not alterable by any Act of the great Council as other things by the voices of 2 thirds but only by an universal agreement so it is hoped that this hint will satisfie all sober and understanding people what Encouragement such a Government may give For Husband-men that hes a Stock able to transport themselves and Families with a few Servants and to have but a 100. pound Scots or a 100. Merks more to carry over in Commodities they shall have upon their arrivall 100 Acres of good ground measured out to them or above not exceeding 500. Acres And for their encouragement shall for the first 7. years pay nothing and then have what they please not under 100. nor exceeding 500. Acres confirmed to them and their heirs for ever paying half a Crown an Acre never to be raised upon them And for the Charge of the first year they may easily Calculate carrying over as much Oat-meal as will serve them Bread and the fraught will be inconsiderable and they will get flesh enough in the Countrey for killing without charge and will be able to clear more ground the first winter then will double serve their Families after the first harvest so that they will only have to buy with the Commodities they carry over with them Seed and Beasts The Charge of transportation is for every Man or Woman 5. lib. starling passage and intertainment for children under 10. years of age 50. shilling and Sucking children nothing 40. shillings for the tunn of goods and often under The Voyage is judged lesse Sea hazard then either to Holland or London and if there be any tollerable winds it is easily made in 6. weeks There went a ship last harvest to West Jersey from the Road of Aberden and they came to Delaware-River-mouth in 8. weeks though they had great Calmes and of betwixt 30. and 40. Passengers that went out of Aberdeen several women and children not above 4. of them had been at Sea before not one dyed nor was sick by the way For Ordinary servants who are willing to go over after 4. Years service from the time of there arryvall there during which time they shall be well entertained in meat and cloathing they shall have set out to each 25. Acres to them and theirs for ever paying 2. pence an Acre as much Corn as will sow an Acre and a Sute of now cloaths Now Considering that there is 5. pound Sterling payed for their Passage this is good termes and that after the terme of their Service is expired they will gain more in one year there then they can do in two at home towards the gaining of a Stock to their land and it may be easily conceived that they will be well treated by their Masters since it is their Interest to do so there more then here for that they would be Considerable Losers either by their Death or sicknesse being out so great an advance for them if by any hard-ship they shall be disabled to serve out their times All Sorts of Tradesmen may make a brave Livelyhood there such as Carpenters Ship-wrights Rope-makers Smiths Brick-makers Taylors Tanners Cowpers Mill-wrights Joyners Shooe-makers c. and any such like who are willing to go serve the four years not having to transport themselves shall in consideration of their Trade have after the expiring of their Service 30. Acres 2. pence the Acre as much Corn as well sow 2. Acres a cow and a Sow And for the incouragement of any such Trasdmen who are willing to go over and transport themselves they shall have the like quantitie of Land at the same rent and the Proprietors will oblidge themselves to find them work for a year after their arryval at as good Rates as they can have here untill they furnish themselves with some Stock to make better advantage upon the Place We will not encourage any to go there in expectation of Gold and Silver mines yea tho there were such in the Countrey we should not be curious nor industrous to seek them out being besides the Toyl and Labour but occasions envy and Emulation Nor yet is their Suggar or Indigo there or Cotton nor any store of Tobacco tho it grows there very well But We consider it not our interest to imploy much ground on it The Riches of this Countrey Consists in that which is most Substantial and necessar for the use of men to wit Plenty of Corn and Cattle and they have besides Vines and Fruits in abundance as before has been said so that who dwell here need not to be oblidged to any other Plantation for any thing necessar for Life and all other Plantations are beholden to them for necessaries without which their other Curiosities would little avail them This with the Province of New-York being the Granary or Store-house of the West-Indies without which Barbadoes and the Leewards Islands could not subsist Yea New-England is forced to come there every year for Corn this with the advantage of Fishery being considered will easily induce Sober and industrious People to prefer a Plantation here to most other places The Duke of Yorks grant of East-New-Jersey to the twenty four Proprietors THis Indenture made the fourteenth day of March in the five and