_Of Authors concerning_ Virginia, _and its publick Officers,
Guard-Ships, and the State of_ Maryland _and_ North Carolina. _The
Conclusion._
In the _Miscellanea Curiosa_ is publish'd Mr. _Clayton_'s fine
_Description of Virginia_, and _Col. Robert Beverley_ has wrote a good
_History_ of it; but neither is so particular as this, as to its present
Condition; so that as they are Supplements to _Captain Smith's History_,
this may be an _Abridgment and Appendix_ to them _all_.
True Accounts of this Country are difficult to be had; for they that
have lived there any Time in any Repute and Business, seldom come to
settle in _England_; and the Sailors for the greatest Part can give no
more true Relations of the Nature of the Country, than a _Country
Carrier_ can write a Description of _London_, and relate the _Politicks
of Court_, and _Proceedings of Parliament_; for they see and know but
little of the Matter, and that the very worst.
Others, by Reason of their short Stay, or for want either of
Opportunity, Learning, or Capacity, can neither make right Remarks and
correct Observations, nor describe Things in their proper Colours and
true Lustre; and moreover some are prevailed upon through Interest,
Prejudice, Spite, or Fancy, to conceal or misrepresent Things: Besides,
they that have been there formerly know little, but the very worst of
the _present State_ of the Country.
The Laws of that Plantation are collected into a Body and published; and
whatever (of any Moment and worth Notice) is not mentioned in this
Treatise, or in the Books aforementioned, must be supposed to correspond
exactly with the Customs and Things in _Great Britain_, particularly in
and about _London_; from all which any one that is either obliged or
inclin'd may have sufficient Accounts of the large, increasing,
flourishing, and _happy Colony of Virginia_.
The present Governor is the Right Honourable the Earl of _Orkney_, whose
Lieutenant Governor is _Hugh Drysdale_, Esq;
The Council are these Twelve.
_Edmund Jennings_, Esq; President.
The Rev. Mr. _James Blair_.
_Robert Carter_, }
_William Bird_, }
_Philip Ludwell_, }
_John Lewis_, }
_John Harrison_, }
_Mann Page_, } Esquires.
_Cole Digges_, }
_Peter Beverley_, }
_John Robinson_, }
_John Carter_, }
The Secretary is _John Carter_, }
The Attorney-General is _John Clayton_, } Esquires.
The Receiver General is _John Graham_, }
The Auditor is _John Harrison_, }
_The best List that I can collect or form of the Officers of the
Customs, is this._
_l._
{ Mr. _John Banister_, Collector, } 40
{ Upper { supplied by Col. _William_ }
{ District. { _Randolph_
_James { { Col. _Francis Lightfoot_, Surveyor } --
River._ {
{ Lower { Mr. _Thomas Mitchel_, Collector } 100
{ District. {
{ { Mr. ---- _Irvin_, Surveyor } --
_Elizabeth River_ ________ Surveyor ________ 45
_York { Mr. _John Ambler_, Collector 40
River._ { Mr. _William Robertson_, Surveyor --
_Rappahannock { Sir _William Johnson_, or Mr. } 80
River._ { _Richard Chichister_, Collector }
{ Mr. _Christopher Robinson_, Surveyor --
_South Potowmack_ ________ Collector ________ 80
_Cape Charles._ Mr. _Griffith Bowen_, Surveyor 100
_Accomack_ and { Mr. _Henry Scarburgh_, } 50
_Northampton_ { Collector }
Counties.
These have some considerable Perquisites besides their Salaries; for
which they give Attendance and perform their Duty after the same Manner
as the Officers in the Rivers and Ports do in _Great Britain_.
To guard the Coasts from the Ravages of Pyrates, Men of War are
frequently stationed there; but they are not at all under the Direction
of the Governor upon Emergencies, tho' he be titular Admiral of those
Seas; but had he some Command over Men of War, 'tis thought it might be
of great Service to the Country, and Security and Advantage to the
Merchants and others.
_Maryland_ in most Respects in an inferior Degree agrees with
_Virginia_, only their Laws and some Customs are particular; and tho'
the _Church of England_ be the established Church there, and handsom
Provision be made for the Clergy, yet they have many _Papists_, and
several Dissenters; which last may be supposed to be encouraged thro'
_Jesuitical_ Views to distract and subvert the _Church of England_.
As for _North Carolina_ it is vastly inferior, its Trade is smaller, and
its Inhabitants thinner, and for the most Part poorer than _Virginia_;
neither is their Government extraordinary, tho' they have some good
Laws, and there is some good Living in this large Country, in which is
Plenty of good Provision.
As for Churches there are but very few; and I knew of but one Minister
in the whole Government, and he (for what Reasons I know not) had no
great Faculty of influencing the People, and is lately removed thence;
so that much Religion cannot be expected among a Collection of such
People as fly thither from other Places for Safety and Livelihood, left
to their own Liberty without Restraint or Instruction.
Many there have I (with Sorrow) seen ten or fifteen Years old, who have
never had the Opportunity of Baptism, which they joyfully receive.
_Col. Frederick Jones_, one of the _Council_, and in a good Post, and of
a good Estate in _North Carolina_, before his Death applied to me,
desiring me to communicate the deplorable State of their Church to the
_late Bishop of London_; assuring me that if the Society for propagating
the Gospel in Foreign Parts would contribute and direct them, the
Government there would join in establishing by Law such Maintenance as
might be sufficient for some Clergymen to settle among them.
I acted according to his Request, but never heard of the Event of this
Application.
For Want of Clergy the Justices of the Peace _marry_, and other Laymen
perform the _Office of Burial_.
The common _nominal Christians_ live there not much better than
_Heathens_; the pious Endeavours of the Society having been frequently
disappointed either by their not having full Knowledge of the Country
and People (and so pursue not the most proper Methods) or else because
they have had the Misfortune sometimes to pitch upon Persons, that have
not answered the End of their Calling and Mission.
By these Means the State of the Church in _North Carolina_ is very
miserable; which is of greatest Moment, and requires the most charitable
Direction and Christian Assistance; not only for the Conversion of the
_Indians_ and _Baptism of Negroes_ there, but for the Christening and
Recovery to the Practical Profession of the Gospel great Numbers of
_English_, that have but the _bare Name_ of God and Christ; and that too
frequently in nothing but vain Swearing, Cursing, and Imprecations.
May all these vast Countries grow in Grace, and encrease in spiritual
Blessings, and temporal Prosperity.
