assertion whose preferring of that Country before either the North of Virginia or New-England though it may sufficiently command my submission and acquiescence yet for more particular satisfaction be pleased to accept these reasons for such praeâ—ation 1. The apparent danger all the Colonies may be in if this be not possessed by the English to prevent the Spaniard who already hath seated himself on the North of Florida and on the back of Virginia in 34 where he is already possessed of rich silver Mines and will no doubt vomit his fury and malice upon the neighbour Plantations if a prehabitation anticipate not his intentions which backt with your authority he understands too much of your power and is too sadly acquainted with your admirable successes and generous resolutions not to sit downe by any affronts offered to those under the wings of your protection to attempt any thing against such who are immediately your owne Colony lest thereby he administers matter of a fire to which his own fortunes in the Indies must be a fewel and himselfe raked up in its ashes 2. But the South of Virginia having a contiguous Ledge of at the least one hundred Ilands and in the middest of those the incomparable Roanoak the most of them at the same distance from the Continent that the â—le of Wight is from Hampâ—hire all of hazardous acceâ—se to Forrainers and affording a secure convenience from surprizall by the Natives will if possessed and protected by your power be as an inoffensive Nursery to receive an infant Colony till by an occasion of strength and number we may poure our selves from thence upon the Mayneland as our Ancestors the Saxons from the Isle of Tanet into Brittaine 3. It dispences a moderate equality of heat and cold between the two violent extreams thereof in Barbadâ—â—s and New England It will admit of all things producible in any other part of the World lying in the same Parallel with China Persia Japan Cochinchina Candia Cyprus Sicily the Southern parts of Greece Spain Italy and the opposite Regions of Africa 4. It hath besides all Timber for shipping the best and reddest Cedars and Cypresse trees that may be found in any Countrey 5. And lastly the planting of this Collony will open a most compendious passage to the discovery of those more opulent Kingdomes of China Cochinchina Cathaya Japan the Phillipines Summatra and all those beauteous and opulent Provinces of the East Indies which beyond dispute lye open to those Seas which wash the South-West parts of Virginia through whose bosome all those most precious commodities which enable the Chinesie Cathayan Persian and Indostant Empires may more conveniently speedily with more security and lesse expences be transported thence from Spawhawnâ— or other remoter Provinces to Gombroon by a long dangerous and expensive â—aravane and from thence to Suâ—at where when arrived the doubling of the Line Calentures Scurvies with a long train of diseases and Famine attend its transportation into our owne Countrey 6. Whereas by expandeing our selves to both sides and Seas of Virginia our commerce to those noble Nations lies open in short and pleasant voyages to the encouragement enriching and delight of the Seamen and personal adventurers who will share in the delicacies and profits of those Kingdoms without participating in the miseries attending our present voyages thither The Cargason being easily conveyed by much the greater part of the way through Navigable Rivers and from the Eastern shore of Virginia in a month or at the largest six weekes time into England And by this meanes the Hollander Spanyard and Portugall who by the supine negligence of this Nation and its Merchant Adventurers do with insufferable insolence Lord over us in boâ—h the Indies when they shall to the unknitting of their joints perceive by your nursing care over the Infancy of your Colonies that they are arrived under your auspice to cover both the Seas with numerous Navies and your Honours eye of indulgence and providence waking to their security will be content laying aside all other passions to wave future affronts and injuries or fall a deserved sacrifice to your offended justice And that this addresse may appear the more seasonable I have without any privity or relation to his person taken leave to intimate to your Honours that there is a Gentleman whom the publick reputation and testimony of those who have the happines to know him render of excellent abilities integrity and a never shaken affection to your cause in all its crisis and dangers through which God with a clew of successe hath been your conduct who hath already undertaken for the transportation of some men thither and only waits for your Honours approbation and authority the world taking notice hopes and encouragement from thence that as this Colony is like to be the eldest of your legitimate daughters â—n that nature so by your indulgence she shall have the happynesse not to be the yongest in your affection May that God who hath begirt your house with a Grove of Lawrell continue the advance of those Victories till the whole Nation be crowned with Olives May no sin no ingratitude of ours divert his protecting hand from us his assâ—stant arme from you May the generations to come in admiration of your vertue and gratitude for their by youâ— derived happines make every heart your monument wherein to embalme your memory whilst the Histories of all Nations and times enrich their â—nnals with your names as the most serious and triumphant part of all examples and transactions And lastly may your owne thankfulnes to him from whom these dispensations of mercy have distilled like the dew of Hermon upon your heads and borders so continue in your bosoms that when you shal be ripe for translation he whose instruments you are may welcom you with the approbation of Well done good and faithfull servant Which are the undisguised wishes of Your Honours most humble obedient and faithful Servant Ed. Williams Virginia in Generall but particularly CAROLANA which comprehends Roanoak and the Southerne parts of Virginia richly valued THE scituation and Climate of Virginia is the Subject of every Map to which I shall refer the curiosity of those who desire more particular information Yet to shew that Nature regards this Ornament of the new world with a more indulgent eye then she hath cast upon many other Countreys whatever China Persia Iapan Cyprus Canay Sicily Greece the South of Italy Spaine and the opposite parts of Africa to all which she is parallel may boast of will be produced in this happy Countrey The same bounty of Summer the same milde remission of Winter with a more virgin and unexhausted soyle being materiall arguments to shew that modesty and truth receive no diminution by the comparison Nor is the present wildnesse of it without a particular beauty being all over a naturall Grove of Oakesâ— Pines Cedars Cipresse Mulberry Chestnut Laurell Sassafras Cherry Plum-trees and Vines all of so delectable
