Family and so in a mannâ—r what by that and what by the other publick burthens ingadged in a most slavish life when he is every morning in the reverence of hie Creditors will quickly come to envy the happiness of the â—â—unger brothers in America when thâ—y come to be informed â—n what plenty they live recreating themselves with no less pleasant then harmless divertisements that Counâ—rey in great plenty affoords and divertising primative recreations where every one shall have such a competent suffâ—cienâ— or â—â—mself as hâ— shall not have the least occasion of envying his Neighbor upon accompt of his or â—ne each having for himself what in reason can be judged a comfortable accommodation But however weighty this consideration may be I leave the further prosecuting thereof to offer to your serious thoughts a point of no less moment as being in my weak judgment more maâ—erial and of greater weight in thir times then the other are not the distractions of this Kingdom anent matters of Opinion in reference to Church Government come to that hight that the sad and fatal consequences thereof are astonishing to all sober persons many who upon some scruple cannot comply with the present Model of Government are yet confounded and ashamed to consider the unwarrantable practises of some who give themselves out as owning their principles while their inhuman and barbarous practises are a scandal not only to the Protestant Religion but inconsistant with Christianity Yea Humanity it self what the further result of these differences shall be I will not take upon me to determine onely the consequencies are like to be not a little prejudicial to the Protestant Religion each of the Parties endeavour to blame the other without any design of Accommodation or yeelding one to another There is nothing impossible to the Omnipotent Power But a reconsiliation of the differences among our Church-men appears improbable in the highest degree So fixed both Parties do seem to be in their own Principles If Mackquare and Broun vent publicklie the justification of their Tenets for the further incouragemâ—nt of their own Party in opposition to the other The Bishop of St. Asaph will not be behind with them seeing rather as not to have the occasion of reaching them a blow he choiceth affrontedly in the face of the World to cut off from his Native Prince Fourty of his Royal Ancestors I desire not to reflect upon any of his Lo Character but I may be allowed without giving offence to say whatever demonstration his Lo hath given in that piece of reading he hath evidenced smal sence of his gratitude to so bountiful a Prince to whom he owed so much to have so treated him as his malice against our Nation is thereby made sufficiently apparent so you now see his gross ignorance in that particular laid open to the world by a very ingenious Pen Sir G. McK which probably may have that effect upon his Lo. as to oblidge him for the future to treat in matters wherein he is more versant and which are more becoming a Gown-man then so publickly to endeavour to affront a Nation by injuring their King and his own But to return from this digression you see so it is now judged the interest of the Government altogether to suppress the Presbiterian Principles and that in order thereto the whole force and bensill of the Law of this Kingdom are levelled at the effectual bearing them down that the rigorous putting these Laws in execution hath in a great part ruined many of these who notwithstanding thereof find themselves in conscience oblidged to retain these principles while in the other hand Episcopacy is by the same Laws supported and protected I would gladly know what other rational medium can be proposed in thir circumstances then either to comply with the Government by going what length is required by Law in conforming or to retear where by Law a Toleration is by His Majestie allowed such a retreat doth at present offer it self in America and is no where else to be found in His Majesties Dominions I would be informed if such as cannot comply with the present Laws would not act more rationally to bestow what is yet left them in making an interest in that place transporting themselves thither where they are by Law allowed the free exercise of their principles beside what other accommodations they may upon just grounds propose to themselves rather then by still living where they are resolved not to comply with the Government expose themselves wholly to ruine which appears absolutely inevitable otherwayes then by a full compliance with the Laws whereby may be obviated the penalty such will otherwayes be lyable to the exacting whereof will certainly tend to their ruine in the close And to conuclude you will find no smal ground of further incouragement to such as are resolved effectually to bestirr themselves in carrying on this design from the consideration of the great success of the only undertaking of this Nature this Kingdom was ever concerned in whereby â—s made clearly evident that we want not people for managing such design it was but about the latter end of King James the sixth his dayes that we began to be concerned in sending some people to Ireland and yet the small beginning that design had from the undertaking of a very few Gentlemen hath come this length that I am informed by Creditable Authors that Kingdom this day could bring to the fields an hundred thousand of our countrey men Yea I had an accompt thence lately from an acquaintance of mine who was serious in advancing this design That the Province of Ulster where most of our Nation are seated could spare Fourty thousand Men and Women to an America Plantation and be sufficiently Peopled it self The Gentleman who gave me this Information is since setled in mary-Mary-land the accompt he sends of that Countrey is so encouraging that I hear a great many of his Acquaintances are making for that Voyage one thing is considerable in this to be observed That the difficulties of such an undertaking were far more terrifying at that time then now to our Countrey Men seing a Voyage from the West of Scotland to Ireland not 16. hours sailing was then more formidable generally to People who otherwise would have undertaken willingly the Voyage then now from Lieth to America whether several Ships have gone without the least discouraging accident But now to come to the Answer of your most material Question to wit What I judge the most proper place in America for a seat to these who would resolve to go hence upon such a Design For your satisfaction in this I shall very freely tell you my own Opinion that having for some time made it my work to consider all the Coast of America from the River of Canada Northerly to the River of May Southerly in that part of Flonda now called Caralina having in my search had the opportunity of informing my self of the different nature
Oysters Fish Foul Pork is 2. pennies the pound Beef and Venison 1. penny the pound a whole fat back at 5. or 6. per Bushell Indian Corn for 26 per Bushel Oats 20. pennies and Barley 2. shill per Bushell We have good brick earth and stone for building at Amboy and elsewhere the Countrey Farme houses are built very cheap A Carpentar with a mans own Servants builds the house they have all materialls for nothing except Nails their Chimneys are of stones they make their own Ploughs and Carts for the most part only the Iron work is very dear The poorer sort set up a house of two or three Rooms themselves after this manner The walls are of cloven Timber about 8. or 10. Inches broad like planks set on end to the ground and the other nailed to the raising which they plaister within they build a Barn after the same manner and these cost not above 5. lib. a peece and then to wâ—rk they go 2. or 3. men in one year will clear 50. Acres in some places 60. and in some more They sow Corn the first year and afterwards maintain themselves and the encrease of Corn Cows Horses Hogs and Sheep comes to the Landlord several Merchants of New-York have left their several Plantations there to come to East-Jer-sey 2. or 3. joyn together be 12 15 or 20. Servants and one Overseer which costs them nothing for the first year except some Shoes Stockings and Shirts I have been to see these Plantations and find they make a great increase by them maintains their Families at New-York with all provisions sell a great deal yearly and for Servants our English people are far better Husbandmen then the New-England men the Servants work not so much by a third as they do in England and I think feed much better for they have Beef Pork Baccon Pudding Milk Butter and good Beer and Cyder for drink When they are out of their time they have land for themselves and generally turn Farmours for themselves Servants wages is not under 2 shill a day besides Victuals and at Amboy point 2 shill 6 pen per day at Amboy we have one setting up to make Malt but we want a Brewar I wish thou would send over some to set up a Brewhouse and a Bakehouse to bake Bread and Bisket for a Bisket-maker we must have to vend our meat to the Plantations send over some Husband Men and Countrey Fellows that Plough Sow Reap Thresh and look after Cattle A Carpentar or two and a Smith for Ploughs and Horse and a Cowper which we want very much If thou will send a dozon of Servants most of them Countrey men I will set thee out a gallant Plantation of 500. or 1000. Acres upon a River side but thou must send over some goods to stock it withall I desire thee to encourage some of our Friends especially the Proprietors to send over some servants to stock some Land And when they have cleared it if they have a mind to lett it here are tennents to take it and if they will sell it here are also purchasers there is one man since I came here sold his Plantation for 1500. lib. the whole was 1600. or 1800. Acres whereof only 120. Acres were cleared upon which he had a house Garden and Orchyard and Barn planted I know several men who lett cleared Land at 6. shil 8. pennies and at 10. shil the Acre yearlie rent which is a good encouragement for sending over servants to plant I write not this as idle story but as things realy and truly are I have sent for servants my self to setle a farme for if the Proprietors will not do so I see not what they can exect The Scots have taken a right course They have sent over many servants and are likewayes sending more They have likewayes sent over many poor Families and given them a small stock and these Families some for 7. some for 10 years give the half of their increase to the Land-lord except the milk which the tennent hath to himself I have set them out land and they are at work I beleive they will have 40. Acres cleared this Spring and this Summer I am to sett them out more so that in a short time they will have a great increass coming in this will raise the price of the Land here And is the reason that several from New-York bounds come to me to take up Land for they beleive now this Province will be improven And our Land is beeter then theirs so that every Proprietors sending over 10. people will be a great advantage to himself encourage others to take up Land and bring all the division that hath been here to an end for these men seing that they shall be ballanced are already more complyant then they were Now I have layd these things before thee and desire thee to impart them to some of the Proprietors and other friends that they may consider of the same I am thy Loving friend Sic subscribtur Gavin Laury A Letter from Gavin Laury to the Scots Proprietors of the same date KNowing you do expect from us an account of this Countrey we have for your encouragement and for the encouragement of all our Countrey Men who may be inclinable to come into this Countrey given you this breef and true account of it according as we have seen and are credibly informed for having seen little yet save the Winter Season we must writ what is to be seen in Summer upon Information which we have just ground to believe to be true because what we have seen alread in it notwithstanding of all that we heard of it before we came surpass our expectation in many things the Aire in this Countrey is very wholesome and though it alter suddenly sometimes being one day hot and another cold yet people are not so subject to catch cold or be distempered by it as in our Countrey of England the land lyes for the most part pretty high but on the River and Creek sides are many Meadows which lye low of which the Countrey people getts their Hay whereby their stocks are maintained in the Winter Season Provisions here are pentifull and cheap There is Beef Pork Venision Mutton Foul and Fish aboundance to be had at easie rates and for drink they have good Beer and Cyder and these that are desirous may have Wine of several sorts and other kinds of strong Liquor so that we see little wanting here that a man can desire and we are here sure that a sober and industrious People might make this a rich Countrey and enrich themselves in it especially poor people who are hard put to it to gain bread at home notwithstanding of the excessive Labour for we see that people here want nothing yet there labour is very saml they work not so hard by one half as the Husband men or Fermors in our Countrey and many of these who have setled here upwards of
sixteen years have lived upon the product of the Land They cleared the first two years after they came and cleared none since which produced not only Corn to maintain their own Families but to sell every year and the encrease of their Bestial whereof they have good store of several Sorts Cows Oxen Horses Sheep and Swine yeelds them other provisions and to sell besides yet there be some more Industrious among them who have continued clearing and Improving Land and these have got Estates and would not sell their Plantations for several hundred pounds we have late up a little way on the Rariton River but could not go so far as we intended being prevented by Rainy weather but so far as we went was very rich land and yet that above it is said to be richer a great deal of it is naturally clear of wood And which is not so is easily cleared the trees being but small and a good distance from one another so that the Land yet untaken up so far as we can understand is easier to clear then that which is taken up the Towns that are already seated being seated in woodiest places the Merchants in New-York both Dutch and English have many of them taken up Land and setled Plantations in this Countrey and severall from that Collony are desiring to come and take up land among us though they might have land in their own Collony without paying Quittrents The wood here is not so hard to clear as many think they do not pull it up by the Roots but them about a foot or more from the ground and one man may cut down many in a day four of our men the first day they began cut down seventy the best Trees they could find fit for building there are not many of great Trees but straight and tale and there be of many sorts Oak Walnut Chesnut Cedar Popler Gumtrees Firrs Pines Birth and Beech and other sorts which we remember not at present there are many good Orchards of Fruit trees and they make abundance of good Cyder especially at one Town called New-wark which is esteemed at New-York and other places where it is sold beyond any that comes from New-England there are Peaches and Vines grow wild about the River sides which in Season bears good Fruit and Grapes and there are Strawberries over all the Woods and many other kind of goods and Fruits and at Amboy point and several other places there is abundance of brave Oysters There will be many houses built there quickly for many have taken up lots and all that have taken are oblieged to built within a year there is good encouragment for Tradsmen to come over such as Carpentars Massons and Brick-layers for they build not only of Wood but also of Stone and Brick yet most of Countrey Houses are built of Wood only Trees split and seâ— up in end on the Ground and Coverings to their Houses are mostly Shingles made of Oak Chesnut and Cedar wood which makes a very neat Covering yet there are some Houses covered after the Dutch manner with pantikles the Towns are all settled upon Rivers where Vessels of 30 or 40 Tuns may come up to their doors and the out plantations generally upon some Brooks or Rivelets which are as plenty here as in our own Countrey and curious clear water and in many places are good Spring walls but in the Towns every man for the most part have a well diggd by his own hand Among all the towns that are Setled here there is none lyeth so convenient for trade as New-Perth for Shipps of great burden may come up closs to the houses and may come up any time in the Winter There came a Ship of 300. tuns in there this winter in the hardest frost we had and lay hard by the town so near that she was tyed to a tree The Land here brings furth most sorts of English grain and great encrease Wheat Rye Barly Oats and others sorts of grain such as Indian Corn which is very good and wholesome kind of Grain and also Buck-Wheat and those Corns are to be had at easie rates either for money or for goods and those that have not mâ—…ney or goods may have abundance for their work We shall now answer so far as we are capable your Quarries sent over to us To the first we cannot positively answer to give an account of the whole length and breadth of the Province But we are informed that it is a great deale broader then ye expected for these that have travelled from the extent of our bounds on Hudsons-River straight over to the Delawar-River say it is 100. myles or upwards we shall know that certainly after a while for the Line betwixt us and New-York is to be run straight over to Delaware-River about 3. weeks hence and after that the Line betwixt us and West-Jersey After which we shall be able to give a true account of the bounds of that Province 2ly When the bounds is so exactly laid out we can the easier guess at the Number of Acres and by that time may be able to give an account what number of Acres is already taken up but there is no fear of want of Land 3ly The quantity of Meadow ground we cannot determine having travelled as yet but litle in the Province but the way we have travelled there is meadow abundance both on the water sides and on the up Land 4ly There is also other good ground in some places great quantities free of wood which is fit either for Corn or Grass and the ground all over brings furth good English grass naturaly after it is ploughed 5ly There are also Commons upon the Countrey but what quantity we cannot tell there is litle keept in them save wild horses which the people take up when they have occasion There is also Land fit for pasturage for Sheep and there is their Sheep in the Countrey but what number the ablest planters have we know not but some we see have good flocks 6ly An exact Mapp of the Countrey is not yet drawn nor can you quickly expect it for it will tak up a great deale of time charge and pains to doe it 7ly There are also hills up in the Countrey but how much ground they take up we know not they are said to be stony and covered with wood and beyond them is said to be excellent land 8ly To the Eight we cannot answer as yet 9ly There be People of several sorts of Religion but few very Zealous The People being mostly New-England men doe mostly incline to their way and in every Town there is a meeting house where they worship publickly every Week They have no publick Law in the Countrey for mantaining publick Teachers but the Towns that have them makes way within themselves to maintain them We know none that hath a setled Preacher that followes no other Imployment save one Town New-wark 10ly The method of building their houses is mentioned already 11ly
