An Abstract or abbreviation of some few of the many (later and former) testimonys from the inhabitants of New-Jersey and other eminent persons who have wrote particularly concerning that place

An Abstract or abbreviation of some few of the many (later and former) testimonys from the inhabitants of New-Jersey and other eminent persons who have wrote particularly concerning that place

Table of contents

Title page

THE PREFACE.

A Letter to a Merchant in London.

From Burlington in Delaware-River, the 26th. of 8. Mon. 1667. An Abstract of a Letter wrote to Henry Stacy.

Thomas Hooton to his wife, 29th. 8th. Month, 1677.

Boston, August the 14th. 1677. [Verbatim.]

New-Jersey, 20th. 2d. Month, 1678. [This is Extractim.]

Weymouth, 28th. 6th. Month, 1678. [Verbatim.] A Letter from Thomas Budd, who had then been at New-Jersey, and is gone thither again with his Wife and Family.

Burlington in New-Jersey, upon the River Delaware, the 19th. of the 4th. Moneth call'd June, 1678. An Extract of a Letter written by John Crips, to his Brother and Sister.

An Abstract of a Letter from Daniel Wills to William Biddle; (Then Living in Bishops-gate-Street in London; who with his Wife and Family, is this present 5th. Moneth, 1681. with several Servants, gone for New-Jersey.

An Extract of a Letter written by William, and Ruth Embly, to Samuel Racles of Nottingham, from Burlington, in New-Jersey.

From the Falls of Delaware in New-Jersey, the 12th. of the 6th. Month, 1680. Mahlon Stacy's Letter to George Hutcheson.

An Abstract of a Letter from Thomas Harrison to his Brother; wherein he writes of many Private Things: But of the Country, in short, thus.

An Abstract of Mahlon Stacy's Letter to his Brother Revill, and some Others; Dated the 26th. of the 4th. Moneth, 1680.

In another Letter to William Cook of Sheffield, and some Others, he writes thus.

The Extract of a Letter from Samuel Jennings, One of the Commissioners in New-Jersey, since the Customs were taken off, and Government Settled: Directed to William Pen, Edward Billinge, or Gawen Lawry.

A Letter wrote to Mr. Edward Billinge, Governor of West-New-Jersey.

AN EXSTRACT Out of a Small Treatise, Wrote By BEAƲCHAMP PLANTAGENET, Concerning The Province of New-Albion, in the Year, 1648. Since Granted by the King to the Duke of York; Of which New-Jersey is a Part.

Chapter the 2d. Page the 18th. & 19th.

Page the 20, 21. of the same Treatise. An Extract of Robert Evelin's Discription of the Land lying between the Rivers of Delaware, and Hudsons River; The which is Now called New-Jersey.

POST-SCRIPT.

[Page]AN Abstract or Abbreviation OF Some Few of the Many (Later and Former) Testimonies, &c.

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AN ABSTRACT, OR ABBREVIATION Of some Few of the Many (Later and Former) TESTIMONYS FROM THE Inhabitants OF NEW-JERSEY, And Other Eminent Persons. Who have Wrote particularly concerning That PLACE.

London, Printed by Thomas Milbourn, in the Year, 1681.

THE PREFACE.

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Ingenuous Reader,

IT's not intended, by Publishing the Truth contained in these following Sheets, thereby to disparage any other Colony already Settled, or to be Settled in those Parts of America; but to contradict the Disingenuous, and False Reports of some Men, who have made it their Business to speak unjustly of New-Jersey, and Our Proceedings therein: As though the Methods of Settlement were Confused and Ʋncertain, no Man knowing his Own Land, and several such idle Lying Stories. Therefore, to satisfye the Reasonable and Ʋnprejudiced, who desire to be rightly inform'd, the Manner or Method of Our Settlements are thus: The Country from the Mouth (that is, from the Sea) to the Head of Delaware-River, is about Two Hundred and Fifty Miles in Length, and is divided into One Hundred Shares, or Proprieties; as may be seen by the Deeds made to every Purchaser thereof; every Proprietor naturally having a Considerable Quantity of his Land lying by the River-side: I say, every Proprietor having a great Part of his Propriety contigious to that Noble and Navigable River of Delaware, is an Accomodation of no small Value.

Then, as to the Government; one out of each of these Hundred Proprieties, is to be freely chosen by the Inhabitants thereof, to meet and sit as a General-Assembly, to make and alter Laws, to hear and redress all manner of Grievances whatsoever: And not any, the least Tax, either in Money or Goods, or any other Services, upon any Pretence whatsoever, to be imposed on the People, but by the Consent of these their Representatives in the General-Assembly: And this Assembly is to meet Annually upon a Day certain, as is Irrevocably ordained in one of the Chapters of Our General Concessions, as a Fundamen [...], never to Alter or Change.

[Page]The Number of Aeres in one of these Proprieties, is about Twenty Thousand; though some (and those no ordinary Surveyors neither) have judged it to be almost as much more: But whether the Number be more or less, I shall not exactly affirm; But this I may assert, (and it ought to be considered by every Considering Purchaser) That a large Share of their Land being certain to lye upon so Brave and Navigable a River as Delaware is known to be, is in it self very Considerable, and may be vastly Advantagious to such Purchasers, who at present, do, or hereafter shall Incline to Trade. And upon which River are several Good Towns and Settlements already, (viz.) Burlington, Northampton, Monmouth, Wellingbrough, Mansfield, Springton, Nottingham, Salem, and Others: In some whereof, are Considerable Manufacturies and Trade Established and Establishing: So that, New-Jersey in Reality is another thing, than what it was within these Seven Years, before it was Peopled and Settled in that Order and Freedom as now it is; as some of these following LETTERS (according to Reason) do testify, That those that go to New-Jersey now, need not undergoe any of the Difficulties that They did, who went over at first, when they had neither House nor Corn of their Own: But now they have Good of Both, and not only sufficient for Themselves, but considerably to spare, for the Accommodating of such that shall come to Inhabit among them, until they can provide of Their Own.

A Letter to a Merchant in London.

SIR,

HAving from the Discourse we had formerly, about the South-West-Part of New-Jersey, lying upon the Bay and River of Delaware, perceived a great Desire in you, to be particularly informed thereof, from the Observations I had either made My Self, in my several Voyages into those Parts, or from the Collections I took from the English, Swedes, or Hollanders; and perceiving several of your Ingenious, Publick-spirited Friends were ingaged therein with Your Self, and that it was to be looked upon no longer for your own particular Curiosity, but as a National Concern, from the Thriving Genius of such Worthy Undertakers: Which, together with the Kindness I bear to Your Self, and the Person that made our Acquaintance, obliged Me, as soon as I could, to comply with your Commands.