Labours answered with a large returne of profit wee who have all these things already at our owne doore without cost may with a confidence grounded upon reasonâ— expect an advantage much greater and a clearer profit Nor can wee admit in discretion that a large quantity of those â—hould not finde a speedy Market since â—he decay of Tymber is a deâ—ect growne universall in Europe and the Commodity such a necessary Staple that no civill Nation can be conveniently without it Nor are Pipeâ—taves and Clapboard a despicable commodity of which one man may with ease make fifteene thousand yearely which in the countrey it selfe are sold for 4l in the Canaries for twenty pound the thousand and by this meanes the labour of one man will yeeld him 60l per annum at the lowest Market If all this be not sufficient to remove the incumbrance of Woods the Saw mill may be taken into consideration which is in every respect highly beneficiall by this Timber for building houses and shipping may be more speedily prepared and in greater quantity by the labour of two or three men then by a hundred hands after the usuall manner of sawing The Plankes of Walnut-trees for Tables or Cubbords Cedar and Cypresse for Chests Cabinets and the adorning magnificent buildings thus prepared will be easily transported into England and sold at a very considerable value But that in which there will be an extraordinary use of our Woods is the Iron mills which if once erected will be an undecaying Staple and of this forty servants will by their labour raise to the Adventurer foure thousand pound yearely Which may easily be apprehended if wee consider the deerenesse of Wood in England where notwithstanding this great clog of difficulty the Master of the Mill gaines so much yearely that he cannot but reckon himselfe a provident Saver Neither does Virginia yeeld to any other Province whatsoever in excellency and plenty of this Oare And I cannot promise to my selfe any other then extraordinary successe and gaine if this noble and usefull Staple be but vigourously followed And indeed it had long ere this growne to a full perfection if the treachery of the â—ndians had not crushed it in the beginning and the backwardnesse of the Virginia Merchants to reerect iâ— hindred that Countrey from the benefit arising from that universall Staple But to shew something further what use may be made of Woods besides the forementioned Wallnut Oyle at the least a fourth part of the Trees in Virginia being of that species is an excellent Staple and very gainefull to tâ—e industrious Labourer Nor is it a contemptible profit that may be made of Woods if by boaring holes in divers trees of whose vertues wee are yet ignorant and collecting the juce thereof a scrutiny be made which are fit for Medicinall Liquor and Balsomes which â—or Gummes Perfumes and Dyes and heere I may justly take occasion to complaine of our owne sloth and indulgence if compared to the laborious Spanyard who by this very practice have found out many excellent Druggs Paints and Colours meerely by bruizing and grinding Woods probably convenient for such experiments which if boyled and a white peece of cloth steeped in the boyling liquor will by its tincture discover what colour it is capable to give and iâ— many should faile in the tryall yet does it not fall under the probabâ—lity but that divers noble anâ— usefull mysteries of Nature may be discovered by some suâ—h perforations scrutinies Nor are the many Berries commonly of an excellent collour and lustre unfit for such experiments since the labour is little or nothing and the issue if succesfull of remarkable advantage And this the Spanyard hath experimented to the encrease of gaine and reputation and above this is so signally curious and industrious that he hath discovered many rare and delightfull colours not onely by the meanes before mentioned but by bruizing and boyling divers Fish-shells the brightnesse and variety of colours giving him a just reason to pursue such curious examens The French relations of their Voyages to Canada tell us that the Indians and themselves falling into a contagious disease of which Phisitians could give no Reason or Remedy they were all in a short space restored to their health meerely by drinking water in which Saxifrage was infused and boyld which was then discovered to them by the Natives and wee justly entertaine beliefe that many excellent Medicines either for conservation of Nature in her vigour or restauration in her decadence may be communicated unto us if projection of this stampe be so much incouraged by hopes of reward or honour as to be put in practice By this Improvement of Woods the Ground comming to bee cleared wee have a soile fit to produce what ever is excellent in Nature the Vine and Olive which Naturally simpathize together will thrive beyond beliefe nor need it be any interruption to Tillage since the Vintage and Harvest alwayes fall but in different Reasons That wild Vines runne naturally over Virginia ocular experience dâ—clares who delighting in the Neighbourhood of their beloloved Mulberry-trees inseparable associates over all that Countrey and of which in this their wildnesse Wines have beene made of these Wines if transplanted and cultivated there can be made no doubt but a Rich and Generous Wine would be prodâ—ced But if wee set the Greeke Cyprian Candian or Calabrian Grape those Countries lying parallell with this there neede not be made the smallest questionâ— but it would be a Staple which would enrich this Countrey to the envy of France and Spaine and furnish the Northerne parts of Europe and China it selfe where they plant it not of which more heereafter with the Noblest Wine in the World and at no excessive prices And from this Staple 't is not unworthy of our most serious consideration what an occasion of wealth would flow upon this Nation Virginia when well peopled being able to match Spaine in that his Soveraigne Revenue and the State by addition to their Customes for exportation thereof according to the mode of France and Spaine would in no short time be sensible of this most inestimable benefit To which if wee joyne the Profits of our Olives wee may Gods favourable hand blessing our industry be the happiest Nation in Europe Nor need wee be at that charge for Caske under which Spaine labours where ever wee cast our eyes upon this Fortunate Countrey wee may finde Timber proper for it For the advance of which noble Staple I should propose that the Greeke and other Rich Vines being procured from the Countries to which they are geniall every Planter in that Countrey might be enjoyned to keepe a constant Nursery to the end when the ground is cleared that they may be fit for removal and the Vineyard speedily planted Further that some Greeke and other Vignerous might be hired out of those Countries to instruct us in the labour and lest their envy pride or jealousie of being layd aside when