thirtieth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD of â—ngland Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. Anno Domini 1682. between His Royal Highness the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster c. only Brother to our Soveraign Lord the King of the one part And the Right Honourable James Earl of Perth of the Kingdom of Scotland the right Honourable John Drummond of Lundin Scotland Esquire Robert Barclay of Urie in the Kingdom of Scotland Esquire on the other part c. Whereas our said Soveraign Lord the Kings Majestie in and by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England bearing date the twelfth day of March in the sixteenth year of His said Majesties Reign did amongst several other things therein mentioned Give and Grant unto His Royal Highnes James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies all that tract of land adjacent to New-England in the parts of America and lying and being to the Westward of Long-Island and Manhattas Island and bounded on the East part by the Main Sea and part by Hudsons River and extendeth Southward to the Main Ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of Delawar Bay and to the Northward as far as the Northern-most branch of the said Bay or River of Delawar Which is one and fourtie Degrees and fourty Minuts of Latitude and crosing over thence in a straight line to Hudsons River in one and fourty Degrees of Latitude Which said tract of Land was then after to be called by the name of New-Cesaria or New-Jersey with all the Lands Islands Soylls Rivers Harbours Mynnes Minerals Quareries Woods Marishes Waters Lakes Fishings Hauckings Huntings and
of the Soils the temperature of the Climats the healthfulness of the places the Constitutions of the several Governments the conveniences of Access the advice given to Phaeton appears very apposite medio tutissimus ibis and so East-Jersey upon the River of Hudson is the place I find my self oblidge to preferr to any other of the English Plantations upon that coast upon some or other if not most of the above named considerations That you may be convinced of the truth of this I here send you what discription I have of that place as it is narrated in a Treatise thereanent emitted lately by the Scots Proprieters I send you also the doubles of several letters from thence all agreeing in one to the advantage of that place confirming all spoken in the said Treatise after your perusal of what does follow you will see whether I have ground or not to make this choise It is time now to show how some of our Countrey-men in order to so advantagious a Project have already purchased an considerable Interest in a Plantation which is justly esteemed not Inferiour if not beyond any place upon the whole continent of America belonging to the English Dominions called East-New-Jersey The deduction of the right of it is thus The KING by Patent to the Duke of York granted a great tract of Land lying betwixt Virginia and new-New-England It was formerly in the hand of the Dutch and considerably improved by them and called New-Netherlands And by treaty after the first Dutch Wars Surrendered to the King that part of it lying betwixt Delaware and Hudsons River called New-Cesaria or New-Jersey which is betwixt the 39. and 41. Degree of Northern Latitude was by the Duke of York granted to John Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright That part which belonged to the Lord Barkley being assigned to Edward Billings Afterwards by a deed of Partition betwixt the said Edward Billings and Sir George Cartwright The West Part lying upon Delaware River was allotted to Edward Billings for his share and the East part lying upon Hudsons River nearest to the Province of New York was appointed to Sir George Cartwright for his share Which part now called East-New-Jersey is from Sir George Cartwright conveyed to twelve Persons in and about London who have since conveyed an half to other twelve so that as well the Right of Government as the Soyl standeth now in 24. Proprietors in favours of some of whom the Duke of York has been latey pleased to make a new Grant of Confirmation both of Soyl and Government to the twenty four Proprietors with the same Power and Priviledges he has in his Patent from the King which are as large as any other Plantation hath for the Words of the Dukes Patent are as followeth The Patent from the King to James Duke of York c. CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Men to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know ye that WE for diverse good causes and considerations Us hereunto moving have of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion Given and Granted and by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Do give and grant unto Our dearest Brother JAMES Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes All that part of the Maine-Land of new-New-England beginning at a certain place called or known by the name Saint Croix next