Then be pleased to know, that the Lord Delaware, Governor of Virginia, Anno 1611. during his Stay in those Parts, spent one whole Summer in making a particular Search of all that Part of America; lying, and being Situate betwixt Cape-Augustine on the South-West, to Cape-Porpus on the North-East, which is from 28. to 44. Degrees of North-Latitude, and 430. Leagues by that Shoar; and having visited and viewed all the Remarkable Bays and Rivers, as also, particularly Inspected the Clime and Soyl of all those Parts, pitched upon this Place, which is now called [Page] New-Jersey; which River the Lord Delaware called after his own Name, and by which the English have known it ever since. And it is not to be questioned, had not Death prevented his Purposes, but that he had prevailed with the then Lords-Commissioners, (called the Virginia-Company) to have removed that Colony to this Place: Which, without doubt, had prevented the Death of very many Thousands of the English Nation; who have, since that time, found their Graves in Virginia, by reason of the many Boggs, Swamps, and Standing-Waters, which corrupt the Air of the Country. And to shew you, that the Lord Delaware was not singular in this Point, see the Character given of it by Jeronama Beeckman of Stetin, in a Tract of his Printed Anno 1636. This Beeckman was sent thither with a Great Cargoe from Amsterdam by John Lussingen, and Peter Coyman, Eminent Merchants of that City; who trusted him with all their Concern, Laden on Two Ships, the Orania, and the Ickeabome; who Return'd in about Fourteen Months, bringing them Back in all sorts of Furs, Skins, and Poltry, clear Profit One Hundred and Thirty Pounds, per Cent.

Sir, Thus much in General; but to come to Particulars:

First, This Province (I mean the South-West-Part of it, bordering upon the River of Delaware) is Situate parallel to the most Happy of the East and Western Parts of the World; and is naturally stored with all Sorts of Timber, and other Materials for the Building and Equipping of Ships, Structure of Houses, making of Cabinets, and all other Curious Joyner's Work.

Secondly, There is Sumach, and several other Drugs for the Use of Dyers; besides, some Trees there are, that produce both Gums, and Medicinal Oyls, as is observed by Doctor Adrian Vander-dunke, who searched that Country at his own proper Charge.

Thirdly, That there is all Sorts of English-Corn, and may be Two Harvests of several Sorts of Grain, in one Year: As also, that a Poor Man by his Reasonable Labour, can in the same Space of Time make Fifteen Thousand Pipe-Staves, which are worth on the Place Sixty Pounds; but at the Canaries, Three Hundred Pounds; which, according to an ordinary Calculation, is but Three Weeks Sail, and the Transportation is accounted but half at most.

Fourthly, That in this Province there is not only as good Iron-Mines as are in any Parts of the World; but also, great Conveniency from the Multitude of Brooks for Iron-Mills; which in the making thereof, would also clear the Ground of Wood, and fit it for Planting.

[Page] Fifthly, That Vines grow naturally all over this Province; of which, Wild as they are, Wines, and very Good Brandy have been made: And, I am well assured, if those Vines were Transplanted and Cultivated accordingly, there might be Rich and Generous Wines made in the West-Part of New-Jersey: But if Vine-Stocks of the Greek, Calabrian, and Cyprian, with the Candian-Grapes, were Transplanted into this Province, (those Countries where these Grapes are in Perfection, lying parallel to This) there would certainly be a Staple, which may enrich both England, and all those Countries, to the Envy of France and Spain.

Sixthly, That the Art, Use, and Excellency of the Silk-Worm might be had in this Province, with great Conveniency; the Mulberry-Trees growing there Wild, very numerous, and the Leaves to be had for gathering; whereas the French Nobility and Gentry make a Great Revenue of Mulberry-Trees; besides their Fruits, the Leaves of every Tree being Farmed in Languedoc and Provence, as in Goodness, from Five Shillings to Twenty Shillings, and upwards, per Annum. The Duke of Tuscany raised Anno 1671. Sixty Thousand Ducats on the Leaves of Mulberry-Trees alone, as he doth Yearly about the same Sum.

Monsieur Le Telliere, Great Uncle to the Marquess of Lovoy, Secretary of State to the present French King, writ Observations on this Subject, Anno 1636. affirming, That Silk-Worms were Transported out of Asia into Italy, in the Year 1540. and that they had not been in Languedoc and Provence in France above Sixty Years; & yet the Revenue of Silk in those Provinces, was more worth both to the King and Nobility, than the Product of Wine, Oyl, Woad, and all other Fruits whatsoever.

Monsieur Agume, in his Observations on that Subject Printed at Lyons, Anno 1654. sayes, That in Forty Years, the making of Silk in the South of France, had brought into the Exchecquer or Financy of that Crown, Fifty Seven Millions of Livers, which is about One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Pounds, per Annum, Custom for the Raw Silk only. It is admirable to behold, how these Silk-Worms store up the Disposing-Matter, from whence the Silk comes; the which, by an Incomprehensible Mystery of Nature, they Vomit forth [...] their Mouths, and spin out of their Bowels: And whatever is done of this kind in France, may much more, and to greater Advantage be accomplished in the South-West-Part of New-Jersey, whose Position of Latitude is nearer the Sun, than any Part of France. [Page] The Air of this Province is very Serene, Sweet, and Wholsome, which renders the Clime much more agreeable to European Bodies, than the severe Colds of New-England, or the sulphurous Heat in Virginia; where, I say, the Bogs, Marshes, and corrupt Standing-Waters, have ever been very Noxious to the Planter.

The Soyl of this Province is very Rich and Fruitful; and, for the most part, upon a Rising Level; and where it is interlaced with Hills, they are rather Gradual Prospects, than troublesom Ascents for above an Hundred Miles from the Sea. And where it is any whit Mountainous or Rocky, there are also Valleys extream Rich and Fertile: Besides, those Mountains have store of Black-Lead, Allom, Sulphur, Copper, &c. the which is confirmed by the Writings of Tararapha, and Monsieur Gallane, Son to the present President of Nants, a Person of great Quality, who spent the Years 1668, 69, and 70. in the Discovery of most of the Lakes, Mountains, and Countries, West, from Quebeck to the Bay of Florida, which is beyond Carolina.

This Gentleman gave me leave to read his Journal; wherein he affirms, That betwixt the Head of Delaware, and the Lake Ontaria, there are Mines of Sulphur, Allom, Lead, Copper, &c.

Sir, I mention This as well for your own Curiosity, as that such a Trade may be worth looking after, when it shall please God, to put those that settle your Colony, in a condition to manage it; which, I do assure you, in due time may be done, to Immense Advantage.

And now, Sir, I shall come to some other Observations of my own, having formerly drawn a particular Map of your Colony with my own Hand, by the Sea, from Sandy-point, and up the River, to the Isle of Matinicocks; and, for my own Satisfaction, did (as of other Parts of America) ever make it my Business to discover not only the Scituation of Places; but also, the Original Discoverers, the several Governors, and their respective Fortunes; the most Remarkable Distempers, or Diseases; the Commodities, both Natural and Accidental; what Advantage might be made by Trade; what Places were more or less Tenable by Nature, and what made Strong by Fortification; in what Manner, and to what Degree. Moreover, how those Colonies have Prospered or Declined in Trade, Increased or Decreased in Number of Inhabitants from Europe, and the proper Causes thereof; together, with the Governments, Customs, and Commodities of the several Indian-Natives; and what [Page] Advantage might be made of those Innocent, Good-natur'd Creatures, in point of Trade, &c.

And this South-West-Part of New-West-Jersey, came not only under this my General Survey; but having had a Concern in those Parts with the Dutch, it fell more particularly under my Consideration. The Longitude of this Place is Calculated to be from Three Hundred and Eleven, to Three Hundred and Eight Degrees; and bounded betwixt Thirty-Nine and Forty-Three Degrees of Latitude North, from the Aequator.

