OF THE LIBERTIES AND NATURALIZATION OF ALIENS IN VIRGINIA.
Sec. 62. Christians of all nations have equal freedom there, and upon their
arrival become _ipso facto_ entitled to all the liberties and privileges
of the country, provided they take the oaths of obedience to the crown
and government, and obtain the governor's testimonial thereof.
The method of obtaining naturalization is thus: the party desiring it
goes before the governor, and tenders his oath of allegiance, which the
governor thereupon administers, and immediately makes certificate of it
under the seal of the colony. By this means, the person alien is
completely naturalized to all intents and purposes.
Sec. 63. The French refugees sent in thither by the charitable exhibition
of his late majesty king William, are naturalized, by a particular law
for that purpose.
In the year 1699, there went over about three hundred of these, and the
year following about two hundred more, and so on, till there arrived in
all between seven and eight hundred men, women and children, who had
fled from France on account of their religion.
Those who went over the first year, were advised to seat on a piece of
very rich land, about twenty miles above the falls of James river, on
the south side of the river; which land was formerly the seat of a great
and warlike nation of Indians, called the Manicans, none of which are
now left in those parts; but the land still retains their name, and is
called the Manican town.
The refugees that arrived the second year, went also first to the
Manican town, but afterwards upon some disagreement, several dispersed
themselves up and down the country; and those that have arrived since
have followed their example, except some few, that settled likewise at
the Manican town.
The assembly was very bountiful to those who remained at this town,
bestowing on them large donations, money and provisions for their
support; they likewise freed them from every public tax, for several
years to come, and addressed the governor to grant them a brief, to
entitle them to the charity of all well disposed persons throughout the
country; which together with the king's benevolence, supported them very
comfortably, till they could sufficiently supply themselves with
necessaries, which now they do indifferently well, and have stocks of
cattle and hogs.
The year 1702, they began an essay of wine, which they made of the wild
grapes gathered in the woods; the effect of which was a strong bodied
claret, of good flavor. I heard a gentleman, who tasted it, give it
great commendation. Now if such may be made of the wild vine in the
woods, without pruning, weeding, or removing it out of the shade, what
may not be produced from a vineyard skilfully cultivated? But I don't
hear that they have done any thing since towards it, being still very
poor, needy, and negligent.