May all the _Ends of the World_ see and pursue rightly the _Salvation of
God_, and know and believe that there is _none other Name given under
Heaven, by and thro' whom they may be saved, but only the Name of Jesus
Christ_.
May God's Kingdom be established in the true Church _in America_, as
well as _England_; and may it be truly said, _blessed be the Lord God
of_ Shem; for his is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and
ever. _Amen._
APPENDIX.
It being observed by some Gentlemen of Distinction, that in the
foregoing Account of _Virginia_, I hinted at some Things, wherein
Addition, Alteration, or Improvement of some Methods and Laws, seem'd
absolutely requisite for the Advancement of Religion and Learning, and
the Promotion of Arts and Trade; it was therefore thought not improper
to annex the following Schemes upon those Subjects; wherein I deliver my
Sentiments in as free and plain a Manner as I can, specifying what
Redundancies or Deficiencies occur to my Opinion; and humbly
recommending such Measures as my Imagination dictates to be most proper
for the Interest and Prosperity of _Virginia_, &c. in Conjunction with
the publick Good of _Great Britain_.
The first of these Schemes, I submit with the greatest Humility, to the
candid Censure and Consideration of his Grace the Archbishop of
_Canterbury_, to whose Protection _Virginia_ Learning and Education
ought to be recommended, as he is Chancellor of the College of
_William_ and _Mary_.
The next Scheme most properly claims the favourable Patronage of the
Lord Bishop of _London_, to whose careful Management the Church of
_Virginia_ belongs.
The two last are more particularly offered to the Perusal of the Lords
Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, and the worthy _Virginia_
Merchants.
But forasmuch as _Virginia_ is the Scene of Action for all these
Schemes, therefore is each of them humbly presented to the _Virginia_
Gentry; particularly to the honourable the Lieutenant Governor, the
Council, the House of Burgesses, the Clergy and the President, Rector
and Governors of the College of the most antient and loyal Colony of
_Virginia_.
If any thing here offered be dislik'd, I willingly shall submit to
censure when disproved and confuted; mean while hope that nothing here
mentioned or proposed will be taken amiss, since this Work was purposely
undertaken with a sincere Intention of publick Good; therefore I have
Expectation that it will find a kind Reception with all
publick-spirited, and unprejudiced Persons.
SCHEME I.
_Of Education in_ Virginia.
The Royal Founders of _William_ and _Mary_ College, with Prospect of
doing the greatest Good for the Colonies of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_,
conferred this princely Donation upon them; and were seconded with the
ample Benefaction of the honourable Mr. _Boyle_, and the Contributions
of the Country. But this underwent the common Fate of most other
charitable Gifts of this Kind, having met with several Difficulties to
struggle with in its Infancy; but the most dangerous was, that it was as
it were no sooner finished, but it was unfortunately and unaccountably
consumed to Ashes. Yet observe the wonderful _Turns_ of Fortune, and
Power of _Providence_. This College, _Phoenix-like_, as the City of
_London_, revived and improved out of its own Ruins. But though it has
found such unexpected Success, and has proved of very great Service
already; yet is it far short of such Perfection, as it might easily
attain to by the united Power of the Persons concerned about this
important Foundation.
For it is now a College without a Chapel, without a Scholarship, and
without a Statute.
There is a Library without Books, comparatively speaking, and a
President without a fix'd Salary till of late: A Burgess without
certainty of Electors; and in fine, there have been Disputes and
Differences about these and the like Affairs of the College hitherto
without End.
These Things greatly impede the Progress of Sciences and learned Arts,
and discourage those that may be inclined to contribute their Assistance
or Bounty towards the Good of the College.
Nevertheless the Difficulties of this Kind might be removed by some such
Regulations as follow, _viz._
Let none be permitted to teach School in any Parish, but such as shall
be nominated by the Minister and Vestry, and licensed by the President
of the College.
Let such Lads as have been taught to read and instructed in the Grounds
of the _English_ Language in those Schools, be admitted into the
_Grammar_ School at the College, if they pass Examination before the
President and Masters; together with such Youth as shall be sent from
_Maryland_, who have a Right to be educated at this College.
Provided always that the Number of _Grammar_ Scholars shall never exceed
one Hundred.
Let them be boarded and lodged in the Dormitory, as they are at present;
or upon such Terms as may from Time to Time seem most proper to the
President and Masters, or to the Governors, till a Transfer be obtained.
These Lads should be two Years under the Care of the Usher, and two more
under the _Grammar_ Master; and by them instructed in _Latin_ and
_Greek_, in such Methods as the President and Masters shall direct.
And during these four Years, at certain appointed Times they should be
taught to write as they now are in the Writing-School, or in such
Methods as the President and Masters may judge better: There also should
the Writing Master teach them the Grounds and Practice of Arithmetick,
in order to qualify such for Business, as intend to make no farther
Progress in Learning.
Out of the _Grammar_ School should be yearly elected by the President
and Masters [or Professors] five Scholars upon the Foundation, who
should be allowed their Board, Education, and Lodging in proper
Apartments _gratis_; and should also be provided with Cloaths and Gowns,
_&c._ after the Charter-House Method.
These Scholars should continue three Years upon the Foundation; during
which Time, at appointed _Terms_ they should be instructed in Languages,
in Religion, in Mathematicks, in Philosophy, and in History, by the five
Masters or Professors appointed for that Purpose; who with the _Grammar_
Master make up the Number appointed by the Charter.
Besides the Scholars, the Professors should for a certain Sum instruct
such others as may be enter'd Commoners in the College out of the
_Grammar_ School, or from elsewhere, by the Approbation of the President
and Masters, who should be obliged to wear Gowns, and be subject to the
same Statutes and Rules as the Scholars; and as Commoners are in
_Oxford_. These should maintain themselves, and have a particular Table,
and Chambers for their Accommodation.
For to wait at the four high Tables hereafter mentioned, there should be
elected by the President and Masters four Servitors, who should have
their Education, and such Allowances, as the Servitors in _Oxford_.
Such Scholars, Commoners, and Servitors, as have behaved themselves
well, and minded their Studies for three Years, and can pass proper
Examination, and have performed certain Exercises, should have the
Degree of a Batchellor of Arts conferred upon them; should eat at a
Table together, and be distinguished by a peculiar Habit; maintain
themselves, be subject to certain Rules, and pursue proper Studies;
being allowed the Use of the Library as well as the Masters, paying
proper Fees upon their Admission for the Good of the Library.