Captain Jacques Cartelayne and partners Who have begun some settlement All these tracts of Land are within the Jurisdiction of Newark In this Town hath been a Court of Session held between this and Elizabeth Town It is the most compact Town in the Province and consists of about 100 Families and of about 500. Inhabitants The Acres taken up by the Town may be about 10000 And for the Out-plantations over and above beside Mr. Kings Land and Captain Sanfoords 40000 Acres At the bottom of the Bay upon over prok-Creek-side near Hackinsack River There is a River settled by severall Valleys having a brave mill belonging to it they have taken up a brave piece of Land into their plantations for the which Mr. Nicolas of New-York hath a patent but gave Leave to their setlement at the request of Governour Cartwright on promise of as much more in a better place Near unto Snoke-hill is a brave Plantation on a piece of Land almost an Island containing 1000 or 1200. Acres belonging to Mr. Penhorn a Merchant at New-York and one Edward Eickbe It s well improven and Stockt Mr. Penhorn payed for his half 500 lib. There are other Plantations upon Hackinsak River which goes a great way up the Countrey almost North-West there are other also on the East-side of another Creek or River at Hackinsak River There is a large neck or Tract of Land for which one Mrs. Sarah Kirk-stead of New-York hath a Patent given here by on old Indian Sachem in recompence for her Interpreting the Indian Language into Dutch as there was occasion there are some little Families thereon Between 2 or 3 myles up there is a great Plantation setled by Captain John Berrie where he now Lives there is a good house thereon and a good quantitie of Land cleared and Improved by 20. Negers or more he hath about 2000. Acres of Land there There is another Plantation adjoyning which belongs to his son in Law Mr. Michell Smith who hath about 1500 or 2000 Acres who by 16 or more Negres hath improved a good quantitie of that Land And there is another Plantation more near to Captain Berrie belonging to Mr. Baker who came from the Barbadoes and bought the Land from Captain Berry being about 7 or 800 Acres part of which he hath Improved by 7 or 8 Negres On the West-side of the Creek opposite to Captain Berry there are also other Plantations but none other more Northerly up above these Plantations on that side of the neck of Land that is betwein Hudsons-River and it the neck of Land is in breadth from Captain Berries now Plantations on the West-side where he lives over to his old Plantations to the East at Hudions-River-side about 3 myles which distance severs to Constables-Hook upward of 10 myles To goe back to the South part of Berghenneck that is opposite to Staten Issand where is but a narrow passage of water which ebbs and Flowes between the said Island and Berghen point called Constable-Hook There is a considerable Plantation on that side of Constable-Hook Extending in Land above a myle over from the Bay on the East-side of the neck that leads to New-York to that on the west that goes to Hakinsak and Snokehill the neck running up between both from the South to the North of Hudsons-River to the outmost extent of their bounds There belongs to that Plantation about 12 or 1500 Acres and it s well stockt and improved it was Settled first by Samuel Edfall in Collonel Nicholls time and by him sold 3 years agoe for 600 lib. There are other small Plantations along that neck to the East between it and a Little village of 20. Families called by the Indians _____ of Penelipe _____ then further one to another cottadge there are more where Lawrence the Draper lives a Dutchman there may be 16 or 18 Families then one to George Umpane which is over against New-York where there is about 40. Families within which about the medle of the neck which is here about 3 myles over stands the Town of Berghen which gives name to that neck then again Northward to the water side going up Hudsons-River there lyes out a point of Land wherein is a Plantation and a water belonging to a Merchant in New-York Southward there is a small Village about 5 or 6 Families which is comonly called the Dukes Ferme and harh alwayes paid a small annualrent to the Governour of New-York who first granted it out for two lives but leased out now for some years yet is under the Jurisdiction of New-Jersey for Government further up is a good Plantation in a neck of Land almost a Island called Hobuk It did belong to a Dutch Merchant who formerly in the Indian war had his Wife Children and Servants Murthered by the Indians and his house cattle and Stock destroyed by them It s now setled again and a mill erected there by one dwelling at New-York Vp Northward along the river side are other Lands near to Mr. William Laurance which is 6. or 7. miles further opposite thereto there is a Plantation of Mr. Edsall and above that Captain Beinfields Plantation both without Tennents this last is almost opposite to the northwest and Manhattas Island on the south part is New-York town and Fort there are other smal Plantations up the River to Havercham near the High-lands between which the River leads up to Lepus and Albany Here are the outmost extent of the Northren bounds of East-Jersey as alwayes computed There was here taken up a great Tract of Land by Governour Philip Cartwright for himself and another for an Campyne and Company It s supposed to be little Improven yet some Plantations are said to be there under the Jurisdiction of this Town of Berghen are all the Plantanions on both sides of the Neck to its outmost extent as also these at Hakinsak Here is a Town Court held by Select Men or Overseers who use to be 4. or more as they please to choose annually to try small causes as in all the rest of the Towns and two Courts of Sessions in the year from which if the Cause exceed 20. lib. they may appeal to the Governour and Council and Court of Deputies in their Assemblie who meet once a year The Town is compact and hath been fortified against the Indians There are not above 70. Families in it The Acres taken up by the Town may be about 10000. and for the Out-plantations 50000. and the number of Inbabitants are computed to be 350. but many more abroad The greatest part of the Inhabitants which are in this Jurisdiction are Dutch of which somo have setled here upwards of 40. years agoe Patents have been given out by the Governour and Council for the greatest part of the Land here discribed all Lands Patented are to pay the quitrents whither improven or not what is set forth here relating to New-East-Jersey is only Computation of the Neighbours of that Collony not declaring every thing
call our habitation solitarie for what with the publict employ I have little less companie at my house dayly then I had in George Yeard although not so many pass by my doors The people are general a sober professing people Wise in their Generation Courtious in their Behaviour and Respectful to us in Office among them As for the Temperature of the Air it is wonderfully scituated to the Humours of Mankind the wind and weather rarely holding in one point or one kind for ten dayes together It is a rare thing for a Vessel to be wind-bound for a week together the wind seldom holding in a point more then 48. hours in a short time we have weet and dry warm and cold weather which changes we often desire in England and look for before they come Yet this Variation creats not cold nor have we the tenth part of the cold as we have in England I never had any since I came and in the midst of Winter and Frosts could endure it with less cloaths then in England for generally I go with that same Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you but warm cloaths hurt not I bless the LORD I never had better health nor my Family my Daughters are very well improved in that respect and tell me they would not change their place for George Yeard nor would I People here are generally settled where the tyde reaches and althoughs this is good Land and well Timbered and plentifully supplied with Salt-Marish yet there is much better Land up higher on the River where they may go up with small boats where many now are settling there 's extraordinary Land fresh Meadows overflowed in the Winter time that produces multitudes of Winter Corns and it s believed will end are 20 30 or 50 years flowing without intromission and not decay such Land there is at Sops on Hudsons River which hath born Winter Corn about 20. years without help and is as good as at first and better William Penn took a view of the Land this last moneth when here and said he had never seen such before in his life All the English Merchants and many of the Dutch have taken and are desirous to take up Plantations with us Our Countrey here called Berghen is almost Dutchmen at a town called Newark 7. or 8. miles hence is made great quantities of Syder exceeding any we can have from New-England or Rood-Island or Long-Island I hope to make 20. or 30. Barrels out of our Orchard next year as they have done who had it before me for that it must be as providence ordered Upon our view and survey of Amboy-point we find extraordinary well scituate for a great Town or City beyound expectation at low water round about the point are Oysters There are Oysters of two kinds small as English and others two or three morsells exceeding good for roasting and stewing The people say our Oysters are good and in season all Summer The first of the third Moneth I eat of them at Amboy very good The point is good lively Land 10. some places 20. foot above the water mark About it are several Coves with small Coasts may lay up Vessels as in a decke besides great Ships of any burthen may all ryde before the town Land-loked against all winds There Rariton-River runs up or rather down 50 far larger some say 100. mylles for small boats I saw several vines upon the point which produces as they say good grapes in their Season this Countrie is very full of them but being no present mother of profite few regard them more then to pick them as they lay in their way when they are rype We have store of Clamms esteemed much better then Oysters one Festivals the Indians feast with them there are Shallops but in no great plentie Fish we have great store as our relation set forth but they are very good when catcht as the proverb is I have several Barrels by me now which are good for our Table and for Sale I brought a Sea-Net over with me which may turn to good account Sea-Nets are good Merchandise here mine cost me about 4. or 5. lib. and can have 20. lib. for it if I would sell it now I may writ of many such matters in our Province which may invite persons here but so am resolved to conclude knowing that in probability there is not an Industrious man but by GODS blessing may not only have a comfortable but plentifull supplie of all things necessary for this life with the salutation of my true affection to all c. I rest thy affectionat friend Tho. Rudyard A Letter from Samuell Groome Surveyour General in East-New-Jersey dated at East-Jersey the 11th of August 1683. Friends and Fellow-Proprietors SInce my last I have now sounded the Channell from Amboy to Sandy-hook and finds it to be a broad and bold Channell in no place less then 3. fathom at high water in ordinary tydes 4 5 or 6 fathom except in one short place Rariton River is a good River and hath a good tyde of flood overpowering the freshes about 30 miles above Amboy after its flood the tyde hath no force against the Freshes which comes out of several branches of Rariton and joyns in one 40. or 50. miles above Amboy I have spent a considerable time in making discovery I have not as yet had times to lay out much land for you only about 17. or 18. thousand Acres in one tract good upland near Elizabeth Town I have now seen the tract of Land against or nigh Amboy point formerly laid out by Vanquillian it is on the West-side of a Creek called Chingeroces about eight thousand Acres And I intend shortly to lay as much or twice as much more to it but first we must talk with the Natives about that and other tracts of Land they are not yet paid for The last day of this moneth is appointed to treat with several Indians to buy several exceeding good tracts nigh the head of Rariton The tenth of the next Moneth is also appointed to treat with other Indians to buy other tracts of choice Meadowing and Vp-land that lyeth about 12. or thirteen myles up into the Countrey which I have seen and when we have accomplished these two things we shall he able to lay out for you much land and when I have been up in the Countrey towards and at Barnagate and agreed with the Indians thereabout for such land as we may see occasion to purchase presently in order to a setlement there for here are many both of New-England New-York and some parts of this Province stands ready to sit down in that part of the Countrey not only for the sake of the good Vp land and Meadows which report saith is much thereabouts but also for the sake of the Whale Trade and other fishing trade which is like to be there shortly New-England Men and others were aâ— tampering with the Indians to have purchased there before
and since we came but now they are out of hopes of coming in at that door so now they make their Addresses to us and would have us to purchase and let them come in our Tennents otherwayes as we may agree I intend to attempt these things this fall I have not been much on the South side of Rariton only upon some upland at severall places and upon the tract of 8. thousand 3. hundreth and 20. Acres of yours aforementioned and also on the Meadowing that lyes on the southside of Rariton above Amboy a year or two since purchased of the Indians in the name of Dam Cartwright though it was never intended for her nor for any Proprietor but as it fell out they quarrelled about disposing and sharing thereof so it is now without controversie yours Now know that Rariton River is accommodate on both sides with salt and fresh meadows salt as far as the salt sea water flows or predominats and fresh above as the River of Thames We have about 3000. Acres of meadowing butting on the river I hope it will never hurt Amboy town besides report saith that the upland next adjoyning to this meadowing beginning over against Amboy and so up 10 or 12 miles to a River that stricks out of Rariton south and is called South River is but mean land It may be well if you would agree to take each one a 24th part of Lands as we lay them out whither it be more or less or else take 500. Acres Lots and let these Lots be cast when 24. times 500 Acres is laid out where we can make greater Lots we may we have now got up three houses at Amboy and three more ready to be set up but workmen are scarce and many of them base the best will work but when they can spare time out of their plantations if no help comes it will be long are Amboy be built as London is housing will bring a Trade to that place the Indians comes thither to get Fish Foul Oysters Clams Mussels c. as people go to mercat for things they want and these Indians brings at Seasons great quantities of skins down Rariton so by Amboy and to New-York where they have a continuall supplie of things they want Well here is a brave Countrey the ground very fruitfull and wonderfull inclinable to English grass as Claver c. It Predominats over the more wild grasse very little barren much dry up-land and good meadow some phenny swampy land and small running brooks and rivers throughout all the parts of the Countrey I have been and these phenny and swampy Land hears great burdens of grass in short the land is four times better then I expected we must needs be out some money at present to purchase lands of the Indians but that will be soon got in with profit as people come to Inhabite and take up Land and pay as alwayes they have done their part of purchase from the Indians Here is great talk of the braveries of the place and land Barnagate I intend to see shortly after the season is fititng to go by land and water to it I intend to go by water in a Sloop to see how convenient it s by water and from thence come by Land so then I shall tell you more Ye must expect to be at charges for doing these and such other things I purpose shortly to writ to and demand in all places of the Quitrents and Arriers they generally say they will pay Captain Berry his two or three hundreth pounds behinds in arriers as is said because