobaccomuch differing from any planted or used by theEuropeans.
TheIndian Cornis planted in Hills, and weeded much asTobacco.
This Grain is of great Increase and most general Use; for with this is made goodBread,Cakes,Mush, andHommonyfor theNegroes, which with goodPorkandPotatoes(red and white, very nice and different from ours) with otherRootsandPulse, are their general Food.
Indian Cornis the best Food forCattle,Hogs,SheepandHorses; and theBladesandTopsare excellentFodder, when well cured, which is commonly used, though many raise goodCloverandOats; and some have planted Sanfoin,&c.
In theMarshes, andWoods, andold Fieldsis goodRangeforStockin the Spring, Summer, and Fall; and theHogswill run fat with certain Roots of Flags andReeds, which abounding in theMarshesthey root up and eat.
Besides, at thePlantationsare standardPeach-Trees, andApple-Trees, planted out inOrchards, on Purpose almost for theHogs.
ThePeachesabound, and are of a delicious Taste, andApple-Treesare raised from theSeedsvery soon, which kind of Kernel Fruit needs no grafting, and is diversify'd into numberless Sorts, and makes, with good Management, an excellentCyder, not much inferior to that ofHerefordshire, when kept to a good Age; which is rarely done, thePlantersbeing goodCompanionsandGuestswhilst theCyderlasts. HereCherriesthrive much better (I think) than inEngland; tho' theFruit-Treessoon decay, yet they are soon raised to great Perfection.
As forWool, I have had near as good as any nearLeominster; and it might be much improved if theSheepwere housed every Night, and foddered and littered as inUrchinfield, where they have by such Means the finestWool; but to do this, would be of little Use, since it is contrary to the Interest ofGreat Britainto allow them Exportation of their Woollen Manufactures; and what little Woollen is there made might be nearly had as cheap, and better fromEngland.
As forProvision, there is Variety of excellentFishin great Plenty easily taken; especiallyOysters,Sheepsheads,Rocks,large Trouts,Crabs,Drums,Sturgeons,&c.
They have the same tame Fowl as inEngland, only they propagate better; buttheyexceed inwild GeeseandDucks,Cohoncks,Blew-Wings,Teal,Blew-Wings,Teal,Swans, andMallard.
TheirBeefandVealis small, sweet, and fat enough; theirPorkis famous, wholeVirginia Shootsbeing frequentlybarbacuedinEngland; theirBaconis excellent, theHamsbeing scarce to be distinguished from those ofWestphalia; but theirMuttonandLambsome Folks don't like, though others extol it. TheirButteris good and plentiful enough. TheirVenisonin the lower Parts of the Country is not so plentiful as it has been, tho' there be enough and tolerably good; but in theFrontier Countiesthey abound withVenison,wild Turkies, &c. where the common People sometimes dressBears, whose Flesh, they say, is not to be well distinguished from goodPorkorBacon.
They pull theDownof their livingGeeseand wild and tameDucks, wherewith they make the softest and sweetestBeds.
TheHousesstand sometimes two or three together; and in other Places a Quarter, half a Mile, or a Mile, or two, asunder, much as in theCountryinEngland.
T
TheHabits,Life,Customs,Computations, &c. of theVirginiansare much the same as aboutLondon, which they esteem theirHome; and for the most Part have contemptible Notions ofEngland, and wrong Sentiments ofBristol, and the otherOut-Ports, which they entertain from seeing and hearing the common Dealers, Sailors, and Servants that come from those Towns, and the Country Places inEnglandandScotland, whose Language and Manners are strange to them; for thePlanters, and even theNative Negroesgenerally talk goodEnglishwithoutIdiomorTone, and can discourse handsomly uponmostcommon Subjects; and conversing with Persons belonging to Trade and Navigation fromLondon, for the most Part they are much civilized, and wear the best of Cloaths according to their Station; nay, sometimes too good for their Circumstances, being for the Generality comely handsom Persons, of good Features and fine Complexions (if they take Care) of good Manners and Address. The Climate makes them bright, and of excellent Sense, and sharp in Trade, an Ideot, or deformed Native being almost a Miracle.
Thus they have good natural Notions, and will soon learn Arts and Sciences; but are generally diverted by Business or Inclination from profound Study, and prying into the Depth of Things; being ripe for Management of their Affairs, before they have laid so good a Foundation of Learning, and had such Instructions, and acquired such Accomplishments, as might be instilled into such good natural Capacities. Nevertheless thro' their quick Apprehension, they have a Sufficiency of Knowledge, and Fluency of Tongue, tho' their Learning for the most Part be but superficial.
