The present state of His Majesties isles and territories in America ... with new maps of every place : together with astronomical tables, which will serve as a constant diary or calendar, for the use of the English inhabitants in those islands, from the year 1686 to 1700 : also a table by which ... you may know what hour it is in any of those parts, and how to make sun-dials fitting for all those places.

Of Provision in general.

1. It has been often said, we are starved for want of Food; some were apt to sugest their Fears, others to insinuate their Prejudice, and when this was contracted, and they assured we had plenty, both of Bread, Fish and Flesh, then 'twas objected, we were forced to fetch it from other places at great Charges: But neither is all this true, though all the World will, think we must either bring Provi∣sion with us, or get it of the Neighbourhood till we had gotten houses over our heads, and a little Land in tillage. We fetched none, nor were we wholly kept by Neighbours; the old Inhabitants supplied us with most of the Corn we wanted, and a good share of Pork and Beef: 'Tis true, New-York, New-England, and Road-Island, did with their Provisions fetch our Goods and Money, but at such Rates, that some sold for almost what they gave, and others carried their Provisions back, expecting a better Market nearer; which shewed no scarcity, and that we were not totally destitute in our own River. But if my Advice be of any value, I would have them buy still, and not weaken their Herds, by killing up their young Stock too soon.

But the right measure of Information must be the proportion of value of Provision there, to what they are in more planted and mature Colo∣nies. Beef is commonly sold at the rate of two pence per pound; and Pork for two pence halfpeny, Veal and Mutton at three pence, or three pence halfpeny of that Countrey Money; an English Shilling goes for Sixteen pence. Grain sells by the Bushel; Wheat at four shillings, Rye, and ex∣cellent

good, at three shillings; Barley, two shil∣lings six pence, Indian Corn two shillings six pence, Oats, two shillings, in that Money still, which in a new Countrey, where Grain is so much wanted for Seed, as well as Food, cannot be called dear; and especially if we consider the consumption of the many new Comers.

3. There is so great an encrease of Grain, by the diligent application of People to Husbandry, that within three years, some Plantations have got twenty Acres in Corn, some forty.

4. They are very careful to increase their Stock, and get into Dairies as fast as they can. They al∣ready make good Butter and Cheese. A good Cow and a Calf by her side, may be worth three pounds Sterling, in Goods at first cost. A pair of work∣ing Oxen eight pound, a pair of fat ones little more, and a plain breeding Mare about five pounds sterling.

5. For Fish, it is brought to the door, both fresh and salt, six Alloes or Rocks for twelve pence, and salt-fish at three farthings per pound, Oysters at two shillings per Bushel.

6. Our Drink has been Beer and Punch, made of Rum and Water; Our Beer was mostly made of Molosses, which well boyled with Sassafras or Pine, infused into it, makes very tolerable Drink; but now they make Malt, and Malt-Drink begins to be common, especially at Ordinaries, and the houses of the more substantial people. In our great Town there is an able man that has set up a Brew-house in order to furnish the people with good Drink, both there and up and down the River.

Having said this of the Country, for the time I was there, I shall add one of many Letters that have come to my hand, because brief and full,

and that he is known to be a Person of an extra∣ordinary Caution as well as Truth, in what he is wont to write or speak.

Philadelphia, the Third of the Sixth Month, (August) 1685.

Governour,

HAving an opportunity by a Ship from this Ri∣ver (out of which several have gone this year) I thought fit to give a short account of Pro∣ceedings, as to Settlement here, and the Improve∣ment both in Town and Countrey: As to the Countrey, the Improvements are large, and Set∣tlements very much thronged, by way of Town∣ship and Villages, great inclination to planting Orchards, which are easily raised, and some brought to perfection, much Hay-seed sown, and much planting of Corn this year, and great product said to be, both of Wheat, Rye and Rice; Barly and Oats prove very well; besides Indian Corn and Pease of several sorts; also Kidney-Beans, and English Pease of several kinds, I have had in my own Ground, with English Roots, Turnips, Pars∣nips, Carrots, Onions, Leeks, Radishes and Cabbages, with abundance of Herbs and Flowers: I know but of few Seeds that have miss'd, except Rose∣mary Seed, which being English, might be old. Al∣so I have such plenty of Pumkins, Musk-Melons, Wa∣ter Melons, Squashes, Coshaws, Bucks-hens, Cucum∣bers and Simnels of divers sorts, admired at by new comers, that the Earth should so plentifully cast forth, especially the first years breaking up, and

