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HISTORY

VIRGINIA,

In Four Pi rts.

I. The History of the Firft Settlement

of Virginia^ and the Government there- of, to the Year 1706.

II. The natural Productions and Convenien-

ces of the Country, fuited to Trade and Improvement.

III. The Native Indians^ their Religion, Laws, and Cuftoms, in War and Peace.

IV. The prefent State of the Country, as to the Polity of the Government, and the Improvements of the Land, the 10th of June 1710.

By a Native and Inhabitant of the Place.

The Second Edition revis'd and enlarg'd by the Author.

L O N D O N : Printed for B . and S . T o o k e in Flectjlnet ; F. Fayram and J. C l a r k e at the Royal-Ex change, and T. B i c k e r-

ton in Tater-Nofter Row, 1722.

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THE

PREFACE.

T fir ft Bufinefs in the World being among the public Records of my Country , the aclive "Thoughts of my Touth put me upon taking Notes of the general Adminiftr ac- tion of the Governments but with no other Defign, than the Gratification of my own inqui- fitive Mind> thefe lay by me for many Tears afters- wards obfcure and fecret, and would forever have done fo, had not the following Accident produced them.

In the Tear 1703, my Affairs calling me to England, I was foon after my Arrival , complimen- ted by my BookfelUr with an Intimation, that there was prepared for Printing a general Account of all her Majeftfs Plantations in America, and his De- fire, that I would overlook it before it was put to the Prefs'y 1 agreed to overlook that Part of it which related to Virginia.

Soon after this he brings me about Six Sheets of Paper written, which contained the Account of Vir- ginia and Carolina : This it feems was to have an- fwered a Part of Mr. Oldmixon's Britifh Empire in America. / very innocently (when I began to read) placed Pen and Paper by me, and made my Obferva- tions upon the firft Page, but found it in the Sequel fo very faulty, and an Abridgment only of fome Ac- counts that had been printed 60 or 70 Tears ago $ in which alfo he had chofen the moft ftrange and un-

A % true

The PREFACE.

true Parts, and left out the more Jincere and faith' ful, fo that 1 laid afide all Thoughts of farther Ob- fervations, and gave it only a Reading 5 and my Bookfelkr for Anfwer , that the Account 'was too faulty and too imperfect to be mended: Withal telling him, that feeing I had in my junior Days taken fome Notes of the Government, which I then had with me in England, I would make him an Account of my own Country, if I could find Time, while I jlaid in London. And this I Jhould the rather un- dertake in Juftice to fo fine a Country > becaufe it has been fo mifreprefented to the commoyi People of England, as to make them believe, that the Ser- vants in Virginia are made to draw in Cart and Plow, as Horfes and Oxen do in England, and that the Country turns all People black, who go to live there , with other fuch prodigious Ph ant a fins.

Accordingly before I left London, / gave him a Jhort Hifiory of the Country, from the firft Settle- went, with an Account of its then State > but I would not let him mingle it with OldmixonV other Account of the Plantations , becaufe I took them to be all of a Piece with thofe I had feen of Virginia and Ca- rolina, but dejired mine to be printed by it felfi And this 1 take to be the only Reafon of that Gentle- man's fo feverely reflecting upon me in his Book , for I never f aw him in my Life that I know of.

But concerning that Work of his, I may with great "Truth fay, that (iiot with (landing his Boa ft of having the Afji fiance of many original Papers and Memorials that J had not the Opportunity of) he no where varies from the Account that I gave , nor advances any thing new of his own, but he commits fo many Errors, and impofes fo many Falfities upon the World. To inflance fome few out of the 7nany.

Page zio. He fays, that they were near fpent with Cold, which is impoffible in that hot Country.

Pag.

The PREFACE.

Pag. 220. He fays , that Captain Weymouth in itfof, entered Powhatan River Southward of the

Bay of Chefapeak -y whereas Powhatan River

is now calPd James River , and lies within the Mouth of Chefapeak Bay fome Miles, on the Weft fide of it \ and Captain Wey mouth' s Voyage was only to HudfonV River, which is in New York, much Nor t Invar d of the Capes of Virginia.

Pag. 236. He jumbles the Patowmeck and Ea- fiern Shore Indians, as if they liv'd together, and ne- ver quarrelVd with the Englifh ; whereas the laft liv'd on the Eafi fide the great Bay of Chefapeak , and the other on the Weft. The Eaftern Shore In- dians never had any Quarrel with the Englifh, but the Patowmecks ufed many 'Treacheries and Enmi- ties towards us, and joined in the intended general Maffacre, but by a timely Difcovery were prevented do- ing any thing.

Pag. 245*. He fays, that Morifon held an Ajfem-

bly, and procured that Body of Laws to be made. p

Whereas Morifon only made an Abridgment of the Laws then in being, and compiled them into a regular Body 5 and this he did by Direction of Sir William Berkley, who, upon his going to England, left Mo- rifon his Deputy Governor.

Pag. 248. He fays (Viz. in Sir William Berk- ley V Time) the Englifh could fend 7000 Men into the Field, and have twice as many at Home. ■

Whereas at this Day they cannot do that , and yet have three times as many People in the Country as they had then.

By Pag. 2fi. he feems altogether ignorant of the Situation of Virginia, the Head of the Bay and New York, for he there fays,

" When the Indians at the Head of the Bay tra- u velVd to New York, they paft, going and coming, by *c the Frontiers of Virginia, and traded with the £ Virginians, &c.—— Whereas the Head of the

A 3 Bay

The P R E F A C E.

Bay is in the common Rout of the Indians travel' ling from New York to Virginia, and much about half Way,

Pag. 2ff. He fays Sir William Berkley with- drew himfelf from his Government j — whereas he went not out of it, for the Countries of Acco- mack and Northampton, to which he retifd, were- two Counties of his Government , and only parted from the reft where the Rebels rife by the Bay of Che- fapeak.

Pag. 166. He fays, Dr. Tho. Bray went over to be Prejident of the College in Virginia j ■■

whereas he was fent to Maryland, as the Bijhop's Com- tniffary there. And Mr. Blair in the Charter to the- College, was made Prejident during Life, and is fill alive. He alfo fays, that all that was fubfcribed for the College came to nothing 5 ■ whereas all the

Subfcriptions were in a fhort time paid in, and ex- pended upon the College > of which 2 or 5 flood Suit, and were caft.

Pag. 169. He tells of Camels brought by fome Guinea Ships to Virginia -> but had not then h£ard how they throve with us •, ■ / don't known how he fhould, for there never was any fuch thing done.

'Then his Geography of the Country is moft abfurd, notwithflanding the wonderful Care he pretends to have of the Maps, and his expert Knowledge of the new Surveys (Pag. 278.) making almoft as many Faults as Descriptions. For Infance,

Pag. 172. Prince George County ; which lies all on the South Side James River, he places on the North. And fays , that, Part of James C&y Coun- ty and four of the Parijhes of it lie on the South fide James River ■■■ ; whereas not one Inch of it has fo done thefe fixty Tears.

Pag.

The PREFACE.

Pag. 273. His Account of Williamfburgh is tno/l romantick and untrue-, and fo is his Account of the College. Pag. 302, 303.

Pag. 274. He makes Elizabeth and Warwick Counties to lye upon York River j whereas both of them lie upon James River, and neither of them comes near York River.

Pag. 27^ . He Places King William County above New Kent, and on both Sides Pamnuky River j whereas it lies fide by fide with New Kent, and all on the North Side Pamnuky River. He places King and Queen County upon the South of New Kent, at the Head of Chickahomony River, which he fays rifes in it : — — — Whereas that County lies North of New Kent from Head to Foot, and two large Rivers and two entire Comities are between the Head of Chickahomony^^ King and Queen. Eflex, Richmond and Stafford Counties are as much wrong placed.

He fays that York and Rappahannock Rivers ijfue out of low Marjhes, and not from the Mountains as the other Rivers, which note he has taken front fome old Maps > but is a falfe Account from my own Fiew, for I was with our prefent Governor at the head Spring of both thofe Rivers, and their Fountains are in the higheft Ridge of Mountains.

Pag. 276*. He fays, that the Neck of Land be- tween Niccocomoco River and the Bay, is what goes by the Name of the Northern Neck — — > where- as it is not above the twentieth Part of the Northern Neck} for that contains all that Tracl of Land which is between Rappahannock and Patowmeck Rivers.

How unfaithful and frontlefs muft fuch an Hifto-

rian be , who can upon Guefs-work introduce fuch

Falfities for "Truth, and bottom them upon fuch bold

AJertions ? It would make a Book larger than his

A 4 own

The PREFACE.

ewn to expofe his Errors , for even the moft general Offices of the Government he mi/re cites.

Pag. 2p8. He fay s^ the General Court is calVd the Quarter Courts and is held every Quarter of a

7 ear ; whereas it never was held but three

Times a Tear, the? it was called a Quarter Ceurt. When he wrote it was held but twice a Tear, as I had wrote in my Book : And has not been called a Quar- ter Court thefe 79 Tears. The County Courts were never limited in their Jurifdiclion to any Summon s, nei- ther was the Sheriff ever a Judge in them, as he would have it, but always a minifterial Officer to exe- cute their Procefs, 8cc.

The Account that I have given in the following Sheets is plain and true, and if it be not written with fo much Judgment \ or in fo good a Method and Stile as I could wijh, yet in the Truth of it I reft fully fatisfied. In this Edition I have alfo retrenched fetch Particulars as related only to private Tranfaclions and Char abler s in the Hiftorical Part 3 as being tea diminutive to be tranfmittedto Pofterity, and fat down the Succeffion of the Governors, with the ?nore general Incidents of their Government , without Reflection upon the private Conduct of any Per fan.

THE

THE

HISTORY

O F

VIRGINIA,

Book I.

Chap. L

Shewing what happen! din the fit ft At- tempts to fettle Virginia, before the Difcovery 0/Chefapeak Bay.

'^MWW\ ^ ^ learned and valiant Sir Walter llrTlil RdrilK having entertained (bme deeper and more ferious Confiderations upon the State of the Earth, than molt other Men of his Time, as may fuffi- ciently appear by his incomparable Book, The Hi- fiory of the World : And having laid together the

many

2 The History*?/

many Stories then in Europe concerning America ; the native Beauty, Riches and Value of that Part of the World 5 and the immenfe Profits the Spa- niards drew from a fmall Settlement or two there* on made -, refolv'd upon an Adventure for farther Difcoveries.

According to this Purpofe, in the Year of our Lord io'f}, he got feveral Men of great Value and Eftate to join in an Expedition of this Nature : And for their Encouragement obtain'd Letters Patents from Queen Elizabeth, bearing date the 2fth of March, if 84, for turning their Difcove- ries to their own Advantage.

§. 2. In April following they fet out two fmall VefTels under the Command of Capt. Philip Ami- das, and Capt. Arthur Barlow ; who after a pro- fperous Voyage, anchored at the Inlet by Roenoke, at prefent under the Government of North Caro- lina. They made good Profit of the Indian Truck, which they bought for things of much inferior Va- lue, and return'd. Being over-pleafed with their Profits, and finding all things there entirely new, and furprizing, they gave a very advantageous Ac- count of Matters ; by reprefenting the Country fo delightful and defirable, fo pleafant and plentiful 5 the Climate and Air fo temperate, fweet, and wholefomej the Woods and Soil fo charming and fruitful ; and all other things fo agreeable, that Paradife it ielf feem'd to be there, in its firft na- tive Luftre.

They gave particular Accounts of the Variety of good Fruits, and lbme whereof they had never feen the like before 5 especially, that there were Grapes in fuch abundance, as was never known in the World : Stately tali large Oaks, and other Timber-, Red Cedar, Cyprcfs, Pines, and other Evergreens, and S weetw 00 ds, for Tallhefs anc!

Large-

VIRGINIA. 3

Largenefs exceeding all they had ever heard of: Wild Fowl, Fifri, Deer, and other Game in fuch Plenty, and Variety, that no Epicure could defire more than this new World did feem naturally to afford.

And to make it yet more defirable, they repor- ted the native Indians (which were then the only Inhabitants) fo affable, kind, and good-natur'd 5 fo uncultivated in Learning, Trades, and Fafhions* fo innocent, and ignorant of all manner of Poli- ticks, Tricks, and Cunning 5 and fo defirous of the Company of the Englijh : That they feem'd rather to be like foft Wax, ready to take an Im- preffion, than any ways likely to oppofe the Settling of the Englijh near them. They reprefented it as a Scene laid open for the good and gracious Queen Elizabeth, to propagate the Gofpel in, and extend her Dominions over : As if purpofely referv'd for her Majefty, by a peculiar Direction of Provi- dence, that had brought all former Adventures in this Affair to nothing : And to give a further Tafte of their Difcovery, they took with them, in their Return for England, two Men of the native In- dians, named JVanchefe and Manteo.

§. 3. Her Majefty accordingly took the Hint, and efpoufed the Project, as far as her prefent En- gagements in War with Spain would let her 5 being fo well pleafed with the Account given, that as the greatefl Mark of Honour fhe could do the Difco- very, fhe call'd the Country by the Name of Vir- ginia > as well, for that it was firfl difcover'd in her Reign, a Virgin Queen j as it did ftill feem to retain the Virgin Purity and Plenty of the firfl: Creation, and the People their primitive Innocence : For they feem'd not debauch'd nor corrupted with thofe Pomps and Vanities, which had depraved and inflaved the reft of Mankind j neither were their

Hands

4 The Histoky of

Hands harden'd by Labour, nor their Minds cor- rupted by the Defire of hoarding up Treafure: They were without Boundaries to their Land -y without Property in Cattle j and feem'd to have efcaped, or rather not to have been concern 'd in the firft Curfe, Of getting their Bread by the Sweat ef their Brows: For, by their Pleafure alone, they fupplied all their Neceuities > namely, by FiiTiing, Fowling and Hunting $ Skins being their only Cloathing} and thefe too, five fixths of the Year thrown by : Living without Labour, and only ga- thering the Fruits of the Earth when ripe, or fit for ufe : Neither fearing prefent Want, nor foli- citous for the future, but daily finding fufEcient afrefh for their Subfiflence.

§. 4. This Report was back'd, nay much ad- vanc'd, by thevafl Riches and Treafure mentioned in feveral Merchants Letters from Mexico* and Pe- ru^ to their Correfpondents in Spain , which Let- ters were taken with their Ships and Treafure, by fome of ours in her Majefly's Service, in Profecu- tion of the Spanijh Wars. This was Encourage- ment enough for a new Adventure, and fet Peoples Invention at Work, till they had fatisfled them- felves, and made fufficient Ellays for the farther Difcovery of the Country. Purfuant whereunto, Sir Richard Greenvik, the Chief of Sir Walter Ra- leigh's Aflbciates , having obtain'd feven Sail of Ships, well laden with Provifion, Arms, Ammuni- tion, and fpare Men to make a Settlement, fet out in Perfon with them early in the Spring of the fucceed ing Year, to make farther Difcoveries, tak- ing back the two Indians with him -y and accor- ding to his Wifh, in the latter End of May, ar- riv'd at the fame Place, where the EngHJb had been the Year before ; there he made a Settlement, fow'd Beans and Peas, which he faw come up and grow tq

Admiration

VIRGINIA. j

Admiration while he ftaid, which was about two Months 5 and having made fome little Difcove- ries more in the Sound to the Southward, and got fome Treafure in Skins, Furs, Pearl, and other Rarities in the Country, for things of inconfide- rable Value, he return'd for England , leaving one hundred and eight Men upon Roenoke Iiland , un- der the Command of Mr. Ralph Lane^ to keep PolTellion.

§. y. As foon as Sir Richard Greenvile was gone, they, according to Order and their own Inclina- tion, fet themfelves earneftly about difcovering the Country, and ranged about a little too indifcreetly up the Rivers, and into the Land backward from the Rivers, which gave the Indians a Jealoufie of their Meaning : For they cut off feveral Stragglers of them, and had laid Defigns to deflroy the reft, but were happily prevented. This put the Englijh upon the Precaution of keeping more within Bounds, and not venturing themfelves too defence- lefs Abroad, who till then had depended too much upon the Natives Simplicity and Innocence.

After the Indians had done this Mifchief, they never cbferv'd any real Faith towards thote Englijh : For being naturally fufpicious and revengeful them- felves, they never thought the Englijh could for- give them -, and fo by this Jealoulie, caused by the Cowardife of their Nature, they were continual- ly doing Mifchief.

The : Englijh, notwithstanding all this, continued their Difcoveries, but more carefully than they had done before, and kept the Indians in fome Awe, by threatning them with the Return of their Com- panions again with a greater Supply of Men and Goods : And, before the Cold of the Winter be- came uneaiie, they had extended their Difcoveries near an hundred Miles along the Sea-Coaft to the i North-

6 The History^/

Northward j but not reaching the Southern Cape of Chefapeak Bay in Virginia^ they had as yet found no good Harbour.

§. 6. In this Condition they maintain'd their Settlement all the Winter, and till Auguft follow- ing 5 but were much diftrefled for Want of Provi- fions, not having learn'd to gather Food, as the/»- dians did, nor having Conveniencies like them of taking Fifh and Fowl : Befides, being now fallen out with the Indians^ they fear'd to expofe them- felves to their Contempt and Cruelty 5 becaufethey had not received the Supply they talk'd of, and which had been expefted in the Spring.

All they could do under thefe DiftrefTes, and the Defpair of the Recruits promifed them this Year, was only to keep a good looking out to Seaward, if, perchance, they might find any Means of Efcape, or Recruit. And, to their great Joy and Satis- faction, in Auguft aforefaid, they happen'd to efpy, and make themfelves be feen to Sir Francis Drake's Fleet, confifting of twenty three Sail, who being fent by her Majefty upon the Coaft of America^ in Search of the Spanijh Treafures, had Orders from her Majefty to take a View of this Planta- tion, and fee what Afliftance and Encouragement it wanted : Their firft Petition to him was to grant them a frefh Supply of Men and Provifions, with a fmall VefTel, and Boats to attend them j that fo if they mould be put to Diftrefs for want of Relief, they might imbark for England. This was as rea- dily granted by Sir Francis Drake ^ as afk'd by them j and a Ship was appointed them, which Ship they began immediately to fit up, and fupply plentifully with all manner of Stores for a long Stay j but while they were a doing this, a great Storm arofe, and drove that very Ship (with Ibme

others)

VIRGINIA. f

others) from her Anchor to Sea, and To (he was loft for that Occafion.

Sir Francis would have given them another Ship, but this Accident coming on the Back of fo many Hardfliips which they had undergone, daunted them, and put them upon imagining that Provi- dence was averfe to their Defigns : And now ha- ving given over, for that Year, the Expectation of their promifed Supply from England^ they con- fulted together, and agreed to defire Sir Francis Drake to take them along with him, which he did.

Thus their flrft Intention of Settlement fell, after difcovering many things of the natural Growth of the Country, ufeful for the Life of Man, and beneficial to Trade, they having obferv'd a vaft Variety of Fifh, Fowl and Beafts; Fruits, Seeds, Plants, Roots, Timber-Trees, Sweet- Woods and Gums : They had likewife attain'd fome little Knowledge in the Language of the Indians , their Religion, Manners, and ways of Correfpon- dence one with another , and been made fenfible of their Cunning and Treachery towards them- felves.

r §. 7. While thefe things were thus acting in America^ the Adventurers in England were pro- viding, tho' too tedioufly, to fend them Recruits. And tho' it was late before they could difpatch them (for they met with feveral Difappointments, and had many Squabbles among themfelves j) how- ever, at lafl they provided four good Ships, with all manner of Recruits fuitable for the Colony, and Sir Walter Raleigh defigned to go in Perfon with them.

Sit Walter got his Ship ready firil, and fearing the ill Confequence of a Delay, and the Difcou- ragement it might be to thofe that were left to

make

8 The History of

make a Settlement, he fet Sail by himfelf. And a Fortnight after him Sir Richard Greenvile fail'd with the three other Ships.

Sir Walter fell in with the Land at Cape Hattoras, a little to the Southward of the Place, where the 1 08 Men had been fettled, and after Search not finding them, he return'd : However Sir Richard, with his Ships, found the Place where he had left the Men, but entirely deferted, which was at firil a great difheartening to him, thinking them allde- flroy'd, becaufe he knew not that Sir Francis Drake had been there, and taken them off > but he was a little better fatisfied by Manteo's Re- port, that they were not cut off by the Indians , tho' he could give no good Account what was become of them. However, notwithstanding this feeming Difcouragement, he again left fifty Men in the fame Ifland of Roenoke, built them Houfes neceffary, gave them two Years Proviflon, and return'd.

§. 8. The next Summer, being Anno 1^87. three Ships more were fent, under the Command of Mr. 'John White, who himfelf was to fettle there as Governor with more Men , and fome Women, carrying alfo plentiful Recruits of Provifions.

In the latter End ofj^/j'they arrived at Roenoke aforefaid, where they again encountered the uncom- fortable News of the Lofs of thefeMen alfo 5 who (as they were inform'd by Manteo) were fecretly fet upon by the Indians, fome cut off, and the others fled, and not to be heard of, and their Place of Ha- bitation now all grown up with Weeds. How- ever, they repaired the Houfes on Roenoke, and fate down there again.

The 1 3th of Augufl they chriften'd Manteo, and filled him Lord of DaJJamonpeak, an Indian Nation fo call'd, in Reward of the Fidelity he had fhewn

to

VIRGINIA. 9

to the EngliJJ) from the Beginning y who being the firft Indian that was made a Chnitian in that Part of the World, I thought it not amirs to remem- ber him.

On the fame occafion alfo may be mention'd the firft Child there born of Chriftian Parentage, viz. a Daughter of Mr. Ananias Dare. She was born the 1 8th of the fame Auguft upon Roenoke, and, after the Name of the Country, was chriften'd Virginia.

This feem'd to be a Settlement profperoufly made, being carry'd on with much Zeal and Una- nimity among themielves. The Form of Govern- ment confifted of a Governor and twelve Coun- fellors, incorporated by the Name of Governor and Affiftants of the City of Raleigh in Firgi- nia.

Many Nations of the Indians renew'd their Peace, and made firm Leagues with the Corpora- tion: The chief Men of the Englijh alfo were fo far from being difhearten'd at the former Difap- pointments, that they difputed for the Liberty of remaining on the Spot -y and by meer Conftraint compell'd Mr. White^ their Governor, to return for England^ to negotiate the Bufinefs of their Re- cruits and Supply, as a Man the mofr capable to manage that Affair, leaving at his Departure one hundred and fifteen in the Corporation.

§. p. It was above two Years before Mr. White could obtain any Grant of Supplies \ and then, in the latter End of the Year 15-89. he fet out from Plymouth with three Ships, and fail'd round by the Wefiem and Caribbee Iflands, they having hi- therto not found any nearer Way : For tho' they were fldll'd in Navigation, and underftood the Ufe of the Globes, yet did Example fo much prevail upon them, that they chofe to fail a thoufand B Leagues

io The History of

Leagues about, rather than attempt a more direct PafTage.