Sir, Having before spoken of the Agreeableness of the Air; I shall only say in general, that the West-Part of New-Jersey, is by Nature sliced into a bundance of Rivers and Riv'leis, which every way glide in Deep and Navigable Channels, either for Shipping or Boats, betwixt the Breast of this Your plentiful Country; which highly contributes to its Conveniency, Beauty, and Fertility. These Rivers are also abundantly stored with all the species of the Fish of Europe, and both larger and better tasted; being great Quantities of Sturgeon in the River of Delaware, with divers other Fish peculiar only to that Clime; as Quictars, Dramps, Porgies or Sheep-Heads, Cony-Fish-Misyqua's, & many others not seen in any Part of Europe, whose names (at present) I remember not; but these in particular are delicate Fish.

As also, Land and Sea-Foul in abundance of all the sorts in Europe, and some peculiar to that Country (as of Fish) not any where in the Europaean World that ever I saw. The Fruits of your Province are all sorts of Delicate Melons, Apples, Pears, Damsons; and all other sorts of Plumbs, Apricocks, Peaches, and Malagotoons, Cherries of several kinds, Quinces, Marucas, Grapes of Six sorts I have seen, Puchamines, Walnuts, Chesnuts, Strawberries, Rasberries, Currans Red and White, Gooseberries, and a great many other Wild-Fruits: As also, vast plenty of Mulberries, all sorts of Roots of England, and Potato's very good, with all sorts of Herbs both for Physick, and the Kitchin, in great Perfection, and no less Plenty. There is also Saxafras, Sarsaparilla, and several other Plants of great vertue, grow Naturally in this Province.

Sir, The Western-Part of New-Jersey, situate upon the River of Delaware, (to the Head whereof I understand Mr. Billing's Grant reaches) so far as I know, is not Second to any Part of America; and, in due time, by such Industrious Undertakers as Your Self, and Friends are, may not be Inferior to many Parts of the World: And this I further know, that with Common and Reasonable Care, [Page] there may not (in a few Years) only be to spare Horses, Beef, Pork, Flower, Bisket, Pease, &c. but this Country will also produce Honey, Wax, Silk, Hemp, Flax, Hops, Woad, and Rape-seed, Madder, Pot-Ashes, Anniseed, and Salt; Hides Raw or Tanned, and there is a vast large Creature call'd a Moose, of whose Skins are made Excellent Buff. and other Deer-Skins, and all sorts of Peltry in great Plenty; besides the Natural Product of Pitch, Tarr, Rosin, Turpentine, &c.

And, as for Furrs; there is Beaver, Black Fox, Otter, and divers other sorts: As also, the Tobacco is very Good upon the River of Delaware. Besides what I have mentioned, there may be good Fishing for Cod and Cusk, which are to be found on a Fishing-ground, from the South-Part of the Shoald, that lyes of Barnagate, beginning at Seven Fathom Water, and trending South and by West, Nine Leagues in Length; there being great Plenty of well grown Fish, as I my self, and several others have found by Experience.

Upon the whole Matter, this Province affords all that is either for Necessity, Convenience, Profit, or for the Pleasure of Humane Life.

Sir, I have herewith sent you a Prophecy of Pious Mr. Herbert's, a Man as Learned as Great in his Quality, being the Earl of Cherbury's Brother, and Oratour to the University of Cambridge, written many Years since.

Religion stands on Tip-toe in Our Land,

Ready to pass to the American-Strand.

When height of Malice, and prodigious Lusts,

Impudent Sinning, Witchcrafts, and Distrusts,

(The Mark of Future Bane) shall fill our Cup

Ʋnto the Brim, and make our Measure up:

When Sin shall swallow Tyber, and the Thames

By Letting in them Both, Pollutes her Streams:

When Italy of Ʋs shall have her Will,

And all her Kalender of Sins fulfill;

Whereby one may fore-tell, what Sins next Year

Shall both in France and England Domineer:

Then shall Religion into America flee;

They have their Times of Gospel, ev'n as We.

I am, Sir, with all Sincerity your Affectionate Friend, & Humble Servant, I. Scott.

From Burlington in Delaware-River, the 26th. of 8. Mon. 1667. An Abstract of a Letter wrote to Henry Stacy.

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Dear Friend!

THrough the Mercy of God, we are safely Arrived at New-Jersey. My Wife, and all Mine are very well; and we have our Healths rather better Here, than we had in England: Indeed, the Country is so likely, that I do not see, how it can reasonably be found fault with. As far as I perceive, all of the Things we heard of it in England, are very true; and I wish, that many People (that are in Straits) in England, were Here: Here is Good Land enough lyes void, would serve many Thousands of Families; and we think, if they cannot Live Here, they can hardly Live in any Place in the World. But we do not desire to perswade any to come, but such as are well satisfied in their own Minds. A Town-Lot is laid out for us in Burlington, which is a Convenient Place for a Trade: It is about One Hundred and Fifty Miles up the River of Delaware. The Country, and Air, seems [...]o be very agreeable to our Bodies; and we have very Good Stomachs to our Victuals: And Here is plenty of Provision in the Country, plenty of Fish and Fowl, and Good Venison very plentiful, and much better than Ours in England; for it eats not so dry, but is full of Gravy, like Fat Young Beef. You that come after us, need not fear the Trouble that We have had: For now here is Land ready divided against You come. The Indians are very Loving to Us, except here and there one, when they have gotten Strong Liquors in their Heads, which they now greatly love. But for the Country, in short, I like it very well: And I do believe, that this River of Delaware, is as good a River as most is in the World; it exceeds the River of Thames by many Degrees.

Here is a Town laid out for Twenty Proprieties, and a strait Line drawn from the River-side up the Land; which is to be the main Street, and a Market-place about the Middle; and the York-shire Ten Proprietors are to build one Side, and the London Ten the other Side: And they have ordered one Street to be made along the River-side, which is not divided with the Rest, but in small Lots by it self; and every one that hath any Part in a Propriety, is to have his Share in it. The Town-Lots for every Propriety, will be [Page] about Ten or Eleven Acres, which is only for a House, Orchard, and Gardens; and the Corn and Pasture-Ground is to be laid out in great Quantities

I am thy Loving Friend, Iohn Crips.

Directed for Henry Stacy, in Grace-Church-Street.

Thomas Hooton to his wife, 29th. 8th. Month, 1677.

My Dear!

I Am, at this present, at the Town call'd Burlington, where our Land is; and it is ordered to be a Town for the Ten York-shire, and Ten London Proprietors. I like the Place well; our Lot is the Second next the Water-side: It's like to be a Healthful Place, and very pleasant to Live in. I came hither Yester-day, being the Twenty-Seventh of October, with some Friends that were going to New-York. I am to be at Thomas Olive's House, till such time I can provide better for my Self. I do intend to build a House, and get some Corn into the Ground. And now, my Dear, I know not how to write to thee, concerning thy Coming, or not coming Hither. The Place I like very well; and I do believe, that we may live Here very well. But if the Place be not made Free, (I mean, as as to the Customs, and †Since when the Customs are taken off, and the Government settled. Government) then it will not be so well, and may hinder many that have Desires to come. But if thou understand that those Two Things be clear'd, then thou may take thy Opportunity of coming this Summer. I rest

Thy truly Loving Husband, Thomas Hooton.

Boston, August the 14th. 1677. [Verbatim.]

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Dear Father and Mother!

