and more useful Arts and Projects be promoted there, than hitherto have
been. Not that this would be in order for the publick Good of _Virginia_
alone, but of all the _British_ Empire in general; in that there might
be imployed all the idle and superfluous Persons, who for want of
Employment or Aversion to Business, prove as dead Members of the whole
Body; or else by Immorality and Villany prove noxious to others,
destructive to themselves, and a Scandal to Mankind.
What Shoals of Beggars are allowed in _Great Britain_ to suffer their
Bodies to rust and consume with Laziness and Want? And besides Strowlers
what Number of Poor are burdensom to most Parishes? How do our Streets
and Highways swarm with Rogues, and how are we over-stocked (as they
say) with vast Numbers of People of all Trades and Professions? But for
all and more than these might Work enough be found in our Plantations,
where they might be imployed in the Benefit of their Country, for the
Advantage both of the temporal and spiritual Concernments, by being kept
to Business, and getting Money in an honest Way.
It is a monkish Opinion too prevalent with many still, that there is no
good Living without the Bounds of their own Cloyster. And Abundance of
_English_ entertain the _Chinese_ Notion, that they are all Fools and
Beggars that live in any Country but theirs. This home Fondness has been
very prejudicial to the common Sort of _English_, and has in a great
Measure retarded the Plantations from being stock'd with such
Inhabitants as are skilful, industrious, and laborious.
For these Reasons, such Persons of Sense and Resolution as have entered
into Projects for Improvements in the Plantations (who have evinced us,
that all Schemes are not Bubbles) have been obliged for the generality
to make Use of the worst and vilest of Mankind, for the Execution of the
noblest and most useful Undertakings; tho' indeed continually several
People of Sense, Vertue, and Fortune, entertaining tolerable good
Notions of these Affairs, have embarked themselves and Families in such
laudable and useful Designs: But for the generality, the Servants and
inferior Sort of People, who have either been sent over to _Virginia_,
or have transported themselves thither, have been, and are, the poorest,
idlest, and worst of Mankind, the _Refuse of Great Britain_ and
_Ireland_, and the _Outcast of the People_.
These Servants are but an insignificant Number, when compared with the
vast Shoals of _Negroes_ who are imployed as Slaves there to do the
hardest and most Part of the Work; the most laborious of which is the
felling of Trees and the like, to which kind of Slavery (if it must be
so called) our Wood-Cutters in _England_ are exposed; only with this
Difference, that the _Negroes_ eat wholsomer Bread and better Pork with
more Plenty and Ease; and when they are Sick, their Owners Interest and
Purse are deeply engaged in their Recovery, who likewise are obliged to
take all the Care imaginable of the Children of their Slaves for their
own great Profit; so that the _Negroes_, though they work moderately,
yet live plentifully, have no Families to provide for, no Danger of
Beggary, no Care for _the Morrow_.
But to me it seems to be more Prudence and Charity for our own Poor and
Vagabonds to be there imployed and provided for, than for us to maintain
and use such great Numbers of _Africans_. If we can do better without
them certainly we should forbear importing so many (though this may
interfere with the Interest of some), since it would advance the Good of
the Publick; and that we may be without them is plain, since we have
Rogues and Idlers enough of our own to do the same Work, to which if
they were compelled by mild Methods, it would ease the Publick of a
great deal of Charge, Trouble, and Loss, and would highly tend to the
Advancement of the temporal and spiritual Happiness of our _Poor_, and
be very instrumental in the Suppression of Theft and Villany, and for
the Reformation of the most Profligate. Thousands of poor, honest,
unfortunate People of all Trades and Occupations might be there imployed
for the Support of themselves and Interest of Trade, that can find
neither Work nor Maintenance for themselves and Families at Home; and
such as had rather stroll or steal here, might be confined by mild Force
to moderate Labour there, sufficient to support themselves, and benefit
their Imployers.
The _British_ Trade may easily vend their Effects and Manufactures; and
_Virginia_, with the neighbouring Plantations, is capacious enough for
their Reception, plentiful for their Maintenance, and abound with most
Conveniences and Materials for most Kinds of Imployments; where several
Things, upon Account of the Goodness of the Climate, and Fertility of
the Country, may be produced with less Labour and more Plenty than in
_Great Britain_; and innumerable Commodities might there be made by our
own People, that are now imported at extravagant Prices, and excessive
Toil and Danger from other Nations: Nay, we might supply other Nations
with most of those Things which we now fetch from Abroad; so that though
our _Imports_ might decrease a little, yet would our Exports be
abundantly augmented, which undoubtedly would tend much more to the
Advantage of our Country: Even our own _home_ Consumption in most
Respects might be raised much cheaper and better in the Plantations than
here; especially such Things as are with great Toil and Cost forc'd (as
it were) unnaturally out of barren Ground, improper Soil, or a
disagreeable Climate; and the Land and People in such Places might be
occupied in more proper Business, and for more useful Purposes.
But the common People here have such a vain Fondness for their own
Country, and such despicable Notions of _Virginia_, &c. and are under
such dreadful Apprehensions of the imaginary Slavery of the Plantations,
that they choose for the most Part rather to steal, beg, or starve, than
go _Abroad_ to work; and in the mean Time the Magistrates and our Laws
are so mild to them, that like as _Pharaoh_'s lean Kine devoured the fat
ones, they grievously oppress and molest the Rich and the Honest.
But certainly Means might be invented and practised for easing our
Nations of these Burdens, for promoting our Trade and Plantations by
their Industry; and not for the Oppression (whatever some may imagine)
of the Poor and Needy, but for their Maintenance and Felicity. And I
believe this may be done without putting any Stop to the Importation of
_Negroes_, rather than fail, since they might be kept on in their
present Course of Life and Business; only they must raise more _Stock_
and Grain for the Support of the additional _English_, who should stick
solely to the Arts and Employments to which they were bred, or in which
they are most expert. Indeed while Tobacco is the only _Staple_
Commodity of any Consequence to Virginia, the Country may be easily
over-stock'd with _Negroes_, because the Trade can't find _Vent_ for
near all the Tobacco that so many _Hands_ will make; so that the Market
being over-charged, is thus spoiled; for too much of any Commodity is as
bad, if not worse, for the Planter, the Merchant, and the Publick, than
too little. For which Reason the Honourable the Assembly of _Virginia_
has from Time to Time endeavoured to make prudent Provision against
raising too much Tobacco.
For this Cause they lately had a Duty of 5 _l._ a Head for every new
_Negroe_, which Law in a great Measure is now revived; and though this
Addition in the Price of a _Negroe_ made no sensible Decrease in the
Number imported; yet it did this good, _viz._ it brought a great Sum
into the Treasury of the Country, which they have ready to disburse upon
any noble Occasion; such as their late Donation to the College, to
_Williamsburgh_, and their additional Reward for the Apprehension of
Pyrates.
Besides their Attempts for the Prevention of too many _Negroes_, they
have a Law against _Seconds_, which is most serviceable in confining
the Quantity of Tobacco to its proper Bulk. The Intent of this Law is
to prohibit all Persons from manufacturing a second Crop from the Leaves
that sprout out from the Stalk after the first Leaves are cut off; with
a Penalty upon the Offender, and a Reward for the Informer.
The Tobacco and the _Negroe_ Trades might be carried on after the
present Methods, or with any such Regulations as may seem more proper to
those concerned in these Affairs; without any Hindrance to Arts,
Handicrafts, useful Inventions and Cultivations in _Virginia_, for the
Interest and present Trade of the Plantations and _Great Britain_ would
not interfere with such Projects; but on the contrary they would highly
contribute to the mutual Support of each other, with prudent Management
and Care.