his caice differs from others a little I 'le GOD permitting begin with them first of all about his rent c. and either have rent or land what you write concerning building and repairing shall be ohserved I wish I were freely rid of all the goods I have of yours and my own at 28. per cent Excepting such as are for the Indian Trade These part of America are commodated with English goods Nevertheless when I pay Workmen and Labourers I pay them goods rated cent per cent New-York money but then I must pay them 2. or 3. silver and part paction which I procure with goods as well as I can The houses at Amboy are 30. foot long and 16. foot wide 10. foot betwixt joynt and joynt a double Chimney made with Timber and clay as the manner of this Countrey is to build will in about 50. lib. a house this pay procured here for 25. in goods the first coast I shall make you no return this year seing we are about purchasing and surveying all which will run out money in this place where Mint are so scarce to be had on such accounts I must as well as I can turn your goods into money provision and goods for Indians I have laid out Amboy into 150. Lots and have sent home a draught of it your S. G. Abstract of a Letter from Gavin Laurie Deputy Governour of East Jersey to the Proprietors at London dated from Elizabeth Town the 2. of March 1684. I Took up several dayes with Countrey men and others to view the Ground and Water at last I pitched upon a place where a Ship of 300. Tun may ride safely within a plank length of the Shoar at low water and joyning thereto is a peece of marish ground about 12. pearch broad and 20. pearch long and high land on each side like our Keyes by London Bridge this may be easie cut quit round for smal Vessels to come to the Key and lye safe round this Island I set out Lots 1. Acre a peece viz. 4. pole at the Key and 40. pole backward from thence along the river near half a mile I lay'd out the like lotts very pleasant for scituation where they can see the ships coming in the Bayes of Sandy-Hook for near 20 miles the Ships may ride alongs by the Town as safe as at London just at the point by the Town Rariton-River runs up the Countrey a great way there boats of 40 tun may goe and the River by the Town goes to New-York Hudsons-River Long Island Staten Island and so to New-England there is no place in all England for Conveniency and pleasant scituation There are 60 Lotts upon the River and 40 backward between these and the River and these backward have a highway 100 foot broad where I have laid out a place for a mercat with cross Streets from the River to the Market where the Town-houses are to be built when this was done I laid out 400 Acres to be divided in 48 parts viz. 36 to each Proprietor and those who have Lotts in the Town I grant them half Lotts in this to pay for the Lotts in the Town 20 pound or if a half Lott of 36 Acres 40 pounds I laid 400 Acres to ly untill the Proprietors agree to devyd it as people comes over There is 16 Lotts taken up by the Scotish Proprietors and 8 Lotts by the Proprietors
the nixt Spring I wish you were here and your whole Family for I doubt not but the Countrey would please you well For there is abundance of much better Land here then ever Arbikie was and an Earldome to be bought far below in pryce the vallow of what such pettie Lairdshipps as Arbikie is sold for in Scotland without purging of the Lands of any incumbrances For I hope to winn as much monie this year as will buy a better Lairdship then Arbikie and if ye resolve not to come over I resolve to buy Land before I come from this and title it Arbikie But I shall be sorie to take away your title for if I do it will be your own fault and for your better incouradgement I know you love a Gunn and a Dogge and here ye will have use for both For Wilde Geese Turkies Ducks and Drake Partridge Cunies Doves and innumerable more kind of Fowls which I know not their names are here to be seen every hour of the day in flocks above Thousands in Number And for your Skieft which you use to Fish with bring here with you or one like her for I assure you of good employment and yet ye may catch more Fish in an hour here than any Fisher in Montrose in two excepting Podloes at the shore head Sir take this as no jest from me for what is here written is a reall truth but ye may think it is not my dictating but the Writter and I have set it together the best way we can But yet not so full as I would have had it Present my Love to your Sister Uncle and all Friends and I am Sir Your very loving Friend and Cusin James Mudie A Letter from David Mudie Merchant in Montrose For James Mudie of Courthill in Scotland New-Perth the 9th of March 1685. Loving Brother I Write you a lyne upon my arivall here and by my last to my Wife of the date the 12. December I desired her to let you see it which I hope she has done if it be come to her hands I do now understand this Countrie better then I did at that time and the longer I travell in it I like it the better for a frugall man with a small fortune may very soon raise a good Estate which I wrote formerly to my Wife in relation to the Countrie I find it most certain and much better then I wrote this Winter hath been exceeding hard and sharpe the like not seen by those who have lived 20. or 30. years in it which hath hindred me of a great deal of work yet I have cleared three Acres of Ground to be an Orchard and a Garden which lyes close to the house which I am a building which is all of Stone work with Cellars under the Ground six Rooms off a floor two Stories high beside the Garrat and I have two Massons dayly working at it since the first of February three Wrights working at an Horse mill which will be clear against the later end of this Moneth And I am told that the Mill will be worth 100. lib. a year but I am sure she will be better then 50. of clear Money for every Scotsboll of Wheat or Indian Corn payes here for grinding of it 2. shill Ster this house and mill stands me a great deal of Money but there is none such in this Countrey nor ever was I resolve to go out to the Countrey to the Land which I have taken up which is upon a place called the South River which is 2 hours going from my own house by water I mind to settle some of my Servants there against the midle of this Moneth I am provided with six course Horse Oxen and Swine sufficiently in number for any Plantation for the first year the Land I have settled on in my Judgement is extroardinary good If any Friend or Acquaintance hath any inclination to come over here I can assure them if they be Frugall men and have but 300. lib. Ster Stock they may live better then a Gentleman with us of 40. Chalders of Victuall I cannot now resolve to come home till this time twelve Moneth since Thomas Parson hath so much disappointed me as I have written to my wife but against that time if the LORD preserve me in health I will come home then present my service to Arbikie and to my Sisters and to all our Friends which will save me a trouble to give them a Line my love to your wife and children I am Your Loving Brother David Mudie Let Arbikie my Sisters and the rest of my Friends see this Letter Abstract of a Letter from Robert Fullerron Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to his Brothers and Sisters from Amboy the 6. of November 1684. Dear Brothers and Sisters By the Mercies of the Most High we are safe arryved after a long Demur by contrary winds we encountered very hapily at first with Long Island and the next day came to an Anchor in New Jersey The Passengers did all very well though we had some very rough gusts and were very throng in so small a vesshel being 130. Souls besids Sea men of these 27. were women 6. or 7. children only one man whom I hyred in your house called William Clark standing carlesly upon the Forcastle tumbled over boards and drowned tho we put out our boat and endeavoured in vain to save him This Countrey pleaseth us very well and appears to be nothing short of our expectation We were yesterday ranging about veiwing our Land whereâ—â—u shall have accompt by the next 〈◊〉 Land in general is good and aâ—reeâ—â—â—th the accompt you have heard tâ—â— I â—ees are no hing so invincible as I did â—magine being neither so thick nor so great as we thought The first plant which I touched was wild Bayes which row in abundance here the fruits are gery excellent such sorts as I have seen vâ—les the best I believe in the world some I have seen of a pound weight Cattle in generall are abundantly plentifull especially Horse and Oxen the greatness and fatness of the Oxen will Countervail the Difference of the price being about 5. lib. sterling The Countrey is not altogether leavell as some other Countries here but hath easie rysings and Vallies my new experience cannot give you such an accompt as you may afterwards expect but in generall the Countrey may satisfie any rationall ingenuous mind yet I find there be Novices who knows no happiness save home with a glass of Wine and Comorads in a change House tho there be no want here of more noble devertisments as hunting wild Beasts wild Horses and Deer yesterday I did see severall droves of Deer and wild Horses as I did ride up in the Countrey The Land which we were veiwing is a large plain under the blew hills watered with two or three little Rivers about 8. or 9. miles from New-Perth four from Rariton-River Northward the land downwards is all taken up by the Quitrenters
I please were it not for want of Hay to maintain the Cattle which I hope to get helped the next year for I have several pieces of Meadow near me The first Snow we had was about the midst of November went twice away again and about the end of the Moneth it came on and continued with very great Frost and knee deep Snow till towards the end of January And then the Snow dissolved pleasantly and calmly with the heat and influence of the Sun and now I judge it as warm here as it will be with you in May and much more pleasant for we are not by far so much troubled with winds here as ye are in Scotland the winter was generall very pleasant and calm altho sometimes very vehement frost I have spoken with several old Inhabitants here who assure me they had not seen so hard a winter as this has been these 16 years bygone and truely if I never see much worse I shall be very well pleased with this Countrie we have great abundance of Deer Turkies c. here about us and as for the wild Beasts and Natives whereof I was greatly affrayed before I came here I find no danger trouble inconveniency thereby at all there are abundance of all sorts of Cattle in this Countrey to be had at very reasonable rates I can buy a good Cow for 4 lib. ster a good Ox for 5. lib. ster and a good Horse for 5 or 6. lib. ster a Hogg for 20. ss ster a Bushell of Wheat for 4. ss ster of Rye 3. ss 6. d. ster of Indian Corn for 2. ss 6. d. ster There are 8. of us settled here within half a mile or a mile of another and about ten miles from the Town of New-Perth or Amboy-point so that I can go and come in a day either on foot or horseback viz. Robert and Thomas Fullertouns James Johnstoun of Spotswood John Forbes John Barclay Doctor John Gordon his Servants Andrew Alexander and my Self this is the most of what I can say of this Countrey at present for I intend to write nothing but what I either see or know to be certainly true and for my part I am very well pleased with this retired Countrey life and I love this Countrey very well as yet altho I hear of some of our Countrey men who are not neither can it be expected that any Countrey in the World will please the different humours of all Persons blessed be GOD my self and Wife and Children and servants have been and are still in good health which GOD continue be pleased to communicate this to both yours and my Friends and Acquaintances because I have not leasure to writ at great length to every one and let these remember me to all others that give themselves the trouble to inquire for Your most humble and and oblidged Servant Thomas Gordon A Letter from David Mudie of the date of the former to Mr. Alexander Gairns one of the Ministers at Edinburgh Sir I Did write to you a line upon my arrival here and my last the 12. of December directed to John Graham I desired him to let you see his letter and my wifes which would inform you as fully as I had written to you since that time I have travelled throw the Countrey and informed my self of the conditions thereof which still does the better please me the winter hath been exceeding hard and sharp which hath much hindered me of work yet I have cleared three acres of ground to be an Orchard and a Garding which lyes at the back of my house which I am building of stone sex good rooms off a Floor Sellers all under the ground two stories high and garrets at which I have had Massons since the first of February and I hope will have it fully Finished this Summer I have also built an horse-mill the house is 32. foot wide 40. foot long the great wheel 30 foot Diameter which I will have fully finished against the letter end of this Moneth it is told me she may be worth 100. pound Sterling a year I am sure she will be better then 50. clear money this from Sir Your humble and obedient Servant David Mudie A Letter from Thomas Fullertoun Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber to John Johnstoun Drogust in Edinburgh dated the 9. of March 1685. from East-Jersey Loving Commorad YOur Brother and I did write to you about three Moneths agoe wherein we told you that we were 9. weeks at sea after we parted from Killebegs in Ireland we were all very well at Sea only we had more Stomachs then meat to prevent which if you or any other Commorad come this way it will be prudence to fortifie themselves with good Cheese Butter Bisket Caks and Brandie I believe you are cloyed with descriptions of the Countrey And therefore this in brief the reports you hear of it are generally true some it may be are Hyperbolick in magnifying its Goodness but as many are detractive from what it really deserves There is abundance of good Land for the improving Abundance of Swine and Cattle for the raising Deers for killing houses for the building But some expect all these without pains Your brother and I and our Servants have had good Venison broth once a day all this winter to be short if a man please to live a Countrey Life to labour Land plant Orchards and such like I believe he cannot come to a place that will better answer his expectations and when he hath a minde to be merry he will get a Punsh-house and very good fellows I hope in a little time I shall want nothing but the company of the prettie Girls to all whom who retain any remembrance of me Let my service be remembered to all friends I long exceedingly to hear from you but more to see you we had many difficulties as our entrance and in our first indeavours But when you come I hope they shall be prevented by Your affectionat Commorad Thomas Fullertoun A Letter from James Johnstoun of Spotswood to Alexander Henderson writter in Edinburgh dated the 9. of March 1685. from his Plantation at the blew Hills in East-Jersey in America Kind Commorad THese are to present my best wishes to you and all Acquaintances if any injoyment could make up the want of your Company I should not complain here what else can contribute to profite or pleasure being here to be had neither is there any thing here to discourage us Quakers are not numerous Wolves are so far from troubling men that if a man shall lay a Glove upon a Carcass or their prey they will yell but not come nigh it You cannot come nigh a rattle-Snake but they will rattle with their taile whereby a man is advertised either to kill them or go by them they frequently charm Squirrels or other little Beasts of the tops of the Trees unto their mouth and that without touching them with their teeth which if they did they
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-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
