The present state of England. Part III. and Part IV. containing I. an account of the riches, strength, magnificence, natural production, manufactures of this island, with an exact catalogue of the nobility, and their seats, &c., II. the trade and commerce within it self, and with all countries traded to by the English, as at this day established, and all other matters relating to inland and marine affairs : supplying what is omitted in the two former parts ...

CHAP. XV. A View of Mary-Land, and of the Customs and Trade thereof.

MAryland is upon the main Continent of America, being an English Colo∣ny, lying between 38 and 40 Degrees North Latitude, bounded on the North by Virginia, and on the South by New-England; the great Ocean on the East, and on the West the River Pattowmeck, and was first a Colony of English, Anno 1633. and for the better Increase of Trade, tolerate the Christian Religion of what Profession so∣ever; and is held by a Governour, or Proprietor, in Fee of the Crown of Eng∣land. It abounds with fair Rivers, stored with Fish, and Commodious for the receipt of Shipping.

The usual way of Trading is Goods for Goods, and the chief of their Commodi∣ties is Tobacco; their Weights, and Mea∣sures are consonant with those of England, without any Tret or over allowance; some Beaver, Otter, and other Furs they have,

which the English that Trade thither purchase, and the Inhabitants receive them for Tobacco, and Strong-Water of the In∣dians. Mulberry Trees are there in Abundance, and some Silk. Their Customs or Taxes are but seldom taken as to the Subjects of England.

The greatest abuse that Merchants re∣ceive, is the Packing of Tobacco; which loose Packed, or either too dry or wet put up, often deceives their Expecta∣tions; therefore the only way to discover such Frauds, is by weighing it. A full Hogs-Head, well Packed, will hold 400 Weight, and never less than 300.

For their Commodities, they receive Cloath-Hangings, Stuffs, all manner of I∣ron-Ware, Strong-Water, Wine, and the like; and what they Trade with the Na∣tive Indians for, they deliver them Coats, commonly called Match-Coats, made of coarse Shagged-Cloath, viz. Dutch-Duffields, or English Hogbays, either Red or Blew.

The new Netherlands, a place Situate in 41 Degrees North Latitude, upon Hudson's River, is Inhabited by a Colony of the Dutch, who have Incroached upon the English Trade with the Natives for Beavor, Otter, Elk-Skins, Bears-Skins, Dear-Skins, and the like; for which they

deliver them Iron Instruments, and Shag∣ed Cloath, and sometimes Guns, Powder, and Rapier-Blades, the fatal Execution of which they have twice felt by two Massa∣crees, Committed upon them by the Indi∣ans, to the loss of half their Colony. Their chief Town is New-Amsterdam, indowed with many Priviledges, as the old the better to draw People thither.

Corterialis, Nurembega, and Nova Fran∣cia, are accounted Mexican Provinces, and for the most part possessed by the French, and some few Portugals. Their Trade is small, consisting only of Skins, and Furs.

Estotiland, or New-foundland, discover∣ed 1527 by the English, in Winter is so Extream cold, that it is not inhabited but by some few Natives, and all the advan∣tage (which indeed is considerable) that the English Reap thereby, is their Fishing Trade; the Fish in England being known by the Name of Newland Fish, and is taken in such abundance, that with them are furnished most parts of Europe. The manner of the Fishing thus:

The Ships sometimes 40 Sail depart from our Coast, about the end of Februa∣ry, and about the middle of April arriv∣ing there, they unrigg their Ships, and go∣ing on Shoar Build Huts; and in Shallops,

with Hooks and other Tackling, take sometimes 30 or 40 great Fish in an Hour, that is one Shallop, which they slit and dry upon Rocks, and Sandy-Banks; after which they Salt them, and in such manner con∣tinue till September; when loaden with their Fish they return and dispose of them in Spain, France and other Places to good advantage, selling them either by the hundred Weight, or by Tail; and many times they sell them before they have caught 'em; that is, Bargain for the deli∣very of them when taken; and of late there is an Art found of making Oyl commonly called New-Land Oyl.