A summary, historical and political, of the first planting, progressive improvements, and present state of the British settlements in North-America. ... By William Douglass, M.D. ; Vol. I [-Vol. II. Part I]. ; [One line from Cicero]

A Summary, Historical and Political, of the first Planting, progressive Improve|ments, and present State of the British Settlements in NORTH-AMERICA; with some transient Accounts of the Border|ing French and Spanish Settlements.

AS Distance of Place does equally or rather more admit of Latitude, for imperfect, erroneous, and romantick Accounts of Affairs than Distance of Time; the Author, after Thirty Years Residence in these Colonies, and C••••••espondence with some inquisitive Gentlemen of the several Governments, does generously offer to the Publick, the following Collection, done with some Ex|pence of Time borrowed from the Business of his Profes|sion, and Hours of Relaxation; without any mercenary, sordid, scribbling View of Profit, or Ostentation of more Knowledge in these Things than some of his Neighbours, but to contribute towards a solid certain Foundation for the Histories of these Countries in Times to come. The People in Europe (the publick Boards not excepted) have a very indistinct Notion of these Settlements, and the Ame|rican Settlers are too indolent, to acquaint themselves with the State of their neighbouring Colonies.

Descriptions and bare Relations, although accurate and instructive, to many Readers are insipid and tedious; therefore a little Seasoning is sometimes used; where a mica Salis occurs, may it not be disagreeable, it is not designed with any malicious invidious View. For the same Rea|son, a small Digression, but not impertinent to the Subject, is now and then m••de Use of; as also some short Illustra|tions.

SECT. I. Concerning the Boundaries, between the British and French Settlements in NORTH-AMERICA.

AS a Treaty of Peace seems to be upon the Anvil in Europe between Great-Britain and France; the Sub|ject-Matter of this Section, is to propose a Scheme (the more Proposals or Projections, the more Choice) to|wards determining and settling the Territorial Limits, and of an exclusive Indian Trade, between Great-Britain and France in North-America. The Scheme must be short, else it will not be attended to, and therefore requires some previous Elucidations, and some short anticipating Ac|counts of Things.

Our principal Interest is to rival the French and Dutch in their Trade and Navigation, without Distinction or Partiality to either. In this present War, the French Court seem to neglect their Colonies, Trade and Naviga|tion, the principal Care of their late good and great Mi|nister Cardinal de Fleury; and do run into their former Romantick Humour of Land-Conquests. This is the Opportunity to take the Advantage of their Inattention, more especially with Regard to North America, our present Subject.

The FRENCH are the common Nusance and Disturbers of Europe, and will in a short Time become the same in America, if not mutilated at Home, and in America fenced off from us by Ditches and Walls, that is, by great Ri|vers and impracticable Mountains. They are a numerous▪ powerful, rich and polite Nation, they have the Advan|tage of us in three grand Articles.

1. Their Government is absolutely Monarchical; Tax at Pleasure; not accountable for Monies expended in secret Services (in Great-Britain, the Article for secret Services in the Civil List, is small, and when the Parliament allows any Sum extraordinary for that Use, it occasions a Grum|bling both within and without Doors) in this they have the Advantage of us, well knowing that not only private Persons, but Ministers of State, Generals, Admirals, even Sovereign•• may be bought or brib'd; the late E. of Or—d the grand Master of Corruption, when he gave himself the Loose, at Times declared,

That there was no private Person or Community, but what might be corrupted, provided their Price could be complied with.

It therefore becomes the Representatives of Great-Britain, narrowly to inspect into the Conduct of their Ministers, and other great Officers in Trust, especially in making Treaties with France; the infamous Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, was procured by the French Court bribing our cor|rupted Administration, that Part of it relating to the Bri|tish Northern American Colonies, will in Time be their Ruin, if not rectified and explained. 2. By Custom Time out of Mind, they are above, and do upon all Occasions dispense with the Principles of Honesty and Honour; Supe••iority and Power is their only Rule, as LOUIS XIV. modestly expressed it▪ in the Device upon his Cannon, Ratio ultima Regum: They occasionally make Dupes of the other Princes in Eu|rope; their Promises and Faith are by them used only as a Sort of Scaffolding, which, when the Structure is finish|ed, or Project effected, they drop; in all publick Trea|ties they are Gens de mauvaise Foy. This may seem an unmannerly national Reflection; but at this Time it could not be avoided, considering their perfidiously exciting a Rebellion in Great-Britain, contrary to their solemn Ac|knowledgment and Guarantee of the Hanover Succession, by inciting the Highlanders to Rapine and killing of their Countrymen; their re-fortifying of Dunkirk in Time of Peace; their violating of their Guarantee of the Pragma|tick Sanction, concerning the Austrian Succession, by Inva|sion

of Germany. 3. The greatest and most essential real Article is, The Largeness of their Dominions in the best Country of Europe, and thereby are become an Overmatch for their Neighbours, and more capable of swarming into their Colonies than we are; in order to preserve a Ballance in Europe, they ought to be curtail'd or dismembred there, which will effectually at the same Time prevent their too great Growth in America.

Louisbourg being now in our Possession, there can be no great Difficulty in reducing of Canada: at present it is not populous (perhaps not exceeding 12,000 Men capable of marching) neither is it compact (from the Mouth of St. Laurence River to its Rise from Lake Ontario, at Fort Fron|tenac are about 800 Miles;) and the French (without a Pun) are like Cocks which fight best upon their own Dunghill: Witness, their late Behaviour in Germany, in Italy, their late Poltronnerie in Cape-Breton, and at Sea. Flanders is their own Dunghill, and perhapsfor politick Rea|sons, the Allies allow them to over-run it, it will be to them a chargeable Possession, and a Diminution of their Army in garrisoning of so many Towns: Thus by giving them Scope, they may run themselves out of Breath, that is, out of Men and Money, and become an easy Prey.

Cape-Breton Islands and Canada being reduced, would be to us an immense Advantage, viz. The Monopoly of all the American Fish, Fur and Skins Trade, provided these Acquisitions could be annexed to Great-Britain, as a last|ing Possession: but unless in the present Treaty we could absolutely give the Law to France, and perswade the other Powers of Europe to allow us this Monopoly, we should to no Purpose, incur (if not reimbursed from Home) an inextricable Expence or Debt, and by extending or stretch|ing our Colonies, render them more slender and weak; we are not capable of settling Inland Countries in a short Time, our European Dominions, cannot allow or spare People sufficient for that Purpose. The Phaenicians, Greeks, Venetians, Genoese, &c. formerly had many Facto|ries and Colonies in sundry Places, but for Want of Peo|ple

sufficient to maintain these Possessions, 〈…〉〈…〉 It is true, the Dutch, an 〈…〉〈…〉 though a small People, maintain their 〈…〉〈…〉 But we may observe, they never 〈…〉〈…〉 far from their natural and tradin•• 〈…〉〈…〉 Water.

Formerly Priority of Discovery, was 〈…〉〈…〉 Claim. The Cabots coasted North 〈…〉〈…〉 were in Canada River) in the End of 〈…〉〈…〉 Secretary Walsingham, being 〈…〉〈…〉 Westerly, North of North Virginia (〈…〉〈…〉 New-England were soon after called North 〈…〉〈…〉 1583, sent out Vessels upon the Discover•• 〈…〉〈…〉 the River of St. Laurence, took Possession 〈…〉〈…〉 settled some Trade there. In Queen 〈…〉〈…〉 dispersed in Canada, Anno 1711, when 〈…〉〈…〉 for the Reduction of it, was on Foot, it 〈…〉〈…〉 Canada belong'd to the English by 〈…〉〈…〉 and what the French possessed there 〈…〉〈…〉 from the English, and consequently held 〈…〉〈…〉 therefore where the Possessors turn 〈…〉〈…〉 Quebec was taken by some private Englis•• 〈…〉〈…〉 Anno 1629. It was given up by Treat•• 〈…〉〈…〉 1632.

Afterwards in Place of prior Discovery 〈…〉〈…〉 the Indian Natives, and Occupancy, was 〈…〉〈…〉 just and equitable Title. In Case of a 〈…〉〈…〉 happened, upon a Peace, an u••i 〈…〉〈…〉 Practice with the Turks and other 〈…〉〈…〉 Right: But at present in Europe, amon•• 〈…〉〈…〉 and polite Nations, at the Conclusion of 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Treaty, is former Treaties 〈…〉〈…〉 Bargains, Indentures, or Ius Gentium) 〈…〉〈…〉 Money, absolute Cession, or Exchange 〈…〉〈…〉 for Damages received, or supposed to be 〈…〉〈…〉 of former Treaties, explained and 〈…〉〈…〉 present Case the Treaty of Utrecht 171 〈…〉〈…〉.

By Treaty of Peace and Neutrality for America, Anno 1656, Nov. 6, 16, between Great Britain and France; in one another's Districts they are not to trade, fish, or har|bour (except in Cases of Distress to repair, wood and wa|ter) but iniquitously by the Treaty of Utrecht, our cor|rupt Administration, granted to the French the Liberty of catching, and curing of Fish in the most advantageous Places "on that Part of Newfoundland from Cape-Bonavista to the Northernmost Part of the Island, and from thence running down by the Western Side to Point Riche:" There Cod-Fish are so plenty and fall in so near the Shore, that the French Fishermen without the Charge or Trouble of Hook and Line, catch them by a Kind of Grapling, as our Privateers discovered when they made Prizes of several French Fish Traders in the Summer, 1744, in the Northern Harbours of Newfoundland: By this unaccountable Concession, the French had already the better of us in the Fishery Trade, and in a few Years more would have supplied all the Markets in Europe, and by underselling, entirely excluded us from the COD-FISH|ERY, which is more beneficial and easier wrought than the Spanish Mines of Mexico and Peru.

It would be a vast Advantage to our Trade and Navi|gation, if by the ensuing Congress for a general Peace, we could obtain the Monopoly of the North America Cod-Fishery; there are Precedents of Monopolies al|lowed amongst sovereign Princes: The Dutch have en|grossed the Spice Trade (Pepper excepted) of the East-Indies. But if the French are still to be allowed some Share in this Fishery, let them cure their Fish upon the Islands of the Gulph of St. Laurence, and upon the S. E. Shore of Terra de Labaradore near the Straights of Belle Isle.

By the said Treaty of Utrecht, our corrupted Court gave up to the French the Island of Cape-Breton, and the other Islands in the Gulph of St. Laurence, with this pernicious Clause, LIBERTY TO FORTIFY. Accordingly in Cape-Breton or L' Isle Royale, was erected the Fortress of

LOUISBOURG, the North American Dunkirk, to annoy our American Navigation and Trade; but by good Luck it is lately fallen into our Possession: As the People of NEW-ENGLAND, from their abundant Loyalty to the Crown, and Zeal for the British Interest, were the first Projectors and principal Promoters of this most valuable Acquisition; if it is confirmed to us by a subsequent Peace, it may prove a Kind of Monopoly of the Cod-Fishery. New-England deserves not only a pleniary Re|imbursement, but also some peculiar Favour or Bounty from the Parliament of Great Britain; having upon this Occasion involved themselves deeply in Debt, and lost many of their best labouring Men, not by the Enemy, but by an ill-condition'd Putred or Hospital Fever and Flux. The high Encomiums of our Militia, ought not to give any Umbrage of Jealousy to the British Govern|ment or Mother-Country; that in Case of any general Discontent here, concurring with a Dutch or French (ma|ritime Powers) War, they cast themselves into the Arms of the French or Dutch; and occasion some Difficulty, for a British Squadron and Armament, to reduce them to Reason; the People here are so loyal to the Crown, and so affectionate to their Mother-Country, that this cannot be supposed; it is true, the King and Council of Great-Britain, lately seem to be of Opinion, that the Co|lony of Massachusetts-Bay, with Regard to the neighbour|ing Colonies, is too large, and have accordingly CUR|TAIL'D it, by annexing a large Part of it to the inconsi|derable Government of New-Hampshire, and some Part of it to the small Colony of Rhode-Island; as we have never settled our Line with New-York Government, we are told they design to put in for a Share.

Cape-Breton and the other Islands of the Bay of St. Laurence, before the Peace of Utrecht, were in our Pos|session, as belonging to M. Subercasse's Commission, in which he is called Governor of L' Acadie and Cape-Breton Islands; he was the French Governor when we reduced that Country 1710; but by the Peace these Islands were

given to the French in Exchange for the Fortress (no Settlemen••) of Placentia: while the Peace was negotiating Mr. More of the Board of Trade and Plantations, was so barefacedly corrupt, when the Importance of Cape-Breton was represented, he answered, Must the French then have nothing?

By the Treaty of Utrecht the Canada or French Line with Hudson's-Bay Company or Great-Britain, was ascer|tained, viz. from a certain Promontory upon the Atlan|tick Ocean in N. Lat. 58 Deg. 30 Min. to run S. W. to Lake Mistasin (which communicates by Indian Water Carriage by P. Rupert's River with Hudson's-Bay, and by Seguany River, with St. Laurence River at the Port of Tadousac 30 Leagues below Quebec) and from thence continued still S. W. to N. Lat. 49 Deg. and from thence due West indefinitely; this West Line takes in the Northern Parts of the Upper-Lake, large as the Caspian Sea in Asia, one of the North America five great Lakes or Inland Seas. By this Concession we gave the French a Sea-Line Skirt of Terra de Labaradore (by Authors who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Latin, called Terra Laboratoris or Nova Britannia) the better to accomodate their Fishery: Whereas if the British Interest had been in View, the West Line or Parallel of 49 D. N. Lat. ought to have been continued, East to a little above the Mouth of St. Laurence or Canada River.

By said Treaty, the French were not to fish within 30 Leagues of Nova Scotia to the Eastward, beginning at the Island of Sable; its South Side lies in 43 D. 55 M. N. Lat. and from thence in a S. W. Line indefinitely: N. B. There is no Cod-Fishery to the Southward of N. Lat. 41 D. Salmon, Smelts and some other North Cli|mate Fish are under the same Restriction: to the West|ward of this Line was a mare Clausum.

In the Peace of Utrecht was omitted, to settle a Line between our Colonies and those of France, called com|monly Canada, and Mississippi, or New France and Louisiana, from North to South; and the Line East and West be|tween

Carolina or Georgia, and the Spanish Cape Florida Claims. In the proposed Negociation for a Peace, it would be much for the Ease and Quiet of all Parties to have the same settled.

The natural and most effectual Boundaries of Countries or Territories seem to be large Rivers (thus the Upper Rhine divides the French Acquisitions from sundry German Sovereignties) and Mountains impracticable (the Pyrenean Mountains in general divide France from Spain, the Dafforne Hills divide Sweden from Norway, the Carpach, or Corpathian Mountains divide Poland from Hungary and Transylvania) The Great River of St. Laurence, the Lakes Ontario and Erie, and the Apalatian Mountains may answer the intended British and French Boundary, without any Advantage or Acquisition, Disadvantage or Loss on either Side; but meerly for Peace and good Neighbourhood.

The French Fur Trade, and their Settlements are almost entirely Northward of St. Laurence River: let us take a cursory View of the Southern or British Side of this great River, and of the Lakes Ontario and Erie, and of the Apalatian Mountains or blue Hills: All the Ad|vantage the French can have, by Indians in their Interest, or small Settlements South of St. Laurence, is only upon Occasion to distress their Neighbours, the British in Nova-Scotia, New-England, and New-York.

From Cape Rosiers at the Southern Side of the Mouth of the River St. Laurence in N. Lat. 50 D. 30 M, to La Riviere-puante or the Indian Tribe, called the Mission of Besancourt, over against Les Trois Rivieres, are about 400 Miles: The Barrenness of the Soil, Impracticable|ness of the Mountains, which lie but a small Way South of the great River, the Rapidity of the short Rivers or Runs of Water from these Mountains; renders the Country unhospitable, especially there being no proper Water Carriage for Indian Canoes: Here are no Indian Tribe Settlements, and as if in a Desart, no humane Kind to be met with, only a very few Indian Travel|lers.

In Massachusett's New Charter, Anno 1661, the Claim is kept up in its Extent, by express Words, "To the Gulf of St. Laurence and Canada Ri|vers." By our last Treaty with the French, which was that of Utrecht 1713, L' Accadie or Nova-S••••tia was confirmed to us; the French Commission to their last Governor Subercasse, was from Cape Rosiers to Quenebec River; this River lies nearly in the same Meridian with Quebec, and the Head of it not above fifty or sixty Miles distant from Quebec, the Metropolis of Canada, or New France. (The Mouth of Sagadahoc or Quenebec River, lies nearly in 44 D. N. Lat. Quebec, according to M. De l' Isle's accurate Observations, lies in 46 D. 55 M. N. Lat: from the Entrance of Sagadahoc to Norridgwag, the Head Quarters on Quenebec River, of a considerable Tribe of the Abnequie Indian Nation our Subjects, or Dependants; are not exceeding 100 Miles, thence up Quenebec River, almost due North, so far as Indian Ca|noes with Paddles and setting Poles can proceed, about 70 Miles; these 170 Miles, allowing for the Meanders or crooked Turnings of the River, may be computed at 2 Degrees of Latitude; remains about 60 Miles only, to Quebec, hilly bad Travelling; the Norridgwag Indians Road to Canada, is up to the Head of Quenebec River, and thence by several Lakes and Carrying-Places, to the River La Chaudierie very rapid, which falls into St. Lau|rence River about 4 or 5 Leagues above Quebec: Their best but longest travelling Road is from Quenebec River to Connecticut River, up Connecticut River, and thence to the River St. Francois, which falls into St. Laurence River, about four or five Leagues above Les Trois Rivieres.

To render it evident, that we do not intend to project any large Extension of ••erritories Inland, we shall pro|ceed to enumerate some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 E••tents in sundry Places of the projected 〈◊〉〈◊〉. From Saratogoa a considerable British Settle•••••••• in th•• ••rook Elbow and long Fall•• of

Hudson's River, the Carrying-Place, to Wood-Creek, are 12 to 15 Miles (according to the wet or dry Seasons) thence about 30 Miles to the Verdronken Landen, or drowned over-flowed flooded Lands, thence 50 Miles to Crown-Point, a Pass near the Entrance of Lake Champlain (Crown-Point is not well expressed in English, the proper Name is Scalp-Point, from some Indian Battle which happened there, and many Scalps carry'd off; it is better express|ed in French Point Chevelure, and in Dutch Kruyn Punt) from Crown-Point 100 Miles to Fort Chamblais at the Falls of Chamblais River, near its Outlet from the Lake; thence 5 or 6 Leagues to Monreal the second good Town of Canada, is in all 210 Miles from the New-York Settlement of Saratogoa.

This Crown-Point not muc•• exceeding 100 Miles from Monreal, is to this Day, with the adjoining Country, called the Dutch Side of the Lake Champlain or Corlaer (a Dutchman of Consequence who was drowned there in a Storm.) We are sorry that the Levies of the several Northern Colonies, did not proceed in the intended Expedition against the Fort of Crown-Point; Success or not, it would have made some Noise in Europe, and naturally have led the Congress to settle the Line or Boundaries.

We have a Fort and constant Garrison of Regular Troops at Oswego N. Lat. 43 d. 20 m. near the Mouth of Onondagas River on the south Side of the Lake Onta|rio or Cataraquie; in the proper Seasons, here is kept a Fair for the Indian Trade; Indians of above twenty differ|ent Nations have been observed here at a Time, the greatest Part of the Trade between Canada and the Indi|ans of the great Lakes and some Branches of the Mississip|pi, pass near this Fort, the nearest and safest Way of carrying Goods upon this Lake, being along the south Side of it. The Distance from Albany to Oswego Fort is about 200 Miles West, and many good Farms or Settle|ments in the Way.

The Apalatian Mountains or great Blue Hills (Land much elevated in the Air, view'd at a considerable Dis|tance, appears of a Sky Colour) are only 200 to 300 Miles distant from the Sea Line of Virginia, Carolinas and Georgia; the British People and some naturalized Germans have made some good Settlements at the Foot of the East Side of these Mountains, the Wash of the Hills rendring the Soil very rich. This Chain of Mountains, is not pas|sable but in very few Places with Pack Horses; it runs from the Sennekas Country near the Lake Erie, almost due South to the Bay of Apalatia in the Gulph of Mexico. Sundry Deeds from the Indians to the Proprietors of the Carolinas do expresly mention this great Ridge of Moun|tains as a W. and N. W. Line or Boundary.

The CHIKESAW and Upper CHERAKEE Nations reach from the West Side of these Mountains to the great River Mississippi; at present and for many Years past, their Trade is and has been with the Virginia and Carolina Indian Traders, who keep considerable Stores among these Na|tions. We have many trading Houses and Stores all along the East Side of these Hills, and all the Indians who live there are our fast Friends and Traders, exclusive of a|ny other European Nation. The Sennekas, Chouwans, the old Tuscaroras, Cuttumbas, the lower and middle Cherakee Nations. All our long Rivers reach those Mountains, viz. Potomack and Iames Rivers in Maryland and Vir|ginia, Maratoke alias Raonoak River, Pemlico River, Neuse River, and a Branch of Cape Fear River in North-Carolina, Peddie River the middle Branch of Wineaa in South Carolina, and the Savanna River of Georgia.

The proposed Line cannot be of any great Detriment to the French Colony of Canada; they have little or no Fur-Trade South of the River of St. Laurence, and not exceeding 280 Friend Indian fighting Men, viz The Mission of Besancourt over against Les Trois Rivieres 40 Men on La Riviere Puante; the Mission of St Francois on the River of the same Name about 4 or 5 Leagues higher, 160 Men; these two Tribes are of the Abnaquie Nation,

and therefore naturally belong to the New-England In|dians; above Monreal there are about 80 Men called Kahnuagus or praying Indians; idle Fellows, who run a|bout the Streets of Monreal, begging with their Chap|lets or Beads, they are Runaways from our Mohawk Indians.

As to our Boundary with the Spaniard South of Geor|gia, which a few Years since occasioned considerable Disputes, and the stationing of a Regiment (Col. Ogl••|thorp's) of regular Troops; we may observe, That soon after the Restoration, the Crown granted the Colony of Carolina to certain Proprietors, extending so far South as 29 D. N. Lat. (this included St. Augustine, in the Lati|tude of the Bottom of the Bay of Apalatia; and by the Treaties of 1667 and 1670 seems confirmed to us. St. Augustine is a bar'd Place, no Harbour for Vessels, except|ing small Craft, and seems of no other Advantage to the Spaniard, but in Time of War to annoy our Navigation in these Parts, and to disturb our adjoining Colonies by exciting the Creek Indians in their Neighbourhood to Rapine, as was the Case, Anno 1715. They improve no Territory. The Florida Neck or Tongue, Southward is a barrenSoil, not worth contending for. This Florida Shore appears to be of no great Benefit to Spain, but would be of considerable Advantage to Great-Britain, for the Tranquility of our Colonies in that Neighbourhood.

A Scheme towards settling the Boundaries between the British and French Colonies of NORTH-AMERICA, and for the better Regulation of their Trade.

IT is further agreed and concluded, That the Bounda|ries between the British Hudson's-Bay Company, and the French Colony of Canada, shall remain as settled by the Peace of Utrecht, 1713. That in Conformity to the Treaty of Peace and Neutrality for the English and French Colonies in America, Anno 1686: French Vessels shall not enter any of the Harbours of Newfoundland

(excepting in Cases of Distress) shall not trade or cure Fish there, neither shall they fish within — Leagues of the same. That the exclusive fishing Line on the Coasts of Nova-Scotia and New-England, shall begin at the Southerly Entrance of the Gut of Canso, and run a direct Course to the Island of Sable, comprehending all the Banks of said Island; and from thence to run South West indefinitely. That the Inland Line shall begin at Cape Rosiers, the Mouth of the River St. Laurence, up said Ri|ver, and Catarequia River to the Lake Cataraquie or On|tario; along said Lake and its Communication with Lake Erie; along Lake Erie so far as the Senneka's Country extends, and from this Termination, the nearest Course or Distance to the Apalatian Mountains; and along the Ridge of said Mountains to the Bay of Apalatie in the Gulph of Mexico; St. Augustine and the Promontory of Florida included. That the Islands in the Gulph and River of St. Laurence shall belong to the French, but the Navigation of said Gulph, Rivers and Lakes shall be free to both Parties. That the French shall not set up Lodges, Trading Houses or Factories, nor travel with Goods, in the British American Territories; neither shall theBritish Subjects in French American Territories; Penalty, Confiscation of Goods: but the Indians shall have a free Passage, with their Skins and Furs, and Return of Goods for the same, indifferently, to a Market, in both Territo|ries. That the Trade with the Chikesaw and Chirakee Indian Nations (although West of the Apalatian Moun|tains) as being of many Years Continuance, shall con|tinue with the British Subjects exclusively.

THIS SECTION would have more naturally concluded, than began the ESSAY; but as it may be supposed that at Negociation for Peace between Great-Britain and France, is now on Foot in Europe; it was judged seasonable, and advisable not to postpone it. This ESSAY towards a HISTORY of British North-America, is re|duced under the following Heads.

SECT. I. A Scheme for Boundaries between the British and French Colonies in NORTH-AMERICA, and for regulating their exclusive Trade.

II. Some general and short Account of the Spanish, English, French and Dutch Discoveries, Settlements and Claims 〈◊〉〈◊〉 America.

III. Concerning the Indian Nations and Tribes; intermixed with, under the Protection of, or in Alliance with Great-Britain: As also some im|perfect Hints of those called the French Indians.

IV. Some Remarks in Relation to the general British Constitution of their Colonies, in order to render the Accounts of the several Provinces more succinct.

V. HUDSON'S BAY Company; their trading Lodges, Forths, and Facto|ries; their Boundaries with Canada, as settled by the Treaty of Utrecht Anno 1713.

VI. NEWFOUNDLAND Fishery; it is not colonized.

VII. NOVA SCOTIA, appointed to be colonized in Governor Philips's Instructions, but hitherto neglected; and may be said (the Garrison of Annapolis excepted) to be as much a French Colony as before its Reduc|tion; together with some short Account of the Islands in the Gulph of St. Laurence, formerly included in the Government of L'Accadie or Nova Scotia, but given to France by the Treaty of Utrecht, and lately reduced to Subjection of the Crown, I wish I could say annexed to the Dominions of Great-Britain.

VIII. MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. In the Extent of their new Charter- Anno 1691, comprehending Old Massachusetts-Bay Colony, Plymouth Set|tlement, Province of Main; and the Iurisdiction but not the absolute Pro|perty of Duke of York's Grant from Quenebec River to River St. Croix in the Bay of Fundy; commonly called Sagadahoc.

IX. NEW HAMPSHIRE, including the Northern Settlements of Massa|chusetts-Bay, lately adjudged to the Crown, and annexed to that Province.

X. RHODE-ISLAND, including a Part of Plymouth late Colony, lately adjudged to Rhode-Island Colony.

XI. CONNECTICUT.; according to the Boundaries respectively set|tled, by Commissioners with Massachusetts-Bay, New-York, and Rhode-Island; and confirmed by the King in Council.

XII. NEW-YORK, according to their divisional Line settled with the Proprietors of East-Jerseys, Anno 1719, by Commissioners appointed by the Legislatures of both Provinces, and confirmed by the King in Council: and according to a divisional Line, settled Anno 1725, by Commissioners from the respective Legislatures of New-York and Connecticut Colonies, and confirmed by the King in Council: The Boundary between Massachu|setts-Bay and New-York Colony we must defer, as not ascertained; Notwithstanding the New-York Commissioners agreed, that the Basis of their Settlements with Connecticut, should be 20 Miles East from, and pa|rallel with Hudson's River; the Colony of New-York, (as I am informed) insist that Housatonick, alias Westenhoek, alias Stratford River, shall be the Boundary with Massachusetts-Bay; the Neutrality in Queen Anne's War, between New-York and their Indians, and Canada and their In|dians, was bounded Easterly by Housatonick River: some of the New-York Politicians say, that their Claim extends to Connecticut River: Their Line with Pennsylvania, is limited by Delaware River, and the Parallel of 43 D. N. Lat.: Their Northern Boundary with Canada, wants to be fixed in some subsequent Treaty.

XIII. The EAST and WEST J••R••••YS, two distinct Grants: the Proprietors surrendred the Government to the Crown, Anno 1702: Be|ing small the Crown has united them, under one Iurisdiction or Govern|ment.

XIV. PENNSYLVANIA. Two distinct Governments or Legislatures, but under one Governor; because the Property of one Family.

XV. MARYLAND. Lord Baltimore's Property. We cannot adjust his Line with Penn's Family, it is not as yet settled.

XVI. VIRGINIA. According to their Line lately run and confirmed with North Carolina.

XVII. NORTH CAROLINA; according to their late Line with Vir|ginia to the North, and South-Carolina to the Southward.

XVIII. SOUTH CAROLINA. The other Government: the Grant of Carolina, being very large, was divided into two Governments.

XIX. GEORGIA. An Utopian Property and Government; granted by Charter to certain Trustees. A favourite and chargeable Colony, but hi|therto unprofitable.

SECT. II. An introductory short Account of the antient and modern Navigation, Discoveries, and Settling of Colonies.

As this SECTION may contain a great Variety▪ Perspicuity, requires its being divided or distinguished under the following Heads or ARTICLES.

ARTICLE I. A general View of Navigation and Colonies in remote Times.

IN Trade and Navigation, as in all other Affairs of Antiquity, we are not to go too far back; in ••he very remote Ages, the Antients did much indulge a Poetical, florid Rhetorical, Enigmatical, and Mytholo••gical Vein; it is not possible at this Distance of Time and Place, to distinguish between their true and fabulous Relations: Their Histories and all other Matters were wrote in Verse, admitting of many Poetical Fancies * 1.1.

Doubtless from Time to Time by Famine, Pestilence, and some implacable Sword, whole Countries have been depopulated, and consequently their Records destroyed; we find that we cannot with any Certainty go back ex|ceeding 2500 Years. From what we may collect, we find, that China, the East-Indies, and Arabians are prior to us in Trade and Navigation; at present we have much the Advantage of them.

In the Revolution of Ages, the several Countries upon the Earth have been depopulated by Pestilence, Famine or Wars; and afterwards settled from other Countries; thus the Origin of the several Countries must be very various and uncertain. The Plains and overflowed Lands, called Interval Lands in New-England, upon the Banks of the Tigris and Euphrates in Chaldea, and of the Nile in Egypt, being very fertile and pleasant, enticed People to settle them in a compact Political improving Manner; therefore our first certain Records of Things seem to originate there. * 1.2

Amongst the Aborigines, the ARABIANS or Saracens have been Time out of Mind, and are at present the prin|cipal Aboriginal Navigators of the East-India Seas. The Arabian Moors or Mahometans, long before we navigat••d these Parts, sent Colonies to almost all their Sea Coasts and Islands, and drove the Natives up into the Moun|tains. The Arabians and Egyptians for many Ages navi|gated the Red Sea and Indian Sea. We had Indian Spices in Europe above 2000 Years. Suez, the antient Arsinoe in N. Lat. 30 d. was the Barcadier or Sea-Port

of Grand Cairo for the Red Sea, distant 4 〈…〉〈…〉 The Arabian Gulph was the most 〈…〉〈…〉 upon Account of the East India Trade, 〈…〉〈…〉 doubled the Cape of Good Hope. 〈…〉〈…〉 their Situation upon the Red Sea, drove 〈…〉〈…〉 between the Indies and the Egyptians, 〈…〉〈…〉 Time the greatest Trade of the know 〈…〉〈…〉 from the Saracen Navigation and Colonie 〈…〉〈…〉 and Africa, excepting the Tartars, China▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 insignificant Pagans; are of the 〈…〉〈…〉 Doubtless, for the same Reason, all 〈…〉〈…〉 of Time will become Christians. The 〈…〉〈…〉 was and is very considerable, 〈…〉〈…〉 is not one navigable River in all Arabia•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Moors had several Colonies in 〈…〉〈…〉 totally drove out of Spain, until Anno 〈…〉〈…〉

After the Egyptians and Arabians, 〈…〉〈…〉 became the principal Navigators, first 〈…〉〈…〉 the Tyrians, and afterward their famous 〈…〉〈…〉. The Phaenicians were 〈…〉〈…〉 who fled from the Red-Sea to the 〈…〉〈…〉 CHRIST 1047 Years; being used to 〈…〉〈…〉 Traffick in the Indies; they began the 〈…〉〈…〉 in the Mediterranean Sea to Greece, &c. 〈…〉〈…〉 of their Wars with the Edomites made 〈…〉〈…〉 native Habitations and settle upon 〈…〉〈…〉 They were the first who directed the 〈…〉〈…〉 Stars in the Night Time (the Magneti•• 〈…〉〈…〉 is a modern Discovery) their first 〈…〉〈…〉 Ships with Sails and one Order of Oars. 〈…〉〈…〉 Colonies abroad, viz. Byzantiun or 〈…〉〈…〉 Byrsa or the famous Carthage in Barbary 〈…〉〈…〉 in Spain, Cassiteredes (Tin Islands) Sicily 〈…〉〈…〉 in Great-Britain, &c: Carthage 〈…〉〈…〉 trading antient Phaenician Colony 〈…〉〈…〉 before CHRIST, were Masters and set 〈…〉〈…〉 along the N. W. Coast of Barbary, in 〈…〉〈…〉 or Canaries, and in the Hesperides or 〈…〉〈…〉

in N. Lat. 15 d: they had Colonies in the Baleares In|sulae (Majorca Minorca & Yvica) in Sardinia and Sicily. Carthage was for many Years the Emporium or Mart of Trade in the West, as Corinth in Greece was the Empo|rium of the East: they were both destroy'd about the same Time by the Romans 146 Years before CHRIST.

The Assyrians, an Inland People, had no Notion of Navigation: by conquering Egypt and Phaenicia, put a Damp to Trade and Navigation: After some Time a new Tyre was built, and the Tyreans flourished more than before, until Alexander the Great, a Royal Knight errant, destroy'd the City and sold the Inhabitants for Slaves.

In the History of Navigation and Colony Settlers, next were the GREEKS; at first more for War Expeditions and Invasions than for Traffick. The first Account, that we have of a long Ship was that of Argos * 1.3, who about 53 Years after Solomon, or 939 Years before CHRIST, according to the Computation of the most ingenious (I wish our Language, as the Dutch, would admit of a Degree of Comparison, above the Superlative) and penetrating Sir Isaac Newton, in his Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms amended. The A••gonouts were the Flower of Greece, fitted out to persuade the Nations upon the Coasts of the Euxine and Mediterranean Seas, to revolt from Egypt; they were a Parcel of Jolly young Gentlemen, viz. Castor and Pollux, Esculapius, Orpheus, Hercules, Deucalion the Son of Minos, Bacchus's Sons, &c.

The several Graecian Republicks had their Turns of Fortune of being more or less potent at Sea, the Cypriots were the most noted for Commerce. They settled Colo|nies in the Southern Parts of Italy and in Sicily, calling it Magna Graecia; this Name was afterwards confined to Calabria Superior in the Kingdom of Naples; they built

Marseilles in Provence in France; they had Settlements near Barcelona in Spain.

Before CHRIST, 885 Years, The Corinthians began to improve Navigation by large Ships and Triremes. * 1.4

Thucydedes says, That in the 29th Olympiad was the oldest Sea-fight mentioned in History, it was about 657 Year•• before CHRIST, between the Corinthians and Corcy|reans of Corfu. The Athenians (whose Continent Do|minions were not larger than Yorkshire) assisted the Corcy|reans, the Lacedemonians aided the Carthaginians (the La|cedemonians were more powerful by Land, but the Athe|nians were more powerful by Sea) this gave Occasion to the famous Poloponesian War, the Subject of Thucidades History: on one Side and the other, almost all Greece were engaged. The Athenians and Lacedemonians disputed the Empire of the Sea for some Time.

During the intestine Fueds of the Graecian Common|wealths; Philip King of Macedon, invaded and conquered the Countries in his Neighbourhood, and at Sea enriched himself by Pyracies, and put an end to the Graecian Liberties. His Son Alexander the Great, proceeded to the Levant, and conquered (committe•• Murders and

Robbery) so far as the River Indus: * 1.5 Upon his Return, intoxicated with Wine, and his youthful Vanity from Conquests, he died at Babylon; and his Depredations (they deserve no better Name) were canton'd amongst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Generals in their several Stations or Commands, who, after some Bickerings, agreed to an Uti Possidetis.

Next in Course, at Sea appeared the ROMANS, who at first (like the present Turks) did only mind Conquest, not Trade; but in Process of Time, finding that the Corinthians and Carthaginians, having the Dominion of the Seas, so as to land and make Depredations where they pleased; to keep them within Bounds, the Romans were obliged to mind the Sea out of Necessity, * 1.6 and were both destroy'd about the same Time by the Romans; a great Wound to Trade.

Iulius Caesar invaded Great Britain from France in very small Vessels or Craft, they were all built and fitted in two Months: The Britains at that Time had no Navigation; they were reduced to a Roman Pro|vince, not a Colony, and continued so above 400 Years. As the People of Britain at that Time were a Sort of Sylvestres, Wild People like our American Indians, Scots Highlanders, Miquelets of Spain, or Montenagrins: all parti••••lar Accounts of Great-Britain may be reputed as fab••••••us before Caesar's Time. Upon the Swarming or Emigration of the Northern Barbarians, the Roman Troops in Great-Britain were recalled to the Defence of their own Country: a Party of the same Northern Nations called Saxons, embraced the Opportunity, invaded Great-Britain in that Part of it now called England; and one

of their considerable Tribes, the Angles, gave Name to the Country.

Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea have been formidable, BELLUM PIRATICUM is sometimes recorded by the Roman Historians. Pompey was delegated for one of these Pirate Wars, and in the space of four Months (to his great Honour and Glory, as it is said) reduced all the Pirates.

The Romans with their Conquests and Colonies intro|duced their own Language * 1.7 all over Italy, into France, Spain and Portugal, where it continues to this Day, but much intermixed with the Languages of the Aboriginals, and of some Foreigners, who invaded them from Time to Time. In other Nations, which submitted to the Romans rather for Patronage or Protection than by Con|quest (the Romans were at that Time the general Ar|bitrators of all the known civilized Nations * 1.8) the Roman Language or Latin did not prevail.

The GOTHS, Vandals and other Barbarous Nations, who swarmed from the Northern Parts of Europe, and like Locusts or Caterpillars, over-run the Southern Parts of Europe; may be said, generally, to have superseded the Romans; they had no Notion of Navigation and a Sea-Trade, and did not in the least apply themselves that Way. Of these only the NORMANS and Danes (a sort of Pirates became potent at Sea; their first Expe|dition into Great-Britain was about Anno 800.* 1.9 They settled a Colony in the North Parts of France, and called it Normandy; in a Course of Years they made Depre|dations and some Settlements along the Coasts of Saxony, Flanders, Britain, and France; as a Monument of this, there is to be found on the Sea-Coasts of those Countries,

to this Day, Blond Complexions, red and yellowish Hairs. This Norman Colony in France called Normandy, (I shall not say, conquered England) in Process of Time gave a King to England, called WILLIAM the Conqueror, whose Establishment continues to this Day.

While the Mahometan Saracens prevailed, they were for a considerable Time Masters of the Seas (especially of the Mediterranean from the Red Sea to Hercules's Pillars) in the Southern Parts of Europe while the Normans ravaged the Northern Parts. The Moors and Saracens reduced the greatest Part of Spain Anno 714, and were not totally subjugated by the Aboriginal Spaniards until Anno 1492 * 1.10: The Spanish Blood is much tainted with the Morasco.

The next and last Set to be mentioned in this Article, are the several REPUBLICKS IN ITALY (Venetians, Genoes, Florentines, Pisans) and Catalonia in Spain; they carried on the Trade and Navigation of the Southern Parts: and the HANS TOWNS in Germany; they had the Trade and Navigation of the Northern Parts of Europe. Their Intercourse was generally at Sluys and Bruges in Flanders; and exchanged or barter'd Naval Stores, Woollens, Linnens, &c. for Persian and East-India Goods, and Spices, &c. which in Part were purchased at Grand Cairo, but mostly brought over Land in Caravans to several Barcadiers or Sea-Ports in the Bottom of the Mediter|ranean Sea.

The Genoes had many Colonies in Lesser Asia and upon the Euxine Sea, and drove a great Trade there: In the beginning of the 13th Century, they were in Possession of Nice and Uintimiglia in Italy, of Tyre in Syria, of Ceuta in Barbary, of Corsica and Sardinia: their Families of Doria and Spignola, had the principal Administration.

The Venetians formerly were in Possession of Candia and of all the Islands in the Archipelago and Ionian Sea: in short, their becoming so rich and powerful, gave Jealousy and Umbrage to the other Sovereignties in Europe, and occasion'd the famous League of Cambray, Anno 1508.

The first Discoveries made in America were generally by Italian Navigators or of Italian Extract (Columbus in the Spanish Service, Cabots in the English, Americus Vespucius in the Portuguese, Veruzani in the French Ser|vice, &c.) employed by several European Princes.

The Hans Towns were an Association of several Trading Towns in Germany, at a Time they were in Number about 70 Hans Towns, they are at present re|duced to four (there is constantly an English Resident or Minister with the Hans Towns) Lubeck on the River Trave the Principal; Dantzick on the Weissel or Vis|tula, Hamburg on the Elbe, and Bre••••n on the Weser: all these are free Towns with a territo••al District.

The Venetians, more particularly, becoming vastly rich by their Trade in East-India Goods and Spices; set sundry Princes of Europe upon projecting a navigable (consequently less chargeable Way, so as to undersell the Venetians, and out them of that Trade) and usefully prac|ticable Passage from Europe, to the rich Produce and Manufactures of the East. This leads to the Subject of the following Article.

ARTICLE 2. Concerning the several Essays or Adventures, towards discovering navigable Passages from Europe to the East-Indies, China, and the Spice Islands.

IT is said, That one great Inducement to Columbus's Adventure Westward, was to try for a Western Na|vigation to the Spice Islands; and luckily, by Islands and a great Continent intercepting him, America was discovered.

As the several great Continents of Europe and Africa Eastward, and America Westward lay in the Way; the Case was, how to double the extreme North or South Points or Lands-Ends of these Continents; or to find some pr c|ticable

Straits or Thorough-Fares in these Continents.

Before we proceed, we shall insert by way of Amuse|ment, as not impertinent to the Subject, the following Digression.

Some Dutch Fishers missing of Whales, are said to have sailed in Quest of them, several Degrees North of Cape Purchas of East Greenland, which lies in N. Lat. 82 d; there was no Ice, only an open Sea, but very hollow. Whalers say, that the further North, on Spitsbergen, or East Greenland, they found the greater Plenty of Grass, and other green Herbs; therefore towards the Pole it must be hotter: This seems to be probable from the Na|ture of Things: In Iune at the North Pole the Sun is 23 d. 30 m. high, and for some Months always above the Horizon; whereas, for Instance, at London, the Me|tropolis of Great-Britain, in N. Lat. 51 d. 30 m. the Sun in December is only about 15 d. high, and only for one Third of its Revolution or Day, above the Horizon.

M. Frazier, a French Navigator, says, in the Account of his South-Sea Voyages; that on the 13th of March 1714, N. S. in returning to France, South of Cape Horn, in Lat. 58 d. 30 m. and 68 d. 30 m. W. Longitude from Paris, he discovered several Islands of Ice, whereof one was four or five Leagues long; Ice is not frequently met with hereabouts, and as Ice is formed by an Adherence to some Land or Shore, there must be Land towards the South Pole; but not within 63 d. S. Lat. for the Extent of about 200 Leagues from 55 d. to 80 d. West Long. from Paris; because this Space has been run by several Ships, which the S. W. and S. S. W. Winds have oblig|ed to stand far to the Southward, to weather Cape-Horn, the Lands-End of South-America, in 55 d. 55 m. S. Lat. This is the Reason, why that Chimera or Fancy of a Terra Australis is at present left out of our Charts or Maps. If Lands are discovered South of 64 d. S. Lat. they must be inhospitable and uninhabitable, considering that the Weather is more stormy, and Winters more rigid, in the high South Latitudes, than in the same Northern Lati|tudes;

the same Climates South of the Equator, are much colder than to the Northward of the Equator.

The Southern Latitudes are much colder, than in the same Degrees of Northern Latitudes. 1. The Sun is annually eight Days longer on the Northern Side of the Equinoctial than on its Southern Side. 2. The Sun in our North Country Winters is in Perigee, that is, nearer the Earth, than in the Southern Winters, being then in his Apogee. 3. The highest Cod-Fishery according to Capt. Frazier, in the Southern Latitudes is in 31 d. S. Lat; our Cod Fishery in North-America (there are some stragling Cod-Fish caught more to the Southward) extends to Nan|tucket New-England in 41 d. N. Lat: Therefore 41 d. N. Lat. is nearly of the same Temper or Coolness as 31 d. S. Lat.

To obtain navigable Passages, into the Indian and South Seas, the extreme North and South Promontories or Lands-Ends of the several Continents above-mention|ed, were to be doubled. They are reduceable to four, viz. 1. The S. E. Passage by doubling the Cape of Good Hope the South Point of Africa. 2. The S. W. Pas|sage by doubling Cape Horn the South Point of America, Megallan's Streights is a Thorough-Fare. 3. The N. E. Passage, North of the North Cape of Europe, but hither|to not discovered. 4 The N. W. Passage, or rather Thorough-Fare between the North Shore of America, and the South Shore of West-Greenland, commonly called Da|vis's Streights (to double the North Parts of this West-Greenland, has hitherto not been imagined) this has at Times been endeavoured in the last Century and half, M. Dobbs is at present, in Pursuit of it. Lastly, We shall men|tion some Tentatives for discovering Thorough-Fares in several Openings in the Body of the Continentof America.

The Antients had no Knowledge of Countries South of the Equator. Iohn I. of Portugal, conquer'd Ceuta from the Moors, 1409; Henry, third Son of K. Iohn, much in the Humour of Navigation Discoveries; by his Encouragement, the Portuguese began Anno 1418, to range the West Coast of Africa: 1438 Alphonsus V.

took Tongier, and ranged so far as Cape Negroe in 16 d. South Latitude,* 1.11 and to this Day have several Colonies with territorial Jurisdiction from thence to 7 d. S. Lat. in Congo, Angola, and Loango. Anno 1442, the Portuguese obtain'd of the Pope a Grant of all Lands, laying S. and E. of Cape Bajador on W. Side of Africa, 26 d. 30 m. N. Lat. In the Reign of Emanuel 1497, Vasquez de Gamma doubles the Cape, they had discovered this Cape Anno 1487, and called it the Cape of Good-Hope, in Expectati|on of doubling it; thence they coasted along the Eastern Shore of Africa, from Cape Negroe on the West Side of Africa, 16 d. S. Lat. round (Cape of Good-Hope, a Dutch Place of Refreshment excepted) to Rio de Spirito Santo in S. Lat. 18 d. on the East Shore of Africa, is a very wild and savage Country, no European Settlers; but from 18 d. S. Lat. to 5 d. N. Lat. the Portuguese have Possessions, the chief being Mozembique in 15 d. S. Lat. and Melinda in 2 d. 30 m. S. Lat.

From the Eastern Coast of Africa, the Portuguese sail'd over to the Malabar Coast on the Indian Peninsula. The next Portugal Expedition for the East-Indies, was drove upon the Coast of Brazil, and after taking Possession of it, proceeded to the Malabar Coast. Anno 1510, Albu|kerk reduces Goa, takes Amboyna, Banda, and some other of the Molucca Islands, and returns home richly loaden with Spices. They sail'd along the Coast of China; thus during the Reign of their good King Emanuel, who died

Anno 1521, they carried all before them at Sea, and su|perseded the Venetians in a Trade which they had enjoy'd ever since Anno 1260. Having purchased of Charles V, Emperor, his Claim as King of Spain, of a pretended Priority of Discovery in the Spice Islands; they solely enjoy'd without Molestation for near a Century of Years the famous and profitable Trade and Navigation to the East-Indies; as Spain did that to the West-Indies.

Henry, King of Portugal, dying without Children Anno 1580; K. Philip by a powerful Army under the Duke d' Alva reduces Portugal, he claim'd it in Right of his Mother Elizabeth the Empress; Spain became Master of all the Portuguese Dominions and rich Trade; ••eing in the Height of Glory, after a few Years; Anno 1588 the King of Spain fits out the Invincible Armada (as he calle•• ••it) against England.

The Dutch * 1.12 at this Time, as revolted from the Dominions of Spain, were prohibited by the King

of Spain, to trade to Portugal, the only Emporium of East India Spices and other Goods: This occasi|o••ed their Endeavours to sail directly to the East-Indies, and Spice-Islands: they first attempted a N.E. Passage by Waygatz Streights, but in vain; afterwards Anno 1595, without Ceremony, they double the Cape of Good-Hope, seized several of the Spanish or Portuguese Colonies, got a great Footing in the East-Indies, and have established a great Trade, and settled many considerable Colonies.

Upon the Expiration of the 12 Years Truce between Spai•• and Holland, Anno 1621, the Dutch made several successful Expeditions to Brazil (at the same Time made some Settlements in Guiana) and got some Footing there. P. Maurice was appointed Governor, and resided there from Anno 1637 to Anno 1644; for Want of Supplie•• he left it and returned home: the Dutch having a bette•• Game to play in the East-Indies, from whence they almost outed the Portuguese, they gave Way in the Brazils, and after some Years the Portuguese recovered it entirely by Anno 1660.

The following Digression, may perhaps be an agreeable Amusement to some Readers.

To make some Estimate of the Dutch East India Whaling, and Suga•• Trade (which with their Herring Fishery, and Carrying, are the Branches of their Traffick) we shall instance the Year 1738 (perhaps a Medium Year

of Business) that Year arrived in the Texel, for Amsterdam, and the small Towns in the Zuyder Zee, from the East-Indies 15 Ships, from East Greenland, or Spitzbergen 92 Whalers, from West Greenland or Davis's Streights Whalers 55; with Sugar, Coffee, Cocoa, from Surinam 36, Curaso 11, other Places in the West-Indies 14.

The Dutch at first carried on their Trade in the East-Indies, by Factories in several Parts; afterwards they settle•• Colonies with a Territorial Jurisdiction; they did not fully monopolize the Trade, until 1635. The Subscription for a Company Trade was 6,440,200 Gilders or Florins.

The whole Trade is supposed divided into sixteen Parts, and the Company into six Chambers, each Chamber hav|ing Parts nearly in Proportion to their Subscription; o•• those sixteen Parts 8 belong to the Chamber of Amster|dam, 4 to Zealand, 1 to Rotterdam, 1 to Delft, 1 to Horn, and 1 to Enchuysen: each Chamber has a peculiar Board of Directors called in Dutch Bewindhebbers; the Chamber of Amsterdam consists of 20 Directors, that of Zealand consists of 12 Directors, the other four Chambers each consists of 7 Directors: The grand Affairs of the united Chambers, are managed by a grand Council, which sits at Amsterdam for six Years, and at Middleborough in Zealand for two Years, alternately; this general Council consists of a Deputation from each of the six Chambers, Amsterdam sends 8 Deputies, Zealand 4 Deputies, the other four Chambers send 1 Deputy each; and a seventeenth (this Council consists of 17) is chose alternately by the six Chambers, and is President or Chairman.

This Company is vastly rich, an Original Share of 3,000 Gilders (3,000 is reckoned a high Share) has been sold frequently at 20,000 Gilders; notwithstanding of their great annual Charges in building and repairing Forti|fications, Ships, Store-Houses, Salaries, Soldiers Pay, &c. amounting sometimes to upwards of a Million and a half Gilders per Annum. They are the most powerful private Society in the World, some think them more powerful than the Government of their own seven United Provinces at home in Europe: they have at Times lent the Govern|ment

or States General, great Sums of Money for con|tinuing their Privileges; Anno 1688 they lent the States General 8,000,000 Gilders for continuing their Privileges to Anno 1740. It has been thought, that if the Dutch (I mean their People of Quality and Fortune) should at any Time foresee a certain Danger of being reduced by a more potent Neighbour; they would transport their Fa|milies and Effects to the East-Indies, where they are Ma|sters of the Sea: thus, in ancient Times, the Tyrians when in apparent Danger of being reduced by Alexander the Great, sent their Wives, Children and Effects to Carthage. This Company exports very little Bullion from Holland (the English East-India Company export too much Silver) their Spices vended in that Country, purchases all the o|ther Goods they may have Occasion for. The English East India Company in some Articles of Trade, have the Advantage of the Dutch; for in Fact, the Hollanders buy near half the Goods sold at the English East-India Sales.

The Seat of Government for all the Dutch East-India Colonies and Factories is at Batavia; here resides their Governor-General with much greater State, than the Pre|sident of the States-General of the United Provinces. The Governor-General is chosen by the Company, with the Approbation of the States-General; he is elected only for three Years, but frequently continued for Life; he has a Council of Six, viz. The Major General, a military Officer; Director-General, who has the Inspection of the Trade, and gives Orders or Instructions to all under Di|rectors, Factors, Supercargoes, and Masters or Skippers, with Four more named by the Company. In very good Policy, they have an Independent Court of Judicature for civil and criminal Matters, to whom the Governor-Ge|neral is subject, and by whom he may be condemned even to Death. Under the Governor-General are six conside|rable Governments or Colonies; each has a Governor, Director of Trade, &c; besides several lesser Govern|ments, Commanderies and Factories. This being only a Digression, I must forbear to enumerate more Particulars. As the above Observations are not publick, that is in Print, I hope they may be acceptable.

II. A short History of the S. W. Passages 〈…〉〈…〉 to the Mare del Zur South Sea, or Pacifick 〈…〉〈…〉 to the East-Indies, or China and the Spice 〈…〉〈…〉 the Portugueze formerly claimed an 〈…〉〈…〉 by the S. E. Passage, in like Manner the 〈…〉〈…〉 to the exclusive Navigation of the S. 〈…〉〈…〉 to the East-Indies. For the better 〈…〉〈…〉 Affair, we may previously observe * 1.13,

The Reason why several Princes of 〈…〉〈…〉 other Passages besides that of the S. E. 〈…〉〈…〉 Good Hope to the Spice Islands and the 〈…〉〈…〉 as follows. Ever since Anno 1410, the 〈…〉〈…〉 with infinite Labour and much 〈…〉〈…〉 the West Coast of Africk to gain a Passage 〈…〉〈…〉 Indies; Anno 1442, they obtained of the 〈…〉〈…〉 a Grant of the sole Navigation of Seas and 〈…〉〈…〉 Lands laying S. and E. of Cape Bajador N▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 W. from London 15 d. in Africa; this 〈…〉〈…〉 Good Hope and the S. E. Passage.

The Pope Anno 1493, having granted to 〈…〉〈…〉 all Lands beginning 100 Leagues West 〈…〉〈…〉 or Western Islands (belonging to 〈…〉〈…〉 indefinitely; occasioned a Dispute between 〈…〉〈…〉 and Portugueze. Th•• Portugueze reckoning 〈…〉〈…〉 Discovery of America Anno 1492, and this 〈…〉〈…〉 upon their Right to the Ocean, 〈…〉〈…〉 Navigators of this Ocean, complained to 〈…〉〈…〉 VI. Anno 1493: He composed this 〈…〉〈…〉 the Limits of a Meridian called, the Line of 〈…〉〈…〉 on Degrees West of St. Antonio the 〈…〉〈…〉

the C••pe de Ver•• Islands: St. Antonio lies 25 d. West from London * 1.14.

As the Pope at that Time, and for many Years fol|lowing, was universally in Europe regarded, as the sole and absolute Arbitrator, or rather Disposer of all Domini|o•••• upon Earth; the other Princes of Europe did impli|citly acquiesce in this fantastical, or rather FANATICAL Division of the Globe of Earth (its Parts to be discover|ed) between the Spaniards and Portugueze; and for near a Century all the Traffick of the East and West-Indies was engrossed respectively by the Portugueze and Spani|ards; but in Process of Time, the British, French and Dutch have got into their Hands the greatest Part of this Traffick; Gold, Silver, and precious Stones excepted.

There are three different South West Passages.

1. The Straits of Magellan (it is properly a Thorough-fare, but near the Land's End of America) the East En|trance lies in 52 d. 30 m. S. Lat. its West Entrance in 53 d. S. Lat; in all its Turnings about 116 Leagues long, Cape Q••aad not above 4 Miles wide, at Batchellors River 50 Leagues from its East Entrance the Flood begins to come from the Westward and makes a ripling with the Ea••••ern Flood. After the beginning of May to the End of Sept. these Straits are so full of Ice with fixed stormy Wes|terly Winds there is no passing; at other Times It is very difficult and tedious, therefore it is now disused. Trees grow here to a considerable Bigness; there are no

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Trees in these Southern Latitudes, the like Northern Latitudes abound with them. * 1.15

Ferdinand Magellanez a Native of Portugal, not suffi|ciently rewarded for his many good Services in the Por|tugueze Discoveries, offer'd his Service to the Emperor Charles V. King of Spain, to find a Passage to the Spice Islands by sailing Westward, without any Violation of the Pope's Bull or of the Agreement with Portugal: with five Ships and 300 Men he sa••l'd from S••vile in Sp••in August 10. Anno 1519; he wooded and watered on th•• Coast of Brazil in 22 d. S. Lat; he first, but in vain, attempted a Passage by the River of Plate, he discover'd and passed the Straits of his own Name November Anno 1520, he proceeded to the Ladrones and Philippine Islands where he was killed in a Skirmish with the Indians; his Ships proceed and arrived at the Moluccas or Spice Islands in November 1521, * 1.16 and settled a Colony, they loaded with Spices, and by Way of the Cape of Good Hope, in three Years returned to Spain. After Megellan's Pas|s••ge, it was discontinued (being represented so very dif|ficult) for many Years. Camerga a Spaniard is said to have passed it Anno 1539.

Capt. Francis Drake is reckoned the Second who cir|cumnavigated our Globe or Earth by passing the Straits of Magellan, w••••h five Ships 164 Men, he sail'd from Plymouth, Dec. 13. Anno 1577, he passed the Straits of Ma|gellan in Sept. Anno 1578, after a very difficult Navigation

of sixteen Days, he got much Treasure along the Coast of Chili and Peru, sail'd so far North as 43 d. N. Lat. the Inclemency of the Weather obliged him to return South|ward, he took Possession in Form of the N. W. Parts of California for the Crown of England, and called it NEW-ALBION. He arrived at Ternate one of the Molucca or Spice-Islands Nov. 14, Anno 1579, and loaded a Quan|tity of Cloves; arrived in England, Nov. 3. 1580. He was knighted aboard of his own Ship by Queen Eliza|beth.* 1.17 His Journal differed one Day from the Account of Time in England. * 1.18

Capt. Thomas Cavendish (he was afterward knighted) was the third Adventurer and Circum-navigator by this Strait, having passed, he distressed the Spaniards very much along the South-Sea Shore, he touched at ••••••••|fornia, took an Aquapulco Ship, touched at the Philip•••••••• Islands and Iava, he doubled the Cape of Good Hope, touch|ed at St. Helena in 15 d. S. Lat; with much Booty and Glory, he arrived at Plymouth, Sept. 9. Anno 1591.

The Spaniards having found two Land-passes or Con|veyances, viz. The Isthmus o•• Darien, and from the Ri|ver of Plate cross the Andes to the South-Seas, they dis|continued this Navigation. Oliver Nort, Anno 1598, and George Spilbergen, Anno 161••, Dutch Men passed. Sir Iohn Narborough, fitted out by King Charles II. and the Duke of York, sail'd from England May 15. Anno 1669, was only six Months from B••ldivi•• in ••••ili to England, he repassed the Straits of Magellan, and made the Lizard, June 10, 1671, was only one Year and nine Months in his Voyage. M. de B••••••chesne a French Man (perhaps the last in this Navigation) passed Anno 1699, he returned S. of Cape-Horn without making Land.

2. The Passage by Straits Le Maire and Cape Horn. This Strait lies between Terra del Fouego and Staten Is|land, in 55 d. S. Lat. 5 Leagues long, 8 Leagues wide, good Soundings; from thence they double Cape-Hor•• the South Land's End of America, in 57 d. 50 m. S. Lat.

Cornelius Schouten of Horn, and Iacob Le Maire of Amsterdam, Anno 1615, were the first who adventured South of Magellan-Straits. The Island which makes the Straits had its Name from the States of Holl••nd, the

Straits were called by the Name of one of the Discover|ers, the Cape was called after the Name of the Birth-Place of the other Discoverer. They performed their Circ••••-navigation in two Years and eighteen Days. Thi•• Passage has been much practised.

Commodore Anson's (now Admiral Anson) Voyage through these Straits round our Globe or Earth, is the l••••est we have any particular Account of; he sail'd from England, Sept. 18. 1741, to annoy and distress the Spa|••iards in the South-Seas, his Squadron consisted of Ships, one 60 Guns, two 50 Guns, one 40 Guns, one 20 Guns, •• Sloop or Snow of 8 Guns, 2 Victuallers, he had twelve Months Provision aboard, 500 Marines and Invalids, but returned to England a single Ship: Of the 510 Men a|board the Centurion the Commodore, when he sail'd from England, not exceeding 130 returned to England. He was unfortunate as to wrong Seasons all the Voyage, he set out too late, was 38 Days in his Passage to Maderas, did not leave St. Catherine's * 1.19 on the Coast of Brazil, in 27 d. S. Lat. until Jan. 18, passed in Sight of the Magellan Straits in March, through Straits Le Maire, he was off of Cape Horn in the Height of their Winter, with hollow Seas, and boisterous adverse Winds (we before hinted that the South high Latitudes, are in their Winters more tempestuous, than the like North high Latitudes in the Northern Winters; thus Cape of Good Hope, although in 34 d. S. Lat. was at first called Cape Tormentosa, the N. W. Winds in May, June, July and August being as it were fixed and very tempestuous) here he parted from all his Fleet; the Severn and Pearl of 50 and 40 Gun Ships, tired out (as it is supposed) with ••edious contrary Winds, dismal Storms, and an over|grown Sea, left him and put back: Some of his Fleet

joined him again at the Island of Iuan Fernandez 〈…〉〈…〉 South-Sea, which is generally used as a Place of Re|freshment by Enemies and Interlopers. He had a ••••|dious Passage of 148 Days from St. Catherine's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thi•• Island. He did not arrive off of Aquapulco until t••e End of Ianuary, O. S. the Manila * 1.20 Ship being ••ot in Ianuary 9. From the West Coast of Mexico he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 109 Days to the Ladrones (it is generally performed by heavy Sailers in 60 or 70 Days) from thence he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Macao a Portugueze Settlement upon an Island 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Canton the chief Place of Trade in China, here he co••••i|nued from November 1742 to April following. Iune ••••. Anno 1743, Commodore Anson by good Chance (〈◊〉〈◊〉 Manila Ship might have got into her Port, but ••••ing

informed at Aquapulco of Anson's bad Condition, he bore up to him to take him) took the Manila Ship bound from Aquapulco to Manila, about 6 Leagues S. E. of Cape Spiri••u Sancto off the Island Mindora near Luconia or Ma|nila Island July 11, he anchored again in Macao Road, and left it December 15, bound for England. Anno 1744, April 3, he left Cape of Good Hope, and June 12, made the Lizard Point. The Prize Money of the Ma|nila Ship, and of some small Captures on the Coast of Peru, accounted for was in Value 355,324 £. Ster.

3. The Navigation East of Staten Island, clear of all Land giving Cape Horne the Land's End of South Ame|rica a good Birth. This is the present Practice of the French South-Sea-Men, and is the most adviseable.

Capt. Sh••rp a Bucanier, * 1.21 Anno 1681, came from the South Seas to the North Seas without making Land; it was in their Summer-Season, Nov. 17, he was in 58 d. 30 m. S. Lat. to the Southward of Cape Horn, where he

met with several Islands of Ice and hard Frosts; he crossed the Equator or Line Ianuuary 7.

Capt. Woods Rogers (afterwards Governor of Provid••nc•• and the other Bahama-Islands) with two good Privateers, set out from Bristol in August, Anno 1708, (his Pilot was Dampier, formerly a Logwood Cutter, who had been three Times in the South-Seas, and twice round the Globe) he wooded and watered at Cape de Verde Islands, at Brazils end of November, and at the Island Ferd••••••••d••, in the South-Sea; having Sea-room sufficient be passed into the South-Seas without seeing of Land; Jan. 10, he was South of Cape-Horn in Lat. 61 d. 53 m; 10 Weeks from the Brazils, he was upon the Coast of Chili and Peru, where he continued making Depredations till the Month of December, then he lay in Wa••t near the South End of California. He took the small Manila Ship Dec. 22. He left California Jan. 12. arrived at Guam, March 11, left Guam, March 22, arrived in Batavia June 20, left Iava-head October 24, arrived in the Harbour of Cape Good-Hope Dec. 28, sail'd from thence April 8▪ with the Dutch East-India Fleet (they are generally 17 to 20 Sail home••ard bound) passed in Sight of St. Helena April 30, off of Schetland Islands North of Scotland July 16, and arrived in the Texel, July 23; having encroach'd upon the exclusive Trade and Navigation of the English East-India Company, they did not think it convenient to come to England, until they had settled the Affair with the Company.

III. * 1.22 Thorough-Fares in the Body of the American Con|tinent from the Eastern Ocean to the Western Ocean, commonly called from the North Se•• to the South-Sea and East-Indies.

1. The Straits of Magellan, already discussed.

2. Rio de La Plata. Iohn Diaz de Solis a Spaniard, sailing Southward fell in with this River of Plate Anno

••515; the Name was occasioned by the first Silver from Peru, coming down this River (the native Indians call this Country Paraguay) t••ey went up the River so far as was convenient, and thence travelled by Land, to the Country that afforded so much Silver and Gold, and made Returns of it. Garcias a Portu••u••ze was up this River An. 1524. he was cut off by the Indians. Sebastian C••b••t in the King of Spain's Service An. 1525 sail'd 200 Leagues up the River of Plate. Anno 1535 Don Pedro de Mendoza, with 12 Ships went up this River; he left some Forces there, they conquered the Country to the Mines of P••tosi; and Town of La Plata 500 Leagues from their first Settlements; the Spaniards did not begin to work the Mines of Potosi, until An. 1545. Buenos Ayres is 50 Leagues up from the Mouth of the River of Plate; one Branch of this River is called Paraguay, here is the famous Country Tucuman of the Iesuites; Iesuites having in some Degree civilized the native Indians, they divided it into Districts or Missions, under the Direction of the Iesuites to this Day. St. Iago in 29 d. S. Lat. is the Capital of the Iesuites Country. At present there is a good Land Communication from the River of Plate to Peru and Chili, so the Assiento Negroes are conveyed from Buenos Ayres to Peru and Chili: the Road passes through La Plata (the great River comes near to it) in 21 d. S. Lat. the Capital of the Audience of Los Cher••as in Peru: the Silver Mines of Potosi and Porco are in its Neigh|bourhood.