inestimable store of Silkeâ— that there might be bought in one day in that City as much Silke as will lode three thousand Camells And he is little conversant with experience or History who is ignorant that the abundance of Silke Native to that Countrey and Climate is almost the sole Staple of that mighty Empire by which never-to-be exhausted Treasure of Silkes the sinewes and vitalls of the Persian Empire the Sophy to the generall good of Christendome keepes both the hornes of the Ottoman Moone from compleating their ambitious Circle And if the English East India Company of Merchants were not wrong-byassed by the factions and sinister ambition of some men in Authority amongst them a great part of that wealthy Staple might be transported into England and by that meanes dispersed over all parts of Europe to the enriching and honour of this Nation The digression upon this Parallell hath diverted me from ampliation upon the publick benefit which may devolve into this republick by the Olive which being genuine to the Vine will by a happy consent of nature indisputably flourish in a vast abundance and by a transportation into the warmer Regions where the heate or scarcity of Cattle causeth a like indigence of Butter will be a Staple of inestimable value and of no smaller conducement to our owne shipping into those provinces neere the Equinox or in those voyages where the doubling of the Line either putrifies or makes it of a taste little pleasing or agreeable to the palate VIRGINIA compared to CHINA BUt to leave Persia and descend to a more wealthy and powerful parallell the richest and mightiest Empire in the World lies in the same latitude and climate with our fortunate Virginia namely China divided from it onely by the Southsea and which will bee a part of another discourse not of any long distance from it agreeing with it in multitude of Staples China is stored with an infinite number of Mulberry trees to feede Silkewormes with and vends silke in such a vast proportion that in one onely City Lempo which some call Liempo the Portugeses have with no small admiration observed that one hundred and sixty thousand pound weight of silk hath beene caried out in one Shippe in the onely space of three Moneths Into Cambula the chiefe City of Tartary as Authors of great repute and credit and one who was personally there reports there comes â—very day from China a thousand waggons laden with silke Nor is China lesse happy in its multitude of navigable Rivers in its wonderfull fertility of all sorts of graine Maiz Rice c. of which it receiveth every yeere three or foure most plentifull Harvests Rivers stored with an incredible quantity of Fish and Fowle enriched and ennobled with numerous Mines of Gold Silver Brasse Iron and other Mettalls Quicksilver Nitre Allum Pretious stones Pearles Muske Cotton Sugars Rubarb China Root vast proportions of Flax Furres extraordinary rich To this happinesse of soile and situation they associate an equall felicity of parts and industry by which they pretermit not one span of ground which they assign not to particular and profitable uses and by an ingenious division of the ground according to the quality of the soyle designe the drier part for wheat and barly That which is more visited with an improving moysture to Rice and Sugar Asâ—ents and Mountaines to groves of Pâ—nes and Chestnuts betweene which are planted Maiz Panicle and all kinde of Pulse In other proper places are Mulberry Groves Gardens Orchards Flax and in a word no spot of ground misimployed from its proper advantage And that Virginia is parallell in neerenesse of Staples as well as neighbourhood to the sunne to that celebrated Empire what multitudes of Fiâ—h to satisfie the most voluptuous of wishes can China glory in which Virginia may not in justice boast of What Fowles can she make oftentation of in which Virginia can be esteemed inferiour Can China insolent with her prosperity solely lay clayâ—e to a more singular honour for her affluence in Maiz and other grain for the maintenance and luxury of her plenty-wanton Inhabitants without an open injury to her equall to her Mayden sister to our incomparable Virginia Are her Mulberries springing from a voluntary bounty of Nature lesse numerous or usefull then those to which China hath added all the assistance which could be expected from advantages of traâ—splantation or an industrious people If China will descend to particulars to compare Quantity and Quality of Fish and Fowle Let her shew us Turkies of 50 pound weight Let her instance an example of one hundred and fifty Fowle to reward the labour of three charges of shot and powder Let heâ— publish a president so worthy of admiration and which will not admit beliefe in those bosomes where the eye cannot be witnesse of the actionâ— of five thousand fish taken at one draught neere Cape Charls â— at the entry into Chesapeak Bay and which swells the wonder greater not one fish under the measure of two feet in length What Fleets come yeerely upon the coasts of New found Land and New England for Fish with an incredible reâ—â—rne Yet t is a most assured truth that if they would make experiment upon the South of Cape Cod and from thence to the coast of this happy Countrey they would find Fish of a greater delicacy and as full handed plenty which though Foraigners know not yet if our owne Planters would make use of it would yield them a Revenue which cannot admit of any diminution whilest there are Ebbes and Flouds Rivers feed and receive the Ocean or Nature fayles in the Elementall Originall of all things Waters There wants nothing but industrious spirits and incouragement to make a rich Staple of this commodity and would the Virginians but make Salt pits in which they have a greater convenience of Tides that part of the Universe by reason of a full influence of the Moone upon the almost limitlesse Atlantick causing the most spacious Fluxes and Refluxes that any shore of the other divisions in the World is sensible of to leave their pits full of Salt-water and more friendly and warme Sunbeames to concoct it into Salt then Rochel or any parts of Europe Yet notwithstanding these advantages which prefer Virginia before Rochel the French King rayses a large proportion of his Revenues out of that Staple yearly with which he supplyes a great part of Christendome And if from this Staple the miserable French can procure a subsistence some of them a comfortable livelyhood notwithstanding all the private oppressions of their grinding Landlords the Publick Tallies Subsidies Aides Imposts and other hard Titles of aâ—thorized Rapine What shall wee imagine the freeborne English in a Countrey where he owes no Rent to any but to God and Nature where he has Land to satisfie his desires in its extent his wishes in its fertility where free-quarter is a word onely unâ—erstood by Report may expect of profit and content both in this