They are more inclinable to read Men by Business and Conversation, than to dive into Books, and are for the most Part only desirous of learning what is absolutely necessary, in the shortest and best Method.
Having this Knowledge of their Capacities and Inclination from sufficient Experience, I have composed on Purpose some short Treatises adapted with my best Judgment to a Course of Education for the Gentlemen of the Plantations; consisting in a shortEnglish Grammar; anAccidence to Christianity; anAccidence to the Mathematicks, especially toArithmetickin all its Parts and Applications,Algebra,Geometry,Surveying of Land, andNavigation.
These are the most useful Branches of Learning forthem, and such as they willingly and readily master, if taught in a plain and short Method, truly applicable to theirGenius; which I have endeavoured to do, for the Use ofthem, andall othersof their Temper and Parts.
They are not very easily persuaded to the Improvement of useful Inventions (except a few, such as Sawing Mills) neither are they great Encouragers of Manufactures, because of the Trouble and certain Expence in Attempts of this kind,with uncertain Prospect of Gain; whereas by their staple Commodity, Tobacco, they arein hopesto get a plentiful Provision; nay, often very great Estates.
Upon this Account they think it Folly to take off theirHands(or Negroes) and employ their Care and Time about any thing, that may make them lessen their Crop of Tobacco.
So that though they are apt to learn, yet they are fond of, and will follow their own Ways. Humours, and Notions, being not easily brought to new Projects and Schemes; so that I question, if they would have been imposed upon by theMissisippiorSouth-Seaor any other such monstrous Bubbles.
In their Computations of Time, Weights and Measures both of Length, Superficies, and Solidity, they strictly adhere to what is legal; not running into precarious Customs, as they do inEngland. Thus their Quart is the trueWinchester, their Hundred is 100, not 112, and they survey Land by Statute Measure.
Indeed, whatEnglishCoin is there, is advanced in Value; so that a Shilling passes for 14d.and a Guinea goes by Tale for 26s.but the Current Money is theSpanishwhich in Reality is about 15l. per Cent.inferior to ourEnglishCoin, as settled by Law; but frequently the Value of this varies in Respect of Sterling Bills according to the Circumstances of Trade; Currency and Sterling being sometimes at aPar; but for the Generality 10per Cent.Discount is allowed for Sterling Bills.
As for Education several are sent toEnglandfor it; though theVirginiansbeing naturally of good Parts, (as I have already hinted) neither require nor admire as much Learning, as we do inBritain: yet more would be sent over, were theynot afraid of the Small-Pox, which most commonly proves fatal to them.
But indeed when they come toEnglandthey are generally put to learn to Persons that know little of their Temper, who keep them drudging on in what is of least Use to them, in pedantick Methods, too tedious for their volatile Genius.
ForGrammarLearning taught after the common round-about Way is not much beneficial nor delightful to them; so that they are noted to be more apt to spoil their School-Fellows than improve themselves; because they are imprisoned and enslaved to what they hate, and think useless, and have not peculiar Management proper for their Humour and Occasion.
A civil Treatment with some Liberty, if permitted with Discretion is most proper for them, and they have most Need of, and readily take polite and mathematical Learning; and inEnglishmay be conveyed to them (without going directly toRomeandAthens) all the Arts, Sciences, and learned Accomplishments of the Ancients and Moderns, without the Fatigue and Expence of another Language, for whichmostof them have little Use or Necessity, since (without another) they may understand their own Speech; and all other Things requisite to be learn'd by them sooner and better.
Thus the Youth might as well be instructed there as here by proper Methods, without the Expence and Danger of coming hither; especially if they make Use of the great Advantage of theCollegeatWilliamsburgh, where they may (and many do) imbibe the Principles of all human and divine Literature, both inEnglishand in the learned Languages.
By the happy Opportunity of this College may they be advanced to religious and learned Education,according to the Discipline and Doctrine of the establishedChurch of England; in which Respect this College may prove of singular Service, and be an advantageous and laudable Nursery and strong Bulwark against the contagious dissentions inVirginia; which is the most ancient and loyal, the most plentiful and flourishing, the most extensive and beneficial Colony belonging to the Crown ofGreat Britain, upon which it is most directly dependant; wherein is establish'd theChurch of Englandfree from Faction and Sects, being ruled by the Laws, Customs, and Constitutions ofGreat Britain, which it strictly observes, only where the Circumstances and Occasion of the Country by an absolute Necessity require some small Alterations; which nevertheless must not be contrary (though different from and subservient) to the Laws ofEngland.
