Part 7 (1/2)
These are encouraged to make Wines, which by the Experience (particularly) of the late _Col. Robert Beverly_, who wrote the _History of Virginia_, was done easily and in large Quant.i.ties in those Parts; not only from the Cultivation of the wild Grapes, which grow plentifully and naturally in all the good Lands thereabouts, and in the other Parts of the Country; but also from the _Spanish_, _French_, _Italian_, and _German_ Vines, which have been found to thrive there to Admiration.
Besides this, these Uplands seem very good for _Hemp_ and _Flax_, if the Manufacture thereof was but encouraged and promoted thereabouts; which might prove of wonderful Advantage in our _Naval Stores_ and Linens.
Here may likewise be found as good _Clapboards_, and _Pipe-Staves_, _Deals_, _Masts_, _Yards_, _Planks_, &c. for s.h.i.+pping, as we are supplied with from several other Countries, not in his Majesty's Dominions.
As for _Trees_, _Grain_, _Pults_, _Fruits_, _Herbs_, _Plants_, _Flowers_, and _Roots_, I know of none in _England_ either for Pleasure or Use, but what are very common there, and thrive as well or better in that Soil and Climate than this for the generality; for though they cannot brag of Gooseberries and Currants, yet they may of Cherries, Strawberries, _&c._ in which they excel: Besides they have the Advantage of several from other Parts of _America_, there being Heat and Cold sufficient for any; except such as require a continual Heat, as Lemons and Oranges, Pine-Apples, and the like, which however may be raised there with Art and Care.
The worst Thing in their Gardens, that I know, is the Artichoak; but this I attribute to Want of Skill and good Management.
Mulberry Trees and Silkworms thrive there to Admiration, and Experience has proved that the Silk Manufacture might be carried on to great Advantage.
There is Coal enough in the Country, but good Fire-Wood being so plentiful that it enc.u.mbers the Land, they have no Necessity for the Trouble and Expence of digging up the Bowels of the Earth, and conveying them afterwards to their several Habitations.
There grows Plenty of _Sumack_, so very useful in the Dying Trade.
The Land is taken up in Tracts, and is Freehold by Patent under the King, paying two s.h.i.+llings as a yearly _Quit-Rent_ for every hundred Acres.
Most Land has been long since _taken up_ and _seated_, except it be high up in the Country.
For surveying of Land, when any is _taken up_, bought, exchanged, or the Right contested, there is appointed a _Surveyor_ in each County, nominated and examined by the _Governors of the College_, in whose Gift those Places are under the _Surveyor General_.
But of this I may be more particular upon another Occasion; only I shall here observe, that every five or seven Years all People are obliged to go a _Procession_ round their own Bounds, and renew their Landmarks by cutting fresh _Notches_ in the boundary Trees.
Sometimes whole Plantations are sold, and at other Times small Habitations and Lands are let; but this is not very common, most having Land of their own; and they that have not think to make more Profit by turning Overseers, or by some other better Ways, than by _Farming_.
Though now Land sells well there, in a few Years it will be more valued, since the Number of Inhabitants encreases so prodigiously; and the _Tracts_ being divided every Age among several Children (not unlike _Gavel Kind_ in _Kent_ and _Urchinfield_) into smaller Plantations; they at Length must be reduced to a Necessity of making the most of, and valuing a little, which is now almost set at Nought.
In general the Country of _Virginia_ is plentiful, pleasant and healthy; especially to such as are not too fond of the Customs and Way of living they have been used to elsewhere; and to such as will endeavour at first to bear with some small Matters, and wean themselves, and make every Change as agreeable as they can.
Without such Proceeding the best Country in the World would not please them; since wherever they go from Home they must certainly find many Things different from what they have been accustomed to.
As for Health, I think this Climate as good as any with Care, though some Const.i.tutions can be well in no Air, let them do what they will, and the stoutest cannot be always Proof against Sickness, be they in never so healthy a Country; and in all Places with Care People may enjoy a good Share of Health, if they have any tolerable good Const.i.tution; if they avoid Heats and Colds, Intemperance, and all Manner of Excesses.
In each Country is a great Number of disciplin'd and arm'd _Militia_, ready in Case of any sudden Irruption of _Indians_ or Insurrection of _Negroes_, from whom they are under but small Apprehension of Danger.
Up _James River_ is a Colony of _French_ Refugees, who at the _Mannacan Town_ live happily under our Government, enjoying their own Language and Customs.
The Gentlemen of the Country have no other distinguis.h.i.+ng t.i.tles of Honour, but _Colonels_ and _Majors_ and _Captains_ of the _Militia_, except _the Honourable the Council_, and some commissioned in Posts by his Majesty or his Orders, who are nominated _Esquires_: but there is one _Baronet_'s Family there, _viz._ Sir _William Skipwith_'s.
The Taxes or _Levies_ are either publick, _County_, or _Parish_; which are levied by the _Justices_ or _Vestries_, apportioning an equal Share to be paid by all Persons in every Family above Sixteen; except the _white Women_, and some antiquated Persons, who are exempt.
The Payment is Tobacco, which is sold or applied in _Specie_ to the Use intended.
The publick Levy is for the Service of the Colony in General, the County Levy is for the Use of the County, collected by the _Sheriff's_ and their Offices and _Receivers_; and the Parish Levy is for its own particular Use, collected by the _Church-Wardens_ for Payment of the _Minister_, the _Church_, and _Poor_.
There are two _Burgesses_ elected by the _Free-holders_, and sent from every County; and one for _James Town_, and another for the _College_; these meet, choose a Speaker, _&c._ and proceed in most Respects as the _House of Commons_ in _England_, who with the _Upper House_, consisting of the _Governor and Council_, make Laws exactly as the _King_ and _Parliament_ do; the Laws being pa.s.sed there by the _Governor_, as by the _King_ here.
All the Laws and Statutes of _England_ before _Queen Elizabeth_ are there in Force, but none made since; except those that mention the Plantations, which are always specified in _English_ Laws, when Occasion requires.