Out of these Batchellors should be yearly elected by the Presidents and
Masters, one Fellow to be allowed 20 _l._ for his Passage to _England_,
and 20 _l. per Ann._ for three Years after his speedy Entrance and
Continuance in some certain College in _Oxford_ or _Cambridge_; after
which he should commence Master of Arts; which Degree, with all others
in our Universities, should be conferred in the same Manner in this
College by the President and Masters.
Out of the Graduates above Batchellors should the Masters or Professors
be chosen by the Election of the said Masters or Professors, with the
President; who also every seven Years should chose a new Chancellor, to
whose Determination all Disputes and Differences should be referred.
And when the President's Place is vacant, it should be filled by such of
the Masters as has belonged first to the College.
A _Testimonium_ from this College should be of the same Use and Force as
from others in our Universities.
If the present Fund be insufficient to defray the Expence, proper
Improvement should be made of the Revenue, and Application made for
additional Benefactions.
A Body of Statutes should be directly formed and establish'd by the
Visitors, President, and Masters; and a _Transfer_ of the Trust should
be then made.
Such an Establishment would encourage the bright Youth of _Virginia_ to
apply to their Studies, and in some Measure would compel them to improve
themselves; whereas now being left to their own Liberty, they proceed
but superficially, and generally commence _Man_ before they have gone
through the _Schools_ in the College. Here too would be great
Inducements for their Friends to advise and persuade them to go through
with their Learning; when they are certain, that they will thus be
regularly improved, and have Prospect of a cheap Education, and Hopes of
the best Preferment in their Country in Church and State; and have equal
(if not superior) Chance with others for Promotion abroad in the World;
being bred compleat Gentlemen and good Christians, and qualified for the
Study of the Gospel, Law, or Physick; and prepared for undertaking
Trade, or any useful Projects and Inventions.
As for the Accomplishments of Musick, Dancing, and Fencing, they may be
taught by such as the President and Masters shall appoint at such
certain Times, as they shall fix for those Purposes.
'Till these Regulations (or the like) be made, Matters may be carried on
as they are at present; only to me there seems an absolute Necessity now
for a Professor of Divinity, in order to instruct the _Indians_ and
_English_ Youth there in the Grounds of Religion, and read Lectures of
Morality to the senior Lads, and to read Prayers and preach in the
College as Chaplain: This I am certain is very much wanting, and what
the present Income of the College with good Management will easily allow
of; therefore I hope particular Notice will be taken hereof.
There is as yet no great Occasion for the Hall, so that it might be made
a Chapel and Divinity-School, for which Purpose it would serve nobly
with little or no Alterations.
As there is lately built an Apartment for the _Indian_ Boys and their
Master, so likewise is there very great Occasion for a Quarter for the
Negroes and inferior Servants belonging to the College; for these not
only take up a great deal of Room and are noisy and nasty, but also have
often made President and others apprehensive of the great Danger of
being burnt with the College, thro' their Carelessness and Drowsiness.
Another thing prejudicial to the College, is the Liberty allowed the
Scholars, and the negligent Observance of College Hours, and the
Opportunity they have of rambling Abroad.
To remedy this, there is wanting some Contrivance to secure the Youth
within the College at certain Hours; which has hitherto been in vain
attempted, because of the many Servants lodged in the College, and the
several Doors and Ways to get out of it.
Likewise the Privileges and Apartments of the President and Masters, and
House-Keeper, _&c._ ought to be fix'd and ascertain'd; for these being
precarious and doubtful, upon this Account has arose much Difference and
Ill-Will, to the great Scandal of the College, and Detriment of
Learning.
Little additional Charge would put the Government of the College upon a
much better Footing; whereas at present it scarcely merits the name of a
College.
As for Election of a Burgess in Pursuance to a Clause in the Charter, he
ought to be chosen by the President and as many Masters as there shall
actually be at any Time.
The Charter mentions six Masters or Professors, but does not specify the
Professions; it directs to the making of Statutes and founding
Scholarships, but the particulars are left to the Discretion of the
Managers; and some such Establishment as this here mentioned may not be
improper, especially if for greater Encouragement the Surveyors of each
County were to be appointed by the President and Masters, out of such as
have taken a Batchellor of Arts Degree there; and if also the Governor
and Council were to elect a certain Number of Batchellors for Clerks
into the Secretaries Office; out of which Clerks attending and writing
there at certain Times, the County Clerks should be appointed by the
Secretary.
The Office of the President would be to govern the College, be
Treasurer, and Censor, and have a casting Vote in all Debates.
The six Professors or Masters would be
{ Divinity, who should be Chaplain and Catechist.
{ Mathematicks.
{ Philosophy.
one for { Languages.
{ History.
{ Humanity, who should be _Grammar_ Master.
The under Masters would be the Usher, the _Indian_ Master, and the
Writing-Master.
The Town Masters must be such as occasion requires, for Fencing,
Dancing, and Musick.
There would be three _English_ Fellows.
There would be fifteen Scholars, and a sufficient Number of School-Boys
for a constant Supply.
Besides a Number of Batchellors and Masters of Arts, who would wait till
they came in Fellows or Professors, or got to be made Surveyors or
County Clerks.
For all this there might easily be contrived Room in the College,
especially if a Hall was built in the Place intended for the Chapel.
As also would there be Room enough for the House-Keeper, Officers, and
Servants; especially if a Quarter was built for the Negroes, _&c._
The Tables might then be distinguish'd into four higher or four lower,
_viz._
The upper Table for the President and Masters.
The second for the Masters of Arts, _&c._
The third for the Batchellors of Arts.
The fourth for the Scholars and Commoners.
The four lower Tables should be
The first for the House-Keeper, and the upper School-Boys.
The second for the Usher, Writing-Master, and the lower
School-Boys.
The third for the Servitors and College Officers.
And the last for the _Indian_ Master and his Scholars.
This Regularity might easily be effected, and would prove not only
decent and creditable, but also useful and advantageous to the Country
and the College.
The Library is better furnished of late than formerly, by the kind Gifts
of several Gentlemen; but yet the Number of Books is but very small, and
the Sets upon each Branch of Learning are very imperfect, and not the
best of the Sort.