Though the Violence of neitherWhignorToryreigns there, yet have they Parties; for the very best Administration must expect to meet with some Opposition in all Places; especially where there is a Mixture of People of different Countries concerned, whose Education and Interest may propose to them Notions and Views different from each other.
Most other Plantations, especially they that are granted away to Proprietors, are inferior toVirginia: where the seeming Interest and Humour of the Owners often divert them from Pursuit of the most proper Methods; besides, they cannot have such a right Claim to the Favour of the Crown, nor demand its best Protection, since they may often interfere with its Interest: whereasVirginiais esteemed one of the most valuable Gems in the Crown ofGreat Britain.
ThusVirginiahaving to itself (withMaryland) the staple Commodity of Tobacco, has a great Advantage of all other Plantations on the Continent for the Encouragement of the Crown; whereas others belonging to Gentlemen, or having no peculiar Trade, cannot expect such Power to advance and promote their Interest.
To this add, thatVirginiaequals, if not exceeds, all others in Goodness of Climate, Soil, Health, Rivers, Plenty, and all Necessaries, and Conveniencies of Life: Besides she has, among others, these particular Advantages of her younger SisterMaryland, viz. Freedom from Popery, and the Direction of Proprietors; not but that Part ofVirginia, which is between the RiversPotowmackandRappahannockbelongs to Proprietors, as to the Quit-Rent; yet the Government of these Counties (called theNorthern Neck) is under the same Regulation with the other Parts of the Country.
IfNew Englandbe called a Receptacle of Dissenters, and anAmsterdamof Religion,Pensylvaniathe Nursery of Quakers,Marylandthe Retirement ofRomanCatholicks,North Carolinathe Refuge of Run-aways, andSouth Carolinathe Delight of Buccaneers and Pyrates,Virginiamay be justly esteemed the happy Retreat oftrue Britonsandtrue Churchmenfor the most Part; neither soaring too high nor drooping too low, consequently should merit the greater Esteem and Encouragement.
The common Planters leading easy Lives don't much admire Labour, or any manly Exercise, except Horse-Racing, nor Diversion, except Cock-Fighting, in which some greatly delight. This easy Way of Living, and the Heat of the Summer makes some very lazy, who are then said to be Climate-struck.
The Saddle-Horses, though not very large, are hardy, strong, and fleet; and will pace naturally and pleasantly at a prodigious Rate.
They are such Lovers of Riding, that almost every ordinary Person keeps a Horse; and I have known some spend the Morning in ranging several Miles in the Woods to find and catch their Horses only to ride two or three Miles to Church, to the Court-House, or to a Horse-Race, where they generally appoint to meet upon Business; and are more certain of finding those that they want to speak or deal with, than at their Home.
No People can entertain their Friends with better Cheer and Welcome; and Strangers and Travellers are here treated in the most free, plentiful, and hospitable Manner; so that a few Inns or Ordinaries on the Road are sufficient.
As to the Weather, the Spring and Fall are not unlike those Seasons inEngland, only the Air is never long foggy, nor very cloudy; but clear, sometimes of a bluish Colour, occasioned by the thin Smoak, dispersed in the Air, from the Flames of the Woods and Leaves, which are fired in Hunting, to drive the Beasts from their lurking Places; or in the Spring to burn the old Leaves and Grass, that there may be the better Pasture the next Summer.
The Months ofDecember,JanuaryandFebruaryare generally much colder, andJune,JulyandAugustare much hotter than inEngland; tho' sometimes 'tis on a sudden very cool in Summer, and pretty warm in Winter, the Weather being governed by the Wind; which with sudden Storms from theNorth-West, and sometimes from theWestandSouth-Westbring violent Gusts or Tempests, with Thunder, Lightning, and Rain very terrible, but soon over.
TheNorth WestWinds are exquisitely sharp and cold, proceeding from Clouds arising from the vast Lakes and prodigious snowy Mountains that lie to that Quarter; but the Southerly Winds and others are very warm.
The Days and Nights are there always much nearer the Equality of twelve Hours, than in the Latitude ofEngland.