adjoyning to new-New-Scotland in America and from thence extending along the Coast unto a certain place called Pamaquin or Pemaquid and so up the River thereof the farthest Head of the same as it tendeth Northward and extendeth from the River Kenbequin and so upwards by the shortest course to the River of Canada Northward and all that Island or Islands commonly called by the several name or names of Mattawax or Long-Island scituate and being towards the West of Cape-cod and the narrow Heggansets abutting upon the main Land between the two Rivers there called or known by the several names of Conectecute and Hudsons River together also with the said River called Hudsons River and all the Land from the West-side of Conectecute River to the East-side of Delaware Bay And also all those several Islands called or known by the name of Martins-Vineyard and Hantucks alias Hantuckett together with all the Lands Islands Soyls Rivers Harbours Mines Mineralls Quarries Woods Marshes Waters Lakes Fishing Haukings Huntings and Foulings and all other Royallities Profits Commodities and Hereditaments to the said several Islands Lands and Premisses belonging and appertaining with their and every of their Appurtenances and all Our Estate Right Title and Interest Benefit and Advantage Claime and Demand of in or to the said Islands or Premisses or any part or parcel thereof and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders together with the Yearly and other Rents Revenues and Profits of the Premisses and every Part and Parcel thereof To have and to Hold all and singular the Lands and Premisses with their and every of their Appurtenances thereby given and granted or herein before mentioned to be given or granted unto Our said Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies for ever To be Holden of Us Our Heirs and Successors as of Our Manner of East-Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knights Service Yeeld and Rendering And the same James Duke of York for himself his Heirs and Assignes DOTH Covenant and Promise to yeild and render unto US Our Heirs and Successors of and for the same yearly and every year Fourty Beaver skins when the same shall be demanded or within ninety dayes after such Demand made And WE do further of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion for Us Our Heirs and Successors give and grant unto Our said Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs Deputes Agents Commissioners and Assignies by these Presents full and absolute Power and Authority to Correct Punish Pardon Govern and Rule all such Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successours or any other Person or Persons as shall for time to time adventure themselves into any the Parts or Places aforesaid Or that shall or do at any time hereafter inhabit within the same according to such Laws Orders Ordinances Directions and Instructions as by Our said Dearest Brother or his Assignes shall be Established and in defect thereof in cases of necessity according to the good Directions of his Deputie Commissioners Officers or Assignes respectively as well in cases and matters Capital and Criminal as Civil and others so alwayes as the said Statutes Ordinances and Proceedings be not contrary to but as near as may be agreeable to the Laws Statutes and Government of this Our Realm of England AND Saving and Reserving to Vs Our Heirs and Successors the Receiving Hearing and Determining the Apeale and Apeales of any Person or Persons of in or belonging to the Territories or
is apparent that it hath been long inhabited Laetius in his discourse anent the Original of the Americans Declaring That the Spaniards destroyed thirty miâ—lions of them in these parts of America usurped by them which is not the 100 part of that continent And since it is by all agreed that after the Flood Noah and his three Sons had their habitations in some parts of Asia there being no probable evidencies that any of their Descendants led out the first Collonies thither being so divided from the rest of the World to wit from the Western coast of Europe and Africa by the vast Atlantick Ocean from the North parts of Europe by the great frozen Seas lying betwixt it and Green-land appearing to be the Northern Coast of America from the Northern part of Asia Tartaria and Cathat by the Fretum Annium from the Fast part of China and the Philippine Islands by the Oceanus Pacificus above 2000. Leagues in breadth and divided from the great lately discovered Island Delphago by the Straits of Magellan and that Island divided again from the uttermost Southern Continent if any be by a great Sea not formerly known to the Europeans and Asiaticks being divided from Asia and Africa by the great Indian Ocean lately discovered by De La Mers Navigation the only probable means of such a Migration being of a far later perfection than what could answer such a population of so great a continent To this apparently difficult question I find a very satisfying answer