To remedy this Defect proper Application should be made to the Societies
and to the superior Clergy in _England_, who would give at least what
Duplicates they have upon such an useful Occasion; and what necessary
Collection of Books cannot be obtain'd by begging, they may buy as soon
as they shall be able to stock their Library; as a great Help to which I
believe considerable Contributions would be made by the Clergy,
Burgesses, and Gentry of the Country, if upon easy Terms they were
allowed the Use of the Library at certain Hours, at such Times as they
shall be at _Williamsburgh_, either for Pleasure or upon Business.
The Office of Librarian is given to Mr. _John Harris_ the Usher, in
order to make his Place more agreeable to his Merit; and if the Gardener
was made to execute the Office of Porter for his present Salary, it
would be no great Hardship upon him, and would be an Ease to the
College; and for the Benefit and Encouragement of the House-Keeper
several small necessary Pensions and Privileges might be contrived more
than what are at present allowed; so that it might be made well worth
the while of a Person of Integrity, Knowledge, and Prudence, to
undertake and carry on so troublesom an Office.
The greater the Number of Collegians, the greater would be the Gain of
the House-Keeper; so that when the College should be full and compleat
as here directed and wished, the Collegians may be boarded upon easier
Terms; boarded I say; because if any but the President dieted
themselves, it would create Confusion; and if any belonging to the
College but such Masters as have Families were permitted to eat
elsewhere, it would not be worth any body's while to lay in Provision,
when they could not tell what Number they must provide for.
As for the _English_ College Customs of _Commons_, &c. it is thought as
yet more adviseable to board in the College than to keep to those
Methods, till the Country affords better Conveniencies and Opportunities
for so doing.
The _Indians_ who are upon Mr. _Boyle_'s Foundation have now a handsom
Apartment for themselves and their Master, built near the College,
which useful Contrivance ought to be carried on to the utmost Advantage
in the real Education and Conversion of the Infidels; for hitherto but
little Good has been done therein, though abundance of Money has been
laid out, and a great many Endeavours have been used, and much Pains
taken for that Purpose.
The young _Indians_, procured from the tributary or foreign Nations with
much Difficulty, were formerly boarded and lodged in the Town; where
abundance of them used to die, either thro' Sickness, change of
Provision, and way of Life; or as some will have it, often for want of
proper Necessaries and due Care taken with them. Those of them that have
escaped well, and been taught to read and write, have for the most Part
returned to their Home, some with and some without Baptism, where they
follow their own savage Customs and heathenish Rites.
A few of them have lived as Servants among the _English_, or loitered
and idled away their Time in Laziness and Mischief.
But 'tis great Pity that more Care is not taken about them, after they
are dismissed from School.
They have admirable Capacities when their Humours and Tempers are
perfectly understood; and if well taught, they might advance themselves
and do great Good in the Service of Religion; whereas now they are
rather taught to become worse than better by falling into the worst
Practices of vile nominal Christians, which they add to their own
_Indian_ Manners and Notions.
To prevent this therefore, let there be chosen continually four _Indian_
Servitors out of the _Indian_ School, as the other four out of the
_Grammar_ School.
Let these be maintained in the _Indian_ House, and wait upon the four
lower Tables: Let them be instructed as the other Servitors, or as their
Genius most aptly may require, but particularly in Religion; and when
they are found qualified let them be sent to _England_, or placed out to
Captains of Ships or Trades, as the Mathematical Boys in
_Christ-Hospital_, for a few Years; then let them return and be allowed
a small Exhibition, and encouraged in their separate Callings and
Occupations; and let them settle some among the _English_, and others
return to their own Nations.
Undoubtedly many of them would become excellent Artists and Proficients
in Trade; and thus when Reason and Experience has convinced them of the
Preference of our Religion and Manners, certainly they may not only save
their own Souls; but also be extreamly instrumental in the Conversion of
their barbarous Friends and Relations.
In proceeding thus, any that seem capable or inclinable to study
Divinity, should by all Means be encouraged and forwarded in it, and
sent over for a small Time to one of our Universities with an Allowance
of _a Fellow_; after which, if such were admitted into Orders, and then
sent out Missionaries among their own Country-Folks, what great Good
might we not expect from such, when throughly converted and instructed
in Christianity, and made truly sensible of the Advantages of Religion,
the deadly State of Infidelity, and the miserable Lives and Customs of
the _Indians_?
In a Work of this Kind undoubtedly several good Christians would
contribute their charitable Assistance; 'till which the present Fund
should be applied in this Method, though the Managers should be obliged
to reduce the Number of _Indian_ Scholars upon this Account; since this
was the main Intent of the Benefaction, and no other Method can well
answer this Design; which may be evidenced by Experience both from the
Colleges of _Virginia_ and _New England_ too, as I have been credibly
informed from good Authors, as well as my own Experience.
By such Methods in Process of Time might the _Indian_ Obstinacy be
mollified, their seeming Dulness might be cleared from Rust; and the
Gates of Heaven be opened for their Admission upon their perfect
Conversion to the Faith of Christ. In such glorious Designs as these
neither should Humour, Interest, nor Prejudice divert any from their
charitable Assistance therein, especially such as are concerned in
Affairs of this Kind, and engaged by Duty to lend their best Aid in
_leading_ the Infidels into the Pale of Christ's Church, and making them
by mild and most gentle Measures to accompany his Flock; since all the
Force in the World would rather _drive_ them from, than guide them, to
the Congregation of the Faithful and Communion of Saints.
By some such prudent and mild Methods alone may they be made to live and
die as true Christians, and not like the most savage Brutes, as they
generally do.
_Thus far_ as to the Education of the young Men in _Virginia_, and the
Instruction most proper for the _Indians_; and as for the Negroes each
Owner ought to take Care that the Children born his Property, and all
his intelligent adult Negroes be taught their Catechism and some short
Prayers, be made to frequent the Church and be baptized, and hindered as
much as may be from Swearing, Lying, Intemperance, Prophaneness, and
Stealing and Cheating.
Finally, as to the Education of Girls, it is great Pity but that good
Boarding Schools were erected for them at _Williamsburgh_ and other
Towns.
SCHEME II.
_Of_ Religion _in_ Virginia.
It is an Opinion as erroneous as common, that any sort of Clergymen will
serve in _Virginia_; for Persons of immoral Lives, or weak Parts and
mean Learning, not only expose themselves, but do great Prejudice to the
Propagation of the Gospel there; and by bad Arguments or worse Example,
instead of promoting Religion, become Encouragers of Vice, Profaneness,
and Immorality. Whereas were such confined to the narrow Limits of a
Parish or two in _England_, where their Knowledge and their Name would
scarce extend farther than the Circumference of their own Country; then
neither could their bad Learning nor Example propagate so much Mischief,
as when sent Abroad into the World among bright and observing People.