Continents in or near the Atlan ick Ocean And lastlie he findes much of the Origination of the Americans attribute to the Migration of the Seni or Sinenses from the Eastern parts of China and the Philippine Islands from the Islands of Borneo and the Moluccas and Japan through the Mare Pacificum unto the Western parts of America which tho it be a large Ocean of above 2000. Leagues betwixt the Philippine Islands and the West of the American Continent and the passage hither difficult in respect of the constant Easterly Windes betwixt the Tropicks yet many reasons appear to the liklyhood of a plantation from thence 1 in respect of the Peopling of China which Mr. Web sayes Was first Peopled after the Vniversal Deluge Sem the son of Noah first settling here it being the most ancient and primitive Language that by means of the Antiquity and Settledness of this Monarchie having continued ever since the Universal Deluge It is most probable the Western continent of America was Peopled hence 2 Because they were the greatest Masters of Shipping and best skilled in Navigation of any part in the World The Pixis Nautica being there known and used long before the knowledge thereof in Europe 3. The many Islands upon the South and South-east part of China as Borneo Javae Gilolo Celebes and others near the Aequator are disjoyned but by very narrow Seas not much broader than between England and France from the neck of Land called Terra de Papes or Nova Guinea and Nova Hollandia new discovered to be at least in some parts disjoyned from the more Southern Continent by a great Sea but anciently thought to have been a part of the Southern Continent Vpon these and the like Probabilities Judge Hales thinks it reasonable to conclude that the Americans had their Original from the Inhabitants of Europe Asia and Africa that Transmigrated into that Continent either intentionally or Casuallie or both 2. That these Migrations were not of one single People but of manie and diverse Nations 3. That these Migrations were not altogether or at one time but successivelie in several Ages some earlier some later 4. That therefore it is impossible to determine the time of such Migrations onely that they have been all since the Flood now above 4000. years ago some Migrations 2 3 or 400. years after the Flood some later according to various Accidents but that is no wayes probable that the earliest Migration hither was above 4000. years since for of one hundred pair they might easily propagat a number competent to People all that Continent 6. That it appears that since the last of these ancient Migrations suppose that of Madoch and his Brittons untill our late Migrations by the Spaniards French English Dutch and Scottish there probably interceeded an interval of at least 4. or 500. years in all which Interval the Commerce and Communication between Europe or Asia and America hath as it were slept and been forgot both by them and us 7. That in this interval of 500. years or there abouts in all parts but in some parts far greater there must in all Probability happen a great forgetfulness of their Original a great Degeneration from the Primitive Civilitie Religion and Custome of these pâ—aces from whence they first derived a Ferine and necessitous kind of Life by a conversation with these that having been long there were fallen into more barbarous habit of Life and Manners would easily assimilate at least the next Generation to barbarism or ferinnâ—ss where a Colony comes and keeps it self in a Body as the Roman Colonies did and the Plantations in Virginia and New England do and the New Accessions incorporat and joyn themsâ—lves unto that Body Custom both Religious and Civil And the Original Language are kept intire but where the Accessions are but thin and spairing and scattered among the Natives of the Countrey where they come and are driven to conform themselves unto their Customs fâ—r their very subsistance safety and intertainment it falls out that the very first Planters doe soon degenerate in their habits customs and Religions as a little wine poured into a great veshell loseth it self but if they escape a totall assimilation to the country where they thus are mingled yet the nixt Generation in such a mixture is quicly assimilated to the corrupt manners and customs of the people among whom they are thus planted so that it is no wonder if 〈◊〉 such kind of small Accessions successively from one and the same or severall Countries The third Generation forgot their Ancestors and the Customs Religions and languages of these people from whom they were first derived and assume various temperaments in their language and customs according as the places of their habitatation and the Company among whom they live obtain But there remains yet a great difficulty touching the noxious untameable Beasts as Lyons Tigers Wolves Bears which that continent abounds with how they come to be conducted over the seas to be preserved in the Ark and after to be transported again thither it not being probable that they could be transported by shipping seing no man would be at the pains charge and hazard with such Beasts which would doe more harme than good And altho possibly the Frozen Northern Seas might be a Bridge for their Passage yet that appears unlikly in respect of the great Snows which accompany such frosts and the impossibility of supply of food in so great and troublesome a journey and as to swimming tho the Seas between Tartary and Cathay and some parts of America be not so wide as the Atlantick or Pacifick Ocean yet they are too large to afford a passage by Sea for Tygers and Lyons not apt to take the water and it is not yet certainly discovered tho conjectured that there is any neck of Ground or passage by Land from any part of Europe or Asia unto any part of the continent of America The only thing then remaining to accommodat this difficulty is to suppose that tho it should be granted there is no such Land passage extant yet within the compass of 4000. years elapsed since the Flood there have been some such juncturs or land passages between the Northern parts of Asia or Europe and some Northern parts of the continent of America or between the South cast part of China or the Philipine Islands and the Southern continent tho latly there be discovered an interposition of Sea between the Isleand Delfago that Southern continent whereby either from Asia to Greenland in the North or from China to Terra-Australis incognita on the South a land passage might be from Asia to America for men and beasts tho for some ages past either by the violence of the water or by floods or earthquakes which hath made great alterations in the Globe of the Earth and Seas that Bridge or Line of communication be now broken or obliterat and truely such as observe the infinite number of Islands lying between
the continent of China and Nova Guinea almost contiguous to each other hath probable reason to believe that these have been all formerly one continent joyining China and Nova-Guinea together tho now by the eruption of the Seas crumbled unto smal Islands hence there is ground to believe there hath been antiently necks of land which mantained passage of communication by land betwixt the two continents Pliny tells us of the great Atlantick-Island mentioned by the Aegyptian Priest in Platos Timeus almost contiguous to the western part of Spain and Africa now wholly swallowed up by that Ocean which if truth for ought we know might affoord a passage from Africa to America by land before that Submersion BVT to return from this I hope not unpleasant digression having seriously considered the advantages which may be rationally conjectured to redound from the right managment of a concern in America I resolved to lay my self out wholly for the promoting such a design in this Countrey as what I was convinced would in the end not only tend to the Honour and Advantage of Our Nation in General but to the Particular Interest of such as would resolve to be therein effectually concerned tho I am aboundantly sensible there are not a few who take upon them to censure this undertaking who have not the capacity to pry unto the advantages which may rationally be proposed in prosecuting thereof the strongâ—st argument they are able to bring against it being taken from the practise of our Ancestors altogether innocent of any such design tho reputed aboundantly wise in their generation that therefore in their Children it can be no less then folly to introduce such a novelty the same appearing to thuart the verity of some of our old Scottish Proverbs that ill Bairns are best heard at home Fools are fain of flitting And a Bird in hand is better then two in the bush esteemed no less by them then sometimes were the Oracles of Apollo at Delphos Yes sir I have heard some whose pretensions to wit were so great that they were upon the borders of Commensing Vertuosi snarling at this intention who having been ingaged in the debate bewrayed their ignorance so far in the affair as to inquire whether the places treated anent as the proper seats for a Collonie from thence were Islands or on the continent if such so little-versant in America be competent Judges of a matter of this import I leave it to your determination and therefore judging them altogether unworthie of being otherwayes noticed then to pity their ignorance not envying them the satisfaction of their own Opinions I proceed more at length to acquaint you with the grounds I walk upon in resolving to be so effectually concerned in promotting this design as to hazard my self Family and Fortune in Prosecuting thereof submitting very chearfully the consideration thereof to your narrowest and most exact scrutiny whether the motives prompting me hereto be founded upon solid Reason or not I find the most brutish of Mankind proposeth some end to himself whereby he is actuated the Voluptuous seeks after his pleâ—sure the Ambitious his preferment the Covetous his treasure whence it is apparent that all the intentions of man how unrational soever are actuated by one of these three great engins of Jucundum Honestum and Utile In the effectual promotting this design I judge a man may rationaly have a prospect to all these three I must confess there is in the generality of Mankind a natural inclination to love the Land of their own Nativity beyond other places tho upon several Considerations every way preferable according to that of the Poet Nescio quo natale solum dulcidine cunctos Tangit immemores non sinit esse sui Yet we see it hath been frequently so ordered in providence that severals upon different motives have been brought to quit thâ—iâ—… Native Soyl and inclined to make choise of strange and remot Countries for their habitation and it is clearly seen that this theâ—r removal hath tended both to their honour anâ—… outward more plentiful accommodation henâ—… the Northern Climats tho barren as 〈…〉 their Soyl have been observed to produce bodies of Men in greater aboundance more stronge and vivid than the more Southern and fertile places of the World whence great multitudes of people pinched with the straits of their own Countrey have ishewed forth to more agreeable and fertile places Thus the Goths Vandals and Hunns overspead the Roman Empire seating themselves in Italy and Spain and a great part of Africa hence the eruption of the Franks from the Rhine upon the more pleasant Vallies of the Loire Sâ—in and giving thus rise to most flowrishing Kingdoms I grant that upon the first view it may appear somewhat of a Novelty and that upon this consideration the Vndertakers may be lyable to the censure of such as prye not further into the Affair Yet I am ready to believe that the more sâ—rious and Judicious will have other sentiments of this Design when they consider that not only is this practise warranted by the Scripture but that the effectual prosecuting thereof will be made clearly to appear to be contributive as well to the honor of the Vndertâ—kers as to their particular Interest and lâ—kewise to the general advantage of the Nation The placing of a People in this or that Countrey is from the appointment of GOD the Apostle speaks of it as grounded in Nature Acts 17.26 GOD hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of our habitation Deut. 2.8.5 and 9. GOD would not have the Israelites meddle with the Edomites or the Moabits because he had given them the land for a possession I do not find any taking upon them to define what particular summons the first Vndertakers of planting Collonies had whether from the mouth of GOD immediately as Abraham first and the Children of Israel thereafter or from the advice and Counsel of Men Yet that the Wisdom of GOD directed them in this course is evident from Moses his testimonie affirming that he separated the Sons of Adam and set the bounds of their habitation Deut. 32.8 So that whoever set on the work GOD acknowledgeth it as his own we read also in the 16 of the Acts verse 12. Of a Collony which is a company of People agreeing to remove out of their Countrey and settle a City or Commonwealth elsewhere which GOD blessed and prospered exceedingly and made it a glorious Church That Collonies as other States in Humane Societie have their Warrand from GODS direction and Command is apparent to all No sooner was Man created then he was commanded to replenish the Earth and subdue it Gen. 1.26 by these words and the repetition of them to Noah Gen. 9. verse 1. We see a promise exprest as the title of a Benediction and thereto prefixed So it may also be percâ—ived that they include a direction or command Calvine sayâ—s upon these words Jubet cos crescere simul
benedictionem suam destinat And Junius pro ut vim intus indiderat sic palam mandatum dedit curandae propagationis dominationis exercendaâ— And Paraeus Jubet igitur replere terram non solum generatione habitatione sed cum primis potestate cultu usu etsi vero nonullae orbis partes manent inhabitales habemus nihilominus totius dominium Jure Divino licet non habeamus totius orbis usum culpa defectu nostro If it be alledged that tho it must he granted that the words have the force of a Precept yet it was but to continue during the Worlds infancy and no longer upon dew consideration it will be found that there is no ground here for such a Limitation For tho some Commandments founded upon and respecting some present State and Condition of Men received end and alteration when the condition was ended yet Precepts given to the body of Mankind as these to Adam and Noah receive neither alteration in the substantials nor determination while Men and any void places of the Earth continue so that allowing this Commandment to bind Adam it must bind his Posterity and consequently our selves in this Age and our Issue after us as long as the Earth yeelds empty places to be replenished Where there is an empty vacant place there appears hence to be Liberty for the Sons of Adam or Noah to come and inhabit Abraham and Isaac sojourned among the Philistins Yea I do not see that either they bought or asked leave of the Inhabitants By sojourning is meant a constant residence there as in a possession of their own although it be so termed as if they had been Strangers because they neither pretended to the Soveraign Government of the whole Countrey neither did incorporate themselves unto the Common-Wealth of the Natives to submit themselves to their Government they did not buy that land to feed their Catttle because they said there is room enough intimating that the Natives were no wayes injured by their Neighbourhead and so did Jacob pitch his tents by Schem Gen. 34. verse 21. Hamor said there is room enough therefore let them sit down among us yea we see that in case the people who were former Inhabitants did disturbe them in their possessions they complained to the King as of injury done to them as Abraham did because they took away his well Gen. 21.25 for his right thereto he pleaded not his immediat call from GOD for that would have seemed frivolous among the Heathen but his own industry and culture in diggâ—ng thereof yea we see the King does not reject his Plea with what had he to do to dig wells in their Soil but admitteth it as a principle of Nature that in a vacant soyl he who taketh possession thereof and bestoweth Culture and Husbandry thereupon his right it is the ground hereof being from the Grand Charter given to Adam and his posterity in Paradise Gen. 1.28 Multiply and replenish the Earth and subdue it which Charter was renewed to Noah Gen. 9.1 fill the Earth and multiply In the next place the gift of the Earth is to the sons of Men Psalm 115.16 this necessarly enforceth their duty to people it Were it not an injury done to the most High to think He does ought in vain or that He tenders a gift to Mankind which He never meant should be enjoyed And what way can Men make benefit of the Earth but by habitation and culture Neither do I judge it a rational answer to this that GODS intention is satisfied if some part of the Earth be replenished and used tho the rest he wast because we are still urged with the same difficulty that the rest of which we receive no fruit was never intended for us because it was never GODS Mind we should possess it If it be then granted that it hath been the mind of GOD that Man should possess all the parts of the Earth it must be acknowledged that we neglect our duty and cross His Will if we do it not when we have Occasion and Opportunity and do little less than undervalue His blessing Does not also that Order which GOD annexeth to Marriage in His first institution viz. That married Persons should leave Father and Mother and cleave to other warrant this practise seeing frequently there is a necessity that young married People should remove out of their Fathers Families to live apart by thâ—mselves whereby new Families are erected Now what are new Families but pettie Colloniâ—s and so at last removing further and further they overspread the whole Earth so long therefore as there shall be use of Marriage there will be a warrant for deducing of Collonies from one place to another We find that GODS directions have a double scope Mans good and His own Honour that this Commandment of GOD is directed to Mans good Temporal or Spiritual is more apparent for it is most certain that the life of Man is made comfortable affording a more plentiful supply in a large scope of ground which moves them to be so unsatiable in thâ—ir desiâ—â—s to joyn house to house and land to land till there be no more place Exceâ—ding I grant therein the measure and bounds of Justice and yet building upon a principle suggested bâ— Nature that a large place best secures sufficiency as we see by Nature Trees flowrish fair prosper well and wax fruitful in a large Orchard which would otherwayes decay if they were straitned in a little Nursery These that are stronger Plants and better rooted would increase overtop and at last starve the weaker sort Do we not see it thus fall out in our Civil State where a few Men flowrish best furnished with Abilities or best fitted with Opportunities and the rest wax weak and languish as wanting room and means to nurish them Now that the Spirits and Hearts of Men are kept in better Temper by spreading wide will be evident to any Man who considers That the Husbanding of unmanured ground and shifting unto emptie lands enforceth Men to Frugality and quickneth invention and the setling of new Estates requireth Justice and affection to the Common Good and the taking in of large Countries presents a natural remedy against covetousness fraud and violence when every man may enjoy enough without wrong or injury to his Neighbour Whence it was that the First Age by these helps were renowned for golden Times wherein Men being newly entered into their Possessions were enforced thereby to Labour Frugality Simplicity and Justice having neither leasure nor occasion to decline to Idleness Ryots Wantonness Fraud or Violence the ordinar fruits of well Peopled Countries and of the abundance and superfluities of long setled Estates But that which should most stay our hearts is the respect unto GODS Honour which is much advanced by this work of replenishing the Earth whereby the largeness of his bounty is tasted hy setling of men in all parts of the World whereby the extent of His munificence to the