Towards the Middle of ' Auguft, ifpo. they ar- riv'd upon the Coait, at Cape Hattoras^ and went to fearch upon Roenoke for the People ♦, but found, by Letters on the Trees, that they were remov'dto Croatan^ one of the ftlands forming the Sound^ and Southward of Roenoke about twenty Leagues, but no fign of Diftrefs. Thither they defign'd to fail to them in their Ships -, but a Storm ariling in the mean while, lay fo hard upon them, that their Ca- bles broke 5 they loft three of their Anchors, were forced to Sea, and fo return' d Home, with- out ever going near thofe poor People again for fix- teen Years following: And it is fuppofed, that the Indians feeing them forfaken by their Coun- try, and unfurniuYd of their expected Supplies, cut them off* for to this Day they were never more heard of.

Thus, after all this vail Expence and Trouble, and the Hazard and Lofs of fo many Lives, Sir Walter Raleigh^ the great Projector and Furtherer of thefe Difcoveries and Settlements, being under Trou- ble, all Thoughts of farther profecuting thefe De- ligns lay dead for about twelve Years following.

§. io. And then, in the Year 1602, Captain Gofnell^who had made one in the former Adventures, furnifh'd out a fmali Bark from Dartmouth^ and fet fail in her himfelf, with thirty odd Men -, defign- iog a more direct. Courfe, and not to ftand lb far to the Southward, nor pais by the Caribbee 1 (lands, as all former Adventurers had done. He attain'd his Ends in that, but touch'd upon the Coaft of America much to the Northward of any of the Places where the former Adventurers had landed -y For he fell firft among the Iilands, form- ing the Northern Side of Majfaclwfetfs Bay in New*

England^

VIRGINIA. n

England -y but not finding the Conveniences that Harbour affords, let fail again. Southward, and, as he thought, clear of Land into the Sea 5 but fell upon the Byte of Gape Codd.

Upon this Coaft,and a little to the Southward, he fpent fome time in Trade with the Indians -, and gave Names to the lilands of Martha's Vine* yard, and Elizabeth's JjJe, which retain the fame to this Day. Upon Elizabeth's Ifie he made an Experiment of Engli/h Grain, and found it fpring up and grow to Admiration, as it had done at Roe- noke : Here alfo his Men built Hurs to melter them in the Nights, and bad Weather > and made good Profit by their Indian Traffick of Furs, Skins, 13 c. And, as their Pleafure invited them, would vifit the Main, fet Receivers, and fave the Gums, and Juices diftilling from Sweet- Woods -, and try and examine the lefler Vegetables.

After a Month's Stay here, they returned for England) as well pleafed with the natural Beauty and Richnefs of the Place they had view'd, as they were with the Treafure they had gathered in it: Neither had they a Head, nor a Finger that ach'd among them all the time.

§. n. The Noife of this mort, and molt pro- fitable of all the former Voyages, fet the Briftol Merchants to work alfo > who early in the Year 1603. fent two Veffels in Search of the fame Place and Trade j which Veifels fell luckily in with the fame Land. They follow'd the fame Me- thods Captain Gofnell had done, and having got a rich Lading, they return'd.

§. 12. In the Year i<5of, a Voyage was made

from London in a fingle Ship, with which theyde-

fign'd to fall in with the Land about the Latitude

390 $ but the Winds put her a little farther North-

B % war J,

1 1 The History of

ward, and me fell upon the Eaftern Parts of Long- Ifland ( as it is now call'd, but all went then under the Name of Virginia) Here they trafficked with the Indians^ as the others had done before them \ made fhort Trials of the Soil by Englifi Grain, and found the Indians^ as in all other Places, very fair and courteous at firft, till they got more Knowledge of the Englijh) and perhaps thought themfelves over-reach'd , becaufe one bought better Peny- worths than another •> upon which afterwards they never fail'd to take Revenge as they found their Opportunity or Advantage. So this Company alfo return'd with the Ship, having ranged forty Miles up Connecticut River, and call'd the Harbour where they rid Penticoft Harbour becaufe of their Arrival there on Whitfunday.

In all thefe latter Voyages, they never fo much as endeavour'd to come near the Place where the firft Settlement was attempted at Cape Hattoras ; neither had they any Pity on thofe poor hundred and fifteen Souls fettled there in 1 5*87, of whom there had never fince been any Account, no Re- lief fent to them, nor fo much as any Enquiry made after them, whether they were dead or alive, till about three Years after this, when Chefapeak Bay in Virginia was fettled, which hitherto had never been feen by any EngUJhman. So itrong was the Defire of Riches, and fo eager the Pur- fuit of a rich Trade, that all Concern for the Lives of their Fellow-Chriftians, Kindred, Neigh- bours and Countrymen, weigh'd nothing in the Comparifon$ tho' an Enquiry might have been ealily made, when they were fo near them.

4. CHAP.

FIR GINIA. 13

^QQOQQQQOQQC : ^QQQQQCQQQSQg

CHAP II.

Containing an Account of the fir ft Settlement of Chefapeak Bay, in Virginia, by the Corpo- ration of London Adventurers, and their 'Proceedings during their Government by a Prefident and Council elective.

§. 1.3 .np HE Merchants of London, Brlftol, Exe- JL ter and Plymouth, foon perceived what great Gains might be made of a Trade this Way, if it were well managed, and Colonies could be rightly fettled 5 which was fufficiently evinced by the great Profits fome Ships had made, which had not met with ill Accidents. Encouraged by this Profpeft, they join'd together in a Petition to King James the Firft 5 ihewing forth, That it would be too much for any fingle Perfon to attempt the fettling of Colonies, and to carry on fo confider- able a Trade : They therefore pray'd his Majefty to incorporate them, and enable them to raife a Joint- Stock for that Purpofe, and to countenance their Undertaking.

His Majefty did accordingly grant their Peti- tion, and by Letters Patents bearing Date the 10th of April, i<5o<5} did in one Patent incorporate them into two diftinft Colonies to make two fepa- rate Companies, viz. " Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George " Summers, Knights -, Mr. Richard Hackluit , Clark, " Prebend of IVeftminfter , and Edward-Maria " JVingfield, Efq^ Adventurers of the City of Lon- " don, and fuch others as mould be join'd unto " them of that Colony, which mould be call'd, The "firft Colony, with Liberty to begin their firft B 3 " Plan-

14 The History of

c Plantation and Seat, at any Place upon the Coaft

c of Virginia^ where they mould think fit and con-

c venient, between the Degrees of 34 and 41 of

c Northern Latitude : And that they mould ex-

* tend their Bounds from the faid firft Seat of their

c Plantation and Habitation, fifty Englijh . Miles

c along the Sea-Coaft each Way -y and include all

c the Lands within an hundred Miles directly

6 over-againft the fame Sea-Coaft, and alfo back

c into the Main-Land one hundred Miles from

c the Sea-Coaft : And that no other fhould be

c permitted or fufrer'd to plant or inhabit behind,

c or on the Back of them towards the Main-

c Land, without the exprefs Licenfe of the Coun-

c cil of that Colony thereunto in Writing 'firft

Q had and obtaiird. And for the fecond Colony,

c T'homas Hanham^ Rawleigh Gilbert , William Par-

Q ker^ and George Popharn^ Efquires, of the Town

c of Plymouth, and all others who fhould be join'd

c to them of that Colony, with Liberty to begin

c their firft Plantation and Seat at any Place upon

c the Coaft of Virginia^ where they fhould think

; fit, between the Degrees of 38 and 45- of Nor-

,; thern Latitude, with the like Liberties and

; Bounds as the firft Colony : Provided they did

c not feat within an hundred Miles of them.

§. 14. By Virtue of this Patent, Capt. John Smith was lent by the London Company in December ^ 1606, on his Voyage with three fmall Ships -, and a Cornmiflionwas given to him, and to feveral other Gentlemen, to eftablifh a Colony, and to govern by a Prcfident, to be chofen annually, and Coun- cil, who mould be inverted with fufficient Au- thorities and Powers. And now all Things feem'd to promife a Plantation in good Earneft. Provi- dence feem'd likewife very favourable to them : For tho' they defigned only for that Part ofFirginia

w here

VIRGINIA. iy

where the hundred and fifteen were left, and where there is no Security of Harbour : Yet, after a tedious Voyage of paffing the old Way again, between the Caribbee Illands and the Main, he, with two of his VefTels, luckily fell in with Vir- ginia it felf, that Part of the 'Continent now fo call'd, anchoring in the Mouth of the Bay of Che- f a$eak-> and the firft Place they landed upon was the Southern Cape of that Bay -y this they named Cape Henry, and the Northern Cape Charles, in Honour of the King's two elded Sons -, and the firft great River they fearch'd, whofe Indian Name was Powhatan, they call'd James River, after the King's own Name.

§. if. Before they would make any Settlement here, they made a full Search of James River $ and then by an unanimous Confent pitched upon a Peninfula, about fifty Miles up the River j which befides the Goodnefs of the Soil, was efteem'd as moil; fit, and capable to be made a Place both of Trade and Security, two Thirds thereof being environ'd by the main River, which affords good Anchorage all along , and the other Third by a fmall narrow River, capable of receiving many VefTels of an hundred Tun , quite up as high as till it meets within thirty Yards of the main River again,and where generally in Spring-Tides it overflows into the main River : By which meaHS the Land they chofe to pitch their Town upon has obtain'd the Name of an Iiland. In this back River Ships and fmall VefTels may ride laihed to one another, and moor'd a-fhore focure from all Wind and Weather whatfoever.

The Town, as well as the River, had the Ho- nour to be called by King James's Name. The whole Ifland thus enclofed contains about two thoufand Acres of high Land, and feveral thou-

B 4 fands

1 6 The History of

fends of very good and firm Marfh, and is an ex- traordinary good Pafture as any in that Country.

By means of the narrow Paffcge, this Place was of great Security to them from the Indian Enemy: And if they had then known of the Biting of the Worm in the Saks, they would have valued this Place upon that Account alfo, as being free from that Mifchief.

§. io\ They were no fconer fettled in all this Happinefs and Security, but they fell into Jarrs and Diifentions among themfelves, by a greedy grafp- ing at the Indian Treafure, envying and over- reaching one another in that Trade.

After five Weeks Stay before this Town, the Ships returned Home again, leaving one hundred and eight Men fettled in the Form of Government before fpoken of.

After the Ships were gone, the fame fort of Feuds and Diforders happen'd continually among them, to the unfpeakable Damage of the Planta- tion.

The Indians were the fame there as in all other Places , at firft very fair and friendly, tho' after- wards they gave great Proofs of their Deceitful- nefs. However, by the Help of the Indian Provi- fions, the Engiijh chiefly fubfifted till the Return of the Ships the next Year -, when two Veffels were fent thither full freighted with Men and Proviflons for Supply of the Plantation, one of which only arriv'd directly, and the other being beat off to the Caribbee Iilands , did not arrive till the former was fail'd again for England.

§. 17. In the Interval of thefe Ships returning from England^ the Englijb had a very advantageous Trade with the Indians -, and might have made cwcb greater Gains of it, and managed it both to

the

VIRGINIA. i7

the greater Satisfaction of the Indians, and the greater Eafe and Security of themfelves, if they had been under any Rule, or fubject to any Me- thod in Trade, and not left at Liberty to outvie or outbid one another, by which they not only cut fhort their own Profit, but created Jealoufies and Difturbances among the Indians, by letting one have a better Bargain than another : For they being unaccuftom'd to barter, fuch of them as had been hardeil dealt by in their Commodities, thought themfelves cheated and abufed \ and fo conceiv'd a Grudge again it the Englijh in general, making it a national Quarrel : And this teems to be the original Caufe of molt of their iubfequent Misfor- tunes by the Indians.

What alfo gave a greater Interruption to this Trade, was an Object that drew all their Eyes and Thoughts afide, even from taking the necefTaiy Care for their Prefervation, and for the Support of their Lives-, which was this 5 They found in a Neck of Land, on the Back of James-Town- IJland, a frefh Stream of Water fpringing out of a fmall Bank, which wafh'd down with it a yellow fort of Duft-Ifinglafs, which being cleanfed by the frefh ftreaming of the Water, lay mining in the Bottom of that limpid Element, and fiirr'd up in them an unfeafonable and inordinate Defire after Riches : For they taking all to be Gold that gli- fter'd, run into the utmoft D infraction, neglecting both the neccfTarv Defence of their Lives from the Indians, and the Support of their Bodies by fecu- ring of Provifions -, abfolutely relying, like Midas, upon the Almighty Power of Gold, thinking, that where this was in Plenty, nothing could be wanting : But they foon grew lenfible of their Error, and found that if this gilded Dirt had been real Gold, it could have been of no Advantage to them. For, by their Negligence, they were reduced to an ex- ceeding

1 8 The History of

ceeding Scarcity of Provifions, and that little they had was loft by the burning of their Town, while all Hands were employ'd upon this imaginary gol- den Treafure > fo that they were forced to live for fome time upon the wild Fruits of the Earth, and upon Crabs, Mufcles, and fuch like, not having a Day's Provifion before-hand , as fome of the la- xieft Indians^ who have no Pleafure in Exerciie, and won't be at the Pains to filh and hunt: And, indeed, not fo well as they neither 5 for by this carelefs neglecting of their Defence againft the In- dians^ many of them were deflroy'd by that cruel People > and the reft durft not venture Abroad, but were forced to be content with what fell juft into their Mouths.

§. 18. In this Condition they were, when the firir. Ship of the two before-mention'd came to their Affiftance, but their golden Dreams overcame all Difficulties : They fpoke not, nor thought of any thing but Gold, and that was all the Lading that moil of them were willing to take care for * accordingly they put into this Ship all the yellow Dirt they had gathered, and what Skins and Furs they had trucked for, and filling her up with Ce- dar, fent her away.

After (lie was gone, the other Ship arrived, which they flowed likewife with this fuppofed Gold-Dull, defigning never to be poor again 5 fill- ing her up with Cedar and Clap-board.

Thofe two Ships being thus difpatched, they made feveral Difcoverics in James River, and up Cbefapeak Bay, by the Undertaking and Manage- ment of Capt. John Smith: And the Year 1608 was the fir ft Year in which they gather'd Indian Corn of their own Planting.

While

VIRGINIA. I9

While thefe Difcoveries were making by Capt. Smith, Matters run again into Confufion in James Town , and feveral uneafie People, taking Advan- tage of his Abfence, attempted to defert the Set- tlement, and run away with the fmall VefTel that was left to attend upon it > for Capt. Smith was the only Man among them that could manage the Difcoveries with Succefs, and he was the only Man too that could keep the Settlement in Order. Thus the Englifi continued to give themfelves as much Perplexity by their own Diftra&ion, as the Indians did by their Watchfulnefs and Refent- ments.

§. i p. Anno 1609, John Lay don and Anna Bur* rows were marry'd together, the firft Chriftian Marriage in that Part of the World 5 and the Year following the Plantation was increafed to near five hundred Men.

This Year James Town fent out People, and made two other Settlements , one at Nanfamond in James River, above thirty Miles below James Town, and the other at Powhatan, fix Miles below the Falls of James River, ( which laft was bought of Pow- hatan for a certain Quantity of Copper,) each Set- tlement confiding of about a hundred and twenty Men. Some fmall Time after another was made at Kiquotan by the Mouth of James River.

CHAP.

20 The History of

CAHP, III.

Shewing what happen 'd after the Alteration of the Government from an elective 'Prejident to a commiffionated Governor j until the <Dif- folution of the Company.

§. 20. "T N the mean while the Treafurer, Coun- \_ cil, and Company of Virginia Adventu- rers in London, not finding that Return and Profit from the Adventurers they expected} and rightly judging that this Difappointment, as well as the idle Quarrels in the Colony proceeded from a Mif- manage of Government -, petition' d his Majefty, and got a new Patent with leave to appoint a Go- vernor.

Upon this new Grant they fent out nine Ships, and plentiful Supplies of Men and Provifions •> and made three joint Commiffioners or Governors in equal Power, viz. Sir 'Thomas Gates, Sir George Summers, and Capt. Newport. They agreed to go all together in one Ship.

This Ship, on Board of which the three Gover- nors had embarked, being feparated from the reft, was put to great Diflrefs in a fevere Storm ; and after three Days and Nights conflant Baling and Pumping, was at kit caft a-fhore at Bermudas, and there (laved, but by good Providence the Com- panv was preferved.

Notwithflanding this Shipwreck, and Extremity they were put to, yet could not this common Mil- fortune make them agree. The belt of it was, they found Plenty of Provifions in that llland, and no Indians to annoy them : But ftillthey quarrelFd

amongft

VIRGINIA. 11

amongft themfelves , and none more than the two Knights -, who made their Parties, built each of them a Cedar VefTel, one call'd the Patience^ the other the Deliverance, and ufed what they gathered of the Furniture of the old Ship for Rigging > and Fifh-oil, and Hogs-greafe mix'd with Lime and Afries, inftead of Pitch and Tar : For they found great Plenty of Spanijh Hogs in this Ifland, which are fuppofed to have fwam a-fhore from fome Wrecks, and there afterwards increafed.

§. 21 . While thefe Things were acting in Bermu- das^ Capt. Smith being very much burnt by the ac- cidental firing of fome Gun-powder, as he was up- on a Difcovery in his Boat, was forced for his Cure fake, and the Benefit of a Surgeon, to take his PafTage for England in a Ship that was then upon the Point of failing.

Several of the nine Ships that came out with the three Governors arrived, with many of the PafTen- gers> fome of which in their Humours wou'd not fubmit to the Government there, pretending the new Commifuon deftroy'd the old one > that Go- vernors were appointed inflead of a Prefident, and that they themfelves were to be of the Coun- cil, and fo wou'd aflume an independent Power, infpiring the People with Difobedience -y by which Means they became frequently expofed in great Parties to the Cruelty of the Indians -> all Sorts of Difcipline was laid afide, and their neceiTary De- fence neglected > fo that the Indians taking Ad- vantage of thofe Divifions, form'd a Stratagem to deflroy them Root and Branch, and indeed they did cut many of 'em off, by mafTacring whole Companies at a time j fo that all the Out-fettle- ments were deferted, and the People that were not deftroy'd took Refuge in James Town, except the fmall Settlement at Kiauotan, where they had built

them*

22 The History of

themfelves a little Fort, and call'd it Algernoon Fort : And yet, for all this, they continued their Diforders, wafting their old Provifions, and ne- glecting to gather others \ fo that they who re*- main'd alive were all near faminYd, having brought themfelves to that pafs, that they durft not ltir from their own Doors to gather the Fruits of the Earth, or the Crabs and Mufcles from the Water-fide: Much lefs to hunt or catch wild Beafts, Fiih or Fowl, which were found in great Abundance there. They continued in thefe fcanty Circumflances till they were atlaft reduced tofuch Extremity, as to eat the very Hides of their Horfes, and the Bodies of the Indians they had killed -, and fometimes alfo upon a pinch they wou'dnotdifdain to dig them up again to make a homely Meal of, after they had been buried.

Thus a few Months indilcreet Management brought fuch an Infamy upon the Country, that to this Day it cannot be wiped away : And the Sick- nefTes occafion'd by this bad Diet, or rather want of Diet, are unjuitly remember'd to the Difadvan- tage of the Country, as a Fault in the Climate , which was only the Foolifhnefs and Indiicretion of thofe who aflumed the Power of governing. I call it aflumed, becaufe the new Commiffion men- tion'd, by which thev pretended to be of the Coun- cil, was not in all *l.As Time arrived, butremain'd in Bermudas with the new Governors.

Here I cannot but admire the Care, Labour, Courage and Underflanding that Capt. John Smith fhcw'd in the Time of his Administration} who not only founded, but alfo prcferved all thefe Set- tlements in good Order, while he was amongff, them : And, without him, they had certainly all been deftroy'd, either by Famine, or the Enemy- long before j tho' the Country naturally afforded Subfiftencc enough, even without any other La- bour

VIRGINIA. 23

bour than that of gathering and preferving itsfpon- taneous Provifions.

For the firfl: three Years that Capt. Smith was with them, they never had in that whole Time above fix Months Englijh Provifions. But as foon as he had left 'em to themfelves, all went to Ruin ; for the Indians had no longer any Fear for them- felves, or Friendfhip for the Englijh. And fix Months after this Gentleman's Departure, the foo Men that he left were reduced to threefcore> and they too mull of Neceffity have flarved, if their Relief had been delay'd a Week longer at Sea.

§. zz. In the mean time , the three Governors put to Sea from Bermudas in their two fmall Ve£ f els, with their Company, to the Number of one hundred and fifty, and in fourteen Days, viz. the 2fth of May, 1610. they arrived both "together in Virginia, and went with their VefTels up to* James Town, where they found the fmall Remainder of the five hundred Men, in that melancholy Way I jufl now hinted.

§.13. Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Summers, and Capt. Newport, the Governors, were vere compaf- fionate of their Condition, and calPd a Council, wherein they inform'd them, that they had but fixteen Days Provifion Aboard j and therefore de- fired to know their Opinion, whether they would venture to Sea under fuch a Scarcity > or, if they refolved to continue in the Settlement, and take their Fortunes, they would ilay likewife, and fhare the Provifions among them 5 butdefired that their Determination might be fpeedy. They foon came to the Conclufion of returning for England : But becaufe their Provifions were fhort, they re- folved to go by the Banks of Newfoundland, m hopes of meeting with fome of the Fifhewnen,

i (this

24 The History of

(this being now the Seafon) and dividing them- felves among their Ships for the greater Certainty of Provision, and for their better Accommdation.

According to this Refolution, they all went Aboard, and fell down to Hog Ifland the pth of June at Night, and the next Morning to Mulber- ry Ifland Point, which is eighteen Miles below James Town, and thirty above the Mouth of the River > and there they fpied a Long-Boat, which the Lord Delawar (who was juft arrived with three Ships ) had fent before him up the River founding the Channel. His Lordihip was made fole Governor, and was accompanied by feveral Gentlemen of Condition. He caufed all the Men to return again to James Town -> refettled them with Satisfaction, and ftaid with them till March follow- ing \ and then being very fick, he returned for England,\ca.ving about two hundred in the Colony.

§. 24. On the 10th of May, 1611, Sir Thomas Dale being then made Governor , arriv'd with three Ships, which brought Supplies of Men, Cat- tle and Hogs. He found them growing again into the like Ditbrders as before, taking no Care to plant Corn, and wholly relying upon their Store, which then had but three Months Provifion in it. He therefore fet them to work about Corn, and tho' it was the Middle of May before they began to prepare the Ground, yet they had an indifferent good Crop.