Neither do they want quarrelsom and litigious Ministers, who would
differ with their Parishioners about insignificant Trifles, who had
better stay at Home and wrangle with their own Parishes, which is not so
great a Novelty here as there. Neither would they have meer Scholars and
Stoicks, or Zealots too rigid in outward Appearance, as they would be
without loose and licentious Profligates; these do Damage to themselves,
to others, and to Religion.
And as in Words and Actions they should be neither too reserved nor too
extravagant; so in Principles should they be neither too high nor too
low: The _Virginians_ being neither Favourers of Popery nor the
Pretender on the one Side, nor of Presbytery nor Anarchy on the other;
but are firm Adherents to the present Constitution in State, the
_Hanover_ Succession and the Episcopal Church of _England_ as by Law
established; consequently then if these are the Inclinations of the
People, their Ministers ought to be of the same Sentiments, equally
averse to papistical and schismatical Doctrines, and equally free from
_Jacobitish_ and _Oliverian_ Tenets. These I confess are my Principles,
and such as the _Virginians_ best relish, and what every good Clergyman
and true _Englishman_ (I hope) will favour; for such will never refuse
to say with me
_God bless the Church, and_ GEORGE _its Defender,
Convert the Fanaticks, and baulk the Pretender_.
For our Sovereign is undoubtedly the Defender and Head of our national
Church of _England_, in which Respect we may pray for the _King and
Church_; but Christ is the Head of the Universal or Catholick Church, in
which Respect we wish Prosperity to the _Church and King_.
Clergymen for _Virginia_ should be of such Parts, Tempers, and Notions
as these. They likewise should be Persons that have read and seen
something more of the World, than what is requisite for an _English_
Parish; they must be such as can converse and know more than bare
Philosophy and speculative Ethicks, and have studied Men and Business in
some measure as well as Books; they may act like Gentlemen, and be
facetious and good-humour'd, without too much Freedom and
Licentiousness; they may be good Scholars without becoming Cynicks, as
they may be good Christians without appearing Stoicks. They should be
such as will give up a small Matter rather than create Disturbance and
Mischief; for in all Parishes the Minister as well as the People should
pass by some little Things, or else by being at Variance the best
Preaching may have the worst Effect; yet they must not condescend too
far, nor part with a material Right, but must be truly zealous and firm
in every good Cause both publick and private. There are many such
worthy, prudent, and pious Clergymen as these in _Virginia_, who meet
with the Love, Reputation, Respect, and Encouragement that such good Men
may deserve and expect: However, there have been some whose Learning,
Actions, and Manners have not been so good as might be wished; and
others by their outward Behaviour have been suspected to have been, some
_Jacobites_, and others _Presbyterians_ inwardly in their Hearts.
In _Virginia_ there is no Ecclesiastical Court, so that Vice,
Prophaneness, and Immorality are not suppressed so much as might be: The
People hate the very Name of the Bishop's Court. There are no
Visitations, so that the Churches are often not in the best Repair, nor
as decently adorned as might be; neither in some Places can the Lord's
Supper be administer'd with such holy Reverence as it should be, for
want of proper Materials and Utensils. The Churches being not
consecrated are not enter'd with such reverent Demeanour, as ought to be
used in God's holy Tabernacle.
For want of Confirmation Persons are admitted to the holy Sacrament with
mean and blind Knowledge, and poor Notions of the divine Mysteries of
the Supper of the Lord; which is an Abuse of a thing so very sacred.
In _North Carolina_ and several Parts of _Virginia_ Children are often
neglected to be baptized till they are grown up, and then perhaps may
never know or never mind that they want to be christen'd; and many
esteem it unnecessary.
The Clerks upon several Occasions performing too great a Share of divine
Services, expose the Church to Shame and Danger, and often bring
Contempt and Disdain upon the Persons and Function of the Ministers.
Ministers are often obliged to bury in Orchards, and preach Funeral
Sermons in Houses, where they also generally marry and christen; and as
for Weddings there is no Regard to the Time of the Day nor the Season of
the Year; and in _North Carolina_ the Justices marry.
Now to remedy all these Grievances and Deficiencies, with all Evils of
the like Kind, there is an absolute Necessity for a Person whose Office
upon this Occasion should be somewhat uncommon, till a Bishop be
established in those Parts; who might pave out a Way for the
Introduction of Mitres into the _English America_, so greatly wanting
there. This Person should have Instructions and Power for discharging
such Parts of the Office, of a Bishop, of a Dean, and of an Arch-Deacon,
as Necessity requires, and the Nature of those sacred Functions will
permit; and from a _Medium_ of these three Functions he might be called
Dean of _Virginia_; under whose Jurisdiction _North Carolina_ might fall
for the present, till the Constitution in Church and State there be
better advanced.
This Person should reside in some Parish in _Virginia_, and be obliged
to make a Progress (for the People will not approve of a Visitation)
each Spring and Fall in _Virginia_ and _North Carolina_, as his
Discretion shall best direct him.
As for a Salary for his travelling Expences 100 _l._ _per Ann._ would
suffice; and that this might not bring any new Charge upon the Publick,
there should be no Fees upon any Account, neither should he put them to
any Expence. This Person should be one that is popular, universally
acquainted with the People, their Temper and Manners, and one respected
and beloved by them; and as a farther Encouragement for him, and to
support the Dignity of his Office, he should have a good convenient
Parish in _Virginia_; and in his Absence the Clergymen there should be
obliged to officiate in his Church in Turns, according to their
Seniority in the Country; for the Detriment that the Parishes would
suffer by the Loss of Service in their Churches one _Sunday_ in several
Years would be nothing, when compared with the Advantage they would
receive in Lieu of it.
As a farther Addition to his Salary and Honour, he might be one of the
Masters of the College, particularly Divinity Professor would be most
suitable with his Character and Office, and more convenient for him,
since he might contrive to make his Progress in the Vacation Time.
This Salary of 100 _l._ _per Ann._ might certainly be easily obtained
from the Government out of the Quit-Rents, or otherwise, as the
Commissary's was; which Office and Name has not appeared well-pleasing
to the People and Clergy, for Reasons I can't account for: neither has
it obtained the Power and good Effect as might have been expected.