3. The River of Amazons * 1.23. Its Mouth lies near the Line or Equinoctial, it is of a very long Course, about 1800 Leagues (it is the largest River upon Earth) from its many Windings and bad Navigation, it is relinquish'd as a Thorough-Fare. Gonzalo Pizarro (Brother to the fa|mous

Pizarro) Governour of Quito in Peru, Anno 1540 with a small Army crossed the Andes, and fell down this River in Quest of Gold; here he built a Briga••••ine which sail'd down the River, which went home to Spain by the East or North Sea; Pizarro himself returned by L••••d to Quito, he found no Gold. Father d' Ac••na from Quito went down this River, and by the East Sea to Spain, and published an Account of the Country. The Spaniards endeavoured a Settlement upon the River An. 1554, but soon relinquished it. By the Peace of U••recht, France (the French have some small Settlements in Guiana, North of this River) renounces both Sides of the River 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the Navigation thereof.

4. The River Oronoque. Its Mouth lies in about 9 d. N. Lat. by this River no Thorough-Fare ever was effect|ed; it is the South Easterly Boundary of the Spanish Set|tlements on the East or North Sea of America: St. Tho|mas is the only Settlement, the Spaniards have South-East of this River, some New-England Privateers in the Be|ginning of the present Spanish War made some Attempts upon this Place Sir Walter Raleigh * 1.24 took Possession

of the Country of Guiana,* 1.25 Anno 1595 for the Crown of England.

5. The Gulph of Mexico and Isthmus of Darien. Vasco Numes de Balboa with 290 Men Anno 1513 was the first who crossed this Isthmus, and discovered the South-Sea in 8 d. 30 m. N. Lat. between Porto Bello and Carthagena; at this Place the Isthmus is about one Degree wide. This Vasco received no Benefit by this Discovery, being soon su|perseded by Padracias, who was by the Court of Spain ap|pointed Vice-Roy of Panama, originally and at that Time Capital of the South-Sea Spanish Colonies: There is a great Ridge of Mountains; or rather of many distinct Hills running along this Ihstmus, into the Gulph of Darien there comes from the Mountains many Rivers, which formerly afforded much Gold Dust or Grains; this was the prin|cipal Inducement to that romantick, ill-contrived, badly executed, and therefore short-lived Scots Settlement here called the Darien or CALEDONIA * 1.26 Company, An. 1699.

Anno 1680, some of the Bucaniers went up the Gulph or River of Darien, and from thence by a short Land-Passage to St. Maria in the Bay of Panama: Some Bu|caniers

returned the same Way to the North Sea. At some Distance to the Westward 6 Leagues is Nombre de Dios, (nomen Dei) 18 Leagues from Panama, here the Galleons formerly loaded, but because of the sickly Air here and in the Gulph of Darien, they were both relin|quished by the Spaniards, this is the narrowest Place of the Neck; Negroes from Iamaica Interlopers, have car|ried Letters of Advice from Nombre de Dios to Panama, and brought back Answers in 36 Hours. Six Leagues West from Nombre de Dios is Porto-Bello,* 1.27 it is the North Sea Barcadier of Panama, about 20 Leagues distant, and the Fair for the Spanish Galleons and the British South-Sea annual Ship. A few Leagues West of Porto-Bello is the River Chagre (here Vernon An. 1740 seized the Spanish Factory and carried off Goods to the Value of 70,000 £. Sterl.) from the Head of their River is the shortest Land Carriage to Panama, not exceeding seven Leagues.

5. The early Adventurers to America, where they found any large Opening or Inlet, they had some small Hopes of a Thorough-fare to the South Seas, but proceeding only a small Way they were baulk'd: thus it happen'd in Chesapeak-Bay of Virginia, in Hudson's River of New-York, in St. Laurence's River of Canada the longest and largest of these Inlets: Iohn Cartier a French Man An. 1535 sail'd up the Gulph and River of St. Laurence so far as

Monreal in Canada. Sir Humphry Gilbert from Engla•••• hearing of a Strait North of Virginia (New-England 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nova-Scotia were at that Time comprehended in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nomination of Virginia) imagin'd, it might be a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fare to the East-Indies; he sail'd up the Gulph and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of St. Laurence An. 1583 and took Possession for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Crown of England.

6. The next and last Thorough-fare Northward, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Davis's Straits; but as this is a very wide Opening 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rather Sea dividing North-America from a North•••••• distinct Continent called West-Groenland or New-〈◊〉〈◊〉 we must refer it to the Paragraphs of a North 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Passage, and the Section of Hudson's-Bay Lodges 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Trade.

IV. Essays towards a Nor•••• East Passage to China 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Indian Seas, come next in Course of Time, these A••••ventures were prior to the Outsets for a North-West ••••••••covery. The Cabots in Quest of a North-East Passa•••• first weathered the North Cape of Europe in 72 d. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lat; by much Sollicitation, our Sovereigns of these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were prompted to make some Advances this Way in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Trade. In King Edward VI's Reign, was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 corpora••ed a Company of Merchants for discovering 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lands unknown; in Consequence of this some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ships, by the White Sea, came to Archangel; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Grand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Muscovy or Russia, grants to an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Russia-Company sundry Privileges. AnnoRegni 1, 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Mary, by Patent, a Society was incorporated, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Name of the Governor, Consuls, Assistants, Fellows•••••• and Commonality of Merchant-Adventurers to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Territories, &c. unknown or unfrequented; this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were in Possession of the Russia Trade 25 or 30 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before the Dutch attempted it.

Towards the End of the sixteenth Century the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Dutch began to try for a North-East Passage, and many Years lost Ships and their Labour in impractic•••••• Adventures: It had an incidental good profitable 〈◊〉〈◊〉

it brought them into the Russia Trade and Whale-Fishery. The North-East and the North-West Discoverers intro|duced the whaling Business. The Dutch have winter'd in 75 d. N. Lat. in Nova-Zembla, the English have winter'd in 78 d. N. Lat. in Greenland, it was remark'd that Nova-Zembla although Southward of Greenland, is colder than Greenland. The English Russia Company were the first who went a Whaling at East-Greenland, at that Time they employed Biscayers; afterwards the Dutch came into it, followed it more closely, an•• a••e better acquainted. A few Years since, the English South-Sea-Company fitted out a great Number of goo•• large Ships Whalers; they sunk much Money from Mismanagement, and soon abandoned the Affair.

A North-East Passage has been essay'd three different Ways, viz. East of East-Greenland or Spitsbergen, between East-Greenland and Nova-Zembla, and by Wygatz Straits between Nova Zembla and Russia upon the Continent.

The Southermost Point of East-Greenland lies in 76 d. N. Lat. almost due North from the North Cape of Eu|rope. This Greenland may reach the North Polar Re|gions, but hitherto Point Purchas (so called by the Name of the Discoverer) in 82 d. N. Lat. is the furthest North that has been discovered. The Southernmost Part of East-Greenland lies about 150 Leagues from Nova Zembla.

Anno 1671 a Whaler sail'd the Coast of East-Green|land to 81 d. N. Lat. there they found the Ice firm, it did not float; therefore it must adhere to some Land backwards, consequently there can be no North-East Pas|sage that Way. As the Northerly and Easterly Winds in these Parts, cause very intense Frosts, there must be to Windward vast Continents covered with Snow or large Fields of impenetrable Ice. Thus the very hard Frost•• from the North and North-West Winds in Baffin's Bay, Davis's Straits, and Hudson's Bay, indicate vast Conti|nents of Snow and Ice to the North-West.

Anno 1676 Capt. Wood was fitted out by the Court of England in his Majesty's Ship Speedwell with the Prosperous Pink, to discover a North-East Passage to the Indian Seas; the Speedwell was cast away upon Rocks of Nova Zembla in 74 d. 30 m. N. Lat. (the Men were saved and came home in the Prosperous Pink) they found Ice along to the Northward with Soundings, therefore Land is not far off, and Nova Zembla (a Conjecture) may range North West|ward, until it meets with East Greenland, consequently no North-East Passage between them, unless by some Straits; the Flood sets from the S. or S. W, therefore no Passage Northward, besides the Water is rather salter than common Sea or Ocean Water.

In endeavouring a N. E. Passage Nova Zembla was dis|covered, and Waygatz Straits between Nova Zembla and the Continent of Tartary or Russia: Those Straits in N. Lat. 70 d. are always froze and full of Ice, excepting when for a very short Time by a N. E. Hurricane or Storm it is cleared; but this Time being short and Weather tempestuous, it may be deem'd impracticable.

* 1.28 Sundry Writers give us various small Accounts or Hints, some favouring some discouraging a N. E. Passage,

none of them are sufficiently vouched. Some have wrote, that upon the Coasts of Iapan and China, drift Whales have been found with Dutch Harping Irons, these must have come by a N. E. Passage. Some relate Russian Barks that have sail'd from the Mare Glaciale East of Wy|gatz Straits by Cape Suotainos in N. Lat. 60 d. to trade with the People who live on the Oriental Ocean in N. Lat. 50 d. therefore Asia and America are two separate Continents. The Dutch (as it is said) Anno 1646, tried this Passage backwards, from Iapan to the North Ocean, but to no Purpose; they were not obstructed by the Ice, but puzzled by broken Lands, Head-Lands, Islands, Bays, Coves, Inlets, and Creeks. Some Dutch Whalers missing of Whales proceeded further North than Cape Purchas of East Greenland in N. Lat. 82 d. and found an open Sea clear of Ice but very hollow. N. B. Why did they not proceed in Quest of a Passage? If a clear Sea could be found, that is without Continents or Islands to fasten and fix the Ice, a Passage might be possible: But a Pas|sage through Straits cannot be practicably safe, their Ice is generally fixed; if accidentally in the Height of some Summers they be open, it can be only for a short Time, and the Uncertainty, when a Frost may set in, renders the Navigation too hazardous to run the Risk of the

Vessel being froze up, and the People perish: Spitsbergen or East Greenland seems to be a Cluster of broken Islands.

V. Adventures of a North West Passage to the West or Indian Seas for the Spice-Islands and China. Sebastian Cabot a Native o•• England, was fitted out by Henry VII. of England, Anno 1497, to discover a North-West Pas|sage to the Spice Islands and East-Indies, he made Land in West Greenland in N. Lat. 67 d. and called it Prima Vista, and from thence coasted to Florida, taking Possession, ac|cording to the Forms of those Times as he sail'd along for the Crown of England; but endeavoured no Passage.

St. Martin Frobisher, at first fitted out by private Ad|venturers, made three Voyages Anno 1576, 1577, 1578 to a Straits in N. Lat. 63 d. called by his own Name, but Ice and the Inclemency of the Weather successively obliged him to return, without any North-West Passage Discovery. He took formal Possession of the North Con|tinent of Greenland, for the Crown of England, but the Norwegians (at present the Subjects of Denmark) pretend|ed to have had Settlements there prior by 200 Years, from Island (its North Parts are in N. Lat. 66 d. 20 d. West from London); but our first North-West Adven|turers Frobisher, Davis, Hudson, Bassin, Smith, &c. did not find the least Vestige of the Norwegians ever being there: There was no Bread-Corn, no Herbage, the Aborigines had not altered their Way of Living, being cloathed with Skins, and lodging in Caves. This North Continent the Danes call New Denmark, and have a small miserable Set|tlement there in Davis Straits in N. Lat. 64 d. and a Guard Ship in the Whaling Season: The Soil and Indian Trade are not worth contending for; the best of Beaver and other Fur is from hence, but in small Quantities; it is unhospitable. Hans Egeda in his natural History of Greenland, 4to, 1741, says, that Greenland was first discover|ed by the Norwegians and Islanders Anno 982, but the In|clemency of the Climate, occasioned their abandoning of it; his Relation of many Colonies, Abbeys, and Churches is too Romantick to obtain Credit. Anno 1721 a Com|pany

of Merchants or trading Men, by a Royal Danish License set up at Bergen of New-Denmark in N. Lat. 64 d. where the Author and his Family continued 15 Years: He says that Barley does ripen there,* 1.29 some Tillage and Pasture-Land, only Brush Wood, several Shell-Fish, Land constantly covered with Ice and Snow, excepting near the Sea-Shore, Turnips grow well; Muskitoes very trouble|some in Iuly and August.

There is no good Whaling amongst the loose Ice, the Whales when struck, dive, and it is uncertain where they may come up to blow, but near great Islands of Ice, and Fields of Ice or fast Ice, they must come up by the same Side; as the American or West Shore belongs to Great-Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht, Anno 1713, the Winds, being generally from the North and North West, it is the Lee Shore and Field of Ice; therefore if a Monopoly of Whaling could be allowed, by the Law of Nations, in Davis Straits, it must belong to Great-Britain; thus we claim, but for political Reasons do not prosecute our Claim, to an exclusive Herring-Fishery at Schetland or North Parts of Scotland; this Controversy is well canvessed pro and con by Selden in his Mare Clausum and by Grotius in his Mare Liberum. At present the King of Denmark as|sumes the Sovereignty of the Seas in Davis Straits.

Iohn Davis upon the North-West Passage Discover••▪ Anno 1583 made Cape Desolation about 62 d. N. Lat. and sail'd to no Effect, so high as 66 d. 40 m. He made another Voyage Anno 1586 found among the Natives some Copper. Anno 1587 he made a third Voyage and sail'd

so high as 72 d. 10 m. this Opening is still call'd Fretum Davis or Davis Straits.

The King of Denmark, upon Pretence of renewing his Claims, fitted out some Vessels for this Discovery Anno 1605, 1606, 1607, &c, their Adventures were of no Consequence. Anno 1619 Iohn Munck sail'd into the Northern Parts of Davis Straits and call'd it Mare Chri|stianum (the Name of the King of Denmark at that Time) he wintered in 63 d. 20 m. N. Lat. and called it Monk's Winter Harbour, and the Country he called New-Denmark, few of his Men survived so as to return Home and live.

In the Beginning of last Century Henry Hudson, by two Adventureshaving satisfied himself that there was noNorth-East Passage toChina, was sent from England to try aNorth West Passage; as the West Northward Navigation had no Success, he sailed by the West Southward Opening, through the Straits called by his Name into a Bay called Hudson's-Bay, where he perished by the Insidiousness of his villanous Crew.

Sir Thomas Button (in these Times many seafaring Commanders were knighted, to encourage Discoverers) Anno 1611 encouraged by Prince Henry, pursued the N. West Discoveries, passed through Hudson's Straits and Bay, navigated and lookt into the several Creeks and In|lets of its Western Shore (Water generally 80 Fathom deep) he gave it the Name of New Wales, he in much Misery winter'd in 57 d. 10 m. N. Lat. he called the Place Port Nelson; this West Coast was afterwards called Button's-Bay.

Sir. Thomas Smith's Sound discovered Anno 1616 is in N. Lat. 78 d.

After Davis, M. Baffin prosecuted the North North-westward Passage, in the North Parts of Davis Straits, there he found a great Bay called Baffin's-Bay, he did not prosecute to the Bottom or further Extent of this Bay, but despair'd of finding a North West Passage. In N. Lat. 78 the Compass varied 57 d. W. the greatest known Variation.

No more Voyages were made from England upon that Design until Anno 1631. Capt. Thomas Iames of Bristol made some additional Discoveries to those of Hudson, Button, and Baffin (here we anticipate a little▪ the Hudson's Bay Account) he wintered at Charleton Island, near the Bottom of Hudson's-Bay; in this Island, he says, in Sum|mer-Season, the Days are excessive hot, and in the Nights Frost; in the Months of Iune and Iuly the Musketoes are intolerable, several Kinds of Flies and Butterflies, no Fish nor Fish-Bones or Shells upon the Shore excepting Cockle-Shell; here were several Kinds of Fowl, Deers, Foxes, Bears, and some small Quadrupedes; full of Spruce, Firs, and Juniper. He printed his Journal (a good Performance) 4to London 1633. He gives it as his Opinion, that there can be no North West Passage.

Several others in the Beginning of the Seventeenth Century made Attempts for a North-West Passage, West Greenland and Fields of Ice obstructed them; but an in|cidental very considerable Benefit accrued, viz. the Davis Straits Whale-Fishery. None have prosecuted the Na|vigation along the West Side of West Greenland into very high Latitudes, to discover whether West Greenland and East Greenland do converge so as to join, or if there be a Pas|sage along by the North Pole.

The many Dis••ppointments and Discouragements, as also the intestine Bro••s and Confusions in England did put a Stand to all Discoveries and other Improvements. Upon the Restoration of King Charles II, the Discovery Projects were again set on Foot by some Noblemen and Mer|chants. Prince Rupert was concerned: Capt. Guillam in the Nonesuch Ketch was fitted out, Anno 1667; he sail'd up Baffin's-Bay so high as 75 d. N. Lat. and returned to Prince Rupert's River in N. Lat. 51 d. and laid the Foun|dation of an advantageous Fur-Trade in the Hudson's-Bay Company, established by Royal Patent Anno 1670 to Prince Rupert and Associates.

Capt. Middleton in his North West Discovery Voyage Anno 1742▪ says, it is impossible in any Part of the Wes|tern

Coast, lower than 67 d. N. Lat, called Cape Hope West fro•• London 87 d; he pretends to have inspected this Coast narrowly; and if there be any Passage further North it must b•• impracticable, because (if at all clear) it can not be clear above one Week in the Year. His main Attempt was in Wager River N. Lat. 65 d. 25 m. the Entrance 6 to 8 Miles wide, Tide 5 or 6 Knots, Soundings not less than 16 Fathoms (many Savages came aboard but had no Trade, they spoke of Mines * 1.30) the further he went up Wager River, the Tides did rise less (whereas Sir Iohn Narborough in his Passage through the Straits of Magellan, the nearer he approached the Western Flood, the Tide did rise more) the Water from salt be|came brakish, and gradually more fresh, therefore it must proceed from some fresh Water River, and is no salt Wa|ter Thorough-Fare.

If there were discovered a N. E. or N. W. Passage to China, the Difficulties in Navigation, would render it of little or no Use, other, than to amuse the Curious in the Hydrography of those Parts.

There is a River which the French Coureur des Bois, call St. Lawrence coming from the Westward, falls, into the Northern Parts of the upper Lake, nearly 100 d. W. from London, and the same Latitude with the Bottom of Hudson's-Bay, and communicating with it by Water Canoe Carriage; the North Parts of Calefornia lie in about 130 d. West from London (according to Dr. Hally's accurate laying of it) and in Lat. 42 d; thus the Difference of Lon|gitude is only 30 d; which at the Medium Lat. of 45 d. (14 Leag••es to a Degree) makes only 420 Leagues; and if Calefornia is divided from the Continent by a Sinus or Straits, this will render the Distance to that Straits still shorter. By going up this River so far as Water Canoe Carriage will allow, and then perhaps only some short

Land Carrying-Place to some Rivulet or River running Westward towards the Seas of California or Western O|cean, if some Ridge or Chain of impracticable Moun|tains do not interveen. But cui bono all this Puzzle? only to ascertain the Geography of that Country; it can be of no Use in Navigation.

Mr. Dobbs who faulted Capt. Middleton very much for his bad Management and Unfaithfulness, did Anno 1745 procure an Act of Parliament, viz. Whereas a North West Passage through Hudson's Straits to the Western American Ocean will be a great Benefit to the Trade of Great-Britain; there is enacted a publick Reward of 20,000 £. Sterl. to any Ship or Vessel belonging to Sub|jects of Great-Britain, that shall find out any such Tho|rough-Fare or Passage. Upon this Encouragement the Dobbs Galley and California sail'd from England in May 1746; hitherto we have no Account of them.

A Digression concerning Whaling.

The New-England Whalers distinguish 10 or 1•• dif|fer•••••• Species of the Whale-Kind, the most beneficial is the Black Whale, Whale-Bone Whale, or True Whale as they call it; in Davis Straits in N. Lat. 70 d. and upwards they are very large, some may yield 150 Puncheons b••|ing 400 to 500 Barrels Oil and Bone of 18 Feet and up|wards; they are a heavy logy Fish and do not fight, as the New-England Whalers express it, they are easily struck and fastened, but not above one Third of them are reco|vered; by sinking and bewildering themselves under the Ice, two Thirds of them are lost irrecoverably; the Whale Bone Whales kill'd upon the Coast of New-England, Terra de Labradore, and Entrance of Davis Straits, are smaller, do yield not exceeding 120 to 130 Barrels Oil and 9 Feet Bone 1400 lb. wt. they are wilder more agile and do fight.

Sperma Ceti Whales are to be found almost every where, they have no Bone so called, some may yield 60 to 70 Barrels Oil called Vicious Oil the fittest for Lamps

or a burning Light. It is from this Whale that we have the Parmacitty or Sperma Ceti (very improperly so called) the Ancients were at a Loss whether it was an Animal or Mineral Substance, Schroder a celebrated Pharmacop••••ia▪ Writer about the Middle of last Century, calls it Aliud Genus Bituminis quod Sperma Ceti Officinae vocant, he de|scribes it Pinguedo furfurosa producta exhalatione terrae Sulphureae. We now find that any Part of its Oil, but more abundantly the Head-Matter as the Whalers term it; if it stand at Rest and in the Sun will shoot into Adipous Fleaks resembling in some Manner the Chrystali|sation of Salts: Instead of Sperma Ceti, it ought to be call|ed Adeps Ceti, in the Materia Medica. This same Whale gives the Ambergrease, a Kind of Perfume, as is Musk▪ Anciently it was by the natural Historians described as a Kind of Bitumen, hence the Name Ambra-grisea. Dale a noted Author, in his Pharmacologia not long since pub|lishes it as such; it is now fully discovered to be some Pro|duction from this Species of Whale, for some Time it was imagined some peculiar concreted Juice lodged in a peculiar Cystis; in the same Manner as is the Castor••um of the Beaver or Fiber Canadensis, and the Zibethum of the Civet-Cat or Hyena, in Cystis's both Sides of the Ani 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ thus not long since, some of our Nantucket Whaler•• im|agined, that in some (very few and rare) of these male or Bull Whales, they had found the Gland or Cystis in the Loins near the Spermatick Organs: Late and more ac|curate Observations seem to declare it to be some Part of the Ordure, Dung, or Alvine Excrement of the Whale; Squid Fish one of the Newfoundland Baits for Cod, are sometimes in Newfoundland cast ashore in Quantities, and as they corrupt and fry in the Sun they become a Jelly or Substance of an Ambergrease Smell; therefore as Squid Bills are sometimes found in the Lumps of Ambergrease, it may be inferred, that Ambergrease is some of the Excre|ment from Squid Food, with some singular Circumstan••es or Dispositions that procure this Quality, seldom concur|ring, thus the Nantucket Whalers for some Years last,

have found no Ambergrease in their Whales. The Sper|ma-Ceti Whale has no B••ne or Baleine in his Mouth, but fine white Teeth; they are most plenty upon the Coast of Virginia and Carolina.

The Fin-Back, beside two small Side Fins, has a large Fin upon his Back, may yield 50 to 60 Barrels Oil his Bone is brittle, of little or no Use, he swims swifter, and is very wild when struck. The Bermudians some Years catch 20 of these Whales, not in Sloops, but in Whale-Boats from the Shore as formerly at Cape-Cod, their Go|vernor of Bermudas has a Perquisite of 10 £. out of each old Whale.

The Humpback has a Bunch in the same Part of his Back, instead of a Fin: The Bone is not good; makes 50 to 60 Barrels Oil.

The Scrag Whale has several of these Bumps.

Black Fish, i. e. Grampus of 6 to 10 Barrels Oil, Bottle|nose of 3 or 4 Barrels, may (like Sheep) be drove ashore by Boats.

Liver-Oil is reckoned the best, especially for Leather-Dressers.

Whales are gregarious and great Travellers or Passen|gers, in the Autumn they go South, in the Spring they return Nor••hward. They copulate like neat Cattle, but the Female in a supine Posture. The True or Whale-Bone Whale's Swallow is not much bigger than that of an Ox, feed upon small Fish and Sea-Insects that keep in Sholes, has only one small Fin each Side of his Head of no great Use to him in swimming, but with a large ho|rizental Tail he sculs himself in the Water. The North Cape (in N. Lat. 72 d. in Europe) Whales, are of the same small Kind as are the New-England, and Entrance of Davis Straits: here we may again observe, that the high European Latitudes, are not so cold as the same American Latitudes, * 1.31 because 72 d. is the proper N.

Lat. in Davis Straits for the large Whales, and the Dutch fish for them long-side of Fields or large Islands of Ice, they use long Warps, not Drudges as in New-England.

Nantucket Men, are the only New-England Whalers at present; this Year 1746 not above 3 or 4 Whales caught in Cape Cod, the Whales (as also the Herrings, our Herrings are not of a good Quality) seem to be drove off from thence. Last Year Nantucket, brought about 10,000 Barrels to Market, this Year they do not follow it so much, because of the low Price of Oil in

Europe, notwithstanding, this Year they fit out 6 or 7 Ves|sels for Davis Straits, and sail End of March; they some|times make Cape Farewell in 15 Days, sometimes in not less than six Weeks. Upon a Peace, they design to fish Whales in deep Water, so far as the West-Indies, and Western Islands. A Whale may keep half an Hour under Water without blowing (breathing) but is obliged to blow many Times before she dives again.

Some New-England Men a few Years since attempted whaling in the Entrance of Davis Straits, but to no Ad|vantage: They generally arrived there too late, in keep|ing too near the Labaradore Shore (they kept within 50 Leagues of the Shore, they should have kept 150 Leagues to Sea) they were embay'd and impeded by the Fields of Ice.

Whales seem to have some Degree of Sagacity. When much disturbed, they quit their keeping Ground, and the Tracts of their usual Passages (the Whale is a Passenger from North to South, and back again according to the Seasons) thus, as to New-England, formerly for many suc|cessive Years, they set in along shore by Cape-Cod, there was good Whaling in Boats, proper Watchmen ashore by Signals gave Notice when a Whale appear'd; after some Years they left this Ground, and passed further off upon the Banks at some Distance from the Sho••e, the Whalers then used Sloops with Whale-Boats aboard, and this Fish|ery turn'd to good Account: At present they seem in a great Measure, to be drove off from these Banks, and take their Course in deep Water, that is, in the Ocean, thither upon a Peace our Whalers design to follow them. In Davis Straits, at the first coming of the whaling Ships, Whales are plenty, but afterwards being much disturbed, they become scarce, and the Ships return Home, before the Inclemencies of the Weather set in. The whaling Season in both Greenlands is in May and Iune; the Dutch set out for Davis Straits Beginning of March, sometimes they are a Month in beating to weather Cape Farewell, they do not arrive in the fishing Ground until May. An.

1743, perhaps a Medium Year, the Dutch had in 〈…〉〈…〉 Straits 50 whaling Ships (at Spitsbergen or East-〈…〉〈…〉 they had 137 Whalers) and got seventy six and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Whales.

Observation and Experience or Practice improves 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Affair, formerly the Whalers (even at Spitsbergen) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to tow the Whales they kill'd into Harbo••••s to cut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up; at present they cut them up at Sea and save 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Time: Formerly they whaled in New-England 〈…〉〈…〉 only with Boats from the Shore (at Bermuda•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 continue so) afterwards by Sloops upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Banks, and do now proceed to catch them in deep 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Formerly it was imagined that the True Whale 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon a Kind of Alga or Sea-Grass, or upon an ouzy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now it is certain that they feed in Sholes of small 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Sea-Insects; formerly our Naturalists judge•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sperma Ceti and Ambergrease to be Bitumina Suige 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at present it is obvious that the first is only a 〈…〉〈…〉 Oil or fleaky Adeps of a certain Species of Whal•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other is an indurated Part of the Ordure of the sam•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Whale when it feeds upon Squids, with other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Sex, Season, &c. and therefore but rarely 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Some Years since the South Sea Company 〈…〉〈…〉 24 large fine whaling Ships, from Mismanagement 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to no Account, they sunk about 100,000 £. St. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

The British Parliament to encourage Whaling, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an Act Anno 1733 to continue during the Whaling 〈◊〉〈◊〉 George II; That there should be paid by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 General of the Customs upon their Return as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 20 s per Tun of Shipping, under the following 〈…〉〈…〉; the Ships not be under 200 Tuns, havi•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 board 40 Fishing-Lines of 120 Fathom at least 〈…〉〈…〉 Harpoon Irons, 4 Boats with 7 Men to each (〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Harponeer, Steersman, and Line-Manager 〈◊〉〈◊〉 employ'd in such Voyages) with the Master and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in all 30 Men. For Ships exceeding 200 Tuns, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 exceeding of 50 Tuns, an Addition of 1 Boat, 6 〈◊〉〈◊〉

10 Lines, and 10 Harpoon Irons: Must carry six Months Provision: The Oil and Bone to be Duty free.

This Prolix Digression as containing some Things that are not generally attended to, may be Amusement to the Curious; and does by Anticipation abbreviate the Article of Fishery, in the History of New-England.

ARTICLE 3. Some Account of the Discoveries and first Settlements in America from Europe.

* 1.32 The only Europeans Navigators and Planters of A|merica are the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and English; the English are the proper Subject-Matter of this Hist••••••, and their Discoveries shall be related in Course, the others are the Subject of this Article of the Introduction.

The Continent of America at a medium Estimate is about 1000 Leagues (by Leagues we always mean the twentieth Part of a Degree on the Meridians) from Europe and Africa, upon the intervening Atlantick or Northern, and the Ethiopick or Southern Ocean, the Spaniards call the whole Mar del Nort; from Asia about 2500 Leagues upon the intervening South Sea, Pacifick Ocean, or Mar-del Zur which is reckoned to extend two Fifths of the East and West Circumference of the Earth.

At first the America Navigations were via Canaries and the Caribee-Islands; a more direct Navigation to its se|veral Parts is now practised; the Ancients imagined that within the Tropicks (non est habitabilis Aesta) theEarth was not habitable, whereas the fine rich Countries of Mexico and Peru lies mostly within the Tropicks.

America may be divided into the Continents of North-America called by the Spanish Writers America Mexicana, the Continent of South-America called by the Spaniards America Peruviana, the intermediate Isthmus or Audience of Guatimala, and Groenland North of Davis Straits.

I. Spanish Discoveries and first Settlements.

Christopher Colon or Columbus a Genoese Mariner or Pilot, a curious Man in his Way, sedulous in making coasting Cards of his Voyages, and naturally a Projector; he was for some Years an Inhabitant of Terceras one of the Por|tuguese Western Islands, distant from Newfoundland not exceeding 300 Leagues. He went to the Court of Por|tugal, proposed Discoveries upon the West Coast of Africa: having for some Time frequented that Coast and the * 1.33 Ca|nary Islands, as he formerly did the Western Islands; con|sidering the Sun's diurnal Motion, the Westerly Winds in certain Seasons blowing with Continuance, driving Pine and other fallen Wood ashore, with some other Symp|toms, he conceived that there must be Land to the Westward.

Anno 1486. He proposed to the States of Genoa, to discover some Countries Westward, or to find a Western

Passage to the Spice-Islands; they deem'd it an idle Fancy and took no Notice of it. This seemingly whimsical Projection, had the same Fate at the Court of Portugal, and with Henry VII. of England, though a Lover of all Projects to get Money, and at the Court of France: Af|ter 6 Years Sollicitation at the Court of Spain, the Moors and Saracens being fully expulsed, (they were in Posses|sion about 800 Years) he obtained 3 Ships and 120 Men: He sail'd from St. Lucar upon the Discovery in August 1492, touched at the Canaries, and from thence in 36 Days (in those Times a tedious Voyage without Sight of Land) and landed October 11, on the Island Guanchini one of Bahama or Lucayo Islands (so called because he arrived there on St. Luke's Festival) he called it St. Salvador now Cat-Island in N. Lat. 25 d; 76 d. West from London, and from thence he sail'd to Hispaniola and Cuba Islands, and Home, carrying with him some Indians, as a Specimen and Vouchers of his Discoveries▪ He returned by Way of the Azores and arrived March 13 following.

Anno 1493 Sept. 25, he set out again with his Brother Bartholomew, 17 Sail 1500 Men; he fell in with the Ca|ribee-I••••ands, and gave them Names at Pleasure, which they generally retain to this Day, he touch'd at Iamaica, and at Hispaniola (his 39 Men left there last Voyage were all kill'd by the Indians) and at the Bahamas.

In his third Voyage, Anno 1498 he made the Island Trinidad near the Mouth of the River Oronoke, and coast|ed from thence 200 Leagues to Porto-Bello and called that Part of the Country Terra Firma, from thence he crossed over to his first Settlement in Hispaniola.

His fourth and last Voyage was Anno 1502: Upon his Return to Spain, for Misdemeanours he was in Dis|grace at the Court of Spain, while others were makin•• further Discoveries; he died in Spain, Anno 1506▪ Ae••. 64. His Son Diego (the other Son died a Batchelor) suc|ceeded him in the Admiralty of the Indies, married the Duke d' Alva's Daughter, but died without Issue.

Americus Vespucius a Florentine was with Columbus in his first Expeditions. Anno 1502, he left the Spanish Service, and was employed by Emanuel King of Portugal, to make Discoveries in this new Part of the World; he crossed the Equinoctial and made Land in 5 d. South Lat. on the Coast of Guiana, now called ••••••inam, he discovered Brazil, and took Possession for the King of Portugal, in the Formalities of those Times, and continued his Range to 50 d. S. Lat. the Severity of the Winter stopt his further Progress, he returned Home by Way of Africa; next Year he attempted the same Voyage, but falling in with the Coast of Africa, he returned, and nothing further is recorded of him. The whole Conti|nent was called by his Name AMERICA. Here is a notable Instance of the Caprice of Mankind in giving this newly discovered Continent, the Name America inste••d of Columbia: Americus made no Settlement, Columbus was not only the first, but also the more general Disco|verer of this Land.

In the Beginning of the Spanish Settlements there were only two Governours, both deputed by D. Diego Son of Columbus, Admiral of the Indies, viz. the Gover|nour of Cuba and the Governour of Panama.

Velasquez the first Governour of Cuba, entirely reduced that Island Anno 1512, and successively sent Forces to reduce the main Land to no Purpose; Ferdinando Cortez a Native of Spain, and well acquainted with the American Navigation, upon a private Adventure, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1519, sets out from Spain with eleven Ships 550 Men, arrived in the Island St. Croix, and from thence West|ward to the Continent, where, as he was informed there was much Gold, he landed on the East Side of Iucatan, and thence in the River Tabasco now called Vittoria in the Bay of Campechee 17 d. N. Lat, and destroyed some of Montezumas, tributary Indians: Having coasted fur|ther West, he landed his Men at La Vera Cruz, and burnt his Transport Ships; not with a Design as it is commonly imagined, by cutting off any Retreat for his

Men, to make them the more desperate; but le••t any of his Men should draw off and return to Cuba and oc|casion the Adventure to mis••arry, Velasquez Governour of Cuba, did frequently send him supe••seding Orders, which he disregarded; and marches with 400 Spanish Foot, 15 Horse, and 7 Pieces of Cannon, together with some malecontent Indians who joined them. Navar••z with considerable Force was sent by Velasquez to recall Cortez, Cortez defeated him, and drove off his Party. Cortez had many Skirmishes with the Indians or Mexi|cans, with various Success: Montezuma the Chief or Emperor of the Indian Tribes and his two Sons, were found dead after one of these Skirmishes; at Length August 13 Anno 1521 Mexico and the Mexican Indians submit to Spain. Notwithstanding of Cortez repeated Refusals or Disobedience to superior Orders, and of his Cruelty to the Indians; being rich, he bought off all Complaints at the Court of Spain; he is made Captain-General of New Spain, and continued Generalissimo until Anno 1539, he was recalled and in Spain died a Prisoner at large Dec. 1545, Aet. 62, his Body was transported to Mexico and buried there.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa was the first who crossed the Isthmus, Anno 1513, he settled at Panama, which conti|nued for some Time the Capital of the South-Sea Co|lonies; he was soon superseded by Padrarias one of Cortez's Commanders, he gave Commissions to Piza••ro and Almagra Partners, private Traders for making Dis|coveries in Peru; for Want of suf••icient Force, they re|turned from their first Expedition, and differing with Padrarias Governor of Panama, Pizarro went home to the Court of Spain, and obtained a Commission distinct from that of Panama. Pizarro had a Royal Pate•••• for 200 Leagues along the Shore of Peru, and Almagra for 200 Leagues South of this.

Pizarro a healthy stout Man, of mean Parentage, of no Learning, but very credulous; set out with 150

Foot, and a few Horse to conquer Peru, he was after|wards reinforced by more native Spaniards under Alma|gra; he arrived Anno 1532 at Cusco the Indian Capital of Peru, inhumanly massacred many Indians, and A••a|baliba the Indian Chief by the Contrivance of Pizarro was insidiously executed by the Spaniards. Three Ar|ticles were alledged against him. 1. Killing of his Bro|ther. 2. An Idolater. 3. Disaffection to the Spanish. Pizarro and Almagra from Anno 1528 to Anno 1538 subjugated Peru, and LIMA the present Capital was founded. Don Castro Anno 1530 with 700 Men from Spain, was sent Governor of Peru, Almagra opposed him, defeated, tried and executed him. Alvaredo Gover|nor of Guatimala, hearing of Pizarro's acquiring great Riches in Peru, sets out for Peru with an Army of 700 mostly Horse, Anno 1535, Pizarro bought him off, h•• returned to Guatimala and left his Troops with Pizarro.

Almagra was the first who went upon an Expedition from Peru to CHILI Anno 1535, but soon returned, be|ing jealous of his Partner Pizarro. Anno 1540 Pizarro sent Baldivia from Peru to conquer Chili; Baldivia 154•• built its Capital St. Iago in S. Lat. 34 d. 18 Miles from the Ocean, Valparizo is its Barcadier; he built Baldivia in S. Lat. 40 d. calling it by his own Name Anno 1552, he continued his Conquests to the Island of Chiloe in S. Lat. 43 d. at present the most Southern Part of Chili or Spanish Settlements. This Settlement of Chili laboured hard for about 50 Years, having continued Wars and Conspiracies with the Indians; Baldivia was killed in a Skirmish with the Indians. There was a general Revolt of the Chiloese Anno 1559.

Pizarro and Almagra differed much; Pizarro at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made Almagra Prisoner, and by a formal Court of Justice was put to Death, and the Pizarro's seized his Government, Property and Treasure. Almagra's Partizans Anno 1541 did assassinate Pizarro at Lima, and seized his Treasure. Almagra's Son assumes the Government. Blasco Nunez Vela a new Vice-Roy was

sent from Spain, he was opposed by the Pizarro Faction, and kill'd in an Engagement Anno 1546. Thus the Pizarro's became Masters of all America in the South Sea, and to save Peru, the Court of Spain was obliged to temporize, and appointed one of the Pizarro's Vice-Roy of Peru; but soon after this Gasco a cunning Man with 1600 veteran Spaniards, was sent over as President of the Royal Court with great Powers: The Vice Roy Gonzallo Pizarro had a Difference with him; Pizarro is defeat, tried and executed. There were several other Insurrections, so that until Anno 155•• King Philip of Spain could not be said to be in peac••able 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Peru.

* 1.34 For above Fourscore Years after the first Spanish Discoveries in America no European Nation attempted any Settlement there.

Cortez's Ships sent to the Moluccas or ••pice Islands by Way of the South-Sea were destroy'd by the ••ortuguese, and the Project miscarried.

The Spaniards had scarce any Communi••a••ion with the PHILIPPINE and Ladrones Islands until Anno 1542, they made no great Progress in s••ttling of them till Anno 1564, when the Vice-Roy of Mexico sent a Fleet to settle Colonies and establish a Trade there between Mexico, and Iapan and China. The Philippines have no Trade with Europe. The Ladrones are a Place of Refreshment between Mexico and the Philippines. It is said, that Anno 1732, the Court of Spain had formed a Project to settle an East-India Company to the Philippine Islands by Way of the Cape of Good-Hope, it came to nothing.

The Coast of New-Spain (properly Mexico only is call|ed New Spain, as that Part of the British Settlements in America, between the Provinces of New-York and Nova-Scotia,

only is called New-England) or Spanish America, may in a few Words be described thus. The Garrison of St. Augustine in the Gulph of Florida N. Lat. 29 d. here is no Settlement. The small Settlement of Pensa|cola in the Bay of Appalachie of the Bay of Mexico about 120 Leagues due West from Augustine and only 15 Leagues East from L' Isle Dauphine a French Fort and Settlement, consequently in a bad Neighbourhood. After an Interruption of a French Sea-Line (Louisiana or Mis|sisippi Country) upon the North Shore of the Gulph of Mexico of about 180 Leagues, from Pensacola to St. Ber|nard or St. Louis's Bay; the Coast of New-Spain begins again and extends to the River Oranoke in about 9 d. N. Lat. After another Interruption of a Sea-Line settled by the Dutch called Surinam, and the following small French Settlement of Cayenne, and the ••ine rich large Portugues•• Settlement of Brazil; to the River of Plate: The Span|i••rds have not settled much upon the Ocean, but run up this River and communicate with Peru and Chili. From the River of Plate in S. Lat. 35 on the East Ocean to Cape-Horn, and from Cape-Horn along the Shore of the West Ocean or South Sea, to Chiloe in S. Lat. 43 d. the Coast is a desert. From River of Plate to Cape-Horn, the Navigation is good, the Soundings are very regular, being 60 to 80 Fathom, at 30 to 40 Leagues from the Land. From the Island of Chiloe in S. Lat. 43 d. to Cape St. Lucar of California in N. Lat. 24 d. is the South Sea Spanish Coast of Chili, Peru, the Isthmus, and Mexico.

Many of the Spanish Settlements o•• Provinces are so separated by Mountains and Deserts, they cannot be as|sisting to one another. The Spaniards have not settled exceeding 200 Leagues North from the City of Mexico. In the Country of Mexico scarce any Gold, their Silver Mines are not so rich, but are easier wrought than those of Peru. The Quick-Silver for refining, comes from Old Spain and is a considerable Article in the King of

Sp••••n'•• R••••••nue. Peru produces Quick-Silver sufficient for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 self••▪ In Chili Silver is scarcer than Gold.

From Mexico to Lima in Peru the Country is full of roc•••• Mountains, scarce or very ill inhabited: North of Mexico and South of Peru are good Countries. Upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Coast of Peru and Chili from 7 d. N. Lat. to 38 d. S. Lat. the Winds are generally Southerly, and extend 140 to 150 Leagues West from the Shore. Chili reaches from the Island Chiloe 43 d. to 25 d. S. Lat. Peru from thence to the Equinoctial. Chili and Peru are narrow Strips of Land upon the South Sea; from the Andes a Chain of Mountains running North and South, not exceeding 20 or 30 Leagues from this Shore. Peru may be divided into the Sea Coast, the high Lands, and this Ridge of Mountains, where all the cloudy Vapours seem ••o condense and settle into Rain, there it ••ains almost in|cessantly, but upon the Sea Coast scarce any Rain.

In the West-India Islands the Shores are generally, ei|their S••ndy ••••ys or Mangrave Trees. In the West Indies between the Tropicks, they have Tides or Reciprocations of Air or Winds, as well as of Seas, but not from the same Cause; the first arises from the Viciffitudes of Day and Night, that is from the Shore or Land being heated and cooled alternately, the other is from the Influence of the Moon.

In South-Americ•• is the longest Chain of Mountains upon Earth, called the Andes or Cordilleras, extending from 10 d. N. Lat. to above 50 d. S. Lat. near the Straits of Magellan, not many Leagues from the Shore of the West or South Sea.

In all New-Spain there are but four great Rivers, and they all fall into the East Sea viz. 1. Rio Grande, or de l•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, venting into the Bay of Mexico near 〈…〉〈…〉; upon this River up the Country stands St. Fe, the Capital of the Audience of Terra-Firma. 2. River of Oranoke which discharges into the East Sea, as do the following. 3. River of Amazons. And 4. Rio de la Plata near 〈…〉〈…〉 stands the City of La Plata, the

Capital of the Audience of L••s Charcas, a Branch of it called Paragua comes from the Northward, and seems na|turally to be the Western Boundary of Brazil. From the Andes there run few Rivers into the South 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of short Course, small, and very rapid.

In all the Spanish Settlements I find only two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lakes mentioned (in the Northern Parts of North-Ame|rica we have many, especially the five great Lakes or Seas in Canada.) 1. The City of Mexico stands between two communicating (therefore called the Lake of Mex|ico) divided by a Casway leading to the City, built in this Situation for its better Security, the upper Lake is fresh, the other salt,* 1.35 they receive Runs of Water, but have no Vent. 2. Titiaco in Peru, S. Lat. 17 d. of a|bout 80 Leagues Circumference, it communicates with a lesser Lake Paria, about 50 Leagues further South, it is salt, receives Rivulets, but has no Vent.

The Vice-Roys, Presidents, Governors, and all other principal Royal Officers, are Natives of Old Spain; as are also their Arch-Bishops and Bishops.

The Church-Jurisdiction consists of five Arch-Bishops, Mexico, St. Domingo, St. Fe, Lima, and La Plata; and about 30 Bishops.

The Civil Jurisdiction consists of, the Vice-Roy of Mexico comprehending the * 1.36 Audiences of Mexico, Gua|dalagara and Guatimala, the Vice-Roy of Peru compre|hending the Audiences of Quito, Lima, and Los Charcas, and the independant Audiences of St. Domingo (for ••ll

the Islands) St. Fe, Panama and Chili, I observe that the Orders from the Court of Spain Anno 1728, for a Sus|pension of Arms to the several independant Comman••••rs in New-Spain, are directed to the Vice-Roy of Mexico, to the Vice-Roy of ••eru, to the Captain-General of the Province and City of Carthagena, to the Governor and Captain-General of the Province of Terra-Firma, to th•• President of Panama, to the Governor of Buenos-Ayres, and to the Commander of the Galeons.

Their most considerable Towns and Sea-Ports are MEXICO the Metropolis, in about 20 d. N. Lat. inland, no Water-Carriage near it; its Barca••ier for the Phi|lippines is Aquapulco upon the South-Sea 16 d. 40 m. N. Lat. Distance 90 Leagues; further North of Aquapulco are no Places of Note, and for 140 Leagues South of Aquapulco is a meer Desert. Its Barcadier for Europe is La Vera Cruz; the Mart or Fair for Goods from Eu|rope by the Flo••a, ••otilla Azogues, and the British annual Ship is at I••lapa 30 Leagues inland. Mexico sta••••s upon more Ground, but is not so populous as Bristol in Eng|land, is built with a rough hard Stone (no free Stone); an open Town. La Vera Cruz by the Observations of Mr. Harris who resided there, Anno 1727, and as adjust|ed by Dr. Halley, is in N. Lat. 19 d. 12 m. W. from London, 97 d. 30 m. Variation at that Time 2 d. 15 m. Easterly.

CARTHAGENA is the second good Town belonging to the Spaniards upon the East Side of America: From the same Immersions and Emersions of Iupiter's first Satellite, observed at Carthagena Anno 1722 by Don Harrare principal Engineer, and by M. Pound and Brad|ley at Wansted (28 horary Minutes East from London) Carthagena is W. from London 75 d. 30 m. Longitude. Carthagena was taken by Sir Francis Drake Anno 1585, he brought away in Money, Cannon and other Effects the Value of 60,000 £. Sterl. the Sickness amongst his Men obliged him to return, sooner than he designed, by the Gulph of Florida, and a beginning Settlement in

Virginia: Ponti with a large Squadron, a private Adven|ture, Anno 1699, reduced it and brought off the Value of eight Millions of Livres: Admiral Vernon with a very large Sea and Land Force of Great-Britain and of British North-America came off re infecta, Anno 1742.

BUENOS AYRES is from London W. 3 h. 52 m, or W. Long. 58 d. by Pere Feuille's Observation of the Occultation of a fixed Star by the Moon, Anno 1708, and as computed by Dr. Halley for London. From the Entrance of the River of Plate on the East Ocean, to St. Iago the Capital of Chili on the West Ocean, nearly in the same Latitude of 3•• d. South, the Width of South-America is 18 d. in Longitude, or 300 Leagues only.

All the Trade from Old Spain to New Spain does not employ exceeding 50 Ships (a small Nursery for Navi|gation) The Spaniards have generally a Squadron of King's Ships at Carthagena, a small Squadron at Callao, the Barcadier of Lima; a Ship or two at La Vera Cruz called the Barlevento Armada, being generally one 50 Gun Ship and one Snow; they set out from La Vera Cruz of Mexico in December with Money to pay the Judges, Clergy and Troops in the Havana, St. Domingo, Porto-Rico, and Comanas; a private Ship is hired to carry the Pay to St. Augustine. The Ships at the Ha|vana are only occasional: The Armada does not touch at Carthagena, it being the Barcadier of St. Fe, the Ca|pital of Terra Firma, which produces much Gold.

There is yearly a Licence for 4000 or 5000 Tun of dry Goods to be shipt for New-Spain from Cadiz, annu|ally but alternately by the Flota for La Vera Cruz, and by the Galeons for Carthagena, the Barcadier of St. Fe or Terra Firma, and for Porto-Bello the Barcadier for Panama and Peru. The Indulto or Duty to the King upon shipt and registered Gold, Silver, Cochineal, &c. is from 7 to 14 per Cent: The Azogues or Kings * 1.37 Quick-Silver

Ships have Licences for some dry Goods. The Galeons from Porto-Bello may at a Medium bring home 25 Millions Pieces of Eight, the Flota from La Ver•• Cruz about 16 Millions, besides what is shipt off in the Register Ships. N B. The Council of State in Holland Anno 1708 made a Report that Spain brought from the West-Indies during the Course of the last Century about 20 Millions Dollars per Annum.

The Register Ships are all upon the same Footing▪ we shall only instance from the Canaries, they are allow|ed 4 or 5 Register Ships of about 150 Tuns each, viz. 2 to Havana, 1 to Caraccas, 1 to Campeche, 1 to St. Iago de Cuba, to carry no dry Goods, only Wines and Bran|dies, may bring home Silver, and coarse Goods, viz. Sugar, Hides, Snuff, &c. but no Cochineal, Indigo, &c. are generally 12 Months upon the Voyage.

A Digression. A short History of the South-Sea Com|pany Affairs.

This was projected by Harley Earl of Oxford, and Prime Minister at that Time, to induce the Creditors of the Government to be easy, and to incorporate their Debts into a joint Stock, with Prospect of great Profit: But as they are not properly a British Settlement in Ame|rica, I am obliged to annex this to the introductory Ar|ticle of Spanish Settlements.

9. Annae. A Parcel of the publick Debts and Defi|ciencies were incorporated by the Name of the South-Sea Company, being in all 10,000,000 £. Sterl. with an Annuity of 6 per Cent. The Company to remain for ever, though the Funds appropriated to them should be redeemed; their Limits are, on the East Side of A••••|rica,

from the River Oronoke to Cape Horn (Surinam and Brazil not included) and from thence on the West Coast of America, to the Northernmost Part of America (all other Traders, within these Bounds, to forfeit Vessel and Cargo) to go and return by the South Capes of America, and never to sail above 300 Leagues West of the Ame|rican Continent. N. B. This seems to interfere with the Limit•• of the East-India Company's exclusive Navigation, which by Charter is to the West Entrance of Magellan's Streights.

I find from the publick Reports, that the Ballance or neat Profit of the South-Sea Trade for 10 Years pre|ceeding Anno 1734, amounted only to 32,260 £. Sterl. The South-Sea Company was only a Cant Name. Their whole Trade and Business was only the Assiento for 4800 Negroes per Annum, and an annual Ship of dry Goods of 600 Tuns, whereof the King of Spain had one Quar|ter of the Profits, and the Crown of England another Quarter.

The Spaniards have no Guinea Trade of their own, and but little Navigation ••••om Old Spain to New or America Spain; they have been obliged from Time to Time to contract with some European maritime Power for a Supply of Negro Slaves: In King Iames II. and King William's Reigns, they contracted with Don Ni|colas Porcio a Spaniar••; his Agent Don Castillo resided in Iamaica, and was knighted by King William, Sir Iames Castillo. The Portuguese lost by their Contract; and by the Treaty of Baden, Spain was to pay to Por|tugal 600,000 Crowns, for Money due on the Assiento Contract and otherways. After the Portuguese, the French had the Contract, but never furnished the Num|••••••s stipulated. Their Place of Refreshment was on the N. W. Side of Hispaniola or St. Dominque as the French call it, which gave them a further Footing upon that Island: The Time of their Contract being expired, the British South-Sea Company, had the Contract upon the following Terms.

The Contract was for Thirty Years from May 1. 1713, and upon the Expiration thereof three Years more al|low'd to settle their Affairs; the South-Sea Company or As|sientists to furnish annually 4800 merchantable Negro Slaves of both Sexes, paying to the King of Spain Thirty Three and a Third Pieces of Eight per Slave in Lieu of all Duties upon 4000 of that Number; may import if they please more than the stipulated Number, the Over|plus paying only half that Duty, may carry 1200 of these Slaves yearly in four Ships to the River of Plata for the Use of that Country and of the Country of Chili; may be brought into any Port of New-Spain where are Span|ish Royal Officers; may be sold for any Price, except|ing upon the Windward Coast, viz. at Comana, Mara|caibo, and Sancta Martha, where the Price shall not ex|ceed 300 Pieces of Eight; may transport the Slaves Coast Ways from Panama along the Shore of the South Sea in Ships of about 400 Tuns; th••y are allowed not exceeding six British in one Factory; may have in each Factory a Iudge Conservator, a Spaniard of their own chusing; the Assiento Ships not to be detain'd or embar|go'd upon any Account; may make their Returns in the Company's Ships, Flota or Galeons Duty free; may search and seize any Vessels trading with Slaves upon the Coast; they are not to trade in any other Mer|chandize; the Crown of Great-Britain and the Crown of Spain to be concern'd each one Quarter in the Trade, and to settle Accounts once in five Years. In Case of a War the Assiento shall be suspended and eighteen Months allowed to carry off the Effects. Considering the Losses which former Assientists have sustained, and to prevent any other Kind of Trade, the King of Spain during the Continuance of this Contract, allows a Ship of 500 Tuns yearly with dry Goods, one Quarter of the clear Profit to the King of Spain, and 5 per Cent Duty upon the other three Quarters; they are not to fell their Goods, but in the Times of the Fairs upon the Arrival of the Flota or Galeons, the Queen or Crown

of Great-Britain was also to have one Quarter of the neat Gain, but this was afterwards given up to the Company.

The South-Sea C••••pany Assiento Agents were settled for some Time at B••••••adoes for the Caraccas and Ma|racaibo Business, and at Iamaica for the Rest of that Trade. Iamaica lies the most convenient for carrying on this Affair.

The South-Sea Company have tried three Methods of carrying on their Negro Business, viz. by their own Ships, by Contract, and by Chance purchase from pri|vate Traders, this last was the cheapest: Anno 1721 they contracted with the African Company for a Supply of 3600 Negroes, two Thirds Males, Six Sevenths to be from 16 to 30 Aet. the other Seventh to consist of equal Numbers of Boys and Girls, none under 10 Aet. the contracted Price was 22 £. 10 s. Sterl. per Piece for Gold Coast, Iackin, and Whidaw Negroes; 18 £. 10 s. Sterl. for Angola Slaves. For some Years they farmed out some of their Assiento Factories.

The South-Sea Company's Effects in New Spain have been twice seized, Anno 1718 upon our destroying the Spanish Armada near Sicily, and Anno 1727 when Gib|ralter was besieged; I shall not in this Place mention the Seizures in the Beginning of this present War. Mr. Keene for several Years had from the Company 1500 £. Sterl. per Ann. as their Agent at the Court of Spain. The Court of Spain make a Demand of 68,000 £. Sterling, arising mostly from a different Way of rec|koning the Dollars payable as Duty; the South-Sea Company reckon at 42 d. Sterl. per Dollar, the Court of Spain reckon at 52 d. Sterl. per Dollar, the rest was the King of Spain's Quarter of the neat Gains of the annual Ship the Royal Carolina. On the other Side the South Sea Company all••dge the frequent Seizure of their Effects, and Refusals of Licences or Chedulas at Times, as Damag•••• to be taken to Account being one and a half Million Dollars Damages sustain'd; this Affair is not as yet determined; it is said that the Majority of the South-Sea

Directors, at the Desire of the Ministry of that Time, had agreed to pay the 68,000 £. Sterl. upon a Prolon|gation of the Term of their Trade, and a speedy Re|imbursement of the one and half Million Damages.

The next Part in the South-Sea Company History, is a dismal, and for many Ages not be forgotten Transac|tion, A Bubble, an Epidemical, Malignant, and Mortal Distemper of Bodies Politick; it came by Way of France, where it was called Missisippi, with us it was called South-Sea; laying aside Allegory, it is a notorious Instance of the bad Constitution of Paper Effects, I mean Paper common Currency and Transfers; and as it has some Affinity with our Plantations Paper Currency, I hope it may be of Political Use, with the cotemporary Missisippi * 1.38 and French Bank History annexed by Way of An|notations; it does also by Anticipation take off some Paragraph, which must have been premised in the

Article of Plantation Paper Currencies. Perhaps it may be some Amusement to the Curious, hitherto it has not by any Writer been set in a strong full and compacted Light.

Mr. Iohn Law born in Edinburgh Scotland, began His Plan of the Missisippi Bubble in France, Anno 1717, of which he was afterwards constituted Principal Director, and at Length Controller General of the Finances of France. He was the most noted Man in Europe for a Gamester and Bubler; he was perswaded that Paper Effects of Paper Currency, and Transfers, admitted of the greatest Latitude for publick Cheat. In our Ameri|can Colonies, after having reduced the Denomination of Five Shillings Sterl. to a heavy Piece of Eight and from this having reduced it to light Pieces of Eight so far as the Cheat could go; they fell into a Paper-Currency, whose intrinsick Value being nothing, its imaginary Va|lue admitted of any Reduction; at present in New••England, by this Connivance and Management, a Person who pays an old Debt, of Book, Note or Bond, in the present Paper Currency; pays only one in ten or two Shillings in the Pound.

Impregnated by the Projection of Mr. Law (excuse the Metaphor) a national Bubble began to be hatched in England; at Length End of Ianuary Anno 1719, 20 the Bank and South Sea Company bid handsomely (that is apparently great Sums for the Benefit of the Publick, upon one another; to have all the other publick Debt•• ingrafted into their Stocks; the South Sea Company

carried it by bribing some of the Legislature and some in the Administration by taking up great Quantities of Store for their Use. Mr. Walpole, doubtless, had a feel|ing, but secret and cautious Conce••n in this Affair of Corruption; and as the South-Sea Bubble came near its Crisis, he skreened himself, by being made Pay-Master General of the Land-Forces, the Earl of Sunderland May 27. 1720 being made first Commissioner of the Treasury in his Room: Walpole did not re-enter himself, as first Commissioner of the Treasury, until April 1721, the Storm being over; and we may ob|serve that next Month, the Parliament allowed the South-Sea Company Directors, large Sums out of their forfeited Estates, the Parliament being then under the Direction of Mr. Walpole; and towards the End of the same Year, by the Direction of our Prime Minister, Ad|miral Norris landed Mr. Laws, a Fugitive from France, in England (Mr. Laws at that Time was in Cash, the proper Bait for Corruption) he introduced himself by buying off the Appeal of the Relations, and producing at the Bar of the King's Bench, the King's Pardon for the Murder of Edward Wilson, Esq (Beau Wilson) An. 1694, he was discharged; but his Arrival in England being canvassed in Parliament, and his infamous Bubble in France being much clamoured against by the Popu|lace (Mr. Walpole, a consummate Politician, by Experi|ence, at Times found that the Vox Populi was the Supre|ma Lex, witness the Excise Projection upon Wines and Tobacco) his Address, his Money, the Countenance of the Court, avail'd nothing; he went off, and died ob|scurely

in Germany; may this be the Exit of all notori|ous Cunning leading Impostors in any human Society or Government!

The South-Sea Proposals were accepted by the House of Commons Feb. 1. 1719, 20, and had the Royal As|sent April 4. following. They were allowed to ingraft the irredeemable long and short Annuities, and the Re|deemables of 5 and of 4 per Cent per Annum Interest (the Bank and East India Company Annuities or Stock not included) to the Value of 30,954,000 £. Sterl. by Purchase or by Subscription: The annual Payments from the Government upon these ingrafted publick Debts, to be continued as a•• present, until Anno 1727 Midsummer, and from thence the whole to be reduced to an Annuity of 4 per Cent; the South Sea engage to circulate one Million Exchequer Bills gratis, and to pay Seven Millions Pounds Sterling to the Government for this Liberty and Benefit of ing••afting so much of the publick Debts, the increased capital Stock to be divided amongst all the Proprietors. The prec••eding Year Anno 1719 the South Sea Company by Act of Parliament for a certain Sum to the Publick, had ingrafted a great Part of the Lot|tery Anno 1710, by which, and by this great Engraft|ment, added to their original Stock of 10,000,000 £. Sterl. their Capital became 37,802,483 £. Sterl. (about 4,361,930 £, Sterling of the Principals which they were allowed to take in, by Purchase or Subscription could not be obtained, and remained as before) a vast and im|politick Capital.

Next Day Feb. 2, after the Bill passed the Commons, South Sea Stock rose to 150, in May it was sold at 375, all Iuly (the Transfer Books being shut) it sold at 930 to 1000. In August the South Sea Bubble began to lose its Credit; and the Directors to keep up the Cheat, pub|lished, that 30 per Cent Cash, should be the half Year's Dividend at Christmas next, and not less than 50 per Cent per Annum for the next following 12 Years. Au|gust 17, Stock was at 830, Sept. 8. at 550, Sept. 29, at

150; at Michaelmas South Sea Bonds were at 25 per Cent discount.

At this Time all the Stocks (Bank Stock in Iuly rose to 245, but it soon fell again to its intrinsick Value 130) and many Schemes were made Bubbles, the Capitals pro|posed by the several Projectors and Bubblers did not a|mount to less than 300 Millions Sterling. Most People neglected their other Business and attended some favourite BUBBLE, and Iohn Blunt of London, the Arch-Bubler, was erected a Baronet, a Scandal to that honourrble Order of Knighthood.

This grand national Cheat, became a Parliamentary Enquiry. In the Report of the secret Committee, forty Members of the House of Commons were charged with having Stock taken up for them in Broker's Names; it was found that the Directors bought Stock for the Com|pany at very high Rates, while they were clandestinely selling out their own; that the Directors had lent out by Collusion, about Eleven Millions of the Company's Money, with none or not sufficient Security. In the House of Lords, the whole of it was called a villanous Artifice; and it was resolved in Parliament, that the Directors so far as their Estates would reach, should make good the Losses the Company had sustained by their fraudulent Management; the Estates of the Directors Deputy Cashier, and Accountant amounted to 2,014,123 £. Sterl. properly forfeited, but by Management a great Part of it was remitted to them: The Reliefs allowed by Parliament is too long to be related here; to the Company was forgiven the Seven Million which they contracted to pay to the Government, upon Condition of two Millions of their Capital being annihilated, but this was soon after restored to them. Anno 1722 the better to disengage themselves from ••ncumbrances, they sold to the Bank 200,000 of their Annuity which is four Millions Principal.

Several Government Debts were by the Earl of Ox|ford incorporated into one joint Stock of Annuities, and

were called, The Corporation of the Governor and Company of Merchants in Great-Britain trading to the South Se•• and other Parts of America, and for ••ncouraging t••e Fish|ery. As Mr. Law borrowed his sham Name of Missi|sippi Company, from our cant Name of South Sea Com|pany; so we copied our South Sea Bubble from his Missisippi Bubble.

After a further Ingraftment of all the publick Debts (the East India and Bank Government Debts remained distinct as formerly) that could be obtained, and the South Sea Bubble being settled, 1723 Iune 24, their whol•• Ca|pital, was found to be 33,802,483 £. (without including the 4,000,000 £. of their Stock which they had assign|ed to the Bank) the Parliament converted 16,901,241 £. one Moiety of it in South-Sea Annuities, the other half to remain a Ioint Stock in Trade.

Anno 1733 This Moiety of joint Stock in Trade, by sundry Government Payments made from the sinking Fund, * 1.39 became 14,651,103 £. at Midsummer, three

Quarters of this was separated, by the Name of new Ioint-Stock of South Sea Annuities; the remaining 3,662, - 775 continues as a trading or capital Stock, solely char|gable with all the Company's Debts, and not to divide above 4 per Cent per Annum until their present Debts are clear'd and paid off. The Qualifications in their present trading Stock (in the former Stock the Qualifi|cations were higher) are a Concern at least of 5,000 £. for Governor, 4,000 £. for Sub-Governor, 3,000 £. for Deputy-Governor, 2,000 £. for a Director: At a ge|neral Meeting a 500 £. Concern has one Vote, 2,000 £. has two Votes, 3,000 £. has three Votes, 5,000 has four Votes, no single Person to have more than four Votes: No Part of the trading Stock to be redeemed, until the new joint Stock of Annuities become reduced

to 3,500,000 £. No new Bonds to be made, but at the Direction of a general Meeting.

The sinking Fund has at Times paid off to the Old and New South Sea Annuitants about 6,500,000 £. and at this Time the Government Debt to the South Sea is 27,302,203 £. viz. Stock 3,662,775; Old Annuities 13,651,100 £. New Annuities; 9,988,328 £. At pre|sent, Spring 1747 the Price of South Sea Stock is 103; East India Company Stock being 177. Here we may en passent observe the great Differ|ence of Credit and Interest in the Affections of the Peo|ple, in Relation to a Tory, Iacobite and Popish Admini|stration; and to a Whig (excuse the cant Name) Revolu|tion, and true Protestant Ministry: In the Tory Admini|stration in the four last Years of Queen Anne, South-Sea Stock, though bearing an Interest of 6 per Cent sold at a Discount exceeding 20 per Cent, at present though the Interest or Annuity is reduced to 4 per Cent, it sells at a considerable Advance per Cent.

I must here insert (I cannot find a Place more proper) two Affairs, not of Property, but of Indulgencies and so|lemnly stipulated Concessions from the Court of Spain, to the Subjects of Great-Britain, and more particularly in Favour of our Settlements in North-America, viz. Logwood from the Bays of Campeche and Honduras, and Salt from the Spanish Island of Tortuga.

The cutting and carrying of LOGWOOD, formerly from the Bay of Campeche, and laterly from the Bay of Hon|duras, in the Gulph of Mexico to Great-Britain and sun|dry European Markets; has been for some Time a Branch of the British America Trade, but more especially of New-England. This Logwood Business has been car|ried on for about eighty Years, ever since Anno 1667, by a Sort of Indulgence; this Indulgence was confirm|ed Anno 1670 by the American Treaty with Spain, viz. The English to remain in the Occupancy of all Terri|tories and Indulgencies of which they were then in Pos|session.