and remove them by tâ—lling their unwelcome Company golden lies and miracles of Countreys farther distant where they are likely to find small satisfaction for their covetousnes or hunger Reason and experience will condemne us of folly if wee shoulâ— refuse to profit by commendable examples though proceeding from Enemies or Friends suspected It will be therefore an incitement irreproveable to commend to our owne imitation the Custome which the industrious Spanyard practiseth in his designe of discoveries Every one of the associates carry a little horne about their necks in such journeys by which meanâ—s if the errour of the night or thickenesse of the Woods occasion any separation betwâ—xt them or an Ambuscado of Enemies make the passage doubtfull by winding of that Horne presently notice is given to the rest who upon receiving the sound give the first winder notice of their residence to which they may repaire or testifie their apprehension and readinesse to prevent all hostile stratagems The same indefatigable Nation in their passage over Rivers presently make themselves light Canoas after the Indian mode with which entring themselves and swimming their Horses whose heads they keepe above water by a coller fastened to the Boat they overcome difficulties of currents which to any other but those seemâ— insuperable and indeed their labour in this kinde show them of admirable Resolution and Constancy Though wee may entertaine grounds of hope and confidence that this discovery of the South Sea may be mâ—de without any tedious Land-jouâ—ney since it is certaine that from the great confluence of Waters in the Gulfe of Sâ— Laurence foure mighty Rivers receive their sourse the first whereof pouring it selfe North into Canada another running Eastward into the Sea called Hunsons River the third running Wâ—stward into the Maine are already discovered but the fourth upon which wee have reason to fixe high expectation bending Southward to Florida washes all the backside of Virginia and may in all probability discharge it selfe into the South Ocean which if it suit with our conjectures Virginia will have by that meanes a double accession of security and convenience For our security it will be a naturall bar betwixt us and the jealous Spanyard who if he shouâ—d injustly continue the possession of ouâ— Florida which is indisputably English yet thus dividided from us by a vast Râ—ver full of Islands and places convenient to command the Channell fortified and maintained by our Nation he is too full of providence and caution to attaque us if once in so good a posture For the conveniency which sufficiently speakes it selfe the ease of transportation by water and all in our owne Chanell the saving of Land charges and probability of a more speedy passage are prespicuous arguments to commend it And to confirme the probabilities of this passage by the Lake the more strongly the Indians of Canada confessed to Iames Cartier that iâ— is but a Moneths sayling from thence to go to a Land where Cynanon and Cloves are gatheredâ— Others told the same person that from the place where they left their Pinnace there is a River which goeth South-West from whence there is a wâ—ole Moneths sayling to go to a certaine Land where there is neither Ice nor Snow seene where the â—nhabitants doe continually War one against the other where there is great store of Orenges Almonds Nuts and Apples with many other sorts of Fruits What evâ—r beliefe other men bestow upon this Relation I know not but truâ—ly in such a generall concordance of Reports wheâ—e there can be no roome left for confederacy or designe to be perswaded of the tâ—uth therein cannot have any vitious tincture of facility or credâ—lity But it is time to remit these high and noble atchievements to the prosecution of those who have more power and abilityâ— who may give such â— discovery the honour of their names and trâ—nsfer a perpetuall illustrious memory to posterity we shall onely suppose it faiâ—ible and hope the effects will answer such supposition Which if it should faile why may not Virginia in her future felicity of silke be a new China and Persia to Europe why may not all the spicery of the East flourish with an equall successe in this our most justly tempered Climate already can Virginia boast of Cinamon which if transplanted might not be inferiour unto any why may not the Cloves perfume Virginia with as aromatick redolency as the Philipine Gardens Our aire is more serene better tempered then theirs nor have we any more sense of Winter to hinder the ascent of sap then the Moluccians if it be any thing more harsh in cold yet is it but a check to a peradventure too forward Spring What multitude of flowers have our latâ— Gardens in England seen non native to this soyle or Climate Fruits thought solely proper to Italy and Spaine flourish here to the envy of those Countties who see often times the Colonies in a happier degree of prosperity then the Mother for Fruit and Flowers But these designements must be the Daughters of time curiosity and industry to whom away may be made passablâ— and easie by that uncabinetting and deciphring of Nature Garden Philosophyâ— what harsh disposition in the World will not be lenified and refined by these curious conclusions Diâ—clesian could postpose the science of governing Mankinde to the knowledge of managing his Scions to see those Plants grow up which his own laureld hand had set watred and attended and accordingly flourish was in a manner the production of so many Children who in this have the advantage that their florescence is not subject to selfe-deprivation give them but an acceptable groundâ— a bounâ—eous Aire and an arriding Sunne and â—hey answer the most exact dâ—sires of the Setter or Ingrafter but Children let them have all the Auxiliares of a full Fortune warmth of education and heat of encouragement by some private disease of the genius by some secret malignity in nature or its right hand custome seldome or neuer thrive according to the wishes of the Parent they are either too ranke with insolence too much parched with rashnesse or withered with infamy and luxury that those which planted them instead of delight in that which they esteemed their Masterpeece have nothing but a Spring of indignation or an Autumn of Melancholly to answer their expectation and are so far from contentment at their groweth that they would have reckoned it amongst the Smiles of their Fortunes that no warmth of theirs had contributed to their production no indulgence to their continuance and eduâ—ation These allurements are for those whose delights onely are interested and denoted to this retiâ—ed activity but those who looke further will finde that which is rarely or never contingent to other contentments this pleasure to be attended with an inestimable pâ—ofit and one of the most certaine returnes in nature But this fertility-labouring Countrey especialâ—y in its Southerne beauties in its Roanoak excellencies like to a Princesse all compos'd of