This Office of Dean might be try'd for a few Years, and the Dean should
be obliged to transmit Home yearly to his Diocesan the Bishop of
_London_ attested Copies of his Proceedings in his Progress; setting
forth the Particulars of the Attempts that he has made, and the Good he
has done, signed by the Justices and Ministers of the Place or County.
The Expence of this Tryal would be but little, but the Good that might
arise from hence might be unspeakable, and there can be no Hurt in it;
no Incroachment upon the Privilege of the People, nor the Rights of the
several Incumbents.
His Office and Duty should be to register all Letters of Orders and
Credentials of Ministers, sent over by the Bishop of _London_, and also
all Collations to Livings. To examine and confirm all Persons before
they be admitted to the Lord's Supper, which Confirmation (or rather
Approbation) might be done without Imposition of Hands in a peculiar
Form, proper for the Circumstances of this Occasion; and the Ministers
should admit none to the Sacrament without his Certificate of this their
Confirmation.
He should be obliged to send the Ministers in his Progress timely Notice
of his Intention, with a printed Form of his Examination and
Confirmation, with Directions for the Minister to prepare and exhort the
Congregation thereto. In his Progress he should preach at such vacant
Churches as he passes by; baptize all Children and others that require
it; and preach up the absolute Necessity of it. He should have Power to
call a Vestry, and there examine whether the Church, _&c._ be in good
Repair, and fit for the Congregation; whether it be sufficiently
beautified and commodiously built and situated; whether there be
Surplices, Communion-Table and Cloth, and all the Utensils required in
the Canons of the Church of _England_.
He should enquire into the Conduct of the Minister; and likewise should
he inspect into the Management of the Clerk, and prescribe him Rules and
Directions in the Execution of his Office, especially where there is no
Incumbent Minister, which very frequently happens in several Places for
Years together.
He should see that the Lord's Supper be duly and decently administered,
encourage People to frequent Communion, and instruct them in the Nature
of that holy Sacrament; and as for Baptism he should see that it be
rightly performed, and by the Bishop of _London_'s Directions should
prescribe the requisite Alteration in the last Clauses of the Form of
Baptism; as also those Alterations wanting in the Prayer for the General
Assembly, instead _of the Prayer for the Parliament_.
He should also visit such Sick as he passes by, and exhort all to a
timely Repentance, and not (as they too often do) to defer that and the
Sacrament till Death.
He should persuade and advise People as much as may be to christen,
marry, and bury at Church. He should likewise enquire if there be any
notorious and scandalous Livers, who by their wicked Practices give
Offence to their Christian Neighbours.
He should likewise see that the divine Service be performed regularly
and decently according to the Rubric, and exhort and direct thereto;
with Abundance more of such Things as these, which might easily be done,
if attempted in an easy, mild Manner; which might prove of wonderful
Advantage to the Good of Vertue and Religion.
Though the Office of this Dean should be chiefly to inspect, exhort,
reprimand, and represent, besides Confirming, and doing the common
Offices of a Clergyman; yet should he and the Vestry present at the
County Courts any egregious Default or Omission of the Kinds here
mentioned; but here they should be very tender and cautious not to give
general Offence, for Rigour will soon make such an Office odious to the
People, and then it will be but of little Service.
Presentments of this kind (when any) should be made, given in, and
prosecuted in the common Courts, in the same Form and Manner as common
Presentments are; so that here would be no Innovation in the
Proceedings.
In order to create more Respect for sacred Places and Things, the
Churches and Church-Yards there should be solemnly set apart for that
Purpose by the Dean, by some kind of Form of Consecration suitable to be
used by a Person that is no Bishop, and agreeable to the Occasion of the
Thing, and Nature of the Place.
Such a Person as this might do a vast deal of Good, and reduce the
Church Discipline in _Virginia_ to a much better Method than at present
it is in: For tho' the Church of _England_ be there established, yet by
permitting too great Liberty, and by being too indifferent in many such
Respects as are here specified, great Inconveniences have arose; and we
may certainly expect far greater Detriment in the Church from hence,
unless timely Lenitives and proper Remedies be applied, in the best
Methods that can possibly be devised; some such Methods (I conceive) as
these here proposed may not be esteemed least proper; and if they be
rejected or despised, yet I am persuaded that they are not so
insignificant as some may imagine, and not altogether so despicable as
to be quite disregarded; and not thought worthy of the serious Perusal
of any concerned in Affairs of this Nature.
The Method used for obtaining a Living in _Virginia_, is for the Party
to notify his Intentions of going Abroad to the Bishop of _London_, to
produce sufficient Testimonials of his good Life and Principles,
together with his Letters of Orders; which being approved of, he has
then a Licence, and Certificate, and Credentials to the Governor, with
an Order upon the Treasury for 20 _l._ for his Passage; and upon his
Arrival makes Application for some vacant Parish either to the Governor,
to the Parishioners, or to both; upon whose Approbation he is admitted
their Minister. But Variety of Disputes have arose from the uncertain
Interpretation of the _Virginia_ Laws relating to Livings; and though
the Opinion of the best Council has been procured, yet as their
Sentiments could not sufficiently settle it, so have they directly
contradicted each other. Several of the People insist that they have the
Right of Presentation; and on the other hand the Governor has as
strenuously contested with them for his Right of Presentation in Behalf
of the King; so that several that the Parishes have nominated or elected
have been refused; and on the other Side, many appointed and sent by the
Governor have been rejected with Disdain, Disappointment, and Ill-Will.
These Elections of the People are often disagreeable to the Governor's
Choice, and the People on the contrary will refuse whom they say the
Governor may impose upon them, though he comes directly recommended from
the Bishop; but in my Opinion their Election might be better given up,
suppose they had a Right to it, since it often creates such Disturbance;
and in Process of Time, who knows but they may elect and insist upon
Persons unfit for the Ministry, either for their Learning, Lives, or
Doctrines, and not licensed by the Bishop; and may obstinately refuse
any such as comes regularly, and is presented to the Living by the
Governor.
This Presentation by the Governor, who likewise as Ordinary is to
institute and induct, may be termed a Collation; but there of late were
not above three or four Rectors thus collated, or instituted and
inducted in the whole Colony; because of the Difficulties, Surmises,
Disputes, and Jealousies that arise upon such Accounts. But the Clergy
standing upon this Footing are liable to great Inconveniency and Danger;
for upon any small Difference with the Vestry, they may pretend to
assume Authority to turn out such Ministers as thus come in by Agreement
with the Vestry, who have often had the Church Doors shut against them,
and their Salaries stopped, by the Order and Protection of such
Vestry-Men, who erroneously think themselves the _Masters_ of their
_Parson_, and aver, that since they compacted but from Year to Year with
him as some have done, they may turn off this their Servant when they
will; be without one as long as they please, and chose another, whom and
when they shall think most proper and convenient; which Liberty being
granted them (I believe) some few would be content rather never to
appoint a Minister, than ever to pay his Salary.