Anno 1716 The Spanish Ambassador at the Court of Great-Britain entred a Complaint to the King in Council, against the English Subjects Cutters of Logwood in the Bays of Campeche, &c: This was referred to the Board of Trade and Plantation; they made Report that "By the American Treaty Anno 1670, there was confirmed to the Crown of Great-Britain, a Right to the Laguna de Terminos (Bay of Campeche) and Parts adjacent in the Province of Iucatan; these Places at the Time of the Treaty, and some Years before, being actually in Posses|sion of the British Subjects through Right of Sufferance or Indulgence." This same Right or Liberty is abso|lutely granted and confirmed by the Treaty of U••recht 1713.

Notwithstanding of this Representation, and without allowing sufficient Time for the Logwood Cutters to withdraw (if the Court of Great-Britain had judged it proper) the Spaniards from Tobasco, drove them off, it has never since been used by the British.

This Bay lies on the West Side of the Promontory or Province of Iucatan: Campeche is a good Town, large as Newport of Rhode-Island, built with a white free Stone, it stands on the Sea. This Port or Branch of the Assiento was farmed out by the South-Sea Directors to Blockwood and Cathcart; at 40 Pieces of Eight for every Negro Slave they imported; they sent four or five Ships of about 300 Tuns each per Annum, with a few Negroes for a Blind; their Profit being from dry Goods, which they sold by the Connivance of the Royal Officers bribed at 12 to 15 per Cent; their chief Returns were in Logwood bought from the Spaniards, and carried to London and Holland; they also carried off some Drugs viz. Gum. Elemi, Rad. Contragara, Rad. Sarsaparil, &c. That Year in which this Logwood-Bay was cut off, Anno 1717, were imported into the Port of London 5,863 Tuns Logwood.

Since our People have been dislodged faom the Bay of Campeche, they followed the same Business in the Bay

of Honduras on the East Side of Iucatan, their Dye-〈◊〉〈◊〉 is not so good, and the Mouths of their Rivers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and New River) are more shallow. Because of 〈…〉〈…〉 sent War with Spain, this Trade for some Yea•• almost been discontinued.

Logwood is their Currency or Medium at 5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tun Denomination.

From this Logwood cutting Maroon Life, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 small incidental political Advantage; as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cutters called Bay-Men, live a maroon licentious 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Life, it becomes in Times of Peace a Receptac•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and diverts some Sailors and others from the mor•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Life of Pirating.

A little to the Eastward of the Bay of Hondur•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a small Tribe of Indians, the good Friends and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Bay-Men, and Spaniard Haters: That is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 affect the English more than they do the Spaniar•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they reckon the Governor of Iamaic••, as th•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tron and Protector: Our Trade with them is of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sequence, being only some Tortoise-Shell, wild 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Sarsaparille.

The Island of Ratan lies about eight League 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Musci••oe Shore, and about 150 Leagues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from Iamaica; here we have lately fixed a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Station-Ships, but cui bono I cannot say.

The Privilege of making and carrying Salt 〈…〉〈…〉 Island of SALT TORTUGAS, in the Gulph of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Comanas or Windward Part of the Spanish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was expresly confirmed to us b•• the Treaty of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 between his Catholick Majesty and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Great-Britain at Mad••••d, December 14. Anno 〈◊〉〈◊〉 "Whereas notwithstanding the Treaties of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Commerce, which were concluded at Utrecht, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Dec. 9, 1713; there still remain'd some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 standings, concerning the Trade of the two Natio•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Course of it. Article 3. Moreover his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 M••j••sty permits the said Subjects of Great-〈◊〉〈◊〉

gather Salt in the Island of Tortuga, in the Gulph of Mexico; they having enjoyed that Privilege in the Reign of King Charles II. without Hin••••••nce or Inter|ruption."

Notwithstanding of this plain Stipulation; Anno 1733 in the Spring, a British Plantation's Salt-Fleet under Convoy of a 20 Gun British Man of War, as they came to sail from Tortugas, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 attack'd by two large Spanish Men of War from the Margaritas, and four of the Fleet were carried off, hitherto no Recompence has been ob|tained.

In Times of Peace, for the Use of the dry Cod Fish|ery are imported into Massachusetts Bay, Communibus Annis 1200 Tuns Tortugas Salt; and about as much more from other Ports, viz. Isle of May or Cape de Verde Islands, Exeuma or Bahamas, St. Martins or Rochel, Lis|bon, Ivica, Caglieri in Sardinia, &c.

The Reason why New-England dry Cod is frequently Salt burnt, is from the Use of Tortuga and Isle of May Salt, which are too hot. In Newfoundland they gene|rally use Lisbon and French Salt.

By late Acts of the British Parliament; Salt is al|lowed to be imported directly from any Part of Europe, to the Colonies of New-York and Pensylvania; in the same Manner as Salt may be imported into New-England and Newfoundland, by an Act made 15 Car. II. for the Encouragement of Trade.

II. French Discoveries and Settlements.

The French American Colonies, may be distinguish'd into their North Continent America Settlements, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those of the West India Islands Cayenne near the Coast of Guian•• or Surinam included. Their Islands do not fall within the Compass of our Design; and having only trans••ent••y visited them without any View of Enquiry, my fixed Resolution is not to borrow or transcribe

from common Authors; * 1.40 therefore the Reader may excuse my laying them aside.

The Continent French Settlements, I divide into C••|nada or New France, and Misissippi or Louisiana: Some French Writers, mention a French Province called Ha|noise, inhabited by above 16,000 Whites, about half Way between the Mouth of the River Misissippi and Quebec in Canada; this is only an imaginary or romantick Colony, we take no Notice of it, leaving it to the pro|fessed Writers of Novels.

1. CANADA. The Original of the Name is uncertain, some say, it was named from Monsieur Cane, who early sail'd into that River: If so, O Caprice! why should so obscure a Man (his Voyage is not mentioned in History) give Name to New-France, as it is called.

Verazani a Florentine in the King of France's Service (Francis I. was an active Prince) coasted along the East Side of North-America and went ashore in several Places, according to the Humour of those Times, took a no|minal Possession for France from 37 d. the Mouth of Chesapeak Bay, to 50 d. N. Lat. the Mouth of the River St. Laurence, so called, because first discovered upon that Saint's Day; he sail'd up the River of St. Laurence. Two Ships from England sail'd up that River, Anno 1527. I. Cartier a Native of St. Malo, made two Voyages to this River Anno 1534 and 1535, he proceeded so far as Monreal, and called the Country New-France. Anno 1542 Roberval from Rochelle carried thither, a few Peo|ple to settle; they did not continue their Settlements. About the middle of the sixteenth Century, the French and Spaniards disputed Settlements upon the Coast of Florida. Secretary Walsingham of England, being in|formed of an Opening South of Newfoundland, fitted

out Sir Humphry Gilbert, he sail'd up St. Laurence River, and took Possession for the Crown of England. Anno 1604 Henry IV. * 1.41 of France made further Discoveries in L'Acadie, now Nova-Scotia; and in Canada or New-France he planted a Colony which subsists to this Day, may it not subsist long, it is a Nusance to our North-America Settlements, Delenda est Cartbago. Anno 1608, Quebec * 1.42 on a Narrow upon the River St. Laurence be|gan to be settled, and is now increased to about 7,000 People of all Colours, Sex and Ages; it is the Residence of the Governor-General, Intendant, and supreme Coun|cil; Tide flows about 18 Feet.

Canada is no otherways a Company, only for the Castor or Beaver Fur-Trade; as they have no Settle|ments, but upon Rivers and Creeks, by giving some De|lineation of these, we describe that Country. The Gulph of St. Laurence, from Cape Raze of Newfoundland to Cape Rosier in 50 d. 30 m. N. Lat. the Mouth of the River St. Laurence (here the River is about 30 Leagues wide) about 88 Leagues; in this Gulph are the Islands of Cape-Breton,* 1.43 Anticosti, St. Iohns, Madalene and some other

small Islands, given to the French by the infamous Treaty of Utrecht 1713. From Cape Rosier to Tadousac on the North Side of the River are 80 Leagues bad Navigation, Tadousac is no Town, but a good Harbour for large Ships, navigable for Ships 25 Miles, has a Water Com|munication by the River Seguany &c. with Hudson's-Bay. From Tadousac to Quebec are 30 Leagues, from Quebec to Les Trois Rivieres on the North Side of the River 30 Leagues; this was the first French Settlement, it abounds with Iron Ore, is the Residence of a Sub-Governor, this Govern|ment (there are three Governments in Canada) extends 12 Miles up the great River and 12 Miles down the River: the Tide does not flow much higher; from Les Trois Rivieres to Monreal the Seat of the next Sub-Go|vernor are 30 Leagues.

From Cape Ros••ers along the South Side of St. Lou|rence to Monreal, is an almost continued Chain of Hills or Mountains, and the Runs of Water short and rapid, it is scarce habitable. A little above Monreal, the two Rivers of Outauawas (comes from a Country N. W. belonging to a large and powerful Indian Nation) and Cataraqui meet: Cataraqui River comes about 50 Leagues S. W. from the Lake of the same Name; from Fort Frontenac at the Head of this River by Water Carriage to Monreal are 4 Days Travel, but from Monreal to Fort Frontenac are 10 or more Days Travel, because of many Carrying-Places at several Cataracts called Falls or Sauts.

The communicating five great Lakes of Canada, viz. Cataraqui or Ontario, Erie, Ilenois, Hurons, and Upper Lake may be called Inland Seas, laying from 39 d. to 51 d. N. Lat. the smallest Ontario is about 80 Leagues long, 35 Leagues wide, the Lake Superieure is 200 Leagues

long, it is larger than the Caspian Sea. They do no freeze over▪ Snow does not lay long within 10 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Miles of them, their sof•• mellow circum-ambient Va|pour molifies the Air; the Indians say that in hot Wea|ther the Wind blows from the Lake, and in cold Wea••ther into the Lake, as do the Land and Sea-Breezes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the West-Indies within th•• Tropicks.

All the French Colonies are under the Direction of th•• Council of the Navy in France, and of one of the four Secretaries of France, called Secretary for the Marin•• and Plantations, at present Anno 1747 M. Maurepas. The French King's Charge per Annum for Canada is about 200,000 Crowns; but the high Duty upon Salt se•••• from France, and the Duty upon Furs and Sleins sen•• from Canada to France, over-ballances this Charge••▪ The King's Bill•• of Exchange upon the Treasury are paid at 15 Days Sight; the Castor Bills upon the Company are paid at three Month's Sight. Their Currency is the same as in France, being 25 per Cent better than that of the French West-India Islands.

By Information from Capt. La R••••dde and Lieut. de R••••sey, Envoys from the Governor-General of Canada, concerning the French instigating and furnishing our En|emy Indians▪ with War Ammunition; Anno 1723 there sail'd from Quebec 19 Vessels for the Ocean▪ built in the River St. Laurence 6 Vessels fit for the Ocean. N. B. Up the River to the Southward, is good Ship-Timbe••, lately they have built two or three Men of War for France.

The Season of Navigation in the River St. Laurence, are the Months of August and September, for the Store-Ships and Castor-Company Ships. Ships have sailed from Quebec to Rochelle in 18 Days. Besides 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they send to France a small Matter of Lumber, Timber, Staves, Tar, Tobacco. Ships from France bring Wines, Brandies, and dry Goods, and sail with Flower, Pe••••••, and Pork to the West-India Islands; and from then••e home to France with Sugars, &c. In Canada from the

••••tting in of the Frost 'till Summer, no News from France and other foreign Parts, excepting wh••t is convey'd to them by Way of Alb••••y: Many of the French 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are clandestinely carried to Alb••••y, this is the R••••son, why our Dutch Subjects there, are averse from a 〈…〉〈…〉 the Canada French, and their Indi••••s. At Os••••g•• the Mouth of Onondaguas River upon the East Side of Lake Ontario, there is a trading Fair from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all S••mmer; Indians of above 20 different Nations res•••••• thi••her, from South-Carolina in N. Lat. 32 d. to the Bottom of H••••|son's-Bay in N. Lat. 51 d. therefore there certainly 〈…〉〈…〉 good Water Communication inland, in all th•••• Ex|tent, and consequently a vast Indi•••• Skin and ••ur Trade▪ Furs are more plenty to the Southward, bu•• not of so good a Staple as to the Northward.

Canada is settled only near the Rivers and Creek••▪ they so•••• no Winter-Grain. The Produce of the Country is not much more, than is requisi••e for their own Subsis|tence: The Quality of their Summer Wheat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such▪ that a Baker gives 38 lb. wt. fine Bread, for a Bushel of Wheat: Apples grow well; Pears, Plum••••, and Cher|ries not plenty; Peaches will scarce do: They kill 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Score of Poul••••ey when the Frosts set in, and keep them froze in their Garrets during the Wint•••• Season, which s••ves Grain, their Food.

They have only three Towns of any Consideration▪ viz. Quebec the Metropolis and Residence of the Gover|nor General of Canada or New France, it is their princi|pal Fortress; the Cathedral is their only Parish Church, in the lower Town there is a Chapel of Ease; here are two Convents (Iesui••s and Recolects) of M••n, and three Convents of Women or Nunneries. Monreal more plea|••••••••ly situated, the Residence of a Deputy-Governor, 60 Leagues above Quebec upon the same River, is near a•• populous as Quebec, but not so well fortified. Le•• Trois Ri••ieres a small Town and trifling Fortification lies mid|way upon the River, between these two, it is the Seat of the third Government.

The Country is divided into about 80 Districts, some|what in the Manner of our New-England Townships (the New-England Townships, in Old-England would be called Country Parishes, and their several Precincts, Cha|pels of Ease.

All their Militia or sencible Men capable of march|ing, at this Writing, Anno 1747, do not exceed 12,000 Men, with about 1000 regular Troops independant Ma|rine Companies, and about 1000 Indians that may be persuaded to march.

Besides the three Towns or strong Places already men|tioned, there are, 1. Crown-Point as above, a late Intru|sion upon the Jurisdiction of New-York, last Year it was proposed to reclaim it by Force, but the Projection seems to vanish. 2. Fort Chamblais, a considerable Fort or Pass from the English Settlements to the upper French Settlements in Canada. 3. Fort Sorrel where the River Chamblais the Discharge of Lake Champlain enters the River of Canada or St. Laurence, an insignificant Fort. 4. Fort Fr••ntenac, where the Discharge of Lake Ontario and the other great inland Lakes forms the Calaruqui Branch of the River St. Laurence. 5. Fort Denonville near Niagara Falls (Governor Vaudrueil had it accurately examined, it was 26 Fathom perpendicular) between the Lakes Ontario and Erie. 6. La Trouette at Les Detroits between the Lakes Erie and Hurons. N. B. These three last mentioned Forts, have Bread and Pease from Monreal, but no other Provisions.

Besides these by Way of Ostentation, we find in the French Maps of Canada and Misissippi, many Forts mark|ed out: These are only extempore Stockades or Block-Houses made for a short Time of Residence in their travelling Trade with the Indians; some French Indi•••••• Traders when they set out, obtain (a certain Perquisite) from the Governor an Escorte of a Sergeant and a few private Soldiers for Protection against any Indian In|sults.

There is an annual Patroul of this Nature from Qu••bec 〈◊〉〈◊〉 C••nada to Fort Orleance near the Mouth of the Missi|••••ppi, it is about 600 Leagues Travel with its Detours of Rivers and Carrying-Places; the direct Distance or Dif|ference in Latitud•• falls short of 400 Leagues: This long Rout is not attended with such Difficulties and Hard|ships, as is commonly imagined; there is •• River falls into the South Side of Lake Erie, which leads to a Car|rying-Place to the River Ohio, a Branch of the River Missisippi; the Indians hereabouts, are by the French called Miamis.

The French in their West-India or America Settlements, have four Governor-Generals, the small Settlement at Cayenne in Guiana not included, 1. The Governor-General of Canada, in his Commission is stiled Governor and Lieu|tenant-General of French North-America; he has under his Direction the Governments of Quebec, Les Trois Ri|vieres, and Monreal, with the Commandans of the several Out-Forts already mentioned. 2. The Governor-General of Louisiana or Misissippi, his Residence is at Orleance upon the River Misissippi, the other Government upon the River Mobile, or Moville is under his Direction, the Distance is about 40 Leagues. 3. The Governor-Ge|neral of the * 1.44 French Caribee-Islands, or Les Isles au Ven••, his Residence is at the Island Martinique. 4. The Go|vernor

General of St. Domingue * 1.45 (Hispaniola is so called by the French) or Les Isles sous le Vent, his Residence is

••t Leogane the middlemost of their Settlements in N▪ Lat. 18 d. 40 m.

In the Dominions of Canada, Quebec is the Metropolis and Place of greatest Strength; * 1.46 when this is reduced,

all their New-France falls instantly. Our Pretensions to Canada shall be enumerated in the Section of Nova-Scotia. Quebec (from De Hayes) is in N. Lat. 46 d. 55 m. W. from Paris 72 d. 30 m. that is from London 70 d. 30 m. Boston (from T. Robie) is in N. Lat. 42 d. 25 m. West from London 71 d. 30 m. therefore Quebec is 4 d. 30 m. North, and 1 d. 30 m. E. of Boston; that is in Geogra|phical Miles 270 North, and 68 Miles (reckoning 45 Miles to a Degree of Longitude in these Parallels) East from Boston.

Champlain was their first Governour, he gave Name to the Lake Champlain (the Dutch call it Corlaers Lake) the Passage from Albany or New-York Government to Monreal or the West Parts of Canada, it is 1••0 Miles long and 30 Miles wide. M. Frontenac who succeeded Anno 1672 gave Name to the Fort at the Discharge of Lake Ontario, being the Source of the Cataraqui Branch of the River St. Laurence. Le Marquis de Nonville suc|ceeded to the Government Anno 1685, he gave Name to the Fort near Niagara Falls between the Lakes Ontario and Erie; Anno 1687 with 1500 French and Indians he invaded the Senekaes Country: The Year following Anno 1688 in Revenge the Five Nations with about 1200 In|dians invaded the Island of Monreal (the Governor-Ge|neral and Wife being then in the Town of Monreal) ra|vaged the Country, killed about 1000 Persons, and carried off a few Captives; to return this in some Measure, in the Beginning of K. William's Reign the French and their Indians to the Number of about 300 Men, in the Night Time surprized Schenectaday in New-York Government, and murdered 63 People. In the Beginning of Queen Anne's War, the Colonies of Canada and New-York agreed

for a Neutrality between their respective Indians during the War, and an advantageous Dutch Trade all that Time was carried on from Albany to Monreal by Means of the Indians.

The Commanders in Chief formerly were called Ad|mirals of New-France, afterwards Vice-Roys, at present Governor and Lieutenant-Generals. Anno 1665 M. de Traci Vice-Roy of French America, brought to Canada four independant Companies of regular Troops; and in September the same Year, M. Coursal Governor-General of Canada, arrived with a Regiment of Soldiers, and some Families for Settlers; at present their regular Troops con|sist of about 28 independant Marine Companies very in|compleat, a Parcel of Racaille or Goal-Birds from France not to be depended upon. Anno 1714 Father Charle|••oix writes, that Vandrucïl, Governor-General of Canada, at that Time, acquainted M. Ponchartrain Minister in France, viz. Canada has actually in it but 4480 fencible Men; the 28 Companies of the King's regular Troop amount only to 628 Men (like our late Nova-Scotia Com|panies) and dispersed in the Extent of 100 Leagues. Their present Governor-General is Le Marquis de Beaubarnois (some returned Prisoners, say, he is lately dead) the Inten|dant is M. Champarni.

The French Canada Indians. On our Side which is the South Side of the River St. Laurence they are Tribes of the New-England Nation of Abnaqui Indians, viz. De Lo|rette a very small Tribe a little below Quebec; Wano|noak on the River Besancourt or Puante over against Les Trois Rivieres, not exceeding 40 fighting Men; about 10 Leagues higher is the Tribe of Arousiguntecook on the River St. Francois, about 160 fighting Men; on the East Side of Lake Champlain, is the Tribe of Mesiassuck 60 fighting Men; a little above Monreal are the Kabnuaga•• about 80 Men, being a Parcel of idle Ave Maria praying Indians, Runaways from the New-York Mohawks and River Indians. Their Indians on the North Side of St. Laurence River, are Les Eskimaux or Barbares of Terra

de Labradore, they eat their Flesh and Fish raw, and go naked or covered with Seals and other Skins, they are in small Clans, very idle, and of no great Benefit to Trade, are much dispersed; Papinchois near the Mouth of the River St. Laurence; Algonquins about 1500 Men about Quebec in fast Friendship with the French; Outawawaas a very large Nation, extending back of the other N. W. to near the Bottom of Hudson's-Bay; S. W. are Les Ranards; further South we must leave the Indians for future Discoveries. The General farms out the Indian Trade to private Companies or Partnerships of Indian Traders in certain Districts.

2. MISISSIPI or Louisiana. It was first discovered by Ioliet a Frenchman, Anno 1673. De la Salle Comman|dant of Fort Frontenac, traversed the Wilderness with much Fatigue equal to the greatest of Pennances, Anno 1679, 1680, 1681, 1682 and 1683, he went by the Way of Lakes Erie and Ontario (in their Communication he built a Fort called La Trouette) to Misissipi. Anno 1684 he obtained of the Court of France 4 Vessels with 200 Soldiers aboard, and sail'd from Rochelle to discover and fall in with the Mouth of the River Misissipi; it lies about the Middle of the North Shore of the Bay of Mexico; he expected to find it in the Westermost Parts of this North Shore, according as it was laid down in the erro|neous Sea-Charts of that Time, and accordingly landed in the Bay St. Bernard, which he called Bay St. Louis, here he built Fort St. Louis but soon neglected, it is nearly in the same Meridian with St. Cruz 97 d. 30 m. W. from London: The French Maps extend the Louisiana further South to Rio Bravo in 25 d. N. Lat. From Bay St. Louis he travelled by Land and discovered the Mouth of the Misissippi 1685; in his Return for Canada, Anno 1686, he was killed by a Mutiny of his Men.

The Source of the Misissipi is near Hudson's-Bay West of the great Lakes; the French have travelled up this River in Canoes to 45 d. N. Lat.

The first Establishment of the Colony was by Capta•••• d' Iberville Anno 1698, and although a natural and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spanish Property, the French Settlements were conniv at by Philip V. King of Spain, Grandson to Louis XI of France. Anno 1712. M. Crozat Secretary of Finan•••• or Treasury, obtained from the King of France the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Privilege of trading to and from the Misissipi for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Years; this turning to no Account, he relinquished it ••he Regent of France, and by the Projection of M. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 t was converted into the memorable Bubble of the M••••sissipi-Company (any out of the Way remote, not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be investigated Scheme of Colony and profitable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would have answered) this Misissipi sham Company 〈◊〉〈◊〉 began to be hatched Anno 1717.

This Misissipi Colony extends from Bay St. Louis Pensacola in a Sea-Line of near 200 Leagues, but all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Water is so shoal, it is of no Use in Trade 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Mouth of Misissipi, and there the Country is unhealt••••ful from th•• Inundations or Floods at certain Seasons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the dissolving of the Northward Snow, they have a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fur Trade and begin to plant Indigo, the Bay of ••word or L' Isle Dauphine admits only of Vessels of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Draught.

From Bay St. Louis or Bernard to Orleance upon sma•••• Misissipi the Residence of Governor-General are abo•••• 140 Leagues, thence to L' Isle Dauphine where a Sub-G••••vernor resides are 40 Leagues, thence to Pensacola a Spa••••ish Settlement are 15 Leagues: From L' Isle Dauphine N. Lat. 30 m. 30 d. W. Long. from Paris 92 d. or 89 d. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 m. West from London, are 7 d. 30 m. Long. East Cape Florida.

* 1.47 III. Portuguese Discoveries and Settlements.

Brazil is a narrow Slip, its Sea-Line extends from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 River Amazons under the Equinoctial, to Rio de la Plat••

By Treaty of Baden Anno 1714 Spain resigns to Portugal in full Property and Jurisdiction, the Territory and Co|lony of the Sacrament on the North Branch of Rio de la Plata; Portugal not to allow of any Traders to Brazil but the European Portuguese. The Portuguese have a Fort on the North Side of the Entrance of La Plata in S. Lat. 34 d.

Brazil was a Portuguese accidental Discovery; in sail+ing for their Settlements and Factories in the East-Indies Anno 1500, a Brazil Fleet by the Easterly Trade Winds was drove upon the Coast of Brazil. They made no Settlement of Consequence until Anno 1549. King Iohn sent over Settlers and Soldiers.

It is divided into 14 Captain-Ships, whereof 8 belong to the King and 6 to private Proprietors; all under one Vice-Roy who resides at Bahia or Bay of all Saints in S. Lat. 12 d. 45 m.

The Portuguese upon their first Arrival in Brazil cru|elly murdered the Indians in the same Manner as the Span|iards had done in Mexico and Peru; doubtless the po|litical Reason was, their being too numerous to be kept under a continued Subjection; but their religious Evasion was, Dominion is founded upon Grace, therefore none have any Right to Life or Land but the true Roman Ca|tholicks, Tantum potuit suadere malorum Religio.

Portugal, consequently Brazil, was in the Spanish Ju|risdiction from Anno 1580 to 1640; Philip II. of Spain claimed as he was the Son of the eldest Daughter of K. Emanuel of Portugal; whereas the Dutchess of Braganza, was a Daughter of the Son of K. Emanuel, a better Title. The Dutch revolted from and at War with Spain, become Masters of the Northern Parts of Brazils for some Years; upon the Revolution of Portugal in Favour of the House of Braganza Anno 1640 the Dutch gradually lost Ground▪ the Dutch chusing rather to out the Portuguese from the Spice-Islands, than divert their Force to keep Possession o•• Brazil; by Cromwell's War with the Dutch, Anno 1642 May, to Anno 1654 April, they could not afford sufficient

Protection to their Conquests there (Anno 1641 the Dutch made a Truce with the Portuguese (Uti possidetis) for 10 Years) and from the above Considerations and their small Country not affording spare People sufficient to settle there, the Dutch made a total Surrender by a Treaty Anno 1661.

Their rich Mines diverted them from their former Su|gar Business, and the other European Colonies have got into it. The yearly Import of Gold to Portugal, for some Years past has been about 3 Million Sterling per Annum.

Anno 1711 The French took Rio de Ianiero and brought it to Contribution; it is from thence that most of their Gold is shipt. The Brazil Fleet for that Port in S. Lat. 23 d. sets out in Ianuary; for Babia, in near 13 d. S. Lat, they set out in February; for Fernambu•• in 8 d. S. Lat. they set out in March; and upon their Return leave these Parts in May and Iune. Most of the Brazil Har|bours are a dangerous Navigation, because of sunken Rocks at a small Depth.

The most valuable Imports to Portugal from Brazils are Gold (generally coined there at Babia marked B. and Rio de Iainero marked R.) found in separate Grains or small Pieces, or intermixed with Spar, but not extracted or separated from Silver and other Metals as in Mexico; and of late Diamonds generally * 1.48 small and of a bad Water.

IV. Dutch Discoveries and Settlements.

The Dutch West-India Company is of little or no Con|sideration; the Price of their Actions (or Stock as it is called in London) 30 to 35; whereas the Dutch East India Company Actions at present are about 350. * 1.49 For many Years their whole Business was Depredations or Piracies upon the Spaniards and Portuguese, in which they were very successful; first they took a Brazil Fleet in Bahia or Bay of All-Saints, next they took two Ships of the Spanish Plate-Fleet near Cuba, some Time after they took a Spanish Plate-Fleet worth twelve Millions of Florins. At present the Interloopers run away with the Company's Trade and Profits.

After Anno 1621, upon the Expiration of the Dutch 12 Years Truce with Spain, they disturbed the Brazil Settlements (the Portuguese Dominions were at that Time under the Spanish Jurisdiction) and were troublesome in Chili, they got some Footing in Guiana and retained a considerable Footing in the North Parts of Brazil, for some Years.

The D••tch Settlements in America are not considerable, viz.

1. Amongst the Caribee Islands, the small Island of Statia or St. Eustace, a few Leagues West from St. Kits; here is a Dutch West-India Company Governor; notwith|standing the Dutch Interloopers carry on here, a conside|rable Trade with the French and British People of the Caribee Islands; in this Port the British and French Ame|ricans carry on a considerable Intercourse of Trade; and from St. Kits much Sugar and Molasses are brought clandestinely to save the 4 and half per Cent, and the Plantation Duty, and Plantation-Bonds. This Island is not capable of making above 100,000 lb. wt. Sugar per Annum. The Governor of Statia sends a Commandant to the small I••land of Sabia, which raises only some Stock or Market Provisions; he has also a Commandant in St. Martin's Island, this seems to be a neutral Island, at present a few Dutch and some French live there, but of no Consideration.

2. Amongst the lesser Antilles (Cuba, Iamaica, Hispa|niola, and Porto-Rico are called the greater Antilles) upon the Coast of Caraccoes or Windward Coast of the Spanish Main, their principal Settlement is the small Island of Curaso, lies about 8 Leagues from the Terra-Firma in 12 d. N. Lat. The Dutch took it from the Spaniards, Anno 1634; their chief Business is an interlooping smuggling Trade with the Windward Coast of the Spanish Main. Adjoining to it are the Dutch small Islands of Aruba East|ward, and Westward are Bonaire, Aves, Roca, and Orchilla of no Consideration.

3. Guiana; their chief Settlement is Surinam. It was taken by the Dutch from the English in the Beginning of

King Charl••s II•••• Reign, and confirmed to them by the Treaty of Br••d•• Anno 1667 in Exchange for New-York confirm••d to the English. Here are three Proprietor•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vi••. The Dutch West-India Company, the Town of A••sterd••m, and Admiral Semelsdikes Heirs. It i•• ••••rri••on'd by a Detachment of one Man out of each Dutch Foot Company of regular Troops. It is a S••gar 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they keep their Books in light Pieces of Eight, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Stivers; 6 Stivers make a Royal, 8 Roy••l•• ••ake a Piece of Eight. Their Currency is 20 per Cent worse than the Currency in Holland, a Holland's Guilder passes for 24 Stivers; their large Currency is trans|••••rri••g Bills of Exchange upon Amsterdam, at the Differ|ence of ••0 per Cent; a heavy Piece of Eight passes for ••••ree Guilders.

New-E••••la••d has a considerable Trade with Surinam for Mol••••ses. Surinam Government by Proclamation Ian. 27. 1705 N. S. allow the Importation of * 1.50 Horses 〈…〉〈…〉 Cattle from our Colonies, at an Impost of seven Guilders per Head, with Tunnage of seven Guilders par l••st of two Tun shipping; there is also a Duty of 5 perCent out (6 per Cent inward) upon two Third Value of Goods.

West or to the Leeward of Surinam is Barbice a new Settlement, belonging to a separate Company, i•• a very thriving Way, Shares are sold at a very great Advance.

West of Barbice is another Dutch Settlement Esquib•• (the English Seamen, much guilty of corrupting foreign 〈◊〉〈◊〉, call it, Ise a Cape) this furnishes good Mill Tim|ber for all the West India Sugar Settlements, and produces Quantities of Balsam Capivi, the best of all the medicinal natural Balsams.

Cayenne a small French Settlement in Guiana, East, that is to Windward of Surinam, it lies in N. Lat. 4 d. 55 m. it is a Sugar Colony. New-England sends 2 or 3 Sloops to Cayenne yearly for 〈◊〉〈◊〉

* 1.51 St. Thomas, one of the Virgin Islands, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 compre|hended in the Commission of the Governor-General of our Leeward Islands; at present it is in Possession of •• Danish Company, seldom any Company's Ships to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there; the King of Denmark has a Negativ•• in all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Proceedings, they may raise about 2500,000 〈…〉〈…〉 of Sugar per Annum, they raise some Cotton; here is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Br••ndebourg or Pr••ssi••n Factory. All their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and publick Writings are in Hollands or low Dutch, which is the Mother-Tongue of the Island. Their Currency 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as in Surinam. It is a Sort of neutral Por••, but under good Oeconomy.

Tobago lies in 11 d. 30 m. N. Lat▪ 59 d. W. from London, about 40 Leagues South from Barb••does, near the Spanish Island Trinadad, which lies near the Mouth of the River Oranoke. K. Charles II. made •• Grant of it to the Duke of Courland to be settled only by the Subjects of England and Courland. The Duke of Courland made several Grants in it to Englishmen, but continues not-sett••••••.

St. Crux. The English, French and Danish have at Times claim'd it; it continues a neutral Island, lies Sou•••• from the Virgin Islands.

V. British first American Discoveries, and West-Indi•• Island S••••••lements.

I come to a Close of the introductory Account of A|merican Affairs in general it has insensibly swelled in the handling much beyond my first Plan; I hope it is not ••edious to the curious and intelligent Reader. We now enter upon the principally intended Subject, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Settlements in America. An Author, without Ostentation de••igning a common Good, may endeavour to conciliate Attention and Faith in his Readers. As no Man is born with the Instinct or innate Knowledge of his Native or Mother Country, and does not generally enter upon such

Researches until 25 Aet. the Air of the Soil and juvenile Conversation do not much contribute towards this: Therefore a Person not a Native, but not a Foreigner, who comes into any Country at that Age, and enters upon and prosecutes such Investigations from personal Obser|vations, and credible Correspondencies for a Course of thirty Years, may be said, as if born in the Country. I hope Criticks, Natives of any of these our Colonies, will not reckon it a Presumption in me to essay the following Accounts; especially as at present, no Native appears to undertake this laborious but useful Performance; I ac|knowledge it to be a Performance not of Genius, but of Labour, and Method to render it distinct and clear.

The American Colonies can not be claimed by the se|veral European Nations from Preocupancy (they were not Derelicts but in Possession of the aboriginal Indians) nor by Inheritance, nor by what the Law of Nature and Na|tions deem a justifiable Conquest; therefore the adventu|ring European Powers, could only give to some of their particular Subjects, an exclusive Grant of negociating and purchasing from the natural Proprietors the native Indians, and thereupon a Power of Jurisdiction.

Formerly Priority of Discovery, even without a con|tinued Occupancy or Possession was deem'd a good Claim: Thus we originate our Claims in North America from the Cabots coasting from Prima Vista in 66 d. to 34 d. N. Lat. although for near a Century following, we made no Settlements there, and did not so much as navigate the Coast; because Henry VIII was a vicious Prince, the Af|fairs of his Wives and Perplexities with the Church gave him full Employment; Edward VI was a Minor; Q. Mary a wicked Woman and bigotted Roman Catholick, her sole Attention was to re-establish Popery, at that Time wearing out of Fashion, in a most inhumane, execrable, furious, zealous Manner; good Queen Elizabeth a great Encourager of Trade and Navigation in some Respects, but had the distressing of the Spaniards, and Protection of the Dutch, more in her Intentions, than the making of

Discoveries and Settlements in America. Royal Grants of Lands if not occupied, and in Process of Time if ano|ther Grant (with Occupancy) is made to others, the first Grant becomes void. Thus Duke Hamilton's Grant in the Naraganset Country, Mr. Mason's Grant of New-Hampshire, and many Grants in the N. E. Parts of New-England are become void.

The Cabots of Venetian Extract, Anno 1695 obtained from K. Henry VII a Patent for the Property of all Lands they should discover Westward of Europe, one Fifth of the clear Profit is reserved to the King. Henry VII. was a Lover and Hoarder up of Money. They fitted out from Bristol Anno 1496, ••roceeded along the North Shore of America till obstructed by the Ice; then they turned their Course Southward, and at Length their Pro|visions proving scanty, they were obliged to put off for England. Thus the Cabots in the Name of, and by Com|missions from the Crown of England began to range the Continent of North-America, before Columbus from the Crown of Spain discovered any Part of the Continent of America, from 1492 to 1498 Columbus discovered only the Islands in the Gulph of Mexico. The Cabots were good industrious Navigators, they were the first who wea|thered the North Cape of Europe.

The next Patent for Discoveries and Settlements in America was March 25. 1584 to * 1.52 Sir Walter Raleigh

and Associates, for discovering and planting Lands in North-America, not actually possessed by any Christian Prince: That same Year two small Vessels were sent via Canaries and the Caribee-Islands (this, in these Days was reckoned the only Rout of Navigation for any Part of America) to trade upon that Coast, upon their Return, in Honour to the Virgin Queen Elizabeth, it was called Virginia, reaching so far North as the Gulph of St. Lau|rence. Anno 1585 Sir Walter sent Sir Richard Greenville with several Vessels and 108 People to begin a Plantation; they landed upon the Island Roanoke near the Mouth of Albemarle River in North-Carolina. Sir Francis Drake from the Spanish West-Indies by Way of the Gulph of Florida Stream, touched in at Roanoke Anno 1586, these People Settlers dissatisfied, most of them returned with him to England. Anno 1587 and 1589 Mr. White with the Character of Governor, brought over some People to Cape-Hatteras, but effected no Settlement.

No further Attempt worth mentioning, was made un|til Anno 1606, Sir Walter Raleigh by his Attainder having forfeited his Patent, several Adventurers petitioned the King for Grants, and a Grant was made to two Companies, in one Charter, viz. to the London Adventurers from 34 d. to 41 d. N. I at. the other Company was the Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth &c. Adventurers, from 38 d. to 45 d. N. Lat. Thus perhaps the in-common and consequent|ly neglected Part from Cape Charles to Connecticut might fall into the Dutch Hands. In the first Company of Ad|venturers several Noblemen and Gentlemen, obtained a Patent with Power of Government for a certain District, the Jurisdiction to be in a President and standing Council▪ they fitted out Capt. Newport with 3 Ships and 100 Set|tlers; they sail'd into Chesapeak-Bay and 50 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up Iames River, and began a Settlement called Iames-Town. Here properly begins the first Planting of our eldest Co|lony Virginia; the further Narrative of this Colony be|longs to the Section of Virginia.

The other Company in the same Charter of Anno 1606, called the Company of Plymouth, or West-Country Adventurers, viz. Sir Iohn Popham Chief-Justice, Sir Ferdinand Gorge Governor of Plymouth, &c. began their Adventures in Trade and Settlements at Sagadahock in New-England, about the same Time.

Their first Adventure was taken by the Spaniard▪ Anno 1608 they fitted out Captains Popham and Gilbert with People or Settlers, and Stores, and built a Fort St. George near Sagadahock; it came to nothing. Anno 1614 Capt. Smith sometime President of Virginia, called the Traveller, a good solid judicious Writer in general, fitted out two Ships and made a good Voyage in Trade; upon his Return to England, he pre|••en••ed a Plan of the Country to the Court, and it wa•• called New England. As after a few Years the London Company dissolved, so, it seems was the Fate of this Com|pany, and Anno 1620 Nov. 3. King Iames I. did grant to a Company of Adventurers called the Council of Ply|mouth, 40 in Number, all Lands from 40 d•• to 4•• ••. N. Lat. keeping up the Claim to New Netherlands 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nova Belgia, at that Time in Possession of the Dutch, at present the British Colonies of New-York, New-I••r••ies, and Pensylvania. This * 1.53 Council of Plymouth made se|veral Grants which were found faulty from their Indis|tinctness, and having no Power to delegate Jurisdiction. Here we must break off, and refer the further Narration to the Sections of the New-England Colonies, which were the Council of Plymouth Grants.

The first Inducements of the English Adventurers to take out Patents for Countries or Lands in America, and to suffer so much in Settling, were the Hopes of finding rich Mines of Minerals, Metals and Precious Stones, and

a Thorough-Fare to the East-Indies or Spice-Islands. Af|ter some Time these Projectors finding themselves dis|appointed, the old Patents were neglected or annihilated; in the End of Iames I. Reign, and Beginning of Charles I. new Grants were procured: But by Reason of the fol|lowing civil Confusions and Divisions, the Conditions of these new Grants were not complied with; and People sit down at Pleasure and at Random; upon the Resto|ration of King Charles II, these Settlers petitioned for pe|culiar Grants (as we shall observe in the several Sections of Colonies) particularly of Maryland, Carolina, New-York, Connecticut, Rhode-Island.

The first Grants from the Crown, were generally ex|pressed to run back Inland 100 Miles; afterwards the Stile was due West to the South-Seas, or until they met with some other Christian Settlement; sometimes it is expressed from Sea to Sea, East and West: At present the Words are to run back indefinitely. Many of the first Grants were by false or uncertain Descriptions, and did interfere with one another; as we may observe in the History of their several Boundaries in Process of Time rectified and at present settled.

The Settling of our sundry Colonies, have been upon several Occasions and from various Beginnings. New-England was first settled by People from England, tenacious of their own Non-conformist Way of religious Worship, were resolved to endure any Hardships, viz. a very distant Removal, Inclemencies of the Climate, Barrenness of the Soil, &c. in Order to enjoy their own Way of thinking, called Gospel-Privileges, in Peace and Purity. Our West-India Is|lands have been settled or increased, some of them by Royalists, some by Parliamentarians; some by * 1.54 Tories, some by Whigs, at different Times Fugitives or Exiles

from their native Country. Virginia and Maryland have been for many Years and continue to be a Sink for transported Criminals. Pennsylvania being the Property of Mr. Penn, a Quaker, he planted it with Quakers (as Lord Baltimore for the same Reason at first planted Ma|ryland with Roman Catholicks) it is lately very much in|creased by Husbandmen swarming from Ireland and Germany.

2. The British Island Settlements.

The British American Colonies, especially their Islands in and near the Gulph of Mexico, are the Spanish Leav|ings; the Spaniards their first Discoverers, made no Ac|count of them; and when the English began to settle them, they were not disturbed by the Spaniard, as if be|low their Notice. The English at first had no other De|sign there, only to distress the Spaniards; thus Sir Francis Drake made several Depredations there, but no Settle|ment, Anno 1585 he took St. Domingo, Carthagen••, and St. Augustine, and soon quitted them. Anno 1597 Porto Rico was conquered by the English, but dropt.

The British American Island Governments, may be enumerated under these Heads, viz. The two small Set|tlements of Bermudas and Providence or Bahama-Islands, and the three general Governments of Barbados, Leeward Islands, and Iamaica: These three Governments are call|ed the British Sugar Islands. As at present Sugar is of general Use, and occasions a vast Branch of publick Re|venue to the Nations of Great Britain, France, and Hol|land, a Digression concerning Sugar may be acceptable.

A Digression concerning Sugar.

The antient Greeks and Romans used Honey only for Sweetning, Sugar was not known amongst them: Paulus Aegineta, a noted Compiler of Medical History, and one of the last Greek Writers upon that Subject, about Anno

625 is the first who expresly mentions Sugar, it was at first called, Mel Arundinaceum, that is, Reed or Cane Honey. It came from China, by Way of the East-Indies and Arabi•• to Europe. As Spirits (Spiritus Ardentes) not above a Century ago were used only as officinal Cordials, but now are become an Endemial Plague ••v••ry where, being a pernicious Ingredient in most of our Beverages: So formerly Sugar was only used in Syrups, Conserves, and such like Arabian medicinal Compositions. It is at present become of universal and most noxious Use, it fouls our animal Juices and produces Scrophulas, Sc••••vys, and other putrid Disorders; by relaxing the Solids, it occasions watery Swellings and catarrhous Ails, it induces Hysterick and other nervous Disorders; there|fore should be sparingly used especially by our weaker Sex, they are naturally of a Fibra laxa.

The Island Colonies (in a peculiar Manner they are called the West-Indies) had the Sugar-Cane from the Bra|••••ls; the Portuguese of Brazil might have them from their Settlements in the * 1.55 East-Indies: At present the Flavour and Smell of our Sugars, and of those from Bra|••ils differ considerably, this may be attributed to what the French call, Le Gout de Terroir; thus it is with Wines from transplanted Vines; Virginia Tobacco, and Brazil, and V••rinas Tobacco differ upon this Account.

Arundo Sacharifera C. B. P. Sugar-Cane, are the Bo|tanical Latin and English Tribe Names; it grows to five

six or more Feet high; articulated or jointed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gramineous or Reed Leaf. The Canes are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 planted in August, and cut down from Christmas to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the following, not the same Year; they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 16 to 22 Months upon the Ground; this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a great Latitude as to gathering in, without 〈◊〉〈◊〉 considerable Loss: If cut seasonably and soon, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yield more Juice, but less rich than if let standing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Months longer: Moreover Canes that might have cut end of December, the Planters are under a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to keep some of them growing 'till Iune, ••o furnish 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is Cane-Tops for their Cattle. One 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Cane Liquor may yield about 1 Pound 3 Quarte•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sugar, a Pot of 60 wt. of Sugar, may drop about 3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Molasses, 1 Gallon Molasses if good, yields 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gallon Rum or Proof Spirit; by claying Sugars 〈…〉〈…〉 2 sevenths, which runs into Molasses: The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon the Improvement of Sugars generally▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••his Proportion, viz. If Muscovado•• sell at 25s 〈…〉〈…〉 wt, first Clays sell at 35, second Clays at 45, third 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at 55.

The Manufacture is reckoned equal in Value to Produce or Cultivation; it has many chargeable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Mill, the Boiling-House, the Curing-House, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 House▪ Store-House: Sugars are distinguished into 〈…〉〈…〉, by the French called Sucar Bis or Br••••e, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 second, and third Clayings or Refinings.

The Cultivation of the Cane; a Length of few 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Knots laid flat or horizontally in Holes, these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are half Foot deep or better, 3 Feet long, 2 Feet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 30 good Field Negroes may hoe one Acre a Day; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 each Joint or Oculus proceeds a Reed of Canes.

In Barbados the Charge of Cultivation and 〈…〉〈…〉 of Sugar (supposing the Labour hired, as it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in some particular Circumstances) is about 15 £ per 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an Acre at a Medium is reckoned to produce 2500 wt. Sugar; therefore all exceeding 12s per Ct. wt. the Price of Sugars, is clear Profit to the Planter. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

The Rum defrays the ordinary Expence of the Plantation. They allow one good Field Negro for one Acre Canes, all Labour included. The Labour is very considerable (sup|posing the Ground well cleared and brought too) viz. hol|ling, planting, dunging, weeding, hilling, and cutting.

After the first Purchase, the Charge of a Sugar Plan|tation Negro, is very small, not exceeding 40 s. per An. for Cloathing and Feeding; when full cloathed, it is Jacket and Breeches for the Men, Jacket and Pettycoat for the Women of Oznabrigs at 9 d. per Yard, and a coarse red mild Cap; the Negroes of one Plantation live in contiguous Huts like an African Town; are allowed some short Time, viz. Saturday Afternoon and Sundays, with a small Spot of Ground to raise Provisions for them|selves; or if new Negroes are allowed one Pint of Guinea Corn, one salt Herring, or an Equivalent per Day in other Provisions of salt Mackrel, dry'd Salt-Fish, Indian Corn, &c. Barbados requires a Supply of 4000 or 5000 new Negroes per Annum.

The Planters divide their Cane-Lands into Thirds, viz▪ one Third standing Canes, another Third new-plante•• Canes, and the other third fallow. In Barbados they plant every Crop or second Crop, in the other Islan•••• they have Ratoons, or second, third, fourth &c. Crops from the same Roots, but every succeeding Year they yield less.

The Quantity of Sugar imported per Annum from the British Sugar-Islands to Great-Britain is about 80,000 to 85,000 Hogsheads at 1000 wt. per Hoshead.

In Imitation of the French, by an Act of Parliament 1739, British Sugars are allowed to be carried directly, without entring in Great-Britain, to any foreign Port South of Cape Finisterre, under certain Restrictions too long for our Enumeration. About 50 Years ago the French were chiefly supplied with Sugars from Great-Britain, at present they supply themselves, and can af|ford to undersell us in all Markets, the Mediterranean, Holland, Hamburgh, &c.

An exact minute List of the successive Governors in the several Islands, are scarce of any Historical Use, unless where some Things remarkable have happened during their Government; therefore without making much En|quiry, I shall only mention those who easily occur.

The West-India Islands, together with Virginia, Mary|land and Carolinas, are of vast Profit to Great-Britain, by the Labour of above Three Hundred Thousand Slaves, maintained at a very small Charge. Here we observe a Sort of puritanical gross Error, in the Utopian Charte•• Constitution of the Colony of Georgia not allowing of the Labour of Slaves, and by the Experience of several Years, this seems to be a principal Reason of the Settlement com|ing to nothing. By Acts of their Assemblies Slaves or Negroes are real Estate, but may be sued for and re|covered by personal Action. If it were not for the Ne|groes and Molatoes born in these Colonies reckoning themselves Natives, it would be impossible to keep so many able-bodied Slaves in Subjection by a few valetu|denary white Men: There have been from Time to Time Insurrections of Negroes; but were discovered, and the Ringleaders executed in the most cruel and de|terring Manner that could be contrived. Slaves in any felloniousCase are tried, not by a Jury and Grand Sessions, but by two Justices and three Freeholders, a Majority condemns them and orders Execution. They generally value new Negroes in this Manner, a Negro of 10 Aet. and of 40 Aet. are upon a Par, from 20 to 25 Aet. is reckoned their Prime; from 40 Aet. upwards, their Va|lue gradually decreases, as it does from 10 Aet. down|wards.

The Voyages from London to Barbados or Leeward Islands is 6 to 7 Weeks; but home to London not so much, when out of the Trade Winds, the Westerly Winds and a Westerly Swell or Sea generally prevail.

In these Islands the Rains (within the Tropicks, the Indians number their Years by Rains, without the Tro|picks they reckon by Succession of Winters) begin End

of May, continue frequent for three Months, and abate gradually to December. Hurricanes are from the middle of Iuly to the middle of September: Barbados and the Leeward Islands are not much troubled with Hurricanes▪ but have at Times violent Gusts of Wind, when the Trade or Easterly Winds, change per North (Sailors call it going against the Sun) to West, with a rolling Sea from Leeward. The Sea Breeze begins between 8 and 9 Hours Morning, increases till Noon, retains its full Strength till 3 Afternoon, and gradually decreases to about 5 in the Evening.

Even in their Breezes, the Air seems to resemble the suffocating Breezes along the Sands of the Deserts of Lybia, or like the Steam and Exhalation from burning Charcoal: Their Air seems to be impregnated with some volatile acid Sulphur, which to a very inconvenient De|gree ru••ts Iron, and cankers other Metals: It keeps the Blood and Spirits in a continued Fret; in that Climate I never could apply my self to a serious intense Way of Thinking exceeding half an Hour; some Constitutions are kept in a continued small Degree of a Phrenzy, hence proceed the many rash passionate Actions amongst the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. In the North Continent of America for two or three Weeks in Iuly (Dog-Days are only Astrological cant Names amongst the Vulgar; the hot Weather of the Sea|son, not the Influence of the Stars are in the Case) the Weather is sometimes so hot, as to rarify the Air too much, by relaxing its Spring and Action occasions sudden Deaths, Palsies, and the like nervous Affections (inassu••tis) in the human Species and other Animals; Beginning of Iuly 1734 unusually hot for a Continuance of some Days 8 or 9 People die suddenly: At the writing of this Iuly 8, and 15, 16 little Wind South Westerly, intensely melting hot, but not sulphureous and stiffling as in the West-Indies, scarce any Thunder hitherto.

Besides regular Tides, they have uncertain Windward and Leeward Currents: With a Windward Current, new and full Moon, Tides flow about 3 Feet; they flow longer than they ebb.

Their general Supply for Charges of Government, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Pol Tax upon Negroes, and an Excise upon Liquors im|ported. They have a very good Regulation, that no Freeholder's Person ca•• be arrested for Debt; thus his Labour is not lost to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Publick by a Time of Confine|ment, and he cannot readily run in Debt exceeding the Value of his Freehold. It is to be wished, that this wise Regulation, may be introduced into our Continent Co|lonies.

The Spaniards and Portuguese in their first American Navigations, very providently put on Shore, upon the interveening Head-Lands and Islands, some Live-Stock, particularly neat Cattle and Swine to multiply by Pro|pagation, towards a future Refreshment and Supply of Provisions in their Voyages.

The general Food of the Europeans there, and of their Slaves comes next in Course, it is mostly vegetable. * 1.56 Here we may previously observe, that the Plants or Ve|getables between the Tropicks, are so vari••••s from our European Tribes, they seem to require a distinct System of Botany, or ought to be reduced to some Order by an|nexing to each Tribe of European Plants some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Affines; but without coming much into natur•••• History, I am afraid some Readers judge me too proli••.

The Food of their Negro Slaves and of the common Labourers and white Servants may be divided into,

I. Their Bread Kind. 1. Cerealia viz. * 1.57 Rice, * 1.58 Guinea Corn, * 1.59 Indian Corn. 2. Legumina or Pulse Kind, viz. * 1.60 Kidney-Beans, * 1.61 Pease. 3. Roots, viz. * 1.62 Yams, * 1.63 Po|t••toes,

* 1.64 Cassada. 4. Fruits, viz. * 1.65 Planta••es, * 1.66 Bananes.

II. Fish and Flesh, are mostly a foreign Importation, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Salt Herrings from Scotland and Ireland, one Barrel Herrings is reckoned equivalent to two Quintals dried Salt-Fish, dried Refuse Salt-Fish (Cod, Haddock, Haake, ••nd Polluck) from New England and Newfoundland, bar|rel'd sal•• Mackrel from New-England; they sometimes use the Country fresh Produce of * 1.67 flying Fish and * 1.68 Land Crabs and * 1.69 Soldiers. They seldom are allowed any Irish Salt Beef, it is reserved for the Planters or Land|lords, their Managers, Overseers, and other white Ser|vants. Some Negroes are allowed for their own Account and Profit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 raise young Pork (West-India young Pork i•• delicious) and Poultry which they carry to Market, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seld•••• o••t of it. Their most delicious Dish for a ••egale, is a Pepper-Pot or Negro-Pot compounded of salt Fish, salt Flesh of any Kind, Grain and Pulse of all Kinds, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seasoned with * 1.70 Capsicum or Guinea-Pepper; it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like a Spanish Oleo, or Newfoundland Sho••••••••er.

The Provinder for their neat Cattle and Horses besides Cane-Tops, and Tops of Guinea Corn already mentio••|ed; * 1.71 is Scotch Grass.

Scorpions, Scolopendras or forty Legs, Chigoes, Sand-Fli••••, Vena Medini, or Guinea Worm, Mus••ito••s, Ants, Bed••••g•• Cimices Lectularii, &c. very troublesome and great Nu|sances in these Climates, we shall not describe, having al|ready tired the Readers who have no Notion of natural History: But we cannot omit that great Nusance to Na|vigation called the * 1.72 Worm, pernicious especially to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ships; at first only in the West-Indies, but have from thence been carried with Ships▪ and do prop••gate in Ca|rolina, Virginia, Maryland, they have got so far North a•• New-England, and lately have done considerable Dam•••••• in the Port of Newport, Colony of Rhode-Island: It is to be hoped, that a severe freezing Winte•• may destroy them, as it did in Holland Anno 1730, when thos•• Worms by eating and honey-combing of the Piles of their Dikes, between the highest and lowest Water-Marks, did put the Country in Danger of being undam'd or drowned.

I insensibly deviate into something of the natural His|tory of these Countries; but as it is not within the Com|pass of my original Design, which was their current and political History in a summary Way: I shall only briefly relate and describe by the proper classical Names which hitherto has not been done by Authors; that Part of thei•• natural Produce which is used in common Food, in De|licacies, and as Commodities in Trade.

1. The common Food is mostly already mentioned,

〈◊〉〈◊〉 these we may add Ducks of several Kinds, Plover, wild * 1.73 Pigeons, wild H••gs * 1.74 Lobsters, * 1.75 Cray-Fish, * 1.76 River-Crabs, * 1.77 Sea-Crabs, the * 1.78 Sea-Tortoise or Turtle as the Sailors call them.

2. Some of their Delicacies are many Sorts of Cu|cumbers, Melons and the like of the Gourd Kind, * 1.79 Ci|tro••s, * 1.80 Oranges, * 1.81 Limons, Sugar-Cane already men|tioned,

Cocoa we refer to the Paragraph of Produce for Trade, and * 1.82 Coco, * 1.83 Cabbage-Tree, * 1.84 Pine-Apple so called from its Resemblance of the Fruit or Cones of some Pine-Trees.

3. Produce that are Commodities in Trade * 1.85 Cocoa, * 1.86 Zingiber or Ginger, * 1.87 Indigo, * 1.88 Cotton-Wool, * 1.89

Aloes, * 1.90 Cassia Fistula, * 1.91 Tamarinds, * 1.92 Lignum-vitae, * 1.93 White Cinnamon, * 1.94 Coffee, * 1.95 Fustick, * 1.96 Braziletto, Campeche Wood or Logwood, Nicaraga

Wood by the Dutch called Stockfish-hout; these last two Commodities or Dye-Woods are not the Produce of our West India Islands, but are imported to Iamaica from the Spanish Main.

The general Supply for Charges of Government in all our West-India Islands is a Pol Tax upon Negroes and Excise upon Liquors.

Generally for every 20 to 30 Negroes a Planter is oblig'd to keep one white Man, two Artificers or Han|dy crafts Men are allowed equal to three common La|bourers; 120 Head of Cattle requires also one white Man.

The regular Troops from Great-Britain to the West-India Islands are allowed by their Assemblies for further Subsistence per Week 20 s. to a Commission Officer, and 3 s. and 9 d. to the other Men.

In some of these Islands, the nominal Price of the same Sugars differ, for Instance Sugar per Ct. wt. if paid in ready Cash at 16 s. in Goods it is 18 s. in paying of old Debts 20 s.

The 4 and half per Ct. upon the Produce Exports of Barbados and the Leeward Islands granted to the Crown by their several Assemblies in Perpetuity, seems to be in Lieu of Quitrents. L. Baltimore some few Years ago in Maryland, to make an Experiment of this Na|ture, procured an Act of Assembly for 3 s. 6 d. per Hogshead Tobacco in Room of Quitrents: It was found inconvenient, and Quitrents were allowed to take Place again.

Being prolix in the general Account of the Sugar Is|lands, will render the Accounts of the particular Islands more succinct.

Barbados.

Barbados is the most Windward of all the Islands in or near the Gulph of Mexico; it lies in about 13 d. N. Lat. 59 d. 30 m. W. from London by the Observa|tions

of Capt. Candler.* 1.97 Sir William Curteens an ••••••venturer in Trade, Anno 1624 in sailing home to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from Farnambuc of the Brazils, at that Time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Possession of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, touched at this Island, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is said, gave the Name Barbados, from large 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a bearded Tree * 1.98 growing there, it was spread with a Sort of Purslane * 1.99: Here he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 human Bones, but no living Mankind: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Swine.

The Earl of Carlisle, a Court Favourite, in 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Reign of Charles I, had a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the Crown; this Island continued in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Proprietary and his Heirs about 30 Anno 1661 the Crown purchased it of Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heir to the Earl of Carlis••e, their Family 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hay, and allows to the Heirs 1000 £. per An. out 4 and half per Ct. Duty.

The greatest Length of the Island is about 26 its greatest Width about 14 Miles; Contents 〈…〉〈…〉 100,000 Acres. Every Freeholder is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to keep a Plan of his Land attested by a sworn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 10 Acres valued at 20 •• per An. per Acre 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Voter in Elections.

At first they planted Tobacco, some Indigo, 〈…〉〈…〉, and cut Fustick a dye Wood; at present they

no Tobacco, no Indigo. Their first Sugar-Canes they had from Brazils Anno 1645: This Island was generally settled by Cavaliers in the Time of the Civil Wars in England.

The Governor's Stile in his Commission, is Captain-General and chief Governor of the Islands of Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincents, Dominica, and the rest of his Majesty's Island Colonies and Plantations in America, known by the Name of the Caribee-Islands, laying and being to Windward of Guardaloupe: Excepting Barbados, the other Islands are called Neutrals * 1.100, because the Go|vernment and Property of them, hitherto has not been settled by any solemn authentick Treaty between Great-Britain and France.

In Time of the civil Wars Barbados and Virginia were settled by Cavaliers and Ruffians (excuse my coup••ling of them, I mean no Reflection) in the Summer 1650 Lord Willoughby proclaimed K. Charles II. in Barbados, and administred the Government in his Name; but in January Anno 1651, 2 he surrendred Barbados and the neighbouring Islands to Sir George Ascue Admiral for the Parliament. About the same Time Virginia sub|mitted to the Parliament.

Their Legislature consists of three Negatives, viz. the Governor, the Council (their full Compliment is twelve) and House of Representatives (in all our Colonies, in a

particular Manner called the Assembly) composed of 22 Deputies, that is two from each of the eleven Parishes without Wages, or any Allowance; the eldest Coun|cellor in the Parish is generally appointed the returning Officer: Their Assemblies are annual.

Their Courts of Iudicature. The Courts of Error▪ Chancery, and Probate of Wills, are in the Governor and Council. The Courts of common Law are in five Districts, viz. Bridgetown District consists of 3 Parishes, the others of 2 Parishes each: Each Court has one Judge and 4 Assistants.

Only one Collection or Custom-House Office at Bridg|town; there are three more Entry and Delivery-Ports, viz. Ostines, Holetown, and Speights; this Collection is under the Inspection of a Surveyor-General of the Cus|toms residing at Antigua.

Their Currency is Silver Mexico Standard, by Weight, whereof 17 d half d. wt. passes for 6 s. Upwards of 40 Years since they borrowed from New-England by a Pro|jection of Mr. Woodbridge, the fallacious Scheme of a publick Paper Credit or Paper Currency; but by Or|ders from the Court of England it was soon suppressed, and Governor Crow had an Instruction, TO REMOVE FROM THE COUNCIL, AND ALL OTHER PLACES OF TRUST, ANY WHO HAD BEEN CONCERNED IN THE LATE PAPER CREDIT. These Bills, soon after their Emission, fell 40 per Ct. below Silver; and occasioned a great Confusion, and Convulsion in the Affairs of the Island.

Anno 1717 peaceable Times, when I was in Barbados, all along its Lee-Shore was a Breast-Work and Trench, in which at proper Places were 29 Forts and Batteries, having 308 Cannon mounted: The Windward Shore is secured by high Rocks, steep Cleefs, and foul Ground. Anno 1736 in the Island were 17,680 Whites; where|of 4326 fencible Men, disposed into one Troop of Guards, two Regiments of Horse, and seven Regiments of Foot. Beginning of King William's War, Barbados

furnished 700 to 800 Militia,* 1.101 with some Militia from our Leeward Islands to join the regular Troops and Squadron from England against the neighbouring French Islands.

There may be about 80,000 Negroes in Barbados, may ship off about 30,000 Hds Sugar, besides Ginger, scalded and scrapt, Cotton-Wool and Aloes. Their Duty of 4 and half per Ct. in Specie upon Produce exported, is perpetual, and given immediately to the Crown's Dis|posal; out of this the Governor has 2000 £. per An. Salary, besides large Gratuities and Perquisites. The Tax on Negroes, Mills and Potkils is generally 10,000 £. per Annum, Excise upon Liquors imported 7,000 £. per Annum, for defraying the ordinary Charges of Go|vernment.

Returned protested Bills of Exchange are allowed 10 per Ct. and all Charges.

They generally worship or profess to worship after the Mode of the Church of England; no dissenting Congregation, a few Quakers excepted: New-England had some of their first Seminary of Quakers from Barbados.

Some loose Account of their Governors. Lord Willoughby of Parham at the Restoration was appointed Governor of Barbados under the Earl of Carlisle, he was at the same Time Governor-General of the Leeward-Islands, and a Proprietor of Antegoa.

Upon the Restoration Iames Kendal, Esq was appoint|ed Governor.

Upon Kendal's returning to England, Col. Francis

Russel, Brother to the Earl of Orford, came over Go|vernor, with a Regiment of regular Troops and subsisted by the Country; he died Anno 1695 and Bond was Pre|sident until Iuly 1698.

1698 Ralph Grey, Esq Brother to the Earl of Tanker|ville arrived Governor; he went to England for his Health Anno 1701, and Iohn Farmer Esq was President and Commander in chief.

1703 Sir Bevil Greenville, appointed Governor; his Home Salary was increased from 1200 £. to 2000 £. per Annum, that he might not desire Gratuities from the Country, they also built for him a Governor's House in Pilgrim's Plantation.

1707 Milford Crow, a London Merchant succeeded him.

1711 Robert Lowther, Esq succeeded, and was conti|nued upon the Accession of King George ••; by Reason of several Complaints (the chief Complainer was the Rev. Mr. Gordon of Bridgetown, an eminent Martinico Trader) he was ordered into the Custody of a Messenger and called to Account in the proper Courts of Westmin|ster-Hall, and cost him a considerable Sum of Money: This with the Affair of my Name-Sake General Douglass, of the Leeward-Islands, may be a Warning to all Go|vernors, that they are liable to be called to Account upon small Suggestions when their Friends die or are otherways out of Place.

After a Presidentship of some Continuance; Henry Worsley, Esq (who for some Time had been British En|voy at the Court of Portugal) Anno 1721 was appoint|ed Governor, besides his Salary of 2,000 £. out of the 4 and half per Ct. by his Finesse the Assembly voted him 6,000 £. per An. during his Government: They soon found, that this was more than they could afford. There interveened two Commissions which did not take Effect, viz. Lord Irwin, who died of the Small-Pox before he set out from England; and Lord Belhaven, upon

his Passage aboard the Royal Anne Galley was cast away and drowned near the Lizard Point.

After this Sir Olando Bridgman and others were ap|pointed but never in Possession.

L. How was a much esteemed Governor and died in Barbados.

1742 Sir Thomas Robinson, of him we have not much to say.

1747 Arrives Mr. Greenville Governor, over and above his Home Salary, they allow him 3000 £. per Annum, during his Administration, and to his Satis|faction.

British Leeward Islands.

These were first discovered in the second Voyage of Columbus, the Spaniards despised them, and made no Set|tlements there: They were severally settled by the English at different Times, and are all under the Com|mand and Inspection of one Governor-General; in each of the four Islands of Antegoa, Montserrat, Nevis, and St. Christophers, there is commissioned from Great-Britain a Lieutenant Governor; in the small Islands are Militia Captains or Capitain de quartier commissioned by the Governor-General.

The General's Commission is in this Stile. Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the Islands of An|tegoa, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Christophers, and all the Caribee Islands from Guardaloupe to St. Iohn de Porto Rico. In the Absence of the Captain-General and Lieu|tenant-General (the Lieutenant-General resides at St. Kitts) formerly the Commander of Nevis, as being the oldest Settlement, was Commander in chief of these Ca|ribee Islands, but by a new Regulation, the Senior of the Lieutenant Governors is to command. Each of the four Islands has a distinct Legislature, of a Gov••rnour, Council and Representatives.