Bounty suffers no addresse to be made unsatisfied Gentle Winters to court your seed warme Springs to marry them to perfect Masculine ripenesse nothing but ingratitude and indiligence to delay or divert its liberality hitherto like those confined Virgins in a barbarous Seâ—aglio it hath suffered the imputation or injury of sterility by a non-complacency in iâ—s Savage Amourists the abundance of perfection having put them into a satiety or incapacicy of enjoyment The truâ—h of this being abundantly manifest an apparent profit and delight inviting the able and industrious necessity must be the next Argument to those whose Poverty can pleade no excuse for their indiligence yet this laborious necessity is not so ingraâ—efull as in England and in other more thick-peopled Countries what ever you sweat for in this bounteous Region is crowned with a recompence amazing your expectation such things as make poverty and life wearisome contempt of or impossibility of any melioration to their condition are things heere never charged upon honeâ—t indigence or denyed to a commendable industry nor can they palliate their sleepe and sloth with a pretence of wanting materialls to worke upon or plead that such things as should employ them must be first had out of England since there is enough abundantly and naturally in that unpresidented Countrey to employ their industry to enrich their labour Though Silke-grasse is unquestionably a Staple which will bee Neighbour to the profit of the Silke-worme though the naturall Hempe-flagge may be a Merchandize in time equal to English Flax though the Sarâ—aparilla be an extraordinary vendible Commodity though Pipestaves be so beneficiall that with not many drops an extraordinary workeman may make his labour worth sixty pounds per annum Though he has fish there and in such abundance that the attending diligently upon two seasons onely returnes him a Reward of one hundred pound sterling in Sturgion Salmon Herings Mackrell Pot-ashes a rich and never decaying Staple c. Yet since against this an objection may be made what course they may take for their provisionall subsistence Those who apprehend such doubts will be pleased to receive this answer in which if they are sensible of Reason they cannot faile to receive satisfaction There is no man will ever be denyed the loane of Corne for his house-spending and seed till the Harvest if he be a single man he may prepare as much ground if cleared and set as large quantitie of Corne for his owne spending and repayment of what borrowed in two dayes space as will abundantly suffice him twelve Moneths Admit there be no cleared Ground yet if he but unbarke the Trees one foot round after the Indian mode to prevent the shade occasioned by the leaves which such unbarking quite destroyes the Corne set betwixâ— those Trees will thrive and prosper exceedingly â—nd their ground thus prepared will last seaven or more yeares successively and this worke cannot last him above five dayes at the longest If he have a Family his Wife and Children will be able to beare part in that labour and many others For Provision of flesh if he can use his peece he may even at his labour in the Woods have opportunity of killing Venison Hares Wild-foâ—le in their season innumerable and Fish of which the Rivers are all times plentifully furnished and of great delicacy if in all this abundance he is yet apprehensive of Famine wee shall refer him to the number of those who are afraid to be starved for meat in a Cooks shop Besides what a small summe of money will buy your Cattell and Swine in Virginia Whose feeding coâ—ts them nothing but thankes to God who has spread that superficiâ—s of that noble Countrey with perpetuall friut and verdure Poultry in infinite variety and plenty the â—orbearance of whose encrease for a small terme of years will make them so numerous that they may alwayes have a full table The Wâ—st Indie Potatoe by much more delicate and large then what wee have heere growing besides that it is a food excellently delicious and strongly nourishing fixes himselfe wherever planted with such an irradicable fertilityâ— that being set it eternally grows of this an extraordinary pleasing and strong drinke may bee composed Nor is the Mâ—iz lesse commendable for bread then malting of both which in its use it affordeth a peculiar goodnesse and convenience And I am much to learne how a poore man can in justice complaine of want when he is as it were besieged with such plenty This for provision may abundantly satisfie but if he can be content â—o forbeare debauches and profusenesse for tâ—e first three yeares he may by any of the meanes aforesaid arrive to such a condition of thriving that he may allow himselfe a large latitudâ— of expences that first three yeares once expired without much empairing his fortunes But since all men either by constitution of age oppression of yeareâ— or different education are unable or improper for the Fish-net or Hatchet I shall offer them a way which may be lesse laborious and peradventure more gainefull yet before I descend to this I must take leave by digression to enlarge something which I have already hinted on namely the benefit of transplantation The removing and transposition of Wild Plants doth with an experimented happinesse wonderfully mitigate and engentile their leâ—â—e noble natuâ—e wâ—etheâ— as an Authour delivers it very elegantly it be bâ— reason that the nature of Plants as oâ— men is desirous of Novelty and peregrination or because that at their parting from their former grounds they leave there that ranke wildnesse viruleâ—cy and ill quality from the Forest where is first rooted the grateâ—ull novelty and allurement of a well cultivated sâ—yle makes it â—â—ceive a new by exiling it from the old savagenesse and inâ—omestication of its first seat and nature Since then the râ—moving of wild Plants addes so much to their improvement and melioration confirmed by naturall Reason and unerring experience Why may not the diligent labour by removeall and transposing this excellent Staple of Silke grasse make it thrive equally in greatnesse and goodnesse there needes no more art to be used then thâ—t of comparing the soile transplantations into worse grounds being naturally improsperous and though there appeâ—re now somewhat of trouble though nothing of labâ—ur in peeling the silky skinne of yet that it may be broken as Flaxe or cleared by some Instrument the Commodity richly rewarding the nobility of any invention to this purpose time and further expâ—rience will no doubt to the publick enricâ—ing of the Colony and this Nation make apparent In this any one which is not sworne â— servant to ease and sloth may with a small toile reape a considerable profit Next what will not those Vines produce if well husbanded after their transplantation and in this most delightfull labour the gain is so appareâ—t that almost the blindest judgement may perceive it Orenges Lemons Pine-aples Plantanes Peaches Apricocksâ— Peares Aples in a word