I Can now give you a farther Account concerning this Country; for I have Travelled Three or Four Hundred Miles an End, the best Part of it by Land. I have been in New-Jersey, and like that Place very well; and I am sure, it is the Fruitfullest Place in these Parts, and the Pleasantest to dwell in: For there is all sorts of Provision as plentiful as it is in England; There wants nothing but good Honest People to Inhabit it. The Ship that was bound for New-Jersey, arrived about the Second or Third Day of this Month; I was in New-Jersey, when She came in; I was the First, that saw Her: So the next Day, I went Aboard of Her; and the People told me, They were Eight Weeks at Sea; and the first Land they made, was Cape-Codd in New-England, which was an Hundred Leagues out of their way: And they were at a great Loss for want of a Pilot to carry them along the Shore; but while they were at Sea, they wanted for nothing. Now I have seen most of these Parts hereabout; and, to my thinking, New-Jersey exceeds them All for good Land, good Timber, good Meadow, and other good Conveniences that are Here: For One Acre in this Place, is worth half a dozen in other Places that lye Hereabouts; and I could be very glad, that You and Your Family were safe arrived Here. But, I hope, I shall see you all in London within these Three Months; and then I shall give you a better Account concerning our Affairs. So, having no more at present to trouble you with, I rest, and remain

Your Dutiful Son, Ephraim Warren.

These for Mr. Henry Warren, in Fenchurch-Street, this deliver with Care, I pray.

New-Jersey, 20th. 2d. Month, 1678. [This is Extractim.]

Dear Friends!

I Doubt not, but it will be great Satisfaction to You, to hear of Mine, and the rest of Friends Passage to, and safe Arrival in New-Jersey. [Page] We took Ship the Sixteenth of November, and made the Land of New-Jersey in Thirty-Four Dayes. [And many other Things he writes of, needless here to be mentioned: But of the Country thus.]

Now Friends, as to this Country, there has been much said by several Persons in Commendation thereof, both as to the Increase of all sorts of Grains and Fruits; as also, to the Plenty of Fish, Fowl, Deer, Swine, &c. that I shall not need to add any thing to it: But, in short, this I have to say; That I do not know any one thing to fall short of what has been Reported of this Province; but that more might truly have been said of its pleasant Situation, wholsome Air, and general and great Increase of all things planted; and especially, of Indian-Corn, which is a very good and serviceable Grain many wayes. The English Wheat and Barley primely Good; but Rye and Pease, much better than any I ever saw in England or Ireland. I doubt not, but you have had an Account of all other Matters, before this (by those who came to Jersey before Me) comes to your Hands: And I have no other end in this, than keeping you from the rash Censures of People that know it not; as also, for the Good and Prosperity of this Good Country, &c.

Subscribed, Your Friend, William Clark.

Directed for William Penn, Gawen Lawry, & Edward Billinge.

Weymouth, 28th. 6th. Month, 1678. [Verbatim.] A Letter from Thomas Budd, who had then been at New-Jersey, and is gone thither again with his Wife and Family.

Dear Friend, Gawen Lawry!

I Am safely come from New-Jersey, where I left Friends in Health, who like the Country very well. We have set down both Trades and Husbandmen together in the Island call'd Chygoe's-Island; where we have built, and are building many Houses; but it's too strait, to contain so many People, as are already upon it. I suppose, I have Travelled, more in New-Jersey, than any other Person that came lately; which I did at my own proper Charge, that I might be able to satisfie my Self, and Acquaintance, concerning the Country. I intend to be [Page] shortly in London, and then may give a fuller Account of all Proceedings. And I doubt not, but New-Jersey will be as thriving a Place, as any is in America. I desire Information what Ships are going, or to go thither this Year; which is the Needful, at present, from

Thy Dear Friend, Thomas Budd.

Superscrib'd for Gawen Lawry, in George-Yard, in Lombard-Street, Merchant.

Burlington in New-Jersey, upon the River Delaware, the 19th. of the 4th. Moneth call'd June, 1678. An Extract of a Letter written by John Crips, to his Brother and Sister.

Dear & Loving Brother & Sister!

I Have received both your Letters, wherein I understand your Faith concerning this Country is much shaken through several false Reports given thereof; which may be proved false under the hands of several good Friends, I hope as worthy to be believed as that Reporter; and such as have had more Experience of this Place, than he had or could have in so short a time. Besides, he came amongst us shortly after our coming hither, when things were not settl'd in that Order amongst us as now they are. Neither indeed did he find such Entertainment from some, as he expected; which I suppose makes him speak the worst he can devise of this Place. But I question not, but his Reports will in a short time be wip'd away: Some of which, in my Knowledge, are gross Lyes, as well as Contradictions to his own VVords. For I remember, when I Travelled with him through Part of New-Jersey, he confessed, That much of this Land was as good or better, than the Land in Road-Island.

And it's really my judgment that those people that cannot be contented with such a Country, and such Land as this is, they are not worthy to come here. And this I can truly tell you if I were now in England with you my Friends, (and which I should be very glad to see) yet if all I had in the World would but bring me hither, I should freely leave You, and my Native-Country, and come to New-Jersey again; which I have said many a time heretofore; but now I [Page] write it under my Hand; and it's really the Truth, whether you will believe it or not. And farther, I can truly tell you, That I desire not, nor dare not to write the least Untruth to draw you, or any others to this Place: But an resolved, if I never see your Face more, to leave you to your own Freedom in the Lord. But I hope, you are not insensible of my Love, and Desires for You; though I am (I say) constrain'd to Forbear perswading. You, or any one else, against their own Freedoms: yet I think it my Duty to let You, and all Men know the Truth of things as near as I can.

Your Letter saith, it's reported, the water is not so good as in England. I do not remember, that ever I tasted better water in any part of England, than the springs of this Place do yeild; of which is made very good bear, and Ale; And here is also Wine and Sider. And whereas your Letter to me saith, several have come back from this Country to England; Two or Three, I suppose, there are Lazy idle persons, that have done so. But on the other hand here are several persons, Men of Estates, that have been here, and have gone back to England, and sold their Estates, and return'd with their whole families hither again; which methinks, should take many of these Scruples out of the way, if nothing else were said or done in praise of this Country. But, I suppose, there are many in England, that desire to hear ill of this Place, because they would keep their Friends there with them, and they think, we never write enough of the bad Properties of the Country and Vermin in it. Now, this I may say in short, That here are Bears, Wolves, Foxes Rattle-snakes, and several other Creatures, (I do believe) because I see the Indians have such Skins to sell. But I have Travelled several hundreds of Miles to and fro, and I never (to my knowledge) saw one of those Creatures, except two Rattle-snakes, and I kill'd them both. I suppose, the Fear of those Creatures in England, is far worse to some there, than the Hurt of them is here. And as for the Musketto-Fly, we are not troubled with them in this Place; our Land for the most part Lying high and healthy, and they for the most part are in Law Boggy ground. Thomas Budd, and his Family are arrived, the ship Lieth before this Town that brought them: I wish, you have not cause to repent, that you came not along with them. They had a very good Passage, and so had the London Ship; they are both in the River at this time. I understand by Thomas Budd, that he did satisfie you as near as he could, of the Truth of things here; and you had [Page] as much reason to believe him, as that other person, and more too; for Thomas had far more Experience of this Place, than he (I say) could have in the short time he was among us. So of these things, I shall forbear to write any farther at present; and with my true love to you all, my Friends, with my hearts Desire for your Wellfare every way, &c. I rest

Your True & Loving Brother, Iohn Crips.