on that which is counted the worst sort of Sandy Land. I am satisfied, and many more, that the Earth is very fertil, and the Lord hath done his part, if man use but a moderate diligence: Grapes, Mulberries, and many wild Fruits, and natural Plums in abundance this year have I seen and eat of. A brave Orchard and Nursery have I planted, and they thrive mightily, and bear Fruit the first year; I endeavour to get choice of Fruits and Seeds from many parts; also Hay-Seed, and have sowed a Field this Spring for Trial. First, I burned the Leaves, then had it grubb'd, not the Fields, but the small Roots up, then sow'd great and small Clovers, with a little old Grass-Seed, and had it only raked over, not plowed nor harrowed, and it grows exceedingly: Also, for Experience, I sowed some Patches of the same sort in my Garden, and dunged some, and that grows worst; I have planted the Irish Potatoes, and hope to have a brave encrease to transplant next year. Captain Rapel (the Frenchman) saith, he made good Wine of the Grapes of the Coun∣try last year, and transplanted some, but intends to make more this year; also a Frenchman in this Town intends the same; for Grapes are very plentiful.

Now as to the Town of Philadelphia, it goes on in Planting and Building to admiration, both in the Front and backward, and there are about 600 Houses in three years time; and since I built my Brick-House, the Foundation of which was laid at my going, which I design after a good manner, to encourage others, and that from building with Wood; it being the first, many take example; and some that built wooden Houses, are sorry for it; Brick Building is said to be as cheap: Bricks

are exceeding good, and better than when I built, more makers fallen in, and Bricks cheaper; they were before at 16 s. English, per Thousand, and now many brave Brick houses are going up with good Cellars. Arthur Cook is building him a brave Brick House near William Frampton's, on the Front; for William Frampton hath since built a good Brick House, by his Brew-house and Bake-house, and lett the other for an Ordinary. John Wheeler from New-England, is building a good Brick House by the Blew Anchor, and the two Brick-makers a dou∣ble Brick House and Cellars; besides several other going on. Samuel Carpenter has built another House by his. I am building another Brick House by mine, which is three large Stories high, besides a good large Brick Cellar under it of two Bricks and a half thickness in the Wall, and the next Story half under ground; the Cellar has an arched Door for a Vault to go (under the Street) to the River, and so to bring in Goods, or deliver out. Humphrey Murry, from New-York, has built a large Timber-House with Brick Chimneys. John Test has almost finished a good Brick House, and a Bake-house of Timber; and N. Allen a good House next to Thomas Wynn's Front-Lot. John Day a good House after the London fashion, most Brick with a large Frame of Wood in the Front, for Shop-windows; all these have Balconies. Thomas Smith and Daniel P••ge are Partners, and set to ma∣king of Brick this year, and they are very good: Also Pastours, the German Friend; Agent for the Company at Frankford, with his Dutch People, are preparing to make Bricks next year. Samuel Car∣penter is our Lime-burner on his Wharf. Brave Lime stone is found here, as the Workmen say, being proved. We build most Houses with Balco∣nies.

Lots are much desired in the Town; great buying one of anothe. We are now laying the Foundation of a large plain Brick House for a Meeting-House, in the Center (sixty foot long, and about forty foot broad) and hope to have it soon up, there being many hearts and hands at work that will do it: A large Meeting-house, fifty foot long, and thirty eight broad also going on the front of the River, for an Evening-Meeting, the Work going on apace; many Towns-people setling their Liberty-Lands. I hope the Society will rub off the Reproaches some have cast upon them. We now begin to gather in something of our many great Debts.

I do understand three Companies for Whale-catching, are designed to fish in the Rivers-mouth this Season, and find through the great plenty of Fish, they may begin early. A Fisherman this year found a way to catch Whitings in this River; and it is expected, many sorts of Fish more than has been yet caught, may be taken by the skilful. Fish are in such plenty, that many sorts on Tryal, have been taken with Nets in the Winter-time. The Swedes laughing at the English for going to try, have since tried themselves. The River is so big, and full of several sorts of brave Fish, that its be∣lieved, except frozen over, we may catch any time in the Winter. It is great pity, but two or three experienced Fishermen were here to ply this River, to salt, and serve, fresh Fish to the Town. A good way to pickle Sturgeon is wanting; such abun∣dance being in the River, even before the Town: many are catcht, boyled, and eaten. Last Winter great plenty of Deer were brought in by the Indi∣ands and English from the Country. We are general∣ly very well and healthy here, but abundance dead in Maryland this Summer.

The Manufacture of Linnen by the Germans goes on finely, and they make fine Linnen. Samuel Car∣penter having been lately there, declares, They had gathered one Crop of Flax, and had sown the se∣cond, and saw it come up well, and, they say, might have had forwarder and better, had they had old Seed, and not stayed so long for the growth of the new Seed to sow again. I may believe it, for large has my experience been this year, though in a small piece of ground, to the admiration of many.

I thought fit to signifie thus much, knowing thou wouldst be glad to hear of the People and Provin∣ces welfare: The Lord preserve us all, and make way for thy return, which is much desired, not only by our friends, but all sorts, I am, &c. thy truly Loving Friend,

Robert Turner.

Notes

• Provision.