The main Difficulty, Trouble, and Expence will chiefly consist in
sending over such Persons as are before-mentioned, and afterwards in
finding them Habitations, Maintenance, and Work when they are settled in
_Virginia_, during the Term of their Service; and after they are free,
with a Livelihood and Imployment for their Posterity.
There can be no Injury in such moderate legal Compulsion as forces
People to be honest and industrious, though it be contrary to their
Inclinations or their false Notions, which ought to be subjected to the
publick Good and Opinion of the Community; and restrained and directed
by the civil Power to pursue such Methods as the Legislature shall judge
most convenient for the united Interest of all the Society or Empire.
Upon this Principle it will be esteemed no Hardship upon our
unfortunate, or lazy, poor, idle Vagrants, nor profligate Wretches, if
the Government obliged them to be transported, and then found Work and a
plentiful Support for them and their Families, since this would tend as
well to their private as the publick Good; it would employ our People
who cannot have Work, or that will not voluntarily labour; it would
secure our Houses and our Pockets, it would ease our Parishes, clear our
Streets, Doors, and Roads, and mightily encrease our Manufactures, and
cultivate our vast Tracts of rich Land that are now but Wildernesses
over-run with large Trees, and inhabited by Deer, Wild-Fowls, _&c._
In order for this some such Laws as the following might suffice. As
first, Persons of any Imployment that can produce sufficient
Certificates of their Honesty, and that after due Application they
cannot get Work, or that they have been reduced to mean Circumstances by
Misfortunes, with such like, should be sent over at the Expence of the
Government, which should also allow them Land and Necessaries for their
Settlement; in Return for which they should do such moderate Work for
the Benefit of the Government, as they shall be ordered for the half of
seven Years, to be thus imployed, _viz._ one Day for themselves, and one
Day for the Government; and so on by Turns, observing _Sunday_ as a Day
of Rest and Devotion. And after the Expiration of these seven Years they
should be free, and might work Journey-Work, or for themselves, and
their Land and Houses should be the Inheritance of them and their Heirs
for ever; paying a small Rent or Fine to the Government for it, besides
the Quit-Rent, out of which Rent and the Produce of their every other
Day's Labour might be allowed a sufficient Salary for Centurions or
Persons to inspect into and direct the Work and Behaviour of these
Servants; and the Overplus certainly would not only pay the Money at
first advanced, but would likewise in a few Years bring in a very great
Income.
But if the Government should decline undertaking this in general, yet
might particular Companies take up Land and advance Money as above
specified, which would in all Probability in a small Time tend to their
great Profit; by carrying on to the best Advantage, in the cheapest way,
their several Manufactures and Arts, imploying therein such unfortunate
poor Persons as are expert in their respective Trades or Callings.
How many honest ingenious People might thus get Work, Maintenance, and
even Estates for themselves and Families, who now lie obscured in
Idleness, and almost devoured by Poverty?
In the next Place, as for Vagrants and Beggars, suppose that all such
Persons that are taken wandering above five Miles from their own Parish
(or less upon Occasion) without a _Pass_ from the Minister and
Church-Wardens, specifying their Business, with Leave for a certain
Time, or without being able to give a good Account of themselves and
their present Imployment; should be put immediately by any House-Keeper
into the Custody of a Constable, who should be obliged to carry them
before the next Justice of the Peace to be examined, and committed to
the next _Bridewell_ or Prison, there to work, till at the next
Quarter-Sessions they be ordered for Transportation, except Infants,
aged and disabled Persons, who should be sent Home to, and maintained by
their own Parishes, if discoverable, or else at the County Charge. These
should serve seven Years for their Maintenance without Wages, with
somewhat less Perquisites and Privileges than those above-mentioned in
all Respects, both during their Service and afterwards; however
sufficient Provision should be made for them, though not so good as for
those others.
In this Class should likewise be included all petty Criminals and
_Bridewell_ Birds, all which should be transported at the Expence of the
County to which they belong, as also should all Convicts and Felons; and
in _Virginia_ should there be appointed proper Persons to take Care of
them, manage, and employ them, who should have Salaries for their
Trouble, paid out of the Returns made by the Labour of the Servants
under their Care; and the Overplus, which in a small Time might prove
very considerable, should belong to the respective County that
transported such Servants, by which Means Funds might easily be raised
in every County or Shire to defray all their publick Expences and
Charges, from the Labour of their Rogues and Beggars, without any
Contribution or Tax of honest and industrious People. But to prevent
Disorder and Mischief among such, they that should be sent over for
little or no Faults but Idleness, should meet with all civil Treatment
and Encouragement, when they did their Endeavours, but undergo the
Severities of _Bridewell_ for their Faults or great Neglect. But such
notorious Villains as are sent over in Chains for Robbery or Murder,
_&c._ should be kept a-part, and in Chains still, and be made Servants
for Life, lest they corrupt the rest, or commit greater Robberies or
Murders than ever they did before; which for want of more Care and
greater Confinement of such Rogues too frequently happen, as they are
now managed.
However, this Rigour might be occasionally abated, when any appear to be
proper Objects of Mercy and Charity; but this should be done with the
Leave of the Government _there_, and Care should be taken of them both
as to their Labour and Provision, and Security should be contrived
against any Danger that may proceed from thence.
I cannot here omit mentioning a late Design of seating all Convicts that
should be imported into _Virginia_, in a County by themselves, under the
Care of proper Overseers, who should confine them from doing any Hurt,
and keep them to their Labour, by such Methods as are used in
_Bridewell_.
The Land intended for this new County is very good, and fit to produce
Hemp and Flax, which they were there solely to cultivate and
manufacture; from whence the County was designed to be called
_Hempshire_.
Tho' this Project was never put in Execution, yet I am of Opinion that
something of this Nature would be very advantageous in securing and
employing our Felons, and for our better Supply of Cordage in our Naval
Stores, and making of Linen of all Sorts.
The last Sort of Servants that I should be for sending over to
_Virginia_ (besides such as are sent by the Methods already in Use) are
the greatest Part of the Parish Poor all over _England_, _Wales_,
_Scotland_, and _Ireland_; so that they should be burdened with none but
such as are very old, very young, or else sickly or disabled, which
would prove a very grateful Ease in most Places, where the general
Complaint is the vast Charge of a numerous Poor; all which might easily
be maintained and employed in _Virginia_, in proper Trades, Inventions,
and Projects, and do great Good to themselves and the Publick.
Here might Work be cut out for Thousands that now pretend to want
Business; and many that now thro' Laziness decline Endeavours to support
themselves and Families, would then seek for Employment, and set to
work in Earnest, being frighten'd into Industry and Labour, through the
dreadful Apprehension of being sent to the Plantations; for such as
could not or would not maintain themselves, and all Girls and Boys that
are in no likelihood of doing this, should have their Names returned to
the Justices by the Church-Wardens and Overseers, at the
Quarter-Sessions, who upon Examination should give Orders for their
Transportation; then would the Parish be eased, and might easily have
honest and laborious People enough to do their Business and Work,
without the Charge of Abundance of lazy or poor People.
These should be sent over at the Expence of the Parish, and their Labour
would soon repay the Cost, and the Overplus might be applied for the
Service of the Parish; so that these would soon maintain the rest of
their Poor, and bring _in_ good Gain to themselves and their
Parishioners in Time, if they were under some such Restrictions, and had
some such Privileges as the first Sort of unfortunate People here
mentioned.
