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.

Advice to Adventurers how to imploy their Estates with fair profit.

It is sit now that I give some Advertisement to Adventurers,* 1.1 which way they may lay out their money to best advan∣tage, so as it may yield them fair returns, and with content to all concerned, which is the last part of my present task; and I must needs say so much wanting, that it has perhaps given some occasion to ignorance and prejudice to run without mercy, measure or distin∣ction, against America, of which, Pensylvania to be sure has had its share.

1. It is agreed on all hands, that the poor are the hands and feet of the rich. It is their labour that improves Countries, and to encourage them, is to promote the real benefit of the Publick. Now as there are abundance of these People in many parts of Europe, extreamly desirous of going to America, so the way of helping them thither, or when there, and the return thereof to the Disbur∣sers, will prove what I say to be true.

2. There are two sorts, such as are able to trans∣port themselves and Families, but have nothing to begin with there, and those that want so much as to transport themselves and Families thither.

3. The first of these may be entertained in this manner. Say I have five thousand Acres, I will set∣tle ten Families upon them in way of Village, and build each an House, an out-House for Cattel, fur∣nish every Family with stock; as four Cows, two Sows, a couple of Mares, and a yoke of Oxen, with a Town-horse, Bull and Boar. I find them with Tools, and give each their first Ground-seed;

they shall continue seven years, or more, at half increase, being bound to leave the Houses in repair, and a Garden and Orchard, I paying for the Trees, and at least twenty Acres of Land within Fence, and improved to Corn and Grass. The charge will come to about sixty pounds English each Family; at the seven years end, the improvement will be worth, as things go now, one hundred and twenty pounds, besides the value of the encrease of the Stock, which may be near as much more, allowing for casualties, especially if the People are honest and careful, or a man be upon the Spot himself, or have an Overseer sometimes to inspect them. The charge in the whole is eight hundred thirty and two Pounds. I think I have been modest in my Computation. These Farms afterwards are sit for Leases at full Rent, or how else the owner shall please to dispose of them; also the People will by this time be skilled in the Country, and well pro∣vided to settle themselves with Stock upon their own Land.

4. The other sort of poor People may be very beneficially transported upon these terms. Say I have five thousand Acres, I should settle as before, I will give to each Family one hundred Acres, which in the whole makes one thousand, and to each Fa∣mily thirty Pounds English, half in hand and half there, which in the whole comes to three hundred Pounds, after four days are expired, in which time they may be easie, and in a good condition; they shall each of them pay 5 l. and so yearly for ever, as a Fee-farm-rent, which in the whole comes to fifty Pounds a year. Thus a Man that buys five thousand Acres may secure and settle his four thou∣sand by the gift of one, and in a way that hazard and interest allowed for, amounts to at least ten

per Cent. upon Land security, besides the value it puts upon the rest of the five thousand Acres. I propose that there be at the least two working hands besides the Wife, whether Son or Servant, and that they oblige what they carry; and for fur∣ther security, bind themselves as Servants for some time, that they will settle the said Land according∣ly: And when they are once seated their improve∣ments are security enough for the Rent.

5. There is yet another expedient, and that is, to give ten Families one thousand Acres for ever, at a small acknowledgment, and settle them in way of Village, as afore; by their seating thus, the Land taken up is secured from others, because the method of the Country is answered, and the value such a settlement gives to the rest reserved, is not inconsiderable, I mean the four thousand Acres, especially that which is contiguous, for their Chil∣dren when grown up, and Handicrafts, will soon covet to fix next them, and such and such after set∣tlements to begin at an improved rent in Fee, or for long Leases, or small acknowledgments, and good improvements must advance the whole consi∣derably. I conceive any of these methods to issue in a sufficient advantage to Adventurers, and they all give good encouragement to feeble and poor Fa∣milies.

6. That which is most advisable for People in∣tended thither, to carry with them, is, in short, all things relating to Apparel, Building, Houshold-stuff, Husbandry, Fowling and Fishing, some Spice, Spirits, and double Beer, at first, were not amiss. But I advise all to proportion their Estates thus, one third in Money, and two thirds in Goods. Up∣on Pieces of Eight there will be almost a third gotten, for they go at six shillings; and by Goods

well bought, at least fifty Pounds Sterling for every hundred Pounds, so that a Man worth four hundred Pounds here, is worth six hundred Pounds there, without sweating.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Advice to Ad∣venturers.