given verie fullie by the Learned Hales his Assertion to wit That notwithstanding these apparent difficulties a Migration unto America from the Descendants of Adam and Noah was not onely possible but probable that the samine was successive that tho the time or manner of these Migrations cannot certainly be defined yet many of them were long since some thousand of years Yet after the universal Deluge that the means of this Transmigration of the Descendents of Adam and Noah from Asia unto America hath been both by Sea and Land That the readiest means of the Migration of Colonies unto the Western World from the Eastern was by the help of Navigation whereof much might be casual by Tempests or contrary Winds But the more Principle from design he judging it probable that the use of Ships was not unknown to the Old World before the Flood tho not in that perfection that after But that the Ark of Noah being an exact piece of Arihitecture did give a patron for Vessels of a greater burden that from that time the skill of making and navigating Ships had been certainly improved Heathnish Histories giving us accompt that Navigation was ancient among the Grecians especiallie among the Phenicians Tyrians and Carthaginians Pliny in his Natural History relating That the Navigation of the Argonauts to Colchis for the Golden Fleece happened about 1000. years after the Flood And that 200. years before that Danaus sailed out of Aegypt unto Greece And tho there be no express mention of the Pixis Nautica for manie years after the mention of the use of Navigation yet the same Author relates That the Phenicians steered their Course by observation of the Stars But the Sacred Scripture gives a better accompt of the Antiquitie of Navigation Jacob died 600. years 〈◊〉 the Flood yet he mentioned Ships and Havens for shipping as things well known and particularlie Sidon as a great Port for shipping where Zebulons Lott was to be cast Gen. 49.13 Balaam in the time of Moses mentions the Ships of Chittim or Grecians as a known thing Numb 24.24 In the Reign of Solomon the Tyrians are noticed as expert Seamen he having a Navie upon the Coast of the Red-Sea from thence making Voyages with the Tyrans to Ophir and Tarshish places apparentlie in the East Indies thence bringing Gold and other Commodities 1 Chr 8.18.9.21 The Histories of all succeeding Ages of the Grecians and Persians of the Tyrians Phenicians and Carthaginians of the Romans Aegyptians and Chinenses And in the latter times of the Venetians Sicilians and Rhodians Spanish Dutch French and English give us a full accompt how Sedulous and Industrious all Maritim Coasts have been in advancing of Navigation in multiplying of Shipping in Merchandizing and Trading in searching out and subduing Forraign Countries when either afflicted at home by war or otherway◠〈◊〉 or growen over populous And therefore sayes the forecited Author as latter years hath given us of this Age witness of the Transplantations to America from Spain France Portugal England Scotland and Holland and some Ages before that have given instances of Transplantations fâ—om Norway unto Green-land and Iseland So it appears not onely possible but probable that either by Casuality or Tempest or by Intention and Design either for Lucre of Gold or for disburthening of the Countries sur charged with multitudes of Inhabitants or by greatness of mind affecting Noble Vndertakings or by Reason of Hardships Oppression and Warrs at home or by some of all these wayes several parts of this great Continent at several times have been planted with Inhabitants which through process of time have multiplied unto these many Nations and have forgot ther Original and the Manners Religions and Customes of these People from whom they descended in Asia Europe or Africa His Judgement is That the Countries in Asia and Europe which with greatest probability have first Peopled America appear to be the British the Norwegians the Tartars or Scythians the Phenicians Carthaginians or the Chineses Not mentioning the late Migrations of the Spanish French Portuguize Dutch English or Scottish Doctor Powels relates That anno 1170 Madoch one of the Sons of Owen Guineth went over twice unto the Northern coast of America and made there a British plantation This is at large prosecuted by Laetius in his second Observation Grotius hath some Observations touching the Migrations of the Norwegians Laetius grants that Iseland and some part of Green-land were planted by Ericus Rufus anno 928. that probably from hence Collonies were brought over unto the Northern parts of America over the Fretum Anian in respect of the easiness and shortness of that passage from Nova Zembla and the farthest North-east part of Tartary over that narrow Sea and partly by Reason of the congruitie of the Barbarous customs of the Americans and Scythians Hornius thinks the Migration of the Phenicians and Carthaginians especially unto the South-east part of the continent of America as Mexico and Brasile very probable upon many accompts 1 Vpon the great skill and long practise of Navigation and the multitude of Shipping of the Phenicians and Carthaginians 2 Vpon the Accommodation of the Port of Carthage and other African ports bordering upon the Mediterranean Sea to make their Voyages West-ward and the great advantage of the constant Easterlie Windes which makes the Voyage to Mexico and Brasile more easie 3. Vpon some ancient Histories intimating the progress of the Phenicians and Carthaginians Fleet unto some Islands or