sons of Men is discovered the Psalmist tells us that GOD is much magnified by this that the whole Earth is full of His Riches yea and the Red sea too Psalm 104.24 And GOD when he would have Abraham know what he had bestowed on him when he gave him Canaan wills him to walk through it in the length of it and the breadth of it Gen. 13.17 GODS Honour is hereby advanced when together with Mens Persons Religion is conveyed to several parts of the World and all the quarters of the Earth sound with His Praise and CHRIST JESUS takes in the Nations for his inheritance and the ends of the Earth for His Possession according to GODS Decree and Promise Psal 28. Seeing then it must be acknowledged that even those Collonies which have been undertaken upon the desire either of disburthening full states of unnecessary multitudes or of replenishing wast and void Countries have a clear and sufficient Warrand from the Mouth of GOD as immediately concurring with a special end that GOD aimed at in the first institution thereof when GODS Honour and Glory and next Mans Salvation is his own proper scope in this and all his wayes it must be more necessarly acknowledged that the desire and respect unto the publishing his Name where it is not known and reducing men who live without GOD in this present world unto a form of Piety and Godliness by how much the more immediately it suits with the mind of GOD and is further carried from private respects by so much the more it advanceth this work of planting Collâ—â—ies above all Civil and Humane ends and deserves Honour and Approbation above the most glorious conqueasts or most succesful interprises which ever were undertaken by the most renowned men which the Sun hath seen and that by how much the subduing of Satan is a more glorious Act than a Victory over Man and the inlargements of CHRISTS Kingdom than the adding unto Mens dominions and the saving of Mens Souls than the provision for their Lives and Bodies It appears this end in Plantation hath been specially reserved for this latter dayes of the World seing before CHRIST the Decree of GOD that suffered all Nations to walk in their own wayes Acts 14.16 Shut up the Church in the narrow bounds of the promised land and so excluded men from the propagation of Religion to other Countries And in the Apostles times GOD afforded an easier and speedier course of converting Men to the Truth by the gifts of the Tongues seconded by the power of Miracles to win the greater credit to their Doctrine which most especially and first prevailed upon Countries civilized as the History of the Acts of the Apostles makes manifest As for the rest it is not questioned but GOD used the same way to other barbarous Nations which he held with these whom he first civilized by the Roman Conquests and mixture of their Collonies with them that Religion might be afterwards brought in seeing it cannot be imagined that Religion should prevail upon these who are not subdued to the rule of Nature and Reason It may be rationally conjuctured that GOD did especially direct this Work of Erecting Colonies unto the planting and propogating of Religion in the West-Indies and that for diverse reasons which ought to be taken unto serious consideration as affoording the strongest motives which can be proposed to draw on the hearts affections of men to their work There are men of Note both for Place and Learning in the Church that conceive the course held by GOD from the beginning in the propagation of Religion falls in the last age upon the Western Parts of the World It is most certain that from the first Planting of Religion among Men it hath alwayes held a constant way from East to West and hath in that Line proceeded so far that it hath extended to the uttermost Western bounds of the formerly known World so that if it make up any further passage upon that point of the Compass it must necessarly light upon the West-Indies And it is conceived with all that our Saviors Prophesie Matth. 24.27 points out such a progress of the Gospel its true that the comparison there used taken from the lightning aims at the sudden dispersing of the knowledge of CHRIST by the Apostles Ministery but whereas it is known that the Ligthning shins from diverse places of the Heaven shewing it self indifferently sometimes in the West sometimes in the North or South It s judged probable that our Saviour does in this similitude choice to name the lightning that comes out of the East unto the West to express not only the shining out of the Gospel but withall the way and passage by which it proceeds from one end of the World to an other that is from East to West But passing by that onely as a probable argument the following seems to carry greater weight the knowledge of CHRIST must certainly be manifested to all quarters of the World according to diverse predictions of Prophets ratified and renewed by Christ and his Apostles but that the knowledge of Christ hath been never as yet fully discovered to these Western Nations is clearly demonstrated seing till the time that the first Planters went over from England not many years since no Historie for 500. years before Christ ever mentioned any such Inhabitants upon earth much less lâ—ft any record of passage to them or commerce with them so that unless we should conceive a miraculous worth of conceiving knowledge without means it cannot be imagined how these Nations should have once heard of the Name of CHRIST But further what shall we think of that almost miraculous opening the passage unto and discovery of these formerly unknown Nations which must needs have proven impossible to former Ages for want of the Knowledge of the use of the Load-stone as wounderfully found out as these unknown Countreys by it It were little less then impiety to conceive that GOD whose Will concurrs with the lighting of a Sparrow upon the ground had no designe in directing one of the most difficult and observable works of this Age and as great folly to imagine that He who made all things and consequently Orders and Directs them to his own Glory had no other scope but the satisfying of Mens greedy appetites who thirsted after the riches of that new World And to tender to the bloody and cruel Spainard the objects of such barbarous cruelties as the World never heard of We have then ground to conceive that GOD in that great Discovery aimed at this that after he had punished the Atheism and Idolatry of these Heathens and brutish Nations by the Conquerours cruelty and acquainted them by mixture with some other peoples civility he might at length cause the Glorious Gospel of JESUS CHRIST shine out to them as it did to other Nations after the sharp times of the bitter dissolations thereof betwixt the Romans and them That this Nation is able and
fit to send out Collonies unto forraign parts will evidently appear to any who considers our overflowing multituds this being admitted for a received principle that Countries superabound in people when they have mo then they can well imploy seeing we know men are not ordained to live only but withall and specially to serve one another throw love in some profitable and useful calling and tho it be granted that this Land by GODS ordinary blessing yeelds sufficiencie of Corn and Cattle for moe then the present inhabitants yet that we have moe people then we do or can profitably imploy will appear to any man of understanding willing to acknowledge the truth and to consider that many among us live without imployment either wholly or in the greatest part We have as much opportunity as any Nation to transport our men and necessar provisiâ—ns bâ— Sea unto these countries withoâ—t which advantage they cannot be peopled froâ—â—aâ— part of the World from this Christian part at least and how useful a Nighbour the Sea is to the furthering such a work thâ— xample of the Graecians and Phenicians who filled all the bordering coasts with â—olâ—oâ—â—es doe sufficiently prove unto all the woâ—ld â—â—ither is it to be doubted but the first 〈◊〉 wanting this conveniencie as Abraham â—n his removing to Charan first 〈◊〉 to Canaan afterwards must needs hâ—ve spâ—â—â—â— much time and indured much trouble in â—â—ssing their companies and provisions by land â—ver Rivers and throw Woods and Thick tâ— h unbeaten paths I kâ—ow it will be asked what call or warrand a mâ—n hath to remove when he is wâ—ll where he is Or what warrand particular men have to engadge their Persons and Estates in this imployment of planting Collonies As for he first of these we find we may remove for the gaining of knowledge our Saviour commends it in the Queen of the South that she came from the uttermost ends of the Earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon Matth. 12.24 And surely with him she might have continued for the same end if her Personal Calling had not recalled her home We find it also allowable to remove and travel for Merchandise and Gain-sake Daily Bread may be sought from a farr Prov. 31.14 Yea our Saviour approveth travel for Merchants Matth. 13.45 when He compareth a Christian to a Merchant man seeking Pearls for he never fetcheth a Comparison from any unlawful thing to illustrate a thing Lawful the comparison from the unjust Steward and from the Thief in the night not being taken from the unjustice of the one or the Theft of the other but from the Wisdom of the one and the suddenness of the other which in themselves are not unlawful We find from Scripture its lawful to remove to plant a Collonie that is a Company agreeing together to remove out of their own Countrey and settle a City or Common Wealth elsewhere of such a Collony as is already mentioned we read in Acts 16.12 which GOD blessed and prospered exceedingly and made of it a glorious Church Nature teacheth Bees to do so when as the Hyve is too full they seek abroad for new dwellings so when the Hyve of a Kingdom is so full that Tradesmen cannot live one by another but eat up one another in this case its lawful to remove But further GOD alloweth a Man to remove when he may imploy his Talents and Gifts better elsewhere especially when he is not bound by any particular ingadgement to the place where he is thus GOD sent Joseph before to preserve the Church Josephs Wisdom and Spirit was not fit for a Shepherd but for a Counsellour of State and therefore GOD sent him to Egypt Where people find themselves straitned in point of their opinion no reasonable man will question their call to go whereby Law they are allowed that Freedom in this point which they themselves would desire this is one great incouragement to any so circumstantial to remove to any of the new Plantations the interest of which oblidgeth to lay this as a fundamentall that no man shall be any way imposed upon in matters of principls but have their own freedom without the least hazard It will certainly be allowed by all that in the present circumstances of the Protestants in France where the free exercise of their Religion is denyed to them it is very allowable for them to remove where without hazard they may live in the free exercise of their own principles being upon that accompt obnoxious to no hazard as guilty of the breach of the Law I believe some may object that no man undertakes this task without an extraordinary warrand such as Abraham had from GOD to call him out of Mesopotamia to Canaan their opinion appears to be founded upon this argument that the planting of Collonies is an extraordinary work and therefore these who undertake it must have an extraordinary call In answer to this I think it cannot be granted that the planting of Collonies is an extraordinary work this argument lying strongly against it That duty which is commanded by a perpetual law cannot be accompted extraordinary But the sending out of Collonies is commanded by a perpetual Law Therefore it is no extraordinary duty Now that the commandment is perpetual hath been proved first because it was given to Mankind 2. Because it hath a ground which is perpetual to wit the emptiness of the earth which either is so or may be so while the World endures for even these places which are full may be emptied by Wars or sickness and then an argument passeth as strongly the contrary way the undertaking of an ordinar duty needs no other then an ordinary warrant but such is planting of a Collonie as being undertaken by Vertue of a perpetual Law therefore the undertaking to plant a collonie needs no extraordinary warrant I must grant Abrahams undertaking was in many things extraordinar and therefore needed an immediat direction from GOD he was to go alone with his Family and Brethren to such a certain place far distant possest already by the Canaanits who were to be expelled that land was to be wholly appropriat to himself and his Issue he was not to plant it at present but only to Sojourn in it and walk thorow it for a time Now none of these circumstances fit our ordinary collonies consequently Abrahams example is nothing to this purpose because the case is different tho in some other things alike It may be further objected that tho Men may adventure upon the Work upon an ordinary Warrant yet none can give that but the State therefore it may be judged that a Command from the Highest Authority unto such as ingadge themselves in this Affair is necessary That the State hath power over all her Members to command and dispose of them within the bounds of Justice is more evident then can be denyed but this power is diversly executed sometimes by Command sometimes by Permission as in preparations to Warr sometimes
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
considerable Plantations within the Jurisdiction of that Town viz. Captain John Broun and others that first settled who removed out of the Town and settled greater plantations abroad Richard Hartshorn hath a Plantation with considerable Land belonging to it part within and part without Sandy Hook which with a part of Coney Island and Long Island opposite to it makes the entrance into the Bay that goes up to Now-York and also to the Lands of East-New-Jersey the Town is above 5 myles from the entrance of the Creek or River that goes up to it from the Bay There was a Plantation one the Norths side of the Creek at its entrance first settled by Nicolas Davis having a large tract of Land belonging to it of 2. or 3000. Acres since devided to deverse besides several Out-plantations and there is a great Deall of waist Land and other Improveable betwixt this said Piscattaway for about 20. myles There was a court of Sessions held twice or thrice a year for these two Towns and their Jurisdictions Thirdly Piscattaway Lyes next 25. or 26. myles from Midletoun Irs up Rariton River 5. or 6. myles westward in and there is about half myle within Land The entrance into Rariton River is at the bottome of the Southren bay and opposite to the Southermost point of Staten Islands the Northwest point of the entrance is called Amboy point where is a fair tract of Land formerlie reserved by the proprietor for his own use There are several Plantations all along on the North side of the River as you goe up to the Town and some on the South-side among which are considerable belonging to one Thomas Lauernce a baker at New-York his wife son about 3000. Acres Vp higher on Rariton River near the falls which are about 3. miles over Land there are severall Plantations a good big vassel loaden may goe up to the falls and so may above it for several myles in the River At the falls its foordable for horses and other cattle unlâ—s in great Floods when men may goe over 〈…〉 boats and Canows and horses will swim over though the River be a good breadth About the falls there are severall tract oâ—… Lands some upon on side some on the other siâ—… the River viz a place called by the Inâ—…ans Rachahova-Wallaby Captain John Palmer of Staten Islands Mr. Thomâ—… Coddrington Mr. White and Company Merchant at New-York in part setled there on 6. or 7000. Acres M. John Robison Mr. Samuell Edsall and Company of New-York on 6. or 7000. Acres Captain Palmer Mr. Whyte Captain Corsen and Company on 5. or 6000. Acres There is some other Land taken up by Milstoun River which comes into Rariton River and is near the midle bounds between the two Province of East and West-Jersey you pass Milstoun River to goe over Land from Piscataway to Meltinsed in Island in Delaware River which is near Burlingtoun The Town Consists of about 80 Families and of about 400. Inhabitants and of Acres about the Town about 10000 and for the out-Plantatations 30000. Woodbridge is over Land from Piscattaway about 7. or 8 miles it lyes up a River the entrance whereof is about 5 or 6 miles to the North of Amboy-Point the side ebbing and flowing betwixt the Main Land of New-Jersey and Staten Island on the Westside as it doeth on the East-side of the said Island and Long Island On the South side of the entrance into the River or Creek Mr. Delapairs Surveyour Generall hath a neat Plantation and he hath severall tracts of Land in the Province There are other Plantations on the South side of the River or Creek within Land and diverse on the Northside lying along the water side opposite to Staten Island untill you come to a Creek or River that divydes their bounds from these of Elezabeth Town the mouth of it being 8. or 9. myles from Woodbridge There are severall Plantations up the South-side of the Creek to the Road that goes along from Woodbridge to the Town and passeth over that River it being foordable over the Plantation on the north side Sayling to Elizabeth Town It s reckoned from one Town to the other ahout 15. or 16. miles over-Land but it s more by water This Town pretends to have more priviledges them any other Town in the province and hath a Charter of Corporation It hath a Court house and a prison built on their charge It consists of about 120 Families and 600. Inhabitants The Acres taken up by the Town may be about 10000. and for the Out-plantations about 20000. Elizabeth Town is the first new place that was settled 1664. by vertue of a patent from Mr Nicolas to Captain John Baker before the Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwrights Tittle was knowen This Town lyes up 3. myles within a Creek the entrance whereof is almost opposite to the North-west-end of Staten Islands There are several Out-plantations on the North side of the River which devides the hounds between this Town and Woodbridge particularlie where the roads pass over to which place is about 7 or 8 myles There are other plantations at the point or entrance of the Creek on the North side if it comonly called Governour Cartwrights point where there is another ferme between the proprietor and him It s but a narrow passage there over to the Meadows of Staten Island then on Northward there are other Plantations fronting to the Bay that lyes to the North part of Staten Island beside some other within Land from the Town to New-York bounds There is in this Town a house orcheards and ferm within the Town in partnership between the Proprietor and Governour Philip Cartwright it being one of the first house built there and hath all along been the residence of the Governour untill of late he hath finished his New-house The Town is built on both sides of the Creek and Consists of 150. Families and of 700. Inhabitants The Acres taken up by the Town are computed to be 10000. and for the Out-Plantations 30000. Newark alias Millfoord is a Town distant to the Northward over Land from Elizabeth Town about 6 or 7 myles It lyes on a River called Newark River which emptieth it self into the Bay about 4 or 5 myles down opposite to the Town on the North side of the River lyeth a great tract of Land belonging to Mr. kings-Kings-Land and Captain Sanfoord the quittrents whereof is purchased There is another great tract of Land taken up higher in the River by Captain Berrie who hath disposed of a part of it There are several Plantations setled there It s said he hath about 10000. Acres there farther up the water is an Island of about 1000. Acres belonging to Mr. Christopher Hoogland of Newark if it be not an Island it is tyed by a very narrow slip of Land to the Continent Above that again is a greater tract of Land above 8. or 9000. Acres purchased by Lease of the Governour according to the Concessions by