all sort of excellent Fruits will grow there in full perfection you may sleepe whilst they are growing after their setting or engrafting there needes no more labour but your prayers that they may prosper and now and then an eye to prevent their casualties wounds or diseases Sugars Indigos Cotton and Ginger require a greater industry but if wee consider the difference betwixt the two Climates of Barbadoes and Virginia the immoderate heate of the first and the exact temper of the other the labour though it may require as frequent handling yet is by much lesse toylesome In a word if a man be yet timerous of a thriving condition in this Countrey I shall with his pardon believe him disâ—rustfull of Gods providence or if he be so vitiously disposed as to hope after a Land where he may enjoy an undisturbed plenty without the sweat of his browes the Maps are so extreamely deficient in the description of such a Countrey that I must desire him to looke for a new World and Kingdome for such an easie accommodation If any make an Objection why this Countrey stored with all these Riches furnished with all these Staples hath so long held downe her head in the lownesse of a desperate condition Why being capable to crowne her browes with Garlands of Roses and plenty she sate desolate amongst the Wâ—llowes of neglect and poverty Let them but recall their Memory how by the prevailency of Gonâ—amore the Coâ—poration was dissolved their patent cancelled to which if wee adde the cooperation of the Indian treachery in their first massacre they will cease their wonder at its languishing condition and convert it to a full admiration how that Colony could ever raise her endangered head out of those Gulfes of distraction in which the Gold of Spaine the disâ—ncouragement of the Court the discontent of the better sort of Planters and the desperate negligence of the more inconsiderable had in humane opinion irrecoverably involved her But the incomparable Virgin hath raiâ—ed her dejected head cleared her enclouded reputation and now like the Eldest Daughter of Nature expresseth a priority in her Dowry her browes encircled with opulency to be believed by no other triall but that of expeperience her unwounded wombe full of all those Treasuries which indeere Provinces to respect of glory and may with as great justice as any Countrey the Sunne honours with his eye-beames entitle her selfe to an affinity with Eden to an absolute perfection above all but Paradize And this those Gentlemen to whom she vouchsafes the honour of her Embraces when by the blessings of God upon their labours sated with the beauty of their Cornefield they shall retire into their Groves checkered with Vines Olives Mirtles from thence dilate themselves into their Walkes covered in a manner paved with Orenges and Lemmons whence surfeited with variety they incline to repose in their Gardens upon nothing lesse perfumed then Roseâ— and Gilly-flowers When they shall see their numerous Heards wanton with the luxury of their Pasture confesse a narrownesse in their Bâ—rnes to receive their Corne in bosomes to expresse fully their thankefulnesse to the Almighty Authour of these blessings will chearefully confesse Whilst the Incomparable Roâ—noak like a Queene of the Ocean encircled with an hundred attendant Islands and the most Majestick Carolana shall in such an ample and noble gratitude by her improvement repay her Adventurers and Creditors with an Interest so far transcending the Principall A valuation of the Commodities growing and â—o be haâ— in Virginia valued in the year 1621. And since those Times improved in all more or lesse in some â…“ in others ½ in many double and in some treble IRon ten pounds the Tun. Silke Coddes two shillings six pence the pound Raw silk 13s 4d the pound now at 25s and 28. per pound Silke grasse to be used for Cordage 6d the pound but we hope it will serve for many better uses and so yeeld a far greater rate wherof there can never be too much planted Of this Q. Elizabeth had a silke Gowne made Hemp from 10s to 22s the hundred Flax from 22s to 30s the hundred Cordage from 20s to 24s the hundred Cotton wooll 8d the pound Hard pitch 5s the hundred Tarre 5s the hundred Turpentine 12s the hundred Rozen 5s the hundred Maddeâ— crop 40s the hundred course madder 25s the hundred Woad from 12s to 20 the hundred Annice seeds 40s the hundred Powder Sugar Panels Muscavadoes and whites 25s 40. and 3l the hundred Sturgeon and Caveare 2s it is in goodnesse Salt 30s the weight Mastick 3s the pound Salsa Perilla wild 5 l. the hundred Salsa Perilla domestick 10l the hundred Red earth Allenagra 3s the hundred Red Allum called Carthagena Allum 10s the hundred Roach Allum called Romish Allum 10s the hundred Berry graine 2s 6d the pound the powder of graine 9s the pound it groweth on trees like Holly berries Masts for shipping from 10s to 3 l. a peece Pot-ashes from 12s the hundred to 14. now 40. and 35s the hundred Sope-ashes from 6s to 8s the hundred Clapboord watered 30s the hundred Pipe staves 4l the thousand Rape-seed oyle 10l the tun the cakes of it feed Kine fat in the Winter Oyle of Walnuts 12 l. the tun Linseed oyle 10l the tun Saffron 20s the pound Honey 2s the gallon Waxe 4l the hundred Shomacke 7s the hundred whereof great plenty in Virginia and good quantity will be vented in England Fustick yong 8s the hundred Fustick old 6s the hundred according to the sample Sweet Gums Roots Woods Berries for Dies and Drugs send of all sorts as much as you can every sort by it selfe there being great quantities of those things in Virginia which after proof made may be heere valued to their worth And particularly we have great hope of the Pocoon root that it will prove better then Madder Sables from 8s the payre to 20s a payre Otter skins from 3s to 5s a piece Luzernes from 2s to 10 a piece Martins the best 4s a piece Wild Cats â—8d a piece Fox skins 6d a piece Muske Rats skins 2s a dozen the cods of them will serve for good perfumes Bever skins that are full growne in season are worth 7s a piece Bever skins not in season to allow two skins for one and of the lesser three for one Old Bever skins in Mantles gloves or capâ— the more worne the better so they be full of fur the pound weight is 6s The new Bevers skins are not to bee bought by the pound because they are thicke and heavy Leather and not so good for use as the old Pearles of all sorts that ye can find Ambergreece as much as you can get Cristall Rocke send as much as you can and any sort of Minerall stones or earth that weighs very heavy Preserve the Walnut trees to make oile of cut them not down so also preserve your Mulberry and Chestnut trees very carefully In the month of June bore holes in divers sorts of Trees