Out of the 4 and half per Cent Duty on Produce

exported, are paid Salaries per An. to the Governor-Ge|neral 1200 £. to each of the four Lieutenant-Governors 200 £. St. The present General Matthews obtain'd an Instruction, that considering the 1200 £. per An. was not a sufficient and honourable Support, he was allowed to accept of additional Gratuity Salaries, and the respec|tive Islands settled upon him during his Administration, viz. Antegoa 1000 £. Nevis 300 £. St. Kitts 800 £. per Annum; Montserrat did not settle the Gratuity, but do generally give about 300 £. yearly: The Perquisites are of the same Nature with Barbados.

Anno 1736 in all the Leeward Islands were 10,520 Whites; whereof fencible Men in Antegoa 1500, in St. Kitts 1340, in Nevis 300, in Montserrat 360, in Anguilla 80, in Spanish-Town or Virgin Gorda 120.

Soon after the Restoration Lord Willoughby of Parham was Governor-General of the Leeward-Islands, and at the same Time Governor of Barbados.

Sir William Stapleton.

K. Iames II. appointed Sir Nathaniel Iohnson, upon the Revolution he abdicated and withdrew to Carolin••, and was succeeded by

Christopher Codrington, Esq he died 1698, and was succeeded by his Son Christopher Codrington, Esq the greatest Proprietor in Antegoa, a great Proprietor in Bar|bados, and sole Proprietor of the Island of Barbuda. This Family has been a great Benefactor in pious Uses and in Seminaries for Learning.

Sir William Mathews succeeded Col. Codrington Anno 1704, he died soon.

1706 Arrived for Governor-General Col. Parks, he had been Aide de Camp to the most renowned Duke of Marlborough, and carried to the Court of England, the News of the critical and great Victory at Hochstat near the Danube in Germany, Anno 1710 he was murdered by an Insurrection of the People or Inhabitants; he is said to have been a vicious Man, especially in his Amours with the Planters Wives.

He was succeeded by Col. Walter Douglass, who was superseded Anno 1714, and in the Courts of Westminster-Hall, was called to Account for Male administration; and Nov. 19. 1716 by the Court of King's-Bench was fined 500 £. Sterling, and five Years Imprisonment.

1714 Col. Hamilton appointed Governor.

To him succeeded General Hart.

1726 To General Hart succeeded Thomas Pit, Lord Londonderry, he died in Antegoa Sept. 1729.

Lord Forbes, next Col. Cosby were appointed.

April 1733, Mathews, formerly Lieut.-General, is ap|pointed Captain-General, and is at present continued in the Administration.

During these 40 Years last and upwards, a Regiment of regular Troops from Great-Britain, has been station|ed in the Leeward Islands, always very incompleat; our Troops, as also the French in the Plantations, generally speaking, are only Corps of Officers at a very great Charge.

Their Medium, is Produce at settled Prices from Time to Time, their Cash consists of Black ••ogs (old French Sols Pieces) 9 Black-dogs make a Ryal, 8 Ryals make a light or current Piece of Eight, 10 Ryals make a heavy Piece of Eight.

ANTEGOA began to settle about Anno 1632, generally settled by the moderate or Low Church, afterwards call|ed Whigs. May contain about 56,000 Acres, 20,000 Negroes. No River, scarce any good Springs of fresh Water, they generally use Cistern Water. The Negro Pol-Tax is generally very high, Excise upon Liquors imported about 2000 £. per An.

Their Assembly or lower House consists of 24 Re|presentatives from 11 Districts, viz. Four from the Di|strict of St. Iohns, and two from each of the other Di|stricts. Six Parishes, each Minister or Rector is allowed as Salary 16,000 wt. Muscovado Sugar, with a Mansion House and Glebe-Land of 10 or 12 Acres. Only one

Collection with four Entry and Delivery Ports, viz. St. Iohns, Parham, Falmouth, and Willouby Bay: The Col|lector keeps his Office at St. Iohns, where also resides the Surveyor-General of the Customs o•• all the Islands, Iamaica excepted. About 250 Vess••ls enter in per Annum.

Courts of Iustice. For Common Law, there are two Precincts, St. Iohns and Falmouth, each one Judge, and four Assistants; there is also a Court Merchant, being a summary Way of dispatching Debts, owing to tran|sient Traders. The Governor and Council are the Judges of Errors, Chancery and Probates.

St. Iohns is a good Harbour, smooth Water, with good Wharffs: English Harbour, lately fortified by the Care of Commodore Charles Knowles, is a safe Retrea•• for King's Ships and others.

Chief Produce is Sugar and some Cotton; no Indigo.

MONTSERRAT is a small hilly Island, settled mostly by Irish, two Thirds Roman Catholicks; about 4500 Negroes; their whole annual Charge of Government does not much exceed 1500 £. per Annum: Not above five Vessels per Annum exports their Produce. One Collection at Plymouth, have three Entry and Delivery-Ports, viz. Plymouth, Old-Harbour, and Kers-Bay: Three Parishes; four Divisions, each Division sends two Re|presentatives, being eight in all; the Parish Ministers have 130 £. per Annum from the Country-Treasury. Two Regiments Foot, one Troop Horse Militia.

Courts of Iudicature. For common Pleas only one precinct Court held at Plymouth: The first Court to which a Case or Action is brought, is called a Court of Grace (the Inferior Courts of the Province of Massachu|setts-Bay in New-England, in some Respect may be called Courts of Grace) the next Court is a Court of Judg|ment, and may appeal to a third Court, their Grand Ses|sions consists of the Lieut.-Governor, Council, and chief Judge.

Their Sugars are very ill cured in Cask, are sold green, retaining much Molasses: A Planter if much pressed by a Merchant for Debt, in 5 or 6 Days from cutting the Canes, the Sugars are aboard; they plant also some Cotton, and much Indigo of the Iron Colour or worst Sort; have four Crops of Indigo per Annum; viz. April, Midsummer, Michaelmas, and Christmas.

NEVIS. Is one Conical Hill; good Harbour, but great Surf at landing, as is generally in the West-Indies; have about 6000 Negroes (the French Squadron under M. d'Iberville in Queen Anne's War carried off so many Negroes as were afterwards sold to the Spaniards for 400,000 Pieces of Eight. Only one Collection at Charles-Town, three Entry and Delivery Ports, viz. Charles-Town, Morton's Bay, and Newcastle; they load about 20 Vessels per An. for Europe.

Five Divisions or Parishes; each Division sends three Representatives, in all fifteen Assembly Men. Iudicature, only one Precinct, Courts as in Antegoa.

They cure their Sugar in square Pots, is better than that of Montserrat; some Cotton; no Indigo, no Ginger. Cistern Water chiefly.

ST. CHRISTOPHERS about three or four Leagues from Nevis. Upon its East End are Salt-Ponds and many small naked Hills. The French formerly were in Pos|session of its East End to Palmeto-Point, and of its West End to near Sandy Point, but by Treaty of Utrecht An. 1713, quit-claimed the whole to Great Britain. Have only one Collection at Old-Road the Court ••or Shi••e-Town, several Entring and Delivery Ports: Basse-terre ships off most, next for shipping off is Sandy-Point. Th••y bring their Sugars to the shipping Places in Hds, not in Bags, as in Nevis and Montserrat: They ship off much Molasses, do not raise much Cotton, no Indigo, no Ging••r: They run much Sugar aboard the Dutch Interloopers at Statia, to save the 4 and half per C••. the Plantation Duties, &c.

May have about 25,000 Negroes; about 9 Parishes, each sends two Assembly Men. Good River Water from the Mountains.

VIRGIN ISLANDS. The Easternmost is called St. Thomas, at present in Possession of the Danes, a good Harbour, scarce any Surf at landing; good careening at this Island, a good Town, the Governor is Lutheran, the Congregation and Mother Tongue is Low Dutch. The Island is small; they raise Cotton and Sugar; it is a neutral and free Port, some say, to Pirates not excepted. Salt-Key, from which some Vessels bring Salt.—St. Iohns Island, two or three Gentlemen of Antegoa have a Patent for; they raise Cotton, and cut Iunkwood, or Lignum|vitae.—Tortola produces the same.—Beef-Island cuts Iunk|wood.—Spanish-Town or Virgin Gorda is the Westermost of the Virgins; they plant Cotton only, being a Mixture of Curaso whi•••• and yellow Revel indifferently planted together.

OTHER SMALL ISLANDS stragling between the Vir|gins and St. Christophers, viz. Anagada not settled, Sam|brero not settled, Anguilla raises Cotton, St. Martins, some Dutch in one Part and some French on another Part, St. Bartholomew a neutral Island not settled; Barbuda the Property of Codrington, is improved for grazing.

Iamaica.

Iamaica is a long Oval of about 50 Leagues in Length; the Discoverer Columbus and his Heirs were Proprietors of the Island: He called it St. Iago or St. Iames, we call it Iamaica in our Idiom.

Cromwel without declaring War * 1.102 sent Admiral Pen

and General Venables with a considerable Sea and Land-Force, to annoy the Spanish West-Indies: They miscar|ried at St. Domingo; but reduced Iamaica, Anno 1655, and remains with the English to this Day.

Iamaica is much subject to Hurricanes and Earth|quakes. Anno 1693 Port-Royal during an Earthquake was swallowed up: It may be supposed, that for many Years preceeding, the Sea did gradually undermine it, and upon Occasion of this Earthquake Port-Royal subsided.

They carry on a considerable illicit but profitable Trade to the Spanish Main, and return Pieces of Eight; and with the French of Hispaniola or St. Domingue the Returns are mostly Indigo.

Port-Royal of Iamaica is 76 d. 37 m. West from Lon|don,* 1.103 and in about 18 d. 30 m. N. Lat.

The Quitrents were generously given by the Crown, to the Treasury or Revenue of the Island. Lands grant|ed before Anno 1684 were at 2 s. 6 d. per 100 Acres

Quitrent, the new Grants are Half-penny per Acre per Annum Quitrent. The Rent Roll was lost or pretended to be lost, in the great Earthquake, and never settled since, the Quitrents sometimes amount to 2000 £. per Annum. Their Revenue Acts are temporary, but for a long Period; these Acts made Anno 1684, expired Anno 1722, and were not renewed and confirmed (by the Interest and Application of Governor Hunter) till Anno 1726.

A few Years since in Iamaica were 3000 fencible Men Whites, in 9 Regiments, besides 8 Independent Com|panies of regular Troops, 100 Men per Company is their full Compliment. The Receiver-General Mr. Cross some Years since in Boston for his Health, told me, that some Years he had 90,000 Negroes in his List.

From Iamaica are exported Sugar about 25,000 Hds very large, some of a Tun Weight; lately they have altered Freights from Number of Hogsheads, to Weight, and their Hogsheads will be smaller in Consequence. They have only Water Mills and Cattle Mills for their Canes; about 19 Parishes. Lately they begin to raise some Coffee, and have planted some Logwood Trees.

There is always stationed here a Squadron of British Men of War, generally under the Command of an Ad|miral. The Governor has a standing Salary of 2500 £. per Annum out of the Country Treasury in Course: The Assembly generally allow him a Gratuity of 2500 £. per Annum more; these with Escheats and all other Per|quisites do make it a Government of about 10,000 £. per An.

Duke of Albemarle concerned in Sir William Phips's fishing for a Spanish Plate Wreck, had good Success; and in Case such another fishing Voyage should present, that he might be near at Hand, obtained the Govern|ment of Iamaica: He soon died and was succeeded by Col. Molesworth.

Upon the Revolution Anno 1690 the Earl of Incha|queen appointed Governor, he died upon the Island,

and was succeeded by Sir William Beeston Lieutenant-Governor and Commander in chief Anno 1692, he died Anno 1700.

Major General Selwijn was appointed Captain-General and Governor Anno 1701; he died soon.

1702 The Earl of Peterborough (famous in Queen Anne's Wars in Spain) was appointed Captain-General of the Island, and Admiral in the West-India Islands; he never set out for this Government, and Col. Handasyde was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Iamaica. Anno 1696 Ponti with a French Squadron made a Feint a|gainst Iamaica, but without making any real Attempt, he put off for Carthagena, where he had good Success.

1710 Lord Archibald Hamilton was appointed Go|vernour, and superseded the Command of Col. Handa|syde; he was continued Anno 1714, upon K. George I's Accession.

1716 Mr. Pit (formerly Governor of Fort St. George in the East India Company, commonly called Diamond Pits) was appointed Governor, and Col. Otway Lieutenant Governor.

1717 Mr. Pit resigns in Favour of Mr. Laws a Planter, afterwards Sir Nicholas Laws; Col. Dubourgay Lieutenant-Governor. About this Time the Militia of Iamaica were disposed into one Regiment Horse, eight Regiments Foot.

1721 Duke of Portland appointed Governor (a Re|treat from South-Sea Disasters) he died in Summer 1726, and was succeeded by

Col. Hunter, who went thither, by Advice of his Phy|sicians, for his Health; and thereby did certainly obtain a Reprieve for some Years.

1734 Upon Col. Hunter's Death; Henry Cunningham A. 1734 went Governor; but soon died after his Arrival.

1736. Edward Trelawney, Esq appointed Governor, Anno 1744 he was appointed Colonel of a Regiment of Foot to be raised in England, for his good Services. He continues Governor at this Time 1747.

Bahama Islands.

Commonly called the Government of Providence the principal Island. One of these Islands called St. Salvidor or Cat-Island was the first Discovery that Columbus made in America.

They were granted by the Crown of England to the eight Proprietors of Carolina Anno 1663; but as the Proprietors took no Care to prevent Enemies and Pirates from harbouring and rendez using there, Anno 1710 it was resolved in Council of Great-Britain, "That the Queen do take the Bahama-Islands into her imme|diate Protection, and send a Governor to fortify Pro|vidence."

The Proprietors formerly granted a Lease of these Is|lands to a Number of Merchants called the Bahama-Company: This turned to no Account.

In the Spring Anno 1720. There set out from the Havana an Expedition of 1200 Men in 14 Vessels a|gainst Providence and South-Carolina; they visited Pro|vidence ••ut doing any Damage, and were scattered in a Storm.

The Ba••••s belonging to this Cluster of Islands and Keys are called Bahama-Banks, and make the East Side of the Gulph Stream of Florida; Providence the chief Island where the Governor and Garrison are stationed, lies in about 25 d. N. Lat. It is a Place of no Trade, and seems to be only a preventive Settlement, that Pi|rates and Privateers may not harbour there, and that the Spaniards may not be Masters of both Sides the Gulph Stream. Their small Trade has been Braziletto Dye-Wood, Cortex Elutherae from the Island of that Name, Salt from Exeuma, and Ambergrease by Drift-Whales: At present they afford Sea-Turtle, Lime▪ and sour Oranges for the Bons Vivants of North-America.

They have one Company Independent Regular Troops from Great-Britain. Capt. Woods Rogers Com|modore

of the two famous Bristol South-Sea Privateers in the End of Queen Anne's Reign, was Anno 1717 ap|pointed Governor with an Independent Company. 1721 He was superseded by Capt. Finny. 1728 Upon Capt. Finny's Death, Capt. Woods Rogers is again ap|pointed Governor. Capt. Rogers died Anno 1733, and Richard Fitz Williams, Esq is appointed Governor. Fitz Williams resigned Anno 1738, and Iohn Tinker, Esq, Son-in-Law to Col. Bladen, late of the Board of Trade, succeeded; and continues Governor at this pre|sent Writing August 1747.

Bermudas.

This Name is said to be from Iohn Bermudas a Spani|ard, who discovered i••, in his Way to the West-Indies. Henry May a Passenger aboard Barbotier cast away here, 1593, and tarried five Months, we do not mention, be|cause of no Consequence. Sir George Sommers and Sir Thomas Gates, Adventurers in the Virginia Company, were shipwreck'd here 1609, found Abundance of Hogs, a certain Sign that the Spaniards had been there; these Islands are sometimes called in publick Writings Som|mers, or corruptly Summer-Islands. Some Gentlemen obtained a Charter from King Iames I. and became Pro|prietors of it: Mr. Moor was their first Governor, Mr. Thomas Smith appointed Governor 1612, and after three Years succeeded by Capt. Daniel Tucker 1616. Mr. Richard Norwood a Surveyor was sent over by the Com|pany to make Divisions; 1618 he divided it into eight Tribes by the Names of the eight Proprietors or Ad|venturers, viz. Marquis of Hamilton, Sir Thomas Smith many Years Treasurer, Earl of Devonshire, Earl of Pem|broke, Lord Paget, Earl of Warwick, Earl of Southamp|ton, and Sir Edwin Sands. Each Tribe was divided into 50 Shares; every Adventurer to have his Share by casting of Lots in England, some had from one to twelve Shares; besides a great deal of Land l••ft for common

or publick Uses; each Share consisted of about 25 Acres, and remain so to this Day; the Value of a Share is 300 to 500 £. Proclamation Money; no Wheel-Carriages, no Enclosures, they tether their Cattle; High Ways only from 5 to 7 Feet wide.

At first they went upon Tobacco as the Humor then was in all the West-India Islands — 1619 Capt. Butler with a large Recruit of Settlers from England was Go|vernor, and the Legislature was settled in Governor, Council and Assembly; being formerly in a Governor and Council.

Anno 1698 Samuel Day, Esq was Governor; Anno 1700 Capt. Bennet was appointed Governor.

The present Governor is — Popple, Esq Anno 1747 upon his Brother's Death he succeeded; his Bro|ther Alured Popple Esq formerly Secretary to the Board of Trade and Plantations, was appointed Lieut.-Governor (the Commander in chief is designed only Lieut.-Go|vernor) Anno 1737.

Bermudas is in 32 d. 30 m. N. Lat. about 65 d. West from London, lies 200 to 300 Leagues Distance from the nearest Lands▪ viz. New-England, Virginia, South-Carolina, and Providence, or Bahama-Islands. Tide flows 5 Feet, is well secured by sunken Rocks, but Water sufficient, in narrow Channels and Turnings, requiring a good Pilot. Their only Settlement of No|tice is upon St. George's Island about 16 Miles long from E. N. E. to W. S. W. scarce a League wide in the broadest Place, in some Places the Spray of the Sea crosses the Island. The Winds from the North to the North-West, are the most prevalent; subject to smart Gusts of Wind, Thunder and Lightning. March, April and May is their whaling Time, but of no con|siderable Account; their Whale-Oil and Ambergrease are inconsiderable; the Governor has a Perquisite from the Royal Fish about 10 £. per Whale.

In Bermudas there may be about 5000 Whites, their fencible Men not much exceeding 1000 Men, and many

of these generally at Sea, their Militia consist of 100 Horse, and one Company Foot from each of the eight Tribes, there is in Garrison one Company Independant Regular Troops from Great-Britain always incomplete (as are all our Plantation Troops for Want of a proper Check) the Perquisite of the Governor.

Their Diet is mean, and the People generally poor, simply honest; but gay in a rustick Manner (Bermudas Giggs) they have the best Breed of Negroes, equal to white Men in their Navigation.

Their Trade is of small Account; they build their own Sloops of Cedar * 1.104 of their own Growth, fit for Use in 20 Years Intervals or Growth; their Keel-Pieces, Wales, and Beams are of Oak; their Mast are of white Pine, from New-England.

Their chief Business is building Sloops of Cedar, their own Growth, light Runners; their Exports are incon|siderable, viz. Some Pot-Herbs and Roots for the other Parts of America, a white Chalk-Stone easily chizeled for building Gentlemens Houses in the West-India Islands, Palmeto * 1.105 Leaves manufactured into Plait, better than the Straw-Work of Italy and of Nuns in some Countries: They are noted for going to fish upon Spanish Wrecks, they excel in diving.* 1.106

This Island (or rather Islands) is generally healthful. The famous Mr. Waller a Gentleman of Fortune and

Wit, a Member of the long Parliament, resided here some Years during the civil Wars of England, says of Bermudas,

* 1.107 None sickly lives, or dies before his Time, So sweet the Air, so moderate the Clime.

Formerly Pine-Apples and some other delicious Fruits of the Caribee Islands, were cultivated in Bermudas; but

by cutting down the Timber and Wood, the Island is become so open and exposed to the bleak Winds, tender Exaticks do not thrive.

SECT. III. Concerning the Indian Tribes and Nations; intermixed with, under the Protection of, and in Alliance with Great-Britain: Also some Hints of the French Indians.

THAT the Contents of this Section may be the more easily comprehended, perhaps it may be convenient to distinguish it into some separate Articles. 1. A general History of the West-Indians, or aboriginal Americans. 2. Their Religion, Language, Manners, Arts and Improvements in Nature. 3. Their Tribes or Nations laying upon, or near the Eastern Shore of North-America. 4. Their Wars with, and Incursions upon the British North-America Colonies.

ARTICLE 1. A general History of the aboriginal Americans.

AS to the Origin of Things, particularly of Man|kind, we have no other Account in Credit with Christians, whether allegorical or literal is not my Af|fair, but that of Moses in the Scriptural Books of our

Bible or Religion: Doubtless there have been at Times general or almost universal Pestilences, Famines, Deluges, implacabl•• Wars; which have almost extinguished the Race of Mankind in the Countries where these general Calamities prevailed; and must require many Centuries to repeople them, from the small remaining Stock, and to reduce them by Gradations * 1.108 to large Societies called Tribes or Cantons, Nations, and Empires.

The Boundaries of their united Tribes, called Nations or Empires, are natural, viz. Seas, Bays, Lakes, great Rivers, high Mountains, thus for Instance, our neigh|bouring Nation of Abnaquies are bounded by the Atlan|tick Ocean, or rather at present by the English Set|tlements upon the Atlantick Shore, by the Bay of Fundi, by the great River St. Laurence, by Lake Cham|plain and Hudson's River.

The Tribes which, at least nominally, compose their general Denomination of a Nation, are generally named from the Rivers upon which they live; as in Lapland of Sweden, the Laplanders are distinguished by the Names of the Rivers Uma, Pitha, Lula, Torneo, and Kimi.

As China seems to be the elder Brother of all the Na|tions of Mankind as to their Politia and Improvements in Nature; so America may with much Propriety be called the youngest Brother and meanest of Mankind; no Civil Government, no Religion, no Letters▪ the French call them Les Hommes des Bois, or Men-Brutes of the Forrest: They do not cultivate the Earth by plant|ing or grazing: Excepting a very inconsiderable Quan|tity of Mays or Indian Corn, and of Kidney-Beans (in New England they are called Indian Beans) which some of their Squaas or Women plant; they do not provide

for To-Morrow, their Hunting is their necessary Sub|sistence not Diversion; when they have good Luck in Hunting, they eat and sleep until all is consumed and then go a Hunting again.

The higher the Latitudes, the Indians are fewer in Numbers and more straggling, Nature not affording ne|cessary Subsistence for many, and only in small Bodies or Herds: Their Trade or Commerce is trifling, having no Produce, no Manufacture, but little Game; the Difficulty of subsisting requires almost their whole Time to provide for themselves.

Excepting that Constitution of Body, which by Use they have acquired from their Birth, of enduring Hard|ships of Hunger and Weather; they are tender, and not long-lived, and generally very simple and ignorant, some of their old Men by Use and Experience in the World, acquire a considerable Degree of Sagacity. New Negroes from Guinea generally exceed them much in Constitution of Body and Mind. In the Province of Massachusetts-Bay New-England, there was formerly a very good Project or Design, to educate at College, some of their most promising Youths, to serve as Mis|sionaries for civilizing, instructing and converting of the wild Indians: This good Purpose turn'd abortive from the Tenderness of their Constitution and Aukwardness in Learning, and at present is laid aside.

They are not so polite as the wandring Tartars, no Dairys. Like the wild Irish they dread Labour more than Poverty, like Dogs they are always either eating or sleeping, excepting in Travelling, Hunting, and their Dances; their Sloth and Indolence inclines them to Sottishness; before Christians arrived amongst them, they had no Knowledge of strong Drink; this Chri|stian Vice not only destroys their bodily Health, and that of their Progeny, but creates Feuds, Outrages, and horrid Murders. They are much given to Deceit and Lying, so as scarce to be believed when they speak Truth. See Annotations Page 116. Their Temper is

the Reverse of the East Indians, whereof some Casts or Sects will not kill any Animal; the West Indians or Americans are barbarous, and upon small Provocations kill their own Species; some of them exceed in Bar|barity, and in Revenge and Fury eat the Flesh of their Enemies, not from Hunger or Delicacy; such formerly were the Florida Indians, they said that the Flesh of the English eat mellow and tender, that of the Spaniard hard and tough, the Bermudian fishy.

The Aboriginal Americans have no Honesty, no Ho|nour, that is, they are of no Faith, but meer Brutes in that Respect. They generally have great Fortitude of Mind; without any Appearance of Fear or Concern, they suffer any Torture and Death. In Revenge they are barbarous and implacable; they never forget nor forgive Injuries; if one Man kills another, the nearest in Kindred to the murdered, watches an Opportunity to kill the Murderer; and the Death of one Man may occasion the Deaths of many; therefore when a Man is guilty of Murder, he generally leaves the Tribe, and goes into a voluntary Kind of Banishment. They are a sullen close People. The Indian Wars ought to be called Massacres, or inhumane barbarous Out-rages, rather than necessary Acts of Hostility.

The Indians have their Hunting, Fowling and Fish|ing Grounds, by a forked pointed Pole, they strike or harpoon their Fish; but their Wives and Children reside mostly on their planting Grounds, they plant but little. They do not wander like the Tartars; there are said to be some wandering Indians, they cannot be many; because the settling Indians are very jealous of their hunting and fishing Grounds or Properties.

Their ancient Navigation was only crossing of Rivers upon Bark-logs, travelling along Rivers, Rivulets and Sides of Lakes in Canoes or Schuyties, portable by two Men in their Carrying-Places from one River or Pond to another, they are of Birch-Bark upon Ribs of Ash, sow'd together by some tough wooden Fibres, and

paid (as Sailors express it) with Rozin from some Pine Kind; they use no Sails and Oars, only Paddles and Setting-Poles; they are capable of carrying a Man, his Wife, Children and Baggage. Narrow Rivers are better travelling than Ponds or Lakes, because upon the Lakes, if stormy or much Wind, they cannot proceed, but must put to the Shore.

Many of our intermixed Indians are of good Use as Servants. It is observable, that amongst the Indian Ser|vants and Negro Slaves; the silly, thoughtless, and pu|silanimous answer best; some perhaps may observe from this, that the blind passive Obedience and Non-Re|sistence Men, make the best Subjects and Court Slaves in Europe.

The Indians between the Tropicks, their Complexion is not of so good a metaline Copper Lustre, but paler, Stature smaller, not so robust and couragious; but by Reason of the Fertility of the Country are in larger Tribes and consequently more civilized; and from be|ing civilized, their Confederacies and federal Unions re|duced them into vast Empires * 1.109: Such were the Em|pire of Mexico, their Moderator or principal Man was Mon••ezuma; and the Empire of Peru, Attabaliba was their leading Man. The Empire of Mexico seems to have been the more polite, that of Peru the more rich, as having vast Treasures of Silver and Gold.

The Northern Tribes are small and distinct; a large Parcel of Land laying waste (in Winter-Countries) for many Months in the Ye••••, not fertile, and not cleared of Woods, cannot subsist many People, but these

small * 1.110 Tribes, though much dispersed are allied by Contiguity, Language, and Intermarriages; thus it is with our neighbouring Abnaquies who border upon New-England; the Iroquois or Mohawks who border upon New York, Pensylvania and Virginia; and the Chirakees who bo••der upon Carolina; these may be called three distinct great Nations.

The Indians in the high Latitudes are paler, short, thick, squat; cloathed with Skins (generally Seals-Skins) sow'd with Thongs; no Bread-Kind, no Fire; live upon Whale and Seal-Blubber, and other Fish; and what Beasts they may kill with their Arrows and Darts; their Boats and Canoes are of a singular Make, adapted only for one Person; in the Winter they live in Caves.

Indians in general paint their Bodies, especially their Faces (they affect red Colour) as the Picts and Britons of Great-Britain formerly were accustomed.

In the higher Latitudes the Indians reckon by Winters (Years) Moons (Months) and Sleeps (Nights.) Be|tween the Tropicks they reckon by Rains (the Seasons of Rains, End of Summer and Beginning of Autumn are periodical, as are our Winters) Moons and Sleeps. In computing Distances, they reckon by Sleeps or Days Travel (as the Dutch do by Hours) viz. so many Sleeps or Days Travel from one Place to another.

Notwithstanding of the Unpoliteness and Want of Fire-Arms amongst the American Aboriginals, the Euro|peans could not have effected their Settlements because of vast Disparity in Numbers; if some disaffected Tribes, to be revenged of the Impositions and Encroach|ments of some neighbouring Tribes, had not joined the European Small-Arms; thus Cortez against Mexico was

joined by several disaffected Tribes; when the Settlers of New Plymouth first landed, Massasoit was glad of the Countenance of their Small Arms against the Na|ragansets.

As to their Make and Complexion.* 1.111 They have thin Lips, flattish Faces, languid Countenance, small black

Eyes, imberbes and impuber••••, Stature various as in Eu|rope; in the high North and South Latitudes, they are taller and more robust, than between the Tropicks; their Hair jet black, lank (between the Tropicks not so lank) stiff, called by the French Crin. The Spaniards found it more tedious and much more difficult to reduce Chili, than in their other American Conquests. Their Com|plexion is of a splendid redish Brown, or metaline Lustre, which is well expressed by a Copper Colour; thus a splendid White, is called Silver Colour: Not of an Olive-Colour or tawney (a tanned Leather yellowish Colour) as are the Aborigines of Barbary, and some of their Progeny in the South Parts of France, Spain, and Portugal. Some Indians upon the Isthmus of Darien, are of a milk-white Complexion, which is not natural and hereditary; but proceeds from a tender morbid Constitution, their Parents were copper-coloured, and their Children become copper-coloured.

Their Posture is not cross-legg'd as among the Asia|ticks; accumbent as formerly with the Greeks and Ro|mans, laying on their left Side, leaning upon their Elbow; nor cowring as the Women call it, the Manner of the African Negroes, Knees bent and Legs parallel to their Thighs; nor sitting upon their Buttocks and Thighs with their Legs dependant as in Europe; but sitting on their Buttocks erect with their Thighs and Legs in a strait Line extended horizontally.

Our general Trade with the Indians is Fire-Arms, Powder, and Shot for War and Hunting; Strouds and Blankets for Cloathing; Spirits, Rum and Brandy for Indolence; formerly Toys, which were as considerable though silly Amusement to them, as Jewels are to us.

In Travelling they direct their Course by noted Mountains, by the Sun when visible, by the mossy or North side of Trees. As most Insects avoid Oils, the Indians grease themselves as a Defence against Muskitoes and other troublesom Flies.

Many of our European's Purchasers of Lands can scarce be said, for valuable Considerations: But a long Pos|session and in Consequence Prescription have made our Title good. Father Ralle a late ingenious Jesuit and French Missionary with the New-England Abnaquie In|dians, about 26 Years since, did kindle a War or Insur|rection of those Indians in New-England; by inculcat|ing, that they held their Lands of GOD and Nature in succeeding Generations, that Fathers could not alienate the Earth from their Sons. We use no other Artifice to keep the Indians in our Interest, but, by undersell•••••••• the French, and giving a higher Price for Indian Co••|modities; this is fair and just.

Our printed Histories of the Indian Countries, their Governments, Religion, Languages, and Customs; are credulously copied from credulous Authors, and full of silly Conceits; a very late and notable Instance of this, we find in the Journal of Anson's Voyage to the South-Seas, published by the Mathematical Master of the Cen|turion, Anno 1745.

Strictly speaking, they seem to have no Government, no Laws, and are only cemented by Friendship and good Neighbourhood; this is only a Kind of tacit fe|deral Union between the many Tribes, who compose the general Denomination of a Nation; every individual Man seems to be independant and sui juris, as to Go|vernment, and is only in Friendship and neighbourly Relation with others of the same Tribe: Notwith|standing we sometimes find Heads of Tribes mentioned as if in Succession, nay even Female Successions; in the New-England Pocanoket, Mount-Hope, or King Philip's War Anno 1675, there is mentioned the Squaa-Sachem of Pocasset, and a Squaa-Sachem amongst the Nara|gansets. In other Parts of the Earth all Societies or Cohabitants have Government, and an absolute com|pelling Power is lodged somewhere and in some Man|ner; but the American Indians have no compulsive ••ower over one another: When a Tribe or Neigh|bourhood

send Delegates, to treat with other Bodies of Men Whites or Indians; the Conclusions are carried home memoriter, and the young Men must be perswaded to come into these Articles; when the Indians at any Time are forced into a Peace, the Blame of the War is laid upon their young Men.

The aboriginal Cloathing of the Northern Indians was Skins of Seals cut in particular Fashions, and sow'd together with Thongs (they had no Threads of Flax, Hemp, or any other Herbs) in other Parts they wore Skins of the va|rious Beasts of the Forrest: At present the Indians who have Commerce with the Colonies from Europe, wear Duffils and Blanketing of about two Yards square, which the Romans called a * 1.112 Toga; their Segamores or Sachems wear Blankets with a Border of a different Co|lour, and may be called Praetextati.

ARTICLE 2. The Religion, Language, Food and Medicine, with some other loose Particulars relating to the American Indians.

AS the Americans before the Arrival of Colonies from Europe, seem to have been and still continue in general, the most barbarous and the least polished Peo|ple upon Earth; a clear, exact and full Account of these Things cannot be expected, but for the greater Perspicuity we reduce them under distinct Heads.

I. Religion of the Americans.

Some Indians of Sagacity, a little civilized and in|structed towards the Christian Religion, can give no dis|tinct Account of any Indian Religion, and do stumble much at the Mysteries of our Christian Religion, being indiscreetly crouded upon them at once, and with too much Impetuosity, without previous Instruction, if you do not believe immediately, you will be damned, is the Expression of our Zealots; whereas they ought to be first tamed by Familiarity and fair Dealing, in friendly Conversation u••on proper Occasions, without any Ap|pearance of Officiousness, ins••ruct them in natural Re|ligion and Morality, these are plain and easily compre|hended; afterwards with Discretion, they may be by de|grees initiated into the Mysteries of our Religion: Our Missionaries, void of common Prudence, in a reverse pre|posterous Manner begin with the abstruse Articles of the Christian Religion, and thence proceed to instruct them in the plain easy Dictates of Nature. In a silly, low cant Way, some of our Preachers tell the Indians, that the Christians GOD is a better GOD than the Indians GOD; whereas, they ought to inform them, that there is but One supreme GOD, and that our Man••er of worshiping this GOD is more agreable to the GODHEAD, as being more natural and decent. If some of our Indian Traders were instructed, and at a publick Charge capacitated to sell cheap amongst the Indians, they would gain their Affections in this trading familiar friendly Manner, and lay a good Foundation for their Conversion towards Christianity: An abrupt Christian religious Mission a|mongst them seems absurd; if the Emperor of China, or the Grand Turk should send Missionaries into Great Britain to convert the People there to the Doctrines of Confucius or Mahomet, instead of gaining Proselytes, it would avert them. The following Digression may be acceptable to some of our Readers.

A Digression concerning the Religions of ancient Nations.

I do not presume to write concerning the controver|sial or devotional Points of our modern Religions, na|tional, or private Opinions; that is the Business of a peculiar Profession or Craft, called Priests.

Religion improves in Nations, Hand in Hand with good Policy, and as they become more and more civi|lized. It may be called the Cement of Society. The Romans did fight pro aris et focis, for their Religion, as well as for their Country. Amongst the West India Bu|caneers the most morally vicious of Mankind; the French immovably adhered to one another because of their being all Roman Catholicks, the English to one ano|ther as being Protestants, and not from any other Regard. Otherways both agreed and acted jointly as Pirates.

As to Religion, all Mankind may be divided into three Sects.

I. They who believe in a supreme Intelligence (or Intelligences) who by Omnipotence created and framed the World, and by infinite Wisdom manages it: They may be called the Godly. With this Class, the divine Attribute INCOMPREHENSIBLE ought to resolve and compose all Altercations concerning this Being: Plutarch says, there is but One and the same supreme Being or Providence, that governs the World, though worship|ed by Multiplicity of Names, by various Nations and Sectaries. This Sect admits of three Sub-divisions.

1. Theists, commonly called Deists, who admit of no Modifications in the Deity; in ancient Times and to this Day, they are improperly called Atheists. Amongst us, he who denies the Trinity, is in Law deemed Atheist and Blas|phemer. Anaxagoras the Philosopher passed at Athens for an Atheist, because he denied that the Sun, the o|ther Planets and the Stars were Gods. Socrates is said to have been a Martyr for the Unity of the Godhead, refusing to pay Homage to the various Gods of Greece. This is the national (if we may thus express) Religion

of the Mahometans, having the largest Extent of all national Religions. It is the private Opinion of many who are intermixed with and go by the Name of Chri|stians, and are generally designed Arians, or Socinians, (Socinus of Sienna in Italy) they also deny Original Sin and Providence.

2. Tritheists or Trinitarians. The distinguishing Te|net of all true Orthodox Christians: They worship Di|vinity under three distinct Modifications, which I shall not pretend to explain or illustrate, because a Mystery.

3. Polytheists. Such were the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans: The Poets had a greater Variety of Gods than the Philosophers, many of them to be looked upon as a Machinary introduced to embellish a Poem, and to amuse the Mind: They deified various Parts of Nature, and were great Promoters of Polytheism. All the Gods and Goddesses of the Ancients were only Mo|difications, Words or Names, to express several Attri|butes of a supreme Being, the Excellencies in Nature, and the Virtues of Heroes and very eminent Men; as if in Britain we should say NEWTON the God of Na|tural Philosophy and Mathematicks, ADDISON, the God of the Belles Lettres and polite Learning.

II. They who admit of no supreme Intelligence, but say that blind Matter is the Extent of our Knowledge▪ these are the literal and true Atheists. Anaximander was the first noted Atheist upon Record, about 600 Years before CHRIST; his noted Followers were Lucippus, Democritus, Epicurus, Lucretius &c; in these late Times, * 1.113 some singularly self-conceited of their own Penetration, have avowedly declared themselves such, in Despite of all the polite Part of Mankind.

III. The third Sect made its first Appearance by Means of Pyrrho, in the 120 Olympiad, they doubted of every Thing. Cicero and Seneca two great Men were in|clined this Way; late D. of Buckingham, an ingenious Man, the Epitaph which he made for himself begins, Dubius vixi, incertus morior, &c: Dr. B—ly B. of Cl—ue seems to affirm, in a whimsical Manner, that eve|ry Thing we see is an Illusion, that the whole Series of Life is a continued Dream.

To these we may add, that, There is with all sober|minded Men only one general Religion. THE PRAC|TICE OF TRUE AND SOLID VIRTUE. The Belief in certain Vague Opinions, the observing of fixed or ap|pointed external Rites and Ceremonies, do not enlighten the Understanding, or purify the Heart by rectifying the Passions. Mr. Pope in his Essay upon Man, well ex|presses it.

For various Modes of Faith, let wicked Zealo••s fight: He can't be wrong, who's Life is in the right.

Sir Isaac Newton used to say, when the Conversation run upon Differences in Religion,

He knew of no Hereticks or Schismaticks but the Wicked and the Vicious.

Let us investigate the Origin and Progress of Religion from the Nature of Things. Mankind is naturally a su|perstitious pavidum Animal, some few cunning designing Men, take the * 1.114 Advantage of this general Weakness of humane Nature; and as Nurses do frighten and awe Children by Hobgoblins and Bugbears, so they by Voci|ferations, Gesticulations, and pretended Familiarity with some superior invisible Being, promise to conciliate his Benevolence, in procuring Good luck in their Affair of Life (thus Powowers promise Good-luck in Hunting to the Indians) they avert Sickness and other Calamities;

sometimes from the said Familiarity, they impose pre|tended Dreams, Visions and Impulses, as do our present New Light Disciples of a vagrant or strolling Actor of Enthusiasm. The Chinese, though a polite People, their Commonalty are much addicted to Superstition and Magick.

From this the Wisemen, that is the Lawgivers and Ministers of State in Greece and elsewhere took the Hint, and set up Oracles, which were absolutely under their own Direction and Influence, these were of good Use to reconcile the silly (but varium et mutabile vulgus) People, to what the State in Wisdom had proposed upon any extraordinary Occasions: These Oracles were deli|vered by Women; the Sybils were called Fatidicae, that is, prophecying and fortune-telling Women; our Women Exhorters among the Quakers and Methodists are not of the same good Use.

Herodotus writes (Cicero calls him the Father of His|tory) that the ancient Persians had neither Temples, Altars nor Statues; in this Condition we found the Aboriginal Indians or Americans. When Nations began to be civilized, we find the first Objects of Adoration (proceeding from Admiration) were the Sun, Moon, other Planets, and the Stars, in Egypt; and the Periods of their Revolutions were used in the Computation of Time. The Revolution of the Sun was called a Year, that of the Moon a Month; every Planet had one Day assigned him, and these seven planetary Days were called a Week: If there had been more or fewer Planets, the Days of the Week would have been more or fewer; Moses brought up in all the Learning of the Egyptians, retained the same in his History-Part of our Bible, and carries on the Allegory (as some Free-Thinkers call it) of the Creation accordingly. Our American Indians had no Knowledge of the Planets, and therefore had no Reckonings by Weeks or Returns of seven Days. The planetary Names of the Days of the Week, at first View, seem confused and at Random; but in Fact

they were methodically so called: They began by the Sun as being the most glorious Planet, and assigned to him the first Day of the Week, Dies Solis or Sunday (Sab|bath-day is of a Iewish Signification and properly the Seventh Day of the Week, Lord's Day is novel and peculiar to Christians) from thence reckoning in the na|tural Order of the Planets, allowing a Planet to every Hour of the 24 which compose a Day, the next in Course according to the Astronomy of these Days was Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Iupiter, Mars, and con|sequently the Sun had the eighth Hour, the fifteenth and twenty-second Hour, Venus the twenty-third, Mer|cury the twenty-fourth, consequently the Moon had the first Hour of the next Parcel of 24 Hours, and gave Name to the second Day of the Week, Dies Lunae or Monday; and in the same Rotation Mercury gives Name to the third, Iupiter to the fourth Day of the Week, &c. In Britain we have substituted four of our North-Country or Gothick Gods in Place of Mercury, Mars, Iupiter, and Venus.

So far back as ancient Records do inform, we find that amongst the Egyptians and Orientals, Religion first began to acquire a national Consistence or System. The Philosophers of Greece went to Egypt and Asia to study Wisdom, Learning, and Religion; those of Rome went to Greece: They all did so much indulge a poe|tical or mythological Vein, that it is difficult to distinguish between their true established Religion and Gods, from the Fabulous.

The various Religions at this Time amongst the Na|tions of this Earth (the several Parts of the Earth that can be of any Consequence, are now well explored, and the Americans may be well said to be of no Religion) may be reduced to these general Heads. 1. The Chri|stian, or Believers in Iesus Christ, which perhaps is that of Moses with Additions and Emendations; this may be called the Religion of Europe, some few Turkish Dominions in Europe excepted. 2. The Mahometan,

which is much more extensive▪ and does prevail in a great Part of Africa, in a great Part of Asia, and in some Part of Europe. 3. That of Confucius, being the Followers of the Doctrines of Confucius in China and the neighbouring Parts of Tartary. 4. May be com|prehended under the general Name of Idolaters, wh•• worship the Objects, or the Images and Representations of the Objects which they adore from Love or Fear▪ the Lama of the Eastern Tartars I call an Idol.

The Negroes of Africa have a Kind of Religion, which may be called Idolatry; they worship some ma|terial Objects, which in their Nature may be extremely beneficial or very hurtful to Mankind, the first through Admiration and Love, the other through Fear: but our stupid America Indians had no Temples, no Altars, no Idols or Images, no set Times for Worship, if it may be called Worship, it is only occasional with fran|tick and ridiculous Vociferations and Gesticulations, in Cases of Sickness or great Calamities, performed by some of their cunning Men called Powowers: They never harrass European Captives to change their Reli|gion; no religious Wars, * 1.115 no Confusions from Convo|cations.

The Powowers are not Parish-Priests or Clergy, re|gularly set apart to initiate the People into the Myste|ries of Religion, and to perform some Rites and Cere|monies called religious; they are of the same Nature with rascally Cheats and pretended Conjurers, that in the most civilized Nations of Europe (intirely distinct from any Sort of Religion) impose upon ignorant and

weak People, by pretending to some familiar Conversa|tion with some superior secret Being. Their Powowers by Aid of this Influence become also their Physicians, this seems to be natural; even with us a civilized People, our Priests or Gospel-Ministers, by the same Aid, are very apt officiously to intrude into the Office of a Physician, and use the Sick as their Patients as well as their Penitents: Priests and Old Women of both Sexes (as Dean Swift humorously expressed it) are the great Nu••sances to a regular Medical Practice. Expertus loquor. This perhaps may be the natural Reason, why some Physicians use the Clergy with Contempt.

I do not find that Christianity is like to have any good Footing among the Indians: 1. We are not exemplary enough in common Life and commercial Dealings: The Indians say, that they cannot perceive Mankind the better for being Christians; Christians do cheat them out of their Lands and other Effects, and some|times deprive them of their Lives. 2. Our Missiona|ries are generally void of Discretion; the Indians are in all Respects wild, know nothing of the general Ru|diments of Religion: * 1.116 The Missionaries instead of first taming and civilizing the Indians, and next instructing them in the Principles of natural Religion and Morality▪

do begin with the sublime Mysteries of our Religion, such as, How many Persons are there in the Godhead? and the like. Thus from the Beginning they are be|wildered and lost for ever. 3. Some Piae fraudes which at first may amuse, but afterwards when discovered, leave a permanent Prejudice against the Christian Re|ligion; thus it is said, that some French Missionaries in relating to the Indians, the History of our Saviour's Birth and Sufferings, tell them that the Virgin Mary was a French Woman, that the English crucified JESUS CHRIST.

Language.

Their Manner of Expression is vehement and em|phatick; their Ideas being few, their Language is not copious, it consists only of a few Words; and many of these ill-contrived, by a rumbling Noise or Sound of many Syllables, they express an Idea or Thing, which in the European Languages is done by a Syllable or two: As their Ideas increase, they are obliged to adapt the European Words of adjoining Colonies. In numbering they use the same natural Way of reckoning by Tens, as in Europe, Ten being the Number of humane Fin|gers. No Chronicles, scarce any traditionary Accounts of Things extending back further than two or three Generations; scarce any Indians can tell their own Age.

They had no * 1.117 Characters, that is, Hieroglyphics or Letters; they had a few Symbols or Signatures, as if

in a Heraldry Way to distinguish Tribes, the principal were the Tortoise, the Bear, the Wolf. There was not the least Vestige of Letters in America; some Years since a certain credulous Person, and voluminous Au|thor, imposed upon himself and others; he observed in a tiding River, a Rock, which, as it was not of an uni|form Substance, the ebbing and the flowing of the Tide made a Sort of vermoulure, Honey-combing or etching on its Face; here he imagined, that he had discovered the America Indian Characters, and overjoy'd, remits some Lines of his imaginary Characters to the Royal Society in London: See Philosophical Transactions, No. 339. "At Taunton by the Side of a tiding River, Part in, Part out of the River there is a large Rock, on the perpendicular Side of which, next to the Stream, are 7 or 8 Lines, about 7 or 8 Feet long, and about a Foot wide each of them, ingraven with unaccountable Characters, not like any known Character." This may be supposed wrote Anno 1714: At present Anno 1747 by the continued ebbing and flowing the Honey-comb|ing is so altered as not in the least to resemble his Draught of the Characters.

As the Indians were so rude, as to have no Letters or other Characters, there is no certain Way of writing their Names of Things; all we can do is to express their Sounds or Pronunciations as near as may be in our own Letters. Father Ralle of Noridgwog, and some other scholastick French Missionaries, have imagined that the Greek Alphabet suits their Pronunciation best. The Indians have a figurative Way of expressing themselves

as if in Hieroglyphics; thus, renewing of Alliances they call brightning of the Chain.

There is no general fixed Way of writing India•• Words, therefore we shall not mind any particular Or|thogra••hy in that Respect, only we shall endeavour to be understood: For Instance the Indian Tribe upon Quenebeck River in New-England we write and pronounce it Naridgwoag, the French Missionaries write it Narant|soack: The Tribe of the Iroquois or five New York al|lied Indian Nations which we call Sennekas, the Fre••ch call them Sonontouans.

There is not the same Reason for preserving the In|dian Names of their Countries, Nations, Tribes, Moun|tains and Rive••s; as there is for preserving the Greek, Roman, and other more modern Names of such Things in Europe; The Indians have no civil or classi|cal History to require it. The Indians change their own personal Names, and the Names of other Thing•• upon trifling Occasions: Our Indians affect to have English Names; thus Massas••it's two Son•• desir••d of the Court of Plymouth to give them English Name••, they were accordingly named Alexander and Philip; this Philip formerly Metacomet, was chief in a subsequent Indian War called King Philip's War. Capt. Smith t••e Traveller, resided 19 Years in Virginia and New-Eng|land, and wrote a History of those Parts, Anno 1624, he enumerates the Names of many Tribes, Rivers and other Things, which are now irrecoverably lost.

As the Indian Dealings and mutual Correspondence is much confined, their several Languages are of small Extent.* 1.118

III. Food and Medicine of the Aboriginal Indians.

Our Indians do not imitate the Bees, Ants, &c. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up Stores, but like rapacious Animals, live 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hand to Mouth; after long Fasting, they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and upon a gluttonous Repast, can fast many Days, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bracing in or reefing their Girdles or Belts.

The far North Indians of West Greenland, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Labarador &c. live upon the Blubber of Whales, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••nd other Fish, and their most generous Beverag•••• Fish-Oil; scarce any Quadrupids or Fowls, not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the Severity and long Continuance of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 W••••ther, Frost and Snow, but also because their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and other Lands instead of Grass and other 〈◊〉〈◊〉, bear only Moss.

The Indians in the more moderate Climates live 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hunting, Fowling and Fish: They do not cle••r 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cultivate the Forrest, by planting and grazing; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some of their Squaas or Women improve in plantin•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mays and Indian Beans. Their Bread Kind are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 * 1.119

or Indian Corn, Phaseolus Kidney or Indian-Beans, sev••ral Sorts of tuberous Roots called Ground-Nuts; several Sorts of Berries, particularly several Sorts of Vitis Idea, in New-England called Huckle-Berries. Upon a conti|nued March, where Hunting and Fowling is inconsidera|ble, they carry with them, for Subsistence, parched In|dian Corn called No-cake.

The Abnaquies or New-England Northern and Eastern ••ndians, because of the Hunting and Fowling failing▪ during the Winter are obliged to remove to the Sea|side, and live upon Clams, Bass, Sturgeon &c.

Their medical Practice, resembles that of officious old Women in some remote Country-Villages of Europe; meer Empiricism, or rather a traditionary blind Practice; they regard only the Symptoms that strike the gross Senses most, without Respect to any less obvious princi|pal Symptom, which may be called the Disease, or to Constitution, Sex, and Age. The Powowers Conjurers or Wizards are their principal Physicians.

They do not use our Way of V. S. but Practi••••-cupping; they vomit and purge by particular Herbs or Roots: Instead of Vesicatories and Causticks they burn with Touchwood. Their principal Remedy is sweating in Hutts, warmed by heated Stones, and thereupon imme|diate Immer••ion in cold Wate••▪ this seems to be a ra|tional Practice, first by relaxing to give a free Passage to the obstructed circulatory Juices; and after a free Passage is supposed to be obtained, by cold Immersion, to brace up again: In inflammatory and eruptive epidemical Fe|••ers v. g. Small-Pox, this Practice depopulates them.

Their Medicines are only simple indige••ous Herbs; they use no Exotick Plants, no Minerals, ••o Medicinal Compositions, or Chimical Preparations. The Vi••tu••s or proper Uses of their Herbs were discovered by Chance, and their Simples which have had a peculiar continued Success, have been handed down or transmit|ted from Generation to Generation. As it is amongst

Brutes of a simple steddy ••••nner of Regimen and Liv|ing, so with our Indians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is no Multiplicity of Distempers, therefore their * 1.120 Materia Medica is not copious.

Our Indians are so tender, and habituated to a certain Way of Living; they do not bear Transplantation: For Instance, the Spanish Indians captivated in the St. Au|gustine War Anno 1702, and sold for Slaves in New-England, soon died consumptive, this occasioned an Act of Assembly to discourage their Importation. Europeans seem to thrive the better for being transplanted; the ••rogeny of Europeans born in America do not bear Removals, the Reasons I cannot assign: For Instance, from Massachusetts-Bay Province in New-England 500 Men upon the Cuba and Carthagena Expedition, not ex|ceeding 50 survived; 3000 Men upon the Cape Bre••on Expedition, near one half died naturally in Louisbourg, or soon after their Arrival in New-England; of about 300 Persons late Prisoners and Captives in Quebec of Canada about 70 died there.

They are not so LASCIVIOUS as Europeans, (Asiaticks are more lascivious than Europeans, witness the Seraglios and Harams of the great Men in Turkey and Persia, and the dispersed Iews in Europe) they never offer Violence to our Women Captives: but are not so continent, as is generally represented by Authors; Mrs. Rowlandson,

Wife to the Minister of Lancaster in New-England, cap|tivated by the Indians Anno 1676, writes, that her In|dian Master had three Squaas or Wives; Mr. Brainerd a Scotland Missionary, in the Journal of his Mission, printed Anno 1746, mentions "the abusive Practice of Indian Husbands and Wives, putting away each other, and taking others in their Stead."

IV. The Indian Americans Trade and C••rrencies.

TRADE. Their chief Trade is Skins and Furs, the Produce of their Hunting, mostly Deer-Skins and Beaver.

Beaver the further South, have less Furr and more Hair; the further North the Staple is the longer: They reckon eight Sorts of Beaver, viz. Winter, and Summer, fat, and dry &c; the Winter Fat is the best, next to Coat-Beaver, which is Beaver wore till it is well greased. A Beaver-Skin may weigh from one Pound and a half to two Pound; an Indian Pack of Beaver may weigh about 80lb Wt. Beaver breed once a Year, 10 to 15 at a Litter. In the very high Latitudes there are no Beaver, because no Wood, Beaver require Wood, which they cut or rather gnaw with their Teeth (thus Squirrels and Rats gnaw Timber) into Lengths called Junks or Logs for making their Dams, and Part of their Food or Subsistence is the Bark of Trees. Three Quarters of the Return•• of the Hudson's Bay Company, is in Beaver to about the Value of 40,000 £. Ster. per Annum. The same good Animal affords another Commodity, Castoreum, call|ed Beaver-Stone; this is not according to a vulgar Er|ror, the Testicles, but some inspissited Secretion contain'd in a Couple of Glands near the A••us of both Males and Females.

Deer-Skins much more plenty Southward; South-Ca|rolina does export per An. the Value of 25,000 £. to 30,000 £. Ster. in Deer-Skins.

In the high Latitudes, they deal with a small Matte•• of Feathers, Whale-Bone, and Blubber, or Fish-Oil.

CURRENCIES. Their commercial Standard of Cur|rencies, is to the Northward (I mean in North-America) per Pound Beaver-Skin Value, to the Southward per Pound Deer-Skin Value.

They formerly had, and in some Places still retain for small Currency (in New-England in old Charter Times, they were a Tender for any Sum not exceeding Forty Shil|lings) Wampum or Wampum-Peag, being small Bits of a the spiral Turns of a Buccinum or Whelk; this done up into Strings and certain Plaits or Belts, was a large Deno|mination, and large Sums were reckoned by the Number of Fathoms of this Wampum-Plait: Thus we read in the Histories of former Times, for Instance, that the Naraganset Indians, sent 200 Fathom of Wampum, to pay in Part a Debt to Boston Colony; Uncas Sachem of the Moheags in Connecticut, paid 100 Fathom Wam|pum, for Monies due to the English.

ARTICLE 3. The Indian Nations and Tribes upon the Eastern Side of Northern-America.

WE may distinguish the Indians by their Relation or Position with Regard to the European Colonies settled in North-America. 1. The Indian Nations (we can|not particularize their several Tribes or Clans) without, but bordering upon the British Grants, such are the French Indians of Canada, and the Spanish Indians of Florida. 2. Indian Tribes within our Grants or Charters, but without our Settlements, such are the Mikamakes of Nova-Scotia, the Abnaquies of New-England, the Mo|hawks, or Five Nations of New-York, the emigrant Tus|car••ro••s, I do not call a Nation, &c. 3. Indian Fami|lies, interspersed with our Settlements upon Indian reserv|ed Lands; these are useful to the Europeans, particularly to the British, as domestick Servants, Labourers, Sailors, Whalers, and other Fishers▪ Many of the Indian Re|serves

are extinct, and their Lands lapsed to the Pro|vinces.

The present Names of the several Indian Nations, or general great Divisions, may continue in Perpetuity, as classical Names in History: The many particular Tribes included or which compose the several Nations or general Divisions; their Names are so various and changeable, we cannot enumerate them; and still less known are the Names and Numbers of the Villages or Castles in the several Tribes.

The Indian Nations or general Divisions which lie upon or near the Eastern Shore of North-America are the Indians of West-Greenland, commonly called Davis's Streights, Eskimaux, Algonquins, Tahsagrondie, Owlawaes, Miamis, Chikesa••s: Mikamakis, Abnaquies, Irocois or Mo|hawks, Chawans, Old Tuscararoes, Cuttumbaes, Chirakees, and Creek Indians: Some short Description or Deline|ation of these, will make the Face of the East Side of North-America more apparent and familiar to us, before we set down the several modern Colonies settled there; in Imitation, Si parva magnis componere, of the Europae antiquae et modernae, Tables or Maps.

I. The Indians of WEST-GREENLAND, or of a North East Continent from Davis Streights reaching from Cape Farewell in N. Lat. 60 d. Northward indefinitely, and ••ll the Indians in the same Latitudes; are a few strag|ling miserable People, live in Caves or Dens under Ground, because of the Severity of the Cold,* 1.121 have no Fire (no Fewel) eat their Flesh and Fish raw, are cloth|ed in Seal-Skins, much subject to the Scurvy * 1.122 or Itch

(the French call those of Terra de Labradore South of Davis Streights, for this Reason, the scabed Indians) have no Produce or Subject for Trade.

The ESKIMAUX extend from Davis's and Hudson's Streights North, along the West Side of the Atlantick Ocean to the Mouth of St. Laurence River South; thence range Westward cross the lower Parts of the several Rivers which fall into the Bottom of Hudson's-Bay, and then Northward along the Western Shore of Hudson's-Bay to the Polar Circle * 1.123 in 66 d. or 67 d. N. Lat. as Mr. Dobbs writes. Thus the Esquimaux, excepting a small narrow Tract upon the Labradore Shore, are all quit-claim'd to us by France in the Treaty of Utrecht, Anno 1713▪ Excepting those who frequent the Bottom of Hudson's-Bay, the others can be of no commercial Benefit, they afford a very small Matter of Feathers, Whale-Oil, and Blubber.

Mr. Dobbs of Ireland, the present Enthusiastick Fol|lower of a N. W. Passage Projection, very credulous, gives the Names of many imaginary Tribes West of Hudson's-Bay; but as in high Latitudes not many Peo|ple can subsist, * 1.124 and his Tribes not well vouched, we cannot mention them: Mr. Dobbs is an Enemy of the Hudson's-Bay Company; he says, that Trade is got into the Hands of about 9 or 10 of their principal Men, who export not exceeding 3,000 £. St. per An. in British Pro|duce and Manufacture, and keep up their Prices so high; the French supply them cheaper and carry the Trade; whereas if their Charter was vacated, and the Trade

laid open; many Traders would settle Factories or trading Houses up the Rivers towards the French, and by underselling of them, much increase our Fur-Trade.

ALGONQUINS in several Tribes reach from the Mouth of St. Laurence River along its North Side, extending about 150 Leagues; they are ••he French best Indian Friends; but frequently upon little Differences give the French Settlers much Disturbance; may be about 1500 fighting Men.

TAHSAGRONDIE Indians are between the Lakes Erie and Hurons, perhaps from the Barrenness of the Coun|try, they are of small Numbers, dispersed and of no great Notice: They are Friends of the New-York Nations.

OUTAWAES. A great and powerful Nation, they live upon the Outawae River, which joins upon the Cataraqui River (the Outlet of the great Lakes) a little above Monreal, and upon the great Lakes, and extend N. W. to near the S. W. Parts of Hudson's-Bay; they deal considerably with the New-York trading Houses at Oswego* 1.125

upon the Lake Ontario in the Onondagues Country. In May, Anno 1723, about 80 Men besides Women and Children, from a large Tribe belonging to the Outawaes came to Albany in the Province of New-York, and desir|ed to be admitted as another Friend Nation amongst the Mohawk Nations; this Tribe lies between the Lake of Hurons and the upper Lake, and call themselves Neca|ragees, of 6 Castles or Villages, near the Streights be|tween these two Lakes, adjoining to a Tribe called by the French * 1.126 Misilimackinac. There is a large Nation

South West of the O••••••waes, called by the French, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 R••nar••••; they are not within our Knowledge.

MIAMIE••, so ••alled by the French (we call them Twig••••w••e•• or Ilinois they live generally upon the Ri|ver Miami•• and the Lake and River Ilinois which re|ceives the River Miamis: This Ilinois is a great River, and by it is one of Canada Routs for their Patroul and Trade to the Misissippi.

CHICK••SA•••• seem to lie next to the Miamis on the Eastern Side of the Misissippi; they are Allies of and Traders with the People of Carolinas. The Chirakees are next in Course upon the East Side of Misissippi Ri|ver; but as they lie both Sides, and upon the Apalatian Mountains; we shall for Method's Sake (Method renders every Thing distinct and easy) refer it to the next Range of Indian Nations.

We have given a general View of the more remote Nations of Indians, that is, of the Nations that live North, and West, and South-West of the great River 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ••aurence, and West of the Apalatian Mountains to the great River of Misissippi: We now proceed to the next Range that lie from the Mouth of St. Laurence, River North, to the Bay of Apalatie in the Gulph of Mexico South; being upon the South and South East Sides of the River St. Laurence, and East Side of the

Apalatian Mountains or great Blue Hills, which reach from the * 1.127 Niagara Falls in the Streights between Lake Onta|rio and Eri•• N. Lat. 43 d. to the Bay of Apalachie in N. Lat. 30 d. these Mountains are generally 300 Miles from the Atlantick Shore; all the Runs of Water from their East Side, falls into the Atlantick Ocean, and these from the West Side into the grand River Misissippi.

II. The MIKAMAKES of L' Accadie or Nova-Scotia, some of them live along Cape-Sable Shore, some at Green-Bay, Menis, and Chicanicto, some in Cape-Breton Island, and St. Iohns Island: They do not much exceed 350 fight|ing Men; they continue in the French Interest, from our bad Management, notwithstanding that the whole Pro|vince was quit-claim'd to us by the Peace of Utrecht 1713; from this same Neglect or wrong Conduct it proceeds, that the French are allowed to keep five Mis|sions in this Province, viz. That of Annapolis River, of Cape-Sable Shore, of Menis, of Chicanicto, and St. Iohn's River; the Bishop of Quebec in Canada is allowed to be their Superior and Constituent, and they act by his Di|rection.

The ABNAQUIES, properly the New England Indian Nation, reach East and West from the Bay of Fundy (to describe the Indian Nations as Geographers in Europe do Countries, by Latitudes and Longitudes; would be stiff, pedantick, not accurate, and of no Use) to Hudson's or New-York River and Lake Champlain or Corlaer; North and South from the St. Laurence or Canada great River, to the Atlantick Ocean: They are in many Tribes, but dwindle much and become less formidable; their In|tercourse with the British and French has introduced ad|ditional Distempers amongst them particularly those

which proceed from the immoderate Use of Spirits, Brandy or Rum; hence they become more indolent, and are straightned for Subsistence; their Hunting fails them, they have but few Deer and Beaver; a small Matter of Indian Corn and Kidney-Beans which their Squaas or Women plant, is at present a considerable Part of their Subsistence; they consisted of many Tribes, some extinct, some extinguishing, and the others much reduced,* 1.128 let us enumerate them in their natural Order. 1. The Indians of St. Iohn's River, these belong to Nova Scotia, and have a French Missionary Priest; the Mouth of St. Iohn's River in the Bay of Fundy, is about 10 Leagues from Annapolis-Royal. The St. Iohn's River Indians in travelling to Quebec go up this long River, and carry to a short rapid River which falls into the River of St. Laurence a few Leagues below Quebec; they do not exceed 150 fighting Men. 2. Penobscot Indians are within the Massachusetts-Bay Grant, have a French Missi|onary; they lay upon a great Bay of the same Name, their Numbers not exceeding 150 Men fit to march; they travel to Quebe•• up the small River of Penobscot which comes from the Westward, and carry to Quenebec River a little above Taconick Falls, and thence fol|low the same Rout with the Quenebec Indians. 3. Sheep|scut Indians in the Massachusetts Grant, upon a River of the same Name, which falls into Sagadahock (formerly called Sagatawooke) River or rather Bay, from the East|ward; not exceeding two or three Families existing Anno 1747. 4. Quenebec Indians, in the foresaid Grant, upon the River of the same Name, being the middle and

principal River of Sagadahock, their principal Settlement or Head-Quarters is at Norridgwoag about 100 Miles up Northward from the Entrance of Sagadahock; they were much reduced in their War or Rebellion, in the Time of the wise Administration of William Dummer, Esq They have a French Missionary, and travel to Quebec up Quenebec River, and from the Head thereof, by several Ponds and Carrying-Places to the short rapid River La Chaudiere which falls into St. Laurence River about four Leagues above Quebec; at present they do not exceed 60 fighting Men. 5. Amerescogin Indians upon Pegepscut or Brunswick River, which falls into the West Side of Sagadahock, they may be said extinct. 6. Pigwacket In|dians on Saco River (they are in two Settlements Pig|woket and Ossepee (at Ossepee Pond, Lovel and his Party of Voluntiers were cut off by the Indians, Anno 1724) lies about 50 Miles above Winter-Harbour, the Mouth of Saco River; at present not exceeding a Dozen fight|ing Men, and formerly did travel (at present they are in the British Interest) to Quebec via Connecticut River up, and St. Francois River down to Canada River. 7. The Pennycook Indians, upon Merrimack River in New-Hampshire Jurisdiction, but lately quite extinct. 8. The Wanonoak Indians, on the Rivier Puante, called the Mission of Besancourt, over against Les Trois Rivieres 30 Leagues above Quebec, at this Time in the Canada Ju|risdiction, about 40 fighting Men. 9. The Arousegunte|cook Indians, upon the River and Mission of St. Francois, about 40 Leagues above Quebec, in the Canada Jurisdic|tion, not exceeding 160 Men fit to march. 10. Masi|assuck Indians, on the East or Dutch Side of Lake Champ|lain; in the French Interest, do not exceed 60 fighting Men. Thus the Abnoquie extensive Nation of Indians, does not exceed 640 fighting Men fit to march.