to be just as he hath written but sets it down as a good part to his own knowledge the rest guessed at and is to the best of his remembrance particularlie about the quantity of Acres and number of Inhabitants  Acres Shrewsberry town and Plantation 30000 Midleton and Plantation 30000. Piscattaway and out Plantations 40000. Woodbridge and out Plantations 30000. Elizabethtown and Plantations 40000. Newark and out Plantations 50000. Berghen and out Plantations 60000.  in all 280000.  Acres Shreusberry Families 080. Midletoun 100. Woodbridge 120. Elizabeth 150. Piscattaway 080. Newark 100. Berghen 070.  in all 700. Families And reckoning 5. to all Families the old Inhabitants in the several Towns estimate to be 3500. Persons These besides the out Plantations that cannot be so well guessed at for Families or Persons as the Towns I desire Sir you may here stop a little and consider the Incouragment to be had from the above written Information which will by any understanding Person be judged of very great import you come not to a place altogether void of Inhabitants But on the contrar to a Countrey where at your first landing you have houses which can accommodat you with all necessars whatsoever If you look back with me to the great trouble these were redacted to who first went to that place of the World who were necessitat to carry over with them Horses Cows Sheep Hoggs c. Yea all sorts of provisions you will certainly acknowledge that it is a very easie business now in comparison of what it was then when so soon as you come to land you have houses to affoord you good and comfortable accommodation till you make provision for one of your own when you have some way accommodat your self with Lodging you may from all hands provide your self with Horses Cows Sheep Hoggs c. all sorts of Poultry all sorts of Seed for sowing this consideration does in my apprehension make the Design far more easie then would appear at first to any who would be necessitat to lay before his eyes great difficulties to be rancountered when come from Ships lodging is wanting upon the shore no other Victuals are in readiness but what is brought along from the place they came from none of these other accommodations to be furnished but what is brought a great way off Sir you will be oblidged to say we have even upon this one consideration a great advantage of our Countrey-men lately settled at Port-Royal in Carolina to mention nothing else in this place But now let us return to the perusal of several Letters from that place and I desire you to mark narrowly if you observe the least contradiction in any matterial point contained in any of them or if you do not find the above written Discription quadrat in the least particular with the said Letters A Letter from Thomas Rudyard Deputy Governour of New-East-Jersey to a Friend at London dated at East-Jersey the 30th of the 3d. Moneth called May 1683. Dear B. G. TO be as particular in my return were but thy due yet I cannot promise so much However I may give thee some general account of the Province and of our satisfaction with our present Lot the short time I have experienced this But to give thee also as thou desires a Character of Pensalvania and West-Jersey that will be a task I must be excused to undertake least I give offence or at least bring me under censure as partial Were I not concerned in any of the Provinces I might satisfie thy curiositie But being chieflie interested in this I 'le be very cautious medling with my Neighbours more then here one with another so I may use my freedom with my Neighbours which they take not ill but writ that they may take otherwayes They lye so near adjacent that they may be said in a sence to be but one Countrey And what 's said for one in General may serve for all I have been at Burlingtoun and at Pensilvania as far as Philadelphia which lyes about 20 miles below Burlingtoun That journey by Land gave me some view of all the Provinces and made me now considerably to estimate this of East-Jersey having some Conveniences esteemed be me which the others are not so plentifully furnished withal viz. fresh and salt Meadows which now are very valuable and no man here will take up a Tract of Land without them being the support of their flocks in Winter which other parts must supplie be store and taking more care for English Grass But know where salt Marisshes are not there is no Muskettos and that manner of Land the more health and this was often answered me when I have been making comparisons I must tell thee their Character in Print by all that reads it here is said to be modest and much more might have been said in its Commendation We have one thing more particular to us which the other want also which is vast Oysters banks which is Constant fresh Victuals during the winter to English as well as Indians of these there are many all along our Coasts from that Sea as high as against New York whence they come to fetch them so we are supplied with salt fish at our doors or within half a tydes passage and fresh Fish in aboundance in every little brook as Pearch Trout Ells c. which we catch at our doors Provisions here are very plentiful and people generally well stockt with Cattle New-York and Burlingtoun hath hitherto been their Mercat Few or no Trading-Men being here in this Province I believe it hath been very unhappily heretofore under an ill managed Government and most of the people who are such who have been invited from the adjacent Collonies by that goodness of its Soill and convenient Scituation at Amboy we are now building some small houses of 30. foot long and 18. foot breadth fitting to entertain Work-men and such who will go and build larger the stones lye exceeding well and good up that Rariton River a Tydes passage and Oyster-shells upon the point to make lyme withall which will wonderfully accommodat us in building good houses cheap warm for Winter cool for Summer and durable covering for houses are Shingles Oak Chesnut and Cedar we have plentiful here of all the last endures a mans age if he live to be old There is 5. or 6. Saw-mills going up here this Spring two at work already which abates the price of boords half in half and all other timber for building for although timber coast nothing yet workmanship by hand was London price or near upon or sometimes more which these Mills abate we buy Oak and Chesnut boords no cheaper then last year My habitation with Samuell Groome is at Elizabeth Town and here we came first it lyes on a fresh small river with the tyde Ships of 30. or 40. Tuns come before our doors throughout this Town is good English grass and bears a very good burthen we cannot
that are here There are 20 Lotts taken up in the Town by other People I engadge all to build a house of 30 foot long and 18 broad and 18 foot high to the raising to be finished within a year To pay for laying out 40 shil a Lot and 4 d per Annum Quit-Rent there are several begun already to build I have laid out between 40 and 50 Acres for the Governours house The high way and wharfe between the Hooks and the River a 100 foot broad And to â—eave a raw of trees along upon the River before the houses for shade shalter exceeding pleasant I have agreed for two houses of like demensions to be built for the Proprietors and also a house for the Governour of 6 foot long 18 foot broad And if the quit rents come in I intend 3 or 4 houses more for the Proprietors I can easily let them this work took me up 5 weeks After I had finished this work I set the people to work Scotish and English about 50 persons some preparing for building other on clearing ground to get Corn sowne this spring then came in a Boar privatly to Elizabeth Town the 12th past next morning I went to New-York to visit the Governour stayed there two or three days He was very kind and promised a fair correspondency so I did not publish my Commission untill this day before the Council They have been kind and courteous Now is the time to send over people for settling these There is 30000 Acres of Land in several places belonging to Proprietors formerly taken up by Cartwright so here is land enough The Scots and William Dorkwrans people coming now and settling advance the Province more then it hath been advanced these ten years Therefore Proprietors send over some Families and Servants I shall presently set them out Land and it well presently bring them in considerable profite in a few years here wants nothing but people There is not a poor body in all the Province nor that wants Here is abundance of Provision Pork and Beef At 2 d per pound Fish and Fowl plenty Oysters I think would serve all England Wheat 4. shil Ster per. Bushell Indian Wheat 2. ss 6. d. per busshell It is exceeding good food every way and 2. or 300. fold increass Sider good and plenty for 1. d. per Quart Good drink that is made of water and Molasses stands in about 2. ss per. Barrel wholesome like our 8. ss Beer in England Good Venision plenty brought us in at 18. d. the quarter Eggs at 3. d. per Dozon all things very plenty Land very good as ever I see Wines Walnuts Peaches Straw-berries and many other things plenty in the woods The Proprietors have 150. or 200. Acres 3. miles from the town upon Rariton River salt Marsh where I intend to let the people of Amboy cut grass for hay to their Cattle in Winter untill we otherwayes order it by Lots to them I reckon there is laid out for the Town Governours house and publick high wayes near or about 200. Acres so there rests 1800. Acres I laid 400. Acres as I said the rest to ly in common untill divided I have put two houses in repair upon the River called the Point 2. m from Elizabeth Town have let one of them with 10. Acres of Pasture ground and 10. Acres of Woody ground for 7. years at 26 lib. per annum the man to clear the ten Acres of Woody ground and make it fit for Pleuching or Pasture I intend to let the other also with some land all the houses were like to drop down all the land lying wothout fence and an barn quit falen down and destroyed another without any cover And that other next to the house where I dwell all to peices and all the fences and out-houses is down but repairsd before I came I am setting up a Ferry-Boat at Perth for Men and Horses to go and come to Burlingtown Pensalvania and New-York Also I am treating with one to set up a house midway to Burlingtown to entertain Travellors and a Ferry-Boat to go to New-York all which is for promotting Perth that being the center also you should give me power to set out a Line between the Governour of New-York and us he calls on me for it because several Plantations on the River are settled and we know not yet what side they will fall to I cannot at present mention all particulars which you must supply by some general clauses or words for it is not possible for you to understand what is for the good of the Province as I do that am here and be not sparing to send over people it will bring you it again with large profits for here is a gallant plentifull Countrey and good land I bave given you a large account of the little time I have been here I have none to writ for me but you must send a Coppy of this to Scotland and with it your further Instructions to be signed and send me forth I will be bound till it come I rest your friend Sic subscribitur Gavin Laury An Letter from Gavin Laury to a Friend of his at London East-Jersey March 16. 1684. Loving Friend I Promised to write to thee when GOD brought me to Jersey but had not time till now I shall give thee a breef account of the Countrey no fiction but the truth It is beyond what I expected It is scituate in a good Aire which makes it healthy and there is great conveniency for travelling from places throw the Province in Boats from a small Canoa to Vessels of 30 40 or 50 Tun and in some places 100 In the Bay coming up to Amboy point where the Town of Perth is now in building a Ship of 300. Tun may asily ride closs to the Shoar within a plank length to the Shoar and the houses of the Town and yet the land there nor other in the Province is not low Swampy Marish ground but pretty high ground rising from the water side at Amboy point the bank of the River is 20. foot in some places 30 and in some 40. foot high And yet hath many conveniencies for landing goods The soile is generally black in some places a foot deep beareth great burthens of Corn and Naturally bringeth forth English grass 2. years pleuching the ground is tender and the ploughing is very easie the trees grow generally not thick but some places 10 in some 15 in some 25 or 30. upon an Acre This I find generally but in some particular places there is 100. upon an Acre but that is very rare The trees are very tale and straight the generall are Oak Beech Walnut Chasnuts and Accorns ly thick upon the ground for want of eating Peaches Vines Strawberries â—nd many other sorts of Fruits grow commonly in the Woods There is likewayes Gumtree Cedar White-Wood like our Fir-tree Walnuts Chesnuts and others lye tick upon the ground there is great plenty of
There are not many Out Plantations that are not within the bounds of some Town Yet there be some and these are the richest what number are there we know not some have great quantities of Land and abundance cleared 12ly The richest Planters have not above 8. or 10. Servants they will have some of them 1 Dozon of Cowes yea some 20. or 30. 8. or 10. Oxen horse more then they know themselves for they keep breading Mears and keep no more horses at home then they have occasion to work The rest they let run in the wooâ— both Winter and Summer and take them as they have occasion to use them Swine they have in great flocks in the wood and Sheep in flocks also but they lett them not run in the woods for fear of being destroyed by wolves Their profite arises from the Improvement of their Land and Increase of their Bestial 13ly There will be in most of the Towns already settled at least 100 Houses but they are not built so regular as the Towns in our Countrey so that we cannot compear them with any Town we know in Scotland every house in the Town hath a Lott of 4. Acres lying to it so that every one building upon his own Lott makes the town Irregular and scattered There streets are laid out too large and the Sheep in the Towns are mostly mantained in them They are so large that they need not trouble to pave them 14ly Betwixt Sandy-Hook and Little Egg harbor lyes 2. Towns Midletoun and Shrewsbery there is no Land taken up that way but what is in the bounds of these two Towns what kind of land it is we know not having never travelled that way Bornogate or Burning-Holl is said to be a very good place for fishing and there is some desiring to take up land there who inform us that it is good Land and abundance of Meadow lying to it 15ly There are no Fisher-men that follows only that trade save some that salt Whales upon the Coaâ—ts and other Fishes there is abundance to be had every where through the Countrey in all the Rivers and the People commonly fish with sives or long netts and will catch with a sive 1. sometimes 2. barrels a day of good fish which they salt up mostly for their own use and to sell to others 16ly There is no Ships belonging to this Province particularly or built here save one which Samuel Groome built here the last Summer which stands yet in the Stocks a stop being put to it by his death there is conveniency enough to build Shippes the Shippes in this part trade mostly to the West-Indian Islands and some to New found-Land where the Provisions of this Countrey vends 17ly There is land here in several places after it is cleared and brought into a farm sett out for Rentâ— as in out Countrey at 5.8 and 10. shil per Acre According to the goodness and scituation of the said Land and those that will be at charge to clear land may get tennents to take upon these termes But whither it will turn to good account or not because little experienced as yet with the Charge of clearing of Land I will not positivly inform 18ly There is several places of rhe Countrey fit for mills and several both Corn and Saw mills already sett up and good encouragment to sett up more 19ly The Acres are here reckoned according to the English Account There is 16 foot goes to the Rude and 20. Rude long and 8. Rude broad makes an Acre One English butt of Wheat which is 8 English Gallons or Scots Quarts commonly sows an Acres 2. bushells of Barlay also an Acre and 2. bushells of Oats an Acre and half Acre English peck which is 4. English quarts or Scots Shopens of Indian Corn plants one Acre 20. There are but few Indian-Natives in this Countrey Their strength is inconsiderable they live in the Woods and have small towns in some places far up in the Countrey They plant a little Indian Corn shoots Deer and other wild Beasts and Fowls for their food They have Kings among themselves to Govern them for Religion they have none at all they do not refuse to sell Land at occasion The prices of Grain and other Provisions here at present Indian Corn 2. ss 6. d. the Bushell Wheat 4 shill Rye 3. shill Oats 1. ss 8. d. the Bushel Beef 1 d. Pork 2. d. Venison 1 d. Mutton 3 d. the pound this English Measure and Weight But mark these things being valued in this Countrey money there is a fifth part difference betwixt it and Sterling money So that Wheat being valued here at 4. ss the Bushel is but 3 ss 3. d. Sterling and so of the rest proportionally Here you have an Account of things as far as we are capable to give you at present with which we hope you will be satisfied while further opportunity and better experience give us occasion to writ more And so we rest your Friends and will wishers to all our Country Men. Sic subscribitur David Barclay Arthur Forbes Gavin Laurie Elizabeth Town in East-Jersey the 29. of the first moneth called March 1684. This I have heard read do also subscrive to the truth there is and so rests G. L. For the Scots Proprietors of East-Jersey A Letter from George Mackenzie Merchant in Edinburgh to Mr. George Alexander Advocat there Elizabeth-Town Sept. 1. 