Among many Instances of these Kinds of Refusals, Ejectments, and
Elections, I shall only instance that of the ingenious Mr. _Bagge_, who
coming to _England_ for Priest's Orders, after he had been Minister of
St. _Ann_'s for a long Time, was refused by them upon his Return, when
the Governor sent him to his own Parish again; whereas they strenuously
stood by Mr. _Rainsford_, whom they had elected and presented to the
Governor. And Mr. _Latane_, a Gentleman of Learning and Vertue, and well
beloved, was almost ejected, nay was shut out of his Church, only upon
account of a small Difference and Dispute with some of his Vestry. The
main Allegation they had against him was that they could not understand
him, (he having a small Tang of the _French_) tho' they had been
hearing him I think upwards of seven Years, without any Complaint of
that kind till that very Time.
Governor _Spotswood_, to his great Honour be it spoken, always stood up
for the Right of Collation, and was hearty in Vindication of the Clergy,
who, as he professed in a Speech to them, certainly had not only his
Protection but also his Affection; so that it is difficult to be
determined in which Respect he chiefly excelled, either in being a
compleat Gentleman, a polite Scholar, a good Governor, or a true
Churchman.
I speak in Behalf of the Right of Presentations belonging to the Crown;
because my Reason tells me that it is most equitable and most convenient
for the Peace and good Government, and for the Security of the Doctrine
and Discipline of the established Church of _England_.
Many Arguments I know are brought against it, both from apparent Reason
and Interest; but all these might easily be confuted by this following
Remark.
When Churches were built and endowed, as these in _Virginia_, by the
Laity, with the Leave of the Bishop or Ordinary in antient Times, the
Presentations to such Ecclesiastical Benefices were often granted away
to the Families that founded such Donations, as Rewards and
Encouragements of such pious Liberalities; whereas all other Preferments
were invested in the Church: This I take to be the Origin of
Lay-Presentations, when Gentlemen reserved this for the Benefit of some
of their Posterity or Family, who might receive a Maintenance from their
Bounty; which they in Reason ought to do preferable to any others who
contributed nothing towards it.
But though the _Virginians_ built and endowed their Churches, yet I
never could find that they had made any such Reserve; so that the Right
of Presentation must belong to the King their chief Ordinary, who never
granted away to them the Title of Donation, but kept it for himself and
Heirs; so though he gives them Leave to make Parishes and establish
Salaries, yet he still imply'd an Obligation in them to give those
Livings to whom he pleases.
This I take to be the Case, and hope I may be excused for delivering my
Opinion by any that may entertain different Sentiments.
Be the Right invested in which it will, either in the Crown or in the
Country, I am certain that it ought to be determined one way or other;
and if it belongs to the People, yet should there be such Regulations
made as might make the Livings certain, and the Lives of the Clergy as
peaceable as may be.
Were the Establishment for the Clergy in _Virginia_ a little more plain
and regular, even without any additional Augmentation of their Salaries,
I am sure it would be for the Good of the Clergy there, and for the
Encouragement of good and ingenious Men to go over and settle there.
Some Parishes are long vacant upon Account of the badness of the
Tobacco, which gives Room for Dissenters, especially Quakers, as in
_Nansemond_ County; but this might be remedied, either by making the
Payments of equal Value in the other Commodities produced there, or else
by a standing Order, which Governor _Spotswood_ proposed, _viz._ that
the Parishes longest vacant should be in their due Course first
supplied; for then the good and bad would have Ministers alike in their
Turns; but the Ministers must run the Risk of their Lot, though the most
deserving should have the worst Parish, and the most unworthy be best
preferred: but the Value of the Parishes being so nearly equivalent to
each other, this small Difference might easily be made up to good Men
some other way; so that this Method may not be impracticable nor
improper.
Some Parishes are not conveniently divided; in some the Churches are not
commodiously placed, and other Parishes are too large, others too small;
but these and the like Disproportions might easily be remedied by the
general Assemblies, if they unanimously set about such Divisions without
being swayed by private Interest; to do which would tend to the general
Good of the Clergy and Laity; but Works of this Nature, where great
Numbers are concerned, are not effected without great Opposition and
Difficulty.
The Buildings upon the Glebes being Timber soon decay, especially upon
Vacancies; but these should be kept in due Repair continually by the
Vestry: Likewise should the Dimensions and Form of the Dwelling-Houses
and Out-Houses be more particularly determined, and made such as might
conveniently and handsomly receive the Ministers and their Families;
which would be very great Inducements for them to relinquish _England_
for the Certainty of good Livings, good Glebes, good Accommodations, and
a kind Reception. The Expence of building and repairing where most of
the Materials are only an Incumbrance, would be but a Trifle to a
Parish; whereas 'tis a great Expence and Trouble to a Stranger to fit up
the Apartments that he finds, which are generally too small and often
very ruinous. Besides this a small Stock of Hogs and Cattle upon the
Glebes would be of excellent Service to Newcomers, till they can be
better furnished; they being obliged to leave behind them the same
Number of the same Animals. Some Glebes, as that at _James Town_, have
this Convenience, and 'tis Pity but more Parishes followed such
Examples: The prime Cost in stocking their Glebes by Degrees would be
insignificant; and the chief Trouble would be for the Church-Wardens to
receive the Stock from the Executors of one Incumbent, and deliver them
again when there comes another.
Other Difficulties that the Clergy meet with there are the Methods of
Payment, the Laws and Customs being not particular enough in this
Respect; so that sometimes Tobacco cannot be got in Time convenient for
the Minister, or is not delivered at a proper Place for his Interest, or
is not at all good of its Kind, or not of the right Sort, or but very
indifferent, such as the Receivers might have refused, or else is not
pressed hard enough, which is a very great Detriment; and sometimes they
will make the Ministers pay for their Cask, or for collecting, pressing,
rolling their Tobacco, and making it heavy and convenient, and that at
an extravagant Rate; and if a Stranger, fearful of being imposed upon,
takes the Management of his Tobacco into his own Hands, he is at a Loss
how to order it aright, being unacquainted with the Nature of the
Commodity, and the Customs of the Country; and if one Difference arises,
it frequently begets wider, though about those Things which might easily
be settled, and are of but little Value in respect of their
Inconveniency; so that the best way to get sweet-scented Tobacco has
been declared by some to use sweet-scented Words.