To the Truth of the Contents of these Things, we subscribe, our Names,

Daniel Wills,

Thomas Olive,

Thomas Harding,

Thomas Budd,

William Peachey.

An Abstract of a Letter from Daniel Wills to William Biddle; (Then Living in Bishops-gate-Street in London; who with his Wife and Family, is this present 5th. Moneth, 1681. with several Servants, gone for New-Jersey.

Dear Friend!

I Received thine by Henry Salter, but it came too late to my hand; so that I could not write any thing in answer untill this time. I understand thou would'st know something from me concerning New-Jersey, which indeed I had given thee a large account of, without thy desiring only Joseph Hempsley satisfied me, that he had done it. Let every Man write according to his Judgment; and this is Mine, concerning this Country: I do really believe it to be as good a Country, as any Man need to dwell in; and it is much better than I expected every way. For Land I will assure thee, here is as good by the Judgment of Men, as any is in England. And for my part, I like the Country so well, and it is so Pleasant to me, that if I had a good Estate in Land in England, I should not come to live upon it: For through Industry, here will be all Things produced, that are necessary for a Family, as is in England; and far more easier, I am satisfyed. When I am walking alone, and the Lord is with me, and the Sense of His good Dealings is brought before me, I cannot but admire Him for His Mercies; and often in secret bless His Name, [Page] that ever He turn'd my Face hitherward; and gave me Confidence in Himself, and Boldness by Faith to oppose all Gain-sayers, though never [...]o strong. Al [...]hough then I could not say, I had a Call or Command to leave the Land of my Nativity: Yet now of a Truth I can say, the Lord removed me there-from; and in what I did, I had Peace in Him. And in all my Exercises by Sea and Land, I never felt the least Matter in me, as to desire I had not come forward; but rather rejoyced in the Lord, in the midst of all. Though my Removal was not ordinary, because of the Largeness of my Family; yet, blessed be the Name of the Lord, all is well to our Content. So if thou heedest every ones Sayings, thou wilt have work enough: I heeded none, but the Lord. My Resolution was, and my Sayings to several O [...]posers, That I would come; if God hindered me not, no Man should▪ I have writ about the 26th. of the 9th. Month, to John Mulliner, and Edward Cooper, largely, concerning the Country; thou maist write to them to have a Copy of it, if it comes to hand before This, which I something question.

And now, my Dear Friends, and Antient Acquaintance (William, and Sarah Biddle) My Love you may feel beyond Expression. And if you have Clearness to come to New-Jersey, let nothing hinder; but if you have a Stop upon your Spirits, let not any thing farther you, until the Lord clears your Way. In this my Writing, I do assure you, I deny my self; for, if I might, I should write to forward you; but I dare not. Though you may understand by my Letters, how it is with Me and Mine, and many Others; I know, if a Man cannot Live here, I do believe he can hardly live in any Place in the World. This being the Place set before Me of the Lord, and if He gives Length of Dayes, I will see what He will afford me in it. The last Ship that came to New-York, brought several Passengers; some of which came to see this Country, and liked it well. So, Dear Friends, you may stand against all Opposers concerning the Land; for it is Good.

Subscribed, Daniel Wills.

Burlington, the 16th. of the 11th. Moneth, 1679.

An Extract of a Letter written by William, and Ruth Embly, to Samuel Racles of Nottingham, from Burlington, in New-Jersey.

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Loving Friend,

AFter dear Love to thy Self, and Wife, and rest of Friends: This may acquaint you, we all crossed the Seas very shortly and pleasantly. My Wife was pretty well Aboard, in respect of her Condition, and was Delivered of a Girl in Delaware-River, did very well, and is very well content and satisfyed with the Country, &c. We are now going to settle a Town at the Falls, a Place reported (and credited) to be without Compare to any other yet known: None equal for pleasant Healthful Air, Lovely Scituation; second to none for Fertility. The Next, I hope, shall inform you more: Our Love to Friends, &c.

Subscribed, William, & Ruth Embly.

From the Falls of Delaware in New-Jersey, the 12th. of the 6th. Month, 1680. Mahlon Stacy's Letter to George Hutcheson.

Dearly Beloved Friend, & Brother!

IN the Blessed Truth of Jesus do I dearly Salute Thee, thy dear Wife, and all tender Friends, with whom I have been Conversant, and amongst whom my Spirit hath been Refreshed; my dear Love in the Lord salutes them all, desiring as one travelling for the Good and Prosperity of all that love the Lord Jesus; that Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God the Father; and our Lord Jesus Christ, may be multiplyed amongst them abundantly, that they all may be compleatly furnished, wanting nothing, being made able to stand in the Stormy Day, which is hasting on to try the Foundation of all Professions: In which it shall be said, Woe to the Wicked; for it shall [Page]go all with them in that Day, when they shall come to receive the Reward of their Doings. But to the Righteous, it may be well said; It shall go well with you, even all of you, that have born the Name of Jesus; for the Reward of my Love is given you, saith the Lord; and great shall be your Peace and Portion for ever. Amen.

Dear Friend, Thine of the 23d. 11th. Moneth, 1679. I h [...]ve Received with great Gladness and Acceptation, as a Token of thy endeared Love and Care, with thy tender Desires for us, and grave Counsel to us: all which I dearly accept of, knowing it was the Flowings-forth of a Soul fi [...]l'd with Love to the Heritage of God in these Parts. For the watering of whom, God has fil [...]'d the Hearts of His Servants with His pure Love, precious Life, and Streams of Living Refreshment, for the Comforting of Jacob in his Travels and Tryals, and for the gladding of Israel in the Day of Exercise. So, although we are separated as to the Outward, (a little Scattering as I may say) yet the God of Life abounds in His Love to His little Flock, dayly extending His Peace (as a River) to His Remnant; And is determined of a small Number, to make a Great and Strong Nation: And this I plainly saw before I left my Native Country; and the Lord is mightily bringing it to pass, in His Removing the Heathen that know Him not, and making Room for a better People, that fears His Name. 'Tis hardly credible to believe, how the Indians are wasted in Two Years Time; and especiall the last Summer: and how the English are increased both in Cattle and Corn, in a little time. Things go exceeding well with Friends, since they were settled, and our Meetings are duely Kept. The Lord our God is with us, and the Shout of a King is amongst us, Glory, Glory to the Lord our God for ever! I perceive you have strange Reports concerning Us, and our Country; yet our Condition is far otherwise than is represented unto you: for our Land yields its Strength to us in a plentiful manner, and we enjoy Fulness of Good Things: The greatest Want is that of our Friends; yet the Lord is adding to our Number greatly; and in a short Time, this Place will be Populated. Friends are generally Healthful and Well. Mine, and my Wifes dear and tender Love salutes Thee and Thine, with all the Faithful in the Lord; and that the Fountain of the Love of God, may be your dayly Refreshment and Consolation, prayeth

Thy Endeared, & Loving assured Friend, Mahlon Stacy.

An Abstract of a Letter from Thomas Harrison to his Brother; wherein he writes of many Private Things: But of the Country, in short, thus.

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Dear Brother!

THis is a Pleasant Country, the Woods are like a Garden; for all sorts of Flowers and Herbs grow in them, and Strawberries, and other Fruits in abundance; and our Land far exceeds England for one Thing; For Three Pecks of Wheat will sow an Acre of this Land, which in England, Two Bushels will hardly do it. I cannot express all Things, that we have in this Country.