At the sudden Changes of the Weather, from Heat to Cold, People are apt to take Cold, often neglecting to shift their Cloaths with the Weather; which with Abundance of Damps and Mists from the Water, and by eating too plentifully of some delicious Fruits, makes the People subject to Feavers and Agues, which is the Country Distemper, a severe Fit of which (called aSeasoning) most expect, some time after their Arrival in that Climate; but the Goodness of God has furnished us with a perfectCatholiconfor that Sickness,viz.theBark; which being taken and repeated in a right Manner, seldom fails of a Cure, unless the morbifick Matter comes to a Head again from fresh Causes, and so returns with Mastery; upon which Recourse must be had to the same specifick Remedy; besides which there are several Ways of Cure, but none so universal and sure as that.
Some for Want of timely Care, through Ignorance or Obstinacy, will permit the Distemper to lurk about them so long, till at last it has reduced them to an irrecoverable, lingering, ill Habit of Body; especially if they live meanly, drinking too much Water, and eating too much salt Meat; and thisCachexygenerally ends their Lives with a Dropsy, Consumption, the Jaundice, or some such Illness.
Besides this, some are troubled with the dry Gripes, proceeding from Colds (I suppose) whichtake away for a long Time the Use of the Limbs of some, especially hard Drinkers of Rum; some that have lain out in mighty cold Weather have been Frost-bitten, and lost their Fingers or Toes.
There is no Danger of wild Beasts in traveling; for the Wolves and Bears, which are up the Country, never attack any, unless they be first assaulted and hurt; and the Wolves of late are much destroyed by Virtue of a Law, which allows good Rewards for their Heads with the Ears on, to prevent Imposition and cheating the Publick; for the Ears are crop'd when a Head is produced.
The Bears are also much destroyed by the Out-Planters,&c.for the Sake of their Flesh and Skins.
As for Rattle-Snakes,&c.they make off from you, unless you by Carelesness chance to tread on them; and then their Bite is found now not to be mortal, if Remedies can be applied in Time.
The worst Inconveniency in travelling a-cross the Country, is the Circuit that must be taken to head Creeks,&c.for the main Roads wind along the rising Ground between the Rivers, tho' now they much shorten their Passage by mending the Swamps and building of Bridges in several Places; and there are established Ferries at convenient Places, over the great Rivers; but in them is often much Danger from sudden Storms, bad Boats, or unskilful or wilful Ferrymen; especially if one passes in a Boat with Horses, of which I have great Reason to be most sensible by the Loss of a dearBrotheratChickohomony Ferry, inFeb.1723/4.
As for their Drink, good Springs of excellent Water abound every where almost, which is very cooling and pleasant in Summer, and the general Drink of abundance: not so much out of Necessity, as Choice.
Some Planters,&c.make good small Drink with Cakes ofParsimmonsa kind of Plumbs, which grow there in great Plenty; but the common small Beer is made ofMolossus, which makes extraordinary brisk good tasted Liquor at a cheap Rate, with little Trouble in brewing; so that they have it fresh and fresh, as they want it in Winter and Summer.
And as they brew, so do they bake daily, Bread or Cakes, eating too much hot and new Bread, which cannot be wholsom, tho' it be pleasanter than what has been baked a Day or two.
Some raise Barley and make Malt there, and others have Malt fromEngland, with which those that understand it, brew as good Beer as inEngland, at proper Seasons of the Year; but the common strong Malt-Drink mostly used, isBristolBeer; of which is consumed vast Quantities there yearly; which being well brew'd and improv'd by crossing the Sea, drinks exceedingly fine and smooth; but Malt Liquor is not so much regarded as Wine, Rack, Brandy, and Rum, Punch, with Drams of Rum or Brandy for the common Sort, when they drink in a Hurry.
The common Wine comes fromMaderaorPhial, which moderately drank is fittest to cheer the fainting Spirits in the Heat of Summer, and to warm the chilled Blood in the bitter Colds of Winter, and seems most peculiarly adapted for this Climate: Besides this, are plentifully drank with the better Sort, of late Years, all Kinds ofFrench, and otherEuropeanWine, especially Claret and Port.
Here is likewise used a great deal of Chocolate, Tea and Coffee, which, with several Sorts of Apparel, they have as cheap, or cheaper than inEngland, because of the Debenture of such Goods upon their Exportation thither: Besides, theyare allowed to have Wines directly fromMadera, and other Commodities are brought from theWest-Indies, and the Continent, which cannot be brought toEnglandwithout spoiling.