But if these Methods of Transportation be thought impracticable, at the
Expence, and for the Benefit of the Government, the Counties, and the
Parishes, yet might other Contrivances be found to transport the People
above specified, besides the Methods now practiced by some to transport
themselves, and by Mr. _Forward_ and some Merchants for sending over
continually all sorts of Servants; but the present Number is but a
Trifle in respect of what might be sent over, were Laws made for the
better Encouragement thereof, and due Regulations made for the
Employment and Provision of such great Numbers as might yearly be sent
over. For when they are there they need not be employed about Tobacco
and Corn, as they generally are, for that might be compleatly managed
by the _Negroes_; but they should carry on other Inventions, Trades, and
Arts, and be confined to follow their own respective Callings and
Occupations wherein they are most artful; and when their Time is served,
better Care might be taken of them, and such Provision and Privileges
allowed them, that they should be obliged to labour and get plentifully
their own Living in an honest Way.
Now when I come to find Employment for all these People, what a vast
Field is presented to View for their Labour? Nine and Twenty large and
fertile Counties, for the most Part thinly inhabited, with Plenty of all
Sorts of the best Provisions and Materials. Most if not all Sorts of
_English_ Husbandry, I know experimentally, may be carried on there with
much less Labour, and far greater Encrease than in _England_: For
Instance, it is common only by howing up the Ground, and throwing Seed
upon it, and harrowing it in, to reap from sixty to eighty Bushels for
one of _English_ Wheat, of a large full Grain with a thin Rind; and I
have had two Tuns off an Acre of Clover, which we may mow twice; and as
for Barley's being burnt up with dry hot Weather, it often has the same
fate in several Parts of _England_; besides more Experience and
Observation of the Seasons, will make People more expert in the
Management of that, and all other Sorts of Grain, or Seeds, and Grass,
that they have not there brought yet to the greatest Perfection. Several
_English_ Farmers have indeed been baulked of their Expectation, in
Attempts of carrying on their Art to great Advantage in _Virginia_; but
this in a great Measure I attribute to their want of Judgment, and too
strict Observance of the _English_ Customs and Times, without making
proper Allowance for the Difference of Soil, Seasons, and Climates;
besides the vast Expence and Trouble, and the long Time required in
clearing the Ground for their Purpose, in building of Barns,
Farm-Houses, _&c._ so that frequently by that Time that they have
brought their Purposes to Perfection, their Patience begins to be tired,
and their Purses are pretty well emptied; so that at last they run into
the rapid Current of planting Tobacco, which they know will bring them
in certain Gain with but little Expence.
Now for the Conveniency of Husbandry, I know a certain Gentleman, who
employs a great Number of _Negroes_ in clearing Plantations, and
planting Corn and Tobacco, as usual, with this Intention, _viz._ When
these _Negroes_ shall have cleared the Land, planted Hedges, and built
Barns and Farm-Houses gradually in a few Years, without any Hindrance to
their Crops, then he proposed to let these Farms with a Stock of Cattle,
_&c._ ready upon them for a small Rent and Fines, to such poor, honest,
skilful Farmers, as he can procure to come and take them, either upon
long Lease or for Lives; and remove his _Negroes_ upon fresh Land to
prepare more Farms. 'Tis Pity but this Project was frequently practised,
for thereby good Estates might be raised in Families; many an
unfortunate Family might retrieve their bad Circumstances, and find
Employment and great Benefit; and all this carried on with the same
Opportunity of Profit from _Tobacco_, as other Gentlemen Planters have;
nay better, in that the _Hands_ would be still tending fresh Ground.
As for Liquors, they might make as good Malt-Drink, and as cheap there
as any where else; and for Cyder I think it surpasses even
_Herefordshire_ it self, for Plenty and Fairness of Fruit, the Trees
thriving and producing wonderfully, yielding a strong and good tasted
Cyder, when well made and managed, especially if kept in good Vaults.
From Peaches is distilled an excellent Spirit in very great Plenty, very
difficult to be distinguished (when well made) from _Citron Water_. This
they call _Persico_, which with many other _Spirits_ might be made there
to turn to a very good Account, and produced in great Quantities from
their numerous large Orchards of Apples and Peaches. Hogs, horned
Cattle, and Sheep thrive and encrease there mightily; and Salt and Casks
being very cheap, vast Advantage might be made more than is, by raising
of great Stocks, and salting up Beef and Pork for victualling of Ships,
and supplying the _West-Indies_ and other Places with Provisions, which
they might afford to do very cheap, did some of the additional Part of
the Servants before-mentioned make it their Business to tend Flocks and
Herds, and provide better and more Food for them in the Winter, than
what they now usually have. As for the Advantage of Woollen
Manufactures, that is so well known, that I shall say nothing in that
Respect, only that there is in _Virginia_ as good Wool as the finest in
_England_; and I doubt not but with good Management the Climate will
produce as fine as any in _Spain_, since the Sheep in both Places are of
_British_ Original; and in my Opinion it would be a great Advantage
(instead of Detriment) to have fine Wool enough of our own to work up,
without being beholden to _Spain_ for it; especially if we consider that
it might either be sent Home to be wrought in _Britain_, or else we
might send over Numbers of our superfluous Cloth-workers to make it up
there into the same Sorts of Goods, as they make in _England_, which
would be much the cheapest way; and then these Goods should be imported
to the Clothiers _here_, who undoubtedly would have _Call_ enough for
what they can make in _Virginia_ and at Home; for if they see Occasion
they need not encrease the Quantity, but only make Use of Plantation
Wool raised by _Britons_, instead of _Spanish Wool_; and the Decrease of
our Exports to _Spain_ might sufficiently be balanced (if not upon
Account of employing Numbers of our own People, yet) by many other Ways.
Neither can I see any Harm in it, if the carrying on Woollen
Manufactures in _Virginia_ by _English_ People that want Employment, the
Quantity of Woollen Goods were thereby encreased; especially such as are
for Home Consumption, and the Use of the Plantations; for then Rich and
Poor would have their Cloths much cheaper; and if the Draper gained less
by his Countrymen, it might be contrived that he should gain more by
Strangers abroad in other Parts of the World.
More might be said as to the Manufactures of Hemp and Flax, than what I
have mentioned of Wool, because we are in a great Measure obliged for
these to foreign Nations, who in Case of War might pinch us prodigiously
more than they do; more particularly to the great Expence and
Inconveniency of our Shipping, the Glory and Bulwark of the _British_
Nations. Here we have enough of good Land lying waste; and at Home we
have People lying idle sufficient to supply us from _Virginia_, with
Ropes, Cables, and Canvas for our Ships of War and Merchandize, with
Linens for wearing and for houshold Use, were Projects set on Foot, and
rightly carried on for so useful and advantageous Undertakings.
Besides this, there is Pitch and Tar enough, which with careful
Management might be made as good, and afforded as cheap, or cheaper,
than any from other Places.
Then as for Oak no Country has finer nor more Plenty; which though it
will not last long enough for Houses, yet it will for Shipping: Witness
the _New England_ Ships built of the same Sort of Wood; and as for Deal
Planks here may be as good as any; and I question if _Gottenburgh_, or
any other Part of _Europe_ can afford us better Pines for Masts and
Yards (especially for Merchants Use) than what grow in _Virginia_ in
several Places in very great Plenty; so that many Ships might be built
there, which would employ Numbers of Shipwrights from _Great Britain_,
and would stand the Merchants in a great deal less Expence, than if they
were built at Home: Nay, we might even build Ships for several other
Nations, and make them turn to a very good Account, without any Risk of
doing Damage to our publick Safety or Interest.