Dear Brother, Pray send me a Brass-Compass, with a Dyal for this Latitude; whereby the more easie to find the marked Trees of my own Land, from other Men's. Few in this Country have done more than I have. I shall have senc'd and clear'd a Quarter of a Mile this Summer. I have set Four Acres of Indian-Corn; and in the Fall, I shall Plow Twelve Acres of Wheat, and Six of Pease. I, and my Family are very well; and, for my own part, never better in all my Life; for I never †Who was greatly troubled with a Cough heretofore. Coughed since I came into this Country.

Subscribed, Thomas Harrison.

Burlington, 27th. of March, 1681. [Who has not been There above a Year, and an half; & being a poor Man, had not any Servants.]

An Abstract of Mahlon Stacy's Letter to his Brother Revill, and some Others; Dated the 26th. of the 4th. Moneth, 1680.

BUt now a word, or two of those strange Reports you have of Us, and our Country; I affirm, they are Lyes in the very Ground of them, and spoken from a Spirit of Envy: It is a Country, that produceth all things for the Support, and Sustenance of Man, in a [Page] plentiful manner. If it were not so, I should be ashamed of what I have before written: But I can stand, having Truth on my Side, against and before the Face of all Gain-sayers, and evil Spies. I have Travelled through most of the Places that are settled, and some that are not; and in every Place, I find the Country very apt to answer the Expectation of the Diligent. I have seen Orchards so loaden with Fruit, I have wondered to see it, their very Limbs torn in pieces with the weight of their Fruit; and most Delicious to the Taste, and Lovely to behold. I have seen an Apple-Tree from a Pippin-Kernel, yield a Barrel of curious Syder; and Peaches in such plenty, that some People took their Carts a Peach-gathering: I could not but smile at the Conceit of it. They are a very delicate Fruit, and hang almost like our Onions that are tyed on Ropes. I have seen and known this Summer Forty Bushels of good Bold-Wheat, of One Bushel sown: And many more such Instances I could bring, which would be too tedious here to mention. We have from the Times call'd May until Michaelmals, great store of very good Wild-Fruit; as Strawberries, Cramberries, & Huckle-berries, which are like our Bilberries in England; but far sweeter: They are very wholsome Fruits; the Cramberries much like Cherries for Colour and Bigness, which may be kept till Fruit come in again; an Excellent Sauce is made of them for Venison, Turkies, and other great Fowles; and they are better to make Tarts, than either Gooseberries, or Cherries: We have them brought to our Houses, by the Indians, in great plenty. My Brother Robert had as many Cherries this Year, as would have loaded several Carts. It is my Judgment, by what I have observed, That Fruit-Trees in this Country destroy themselves, by the very Weight of their Fruit. As for Venison, and Fowles, here are great plenty: We have brought Home to our Houses by the Indians, Seven or Eight Fat Bucks of a day; and sometimes put by as many, having no Occasion for them. And Fish in their Season very plenteous: My Cousin Revill, and I, with some of my Men, went last Third Moneth called May, into the River to catch Herrings; for at that time they come in great Shoals into the Shallow's; we had neither Rod, nor Net; but after the Indian Fashion, made a round Pinfold about Two Yards over, and a Foot high; but left a Gap for the Fish to go in at, and made a Bush to lay in the Gap to keep the Fish in▪ and when that was done, we took Two long Birches & tyed their Tops together; & went about a Stones-cast above our said Pinfold: Then hauling these Birche's Boughs down [Page] the Stream, where we drove Thousands before us: But so many got into our Trap as it would hold; and then we began to haul them to Shoar, as fast as Three or Four of us could, by Two or Three at a time: And after this manner, in half an Hour, we could have filled a Three-Bushel Sack of as good and large Herrings, as over I saw. And as to Beef and Pork, here is great plenty of it, and good cheap; and also, good Sheep: The common Grass of this Country feeds Beef very Fat; I have Kill'd Two this Year; and therefore, I have reason to know: Besides, I have seen this Fall, in Burlington, Kill'd Eight or Nine Fat Oxen and Cowes on a Market-Day, and all very fat. And though I speak of Herrings only, and lest any should think we have little other sorts, we have great plenty of most sorts of Fish, that ever I saw in England; besides several other sorts that are not known There; as Rocks, Cat-Fish, Shoads, Sheep-Heads, Sturgeons: And Fowles plenty; as Ducks, Geese, Turkies, Swans, Pheasants, Partridges; and many other sorts that I cannot remember, and would be too tedious to mention▪ Indeed the Country, take it as a Wilderness, is a brave Country; Though no Place will please all; but some will be ready to say, He writes of Conveniences, but not of Inconveniences: In answer to those, I honestly declare, Here is also some Barren Land; as (I suppose) there is in most Places of the World; and more Wood, than some would have upon their Lands. Neither will the Country produce Corn without Labour, nor Cattle be got without something to buy them, nor Bread with Idleness; else it would be a brave Country indeed: And I question not, but that all then would give it a good Word. For my part, I like it so well, that I never had the least Thought of returning to England, except on the Account of Trade.

Subscribed, Mahlon Stacy.

In another Letter to William Cook of Sheffield, and some Others, he writes thus.

THis is a most brave Place, what ever Envy or Evil Spies may speak of it. I could wish you all here. Burlington will be a Place of Trade quickly; for here is way for Trade. I, with Eight [Page] more, last Winter, bought a good Ketch of Fifty Tun, freight her out at our own Charge, and sent Her to Barbadoes, and so to sail to Saltitudo, to take in part of Her Loading in Salt, and the Rest in Barbadoes Goods as She came back: Which said Voyage She hath accomplished very well; and now Rides before Burlington, discharging Her Loading; and so to go to the West-Indies again: And we intend to Freight Her out with our own Corn. We have wanted nothing since we came hither, but the Company of our Good Friends and Acquaintance. All our People are very well, and in a Hopeful way to Live much better, than ever they did; and not only so, but to provide well for their Posterities. They improve their Land, and have Good Crops: And if our Friends and Country-Men come, they will find better Reception, than We had by far at first, before the Country was settled as now it is. I know not one amongst the People, that desires to be in England again; I mean, since settled. I wonder at our York-shire People, that they had rather Live in Servitude, and work hard all the Year, and not be Three Pence the better at the Years End, than stir out of the Chimney Corner, and transport themselves to a Place; where, with the like pains in Two or Three Years, they might know better things.

Well, my Friend, I never repented my Coming hither, nor yet remembred thy Arguments, and Out-cry against New-Jersey with regret. I live as well to my Content, and in as great Plenty, as ever I did, and in a far more likely way to get an Estate; though I hear, some have thought I was too large in my Former; I affirm it to be true; having seen more with mine Eyes in this time since, than ever yet I wrote of.

To George Hutcheson he writes,] That he hath Built a Water-Mill, that is judged to be the Best in America; and that, though most of his Servant's Time had been spent in Building; yet last Spring he had got a great quantity of Land cleared, and Fallowed, which he intended to Sow this Fall with Wheat and Rye: That his Brother Robert had this Year as good a Crop of Corn, as ever he had in his Life.

From the Falls of Delaware, in West-New-Jersey, the 26th. of the 4th. Moneth, 1680.

Mahlon Stacy.