for food in their seasons But in the killing and destroying of Bears Wolves Foxes and other Vermine whose Skins and Furs they bring the English and sell them at less price then the value of the time that people must spend to take them Like as that this Collony may be founded in Justice and without any thing of Oppression as all that is already Planted is is truly Purchased from the Indians so there is a great deal more of the Province cleared by their consent and all is intended by paction with them to be obtained so that whoever Purchase or Plant under the Proprietors shal be fred of that incumbrance and if there were any hazard from the Indians as really there is none yet this Province could hardly be in any danger In respect that to the North upon the Main-Land from whence the hazard if any must come the Province of New-York comes betwixt it and them and 20. miles and more above upon Hudsons River there is a Fort called New-Albany There were Constitutions of Government made by the Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright in which such provision was made both for Liberty of Religion and Propertie that the Province hath been considerably Peopled and many resorted there from the Neighbouring Collonies so that the Planters are able already to Muster 500. well Armed Men. The Concessions and Agreement of the Lord Proprietors of the Province of New-Caesarea or New-Jersey to and with all and every the Adventurers and as such as shall settle or plant there granted by Lord John Barclay and Sir George Cartwright the then Lord Proprietors upon their sending thir people to Plant Anno 1664. IMprimis We do consent and agree that the Governour of the said Province hath power by the advice of his Council to depute one in his place and Authority in case of death or removeall to continue untill farther order unless we have Commissionated one before 2. Item That he hath likewise power to make choice of and take to him six Counsellors at least or twelve at most or any even number betwixt six and twelve with whose consent and advice or with at least three of the six or four of a greater number all being summonded he is to Govern according to the Limitations and Instructions following during Our Pleasure 3. Item That a Chief Secretary or Register which we have chosen or shall choice we faillieing that he shall choice shall keep exact entries in fair books of all publict affaires and to avoyd Decreets and Law Suitts shall record and enter all grants of Lands from the Lords to the Planters and Conveyances of Lands houses or from man to man as also all Leases for Land house or housâ—s made or to be made by the Land-Lord to any tennant for more then one year which Conveyance or Lease shall be first acknowledged by the Granter or Leaser or proved by the each two witnesses to the Lease or Conveyance before the Governor or some cheif Judge of a Court for the time being who shall under his hand upon the back side of the said deed or Lease attest the acknowledgement or Proof as aforesaid which shal be a warrand for the Register to record the same which conveyance or Lease so recorded shall be good and effectuall in the Law notwithstanding any other conveyance Deed or Lease for the said Land house or houses or any part thereof although dated before the Conveyance Deed or Deed or Lease so recorded as aforesaid And the said Register shall do all other thing or things that we by our Instructions shall direct and the Governor Counsel and assemblie shall ordaine for the good and wellfaire of the said Province 4ly Item That the Suerveyour generall that we have chosen or shall choice such faillieing that the Governour shall choice shall have power by himself or deputie to Survey Lay out and bound all such Lands as shall be granted from the Lords to the Planters and all other Lands within the said Province which may concerne particular men as he shall be desired to doe And a particular thereof certified to the Register to be recorded as aforesaid Provided that if the said Register and Surveyer shall so mis-behave themselves as that the Governor and Counsellor Deputie Governour or Counsellor the Major part of them shall find it reasonable to Suspend their actings in their respective employments It shall be Lawful for them so to doe untill further order from us 5ly Item That the Governour Counsellors Assemblie Men Secretarie Surveyer and all other Officers of Town shal Swear or Subscribe in a book to be provided for