As for Wine, in all Parts of the Country Grapes grow wild and thrive
extreamly, but at present they are almost only Food for the Birds; few
Attempts having been made for the Cultivation of them and making Wines,
except that of Colonel _Robert Beverley_, which was thus: He having
read, seen, studied, and enquired much concerning the Nature of
Vintages, reduced his Knowledge to Practice for his better Experience
and Certainty, in planting a small Vineyard; and having great Prospect
that this would answer his Purpose, he bragged much of it in Publick;
but being bantered by several Gentlemen, he proposed to give each of
them a Guinea down, if they would give him Ten, if he made a certain
Number of Gallons of pure Wine that Vintage; they accepted the
Proposals, and he distributed (I think) one hundred Guineas, made the
Wine according to the Terms agreed upon, and won his Wager; which Money
he afterwards employed in planting more and greater Vineyards, from
which he made good Quantities of Wine, and would have brought it to very
high Perfection, had he lived some Years longer.
His whole Family, even his _Negroes_ drank scarce any thing but the
small Wines, and the Strong is of a good Body and Flavour; the Red that
I have often drank to me seems to have the Taste of _Claret_ and the
Strength of _Red Port_. Not only red Grapes, but also white ones of all
Sorts from _Europe_ produce and grow there to Admiration; an Instance of
which may be seen at Colonel _William Robinson_'s upon _Rappahannock_
River, who has planted out Abundance; and I don't question but he and
other Gentlemen there will follow Mr. _Beverley_'s Pattern; which if
brought to Perfection might tend to an extraordinary good Account, and
not only prove profitable to the Planter, but also advantageous to
_Britain_, even if we could but make small Quantities of Wine there; but
much more beneficial would it be if there could be made Abundance, as in
all Probability there might be, since the Climate and the Soil seem so
extreamly well adapted for that Purpose; especially up towards the Hills
and Mountains, which at present lye waste. Would it not be very
advantageous to our Nations if we could not only raise much Wine for our
own Use, but also sell great Quantities to our Neighbours? And I know of
but two trifling Obstacles in the way; the one is, that the Clusters of
Grapes rarely ripen together, which might be remedied by picking them at
different Times; the other is, that the Birds devour Abundance; but this
might be prevented by Nets, Guns, _Priapus_, and several other
Contrivances. This would employ great Numbers of People, has upon Trial
been proved to answer Expectation, and might bring vast Profit to the
Planter, to the Merchant, and to the Crown.
To encourage this, I know some that intend to let Land for a small
Acknowledgment in Wine. Much the same might be said of Silk, which long
ago has been made there, and is known by Experience to answer the
Expectation of the Silk Men. For Mulberries of all Sorts thrive there to
Admiration, and the Heat of the Summer has been found to agree with the
Nature of the Silk-Worm extreamly well; so that the only Reason that I
know, why the Gentlemen formerly concerned in making of Silk in
_Virginia_ drop'd their Proceedings, was the great Profit that Tobacco
brought them _in_ in those Days; which being raised there _only_, turned
_then_ to an extraordinary Advantage, much better than any other
Project; but now when _so much_ Tobacco is made, and the Gain so much
less than formerly, I can't imagine why the Silk Trade is not there
revived; which I am very positive would turn to a very great Account, if
carried on by good Managers. To this _Nature_ seems to invite us; for
upon the Leaves of the _Chinckapin_ (which seem somewhat like Mulberry
Leaves) I have frequently found a very large Worm not much unlike the
Silk-Worm, only much bigger.
If the Manufacture of Silk was carried on in _Virginia_, every Body
knows what Profit it must bring to make Silk of the Produce of our own
Dominions, in great Plenty, and at cheaper Rates than we can have it
from _Asia_.
Besides, we may observe that the great Numbers of People employed in
this Manufacture, for the most Part, might be the young, the aged, and
the disabled, who could not work at any thing that required hard Labour
or much Stirring.
As for Hops, _England_ might save a great deal of Trouble and Expence,
and employ their People in better Business than Hop-Yards, if
Hop-Grounds were cultivated in _Virginia_, which is much fitter for the
Purpose.
As for physical Plants and Trees, abundance of Poor might be employed in
_simpling_ and collecting Drugs for the Apothecaries Service, which
abound there; such as Sassafras, Saxafras, Snakeroot, with numberless
more, whose Virtue is unknown; and undoubtedly among such various Sorts
of anonymous Plants and Shrubs, there must be many whose Qualities are
strange to the most skilful _Europeans_, tho' many of them be understood
by the _Indian_ Doctors: If it be not the true _Cortex_, yet they have a
_Bark_ very like it in Colour, Taste, and Operation.
I know that Abundance of Sumack is yearly consumed in _England_; but not
being perfect in the Use and Nature of it, I shall only say that it
grows there in great Plenty; and that the _Indians_ have several fine
Colours both for Dying and Painting, that we know nothing of, as to
their Composition and Use; but Enquiry into these Things, and Experience
might, for what any knows, in a small Time turn to a good Account, both
for the publick Advantage, and for the Interest of particular Persons.
I shall say little of Sawing-Mills, since they are already in Use there,
and the great Benefit of them is so well known. Certainly it must be
improper to bestow much Labour and Expence upon that which might easily
be done for a small Cost, and with much quicker Expedition; yet is this
wonderful and useful Invention prohibited in some Parts of _Great
Britain_, upon Account of a few that pretend they can't get their
Livelihood by any other, but the stupid slavish Work of Sawing: But in
my Opinion we might as well prohibit the Use of Boats in all our Rivers,
because it interferes with the Interest of the Carriers, and hinders the
Consumption of great Quantities of Hay and Oats in the Inns. I wonder
that they don't neglect the Use of Horses, Jacks, Handspikes, and Cranes
in his Majesty's Yards, as well as Sawing-Mills; since each of them
abbreviates Labour and lessens the Expence, requiring fewer People than
must be employed, were it not for those Inventions, so much hated by the
common People; but certainly these might be so employed in other
Business, as to get more Money with less Labour. But to return to
_Virginia_, I am certain that if more Sawing-Mills were set up there, it
would bring great Profit to the Owners, employ many People there, and
make Timber for Ships and Houses come at a much cheaper Rate in
_England_, than it now does, without any Loss to the _English_ landed
Gentlemen or Timber Merchants.
Paper-Mills I believe would answer well there; for there are good Runs
of Water with Timber _for nothing_ for building them, and I am sure the
_Negroes_ would supply them with Rags enough for Trifles; to which add
the Advantage of Water Carriage; these need not interfere with the
_English_ Paper-Mills, but only supply us with such Quantities of Paper,
as we buy from foreign Countries.
As for carrying on the Fishing Trade in _Virginia_, though there be
Plenty of Fish there, yet I believe other Countries where Fisheries are
establish'd, and that have little else to mind and depend upon, would
outdo it in this Respect; only more Whales might be taken upon the
_Eastern_ Shore, and bring good Gain to such People as would make it
their Business; and I don't question but the Sturgeons (with the best of
which the Rivers abound) might with good Management and Industry be made
to surpass all others, both for Cheapness and Goodness, for they are
large, fine, and easily taken; nay, they frequently leap, some ashoar
and some in Boats, as I have been very credibly informed.