Now all this should be determined, to avoid future Quarrels of this
kind, which too frequently proceed from such Causes, by fixing the
Times, Places, and Manner of Payment; together with a Regulation of the
Allowances for collecting, pressing, and making Tobacco heavy and
convenient; with an Injunction for the Payment of none but good and
vendible Tobacco for parochial Dues. Whether the Parish or the Minister
be to allow the Expence thereof, it might easily be determined; and if
both are to join in it, this might easily be settled, by which Means
abundance of Variance would be prevented, and the Incomes would be more
certain, and of a good deal greater Value if the Parish did deliver good
heavy Tobacco with Cask to the Minister, at Places most suitable to his
own Conveniency, which I take to be the Intent of the Law, which was
made for the good Payment of the Ministers. The Charge of this would be
but small to a whole Parish, tho' it often falls heavy upon the
Minister, especially when he meets with sharp or cross People; but in
abundance of Parishes the Inhabitants are so good that they never make
any Dispute about these Things, especially when they like their
Minister; for that he may have any Favour of them that he in Reason may
desire.
The Payment of the Surplus Fees also wants a Regulation; for when
Tobacco is dear, some will pay them in Money, but when cheap they will
pay Tobacco, which does not seem equitable; so that in my Opinion these
Payments should always be made at certain appointed Times and in proper
Methods, either in one or the other, and not left to the Humor or
Discretion of the Debtor, since sometimes there is half in half
Difference.
A Settlement of these Things should be made, either for the Advantage of
the Clergy or People, or else a middle Expedient should be found out;
since the Consequences of Disputes and Variance between Ministers and
their Congregations are generally very pernicious to the Welfare,
Happiness, and Tranquility of both Parties; wherefore Remedies should
be applied in Time, especially in such Cases where Delays encrease the
Danger; when ill Customs in Time pleading Prescription are established
as firm as _Median_ Laws, and propagate such ill Habits in the
Constitution, as are most difficult to be extirpated.
As for the Establishment of Episcopacy in _Virginia_, it would be of
excellent Service, if Caution was taken not to transplant with it the
corrupt Abuses of Spiritual Courts, which the People dread almost as
much as an Inquisition; but these their Fears would soon be dissipated,
when by blessed Experience they might feel the happy Influence of that
holy Order among them, free from the terrible Notions that
Misrepresentations of regular Church Government have made them conceive.
I have often heard that there have been Intentions of this Kind; and
that the main Obstacle was the Difficulty of raising a Salary sufficient
to support the Dignity, and recompense the Labours of a Bishop. But this
Impediment may (I presume) with good Contrivance be easily removed; for
I don't at all question that the superior Clergy and Collegians in the
Universities would refuse to contribute half a Crown a Year for this
glorious Undertaking, or that the Inferiors would join their Shillings.
This might be collected into the Treasury _gratis_, by the Officers of
the Taxes, and might be taken off in a few Years, when upon Tryal the
Usefulness of a Bishop upon the Continent of _North America_ was
confirmed by Experience; for then a Maintenance might be contrived by
other Means very easily, there being spare Land enough to be
appropriated for a Barony. And one skilled in Political Arithmetick may
readily compute what a handsom Income this would amount to with Care in
collecting.
A large Tract of Land claimed by _Virginia_ and _North Carolina_, and
under the Government of neither, rightly called the disputed Bounds, is
a kind of _American Mint_, whither several wicked and profligate Persons
retire, being out of the certain Jurisdiction of either Government,
where they may pursue any immoral or vicious Practices without Censure
and with Impunity. But to end Disputes about it, why might not this be
granted to a Bishop of _Virginia_ and _North Carolina_?
The Occasion of these Disputes about the Bounds depends upon a Mistake
or Difference in two Grants, one fixing the Bounds according to a
certain Latitude, and the other specifying the Bounds (as I take it) to
run Westward from _Roon-oak Inlet_, which proves in a Latitude different
from that before mentioned; so that the List between these Parallels of
Latitude, which is about fifteen Miles broad, and indefinitely long is
disputed, the Governments of _Virginia_ and _North Carolina_ each
pretending a Right to it; but this might easily be settled, either by
finding out the true Meaning of the Grants, or what was the Occasion of
the Error, and then determining the Bounds from thence; or if this (or
what is before-mentioned) cannot be done, the Mathematical Professor, or
some other, should be imployed to split the Difference between them,
rather than have continual Disputes between the two Governments, to the
great Detriment of the Religion and Trade of both of them.
No regular Church Government or Salaries have been yet made for the
Clergy in _North Carolina_; but to bring this about, Representations
should be made to the Proprietors; their Directions obtained to the
Governor and Assembly there for their Assistance for this Purpose, in
Conjunction with the Missions, that, by proper Applications, I presume
may be continued from the Society, especially when they are assured that
Measures will be taken to prevent their pious Endeavours to be any more
frustrated there; and besides this I don't think it impracticable for
them to obtain the Impropriation of the two travelling Fellowships, for
Clergymen of a certain College in _Oxford_, to be confined to their
Government for some Years; since at present they have such great
Necessity for Christian Help of this Sort.
Besides, the continual Progress of such a Person as the Dean
before-mentioned for some Years, would be of extraordinary Service in
the present deplorable Circumstances of the Church of Christ in the
Government of _North Carolina_.
SCHEME III.
_Of Arts, Projects, Inventions, and Manufactures in_ Virginia.
It is an undoubted Truth, that in the Multitude of Inhabitants consists
the Welfare, Riches, and Power of any People; especially when all center
in Obedience to the same civil Power, and unanimously join in the
Encouragement of Trade, and industriously unite in the Improvement of
their Manufactures; for then the greater Consumption will be made of
such Things as tend to the publick Good, and the grander Figure will the
Community make, and the greater will be the Exports and Imports of such
Commodities as tend to the Increase of the publick Wealth, and private
Advantage of each particular Member of the Society.
A remarkable Instance of this we have in the _Dutch_, whose Riches and
Grandeur arose from the Increase of their Inhabitants, from their
industrious Improvement of Projects, Inventions, and Manufactures at
Home and Abroad, and carrying on the greatest Trade with indefatigable
Application.