with all sort of Cattle at a cheaper â—ate then in England and the very râ—putation of this place once planted will quickly invite so many men as know by experience or information the excellence of the place to remove what ever is theirs out of those more cold Countries to joyne issue with us in the better Sunbeam'd Carolana Another objection is what security wee may expect from the Natives who looke upon us as Intruders upon the Land of their Nativity and seeing the South of Virginia in like manner to be possessed as the North whether they will not in all probability attempt what ever rage malice and treachery can dictate to them to oppose the beginnings of such possession to our extirpation to which they will be more enabled say they since wee are at the first seating not likely to be so numerous or so well fortified to resist them as in the North of Virginia where already they have committed two massâ—cres notwithstanding the length of yeares to secure the implanters and their large numbers Wee should attribute too much of the Bug-beare to the Indian armes to believe that 10 of our men well appointed are not able to give law to their 100 aided with all the advantages of animosity and revenge to which by nature I must confesse them prone but their cowardise is so great that they never act any thing but upon the scorâ— of anticipation or security a nights march and the dawne of the day are the onely opportunities which they take to revenge former hostilities upon their sleeping enemies he which considers the desperate security the English then lived in the fatall entercourse to the admission of them into their houses into the heart of all their plantations without any jealousie I had almost said discretion will rather admire they were not totally massacred then but in part attempâ—ed and yet to shâ—w the invincible basenesse and Cowardise of those Sâ—vages then when in the heat of their revenge and height of blâ—ud fury and successâ—â—when all Cowards but themselves are irrâ—sistably despâ—rate and â—ushing on thâ—ir fortune one man that was mastâ—r but of a hart and pitchâ—forke hath been known stave off and â—ffright ten of those asâ—assinates nor were any that had the genâ—rosity to oppose or the discretion to keepe good their houses massâ—cred by them The basenesse of these incomparable Poltrons considered what cause should there be to feare them yet to shew how those which through ignoâ—ance or doubt of their attempts may be sufficiently secured these remedies have been proposed and are resolved upon to râ—move all futuâ—e attempts of thaâ— nature Our first seating will be upon as pleasant Islands as eye may delight into which all accesse must be by water The Indian first bought out of those Seas which a most inconsiderable trifle will puâ—chase and prohibited fiâ—hing there with a severe punishment to all those who shall against such prohibition appeare with their Canoas upon the waters cannot assemble upon the main to our prejudice or gather together their Canoas without our notice besides a small thing will buy spyes amongst themselves to discover all such practises a knife or a hatchâ—t will make them betray their neighbours or which is more their kindred When our numbers â—y the blessing of God shall enable us to grow upon the maine the same price which bought them out of Islands will purchase tâ—â—m out of the continent I meane such a part of it as will sufficiently serve 100000. Inhabitants in the bounds whereof no Indian shall appeare without an uncountrefaitable mark of permission and spies used as before we may make use of their intelligence concealing the Authors which wâ—ll make those so discovered attribute to miracle what we receive by informationâ— and peradventure enter into a superstitious beliefe of our praescience of their machinationsâ— which will deter their attempting the like for the future Another objection which is usually made whether this part of Virginia may not be too hot as the North of that Continent is too cold considering the constitution of the English not proper to endure it the extreams of either being alike distastfull Though it be certaine that all over those Countries drawing near the Center of the Sun a constant Brise arises and continues from 9. to 3. with a great mitigation during the violence and height of the Sun and that during those intervalls servants are so indulged as not to labour without doors yet it is certain that the violentest of heats in that Southern is not hotter then some dayes which we feele in England And though ancient Philosophy may stumble at the doctrine able to make reason herselfe almost blear-eyed yet those no lesse signall experiencers of the modern will tell us that the causes of moderation and habitability of those regions proceed from that which imposed upon our Patriarchs of learning who upon favourable conjecture that the supposed dangerous neighborhood of the Sun and the rapid transit of the celeâ—â—iall bodies with the perpendicularnesse of direct rayes could not but perpetually exile all cold and moisture as non-naturall and forreine to their immediat residence Neither had reason any allegations to the contrary till experience opened its eye-lights by this demonstration for moisture is never more violent in those which we call torrid regions then when the Sun is in his nearest visits from hence arise winds and impetuous showers dayly from hence the Sun having in a degree of debauch caronsed too much in his spacious and sweaty journey over the Ocean does there discharge it whereas in his abscence he receives no more of those moist vapours then he can temperately and healthfully concoct Besides these frequent showers do not only coole and refresh the otherwise parching earth but adde as much to its fatnesse and improvement â—s the innundations of Nilus Niger and Zaire in Africa and makes the earth invulnerable against the Sun's hostility arrowy beams and as in an Alembick a fire of heat and violence enlargeth the quantity of vapours which stifled as it were and issulesse are converted into waters but the fire being but meanly eager drinks up those vapours in their exhaustion so the Sun â—n the greatnesse in the Giantism of his strength onely exhales not digests that quantity of vapours which he is inforced to disgorge in showers which draughts of his are in his lesser heat in a more temperate quantity imbibed and concocted Nor deserves it a leâ—se part of consideration that in that part of the world in which there are so many unbounded Gulphs such immense Rivers and inlets the vapours and exhalations cannot but adde coolnesse and moisture to the neighbouring Elements of earth and aire and which is an indisputable reason the almost equall length of dayes and nights dividing perpetually the time into equall portionâ— causeth a lesse heat then presented it selfe to the consideration-slumber of the ancients which is confirmed by the Philosophick Poet in these Verses