Upon the Rivers and Creeks are vast large Marshes, which being drained
and secured with mud Walls, would employ abundance of People, and might
be converted into as good Meadows and as large, as those upon the
_Thames_ about and below _London_. Such Meadows are much wanting there,
and would well recompence the Cost and Trouble of the Undertakers of
such noble Projects; besides this would confine the Rivers to their
proper Channels; whereas now they cover for Miles from each Shoar large
Quantities of flat and shoaly Ground, useless and incommodious. However
impracticable or difficult this Task may appear to some, yet I doubt not
but in Process of Time it may be effected.
The upper Parts of _Virginia_ are deprived of the Advantage of Water
Carriage, because the Rivers above the _Falls_ are generally full of
Trees brought down by Land Floods, with some Rocks here and there; but
they might be made navigable, and cleared very easily with small skilful
Labour, for they are generally broad and fuller of Water than our inland
Rivers where Boats and Barges of great Burden can pass; and _Wears_
might be occasionally made there as up the _Thames_; but the main
Difficulty would be at the _Falls_ or Cataracts, where the Water falls
over vast Rocks with an hideous Noise and great Force. Hither Sloops
can come, where the Goods might be landed with Cranes, and then put on
Board the Boats above the Falls; and by the like Methods might Goods be
sent down. But in Time it may be worth while to _turn_ Part of the
Rivers, and make _Locks_ one above another, whereby Sloops might easily
be let down or taken up, and so pass the Falls; like as the large Boats
of Pleasure and Burden are carried with Profit and Ease thro' Vallies
and over Hills quite a-cross _France_, in the wonderful Canal of
_Languedoc_, which was contrived by the late King, in order to make a
Communication from our Seas, to the _Mediterranean_ through the Heart
(almost) of his Kingdom; which Action has added to his Glory as well as
Profit, and brings in a great Income both to the Crown and to the
Undertaker of this most wonderful Work. If in _England_ we will not
follow this Example by making a Communication from the head Branches of
the _Thames_ into the _Severn_, which is very practicable, the Distance
being but a few Miles; yet I question not but in a few Years they will
be obliged to imitate the _Locks_ of _Languedoc_ at the _Falls_ in
_Virginia_.
In the Rocks up _James_ River, and in other Places is found a Stone
resembling a Diamond, much nearer than any Crystal or _Bristol-Stone_,
being very hard and ornamental.
There has been formerly discovered a Sand taken for Gold Dust; and
towards the Mountains are variety of Stones, some seeming to contain
several Kinds of Metals, and others are good for Building; among which
is the Appearance of Abundance of excellent Marble of several Sorts.
Upon the River Sides is cast up by the Tides abundance of black heavy
Sand resembling Smith's Filings; but the Nature and Vertue of this is
unknown as yet: I believe it is washed from some Veins of Mines at the
Bottoms of the Rivers, or is carried down by the Current, as Gold Dust
in _Africa_, from the upper Parts of the Rivers, and from the Rocks and
Mountains.
In several Places is Coal enough near the Surface of the Earth; and
undoubtedly in Time they will either have Occasion or Vent for it, to
supply other Places, if they will not use it themselves; but if Coal
Works were there carried on to Advantage, _Newcastle_ may witness, what
Numbers of Ships and People are employed in such Affairs, and what vast
Profit accrues from thence.
If our Iron Works in _Virginia_ meet with any tolerable Encouragement,
we shall have no Need to apply to _Spain_ and _Sweden_ for Iron, for we
have there enough to stock all _Europe_; and as I have been informed it
surpasses all other Iron in Goodness and Cheapness. This Manufacture
might be carried on without any Detriment to the Iron Merchants and
Makers in _England_; for they might stint the Quantity, have it all
brought into their Hands, and use _themselves_ what they want instead of
foreign Iron, and vend Abroad the Overplus that they may permit to be
made. Certainly this most useful Commodity would come cheaper from our
own Dominions than from other Countries; and in working it from the
_Oar_ to the _Bar_ would employ great Numbers of People that now beg or
steal for their Living. As for working Iron up into Instruments and
Tools in _Virginia_, I believe they would scarce desire so great
Liberty; unless upon Consideration the Gentlemen concerned in such hard
Ware found it to be for the Interest of themselves, their Workmen, and
the Publick, to send over People to make all Sorts of Utensils in Iron
in _Virginia_, where they may have all Sorts of Provisions and Materials
for their Work much cheaper than in _England_; where they may have Land
to settle for little or nothing; where Wood, Oar, and Water Conveniences
are plentiful. What Detriment would it be to work up Iron there, if it
may be done cheaper, and by the same People, who are so numerous in
_England_ that they can (abundance of them) hardly get Work and a poor
Livelihood? But if it will not be granted that Iron shall be _wrought_
in _Virginia_, yet might it be _cast_ there; if _Forges_ will not be
allowed there, yet might _Furnaces_ be encouraged, from whence our
Merchants may be supplied with better and cheaper Iron than from other
Places; and Recompence might easily be made in the Trade to _Spain_ and
_Sweden_, &c. for the Deficiency that would ensue in the Quantities of
Goods exported thither in Exchange for their Iron.
_Virginia_ is justly esteemed one of the most considerable Branches of
the _British_ Dominions; may it then not be thought very hard that the
_Virginians_ should not only be debarred the Favours allowed other
_Britons_; but also have less Privilege allowed them than is given to
foreign Nations? What then may be the Reason why other Nations are
permitted to import their _bar Iron_, whereas the _Virginians_ shall not
make a _Bar_, and must pay the Duty of foreign Iron for all the _pig_
and _sow_ Iron that they make?
I might mention more Projects, that in all Probability would turn to an
extraordinary Advantage, if carried on in _Virginia_; but I presume
these may suffice as a Specimen to shew how useful and easy it is to
promote many Trades, Arts, and Manufactures there, and what Numbers of
poor, idle, and wicked People may there be employed, and get a plentiful
Maintenance and Settlement for their Families, and by their Labour may
enrich themselves, the Planters and Merchants, benefit our Trade,
encrease the Revenue of the Crown, and advance the Interest and Glory of
_Great Britain_, _Ireland_, and all the _English_ Plantations and
Settlements Abroad.
I shall conclude this Scheme with observing, that the People sent over
for such Employments as are here mentioned, when rightly settled, might
have their Provision much cheaper than in _England_, and might have
their Cloths sent over at the best Hand; and might be seated
conveniently on Tracts of Land taken up, bought, or rented by long and
cheap Leases; which besides the Profit of their Labour would secure
Estates for Thousands of poor miserable Wretches, would advance the
Price of Land, and augment the Income of the Quit-Rents.
SCHEME IV.
_Of Trade in_ Virginia.
The Projects before laid down might be put in Execution without any
Impediment to the planting of Tobacco, Corn, _&c._ in the Methods that
are now practised, and without any Loss to the present _Virginia_ Trade,
and Income to the Crown arising from Tobacco, or Decrease of the vast
Quantities of all Sorts of Commodities yearly transported to that large
Plantation. And till such Designs as are here laid down be put in
Execution, or brought to due Regulation and Perfection, it might not be
Cost and Labour thrown away if the _Virginia_ Gentlemen, Traders and
Planters attempted at some, if not all the Things mentioned for their
Advantage in the last Scheme; especially when Tobacco is so very low,
that it is not worth while to plant too much of it, which frequently
happens. They might soon perceive if these Designs would answer
Expectation; and Trials for Experience at their Leisure would not cost
much; for their Experience, I say, rather than their Satisfaction,
because they may be satisfied as to the Practicableness and Usefulness
of most of these Things, from the repeated Proofs that have been already
made in most of these Commodities, together with many more;
particularly Hides, which I forgot to mention, which are now hardly of
any Use or Value there, but might be tann'd very cheap, because of the
Plenty of Bark; and I believe likewise that good Use might be made of
their Sheep and Calf-Skins, which are now of no Value nor Use worth
speaking of. What Numbers would the Manufacture of these Things employ,
and what Advantage would it bring to the Workmen and the Planters?