§. if. In Augufi the fame Year Sir Thomas Gates arriv'd at JamesTown. with fix Ships more, and with a plentiful Supply of Hogs, Cattle, Fowls, &V. with a good Quantity of Ammunition, and all other Things neceflary for a new Colony, and befides this a Reinforcement of three hundred and fifty chofen Men. In the Beginning of Sep- tember

VIRGINIA. 2 j

iember he fettled a new Town at Arrahattuck, about fifty Miles above JamesTown, paling in the Neck above two Miles from the Point, from one Reach of the River to the other. Here he built Forts and Centry-Boxes, and in Honour of Henry Prince of JVales, calPd it Henrico. And alfo run a Pali- fado on the other Side of the River at Coxendak, to fecure their Hogs.

§. 2,6. Anno 1612, Two Ships more arriv'd with Supplies: And Capt. Argall, who commanded one of them, being fent in her to Patowmeck to buy Corn, he there met with Pocahontas, the excellent Daughter of Powhatan, and having prevail'd with her to come Aboard to a Treat, he detain'd herPri- foner, and carried her to James Town, deligninp- to make Peace with her Father by her Releaie : But on the contrary, that Prince refented the Af- front very highly > and although he loved his Daugh- ter with all imaginable Tendernefs, yet he would not be brought to Terms by that unhandfome Treachery -y till about two Years after a Marriage being propofed between Mr. John Rolfe, an Eng- lift) Gentleman, and this Lady 5 which Powhatan taking to be a iincere Token of Friendihip, he vouchsafed to confent to it, and to conclude a Peace, tho' he would not come to the Wed- ding.

§. 2,7. Pocahontas being thus married in the Year 161 $, a firm Peace was concluded with her Father. Both the EngUJh and Indians thought themfelves intirely fecure and quiet. This brought in the Chickahomony Indians alfo, tho' not out of any Kindnefs or Refpecl; to the Englijh, but out of Fear of being, by their Affirlance, brought undcr Powhatan's abfolute Subjection, who ufed now and then to threaten and tyrannize over them.

C §. 28. Sir

i6 The History of

§. 28. Sir Thomas Dale returning Tor England, Anno 161 6, took with him Mr. ^0/fandhis Wife Pocahontas, who, upon the Marriage, was chriften'd and call'd Rebecka. He left Capt. George Tardly Deputy-Governor during his Abfence, the Coun- try being then intirely at Peace > and arriv'd at Plymouth the 11th of June.

Capt. John Smith was at that time in England, and hearing of the Arrival of Pocahontas at Ports- mouth, ufed all the Means he could to exprefs his Gratitude to her, as having formerly preferv'd his Life by the Hazard of her own: For, when by the Command of her Father, Capt. Smith's Head was upon the Block to have his Brains knock'd out, fhe faved his Head by laying hers clofe upon it. He was at that Time fuddenly to imbark for New- England, and fearing he fhould iail before {he got to London, he made an humble Petition to the Queen in her Behalf, which I herechoofe to give you in his own Words, becaufe it will fave me the Story at large.

§. 29. Capt. Smiths Petition to i7<?r Majefty, in Behalf of ^ Pocahon- tas, Daughter to the Indian Emperor Powhatgn.

To the mod High and Vertuous Princefs^ Queen Anne of Great Britain.

Moil Admir'd Madam,

*~P HE Love I bear my God, my King, and Coun- try, hath fo often emboldened me in the ivorft of extream Dangers, that now Honejly doth con- fer ain

VIRGINIA %7

firain me to pre fume thus far beyond my felf to pre-* fent your Majefty this Jhort Difcourfe. If Ingrati-* tude be a deadly Poifon to all honeft Virtues, I muft be guilty of that Crime, if I fioould omit any Means to be thankful.

So it was, that about Ten Tears ago, being in Virginia, and taken Prifoner by the Power 0/Powhatan, their chief King) I received from this great Savage exceeding great Court e fie, efpe daily from his Son Nantaquaus> the manlieft, comelieft, boldeft Spirit I ever faw in a Savage j and his Sifter Pocahontas^ the King's mo ft dear and well-beloved Daughter, being but a Child of Twelve or Thirteen Tears of Age, whofe compafi fionate pitiful Heart of my defperate Eft ate gave me much Caufe to refpecl her. I being the fir ft Chriftian this proud King and his grim Attendants ever faw, and thus inthralVd in their barbarous Power j / can- not fay I felt the leaft occafion of Want, that was in the Power of thofe my mortal Foes to prevent, not- withfianding all their Threats. After fome fix Weeks fatting amongft thofe Savage Courtiers, at the Minute of my Execution jhe hazarded the beating out of her own Brains to five mine, and not only that, but fa prevailed with her Father, that I was fafely conduc- ted to James Town, where I found about eight and thirty miferable, poor and fick Creatures to keep Pof- fejfion for all thofe large Territories of Virginia, Such was the Weaknefs of this poor Commonwealth^ as had not the Savages fed us, we direclly had ftarv'd.

And this Relief, mod Gracious Queen, was com- monly brought us by this Lady Pocahontas, notwith- ftanding all the fe P aft ages, when unconft ant Fortune turtfd our Peace to War, this tender Virgin would fill not /pare to dare to viftt us ; and by her our Jars have been oft appeafed, and our Wants ft ill fup~ plied. Were it the Policy of her Father thus to cm* G a fhjf

28 The History of .

ploy her, or the Ordinance of God thus to make her his Inftrument, or her extraordinary Affection to our Nation, 1 know not : But of this I am fure, when her Father ', with the utmoft of his Policy and Power, fought to furprize me, having but eighteen with me, the dark Night could not affright her from coming through the irkfome Woods, and, with watered Eyes, give me Intelligence, with her heft Advice to efcape his Fury ; which had he known, he had furely flam her.

James Town, with her wild Train, fhe as freely frequented as her Father's Habitation; and during the Time of two or three Tears, fhe, neat under God, was ft ill the Inftrument to preferve this Colony from Death, Famine, and utter Confufion, which if, in thofe Times, had once been diffoWd, Virginia might have lain, as it was at our firft Arrival, till this Day. Since then, this Bufinefs having been turned and varied by many Accidents from what I left it, it is moft certain, after a long and troublefome War, fince my Departure, betwixt her Father and our Co- lony, all which Time fhe was not heard of, about two Tears after fhe her [elf was taken Prifoner, being fo de- tained near two Tears longer, the Colony by that means was relieved, Peace concluded, and at loft, rejecting her barbarous Condition, fhe was married to an Eng- lifh Gentleman, with whom at this prefent flje is in England. The firft Chriftian ever of that Nation : The firft Virginian ever fpake Englifh, or had a Child in Marriage by an Englifhman. A Matter furely, if my Meaning be truly confide fd and well un- derfiood, worthy a Princess Information. *

Thus, moft Gracious Lady, I have related to your Majefty what at your befi Leifure our approvd Hi do- ries will recount to you at large, as done in the Time of your Majeftf 's Life : And, however this might be prefented you from a more worthy Pen, it cannot from a more hone ft Heart.

As

FIR G I N I A. z9

As yet I never beg'd any thing of the State 5 and it is my want of Ability, and her exceeding De- fert -y your Birth, Means, and Authority y her Birth, Vertue, Want and Simplicity, doth make me thus bold, humbly to befeech your Majefty to take this Knowledge of her, thd* it be from one fo unworthy to be the Reporter as my /elf: Her Hufband's Eftate not being able to make her fit to attend your Ma- jefty.

The moft and leaft lean do, is to tell you this, and the rather becaufe of her being of fo great a Spirit, however her Stature. If fie JJjould not be well re- ceived, feeing this Kingdom may rightly have a King- dom by her Means , her prefent Love to us and Chri- ftianity, might turn to fuch Scorn and Fury, as to divert all this Good to the worft of Evil : Wloeve finding that fo great a Queen fiould do her more Ho- nour than floe can imagine, for having been kind to her Subjects and Servants, 'twould fo ravifh her with Content, as to endear her deareft Blood to effect that your Majefty and all the King's honeft Subjecls moft earneftly Defire. And fo I humbly kifs your gracious flands, Sec.

(Sign'd) Dated June, 1616. John Smith.

§. 30. This Account was prefented to her Maje- fty, and gracioufly received : But before Captain Smith fail'd for New- England, the Indian Princefs arrived at London, and her Hufband took Lodg- ings for her at Branford, to be a little out of the Smoak of the City, whither Captain Smith, with fome of his Friends, went to fee her and congra- tulate her Arrival, letting her know the Addrefs |ie had made to the Queen in her Favour.

C 3 Till

30 The History of

Till this Lady arrived in England , me had all along been informed that Captain Smith was dead^ becaufe he had been diverted from that Colony by making Settlements in the Second Plantation, now call'd New- England : For which Reafon, when {he faw him, me feem'd to think herfelf much affron- ted, for that they had dared to impofe fo grofs an Untruth upon her, and at firft Sight of him turn'd away. It coll: him a great deal of Intreaty, and fome Hours Attendance, before fhe would do him the Honour to fpeak to him : But at laft fhe was feconciPd, and talk'd freely to him. She put him in Mind of her former Kindnefles, and then up- braided him for his Forgetfulnefs of her, mew- ing by her Reproaches, that even a State of Na- ture teaches to abhor Ingratitude.

She had in her Retinue a Werowance or great Man of her own Nation, whofe Name was Utta- maccomack : This Man had Orders from Powha- tan, to count the People inEngland, and give him an account of their Number. Now the Indians hav- ing no Letters among them, he at his going ailiore provided a Stick , in which he was to make a Notch for every Man he faw -y but this Accomp- tant foon grew weary of that tedious Exercile, and threw his Stick away : And at his Return, being afked by his King, How many People there were ? He dejired him to count the Stars in the Sky, the Leaves upon the Trees , and the Sand on the Sea- fiore, for fo many People (he faid) were *» 'Eng- land.

§. J I. Pocahontas had many Honours done her by the Queen upon Account of Captain Smith's Story 3 and being introduced by the Lady Dela- warr, me was frequently admitted to wait on her Majelly, and was publickly treated as a Prince's Daughter} me was carried to many Plays, Balls,

and

VIRGINIA. 31

and other public Entertainments, and very refpect- fully receiv'd by all the Ladies about the Court. Upon all which Occafions fhe behaved her felt* with fo much Decency, andfhew'dfo much Gran- deur in her Deportment, that fhe made good the brighter!: Part of the Character Captain Smith had given of her. In the mean while fhe gain'd the good Opinion of every Body fo much, that the poor Gentleman her Hufband had like to have been caird to an Account for prefuming to marry a Princefs Royal without the King's Content , be- caufe it had been fuggefted that he had taken Ad- vantage of her being a Prifoner, and forc'd her to marry him. But upon a more perfect Reprefen- tation of the Matter, his Majeity was pleas'd at lafl to declare himfelf fatisfied. But had their true Condition here been known, that Pother had been faved.

Every Body paid this young Lady all imaginable Refpect , and it is fuppofed, ihe would have fuffi- ciently acknowledged thofe Favours, had fhe lived to return to her own Country, by bringing the Indians to have a kinder Difpofition towards the EngUJJj. But upon her Return fhe was unfortu- nately taken ill at Grave/end, and died in a few Days after, giving great Testimony all the Time fhe lay fick, of her being a very good Chriftian. Shele(c IfTue one Son, nam'd Thomas Rolfe, whole Pofte- rity is at this Day in good Repute in Virginia, and now hold Lands by Defcent from her.

§. 32.. Captain Tardly made but a very ill Go- vernor, he let the Buildings and FortsgotoRuine % not regarding the Security of the People againir, the Indians, neglecting the Corn, and applying all Hands to plant Tobacco, which promifed the molt immediate Gain. In this Condition they were when Captain Sarnuel Jrgall was fent thither Go-

C 4 vernor,

3 z The History of

vevnor^ Anno 1617. who found the Number of Peo- ple reduc'd to little more than four hundred, of which not above half were fit for Labour. In the mean while the Indians mixing among 'em, got Ex- perience daily in Fire-Arms, and fome of them were initru&ed therein by the Englijlo themfelves, and employ'd to hunt and kill Wild Fowl for them. So great was their Security upon this Marriage: But Governor Argall not liking thofe Methods, regu- lated them on his Arrival, and Captain Tardly re- turn'd to England.

§. 33. Governor Argall made the Colony flou- rifh and increafe wonderfully, and kept them in great Plenty and Quiet. The next Year, viz. Anno 1 61 8, the Lord Delawarr was lent over again with two hundred Men more for the Settlement, with other Neceflaries fuitable: But failing by the Weftern Iflands, they met with contrary Winds, and great Sicknefs $ fo that about thirty of them died, among which the Lord Delaivarr was one. By which Means the Government there frill conti- nued in the Hands of Captain Argall.

§. 34. Powhatan died in April the fame Year, leaving his fecond Brother Itopatin in PofTeflion of his Empire, a Prince far fhort of the Parts of Oppschancanough) who by fome was faid to be his elder Brother, and then King of Chickahomony ; but he having debauch'd them from the Allegiance of Powhatan^ was difinherited by him. This 0/>- pechancanough was a cunning and a brave Prince, and foon grafp'd all the Empire to himfelf: But at fir ft they jointly renew'd the Peace with the EngHJh) upon the Acceftion of Itopatin to the Crown.

"MrGo-

VIRGINIA. 33

§. ^f. Governor Argall flourifhing thus under the Bleffings of Peace and Plenty, and having no Occafion of Fear or Difturbance from the Indians, fought new Occafions of encouraging the Planta- tion. To that End he intended a coafting Voyage to the Northward, to view the Places where the Englifi Ships had lb often lade<3 > and if he mils'd them, "to reach the Fifheries on the Banks of Newfoundland, and fo fettle a Trade and Corre- fpondence either with the one or the other. In accomplifhing whereof, as he touch'd at Cape Codd, he was inform'd by the Indians, That fome white People like him were come to inhabit to the Northward of them, upon the Coaft of their neighbouring Nations. Captain Argall not hav- ing heard of any Englifi Plantation that Way, was jealous that it might be (as it proved) the People of fome other Nation. And being very zealous for the Honour and Benefit of England, he refolved to make Search according to the Information he had receiv'd, and fee who they were. Accor- dingly he found the Settlement, and a Ship riding before it. This belong'd to fome Frenchmen, who had fortified themfelves upon a fmall Mount on the North of New- England.

§. 36. His unexpected Arrival fo confounded the French, that they could make no Preparation for Refinance on Board their Ship> which Cap- tain Argall drew fo clofe to, that with his fmali Arms he beat all the A4en from the Deck, fo that they could not ufe their Guns, their Ship having only a iingle Deck. Among others, there were two Jefuits on Board, one of which being more bold than wife, with all that Difadvantage, endea- vour'd to fire one of their Cannon, and was {hot dead for his Pains.

Captain

34 7$^ History of

Captain Argall having taken the Ship, landed and went before the Fort, fummoning it to furrender. The Garrifon afk'd Time to advife : But that being denied them, they ftole privately away, and fled into the Woods. Upon this Captain Argall en- tered the Fort, and lodged there that Night j and the next Day the French came to him, and furrender'd themfelves. It feems the King of France had granted them a Patent for tKis Settlement, but they gave it up to Captain Argall to be cancelPd. He ufed them very well, and fuffer'd fuch as had a Mind to return to France^ to feek their Paflage among the Ships of the Fifliery: But obliged them to defert this Settlement. And thofe that Were willing to go to Virginia^ he took with him.

§. 37. Thefe People were under the Conduct of two Jefuits, who upon taking a Pique againft their Governor in Acadia^ named Biencourt^ had lately feparated from a French Settlement at Port- Royal, lying in the Bay, upon the Soujth-Weft Part of Acadia.

§. 38. As Governor Argall was about to return to Virginia^ Father Biard^ the furviving Jefuit (out of Malice to Biencourt) told him of this French Settlement at Port-Royal^ and offefd to pilot him to it -, which Governor Argall readily accepted of. With the fame Eafe he took that Settlement alfo ; where the French had fow'd and reap'd, built Barns, Mills, and other Convenien- ces, which Captain Argall did no Damage to: But unfettled them, and obliged them to make a Defer tion from thence. He gave thefe the fame Leave he had done the others to difpofe of themfelves -y fomc whereof return'd to France^ and others went to fettle up the River of Canada. Af- ter

VIRGINIA. 35

ter this Governor Argall returned fatisflcd with the Provifion and Plunder he had got in thofe two Settlements.

§. 3 p. The Report of thefe Exploits foon reached England \ and whether they were approved or no, being a<5ted without particular Direction, I have not learn'd : But certain it is, that in April fol- lowing there arrived a fmall VefTel, which did not flay for any thing, but took on Board Gover- nor Argall^ and return'd for England. He left Captain Nathaniel Powel Deputy : And foon after Captain Tardly being Knighted, was fent Gover- nor thither again.

§. 40. Very great Supplies of Cattle and other Provifions were fent there that Year, and likewife 1000 or 1 zoo Men. They refettled all their old Plantations that had been deferted, made Addi- tions to the Number of the Council, and call'd an Aflembly of Burgefles from all Parts of the Country, which were to be elected by the People in their feveral Plantations.

Thefe BurgefTes met the Governor and Council at James TowninMzy, 1620, and fat in Confuta- tion in the fame Houfe with them, as the Method of the Scots Parliament is, debating Matters for the Improvement and good Government of the Coun- try.

This was the firffc General AfTembly that ever was held there. I heartily wifh, tho' they did not unite their Houfes again, they would however unite their Endeavours and Afteftions for the Good of the Country.

§. 41. In Augutl following a Dutch Man of War landed twenty Negroes for Salej which

were

3 6 The Historic/

were the firft of that kind that were carried into the Country.

§. 42. This Year they bounded the Corporations, (as they call'd them : ) But there does not remain among the Records any one Grant of thefe Cor- porations. There is enter'd a Teflimony of Go- vernor Argall, concerning the Bounds of the Cor- poration of James City, declaring his Knowledge thereof j and this is one of the new tranfcribed Books of Records : But there is not to be found one Word of the Charter or Patent it felf of this Corporation.

Then alfo they apportion' d and laid our Lands in feveral Allotments, viz. to the Company in fe- veral Places, to the Governor, to a College, to Glebes, and to feveral particular Perfons* many new Settlements were made in James and Tork Rivers. The People knew their own Property, and having the Encouragement of working for their own Advantage, many became very induftri- ous, and began to vie one with another, in Plant- ing, Building, and other Improvements. Two Gentlemen went over as Deputies to the Compa- ny, for the Management of their Lands, and thofe of the College. All Thoughts of .Danger from the Indians were laid afide. Several great Gifts were made to the Church and College, and for the bringing up young Indians at School. Forms were made, and Rules appointed for granting Patents for Land, upon the Condition of importing Goods and Perfons to fupply and increafe the Colony. And all there then began to think themfelves the happieit People in the World,

§. 43. Thus Virginia continued to flourim. and increafe, great Supplies continually arriving, and new Settlements being made all over the Country.

A Salt-

VIRGINIA. 37

A Salt-work was fet up at Cape Charles, on the Eaftern Shore > and an Iron- Work at Falling- Creek, in James River, where they made Proof of good Iron Oar, and brought the whole Work fo near a Perfection, that they writ Word to the Company in London, that they did not doubt but to finifh the Work, and have plentiful Proviflon of Iron for them by the next Eafter. At that time the Fame of the Plenty and Riches, in which the Englijb liv'd there, was very great: AwdSix George Tardly now had all the Appearance of making A- mends for the Errors of his former Government. Nevefthelefs he let them run into the fameSleepy- nefs and Security as before, neglecting all Thoughts of a neceffary Defence, which laid the Foundation of the following Calamities.

§. 44. But the time of his Government being near expired, Sir Francis Wy 'at, then a young Man, had a Commiffion to fucceed him. The People began to grow numerous, thirteen hundred fettling there that Year 3 which was the Occafion of mak- ing {o much Tobacco, as tooverdock the Market, Wherefore his Majefty, out of Pity to the Coun- try, fent his Commands, That they fliould not fuf- fer their Planters to make above one hundred Pounds of Tobacco per Man 5 for the Market was fo low, that he could not afford to give them above three Shillings the Pound for it. He ad- vifed them rather to turn their fpare Time towards providing Corn and Stock, and towards the making of Pot-aih, or other Manufactures.

It was Oclober 162,1 , that Sir Francis Wyat arrived Governor, and in November Captain New- port arrived with fifty Men imported at his own Charge, beiides PafTengers -> and made a Plantation on Ne-wporfs News, naming it after himfelf. The Governor made a Review of all the Settlements,

<* and

3 8 The History^/

andfuffer'd new ones to be made, even as far as Pa* towmeck River. This ought to be obferv'd of the Eaftern Shore Indians , that they never gave the Englijh any. Trouble, but courted and befriended them from firfl to laft. Perhaps the Englijh, by the time they came to fettle thofe Parts, had con- fider'd how to rectify their former Mifmanagement^ and learn'd better Methods of regulating their Trade with the Indians^ and of treating them more kindly than at firft.

§. 4f. Anno itfiz, Inferior Courts were firft ap- pointed by the General AiTembly, under the Name of 'County Courts, for Tryal of minute Caufes 5 the Governor and Council ftill remaining Judges of the Supream Court of the Colony. In the mean time, by the great Increafe of People, and the long Quiet they had enjoy'd among the Indians , fince the Marriage of Pocahontas , and the Accef- fion of Oppechancanough to the Imperial Crown , all Men were lulPd into a fatal Security, and became every where familiar with the Indians, eating, drink- ing and fleeping amongft them j by which means they became perfectly acquainted with all our Englijh Strength, and the Ufe of our Arms : Know* ingat all times, when and where to find our People $ whether at Home, or in the Woods -, in Bodies, or diiperftj in Condition of Defence, or indefen- fible. This expofing of their Weaknefs gave them Occafion to think more contemptibly of them, than otherwife , perhaps , they would have done j for which Reafonthey became more peeviih , and more hardy to attempt any thing againft them.

§. 46. Thus upon the Lofs of one of their lead* ing Men, (a War Captain, as they call him) who was like wife fuppofed to be juftly kill'd , Oppe- chancanough took Affront, and in Revenge laid the

Plot

VIRGINIA 39

Plot of a general MafTacre of the Englijlj^ to be exe- cuted on the Z2a of March ', itfzi, a little before Noon, at a time when our Men were all at Work abroad in their Plantations, difperft and unarm'd. This hellifh Contrivance was to take Effect upon all the feveral Settlements at one and the fame In- ftant, except on the Eaftern Shore, whither this Plot did not reach. The Indians had been made fo familiar with the Englijh^ as to borrow their Boats and Canoes to crofs the River in, when they went to confult with their neighbouring Indians upon this execrable Confpiracy. And to colour their Defign the better, they brought Prefents of Deer, Turkies, Fifh and Fruits to the Englifo the Evening before. The very Morning of the Maf- facre, they came freely and unarm'd among them, eating with them, and behaving themfelves with the fame Freedom and Friendfhip as formerly, till the very Minute they were to put their Plot in Execution. Then they fell to Work all at once every where, knocking the Englifi unawares on the Head, lbme with their Hatchets, which they call Tommahauksj others with the Hows and Axes of the Engliflo themfelves, mooting at thofe who efcap'd the Reach of their Hands -y fparing neither Age nor Sex, but deftroying Man, Woman and Child, according to their cruel way of leaving none behind to bear Refentment. But whatever was not done by Surprize that Day, was left undone, and many that made early Refinance efcaped.