that purpose That they will bear true allegiance to the King of England his Heirs and Successors And that they will be faithfull to the interest of the Lords Propietors of the said Province and their Heirs executors and Assignes and endeavor the peace and wellfair of the said Province and that they will truelie and faithfullie discharge their respective trusts in their respective officses and doe equall Justice unto all men according to their best skill and Judgement without corruption favour or affection And in the names of all that have Sworne to Subscribe to be entered in a book And whosoever shall Subscribe and not Sweare and shall violate his promise in that Subscription shall be lyable to that same punishment that the Persons are or may be that have Sworn and broken their Oaths 6ly Item That all persons that are or shall become Subjects to the King of England and Swear and Subscribe allegiance to the King and faithfulness to the Lords shal be admitted to plant and become a Free man in the said Province and enjoy the Freedomes and Immunities hereafter exprest untill some stop or contradiction be made by us the Lords or els the Governor Council and Assemblie which shall be in force untill the Lords see cause to the contrarie Provyded That such stopes shall not any wayes prejudice the right or continuance of any person that hath been received before such Stop or order come from the Lords or Generall Assemblie 7ly Item That no person as aforsaid within the said Province at any time shall be any wayes molested punished Disquyeted or called in question for any Difference in Opinion or Practise in matters of Religious Concernments who doe not actuallie disturb the Civil peace of the said Province But that all and every such person and persons may from time to time and at all time freelie and fullie have and enjoy his and their Judgement and Consciences in matters of Religion throughout all the said Province They behaving themselves peaceablie and quyetlie and not useing this Liberty to Licentiousnes to the civil injurie or outward disturbance of others Any Law Statute or Clause contained or to be contained Vsage or Custome of this Realm of England to the contrarie thereof in any wise notwithstanding 8ly Item That no pretence may be taken by us our Airs or Assignes for or by reason of our
very few days they use to take more then they make usâ— of in Winter as for wild Meat there is of all sorts Cows sheep and Oxen as large as in England and aboundantly cheap considering their goodness Corns and all Sorts of Fruit in great aboundance and no less then they are called in Scotland Moâ—â—y within this three years is become pretty plentiful Servants dear and scarce I have taken up sex Acres of Land in New-Perth which pleases me exceeding well in regard it is good Land and fâ—â—â—â—r building of a City and Persons of Good Fortune aâ—e come from New-York and other places in thâ— Countrey and are very busy building and I aâ—â— begun to build a house and have near digged the ground which is very hard it being under a great part of it Oker which is hard to digg and the least deepness is eight foot I have my two Wrights Squaring of Timber for it and I resolve to have it a good Handsome House six Rooms off a floor with a Study two stories high above the Sellers and the Garret above And I doubt nor if the Frost bide away but I shall have the Sellers finished and the gests laid above it against the letter end of this moneth for the Land that lyes to the house I resolve to fence in two Acres of it for an Orchard and an Yeard and to have hat done before the middle of February and to have it planted with fruit trees for I find a man in three years will have more Fruit in such in Orchard then he knâ—ws how to make use of And about the middle of February according as the Weather is I resolved to go out where I have takâ—n up my Land which is upon a River called the South-River which is an exceeding pleasant River and place there goes onely with me â—here Mr David Violent I can go from New-â—erth â—o it in a Boat in two houres and a half let the wind blow as it will and come baâ—k again in as much time I wish I had as many Servants here as I could make use of Any man that is â—rugal and hath 300. lib. Sterling in Stock to come over here and bring over 7. or 8. gâ—od Servants with him I could assure him in 3. years time he shâ—uld make a stock better then 1000. if not 1500. lib. if he bestow his money right in Scotland and take advice to bring all things here which is necessary for him to have in this Countrey I am uncertain of the time I wil be at Home but I resolve you shall come over with me again and ye will both think and say when ye see the Countrey that ye wish it had been done twenty years agoe I thought it not fit to trouble my friends and relations since I could not write short Lettèrs to them but any of them that desires to know the condition of this Countrey ye may shew them this Letter since there is no secret in it you