The IROQUOIS Indians. We call them Mohawks, the Name of one of the Five or Six united Nations; thus the seven united Provinces of the Baligick Netherlands are called Holland from the Pro••ince of Holland, and the

ten Spanish, now Austrian Provinces there; are called Flanders from the Province of Flanders: They head or lie North of our Provinces of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and some Part of Virginia; the Senacaas reach a great Way down Sesquahana River, the Tribe of about 100 Souls called Shaumakins, lie below the Forks of Ses|quahana about 120 Miles West from the Forks of De la Ware River. In all publick Accounts they are lately called the Six Nations of New-York Friend Indians, the Tuscararoes, Emigrants from ••he old Tuscararoes of North-Carolina, lately are reckoned ••s the Sixth; we shall rec|kon them as formerly. 1. The Mohawks, they live upon the Mohawks or Schenectady River; they have a Castle or Village Westward from Albany 40 Miles, an|other 65 Miles West from Albany: The Number of their fencible Men about 160. 2. Oneidaes about 80 Miles from the Mohawks second Village, consisting of near 200 fighting Men. 3. Onondagues about 25 Miles further (the famous Oswego trading Place on the Lake Ontario, about 200 Miles West from Albany, is in their Country) consist of about 250 Men. 4. Cayugaes about 70 Miles further, of about 130 Men. 5. Senekeas fur|ther West, about 700 marching fighting Men. The fighting Men of the Five or Six Nations of Mohawks, may be reckoned at 1500 Men, and extend from Albany West about 400 Miles, laying in the New-York, Penn|sylvania, Maryland, and Virginia Governments, in about 30 Tribes or Villages. Besides these, there is settled a little above Monreal, a Tribe of Scoundrel Runaways from the Mohawks, they are called Kahnuages of about 80 Men.

The CHOWANS on the East Side of the Apalatian Mountains, or great Blue-Hills, are reduced to a small Number, they lie West of Virginia and North-Carolina; they live North of Roanoke River. Lately our Indian Traders have found several pr••c••icable Passes cross these Mountains, and keep Stores in their West Side, or Inter|vals of Ridges; they are in continued or natural Enmity with the Tuscararoes.

The TUSCARAROES lie between Roanoke and Pen••lico Rivers in North-Carolina, do not exceed 200 fightin•• Men; being much reduced upon their North-Carolin•• Insurrection, Anno 1711; and many of their Natio•• drove off, now settled with the New-York Five Nations.

CATABAWS in Course lies South of the Tuscararoe•• a small Nation, of about 300 Men. The Catabaw•• Chirakees, and some of the Creeks, are not stiled Subject but Allies and good Friends of Great-Britain.

* 1.129 CHIRAKEES live upon the Southern Parts and bo•••• Sides of the Apalatian Mountains, are a populous exte••••sive Nation of about 6000 Men. Anno 1722 in a Co••••gress with Governor Nicholson of South-Carolina, the•••• were present of the lower and middle Chirakees the Chie•• of 37 Towns or Tribes; and with their Consent G••••neral Nicholson appointed Wrosetasatow their Command•• in chief. The People of South-Carolina have a consid••••rable Trade or trucking Factory at Tunisec, a Chirak•••• Tribe upon the River Misissippi.

CREEK Indians of Florida about 2000 Men. Th•• lower Creeks consist of 8 to 10 Tribes, and run West 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Flin•• River which falls into the Bay of Apalachie or Gu•• of Mexico, by Instigation of the Spaniards, particular•••• of St. Augustine, are very troublesom to our Carolina an•• Georgia Settlements: Especially the adjoining Tribe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Yamasses: For Instance, Anno 1719, there was som•• French and Spanish Projection against Great-Britain i•• Embrio; the Abnaquies of New-England by the Instig••••tion of the French began to be troublesom upon the sam•• Projection: This Projection in Europe came to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Maturity.

III. Indian Families, or small Tribes upon reserve•• Lands interspersed with the British Settlements in Nort••••America.

Upon the lower Parts of the several 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which run into the Atlantick Ocean in the Britis•• Set|tlements, are several small distinct Tribes or relat••d ••a|milies, which are not reckoned as belonging to the ••ur|ther Inland large Nations: They extinguish ••pace from the Infection of our European Distempers and Vices, it can be of no Use to follow a Detail of these perishing transitory small Tribes or Families; as a Sample, I shall enumerate those in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay.

By Act of the Massach••setts-Bay Assembly Anno 1746, the Indian Reserves being distinguished into eight Par|cels, Guardians or Managers for these silly Indians were appointed. 1. Upon the Eastern Part of the Promon|tary or Peninsula of Cape-Cod, in the Townships of Truro, Eastham, Chatham, Harwich, and Yarmouth; these Indi|ans go by the several Names of Pamet, Nosset, Pach••e, Potowmaket (here is an Indian Congregation with a Mi|nister) Sochtoowoket, and Nobscusset. 2. The Western Part of said Peninsula of Cape-Cod in the Townships of Barnstable, Sandwich, and Falmouth; called the Indians of Wayanaes (the Name of a formerly greatest Sachem in that Country) or Hyanaes, Costoweet, Mashpe, Waquo••t (Oyster Harbour) Scootin, and Saconosset or Woods Hole, the Ferry-Place to Martha's Vineyard. 3. The Indians of the Island of Nantucket about 900 Souls, being more than all the others together, are very useful in the Whale and Cod-Fishery. 4. Indians of Martha's Vineyard Island about 450; lately many of them have gone to settle in Nantucket, being a Place of better Employment. 5. The Indians of Plymouth, Pembroke, and Middleborough, called Namasket. 7. The Nipmugs (formerly comprehending all the small Inland Tribes from Connecticut River to Merrimack River; Blackstone or Patucket River, which falls into the Naraganset-Bay, was formerly called Nipmug River) formerly known by the Names of Cutamogs or Nipnets in the Townships and Districts of Dudley, Ox|ford, Woodstock, Killinsbay, and Douglass; the Hasana|missets

〈…〉〈…〉 from 〈…〉〈…〉 small Tribe of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, upon a River of that Name called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ they are lat••ly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the English in the Townships of S••effield and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Excepting the Indians of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and M••rtha's-Vineyard (better imploy'd) all the others in a few Years will be extinct, most of their M••n were perswad••d to ••n|list as Soldiers in the lat•• Expeditions to Cuba and Car|thagena against the Spaniards, and to C••pe-Breton and Nova-Scotia against the Fren••h; scarce any of them sur|vived, and the Names and Memory of their Tribes not worth preserving.

In the other British Colonies, where any Tribes inter|mixed with our Settlements require Notice; they shall be mentioned in the proper Sections. This Article I prosecute no further.

ARTICLE 4. Indian Wars with the British Colonies in North America.

WHEN the Country of the Indians at War with us, lies upon our Frontiers but without our Grants, I call it a War in the common Acceptation; if within our Grants, but without our Settlements, I call it an

Eruption, in our Proclamations against them it is called a Rebellion, as in all the New-England Wars with the A••••••quies▪ if intermixed with our Settlements, it is an Insurrection, such were the Wars of the Pequods, Anno 16••7▪ and of King Philip and his Confederates Anno 1675.

In this Article I only mention the I ndian Insurrections or Commotions which happened from the first Landing of the English in these A••erican Countries, until the Bri••ish * 1.130 Revolution in Favour of the Prince of Orange, Anno 16••••: After this Period, though our Indian Wars were generally executed by the bordering Indians, they were under the Influence, and by the Direction of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fr••••c••▪ therefore I do not reckon them as 〈…〉〈…〉 W••••••▪ but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fre••ch Wars in America, they 〈…〉〈…〉 with the British and French Wars in 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ and 〈…〉〈…〉 with the European and Ne•• Engl•••••• Briti•••• Expeditions against Canada, Nova-〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉, we 〈…〉〈…〉 short Account of them in the properSections.

〈…〉〈…〉 of the small 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Skirmishes, at our first 〈…〉〈…〉 be of •••• useful Information, and at this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Time is no Amusement. A rascally Fellow Cap•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Anno 1614. by S••••alth carried off some In|dians▪ and 〈…〉〈…〉 of Europe, sold them to the 〈…〉〈…〉 Moor•• captivated from B••rb••ry; this occasioned a 〈…〉〈…〉 Disgust against the English Traders upon that Coast for some Time: In New-Eng|land, excepting the Indian Wars with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1637▪ and with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (called King Philip's War) and their Confederates 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1675▪ and the French Indian Wars with us during King William's and Queen Anne's Wars in Europe; and an Eruption Anno 1722 to 1725, when the French and Spaniards were hatching a War a|gainst

us in Europe, which proved abortive; and our present War with the French and their associated Indians; we had no Indian War of any Kind, it is true, there have been private Rencounters between the English and Indians at Times, from sudden Flights of Passion or Drunkenness, as happens all the World over.

Upon good Enquiry it will be found, that our properly speaking Indian Wars have not been so frequent, so te|dious, and so desolating, as is commonly represented in too strong a Light (Hunger-starved, and Cold-starved were our greatest Hardships in settling) in New-England our only Indian Wars properly so called were the Pequod War, Anno 1637, it lasted three Months, and King Phi|lip's War, Anno 1675 and 1676 was of about 14 Months Continuance, and the War of 1722 to 1725.

In our Northern Parts, the Indians generally appear in small skulking Parties with Yellings, Shoutings and an|•••••• Postures, instead of Trumpets and Drums; their Indian Wood-Cry is Io-han, their War-Cry may be ex|pressed, Woach, Woach, Ha, Ha, Hach, Woach.

The Indians are not Wanderers like the Tartars, but are Ramblers, and in Time of War, according to the Seasons, they may be annoyed at their Head-Quarters, and ambuscaded or Way-laid, at their Carrying or Land travelling Places. Their Retreats or strong Places are the Swamps (Copses in a Morass) Dr. Cotton Mather, with good Propriety calls it, being inswamped, in Imi|tation of the European Term intrenched. Like the French in Europe, without Regard to Faith of Treaties, they suddenly break out, into furious, rapid Outrages, and Devastations; but soon retire precipitately, having no Stores for Subsistence, the Country is not cleared and cultivated. Their Captives if they sicken or are other|ways incapable of travelling, they kill them and save their Scalps; the English thus captivated are sold to French Families in Canada, but redeemable upon reim|bursing the Price paid, by an Order from the Governor-General of Canada.

Their Head-Warriors are Men noted for Strength and Courage; sometimes in their Wars they chuse a tem|porary Chief of all the Tribes of one Nation engaged (at Times some particular Tribe or Village have declined joining in War with the general Nation, thus the Nian|ticks in the Pequod War, thus the Saco Indians in the present War or Rebellion of the Abnaquies; but not with a Roman dictatorial Power, Anno 1676 Madacawando of Penobscot was chief of all the Eastern or Abnaquie Indians and Squando of Saco was his Second; Anno 1637, Sassacous was chief of the Pequod Castles or Villages.

Our Scouts or Indian Hunters in Time of War, carry Packs, which at first setting out may weigh 70 Wt. be|ing about 30 Days Provision of Biscuit, or parched In|dian Corn, salt Pork, Sugar and Ginger to qualify and animate their Drink, which is Water: Their Method of lodging, pitching, or camping at Night, is in Parcels of Ten or Twelve Men to a Fire, they lie upon Brush, wrapt up in a Blanket with their Feet to the Fire.

Towards the better understanding of the Pequid or Po|quot, and King Philip's Wars, it may be proper to know the Situation and Circumstances of their adjoining Indians as they were Anno 1637. Along Shore first were the Cape-Cod Peninsula Indians in several Tribes, the Nan|tucket and Martha's-Vineyard Island Indians; these were always in Friendship with the English Settlers: Next were the Pocassets (at present called Seconet) of about 300 fighting Men: The Pockanokets or King Philip's Men about 300 fighting Men: The Nipmugs adjoining to the Pockanokets Inland, in several Tribes, extending from Connecticut River to Merrimack River: The Naragansets from Naraganset-Bay to Pakatuke River, the Boundary between Connecticut and Rhode-Island Colonies, about 1000 Men: The Pequods from Pakatuck River to near Hudson's or New-York River: The Moheags at the Head of New-London or Thames River about 400 Men: The Connecticut River Indians in several Tribes.

PEQUOD WAR. The Occasions of this War, were, 1. A barbarous warlike Nation, they killed Anno 1634, Captains Stone and Norton, Traders. 2. Lords Say and Brook 1636, building a Fort at the Mouth of Connecti|cut River, near their Head-Quarters offended them. 3. Their continued killing upon Connecticut River of English Traders, upon frivolous Pretences to the Number of 30; at Length the English could not avoid a proper Re|sentment.

Anno 1635 Iuly 15. The associated Colonies of New-England made a League offensive and defensive with the six Naraganset Sachems; by one of the Articles the Na|raganset Indians confirm all former Grants of Lands made to the English: The Naraganset and Pequods were not cordial Friends with one another.

1637 In May 20, a Body of 77 English, 60 Connecticut River Indians, 200 Naraganset Indians, 100 Nianticks (a Village of the Pequods in Friendship with the Engli••••) and 20 Men from the Garrison of Saybrook Fort, under the Direction of * 1.131 Capt. Mason, afterwards Deputy Go|vernor of Connecticut (the 160 Men from Massachusetts-Bay under Mr. Stoughton, and the ••0 Men from Plymouth Colony had not then join'd them) took and burnt the Pequod Fort near Mystic River (this River divides Ston|ington from Groton in Connecticut) and killed about 140 Indians; a great Body of Pequods came down from their neighbouring principal Fort, but the English and their auxiliary Indians made a good Retreat to their Boats, in all they had only two Men killed, and 16 Men wounded. The English pursued the Pequods from Swamp to Swamp with great Havock; at Length in a Swamp of Fairfield towards New-Netherlands, they were routed; their cap|tivated Children were sent to Bermudas and sold for Slaves: Sassacous their leading Sachem with about 30

more Pequods fled to the Mohawks and were murdered by them. In less than three Months War about 700 Pequods were destroy'd, and that Nation reduced to about 200 Men, who sued for Peace; which was granted them upon Condition of their abandoning their Name and Country, which accordingly they did, and incorporated themselves with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Moheags * 1.132. N. B. They had not many Fi•••• Arms.

After the Pequod War, there were at Times between the Indians and English, private mutual Injuries, some|times more general Misunderstandings and threatned Rup|tures; but the Union offensive and defensive of the four united Colonies of New-England, awed them; by this Union the Proportions were Massachusetts 100, Plymouth, Hartford, and New-Haven each 45 Men, this Union was made Anno 1643 the 19th Day of the third Month.

Anno 1645 and 1646, the Naragansets were privately hatching of an Insurrection, but were soon brought to an open Declaration of a settled Friendship with the English.

1653 * 1.133 The Dutch of New-Netherlands were forming

a Confederacy with our Indians, to cut off all the New-Eng••and Settlements, but a Peace between England and Holland prevented it.

Anno 1654, The Naraganset and Niantick Indians, made War against Montaoke Indians East End of Long-Island, but the united Colonies of New-England by fitting out 270 Foot, 40 Horse, soon brought the Naragansets to Accommodation.

PACONOKET OR KING PHILIP'S WAR. Massasoit, Chief of the Wampanogoes, whereof Pockanoket or Mount Hope Neck was a Tribe, was a good Friend to the first Plymouth Settlers: He left two Sons, Wamsucket and Metacomet, at their own Desire the Government of Ply|mouth gave them the English Names of Alexander and Philip; Alexander died Anno 1662: Philip by a formal Instrument to the Government of Plymouth Anno 1671 restricted himself from disposing any of his Lands without their Consent.

This Philip Sachem of the Wampanogoes or Pacanoket Indians, was naturally a Man of Penetration, Cunning, and Courage; he formed a deep Plot Anno 1675, to extirpate the English of New-England: With profound Secresy he effected an extensive Confederacy with other Tribes of Indians, viz. Pocasset, Naragansets, Nipmugs, Connecticut River Indians, several Tribes of the Abnaquies our Eastern Indians; the Canada French were in the Scheme, and by their Emissaries endeavoured to keep up the Spirit of Insurrection; the Dutch from Albany were suspected of supplying these Indians with Ammunition. By the New-Plymouth Grant we find the Pocanoket Indians extended up Patuket or Blackstone formerly Nipmug River to the Nipmug Country; but this Boundary could not be ascertain'd, by the late Commissioners for settling the Line between Plymouth and Rhode-Island Colonies.

Philip began his Insurrection Iune 24. 1675, by killing of nine Englishmen in Swanzey, adjoining to Mount-Hope his Head-Quarters. The English suspecting the Nara|gansets, a powerful Nation, might join Philip, marched an armed Force into the Naraganset Country, and awed them into a Treaty of Peace and Friendship; but not|withstanding (such is Indian Faith) they joined Philip as does appear in the Sequel.

Beginning of Iuly the Pocassets beg••n Hostilities. In a Pocasset Swamp, King Philip and his confederate Po|cassets, were environed by the English, but by Night made their Escape to the Nipmug Country, leaving about 100 Women and Children. Middle of Iuly the Nipmugs be|gin Hostilities by Depredations in Mendon. August 25 the Connecticut River Indians begin Hostilities by annoy|ing the neighbouring English Settlements.

In August the Eastern Indians, viz. Pennycooks of Mer|rimack, Pigwokets of Saco, and Amarescogins of Pegepscut Rivers, break out and by December they killed about 50 English, with their own Loss of about 90 In|dians. The Severity of the Winter brought these Tribes of Eastern Indians to a formal Peace, but by Sollicitation

of Philip they broke out again next Summer and were joined by the Quenebec Indians, kill several English, and destroy their Stock; but Philip being killed they soon came in and submitted.

The Enemy Indians, imagining that upon the Footing of the late Treaty, the English would deem the Naragan|sets as Neutrals, in Winter retired to the Naraganset Country; but for very good Reasons the English, jealous of the Naragansets, send thither 1000 Men, whereof 527 from Massachusetts, under the Command of Governor Winslow of Plymouth, they were increased to 1500 Men by an Addition of some neighbouring Friend Indians; December 19, they attack the Indians in their Fort or Swamp, and kill'd about 700 Indians, besides Women and Children, with the Loss of about 85 English killed, and 150 wounded; the Swamp is called Patty-squamscut.

Notwithstanding of this Disaster, the Indian•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 skulk|ing Parties out all Winter, they kept the Field better than the English, and harassed our People much; they did Damage in the Town of Plymouth, and within a few Miles of Boston, and the English were obliged to keep close in Garrison-Houses. In the Spring the Mohawks having some Difference with the Abnaquies favoured the English; and the Indians being much harassed by Fa|mine (they had little Produce, because of the War, from their planting Grounds last Crop) Fevers and Fluxes; the Massachusetts Government very wisely issued a Pro|clamation Iuly 8. 1676, promising the Hopes of a Pardon to all Indian Enemies or Rebels, who should come in within 14 Days; many submitted, many withdrew to their respective peculiar Abodes; some travel'd Westward towards Hudson's River, were pursued and kill'd. Philip was reduced to skulk about, and in a Swamp of Mount Hope his own Country, with 6 or 7 of his Followers was kill'd August 12, 1676.

During Philip's War about 3000 Indians were kill'd, captivated and submitted, the Naragansets from a large Body reduced to about 100 Men. The War being over,

about 400 Indians by Order met at Major Waldron's of Catchecho; 200 were culled out, who had been notorious|ly wickedly mischievous; of these a few suffered Death, the others (of the 200) were transported and sold forSlaves.

King Philip's or Bristol Neck was sold towards defray|ing the Charges of the War, and afterwards by the Ge|neral Court incorporated by the Name of Bristol with some peculiar Privileges and Exemptions.

The Colony of Connecticut was scarce touched in this War. We have no Record of Rhode-Island Assistance.

After Philip's War, there were no more Insurrections or Rebellions of our intermixed Indians: The following Wars were by Eruptions and Incursions of the Indians within our Grants, but without our Settlements, by In|stigation of our natural Enemies the French of Canada, viz. from Autumn Anno 1688 (some short Truces inter|veening) to Ianuary 7. Anno 1698, 9, and from August 16. Anno 1703, to Iuly 17. Anno 1713: and from Spring 1744, when there were mutual Declarations of War in Europe of the British and French; this War still subsists at this present writing September 1747. Here we may observe that our Eastern Indians in this pending War have not annoyed our Settlements Eastward, being called off by the French to Crown-Point; from Crown-Point the French and their Indians have done considerable Damage upon the New-York and Massachusetts Western Frontiers; and to Nova-Scotia, by investing of the Fort of Annapo|lis-Royal, and by the Massacre of our People at Menis, they have considerably incommoded us. The late Dis|asters of the French Expeditions under Duke d'Anville and M. La Ionquiere against Cape-Breton, Nova-Scotia, and our other Settlements in North-America, have made the French desist ••rom any farther Enterprizes in Nova-Scotia, and our Eastern Indians being dismissed from that Ser|vice, have lately appeared against our Forts of Pemaquid and Georges.

Our Wars with the Indians in the Reigns of King William and of Queen Anne, and the present War are

intermixed with Expeditions from Europe, they are not meerly Indian; we refer them to the subsequent Sections.

GOVERNOR DUMMER'S WAR against the Indians may be reckoned purely Indian, we shall give some short Ac|count of it. The Canada French perceiving our Eastern Settlements advance apace, set their Quenebec Missionary Father Ralle a Jesuite to Work; he made these Indians jealous of the English by telling them, that these Lands were given by GOD unalienably to the Indians and their Children for ever, according to the Christian sacred Ora|cles. Anno 1717 The Indians began to murmur, and after some Time gave the English Settlers formal Warn|ing to leave the Lands within a set Time, at the Expi|ration of the Time they committed Depredations by de|stroying their Cattle and other Stock: The Missionary, with a Priestly Heat began the Affair too precipitately, before the receiving of Directions from France, as appears by a Letter from M. Vandreuil Governor-General of Ca|nada to this Father "he could not tell, how far he might intermeddle in the Affair, until he had particular Instruc|tions from the Council of the Navy in France;" all the French Colonies are under the Direction of that Board: And the Small-Pox (which the Indians with good Rea|son dread) prevailing in New-England, Anno 1721, pre|vented a declared Rupture until Anno 1722. Iuly 5. the Government of Massachusetts-Bay proclaimed them Re|bels, and ordered 100 £. per Scalp to Voluntiers fitted out at their own Charge, and afterwards 4 s. per Day be|sides: Our most considerable Action against them was at Noridgwoag of Quenebec River August 12. Anno 1724, their fighting Men being just come Home from Scout|ing; Capt. Harman with 200 Men in 17 Whale-Boats go up Quenebec River, surprize the Indians at Naridgwog, bring off 26 Indian Scalps, and that of Father Ralle; Indians kill'd, and drowned in their Flight cross the River, were computed to be Eighty: Capt. Lovel a Voluntier, with 44 Men sets out, via Ossipy Pond, for Pigocket▪ was intercepted by about 70 Indians, he

and about 14 of his Men were killed, and many wound|ed.

The French and Indians of Nova-Scotia were concern'd in this War, they made a vain Assault upon the Fort of Annapolis-Royal, and did some Damage at Canso.

The Delegates from the 5 or 6 New-York Indian Na|tions, and from the Mohegin or Hudson's River Indians, and from the Scatacooks, came to Boston, received Pre|sents, gave fair Promises of acting in our Favour, but did nothing.

We sent Commissioners to the Governor-General of Canada, to expostulate with him concerning his encourag|ing the Indian Depredations, and to reclaim Captives: His Answer was, that these Indians were independant Nations, and not under his Direction; this was a meer Evasion.

After many Bickerings, by good Management in the wise Administration of Lieutenant-Governor Dummer, the Indians beg'd and obtain'd a Cessation of Arms, Decem|ber 15, Anno 1725, and a Peace the May following at Casco; saving to the Indians all their Lands not hitherto convey'd, with the Privilege of Hunting, Fowling, and Fishing as formerly: Signed by the Noridgwoag, Penob|scot, St. Iohns, and Cape-Sable Indians.

Three or four Years since, some interspersed Indians in Maryland were troublesome and occasionally kill'd some English Men; they were soon quelled.

In Virginia, in the Beginning, the Indian Incursions re|tarded them much, and Anno 1610, from 500 they, were reduced to 80; from 1612 there was uninterrupted Peace with the Indians till 1622, by a sudden general Insurrec|tion they massacred 347 English People, reckoned at that Time half of the Colony. Sir Iohn Harvey a very ar|bitrary Governor encroached much upon the Indians by making enormous Grants of their Lands, this occasion|ed another Massacre from the Indians Anno 1639▪ 500 English were cut off, especially about the Head of York

River; this was soon over, and Peace lasted many Years. Anno 1676 some mutual Murders happened between the English and Indians in the Out-Settlements. Bacon a hot|headed young Gentleman of the Council, because, as he thought, the Assembly was too dilatory in fitting out a|gainst the Indians; in Contempt of the Government, and without a proper Commission, inlists Soldiers of his own Accord, and occasioned an intestine civil Mutiny of the white People against the Government, and obliged the Governor Berkley to fly t•• the remote County of Acco|mack upon the Eastern Shore of Chesapeak Bay: To quell this Commotion a Regiment of Soldiers was sent from England, but Bacon dying, the Commotion was o|ver, before the Regiment arrived, this Corps continued there three Years, and were dis••anded in Virginia; Ba|con's Body could not be found to be exposed to Infamy. This does anticipate, but at the same Time it helps to shorten the Section of Virginia.

In NORTH-CAROLINA, Anno 1711, in November the Cape Fear Indians broke out, and destroy'd about 20 Fa|milies, and much Stock: by Succours from Virginia and South-Carolina, they were soon reduced; and many of the Tuscararoes obliged to ••ake Refuge amongst the New-York Indian Nations, where they continue, and are generally called the sixth Nation.

SECT. IV. General Remarks concerning the British Colonies in America.

THE Subject-Matters of this Section according to my first Plan are prolix, being various and copious, and perhaps would be the most curious and informing Piece of the Performance to some Readers; but as many of our Readers in these Colonies seem impatient for our entring upon the Affairs of their several Settlements, we shall contract the present Section, and shall defer several

Articles to the Appendix; such as, the Rise, Progress, and present State of the pernicious Paper-Currencies; some Account of the prevailing or Endemial Diseases in our North-America Colonies, and many other loose Parti|culars, the various Sectaries in Religion, which have any Footing in our American Colonies shall be enumerated in the Section of Rhode-Island, where we find all Degrees of Sectaries (some perhaps not known in Europe) from * 1.134 NO RELIGION to that of the most wild Enthusiasts.

Religious Affairs, so far as they may in some Manner ap|pertain to the Constitution of the Colonies, do make an Article in this Section.

ARTICLE I. Concerning our first Discoveries of, and Trade to the British North-America; before, it was by Royal Grants, Pa|tents, and Charters divided into the Colonies at present subsisting.

IN Page 109, &c. I gave some anticipating Account of these our first Discoveries. I shall further add.

Sebastian Cabot commissioned by King Henry VII. of England, to endeavour Discoveries of a North-West Pas|sage to China and the East Indies, Anno 1497, did dis|cover and take Possession, according to the Forms used in those Times, of all the Eastern Coast of North-Ame|rica, from about the North Polar Circle to Cape Florida, (as is related) in the Name of the Crown of England; the Cabots had a Royal English G••ant of the Property of all Lands they should discover and settle Westward of Eu|rope, they made no Settlement, and their Grant dropt.

Sir Walter Raleigh a Favourite, by Order of Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1584, sent two Vessels to North-America, to land People that were to remain there; they landed at Roanoke in North-Carolina, where they remained and planted for some short Time. Raleigh gave to all that Part of America the Name VIRGINIA, in Honour or Memory of the Virginity of Queen Elizabeth; a conti|nued

but small Trade was carried on from England to these Countries for some Time, and by landing at Times in sundry Places, took further Possession for the Crown of England.

Anno 1606 April 10. King Iames in one Patent incor|porated two Companies called the South and North Vir|ginia Companies; the South Virginia Company to reach from 34 d. to 41 d. N. Lat. they began a Settlement Anno 1607 on Chesapeak-Bay, and this Part of the Country retains the Name Virginia in a peculiar Man|ner to this Day; here we must drop it, and reassume in the proper Section of Virginia: The North Virginia Company called also the West-Country Company, had Li|berty to settle upon the same Eastern Coast of America from 38 d. to 45 d. N. Lat. they kept a constant small Trade on Foot, and sometimes wintered ashore, as, for Instance, at Sagadabock Anno 1608; but made no formal lasting Settlement, until that of New Plymouth Anno 1620; here we must stop and reassume in the Sections of New-England Colonies. These Settlements were to have been at 100 Miles Distance from one another, that is, from their chief Place each Territory or Colony was to extend 50 Miles both Ways along Shore, and 100 Miles back into the Country, so as to make a District of 100 Miles square: Thus from the Gulph of St. Laurence to Cape-Fear we should have had seven Colonies of equal Dimensions, but not of equal Quality; at present in that Space we have about a Dozen Colonies very unequal and irregular, because granted at different Times, most of them run back into the Wilderness indefinitely. This Pat••nt did not subsist long, the Companies were managed by Pr••sidents and Council, but in a few Years made a Surrender. The Dutch took the Opportunity to sit down in some Parts of the Degrees of Latitude, that were in common to both Companies, and kept Possession of Pro|p••rty and Jurisdiction, almost threescore Years.

Capt. Henry Hudson Anno 1608 discovered the Mouth of Hudson'•• River in N. Lat. 40 d. 30 m. upon his own

Account as he imagined, and sold it, or rather imparted the Discovery to the Dutch; the Dutch made some Set|tl••ments there, but were drove off by Sir Samuel Argol, Governor of a second Virginia Company Anno 1618, be|cause within the Limits of that Company's Grant; but Anno 1620 King Iames gave the Dutch some Liberty of Refreshment for their Ships bound to Brazils, which they afterwards in the Times of the Civil Wars and Confusions in England, improved to the settling of a Colony there, which they called New Netherlands, comprehending all the present Provinces of New-York and New-Iersies, and some Part of Pennsylvania; their principal Settlements were New Amsterdam, at present called the City of New-York on Hudson's River, and Fort Casimier, since called New-Castle upon Delaware River, West Side of it; Hudson's River was called by the Dutch, Nord Rivier, and Delaware River was called Zuid Rivier. Beginning of King Charles II. Reign, by Conquest 1664 and the subsequent Cession by the Breda Treaty 1667, it reverted to the Crown of Eng|land. The further Account of this Territory belongs to the Sections of New-York and New-Iersies.

We may in general observe; that Spices, Precious Stones, Gold, Silver, other Metals and Minerals, were the first Inducements and Objects of our East and West-India Discoveries; (the Trade for Tobacco, Rice, Fish, Furs, Skins, and Naval Stores, seem to have been only inci|dental) as these did not succeed, our first Endeavours or Adventures for Settlements, did not proceed.

From Historical Observations during the last Century and half, we may learn many of the successful Methods to be used, and the Inconveniencies to be avoided in settling of Colonies.

ARTICLE 2. Concerning the general Nature and Consti••ution of British North-American Colonies.

ALL our American Settlements are properly Colonies, not Provinces as they are generally called: Province

respects a conquered People (the Spaniards in Mexico and Peru may perhaps in Propriety bear this Appellation) un|der a Jurisdiction imposed upon them by the Conqueror; Colonies are formed of national People v. g. British in the British Colonies, transported to form a Settlement in a foreign or remote Country.

The first Settlers of our Colonies, were formed from various Sorts of People. 1. Laudably ambitious Adven|turers. 2. The Malecontents, the Unfortunate, the Ne|cessitous from Home. 3. Transported Criminals. The present Proportion of these Ingredients in the several Plantations varies much, for Reasons which shall be men|tioned in the particular Sections of Colonies, and does depend much upon the Condition of the first Settlers: Some were peopled by Rebel Tories, some by Rebel Whigs (that Principle which at one Time is called Royalty, at another Time is called Rebellion) some by Church of England Men, some by Congregationalists or Independants, some by Quakers, some by Papists (Maryland and Mon|serrat) the most unfit People to incorporate with our Constitution.

Colonies have an incidental good Effect, they drain from the Mother-Country the Disaffected and the Vicious (in this same Manner, subsequent Colonies purge the more ancient Colonies); Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, drained from Massachusetts-Bay, the Antino|mians, Quakers, and other wild Sectaries. Perhaps in after Times (as it is at Times with the Lord Lieutenants and other high Officers in Ireland) some Malecontents of Figure, capable of being troublesome to the Administra|tion at Home, may be sent in some great Offices to the Plantations.

In our Colonies we have four Sorts of People. 1. Mas|ters that is Planters and Merchants. 2. White Servants. 3. Indian Servants. 4. Slaves for Life, mostly Negroes. White Servants are of two Sorts, viz. Poor People from Great-Britain, and Ireland mostly, these are bound or sold, as some expres•• i••, for a certain Number of Years, to re|imburse

the transporting Charges, with some additional Profit; the others are Criminals judicially transported, and their Time of Exile and Servitude sold by certain Undertakers and their Agents.

In our American Settlements, generally the Designations are, Province, where the King appoints a Governor; Colony, where the Freemen elect their own Governor: This customary Acceptation is not universal; Virginia is called a Colony, perhaps because formerly a Colony, and the most ancient.

We have some Settlements with a Governor only; others with Governor and Council, such are Newfound|land, Nova-Scotia, Hudson's-Bay, and Georgia, without any House orNegative deputed by the Planters, according to the Essence of a British Constitution: These, may be said, not colonized.

There are various Sorts of Royal Grants of Colonies. 1. To one or more personal Proprietors, their Heirs and Assigns; such are Maryland and Pennsylvania; both Property and Government. 2. The Property to perso|nal Proprietors; the Government and Jurisdiction in the Crown; this is the State of Carolinas and Iersies. 3. Property and Government in the Crown, viz. Virginia, New-York, and New-Hampshire commonly called Piscataqua. 4. Property in the People and their Repre|sentatives; the Government in the Crown; as is Massa|chusetts-Bay. 5. Property and Government in the Go|vernor and Company, called the Freemen of the Colony, such are Connecticut and Rhode-Island.

This last seems to be the most effectual Method of the first settling and peopling of a Colony; Mankind are na|turally desirous of Parity and Leveling, without any fixed Superiority; but when a Society is come to Maturity, a more distinct fixed Subordination is found to be requisite. Connecticut, Rhode-Island, and some of the Proprietary Go|vernments, are of Opinion, that they are not obliged to attend to, or follow any Instructions or Orders from their Mother-Country or Court of Great-Britain; they do not

send their Laws home to the Plantation-Offices to be pre|sented to the King in Council for Approbation or Disal|lowance: They assume the Command of the Militia, which by the British Constitution is a Prerogative of the Crown: Some Time ago, they refused not only a Pre|ventive Custom-House Office, but likewise a Court of Vice-Admiralty's Officers appointed from Home; but these Points they have given up, especially considering that the Royal Charter grants them only the Privilege of trying Causes, Intra corpus Comitatus, but not a-float or Super altum mare.

As a small Country, though rich and thriving, cannot afford large Numbers of People; it ought not to run upon Discoveries and Conquests, beyond what they can well improve and protect; because by over-stretching, they weaken or break the Staple of their Constitution: But they may in good Policy distress as much of the En|emy's Country as is possible, and for some short Time keep Possession of some of their most important Places, though at a great Charge, even, by hiring of foreign Troops; in Order to obtain some suitable profitable E|quivalent. New-England with the incidental Countenance of a small British Squadron, did easily reduce the North America Dunkirk, or Louisb••urg in Cape-Breton Island; and perhaps luckily, w••thout waiting for the Direction of the British Ministry. Considering our large Sea and Land-Force, well fitted, upon the Expeditions, against Havanah and its Territory in the Island of Cuba, the Rendezvous of all the Spanish Plate-Fleets; and against Carthagena the best Strong-Hold the Spaniards have in America; and against Canada called the New-France in North-America, which would have given us the Monopoly of the Cod-Fish and Fur-Trade, many of our American Militia voluntarily formed themselves into Companies and Regiments for that Purpose; but the Ministry at Home perhaps for good Reasons best known to themselves, seem to have baulkt these Affairs; the above apparently intended Con|quests would have been ••asy.

Great-Britain does not, like France, swarm with a nu|merous People, therefore cannot settle Colonies so fast, without allowing of a general Naturalization. From Germany we had many emigrant Palatines and Saltsburgh|ers, and in Time may have more: Foreigners imported, should not be allowed to settle in large separate Districts, as is the present bad Practice; because for many Gene|rations they may continue, as it were, a separate People in Language, Modes of Religion, Customs and Manners; they ought to be intermixed with the British Settlers: English Schools only allowed for the Education of their Children; their publick Worship for the first Generation or 20 Years, may be allowed in their original Language in the Forenoon, and in English in the Afternoon, ac|cording to any tolerated Religion: as our Missionaries do not attend the Service of Indian Conversions, some of them may be employ'd in this Service; after the first twenty Years from their first Arrival, their publick Worship, shall for ever be in English; all their Conveyances, Bonds, and other publick Writings, to be in English; thus in two or three Generations (as de Foe humorously expresses it) they will all be|come true born Englishmen. We have an Instance of this in New-England, where many Irish in Lan|guage and Religion (I mean Roman Catholicks) have been imported some Years since; their Children have lost their Language and Religion, and are good Subjects: We have a notorious Instance of the bad Effects in not observing this Regulation, in Nova Scotia; the French Inhabitants though in Allegiance to the Crown of Great-Britain ever since Anno 1710, by allowing them a sepa|rate Residence, with their Language and Religion conti|nued, are at present, as much estranged from and Enemies to the British Interest, as they were 37 Years ago; witness their Behaviour in our present French War, by their favouring and concuring with our French Canada Enemies, and the late Expeditions from France: The D—ch in a neighbouring Province, because not well

dashed or intermixed with the English, though in Allegiance above Eighty Y••ars; do not seem to consult our Interest so much, as might be expect|ed.

Although the Colonies of various Nations may learn the Iuvan••ia and the Laedentia, from one another; there may be several Political Regulations in Colonies foreign to us, which may have a good Effect with themselves, but may not fit our Constitution; for Instance, 1. The Spaniards say, that their vast extensive Settlements in A|merica, have continued in due Subjection about 250 Years, by their principal Officers; Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Military, being from Old-Spain; In China (a polite Na|tion) no Man can be a Mandarin in his own Country or District, where he was born. 2. The French, Spanish, and Portuguese Colonies, are not allowed to make Wines, and distil Spirits of Sugar for Merchandize, because it would hurt the Vent of the Wines and Brandies of their Mother Countries: Some such Regulations with Regard to T••ings commonly manufactured in Great-Britain, not to be manufactured in the Plantations, have from Time to Time been laid before the Court of Great-Bri|tain, by People disaffected to the Plantations v. g. by Col. D—r not long since; but happily, have had little or no Effect.

The several Colonies, particularly those of New-Eng|land the most suspected, have it neither in their Power nor Inclination to withdraw from their Dependance upon Great-Britain: Of themselves, they are comparatively nothing, without the As••istance and Protection of some European maritime Power; amongst those, the French, Spanish, and Portuguese differ so much from them in Re|ligion, the most popular Affair, and in an absolute, mon|archial Government inconsistent with our Plantation, le|velling Spirit; that we have nothing to fear from them; the Dutch being nearly the same with us in Religion, and apparently (though not really) the same as to a po|pular Government; they bid the fairest for carrying off

our Plantations from th••ir Allegiance, and ought in a particular Manner to be guarded again••t; if in Time of some general Disconte••t, a W••r should happen with the Dutch.

As in natural Parentage, so Infant Colonies, ought to be tenderly and fi••ally used, without any Suspicion or Surmise of a future obstinate Disobedie••ce, Desertion, or Revolt. Some of the American Colony-Legi••latures, have at Times been drawn into Errors and I••advertencies, by some popular, wicked, leading Men, which has obliged the Court of Great Britain to make som•• Alterations in their peculiar Constitutions; we shall enumerate them in the respective Colony Sections, a•• present we shall only instance a few relating ••o this Province of Massachusetts-Bay. 1. Upon a Quo War••nto f••om the Court of King's Bench issued in Trinity-Term Anno 1635 agai••st the Go|vernor and Company of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay; and in Trinity Term Anno 1••37 Judgment was given for the King to seize said ••olony, an•• to take Go|vernor Cradock's Body i••to Custody; but by Reason of the ensuing Troubles, t••is Judgm••••t was never put in Execution. 2. The ••eirs of Mas•••• a••d Gorge, Pro|prietors of the Provinces of N••w ••am••••hire and Main, complain'd to the King of the Usu••••••t••ons of the Go|vernment of Massach••••••••••s••••ay; t••e ••i••g by a manda|tory Letter Anno 1676 to Ma••sachuset••s Bay Colo••y re|quired an Answer to those Com••lai••ts: The Agents for Massachusetts-Bay, before the Cou••t of King's-Bench, dis|claim'd these Lands, and by an Act of Assembly of the Colony 1679, all their encroaching Grants were vacated. 3. Upon several pretended Complaints their Charter was vacated in Chancery 1684, but they obtai••ed a new and more perfect Charter Anno 1691. 4. Governor Shute Anno 1722 carried Home seven Articles of Complaints concerning their House of Repres••ntatives encroaching upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prerogative; by their Agent in England▪ they submis••ively g••ve up five of these Articles, and the ge|neral Assembly accepted of an explanatory Charter, where|by

the other two Articles were explained away; all these shall be related more at large in their proper Place. 5. Se|veral bubling Banks and Schemes designed to defraud Creditors and others, by depreciating the Currency in New England, being on Foot, and not suppressed by the pro|per Legislature, perhaps because many of their leading Membe••s were concerned; several worthy Gentlemen applied Home for Redress, and obtain'd Anno 1741 An Act of Pa••liament against unwarrantable Schemes in America.

Upwards of thirty Years since, upon some Complaints concerning the Colonies, particularly of South Carolina; the Court of Great-Britain judged, that it might be for the general British Interest, to have all Charter and Pro|prietary Governments vacated by Act of Parliament, and accordingly a Bill was brought into the House of Com|mons; but the New England Agent Dummer by an in|genious Piece which he publish'd at that Time giving the true State of the Colonies, by his Vigilancy, Assiduity, proper Sollicitations and personal Address, and Interest with some of the leading Men, occasioned the Bill to be dropt.

The vacating of all Charter and Proprietary Govern|ments is not the ultimate Chastisement that may be used with delinquent Colonies; the Parliament of Great-Bri|tain may abridge them of many valuable Privileges which they enjoy at present; as happened in an Affair relating to Ireland; the Parliament of Great Britain Anno 1720 passed an Act for the better securing the Depen|dance of the Kingdom of Ireland upon the Crown of Great-Britain: Therefore the Colonies ought to be circumspect, and not offend their Mother-Country; as for Instance, 1. In abusing that Privilege which our Co|lonies have of raising Taxes and assessing of themselves; South Carolina had not supplied the nec••ssary Charges of Government, for four Years preceeding Anno 1731; New-Hampshire for five Years preceeding Anno 1736. 2. In Time of Peace emitting of depreciating publick

Bills of Credit for a Medium of Trade and Commerce, and making them legal Tenders; this is equivalent to Coinage (and of a base Standard) a Prerogative of the Crown.

Our British American Colonies have many valuable Privileges. 1. Enacting of their own Laws, with Con|dition of their not being repugnant to the Laws of Great-Britain, but may be otherways various from them. 2. Raising their own Taxes. 3. No Act of the British Parliament made since the first setling of our Colonies, exten••s to the Colonies, unless expresly extended in the British Act of Parliament. 4. No private Purchase from the Indians shall be valid (formerly much Deceit and Cheat has been discovered in these Purchases, tending to alienate the Indians from the British Interest) without the Confirmation of the Governor and Council in some Colo|ni••s, and without the Approbation of the Legislature in the otherColonies. There are Lands in some of our Plantations, where it is not possible to shew any Indian Conveyance, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they were Derelicts; such are all our West-India Island Settlements, no Indians being there at our first landing: The ••ossessors who were prior to Patent or King's commis|sioned Governor, have no other Title to their Lands but long Possession, a Sort of Prescription; thus the old Set|lers of New-Hampshire hold their Lands, it being supposed that Mr. Mason had neglected or relinquished his Grant.

In the Beginning of our Colony Grants, there was only one House of * 1.135 Legislature; the Governor or President, the Council or Assistants, and the Representatives voted together. At present in Conformity to our Legislature in Great-Britain, they consist of three separate Negatives;

thus, by the Governor, representing the King, the Colonies are Monarchial; by a Council they are Ari|stocratical; by a House of Representatives or Dele|gates from the People, they are Democratical: These Three are distinct and independant of one an|other, and the Colonies enjoy the Conveniencies of each of these Forms of Government, without their In|conveniences, the several Negatives being Checks upon one another. The Concurrence of these three Forms of Governments, seems to be the highest Perfection that human Civil Government can atta••n to in Times of * 1.136 Peace with the neighbouring States; if it did not sound too profane, by making too free with the mystical Ex|pressions of our Religion, I should call it a Trinity in Unity.

The second Negative in our Legislatures, differs from that of Great-Britain. In Great-Britain it is an * 1.137 he|reditary Ho••se of Lords, in our American Settlements, the Members of their Councils so called, are only tem|porary, appointed by the Court of Great-Britain durante

Beneplacito, or by annual Elections in some of our Colo|nies. In Carolina at first the••e was designed an hereditary second Negative (in Place of a Council) of Palatines and Cassiques, Lords of large Manors, this is dropt.

There are a few Irregularities or Exceptions from these three Negatives in some of our Colonies, which shall be taken particular Notice of, in the proper Sections, and doubtless in Time will be rectified. 1. In Connecti|cut and Rhode-Island their Elective Governor has no Ne|gative. 2. In Pennsylvania the Council has no Negative. 3. In Massachusetts-Bay, the Council is not independa••t; it is obnoxious to the Caprice of a Governor's Negative, and to the Humour of the House of Representatives who elect them: In some Elections the Council and Repre|sentatives vote together.

Notwithstanding of a Colony Assembly's being upon the Point of dissolving in Course, according to their se|veral and various municipal Laws; the Governors ••is|solve them in Form, as in Great-Britain, to keep up the Prerogative of the Crown.

In Proprietary Colonies, where the Proprietors have retained the Jurisdiction, the Proprietors nominate the Governor, with the Approbation of the King in Council. Excepting in Proprietary and Charter Colonies all Patents for Lands are in the King's Name, Teste hi•• Ex|cellency in Council.

The municipal Laws, or Laws peculiar to the several Colonies are too various and variable, as well as bulky to be inserted in a Summary; they are remitted Home from Time to Time, and are to be found in the Plantat••on-Offices in London; excepting those of the Proprietary and Charter Governments; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Patents they are not obliged (this was an origin••l Defect in such Pate••••s, and may be rectified by Act of Parliament) to transmit them to the Crown for Approba••ion or Disallowance. The Laws of a Colony may be various from, but not r••|pugnant to the Laws of Great-Britain.

In our Colonies, the Courts of Judicatur•• are variou••,

but all of the same Nature with the Courts in England; viz. Chancery (in the Charter Governments Ius and Aequum are in the same Court) Common Law, Probate of Wills and Appurtenances; a Court of Vice-Admiralty for Sea-Af|fairs; and a Iusticiary Court of Admiralty, by Q. Anne's Commission Tertio Regni, pursuant to an Act of Parliament 11, 12 Gul. III, called, An Act for the more effectual Sup|pression of Piracy; consisting at least of seven of the nomi|nated from th••ir Offices, and for Want of that Number com|pleat, any Three of the nominated may appoint a Com|pliment.

Cases in Chancery, and common Law may be carried Home by Appeal or Petition to the King in Council; from thence it is referred to the Lords of the Committee * 1.138 of Council for Plantation-Affairs; from this Committee of Council, it is referred or sent down to the Lords Com|missioners for Trade and Plantations, this last Board fre|quently take the Advice of the Attorney and Sollicitor-General; and Reports are returned back from one Board to another, and issued by the King in Council.

The Officers of the Customs Receiving or Preventive, are immediately under the Direction of the Commission|ers of the Customs in Great Britain.

The Commission of Vice-Admiral to our Plantation-Governors gives no Command a-float; their Jurisdiction is only, relating to Wrecks, &c. cast on Shore, to low Water Mark; being of the same Nature with the seve|ral Vice-Admirals along the Coast in Great-Britain.

Every King's Commission with Instructions to a Go|vernor in the Plantations; is a Sort of Charter to that Colony or Province, durante Beneplacito.

Our Plantation Governors, have no Power without Or|ders from the Court of Great-Britain, to grant Letters of Reprisals. The French and Dutch Governors have thisPower.

All our Plantation-Governors are liable to be called to Account (on Complaints) at the King's-Bench Bar in West|minster; for Instance Douglass of the Leeward Islands, Anno 1716, and Lowther of Barbadoes 1720.

Formerly Governors, if Court-Favourites, had at Times Plurality of Governments (as some Clergymen Favou|rites of leading Men, have Plurality of Benefices, Lord Willoughbay was Governor of Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands; Sir Edmond Andros, in the Reign of Iames II, was Governor of all New England, New York, and the Iersies; Lord Bellamont was Governor of New York, Mas|sachusetts-Bay, and New-Hampshire: It is not so at pre|sent, except in the two distinct Governments of Pensyl|vania, therefore under one Governor.

In the Colonies their Revenue-Acts are generally annual; in Iamaica, they are temporary, but of a long Period; in a few of the Colonies there are some perpetual Taxes; thus in Barbados and Leeward Islands the four and half per Ct. upon Produce exported, and in Virginia 2 s. per Hogshead Tobacco. All their Provincial Treasurers are appointed by their own Assemblies; excepting the four and half per Ct. in Barbadoes and the Leeward-Islands; the King's Collectors are the Receivers, and also receive the Plantation Duties laid on by Act of Parliament 1673, as not appropriated for the Use of the Treasuries of the several Plantations, but at the King's Disposal: The 1 d. per Ct. upon Tobacco of Virginia and Maryland is appropriated for the Benefit of the College or Seminary at Williamsburg.

In the several Colonies their general Revenue is by a Tax of some Pence in the Pound, upon the Principal of real Estate, personal Estate, and Faculty; and a Pol-Tax, Imposts, and Excises.

The Produce for Export in the several Colonies shall be enumerated in the proper Sections. Upon our first Discoveries of America, we found no Horses, Asses, Cows, Sheep, and Swine. In the Inland Parts of the Continent, especially upon the Misissippi, there was Plenty

of Buffaloes, and in the West-India Islands, several Sorts of Wild Hog Natives; every where much Deer, and the American Stag or Buck-Moose, which differ from the German Elke, by its branched Brow Antlers: Variety of Geese, of Ducks, and of wild Fowl called Gibier by the French.

In the Colonies of the several European Nations, they have a national exclusive Commerce amongst themselves and with their Mother-Countries. St. Thomas, a Danish Settlement only, admits of a free general Trade. The French and Dutch Governors (perhaps by a private In|struction from their Courts at Home, and as a conside|rable Perquisite, do at Times allow, or connive at a fo|reign Importation of Necessaries (Provisions, Lumber, Horses, black Cattle, &c.) with which they cannot other|ways be accomodated, and are much in Want of.

By Act of Parliament Anno 1698, no Vessels, unless registred in England, Ireland or the Plantations (by the Union, Scotland is included) upon Oath that they were built there (foreign Prizes are also qualified) and that no Foreigner is directly or indirectly concerned.

Plantation Produce or Goods as enumerated (com|monly called enumerated Goods) by several Acts of Par|liament, are not to be carried, but to Great-Britain; and Plantation Bonds are given, and a Certificate to be return|ed to the Officers of the Shipping Ports, of their being loaded accordingly. The enumerated Goods are naval Stores, viz. Pitch, Tar, Turpentine, Masts, Yards, and Bowsprihts; Sugars, Molasses, Cotton-Wool, Indigo, Ginger, Dying-Woods, Rice, Beaver, and other Furs, Copper Oar. Rice and Sugars by late Acts of Parlia|ment, are indulged under certain Conditions (too long to be enumerated in a Summary) to be carried to certain foreign Parts: Logwood is not the Growth or Produce of our Plantations, and by the Construction of the Com|missioners of the Customs, is exempted from being an enumerated Commodity, (as we have no Logwood the Growth of our Plantations) being imported from the

Spanish West-Indies to our Colonies and re-exported to Europe.

By an Act of the Parliament of England Anno 1673, there are imposed Plantation-Duties (Produce carried from one Colony to another) upon certain enumerated Goods for a genera l national Use, not for the particular Colony. viz.

	s. d.		d.
Muscovado Sugars	1.6 pr Ct. wt.	Tobacco	1. pr lb.
White Do.	5.	Cotton half	1.
Ginger	1.	Indigo	2.
Dying Woods	.6.	Coco Nuts	1.

that upon Tobacco has been appropriated to the College in Virginia at Williamsburg.

Our North America Trade to Great-Britain, is, the enumerated Commodities above mentioned, Pig Iron, and Fish Oil, sometimes Wheat and Staves to Ireland. To Spain, Portugal, and Italy, dry'd Cod-Fish. To the West-India Islands, Lumber, Refuse dry'd Fish, salt Beef and Pork, Butter; and Cheese, Flower, Horses and Live Stock, the Returns from the West-India Islands, are, Su|gar, Molasses, Rum, Cotton, Indigo, Dye-Woods, Span|ish Money, and Cocoa: Sugar, Rum, Tobacco, and Chocolate are much used in our Colonies.

Anno 1729 The Attorney and Solicitor General, gave it as their publick Opinion, that a Negro Slave coming to Europe, or baptized any where, does not make him free.

In our Colonies * 1.139 Computations of all Kinds, Weights and Measures are the same as in England.

Our Settlements upon the Easterly Side of North-Ame|rica, are much colder in Winter, and much hotter in Summer, than the same Latitudes, in the Westerly or European Side of the other vast Continent; the Globe of our Earth may be said to consist of two large Continents viz. the ancient Continent of Europe Asia and Africa, and the new Continent called America. Every Man who h••s resided some Time in Europe, and some Time in North America, is personally sensible of this: in Europe Northern Fisheries, for Instance, Cod and Salmon extend Southward to 51 d. N. Lat. in North-America they ex|tend no further than 41 d. N. Lat.

Mariners observe, that in their Passages between Europe and America, Winds are * 1.140 almost three Quarters of the

Year Westerly; Baron Lahontan a Canada Officer writes, "That, the Winds from Canada to Europe are Easterly for about 100 Days in the Year, and Westerly about 260 Days:" This with an attending Westerly Swell or heaving of the Sea, is the Reason, that the Passages from North-America to Europe are much shorter than from Europe to North-America.

In North-America the dry freezing Winds are from North to West, in Europe the dry freezing Winds are from North to East; proceeding from that great Conti|nent which receives and retains the Northern Effects of Cold, viz. Snow and Ice, laying to the Westward of A|merica, and to the Eastward of Europe; the Current of Air gliding along, becomes more and more impregnated with the Cold, the Terms of frigorific Particles, or of a peculiar Salt of Nitre, I leave with the virtuoso idle no|tional Philosophers. The Situation of Lands occasions considerable Differences in the Temper of the Air; the Weather in Canada is generally in Winter colder (in Pro|portion to its Latitude) than in New-England, and more settled; as being surro••••••ed with Land of some Extent, and therefore the Land Influence from all Corners of the

Winds, of the same Nature; whereas in New-England to the Eastward is Water or Sea of a very different Influ|ence from the Land or Earth's specifick Gravity or Soli|dity in receiving or retaining Cold or Heat. By the Soft|ness of the Vapour from the Water, the Sea-Shore is warmer than the Inland, the Sea warmer than the Shore, and the Ocean or deep Water warmer than the Sea: Thus the Island of Great-Britain and its appertaining Is|lands are much warmer in Winters than the adjacent Con|tinent, but with this Inconveniency (a Digression) that this soft Vapour or Damp, disposes the Inhabitants to a catarrhous or colliquative Consumption; this Distemper, Time out of Mind, is recorded as an English Endemial Distemper. The Situation of the various Countries as to Islands, and Head-Lands, as to Variety of Soil, sandy Lands which retain the Heat, Morass, Swamps, and Wood-Lands which retain Damps; these a Summary cannot enumerate, with Regard to the Winds or Current of the Air and as to the Temper of the Air in our various Colonies.

Georgia excepted (Nova-Scotia and Cape-Breton I do not call Colonies) our American Colonies have been no Charge to Great-Britain; a small Matter of Artillery to some of them must be acknowledged, but without Am|munition. The British Men of War or King's Station-Ships, of late, have been of no Use only by their Coun|tenance: The Commanders are either indolent, or in Collusion with the Pursers (not long since they had the Perquisite of Pursers) take Advantage of the Provisions of the Non-effectives, connive at their Ships being ill man'd, and upon an Exigency or when called Home, distress the Trade by pressing Sailors: There are Excep|tions, I shall only instance Sir PETER WARREN an assi|duous, faithful, good, and therefore fortunate Man. Our Provinces have frequently grumbled upon this Account, and have lately made an Experiment by fitting out a Province-Frigate at a great Charge in Massachusetts Bay; but for these last two Years seem to be under the

same Censure, where the Fault lies, I shall not, at present relate.

In all our Colonies are many good, industrious, frugal, pious, and moral Gentlemen; I hope the following, ge|neral Character of many of the Populace will give no Offence. 1. Idleness, Intemperance, Luxury in Diet, Extravagancies in Apparel, and an abandoned Way of Living. Our Planters, especially their Children, when they go Home to Great-Britain, distinguish themselves too much by their Dress, and expensive Way of Living for a short Time. 2. The People of all Colonies (Bri|tish, French, &c.) do not seem to have so much Solidity in thinking as in Europe; but exceed the European menu peuple, as to some little Tricks and Arts in Business ac|quired by Education, and a continued Practice. 3. By importing and expending too much of Superfluities from Europe; and in some Colonies by substituting a Paper-Currency, they impoverish themselves, and are under a Necessity of sending their Gold and Silver, as Returns, to Europe. 4. A present Profit prevails over a distant Interest.

To avoid Prolixity, but with Impatience, I must defer the Iniquity of a multiplied Plantation Paper Currency to the Appendix; it is of no Benefit only to the fraudulent Debtor, they are not ashamed to acknowledge that Equity and natural Justice, they ought to repay the same in real Value which they received; but they say, their Province Laws excuses and indemnifies them, by paying any no|minal Value; and that the compassionate good Creditor, must blame himself for his Forbearance and long Credit, while Money is depreciating: That a multiplied Paper-Currency naturally depreciates it self, I shall at present only evince by the Instance of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, November 1747; where are about Two Millions, One Hundred Thousand Pounds current publick Bills of Credit not cancelled or burnt, whereof a small Matter is in the Hands of the Receivers of the Taxes; the Opera|tion is, Bills of Exchange with Great-Britain are risen to the extravagant incredible Height of One Thousand

Pound New-England, for One Hundred Pound Ster|ling.

Timber-Trees, especially White-Oaks for Ship-build|ing, the best grow in New-England; further North they are dwarfish, and of an untoward Grain; further South they are spungy and soft, and do not afford compass Timber.

In Countries far North the Mould is light and spungy, being much distended by the hard long Frosts.

ARTICLE 3. The Ecclesiastical or Religious Constitution of the British Colonies in North-America.

IN all the Royal Patents and Charters of our Colonies, the principal Condition required of the Patentees, s••ems to be the Conversion of the Indians; and ••he Crown on the other Part conditions for the Encourage|ment of Settlers, a free Profession or Liberty of Consci|ence: Therefore a * 1.141 TOLERATION for all Christian Pro|fessions

of Religion, is the true Ecclesiastical Constitution of our American Colonies; the * 1.142 Roman Catholick only

is excepted; the Nature of our Constitution, the horrid Principles of thatReligion, and at present the Popish Claims to our Royal Succ••ssion, can by no Means admit of it; the Papists of Maryland Pensylvania and Montserrat, seem to be too much indulged. By an Act of the English Par|liament incorporated with the Act of Union of Scotland and England, Anno 1707; the Church of England is, and forever hereafter shall be the established Religion in the Territories belonging to England, viz. in the Planta|tions: Therefore, the Church of England is at present, and must continue in Perpetuity the established national Religion of the Plantations, being one of the fundamen|tal Articles of the Union; Earl of I—lay a great Law|yer, upon a certain Occasion in a Speech in the House of Lords well observed, "That there were only two Articles of Union ••••alterable, viz. Those relating to Re|ligion, and the Proportion of Taxes." Antecedent to Anno 1707 it seems that a general Toleration limited as above was the religious Establishment of our Colonies; 1. In thei•• Charters and Grants, there is no Preference given to the Church of England. 2. The Act of Uni|formity in the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, was prior to the Colonies in America. 3. In the Act of Uniformity, Beginning of King Charles IId's Reign, are mentioned only "the Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed." 4. By a late Act of the British Parliament for the naturulizing Fo|reigners in the Plantations; receiving the Sacrament in any Protestant Congregation is a Qualification; therefore it did not extend to the Plantations.

I know of no doctrinal * 1.143 Difference between the Laity of the Church of England, and the Laity of the three

Deno••••nations of Protestant Dissenters; who are thus distinguished from other Dissenters, because they take out

Licenses for their Meetings or religious Assemblies in England, I mean the Presbyterians, Independents, and An|abaptists▪ these last at present seem to differ from the others only in the Manner and Age proper to receive Baptism. My being prolix in this Point, is designed not to dictate, but to contribute towards conciliating their Affections to one another; their doctrinal Religion is the same, their Establishment or legal Toleration the same; they differ only nominally, or in Denominations; if any of these Denominations should be angry with me, I give them this short anticipating Answer, I am independent and of no Party, but that of Truth.

The Differences in the Modes of BAPTISM are not es|sential; my Voucher is the Bishop of London our Dio|cesian, noted by his printed pious super-excellent Pastoral Letters; in a Letter to the Reverend Mr. Miles, a Rector of the Church of England in Boston, dated Fulham Sept. 3. 1724.

I have been informed within these few Days, by a Bishop who had a Letter from Boston, that some of the Ministers there, begin the Dispute about the Validity and Invalidity of Baptism; administred by Persons not episcopally ordained. This was advanced in England some Years ago, by the Nonjurors, Ene|mies of the Protestant Religion and present Govern|ment. The Bishops in Convocation then assembled, set forth a Paper, proving and declaring, that Baptism by Water in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, by what Hand soever administred or however ir|regular, is not to be repeated: This Doctrine, the great Patrons of our Church maintain'd against the

Puritans in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King Iames I. Considering the Views wit•• which this Doc|trine has been lately advanced here, by the Nonjurors, if any Missionary shall renew this Controversy, and ad|vance the same, I shall esteem him an Enemy to the Church of England, and the Protestant Succession, and shall deal with him accordingly.

Dodwel carried this Affair of Baptism to a ridiculous Height, viz. That the Souls of Men were naturally mortal, but Episcopal Baptism makes them immortal.

The Differences in offering up their PRAYERS, to the Supreme Being are not essential; whether, 1. By Liturgy, a printed Form, called in the Church of England, Com|mon Prayer. 2. Memoriter, though generally composed by some Directory, or Custom, or Habit; as amongst the three Denominations of Protestant Dissenters. 3. Random extempore Prayers of the Sober-minded; I do not mean the profane enthusiastick Prayers of New-Lights and others, which they impiously call, Praying as the Spirit shall give them Utterance; Inspirations are ceased▪ 4. Mental Prayers, these are called Qui••tists, such are th•• English Quakers, the Dutch Mennists or Mennonites, the Spanish, French, and Italian Molinists, they are of Opi|nion that in our Devotions, we are to r••tire our Minds from all Exteriors, and sink into a pious Frame of Si|lence; that using of Words or attending to Words, in|terrupts Devotion, and they reduce all the Exercise of Religion to this Simplicity of Mind: In short, Qui|etists are of Opinion, that the great GOD ought to be adored in Silence and Admiration; that Words and Ce|remonies divert true Devotion, to material Sounds and Objects. Our Quakers say, that their silent Meetings are the most edifying. A strict Uniformity in Religion does not people a Country, but depopu|lates, and particularly sends away the best of their People, the industrious peaceable conscientious Dissenters. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantz hurt France very much by sending away many of their best Ma••u|facturers

and Artificers; to the great Benefit of Great-Britain and Holland, where an extensive compassionate charitable Toleration is established by Laws and Plakka••ts.

3. In our Colonies, People of all Religions are under the coercive Power of the Civil Government; therefore at present, any other Government in the several Denomi|nations of Churches, might have the bad Effect of Im|perium in Imperio, i. e. Confusion: In Fact, in our Plan|••ations, at this Time, there is no real Provincial Church Government, and consequently do not differ in this Re|spect; the Bishop's Commissary is only a nominal Office; the annual Meetings of the Independant or Congregational Clergy, in Boston End of May at the Solemnity of the Election of a Provincial Council; and the yearly Pilgri|mage of some Quakers, are only upon a laudable friend|ly Account. Perhaps a Superintendant of the Missionaries from the Society of 1701, might have a good Effect; with a Power, and Instructions, to remove Missionaries from one Station to another, as the Interest of propagat|ing the Gospel might require. As an Historian, every Thing is in my Province. Some who do not understand Propriety of Characters, think, I ought not to mention the Clergy; but as a Writer of History, I cannot avoid it, without being reckoned deficient, and partial in the Affairs of the Clergy.

4. The Vestments of the Clergy are not to be faulted: They are not essential to Religion; all Communions seem to affect something peculiar in this Respect; the Gown, Cas••ock, Girdle, Rose, Surplice, &c. of the Church of Eng|land; the plain black Gown of the Officiating Clergy in Geneva, Switzerland, and Hugenots of France; the black Gown with Frogs in the Country Ministers of Scotland; the black Cloak of the Independants; the antiquated Ha|bit of the Quakers, particularly of their Exhorters.

Perhaps, at present, many Religions, are so loaded with verbal Differences or Controversies, and with enthu|siastick devotional Terms; that they are become an Affair not of Piety, Sincerity and Truth, but a Jumble of in|significant

technical Words and Cant-Phrases: As for|merly, instead of true solid Philosophy and natural History, there was in the Schools only a pedantick metaphysical Iargon, which by this Time has received a notable Refor|mation; so I doubt not, that Religion in Time may ad|mit of the like Purity and Simplicity.

In Great-Britain there are three distinct Societies for propagating Christian Protestant Knowledge or Religion in foreign Parts, incorporated by Royal Charters.