By the Account taken of the Chriftians mur- der'd that Morning, they were found to be three hundred forty feven, moft of them falling by their own Inftruments, and Working-Tools,

§. 47. The MafTacre had been much more ge- neral, had not this Plot been providentially difco- * ver'd

40 The History^/

ver'd to the Englijh fome Hours before the Execu- tion. It happen'd thus :

Two Indians that ufed to be employ'd by the Englijh to hunt for them, happen'd to lie together, the Night before the MafTacre, in an Englijhman's Houfe, where one of them was employ'd. The Indian that was the Gueft fell to perfuading the other to rife and kill his Matter, telling him, that he would do the fame by his own the next Day. Whereupon he difcover'd the whole Plot that was deflgn'd to be executed on the Morrow. But the other, inftead of entering into the Plot, and mur- dering his Mafter, got up (under pretence of go- ing to execute his Comrade's Advice) went into his Matter's Chamber, and reveal'd to him the whole Story that he had been told. The Mafter hereupon arofe, fecur'd his own Houfe, and before Day got to James Town, which, together with fuch Plantations as could receive Notice time enough, were fav'd by this Means -y the reft, as they happen'd to be watchful in their > Defence , alfo efcaped : But fuch as were furpriz'd, were maffa- cred. Captain Crojhaw in his VefTel at Patow* meek) had Notice alfo given him by a young Indian^ by which means he came off untouch'd.

§. 48. The Occafion upon which Oppechanca- nough took Affront was this. The War Captain mention'd before to have been kill'd, was called Ne* mattanow. He was an aclive Indian^ a great War- rior, and in much Efteem among them > fo much, that they believ'd him to be invulnerable, and im- mortal, becaufe he had been in very many Conflicts, and efcaped untouch'd from them all. He was alfo a very cunning Fellow, and took great Pride in preferving and increasing this their Superftition con- cerning him, affecting every thing that was odd and prodigious to work upon their Admiration.

For

VIRGINIA. 41

For which Purpofe he would often drefs himfelf up with Feathers after a fantattick manner, and by much Ufe of that Ornament, obtain'd among the Englijb the Nickname of Jack of the Feather.

This Nemattanow coming to a private Settle- ment of one Morgan^ who had feveral Toys which he had a mind to, perfuaded him to go to Pa- munky to difpofe of them. He gave him Hopes what mighty Bargains he might meet with there, and kindly offer'd him his Affiftance. At h& Mor- gan yielded to his Perfuafion : But was no more heard of 5 and it is believ'd, that Nemattanow kiird him by the way, and took away his Trea- fure. For within a few Days this Nemattanow re- turn'd to the fame Houfe with Morgan's Cap upon his Head} where he found two fturdy Boys, who afk'd for their Matter. He very frankly told them, he was dead. But they, knowing the Cap again, fufpected the Villain had kill'd their Matter, and would have had him before ajuftice of Peace: But he refufed to go, and very infolently abufed them. Whereupon they ihot him down, and as thev were carrying him to the Governor, he died.

As he was dying, he earneftly prefs'd the Boys to promife him two things ; Firft, That they would not tell how he was kill'd } and, fecondly, That they would bury him among the EnglijJj. So great was the Pride of this vain Heathen, that he had no other Thoughts at his Death, but the Am- bition of being etteem'd after he was dead, as he had endeavour'd to make them believe of him while he was alive, viz. That he was invulnerable and immortal} tho' his increafing Faintnefs con- vinc'd himfelf of the Falfity of both. He imagined that being buried among the Englifi , perhaps might conceal his Death from his own Nation, who might think him translated to fome happier Country. Thus he pleafed himfelf to the laft Gafp D with

4* The History of

with the Boys Promifes to carry on the Delufion. This was reckon'd all the Provocation given to that haughty and revengeful Man Oppechancanough, to a£fc this bloody Tragedy, and to take indefati- gable Pains to engage in fo horrid Villany all the Kings and Nations bordering upon the Englijh Settlements, on the weftern Shore of Che/apeak.

§. 49. This gave the Englijh a fair Pretence of endeavouring the total Extirpation of the Indians^ but more efpecially of Oppcchancanough^ and his Na- tion. Accordingly, they let themfelves about it, making ufe of the Roman Maxim, {Faith is not to I he kept with Hereticks) to obtain their Ends. For, after fome Months fruitlefs Purfuit of them, who could too dexteroully hide themfelves in the Woods, the Englijh pretended Articles of Peace, giving * them all manner of fair Words and Promifes of Oblivion. They defigiVd thereby (as their own Letters now on Record, and their own Actions thereupon, prove) to draw the Indians back, and entice them to plant their Corn on their Ha- bitations nearer! adjoining to the Englijh -, and then to cut it up, when the Summer mould be too far fpent to leave them Hopes of another Crop that Year 5 by which means they propofed to bring them to want NecefTaries and ftarve. And the Englijh did fo far accompliih their Ends, as to bring the Indians to plant their Corn at their ufual Habita- tions, whereby they gain'd an Opportunity of re- paying them fome Part of the Debt in their own Coin j for they fell fuddenly upon them, cut to Pieces fuch of them as could not make their Efcape, and afterwards totally dedroyed their Corn.

§. fo. Another ErTect of the Maflacre of the JLngi ijh, was the reducing all their Settlements again

to

VIRGINIA. 43

to fix or (even in Number, for their better De- fence. Befides, it was fuch a Difheartening to fome good Projects, then juft advancing, that to this Day they have never been put in Execution, namely, the Glafs-Houfes in James -Town, and the Iron Work at Falling-Creek, which has been al- ready mention'd. The MarTacre fell fo hard upon this lalt Place, that no Soul was faved, but a Boy and a Girl, who, with great Difficulty, hid them- felves.

The Superintendent of this Iron Work had alfo difcover'd a Vein of Lead-Oar, which he kept private, and made life of it to furnifh all the Neighbours with Bullets and Shot. But he being cut off with the reft, and the Secret not having been communicated, this Lead-Mine could never after be found 5 till Colonel Byrd, fome few Years ago, prevail'd with an Indian, under Pretence of Hunting, to give him a Sign, by dropping his To- mahawk at the Place, (he not daring pubbckly to difcover it, for fear of being murder'd.) The Sign was accordingly given, and the Company at that time found feveral Pieces of good Lead-Oar upon the Surface of the Ground, and mark'd the Trees thereabouts: Notwithflanding which, I know not by what Witchcraft it happens, but no Mortal to this Day could ever find that Place again, tho' it be upon part of the Colonel's own Poftef- fions. And fo it refts, till Time and thicker Settle- ments difcover it.

§. f 1. Thus the Company of Adventurers having, by thofe frequent Acts of Mifmanagement, met with varl Lories and Misfortunes -, Many grew fide of it, and parted with their Shares 5 and others came into their Places, and promoted the fending in frefn Recruits of Men and Goods. But the chief Deiign of all Parties concerned was to fetch D . z away

44 The History of

away the Treafure from thence, aiming more at fudden Gain, than to form any regular Colony, or eftablifh a Settlement in fuch a manner , as to make it a lading Happinefs to the Country.

Several Gentlemen went over upon their parti- cular Stocks, feparate from that of the Company , with their own Servants and Goods, each design- ing to obtain Land from the Government, as Captain Newport had done -, or, at leaft, to obtain Patents according to the Regulation for granting Lands to Adventurers. Others fought their Grants of the Company in London, and obtained Authori- ties and Jurifdictions, as well as Land, diftin£t. from the Authority of the Government, which was the Foundation of great Diforder, and the Occafion of their following Misfortunes. Among others, one Captain Martin, having made very conside- rable Preparations towards a Settlement, obtain'd a fuitable Grant of Land, and was made of the Council there. But he grafping (till at more , hanker'd after Dominion, as well as PoiTeHion,and caufed {q many Differences, that at laft he put all Things into Diffraction 3 infomuch, that the In- dians, ftill feeking Revenge, took Advantage of thefe DifTentions, and fell foul again on the Eng- Jijh, gratifying their Vengeance with new Blood- ihed.

§. f 1. The fatal Conferences of the Compa- ny's Male-Adminiftration cried fo loud, that King Charles the Firft coming to the Crown of England, had a tender Concern for the poor People that had been betray'd thither, and loft. Upon which Confidcration he diflblv'd the Company in the Year 1616, reducing the Country and Govern- ment into his own immediate Direction, appoint- ing the Governor and Council himfelf, and order- ing all Patents and Procefles to iflue in his own

Nanie>

VIRGINIA. 4J

Name j referring to himfelf a Quit-Rent of two Shillings for every hundred Acres of Land, and fo pro rato.

CHAP. IV.

Containing the Htfiory of the Government from the "Dijfolutton of the Company, to the Tear 1707.

•f 3- nr1 ^ ^ Country being thus taken into 1 the King's Hands, his Majefty was pleafed to eftablifti the Conftitution to be by a Go- vernor, Council and AiTembly, and to confirm the former Methods and Jurifdiclions of the feveral Court?, as they had been appointed in the Year 1620, and placed the laft Refort in the AlTembiy, He likewife confirm'd the Rules and Orders made by the firft AiTembly for apportioning the Land, and granting Patents to particular Adven- turers.

§. f 4. This was a Conftitution according to their Hearts Defire, and things feem'd now to go on in a happy Courfe for Encouragement of the Colony. People flock'd over thither apace j every one took up Land by Patent to his Liking j and, not mind- ing any thing but to be Mafters of great Tracts of Land, they planted themfelves feparately on their feveral Plantations. Nor did they fear the .Indians ) but kept them at a greater Diftance than formerly: And they for their Parts, feeing the Engli/h fo fenflbly increafe in Number, were glad to keep their Diftance, and be peaceable.

D } This

46 The History of

This Liberty of faking up Land, and the Am- bition each Man hid of being Lord of a vaft, tho' ummprbv'd Territory, together with the Advan- tage of the many Rivers, which afford a commo- dious Road for Shipping at every Man's Door, has imade the C-'mntry fall into fuchan unhappy Settle- ment and Courfe of Trade } that to this Day they have not any one Place of Cohabitation among them, that may realbnably bear the Name of a Town.

§. f f . The ConfHtution being thus firmly efla- blifhed, and continuing its courfe regularly for fome time, People began to lay afide all Fears of any future Misfortune. Several Gentlemen of Con- dition went over with their whole Families ; fome for bettering their Eftates> others for Religion, and other Reafons bell known to themfelves. A- niong thofe, the noble Cdecilius Calvert, Lord Bal- temore, a Roman-Catholick, thought for the more quiet Exercife of his Religion to retire, with his Family, into that new World. For this Purpofe he went to Virginia, to try how he liked the Place : But the People there look'd upon him with an evil Eye, on Account of his Religion, for which alone he fought this Retreat > and by their ill Treatment difcouraged him from fettling in that Country.

§. fo*. Upon that Provocation, his Lordfhip re- folv'd upon a farther Adventure. And finding Land enough up the Bay of Cbefapeak, which was like- wife blefs'd with many brave Rivers, and as yet altogether uninhabited by the EngliJI) * he began to think of making a new Plantation of his own. And for his more certain Direction in obtaining a Grant of it, he undertook a Journey Northward, to difcover the Land up the Bay, and obferve what might mod conveniently fquare with his Intent.

His

FIRGINIA. 47

His Lordfhip finding all things in this Difcove- ry according to his Wifh,return'd to England. And becaufe the Virginia Settlements at that Time reached no farther than the South Side of Patow meek River, his Lordfhip got a Grant of the Pro- priety of Maryland^ bounding it to the South by Patowmcck River, on the Weftern Shore j and by anEafl Line from Point Look-out, on the Eaftern Shore : But died himfelf before he could embark for the promifed Land.

Maryland had the Honour to receive its Name from Queen Mary, Royal Confort to King Charles the Firft.

§. fj. The old Lord Baltemore being thus taken off, and leaving his Defigns unfiniuYd, his Son and Heir, in the Year 1633, obtain'd a Confirmation of the Patent to himfelf, and went over in Perfon to plant his new Colony.

By this unhappy Accident , a Country which Nature had fo well contriv'd for one, became two feparate Governments. This produced a mofl un- happy Inconvenience to both 5 for, thefe two being the only Countries under the Dominion of England, that plant Tobacco in any Quantity, the ill Confequence to both is, that when one Colony goes about to prohibit the Trafh or mend the Staple of that Commodity, to help the Market* then the other, to take Advantage of that Market, pours into England all they can make, both good and bad, without Diilinclion. This is very inju- rious to the other Colony, which had voluntarily fuffer'd fo great a Diminution in the Quantity to mend the Quality -y and this is notoriouily mani- fefted from that incomparable Virginia Law, ap- pointing fworn Agents to examine their Tobacco.

D 4 §. f 8. Nei-

48 The H 1 s t o r y 0/ .

§. f 8. Neither was this all the Mifchief that happen'd to Virginia upon this Grant j for the Example of it had dreadful Confequences, and was in the End one of the Occafions of another Maf- facre by the Indians. For this Precedent of my Lord Baltemore's Grant, which intrench'd upon the Charters and Bounds of Virginia^ was Hint enough for other Courtiers, (who never intended a Settlement, as my Lord did) to find out fome- thing of the fame kind to make Money of. This was the Occalion of feveral very large Defalca- tions from Virginia within a few Years afterwards j which were forwarded and aflifted by the Contri- vance of the Governor Sir John Harvey. Info- much, that not only the Land it felf, Quit-Rents and all, but the Authorities and Jurifdi&ions that belonged to that Colony, were given away j nay, fometimes in thofe Grants he included the very Settlements that had been before made.

§. yp. As this Gentleman was irregular in this, fo he was very unjuft and arbitrary in his other Methods of Government. He exacted with Ri- gour the Fines and Penalties, which the unwary Aflemblies of thofe Times had given chiefly to himfelf, and was fo haughty and furious to the Council, and the beft Gentlemen of the Country, that his Tyranny grew at laft infupportable > fo that in the Year 1639, the Council fent him a Prifoner to London^ and with him two of their Number to maintain the Articles againfl him. This News being brought to King Charles the Firft, his Majefty was very much difpleafed , and, with- out hearing any thing, caufed him to return Go- vernor again : But by the next Shipping he was graciouily pleafed to change him *, and fo made Amends for this Man's Male-Adminiftration, by

fending

VIRGINIA. 49

fending the good and juft Sir William Berkely to fucceed him.

§. 60. While thefe things were tranfacting, there was fo general a DifTatisfaction, occafion'd by the Oppreflions of Sir John Harvey, and the Difficul- ties in geting him outj that the whole Colony was in Confuilon. The fubtle Indians, who took all Advantages, refented the Incroachments upon them by his Grants. They faw the Englijh uneafie and difunited among themfelves, and by the Di- rection of Oppechancanough their King, laid the Ground-work of another Maffacre > wherein by Surprize, they cut off near five hundred Chriftians more. But this Execution did not take fo general Effect as formerly ; becaufe the Indians were not fo frequently fuffer'd to come among the inner Ha- bitations of the Englifi. And therefore the Maf* fiacre fell fevered on the South-fide of James River, and on the Heads of the other Rivers -, but chiefly of York River, where this Oppechancanough kept the Seat of his Government.

§. <5i. Oppechancanough was a Man of large Sta- ture, noble Prefence, and extraordinary Parts. Tho' he had no Advantage of Literature, (that being no where to be found among the American Indians) yet he was perfectly fkilPd in the Art of govern- ing his rude Country-men. He caufed all the In- dians far and near to dread his Name, and had them all entirely in Subjection.

This King in Smith's Hiftory is calPd Brother to Powhatan , but by the Indians he was not fo efteem'd. For they fay he was a Prince of a For- eign Nation, and came to them a great Way from the South-Well : And by their Accounts, we fup- pofe him to have come from the Spanijh Indians^ fome-where near Mexico^ or the Mines of St. Bar-

\. be:

jo The History of

he : But, be that Matter how it will, from that Time till his Captivity, there never was the leail Truce between them and the Englijh.

§. 6z. Sir William Berkely, upon his Arrival, fhew'd fuch an Oppofition to the unjuft Grants made by Sir John Harvey ', that very few of them took Effecl: -y and fuch as did, were fubjected to the fettled Conditions of the other Parts of the Go- vernment, and made liable to the Payment of the full Quit-Rents. He encouraged the. Country in feveral EfTays of Pot-Afh, Soap, Salt, Flax, Hemp, Silk, and Cotton. But the Indian War enfuing upon this laft MafTacre, was a great Obftruction to thefe good Defigns, by requiring all the fpare Men to be employ'd in Defence of the Coun- try.

§.63. Oppechancanough) by his great Age, and the Fatigues of War, ( in which Sir William Berke- ley folio w'd him clofe) was now grown fo decre- pid, that he was not able to walk alone j but was carried about by his Men, where-ever he had a mind to move. His Flefh was all macerated, his Sinews ilacken'd, and his Eye-lids became fo heavy, that he could not fee, but as they were lifted up by his Servants. In this low Condition he was, when Sir William Berkeley hearing that he was at fome Diflance from his ufual Habitation, refolved at all Adventures to feize his Perfon, which he hap- pily effected. For, with a Party of Horfe he made a fpeedy March, furprized him in his Quarters, and brought him Prifoner to James-Town-, where, by the Governours Command, he was treated with all the Refpec-fc and Tendernefs imaginable. Sir William had a mind to fend him to England, hop- ing to get Reputation, by prefenting his Majefty with a Royal Captive 5 who at his Plcafure, could

call

VIRGINIA. yi

call into the Field ten Times more Indians than Sir William Berkeley had Englijh in his whole Govern- ment. Befides, he thought this ancient Prince wou'd be an Inftance of the Healthinefs and long Life of the Natives of that Country. However, he could not preferve his Life above a Fortnight; for one of the Soldiers, refenting the Calamities the Colony had fuffer'd by this Prince's Means, bafely fhot him thro' the Back, after he was made Prifoner.} of which Wound he died.

He continued brave to the laft Moment of his Life, and ihew'd not the leaft Dejection at his Captivity. He heard one Day a great noife of the treading of People about him $ upon which he caufed his Eye-lids to be lifted up j and finding that a Crowd of People were let in to fee him, he calPd in high Indignation for the Governor > who being come, Oppechancanough fcornfully told him, that had it been his Fortune to take Sir William Berkeley Prifoner, he mould not meanly have expo- fed him as a Show to the People.

§. 64. After this, Sir William Berkeley made a new Peace with the Indians, which continued for a long time unviolatedj infomuch, that all the Thoughts of future Injury from them were laid afide. But he himfelf did not long enjoy the Be- nefit of this profound Peace : For, the unhappy Troubles of King Charles the Firfr. encreafing in England, proved a great Difturbance to him and to all the People. They, to prevent the Infection from reaching that Country, made fevere Laws againfl the Puritans, tho' there were as yet none among them. But all Correfpondence with Eng- land was interrupted, the Supplies lefTen'd, and Trade obftructed. In a word, ail People were im- patient, to know, what would be the Event of fo much Confufion.

§. 6y. At

j i The History/?/

§. tff . At laft the King was traiteroufly behead- ed in England, and Oliver inftall'd Protector. How- ever his Authority was not acknowledged in Vir- ginia for feveral Years after, till they were forced to it by the laft Neceflity. For in the Year i6f I, by Cromwell's Command, Capt. Dennis, with a Squadron of Men of War, arriv'd there from the Carribbee I (lands, where they had been fubduing Bardoes. The Country at firft held out vigoroufly againft him 5 and Sir JVilliam Berkeley, by the Af- firmance of fuch Dutch Veflels as were then there, made a brave Refiftance. But at laft Dennis con- triv'd a Stratagem, which betray'd the Country. He had got a considerable Parcel of Goods aboard, which belong'd to two of the Council ; and found a Method of informing them of it. By this means they were reduced to the Dilemma either of fub- mitting, or lofing their Goods. This occafion'd Factions among them > fo that at laft, after the Surrender of all the other Englijh Plantations, Sir William was forced to fubmit to the Ufurper on the Terms of a general Pardon. However, it ought to be remembred, to his praife, and to the immortal Honour of that Colony, that it was the laft of all the King's Dominions that fubmitted to the Usurpation, and afterwards the firft that cart it off, and he never took anyPoft, or Office under the Ufurper.

§. 66. Oliver had no fooner fubdued the Planta- tions y but he began to contrive how to keep them under, that fo they might never be able for the Time to come to give him farther Trouble. To this End, he thought it necefTary to break off their Correfpondence with all other Nations ; thereby to prevent their being furninYd with Arms, Am- munition, and other Warlike Provisions. Accord- ing

VIRGINIA. y3

ing to this Defign, he contrived a fevere Act of Parliament, whereby he prohibited the Plantations from receiving or exporting any European Commo- dities, but what fhtould be carried to them by Englijh Men , and in EngUJb-buWt Ships. They were abfolutely forbid Correfponding with any Nation or Colony, not fubjecl: to the Crown of England. Neither was any Alien fuffer'd to ma- nage a Trade or Factory in any of them. In all which Things the Plantations had been till then indulged, for their Encouragement.

§. 67. Notwithstanding this Aft of Navigation, the Protector never thought the Plantations enough fecured} but frequently changed their Governours, to prevent their intriguing with the People. So that during the time of the Ufurpation, they had nolefs than three Governours there, namely, Diggs, Rennet and Mathews.

§. 68. The ftrange arbitrary Curbs he put upon the Plantations, exceedingly afflided the People. He had the Inhumanity to forbid them all manner of Trade and Correfpondence with other Nations, at a Time when England it felf was in Diftraction j and could neither take off their Commodities, nor fupply them fufficiently with its own. Neither had they ever been ufed to fupply them with half the Commodities they expended, or to take off above half the Tobacco they made. Such violent Proceedings made the People defperate, and in- fpired them with a Defire to ufe the laft Remedy, to relieve themfelves from this lawlefs Ufurpation. In a fhort time afterwards a fair Opportunity hap- pen'd : For Governour Mathews died, and no Per- ion was fubftituted to fucceed him in the Govern- ment. Whereupon the People apply'd themfelves to Sir William Berkeley^ (who had continued all

this

54 7%* History of

this time upon his own Plantation in a private Ca* pacity) and unanimoufly chofe him their Gover- nour again.

§. <5p. Sir William Berkeley had all along retain'd an unihaken Loyalty for the Royal Family 5 and therefore generoufly told the People, that he could not approve of the Protector's Rule 3 and was re- folved never to ferve any Body, but the lawful Heir to' the Crown j and that if he accepted the Government, it fhould be upon their folemn Pro- mife, after his Example to venture their Lives and Fortunes for the King, who was then in Trance.