The Extract of a Letter from Samuel Jennings, One of the Commissioners in New-Jersey, since the Customs were taken off, and Government Settled: Directed to William Pen, Edward Billinge, or Gawen Lawry.

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Dear Friends!

THis may give you an Account of Mine, and my Families safe Arrival in New-Jersey, with all the Rest that came forth with us: I might say something concerning our Passage at Sea; but I wave it for want of Time: and, in fine, can say all was well; for which, I bless God, and the Lord keep us all sensible of it, with the rest of His Mercies for ever.

Dear Friends!

About Six Weeks since, we arrived in Delaware-River; where I expected to have met with a Combat in the Denyal of Customs. In our Passage at Sea, I had communicated to all, that had any considerable Cargoe on Board, the Opinion of Council concerning the illegal Demand thereof, with what else I thought might be for their Information; which thus far prevailed, that most, if not all concerned, seemed resolved to deny the Paying of Custom here, having paid all the King's Duties in England. In good time we came to Anchor in Delaware; where one Peter Alrick came Aboard to us, and brought a Handsome Present to our Commander, and sent for me into the Round-House, where They both were; and Peter told me, He had nothing to say to Us, relating to †This Peter Alrick was the Person that formerly used to Collect the Customs. Customs; he had no Commission for it, nor did he know of any Body that had. So we had all our Goods safely Landed, after this unexpected easie manner.

[But a Letter was writ by Sir John Werden; declaring, That the Customes were taken off, and the Port for ever made Free, and the Government settled.]

Friends, In pursuance of the Trust committed to me, after my Arrival, I acquainted those nominated in the Commission with me of it: But, in a short time after, I received Your Letters, giving an Account of a New Grant obtained, wherein the Customs are taken off, [Page] a Free Port confirmed, and the Government settled on Edward Billinge; the which, I doubt not, will be very acceptable to every Honest Man. But, as yet, I have not had time to let the People, in general, know it. And now, seeing the Ports are made legally Free, and the Govornment settled, I would not have any thing to remain, as a Discouragement to Planters. Here are several good and convenient Settlements already; and here is Land enough, and Good enough, for many more. I shall give a farther Account of all Things as Opportunity presents; I cannot do it now, the Messenger being in such haste, which forceth me to a Conclusion.

Subscribed, Samuel Iennings.

New-Jersey, the 17th. of Octob. 1680.

A Letter wrote to Mr. Edward Billinge, Governor of West-New-Jersey.

Sir,

NOw, that illegal Imposition of Customs is taken off, the Port and Country made free, and the Government thereof settled on Your Self; I may honestly affirm. That the South and South Western-Parts of New- [...]ersey, lying on the Sea & Delaware-River, maybe made one of the Best Colonies in America, for the Situation, Air, and Soyl, Ports and Creeks, for good Harbors and Havens, are not inferior to any; but as Good and Better, than most in these Parts of the World; having not sewer than Thirty Navigable Creeks, ranging themselves at convenient Distance upon the Sea, and that most stately River of Delaware; some flowing Five, some Eight, some Ten, some Fifteen or Twenty Miles up into the Country: And not one of these Creeks, but is a good Situation for a Town both for Trade & Delight. Neither wants the Inland-Country great Plenty of Delightful Fresh Rivers, and most delicate Springs in abundance. And yet it is not these Springs and Rivers, Creeks and Ports alone, that makes New-Jersey exceed most of her Neighbours for Situation, and Healthyness of Air; but the general Boldness of her Shoars, with the Natural Ascent, or Gradual Rising of the Land from the South Sea to the utmost, or extream Points of its most Northerly Extent; which from South to North, (that is to say, from the Mouth to the [Page] Head of that never-too-often to be mentioned goodly River of Delaware) is about Two Hundred and Fifty Miles; at whose large expanded Mouth, begins the Separation betwixt New-Jersey, and Mary-Land; and about Eighty Miles farther up, in a more contracted manner gently divide betwixt You, & a very good Tract of Land; the which, if settled with good Neighbours, and under a right Authority, would be vastly Advantageous to Yours both in Commerce and Defence: For that there being already a pretty considerable quantity of Swedes, Finlanders, and Dutch, seated on that Tract of Land along by the River-side; and who, through a good Government over them, in time may become very good Neighbours; at least, much better than at present they are.

But, Sir, I think it was highly your Advantage, that you found few or no Inhabitants settled in New-Jersey; so that you had none to new-mold, displace, or remove, contend or quarrel with: None being seated, or to settle there, but by mutual Concessions, and a Grant for their Land, first had and obtained under Hand and Seal. And likewise, before you sat down in any Part of the Country, your giving Order to buy the Lands of the Natives, and give them real Satisfaction for the same, was a most Christian and Prudent Act; and by which means you are assured of their Love, and Friendship for ever: And the Poor Creatures are never the Worse, but much the Better, as Themselves do confess; being now supplyed by the English, in the way of Truck and Trade, with whatsoever they want or stand need of. And they Hunt and Fish, as here-to-fore, except in Enclosed or Planted Ground.

But it may be demanded, Why these Dutch and Swedes, especially some of the English that came lately, should seat on the Other Side of the River, rather than in New-Jersey? The only Reason, as a Reason, that I can give, was because of the Custome imposed at New-Jersey heretofore, and the Government not being settled, as now it is.

And moreover, the Land on the other side next the River (upon which these People are set down) for the most part is a deeper Soyl, and less Wood upon it, than upon some of the Land on your side over against it; for that much of the richest Soil and best Land in New-Jersey, lyeth not upon the very Brink of the River, but somewhat backward into the Country; which is a conveniency of no small value to such Planters, who truly understand the erecting, and settling of Colony's next the Water-side in these Parts. For it is the heighth of [Page] the Land and Shoar's, and not the miry depth of the Soil, that makes Burlington, and the many Miles above and below it (where are many good Settlements besides) so wholsome an Air, and free from the Musuetto's, Agnes, Feavors, &c. And although I say the Soyl be not so deep on Jersey side next the River, yet I am sure there are as good Corns, and Fruits of all sorts, as ever I saw, or heard of in any of these parts of America. Likewise, Sir, I suppose you want not to know, by information, that the Rivers and Riv'lets I mentioned are abundantly plenish't with all the Kinds of the Fish and Fowl of England, and several that you have not, and much better. Also the Land breeds good Horses, good Sheep, and good Deer, and Swine in abundance, and as large Oxen, and Cowes as in any parts of England, and the Flesh eats much better, especially the Pork and Venison. Sir, I make no question, but you have heard as much as all this, and a great deal more concerning the Situation, growth, and product of New Jersey (and which may truly be said.) But it is possible I may inform you of one particular, that you may not have minded, which is that this Country, being bounded on the West with Delaware, on the South with the main Ocean, and on the East with Hudson's River; some of whose North-West Branches do almost shake hands with the most North-Easterly branches of Delaware, and in a manner clasp the whole Province about, until they reduce it somewhat into the form of a blunt wedge, so that with a small charge (considering the advantage,) New Jersey from a Peninsula may be made an entire Island. But however as it is, with the Methods you have taken for the setting thereof: for instance; that incomparable way of dividing the whole Country into a hundred propriety's (whereby every individual Purchaser hath a share of the good, and the bad) is away so just and equal, that not any plantation in these parts at present doth, or for the future in that point, can ever come near it, because of their promiscuous or confused settling at their first fitting down. And then as to Your Government (a free holder being Annually to be chosen out of each of these hundred proprieties, and as the Representatives thereof to fit, and freely Act in the Parliament, or general Assembly, where all grievances are to be heard and redressed, and where all Laws (agreeable to those immutable fundamentals agreed on in your general concessions) for the inviolable preservation of liberty and property are to be made. All which, are such pristine and certain methods for maintaining the just right and equal utility of the whole Community, that I do not see the [Page] most Capricious can assign, wherein it is either faulty in exceeding, or deficient in falling short of the most Ancient true English, and best Christian Government in the World. Wherefore I am satisfied it will not now be long before New-Jersey be peopled.