lay your bottomes in some roome where there is aire to dry their moysture This is an assured though not vulgar experiment and by it your silke becomes as easie in the winding and as pure in colour and substance as if it had beene spunne the same moment the Worme had given it perfection To winde off the Silke from the Cod or Bottome THe winding off the silke from the Cod or bottome is thus â—ffected fill a Caldron full of very faire water and set it upon a Furnace heate it to such a degree that 〈◊〉 water becomes bubbled as though there were small Pearles in the middle being ready to seeth then cast in your Cods or bottomes still stirring them up and downe with broome or other small bushes if you shall see that the heate is not capable to make your bottomes winde augment your fire otherwise abate it The bottomes winding the threads will take hold of the broome or brushes draw those threads so affixed the length of halfe a yard and more out with your fingers till all the grossenesse of the bottome bâ—e wound off which cutting off and laying aside take all the thrâ—ads of your bottomes united into one and according to the bignesse of thread you intend to make as whether sowing or stitching chose the number not letting the other threads fall into the water againe which must bee reserved to succeede which you must runne through an Wyer Ring appoynted for to ranke the threads which as you may see in the draught or Picture must be fastened upon the fore part of a piece of wood set directly upon a forme before the round or circle which wee call a Bobin in the top of which piece in a little space that there is are fastned two Bobins distant from one another two fingers from this wyer ring the thread must bee drawne and crossed upon the bobins whose onely use there is to twist the silke through a ring which is fastned in the middest of a staffe above the Bobins you must continue the draught of your thread this staffe which moves with the wheele is called a Lincet set a crosse beneath the wheelesâ— from that Ring you must fasten your thread upon the wheele it selfe which must bee still turned till the skeyne of silke bee wound up the Representation see in the next figure Observe when any thread discontinues his bottome being wound off to repaire your number from another bottome this you shall perceive when your full number of bottomes stir not altogether Bee sure that you artificially cut the knots which will bee in your threads that your silke may bee more pure and uniforme Those which cast Gumme Arabick in the water under pretence to make the silke winde more pure and glossey are but impostours it being a meere cheate to make the silke weigh the heavier Basins or Caldrons wherein you put your bottoms to winde if of Lead reâ—â—ore the silke more pure then those of Copper this Mettall being subject to a rubiginous quality from which Lead is wholy exempt Let the wheeles be large for the better speeding of the worke that two skeines may be wound off together That the fire of the Furnace may be pure and without smoake let it be made of Charcoale The difficulty of their winding may be mollified by sope put in the Basin or Caldron the old Cods or bottoms hardened by time will have the naturall Gumme which glues their threads dissolved and the silke come off much more easie Those bottomes of silke preserved for seed and pierced by the Butterflyes may be made of good use if washing them in water you throwe them into a Caldron ready to boyle with sope in it which must be dissolved before the bottomes are cast in thus let them boyle a quarter of an houre or thereabouts which done take them out wash them in cleane water and dâ—ye them being dâ—yed you must beat them with a round stâ—ffe of a good bignesse upon a stone or some block which is better which will make them become white and smooth as wooll The way to spinne them after is this They must with the fingers be pul'd one from one another and opened as wooll uses to be in such preparations let it then bee put on a Distaffe and spunne as small as you can or please Treatise of the Vine THat the use of the Vine is really intended by nature for VIRGINIA those infinite store of â—rapâ—s which câ—owne the forehead of that happy Country are so mâ—ny spâ—â—king testimonies But what fate hath hitheto diverted our English there inhabiting from the publick undertaking a Commodity of so inestimable benefit I doe not say for a publick Staple though it would bee as rich as any other one species of Traffick whatsoever but even from private Vineyards where they might sit under their owne Vine drinke of their owne Grapes satisfie even the most irregular deâ—ire of their voluptuous appetites and all this de suo without entring into the Merchants bookes for Wines peradventure adulterate without paying the sweat of their browes for the exudation of the Grape I dare not determinately judge lest I might bee forced to ascribe it either to a strange nonchalency or sluggishnesse to their owne profit or which is worse an inveterate contempt of all other wayes of improvement of what ever returne in comparison of Fume of â—obaccoâ— But that they may not bee ignorant of the profit of the Vine they will bee pleased to know that the Vine requires once planted little more labour then the Hoppe To attend upon foure Acrees of Hops is the ordinary undertaking of one man in ENGLAND who besides this neglects not many other labours If one man in VIRGINIA bee not sufficient to doe as much as another in ENGLAND â— shall either imagine him to bee lame or idle nor let them object to me the heat of the Countrey if the mid-dayes be hotter the mornings are much colder and the Labourer in VIRGINIA hath this advantage of being full of bread to satiety whereas oftentimes the Hireling in ENGLAND having a family to feed and sometimes no imployment comes to worke with a famish'd bodyâ— and courage â—ives meerly de die in diem with as little hopes of ever changing the copy of his fortune as renewing the lease of his Cottage with his Landlord those are but leane encouragements In VIRGINIA the meanest servant if he have any spirit is still in expectation of improving his condition and without any presumption may cherish his hopes which promise him his time expired a present happinesse and future possibility of a Fortune equall if not outgoing his Master the encouragement being greater the care lesse and his provisionall subsistence by much better why the Laborer in VIRGINIâ— should not be I do not say superiour but equall in strength of body and resolution of minde to the miserable day-Hireling in ENGLAND needs an OEDIPUS to unriddle By this I hope it granted that the VIRGINIAN may