1684. Mr. Alexander I Doubt not but you expect here a particular account of the province of New-Jersey but that I thought needless The person David Barclay whom this comes alongst with being more able to give you that satisfaction as whose interest oblidgeth him to a more narrow observation of its natural advantages and whose place being one of the Council gives a larger liberty and occasion to inspect the concerns of this Province But in general its a healthfull pleasant fruitful Country in many places of a most Luxurious Soyle rewarding the labour of the Country-man sufficiently it s well watered with many fair and pleasant Rivers and Creeks stored with several sorts of fish and most of the Rivulets convenient for mills whereof there are severall both for sowing of wood and grinding of Corn. They raise great store of Hogs Cattle and fowls they have in abundance The Countrey for ten or fifteen miles up from the River and Sea is generally plain farther up Mountains besides the Towns mentioned in the publick paper since Governor Lawries arrivall there is laid out at Amboy-point 1000. Acres for the City of Perth divided into 96. Lotts 9 Acres to a Lott the Remainders is for the streets Mercat place Governours house and other publick conveniencies How large the Countrey is is a question hard to resolve and how much bought by the Proprietors if any David Barâ—lay can satisfy you The inhabitants are English with a few Scots French and Dutch of sufficient number to defend themsâ—lves against any prejudice may be offered them by the Inhabitants
That fancie of a Common Improvement will not take but whoever expects profiâ—e from their Interests here must Impâ—ove them a part I have sold some of your Gloves aâ— 2 shil and 6 pen 3 shil 4 pen. a pair being what I câ—uld gett for â—hem the money five and a half part less then Inglish and shal make an account thereof at meeting Presâ—nt my service to all Friends I am Your very humble Servant Sic scribitur George Mackenzie A Double of a Letter from New-Perth daâ—ed the 1 of the seventh Moneth 1684. From Iohn Reid who was Gardner to the Lord Advocat to a Friend at Edinburgh SEing it hath plâ—sead God to bring me and mine safe unto this part I took upon my self as oblidged to writ something according to my promise of this Countrey indeed I must saâ— its a brave place but I have nor had time to take such observations as I wâ—uld being so ingadged to attend my other businesse Here is no ouâ—ward want especially of provisions and if people were industruos they might have cloaths also within themselves by the report â—f all it s the best of all â—he Neighbouring Collonies it is very wholesome pleasant and a fertill-land there are also some barren land viz. whit Sandy land full of Pin trees it lyes betwixt South-River and Barngate on Neverssink albiet there be also much good land in that precinct yet it s a good place for raising a stock of cattle providing they have large room to run in for cattle finds gâ—od food there in winter when none is in the best land and therefore do the inhabitants provide little hay in winter The soyl of the countrey is generally a red marle earâ—h with a surface of blak mould nor doth it appear that realy it is to their eyes who cannot penetrat beyond the surface full fraughted with grass pleasant hearbs and flowers and in many places little or no wood but most places full of large timber as walnut especially oak there be some places here and there in the Woods they call swamps whick is low Ground amidst or betwixt rising ground full of bushes which holds water in winter tho most of them be dry in summer but these being cleared and some of them that needs being drained are the richest land here are great conveniencies of Bay Sounds Rivers Creeks Brooks and Springs all over the Province but one of the best things is the large quantities of brave Meadowes both falt and fresh which makes the people here able to supply their Neighbours as they doe throw the abundance of their cattle I know one Planter who hath a hundred of cattle not above three years setled and no wonder for some of the grasse is al 's high as my head Its pity to see so much good land as I have been over in this province lying wast and greater pity to see so much good and convenient land taken and not improven As soon as any of the land here comes to be cultivated it over-runs with small Claver-grass by the pasturage and dunging of cattle and so supplants the naturall grass and hearbs notwithstanding of their quick and strong growth Fruit trees also prosper well here Newark made about a thousand barrell of sider last year a barrell is 8 Scots gallons this is like that of Woodbridge who made 500 barrels of pork in one year before the law was made against the swins trespasses Here they sow most Indian corn and Wheat some Rye Barly Oats Indian corn the first year that they break up or plough the second they sow Wheaâ— because the spontaneous grouth of the weeds is done away by howing the Indean corn as we do cabboge here is one planter makes accompt That he hath about three thousand bushels of wheat reapt this year I suppose he hath above a hundred acres of it but I doe not make these instances as so many precedents I know nothing wanting here except that good Tradsmen and good Husbandmen and Labourers are scarce a Labourer may have a bushell of Corn per day when he is a little acquainted with the work of the country but Tradsmen much more Smiths Carpenters Masons Weavers Taylors Shoemakers are very acceptable any who comes let them bring some cloaths and their proper tools with them as used in England and provide butter bisket wine and especially beer and ale for their Sea-voyage besides the ships allowance and they need not fear when they come here albiet they have no more yet they will be the better if they have something either in money or Scots linning and stuffs to buy a little provision at first to set them up a house and buy a cow or two and tho a man be rich I would not advise him ro bring many servants at least not to keep many at first untill he see about him and know what he is doing I Cannot tell what goods are best to bring David Barclay can tell better But he who brings money may expect 15. d. For the English shil some may bring a Little of the best Wheat for a change of seed and some barly and Oats for the same use also a Litle Scots field pise there being none such here bring also some great clower seed There are great store of Garding hearbs here I have not had time to inquire unto them all nether to send some of the many pleasant tho to me unknown plants of this Countrey to James Sutherland Physick Gardiner at Edinburgh but tell him I will not forget him when opportunities offers I had forgot to writ of Ambo or New-Perth therefore I add that it is one of the best places in America by the report of all Travellers for a town of trade for my part I never saw any so conveniently seated this with my love and my Wifs to all friends and acquaintances I Rest thy friend John Reid David Mudies Letter to his Wife New-Perth the 12. December 16â—4 My heart I Hope this shall find you and your Children in Good-health and I wish in as much satisfaction as I and our Children are here far beyond my expectation and others my well-wishers who are with you my last to you was upon my arrival here dated the 8th of November and at that time I could give you but a small account of my Judgement anent it it would take a great deale of time to inform you of every thing as it truelie is But to be short I have travelled through a part of it and it is far larger than ever I heard it reported in Scotland I dare say above a third more ground and there is abundance of brave Rivers through â—t all â— better then ever I did see in any place brave Meadows alâ—â—â—st all the River sides and lands above the Meadâ—w ground abundance of Fresh water Brooks and Springs plenty of Fishes in all the Rivers in the Summer time and that very good Fishes such as they preserve for Victual in the Wâ—nter and in
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
I would heartily wish and perswade any to come over that intends to live well plentifuily and pleasantly Neither is there any Tradesman or Servant that could come wrong to this place and I could wish my best friends no better but in the same place with me the old Inhabitants are a most careless and infrugall People their profession are most part Protestants few Quakers some Anabaptists it is most desired there may be some Ministers sent us over they would have considerable Benefices and good Estates and since it would be a matter of great Piety I hope ye will be instrumentall to advise some over to us the place is aboundantly healthfull as any else there are a great difference betwixt the people here who are Strong and Vigorous and the people more Southerly in Mariland we have great store of Venision which is sometimes as fat as Pork one good Buck is sold at 5. shil and by the Indian at 2. shil Oats are sold at 18. pence the Bushell all sorts of Fish is here exceeding plentifull the poorest Persons eaâ—s no Meat that is Salt except Pork in Summer they live much on Milk I would no more value the Sea coming through if I had occasion then ye would riding of of 20. miles let me be rememberd to all friends to Patrick Fortune who most carefuly disswaded me from this Voyage which I doe not repent but would as carefully perswade others who study their own good what I most earnestly desire of you for the encouragment of this Plantation is you would be Instrumental to send us over some Ministers who I dare engadge shall afterwards ever be thankfull and I oblidge to be your ever affectionate Broher James Johnston Amboy or New-Perth in America 9. of November 1684. Dear Brother HAving accidently met with the Bearer had not time to give you any particular accompt of this Countrey only assure you that it is beyond not only all our expectations but all that ever you have heard spoken of it we praised be GOD all of us arrived safely without the loss of any onâ— Paâ—â—â—ger scacely any of them was ever sick only we had much troubles coming from Mariland by land our Skipper having for his own advantadge put in first at the Capes of Virginia but we have had a brave Prospect of the Countrey and all the way as well as in this place where now we are we found plenty of Corn and all Kinds of Fruit with Fish Venision and wild Fowls in such abundance that a Deer may be had for 2. shilling Countrey money and Turkies for 6. pence which will be at least as big as any 2. Turkies in Scotland and are realy Turkies only blacker then tame Turkies that you have seen I shall give you full satisfaction with the next occasion pray you fail not to writ to me when you meet with any otherwayes you disoblidge him who is ever yours D. M'kgregor Writen to his Brother Munivard in Scotland Patrick Falkconers Letter to Maurice Trent Elizabeth Town in East-Jersey the 28th of October 1684. Sir MY last was dated the 22. Current from Philadelphia at which time I could give you but a small account of the Countrey and as yet it s but a small account I can give by reason that I have had but a little time here as yet I have travelled on Foot more then a 100. miles in East and West Jersey and Pensilvania I have also Travelled in Maryland I cannot but say it is a good Counâ—â—â—y but it s possessed with a Debauched Idle Leasie People all that they Labour for is only as much Bread as serves them for one Season and al 's much Tobacco as may furnish them with Cloaths I believe it is the worst improved countrey in the world for the Indian wheat is that they trust to and if that fail them they may expect to starve I find Pensilvania and the two Jerseyes are the places which set themselves out most for Planting of Corn As for the Jersies I need not insist in commending of them for David Barclay and Arthur Forbes who had a longer stay here than I have had will give you a more all account for I intend to write no more than I am able to make good I may say that it is a pleasant Countrey I did never see more pleasant Meadows and Grass then I have seen in both the Jersies I have seen plains of good Hay consisting of about 30. Acres of ground hardly one Tree to be seen upon the whole spot And there are several places so I can say it s a well watered Countrey and good waters and if they were desirous they might have very good Quarrie here both for Stone of any sort and Lime-stone likewise but so long as Timber is so plenty they will not be at the pains to seek after Stone there are some houses in the Countrey built with stone but very few Having fallen in here the end of the year I cannot be capable to give an account what may be the product of the Countrey but I hear that all sorts of Grain hath very good Increase I see the Countrey abounds with Apples Quinches Peatches Walnuts and Chasnuts and Strawberries in great abundance wild-Wine-Grapes are plentifull wild-Fowl of all sorts a great number of Deer Turckie-Fowls-wild in great abundance and very bigg I have seen these things in great plenty I hope ye will excuse me because I am not capable to give an ampler account of the Countrey for I have not been two dayes in one place I will tell you this is a good Countrey for men who resolves to be Laborious any who comes here they must resolve to work hard for the first two or three years till they get a little Ground cleared for this must be looked on as a wood-Countrey tho I must confess the woods are not so thick as people expects and there are several places in the Countrey where there is little or no Wood People are generally curious to have their Land near Navigable Rivers but when they are better acquaint they will find that the farther back the better is the Land there are aboundance of Fish and Oysters here this is not a Countrey for idle people but such as will be at pains they need not doubt but to get Bread here in plenty so I wish it be the Lords will that we may have a happy meeting again his will be done I wish you may be protected by the Lord this from Your affectionate Friend and humble Servants Patrick Falconer Abstract of a Letter writ by Peter Watson who went over a Servant with David Barclay in the year 1683. to John Watson Messenger in Selkirk New-Perth the 20th of August 1684. Cusing I Could never write to you before now because I was never rightly setled and am not yet fully setled but I am from among the rest of the Servants one James Reid and I and our Families are together set out to a Farm
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-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