But I see that these Propositions may raise the loud Clamours of
Thousands of People concerned in _England_, in the Trades belonging to
all the Commodities here spoken of: In Answer to whose various
Objections it may be replied, that all these Things would be wrought by
their own Countrymen, poor Neighbours, or Friends; that it will ease
them of their Poor, Vagabonds, and Villains: That all these Goods are to
be transported to _England_, so that in reality _Virginia_ would be only
as a Yard or Work-House where these Servants and Journeymen would labour
for the _English_; besides several of these Things are such as we are
wholly or in part supplied with from other Nations; and certainly we had
better have Goods of the Produce of our own People and Countries, than
buy them of Strangers, who make them for us; and if too great Quantities
of any kind should be made, more than our own Consumption requires,
surely it will be very advantageous for us, if we can supply other
Nations with such Goods, the best of their Kind, and at the cheapest
Rate. Whenever any of these Projects should interfere with the Interest
of _Great Britain_, by all Means they should be stop'd; and when
particular Trades or Persons might receive Damage by any of these
Projects carried on in _Virginia_, Amends might be made them by some
other Privileges and Advantages in several other Respects. Such Things
should be encouraged _there_, though they made less of several Kinds
_here_; for Abundance of our People and our Land might be employed more
properly in other Things, rather than in what they are; which might be
much more easy to them, more agreeable to their Soil, and more to the
Interest of themselves and the Publick; especially with Respect to such
Things as would be produced better, with less Labour and more Plenty,
with less Expence and more Profit in _Virginia_ than in _Great Britain_.
Such Things certainly might more properly be manufactured there, and our
Land and our People now employed at Home about those Things should be
put to better Uses and Purposes, more suitable and more beneficial both
for the publick and private Interest. These Measures would create no
Alteration in the present Trade and Methods, but would only augment and
add new Advantages and Improvements to our Merchandize and Manufactures:
Instead of being a Hindrance to the present Customs and Methods, it
would promote the Interest and Trade both of _Great Britain_ and
_Virginia_, and the other Plantations. Would it not be for the Good of
Thousands of unfortunate People, besides for the Benefit of _Virginia_,
if Farmers were there well settled, and Husbandry carried on regularly,
and all Sorts of Grain and Grass brought to Perfection; if greater
Quantities of good Cyder and fine Spirits were made there, not only for
their own Use, but for Transportation to the _West-Indies_; nay, and
thro' _England_ to the _Turkish_ Dominions where Wine is prohibited? How
cheap might Ships be there victualled with the best Provision, and what
Quantities of barrelled Pork and Beef might be exported from
_Virginia_, with _Indian_ Corn, Wheat, Rye, _&c._ and be sent to several
Parts of the World, where such Things turn to very good Account for the
Merchant and Farmer? Many indeed have been baulked in _planting and
husbandry_ there; but such have been chiefly _Londoners_, who are
Strangers to Country Business. Any Person may conceive the great Profit
and Use to Trade in general, by having the Marshes turned into Meadows,
the Rivers confined to deep Channels, by Passages being contrived at the
_Falls_, and the upper Parts of the Rivers being made navigable.
_England_ is the Mart and Store-House, whither the Manufactures and
vendible Goods of _Virginia_ for the most Part should be sent; and after
the _English_ have culled what they like and have Occasion for, surely
they are so skilful in Merchandize, that they could vend to other
Countries the Overplus of these Commodities, and reap sufficient Profit
for their Pains. Thus suppose we should have more of the following
Things than our own Use requires, certainly they might easily and
profitably be disposed of to others; such as the leathern and woollen
Manufactures, hempen and flaxen Goods, Pitch, Tar, Timber for Ship and
House-Carpenters, and Cabinet-Makers, Joyners, _&c._ such as Oak, Deal,
Walnut, Hickory, Cedar, Cypress, Locust, and the like, with Masts,
Yards, Ships, and all Sorts of naval Stores, with Planks, Clapboards,
and Pipestaves; and also Hops, Wine, Hoops, Cask, Silk, Drugs, Colours,
Paper, Train Oil, Sturgeon, with various Sorts of Stones, Minerals, and
Oars, with Cord, Wood, and Coals, and Metals, particularly Iron; which
last, if it meets with proper Encouragement, will soon be made extreamly
useful to the Publick.
I shall not insist at large upon the great Profit accruing from the
Goods sold to the _Indians_, and their Dear-Skins and Furs which we buy.
There is Land, Provision, Materials, and all other Requisites for
carrying on these Things to the greatest Perfection and Profit; and must
not Trade and Shipping be wonderfully benefited and advanced, by
transporting to and fro the Persons and Things before-mentioned?
These Projects would tend to the great Interest of the Plantation, as
well as the Good of Thousands of poor or idle _English_, and the
Advantage of the _English_ Dominions and Trade in general; and besides
the Benefits above-mentioned, we may further observe, that by such Means
our inferior People that now are cloathed with Rags, being promoted to
Circumstances that would afford it, would yearly expend vast Sums in
good Apparel, Houshold Goods, _&c._ which they must be supplied with
from _Great Britain_, whereas now they are not only useless, but even
are noxious Branches of our Society; to which Class we may reduce at
least (I believe) 1/20 Part of our People, who might thus be put in a
Method, not only to maintain themselves handsomly and live well, but
likewise by their Consumption of Goods would support Thousands of
Families in the manufacturing of such Commodities as they may have
Occasion for: And the Addition to our publick Riches, which would be
required in the Advancement of the Fortunes and Estates of all these
mean People, would arise from the Encrease of our foreign Trade, in
supplying other Countries with those Commodities, many of which we now
even buy ourselves; so that in Realty these Folks might be maintained
and provided for well at the Expence of foreign Nations, without the
least Charge or Contribution (in effect) of our own Fellow-Subjects.
_Virginia_ was the first Plantation, and is one of the very best and
largest, depending most directly upon the Crown, and bringing most into
the Treasury upon account of the _Customs_ and _Quit-Rents_; therefore
it has the first Title to claim, and a superior Right to demand such
Encouragement, as may tend to the speedy Promotion of its Trade and
Prosperity. This Colony ought first to be brought to its greatest
Perfection, and then the others may crave the like Assistance, in such
Methods as may best suit with their Occasion and particular
Circumstances; so that in their Course continually all the Plantations
might be made constant and sure Receptacles, and find sufficient
Provision and Employment for all our Poor, our Beggars, and our
notorious Rogues; all which might more effectually and expeditiously be
brought to pass, if our Slave Trade were moderated, if not ended, and
exchanged for some other as advantageous for the Merchant, and the
publick Good; for by what I understand since the Plantations are so well
stock'd with Slaves, and they breed and thrive there so prodigiously,
the Company has not gained very exceedingly by slaving of late Years;
but be their Gain much or little, I am persuaded that if fewer Slaves
were imported to _Virginia_, it would be better for the _Virginia_
Planters and Merchants; and with humble Submission I am of Opinion that
the _African_ Traders might prosecute more gainful Adventures than too
much _slaving_.