And, Sir, since the Government thereof is settled in so Generous and Worthy a Hand as your own, at which I can assure you, very many Honest and Sober People in these Parts, as well as those more direct of your Own Way, greatly rejoyce, and fervently desire to see you in America; but for ought I know, none more than doth,

SIR,

Your Faithful Friend to Serve You, Robert Smythe.

20th. Arill, 1681.

AN EXSTRACT Out of a Small Treatise, Wrote By BEAƲCHAMP PLANTAGENET, Concerning The Province of New-Albion, in the Year, 1648. Since Granted by the King to the Duke of York; Of which New-Jersey is a Part.

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IN his Epistle, (pag. 4.) he adviseth to follow Old Cato's Rule, To seat in a pure Healthy Air; else, after all Charges of Settling and Building, the People Dye, and their Posterity Extinguish. Secondly, To sit down upon a Navigable-River for Trade and Supply. For this Reason, I (on my View) disliked Virginia; most of it being seated scatteringly, and among Salt-Marshes and Creeks, worse than Essex-Thanet and Kent, for Agues and Diseases; Brackish-Waters to Drink and Use, and a Flat Standing-Water in Woods breed a double Corrupt Aire; so the Elements are Corrupted.

Chapter the 2d. Page the 18th. & 19th.

WHereas that Part of America lying about Thirty-Nine Degrees, at Delaware-Bay, is Situate in the best and same Temper; and as Italy, between too Cold Germany, and too Hot Barbary; [Page] so This lying mid-way between New England Two Hundred Miles North, and Virginia a Hundred and Fifty Miles South, is freed from the Extream Cold and Barrenn [...]ss of the One, and Heat and Anguish-Marshes of the Other; and is like Lombardy, a Rich Fat Soyl and Plain; and having Thirty-Four Rivers on the main Land, and partaketh of the Healthiest Air, and most Excellent Commodities of Europe; and replenished with the Goodliest Woods of Oaks, and all Timber for Ships and Masts. Mulberries for Silk, sweet Cypres, Cedars, Pines, and Furs; Four sorts of Grapes for Wine and Raisings: and great variety of choice Fruits, Fis [...] ▪ and Fowl; stored with all sorts of Corn; yielding Five, Seven, and Ten Quarters on an Acre; Silk-Grass, Salt, Good Mines, and Dyers-Ware; Five sorts of Deer, Buffs, and Huge Elkes to Plow and Work, bringing Three Young at once. The Ʋplands covered many Months with Berries, Roots, Ches-nuts, Wall-nuts, Beech, and Oak Mast for them. Hogs, & Turkies, Five hundred in a Flock. Many Thousands of Acres of plain Mead-Land, fit for Corn, Rice, Flax, Hemp, &c. And that this is the True State of the Country lying on the Bay and River of Delaware, he affirms, is testifyed under the several Hands of those who had been, and Traded there: And is farther witnessed by Capt. Smith, New-England's Prospect, Capt. Powell's Map, and other Descriptions of New-England and Virginia.

Subscribed by

Capt. Brown.

Capt. Clayborne.

Robert Evelin.

Stafford.

Constantine.

Stratton.

Thomas White.

Richard Buckham.

Christopher Thomas.

Edward Monmouth.

Tenis, Paley.

Edward Rhodes.

Page the 20, 21. of the same Treatise. An Extract of Robert Evelin's Discription of the Land lying between the Rivers of Delaware, and Hudsons River; The which is Now called New-Jersey.

THat Ocean Sea I take to be about one hundred & sixty miles, and I find some broken Land, Isles and In-ters, and many small Isles, at [Page] Eg-Harbor, but going to Delaware-bay by Cape May (which I understand is very well set out in Captain (Powels Map) on that North-side, about five miles up within, is a Port or Road for any Ships called the Nook. And Twelve Leagues higher a little above the Bay and Bar, is the River of Manteses, which hath Twenty miles on Charles River, and Thirty Miles running up a fair Navigable deep River; all a flat level of rich, fat, black Mold, which I think to be about 300000 Acres.

Next above, about Six Leagues, is a Fair deep River, Twelve Miles Navigable, where is Free stone. The next Asomoeches River. The next is Eriwomick a King of Forty men. And five miles above the King of Ramock; and four miles higher the King of Axion, And next to him Ten Leagues over Land and Inland King of Calcefar. And Six Leagues higher is a Creek call'd Mosilian; and then we come to the Falls, made by a Rock of Lime-stone; & I suppose it is about Sixty five Leagues from the Sea, near to which is an Isle fit for a City, all Materials there on to Ʋpon which Isle, Burlington is now built. build. And above the Falls the River-Fair and Navigable; as the Indians inform'd me, for I went but Ten Miles higher. I do account all the Indians to be about eight hundred. I saw there an infinite Quantity of Bustands, Swans, Geese and Fowl, covering the shoars. As within Land, the like multitude of Pigeons, and store of Turkeys; of which I tryed one to weigh Forty Six pounds. There is much variety and plenty of delicate Fresh and Sea Fish, And Elks, and Dear that bring three young ones at a time And the woods are strewed many Months with Chesnuts, Wall-Nuts, and Mast of several sorts to feed them. The Barren grounds have four kinds of Grapes, and Mulberrys, with Ash, Elme, and the Talest and greatest Pines, and Pich-Trees that I have seen. There are several Wild Fruits; as the pine Aple, the dainty Parsemenas, &c. I shall entreat you to believe me as a Gentleman and a Christian, I write nothing but the truth.

Subscribed, Robert Evelin.

POST-SCRIPT.

THere might have been Publish'd at least a Hundred Letters or Testimonies more very lately written from the Inhabitants of New-Jersey, in Praise of that Country, AND NOW Settlement thereof; Which are forborn to be emitted, lest therby any should be induced or perswaded without due Consideration, to incline for New-Jersey in their own Wills. Therefore, before any determine a Removal to New-Jersey, let them weigh and consider the Matter well. And that all may see their Way clear before they stir therein; Is the Ʋnfeigned Desire of the Publisher hereof.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

An Abstract or abbreviation of some few of the many (later and former) testimonys from the inhabitants of New-Jersey and other eminent persons who have wrote particularly concerning that place

Edition statement

1681

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A24051

ID [STC]

Wing A147

ID [STC]

ESTC R6922

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

11967212

ID [OCLC]

ocm 11967212

ID [VID]

51753

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Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A24051)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51753)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 46:22)

Source

— An Abstract or abbreviation of some few of the many (later and former) testimonys from the inhabitants of New-Jersey and other eminent persons who have wrote particularly concerning that place,

Extent

32 p.

Printed by Thomas Milbourn,. London :: 1681.. (Reproduction of original in British Library.)

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