This was no great obftacle to them, and there- fore with an unanimous Voice they told him, that they were ready to hazard all for the King. Now, this was actually before the King's return for Eng- Iand,md proceeded from a brave Principle of Loyal- ty, for which they had no Example. Sir William Berkeley embraced their Choice, and forthwith proclaim'd Charles the fecond King of England, Scotland, France, Ireland and Virginia, and caufed all Procefs to be ifTued in his Name. Thus his Ma- jefly was actually King in Virginia, before he was fo in England. But it pleafed God to reflore him foon after to the Throne of his Anceltors -, and fo that Country efcaped being chafHied for throwing off the Ufurpation.

§. 70. Upon the King's Reftoration, he fent Sir William Berkeley a new Commiilion, with leave to return to England, and Power to appoint a De- puty in his Abfence. For his Majeity in his Ex- ile had received Intelligence of this Gentleman's Loyalty, and during that time had renew'd his Commiilion.

§. 71. Up-

VIRGINIA. 5S

§.71. Upon this, Sir William Berkeley appointed Colonel Francis Morrifon Deputy-Governour, and went for England to wait on his Majefly, by whom he was kindly receiv'd. At his Return he carried his Majeit-y's prefling InftrucTiions for encouraging the People in Hufbandry aud Manufactures 3 but more efpecially to promote Silk and Vineyards. There is a Tradition, that the King, in Compli- ment to that Colony, wore at his Coronation a Robe made of the Silk, that was fent from thence. But this was all the Reward the Country had for their Loyalty $ for the Parliament was pleafed to renew the Act contrived by the Ufurper for dis- couraging the Plantations, with feverer Reflraints and Prohibitions by Bonds, Securities, &c.

§. 72. During the time of Sir William Berke- ley's Abfence, Colonel Morrifon had, according to his Directions, revifed the Laws, and compiled them into one Body, ready to be confirmed by the AfTembly at his Return. By thefe Laws, the Church of England was confirm'd the eftablinYd Religion, the Charge of the Government fuflain'd, Trade and Manufactures were encouraged, a Town projected, and all the Indian Affairs fettled.

§. 73 . The Parifhes were like wife regulated, com- petent Allowances were made to the Minifters to the value of about Fourfcore Pounds a Year, be- fldes Glebes and Perquiiites, and the Method of their Preferment was fettled. Convenient Chur- ches and Glebes were provided, and all necefTary Parim-Qfficers inftituted. Some fteps were made alfo towards a Free-School, and College, and the Poor were effe&ually provided for.

§. 74. For

56 The History of

§. 74. For fupport of the Government the Duty of two Shillings per Hogfliead on all Tobacco's, and that of one Shilling per Tun Port-Duty on Shipping, were made perpetual ; and the Collec- ters were obliged to account for the fame to the General AiTembly.

§-7f. For Encouragement of Manufactures, Pri- zes were appointed for the Makers of the bed Pie- ces of Linen Cloth, and a Reward of fifty Pounds of Tobacco was given for each Pound of Silk. All Perfons were enjoin'd to plant Mulberry-Trees, for the Food of the Silk- Worm, according to the Number of Acres of Land they held. Tan-houfes were fet up in each County, at the County Charge 5 and public Encouragement was given to a Salt- work on the Eaftern Shore. A Reward was ap- pointed in Proportion to the Tonnage of all Sea- VefTels built there, and an Exemption allowed from all Fees and Duties payable byfuch Shipping.

§. j6. The King had commanded, that all Ships trading to Virginia^ fhould go to James-Town^ and there enter before they broke Bulk : But the Af- fembly, from the Impracticablenefs of that Com- mand, excufed all, except the James- River Ships, from that Order, and left the others in the Rivers they were bound to, to ride difpers'd, as the Com- manders pleafedj by whofe Example the James- River Ships were no fooner enter' d with the Offi- cer at James-Town^ but they alfo difpers'd them- felves to unload, and trade all over the River. By this means the defign of Towns was totally baulk'd, and this Order prov'd only an Eafe to the Officer of James- River , and a means of creating a good Place to him,

§.77. Peace

VIRGINIA. 57

§.77. Peace and Commerce with the Indians was fettled by Law, and their Boundaries prefcribed. Several other Acts were made fuiting the Ne-*" ceffity of the Government 3 fo that nothing then feem'd to remain, but the Improvement of the Country, and Encouragement of thofe Manufac- tures the King had been pleafed to recommend, to- gether with fuch others as lliould be found benefi- cial.

§. 78. Sir William Berkeley at his return gave Sanction to this Body of Laws, and being then again in full Poffeflion of his Government, and at perfect Peace with the Indians^ fet all Hands in- duftrioufly to work in making Country Improve- ments. He pafs'd a new Act for Encouragement of James Town, whereby feveral Houfes were built therein, at the Charge of feveral Counties However, the main Ingredient for the Advance- ment of Towns was itill wanting, namely, the Confinement of all Shipping and Trade to them only 3 by Defect of which all the other Expedients avail'd nothing 5 for moil: of the Buildings were foon converted into Houfes of Entertainment. /

§. 79. Anno 1663, diverfe Sectaries in Religion beginning to fpread themfelves there, great Re- ilraints were laid upon them under fevere Penal- ties, to prevent their Encreafe.

This made many of them fly to other Colonies, and prevented abundance of others from going over to feat themfelves among 'em. And as the former ill Treatment of my Lord Baltemore kept many People away, and drove others to Maryland > fo the prefent Severities towards the Non-confor- mifts kept off many more, who went to the neighbouring Colonies.

£ §,80= To

5 8 The History of

§. So. The rigorous Circumfcription of their Trade, the Perfecution of the Sectaries, and the little Demand of Tobacco, had like to have had very fatal Confequences. For, the poor Peo- ple becoming thereby very uneafie, their Murmu- rings were watch'd and fed, by feveral mutinous and rebellious Oliverian Soldiers, that were fenc thither as Servants. Thefe depending upon the difcontented People of all Sorts, form'd a villai- nous Plot to deftroy their Mailers, and afterwards to fet up for themfelves.

This Plot was brought fo near to Perfection, that it was the very Night before the defign'd Exe- cution, e'er it was difcover'dj and then it came out by the relenting of one of their Accomplices, whofe Name was Birkenhead. This Man was Ser- vant to Mr. Smith of Purton, in Gloucefter Coun- ty, near which Place, viz. at Poplar- Spring, the Mifcreants were to meet the Night following, and put in Execution their horrid Confpiracy.

§. 8 1 . Upon this Difcovery by Birkenhead, notice was immediately fent to the Governor at Green- Spring. And the Method he took to prevent it was by private Orders, that fomeof the Militia mould meet before the Time, at the Place where the Con- spirators were to rendezvous, and feize them as they came fingly up to it. Which Orders being hap- pily executed, their devilifh Plot was defeated. However, there were but a few taken j becaufe fe- veral of them making their Efcape, turn'd back fuch of their Fellows as they met on the Road, and prevented mo it of them from coming up, or from being difcover'd.

Four of thefe Rogues were hang'd: But Birken- \ head was gratified with his Freedom, and a Reward of two hundred Pounds Sterling.

* §. 82,. For

VIRGINIA 59

§. 82. For the Difcovery and happy Difappoint- ment of this Plot, an anniverfary Thankfgiving was appointed on the 13th of September, the Day it was to have been put in Execution. And it is great pity fome other Days are not commemorated, as well as that.

§. 83. The News of this Plot being tranfmitted to King Charles the Second, his Majefty fent his Royal Commands to build a Fort at James Town, for Security of the Governor, and to be a Curb upon all fuch traiterous Attempts for the future, But the Country, thinking the Danger over, on- ly railed a Battery of fome fmall Pieces of Can- non,

§. 84. Another Misfortune happen'd to the Plan- tation this Year, which was a new Act of Parlia- ment in England, laying a feverer Reilraint upon their Sup niies than formerly. By this Act they could have no Foreign Goods, which were not firlt landed in England, and carried directly from thence to the Plantations 5 the former Reftraint of importing them only by Englifi Men, in Englijh built Shipping, not being thought furflcient.

This was a Misfortune that cut with a double Edge-, For, Firft, it reduced their Staple Tobacco to a very low Price ; and, Secondly, it raifed the Value of European Goods, to what the Merchants pleafed to put upon them.

§. 8f. For this their Aflembly could think of no Remedy, but to be even with the Merchants, and make their Tobacco fcarce, by prohibiting the Planting of it for one Year j and during that idle Year to invite the People to enter upon Manufac- turing Flax and Hemp. But Maryland not con-

E z, curring

60 The History of

cutting in this Projeft, they were obliged in their own Defence to repeal the Act of AfTembly again, and return to their old Drudgery of planting To- bacco without profiting by it.

§. 8<5. The Country thus mifs'd of their Remedy in the Stint of Tobacco > which on the contrary multiplied exceedingly by the great Increafe of Ser- vants. This, together with the above-mention'd Curbs on Trade, exafperated the People, becaufe now they found themfelves under a Neceflity of exchanging their Commodities with the Merchants of England at their own Terms. The AfTembly therefore again attempted the Stint of Tobacco, and pad another Aft againfl: planting it for one Year : And Carolina and Maryland both agreed to it. But fome Accident hindring the Agent of Ca- rolina from giving Notice thereof to Maryland by the Day appointed, the Governor of that Province proclaimed the Aft void. Altho' every Body there knew, that Carolina had fully agreed to all Things required of them. But he took Advantage of this nice Punftilio $ becaufe of the Lofs fuch a Dimi- nution would have been to his annual Income > and fo all People relaps'd again into the Difeafe of planting Tobacco.

Virginia was more nettled at this ill Ufage from Maryland^ than at her former abfolute Denial. But were forc'd to take all patiently, and by fair Means get Relief, if they could. They therefore ap- pointed Agents to reafTume the Treaty, and Tub- mitted fo low, as to fend them to St. Mary's, then the Refidence of the Governor of Maryland, and the Place where the Aflemblies met. Yet all this Condefcention could not hold them to their Bargain. The Governor (aid, He had obferv'd his Part of the Agreement, and would not call an AfTembly any more upon that Subjcft.

§. 87. In

VIRGINIA. 61

§. 87. In this manner two whole Years were fpent, and nothing could be accomplihVd for their Relief. In the mean while, England was ftudious to prevent their receiving Supplies from any other Country. To do that more- effectually, it was thought expedient to confine the Trade of that Co- lony to one Place. But that not being found pra- cticable, becaufe of the many great Rivers that di- vide their Habitations, and the extraordinary Con- veniencies of each ; his Majefty lent Directions to build Forts in the feveral Rivers, and enjoin'd all the Ships to ride under thofe Forts -y and farther order'd, that thofe Places only mould be the Ports of Trade.

§. 88. This Inftruction was punctually obferved for a Year, and Preparations were made for Ports, by calling up Bread-works, in fuch Places as the Aflembly appointed ; and the Shipping did for that time ride at thofe Places. But the great Fire and Plague happening in London immediately upon it, made their Supplies that Year very uncertain $ and the Terror the People were in, left the Plague mould be brought over with the Ships from Lon- don, prevented them from refiding at thofe Ports, for fear of being all fwept away at once. And fo every Body was left at Liberty again.

§. 89. Still no Favour could be obtain'd for the Tobacco Trade 5 and the Englijh Merchants af- forded but a bare Support of Cloathing for their Crops. The AfTembly were full enough of Re- fentment, but overlooks their right Way of Re- drefs. All they cou'd do was to caufe Looms and Work-Houfes to be fet up in the feveral Counties at the County Charge. They renewed the Rewards of Silk, and put great Penalties upon every Neg-

E 3 left

6i The History of

3e<5t of making Flax and Hemp. About this Time they fuflain'd fome Damage by the Dutch War > for which Reafon they ordered the Forts to be rebuilt of Brick : But having yet no true Notion of the Advantage of Towns, they did not oblige the Ships to ride under them. Which Thing alone well exe- cuted, would have anlwer'd all their Defires.

§. po. Sir William Berkeley, who was always con- triving and induftrious for the Good of the Coun- try, was not contented to fet a ufeful Example at home, by thefEflays he made of Pot-Afh, Flax, Hemp, Silk, &c. but was alfo refolv'd to make new Difcoveries abroad amongu: the Indians.

For this End he employ'd a fmall Company of a- bout fourteen Englijh^ and as many Indians, under the Command of Captain Henry Ban, to go upon fucri an Adventure. They fet out together from Appamattvx, and in feven Days March reach 'd the Foot of the Mountains. The Mountains they firff. arriv'd at, were not extraordinary high or iteep > but, after they had pafs'd the firft Ridge, they encounter'd others, that feem'd to reach the Clouds, and were: fo perpendicular and full of Precipices, that fometimes in a whole Day's March, they could not travel three Miles in a direcT: Line. In other flaces they found large level Plains, and fine Sa- vannahs, three or four Miles wide, in which were ai infinite Quantity of Turkies, Deer, Elks and Buffaloes, fo gentle and undiflurbed, that they had no Pear at the Appearance of the Men : But woud fuffer them to come almoft within Reach of their Hands. There they alfo found Grapes fo prodi- gioully large, that they feem'd more like Bullace than Grapes. When they travers'd thefe Moun- tains, they came to a fine level Country again, and difcover'd a Rivulet that defcended backwards. Down that Stream they travell'd feveral Days, till

they

VIRGINIA. 6$

they came to old Fields and Cabbins, where the Indians had lately been 3 but were fuppofed to have fled at the Approach of Batt and his Company. However, the Captain follow'd the old Rule of lea- ving fome Toys in their Cabbins, for them to find at their Return, by which they might know they were Friends. Near to thefe Cabbins were great Marfhes 3 where the Indians which Capt Batt hud with him, made a Halt, and would positively pro- ceed no farther. They faid, that nor fa rci that Place, lived a Nation of Indians^ that made Salt, and fold it to their Neighbours. That this was a great and powerful People, which neve: (iif- fer'd any Strangers to return, that had once diico- ver'd their Towns. Capt. Batt ufed all the Arg - ments he could to get them forward, but in vain. And fo, to pleafe thofe timorous Indians, the Hopes of this Difcovery were fruftrated, and the Detach- ment was forced to return. In this Journey it is fuppos'd that Batt never crofVd the great Ridge oi Mountains, but kept up under it to the South- ward. For of late Years the Indian Traders have difcover'd, ori this iide the Mountains, about five hundred Miles to the Southward, a River they call Oukfufkie, full of broad funken Grounds and Marines, but falling into the Bay or great Gulf between Cape Florida and the Mouth of the Miffl- fiPPh which I fuppofe to be the River where Batt faw the Indian Cabbins and Marfhes, but is gone to from Virginia without ever piercing the high Mountains, and only incountring the Point of an Elbow, which they make a little to the South- ward of Virginia.

§.91. Upon Capt. Bait's Report to Sir William Berkeley, he refolved to make a Journey himfelf* that fo there might be no Hindrance for Want ot fuificient Authority, as had -xen in the afovefaid

E 4 Expc-

*>4 7&* History of

Expedition. To this*End he concerted Matter? for it, and had pitch'd upon his Deputy-Gover- nor. The AfTembly alfo made an Act to encou- rage it. But all thefe Preparations came to no- thing, by the Confuflon which happen'd there foon after by Bacon's Rebellion. And fince that, there has never been any fuch Difcovery attempted from Virginia^ when Governor Spot/wood found a PafTage over the great Ridge of Mountains, and went over them himfelf.

§.92. The Occafion of this Rebellion is noteafie to be difcover'd : But 'tis certain there were many Things that concurr'd towards it. For it cannot be imagined, that upon the Infligation of two or three Traders only, who aim'd at a Monopoly of the Indian Trade, as fome pretend to fay, the whole Country would have fallen into fo much Diffracti- on > in which People did not only hazard their Necks by Rebellion, but endeavour'd to ruin a Governor, whom they all entirely loved, and had unanimoufly chofen$a Gentleman who had devoted his whole Life and Eftate to the Service of the Country, and againft whom in thirty five Years Experience, there had never been one ntiglc Com- plaint. Neither can it be fuppofed, that upon fo flight Grounds, they would make Choice of a Lead- er they hardly knew, to oppofe a Gentleman, that had been fo long, and fo defervedly the Darling of the People. So that in all Probability there was fomething elfe in the Wind, without which the Body of the Country had never been engaged in that Infurredtion.

Four Things may be reckon'd to have been the main Ingredients towards this interline Commotion, viz. Full, The extream low Price of Tobacco, and the ill Uiage of the Planters in the Exchange of Goods for it, which the Country, with all their carneir. Endeavours, could not remedy. Second-

VIRGINIA. 6S

ly, The fplitting the Colony into Proprieties, con- trary to the original Charters j and the extravagant Taxes they were forced .to undergo, to relieve t he mfelves from thofe Grants. Thirdly, The hea- vy Reftraints and Burdens laid upon their Trade by Act of Parliament in England. Fourthly, The Diflurbance given by the Indians. Of all which in their Order.

§. 93. Firit, Of the low Price of Tobacco, and the Diiappointment of all Sort of Remedy, I have fpoken diffidently before. Secondly, Of fplitting the Country into Proprieties.

King Charles the Second, to gratifie fome No- bles about him, made two great Grants out of that Country, Thefe Grants were not of the uncultiva- ed Wood-Land only, but alfo of Plantations, which for many Years had beenfeated andimprov'd, under the Encouragement of feveral Charters granted by his Royal Anceftors to that Colony. Thofe Grants were diftinguifhed by the Names of the Northern and Southern Grants of Virginia^ and the fame Men were concern'din both. They were kept dormant fome Years after they were made, and in the Year 1674 begun to be put in Execution. As loon as ever the Country came to know this, they remon- ftrated againft themj and the Affembly drew up .an humble Addreis to his Majefty, complaining of the faid Grants, as derogatory to the previous Char- ters and Privileges granted to that Colony, by his Majefty and his Royal Progenitors. They fent to England Mr. Secretary Lmk'jcll and Colonel Park, as their Agents to addreis the King to va- cate thofe Grants. And the better to defray that Charge, they laid a Tax of fifty Pounds of To- bacco per Poll, for two Years together, over and above all other Taxes, which was an exceffive Bur- den, They likewiie laid Amercements of (evenly,

fifty,

66 The History*?/

fifty, or thirty Pounds of Tobacco, as the Caufe was on every Law-cafe tried throughout the Coun- try. Befides all this, they applied the Balance, remaining due upon Account of the two Shilling fer Hogfhead, and Fort-Duties, to this Ufe. Which Taxes and Amercements fell heavier! on the poor People, the Effect of whofe Labour wou'd not cloath their Wives and Children. This made them defperately uneafle, efpecially when, after a whole Year's Patience under all thefe Preffures, they had no Encouragement from their Agents in England^ to hope for Remedy ; nor any Certainty when they fhould be eafed of thofe heavy Impoiitions.

§. 94. Thirdly, Upon the Back of all thefe Mif- fortunes came out the A£fc of if Car. II. for better fecuring the Plantation Trade. By this Act feveral Duties were laid on the Trade from one Plantation to another. This was a new Hardihip, and the ra- ther, becaufe the Revenue arifing by this A£t, was not applied to the Ufe of the Plantation wherein it was railed : But given clear away > nay, in that Country it feem'd to be of no other Ufe, but to burden the Trade, or create a good Income to the Officers j for the Collector had Half, the Comp- troller a Quarter, and the remaining Quarter was fubdivided into Salaries, till it was loft.

By the fame Act alfo very great Duties were laid on the Fifheries of the Plantations, if manufactured by the Englijh. Inhabitants there , while the People of England were abfolutely free from all Cuftoms. Nayjtho'jthe Oil, Blubber, and Whale-Bone, which were made by the Inhabitants of the Plantations, were -carried to England by Englijh Men, and in Englijh built Ships, yet it was held to a conside- rable Ducy, more than the Inhabitants of England paiJ.

§. pj\ Thefe

VIRGINIA 67

§. 9j\ Thefe were the Afflictions that Country labour'd under, when the fourth Accident hap« pen'd^/z. The Diilurbance orler'd by the Indians to the Frontiers.

This wasoccafion'djFirft, By the Indians on the Head of the Bay. Secondly, By the Indians on their own Frontiers.

Fir if, The Indians at the Head of the Bay drove a conifant Trade with the Dutch in Monadas, now call'd New-Tort -y and to carry on this, they ufed to come every Year by the Frontiers of Virginia, to hunt and purchafe Skins and Furs of the Indians to the Southward. This Trade was carried on peaceably while the Dutch held Monadas -, and the Indians ufed to call on thzEngliflo \r\Virginia on their Return, to whom they would fell Part of their Furs, and with the reft go on to Monadas. But after the EngliJIj came to poiTefs that Place, and underftood the Advantages the Virginians made by the Trade of their Indians, they infpired them with ilich a Hatred to the Inhabitants of Virginia, that, inilead of coming peaceably to trade with them, as they had done for feverai Years before, the}' af- terwards never came, but only to commit Robe- ries and Murders upon the People.

Secondly, The Indians upon their own Fronti- ers were iikewife infpir'd with ill Thoughts of 'em. For their Indian Merchants had loir, a coniiderable Branch of their Trade they knew not how ; and ap- prehended the Confequcnces of SirPVilliam Berkeley's intended Difcoveries, (efpoufed by the Aflembly' might take away the remaining Part of their Pro- fit. This made them very troublcforne to the Neighbour Indians , who on their Part, obfervmg an unufual Uneaiineis in the Englifo, and being ter- rified by their rough Ulage, immediately fufpectcd

lGiliC

68 The History of

fome wicked Defign againft their Lives, ( and fo fled to their remoter Habitations. This confirmed the Englifi in the Belief, that they had been the Murderers, till at iaft they provoked them to be fo in earner!.

§. r>6*. This Addition of Mifchief to Minds al- ready full of Difcontent, made People ready to vent all their Refentment againft the poor Indians. There was nothing to be got by Tobacco > neither could they turn any other Manufacture to Advan- tage -y fo that moft of the poorer Sort were willing to quit their unprofitable Employments, and go Voluntiers againft the Indians.

At firft they flock'd together tumultuoufly, run- ning in Troops, from one Plantation to another without a Head y till at laft the feditious Humour of Colonel Nath. Bacon led him to be of the Par- ty. This Gentleman had been brought up at one of the Inns of Court in England^ and had a mode- rate Fortune. He was young, bold, active, of an inviting Afpect, and powerful Elocution. In a Word, he was every way qualified to head a giddy and unthinking Multitude. Before he had been three Years in the Country, he was, for his extra- ordinary Qualifications, made one of the Council, and in great Honour and Eiteem among .the People. For this reafon he no fooner gave Countenance to this riotous Mob, but they all prefently fix'd their Eyes upon him for their General, and accor- dingly made their AddrefTes to him. As foon as he found this, he harangued them publickly. He aggravated the Indian Mifchieftj complaining, that they were occafion'd for Want of a due Regula- tion of their Trade. He recounted particularly the other Grievances and Prefllircs they lay under, and pretended, that he accepted of their Command with no other Intention, but to do them and the

Country

VIRGINIA 69

Country Service, in which he was willing to encounter the greateft Difficulties and Dangers. He farther allured them, he would never lay down his Arms, till he had revenged their Sufferings upon the Indians, and redrefs'd all their other Grievances.