1. Anno 1649. The Parliament of England, granted a Charter to a President and Society, for propagating the Gospel in New-England; at the Restoration it was laid aside, but by Sollicitation a newCharter was granted 14 Car. II. February 7, to a Society or Company for propagating the Gospel in New-England, and Parts adjacent in Ame|rica, the Number of Members not to exceed 45, and the Survivers to supply Vacancies; they appoint Commissi|oners in New-England to manage Affairs there: This Charity has been helpful to some of the Preachers in New-England who have small Provision.

2. Anno 1709 by Charter there was established in Scot|land a Society for propagating Christian Knowledge a|mongst the Highlanders; 4 Geor. I. their Charter was ex|tended to all Infidel Countries beyond Seas; they have a considerable Fund, they have had a Missionary upon the New-England Western Frontiers, and another upon its Eastern Frontiers; the laborious Mr. Brainard, late|ly dead, was their Missionary amongst the Indians upon the Northern Frontiers of Pensylvania and the Iersies.

3. A Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts, established by Charter Iune 16. Anno 1701, their certain Fund is very small, they depend upon Subscripti|ons and casual Donations; their subscribing and corre|sponding Members at present, are upwards of 5,000; in the American Colonies, near 60 Missionaries; their annual Expence exceeds 4,000 £. St. We may find by their Charter, by their annual Society-Sermons, and by the yearly Narratives of the Progress of thi•• Society;

that the principal Design is to propagate Christian Know|ledge, that the Indians may come to the Knowledge of CHRIST; to preach the Gospel to the Heathen; the Care of the Indians bordering upon our Settlements, and such like Expressions: A secondary Design is, to officiate where there is no Provision, or only a small Provision for a Gospel Ministry. Many good Things were originally intended by this Charter, and doubtless the same good Intentions continue with the Society; but in all publick distant Affairs the Managers at Home may be imposed upon: here I beg Leave of the Missionaries, as an His|torian to relate Matters of Fact; if any Missionary thinks that I deviate from the Truth, he may correct me, and I shall be more explicit and particular in the Appendix. The Remarks which I shall make at present are 1. The Missionaries do not concern themselves with the Conver|sions of the Indians or Heathen; the Missionaries of Albany in the Province of New-York, have at Times vi|sited the Mohawks. 2. Instead of being sent to reside and serve th••ir Missions in our out Town new Settle|ments (where, in the Words of their Charter) "the Provision for Ministers is very mean, or are wholly des|titute and unprovided of a Maintenance for Ministers, and the publick Worship of GOD," they are sent to the Capitals, richest, and best civilized Towns of our Pro|vinces; as if the Design and Institution were only to bring over the tolerated sober, civilized Dissenters, to the Formality of saying their Prayers * 1.144 Liturgy-Fa|shion. In the Colony of Rhode-Island, discreet able Mis|sionaries are requisite.

The British Missionaries of the three distinct Societies, are much d••ficient, when compared with the Missionaries of other Nations amongst the Heathen. 1. For many

Years last past, we have frequent Accounts of many nu|merous Conversions of the Heathen in the East-Indies by the Danish Christian Protestant Missionaries▪ which not only propagates our Christian Religion, but i•• a political View brings over the Aborigines and secures them in a national Interest. 2. The French Missionaries in Canada are indef••tigable, and thereby serve the Interest of France, equally with that of Christianity. 3. The Popish Missi|onaries in China from several European Nations, by their Mathematical Ingenuity, and their Omnia Omnibus, have been very useful to Christianity.

A DIGRESSION Concerning the Settling of Colonies in general; with an U|topian Amusement, or loose Proposals, towards regulating the British Colonies in the North Continent of America.

It is a common but mistaken Notion, that sending a|broad Colonies, weakens the Mother-Country: Spain is generally adduced for the Instance; but Spain being ill peopled does not proceed from thence, it is from their native Sloth, from driving all the Moors out of that Country, from a rigorous Inquisition in religious Affairs, from vast Numbers of Friers and Nuns who do not la|bour, and who are not allowed to propagate their Species, for this Reason, and from the Popes being Landlords only for Life; the Popes Dominions in Italy are almost deso|late of People, but not from sending out of Colonies; they have no Colonies.

The Grandeur of Phoenicea, Greece, and Rome, was much owing to their Colonies; they made no Complaints of their Colonies depopulating their respective Mother-Countries. The many and large Dutch Colonies in the East Indies, do not depopulate Holland, but are the chief Foundation of their Wealth. How vastly rich, must France have been in a very short Time, if the good Car|dinal Flury's Scheme of Trade and Colonies had been followed, in place of their idle Romantick Land-Conquests in Europe.

The People sent f••om Great-Britain and their Progeny make vastly more profitable Returns, than they could pos|sibly have done by their Labour at Home: I do not m••an Idlers and Soldiers sent only for the Defence of un|necessarily multiplied Colonies; this seems to be bad Policy, by exhausting their Mother-Country both of Men and Money. If any neighbouring foreign Settlement becomes noxious, let us demolish or dismantle it, when in our Power; and prevent, by Treaty or Force any future Settlement; this will be sufficient and profitable.

The Nations of Great-Britain are not a numerous Peo|ple, and therefore cannot swarm so much (in Allusion to Bees) as some other Countries of Europe: We have found and do practice two considerable Expedients, to supply this Defect. 1. Importing and naturalizing of Foreigners; witness the late incredible Growth of the Province of Pensylvania, from the Importation of Pala|tines and Strasb••rghers from Germany. By an Act of P••rliament, any Foreigners who after the 1st of Iuly 1740▪ shall reside in any of his Majesty's Colonies seven Years or more, without being absent above two Months at a Time from the Colonies, and shall bring a Certificate of his having received the Sacrament within three Months in some Protestant Congregation, and of taking the Oaths to the Government before a Justice, and registering the same, shall be deem'd as natural-born Subject. By an Act of Parliament 1740, every foreign Seaman who shall after 1st Ian. 1739, 40, have served during the War, on board

any British Man of War, Merchant Ship, or Privat••er for two Years, shall be deem'd a natural born Subject of Great-Britain, and shall enjoy all Privileges as an actual Native of Great-Britain with some Exceptions as to Offi|ces of Trust. 2. Importing and employing of Slaves from Africa▪ in the West-India or Sugar-Islands, and in the Southern District of the British Colonies in North-A|merica, they are about 300,000, at the Charge of about 30 s. St. per An. per Head: These Negro Slaves are employed in the Produce of all our Sugars, Tobacco, Rice, and many other valuable Commoditi••s.

The Discouragements and Hindrances of the Growth of our Plantations, which require to be remedied, are all IMPRESSES, because hitherto our Plantations have no spare Hands. 1. Inlisting of Landmen as Soldiers to serve without their several Provinces or Colonies: All the Co|lonies want more People, and Whites, Natives of Ame|rica, do not well bear Transplantation; of the two Com|panies sent from Massachusetts-Bay in New-England many Years ago for the Relief of Iamaica, not above 5 or 6 returned; of the 500 Men sent to Cuba Expeditions, not exceeding 50 Men returned; of the 4000 Men Volun|tiers upon the Expe••ition to Louis••ourg, o••e Half died of Sicknesses; and they who returned, came Home with a Habit of Idleness, and generally consumed more than they earned, and consequently were worse than dead: Inlistments to be allowed only occasio••a••••y in Case•• of Invasions or Insurrections in the neighbouring Provinces. 2. Impressing of Seamen for the Servi•••• of the Navy, this prevents the Increase of Shipping and Seamen in the Co|lonies, and occasionally makes Ri••••s and dangerous Tu|mults; out of many Instances I shall mention one which lately happened at Boston in New-England, Nov. 17. Anno 1747, Commodore * 1.145 Knowles made a general Imp••••ss

in a most illegal, unprecedented Manner, seized, or rather in the Night Time in Surprize by his Press-Gangs STOLE

away Ship-Builders Apprentices, and whole Crews of Ships, not only outward bound but actually cleared out,

without leaving any of his own People on Board to take Care of the Ships and Merchants Interest: This natural|ly occasioned a considerable Tumult; the Rioters seized the Sea-Officers that the Commodore had imprudently left ashore, by Way of Reprizals, but used them well; the Commodore threatned, and did actually make some Advan••es with his Fleet towards the Town of Boston, to bombard it or land his Men there (doubtless if he had arrived to the Point of putting this furious Madness in Execution, his Officers would have confined him as a Maniack) but this Paroxysm abated, and he returned a few

of the impressed Men: Such a dangerous Experiment might have occasioned a general * 1.146 Insurrection o•• the Province.

The impressing of Seamen has in Part been redressed by a late Act of Parliament. There had long subsisted a Dispute between the Admiralty, and the Trade, concern|ing the impressing of Sailors: The first insisted that, Commanders of Privateers, and Masters of Merchant-Men, did encourage Desertion from his Majesty's Ships of War by entertaining and hiring Deserters; the Mer|chants complain'd of the great Hardships upon Trade and Navigation, from the arbitrary unreasonable Impress of Hands by indiscreet Captains and Commanders: To accommodate this Affair the Parliament of Great-Britain

in their Wisdom passed an Act Anno 1746, that Privateers or Merchant-Men harbouring Deserters from the King's Ships, should forfeit 50 £. St. per Man; and any Officer of a Man of War impressing any Sailor (De|serters excepted) on Shore or on Board should pay 50 £. St. for each Man impressed. This Act is only in Relation to the Sugar-Island Colonies; it might easily when in Agitation have been extended to the Continent Colonies of North-America by proper Application of their several Agents; in a particular Manner New-England claimed this Exemption (if their Agents had had that Address, In|terest, Vigilancy and Assiduity which their Duty required) by having lately suffered so much in their Persons and Purses by a voluntary Expedition in Favour of their Mo|ther-Country against Louisbourg: I am apt to think that being too forward beyond our natural Abilities, may give the Ministry at Home some Reason to imagine, that New-England is so encreased in People, as to have many Idlers to spare; as appears by their Order for two Regi|ments of Soldiers (or 2000 Men) from hence, in Addi|tion to the Garrison of Louisbourg: At present I hope the Ministry are convinced that New-England can not spare Idlers sufficient to make one Regiment compleat. I speak for the Interest of the Country, and impartially in general, my Interest being in that Country some may wrongly think that I am partial.

Before the Plantation or Colony-Trade took Place, the Trade of England consisted only in the Exportation of some Lead, Tin, Leather, Grain, and Wool; by Colonies our Trade and Navigation is vastly improved; Crom|well and the Rump-Parliament, had good Notions of Trade in general, and particularly of the Plantation-Trade; they had a Scheme to bring the Dutch to Rea|son, for some Outrages they had done us in our Spice-Trade and other Affairs, but the subsequent Reigns of the indolent Charles II, and of the Popish-Priest-Rid Iames II, were great Damps. The Addition which the Factories and Colonies have made to our Trade and Na|vigation

is immense, viz. The India Trade, Fur and Skin Trade, Cod-Fishery and Fish-Oil, Naval Stores, Tobacco, Rice, Sugar and other West-India Island Produce. Besides theProfits they afford to the Planters, Merchants and Na|vigation Owners; they yield great Branches of Revenue, to the publick Treasury, the East-India Trade about 300,000 £. St. per An. Tobacco 200,000 £. St. Sugars 150,000 £. St. &c.

In multiplying of Colonies there are Boundaries which to Advantage cannot be exceeded; thus our Sugar-Colo|nies produce as much Sugar as we can vent to Profit, the same may be said of Rice, and perhaps of Tobacco; if we increase in these, their Prices at Market from their Plenty must fall, and not yield a sufficient Profit.

The Regulations in the Colony-Trade, ought to be alter|ed according as Circumstances of Time, &c. may require, for Instance, seeing by an Arret of the Council of State 1726, the French Colonies are allowed to carry their Pro|duce directly to other Ports of Europe, but the Vessels to return directly to the Ports of France from whence they set out; therefore Great-Britain seems to be under a Necessity to take off all Enumerations (that of Sugar and Rice is lately in Part taken off) but that the Vessels which carry Plantation-Goods to foreign Ports, shall clear out from Great-Britain, before they return to the Plantations, this would prevent their carrying foreign Goods to our Plantations directly, and would maintain the proper De|pendency of the Colonies upon their Mother-Country.

The Utopian Amusement.

I shall conclude the general History of the British North-America Colonies, being the first Part of our Sum|mary; by a Scheme for the better regulating these Co|lonies: It is not to be expected that such considerable Alterations, are to be made, and therefore may be called an idle Scheme; but, perhaps, it may give some Hints, towards rectifying several Things, which much require Emendations.

By the general Patent of King Iames I. Anno 1606, t••e Sea-Line of the English North-America, at that Time called North and South Virginia, was to have been divid|ed into Colonies * 1.147 of 100 Miles square, being for each Colony, 100 Miles upon the Sea; but this Patent was soon vacated, and the proposed Divisions did not take Place: Afterwards Royal Grants were made at sundry Times, to various Grantees of single Persons or Communities, of different Humours and Views; so that Boundaries (the Countries not being well explored, In|stance, Merimack River with Relation to the Boundaries of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire Colonies) were uncertain, and their Constitutions different. The Colo|nies at this Time are arrived to a State of consider••ble Maturity, and the Conveniences and Inconveniences of the Politia or Polity of the several Colonies are now ap|parent; perhaps it would be for the Interest of the Na|••ions of Great-Britain, and for the Ease of the Ministry or Managers at the Court of Great-Britain, to reduce them to some general Uniformity; referring to their several General Assemblies or Legislatures, the raising of Taxes and appropriating the same, with the Affairs relating to their different or sundry Produces and Trade; these may be called their municipal Laws.

Previously, at the Court of Great-Britain, there may be constituted A BOARD OF TRADE AND PLANTATI|ONS for Direction; to be composed of Gentlemen re|turned Home who have formerly been Governors of Co|lonies, Iudges of Vice Admiralty, Consuls at foreign Ports of Trade, Commodores who have served some Time in Plantation-Stations, Surveyor-Generals and Collectors of the Customs in the Colonies, Planters, Merchants and Fac|tors who follow the Plantation Trade: Some few of these may have Sallaries, and obliged to a close Attendance; the others may be honorary, and with equal Power of Manage|ment when present: The Agents (they are properly their Attorneys) of the Colonies to attend when called upon.

This Board being constituted, their first Business may be to compose a Draught of a Body of general Laws for all the Plantations (it may be called the MAGNA CHARTA OF THE BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA) by perusing the present Law-Books of the several Colonies, and from their own personal Experience and Observation, with the Assistance of the Attorney and Solicitor-General, or of some other eminent Lawyers. This Draught of general Laws for the Plantation to be laid before the British Parliament for their Approbation, and to be passed into a publick Act of Parliament; in Process of Time, and as Things may require, subsequent Parliaments may make Additions and Amendments. All these general Laws may be compris|ed in * 1.148 one Pocket Volume.

Some of these Plantation general Laws may relate to the following Articles.

I. Property shall permanently remain as at present and tranferable according to Law, with a Clause for quieting Possessions.

Proprietary and Charter-Governments to be vacated for Equivalents, either in Money, or •• furth•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Land-Property, and all Governments of the Co••onies to be vested in the Crown.* 1.149

The Government of all the Northern American Con|tinent Colonies being thus in the Crown; that Country may at the Pleasure of the Court of Great-Britain, be di|vided into sundry Governments more uniform, equal, and convenient for the Attendance of Persons concerned in their Provincial Courts, than at present; without any Damage or Infraction of * 1.150 Property; moreover, the se|veral Colonies will be more adequate Checks upon one

another in Cases of Mutiny or Insurrections. The several Colonies as at present are at length and with much Dif|ficulty become well-bounded and distinguished (the Line between Maryland and Pensylvania excepted) and therefore without any Trouble may be reduced into the following Governments.

• 1. Nova-Scotia.
• 2. Sagadahock, Province of Main, and New-Hampshire.
• 3. Massachusetts-Bay.
• 4. Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
• 5. New-York, and New-Iersies.
• 6. Pensylvania, and the three lower Counties upon Dela|ware River.
• 7. Maryland.
• 8. Virginia.
• 9. North Carolina.
• 10. South Carolina.
• 11. Georgia.

Hudson's-Bay is not a Colony, and consists only of very much separated small Factories or Lodges, at the Mouths of some considerable Rivers, where the Indians in their Canoes come to trade with Furs and Skins. Newfound|land is not a Colony, but only a Number of good Har|bours for curing of Cod-Fish; the Soil is good for nothing.

As the Country and Rivers are now well explored and known, if the Colonies were to be new-modelled, they might be more distinctly bounded as follows.

Nova-Scotia, which is bounded by the River and Gulph of St. Laurence, by the Atlantick Ocean, and Bay of Fundi, shall be further bounded by Boundary, No. 1. being St. Iohns River, &c.

In the Boundaries of the several Colonies according to this Scheme, I mean a due true Course, but not according to Compass or Magnetick Needle, because of the conti|nued irregular progressive Variations.

1. St. Iohns River from its Mouth up to — N. Lat. and thence in a Course true North to St. Laurence River, called Canada River.

2. Sagadahock Entrance and up Quenebec River to N. Lat. — and then North to the River of St. Laurence.

3. Up Merrimack River to its Fork in N. Lat.— near Endicot's Tree, and thence North to St. Laurence River.

4. Up Connecticut River to — N. Lat. and thence North to the River of St. Laurence.

5. Up Hudson's River to the Carrying-Place to Wood|creek, by Woodcreek and the drowned Lands to Lake Cham|plain, by Lake Champlain and down the River Chamblai•• to St. Laurence River.

6. Up Delaware-Bay and River to N. Lat. —, and thence North to Lake Ontario.

7. Up Chesapeak-Bay and Sesquahana River to N. Lat. — and thence North to Lake Ontario.

8. Up Chowan Sound and Roanoke River to — Long. West from London, and thence due West to the Apala|tian Mountains, or further West to the River Misissippi.

9. Up Wi••ea-Bay and Peddie River to — W. Long. and thence West to the Apalatian Mountains or further to the River of Misissippi.

10. Up the Savanna River to — W. Long. and thence West to the Apalatian Mountains, or further to the great River Misissippi.

11. Finally, is the New Utopian Colony of Georgia, which may extend South and West indefinitely.

Islands in the dividing Bays and Rivers may be annexed in whole to one of the adjoining Provinces, or partly to one and partly to the other.

II. In each Colony or Province, there may be a Le|gislature for raising of Taxes, and for appropriating the

same to the sundry Articles of the Charges of Govern|ment, and for enacting of Municipal Laws, adapted to the peculiar Circumstances of the Colony, to be sent Home (if for any considerable Period) for Approbation▪ If presented and not disallowed by the King in Council after — Time, such Plantation Laws, shall be deem'd good, as if ratified.

The Legislatures may consist of three Negatives:

1. The Governour with Advice of the King's or Go|vernour's Council * 1.151 appointed by the Crown, with Re|commendation of the Board of Trade and Plantations; this may be called the King's Negative.

2d Negative may be some particular hereditary Lords of large Manors (v. g. Renslaer, Livingston, Beekman in New-York Government) appointed by Royal Patents: The Qualifications may be a Land Estate in constituted Townships or Parishes, not less than three thousand Acres, and who shall pay at least — £. Ster. value in every thousand Pound Province Rate; something of this Nature was designed in the beginning of Carolina Settle|ment. These Patricii or hereditary Optimates will be a Credit to the Country, and may be called the Upper House of Assembly. Those Lands to be in tail general, that is to Femal••s in defect of Males (while in Females that Vote lies dormant, until a Male the Issue of this Female shall appear) indivisible and unalienable: This seems to be consonant to the second Negative in the Parliament of Great Britain.

3d Negative is the Representatives of the common People from their several Districts; and may be called the Lower House of Assembly, or the Commons House of

Assembly. At present they are variously represented, a•• may appear in the following Sections, concerning the several Colonies. Perhaps a general Uniformity might be exped••ent, that is, two o•• more Representatives from each County, and two Representatives from each Shire Town: The Qualification for the Electors to be 40 s per Annum Sterling Value of Freehold, or 50 £. Sterling Value Prin|cipal in any Estate Real or Personal; the Qualification of the Elected, Representative or Deputy to be — per An. Land Rent, or — principal Estate of any Kind clear of all Incumbrances. As the Representatives of Counties and Towns are not elected as Agents for these Counties or Townships at the General Court, but as their Quota of the Commons Representation in the Province; when they find a Person well qualified in Knowledge and Ho|nesty though not a Town Resident (in the out Town|ships it cannot be supposed that the Residents or Settlers do understand much of State-Policy Affairs) they may have the Privilege of electing that Person though a * 1.152 Non-Resident, but with some natural Interest of Freehold in the County or Townships.

As upon frivolous Occasions Disputes sometimes hap|pen between the several Negatives; and thereby their General Assemblies spend much idle Time, attended with extraordinary Charge, and Delay of Business: Therefore in Times of Peace, they shall not sit at one Session exceeding — * 1.153 Days; which will oblige the Representatives of the People to a quicker Dispatch of Business, and will prevent the Governours from forcing them into his own interested Measures, by an inconveni|ent long Attendance.

As in some Colonies, their Assemblies have refused or

neglected for some Years following, to supply the or|dinary Charges of their Governments: therefore if such a Neglect happen in any Colony for two Years running, the Board of Trade and Plantations shall be impowered to tax that Colony, and make an Assessment in Proportion to some former Assessment, and the usual or last chosen Collectors and Constables be obliged to collect the same, and carry it into their respective Treasuries, to be applied as the said Board shall direct, but for the Use of the Charges of the particular Colony, and for no other Use.

III. RELIGION. "For the greater Ease and Encou|ragement of the Settlers, there shall for ever hereafter be a Li••erty of Conscience (this is in the Words of the Charter of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay) allowed in the Worship of GOD, to all Christians,* 1.154 Papists excepted;" and without any peculiar religious Qualifications for Of|fices. As the Church of England by the Articles of Union is the national Church of all the British Plantations, their Ministers must be licensed by their Diocesian; but all other Communities, their Places for religious Worship, may be licensed by the Quarter Sessions and registr••d. Upon any Complaints in Cases of Life or Doctrine of the Ministers, the Quarter Sessions may appoint some know|ing discreet Ministers of the Gospel in the Neighbour|hood (this is a Jury of their Peers) to enquire into the Matter, and make a Report of their Opinion to the Quar|ter Sessions. Preachers and Exhorters * 1.155 not licensed by the Quarter Sessions, who shall intrude without the Invi|tation or Consent of Town or Parish Minister (as by their Noise and Nonsense they may alienate the Minds of weak People from their own settled Ministers) shall be

deemed as Fortune-Tellers, idle and disorderly Persons, Vagrants and Vagabonds. That the Parsons of the Church of England, and the Ministers of the tolerated Communities be enjoined to live in exemplary Charity and * 1.156 Brotherhood. That their Pulpit Discourses may principally relate to Things which do not fall within the Cognizance of the municipal Laws; to preach up In|dustry, and Frugality; to preach down Idleness, a disso|lute Life, and Fraud; never to intermeddle in Affairs of State; no Pulpit Invectives against tolerated religious Sects, that as Dr. Swist humourously expresses it, "Their religious Zeal having no Vent by their Tongues, may be turned into the proper Channel of an exemplary Life.

IV. JUDICATORIES. That in the several Colonies, the Legislatures or General Assemblies, may have a Power to erect Judicatories for Crimes capital or not capital; for Pleas real, personal, or mixt; and to elect Judges and Justices not annually or durante Beneplacito, but for Life, or Quamdiu se bene Gesserint; and when by Reason of Age in the Judges, their intellectual Faculties become lan|guid,

and their Memories fail; they may be allowed a certain yearly Pension; thus these Gentlemen will make the Law their Delight, Study, and only Business; and be under no Temptation of being mercenary to provide for a rainy Day. It must always be supposed that the Officers of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, the Officers from the Board of Customs, and the Surveyors of the Woods or Masting-Trees, are to be appointed by the Court of Great-Britain; the Justices of the general Sessions of the Peace, of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, of the Superior Court of Judicature, Assize and general Jail-Delivery, and of Probates to be elective in the several Provinces. That Appeals from the Colonies shall be to a Court of Dele|gates being a Committee of the Board of Trade and Plantations; and from thence in Cases of great Conse|quence to the House of Lords in Great-Britain, the der|nier Resort of all Justice for the Dominions of Great-Bri|tain, which is a Court of Law and Equity in it self, as all other Courts of Judicature ought to be.* 1.157

The four principal Executive Offices ought to be in four * 1.158 distinct Persons or Boards. 1. The Governor with his Council. 2. The Chancery. 3. The Iudges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas. And 4. The Iudge of Probate of Wills and granting of Administration.

As an Estate Qualification, the Judges of Probates and Judges of the Superior Courts, shall have a clear Estate of any Sort, above what will discharge all Incumbrances; paying — in every Thousand Pound Tax: Inferior Judges and Justices of the Quarter Sessions a like Estate

paying — in every Thousand Pound Colony or Province Tax.

Some Regulations to prevent Delay of Justice, that Cases may speedily be brought to Issue and Execution; some Exception may be made in Cases, where are con|cerned, Infants, femme couverte, Non-compos, and Persons beyond Sea••. In all the Ports, a Court Merchant, for the summary Dispatch or Recovery of Debts belonging to Strangers and transient Traders.

That the real Estate of Intestates * 1.159 be indivisible, and go to the next in Kin.

V. TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF THE COLO|NIES. No Person shall be carried out of the respective Colonies, or required to march, without their own Con|sent, or by a particular Resolve of their Legislature, no Levies of Lands Men for Soldiers, excepting in Cases of foreign Invasions, great Incursions of the Indians, or ge|neral Insurrections in any of the Colonies: These * 1.160 Levies

to be in certain Proportions or Quotas for each Colony, to be settled from Time to Time, according to their pro|portional Growths by the Board of Trade and Plantations. No Impress of Sailors, it hinders the Growth of their Trade and Navigation, the Profits center in the Mother-Country; Impresses may occasion Tumults and Mutinies in the Colonies, a noted Instance we have from that rash unprecedented Impress * 1.161 at Boston New-England by Com|modore Knowles, Nov. 17. 1747. 2. Importing and na|turalizing

of Foreigners conform to two Acts of Parlia|ment, An. 1740, see P. 234; naturalized Foreigners are

not to settle in separate peculiar Districts, but intermixed|ly with the original British, see Page 209. Papists or Nonjurors, shall register their Names and Estates.

VI. PUBLICK SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS. For the Education of Youth, there shall be one publick School or more in each Township or District, for teaching of read|ing English, Writing, and Arithmetick: In each Shire Town a Grammar School for the learned dead Languages of Greek and Latin, for Hebrew Roots Recourse may be had to the Divinity Colleges; the Masters of the Town and Country Schools to be approved of by the Quarter Sessions: In each Province, a Schola illustris, or College, for what are called Arts and Sciences, to be regulated by the Legislatures: And near the Center of the North-America Continent Colonies (therefore not in Bermudas, Dr. Barclay's Scheme) an University or Academy to be regulated by the Board of Plantations, to initiate young Gentlemen in the learned Professions of Divinity, Law and Medicine; in the modern, commercial and travelling Languages of Frenc•• Spanish and Dutch; in other cu|rious Sciences of Mathematicks, Belles Lettres, &c, and

Gentleman Exercises of riding the great Horse, Fencing and Dancing; from School to College, from College to Travel, and from Travel into Business, are the Gradations of a liberal Education, but for Want of Effects the Link of Travel is frequently wanting.

In every Shire-Town there shall be a Work House, to oblige and habituate Idlers to some Work: It is a better Charity to provide Work for the idle Poor, than to feed them; as also an Alms-House for the aged, infirm, and incurable Poor of the County: But * 1.162 principally and es|pecially, an Orphan-House for poor Children; where Parents are dead or unable to provide for their Children, these Children become Children of the Common-Wealth, not to be brought up to * 1.163 idle Learning (Reading and Writing excepted) but to Trades and Labour: Generally these poor Children may be bound to proper Masters, as Apprentices or Servants, the Boys to 21 Aet. the Girls to 18 Aet. by the County Courts, or by three Justices Quorum Unus.

VII. * 1.164 TO ENCOURAGE TRADE AND NAVIGATION IN

THE COLONIES. 1. All Enumerations be taken off, excepting upon such Commodities, that are the peculiar Produce of our Plantations, and which no foreign Nation can purchase of any other Nation. 2. As * 1.165 Animosities sometimes happen between Colonies, from the mutual imposi••g of high Duties upon the mutual Importation or Exportation of Goods, which may tend to alienate their mutual Affections, and may prevent or much obstruct a very useful national Intercourse amongst the Colonies: Therefore no such Colony-Duties shall be imposed, but by special Acts of Parliament. 3. That all * 1.166Combinations and Agreements, between Workmen concerning Wages▪ &c. shall be unlawful: That the Employer shall pay the full Prices agreed on, in Money, not in Goods, or by Way of Truck, with certain Penalties. 4. That the Le|gislatures in each Colony, may make their own * 1.167 munici|pal or local Laws. 5. That the Governors of the several Colonies or Provinces, shall have their Salaries out of the Civil List from Home, but shall have no Salaries, or Gra|tuities from the respective Assemblies; it has happened at Times in all our Colonies, that some designing evil Men, having obtained a wicked Majority in the Assembly have thus biassed and corrupted their Governours. 6. When Townships exceed 500 legal Voters for a Town-Meeting; the Legislature, or the Governour with his

Council, may appoint a certain * 1.168 Number for Life, or Number of Years, of the most knowing, discreet, and substantial Men of the Town, to act in every Thing, in Place of a general Town-Meeting; excepting in Electi|ons of Representatives or Deputies for the General As|sembly; in every Township all Papists to register their Names and Estates. 7. That all Vessels, those from Great-Britain not excepted, be liable to Tunnage or Pow|der-Money, it being towards the Protection of their Trade and Navigation. 8. That no Man (even with his own Consent) shall be inlisted in actual Land or Sea-Service under 20 Aet. nor above 52 Aet; this is conform to a late Act of Parliament, for enlisting Marine Soldiers.

VIII. TAXES. The different Nature of the several Colonies, will not admit of any general Taxations; there|fore the various Taxes must be local, adapted to the Con|veniencies of each Colony; here I shall only observe, 1. That in these Colonies (in North-Carolina there is no o|ther Tax) where there is a Poll-Tax upon all Male Whites from 16 Aet. and upwards, it seems not equitable that a Chimney-Sweeper or the meanest of the People should pay as much (as at present in Massachusetts-Bay) as a Counsellor or Prime Merchant; the People ought to be classed and pay in Proportion, according to their Rank and Substance, 2. That as Wines and Spirits are not the Necessaries of Life (and therefore Hardship upon the Poor, is not in the Case) there may be a considerable Impost or Custom up|on this Importation, and where Spirits are manufactured (for Instance Rum in Boston) an Excise at the Still Head. Thus private Tippling Houses that pay no Excise, will have no Advantage over the licensed Houses; upon Ex|portation to draw back the Duties of Impost or Excise. 3. That there be a License-Tax upon all Taverns, Inns, and other publick Houses of that Nature. 4. A * 1.169 sump|tuary

Excise or Duty upon Extravagancies used in Diet or Apparel, excepting upon Materials that are the Pro|duce or Manufacture of Great-Britain. 5. As vexatiou•• Suits in Law, are a great Nuisance in all Countries; and the smaller the * 1.170 Charges of Courts, the greater is the Encouragement to such Suits: Therefore there shall be a stamp Duty upon all Writings or Instruments used in Law-Affairs. Whereas Appeals from one Court to ano|ther are generally vexatious, no Appeal to be allowed, un|less the Appellant * 1.171 deposite — Sum of Money; if the Appellant is cast, this Money to be applied towards the Charges of the Province or County. 6. In the Affair of * 1.172 Rates as in Great-Britain, the principal Gentlemen of the County in the Land-Tax Act are nominated as Commissioners for the County, whereof but a very few are acting: In the Plantations the Justices of the Quarter Sessions in the Counties seem to be the proper Commissi|oners to appoint Assessors in each Parish of the most sub|stantial Men; and in Cases of Grievance, Appeals in first Instance may be made to the Quarter Sessions.

IX. * 1.173 That for the Benefit of the British Trade and Navigation more especially with Regard to the American

Colonies, and Factories in Africa, the East Indies, and China: And for the better adjusting the Boundaries of the Colonies or Grants in North-America, there shall be fitted out at certain Periods of Years by the Board of Admiralty or Navy Board, a few small Vessels, such as are th•• Man of War Snows called Sloops, with able Observers or Mathe|maticians,

and a proper Apparatus; in different Routs a|long the Seas of Trade, TO OBSERVE THE VARIATIONS for the Time being; and to reduce them, to a general Chart of Variations, in Imitation of the Ch••rt (the first of that Kind) for Anno 1700, delineated by the ingeni|ous, assiduous, learned, and of blessed Memory Dr. Halley; from his own Knowledge and Observations, from the good Accounts of others, and from the Analogy of the whole; it was soon cavil'd ••t by our Competitors the French Academicians and Navigators; but afterwards conceded to and applauded by the French * 1.174 Academicians. In these Voyages, when on Shore by observing the Eclipses of Iupiter's Moons, and of our Moon when to be had, they may adjust the * 1.175 Longitudes, and other Requisites of Places. The other Nations of Commerce, particularly France and Holland may do the same at a publick Charge,

thus by Means of so many Checks, we may attain from Time to Time some Certainty as to the Variations; this insensibly brings me to a Digression.

A Digression concerning the Magnetick Needle, commonly called the Mariner's Compass.

That the MAGNET or Loadstone attracted Iron, was known to the highest Antiquity in Record: But the Po|larity of an Iron Rod or Wire, touched by a Magnet and afterwards poised, was not observed until the 13th Cen|tury of the Christian Aera. The Mariners Compass is said to have been first used in Italy (the principal Place of Traffick in those Days) Anno 1301. Cab••t a Ve••etian makes the first Mention Anno 1544 of the Variation or Deflection of the Magnetick Meridian from a true Meri|dian, various in various Places. Gasse••di about a Century and half since, discovered that this Declination of the Needle in each particular Place, in Process of Time, had some Variation. It is not long since that the Dip of the Needle, various in various Places; and the Variation of this dip Variation in the same Place, has been discover|ed: A Needle poised before it is touched, upon the Mag|netick Touch, its North Point with us dips from a Ho|rizontal Position; for Instance, Anno 1723 Mr. George Graham in London observed it to dip 75 d; he observes, the stronger the Touch, the greater the Dip: This Nee|dle must be afterwards properly loaded to bring it again to an horizontal Poise to serve in the Compass. As the Variations of the Dip are at present of no Use in Naviga|tion, therefore having no Relation to our History of the British American Colonies, we drop them.

Magnetism is some Power in Nature, hitherto inexpli|cable, as are Gravity and Electricity; whereby a Load|stone (an Iron Ore or Mineral) draws to it self Loadstone or Iron. No interposed Body can hinder this Influence or Attraction; a large Magnet broken to Pieces, each ••rustum or Fragment, retains the Attraction and Polarity▪

Steel is more receptive and retentive of Magnetism than common Iron. The North Poles of touched Needles do not attract but repel one another, and attract South Poles: Likewise South Poles do not attract bu•• ••epel South Poles. If the different Directions of the Magnetick Needle were permanent for the same Place, it might be imagined to proceed from different Accumulations of Magnetick Mat|ter in these different Parts of the Earth. Halley's amus|ing Fancy, that the Globe of the Earth was one great Magnet, with two contain'd Nuclei (which humorously may be term'd Wheels within a Wheel) whose four Poles are different from those of the Earth, and from one ano|ther; and in Case a third Line of no Variation should be discovered in the South Seas (which he seems to suspect from the Accounts, Anno 1670, of Sir Iohn Narborough, of the Variation upon the West Coast of South-America decreasing very fast) he was to introduce a third Nucleus: These Nuclei he supposes detached from the Earth and from one another, and to have a circulatory or libratory Motion, equal or inequal, according as the Solution of the Phaenomina might require; but this pleasant Novel does in no Manner account for the Irregulaties in the Va|riations, as hereafter related; and until by future Obser|vations they be reduced to som•• Rules, it seems in vain to attempt any Hypothesis.

Dr. Halley upon his Return from his long Voyages, de|lineated the Variations as they were Anno 1700 in all the Oceans and Seas, the Pacifick Ocean excepted, from 58 d. N. Lat. to 58 d. S. Lat; Delisle delineates the Vari|ations 20 d. further N. than Halley. This Chart of Hal|ley's being the first of its Kind, will perpetuate his Mem|ory better than Brass or Marble, and will be a permanent Credit to our British Nation. Since Dr. Halley's Chart of Variations for Anno 1700, near half a Century is elap|sed, which has produced great Alterations in the Variations, seeing Halley's Atlantick and Ethiopick Line of no Varia|tion, in about the Space of a Century from 1600 to 1708, had moved (it passed Anno 1600 by Cape Agulhas, the

Southernmost Cape of Africa, by the Morea, and the North Cape of Europe, in N. Lat. 71 d. 24 m. and 22 d. 10 m. E. Long. from * 1.176 London) by its North Parts thro' Vienna Anno 1638, through Paris Anno 1666, West|ward in all about 1400 Leagues, and by its South Parts only about 500 Leagues.

The Anomalies or Bizarreries of the Variations, are un|accountable, and no Length of Time or Series of Years is likely to bring them to a Mean.

1. The Variations for the same Place, sometimes have a direct progressive Motion but unequally, sometimes are stationary, and sometimes retrograde: I shall instance the Variations at Paris for about a Century and three Quarte••s of a Century; Anno 1580 the Variation was 11 and half d. E. Anno 1666 no Variation, is at a Medium about 8 m. per An. Anno 1715 Variation was 12 d. 30 m. W. for that Interval, is about 14 m. per An. from that Time to Anno 1720 it was generally retrograde; from 1720 Va|riation about 13 d. W. for five Years it was strictly stati|onary; from Anno 1725 it was at a Medium directly in|creasing or progressive to Anno 1732, Variation 15 d. 45 m. W. from 1732 to 1743 (so far the Memoirs of the Paris Academy of Sciences are published) the Variation was 15 d. 5 m. W. tha•• is a little upon the Decrease with a li|bratory Motion: Therefore (as I may conjecture) the general Increase of the European West Variations seem to be retarded, or stationary, or upon the Decrease.

2. Mr. George Graham of London, an ingenious and accurate Mechanicien observes Anno 1722 from February 6 to May 10 (the Compass-Box remaining unmoved all that Time) above One Thousand Times; the greatest Variation (Westward) was 14 d. 45 m. the least 13 d. 50 m. he observes, that the Variation is considerably d••••|ferent in different Days, and in different Hours of t••e same Day; without any Relation to Heat or Cold, dry or moist Air, clear or cloudy, Winds or Calms, nor the

Height of the Barometer. In the same Day he observed the greatest Variation from Noon to 4 Hours Afternoon, and the least about 6 or 7 Hours in the Evening. Mr. Ioseph Harris in his Return from Iamaica to London, Anno 1732 observed, that the Westerly Variations were less in the Morning than in the Afternoon. The Curves of no Variation, and of each particular Variation, do al|ter their Curvatures so irregularly and undulatory; they are not reducible to any Equation expressive of their Nature.

3. The Variations have no Relation to Meridians; ac|cording to Halley's Chart Anno 1700, at the Entrance of Hudson's Streights, Variation was 29 and half d. West; at the Mouth of Rio de la Plata, nearly under the same Meridian, the Variation was 20 and half d. East. As to Parallels of Latitude it is observed, that the further North or South from the Equinoctial, the Variations are the greater, but in no regular Progression either as to Distance from the Equinoctial or Difference of Time. M. des Hayes and Du Glos Anno 1682 at Martinique, found the Varia|tion 4 d. 10 m. East; Anno 1704 it was 6 d. 10 m. E. this is 2 d. in 21 Years; in the same Interval of Time, it increased at Paris 5 d. 30 m. The further from the Lines of no Variation, the Variations seem to increase or decrease the faster.

4. Capt. Hoxton from Maryland, relates a strange Phae|nomenon of his Magnetick Needles orCompasses, Anno 1725, Sept. 2, a little after Noon, fair Weather, small Sea, in N. Lat. 41 d. 10 m, 28 d. E. Long. from Cape Henry of Virginia, all his Compasses (an Azimuth, and 4 or 5 more) carried to several Parts of the Ship continued for about one Hour, traversing very swiftly, so as could not steer by them, but all of a sudden, every one of them stood as well as usual. Capt. Midleton in his Hudson's-Bay Voyage of 1725; says, that his greatest Variation was 40 d. W. in N. Lat. 63 d. 50 m, 78 d. W. from London; where the Compass would scarce traverse: He says, a great Cold or Frost hi••••ers the Needle from tra|versing:

where near a great Body of Ice, there were great Complaints of the Compass not traversing: He suspected, that the Age of the Moon had some Influence upon the Variation.

5. The three Lines of no Variation seem to be of different Natures; that Line in the Atlantick and Ethiopick Ocean gives Easterly Variations West of its Line, and Wes|terly Variations East of its Line; that Line in the Indian Ocean reversly gives Westerly Variations West of its Line; and Easterly Variations East of its Line; that in the Pacifick Ocean or South-Sea, unexpectedly gives Easterly Variati|ons both Sides; Dr. Halley and others, before this third Line was discovered, seem to have laid it down as a Law in Nature, that where an Easterly Variation terminated, a Westerly Variation must begin, and where a Westerly Variation terminated an Easterly Variation was to begin, but further Observations evince this to be no stated Law.

There is a Magnetick Influence all over the Surface of our Globe or Earth; the Magnetick Needle in some Places has a true Meridian Direction, in others the Mag|netick Meridian has a Deflection more or less in different Places, East or West: The Points or Places of no Va|riation, and of the several Quantities of Variation, when connected, form Curves, but so irregular as not reducible to any Equation, and of no permanent Figure, and not easily to be classed: We shall only observe,

There are at present three Lines of no Variation. 1. Between Europe with Africa, and America in the Atlantick and Ethiopick Ocean; the Variations East and North of this Line are Westerly, and the further distant from this Line, the greater and their Increase or Decrease the swifter, this is a general Principle in Variations; Halley says that in t••e Beginning of this Century, all over Europe the Va|riations were Westerly and upon the Increase; but at present, these West Variations in the Eastern Parts of Eu|rope seem to be stationary (at Nuremberg in Germany the W. Variation was stationary at 11 d. from 1700 to 1708) or upon the Decrease; for Instance at Torneo in N. Lat. 65 d.

50 m, 23 d. E, from London; M. Bilberg Anno 1695 found the Variation 7 d. W. Anno 1736 the French A|cademiciens ••ound it 5 d. 5 m. W. therefore upon the De|crease, and perhaps belonging to the System or Class of the Indian Ocean Line of no Variation (the Line is not ascertain'd where the Increase ends, and the Decrease be|gins) as in the Northern Parts of Asia they belong to this Class of Indian Ocean Variations; for Instance, at Astra|can near the Caspian Sea, N. Lat. 46 d. 15 m. and 45 d. E. Long. while the East Variations decreased at London, there the West Variations increased even to 24 d.; and as the West Variation increased in London it diminished at Astra••an. Our North-America Variations belong to this first Line of no Variations, and are Westerly N. and E. of this Line, and Easterly S. and W. of it; these E. Variations along the Coast of South-America increase very slow; at La Vera Cruz, in N. Lat. 19 d. 12 m. Anno 1727 it was only 2 d. 15 m. E, at Pariba in Brazil be|ginning of this Century S. Lat. •• d. 38 m, it was 5 d. 35 m. E; at Buenos Ayres S. Lat. 34 d. ••0 m. it was Anno 1708, 15 d. 32 m. E.; at Cape-Horn 20 d; South of Cape-Horn in S. Lat. 56 d. 42 m. it was 17 d. E. be|ing upon the Decrease, and stretching along the Pacifick Ocean Westward or Northward these East Variations decreas'd.

This Line of no Variation moves the quickest; Anno 1600 it passed Cape Agulhas (about 2 d. E. of Cape Good-Hope) the Morea, and North Cape of Europe; at this Cape Agulhas the Variations afterwards became West, viz. Anno 1622. 2 d, Anno 1675. 8 d, Anno 1691. 11 d, Anno 1732 17 d; at St. Helena the Variations were Anno 1600. 8 d. E, Anno 1623. 6 d. E, Anno 1677 Halley found 40 m. E, Anno 1690. 1 d. W, Anno 1700 Halley found 2 d. W, Anno 1732. 8 d. W. Halley Anno 1700 ascertains this Line of no Variation from four Observations N. Lat. 31 d. W. Long. ••4 d, N. Lat. 2 d, Long. 18 d. W; S. Lat. 17 d, Long. 10 d. W▪ S. Lat. 37 d, Long. 4 d. W. Th••s L••ne of no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seems to move quick to the

Westward, in S. Lat. 35 d. from Anno 17•••• to 1709, it mov'd 50 Leagues Westward. A French Ship Anno 1706 (being the first that made this Traverse) from Rio de Gal|leguas upon the East Coast of America in S. Lat. 51 d, 68 d. W. Long. from Paris, Variation 23 d. E. made 1350 Leagues toCape of Good Hope in 34d. 15m. S. Lat. 17d. 45 m. E. Long. from Paris, found the Variation Lines tending towards the S. Pole, to become nearly parallel, and in some Places alters only one Degree for two Degrees of Longitude.

The second Line of no Variation, in the Indian Ocean Anno 1600 passed through the Moluccas or Spice-Islands and a little East of Canton in China; in a Century follow|ing that is Anno 1700 it had not advanced Eastward a|bove 100 Leagues▪ the W. Point of Iava (and in the Influence of this Line) Anno 1676 was 3 d. 10 m. West Variation; Anno 1732 it was only 3 d. 20 m. but the fur|ther West these Variations increased, the quicker to the common Axis of the Variation Parabolick Curves, and th•••• began to decrease and terminate in the first Line of no Variation. The common Axis of the inscribed Para|bolick Curves Anno 1700 passed through Madagascar and the Streights of Babelmandel about 50 d. E. Long. from London, where the increasing W. Variations terminate, and the same W. Variations begin to decrease; Halley place•• the highest of these West Variations 27 d. S. Lat. about 530 Leagues East of Cape Good Hope.

The third Line of no Variation was found by Capt. Rogers in the Pacifick Ocean in N. Lat. 14 d, W. Long. from London 125 d; and in N. Lat. 13 d, W. Long. 193 d, was 12 d. E; (and afterwards decreasing to the second Line,) the largest of these East Variations which reign all over the Pacifick Ocean; French Navigators since Anno 1710 have traversed this Ocean Southward of the Equi|noctial Line, as Capt. Rogers did Northward of it, and found the no Variation Line nearly upon the above-said Meridian, and the other Variation-Lines nearly paralle•• with the Meridians. Sir Iohn Narborough, Dr. Halley▪ and Capt. Rogers were mistaken in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Co••jecture tha••

South of the Equinoctial in the middle Parts of this Ocean there must be a Tract of Western Variations.

This 3 d no Variation Line seems to be a Continuation of the first inflected Westward into a circular Arch whose Vertex at present seems to be in about 34 d. N. Lat, and 80 d. W. Long. from London.

All Variations within this Curve made by the first and third Line, being a Space of 140 d. upon the Equinoctial, are Easterly; all without it, on its East Side, being a Space of 115 d. to the second Line are Westerly; all without it on its West Side are Easterly, being a Space of 105 d. to the said second Line. It is observable, that all Vari|ation Lines the nearer they approach to the Poles of our Earth, the more they converge towards a Parallelism with the Meridians, as if to terminate in the Poles. The se|veral Variation Lines seem to receive their Flexures from the Influence of their Easterly and Westerly no Variation Lines, so as to form Parabolick Curves or circular Arches.

The Alterations in the Variations are not from any uni|form circulatory or libratory Power; but as these mag|netick Powers seem to be accumulated and act connect|edly, it must be by some Kind of Fluctuation; in Oppo|sition to this, it may be said, that the Fluctuation of any dense or specifically heavier considerable Part of the Earth would alter the Equilibrium and diurnal Rotation of the Earth, and make strange Changes in the fluid Surface of the Earth by Inundations and Ebbs.

This Digression is too abstruse and philosophical for most Readers: The Design of it is, to incite the Curious, to attend the useful Speculation of Variations, more than heretofore.

As the Variations of the Magnetick Needle or Compass have not been much attended to in the Colonies; I can|not pretend to be particular in that Affair, and shall only relate some loose Hints that are come to my Knowledge. The L••ne of no Variation (which for Distinction I call the first) from the Eastward, enters the Continent of North-America, in Carolina about 33 d. N. Lat. at this Writing

Anno 1748; and by a flattish Flexure crosses the Con|tinent of North-America, and in the Pacifick Ocean con|verges Southward, and forms what is now called the third Line of no Variation. Capt. Rogers Anno 1708 in 14 d. N. Lat, 125 d. W. Long. from London fell in with this Line of no Variation.

To the Northward and Eastward of this No. 1▪ no Va|riation Line upon the Eastern Coast of North America, the Variations are West; and the further North the great|er, but all upon the Decrease; and the further North, the quicker is the Decrease.

The greatest Variation known was Anno 1616, in N. Lat. 78 d. at Sir Thomas Smith's Sound in Baffin's-Bay, the Variation was 57 d. West.

Capt. Midleton publishes that at the Mouth of Churchill River (N. Lat. 59 d, W. Long. from London 94 d. 50 m, from an Immersion of Iupiter's first Satellite) Anno 1725 the Variation was 21 d. W. Anno 1738 it was 18 d. W. Anno 1742 it was 17 d. W. decreasing very fast.

At Quebec in Canada Anno 1649 the Variation was 16 d. W. Anno 1686 it was 15 d. 30 m. is half a Degree in 37 Years; but after this, according to M. Delisle, it varied 1 d. in eleven Years.

In New-England Mr. Brattle observed at Boston, Anno 1708, the Variation 9 d. West; Anno 1741 upon a Com|mission for settling Lines between Massachusetts-Bay Pro|vince, and the Colony of Rhode Island, a little to the South|ward, the Commissioners found the Variation 7 d. 30 m. West.

In New-York City (by Eclipses of Iupiter's first Satel|lite, Governor Burnet found it 74 d. 57 m. W. of London, being in N. Lat. 40 d. 40 m.) Mr. Wells, Surveyor-Ge|neral of the Province-Lands Anno 1686, found the Varia|tion 8 d. 45 m. West; Governor Burnet Anno 1723 found it 7 d. 20 m. West.

In New-Ierseys Anno 1743 the Line, between the Pro|prietors of East and West Ierseys wa•• run 150 Miles, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chains, 9 d. 19 m. West; but because of the Diff••rence

of Variation which must be supposed at the South and North Terminations of this Line, it was alledged that it m••st not be a direct Line: And upon Examination it was found that this Line was in all Respects erroneous, at the South Point near Egg-Harbour the Variation was only 5 d. 25 m. West, and at the North Point on Delaware River in 41 d. 40 m. it was 6 d. 35 m. West, this was to the Prejudice of the East-Iersey Proprietors.

The Streets of Philadelphia Anno 1682 were laid out with g••••at Pr••cis••n••ss N. 18 d. E; Anno 1642, they were found to be 1•• d. East; this is 3 d. in 60 Years.

In the Parallel of 39 d. running the Line between Pen|sylvania and Maryland Anno 1686, the Variation was fo••nd to be 9 d. Westerly. Anno 1739, in running this E••st and West Line it was found 5 d. 30 m. W; Differ|ence is 3 d. 30 m. in 53 Years.

In Virginia, Cape Henry in 37 d. N. Lat. 75 d. West from London, Anno 1732 the Variation was 4 d. 40 m.

In the Carolinas, Navigators upon the Coast, give no A••••owance for Variation, because near the Line of no Va|riation; Inland, in running a divisional Line between the two Governments or Jurisdictions of South and North Ca|r••lina, and in laying off Cart••••••'s eighth Part of the Pro|••••rty of Carolina, no Account was made of Variation.

••rom the Line of no Variation in N. La••. 33 d. South|ward the East Variation takes Place, increasing very slow; ••••cause at L•• Vera Cruz, N. Lat. 19 d. 12 m. W, Long. 97 d. ••0 m, Anno ••727 the Variation was only 2 d. 1•• m. East.

Here ends the first or general Part of the Summary, concerning the British Colonies in America, with some in|t••rs••••••sed ••••ints relating to the Colonies of the other European Nations. In the following Part we shall give 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Accounts of our several Colonies, in Order, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enumerated Page 15 and 16.

The END of Part First.

Notes

• * 1.1

  When we say that the most antient Records are Poet••••••••, Fabulous and Allegorical, not to be depended upon for a real, simple, true Ac|counts of Things; we must except our Scriptural Book of Religion, the Oracles of Mos••s and the Prophets, of CHRIST and his Apostles, called, from its Excellency▪ The Bible or BOOK. Here we find Ships upon the Medit••rran••••n, and Merchants, upon the Red Sea, as early as the Days of Iacob and the primitive Israelites. Genes. XLIX.13•• Zebulon shall dwell at the Haven of the Sea, and he shall be for a Ha••ven of Ships, and his Border shall be unto Zidon. Judges v.17. Gile••d abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan rem••••n in Ships? Asher conti|nu••d on the Sea-shore, and abode in his Breaches, the Orgin•• signifie•• in Creeks. Our Translation of the Bible requires to be revised The Midianit••s and Ishm••elites, who bordered upon the Red Sea wer•• Seafaring Men and Merchants. Genes. XXXVII.28. Then there p••s•••• by Midianites Merchant-Men.
• * 1.2

  The Lunar Eclipses noted at Babylon by the antient Chaldeans are original Standards, for the Motions of the Sun and Moon, with their several Inequalities for all future Ages. The Chaldean, was formerly the universal or commercial Eastern Language, as at present the Ara|bian is their learned Language, and the Latin the Western School Language. The Thebaians in the Upper Egypt, for Sake of Naviga|tion began to observe the Stars, and from their Heliacal Risings and Settings, before CHRIST 1034 Years, they rectified the Year from 360 to 365 Days.
• * 1.3

  〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who formed or delin••ated the Constellations, being for the U••e of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  The most ancient Water Conveyance (does not deserve the Name of Embarkation or Navigation) was in Rafts or Floats, afterwards 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Canoes cut out of an hollowed Piece of Timber, as amongst the W••st India Islands, and South Continent of America: as also Bark of Trees (generally Birch) with Wooden Ribs, as amongst the In|land Indians of North-America: Caesar says, that upon his Expedi|tion to Great-Britain, he found no other Vessels there, but small Boats made with Wicker and Hides, such may to this Day be seen in Wales and in the West Highlands of Scotland. The Phaenicians introduced to the Mediterranean Sea long Ships with Sails and one Tire of Oars. When War was used at Sea, and the Manner of ••ighting was to strike their Enemies Ships with their Restra or Prow (the Newcastle Colliers call it, giving them the Stern) for a greater Stroak Momentum or Shock, the Bu•••• of their Vessels were gradually increased to the enormous Size of Quinqueremes or five Tire of Oars. — Ships of War, were by the Romans called Clasicae, Merchant-Men were called Onorariae.
• * 1.5

  The Graecian Empire extended so far East as the River Indus, that is, they conquered, or rather made the several Countries pay Tribute, or in the modern Phrase▪ raised Contributions to the River Indus: The Romans did not bring the Country under Contribution further East than the River Euphrates.
• * 1.6

  At the Sea-Battle of Actium before CHRIST 31 Years, Mark Anthony had 500, and Augustus 250 Ships of War: this was the greatest Sea Force ever the Romans were Masters of.
• * 1.7

  The Romans had Letters from the Greeks, and the Greeks had the Use of Letters from the Phoenicians.
• * 1.8

  The French have been aiming at this for above a Century last.
• * 1.9

  N. B. By Anno— we always mean Anno Christi, or the Year of the Christian Aera.
• * 1.10

  The commanding Land and Sea-Officers amongst the Saracens were called Emirs, Mr. Burchette in his Naval History says, That, per|haps from thence we may have our designation of Admiral.
• * 1.11

  The Portugue••e in their Adventures Southward on the East Side of the Atlantick Ocean discovered, and are still in Possession of several Clusters of Islands. 1. The Western Islands formerly called A••••res or Terceres, laying from 36 to 40 d. N. Lat. about 300 Leagues West of Portugal, and 300 Leagues East of Newfoundland; they are nine in Number. Mercator, and after him, many English Charts, place the first Meridian at St. Michael's one of these Islands, about 15 d. more West than Ptolemy's Canon. 2. Maderas first discovered Anno 1410, first settled Anno 1425; it was so called from its being well wooded: it produces the Madera Wines, the D••liciae of the British American Colonies. 3. Cape-Verde Islands 9 in Number, about 160 Leagues West of Cape de Verd in Africa; they were anci|ently called H••sp••rid••••, were discovered Anno 1440, but not settled until 1572; the New-England Fishery bring some of their Salt from their Island of May.
• * 1.12

  Capt Drake, afterwards Sir Francis Drake, by Way of the Straits of Magelan and South Seas or Pacifick Ocean, 1579, in the Name of the Crown of England, took Possession (according to the Formalities of those Times) of the Moluccas or Spice Islands, and carried a Quantity of Spices to England. The Dutch did not come to the East Indies until 1595, did not see the Spice Islands until 1599. Some London Merchants Anno 160 (some Time before the Establish|ment of the Dutch East India Company) obtained Letters-Patents of Incorporation, and formed themselves into a Company; their common Stock was 72,000 £. Sterling. During the indolent Reign of Iames I. the English were n••t well supported in the East Indies, and the Dutch over-reached them, notwithstanding of a solemn Convention between the English and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, July 7. 1619, whereby the Trade of Pepper at Iava was to be equal; and the Trade of the Molucca, Banda, or Spice Islands, was to be two Thirds to the Dutch, one Third to the English: the Dutch in Amboyna (a principal Spice-Island, in 3 d. 40 m. S. Lat. the best Dutch Government next to that of Batavia) upon some frivolous Pretext, inhumanly and cruelly massacred the English People Anno 1622: Soon after they seized all the English Settlements and Factories in the Spice Islands, and have monopolized the Spice Trade ever since. This violent Abuse or Transaction, can never be forgot, and perhaps never to be forgiven: the Resentment and Repa|ration has long lain dormant, from Iames I. indolence, the national Confusions during the Civil War, the voluptuous Reign of Charles II. the sole Application of Iames II, to introduce Despotism and Popery, and laterly from Indulgence and Affection we bear to our natural and maritime Allies, so the Dutch are called; at this Time from some Corruption of the leading Men, some evil Spirit, or some abstruse Mystery of State, they have in the present War 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Great-Britain with France, baulkt us very much. Cromwel, a very great Politician and General, who though not legally, yet by Divine Permission, or as in some Designations, Divina Providentia, or by the Providence of GOD, had for some Years the Direction of British Affairs; in his Declara|tion of War against the Dutch, Anno 1652, demands Satisfaction for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Affair, and the Arrears of a certain Sum of 30,000 £. Sterl. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Annum, for Liberty of Herring Fishing on the Coast of Schetland, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 per Contract with the English Court in Charles I. Reign; Cromwel's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the Dutch being soon over, their Submissiveness and Useful|ness to him, made him drop it.
• * 1.13

  In the Course of this Narrative concerning the 〈…〉〈…〉 Europe settled in America, to render Matters more 〈…〉〈…〉 we do sometimes premise introductory Accounts of 〈…〉〈…〉 tim•••• subnect by Way of Notes or Annotations 〈…〉〈…〉 of inciden••al Things, which although in ever•• 〈…〉〈…〉 consistent with our intended Brevity, neither strictly 〈…〉〈…〉 of our Design, they may be of Use for a general 〈…〉〈…〉 not disagreeable Amusement.
• * 1.14

  Cape St. Augustine, the Westermost Point of the Brazils (and of all America) lies in 35 d. W. from London▪ The L••••e of Dimar|kation cuts off a Slice of the Eastern Coast of America, now called Brazils: Thus the Brazils belong to the Portugueze, not only by Priority of Discovery and Occupancy (this is at present the 〈…〉〈…〉 Title by the Law of Nation••) but by the Pope's antiquated, ob|solete, divisional Decree: And as the opposite Line of Dimark••••••on must be 180 d. E. and W. from this Line, it is thought that some Part of the Moluccas or Spice-Islands, if the Pope's Decree w••re of any Force or Obligation at this Time, would fall within the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Division.
• * 1.15

  Here are large Trees with a pepperish aromatick tasted Bark, formerly of good medical Use, the Botanical Name is, C••rtex Win|terianus Laurifoliis Magellanica cortice acri; Winter's Bark from the Name of the first Importer; it is not at present to be found in the ••••••thecaries Shops in Europe, and the Name is transferred to the C••rtex Eluth••ri, from the Bahama Islands, called Cina••••mum ••ive C••••••lla alba tubis minoribus C. B. P.
• * 1.16

  The Spaniards were soon drove from the Spice Islands by the Port••g••eze, and the Emperor King of Spain having pressing Occasions for Money, for a certain Sum renounced all his Pretensions to the Spice-Islands.
• * 1.17

  Good Queen Elizabeth excelled in many Things, particularly by encouraging of Trade and Navigation: She settled a Trade with the Grand Seignior, with the Czar of Muscovy, with India, and begun our America Colony Settlements. To encourage Navigation Disco|veries, she knighted the Discoverers; she was called the Restorer of naval Glory and the Mistress of the Ocean. Her Expeditions against the Spaniards (the Dutch being under her Protection) gave Occa|sion to many of our Discoveries and Settlements of Colo••ies and Fac|tories. She formed an English East-India Company by Letters Patent of Incorporation Dec. 30. Anno 1600, there were 180 Persons named in the Patent, their common Stock was only 72,000 £. Sterling, whereas the Dutch East-India Company incorporated by the States-General Anno 1602, their common Stock was 6,440,200 Gilders or Florin••, being about 600,000 £. Sterling, and consequently soon out-did us in East-India Trade and Settlements.
• * 1.18

  In Fact the Spaniards of Manila differ from the Portugueze of Macao an Island near Canton on the Coast of China, about one Day, the Spaniards came by the Western Navigation from New-Spain or Mexico, the Portugueze came by an Eastern Navigation from Europe; this occasions a Clashing in their Sundays, and other holy Days; and is a Demonstration, that the same identical seventh Part of Time, for religious Worship, Festivals and Fasts, can not in the Nature of Things be observed, and consequently is not I••re Divino, but ad|mits of a Latitude or Variation naturally or by civil Institution••▪ thus naturally our New-England Sabbath differs four Hours forty-five Minutes from our Mother Country's Sunday, and is observed accord|ing to the Course of Nature; since the seventh Part of Time for Rest and Divine Worship, can not possibly be identically the same, but must differ as Longitudes do. Some other Differences in Observati|on of Times, are not essential to Religion, some reckon the Day be|fore the Night, some the Night before the Day, as do the Mahome|tans and others: The Old and New 〈◊〉〈◊〉 makes a conside••••ble Dif|ference in our holy Days; they who follow the Old 〈…〉〈…〉 holy Days, are to a Demonstration, in the wrong; yet notwi••••stand|ing, some of the Church of England, and ot••••r Churches who follow the Old Stile, clamour much against the No••conformists who do not observe their Christmas, Easter, and other erroneously established holy Days: In short, it would appear to a Man of an indifferent Per|swasion or void of Prejudice, that in the Nature of Things, Divi|nity has left it with the Civil Power to regulate these Matters.
• * 1.19

  In this Navigation in Time of a general Peace, the proper ••aiting Places, Places of Refreshment, or to wood and water, are the Cape de Verde Islands, the Coast of Brazil, and the Island Ferdinando, in the South Seas, 34 d. 10 m. S. Lat. 100 Leagues West from the Coast of Chili.
• * 1.20

  The Aquapulco or Manila Ships, are annually sometimes three, generally two, sometimes only one, they sail from Aquapulco ••••tter End of March, near or in N. Lat. 13 d. as freest from Islands have a Run of 2100 Leagues from Aquapulco in 16 d. 30 m. N. Lat. and 106 d. 30 m. W. from London, to Guyam one of the Ladro••••s in 13 d. 30 m. N. Lat. 220 d. W. Long. from London, or 140 d. E. from London (their Governor is subordinate to the Spanish Captain-Ge••er•••• of the Philippines) the Ladrones, particularly Guyam, are of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Use of Refreshment for the Manila or Aquapulco Ships, as the Cape of Good Hope is to the Dutch East-Indi•• Ships, and the Island of St. H••lena to the English East-India Company Ships.— From 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they sail 400 Leagues to Manilas (the Distance is the same to the Moluccas or Spice-Islands) where they arrive sometime in 〈◊〉〈◊〉: They set out from Manilas for Aquapulco in August, and are so••••|times under a Necessity to stretch so high as 50 d. N. Lat. to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the variable or rather the Westerly Winds. They never discover any Land but have frequent Soundings in the high Latitudes. They arrive at Aquapulco in December or January, the first Land they have made has sometimes been St. Sebastian off California in N. Lat. 42 d. and 133 d. W. Long. from London, being the most Westerly known Part of America, generally they make Cape St. Luca•• the South Po••••t of California in N. Lat. 22 d. 30 m; sometimes the first Land they make is Cape Corientes on the West Coast of Mexico in N. Lat. 19 ••.