As for grinding Corn,&c.they have good Mills upon the Runs and Creeks: besides Hand-Mills, Wind-Mills, and theIndianInvention of pounding Hommony in Mortars burnt in the Stump of a Tree, with a Log for a Pestle hanging at the End of a Pole, fix'd like the Pole of a Lave.
Though they are permitted to trade to no Parts butGreat Britain, except these Places: yet have they in many Respects better and cheaper Commodities than we inEngland, especially of late Years; for the Country may be said to be altered and improved in Wealth and polite Living within these few Years, since the Beginning ofCol. Spotswood's Government, more than in all the Scores of Years before that, from its first Discovery. The Country is yearly supplied with vast Quantities of Goods fromGreat Britain, chiefly fromLondon,Bristol,Liverpool,Whitehaven, and fromScotland.
The Ships that transport these Things often call atIrelandto victual, and bring over frequently white Servants, which are of three Kinds. 1. Such as come upon certain Wages by Agreement for a certain Time. 2. Such as come bound by Indenture, commonly call'dKids, who are usually to serve four or five Years; and 3. those Convicts or Felons that are transported, whose Room they had much rather have than their Company; for abundance of them do great Mischiefs, commit Robbery and Murder, and spoil Servants, that were before very good: But they frequently there meet with the End they deserved at Home, though indeed some of them prove indifferent good. Their being sent thither to work as Slaves for Punishment,is but a mere Notion, for few of them ever lived so well and so easy before, especially if they are good for any thing. These are to serve seven, and sometimes fourteen Years, and they and Servants by Indentures have an Allowance of Corn and Cloaths, when they are out of their Time, that they may be therewith supported, till they can be provided with Services, or otherwise settled. With these three Sorts of Servants are they supplied fromEngland,Wales,Scotland, andIreland, among which they that have a Mind to it, may serve their Time with Ease and Satisfaction to themselves and their Masters, especially if they fall into good Hands.
Except the last Sort, for the most Part who are loose Villains, made tame byWild, and then enslaved by hisForward Namesake: To prevent too great a Stock of which Servants and Negroes many Attempts and Laws have been in vain made.
These if they forsake their Roguery together with the other Kids of the laterJonathan, when they are free, may work Day-Labour, or else rent a small Plantation for a Trifle almost; or else turn Overseers, if they are expert, industrious, and careful, or follow their Trade, if they have been brought up to any; especially Smiths, Carpenters, Taylors, Sawyers, Coopers, Bricklayers,&c.The Plenty of the Country, and the good Wages given to Work-Folks occasion very few Poor, who are supported by the Parish, being such as are lame, sick, or decrepit through Age, Distempers, Accidents, or some Infirmities; for where there is a numerous Family of poor Children the Vestry takes Care to bind them out Apprentices, till they are able to maintain themselves by their own Labour; by which Means they are never tormented with Vagrant, and Vagabond Beggars, there being a Reward for taking up Run-aways,that are at a small Distance from their Home; if they are not known, or are without a Pass from their Master, and can give no good Account of themselves, especially Negroes.
In all convenient Places are kept Stores or Ware-Houses of all Sorts of Goods, managed by Store-Keepers or Factors, either for themselves or others in the Country, or inGreat Britain.
This Trade is carried on in the fairest and genteelest Way of Merchandize, by a great Number of Gentlemen of Worth and Fortune; who with the Commanders of their Ships, and severalVirginians(who come over through Business or Curiosity, or often to take Possession of Estates, which every Year fall here to some or other of them) make as considerable and handsom a Figure, and drive as great and advantageous a Trade for the Advancement of the Publick Good, as most Merchants upon theRoyal-Exchange.
At the Stores inVirginia, the Planters,&c.may be supplied with whatEnglishCommodities they want.
The Merchants, Factors, or Store-Keepers inVirginiabuy up the Tobacco of the Planters, either for Goods or currentSpanishMoney, or withSterlingBills payable inGreat Britain.
The Tobacco is rolled, drawn by Horses, or carted to convenient Rolling Houses, whence it is conveyed on Board the Ships in Flats or Sloops,&c.