§. 97. By thefe Insinuations he wrought his Men into fo perfect an Unanimity, that they were one and all at his Devotion. He took Caretoexa- fperate them to the utmofl, by reprefenting all their Misfortunes. After he had begun to mufler them, he difpatch'd a MefTenger to the Governor, by whom he aggravated theMifchiefs done by the Indians, and defired a Commifllon of General to go out againit them. This Gentleman was in fo great Eiteem at that time with the Council, that the Governor did not think fit to give him a flat Refufal : But fent him Word, he would confult the Council, and return him a further Aniwer.

$*. 98. In the mean time, Bacon\v?,s expeditious in his Preparations, and having all things in Rea- dinefs, began his March depending on the Authori- ty the People had given him. He would notlofe fo much Time, as to flay for his CommifTion j but difpatch'd feveral Meflengers to the Governor to haflen it. On the other hand, the Governor, inftead of a Commiffion, fentpofltive Orders to him to diiperfe his Men and come down in Peiion to him, upon Pain of being declared a Rebel.

§. 99. This unexpected Order was a great Sur- prize to Bacon, and not a little Trouble to his Men. However, he was rcfolved to profecute his fh -it Intentions, depending upon his Strength, and Intereil with the People.- Neverthelefs, he in- tended to wait upon the Governor, but not alto- gether

jo The History^

gether defencelefs. Purfuant to this Refolution, he took about forty of his Men down with him in a Sloop to James Town, where the Governor was with his Council.

§. ioo. Matters did not fucceed there to Mr. Bacon's Satisfaction -y wherefore he exprefs'd him- felf a little too freely. For which being fufpended from the Council, he went away again in a Huff with his Sloop and Followers. The Governor fill'd a long Boat with Men, andpurfued the Sloop lb clofe, that Colonel Bacon removed into his Boat to make more Hafte. But the Governor had fent up by Land to the Ships at Sandy-Poznt, where he was ftopp'd, and fent down again. Upon his Return he was kindly received by the Gover- nor, who, knowing he had gone a Step beyond his Inftruclions in having fufpended him, was glad to admit him again of the Council ; after which he hoped all things might be pacified.

§. 10 1. Notwithftanding this, Col. Bacon ftill indited upon a Commiffion to be General of the Voluntiers, and to go out -Ag^mR. the Indians ; from which the Governor endeavour'd to difltiade him, but to no Purpofe, becaufe he had fome fecret Pro- ject in View. He had the Luck to be countenan- ced in his Importunities, by the News of frefh Murder and Robberies committed by the Indians. However, not being able to accomplish his Ends by fair Mea ns, he ftolc privately out of Town -> and having puthimfelf at the Head of fix hundred Vo- luntiers, marched directly to JamesTown, where the AfTembly was then fitting. Heprefented him- felf before the Aiiembly, and drew up his r.ien in Battalia before the Houfe wherein they fat. He urged to them his Preparations ; and alledged , that if the Commiflion had not been delay'd fo

' long,

VIRGINIA. 7i

long, the War againft the Indians might have been finim'd.

§. ro2. The Governor refented this infolent U- fage worft of all, and now obftinately refufed to grant him any thing, offering his naked Bread a- gainft the prefented Arms of his Followers. But the AiTembly, fearing the fatal Confequence of pro- voking a difcontented Multitude ready arm'd, who had the Governor, Council and Aflembly entirely in their Power, addrefs'd the Governor to grant Bacon his Requeft. They prepared themfelves the Commiffion, conftituting him General of the Forees of Virginia^ and brought it to the Governor to be fign'd.

With much Relu&ancy the Governor fign'd it, and thereby put the Power of War and Peace into Bacon's Hands.. Upon this he marclfd away im- mediately, having gain'd his End> which was in effcd: a Power to fecure a Monopoly of the In- dian Trade to himfelf and his Friends.

§. 103. As foon as General Bacon had march 'd to fuch a convenient Diftance from James Town, that the AiTembly thought they might deliberate with Safety, the Governor, by their Advice, iftiied a Proclamation of Rebellion againft him, command- ing his Followers to lurrender him, and forthwith diiperfe themfelves; giving Orders at the lame time, for railing the Militia of the Country againft him.

§. 104. The People being much exafperated, and General Bacon by his Addrefs and Eloquence having gain'd an abiolute Dominion over their Hearts, they unanimoufly refolv'd, that not a Hair of his Head mould be touch'd, much Ids that they mould furrender him as a R^bel. Therefore they kept to their Arms, and inftead of proceeding a-

gainft

7 i The History of

gainfl the Indians^ they march'd back to James Town y directing their Fury againft fuch of their Friends and Countrymen, as fhouk! dare to oppofe them.

§. i of. The Governor feeing this, fled over the Bay to Accomackj whither he hoped the Infec- tion of Bacon's Confpiracy had not reach'd. But there, inftead of that People's receiving him with open Arms, in Remembrance of the former Ser- vices he had done them y they began to make Terms with him for Redrefs of their Grievances, and for the Eafe and Liberty of Trade againft the Acts of Parliament. Thus Sir William^ who had been almoft the Idol of the People, was, by rea- fon of their Calamity and Jealoufy, abandon'd by all, except fome few, who went over to him from the Weftern Shore in Sloops and Boats ; among which one Major Robert Beverely was the moll ac- tive and fuccefsful Commander : So that it was fome time before he could make head againft Ba- con , but left him to range thro' the Country at Difcretion.

§. 1 06. General Bacon at firft held a Convention of fuch of the chief Gentlemen of the Country, as would come to him, efpecially of thofe about Middle- Plantation^ who were near at Hand. At this Convention they made a Declaration to jufti- fy his unlawful Proceedings , and obliged People to take an Oath of Obedience to him as their Ge- neral. Then, by their Advice, on Pretence of the Governor's Abdication, he call'd an AfTembly, by Writs flgn'd by himfelf, and four others of the Council.

The Oath was Word for Word as follows.

injcreas

VIRGINIA 73

JJ/'Hereas the Country hath raifed an Army d- gainjl our common Enemy the Indians, and the fame under the Command of General Bacon, being upon the Point to march forth againft the faid com- mon Enemy i hath been diverted, and necejfitated to move to the fuppr effing of Forces , by evil difpofed Per- fons raifed againft the faid General Bacon, purpofe- ly to foment and ftir up Civil War among us, to the Ruine of this his Majeftfs Country. And, Whereas it is notorioufly manifeft^ that Sir William Berkeley, Knight, Governor of the Country, affifted, counfelled and abetted by thofe evil difpofed Perfons aforefaid, hath not only commanded, fomented and ftirr'd up the People to the faid Civil tVar •> but failing therein^ hath withdrawn himfielf, to the great Aftonifirment of the People , and the Unfettlement of the Country. And, Whereas the faid Army, raifed by the Coun- try for the Caufes afore/aid, remain full of Dijfa- tisf action in the Middle of the Country, expe cling At- tempts from the faid Governor and the evil Counfel- lors afore faid. And fine e no proper Means have been found out for the Settlement of the Diftratlions, and preventing the horrid Outrages and Murders daily committed in many Places 'of the Country by the bar- barous Ene?nyy It hath been thought fit by the faid General, to call unto him all fiuch fober and difcreet Gentlemen, as the prefent Circu?nflances of the Coun- try will ad?nit, to the Middle-Plantation, to confult and advife of re-efiablifinng the Peace of the Country. So voe the faid Gentlemen, being this if of Auguft, 1 6j6, accordingly met, do advife, refolve, declare and conclude, and for our j elves do fwear in manner fol- lowing.

Firfr, That we will at all Times join with the faid General Bacon and his Army, againft the com- mon Enemy in all Points whatfoever.

F Secondly

74 The History of

Secondly, 'That whereas certain Perfons have late- ly contrived and defign'd the raifing Forces agttinft the [aid General, and the Army under his Command, thereby to beget a Civil War \ We will endeavour the Difcovery and Apprehending of all and every of thofe evil difpofed Perfons, and them fecure , until farther Order from the General.

Thirdly, And whereas it is credibly reported, that the Governor hath inform* d the King's Majefty, that the [aid General, and the People of the Country in Arms under his Command, their Aiders and Abettors, are rebellious, and removed from their Allegiance ; and that upon fuch like Information^ he the [aid Go- vernor hath advifed and petitioned the King to fend Forces to reduce them > We do farther declare and believe in our Confciences, That it confifis with the Welfare of this Country, and with our Allegiance to his moft Sacred Majefiy, that we the Inhabitants of Virginia, to the utmoft of our Power, do oppofe and fupprefs all Forces whatfoever of that Nature, until fuch time as the Kin^ be fully informed of the State of the Cafe, by fuch Perfon or Perfons, as foall be fent from the J aid Nathaniel Bacon, in the Behalf of the People \ and the Determination thereof be re- mitted hither. And we do fwear , That we will him the f aid General, and the Army under his Com- mand, aid and afjlft accordingly.

§. 1 08. By this Time the Governor had got to- gether a fmall Party to fide with him. Thele he turnifhed with Sloops, Arms and Ammunition, un- der Command of Major Robert Beverley, in order to crofs the Bay, and oppofe the Malecon tents. By this means there happened fome Skirmi flies, in which feveral were kill'd, and others taken Priib- ners. Thus they were going on by a Civil War to deftroy one another, and lay wafte their Infant Country , when it pleafed God, after fome Months

Con-

VIRGINIA. 75

Confufion, to put an End to their Misfortunes, as well as to Bacon's Defigns, by his natural Death.

He died at Dr. Green's in Gloucefier County: But where he was buried was never yet difco- ver'd \ tho' afterward there was great Enquiry made, with Deflgn to expofe his Bones to public Infamy.

§. top. In the mean while, thofe Diforders oo cafion'd a general Neglect of Hufbandry, and a great Deftru&ion of the Stocks of Cattle > fo that People had a dreadful Profpect of Want and Fa- mine. But the Malecontents being thus difunited by the Lois of their General, in whom they all confided, they began to fquabble among themfelves 5 and every Man's Bufineis was how to make the befl Terms he could for himfelf.

Lieutenant- General Ingram (whofe true Name was Johnfon) and Major-General WalkUte furren- dcv'd on Condition of Pardon for thcmfelves and their Followers -y tho' they were both forced to fubmit to an Incapacity of bearing Office in that Country for the future.

Peace being thus reftored, Sir William Berkeley return d to his former Seat of Government, and eve- ry Man to his feveral Habitation.

§. no. While this inteftine War was foment- ing there, the Agents of the Country in England could not fucceed in their Remonftrance againll the Propriety-Grants > tho' they were told, that thole Grants mould berevok'd. But the News of their Civil War reaching England about the fame time, the King would then proceed no farther in that Matter. So the Agents thought it their belt way to compound with the Proprietors. Accordingly they agreed with them for four hundred Pounds a Man, which was paid-, and fo all Jie Clamour F z againft

y6 The History of

againft thofe Grants ended, neither was any more heard of them there till above a dozen Years af- terwards.

§. in. But all thofe Agents could obtain after their Compofition with the Lords, was merely the Name of a new Charter, granting only fo much of their former Conftitution as mention'd a Resi- dence of the Governor or Deputy, a granting of Efcheat Lands for two Pounds of Tobacco per Acre Compofition -, and that the Lands mould be held of the Crown in the fame Tenure as Eaft Green* wich, that is, free and common Soccage, and have their immediate Dependance on the Crown.

§. in. When this Storm, occafion'd by Bacon, was blown over, and all things quiet again, Sir William Berkeley called an AiTembly for fettling the Affairs of the Country, and for making Reparation to fuch as had been opprefs'd. After which a Re- giment of Soldiers arriv'd from England, which were lent to fupprefs the Infurrection : But they coming after the Bufinefs was over, had no Occaiion to exercife their Courage. However, they were kept on Foot there about three Years after, and in the Lord Colepeppefs Time paid off, and difbanded.

§. 113. The Confufion occafion'd by the Civil War, and the Advantage the Indians made of it in butchering the Englijh upon all their Frontiers, caufed fuch a Defolation, and put the Country io far back, that to the Year 1704, they had feated very little beyond the Boundaries that were then inhabited. At that Time James Town was again burnt down to the Ground by Richard Laurence, one of Bacon's Captains, who, when his own Men, that abhorr'd fuch Barbarity, refufed to obey his Command, hchimfelf became the Executioner, and fired the Houfes with his own Hands.

This

VIRGINIA. 77

This unhappy Town did never after arrive to the Perfection it then had : And now it is almoft de- ferted by removing in Governor Nicholfon's Time the AfTembly and General Court from thence to Williamfburgh, an inland Place about (even Miles from it.

§. 114. With the Regiment above-mention'd arrived CommifTioners, to enquire into the Occa- fion and Authors of this Rebellion; and Sir Wil- liam Berkeley came to England : Where from the Time of his Arrival, his Sicknefs obliged him to keep his Chamber, till he died 3 fo that he had no Opportunity of killing the King's Hand. But his Majefty declared himfelf well fatisfied with his Con- duel: in Virginia, and was very kind to him during his Sicknefs -y often enquiring after his Health, and commanding him not to hazard it by too early an Endeavour to come to Court.

§. 1 1 f . Upon Sir William Berkeley's Voyage to England^ Herbert Jeffreys, Efq* was appointed Go- vernor. He made formal Articles of Peace with the Indians, and held an AfTembly at Middle-Plan- tation, wherein they fettled and allow'd a free Trade with the Indians > but reftrain'd it to certain Marts, to which the Indians fhould bring their Commo- dities : And this alfo to be under luch certain Rules as were by that AfTembly directed. But this Me- thod was not agreeable to the Indians, who had ne- ver before been under any Regulation. They thought, that if all former Ufages were not re- itored, the Peace was not perfect > and therefore did not much rely upon it, which made thofe new Reftrictions ufelefs.

Governor Jeffreys his Time was very fhort there, lie being taken oft by Death the Year following.

F } §. iio~.

78 The History of

§. 1 1 6. After him Sir Henry Chicheley was made Deputy-Governor, in the latter End of the Year 1678. In his Time the AfTembly, for the greater Terror of tfce Indians^ bijik Magazines at the Heads of the four great Rivers, and furnifhed them with Arms, Ammunition, and Men in conftant Service.

This AfTembly alfo prohibited the Importation of Tobacco, which Carolina^ and fometimes Ma- ryland^ were wont to fend thither, in order to its being fhipp'd off for England. But in that, I think, Virginia mi (took her Intereft. For, had they per- mitted this Cuftom to become habitual, and thus cngrofs'd the Shipping, as would foon have hap- pen'd, they could eafily have regulated the Trade of Tobacco at any Time, without the Concur- rence of thofe other Colonies, and without fub- mitting to their perverfe Humours, as formerly.

§. 117. The Spring following, 'Thomas Lord Cole- pepper arrived there Governor, and carry'd with him fome Laws, which had been drawn up in England^ to be enacted in their AfTembly. And coming with the Advantage of reftoring Peace to a troubled Nation, .it was not difficult for him to obtain whatever he pleafed from the People. His Influence too was the greater, by the Power he had of pardoning thofe who had " a Hand in the Diforders committed in the late Rebellion.

§. 118. In his firft AfTembly he pafs'd feveral Acts very obliging to the Country, viz. Firft, An Ac"r. of Naturalization, whereby the Power of Na- turalizing Foreigners was placed in the Governor. Secondly, An A£r. for Cohabitation, and Encou- ragement of Trade and Manufactures 5 whereby a certain Place in each County was appointed for a Town, in which all Goods imported, and ex- ported

VIRGINIA. 79

ported were to be landed and fhipp'd off, bought and fold. Which Act was kindly brought to nothing by the Oppofition of the Tobacco-Mer- chants of England. Thirdly, An Acl; of general Pardon and Oblivion, whereby all the Tranigref- fions and Outrages committed in the Time of the late Rebellion, were entirely remitted > and Re- paration allow'd to People that fhould be evil fpoken of on that Account.

§. up. By paffing fome Laws that obliged the Country, the Lord Colepepper carried one that was very pleafing to himfelf, viz. The Acl: for railing a public Revenue for the betterSupport of theGovern- ment. By this he got theDuties contain'd therein to be made perpetual j and that the Money, which before ufed to be accounted for to the AiTembly, mould be from thenceforth difpofed of by his Majefty's fole Direcl:ion,for the Support of the Government. When this was done, he obtain'd of the King out of the faid Duties a Salary of two thoufand Pounds per Annum, inflead of one thoufand, which was for- merly allow'd. Alfo one hundred and fixty Pounds per Annum for Houfe-rent, befides all the ufual Perquifltes.

§. 120. In thofe fubmiffive Times his Lordfhip reduced the greateft Perquifite of his Place to a Certainty, which before that was only gratuitous 5 that is, inilead of the Matters of Ships making Prefents of Liquors or Provifions towards the Go- vernor's Houfe-keeping, as they were wont to do3 he demanded a certain Sum of Money, remitting that Cuilom. This Rate has ever fince been de- manded of all Commanders as a Duty .; and is twenty Shillings for each Ship or Veflcl, under an hundred Tuns, and thirty Shillings for each Ship F 4 upwards

80 The History of

upwards of that Burden, to be paid every Voyage, or Port- clearing.

§. 1 2,1. This noble Lord feem'd to lament the unhappy State of the Country, in relation to their Coin. He was tenderly concern'd that all their Calh fhould be drain'd away by the neighbouring Colonics, which had not let io low an Eftimate upon it as Virginia ; and therefore hepropofed the railing of it.

This was what the Country had formerly de- fired, and the AiTembly was about making a Law for it : But his Lordfhip ftopt them, alledging it was the King's Prerogative, by Virtue of which fie would do it by Proclamation. This they did not approve of, well knowing, if that were the Cafe, his Lordfhip and every other Governor would at any time have the fame Prerogative of altering it , and fo People fhould never be at any Certain- ty ; as they quickly after found from his own Prac- tice. For his Drift was only to make Advantage of paying ths Soldiers > Money for that purpofe being put into his Lordfhip's Hands, heprovided light Pieces of Eight, which he with this View- had bought at a cheap Rate. When this Contri- vance was ripe for Execution, he extended the Royal Prerogative, andiiTued forth a Proclamation, for railing the Value of Pieces of Eight from five to fe Shillings ; and as foon as they were admitted current at that Value, he produced an Order for paying and difbanding the Soldiers. Then thofe poor Fellows, and fuch as had maintain'd them, were forced to take their Pay, in thofe light Pieces of Eight, at fix Shillings. But his Lordfhip foon after himfelf found the Inconvenience of that Pro- clamation -, for People began to pay their Du- ties, and their Ship-money, in Coin of that high Eitimate, which was like to cut fhort both his

Lord-

VIRGINIA. 81

Lordfhip's Perquifites ; and fo he was forced to make life of the fame Prerogative, to reduce the Money again to its former Standard.

§. in. In lefs than a Year the Lord Cokpepper return'd to England , leaving Sir Henry Chicheley Deputy-Governor.

The Country being then fettled again, made too much Tobacco, or too much tram. Tobacco for the Market* and the Merchants would hardly al- low the Planter any thing for it.

This occafion'd much Unea/inefs again, and the People, from former Experience, defpairing of fuc- ceeding in any Agreement with the neighbouring Governments, refolved a total Deftruc"r.ion of the ^Tobacco in that Country, efpecially of the Sweet- fcented j becaufe that was planted no where elfe. In Purfuance of which Defign, they contrived, that all the Plants mould be deftroy'd, while they were yet in the Beds, and after it was too late to fow more.

Accordingly the Ring-leaders in this Project be- gan with their own firft, and then went to cut up the Plants of fuch of their Neighbours as were not willing to do it themfelves. However, they had not Refolution enough to go through with their Work.

This was adjudged Sedition and Felony. Seve- ral People were committed upon it, and fome condemned to be hang'd. And afterwards the Af- fembly pafs'd a Law to make fuch Proceedings Fe- lony for the future, (whatever it was before) pro^ vided the Company kept together after warning by a Juilice.

§. 113. After this Accident of Plant-cutting, the Lord Cokpepper return'd, and held his (econd Aflembly, in which he contriv'd to gain anodier

grcni-

8 z The History of

great Advantage over the Country. HisLordiliip, in his firft Voyage thither, perceiving how eafily he could twift and manage the People, conceived new Hopes of retrieving the Propriety of the Nor- thern Neck, as being (6 fmall a Part of the Co- lony. He conceiv'd that while the Remainder cfcaped free, which was far the greater Part, they would not engage in the Intereft of the lefler Num- ber -y efpecially considering the Difcouragements they had met with before, in their former Solici- tation: Tho' all this while, and for many Years afterwards, his Lordfriip did not pretend to lay public Claim to any part of the Propriety.

It did not fquare with this Project that Appeals fliould be made to the General AfTembly, as till then had been the Cuftom. He fear'd the Bur- gefles would be too much in the Intereft of their Countrymen, and adjudge the Inhabitants of the Northern Neck, to have an equal Liberty and Pri- vilege in their Eftates, with the reft of Virginia , as being fettled upon the fame Foot. In order therefore to make a better Peny worth of thofe poor People, he ftudied to overturn this odious Method of Appealing to the AfTembly, and to fix the laft Refoit in another Court.

To bring this Point about, his Lordfhip con- trived to blow up a Difference in the AfTembly, be- tween the Council and the Burgefles, privately en- couraging the Burgefles, to infift upon the Privi- lege of determining all Appeals by themfelves, exclu- sive of the Council ; bccaufe they, having given their Opinions before in the General Court, were, for that Reafon, unfit Judges in Appeals from themfelves to the AfTembly. This fucceeded ac- cording to his Wifh, and the Burgefles bit at the Bait, under the Notion of Privilege, never dream- ing of the Snake that lay in the Grafs, nor con- fidering the Danger of altering an old Conftiti»-

tioxi

VIRGINIA, 83

tion fo abruptly. Thus my Lord gain'd his End j for he reprefented that Quarrel with fo many Ag- gravations, that he got an Inftruftion from the King, to take away all Appeals from the General Court to the Affembly, and caufe them to be made to himfelf in Council, if the thing in Demand was of 300 lib. Value, otherwife no Appeal from the General Court.

§. 124. Of this his Lordfhip made fufficient Ad- vantage -, for in the Confufion that happened in the End of King James the Second's Reign, viz. in October^ 1 688, he having got anAffignment from the other Patentees, gain'd a favourable Report from the King's Council at Law upon his Patent for the Northern Neck.

When he had fucceeded in this, his Lordfhip's next Step was to engage fome noted Inhabitant of the Place to be on his Side. Accordingly he made ufe of his Coufin Secretary Spencer^ who liv'd in the faid Neck, and was efteem'd as wife and great a Man as any of the Council. This Gentleman did but little in his Lordfhip's Service, and only gain'd fome few Strays, that ufed to be claim'd by the Coroner, in Behalf of the King.