  From the City of Mexico by their Barca••••••er of Aquapulco, they ship much Silver to Ma••llas (Commodore An•••••• accoun•••••• for 1,300,000 Pieces of Eight in the Manila Prize of 1743 I••n•• 20.) which purchase in Iapan and China (they have a continued Tr••d•• with these Places) all Sorts of rich Goods for Mexico.
• * 1.21

  The Bucaniers originally were a vagrant vicious seafaring pirati|cal People, chiefly English and French: They were ••sed to kill wild Bulls and Cows with long Fusees called Bucanier Pieces for their Hides and Tallow; At first they committed Depredations only upon the Spaniards and Spanish Settlements (Morgan took Porto-Bello and Panama, Anno 1671) and although a notorious Pirate was knig••ted by that Prince of Pleasure and Whim K. Charles II, but afterwards was in Disgrace. They carried on this Bellum Piraticum against the Spa|niards in the West-Indies from Anno 1666 to Anno 1688. Mad-man like, for small Booty, and that soon consumed, they suffered the greatest Fatigues, Hunger and Risque of Life. They first formed themselves upon a small Island called Tortugas, North of Hispaniola (all Island•• where Tortoise or Turtle frequent, are by the Spaniards called Tortugas; that Island near the Margaritas upon the Coast of New-Spain, from whence by a Spanish Treaty at Madrid Anno 1716, New-England brings Salt for their Fishery is called Salt-Tortugas) a•• also upon the N. W. Parts of Hispaniola; the Court of France sent th•••• over a Governor and colonized them, this is the Original of the French rich Settlements there; it is true, when the French had the Spanish Assiento Contract for Negroes, Spain consented to their having a Lodge and Place of Refreshment there, by their usual Way of encroaching upon their Neighbours, they are now become superior to the Spanish of Hispaniola.
• * 1.22

  This was designed as the last Head of Passages from the North to the South Sea, but as it seems to fall in more naturally in this Place, we proceed with it accordingly.
• * 1.23

  Bachus when he conquered Thrace had a Corps of Lybian Women in his Army, called Amazons, Minerva was their Leader. Upon a•• Spanis•• Expedition this Way, a Number of Indian Women with their Hus••ands upon this River, opposed the Spaniards; this was the Oc|casion of the River being so called.
• * 1.24

  Sir Walter Raleigh for himself and Associates or Assigns A. 1584▪ obtain'd a Patent from the Crown of England, for discovering and planting Lands in Am••rica, not actually in Possession of any Christian Prince. His first Settlement was at Roanoke in North-Carolina, and encouraged Adventurers to plant some of those Lands now called Vir|ginia: But his Whim after Metals, Minerals, and precious Stones, was the Reason of his Neglect of Settlements. He was fitted out by Queen Elizabeth An. 1592 to annoy the Spaniards (Drake and Haw|kins were fitted out An. 1595 upon the same Account, they both died in the West-Indies) he neglected his Adventures to Virginia, and made three unsuccessful Voyages up the River Oronoque in Quest of Metals and precious Stones: He was told (as it is said) and was so credulous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to believe, that, in that Country Gold was so plenty as to be heap|ed up like Firewood. In the Beginning of King Iames Ist's Reign, he was convicted and condemned to die for a Conspiracy, was reprieved from Time to Time and after being kept Prisoner in the Tower 12 Years, he proposes to find Gold-Mines in Guiana, and notwithstand|ing his being under Sentence of Death, was fitted out, but returned •••• in••ecta. Cun••amor the Spanish Ambassador at the Court of England, in the Name of the Court of Spain, clamoured and strongly complain|ed of the Infraction of Peace and Amity; to m••ke an Atonement Sir Walter was the Sacrifice, and his former Sent••••ce of Death was allowed to take Place, he was executed An. 1618.
• * 1.25

  The Country of Guiana lies between the Rivers Oron••que and Amazons: The Spaniards to the Northward, and Portuguez•• to the Southward, but have no Footing here. It's Southern Parts has some small French Settlements, Cayenne, &c. the English settled the middle Part called Surinam, the Dutch took it from the English in the Be|ginning of K. Charles II's Reign, it was quit-claimed to the Dutch by the Peace of Breda An. 1667, in Exchange for the Dutch quit-claiming to the English their Colony of New-Netherland, now called New-York; the Dutch settled i••s Northern Parts of Esquibe Barbice, &c. Sir Walter Ral••igh An. 1595, had taken Possession of the whole Country for the Crown of England.
• * 1.26

  Anno 1695, by an Act of the Scots Parliament several Foreigners as well as Natives of Scotland with a Joynt Stock with perpetual Suc|cession were incorporated by the Name of, The Company of Scotland, trading to Africa and the Indies. One half at least of the Stock, to belong to Scotish-Men residing in Scotland; not any one Subscription less than 100 £. and not exceeding 3000 £. Sterling: To plant Colonies, to build Forts, &c. in any Part of Asia, Africa and America, with Consent of the Natives and Inhabitants thereof, and not poss••ssed by any European Sovereign; with an exclusive Trade, but may grant Permissions to other Traders, to all Asia, Africa, and America, for 31 Years. The Company to have the Jurisdiction in their own Co|lonies, where they may impose Duties, Customs, &c. Their Trade in Scotland to be exempted from all Duties for 21 Years. All con|cerned in the Company are declared free Denizons of Scotland. For Form's Sake King William did grant to the Company Letters Paten•• agreeable to this Act. By the Interest of some Gentlemen deeply concerned, the Parliament in the same Sessions passed a•• Act, of bad Consequence, impowering the Managers for Boroughs, Companies in|corporate or collegiate, to invest any Part of their Stock in this Company.

  They began to settle at Darien, 1699; the said Act and Letters Patent were rectified by a Scots Act of Parliament Anno 1701; and when the Affair laboured much by an Act of Queen Anne in a Scots Parliament, Anno 1703; All Persons and Ships, Natives and Fo|reigners, trading to their Colonies by the Permission of the Company, and returning to Scotland, are invested with all Privileges and Immuni|ties of the Company.

  The Project of settling a Colony at Darien, well deserves the Name of a Scots FOLLY: A Country under Subjection to Spain at that Time in Peace with us, and upon any Emergency by a Fleet from Spain, capable of swallowing them up; besides its being inhospitable from its Unhealthfulness. If instead of this they had procured of Spain an Assiento N••gro Contract, with an annual Dry-Goods Ship, if they had followed a Factory-Trade to China, to the Bay of Bengal, to Hugly River, to Arabia, &c. perhaps it might have turned to some Account; they soon were in a ruinous Condition, and a little before the Unio•• with England, 100 £. Stock sold for 10 £.

  As Good sometimes comes out of Evil and Folly, it happened so in this Instance: Many of the Scots Members of the Union Parliament and their Friends were concerned and involved in this Company, the happy Union was much promoted by inserting a Clause in the Articles of Union; that all concerned should be repaid their Principal with 5 per Cent. from the Time of paying in their Money to May 1. 1701; the whole amounted to 232,88 £. Sterl. to be paid out of the 398,085 £. Sterling, Equivalent Money granted by England to Scot|land, for that Part of the English publick Debts which would be paid, by rising the Customs and Excise of Scotland, to an Equality with those of England; the Malecontents in Scotland, called this, The Selling of the Country.
• * 1.27

  Porto-Bello was taken by a small Squadron under the Command of Admiral Vernon, November Anno 1739, much to his Credit and the Honour of the British Nation. Porto-Bello taken from the Span|iards, and Louis••ourg on Cape-Breton from the French, are the most ce|lebrated Exploits this War, of the British People from Home and in America; perhaps the most remarkable Instances in History of the Spanish and French Pusilanimity and Cowardice, and of the British Temerity and Bravery. The Cuba and Carthagena very chargeable, but ineffectual late Expeditions, are notorious Instances of a Ministry (from Corruption or to humour the Populace) wantonly playing away Men and Money; particularly, their unnatural and barbarous De|mand of some Thousands of able Men from our Infant Colonies (who rather required large Additions of People, for planting and defending their Settlements) as a Sacrifice; of the 500 Men from Massachusett••-Bay, not exceeding 50 returned.
• * 1.28

  There was a Contest of many Years standing, between Sir Isaac N••wton with his Fo••lowers, Members of the Royal Society in London, and the Cassinis with their Followers, Members of L' Academie Royale d••s Scienc••s in Paris concerning the Figure of the Earth. Sir Isaac affirmed, It was an oblate Sph••roid, that is, the Earth rises higher to|wards the Equ••tor, and falls in towards the Pole; Cassini pretended from actual Mensuration, that it was an oblong Sph••roid. The King of France (the French Court are much to be extolled for their Gene|rosity in encouraging and promoting of useful Discoveries, but their Agents or People employed, are not always to be depended upon in the Exactness and Truth of their Reports) at a great Charge employ|ed his Astronomers, and other Mathematicians, to measure the Degrees of Latitude from the North to the South of France, by Stations and Triangles: Their Reports at that Time, are now by their own Con|fession found to be false by two of their own Missions consisting of a Parcel of Acad••mi••ia••••; one was sent to Peru in America, to measure a Degree of Latitude near the Equator; they are lately returned to France: The other Detachment was sent to Torneo in Finland in Sweden, to take the Dimensions of a Degree of Latitude under the Polar Circle, they returned Anno 1737 (Torneo is at the Bottom of the Bothnick Gulph in N. Lat. 65 d. 50 m, and 1 h. 23 m. East from Paris, from an observed Eclipse of the Moon and some Occultations of fixed Stars, Variation W. 5 d. 5 m, the Refractions did not differ much from those in France, the River was not shut up with Ice until Nov. 2. they found the Length of a Degree of Latitude that cuts the Polar Circle ••o be 57,437 Toises or French Fathoms, that is, 1000 Toises longer than it should be according to Cassini: They pretended to French Gascon, or Romantick Exactness, exceeding not only Credi|bility but Credulity itself, viz. to find an ascertained Basis for the Men|suration of their Triangles, in me••suring by two Companies, upon the Ice, each with four wooden Rods 30 Feet long, in 7,406 Fathoms 5 Feet they differed only four Inches.
• * 1.29

  There is a peculiar Seed of Grain for various Climates, in Lap|land, they have a Species of Barley ripe in six Weeks from its being sowed; the Barley Seed of the Lands further South, as of Stockholm do not ripen there: Thus Mais or Indian Corn of Virginia does not ripen in New-England, that of New-England does not ripen in Nova-Scotia and Canada. The further North, the more vegetable Growth is stunted and degenerates; far North grow only Pine, Fir and Birch Wood. Further North only Brush such as H••ath, Iuniper, Vitis. Idoea Cranber••ys, &c. Still further North only a loose Moss.
• * 1.30

  Many of our Adventurers to North and South America (witness Sir Walter Ral••igh in the River Oronok••; seem to have been more intent upon Metals and Minerals, than upon Passages to the East Indies, Indian Trade, or settling of Colonies.
• * 1.31

  The Cold is much more intense in the North Parts of America, than in the same Latitudes in the Northern Parts of Europe. Capt. Middleton gives a dismal Account of his wintering Anno 1742, at Churchill River in Hudson's-Bay N. Lat. 59 d. whereas the French Mathematical Missionaries at Torn••o in Lapland. N. Lat. 66 d. Anno 1737, to s••ation their Tri••ngl••s for the Mensuration of a Degree of Latitude there under the Polar Circle, in Winter did traverse the Mountains. At Enarba near Ener•• Lake in N. Lat. 69 d. the Coun|try is so populous as to have annual Fairs for Trade. At Wardhus 70 d. 45 m. in N••rway, the King of D••nmark keeps a Garrison. The Dutch wintered in Nova Zembla N. Lat. 75. the English in Greenland N. Lat. 76 d.

  High North and high South, the most constant Winds are Wester|ly, being eddy or reflux Winds, of the Easterly Trade Winds between the Tropicks. In the European high Latitudes, as also in the Northern American high Latitudes, the Winds are generally from the Polar Re|gions; the cold denser Air, by Reason of its Gravity, pressing to|wards the Equator, where the Air is more rarified lighter and less Elastick; to preserve an Equilibrium which is natural to all Fluids: In the European high North Latitudes this Wind (it is frequently N. W, being a Sort of Diagonal or Compositiun between the Southerly Direction towards the Southern rarified Air, and its Westerly Reflux or eddy Direction) crosses a deep large Ocean, consequently warm and mellow: In the American high North Latitudes, these Winds glide along vast Continents of Snow and Ice, and consequently more and more chilled; this enpassant, may be a good Surmise, against a practicable N. W. Passage, because the warm Ocean and its Influence must be at a great Distance. This Way of Reasoning does not hold good in the high Southern Latitudes, where from this Doctrine the Winds ought to be S. W, whereas they are in a Manner fixed at N. W, but perhaps may intimate, that there is no Continent of Land or Ice to the S. W, and a vast Ocean to the West Northward to Windward which by a boisterous hollow Sea carries the Wind along with it; in Fact the Ships that sail'd to near 70 d. S. Lat. seldom found any floating Ice.
• * 1.32

  Considering that the Accounts of the Discoveries and first Settle|ments in America from Europe, published in English by our Historians, Geographers and Atlas-Makers are so confused and false, so romantick and imperfect; I am induced by some Friends to insert some better vouched and digested short Account of the Matter; this, though not inconsistent with our Subject, will render the Introductory Section, out of all Proportion and Symmatry too prolix.
• * 1.33

  Canary Islands so called, from many Dogs found there; the Insu•••••• ••••rtuna••ae of the Ancients; were discovered by some Guipiscoans for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 King of Castile, about 100 Years before Columbus's Discovery of America; after being relinquished for many Centuries by the Europeans: the Phaenicians, Carthaginians and Romans are said to have planted Colonies, it is certain they visited these Islands, although not the least Vestige of their having ever been there appears. Ptolemy's Canon was wrote in Alexandria of Egypt in the second Century, and reckons his Longitudes from Palma one of the Canary Islands, 26 d. N. Lat. Long. from London, W. 19. d. 44 m. Louis XIII. of France, by an Edict commands all French Geographers, Hydragrophers, and Mariners in their Journals to begin their Accounts of Longitude from Ferro (L' Isle de F••r) the Westernmost of the Canary Island 20 d. West from Paris▪ accordingly Sanson, a noted French Publisher of Maps, places his first Meridian at Ferro▪ this is two Degrees further West than Teneriff, where De Wit the Dutch Map-Maker fixes his first Meridian.
• * 1.34

  I here annex some miscellaneous loose Hints concerning the Country and Affairs of the Spanish West-Indies.

  In the considerab••e Sea-Ports where the Latitudes, Longitudes, and the temporary Variations of the Compass or Magnatick-Needle are well ascertained, I mention them and adduce my Voucher••.
• * 1.35

  From the gradual Increase of the salt Impregnation of this La••••, that of Titacaco in Peru, the Mediterranean Sea, and others in Europe, in a Succession of many Ages; Dr. Halley proposed to find out the Age or Standing of our Earth: This with his two Se••••s of ••••••natick Poles to account for the Variations of the Compass are the only Whims (though pleasantly amusing) that perhaps this Man of great Genius and Industry, ever published.
• * 1.36

  Audiences are supreme royal Jurisdictions and Courts, to which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Provincial and other Courts may appeal; but from these Au|diences there lies no Appeal but to the Council of the Indies in Ol•• Spain.
• * 1.37

  The Azogu••s Quick Silver is only for refining the M••••i••o Silver Peru produ••e•• native Cinnabar, the Oar of Quick Silver; the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••|ver Mines of Peru were discovered Anno 1567.

  Virgin Silver is spungy and brittle, being so called from its having no mixture of alloy or Impregnation, but in the state in which the Quick Silver left it. Other Metals with the Denomination Virgin (Gold, Cop|per) signify Grains or Lumps of natural Metal, requiring little or no re••in ng
• * 1.38

  This Note naturally should belong to the transient Account to be given of the French Colonies; but as it serves to illustrate our South-Sea Bubble, a fatal Imitation of Mr. Law's Project; we have previously introduced it here; and the annexed Ac••ount of the Fate of the Royal Bank of France (which was linked to the Missisippi-Bubble) projected Paper-Currency for France may be a proper Warn|ing or Beacon to our America Paper-Money Colonies.

  Never was such a barefaced iniquitous Scheme endeavoured to be put in Execution; their Confidence was in the legislative Power, which they imagined, could do any Thing, though inconsistent with natural Justice. The Subject of this Annotation, will remain a cu|rious Incident in History. That a private Person Mr. Law, Pro|jector of the MISSISIPPI Company Bubble (this Name appear'd too chimerical, it afterwards assumed and still retains the Name of the French India Company) should so infatuate, impose upon, or bubble, in a most publick Manner, the politer Part of Mankind; future Ages will be astonished, scarce credit, but admire. He rose the Stock of a Chimerical Company from 60 to 70 per Cent. discount (their first Stock or Subscription was 60 Millions of Livres in State Bills, or national Debts settled at 60 or 70 per Cent. discount) to 19 Hundred per Cent. advance.

  By adding to this 60 Million Subscription in State Bills, 40 Mil|lions more, Money Subscription; their Stock became one Hundred Millions, and by the King's assigning to them the Farm upon To|bacco which then was farmed at 4 Millions with the Farmer's Profit, computed to 3 Millions more, made 7 per Cent. to the Proprietors: This gave them a great Credit, and their Stock rose much above Par••; next, the East-India and China Company was incorporated with it, Anno 1718, and Actions rose to 200 for 100 original. By seven successive Subscriptions of 60, 40, 25, 25, 50, 50, 50 Millions, it became in all 300,000,000 Livres Principal or Original Stock. Their Fund or Government Annuity upon which they were to divide, was given out by Mr. Law to be as follows,

  The Farm, and its neat Profits of Tobacco	7 Millio••••
  Profits in the India Trade	12
  Out of the Crown's general Revenue	45
  Out of the five great Farms of Imposts	30
  Profits (imaginary) in Time from Missisippi	7
  Fishery, sole Traffick of Bullion, &c.	25
  Coinage	5
  	131 Millions

  is better than 43 per Cent. on the Original Stock.

  In Sept. 1719, the Subscriptions (as above) taken in for increasing their Stock were at 10 for 1, and those Subscriptions were negociat|ed at Cent per Cent, that is 1 Principal sold for 20, the Subscription•• were to be made good by partial Payments: But as many of the Subscribers could not make their subsequent Parts of Payments, with|out selling out their former Stock; old Actions fell to 760 for 100, (notwithstanding of this precedent Warning, our South-Sea Bubble split upon the very same Rock) but by enlarging the Times for the Subscription Payments, and the Interest of their Loans to the Crown being augmented, Stock rose again to 1200 or 1300, their Privileges being continued to Anno 1770.

  The Money which the Company gained by the advanced Prices upon the several Additions from Time to Time made to their Stock was lent to the King at a certain Interest; with this Money the King paid off or reduced the State Debts or Annuities in the Town-House of Paris, from 4 to 3 per Cent Interest; which was a Saving of about 12 Millions per Annum to the King.

  In January N. S. 1720 the King had granted to the Missisippi alias India Company, the Management and Administration of the Royal Bank. About the same Time the King sold to the Company, his Stock▪ consisting of 100 Millions of Livres Original, for ••00 Million•• Livres in partial Payments. Thus the King sold all his Stoc•• at once by Contract for Money: Thus the Directors and other great Men who were in the Secret, sold out their own South Sea 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when the Affair was tending toward a Crisis.

  This Missisippi-Bubbl•• began to co••••ap••e in the End of May ••••20, and Mr. Laws became a Profugus; to keep up the Affair so far and so long as it could be; the Company not being able to comply with the Payment of the 900 Million Liv••e•• in Money, the King ac|cepts again of his 100 Millions Livres in Original Actions (an Ori|ginal Share or Action was 1000 Livres); and upon the King and Company's annihilating some of their Actions, they were reduced to 200 Millions of Actions, the old Actions were called in and a new Tenor of Actions given for the same, and it was resolved that for three Years next following, the Dividend per Annum, should ••e 200 Livres per Action which is 20 per Cent; and a Royal Society is erected to insure this at 3 per Cent Premium. As there remained a Number of Actions, the Property and in Possession of the Company; all Persons who formerly sold out, were ordered to buy in again, ••t the Rate of 13500 Livres per Action, in Bank Bills to be burnt. Notwithstanding of all these labouring Expedients, the People's Pan|nick could not be stopt, and the Company fell into a languishing State, it is not to our Purpose to prosecute this Affair any further.

  This Spring 1747, the French India Company's Actions are at 1045.

  That a Paper Currency with any Profit or Duration can never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Gold and Silver Currency will appear by the following 〈◊〉〈◊〉 History of the Royal Bank of France.

  Mr. Law in Aid of the Missisippi Bubble, projected the Royal Bank in the following ••radations, 1. All Officers of the Revenue, w••re to ••••ceive Bank-Bills or Notes. 2. By the King's Edict Anno ••••19, Bank Notes were fixed at 5 per Cent better than Gold or Silver Coin; Bank-Bills in the Beginning of Summer Anno 1719 were in|••reased to 400 Millions of Livres (a Livre is in Value about 11 d. Sterl.) in the End of Summer the French Court gave out (thus do some of the Legislatures in our Paper-Money Colonies) that this Sum was not sufficient for a Circulation, and 120 Millions more were made. In October 1••0 Millions more, and soon after 360 Millions more; being in all 1000 Millions of Livres, which is about 46 Millions 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sterling, which is more than all the Banks in Europe put together do circulate. 3. Next Spring in March, N. S. Anno 1••••0 by an Edict Gold and Silver was gradually to be lowered, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••me Months forbid to have any Currency, with the Penalties of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Goods, if found in any Person's Possession; Bank-Notes and Missisippi Transfers to be the only Currency, the Impor|••ation of Gold and Silver Species is forbid; even the Payment of foreign Bills of Exchange, though specified, must be made in Bank-Notes. 4. As the Court of France had been for many Years in the Practice of altering the current Coin, for the Profit of their King▪ Mr. Law proceeded to make a like Experiment, upon their Paper Currency; by an Edict of May 21. 1720, Bank Notes were to be reduced gradually (the Missisippi or India Company's Actions, were at the same Time and in the same Manner, reduced from 10,000 Livres, their stated Price, to 5,000 Livres) so that after some Months v. g. 1000 Livres Bank-Note was to pass for only 500 Livres: This occasioned such an universal Murmuring, that Mr. Law was obliged, to save himself from the Rage of the Populace, by leaving the Kingdom, and thereby confessing himself, a most E••REGIOUS ••REAT: To appease the P••ople, who suspected Frauds in the In|dia Company and ••an••, the Cour•• appointed sham Commissaries to inspect their Books; they soon made a favourable Report, and that they found in the India Company a Fund for above 300 Millions Livres Original Stock, the Nation were not satisfied, it still remain'd in a Ferment or Fret, Mr. Law was obliged to abscond May 29, and resign his great Office of Controller General of the Finances, and the Seals were taken from M. d' Argenson his Accomplice: May 31, the Edict of last March for gradually abolishing a Gold and Silver Currency was revoked; and by October following Bank-Notes had no longer a Currency, nothing was taken in Payments, but Gold and Silver Species.
• * 1.39

  The sinking Fund was a Projection of Mr. Walpole's, a con|summate Politician, especially in the Affair of Finances; it arises f••om publick Savings (the Funds continuing the same) by reducing the In|terest of the publick Debts first to 5 per Cent, Anno 1717, afterwards to 4 per Cent, and some (East-India Company) to 3 per Cent. This was not iniquitous but natural Justice; common Interest had been reduced by Act of Parliament to 5 per Cent ever since Anno 1714. It was left to the Option of the Creditors of the Govern|ment either to be paid off, or to accept of a lower Interest, they ac|cepted of a lower Interest: None of the Companies or incorporated Stocks chose to be paid off, but make Interest that the sinking Fund may not be applied to them: All the national Debt (Navy-Debt, Army-Debentures, and the like excepted) consists in the Stocks▪ these are as transferable as is common Cash, and therefore may be called Cash in Chest bearing Interest. 2. When paid off, they loose the Advance which the Part paid would sell at, v. g. the East India Company would loose about 70, the Bank about 40 per Cent on any Part paid off.

  The annual Produce of the sinking Fund is upwards of 1,200,000 £. and to this Time Anno 1747 may amount to upwards of 33 Mil|lions of Pounds, whereof about 12 Millions has been applied to redeem so much of the publick Debts, and the remaining 22 Millions has pre|vented our running 22 Millions more in Debt; it i•• a Help at Hand against any extraordinary Exigency, to raise Part of the Supply (since the Beginning of the present War Anno 1739▪ it has cont••i|buted one Million yearly to the Supply) upon Emergencies any Sum may be raised upon Annuities, charged on the sinking Fund for a Time, until further settled.

  Walpole's Scheme 1733 of an Excise upon Wine and Tobacco would have been of publick Advantage, but it was prevented taking Ef••ect, by the strong Fears of the Populace, least it should introduce a general Excise upon the Necessaries of Life (as in Hol|land) as well as upon Comforts and Extravagancies: Besides it would have multiplied the Officers of the Revenue, Creatures of the Court and Ministry.

  The Stocks or Government Debts continued, and the Church-Lands in Lay Possession, are infallible Preventives against Popery and a Re|volution in the civil Government.

  Our bad Administration in the End of Q. Anne's Time, after a suc|cessful War carried on for many Years by a former good Admi••i|stration, instead of procuring advantageous Terms of Peace, conceded to the following disadvantageous Articles with Spain by the Treaty of Utrecht, Anno 1713. 1. An entail'd Charge of maintaining large Garrisons in Gibraltar and Minorca. 2. The precarious Demolition of Dunkirk by their Friends the French. 3. The Assiento of Negroes, which had proved a loosing Bargain to all former Contractors. And 4. A sham Renounciation to the Crown of France.
• * 1.40

  No Person can trace me as a Plagiaty; my own Observations, Hints from Correspondents and well-approved Authors, and from public Records are the Materials of this Essay.
• * 1.41

  Henry IV. was the first of the French Kings, who, to any Pur|pose, encouraged Trade and Manufactures. After him, for some Time in the Reign of Louis XIV, Colbert (of Scots Extraction) Se|cretary of State in France, was a great Patron and Promoter of the same, as also of all polite Learning, viz. The Academy of Sciences for all Parts of Natural History,. Geometry, Astronomy, Mechanicks, Ana|tomy, Chimistry, and Bo••••ny; the French Acad••my, for the French Language and other Parts of the Belles-Lettres, the Acad••my for In|scriptions and Medals; the Academy for Architecture, Painting, and Sculpture.
• * 1.42

  Quebeis in the Indian Algonquin Language signifies a Strait. Quebec from De Hayes Observations, Anno 1686 lies in 46 d. 55 m. N. Lat. and W. from Paris 72 d. 30 m. (Paris is E. from London 2 d. 30 m. circiter) is 70 d. W. from London; Variation 15 d. 30 m. Anno 1649 it was 16 d. W.
• * 1.43

  Cape-Breton is a late Acquisition, or New-England Conquest from the French; may it be permanent, but without any extraordinary Garrison Charge! it stretches from 45 d. to 47 d▪ 5 m. N. Lat. s••parated from Nova-Scotia by the Gut of Canso 5 Leagues long, and 1 League broad. Cape-Breton Island lies in Length from N. E. to S. W. scarce 50 Leagues, its greatest Breadth East and West about 33 Leagues. Louisbourg formerly called English Harbour, is a good Port and strong Fortress: As this formerly belonged to Nova-Scoti••, we shall refer any further Account of it ••o that Section.
• * 1.44

  The present Constitution of the West-India French Governments, is: A Governor-General, an Intendant who is their chief Judge in all Aff••i•••• and a Check upon the General, and a Supreme Council; un|der their Direction are several small Governments▪ Dep••rtements or Commanderies, but under the immediate Command of a Sub-Governor or Lt. •••• Roy, or Commandan; and these Districts are divided into Parish•••• under the Command of a Kind of Militia Offi••er ••••d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called Capitaine d•• Quartier.

  Under the Governor-General of the French Cari•••••• Islands are the Governments of Martinique (this is divided into three, viz. Fort Royal, St. Pierre, and La Trinitee) Guardaloupe (including the Commandaries of Grand Terre and of Les Saints) Marigalente, Grenades (including the Commandaries of the Granadillas) upon the Death of the Go|vernor-General or in his Absence, the Governor of Granad••s com|mands in chief; as happened Ann•• 1717, when L••s Ha••itants or Planters, by an Insurrection seized their Governor-General Le Mar|quis de Var••nnes and the Intendant, and sent them Home Prisoners, with a Process against them. In the Fr••n••h Cari•••••• Islands in Time of Peace are kept 3 Companies Swiss, of 100 Men per Company, 10 Companies Fr••nch Independant Marines not exceeding 50 Men each. The present Governor-General is — who lately su|perseded Le Marquis de Ch••mpign••, the Intendant is De la Cr••ix. St. Bartholomew is a neutral Island, the Property and Jurisdiction of it, has not been settled by any Treaty, it is frequented by some French Marooners. Fort-Royal in Martinique (from P. Feuill.) N. Lat. 14 d. 43 m; W. from Paris 63 d. 22 m: Anno 1704 Variation 6 d. 10 m. E. increasing about a Degree in ten Years; a Pendulum that vi|brates seconds in Martinique, is in Length 3 Feet, 6 and half Lines, French Measure. N. B. Such Pendulums increase in Length in some Proportion or Regularity from the Equat••r to the Poles, but hitherto have not been reduced to a Table; at Paris its Length as observed by the Academy Royal of Sciences, is 3 Feet, 8 and half Lines.
• * 1.45

  Upon the West Part of the Island Hispaniola the French are be|come more numerous, and have much more considerable Settlements, than the Spaniards upon its East Part; they have about eight Shipping or Delivery Ports, each with a military commanding Officer, where|of some are called Governors, others only Li••ut. du Roy, some go by the Name of Commandans, all under the Governor-General who re|sides at Leogan••. Cape St. Nicholas of St. Domingue and Cape Mayez•• of Cuba Distance 12 Leagues make the Windward Passage. Nearest to the Spaniard on the North Side is their Settlement of Ville du Cape, N. Lat. 19 d. 48 m. W. from Paris 73 d. 35 m. we call it Cape-Francois, it is their principal Settlement, and sends off more Produce of Sugars, &c. than all the other French Settlements there, and has a Re|sident Governor: On the South Side next to the Spanish Settlements is Fort Louis, N. Lat. 18 d. 18 m. in the Bay of L' Isle des Vaches; here lay Anno 1741 the famous French Squadron under the Marquis d' Antin, designed either to convoy the Spanish Plate-Fleet to Europe, or to hinder the Junction of Vernon and Ogle, or to invade Iamaica upon Admiral Vernon's proceeding against Carthagena: Although they escaped an Engagement, with our Fleet (Reasons of State are above my Reach) in the utmost Distress for Want of Provision with the Death of many Men and Loss of some Ships, they returned to France having effected nothing, and d' Antin soon after died, some say killed in a Duel by Marquis de Rocheville a Commodore under him in this Expedition. The intermediate Settlements are Port de Paix, Le••|gane, Grande Gou••ve, P••tite Gouave, &c; they have several indepen|dant Marine Companies, but depend much upon their Militia. The present Governor-General is M. de Larnage, the Intendant is M. Maillot. Some of our Northern Colonies at all Times carry on a clandestine Trade with them, lately, tho' in Time of War, a neighbour|ing Colony has been dete••ted in carrying Supplies thither, and Returns from thence in Molasses and Indigo under the Blind of Flags of Truce.
• * 1.46

  The Reduction of Canada might have been effected without the least Risk of Miscarriage, and the Possession maintained (not by putting the French Inhabitants to the Sword, as was the Spanish Principle in the•••• ••••dian Conquests) by transporting the French Settlers to France, par••••, at their own Charge where able, partly at our Charge where poor; and cantoning a great Part of the Country in Property, to the Soldiers who served in the Reduction. The British Freedom of the Press allows of Surmises, whe••e nothing is positively asserted. Per|haps our Ministry may judge, that no Peace could be made with France unless France were so reduced, as to accept the Law, in mak|ing of Peace at any Rate, this might require many Years expensive War; or without delivering up Louisbourg, the British People wou'd never be reconciled to this, and might occasion a Dislike to the Mini|sters in Administration, and perhaps a Disaffection to the present civil Government or established Succession. This probably may be the Reason with our Ministers, that the Fleet and Land Forces, apparent|ly design'd to observe Duke d' Anville's Squadron with Land-Forces on Board for recovering of Louisbourg, did not proceed to prevent Louisbourg's falling again into the French Possession; that they might obviate a popular Puzzle in making of Peace: Thus our Fleet and Land-forces aboard, apparently designed against Canada, were by Way of Blind, sent upon that Romantick Descent, on Britany in France. It has been thought that our Reduction of Louisbourg the Key of the North-America COD-FISHERY and FUR-TRADE, was not so agreeable to our Ministry, as to the Populace of Great-Britain; A real War between People of the different Nations, but only a collu|sive War between their Ministers. But Providence, or as some express it, a Concurrence of many extraordinary Chances or Incidents, in our miraculous Reduction of Louisbourg, and a Train of Disasters attending the French Fleet and Land-Troops designed for its Reco|very, seem to encourage that Fondness which ••he Bri••ish People have for keeping of Louisbourg. This Year Anno 1747 notwithstanding many American Troops are kept on Foot, by the Direction of the Court of Great-Britain, at a great Charge designed for the Reduction of Canada, the Land-forces destined from Home for this Expedition, are diverted from a Canada Expedition this Season, and sent to Flan|ders, for a grand Effort or critical Trial of Skill, and likely may prove the Crisis of the present War.
• * 1.47

  As a few additional Pages may conduce towards a full and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but contracted, View of all the American Colonies from the sever•••• Eur••pean Nations, we dispease a little with our Limits first prop••s••
• * 1.48

  We have lately in the News-Papers from Europe, a romantick Account, of a huge Diamond sent Home from Brazils to the King of Portugal of 1680 Carats (a Carat is 4 Grains) the News-Writers to heighten the Romance, put it 224 Millions Sterling Value; whereas even according to the ancient high Valuation of Diamonds (formerly a Diamond of one Carat of a good Water and well polished was va|lued at 10 £. S••erling, or 110 Dutch Florins, the Value of those mor•• weighty was the Square of Carats mul••iplied into the Value of o••e C••rat; Diamonds most in Demand are from 1 and half Grains to 6 Grains) if cut and polished of the best Water would not exceed 28 Millions Sterling, and if only brute or not cut, not above half that Value, and if we suppose it of a bad Water, as are most of the Brazil Diamonds, perhaps not much better than some curious well cut and polished Peebles, this will reduce the Value very much. Formerly the largest Diamonds known were. 1. Tha•• of the Great Mogul for|merly all Diamonds of any Value came from the M••gul's Dominions) of 279 Carats. 2. That of the Grand Duke of Tu••••an•• of 139 Ca|rats but inclining to a Citron Colour. 3. Governor P••••t's Diamond sold to the Crown of France for 2 Millions of Li••res or 135,000 £. Sterling, it was of 127 Carats.
• * 1.49

  In AMSTERDAM-BANK, there is no Sale of Act••ons or St••c••, it is not properly a Company. It was established Anno 1609 by a Placa••rt or Act of the Vroedschap or Town Council, the State of Amsterdam oblige themselves to make good all Monies lodged in this Bank. They retain the same intrinsick Value of Denom••nations, as they were at the Time of the Erection of this Bank, thus for Instance. a Ducatoon at that Time was three Guilders, and so continues to be re|ceived and paid away there; whereas in the common Currency of Hol|land, it is reckoned 63 Stivers, and the Par of the Agio i•• 5 per Cent. N. B. Here is a Method to prevent Depreciation, and qualifies thi•• Bank for that universal Credit which it has obtain'd in all foreign Trade; notwithstanding we may observe that the best Constitutions upon Earth may be shocked by very extraordinary Events, Anno 1672 upon that sudden rapid Invasion of the seven united Provinces by France, the Transfers in this Bank were sold at 10 per Cent discount, for current Money, which with the Addition of the Agio is in Effect 15 per Cent. This Bank is the Merchant's Cashire, and he negotiates his Affairs by Transfers in his Folio, a Bank Transfer is a legal Ten|der; when the Bank pays out Specie, which seldom happens, they retain one Eighth per Cent for keeping, telling, &c. Merchants of great Dealings, for 10 Ducatoons per Annum have the State of their Account sent to their Lodgings every Morning; the Charge of trans|ferring a Sum exceeding 300 Gilders cast only one Stiver or Penny. There was a Bank established at Roterdam Anno 1636, it is of no Note.
• * 1.50

  In New-England ••here is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 small mean Horses called Iad•••• or Suri••••mers, t••ese 〈…〉〈…〉 the waste Lands at l••ttle or no Charge, and are 〈…〉〈…〉 for the Use of their 〈…〉〈…〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Suga•• Plantation••▪
• * 1.51

  We annex the following short Paragraphs to render our Enume|ration of the American Settlements from Europe compleat.
• * 1.52

  Sir Walter Raleigh, of a good but reduced Family in Devonshire, was handsome, robust, and eloquent, had a liberal Education, and was brought up at the Inns of Court; he was much in Favour with Q. Elizabeth, and discovered Guiana Anno 1595. He was in the Plot against K. Iames I. with Lord Cobham, Grey, &c. convicted and con|••emned for High Treason; he was 13 Years in Prison and wrote the History of the World; he projected a Scheme to liberate himself, by propo••••ng to the Court the Discovery of a Gold Mine in Guiana, (he was naturally a mighty Hunter after Mines of Minerals, Metals. and precious Stones) was fitted out, proceeded, and returned empty; being unsuccessful, and by the Resentment of Gund••m••••e the Spanish Ambassador at the Court of England, his former Sentence was averred and he was beheaded.
• * 1.53

  The Company or Council of Plymouth, by their Charter or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had a Power t•• convey any Portion of their granted Lands to any of his M••j••sty's Subjects: After having made many indistinct and inter|fering Grants, did surrender their Charter to the Crown, by an Instru|••••nt under their common S••al, Iune 7. 1635.
• * 1.54

  Whig and Tory, originally were reciprocal Party cant Names of Contempt, they began in the Reign of King Charles II. Tories as|serted, Passive Obedience and Non Resi••••ance as a Prerogative of the the Crown; Whigs maintained that Liberty and Property was a na|tural Privilege of the People.
• * 1.55

  China boasts much of the Antiquity of i••s Policy, and not with|out Reason, they seem to be the elder Brother of all the Nations in Asia, Africa and Europe; we can trace, even in our Records, which do not go back exceeding 2500 Years, many notable Things from thence, such as the Silk Worm, the Sugar Cane, the Small Pox, &c. America having ••o known Land Communication with those, and the intermediate Navigation so long, that until the late Improvements in Navigation, America and the Moon were much upon the same Foo••ing with Respect to Europe, Asia and Africa: Hence it is, that upon our Discoveries of America, excepting Speech, which is natural to Mankind, they seem to have been only a gregarious Sort of Man Brutes; that is they liv'd in Tribes or Herds and Nations, without Letters or Arts ••ur••her than to acquire the Necessaries of Life.
• * 1.56

  Dr. Sloane, afterwards Sir Hans Sloane, Anno 1696, published •• Book "Catalogus Plantarum quae in Insul••, Jamaica, Madera, Bar|bados, Nevis, and St. Christop••••ri nascuntur; seu Prodromus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 naturalis Iamaicae, Pars prima." He ha•• been sufficiently 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on this Affair; he gives no Account of any Part of natural Histor•• excepting of Plants, and of those, no Description only pedantick long Lists of insipid Syno••yma from various Authors: Dr. De Ruisean of Barbados told me, that he was only eleven Days upon that Island, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pretends to give the natural History of the Island. Thus de la M••|tray published several Volumes in Folio of his Travels, amongst others, his Travels in New-England; to my certain Knowledge he resided there only a few Days, and very constantly at Home in his Lodging•• in Boston, with Company of no Intelligence.
• * 1.57

  Rice is referred to the Section of Carolina.
• * 1.58

  Milium Indicum album et nigrum Plinij; Camer; Sorgum. Tab. Guinea Corn; it may be called a Perennial, holding good many Years from the same Root; the Grain is more nourishing and wholsome than Indian Corn, and goes further: The Leaves and Tops are good Provinder for Cattle.
• * 1.59

  Mays Granis Aureis T. Frumentum Indicum M••ys Dictum. C. B. P. Indian Corn: This is a principal American Bread Kind: A further Account of it is referred to the Sections of New-England.
• * 1.60

  Phaseolus Indicus annuus Glaber, fructu tumidio••e mi••••re vario|rum col••rum absque hilo. Kidney Beans which in North-America are called Indian or French Beans: This we refer to New-England.

  Phaseolus maximus perennis, floribus spic••ti•• sp••••i••sis albis, siliquis brevibus latis, semen album hilo albido. Sloane. White Bonavista, large as a common Kidney-Bean, much eat with boil'd Meat.

  Do. Semi••e rufo, Red Bonavist.

  Phaseolus erectus minor, semine sphaerico albido, hilo nigro; Pisum quartum s••u Pisa Virginiana. C. B. P. Calavances, this properly belongs to the Section of Virginia.

  Do. Fructu Rubro, Red Calavances.
• * 1.61

  Pisum hortense majus, flore fructu{que} albo C. B. P. Garden Pease, from Europe planted, thrive well.

  Anagyris Indica loguminosa, siliquis torosis. Herm. Par. Bat; Pigeon Pease; this Shrub or small Tree grows to 12 or 15 Feet high, and holds for some Years, the Fruit resembles a Vicia, called Horse Pease▪ they eat it with boiled Meat.
• * 1.62

  Volubulis nigra, radice alba aut purpurascente, maxima tuberosa, esculenta, farinacea caule membranulis extantibus alat••, Folio c••rda•••• nervoso. Sloane; Inhama Lu••i••anorum Clusiii H. LXXVIII. pro|bably it came from Guinea. It is the principal and best Food of the Negroes, hence it is that in general to eat, is called to Yaam. This Root grows, sometimes big as a Man's Thigh, the redish are more spungy, the white are best, and not so cloyingly sweet as the West-India Potatoes; many of the best white People use it for Bread, t•• me it was more agreeable than Bread of Wheat-Flower.
• * 1.63

  Potatoes of two different Kind or Tribes.

  Convolvubus radice tuberosa esculenta dulci, spinachiae folio, flore mag•••• purpurascente patulo. Batatas Clusii H. LXXVIII. West-India, Bermudas, Carolina Potatoes; they are Natives of America, but do not thrive to the Northward of Maryland, because of the Coldness of the Climate. Clusius Description and Icons are good; it is planted from small incipient Roots, or some Slices of the large Roots, having an Ocu••us or Bud, in the same Manner as the Solanum Tuberosum, called Irish Potatoes, the Leaves spread along the Ground like C••••volvulus••▪ the Flower is p••ntapetalous, the Pistillum becomes the Fruit contain|ing many small Seeds.

  Do. Radice R••••••sc••nte.

  Do. Radice Alba.

  Do. Radice Caerni••scente.

  These continue permanently the same, are lusciously swe••t; wh•••• too ripe or long kept they become fibrous or stringy; the yellow is the most common and best flavoured.

  Solanum ••s••ulentum tub••rosum, C. B. P. Arachi••n•• Th••••p••rasti fort••, Pap••s Peru••norum Clusii. H. LXXIX his Icons are very good. Irish Potatoes; they grow kindly all over America, in ••he Northern Parts the Frost takes them soon; the Roots are a Number of ••••|bers of various Sizes connected by Fila••ents, Stalks 2 or 3▪ Feet erect, the Leaves alternate congugated with an Impar, of a dark Green, the whole Habit hairy▪ the Flowers Mon••••••••alous in Umbels which••, Fruit soft with many stat Seeds; the large ••ulbs are used for Food, the small Bulb•• are committed to the Earth again, and are called Seed Potatoes; an Irish Idiom, Roots for Seed. They are planted in the Spring, and dug up in S••pt••mb••r for Use. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bauhin says they were brought from Virginia to England, thence to France and the other Countries of Europe. Clusius thinks, it was carried from New Spain to Old Spain, and from thence to Italy and the Netherlands, and pro|pagated at present all over Europe.

  Do. Radice Alba, whitish Potatoes.

  Do. Radice rufuscent••; redish Potatoes.

  Do. Radice flav••scant••; Potatoes with a blueish Cast.

  Do. Flore Albo. H. R. P. French Potatoes; these are flatter, larger, less lobated, of a finer Texture, this at present is much ad|m••red, do not yield so well, are not so easily hurt by the Frost.
• * 1.64

  Ri••inus minor viti••is obtuso folio, caule verrucoso, flore pe••tape|••••••o albido, ex cujus radice tuberosa (suc••o venenato turgido) Americani p••nem conficiunt. Cassada. The English after it is well dried, grind it, and bake it into Cakes. The French eat it in Crumbles called Farine, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de Manihot, they victual their West-India coasting Vessels with this.
• * 1.65

  Musa Fructu C••cumerino longiori, Plumer, Musa caudice viridi, fructu longiori Succulento Anguloso. Sloane. Palma Humilis Longis La|tisqu••, Folijs, Plantans. This Tree grows 16 to 20 Feet high; a very large firm long Palm-Leaf, used in thatching of Huts, and good Bed|ding for the Poor; boil'd or roasted it is used in Place of Bread.
• * 1.66

  Mu••a candice macul••to fructu recto rotundo, breviore o••orat••▪ H••rt▪ Beamont. Bananas: Does not differ much from the former.
• * 1.67

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, Catesby: The Flying-Fish called also by the Natives Herrings. By a Pair of large Fins it bears it self up in the Air for a short Time and to a small Distance.
• * 1.68

  Cancer t••••restris cuniculos sub Te••ra ag••n••. Sloane; they are very plenty, and good Food, called Land-Crabs.
• * 1.69

  Canc••llus trrestris. Carib. The Hermit Crab, or Soldier, from their red Colour. Their Fore-Part and Claws are crustaceous; their hinder Part soft, only a Membrane integument, which they secure in the empty Shells of sizable Buccinum••, and carry the Shell along with them not as original Property but as a Derelict.
• * 1.70

  There are many Kinds of Capsicums, we shall only mention three; monapetalous, membranous Fruit.

  Capsicum siliqua lata et rugosa. Park. B••ll or Long Pepper; it is annual, has a longer Leaf than most Capsicums, is larger than a Walnut, and when first ripe, red, membranous. Planted in New-England it comes to Maturity, but is pickled when green.

  Capsicum minus fructu parvo pyramidali erecto. Sloane. Piper In|dicum minimum, surrectis ••iliquis oblongis erectis parvis: This is much used in Barbados, and is called Barbados Pi••mento or Barb••rry Pepper.

  Capsicum minus fructu rotundo erect•• parvo acerrimo. Sloane. Bir•• Pepper. These last two dried and powdered, are intensly hot (almost ca••••••ick) and sold over America, by the Name of Cayenne-Butter or Surrinum-Pepper.
• * 1.71

  Panicum vulgare Spica multiplici asperiuscula. T. Gram••n Pa|niceum spica divisa C. B. P. Scots Grass: Perhaps so called because plenty in the District of Barbad••s called Scotland; and not as a Plant or Herbage from Scotland in Great-Britain: It is peren••ial and af|fords many Cuttings or Crops per Annum.
• * 1.72

  Teredo or Xylophogus mari••us, tubulo Con••hoidis, from one ••nch to one Foot long, the Extremity of their Head resembles a double Bit of that Kin•• of Borer called an Augur.
• * 1.73

  Palumbus migratorius. Catesby. Palumbus torquatus. Aldro|••and. The wild Pigeon, Pigeon of Passage, or ring Dove▪ These are plenty at certain Seasons, all over America, and of great Benefit in feeding the Poor. The French call them Ramier, the Dutch call them Ringle Duif, wilde Duif, boom Duif.
• * 1.74

  Astacus marinus; Lobster.
• * 1.75

  Astacus f••••viatilis, the Cray-Fish.
• * 1.76

  Cancer f••••viatilis; River Crab. These two periodically quit their old crustaceous Exuviae, and at that Time have a Kind of Sick|ness (as we observe in Silk-worms in their S••••iums, so called) and do disgorge from their Stomach some L••pilli, Calculi, or B••zoar called Oc••li Can••ri or Crabs Eyes. N. B. The Te••••acea so called, viz. Be|z••ars, Corrals, Corralins, Crabs Eyes, and Crabs Claws are insipid, use|less Medicines; they are generally exhibited in small Doses, but if given in Doses of ten Times the Quantity, they do no Good nor no Hurt, as I have frequently tried; if in a continued Use and in large Q••antities, they have the same bad Effect, that Chalk, Clay and the like have in the Pica Virginum.
• * 1.77

  Cancer mari••us chelis rubris.

  Cancer marinus chelis nigris.
• * 1.78

  Testudo marina. They are two Weeks in Coitu, hatch their Eggs in the Sand; they are caught either by turning them upon their Back, or by harpooning. They are of various Kinds, I shall mention only two Sorts.

  Testudo marina viridis. Green Turtle, so called from the Colour of its Fat; this is reckoned wholsome and delicious Food.

  Testudo Care••ta. Rochefort. Hist. des Antilles; Hawks-Bill Turtle, so called from the Form of its Mouth; the outside Plates or Scales of its bony Covering, Workmen call Tortoise-Shell.
• * 1.79

  Malus Citr••a sive Medica. Raij. H. The Citron Tree, o•• Pomme-citron: Folijs laurinis rigidis, like the Orange Tree, but wi•••• out an Appendix. The Fruit is larger and rougher than a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with a thick Rind which is made into Succades or Sweet-Meats, and is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in making Citron-Water, called by the French Leau de Bar••••••e, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grow mostly in Scotland District of Barbad••s and are sold a Ryal per〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.80

  Aurantium medulla dulci vulgare. Ferrar. Hesp. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Orange: perennial large rigid Leaves, with a Heart like Appendix; the Fruit is fragrant, of a redish, yellow Colour and tough Peel.

  Aurantium acri medulla vulgare Fer. Hesp. Aurantia malus. J. B. Sevil, or sower Orange. This is the medicinal Orange.

  Aurantium Sinense Fer. Hesp. China Orange, is eat only for Plea|sure.

  Aurantium Sylvestre medulla acri. T. Aurantia Sylvestris. J. B. fructu Limonis pusilo, Limas de Oviedo. The Lime-Tree; this a more pungent and less agreeable and not so wholsome as the Limon; it is much used in the American Beverage called PUNCH.

  Aurantium maximum, Ferrarij, Shadock-Tree. It is sometimes large as a human Head, with a thick Rind, a flat disagreeable Taste to my Palate.
• * 1.81

  Limon vulgaris. Ferr. Hesp. Malus Limonia acida. C. B. P. Sower Limons; like the others of this Kind, has perennial thick 〈◊〉〈◊〉 green Leaves, but without an Appendix: The Fruit is more oval than the Orange and with a nipple like Process at the Extremity or En••▪ of a pale Yellow, it is the most delicious Sowring for that Julep-Fashion Drink called Punch.

  Limon dulci medulla vulgaris. Ferr. Hesp. Sweet Limon, it is not in much Esteem.
• * 1.82

  Palma Indica nucifera C••ccus dicta Raij H. Palma nucifera arbor J. B. Coco-Tree; Palme••a Leaves very large; every Year it emits a Ra••emus of Coco-Nuts, whereof some hold a Pint of cool, pleasant Lymph or Drink; this Nut remains upon the Tree, good for many Years.
• * 1.83

  Palma altissima non spinosa, fructu Pruniformi, minore race••os•• sparso. Sloane. Palma quinta seu Americana fructu racemos••. C. B. P. Cabbage-Tree. The Wood is very spungy or pithy, grows very tall, every Year near its Top, about Mid-summer, is emitted a large Ra|cemus of Flowers, which make a good Pickle.
• * 1.84

  Ananas acul••atus fructu pyramidato, carne aureo. Plumer. Pine-Apple, see T. I. R. Tab. 426, 427, 428, where it is most e|legantly delineated. They plant it as Artichocks are planted in Eu|rope. It is a most delicious Fruit, not luscious, but a smart brisk fra|grant Sweetness, it may be called the Ambrosia of the Gods; but as the highest Sweets degenerate into the most penetrating and vellicating Acids; so this if eat in Quantities, occasions most violent Cholic Pain••, for the same Reason, Sugar and Honey are cholicy.
• * 1.85

  Cacao, Raij. H. Am••gd••lus sexta s••u Amygdalis similis Gua••••|male••sis. C. B. P. Cacao Tree: At a Distance it resembles a small European Tilia or Lime Tree. It is planted from the Seed or Nut. Distances five Feet, after 3 Years i•• begins to bear, and may continue to bear from 12 to 20 Years; rises to the Height of 20 Feet or more, Flowers and Fruit at the same Time, not from the Ends of the Twigs, but from the Trunks of the Body and large Branches of the Tree: The Flowers are whitish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 petala, with|out a Calix; the Fruit when ripe resembles a large Cucumber, i•• red or yellow, containing 20 to 40 Cocoa Nuts in a Pulp. In some Par••s of New-Spain they are used as Money for small Change, in Guati|mala, Comanas, &c. These Nuts made into Pa••te called Chocolate, and this dissolved in boiling Water, is become a very general Sorbition or liquid Food for Nourishment and Pleasure.
• * 1.86

  Zingiber. C. B. P. Ginger. A tuberous Root as an Iri••, Reed or Flag-Leaves, the Flower is of five Pata••a, anomalous, as if bilabi|ated, fructu trigono, triloculari. They do not allow it to Flower be|cause it exhausts the Root. It is planted from Cuts of the Roots and continues 12 Months in the Ground, it requires 6 or 7 Weeks to cure it or dry it in the Sun as the French do; in Barbados they scald it, or scrape it, to prevent its sprouting: It it a very great Produce, but forces and impoverishes the Land very much.
• * 1.87

  Anonis Americana folio latiori subrotundo. T. Annil five Indigo Gu••daloupensis. H. R. P. Indigo. A pinnated Leaf, red papilio|naceous Flowers, Seed ••••••embles Cabbage-Seed. It is planted by throwing 10 or 12 Seeds into each Hole, after three Months it is fit to be cut, and cut again several Times or Crops in the Year. Indigo is the Expression from the Leaves macerated in Water, and dried in the Sun; the Roots afford Crops for several Years. There are se|veral Degrees of its Goodness, viz. Copper, Purple, Blue, Iron-co|loured the worst. They have lately with good Success gone into this Cultivation in South-Carolina and have three Crops per Annum.
• * 1.88

  Xylon Brasilianum. J. B. Gossipium Bras••lianu•• store fl••vo. Herm. Par. Bat. Cotton. A Shrub 8 to 10 Feet high, resembling the Rubus or Raspberry at a Distance. An Acre of Cotton Shrub•• may yearly produce 1 Ct. wt. Cotton; the poorer Sort of Planters follow it, requiring no great Upset, and is a ready Money Commodity.

  Xylon lana Flavescente. Yellow Cotton.
• * 1.89

  Aloe Diascoridis et alior••m. Its Leaves are like those of the Iucca, from their Juice is the Aloes Hepatica or Barbados, of a da••k Liver Colour, and nauseous Smell. The Succ••trine Aloes of the Shops comes from the Levant in Skins; Barbados or Horse-Aloes is put up in large Gourds.
• * 1.90

  Cassia fistula Americana: Cassia. A large Tree, w••nged Leaves resembling the Walnut, yellow five Petal Flower••, the Pi|stillum becomes a long round woody Pod, Inch Diameter and under, a Foot long more of less, Inside is divided into many transverse Cells, covered with a black sweet Pulp, and in each Cell a flat smooth oval Seed. The Cassia fistula Alexandrina C. B. P. which comes from the Leva•••• i•• pref••rable to that of the West-Indies.
• * 1.91

  Tamarindus. Ray H. A large Tree with pinnated Leaves no ••mpar, the Flowers are rosaceous and grow in Clusters; the Pis|ti••••um becomes a ••latish, woody Pod three or four Inches long, in 2 or 3 Protuberances, containing a stringy dark acid Pulp with hard ••lat Seeds. The Tamarinds from the Levant and East-Indies are of •• better Kind.
• * 1.92

  ••ui••••um, Lignum S••••atum, sive Lignum Vita••. Park. Pock Wood. A large Tree, smooth Bark, ponderous Wood, in the middle, of a dark Colour, aromatick Taste; small pinnated Leaves no Impar Flowers of six Potala in Umbels, the Seed Vessel resembles Shepherds Purse. In the West-Indies they call it Junk-Wood. It was formerly reckoned a Specifick in the venereal Pox; it has lost that R••putation, but is still used in Scorbutick Ails, and its Rosin in Rheumatisms.
• * 1.93

  Ricin••ides El••••gni folio, Cort••x Eluth••riae, so called from one of the Bahama•• Islands, almost exhausted; it is a greatful aromatick Bitter, gives a good Perfume; Bay-Tree Leaves, Berries in Branches, this Bark is of a yellowish White roll'd up in Quills like Cinamon, but much thicker; it is used in Place of the Cortex Win••eria••••••.
• * 1.94

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Arabicum castaneae folio, flore albo od••••atissi•••• cuj•••• fructus, Coffy, in officinis dicuntur nobis. Comm. Coffee-Tree Brita••••••s▪ Plukn. The Dutch East-India Company carried some Plants from Mecca N. I at. 21 d▪ in Arabia faelix to Iava, and from thence to Amsterdam in Holland where the Berries may be seen in Perfection, lately it is cultivated in Surri••am, Martinico and Iamaica.
• * 1.95

  Morus fructu ••iridi, lign•• sulphur•••• tinctorio, Buxei coloris, lig•••••• Americanum; Fustick Wood. It it a large Tree, Leaf like the Elm▪ grow in the Manner of Ash-Tree Leaves.
• * 1.96

  Pseudo santalum C••o••••um. Slo••ne; Braziletto used in dying▪ It is almost exhausted in the Bahama Islands.

  Thus, I hope, I have given an exact and regular Account (such Accounts are wanted) of the useful Part of the Produce of the British West-India Islands under the Heads of Food, Delicaci•••• or Frian|dises, and Commodities in Trade: I am sensible, that it will not suit the Taste of some of our Readers, therefore, henceforwa••d shall not distaste them much with the like Excursions.
• * 1.97

  Capt. Candler in the Launceston Man of War, was sent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1717 by the Board of Admiralty, to ascertain by good 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Latitudes and Longitudes of the British West-India Island the respective Variations of the Compass at that Time.
• * 1.98

  Fians arbor Americana, Arbuti folijs non serratis, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 magnitudina, funiculis e ramis ad terram demissis prolifera. Barbados Fig-Tree. It is a large Tree, with a Laurel or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Leaf; the Fruit adheres to the Trunks of the Body an•• Branches, large as the Top of a Man's Finger, containin•• Seeds, Fig-fashion.
• * 1.99

  Portulara Curasavica procumbens folio s••bro••undo. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Not much differing from that Purslan••, which is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spreading W••ed in many of our Gardens in Boston of England.
• * 1.100

  Anno 1722 a Patent passed the great Seal of Great-Britain, granting the Government and Property of St. Vincent and St. Lucia in the West-India Caribee Islands, to the Duke of Montague: He attempted a Settlement at a considerable Charge, but was drove off, by the French from Martinique, because of its being a neutral Island not adjusted: This Island is about 7 Leagues East of Martinique, and about 25 Leagues West from Barbados.

  Upon St. Vincents, are subsisting some Aboriginal Indians: As also a Community of Negro••s, which began from the Negro Cargo of a Guinea Ship cast away there, and daily increases by the Accession of runaway N••groes from Barbados.

  At Dominique is a large Tribe of Aboriginal Indians; they affect the French most.
• * 1.101

  Sir Francis Wheeler 1693 with a Squadron of Ships, 2 Regiment•• of regular Troops from England, and some Militia from Barba••••••, and Leeward Islands, made Descents upon the French Islands, April 2. they landed in Martinique at Col de sac Marine, plundered and cam•• on Board again; April 17. they landed at St. Pierre, did nothing, and returned to Barbados; and from thence to New-England; they unluckily imported a malignant Fever (from 1692 to 1698 Barbados continued sickly) from thence to Newfoundland, and home to England.
• * 1.102

  Sovereign Powers frequently dispense with the Law of Nations (Honour and Honestly) thus the Spaniards in the Spring 1727 laid Siege to Gibr••ltar; the French lately refortified Dunkirk, before any Declaration of War; there can be no other Restraint upon Princes but a Ballance of Power; thus France, a Nation too potent, can never be bound over to the Peace, without being dismembered.
• * 1.103

  By the same Ecclipse of the Moon Iune 1722 observed by Capt. Candler of the Launceston Man of War at Port-Royal in Iamaica, and by Christopher Kirch at Berlin in Brandeburgh of Germany; al|lowing Berlin 52 horary Minutes East of London. The Difference of Longitude between two Places found by actual Observation of the same Eclipses, Appulses, Occultations of the Celestial Bodies, called Lumi|naries, in both Places, for the same Phaenominon; is more exact, than where an Observation is used for one Place, and a Calculation from Tables for the other: Thus I judge the Difference of Longi|tude, between London and Boston or Cambridge adjoining, is well de|termined by the same Eclipse of the Moon, March 15. Anno 1717 observ'd at Cambridge near Boston by Mr. Thomas Robie, Fellow and Tutor in the College there; and observed at Paris by Cassini and de la Hire, Accadamiciens of the Royal Accademie of Sciences; the Difference in Time was 4 h. 55 m. 40 Se••▪ as Paris is 9 m. 40 Se. horary East of London; therefore the horary Difference is about 4 ••▪ 46 m. or 71 d. 30 m. Cambridge and Boston are West from Lond••••.
• * 1.104

  C••drus Bermudiana vulgo H. Iuniperus Bermudiana H. L. Ber|mudas Cedar, it is harder than the Cedar of Carolina and Virginia; they are all distinct Species, as are the red and white Cedars of New-England: We shall give a more classick, practical or mechan|ick and commercial Account of them when we come to treat of Timber and Naval Stores used in, and exported from New-England.
• * 1.105

  Palma prunifera Bermud. (of the Palmes some are cocciferous, some pruniferous) with a very long and wide Leaf.
• * 1.106

  Bermudas is noted for Divers: An Indian born there, of Florida Parents div'd 18 Fathom (common Diving is 8 to 10 Fathom) and clapt Lashings to an Anchor, was near three Minutes under Water, upon his Emersion or coming up, he bled much at Mouth, Nose and Ears.
• * 1.107

  This Notion of a healthful Climate, gave Occasion to a late Scheme projected by a whimsical Man, Dean B—ly since Bishop of Cl—ne in Ireland, of sounding in Bermudas, an University College or Seminary for the Education of the British American Youth. Projectors are generally inconsiderate, rash, and run too fast: He did not consider that Places for Health are accommodated for Vale|tudinarians and old People; whereas young People, where the Sta|mina Vitae are good, seldom want Health (at Harvard-Coll••ge in Cam|bridge near Boston New-England, not exceeding one or two per Ct. per An. die) this Place is of very difficult Access or Navigation: does not produce a Sufficiency for the present parcimonious Inhabi|tants. This abstracted Notion seems only adequate to the Concep|tions of a common School-Master, to keep his Boys together (as a Shepherd does by folding of his Sheep) while they learn to read English, and labour at the Rudiments of the Latin Language; whereas young Gentlemen, Students of the B••lles Lettres, Civil His|tory, Natural History, or any of the three learned Professions, require a larger Field than that of a small Island divulsed (if we may so ex|press it) from the World or Continents of the Earth. He hired a Ship, put on Board a good Library (some Part of it, he bountifully bestowed upon the Colleges of Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut New-England) and in Company with some Gentlemen of great Worth; after a tedious Winter-Passage, put in at Rhode-Island, a small Colony of New-England; built a kind of a Cell, liv'd there a recluse Life for some Time, 'till this Fit of ENTHUSIASM did de|vervelce, and was convinced of the Idleness of the Whim, did not proceed, but returned to England.

  There are Enthusiasts in all Affairs of Life, this Man of himself was an Enthusiast in many Affairs of Life; not confin'd to Religion and the Education of Youth; he invaded another of the learned Professions, Medicine, which in a peculiar Manner is called the learned Profession; he published a Book called Siris (the Ratio Nominis I cannot investigate) or Tar-Water, an universal Medicine or Penacea; he never knew it fail, if copiously administred, of curing any Fever; whereas many Fevers, viz. That of the Plague, of the Small-Pox with Symptoms of Purples and general Haemorhages, &c. in their own Na|ture to most Constitutions from first Seizures are mortal, by an universal Necrosis or sudden Blast of the Constitution: It cures the Murrain, Rot, and all other malignant Distempers amongst Cattle, Sheep, &c. The continued or long Use of it does Violence to the Constitution; in Asthmas and Rheumatick Disorders a short Use of it, has been be|neficial, but our Materia Medica affords more efficacious and safe Medicines; it is at present, almost wore out of Fashion. Tar is only Turpentine by Fire rendred of a caustick Quality; whereas Turp••n|tine (and consequently its Water or Decoction) by the Experience of many Ages, has been found a most beneficent medicinal natural Balsam.

  He ought to have check'd this officious Genius (unless in his own Profession Way, he had acquired this Nostrum, by Inspiration) from intruding into the Affairs of a distinct Profession: Should a Doctor in Medicine, practice publick Praying and Preaching (though only in a Quack or W—d vagrant Manner) with pious, private, ghostly Advice and Exhortations to his Patients alias Penitents; th•• Clergy would immediately take the Alarm, and use their Bruta Fulmina against this other Profession; this seems to be well express|ed in a London News-Paper by Way of Banter or Ridicule.

  The Bishop's Book annoys the learned Tribe: They threaten hard "We'll preach, if you prescribe.

  As his Bermudas College Projection, and his Residence in New-England, have rendred him famous in North-America; perhaps it may not be impertinent to give some further History of Mr. B—ly, in his proper Character as a Divine: I shall take it from his Minute Philosopher, a Book composed in New-England, and confine it to his wild Notions of Mysteries in Religion. He says, that from a certain Enthusiasm in humane Nature, all Religions do sprout. From the Faith which Children have in the Directions of their Parents, from the great Share that Faith has in the Policy of Nations (he means the Arcana Imperij) and in common Commerce or Trade; we are led to Faith in religious Revelations. Since we cannot explain many obvious Things in Nature, why should we be obliged to do so in Religion? In a very very loose Expression, he compares Mysteries in Religion to the Enthusiastick, and to Demonstration Non-Entities, of the Phi|losopher's Stone in Chymistry, and of perpetual Motion in Mechanicks. The abstracted Idea of a Triangle, is as difficult as that of the Tri|nity; that of the Communication of Motion, as difficult as that of the Communication of Grace. We ought to have the same Reason for trusting the PRI••ST in Religion, that we have for trusting the Lawyer or Physician with our Fortune or Life; thus every Man ought to have a Liberty of chusing his own Priest and Religion, this is too general a Toleration, and puts an End to all social Re|ligion.

  To conclude, The Right Rev'd the Bishop of Cl—ne notwith|standing of his Peculiarities, is a most generous, beneficent and be|nevolent Gentleman, as appears by his Donations in New-England.
• * 1.108

  From a Country or Continent thus reduced to a very small Stock▪ we may investigate the various Degrees of Civil Government. At first they were only distinct Families, left Isolé, and their Govern|ment was patriarchal, that is by Heads of Families; these Heads of Families soon became acquainted and neighbourly, and for mutual Protection and good Neighbourhood, entred into Associations, by us called Tribes, Cantons, or Clans; several of these Tribes upon Sus|picion of some ambitious Design of som•• neighbouring powerful Tribes, or Confederacy of Tribes; for their better Defence were o|bliged to enter into a federal Union, and at Length were incorporat|ed into one general Direction called a Nation or Empire. Perhaps we may suppose, that, such were the Empires of Mexico and Peru in America.

  Sir Isaac Newton in his Chronology of ancient Kingdoms amended, by his incomparable Sagacity investigates, that in ancient Times Greece and all Europe were peopled by wandring Cimerians and Scy|thians; the Emigrations or Excursions which in several Ages have occasioned Revolutions and new peopling of the Southern Parts of Europe; Goths, Vandals, &c. came from thence by swarming, that is leaving their native Country for Want of Room or Subsistance, Nor|thern Countries are the least liable to the above-mentioned Calamities, and may be called Nurseries: they had lived a rambling Life, like the Tartars in the Northern Parts of Asia.