But I should not pretend to direct in the Regulation of Trade; only I
shall take Leave to make this Observation as to the Trade of _Virginia_,
viz. It is great Pity but that the publick Tobacco were well ordered;
for the Publick, the County, and the Parish Levies might be paid much
better, there being too frequently Deficiencies, both in the Manner of
the Payment, and the Quality of the Commodity.
This with the _Negroe_ Trade is what the Assembly have often considered
and attempted to rectify; in which Respects their strenuous Endeavours
justly merit the Applause and grateful Acknowledgments of all Persons
interested in these Affairs. As for the _English_ Laws and Duties
relating to Tobacco, they are out of my Sphere; only I know that
frequently the Duty is so high, and the Price so low, that it is very
hard for the _Merchant_; and the _Planter_ and the _Smoaker_ get little
or nothing but their _Labour for their Pains and Expence_; for it has
happened that _Planters_, who have had a great Dependance upon their
Years Crop of Tobacco, for the Support of themselves and Families, have,
instead of clearing any thing, been brought in Debt by it, the Charges
and Duties far over-balancing the Price of the Tobacco; so that though
the _Virginians_ are for the most Part very eager at making Tobacco,
which formerly turned to a vast Account, yet of late Years they
sometimes get little or nothing by it, but Trouble and Loss; because of
the great Expence in making and sending it _Home_ to Market, and the
great Duties which are paid out of it, and the small Price that it
usually bears, especially when there is no great Demand and Call for it.
Besides many Frauds having of late Years crept into the Trade, and
Abundance of Tobacco being counterfeited, and more _run_ in some Parts
and Ports of _Great Britain_, the cunning Dealer often by such Means
ruins the fair Trader, by vending his poor damaged counterfeited or run
Goods at a cheap Rate, thus underselling his Neighbour, imposing upon
the Publick, and defrauding the Government; nay, 'tis said that such
have often doubly cheated the Government, first by running Tobacco, or
entering all light Hogsheads at Importation, which in their Language is
called _Hickory-puckery_; and then again by getting a Debenture for
Tobacco that has been run, or entering all heavy Hogsheads for
Exportation, which they term _Puckery-hickory_; after which it is said
that the same Tobacco has been _runned_ again into some neighbouring
Port.
It must be allowed as a Demonstration that some such Practices have been
used, if upon Enquiry it be discoverable that the Government has lost by
the Customs, when the Amount even of the Debentures has by much exceeded
the Income of the Duties; without any Allowance for the vast Quantity
that is consumed in the Country in smoaking, chewing, Snuff, _&c._
Having here and in the last Scheme spoken of the Vent that might be
contrived for the additional Produce of _Virginia_, I shall add no more
upon that Subject, but subjoin a few Considerations relating to all the
Plantations in general.
The Extent, the Wealth, the numerous Inhabitants, the Hands employed,
the Goods consumed, the Duties and Customs occasioned by the
Plantations, especially such as _Virginia_, are well worthy the most
serious Consideration, and claim the greatest Favour and Encouragement
in the Trade and Manufactures of those Places, which are vastly larger
than all his _Majesty_'s Dominions in _Europe_, and in Time may become
as considerable; they being at present one of the chiefest Causes and
main Supports of our Trade, and bringing as much Money into the
Treasury, and the Purses of Merchants, and other People, as most other
Parts of the World to which we trade.
The Good of the Publick consists as well in the Welfare of the Subject,
as in the Power and Riches of the Prince; Regard being to be had as well
to the Circumstances of the one, as the other. Now the Advancement of
Trade and Manufactures in the Plantations in the highest Degree respects
both the Sovereign and the Subject, in which both the publick and
private Interest is deeply engaged; therefore should the Plantation
Trade and Manufactures be set upon the best Footing imaginable; be
carried on strenuously to the best Advantage; and be granted all
reasonable Favour, Protection, and Encouragement. They are Branches and
chief Members, why then may they not continue justly to partake of the
same Privileges and Advantages that are enjoyed by _England_, which may
truly be esteemed their Head, to which they are inseparably joined, as
being essential Parts of the same _Body Politick_? I need not relate the
Fable of the Head and Members, for every one knows the Moral inferred
from it; how that unless the Members travel and labour for the Service
of the Head and Body, and the Head contrives, and the Body conveys
Nourishment and Sustenance to the Members, the whole Fabrick, both Head,
Body, and Members would soon perish, and moulder to Dust. I presume that
the Application of this to _Great Britain_, and our Trade and
Plantations may not be altogether improper.
There can be no Room for real Apprehension of Danger of a Revolt of the
Plantations in future Ages: Or if any of them should attempt it, they
might very easily be reduced by the others; for _all of them_ will
never unite with one another; for though all the Plantations agree in
this, that they all belong to, and depend entirely upon _Great Britain_;
yet they have each Views different from one another, and as strenuously
pursue their separate Interests, by various and distinct Methods.
Besides, they can't possibly be without _Great Britain_, to which they
owe their being at first made Colonies; and afterwards have been always
supported, maintained and employed by it. They can't live without this
_Mart_ for their Manufactures and Market, for Supply of Goods that they
want; where they have a great Interest, from whence they are descended,
to which they are united by Blood, Religion, Language, Laws, and
Customs, and also they have and may always expect to find greater
Favour, Encouragement, and Protection in _England_, than from any other
Nation in the World. The Plantations cannot possibly subsist without
some Trade, Correspondence, Union, and Alliance in _Europe_, and
absolute Necessity obliges them to fix these perpetually in _Great
Britain_. Upon which, as upon a Stock, they are ingrafted, spring forth,
blossom and bear Fruit abundantly, and being once lop'd off from it,
they would soon wither and perish; thus is it the Interest and Safety,
as well as the Duty and Inclination of the Inhabitants of our
Plantations, always to be subservient to the Government of _England_, by
which they are planted, protected, supported, assisted, and encouraged.
'Tis true indeed, that the _Roman_ Colonies, so famous and flourishing
of old, are long ago all quite extinct; but then this is to be
attributed to the Decline and Destruction of the _Roman_ Empire it self,
and had that continued, in all Probability _England_ it self had still
been a _Roman_ Colony, as it once was; but when the _Romans_ forsook
_England_, then _England_ soon disowned _Rome_, being obliged to apply
for Succour to the _Saxons_, afterwards to the _Danes_, and afterwards
being brought to the _Norman_ Establishment; from whence it has
wonderfully and gradually advanced its own Grandeur, Wealth, Dominions
and Trade, to its present immense and glorious Bulk; in which thriving
and flourishing Course may it still prosperously proceed in the present
Establishment in Church and State, till Time it self shall have an End.
The _Roman_ Colonies were for the greatest Part inhabited by the Nations
to whom the Countries belonged before the Approach of the _Roman_
Legions, who first subdued them, and then made them as Slaves rather
than Fellow Subjects; so that when the Forces that kept them in Awe and
Slavery were removed, they then readily embraced the joyful Opportunity
of recovering their antient Rights and Laws, and reassuming their old
Religions and Liberties, and rescuing themselves and their Country from
Slavery and Bondage, wherewith they had been captivated by the _Roman_
Conquests.