Upon the Death of Mr. Secretary Spencer^ he en- gaged another noted Gentleman, an old Stander in that Country, tho' not of the Northern Neck, Col. Philip Ludwell, who was then in England. He went over with this Grant in the Year i<Spo, and fet up an Office in the Neck, claiming fome Efcheatsj but he likewife could make nothing of it. After him Col. George Brent and Col. William Fitz-Hugh) that were noted Lawyers and Inhabi- tants of the laid Neck, were employ'd in that Af- fair: But fucceeded no better than their Predecef- fors. The People, in the mean while3 complain'd

frequently

84 The History of

frequently to their AlTemblies, who at laft made another Addrefs to the King -y but there being no Agent in England to profecute it, that likewife mifcarried. At laft Colonel Richard Lee , one of the Council, a Man of Note and Inhabitant of the Northern Neck, privately made a Compofition with the Proprietors themfelves for his own Land. This broke the Ice, and feveral were induced to follow fo great an Example ; lb that by Degrees, they were generally brought to pay their Quit-Rents into the Hands of the Proprietors Agents. And now at laft it is managed for them by Col. Robert Carter^ another of the Council, and the greateft Freeholder in that Proprietary.

§. 1 if. To return to my Lord Colepepper's Go- vernment, I cannot omit a ufeful thing which his Lordiliip was pleafed to do, with Relation to their Courts of Juftice. It feems, Nicety of Pleading, with all the Juggle of ' fi^liminfter-Hall^ was creep- ing into their Courts. The Clerks began in fome Cafes to enter the Reafons with the Judgments, pretending to fet Precedents of inviolable Form to be obferved in all future Proceedings. This my Lord found Fault with, and retrenched all dilato- 1 ry Pleas, as prejudicial to Juftice, keeping the Courts clofe to the Merits of the Caufe, in order to bring it to a fpeedy Determination, according to the Innocence of former Times, and caufed the Judgments, to be enter'd up fhort, without the Reafon, alledging, that their Courts were not of ib great Experience, as to be able to make Prece- dents to Pofterity j who ought to be left at Li- berty to determine, according to the Equity of the Controverfy before them.

§. 118. In his Time alfb were difmantled the Forts built by Sir Henry Chicbeley at the Heads of

the

VIRGINIA. 8j

the Rivers, and the Forces there were di (banded, as being too great a Charge. The AfTembly ap- pointed fmall Parties of Light Horfe in their Stead, to range by Turns upon the Frontiers. Thefe be- ing chofen out of the neighbouring Inhabitants, might afford to ferve at eafier Rates, and yet do the Buflnefs more effectually j they were raifed under the Title or Name of Rangers.

§. 12,7. After this the Lord Celepeppcr return'd again for England^ his fecond Stay not being much longer than the firff •, and Sir Henry Chicheky being dead, he proclaimed his Kinfman Mr. Secretary Spencer Prefldent, tho' he was not the eldeft Mem- ber of the Council.

§. 118. The next Year, being 1684, upon the Lord Colcpepper's refilling to return, Francis Lord Howard of Effingham was fent over Governor. In Order to increafe his Perquifites, he impofed the Charge of an annual Under Seal of 20 Shillings each for School-maflers > f Lib. for Lawyers at the General Court, and fo Shillings each Lawyer at the County Courts. He alfo extorted an excel- five Fee for putting the Seal to all Probates of Wills , and Letters of Adminiftration , even where the Eftates of the deceafed were of the meaner! Value. Neither could any be favour'd with fuch Adminiftration, or Probate, without paying that Extortion. If any Body prefum'd to remonftrate againft it, hisLordfhip's Behaviour towards that Man was very fevere. He kept feveral Perfons in Prifon, and under Confinement from Court to Court, without bringing them to Trial- Which Proceedings, and many others , were fo oppreillve, that Complaints were made thereof to the King, and Colonel Philip Lud-v:ell was ap- pointed

26 The History of

pointed Agent to appear againft him in England: Whereupon the Seal -Money was taken off.

§. 1 29. During the firft Seffion of AfTembly in this noble Lord's Time, the Duty on Liquors im- ported from the other Englijh Plantations, was firfl impofed. It was then laid on Pretence of lefTening the Levy by the Poll, for Payment of public Taxes * but more especially for rebuilding the State-Houfc, which had not been rebuilt , fince Lawrence burnt it in Bacon's Time.

This Duty was at firft laid on Wine and Rum only, at the Rate of three Pence per Gallon, with an Exemption of all fuch, as fhould be imported in the Ships of Virginia Owners. But the like Duty has fince been laid on other Liquors alfo, and is raifed to four Pence per Gallon on Wine, and Rum, and one Perry per Gallon on Beer, Cyder, Limejuice, &c. and the Privilege of Virginia Owners taken away, to the great Difcouragement of their Shipping, and Home Trade.

§. 1 30. This Lord, though he pretended to no great Skill in legal Proceedings, yet he made great Innovations in their Courts, pretending to follow the Englijh Forms. Thus he created a new Court of Chancery^ diftincl: from the General Court, who had ever before claim'd that Jurifdi&ion. He e- re&ed himfelf into a Lord Chancellor, taking the Gentlemen of the Council, to fit with him asmeer AfTociates and Advifers, not having any Vote in the Caufes before them. And that it might have more the Air of a new Court, he would not fo much as lit in the State-Houfe, where all the other public Bufinefs was difoatch'd, but took the Dining-Room of a large Houle for that Ufe. He likcwile made arbitrary Tables of Fees, peculiar to this High Court. However, his Lordfhip not beginning this

Project

VIRGINIA. 87

Project very long before he left the Country, all thefe Innovations came to an End upon his Remo- val -, and the [urifdi&ion return'd to the General Court again, in the Time of Col. Nath. Bacon ^ whom he left Prefident.

§. 131. During that Gentleman's Prefidency, which began Anno 1689, the Project of a College was fir ft agreed upon. The Contrivers drew up their Scheme, and prefented it to the Prefident and Council. This was by them approved, and re- fer'd to the next AfTembly. But Col. Bacon's Ad- miniftration being very mort, and no AfTembly call'd all the while, this pious Defign could pro- ceed no farther.

§. 131. Anno 16*90: Francis Nicholfcn, Efqj being appointed Lieutenant-Governor under the Lord Ef- fingham^ arrived there. This Gentleman difcourfed freely of Country Improvements, inftituted public Exercifes, and gave Prizes to all thofe, that mould excel in the Exercifes of Riding, Running, Shoot- ing* Wrcftling, and Cudgeling. When the Defign of a College was communicated to him, he pro- mifed it all imaginable Encouragement. The firft thing defir'd of him in its Behalf, was the Calling of an AfTembly ; but this he could by no Means agree to, being under Obligations to the Lord Effingham, to itave off Allemblies as long as he could, for Fear there might be farther Re prefen- tations fent over againft his Lordihip, who was confcious to himfeh, how uneafie the Country had been under his defpotick Admini fixation.

§. 133. When that could not be obtain'd,then they propoled, that a Subfcription might pafs thro' the Colony, to try the Humour of the People in ge- neral, and fee what voluntary Contributions they could get towards it. This he granted, and he * himfelf,

88 ^HlSTORY^/

himfelf, together with the Council, fet a generous Example to the other Gentlemen of the Country $ fo that the Subfcriptions at laft amounted to about two thoufand five hundred Pounds > in which Sum is included the generous Benevolences of fe- veral Merchants of London.

§. 34. Anm 1691 , an Aflembly being called, this Defign was moved to them, and they efpoufed it heartily y and foon after made an Addrefs to King William and Queen Mary, in its Behalf, and fent the reverend Mr. James Blair their Agent to Eng- land, to folicit their Majefties Charter for it.

It was propofed that three things fhould be taught in this College viz. Languages, Divinity, and Natural Philofophy.

The AfTembly was fo fond of Governor Nichol* fin at that Time, that they prefented him with the Sum of three hundred Pounds, as a Teftimony of their good Difpofition towards him. But he hav- ing an Inftru&ion to receive no Prefent from the Country, they drew up an Addrefs to their Ma- jefties, praying that he might have leave to accept it, which was granted, and he gave one half there- of to the College.

§. 137. Their Majefties were well pleafed with that pious Defign of the Plantation, and granted a Charter, according to the Defire of Mr. Blair^ their Agent.

Their Majefties were gracioufly pleafed to give near two thoufand Pounds Sterling, the Balance then due upon the Account of Quit-Rents, to- wards the Founding the College y and towards the endowing of it, they allow'd twenty thoufand Acres of choice Land, together with the Revenue arifing by the Peny per Pound, on Tobacco exported from Virginia and Maryland 'to the other Plantations.

It was a great Satisfaction to the Archbifhops

and Bifhops to fee fuch a Nurfery of Religion

* founded

VIRGINIA. 89

founded in that new World > efpecially for that it was begun in an Epifcopal Way, and carried on wholly by zealous Conformifts to the Church 6t England.

§. 138. In this firft AfTembly, Lieutenant-Go- nor Nicholfon pafs'd A&s for Encouragement of the Linen Manufacture^ and to promote the Leather Trade, by Tanning, Currying, and Shoe-making. He alfo in that Seflion pafs'd a Law for Cohabita- tion, and Improvement of Trade.

Before the next AfTembly he tack'd about, and was quite the Reverfe of what he was in the firft as to Cohabitation. Inftead of encouraging Ports and Towns, he fpread abroad his diflike of them % and went among the People, finding Fault with thofe Things, which he and the AfTembly had un- animoufly agreed upon the preceding Seflion. Such a violent Change there was in him, that it proceeded from fome other Caufe, than barely the Inconflancy of his Temper. He had receiv'd Di- rections from thofe Englifo Merchants, who well knew that Cohabitation would lelTen their conflgnM Trade.

§. 139. In Tehruary, 1692, Sir Edmund Andros arrived Governor. He began his Government with an AlTembly, which overthrew the good De- fign of Ports and Towns : But the Ground- work of this Proceeding, was laid before Sir Edmund's Arrival. However, this AfTembly proceeded no flirt her, than to fufpend the Law, till their Maje- flies Pleafure fhould be known. But it Teems the Merchants in London were diflatisfied, and made public Complaints againfr. it, which their Majeflies were pleafed to hear* and afterwards refer'd the Law back to the AfTembly again, to confider, if it were fuitable to the Circumflances of the Coun- try, and to regulate it accordingly. But the AT- fembly did not then proceed any farther in it -> the G People

5>o The H i s to r y of

People themfelves being infected by the Merchants Letters. . §. 140. At this Seffion Mr. NeaVs Project for a Poll-Office, and his Patent of Poft- Matter- General in thofe Parts of America, were prefented. The AfTembly made an Act to promote that Defign j but by reafon of the inconvenient Diftance of their Habitations, and want of Towns, this Project fell to nothing.

§. 141. With Sir Edmund Andros was fent over the College Charter} and the fubfequent AfTembly declared, that the Subfcriptions which had been made to the College, were due, and immediately demandable. They likewife gave a Duty on the Exportation of Skins, and Furs, for its more plen- tiful Endowment j and the Foundation of the Col- lege was laid.

The Subfcription-Money did not come in with the fame readinefs, with which it had been under- written. However, there was enough given by their Majefties, and gathered from the People, to keep all Hands at work, and carry on the Build- ing, the Foundation whereof they then laid ; and the reft, upon Suit, had Judgment given againft them.

§. 142. Sir Edmund Andros was a great Encou- rager of Manufactures. In his Time Fulling-Mills were fet up by Act of AfTembly. He alio gave particular Marks of his Favour towards the propa- gating of Cotton, which fince his Time has been much neglected. He was likewife a great Lover of Method, and Difpatch in all Sorts of Bufinefs, which made him find Fault with the Management of the Secretaries Office. And, indeed, with very good Reafon $ for from the Time of Bacon's Rebellion, till then, there never was any Office in the World more negligently kept. Several Pa- tents of Land were enter'd Blank upon Record 3

many

VIRGINIA. 9t

many original Patents, Records, and Deeds of Land, with other Matters of great Confequence, were thrown loofe about the Office, and iiiffer'd to be dirtied, torn, and eaten by the Moths, and other Infects. But upon this Gentleman's Accef- fion to the Government, he immediately gave Di- rections, to reform all thefe irregularities > hecau- fed the loofe and torn Records of Value to be tranfcribed into new Books $ and order'd Conveni- ences to be built within the Office, for preferring the Records from being loll and confounded, as before. He prefcribed Methods to keep the Pa- pers dry and clean, and to reduce them into fuch Order, as that any thing might be turn'd to im- mediately. But all thefe Conveniences were burnt foon after they were finifhed, in Offober, itfp85 together with the Office itfelf, and the whole State-houfe. But his Diligence was fo great in that Affair, that tho' his Stay afterward in the Country was very fliort > yet he caufed all the Re- cords, and Papers, which had been fav'd from the Fire, to be forted again, and Regifter'd in Order, and indeed in much better Order, than ever they had been before. In this Condition he left 'em at his quitting the Government.

He made feveral Offers to rebuild the State- houfe in the fame Place > and had his Government continued but (ix Months longer, 'tis probable he would have effected it after fuch a Manner, as might have been lead burthenfome to the People, defignino- the greateft Parr at his own Cod.

§. 143, Sir Edmund Andres .being upon a Progrefs one Summer, call'd at a poor Man's Houfe in Staf- ford County for Water. There came out to him an ancient Woman, and with her, a lively briflc Lad about twelve Years old. The Lad was fo ruddy, and fair, that his CompledHon gave the Governor a Curiofity to afk fome Queftions con- G z nerning

p z The History of

cerning him ; and to his great furprize was told, that he was the Son of that Woman at 76" Years of Age. His Excellency, fmiling at this Impro- bability, enquired what fort of Man had been his Father? To this the good Woman made no reply, but inftantly ran, and led her Hufband to the Door, who was then above 100 Years old. He confirm- ed all that the Woman had faid about the Lad, and, notwithstanding his great Age, was ftrong in his Limbs, and Voice > but had loft his Sight. The Woman for her part was without Complaint, and feem'd to retain a Vigor very uncommon at her Years. Sir Edmund was fo well pleas'd with this extraordinary Account, that, after having made himfelf known to them, he offered to take care of the Lad : But they would by no means be perfua- ded to part with him. However, he gave them 20 Pounds.

§. I4f. In November, 16*98. Francis Nicholfon, Efq> was removed from Maryland, to be Governor of Virginia. But he went not then with that Smoothnefs on his Brow, he had carry'd with him when he was appointed Lieutenant-Governour. He talk'd then no more of improving of Manufactures, Towns, and Trade. But inftead of encouraging the Manufactures, he fent over inhuman Memori- als againft them, oppofite to all Reafon. In one of thcfe, he remonftrates, That the Tobacco of that Country often bears fo low a Price, that it would not yield Cloaths to the People that 'make it; and yet presently after, in the fame Memorial, he recom- mends it to the Parliamenr, to pafs an Aft, forbid- ding the Plantations to make their own Cloathing -y which, in other Words, is defiring a charitable Law, that the Planters f ml I go naked. In a late Memorial concerted between him and his Creature Col. £j)uarrey, 'tis moil humbly propofed, That all the Englifh Colonics on the Continent of North Ame- rica

VIRGINIA. 93

rica, be reduced under one Government ', and under one Vice-Roy , and that a ftanding Army be there kept on foot, to fubdue the Queen's Enemies , furmifing that they were intending to fet up for themfelves.

§. 145*. He began his Government with a Shew of Zeal for the Church : In the lat- ter End of his Time, one half of the in- tended Building, that is two fides of the Square was carried up and finifhed , in which were allotted the public Hall, the Apartments and Con- veniences for feveral Mafters and Scholars, and the public Offices for theDomeilicks; the Mafters and Scholars were" alfo fettled in it : And it had its re- gular Vifitations from the Vifitors and Governors thereof.

§. 146". Soon after his Acceflion to the Govern- ment, he procured the AfTembly, and Courts of Judicature, to be remov'd from James Town, where there were good Accommodations for Peo- ple, to Middle Plantation, where there were none. There he flatter'd himfelf with the fond Imagina- tion, of being the Founder of a new City. He mark'd out the Streets in many Places, fo as that they might reprefent the Figure of a /F", in Me- mory of his late Majefty King William, after whofe Name the Town was call'd WilUamfburgh . There he procur'd a ftately Fabrick to be erected, which he placed oppofite to the College, and graced it with the magnificent Name of the Capitol.

§. 147. In the 2d Year of this Gentleman's Go- vernment y there happened an Adventure very for- tunate for him, which gave him much credit , and that was the taking of a Pyrate within the Capes of that Country.

G 3 It

94 The History of

It fell out that feveral Merchant-Ships were got ready, and fallen down to Lynhaven Bay, near the Mouth of James River, in order for failing. A Pyrate being inform' d of this, and hearing that there was no Man of War there, except a fixth Rate, ventured within the Capes, and took feveral of the Merchant-Ships. But a fmail VcfTel hap- pened to come down the Bay, and feeing an En- gagement between the Pyrate, and a Merchant- man, made a ihift to get into the Mouth of James River, where the Shoram, a fifth Rate Man of War, was newly arriv'd. The fixth Rate, commanded- by Capt. John Aldred^ was then on the Careen in Elizabeth River, in order for her Return to England.

The Governor happen'd to be at that time at Kiquotan^ feaiing up his Letters, and Capt. Pajfen- ger^ Commander of the Shoram^ was afhoar, to pay his Refpeds to him. In the mean while News was brought, that a Pyrate was within the Capes 5 upon which the Captain was in hafte to go aboard his Ship : But the Governor flay'd him a little, promifmg to go along with him. The Captain fooo after afk'd his Excufe, and went off, leaving him another Boat, if he pleafed to follow. It was about one a Clock in the Afternoon, when the News was brought ; but 'twas within Night, be- fore his Excellency went aboard, flaying all that while afhoar, upon fome weighty Occafions. At laft he follow'd, and by break of Day, the Man of War was fairly out between the Capes, and the Pyrate -, where after ten Hours fharp Engage- ment, the Pyrate was obliged to flrike, and fur- render, upon the Terms of being left to the King's Mercy.

Now it happen'd, that three Men of this Py- rate's Gang were not on Board their own Ship at the time of the Surrender, and fo were not inclu- ded

VIRGINIA. 95

ded in the Articles of Capitulation, but were try'd in that Country. In lumming up the Charge againft them (the Governor being prefent) the Attorney-General extolPd his Excellency's mighty Courage and Conduct, as if the Honour of taking the Pyrate had been due to him. Upon this, Capt. Pajfenger took the Freedom to interrupt Mr. At- torney in open Court, and faid, that he was Com- mander of the Shoram > that the Pyrates were his Prifoners > and that no Body had pretended to command in that Engagement but himfelf: He farther defir'd, that the Governor who was then prefent, would do him the Juftice to confefs, whe- ther he had given the leaft Word of Command all that Day, or directed any one Thing during the whole Fight. This, his Excellency acknowledg- ed, was truej and fairly yielded the Honour of that Exploit to the Captain.

§. 148. This Governor likewife gain'd fome Re- putation by another Inftance of his Management, whereby he let the World know, the violent Paf- fion he had to publifti his own Fame.

To get Honour in New-Tor k, he had zealoufly recommended to the Court of Engl 'and \ the necefrl- ty that Virginia fhou'd contribute a certain Quota of Men, or elfe a Sum of Money, towards the building, and maintaining a Fort at New-Tork. The Reafon he gave for this, was, becaufe New- Tork was their Barrier, and as fuch it was but Ju- ftice, they fhou'd help to defend it. This was by Order of his late Majefty King William propofed to the AfTembly : But upon the moll; folid Rea- fons, they humbly remonftrated, That neither the Forts then in beings nor any other that might be built in the Province of New-York, cou'd in the leafl avail to the Defence and Security of Virginia -, for that either the French, or the Northern Indians might invade that Colony^ and not come within an

G 4 hm-

96 Th* History of

hundred Miles of any fuch Fort. The Truth or thefe Objections are obvious to any one, that ever look'd on the Maps of that Part of the World. But the Secret of the whole Bufinefs in plain Terms was this : Thofe Forts were neceflary for New- York, to enable that Province to engrols the Trade of the Neighbour Indians *y which Virginia had fometimes fhar'd in, when the Indians rambled ;.to the Southward,

Now the Glory Gol. Nicholfon got in that Af- fair, was this j after he had reprefented Virginia as Republican, and Rebellious, for not complying with his Propofal, he faid publickly, that New- York fhould not want the poo Pounds, tho' he paid it out of his own Pocket, andfoon after took a Journey to that Province.

When he arrived there, he blam'd Virginia very much, but pretending earneft Defires to ferve New-York^ gave his own Bills of Exchange for poo Pounds, to the aforefaid Ufe, but prudently took a Defeafance from the Gentleman, to whom they were given, fpecifying, That till her Majefty fiould he gracioujly plea fed, to remit him the Money out of the Quit-Rents of Virginia, thofe Bills jhou'd never be made ufe of. This was an admirable Piece of mam Generofity, and worthy of the great Pains he took to proclaim it. I my felf have frequently heard him boaft, that he gave this Money out of his own Pocket, and only depended on the Queen's Bounty to repay him : Tho the Money is not paid by him to this Day.

§. 149. Neither was he contented to fpread abroad this Untruth there ; but he alfo foifted it into a Memorial of Col. Quarry's to the Council of Trade, in which are thefe Words: As foon as Governor Nicholfon found the Jffembly of Virginia wou'd not fee their own Inter eft, nor comply with her Majeftfs Orders^ he wnt immediately to New- York 3,

and

VIRGINIA. 97

an d out of his great Zeal to the Queen's Service, and the fecurity of her Province, he gave his own Bills for poo Pounds to anfwer the Quota of Virginia, wholly depending on her Majeftfs Favour, to reim- burfe him out of the Revenues in that Province.

Certainly his Excellency, and Col. Quarry, by whofe joint Wifdom and Sincerity this Memorial was compofed, muft believe that the Council of 'Trade have very imperfect Intelligence, how Mat- ters pafs in that Part of the World, or elfe they would not prefume to impofe fuch a Banter upon them.

But this is nothing, if compar'd to fome other Paflages of that unjufl Reprefentation, wherein they took upon them to defcribe the People of Virginia, to be both numerous and rich, of Republi- can Notions and Principles, fuch as ought to be cor- reeled^ and lower' }d in time ; and that then, or never was the Time to maintain the Queen s Prerogative, and put a flop to thofe wrong pernicious Notions, which were improving daily, not only in Virginia, but in all her Majeftfs other Governments. A Frown now from her Majefty, will do more than an Army hereafter. See.

With thofe inhuman falfe Imputations, did thofe Gentlemen afterwards introduce the Neceflity of a Handing Army.