  We should have previously observed, That Mankind is naturally a gregarious Animal, does not love Solitude, but has a strong Passion or Prop••nsity for Society; their natural Reason, and Capacity of Speech or Communication of Thoughts, inclines them to it.

  Dr. Heylin, from him most of our modern Historians of this Kind transcribe, gives a very easy novel Manner of the peopling the several Nations from the Posterity of Noah; we shall not impose this upon our Readers: He says the Americans proceeded from Noah, by Way of Tartary.

  Others publish their Conjectures, that North-America was peopled from Scythia and Tartary; that South-America was peopled from China and Iapan, without reflecting, that according to the Situation of these Countries it is impracticable; our modern large Ships can|not perform the Navigation from China, in less than 6 or 7 Months: How can it be performed in Canoes? The Americans had no large Embarkations, this requires no serious Animadversions.

  Some Authors whimsically alledge, that the Ph••••nicians or Cartha|ginians, might have been drove thither by some continued fresh Easterly Winds; but the Ph••enicians, Carthaginians, Gre••cians, Ro|mans, and Arabians who were successively the great Navigators, make no mention of America; and upon our Arrival in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, we could not find the least Monument or Token of their ever being there.

  Therefore we can carry the History of the American Countries no higher than Columbus's Discovery Anno 1492. See P. 25.63.
• * 1.109

  A Spanish Bishop of the West-Indies, a Man of Observations many Years since wrote, "That the Indians are of a tender Con|stitution: No Part of Europe was more populous than Mexico, upon the Spaniards first Arrival. The Spaniards in the first forty Years, destroy'd about 20 Millions of Indians; they left but a few Indians in Hispaniola, none upon Cuba, Iamaica, Bahama-Islands, Porto-Rico, and Caribee-Islands excepting upon Dominica and St. Vincent where they remain to this Day.
• * 1.110

  In Bible-History we read that all Mankind anciently liv'd in small Tribes; Abraham and his Allies could muster only 318 Men; with these he defeated four great Kings, who had conquered several Kings. Where ••ands lie not cultivated, the Tribes must be small and Inhabitants few for Want of Subsistence.
• * 1.111

  We cannot account for the aboriginal Differences of Complex|ions in the various Nations, and the Variety of their Features. The People of the middle and South Parts of Africa are Black, of various constant permanent Shades or Degrees, with flat Noses, thick Lips, short frizled or crisp black Hair; perhaps the Complexion of the tawney Moor of Barbary the ancient Mauritania, is not aboriginal, but a Complication of the European White and the African Black; our American Complexion seems to be native and sincere. The Na|tives of the Indian Peninsula, betwixt the Rivers Indus and G••nges in the East-Indies, have the African black Complexion, the Europ••an Features, and the American lank black Hair or Crin, but all native and genuine, not from a mixed Breed. Extreme hot or extreme cold Weather, do equally tawn white People but not permanently; Transplantation or Transportation recovers their native Com|plexion.

  It is not various Climates that gives the various Complexions▪ America lies from 65 d. N. Lat. to 55 d. S. Lat. comprehending all the various Climates of Europe, Asia and Africa; the American Complexion is permanently every where the same; only with a more or less of the metaline Lusture. Salmon, a late disaffected Scribler, in his Modern History; says, the Blacks after some Ge|nerations will become white; in New-England there are Guinea Slaves in Succession of several Generations, they continue the same in Feature and Complexion; it is true, that in the West-India Islands some dissolute Planters are said to wash the Blackemore white, by generat|ing with the Successive Shades of their own Issue, Children, Grand Children, &c. the Progeny at Length becomes blonde, or of a pal•• White.

  Upon this Subject there are several Intricacies in Nature not to be un••avelled. Why the Negroes of Guinea should have woolly crisp black Hair, and those of the Indian Peninsula have lank black Hair? Why the Wool of Northern Sheep carried into a hot Cli|mate becomes like Goats Hair, and returned to a Northern Climate, they recover their Wool again? How near neighbouring Nations, if they do not intermarry, dif••er in Features and Complexions? The Circassians are very beautiful, their neighbouring Tartars are extreme|ly ugly: The Laplanders are ruddy and fresh, the adjoining Russians and ••artars are tawney and squalid.
• * 1.112

  Toga seems to be the most ancient natural and simple Wear used by Mankind; the Scots Highlanders have wore it further back than our Records do reach, striped and chequered variously according to Humours of different Ages; but as of late Years it seems to be used as a Badge of Disaffection to the present happy established Go|vernment in Great-Britain, the Parliament in their great Wisdom have abolished it.
• * 1.113

  Spinosa a Jew in his Tractatus Theologico-Politicus.

  Vanini born at Naples in Italy, taught Atheism in France, was con|victed thereof, and burnt at Thoulouse, An. 1619.

  Iord••no Bruno, wrote a Book, De tribus Impostoribus; meaning Moses, CHRIST, and Mahomet.

  Hobb's in his Leviathan, advanced several wild Notions of this Kind, but not consistent; he died An. 1679. Aet. 91.
• * 1.114

  Perhaps Priests of all Religions are the same, we must except a sober-minded, regular, truly pious and exemplary Clergy, they are of the greatest Use in cementing Society.
• * 1.115

  The civil Administration in England, from Experience are sensi|ble of the Inconveniences arising from the Meetings of the Convocati|ons of the Clergy, and for many Years have not allowed them to fit: They are not ••ssential to Episcopal Church Government, and wh••n they meet, they naturally ferment or rather effer••esce, and occasion feverish Paroxysms in the Church, and sometimes Convulsions in the State.
• * 1.116

  Mr. Brainerd a Missionary fr••m a Society in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge by Indian Conversions amongst th•• De la Ware and Sesquahana Indians; in his Journal printed at Phi|ladelphi•• Anno 1745, says that his Station was from Crosweeks••ng in New-Iersies, about 80 Miles from the Forks of De la Ware River, to Sha••making on Sesquahana River about 120 Miles West of ••a••d Forks; that he travelled more than 130 Miles above the English Settlements upon Sesquahana River and was with about 7 or 8 dis|tinct Tribes there, speaking so many different Languages, mostly be|longing to the Sennekas: He was 3 or 4 Years upon this Mission, sometimes did not see an Englishman for a Month or six Weeks to|gether; all his Exercises were in English. Meer Journals are dry, but otherwise it seems naif or natural. At that Time there was no other Missionary amongst the Indians of Iersies and Pennsylvania. Notwithstanding of all his personal Penn••nces, and Charge to the So|ciety, he effect••d nothing▪ though a pious laborious Missionary.
• * 1.117

  There are sundry Ways of expressing our Thoughts and Sounds. 1. The Egyptian Hieroglyphicks seem to be the most ancient: They were Delineations, Drawings, and Paintings, or Images of m••terial Things, or allegorical Expressions of Transactions in Figures real or chimerical; Mutes seem to express themselves in Hieroglyphical Mo|tions: The Defect of this Character seems to be, that Idea•• which have no material Figure could not be well expressed, and the Writing too tedious and imperfect.

  2. The Chinese have no Letters or compounding Characters; every Word has a peculiar Character, and instead of being unreasonably long, as with the Americans, there is in some Manner a Necessity for all their Words being Monosyllables; thus their Characters are so numerous, that a Man of Letters is a Trade, not soon to be learnt.

  3. In Europe a few arbitrary Characters called Letters, were first brought to us from Phaenicia via Greece, and are in different Nations in Number from 20 to 24; by th••se variously mixed, all European Words are composed and well-distinguished; they express Words or Sounds only, not Things as in Hieroglyphick••.
• * 1.118

  Mr. Elliot formerly Minister of Roxbury, adjoining to Bost••n, with immense Labour translated and printed our Bible into Indian▪ it wa•• done with a good pious Design, but must be reckoned among the O••iosorum hominum negotia; it was done in the Natick Language; of the Naticks at present there are not twenty Families subsisting, and scarce any of these can read: Cui Bo••o▪

  The Countries in Europe being well civilized, with a great 〈…〉〈…〉 Intercourse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Use of Letters; their general Languages 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in various Dialects are very extensive, the an••ient Latin in its 〈…〉〈…〉 Dialects and Words adopted from neighbouring Nations, 〈…〉〈…〉 Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal; the Celtic in Bretaig 〈◊〉〈◊〉 France, Cornwall and Wales of England, Isle of Man, great 〈…〉〈…〉 Ireland, and the Highlands of Scotland; the Teutonic in 〈…〉〈…〉 Great-Britain, Low-Countries in Belgia, Danemark, Sweden 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Norway; the Sclavonian in Muscovy and Russia, in Poland, in 〈…〉〈…〉 and the other Countries West of these so far as to the 〈…〉〈…〉 Dominions.
• * 1.119

  This History was not composed into a regular, full Body, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it began to be published; and its being published only at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••imes of Leisure, and Humour of the Writer, it seems to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 too much of a Miscellany, but without neglecting the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 View or Design: Notwithstanding of the d••signed Brevity, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Summary (which spoils the Fluidity or Fluency of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it swells too much; therefore at present to ease some of our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we lay aside or defer, the designed short Description or natural 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of these Things, which are used by the Indians as Food, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Traffick.
• * 1.120

  In Europe our Materia Medica is too luxuriant, and the greatest Part of it trifling; many of our medicinal Preparations and Compo|sitions are silly and of no real Use to the Patient; it is with Pleasure that I observe, the various Conserves, Syrups, distilled Waters, and some other Arabian Medicines, wear out of Fashion in Great-Britain amongst the regular Physicians, and ••re used only by Quacks, and Practising Apothecaries. A proper Regimen, Diet, and not exceeding •• Dozen notedly efficacious Medicines properly applied (this by some of the Clergy, old Women and Nurse••, is represented as doing no|thing) i•• the true effectual Materia Medica: Where the Nature of the Distemper and Indications of Cure are ascertained (in these co••sist ••he Art of Physick) D. Pitcairns Problem, Dato morbo remedium ••••venire, is not very intricate, where incurable is not in the Case.
• * 1.121

  Extremity of Cold, may equally be called Hell, as Extremity of Heat; our scriptural Writers liv'd in a hot Country, not in a cold Climate. In the Government of Muscovy or Russia, Translation or Exile to Siberia the Northern Parts of Russia in a high Latitude, is used as a Degree of Punishment next to Death, in fellonious criminal Cases, particularly in ministerial Treachery.
• * 1.122

  Their Fish course Diet, Extremity of Cold, and long Winter Consinements; renders their circulating Juices rancid or putrid, and consequently are very sco••butick.
• * 1.123

  Here I cannot understand what Mr. Dobbs and Capt. Middleton write; they mention Northern Indians in Lat. 62 d. and 63 d. and some Eskimaux in Lat. 66 d. to 67 d. and these two Nations in a natural or continued Enmity; how shall we reconcile this Intermixture?
• * 1.124

  In the high Latitudes, towards Winter some of their Animals, become gray or Silver-coloured, and next Summer recover their native Colours; not from the same Hairs or Feathers reassuming their native Colour, but by a new Growth or Coat: Perhaps a like Decay of native Heat in the Aged of Mankind, occasions their be|coming gray.
• * 1.125

  Indians of above 20 Nations or large come here to trade in the Season of their Fairs; these Indians are distinguishable, by the Variety and different Fashions of their Canoes, the very re|••ote Indians are cloathed in Skins of various Sorts, they all have Fire-Arms; some come from so far North as Port N••ls••n in Hudson's Bay N. Lat. 57 d. and some are from the Chirakees West of South-Carolina in N. Lat. 32 d. this seems to be a vast Extent of Inland Water-Carriage, but it is only for Canoes the smallest of Craft: In Europe our Inland Water-Carriage vastly excells this: for Instance, (I do not mention the Royal Canal in France from the Western Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, nor the many Canals, some were finish'd, projected in Muscovy and Russia, by Peter the great, because they are artificial) from Asia and the Black Sea, up the Danube River, to near the Head thereof; and thence a small Carrying-Place to the Head of the River Rhine, which by its many Branchings has an extensive Communication, and falls into the Northern Ocean in Holland; and from the Sources of the Danube a small Carrying-Place to the Head of the River Rhone, which falls into the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sea, in the South of France▪ up the River Rhine, and the S••on••, and the Ousche, then a small Carrying-Place to the Head of the Seine River, which by Way of Paris, Rouen, and Havre de Grace carries into the Northern Ocean; and from the Seine by a Canal to the River Layre by Way of Orleans and Nants to the Western Ocean. Our Naviga|tion and Carriages in Europe are much improved beyond this wild Manner, incommoded by Cataracts, Falls, or Sautes; by Tree•• which accidentally fall across their Rivulets, &c: In Europe their Carriage is in Ships and large Craft for the Ocean, Seas, and large Rivers, and from thence an easy Wheel Land Carriage at Pleasure.
• * 1.126

  Mr. Kellogg Anno 1710 from Massachus••tts-Bay, captivated by the Indians; in Curiosity, and from a laudable publick Spirit for In••formation, travelled with six French Indian Traders, from Monreal in Canada up the Owtawaes River, N. W. to Matawaen, thence th••y carry a little Way to a small Lake Ni••ising, and by the French River to the great Lake of the Hurons (a miserable Country) about 50 Leagues in Length, never froze over, but is like an open Sea (••o Spruce that is Fir, or Pine in this Country) they coasted to its N. W. Corner, and wintered at a Village or Tribe of the Owtawaes called Misilimackinac in N. Lat. 46 d. upon the Streights between Lakes Hurons and Ilinois; this Streight is froze over in Winter, here he winter'd, he kill'd Trout of 50 l. wt; from this Streights they en|tred the Lake Ilinois and coasted in Course of its Length S. S. W. to its South-Westerly Corner; thence they carried one League (the longest Carriage in their Journey or Voyage) to a Branch of the River Ilinois: The River Miamis which gives Name to a large Nation of Indians, and comes from near the Lake Ilinois, and by which these Traders with Mr. Kellogg returned to Monreal, falls into the River Ilinois. The River Ilinois runs a Course of about 130 Leagues and falls into the River Misissippi. Mr. Kellogg upon the River Ilinois, see the Remains of some former French Settlements, but no present Inhabitant, some Tufts of Clover, and a few European Fruit-Trees; this is what some French Writers call the Province of Hanois (perhaps corruptly for Ilinois) inhabited by above 16,000 W••ites; on the River Ilinois was a French Fort called Fort Louis or 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Five Leagues below the Mouth of River Ilinois falls into the Misissippi the great River Misouris from the North-West. Fur|ther down is a French Village and Wind-Mill, some Mays, a few Vines and other European Produce. A little further down the Mi|sissippi, falls in the River Owbache, Ohio, or Belle-Rivier, it heads near ••he West Branch of the S••squahana in Pennsylvania. This is another Rout for the French Trade, and Patroul to the Mouth of the Mi|sissippi. Hereabouts the French Traders and Mr. Kellogg ended their Voyage and returned to Monreal in Canada by the River Miamis. We ma•• suppose that about 37 d. N. Lat. is the Boundary between the French two general Colonies of Canada and Louisiana or Misis|s••••pi, and that their Canada trading License extended no further.
• * 1.127

  M. V••udr••uél late Governor-General of Canada caused these fa|mous Falls to be narrowly examined; reduced to a perpendicular Height, they were only 26 Fathom; Father H••nnopin writes it 100 Fathom: It is true that from the great Falls, it continues still to descend somewhat further by Ledges or Stairs.
• * 1.128

  The Proprietors of the Eastern Lands in New-England, for some Scores of Years have been much incommoded by the Incursions of these Indians, which renders their Interest there a meer dead Stock; but very soon these Indians will not be capable to annoy them any more, and by a Law for settling quiet Possession (this Country's be|ing so often settled and unsettled, bought and sold, the various Claims are very intricate and Title precarious) the Lands there will become valuable
• * 1.129

  The Chirakees are a constant and sure Barrier betwee•• the French upon the Misissippi, and the British Colonies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Carolina: Why should not the Abnaquies by good Manage••ment be made a good Barrier between New-England and Ca••nada?
• * 1.130

  The Rev••lution in a strict Se••se, was not the landing of Pr••nce of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, afte••ward•• 〈…〉〈…〉 of blessed Memory; it was a parliame••tary Exclu••••••n of all 〈…〉〈…〉 Branches of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Roy••l Family, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Crown in the 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.131

  This Capt. Mason for his good Services, had a Colony Grant of a large Extent of Land; these Lands are now in Dispute between the Colony of Connecticut and Mr. Mason's Heirs.
• * 1.132

  Perhaps some Expedient of this Nature might be used with Re|gard to some of the incorrigible Clans of Highlanders in the Nor|thern and Western Parts of Scotland.
• * 1.133

  The Dutch have generally been called our natural and good Friends, but as there can be no real Friendship amongst Rivals in Trade; It is a Maxim with Merchants, there is no Friendship in Trade; the Dutch carry this higher, that there is no Humanity in Trade; we ought to be equally jealous of the French and Dutch: The French Faith is in our Times as notoriously bad, as the Punica and Greeca Fides was in ancient Times, therefore I shall not enumerate any In|stances of it: I shall give a few Instances how faulty the Dutch have been in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Respect. 1. Not long after we had relieved them from the Spanish ••ondage in their V••derland or native Country, they mas|sacred our ••actory at Amboyna in the East-Indies, never to be forgiven nor forgotten. 2. In our New-England Wars with the Pequod In|di••ns Anno 1637, and with King Philip's Indians Anno 1675, they supplied our Enemy Indians with Ammunition &c. from New-York and Albany. 3. Anno 16••3 when the English and Dutch were at War in Eu••••p••, our Dutch Neighbours of New-Netherlands, had formed a Plot, in Conjunction with the Mohawks and Eastern Indians, to cut off the British Colonies in New-England; but a Peace in Europe soon happening prevented this Massacre. 4. A few Years since in the Is|land of I••va in the East-Indies, in the Suburbs and Country adjacent to Batavia, were settled about 90,000 Chinese multiplying very fast; the Dutch jealous of their Numbers and Growth, upon a pretended Um|brage of an intended Insurrection, surprized in cold Blood, and mas|sacred many Thousands of them, in Order to reduce their Numbers: Gain is their God, to this they sacrifice every Thing, even their own Species, Mankind. 5. In the Autumn Anno 1746, when a French Squadron invaded Fort St. George in the East-Indies, the English Wo|men of the Town and its Territory fled to Pallicut a Dutch Settle|ment three Hours or 12 Miles North from St. George's; but the Dutch would not receive them. 6. The silent Consent of the Dutch, to the French attacking and taking of the Austrian Towns in the Netherlands; it is suspected in all our Battles or Engagements against the French in Flanders this War, that the Dutch General Officers, had private Instructions, to give Way, as if in Collusion with the French Court. The Dutch is an Oligarchy, or a Government of few, and therefore liable to Corruption, and would even bring their own Coun|try to a Market and sell one another upon Occasion. The Dutch if they could be sincere, are our most natural Allies against the encroach|ing French.
• * 1.134

  Some f••cetious Gentlemen, perhaps, use too much of a sarcastick Freed••m with our Co••ony Governments: For Instance, that, the small Colony of R—de I—d, ANARCHY is their Civil Constitution; NO RELIGION is in Room of an Ecclesiastical Constitution, and they who are of any well regulated Religion are Non-Conformists; in Sea-Af••airs they are the PORTO-RICO of New-England, for many Years they have been the most noted Paper-Money Bankers or BUBLERS in New-England, but at present are in this Case eclipsed by a more eminent enterprising neighbouring Colony: By this Contrivance in over-stretching a Provincial publick Paper Credit, they may in some Sense be said to have become Bankrupts, at present they pay 2 s. 3 d. in the £.▪ such is the present Difference between 3 £. (the Price of one Ounce of Mexico Silver Standard, October 1747) Denomination depreciated, and 6 s. 8 d. the Price of Silver, the Rate at which their Notes of Credit were first emitted.

  To render this intelligible to the lowest Capacities: If this loosing Negotiation of publick Bills of Credit proceeds, a British Half-Penny will exchange for a Shilling New-England base Currency, and a Corkin Pin for a Penny in small Change.

  Oldmixon, an erroneous Scribler, in his British Empire in America, printed in London 1708 (he died 1742) without any Design seems to favour the other Colonies of New-England; he writes, the Govern|ment of Rhode-Island is still separate from that of New-England.

  No Religion (I hope the above Character may admit of considera|ble Abatements) is inconsistent with Society. The Form of the Ju|dicial Oath in that Colony "Upon the Peril of the Penalty of Per|jury" seems not to answer the Intention of an Oath, which is a solemn Invocation of GOD's Judgments hereafter, over and above the Penalties which may be inflicted in this World; thus by Cunning and Secresy they may evade the one, but by no Means can be supposed to escape the other: It is true, that in Great-Britain the Affirmation of Quakers, and in Holland the Declaration of the Menists, are equivalent to our Oaths. Upon the other Hand the Frequency of Oaths upon small Occasions, makes them too familiar, and by taking off the Solemnity and Awe of an Oath renders them nearly upon a Par with common profane Swearing; the many Oaths in the several Branches of the Revenue, particularly in the Customs, are of bad Effect, hence the Proverb, A Custom-House Oath, that is, an Oath that may be dispensed with; Oaths give a profligate Man of no Religion (that is who does not think himself bound by an Oath) a vast Advantage over an ho|nest conscientious religious Man: The same may be said of the sa|cramental Tests of Conformity, and occasional Conformity practised by the Church of England.
• * 1.135

  In Saxon Times the Parliament did not consist of two distinct Houses; the Peers being Freeholders of great Territories, were deemed the hereditary Representatives of their Vassals and Tenants: In the Scots Parliament, there ever was only one House, consisting of three States, viz. The Peers, the Commissioners or Representatives of Shires or Counties, and the Commissioners for Boroughs; they all vo••••ed together indifferently, but in Committees and the like, the Pr••por••tion of Committee-Men from each, was limited.
• * 1.136

  In Times of War, perhaps a Dictatorial Power in one proper 〈◊〉〈◊〉, woul•• be requisi••e, upon Account of Dispatch and Secrecy, but accou••••able ••o the three Negatives. This was the Practice amongst many of the ancient polite Nations, particularly amongst the R••mans; the only I••co••ve••ie••cy seems to be, lest, this Dictator in the Height of his Power and Glory, should render himself a perpetual Di••tator, as Iulius C••s••r did, and introduce a Monarchial Tyranny.

  Bo••h i•• Ti••es of Peace and War; if a continued Succession of knowing and virtuous Princes were possible in Nature; absolute Mon|archy would be the Perfection of Civil Government, because of the Wisdom, Secresy and Dispatch that would attend it; bu•• as no such Race of Men, are to be found upon Earth, a limited Monarchy is eli|gible. The Political Constitution, like the Human, is ticklish; and in the Hands of a s••l•• Fool, would suffer much; there are but few who understand politick Health and Sickness.
• * 1.137

  Hereditary Nobility, and other great Officers, where any consi|derable Trust attends, are great Incitements to good Actions in Pro|genitors, who are ambitious of entailing Honours upon their own Memory or Posterity; but in Nature seem absurd, as if Wisdom were heredit••ry. This does not hold good as to hereditary Monarchs, 〈…〉〈…〉 Elections of a Monarch would put the Nation in most 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.138

  There are ••our standing Committees of Council. 1. For foreign Affairs, 2. Admiralty and Navy, 3. Trade and Plantations, 4. Grie|vances; in France these several Departments, are called distinct Councils.
• * 1.139

  It is not advisable in any Case religious or civil, though for the better, to make Alterations in any Affair where the Populace have acquired a general standing Prejudice (the Reformation from the Church of R••m•• about two Centuries since, is an Exception) imbibed from their Infancy, or first habitual Way of thinking. The Solar Years and Lun••r Months according to the O. S. are not within a po|pular Ken, and being very erroneous, are perhaps at present, under the Consideration of the British Legislature, to be rectified▪ Measures and Weights, might be ascertain'd for all Nat••o••s upon our Earth, and prevent much puzzling by Reductions, by ••aking the fixed Length of a Pendulum, that vibrates Second•• in any noted Place v. g. in London or Paris, and allowing for the small Variations, easily investigated for some very distant Latitudes, v. g. a P••ndulum vibrating Seconds at Po••••o B••ll•• near the Equ••tor, is found to differ one Line, or the 12th Part of an Inch, from that at Paris: Let this Pendulum's Length be called A MEASURE, and this divided into Decimals (being the most easy and general Way of expressing Fractions▪ be called TENTHS, and this subdivided into Tenth••, call HUNDREDS: Thus all Measures might be reduced to three Denominations▪ as in England Money is reduced to Pounds, Shillings, and P••nce: Contentive Measures are easily reduced, upon this Foundation▪ to a like Certainty: Such a Vessel of such certain Dimensions, containing a certain Quantity of sincere Rain Water (which is nearly the same all over the Earth) may be called a POUND, and this mult••plied or divided may be called by some fixed Denominations of Weights.
• * 1.140

  The Trade Wi••d•• may be reckoned to extend 30 d. each Side of the Equator being further than the common formal technical Way of Reckoning, to the ••ropicks) which proceeds not only from the Sun's▪ in his repeat••d Course, Raresation of the Air Westward, and consequently the ••la••••ick Air na••urally expending it self towards those Westward rar••fied Spa••es by an ••a••••erly Current; but is complicated with a••other Cau••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much a••tended to, viz. the circumambient Air ••ear the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, being of a less considerable specifick Gravity▪ than 〈◊〉〈◊〉 co••••••••ponding Part of the Earth, it is less susceptible of the Earth's da••ly rotatory Motion, and with Respect to the solid Earth, has an effectual Motion Westward, that is in the Appearance of an Easterly Current of Wind. The Westerly Winds, in Latitudes higher than 30 d. N. Latitude; are natural Eddies of the E••sterly Trade Winds. A Northerly Wind, is the natural Tendency of a co••densed very Elastick Air, from th•• Polar cold Regions, towards the rarified Air near the Equator. A Complication of this Current of Air, from the Northern Polar Regions to the South; and of the Eddy of the Trade-Winds from the Westward, makes the frequent North-America Winds from North to West; and the North-West is the most fre|quent, especially in the Winter Months.

  In the Summer-Time, when the Sun is much to the Northward of the Equator, our Northern Continent is much wa••med, and these North to West Winds gliding along a vast warmed Continent, acquire more and more Degrees of Heat. Therefore considering the general Cur|rent of the extratropical (retaining the classical Terms) Winds: The vast C••ntinent of N••rt••-America being Westward of our Settlements, our Leeward North America Settlements must be in Summer much hotter than the European Windward Settlements in the same Lati|tudes.
• * 1.141

  Religion and Civil Government in a general Sense are Iure Di|vino; but the various particular Churches and States, seem to be only de Facto, because none of them have escaped Revolutions: An In|dulgence or rather a legal explicit Toleration for all (Communions they are called) Communities of Religion which are not inconsistent with a virtuous Life, and the Good of Society, in good Policy ought to be allowed▪ the Rom••ns, a very polite People (their Ius Civil•• is practised every where in Europe to this Day) made the Gods (Reli|gions) of all Nations free of their Cit•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Empire; the Dutch by an universal Toleration (but their publick ••••aces of Worship must be li|censed) have become rich; the D••ssenters in England by their Riches are a great Prop to the Protestant Establishment; being excluded by Law from several vain idle ambitious Offices and Posts, they apply themselves the more to Trade and Manufactures, and become gene|rally richer than the Churchmen. The various decent Mode••, con|si••tent with Society or Humanity, of worshipping a Supreme Being, may be tolerated; as proceeding innocently from the Bias of Education, from the various Constitutions and Tempers of Mankind, and Fashion•• of the Age: but all with a good Intention or Conscience.

  The Differences in Religion generally amount only to this, viz. Different People worshiping the same GOD in different Modes and Fashions: Priestcraft (I do not mean the pious, meek, charitable Clergy) sets them by the Ears to the Discredit of all Religion, and they make Mountains of Mole hill Differences.

  Amongst all Sectaries, there is a Canker-Worm called Bigots; which put their Sect in a ridiculous Light, they are in a tacit sullen Enmity with all Mankind who are not of their frantick or fanatical Perswasion, they believe implicitly in some Parson, an Idol of their own making, but not properly in GOD Almighty.
• * 1.142

  The Roman Catholicks commonly called Papists, in all well-re|gulated Governments, from most evident civil political Reasons, ought to be excluded; the Constitution of their Religion, renders them a Nusance in Society; they have an Indulgence for Lying, Cheating, Robbing, Murdering, and not only may, but are in Christian Duty bound, to extirpate all Mankind who are not of their Way of thinking, they call them Hereticks: Unless the Pope (the Head and Oracle of their Religion) by some publick accepted Bull explain this Article of their Religion, Popery by the Laws of Nature and Ius Gentium ought to be deem'd, inconsistent with human Society.

  A Doctrine or Law, though iniquitous, if not put in Execution, becomes obsolete and of no Effect, and its evil Tendency ceases; but this most execrable Doctrine, has in a most dismal horrid Manner, fre|quently been put in Execution; I shall give a few Instances. 1. The Popish Persecution of Protestants by the Papists in England in the Reign of Queen Mary from Anno 1553 to 1557; Bishop Burn••t says that she was a good-natured Woman, but of a very ill-natured Re|ligion. 2. The bloody Massacre of the Hugenots by the Papists in Paris of France. De Serres one of the best French Historians begins his Account of this Massacre thus, O ma France! les Ch••ve••x me herissonnent, j'ay horreur de voir sur le Theatre de ton Histoire jouer une tres inhumaine tragedie. Upon a Sunday being St. Bartholom••w's Day 1572 in the Reign of Charles IX; they took the Opportunity of the Time when the Marriage of Henry of Bourbon King of Na|varre a Protestant, to Marguerite de Valois Sister to the King of France was to be celebrated; most of the Princes of the Blood and Grandees of France, who were of the Protestant or Hugenot Religion, being ex|pected in Paris upon this Occasion, they thought it a proper Oppor|tunity to extirpate them by the Surprize of a Massacre. At this Blow they massacred Ten Thousand Persons in Paris. 3. The Popish Gun-Powder-Plot discovered Beginning of November 1605, designed to blow up and destroy the Peers of England at that Time in Parliament assembled: Thus they imagined to cancel one of the three Nega|tives of the Englis•• Legislature. 4. The Butcherly Massacre of the Protestants in I••eland. Anno 1641. by the Irish Papists. Many sus|pected, that it wa•• by the Instigation and Direction of the Court of E••gland, at that Time making precipitate great Advances towards the Roman Cat••••l••••k Religion.
• * 1.143

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Free-Will seem to be only private Opinions, but not a national Church Doctrine, with u••; they seem both to be Orthodox, the first from the Omnis••••ence and Pre••cie••ce of a supreme Being, the other from the Constitution and inward Feelings o•• Mankind: How to reconcile them is a Mystery and not to be canvassed; here we must say with the simply good Laplander (when questioned co••cerning some of ourChristian Mysteries, by a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mission••••y) GOD KNOWS.

  Free-Will, That all the physical and moral Evils which we perceive amongst Mankind, proceed from the Ab••se we make of this Liberty: This Opinion seems the most consistent, with the Good of Society.

  Predestination, That every Thing comes to pass by a fatal N••••essity, in a strict absolute Sense, is pernicious to a good Life and to Society, and encourages an ab••ndoned wicked Life: It annihilates all Reli|gion, if good Works do not forward, nor bad Works hinder Salva|tion, the Fear of GOD and the keeping of his Commandments are of no Effect. We must acknowledge that Predestination in some political Views has a good Effect; this turns me into an Annotational Digression.

  There are many Things, which in a cursory, not well pointed View (as Painters express it) seem shocking, but in a proper political View are beautiful and unavoidably consistent with Society; I shall mention a few Instances. 1. Predestination for military Men; Ma••omet, and Cromwel, found a vast Advantage by this Doctrine; the M••hometans have improved this Doctrine very much amongst their Militia, viz. If they conquer they have Profit and Glory in this World, if killed in Battle, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have Paradise in the next. 2. A dissolute thoughtless Way of Life, but so regulated, as not to be enormous and prejudicial to Peace and good Neighbourhood; without this tacit Allowance, we should be at a Loss for a sufficient Number of Soldiers and Sailors upon Occasion. 3. Pinching of the very mean Labourers or working People, by lowering or keeping their Wages much under; hereby our Merchants can afford in foreign Markets to undersell the Merchants of other Countries, and consequently vent more of their Produce or Manufacture: Besides, let us suppose, their Employers in Generosity and Beneficence to allow more Wages, than are meerly sufficient to pro|vide them the Necessaries of Life, perhaps, some few of them, may lay up this Surplus, and in a short Time aspire higher than this their mean Labour, thus their Labour is lost; but the greatest Part would idle away so much Time (a Day or two in the Week lost to the publick Good) as this Surplus could supply with Necessaries, to the lessening of our Manufacturies, &c. 4. Encouraging of a great Con|sumption of British Goods by Luxury and extravagant Equipage in our Colonies, is thought by some wrong-headed Men to be a Benef••t to the Mother-Country: this is a grand M••stake, because Industry and Frugality in all Subservients, i•• requisite, othe••ways they cannot long afford to continue this Consumption reckoned a Benefit to Great-Britain. 5. Running in Debt produces depreciating Money-making Ass—lies (having secured the real Value of their own usual Sala|ries and Wages towards Romantick &c. Expeditions or any Paper-Money requiring Affair; and procures Voluntiers for such Expeditions by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Debtors from theirCreditors, thus, and by other (I must not say 〈◊〉〈◊〉) Acts for the Relief of Debtor••, hurt Creditors and the Credit of the Country very much.
• * 1.144

  I do not intend to derogate from the Liturgy or Common-Prayer of the Church of Engla••d, from their Vestments, and other Deco|••ations and Ceremonies (which some Puritans call Ecclesiastical 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from th••••r Fasts and Festivals. Because 1. So much of the Roman Breviaries and Ceremonies, were to be retain'd, as were con|sistent with the Reformation; that the Transitus or Change with the Vulgar might be more easily complied with. 2. Those of the Con|fession of Ausbury, and Heidelb••••g in G••••many, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Franc••, the Dutch established Church, &•• have printed ••orm•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prayer, and a fixed Psalmody. 3. The Greek and Arm••nian Churches tolerated in the Turkish and Persian Dominions, must have vanis••ed many Centuries ago, if it had not been for the outward Shew of the Vestments of their Clergy, De|corations of their Churches, their Fasts and Festivals. 4. To the West|minster Presbyt••rian Confession of Faith, is a••nexed a Directory for the public Worship of GOD, amongst other Things the sev••••al Heads to be observed in their publick Prayers are directed.
• * 1.145

  Mr. 〈…〉〈…〉 Commander, perhaps m••y be 〈…〉〈…〉 the future Histories of 〈…〉〈…〉 insulting the Government 〈…〉〈…〉

  An occasional short Character of him may be agreeable. He is of obscure Pa••entage, in his Youth served aboard the Navy in the meanest Stations, and from some unaccountable Whim or Humour of some of the Officers (thus some Ladies take a Liking or Fancy to a Monkey, Lap Dog, or Parrot) at present in high Stations, and some Smattering in the Engineering Business; he is arrived to be a Warrant Commodore in America, where, like a Beggar on Horseback, he rides unmercifully; a Succession of such Commodores would contribute to alienate the Aflections of the Colonies from their Mother Country; such petty Tyrants in the Colonies answer no Intention.

  This Gentleman (a Gentleman by Office, not by Birth) has for many Years been of a valetudinary Constitution, a Distemperature of the Nerves (I do not mean ludicrous) which sometimes seizes his Bowels by violent Cholicks, sometimes his Head with a Kind of Fury or Frenzy: His Courage is not genuine and true, but a Sort of Frenzy, witness his ill conducted, therefore unsuccessful Expeditions a|gainst La Guira and Port•• Cavallo in New-Spain, Anno 1743: This Foible renders him naturally incapable of any chief Command, but qualifies him to act under Direction, pointing his Courage right, as Master of a Fire-Ship, or as a private Captain, upon some desperate Attempt, or forlorn Hope. Madmen will run into the greatest ge|neral Dangers, but at the Frown of their Keeper, or austere Threat|ning of any single Person, are intimidated; thus our Commodore dreads any private Challenge, as appears by Vouchers which may be produc|ed. What I now write, I hope will not be construed as Scurrility but as seasonable and important Truths.

  His present State, is; Rash, inconstant, valetudinary Friendship, hated by the common Sailors, and not beloved by his best Officers, laboriously indefatigable in running too and fro, and in expending of Paper; true Symptoms of Madness. This genuine Character of our present Commodore, in Contrast, gives a grand Relievo to the univer|sally acknowledged good Character of our late Commodore Sir Peter Warr••n, a Gentleman of paternal Estate, naturally good and humane, always friendly to Trade, benevolent and beloved by his Officers and common Sailors, assiduous and constant, therefore successful and for|tunate. Mr. K—l•••• is very apt to misplace his Application; we have a plain Instance of this, last Summer, while he resided in Com|mand at Louis••ourg; instead of blocking up the Mouth of Canada-R••ver, to prevent Supplies being sent to Canada, at that Time much in Want of Stores, and preventing the Fr••nch Cod-Fishery in the Nor|thern Harbour•• of N••wfoundland; he busied himself in small Concerns which properly belonged to some inferior Officers, viz. Cleaning the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of L••uisbourg, the Business of Scavangers; disc••••li••ing the Tippling Houses, the Affair of orderly S••rje••nts, inspecting and dis|tressing of our Coasting Vessels that carri•••• ••ive Stock, Liquors, and other Provisions for the Comfort of the Garrison, this mig••t have been delegated to the Naval Officers.

  I shall give a few Instances of his Madness and bad Conduct. 1. In Ant••goa he impressed all the Men of Capt. Purcel's Private••r, which had been hired by the Island for the Protection of their Trade, and made a Property of the Vessel; the Owners were afterward•• upon Complaint Home, reimbursed the Value. 2. His insulting the Government and Forts of Barbados, and the Custom-House Office there. 3. The La Guira and Porto Cavallo unsuccessful Affair, with the Loss of many Men, and great Damage of the King's Ships. 4. Last Summer instead of cleaning his Ships when at Bos••••n (the pro|perest and most convenient of all the Colonies for that Use) he carri|ed them to Annapolis in Nova-Scotia, but because the Officers of the Garrison did not do him the Honours which he expected, pretending the Tides were too slack, he returned to Louisbourg. 5. This ••utumn 1747 he left the Trade of the Southern District of the British North ••••••|rica expos'd to the Enemy's Privateers (they took several of our Ves|sels) by ordering the Station-Ships of Carolina and Virginia to ••ende••|vous at Boston, to form a Fleet of Parad•• or Vanity for the Commo|dore; if there had been a Necessity for their leaving their Station••▪ they might notwithstanding have continued longer in their Stations and have sail'd directly for the West India Islands, what small Repairs they wanted might have been done there. 6. His unprecedented Impress Nov. 17. of Ship Builder's Apprentices in their ••abour of Rafting, and whole Crews of Merchant-Ships outward bound and cleared out, without leaving any of his own Men on Board to take Care of the Interest (impressing of Idlers and of some Sailors from the inward bound Trade, leaving proper Persons a••oard to take Care of the Interest, is sometimes connived at, though in it self not legal) thus Trade both outward and inward was wholly interrupted, an•• the Demurrage or Damage to the Merchant amounted to many Thou|sand Pounds. If Commodore Kn—l•••• had had the least Degree of Discretion, he would not have attempted such a rigorous unprecedent Impress in New-England which had already furnis••••d, much above their Quota and Ability, Numbers of Men to distress the common Enemy: Considering that not long since, a Pr••ss 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had murdered two Men in Boston, and still recent in Memory; such an Impress must unavoidably occasion a furious Mob: Considering that this dangerou•• Experimen•• was made, while the worthy Capt. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, late of the Warwi••k, now of the C••nterb••ry, and many other O••••icers were a|s••ore, a sacrifice to the Fury of the Tumult; [〈◊〉〈◊〉 Way of Reprizal they were seized by the Mo••, but well used and soon dismissed▪ The Commodore when his Frenzy subsided, and by Solicitation dis|missed a very few of the Impressed; he pretended the Merchant Ships harbouring of Deserters, but he found none, such People gene|rally take Sanctuary in Rhode-Island Colony: He pretended, his Of|ficers exceeded Orders, but we have heard of no Reprimand. The exceeding Frenzy of our Commodore appears in a stronger Light, by his Resolution to bring up his Squadron to bombard Boston, or t•• land his Men; accordingly Part of the Squadron advanced into the Channel which is narrow, and small Drift in Case of a Storm, if ••he Squadron had come up, and made any such mad Attempt; som•• de|sperate Fellows animated with Rage and strong Drink, perha•••• at all H••zzards would have cut the Men of War's Cables, the ••••ips would have stranded and been burnt to the Disappointment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Expedition, and Loss to the Navy; if he had landed his Men a•• they generally ha••e him, many would have deserted, and perhaps 〈◊〉〈◊〉 joined the Tumult, a••d this Tumult might have increased to a ••e|neral Insurrection: Thus we see how a Spark kindled by a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might have occasioned a general C••nf••••gration in a Province. ••••is Beginning of a Tumult is expressed in strong Terms, by the Gover|nor in his Proclamation, "A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and dangerous Insurrection." and by a Vote of a Meeting of the Town of Boston, it is called▪ "T••e 〈…〉〈…〉, ••hich insult••d his Excellency the Go|vernor, 〈…〉〈…〉 of the ••egislature, and committed many oth••r 〈…〉〈…〉▪"

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where the Drawings are just and pertin••••t, are Beauties in H••••••ory. I have no private Pique against Mr. Kn—••••••▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my self in insulting the Authority with which he is vested 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ma••ness in the West-India Is••ands perhap•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to a late Act of Parliament against 〈…〉〈…〉 late Frenzy Fit in 〈…〉〈…〉 England.
• * 1.146

  The Poss•• Comitatus or Militia of Boston were by Order of the Governor called to Arms, but did not appear: A subsequent Town-Meeting in their Vote, term it, "A Tumult w••ich insulted the L••gisla|ture th••n sitting in Boston"; the Governor in a subsequent Proclama|tion for discovering of the Ringleaders, calls it "an Insurrection;" in Fact, the Governor thought it adviseable to retire to Castle-Island, and after a few Days was welcomed to Town again by the Regiment of Militia under Arms, as is usual upon the Reception of a new Go|vernor, or Reassumption of the Government.

  Our Province in a peculiar Manner (I am apt to call Massachusetts-Bay our Province, because, at this Writing, of my Residence there) requires some more severe Acts against Riot••, Mobs, and Tumults. The least Appearance of a Mob (so called from Mobile Vulgus) ought to be suppressed, even where their Intention in any particular Affair is of it self very good; because they become Nurseries for dangerous Tumults; I shall give an Instance or two in Boston. 1. A few Years ago, a House of notorious evil Fame, known by the Name of Mo|ther Gr—n's, was ransackt by a small Mob in Presence of, some sa•• by Instigation of some well meaning Magistrates, the Consequence was, the Mob a few Days afterwards demolished the publick Mark••t House, and carried off the Materials for their own private Use. 2. For some Years past upon the 5th of Nov. being the Anniversary Gun-Powder-Tr••ason Day, several Mobs, have carried about Pageants of the Pope, the Devil, and Pr••••••nder; those Gun-Powder-Treason Mobs yearly Increase; the imprude••t, unprecedented Affair of Commodore Knowles's Impress h••ppened a few Days after the annual and most numerous and outrageous Muster of this Mob; this with the recent Memory of two Men being not long since, murdered by a Pr••ss▪Gang, ••as the Occasion of Knowle••'•• Tumult being so outrageous.
• * 1.147

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.148

  The Laws of Nations of long standing have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reduced with great Utility into a small Compass. The Roman 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are in 51 Titles. L••wis XIV. of France, reduced all the Law•• of that great Country into two small Pocket Volumes, called, Code de Louis des Af|faires de ••••r, and Code de Lewis des Affaires de Terr••. The Laws of Scotlan•• preceeding the Union are in three Duodecimo Volume••. The Laws of Denmark are in one Quarto Volume.
• * 1.149

  To some Original Grantees, the Government of the Colo••••, w••s equally their Property, as that of the Soil. It has been a Pract••••e Time out of Mind, with the British Legislatures, for a p••blick goo•• Use, to take away private Property, allowing proper adequa••e Com|pensation. In such Grants of Colonies, Government and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pr••••perty are not to be deem'd forever inseparable; the Earl of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (formerly Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉) had one Eighth of the 〈…〉〈…〉 as of the Soil of Carolinas; lately he resigned his Part of the Go|vernment to the Crown, retaining his eighth Part of the Soil which is laid off distinct, but some think too amply, either as an Equivalent for resigning his Share in that Government, 〈…〉〈…〉 Way of Indulgence as a Court-Favourite; the People of New-Iers••es were so mutinous for two or three Years, that the Proprietors (the Proprie••••••s are many) for their own Ease surrendred the Government to the Queen in Coun|cil, by an Instrument dated April 17. 1702.
• * 1.150

  Where the Prope••••y belongs to one Family (as Earl of Gran|ville, Lord Fairfax, Lord B••••••imore, and Pen's) there is no Difficulty, because no Damage is done to the Property of the Soil, by subjecting some Part of it, to the Jurisdiction of one Government, and the other Part of it to the Jurisdiction of an adj••cent Government; but where the Property of the Soil belongs to a Community, as in three of the Colonies of New-England; in splitting of Colonies for Uniformity and Convenience, there seems to be some Difficulty in dividing or ad|justing the Property of Colony-Lands remaining, not granted to pri|vate Persons; this Difficulty vanishes in Course of Years. The Co|lony of Rhode Island has made Grants of all their Community Lands to sundry private Persons many Years since: The Colony of Connec|ticut sold the Remainder of their Colony-Lands, Anno 1737, being Seven Townships in its North West Corner, to private Persons by publick Vendue, the Interest of the Purchase-Money, is wisely appli|ed towards the Support of Free Schools: In the Province of Massa|c••••••••tts-Bay ••their Govern••ent is in the Crown, but the Property of the Lands o•• Soil is in the Community) of their old Charter Colony Lands, not exceeding the Value of 4 or 5 Townships or Parishes of s••x Miles square ••ach, remains not granted to private Persons; in their additional Province of Maine, a Line of two Townships deep (the va|luable Part of that Country) along the Sea and Rivers is already be|come private Property, so that the Remainder of less Value, may be resigned to ••he Crown for some valuable Consideration, to be applied 〈◊〉〈◊〉 paying the Province Debt: Besides by Treaty with the 〈…〉〈…〉 all those ••ands hitherto not conveyed to private 〈…〉〈…〉 re••er••ed to the Indi••ns.

  N. B. In these Community Colonies, when they made Grants to pri|vate Persons, if they ••ad subjected the granted Lands to some small certain Quitr••nts, these Quitrents would have been a permanent Branch of the publick Revenue towards the Charges of Gov••rnm ••t; and wou••d have prevented large Tracts of granted Lands f••om being in|grossed laying idle and waste.
• * 1.151

  In all our Colonies, P••nsylvania excepted, the Council is one of the three Negatives in the Legislature; in King's Governments it seems unequal (I do not say absurd) because as the Crown has the appointing of the Governour, and of his Council; the Crown is vest|ed with two Negatives in three: therefore it is proposed, that the King's or Governour's Council, shall have no o••her Concern in the Legislature, than by Advice to the Governour in his Negative.
• * 1.152

  I•• the Massachusetts-Bay Colony▪ 5 William and Mary it was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that no Town in the Province shall chuse any Representative, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he be a Freeholder and Resident in such Town for which they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to represent.
• * 1.153

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Di••t of Pola••d for this R••ason, have such a Regulation, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••rpetuity.
• * 1.154

  Page 225.
• * 1.155

  Vagrant Enthusiasts, such as are, at this present Writing, Mr. W—s—l, and his Brethren; if they could be so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or ••am••d, as to submit to Regulations, the Edge of their fiery Zeal might be turn|ed toward I••••ian Conversion••, which would be of good Use i•• a Po|litical as w••ll as Religious Vi••w, this is practised with go••d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by our French Neighbours of Canada. At present their Zeal is ill-pointed; in Towns of Business, poor deluded Tradesmen and Labour|ers ••whose Time is their only Estate) are called off to their Exhorta|tions; to the private Detriment of their Families, and great Damage to the Publick; thus, perhaps, every Exhortation of W—s—d was about 1000 £. Damage to Boston in New-England.

  That the Missionaries be canton'd along the Indian Frontiers, espe|cially at the Truck or Trading-Houses, under the Direction of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or travelling Missionary, one for each of the Northern and Southern Districts of our Continent Colonies; these Missionaries are a••so to off••ciate in the poor Out-Townships or Parishes not able to main|tain a Gospel Ministry.
• * 1.156

  Dr. Humphrey, Secretary to the Society for propagating the Go|spel in foreign Parts, in Answer to some Complaints sent to the Society a••ainst some of their Missionaries by the Rev. Mr. William Williams of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, b•• his Letter dated London, Warwick Court, in Warwick Lane, May 2••▪ 1735, writes, That "the Ministers of the Church of England, we••e as little as may be, to meddle with any Matters of Controve••••••, but only to preach the Gospel and administer the Sacra|ments according to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.157

  In all Nations of Europe, England excepted, Law and Equity are in the same Court, in our Colonies it would shorten Law-Suits, and prevent much unnecessary Charge, by uniting two Courts into one; a Number of good Judges may reasonably be supposed to have a greater collective Knowledge, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 impartial, than a sole Judge in Equity, Ch••ncellor or Mast••r of the ••olls; several Chanc••llo••s have been convicted of Iniquity.
• * 1.158

  In Virginia from bad Policy they are all vested in one Board, the Governor and his Council▪ In several other Colonies two or more of them are in the same Person or Board
• * 1.159

  Intestate real Estate divided among all the Children or Collaterals, and in the next Generation subdivided amongst their Children or Col|laterals; will r••nder a Colony for ever poor, because depending upon a small Pittance of Land, scarce sufficient to produce the Necessar••es of Life, and being under no absolute Necessity of using further Industry, they continue idle, and miserable for Life; whereas the younger Chil|dren, if instead of being Freeholders, they become Tenants (as a pub|lick Good) they must be more industrious, and raise, besides a meer Subsistence, a sufficient Rent for the Landlord, and acquire a Habit of Industry: Some of their Male Children will become a Nursery for the publick Land and Sea Service; as for the Female Children, their Want of real Estate will not disqualify them from being good Breed|ers, but incite and oblige them to accept of Husbands when they offer.
• * 1.160

  There has been no Repartition for many Years; the last was in thi•• Proportion,

  M••ssa••husetts Bay

  350

  N••w-Hampshire

  40

  Rhode Island

  48

  Connecticut

  120

  New York

  200

  East-Iersey

  60

  West-Iersey

  60

  Pensylvania

  80

  Maryland

  160

  Virginia

  240

  Carolina at that Time was of no considerable Account. Since that Time Pensylvania, from the great Importation of Foreigners and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 become near equal to 〈◊〉〈◊〉-Bay, and the Iersies equal 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.161

  Small Mobs do happen in all Seaport Towns upon Impresses; the Occasion being extraordinary this was a larger Mo••, and may be called a Tumult; this Occasion in a Vote of a legal Town-Meeting, is term|ed an unwarrantable Impress, and in a Resolve of the House of Repre|sentatives Nov. 19, it is expressed "A Gri••vance which may have been the Cause of the aforesaid tumultuous disorderly assembling together." The Mob began early in the Morning, by Night were intoxicated with strong Drink, and used the Governor, upon his admonishing them from the Balcony of the Court-House, with very indecent, rude Ex|pressions; but with no rebellious Design▪ as drunk, they were void of Sense or Design.

  With some Difficulty I perswaded my self to publish this Annota••tion; because, 1. The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston legally conveened, alledging that Governor SHIRLEY in his published Letters with Regard to this Tumult, had set the Town of Boston, in a disad|vantageous Light, and that their Character and Reputation were much affected thereby; occasioned Misunderstandings; but have since by mutual Explanations, been amicably composed, and therefore ought to be buried in Oblivion. N. B. An Expression in a former Sheet of this History, is said to have occasioned these Misunderstandings; as t••e Author hopes that this History may live, he thinks himself obliged to explain that Expression. The Governor's Letters were wrote and delivered though not printed, prior to the Publication of that Sheet) (or Pamphlet as it is termed) which was done by a private Person, not by the Direction or in the Knowledge of the Town of Boston, conse|quently the Town was not in the Question; the Author hims••l•• was under no Temptation to offend one Party, or to pleasure the other Party; he holds no Place under the Governor, he is not a Town-Officer, he never had, nor ever shall desire to have any Influence a|mong the Populace; Government he adores, Tumults he abhors. The Expression is, "He was welcomed to Town again (the Town-Address or Petition to the Governor, says "on your Return to Town") by the Regiment of Militia under Arms, as is usual upon the Recep|tion of a new Governor, or REASSUMPTION of the Governme•••• in Allusion to his Reception when he arrived from C••pe-Breton to reas|sume the Chair of Government; there was no designed Insinuation of weak Conduct; if any Thing in the Expression is exceptionable, i•• ought to be construed only as an Impropriety in Diction, a Lapse may be incident to any Author. 2. I do not affect such occasional Articles, they debase a History of permanent Design, to the low Cha|racter of a transitory News-Paper: But as this Affair is too much magnified, and is represented Home in a false and bad Light to the Disadvantage of this Town and Province; I thought it incumbent upon me as an Historian in Place and Time, to give a short impartial Relation of this Incident, more especially to obviate the Imputation of being rebellious, which amongst other bad Effects, might retard the Reimbursement of the great Expence incurred by New-England in the Reduction of Cape-Breton, and occasion a jealous Regard from the Court of Great-Britain; from thirty Years Residence in New-England, I am convinced that no British Subjects have a better Re|gard for the Hanov••rian Race or Succession. Rebellion implies con|certed Measures, with Provision of Money and warlike Stores (this is not alledged) no Fire-Arms, they did not attempt to take Possession of Town-••a••teries and Stores, they did not take Possession of the Town-Gates Boston is a Peninsula with only one Gate open by Day and by Night) or Court-House, its lower Floor or Walks, is open and free to every Body without being reckoned Trespassers. The Gover|nor's Letters to the Secretary, which surprized the Town, do not seem to be wrote with any premeditated Design of hurting the Character of the Town; but perhaps with some Degree of Warmth, and in "ut|most Haste▪" and calls it an "illegible Scrawl."

  Commodore K—s, naturally rash and imprudent, without ad|vising with the Governor and Council, and cautioning his Offi|cers ashore in Boston concerning a Mob which might probably ensue upon such an extraordinary Impress; in the Night-Time with armed Boats did kidnap or steal Ship-Builder's Apprentices, and did rob Ships (cleared out) of their Crews. Some of these Vessels be|long'd to Glascow in Scotland, therefore he imagined, or was ill-in|formed, that the Glascow Masters and Factors were the Managers of the Mob; and in a Transport of Passion, as it was rumoured, said, that all Scotchmen were Rebels; if this be made apparent, in Quality of a warrant Commodore he is of Notice, and may be obnoxious to Scan|d••lum magn••tum of all the Scots Peers, and to the Resentment of every 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Loyal Subject, in History, or otherwise, even to the minutiae of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

  In the Mo••ning Nov. 17. 1747. Upon this arbitrary unprecedented too rigorous Impress, some Sailors, St••angers, belonging to two or three Vessels bound to Guinea and Privateering, fearing the like Fate, did in their own Defence assemble or associate, but without any Fire-Arms, only with the rusty Cu••lasses belonging to their Vessels, some Clubs and Cat-sticks; this Appearance, as is usual, attracted some idle Fellows of low Circumstances, and lower Character, ••oys and Children, which made the Mob appear large: This Mob suspecting that some of the Press-Gangs were in Town, went in Search for them, and some wick|ed abandoned Fellows (a Mob is like a Brute Flock of Sheep, they implicitly and without Reasoning follow a Ringleader or Speaker; therefore a Ringleader or Speaker, if convicted as such, ought to suffer for all Felonies and other Damages committed by the Mob) proposed to make Reprisals of the Commodore's Officers, as Hostages for the Release of the Town Inhabitants.

  This Mobish Assembly imagining that those Officers had sheltered themselves (the Government was in Duty obliged to protect them) in the Governor's House, or in the Provincial Court-House; at Noon they appeared before the Governor's House, and in the Evening be|fore the Provincial Court-House; by this Time being much intoxi|cated (which after a few Hours Sleep subsides) they used the Gover|nour, who appeared in the Balcony, with indecent Language; and some naughty Boys and Children, who in Frolicks take Pleasure in the rattling of Glass (sometimes they use the Window-Glass of their Pa|rents Houses with the same Freedom) with Brick Batts broke some Window-Glass of the Court-House, but were reproved by the real Mob.

  This Mob was less impetuous than the Generality of Mobs; they used the Sea-Officers well and dismissed them, before the Commodore had dismissed the impressed Town Inhabitants: They did not seize Capt. Auscough or Erskine, but left him at large upon his Parole.

  After the Tumult had subsided, the Commodore advanced with his Fleet to insult Boston, which he imagined had insulted him. The Go|vernor in his Letter from Castle-Island to the Secretary, Nov. 19. writes, "I will endeavour to divert him from such Thoughts, and to influence him to discharge the Inhabitants, and as many as I can in the End, but I cannot promise Success from the present Temper he is in;" this insinuates that the Commodore was not Master of his Temper, which is absolutely requisite in a Statesmen, Commander of an Army, or Commodore of a Squadron of Men of War Ships.

  Nov. 19. in the Morning after the Tumult had subsided, the Com|modore makes an Offer to the Governor, to come in Person to the Castle for the Defence of the Governor's Person and of the Fort, this appears with an Air of Vanity and Assuming; but the Governour in Answer, justly and with Propriety of Character, acquaints him, "That he did not retire to the Castle for Safety of his Person, and that he had not the least Apprehension of the Castle's being in Danger from any Mob." Finally the Commodore found it advisable to retire with his Squadron, and after a few Days put to Sea for the West-India Islanas.

  The Affair of the Town-Militia not appearing in Arms when call|ed upon, is not easily to be accounted for. Some say, that 1. The Militia apprehended that the Tumult was at an End, upon the Rioters leaving the Governor's House in the Forenoon. 2. That as they were called upon, in Quality of Posse Comitatus, that is, in Aid of the civil Officers, and as the civil Officers did not appear to do their Duty they might think it preposterous to appear first; but in Exigencies such Formalities must not be insisted upon. 3. There was no legal Alarm, and no written signed Orders to the Militia; especially in Case of b••|ing assaulted by the Tumult, in going to their Rendezvous, or at their Rendezvous, in their own Defence to fire sharp Shot. 4. I conjecture, that they were so s••unned by this rigorous unprecedented Impress, and imagining the Affair was in Support of the Impress, as being illegal, they thought in Consequence they could not be required to support it. I am convinced it was not from any rebellious Motive; that is, Dis|affection to the K••ng and his Su••cession, or to the ••ree Bra••••••es of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the•• convened in B••s••on.
• * 1.162

  This Sort of Charity I admire, it is Charity in a Political View, as well as in Humanity; they may become useful Members of the Common Wealth: The Aged, Infirm, and Incurable, are for ever useless, and a dead Weight upon the Community; in Countries le••s humane, as in some Provinces of China, where there is scarce necessary Food for their Multitudes of People, as Incumbrances they deprive them of Life.
• * 1.163

  Some Gentlemen of Observation take Notice, that the late Hu|mour of erecting in Great-Britain, a Multiplicity of Free Schools and Charity ••chools, is a Detriment to the Common Wealth: Bringing up so many Youth to Learning, renders them feeble, idle, and abo••e common hard Labour; the Life of a Country.

  The prevailing Humour in the English Universities, of making a Business (called Criticism) of using and per••sing the Gr••••k and Ro••an Cl••ssicks, to discover typographical Errors, and the Inadverte••••ie•• of a Translator, are of no Use to the Community; the Cri••••ck ••o••s not acquire more Wisdom, and is of no Benefit to Arts and 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ but may prove an innocent, idle Amusement to 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.164

  The enumerated Commodities (i. e. which are 〈…〉〈…〉 directly to any other Ports, but to those of 〈…〉〈…〉 Pitch, Turpentine, Hemp, Masts, Yards, Bowsprits, Beaver-Skins, and other Furs, Copper-Ore, Tobacco, Rice, Fustick, and other Dying Woods, Indigo, Cotton-Wool, Ginger, Sugar and Molasses.
• * 1.165

  Most of our Col••nies have passed, at Times, such Acts in Despite to some other Colonies; for Instance, Anno 1721 Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire by Acts of their General Assemblies, did impose unreasonable Duties upon their mutual Imports and Exports.
• * 1.166

  This is conform to an Act of British Parliament Anno 1726, with Relation to Workmen employed in the Woollen Manufactures.
• * 1.167

  Roman Colonies, were foreign Lands peopled (Coloniam ducere) by native Roman Families, though governed by Roman Laws and Of|ficers; they had also municipal By-Laws, made by the Praefectus, Se|natus, Populusque of the Colony, that is, in our Idiom, by the Gover|nor, Council, and Representatives.
• * 1.168

  In the Towns of Holland the Vroedschap is generally from 20 to 40 Men.
• * 1.169

  Sumptus amongst the Romans was used to signify Luxury, and their Sumptuaria Lex, was also called Cibaria Lex; but at present it i•• ••••|nerally used to signify Excess in Apparel and Equipage.
• * 1.170

  In Massachusetts Bay since the Law Charges have been enhansed by Acts of Assembly, Law-Suits in Number are much diminished.
• * 1.171

  As in private Life all good Men learn from the Example and Practice of one another; so it is or ought to be amongst Nations or Countries: In Holland upon an Appeal from the Laage Raad to the Hooge Raad 75 Guilders is deposited, and if he reviews from the Hooge Raad, he deposites 200 Guilders.
• * 1.172

  In Great-Britain, Taxes are generally of these three Denomina|tions, Land Tax (which comprehend the Income of Real Estate, of Personal Estate, and of Faculty) Customs or Impost, and Excise or Consumption.
• * 1.173

  Many Vessels have been lost near the Channel of England and elsewhere, by not giving proper Allowance for the Difference of Va|riation since the Date of Dr. Halley's Chart Anno 1700.

  The Utility of frequent well vouched general Maps of the Varia|tions is apparent also in Inland Affairs; I shall only instance in the Affairs of Massa••husetts-Bay Colony (the Place of my Residence) in settling the Lines or Boundaries with the neighbouring Colonies. Anno 1719, they agreed with Rhode-Island to run their Line West 7 d. N. Anno 1713 they run their Line with Connecticut W. 9 d. N. Anno 1741 according to the Determination of the King in C••uncil, upon an Appeal from the Judgment of the Commissioners appointed to settle the Lines; their Line with New-Hampshire was run W. 10 d. N. as if the Variation were constant or upon the Increase, whereas it was upon theDecrease: 1. About Anno 1700, Dr. Halley's Period, the West Variation in Massachusetts-Bay was about 10 d. and without giving any Allowance for its Decrease in the Space of half a Century, did in the last Case settle it according to Halley's Chart; Anno 1741, the Va|riation was scarce 8 d. and the Error or Gore was in Favour of Mas|sachusetts-Bay. 2. The other Line, between Massachusetts-Bay Pur|chase called the Province of Maine, and New Hampshire, was adjudged to N. 2 d. W. true Course, and was laid out with the same Error N. 8 d. E. Variation, and the Gusset was in Favour of New-Hampshire. 3. Line, or the Rhode-Island Line with Massachusetts-Bay was settled Anno 1719, when the Variation was about 9 d. laid out by Agreement, W. 7 d. N. and the Error or Gusset was in Favour of Massachusetts-Bay; these Gussets contain no inconsiderable Tract of Land, for In|stance, this Gore though from the Station called Saffries, and Wood|ward, it runs only about 24 Miles, it acquires a Base of 360 Rod, be|ing one Mile and forty Rod, commonly called the Mile of Land; it is true, that after some Time Massachusetts-Bay gave to Rhode-Island an Equivalent in waste Lands, as to Property, but not Jurisdiction. 4. The Line between Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut (a Government of wise, circumspect Husbandmen) was laid out just, being 9 d. Vari|ation, Mr. Brattle, an ingenious, accurate Man, observed in Boston, the Variation W. 9 d. N. Anno 1708.

  Doubtless sundry Navigators have good Accounts of Variations in their Journals, and some curious Landsmen have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Times amused themselves in this Affair, but scarce any have been published to the World; the only continued Set of Variation Observations, in my Knowledge, is that of the Royal Academy of Sciences for Paris, these Observations are annual and generally made in the Months of D••cember, from Anno 1700 down to this Time, and are to be continued by learn|ed Men well disciplined, in Pay, and therefore obliged to regular Duty Our Members of the Royal Society for Philosophical Transactions in L••n|don are Voluntiers, not in Pay, not obliged to Duty; some of them at first setting out, perform some Coup d' Eclat, but are soon ti••ed
• * 1.174

  The French are our Rivals in every Thing, and mo••e particular|ly in Matters of Learning; they keep up a laudable Emulation▪ thus Sir Isacc Newton and his Followers did investigate the Earth to be an oblate Spheroid, the French Academicians asserted it to be an oblong Spheroid; that is, the Degrees of the Meridian are shorter t••|wards the Poles; from actual Measurations (by Triangles) of Degre••s of the Meridian, from the North to the South of France; but lately (after a Contest of above 50 Years) by their Missions to Torne•• under the Polar Circle, and to Peru under the Equinoctial, they have give•• up the Point.
• * 1.175

  The Longitudes determined by Sea Journ••ls, by Eclipses and Occultation••, before the Use of Telescopes, Micrometers, and Pend••l••ms, were not so exact as at present; formerly the South-America Shore w•••• reckoned 6 d. of Longitude too much distant from Europe; by ••n Observation of the Moon eclipsed, Dec. 21. Anno 1740, from Capt. Legge of the Severn Man of War at the Island St. Catharine, on the Coast of Brazil. S. Lat. 27 d. 30 m. 49 d. 20 m. W. from Greenwich. Sen••x's Maps have placed that Coast about 6 ••. too much Eastward. The China Missionaries (they carry the Credit of able Mathematicians to enforce the Truth of their Religious Doctrines) find that formerly the Eastern Coast of China was reckoned 25 d. Long. too much distant from Paris. Dr. Halley, Anno 1677 was sent at a Government-Charge to St. Helena, to observe and take a Catalogue of the fixed Star•• in the high Southern Latitudes, which he accordingly reduced to a Catalogue and Tables▪ At that Time the Variation was 40 ••. E. of St H••l••na.
• * 1.176

  We 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••om 〈◊〉〈◊〉, if not otherways 〈◊〉〈◊〉