Some Years ago there was made an Act to oblige all Tobacco to be sent to convenient Ware-Houses, to the Custody and Management of proper Officers, who were by Oath to refuse all bad Tobacco, and gave printed Bills as Receipts for each Parcel or Hogshead; which Quantity was to be delivered according to Order upon Return of those Bills; and for their Trouble and Care inviewing, weighing, and stamping, the Officers were allowed 5s. perHogshead.
The Intent of this Law was to improve the Commodity, prevent Frauds in publick Payments; and for Ease of the common Planters, and Expedition and Conveniency of Shipping.
But though the first Design was for publick Tobacco only, yet the private Crops of Gentlemen being included in the Law, was esteemed a great Grievance; and occasioned Complaints, which destroyed a Law, that with small Amendments might have proved most advantageous.
The Abrogation of this Law reduced the Sailors to their old Slavery of rolling the Tobacco in some Places; where they draw it for some Miles, as Gardeners draw a Roller, which makes them frequently curse the Country, and thro' Prejudice give it a very vile Character.
The Tobacco purchased by the Factors or Store-Keepers, is sent Home to their Employers, or consign'd to their correspondent Merchants inGreat Britain.
But most Gentlemen, and such as are beforehand in the World, lodge Money in their Merchant's Hands here, to whom they send their Crop of Tobacco, or the greatest Part of it.
This Money is employed according to the Planter's Orders; chiefly in sending over yearly such Goods, Apparel, Liquors,&c.as they write for, for the Use of themselves, their Families, Slaves and Plantations; by which Means they have every Thing at the best Hand, and the best of its Kind.
BesidesEnglishGoods, several Merchants inVirginiaimport from theWest-Indiesgreat Quantities of Rum, Sugar, Molossus,&c.and Salt very cheap from theSalt Islands; which Things they purchase with Money, or generally with Pork, Beef, Wheat,Indian-Corn, and the like.
In some of the poorer Parts of the Country abounding in Pine, do they gather up theLight-wood, or Knots of the old Trees, which will not decay,which beingpiled up (as a Pit of Wood to be burnt to Charcoal) and encompassed with a Trench, and covered with Earth, is set on Fire; whereby the Tar is melted out, and running intoa holeis taken up, and filled into Barrels; and being boiled to a greater Consistency becomes Pitch.
Of Pitch and Tar they send Home great Quantities, though not near so much atNorth Carolina, which formerly was theSouthPart ofVirginia; but has long since been given away to Proprietors, tho' the Bounds between the Colony ofVirginia, and the Government ofNorth Carolinaare disputed; so that there is a very longListof Land fifteen Miles broad between both Colonies (called thedisputed Bounds) in due Subjection to neither; which is anAsylumfor the Runagates of both Countries.
The greatest Part ofVirginiais uneven: and near the Water they are free from great Stones, Rocks, and high Hills; but far in the Country they have vast Rocks, Stones, and Mountains; and though in the Salts there is no Stone for Lime nor Building; (but withOyster-Shellsthey make good Lime and enough) yet up the Freshes, and above the Falls of the Rivers are discovered free and common Stone of several Sorts, among which may be expected Lime-Stone.
Here are also vast Quantities ofIron Oar, and various Kinds ofMinerals, whose Nature and Vertues are as yet undiscovered.
Moses'sWords of Exhortation to theIsraelitesfor Obedience to God's Laws,Deut.viii. 6, 7, 8, 9, may be applied to theVirginians; and particularly when he saith that God had brought them into a Land whose Stones are Iron; and for what weknow the following Words may also be applied to them, when he saith out of the Hills of that Land might be diggedBrass, for which there is no small Prospect and Expectation; and in all Probability there may be found the nobler Metals ofGoldandSilver, if we did but search for them in the Bowels of the Earth, if we would but be at the Expence and Trouble to seek for them.
Why may not our Mountains inAmerica, for what we know, be as rich as those ofMexicoandPeruin the same Country? Since the little Hills so plentifully abound with the belt of Iron; for the digging, melting, working, and Exportation whereof Providence has furnish'd us with all wonderful Conveniences; if we would add but a little Expence, Art, and Industry.
This Iron has been proved to be good, and 'tis thought, will come at as cheap a Rate as any imported from other Places; so that 'tis to be hopedCol. Spotswood's Workswill in a small Time prove very advantageous toGreat Britain, which undoubtedly will be carried to great Perfection and universal Benefit, by his skilful Management and indefatigable Application to such noble Undertakings and glorious Projects.