will find by William Burnets Letter that he desires some of his Sons to come over and John Geddis writs for some of his Brethren the which Letters cause deliver them carefully and get an answer that if they be to come over ye may speak for their passage timely he tells some of them are good Wrights which is all at present but keep a good heart to your self and take care of your Children and I hope to see you with more Comfort then we parted and I am your ever loving Husband while I breath Dauid Mudie James Johnston of Spotswoods Letter to his Brother John Johnston Drougest in Edinburgh East-Jersey the 12th of December 1684. Loving Brother I Have taken up a part of my Land 9. miles from Amboy and 4. miles from Piscataway and as far from the nearest part of Rariton on a Brook side where there are exceeding great plains without any Timber there is excellent Gunning for Dear and Turkies of which there is great plenty and easily shot But I resolve to see a place called Bernagate which is 60. or 70. miles from this on the Southermost place of the Province where there is a good River and Harbour the best Fishing and Gunning in any place in America 30. or 40. miles from any Plantation The Indians here are nothing to be feared the Place being as peaceable as any where else I had occasion to travel through Long-Island and Stallen Island and for many miles found as many towns and plantations in the way as in any so much Land in Louthean there are no Bears nor Ravinous Beasts but Wolves which are nothing to be feared neither are the Countrey People afraid to be among them all night in so much as I oft-times going wrong and lying out all night and hearing their yells about me and telling that I was afraid of them the Countrey People laught at it neither are the Snakes any thing to be noticed for nothing can come near them but they give warning with the ratling of their tail so that People may either kill them or go by them as they please Oxen are so well taught that they go sometimes in a Plough or Cart without Horse or without a Gade-man Horses and Cattel are as cheap as in Scotland considering their goodness and the difference of the Money All sorts of Scots goods sells well here ye will be advised with the next Occasion what goods sells best in this place I have great reason to thank GOD that I am in a place which abundantly answers any thing I expected The Air is healthful and the Soil fruitful the Indian Corn yeelds commonly 2. or 3. hundred fold Oats 20. fold as I am informed the Indian Corn is an excellent grain I have eat it and likes it very well in Pottage and Bread there are several reasonable good towns in this Province most of them hath more then eighty Families there is no poor persons here but all are half idle in respect of what they work with you Flax twice heckled sold at 9. d. per pound Wool is very cheap only work is dear the Liquor we most use is Sider we have great store of Fruit. In many places untaken up there are many plains and not a tree I have never since last parting had any sickness to keep me from one Dyet for which I render thanks to GOD. The Indians here make it their trade to kill Venision and sell it to us for a smal matter I will have my Family served with Flesh all Winter one of their Sashiams which is their King came to the Governour when I came first here desiring he might be suffered to trade amongst us and not to be beat out of our houses when they were drunk but only that we might bind them and permit them to cut timber and some such things At New-Perth we have a good Stationers Shop of Books the land is no where difficult to clear albeit trees be 100. foot long and 3. or 4. foot over
on Amboy we are to have some Land laid out to us and we are Stocked with two Mares four Cowes two Sows two Oxen my Wise and I and the Child Richard are very well in health and hath been so ever since we came out of Scotland Now as for this Countrey it is a very good Countrey indeed poor men such as my self may live better here then in Scotland if they will but work a man can have Corn and Cattle or any other Goods for his work and he can sell these good to some hands for money it is not for a man that hath a Familie to come bound four years but young men who have no trouble they will do better to come and serve four years here then to serve in Scotland for they are not so hard wrought as in Scotland and when the four years are out they can gain abundance to work to other men or if they desire to setle upon Land of their own they can have it reasonably Cheap the hardest work that is here is clearing of the Ground and felling of Trees and the like the first year is the worst till they be accustomed with the work of the Countrey my Neighbour and I did clear from the middle of February till the midst of May five Acres of Land and have it planted with Indian Corn and Indian Beans and Tobacco for our own smoaking a man who lives here needs go no where to buy any things here he can have Corn and Cattle and