And What May Well Be Look'd Upon
For As Great A Miracle, This Is A Place, Where No Malefactors Are
Found,
deserving Death, or even a Prison for Debtors; there being no more
than two Persons, that, as far as
I have been able to learn,
ever suffer'd as Criminals, although it has been a Settlement
near sixty Years; One of whom was a Turk that committed Murder;
the other, an old Woman, for Witchcraft. These, 'tis true,
were on the Stage, and acted many Years, before I knew the Place;
but as for the last, I wish it had been undone to this day;
although they give a great many Arguments, to justifie the Deed,
which I had rather they should have a Hand in, than myself;
seeing I could never approve of taking Life away upon such Accusations,
the Justice whereof I could never yet understand.
But, to return to the Subject in Hand; we there make extraordinary good Bricks
throughout the Settlement. All sorts of Handicrafts, as Carpenters, Joiners,
Masons, Plaisterers, Shooemakers, Tanners, Taylors, Weavers, and most others,
may, with small Beginnings, and God's Blessing, thrive very well
in this Place, and provide Estates for their Children, Land being sold
at a much cheaper Rate there, than in any other Place in America, and may,
as I suppose, be purchased of the Lords-Proprietors here in England,
or of the Governour there for the time being, by any that shall have a mind
to transport themselves to that Country. The Farmers that go thither
(for which sort of Men it is a very thriving Place) should take with them
some particular Seeds of Grass, as Trefoil, Clover-grass all sorts,
Sanfoin, and Common Grass, or that which is a Rarity in Europe; especially,
what has sprung and rose first from a warm Climate, and will endure the Sun
without flinching. Likewise, if there be any extraordinary sort of Grain
for Increase or Hardiness, and some Fruit-Trees of choice Kinds,
they will be both profitable and pleasant to have with you,
where you may see the Fruits of your Labour in Perfection,
in a few Years. The necessary Instruments of Husbandry
I need not acquaint the Husbandman withal; Hoes of all sorts,
and Axes must be had, with Saws, Wedges, Augurs, Nails, Hammers,
and what other Things may be necessary for building with Brick,
or Stone, which sort your Inclination and Conveniency lead you to.
For, after having look'd over this Treatise, you must needs be acquainted
with the Nature of the Country, and therefore cannot but be Judges, what it is
that you will chiefly want. As for Land, none need want it for taking up,
even in the Places there seated on the Navigable Creeks, Rivers, and Harbours,
without being driven into remoter Holes and Corners of the Country,
for Settlements, which all are forced to do, who, at this day,
settle in most or all of the other English Plantations in America;
which are already become so populous, that a New-Comer cannot get
a beneficial and commodious Seat, unless he purchases, when,
in most Places in Virginia and Maryland, a thousand Acres of good Land,
seated on a Navigable Water, will cost a thousand Pounds; whereas, with us,
it is at present obtain'd for the fiftieth Part of the Money.
Besides, our Land pays to the Lords, but an easy Quit-Rent,
or yearly Acknowledgement; and the other Settlements pay
two Shillings per hundred.
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