But in our Colonies and Plantations the Case is vastly different; we
have there few or none of the _Indian_ Inhabitants intermix'd with us;
the Country is capacious enough for our Reception in the Islands and
along the Coasts, and there is sufficient Room for the _Indians
backwards_ upon the Continent. Our Colonies are all inhabited for the
most Part by _Britons_ and _Irish_; their Trade and Interest, Customs,
Laws, and Religion are agreeable to, or the same with ours; neither is
there any Necessity for Fleets or Armies to keep them in Subjection and
Awe.
Instead of forsaking _England_, it may be in the Power (as well as it
would be the Interest) of the Plantations to assist _England_ against
any foreign Force, that in future Ages may injure, insult, or molest it.
The greatest Occasion that the Plantations have or may require for
powerful Assistance from _England_, is upon Account of the Pyrates who
abominably infest their Seas and Coasts; but a competent Number of bold
and active _Men of War_ might soon take all those Nests of Robbers; and
Contrivances for proper Employment for such wild and extravagant People,
and more honest Work for Sailors in the Plantations, might in a great
Measure prevent Pyrates. Several come in upon _Acts of Grace_; the rest
might be subdued by Force, and confined to proper Labour and Industry;
and Encouragement and Work might be found for all such as may be
suspected to be inclinable for _the Account_, as they call it; thus if
we cannot, or rather will not execute proper Measures for the
Extirpation of Pyrates in the _American_ Seas, yet certainly we should
put a Stop to their Encrease, and not suffer them to swarm one Year more
than another, which surely may be made very practicable by apt
Endeavours, courageous Care, and good Conduct; as may most remarkably be
evidenced by the well concerted Expedition from _Virginia_ to _North
Carolina_ against _Blackbeard_ and his Crew, and the most successful
Efforts of the celebrated Captain _Ogle_, who made such effectual Use of
his Commission and Opportunity.
A few more such famous Commanders as Captain _Brand_ and Captain _Ogle_
might soon secure our Plantation Merchandize, and clear a free Passage,
and safely guard our Coasts and convoy our Ships, and either totally
abolish all Pyratical Republicks, or else at least put a Curb and
Restraint upon their outrageous Insults. These are Matters of greatest
Consequence to our Plantations, and the trading Part of our Nation; and
therefore ought not to be neglected and slighted, but committed to the
Management of such Persons, of the greatest Honour, Resolution, and
Discretion, who prefer the Publick before their private Trade, mind the
Interest of their Country as much as, or more than their own, that will
make it their chief Business to find, that dare to attack, and are able
to conquer, these bold and desperate Rovers, the greatest of Reprobates.
Such gallant Persons, if they be rare to be found, ought the more to be
rewarded and encouraged, valued and honoured.
The last Thing that I shall mention with Regard to the Advantage of
Trade in _Virginia_, is the absolute Necessity of a better Regulation of
the Post-Office there, for the safe and quicker Conveyance of Letters.
Having thus delivered my Sentiments concerning Learning and Education,
Religion, Arts and Inventions, and Trade in _Virginia_, with some
general Remarks concerning all the Plantations, I draw near a Period
upon these Subjects, supposing that what I have here mentioned may be
enough to inform the Curious, and satisfy the candid Reader; knowing
that I have writ a great deal more than they will relish or approve of,
whose Humour or Interest may clash with my Opinion and Propositions; but
I assure such that I don't vainly imagine that these my private
Sentiments should be obligatory to any that dislike them, or that they
are absolutely necessary to be punctually observed and complied with by
them; but I only humbly offer these my Thoughts to the Consideration of
all such as are concerned or skilled in these Matters; who certainly
have Liberty either to reject them, or approve of them, as they shall
esteem it most reasonable, according to their best Judgment and
Discretion.
I shall only add, that if from these my private Notions and Remarks any
_one_ publick Good may be extracted, it will prove a great Satisfaction
to me, in that the Intent of this Memorial will be answered, tho' but in
a very small Degree, which joyful Satisfaction will be raised in the
same Proportion as the Use of this Treatise encreases; but if at last it
should happen that _no_ Good should proceed from this my weak Endeavour;
nevertheless (I hope) my Labour will not be imputed to me as criminal;
since I have hereby offered my best Service in the Advancement of the
Interest, and for the Promotion of the Good of a Country, to which I am
in the highest Degree obliged.
FINIS.
_ERRATA._
PAGE 6. Line 2. and p. 22. l. 4. read _Powhatan_.
p. 7. l. 9. r. _West-Indians_.
p. 8. l. 22. r. _or sometimes_.
p. 11. l. 4. for _flung_ r. _slung_.
p. 16. l. 18. r. _Mohomny_.
p. 21. l. 22. f. _Professions_ r. _Possessions_.
p. 22. l. 28. f. _Country_ r. _County_.
p. 39. l. 19. f. _hired_ r. _tired_.
p. 42. l. 2. f. _these_ r. _they_.
p. 45. l. 2. f. _certain_ r. _in hopes_.
p. 46. l. 24. f. _few_ r. _most_.
p. 57. l. 4. f. _being_ r. _which being_.
ibid. l. 7. f. _the trench_ r. _a hole_.
p. 60. l. 4. f. _Wines_ r. _Vines_.
ib. l. 17. f. _Planks_ r. _Plants_.
p. 61. l. 28. f. _may_ r. _think to_.
p 62. l. 30. r. _Mannacan_.
p. 88. l. 9. r. _President_.
p. 93. l. 24. r. _a Fellow_.
p. 96. l. 14. f. _This_ r. _These_.
ibid. l. 33. r. _Ethicks_.
p. 116. l. 24. f. _Passages_ r. _Purposes_.
p. 129. l. 8. f. _it seems_ r. _seems_.
p. 132. l. 16. f. _so as_ r. _as_.
p. 134. l. 4. f. _before_ r. _above_.
_BOOKS printed for_ JOHN CLARKE, _at the_ Bible, _under the_
Royal-Exchange, Cornhill.
An Accidence to the _English_ Tongue, chiefly for the Use of such Boys
and Men as have never learn'd _Latin_ perfectly, and for the Benefit of
the Female Sex: Also for the _Welch_, _Scotch_, _Irish_, and Foreigners,
being a Grammatical Essay upon our Language, considering the true Manner
of Reading, Writing, and Talking proper _English_. By _Hugh Jones_, A.M.
lately Mathematical Professor at the College of _William_ and _Mary_ at
_Williamsburgh_ in _Virginia_, and Chaplain to the honourable the
Assembly of that Colony. 12 deg.. Price 1 _s._ Bound.
The History of _Virginia_ in four Parts.
I. The History of the first Settlement of _Virginia_, and the
Government thereof, to the Year 1706.
II. The natural Production and Conveniences of the Country, suited to
Trade and Improvement.
III. The Native _Indians_, their Religion, Laws, and Customs, in War
and Peace.
IV. The present State of the Country, as to the Polity of the
Government, and the Improvement of the Land, to the 10{th} of _June_
1720. By a Native and Inhabitant of the Place. The second Edition,
enlarged, _8vo._ pr. 4 _s._ 6 _d._
A general Treatise of the Dominion of the Sea, and a compleat Body of
Sea Laws. _4to._ p. 10 _s._
The Plantation Laws. _8vo._
* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *
Transcriber's notes:
ERRATA applied to the text.
Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been retained as in the
original.
The following corrections or modifications have been made to the text:
Page 6, line 14, Particularly [Original has Parcularly]
Page 29, line 16, Gaol [Original has Goal]
Page 83, forteenth line from bottom, Phoenix [original has [oe]
ligature]
End of Project Gutenberg's The Present State of Virginia, by Hugh Jones