every thing that is necessar for mans use if he be Industrious only the thing that is dearest here is Cloathing for there are but few Sheep to this Countrey but there are store of all other Beasts such as Horse and Cows and Hoggs there is here good Fishing good hunting of Deer and other kind of wild Beasts The Countrey is very healthie as I have seen yet it is cold in the Winter like unto Scotland But fra once the Summer breaks up it is hotter then it is in Scotland There are here very good Religious People they go under the name of Independants but are must like to the Prisbyterians only they will not receive every one to their Society we have great need of Good and Faithful Ministers And I wish to God that there would come some over here they can live as well and have as much as in Scotland and more then many gets we have none within all this Province of East-Jersey except one who is Preacher in New-wark there were one or two Preachers more in the Province but they are dead And now the people they meet together every Sabbath day and Reads and Prays and sings Psalms in their Meeting-houses this Countrey is very well settled with People most part of the first Settlers came out of new-New-England very kind and loving people kinder than in Scotland or England And for the Indian Natives they are not troublesome any way to any of us if we do them no harm but are a very kind and loving people the men does nothing but hunts and the women they plant Corn and works at home they come and trades among the Christians with Skins or Venison or Corn or Pork And in the Summer time they and their Wives come down the Rivers in their Cannoas which they make themselves of a piece of a great tree like a little Boat and rhere they Fish and take Oysters This Countrey is a very pleasant Countrey with Rivers and Creiks to fish in Only it is full of Wood such as Oak and Walnut-tree Chesnut Poplar and Cedar The only thing we want here is good People I wish that all the poor Friends I or my Wife hath were here As for my Brother if he have a mind to come Brother if you have but as much in the World as would transport you hither and your Family I would desire you earnestly to come and bring my Sister with you if you have as much as will transport you sell all and come tho you had not a penny after your passage were payed you need not fear if you have a mind to work I was as little brought up with work as any man yet blessed be GOD I can work now as my Neighbors and lives very contentedly with my Wife better then ever we did in Scotland shew my Mother in Law thaâ— my Wife and I would be very well pleased if she would come over there are as old Women as she comâ—… here out of old England there was one came alongst with us elder then she if she will come she shall live with her Daughter and me as easie and as well as ever she did live in Scotland and I do know that was well enough my Wife and I are well at present as you could wish GOD be blessed I can say no more but my love to my Brother and his wife and all Friends I rest your loving Cusin Peter Watson A Letter write by John Campbel to John Dobie New-Perth 8th of November 1684. B. John I Wrote a line from Philadelphia to you as we were coming hither your Cusin James Dobbie the bearer is in such haste that I cannot write what I would say but is short we are come here to a good wholesome Countrey in which with little industrie a man may have a comfortable life there is good Wheat and Oats growing here and Indian Corn which our Servants likes very well There is Fish and Fowl abundance and of Cows and Horse they labour wi h Horse and Oxen There is Deer through all the Countrey and Turkies which some of our Servants has killed a part of already There is Pertrages and Quails very rife that my wife yesterday morning saw about 20. of them walking before the door like Chikens I shall say no more till I see farther for I am with others going to the Countrey on Munday to see for the Countrey lotts for I have taken up the Towns already and cut down the trees of two Acres of ground with six men in three dayes My service to all Friends I am Your most assured Friend John Campbel A Letter from Thomas Fullerton Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to his Brother in Law Doctor Gordon in Montross Elizabeth-Town 4. January 1685. Dear Brother BY my last about a Moneth since I dated from Amboy you understand that we came to Sandy-Hook 18. weeks after we sailed from Montrofe we were 9. weeks at Sea from Killebeg in Ireland we had many cross winds what other accidents we met with by the way were worth the telling but not the writting blessed be God we all kept our healths very well only one Boy fell over boord what you expect and I design by this is a breef but true accompt of the Country The first land we discovered was About the midle of Long-Island it appeared at first like trees growing out of the Sea Towards night we Anchored in Sandy-Hooke The land is low and levell that is the reason we were