within 8. or 10. mile thereof before we saw it the country appears all over Woodie I landed on a sandie-bank and closs by the flood march where grew Bayes sassafax and severall prettie shrubs I knew not The Woods consists of severall kinds of Oaks Chesnut Hickacy Walnut Poplar and Beetch Cedars grow on swamps and barrens Firrs and Pines only on barrens The ground generally is 2. or 3. inches deep of black dung as it were below that is reedish mould what you heard of the product of the Indian Corn viz. 100. or 200. fold of 20 or 30 fold Inglish wheat of the abundance of dears and wild horse and severall turkies and of the great plenty of fishes are all true There is very much Cider here In 12. or 14. years you may make 100. barrells from your own planting the best fleshes of all kinds ever I did see are here tho this in respect of what you have heard be generally tautollogie yet I found my self oblidged to writ it because I am witness to the truth thereof without Hyperbole Notwithstanding of all this it s very troublesome expensive to settle a plantation here and when it is done I cannot promise you a man will grow verry rich but he needs want nothing and it is not every one will agree with the solitude of the Woods these who can and resolve to lead an countty life cannot doe better then come hither a merchant who will come over and set up store in the country for a year will make cent per cent of several commodities with which I doe allow none to be acquainted but commerads I wish I had some money of my stock so imployed and sent safely here Johnstouns of spoiswood and I haue taken up upon a river 6 or 8. miles in Amboy your Brother Thomas and Robert are here also servants are not easily intertained here I designed to have shot al 's many squirles as would have furred a coaâ— for you but I am otherwise taken up I have omitted to tell you that the weather here is constantly clear the sun rises and setts free of clouds I have obseved none to have the cough in this country tho I have frequently lyne in the woods aboundance of fire is an excellent counter charm Now brother as to your own coming over it will be time to invite you when I have a good house and interâ—ainment to treat you with unbought for you must not feel any of the inconveniencies I have met with we are all well I pray God this may find you also present my service to all friends Male or Femal this letter wil serve that present my service to my Grand-Mother upon Christmass I drank her good-health in Rhumb Madera and Fial Wine If I can be frugall I may be soon rich here by my next I hope to ensure 60 or 70. lib to the person for we want a minister this from Your Affectionat Brotner Tho Fullertoun A Letter from the same hand to the Laird of Brotherstoun in the Mairns of the same date Kind Comerad YOu were pleased so kindly to concern your self with my welfare when I was by you and I find that absence augments true friendship that I am oblidged to acquaint you with my present fortune which I hope shall be far better then what I could expect by so much stock in Scotland This place is not altogether bowrish for at New-York you may have railing and Gallanting enough the inhabitants are generally great spenders Dear Brothertoun writ to me and give me an accompt of affairs for I assure you neither Governour nor Council will medle with yours to me nor mine to you by my next I will writ to Clâ—nie and John Johnstoun in the mean time present my service to them I am in haste to end writing tho ever being Your Oblidged Commerad and humble servant Tho Fullertoun Abstract of a Letter from Robert Hardie Merchant in Aberdeen to his Son John Hardie Merchant there dated from Elizabeth-Town the 8. of December 1684. Loving Son I Have writ two Letters already to you at our arrival an other shewing the death of your Brother William and something of the country but knowes not if they be come to your hands and now having this occasion know that I am in good health and your Brother Alexander praised be God know that I intend to reside here and should wish that I had all my childring with me but your conveniencie cannot permit neithâ—r am I able to transport them as yet however I desire you to acquaint your sister Elspeth that I desire her to come over if possible with her first conveniencie I inâ—end before her coming to have a new house in New-Perth and a Plantation near by it if I had gott an good accompt of that Litle cargo I sent over I would have lived upon it here al 's well as upon 100 lib. Sterling in Scotland But I have got an bad accompt of it how ever I hope to Provide for you all with what is left if the Lord bless Shew my brother and brothers in law that if they would come over with each of them two Servants they could have good Land here at one easie rate they might live better then their masters and with less trouble if they took but half the pains They take in Scotland for the Land is an brave and plentifull Land Shew Andrew and David Hardies that if they can but pay their Passage and come to me I shall make them to live in better condition then ever formerly I doubt not but some of our neighbours will come over to bring Servants here who will give you an true accompt how I and others can live here believâ— me this is an brave Land and any who will be Industrous may live very comfortably here He who comes first will have the best choise and most profitable as for idle-men who will neither work nor trade need never come here for there are none idle here I wish you all a blising from God and so rests Your affiectionat father Robert Hardie A Letter from James Johnston of Spotswood to his brother John Johnston dated the 13. of February 1685. from Piscatta way in East-New-Jersey Dear Brother THese are to remember my kindest affection to you my Mother and all friends we have kept our healths hither to exceeding well Have endured an short hut very cold witner now the Weather hath been for some time bygone exceeding good was an Bear-seed season with you I have been throw several or most places of this Countrey of late But am not yet resolved where my first Husbandry shall be the Land is exceeding good which is yet to take up much better then what is inhabited only not so convenient the difficulty of clearing many places is no wayes considerable I find Land where Several hundered Plughes may be presently set a work I take all pains I can to be conveniently setled and the Governour refuses us nothing we desire
just now built in Perth altogether of Cedar-Wood it is reckoned a wood of no value here except for its lastiness I intend to follow Planting my self and if I had but the small Stock here I have in Scotland with some more servants I would not go home to Aberdeen for a Regencie as was profered me neither do I intend it however hoping to get my own safe over we are not troubled here leading our pitts mucking our Land and Ploughing 3. times one Plouing with 4. or 6. Oxen at first breaking up and with 2. horse only thereafter suffices for all you may judge whither that be easier Husbandrie than in Scotland But I know you are no good Husband-man But which of the foresaid trades you will choice if you will come here you self is more then I can divine or will advise you to I have told you how things are and in Gods-Name take your own choice as I have done I shall tell you what I would do were I in your place if it shall fall out you do come I would get some trusty Comorads Merchants to joyn with me and sett up a trade in Perth for I think a mans own trade fitts him best if you have 5000. Merks it is enough 4. in goods and one in money Let none come here destitute of money it is of great request here and gets chape Penyworths and 25. per cent of advantage by it but I doe not advise you for if you should meet with such trouble and disopoyntments as we have done by being put by our Post you would perhapps be discouraged give me the blame all our baggadg is not yet come from Maryland and I want yet my bed Cloathes and the Land I intend to settle on is not yet purchassed from the Indians for after I have viewed all the Province such of it as is yet habitable I have chosen the South branch of Rariton-River for conveniency of Fishing Fowling and Meadow but all the best Land lyes back from the Rivers and the Sea Costs the further back the better it is which necessitates me to go a mile back In breif what you heard of the countrey is all true so I need not spine out long Discriptions of it no unbyassed and indifferent Person will speak ill of the Land it is both pleasant and wholesome and industrous People after some few years Labour may lead a pleasant easie Life and want for nothing And I am of opinion may grow rich too if they take pains for it and follow Merchandising and some are actaually grown rich since they came here who had nothing before if any shal miscredit what I have said I shall not think my self baffled for that but let them live in their opinion and I will live in mine And if they please they may do with me as I did with John Skeens Wife cast my Letters in mine own teeth and when they come upon the place I shall make good what I say face to face as she did to me and if they come not themselves they need not trouble themselves whither it be true or false The goods fit for this Countrey are all kind of house-hold Plenishing without which and a years provision in victualls let none come hither if they would wish not to be preyed on by the old Planters All course cloath such as hodden-grayes and Playding course Stockâ—ns and Linning no fine things for an infant Countrey except for a mans own use course Bedding and Blankets Governour Barclay can give you full information as to this point The Inconveninencies we have met with are great trouble and charges for want of our baggadge there is likewise trouble and charges in the first setlement in carting out ones goods to the woods fencing is the cheif Difficulty and if theâ—e be many great trees the logges most be drawn off with oxen and the branches burned the trees are falled equal to a mans thigh hight but the roots are no impediments where is much brush the roots most be plucked up with grubbing howe 's any man may learn Husbandries here who was not aquaint with it in Scotland Tobacco would grow here as well as in Maryland but it is best for European graines I doe not intend to write more Letters to Edinburgh with this occasion being busied about mine own setlement therefore I intreat you will remember me to all my friends Relations Comarads and Acquaintances at Edinburgh and shew them of my wellfair that I had not my health so well this 7. years bygone as now Blessed be God and that I am not troubled here with coughs and head aikes as in Edinburgh which is likewise a great motive for me to stay in this Countrey I intreat to hear from them all you will not readily miss occasions from London every Moneth to some place in America And there is ordinarly occasions hither from the Neighbour Collonies I have received Letters from the Bissets and my Brother from Mr. Alexander since we came I intreat to hear particularly from the Professor of Divinitie and Mathematicks Doctor Pitcairn Mr. George Burnet Richard Maitland Mr. George Alexander and any others who shall ask for me wishing you and all your concerns well I continue Dear Cusin Your most affectionate Cusin and humble Servant Charles Gordon P stscript by the foresaid hand If any pleases to tell me what their scruples are I shall endeavour to answer them if Servants knew what a Countrey this is for them and that they may live like little Lairds here I think they would not be so Shey as they are to come and during their service they are better used then in any place in America I have seen you may know my Subscription by the sign I gave you of my Pistoles misserving in the Boat or at least when you tell your Mother you may mind on me for you will miss some pints of wine you spent with me that Fridays night you convoyed me aboard on the Shore and in the Ship If there were a Caball of Merchants here to export the product of the Countrey to Barbadoes and the West-Indies and to Import Rumm Malasses Suggar and Cotton c. it would do a great deal of good to this Countrey I intreat to know what remarkable Revolutions has hapned either abroad or at home since I came away Any Merchants who settles here must take Lotts in the Town and build houses Mr. David Mudie is building a stone house and hath already an Horse-mill ready to set up presently in New-Perth Adue For Mr. James Mudie Merchant in Montrose New-Perth the 9th of March 1685. Sir MY Love ever being remembered to your self Lady and Children these are earnestly intreating you to let my Wife have any little thing she stands in need of untill it shall please the Lord I return and I shall pay you very thankfully I have left Thomas Parson and resolves to trade this Summer in the Countrey and to come home with your Uncle
of Piscatway Woodbridge or Elizabeth Town there shall be nothing of care wanting in your affairs and I do expect the like from you I hope my Grand Mother is in health wish her from me long life and good health and assure her she wronged the Countrey in her opinion present my love to all my Friends I am Your affectionat Brother Robert Fullertown A Letter from John Forbes Brother to the Laird of Barnla Directed to Mr. James Elphingston of Logie Writter to His Majesties Signet in Edinburgh in Scotland From Amboy-point alias New-Perth in the Province of East-New Jersey in America March 18. 1685. Honoured Sir I having the occasion of this Bearer Mr. Drummond brother to John Drummond the Factor in Edinburgh and who came Passenger with me to this place from Scotland I could not omit my duty in acquainting you by this line of our safe arrival into America tho being by the Divine Hand of Providence miraculouslâ— preserved from the cruelty of the tempestuous Ocean occasioned by a mighty storm of wind which happened upon the 12. day of September last and which blew so tempestuously that in short it carried first away our Bolspret and afterwards our whole three Masts Flagstaff and all by the board before the Sailers were able to get them cut it likewise took away the awning above our quarter-deck and left not so much as an yard of a rope above our heads all which was done in the space of half an hour We lay thus distressed like a pitiful Wrack all that night we having lost our Masts about 12. of the clock in the day and two dayes thereafter at the mercie of the Waves which being like mountains occasioned by the great storm of wind without hopes of recovery being then above 200. leagues from this land of America tossing to and fro expecting that each wave should overwhelm us Yet at last it pleased GOD to turn the storm into a calm and having preserved all our lower Yairds we made all haste and made Jury Masts of them with the help whereof tho very unsufficient ones to dryve forward the bulk of so great a Vessel and of GODS miraculous Mercie and Providence Who immediatly after we had put our ship in any mean posture for plying out her Voyage was pleased to send us such a fair and moderate gale of wind as brought us in sight of the Capes of Virginia within 15. dayes after or there abouts having never ceased for the whole time till it brought us thither in safty So we came within the Capes and sailed up that great Navigable Bay called Chessapeik bay up through all Virginia up to Maryland where we landed at the place where our ship was bound to take in her Tobacco for her homeward Loadning But being this Disabled and not being able to ply out her Voyage to this place where she ought to have landed us we was necessitat to travel from thence by Land to this place being upwards of 200. English miles and having left our Goods behind us which was thereafter to come about in a Sloup we was necessitat to stay all Winter in this New and young Citie where we had but very bad Commodation for Lodging tho we knew of no want of Victuals of all sorts for mony tho at a considerable dear rate This hindered us long from our falling to work about our husbandries which was a great loss of time to us However when our sloup came about which did not hold the half of our goods So that every man yet wants the half of his goods But are dayly expecting them by the same Sloup which we fraghted thither back again I went out to the Woods to the land we had pitched upon with several others of our Counteey men such as Tho Gordon and Mr. Chat his Brother Brothers to the Laird of Straloch Kinnabers two Sons Robert and Mr. Thomas Fullertons James Johnston of Spotswood and John Barclay the Governours Brother with some others where we have all pitched near by one another upon an piece of excellent land as we suppose Whereof I judge I have not the worst if not the absolute best piece of land in all that Tract for we had it all at our own choising and not by lots this land lyes not on a Navigable River but about 5. or 6. miles from Rariton river which is Navigable up the nearest place to our Plantations For the best places of the Rivers are already inhabited by the old Planters of this Countrey who have been here some 16. or 18. years agoe There are many places upon Navigable Rivers yet untaken and some very near this place also which is intended to be the Metrapolis of this Province But it is generally sandy barren land and the best land is compute by all to be in the woods back some several miles from the Navigable Rivers So that we rather chuse land for profitablness then for Conveniences of Towns and pleasure allennarly For there is aboundance both of good and barren land in this Province So that a man may chuse some for pleasure and some for profit and Conveniency for I intend to take up about 4. or 500. Acres where I have now setled which is on a very pleasant place and good land and whereof I have with two hands not having had time to get many Servants away with me having come away upon so short advertisement and whereof I lost one at Maryland by sickness so that now I have but two and a Woman for dressing our Victuals and Cloaths till I get more sent me this year already cleared or at least will clear and have in Corn this year about 8 or 10 Acres of ground tho it was prettie thick of stately tale Timber and that since the 26. of January at which time I went to the Woods I have 1000. Acres to take up at this time out of the first Division of 10000. Acres ordained to be laid out to every Proprietor I having bought a 10. part whereof my Brother is half sharer I have also taken up 400. Acres of excellent fine land on Rariton River about 20. miles above Amboy whereon I design to set Servants that I expect over this ensuing Summer and so to divide our said parcels and improve them for a year or two to the best advantage and then to sell them off If I design to come home which we can do at good profite Now for a general description of this Countrey it is a fine place for those who have a good stock to lay out upon a stock of Cattel of all sorts which do greatly multiply here in a short time and are sold at great rates and may soon increase a stock greatly or it is a good Countrey for an Industrious Frugal Man that designes to follow Husbandries closlie providing he bring but some little stock to stock a Plantation withall or it is very good for Tradsmen as good Carpenters Smiths Tailors c. who will get