§. ifo. Thus did this Gentleman continue to rule till Auguft 1705*, when Edward Nott Efqj ar- rived Governor, and gave eafe to the Country by a mild Rule. His Commiilion was to be Governor General, but part of his Salary was paid my Lord Orkney as Chief. Governor Nott had the general Commiffion given him,becaufe it was fnggefted, that that Method, viz. the fupreme Title would give the greater Awe, and the better put the Country to rights.

p 8 The History/?/

§. if i. Governor Nott call'd an AfTembly the fall after his Arrival, who pad the general Re- vifal of the Laws, which had been too long in Hand: But that Part of it which related to the Church and Clergy Mr. CommifTary could not be pleafed in 5 wherefore that Bill was dropt, and fo it lies at this Day.

§. if 2. This Aflembly alfo pafTed a new Law, iov Ports and Towns, grounding it only upon En- couragements, according to her Majefty's Letter to that purpofe -y but k feems this alfo could not pleafe the Virginia Merchants in England, for they complained againft it to the Crown, and fo it was alfo fufpended.

§. if 3. This AfTembly alfo pail the Law mak- ing Slaves a real Eftate, which made a great Al- teration in the Nature of their Eftates, and be- comes a very good Security for Orphans, whole Parents happen'd to die inteflate.

§. 1 f 4. This AfTembly alfo voted a Houfe to be built for the Governor's Refidence, and laid Du- ties to raife the Money for it. But his Excellency lived not to fee much effected therein, being taken off by Death in Auguft 1706. In the firlt Year of his Government, the College was burnt down to the Ground.

§. 1 f f . After this Governor's Death, there being no other nominated by her Majelly to fucceedhim, the Government fell into the Hands of Edmund Jenings Efq* the Prefident, and the Council, who held no Aflembly during his time, neither did any thing of Note happen here. Only we heard that Brigadier Robert //#/;/<r received Commiffion to be

Lieu-

VIRGINIA. 99

Lieutenant Governor under George Earl of Orkney the chief, and fet out for Virginia, but was taken Prifoner into France.

§. ifo*. During Brigadier Hunter's Confinement in France a new Commiffion iffued to Colonel Alexander Spot/wood to be Lieutenant Governor, who arrived here in Anno 1 7 1 o . He to the extraordi- nary Benefit of this Country ftill continues Gover- nor, having improved it beyond Imagination j his Conduct has produced Wonders > but it would not become me to affront his Modefty by publifh- ing thofe innumerable Benefits of his Adminiftra- tion to his Face -y therefore I fhall leave them to adorn the brighter Hiftory of fome abler Pen- man.

OF

ioo The natural ProduEt, and

Of the N A T u R A L,

Produlif and Conveniencies

O F

VIRGINIA:

I N I T S

Unimpf ov'd State, before the Endilh went thither.

Book II.

CHAP, I.

Of the Bounds and Co aft of Virginia.

IRG IN ' 1 A) as you have heard before, was a Name at firft given, to all the Northern Part of the Continent of America -, and when the original Grant was made, botji to the firft and fecond Colonies, that is, to

thofe

. i.

Conveniences 0/ Virginia, ioi

thofe of Virginia^ and New- England , they were both granted under the Name of Virginia. And afterwards, when Grants for other new Colonies were made, by particular Names, thofe Names for a long time ferved only to diftinguifh them, as Co many Parts of Virginia : And until the Plantations became more familiar to England^ it was fo conti- nued. But inProcefsof Time, the Name of Vir- ginia was loft to all, except to that Tract of Land lying along the Bay of Che/apeak^ and a little to the Southward, in which are included Virginia and Maryland-, both which, in common Difcourfe, are It-ill very often meant by the Name of Virginia. The leaft Extent of Bounds in any of the Grants made to Virginia^ fince it was fettled, and which, we find upon Record there, is two hundred Miles North from Point Comfort , and two hundred Miles South ; winding upon the Sea-Coaft to the Eaftward^ and including all the Land Weft and North-Weft, from Sea to Sea* with the Iflands on both Seas, within an hundred Miles of the Main. But thefe Extents both on the North and South, have been fince abridg'd by the proprietary Grants of Maryland on the North, and Carolina on the South.

§. 2. The Entrance into Virginia for Shipping, is by the Mouth of Cbefapeak Bay, which is in- deed more like a River, than a Bay: For it runs up into the Land about two hundred Miles, being every where near as wide, as it is at the Mouth, and in many Places much wider. The Mouth thereof is about feven Leagues over, through which all Ships pafs to go to Maryland.

The Coaft is a bold and even Coaft, with regu- lar Soundings, and is open all the Year round : So that having the Latitude, which alfo can hard- ly b^ wanted, upon a Coaft where fo much deal- s'

ioi The natural ProduEl, and

Weather is, any Ship may go in by Soundings alone, by Day or Night, in Summer or in Win- ter > and need not fear any Difafter, if the Mari- ners underiland any thing > for, let the Wind blow how it will, and chop about as fuddenly as it pleafes, any Mailer, tho' his Ship be never fo dull,has Oppor- tunity (by the Evennefs of the Coaft) either of (land- ing off, and clearing the Shoar* or elfe of running into fafe Harbour within the Capes. A bolder and fafer Coaft is not known in the Univerfe > to which Conveniencies, there's the Addition of good An- chorage all along upon it, without the Capes.

§. 3 . Virginia^ in the mod reftrain'd Senfe,diftin£t from Maryland) is the Spot to which I fhall altoge- ther confine this Defcription > tho' you may confider at the fame time, that there cannot be much Diffe- rence between this, and Maryland^ they being con- tiguous one to the other, lying in the fame Bay, pro- ducing the fame Sort of Commodities, and being fallen into the fame unhappy Form of Settlements, altogether upon Country Seats, without Towns. Virginia thus eonfider'd, is bounded on the South by North Carolina \ on the North by Patowmeck River, which divides it from Maryland; on the Eaft by the main Ocean, called the Virginia Seas j and on the Weil and North- Weil by the Calif or- nian Sea, whenever the Settlements fhall be extend- ed fo far, or now by the River MiJJiftppi.

This Part of 'Virginia now inhabited,if we confider the Improvements in the Hands of the Englifcit can- not upon that Score be commended -y but if we con- fider its natural Aptitude tobeimprov'd,itmay with Juftice be accounted one of the fineft Countries in the World. Moil of the natural Advantages of it therefore, I iliall endeavour to difcover, and fet in their true Light, together with its Inconvenien- cies; and afterwards proceed to the Improvements.

CHAP. II.

Conveniences 0/ Virginia. 103

rr.

CHAP. IL

Of the Waters.

§. 4. rpHE Largenefs of the Bay of Chefapeak X I have mention' d already. From one End of it to the other, there's good Anchorage, and fo little Danger of a Wreck, that many Mailers, who have never been there before, venture up to the Head of the Bay, upon the {lender Knowledge of a common Sailor. But the Experience of one Voyage teaches any Matter to go up afterwards, without a Pilot.

Befides this Bay, the Country is water'd with four great Rivers, wz. James, York, Rappahannock, and Patowmeck Rivers 3 all which are full of conve- nient and fafe Harbours. There are alfo abundance of letter Rivers, many of which are capable of re- ceiving the biggeft Merchant-Ships, viz. Eliza- beth River, Nanfamond, Chickahomony, Pocofon, Pamunky, Mattapony, (which two lait are the two upper Branches of York River) North River, Eafiermoft River, Corotoman, Wtccocomoco, Pocomo- ke, Chijfenejfick, Pungotegue, and many others : But becaufe they are fo well deicrib'd in the large Maps of Virginia, I mall forbear any farther De- fcription of them.

Thefe Rivers are of fuch Convenience, that, for almoft every half dozen Miles of their Extent, there's a commodious and fafe Road for a whole Fleet \ which gives Opportunity to the Matters of Ships, to lye up and down ftraggling, according as they have made their Acquaintance, riding before that Gentleman's Door where they find the bett Re- ception, or where 'tis moil fui table to their Bufinefs.

§. f . Thefe

104 Of t^oe natural Produ$j and

§. j\ Thefe Rivers are made up, by the Conflux of an infinite Number of chryftal Springs of cool and pleafant Water, iffuing every where out of the Banks, and Sides of the Valleys. Thefe Springs flow fo plentifully, that they make the River Wa- ter frefh, fifty, threefcore, and fometimes an hun- dred Miles below the Flux and Reflux of the Tides j andfometime within thirty or forty Miles of the Bay it felf. The Conveniencies of thefe Springs are fo many, they are not to be number'd : I fliall there- fore content my felf to mention that one of fupplying the Country elfe where, except in the low Lands, with as many Mills as they can find Work for : And fome of thefe fend forth fuch a x Glut of Water, that in lefs than a Mile below the Fountain-head, they afford a Stream fufficient to fupply a Grift- Mill 5 of which there are feveral Inftances.

§. 6. The only Mifchief I know belonging to thefe Rivers is, that in the Month of June annual- ly, there rife up in the Salts, vail Beds of Seedling- Worms, which enter the Ships, Sloops, or Boats where-ever they find the Coat of Pitch, Tar, or Lime worn off the Timber > and by degrees eat the Plank into Cells like thofe of an Honey-comb. Thefe Worms continue thus upon the Surface of the Water, from their Rife in June^ until the firfl great Rains, after the Middle of July, but after that, do no freih Damage till the next Summer- Seafon, and never penetrate farther than the Plank or Timber they firil fix upon.

The Damage occafion'd by thefe Worms, may be four feveral Ways avoided.

i . By keeping the Coat, ( of Pitch, Lime and Tallow, or whatever elfe it is, ) whole upon the Bottom of the Ship or Velfel, for thefe Worms

never

Conveniencies ^Virginia. 105

never faften nor enter, but where the Timber is naked.

2. By anchoring the large Veflels in the Strength of the Tide, during the Worm-Seafon, and haling the fmaller afhore j for in the Current of a ftrong Tide, the Worm cannot fallen.

2. By burning and cleaning immediately after the Worm-Seafon is over* for then they are but juft ftuck into the Plank, and have not buried themfelves in it -> fo that the leaft Fire in the World deftroys them entirely, and prevents all Damage, that would otherwife enfue from them.

4. By running up into the Frefhes with the Ship or VefTel during the five or fix Weeks, that the Worm is thus above Water : For they never enter, nor do any Damage in frefh Water, or where it is not very fait.

CHAP. III.

Of AEart hs, and Soil.

§• 7-rTnHE Soil is of fuch Variety, according to X the Difference of Situation, that one Part or other of it, feems fitted to every Sort of Plant, that is requifite either for the Benefit or Pleafure of Mankind. And, were it not for the high Moun- tains to the North-Weft, which are fuppofed to retain vail Magazines of Snow, and by that means caufe the Wind from that Quarter to defcend a lit- tle too cold upon them, 'tis believed, that many of thole delicious Summer Fruits, growing in the hot- ter Climates, might be kept there green all the Winter, without the Charge of Houfing, or any other Care, than what is due to the natural Plants of the Country-, when tranfplanted into a Garden- But,

H as

io<£ The natural ProduBy and

as that would be no considerable Charge, any Man that is curious might, with all the Eafe imaginable, preferve as many of them as would gratify a mode- rate Luxury -y and the Summer affords genial Heat enough, to ripen them to Perfection.

There are three different Kinds of Land, ac- cording to the Difference of Situation, either in the lower Parts of the Country, the Middle, or shat on the Heads of the Rivers.

i . The Land towards the Mouth of the Rivers is generally of a low moifr, and fat Mold, fuch as the heavier Sort. of Grain delight in, as Rice, Hemp, Indian Corn, &c. This alfo is varied here and there with Veins of a cold, hungry, fandy Soil, of the fame Moifture, and very often lying under Water. But this alfo has its Advantages ; for on fuch Land, generally grow the Huckle-berries, Cran-berries, Chinkapins, &c. Thefe low Lands are, for the mod part, well flor'd with Oaks, Pop- lars, Pines, Cedars, Cyprefs, and Sweet-Gums -, the Trunks of which are often thirty, forty, fif- ty, fome fixty or feventy Foot high, without a Branch or Limb. They like wife produce great Variety of Evergreens, unknown to me by Name, befides the beauteous Holly, Sweet- Myrtle, Cedar, and the Live-Oak, which for three Quarters of the Year is continually dropping its Acorns, and at the fame time budding, and bearing others in their Stead.

2. The Land higher up the Rivers throughout the whole Country, is generally a level Ground, with fhal - low Vallies, full of Streams and pleafant Springs of clear Water,having iriterfpers'd here and there among the large Levels, fome fmall Hills, and extenfive Vales. The Mold in fome Places is black, fat, and thick laid j in others loofer, lighter, and thin. The Foundation of the Mold is alfo various 3 fome- times Clay, then Gravel and rocky Stones 5 and

ibme-

Conveniencies 0/ Virginia. 121

IVafebur^ an Herb \ Chapacour, a Root > and Tan- gomockonominge^ a Bark.

There's the Snake- Root, fo much admired in England for a Cordial, and for being a great Anti- dote in all Peftilential Diftempers.

There's the Rattle-Snake-Root, to which no Re- medy was ever yet found comparable ; for it effec- tually cures the Bite of a Rattle- Snake, which fometimes has been mortal in two Minutes. If this Medicine be early applied, it prefently removes the Infection, and in two or three Hours, reflores the Patient to as perfect Health, as if he had never been hurt.

The James Town Weed (which refembles the thorny Apple of Peru, and I take to be the Plant fo call'd) is fuppofed to be one of the greateft Coolers in the World. This being an early Plant, was gather'd very young for a boil'd Salad, by fome of the Soldiers fent thither, to quell the Re- bellion of Bacon , and fome of them eat plentifully of it, the Effect of which was a very pleafont Co- medy > for they turn'd natural Fools upon it forfe- veral Days: One would blow up a Feather in the Air 5 another would dart Straws at it with much Fury > and another flark naked was fitting up in a Corner, like a Monkey, grinning and making Mows at them ; a Fourth would fondly kifs, and paw his Companions, and fnear in their Faces, with a Countenance more antick, than any in a Dutch Droll. In this frantick Condition they were con- fined) left they mould in their Folly deitroy them- felves ; though it was obfervcd, that all their Ac- tions were full of Innocence and good Nature. In- deed they were not very cleanly 5 for they would have wallow'd in their own Excrements, if they had not been prevented. A thoufand fuchfim pie Tricks they play'd, and after eleven Days, return'd to them- felves again,not remembring any thing that had pafs'd ,

I Perhaps

1 1 1 The natural ProduEi^ and

Perhaps this was the fame Herb that Mark An* tonfs Army met with in his Retreat from the Parthian War and Siege of Phraata, when fuch as had eaten thereof employed themfelves with muchEarneftncfs and Induftry in grubbing up Stones, and removing them from one Place to another, as if it had been a Bnfinefs of the greater!; Confe- quence. Wine, as the Story fays, was found a fo- vereign Remedy for it -, which is likely enough, the Malignity of this Herb being cold.

Of fpontaneous Flowers they have an unknown Variety : The fined Crown Imperial in the World -, the Cardinal-Flower, fo much extoll'd for its Scar- let Colour, is almofl in every Branch > the Mocca- fln Flower, and a thoufand others, not yet known, to Englifi Herbalifts. Almoft all the Year round, the Levels and Vales are beautified with Flowers of one Kind or other, which make their Woods as fragrant as a Garden. From the Materials their wild Bees make vaft Quantities of Honey, but their Magazines are very often rifled, by Bears, Raccoons, and fuch like liquorifh Vermine.

About the Year 1701, walking out to take the Air, I found, a little without my Pafture Fence, a Flower as big as a Tulip, and upon a Stalk relem- bling the Stalk of a Tulip. The Flower was of a Flefh Colour, having a Down upon one End, while the other was plain. The Form of it retembled the Pudenda of a Man and Woman lovingly join'd in one. Not long after I had difcover'd this Rarity, and while it was Hill in Bloom, I drew a grave Gen- tleman, about an Hundred Yards, out of his Way, to fee this Curiofity, not telling him any thing more, than that it was a Rarity, and fuch, perhaps, as he had never feen, nor heard of. When we ar- rived at the Place, I gather'd one of them, and put it into his Hand, which he had no fooner cad his Eye upon, but he threw it away with Indignati- on,

Conveniencies #/ Virginia. 123

on, as being afhain'd of this Waggery of Nature. It was impofllble to perluade him to touch it a~~ gain, or fo much as to iquint towards ib iminodeft a Reprefentation. Neither would I prefume to men- tion iuch an Indecency, but that I thought it un- pardonable, to omit a Production ib extraordinary.

There is alfo found, the line Tulip -bearing Law- rel-Tree, which has the pleafanteffc Smell in the World, and keeps Bloflbming and Seeding feveral Months together: It delights much in Gravelly- Branches of Chryftal Streams, and perfumes the very Woods with its Odour. So alfo do the large Tulip-Tree, which we call a Poplar, the Locuft, which refembles much the Jafmine, and the Per- fuming Crab-Tree, during their Seafon. With one fort or other of thefe, as well as many other Sweet- flowering Trees not named, the Vales are almoir. every-where adorn'd, and yield a furprizing Variety to divert the Traveller.

They find a World of Medicinal Plants likewife in that Country > and amongil the reft, the Plan- ters pretend to have a Swamp-Root, which infalli- bly cures all Fevers, and Agues. The Bark of the Saflafras-Tree and wild Cherry-Tree have been ex- perimented to partake very much of the Virtue of the Cortex Peruviana. The Bark of the Root, of that which we call the Prickly A ill, being dried and powder'd, has been found to be a Specific k, in old Ulcers, and Long-running Sores. Infinite is the Number of other valuable Vegetables of every Kind : But Natural Hiftory not having been my Study, I am unwilling to do Wrong to my Subject, by an unfkilful Deicription.

§. 1 p. Several Kinds of the Creeping Vines bearing Fruit, the Indians planted in their Gar- dens or Fields, becaufe they wouVl have Plenty of them always at hand -y iuch as, Mufk-melon?,

I 1 Water-

124 The natural Product, and

Water-melons, Pompions, Cufhaws, Macocks, and Gourds.

i. Their Mufk-melons refemble the large Italian Kind, and generally fill four or five Quarts.

z. Their Water-melons were much more large, and of feveral Kinds, diftinguifhed by the Colour of their Meat and Seed , fome are red, fome yellow, and others white meated -y and fo of the Seed, fome are yellow, fome red, and fome black j but thefe are never of different Colours in the fame Melon. This Fruit the Mufcovites call Arpus ; the Turks and Tartars, Karpus, becaufe they are extremely cooling: The Perfians call them, Hindnanes, be- caufe they had the firll Seed of them from the In- dies. They are excellently good, and very plea- fant to the Tafte, as alfo to the Eye 5 having the Rind of a lively green Colour, ftreak'd and water'd, the Meat of a Carnation, and the Seed black, and Aiming, while it lies in the Melon.

3. Their Pompions I need not defcribe, but mud fay they are much larger and finer, than any I ever heard of in England.

4. Their Cufhaws are a kind of Pompion, of a blueifli green Colour, ftreak'd with White, when they are fit for Ufe. They are larger than the Pom- pions, and have a long narrow Neck : Perhaps this may be the Ecu/haw of T. Harriot.

f. Their Macocks are a fort of Melopepones, or letter fort of Pompion, or Caihaw. Of thefe they have great Variety ; but the Indian NameMacock ierves for all, which Name is ftill retained among them. Yet the Clypeata are fometimes call'd Cym- nets (as are fome others alfo) from the Lenten Cake of that Name, which many of them very much re- femble. Squajlj) or Squanter-Squaf])) is their Name among the Northern Indians, and fo they are call'd in New-York, and New- England. Thefe being boil'd whole, when the Apple is young, and the * Shell

Ccnveniencies 0/ Virginia. 125

Shell tender, and difhed with Cream or Butter, reliih. very well with all forts of Butcher's Meat, either frefli or fait. And whereas the Pompion is never eaten till it be ripe, thefe are never eatea after they are ripe.

6. The Indians never eat the Gourds, but plant them for other Ufes. Yet the Perfians, who like- wife abound with this fort of Fruit, eat the Cucur- bit a LagenariS) which they call Kabach, boiling it while it is green, before it comes to its' full Matu- rity 5 For, when it is ripe, the Rind dries, and grows as hard as the Bark of a Tree, and the Meat with- in is fo confumed, and dried away, that there is then nothing left but the Seed, which the Indians take clean out, and afterwards ufe the Shells inftead of Flagons and Cups 3 as is done alfo infeveral other Parts of the World.

The Afaracockj which is the Fruit of what we call the Paffion Flower, our Natives did not take the Pains to plant, having enough of it growing every where, tho' they often eat it 5 this Fruit is about the Size of a Pullet's Egg.

§, zo. Befides all thefe, our Natives had origi- nally amongft them, Indian Corn, Peas, Beans, Potatoes, and Tobacco.

This Indian Corn was the Star? of Food, upon which the Indians did ever depend -, for whenSick- nefs, bad Weather, War, or any other ill Accident kept them from Hunting, Fifhing and Fowling ; this, with the Addition of fome Peas, Beans, and fuch other Fruits of the Earth, as were then in Seafon, was the Family's Dependence, and the Support of their Women and Children.

There are four Sorts of Indian Corn ; two of which are early ripe, and two, late ripe > all grow- ing in the fame manner > every {ingle Grain of this when planted, produces a tall upright Stalk, which I j has

xi6 The natural ProduEi, and

has feveral Ears hanging on the Sides of it, from iix to ten Inches long. Each Ear is wrapt up in a Cover of many Folds, to protect it from the In- juries of the Weather. In everyone of theft Ears are feveral Rows of Grain, fetclofe to one another, with no other Partition, but of a very thin Husk. So that oftentimes the Increafe of this Grain a- mounts to above a Thouland for one.

The two Sorts which are early ripe, are diflin- guifh'd only by the Size, which ihews it felf as well in the Grain, as in the Ear, and the Stalk. There is fome Difference aifo in the Time of ri- pening.

The lefler Size of early ripe Corn, yields an Ear not much larger than the Handle of a Cafe Knife, and grows upon a Stalk, between three and four Foot high. Of this may be made two Crops in a Year, and, perhaps, there might be Heat enough in England to ripen it.

The larger Sort differs from the former only in Largenefs, the Ear of this being feven or eight Inches long, as thick as a Child's Leg, and growing upon a Stalk nine or ten 'Foot high. This is fit for eating about the latter End of June^ whereas the fmalier Sort (generally fpeaking) affords Ears fit to roaft by the Middle of June. The Grains of both thefe Sorts, are as plump and fwell'd, as if the Skin were ready to burft.

The late ripe Corn is diveriify'd by the Shape of the Grain only, without any Refpect to the ac- cidental Differences in Colour, fome being blue, fome red, fome yellow, fome white, and fome ftreak'd. That therefore which makes the Diftin- c~b'on, is the Plumpncfs or Shrivelling of the Grain > the one looks as fmooth, and as full as the early ripe Corn, and tins they call Flint- Com > the other has a larger Grain, and looks fhrivelFd with a Dent on