A further account of the province of Pennsylvania and its improvements for the satisfaction of those that are adventurers, and enclined to be so. Penn, William, 1644-1718. 1685 Approx. 43 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 11 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A54140 Wing P1294 ESTC R218868 13048375 ocm 13048375 96945

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A54140) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 96945) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 748:17) A further account of the province of Pennsylvania and its improvements for the satisfaction of those that are adventurers, and enclined to be so. Penn, William, 1644-1718. 20 p. s.n., [London? : 1685] Errata: p. 20. Caption title. Signed: William Penn. Worminghurst-place, 12th of the 10th month 85. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.

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eng Pennsylvania -- Description and travel. 2005-07 Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-01 Sampled and proofread 2006-01 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
A Further Account Of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA AND ITS IMPROVEMENTS. For the Satisfaction of thoſe that are Adventurers, and enclined to be ſo.

IT has, I know, been much expected from me, that I ſhould give ſome farther Narrative of thoſe parts of America, where I am chiefly intereſted, and have lately been; having continued there above a Year after my former Relation, and receiving ſince my return, the freſheſt and fulleſt Advices of its Progreſs and Improvement. But as the reaſon of my coming back, was a Difference between the Lord Baltamore and my ſelf, about the Lands of Delaware, in conſequence, reputed of mighty moment to us, ſo I wav'd publiſhing any thing that might look in favour of the Country or inviting to it, whilſt it lay under the Diſcouragement and Diſreputation of that Lord's claim and pretences.

But ſince they are, after many fair and full hearings before the Lords of the Committee for Plantations juſtly and happily Diſmiſt, and the things agreed; and that the Letters which daily preſs me from all Pa •• s, on the ſubject of America, are ſo many and voluminous, that to anſwer them ſeverally, were a Task too heavy, and repeated to perform, I have thought it moſt eaſie to the Enquirer, as well as my ſelf, to make this Account Publick, leſt my ſilence, or a more private intimation of things, ſhould diſoblige the juſt inclinations of any to America, and at a time too, when an extraordinary Providence ſeems to favour its Plantation, and open a Door to Europeans to paſs thither. That then which is my part to do in this Advertiſement is,

Firſt, To Relate our Progreſs, eſpecially ſince my laſt of the Month called Auguſt 83.

Secondly, The Capacity of the Place for farther Improvement, in order to Trade and Commerce.

Laſtly, Which Way thoſe that are Adventurers; or incline to be ſo, may imploy their Money to a fair and ſecure Profit; ſuch as ſhall equally encourage Poor and Rich, which cannot fail of Advancing the Country in conſequence.

I. We have had about NINETY SAYL of Ships with PASSENGERS ſince the beginning of 82. and not one Veſſel, deſigned to the Province, through Gods mercy, hitherto miſcarried.

The Eſtimate of the People may be thus made; Eighty to each Ship, which comes to SEVEN THOUSAND TWO-HUNDRED PERSONS: At leaſt a Thouſand there before, with ſuch as from other Places in our neighbourhood are ſince come to reſide among us: And I preſume the Births at leaſt equal to the Burials: For having made our firſt Settlement high in the Freſhes of the Rivers, we do not finde our ſelves ſubject to thoſe Seaſonings that affect ſome other Countries upon the ſame Coaſt.

The People are a Collection of divers Nations in Europe: As, French, Dutch, Germans, Sweeds, Danes, Finns, Scotch' Iriſh, and Engliſh; and of the laſt equal to all the reſt: And which is admirable, not a Reflection on that Account: But as they are of one kind, and in one Place, and under One Allegiance, ſo they live like People of One County; which Civil Union has had a conſiderable influence towards the proſperity of that Place.

II. Philadelphia, and our intended Metropolis, as I formerly Writ, is two Miles long, and a Mile broad, and at each end it lies thot mile, upon a Navigable River. The ſcituation high and dry, yet repleniſhed with running ſtreams. Beſides the High-Street, that runs in the midle from River to River, and is an hundred foot broad, it has Eight Streets more that run the ſame courſe, the leaſt of which is fifty foot in breath. And beſides Broad-Street, which croſſeth the Town in the middle, and is alſo an hundred foot wide, there are twenty ſtreets more, that run the ſame courſe, and are alſo fifty foot broad. The names of thoſe Streets are moſtly taken from the things that Spontaneouſly grow in the Country, As Vine-Street, Mulbery-Street, Cheſnut-Srteet, Wallnut-Street, Strawbery-Street, Cranbery-Street, Plumb-Street, Hickery-Street, Pine-Street, Oake-Street, Beach-Street, Aſh-Street, Popler-Street, Saſſafrax-Street, and the like.

III. I mentioned in my laſt Account, that from my Arival in Eighty two, to the Date thereof, being ten Moneths, we had got up Four-ſcore Houſes at our Town, and that ſome Villages were ſetled about it. From that time to my coming away, which was a Year within a few Weeks, the Town advanced to Three hundred and fifty ſeven Houſes; divers of them, large, well built, with good Cellars, three ſtories, and ſome with Belconies.

IV. There is alſo a fair Key of about three hundred foot ſquare, Built by Samuel Carpenter, to which a Ship of five hundred Tuns may lay her broade ſide: and others intend to follow his example. We have alſo a Rope-walk made by B. Wilcox, and cordage for ſhipping already ſpun at it.

V. There inhabits moſt ſorts of uſeful Trades-men, As Carpenters, Joyners, Bricklayers, Maſons, Plaſterers, Plumers, Smiths, Glaſiers, Taylers, Shoemakers, Butchers, Bakers, Brewers, Glovers, Tanners, Felmongers, Wheelrights, Millrights, Shiprights, Boatrights, Ropemakers, Saylmakers Blockmakers, Turners &c.

VI. There are Two Markets every Week and Two Fairs every Year. In other places Markets alſo, as at Cheſter and New-Caſtle.

VII. Seven Ordinaries for the Intertainment of Strangers and Work-Men, that are not Houſe-keepers, and a good Meal to be had for ſixpence, ſterl.

VIII. The hours for Work and Meals to Labourers, are fixt, and known by Ring of Bell.

IX. After nine at Night, the Officers go the Rounds and no Perſon, without very good cauſe, ſuffered to be at any Publick-Houſe that is not a Lodger.

X. Tho this Town ſeemed at firſt, contrived for the Purchaſers of the firſt hundred ſhares, each ſhare conſiſting of 5000 Acres, yet few going, and that their abſence might not Check the Improvement of the Place, and Strangers, that flockt to us, be thereby Excluded, I added that half of the Town, which lies on the Skulkill, that we might have Room for preſent and after Commers, that were not of that number, and it hath already had great ſucceſs to the Improvement of the Place.

XI. Some Veſſels have been here Built, and many Boats; and by that means, a ready Conveniency for Paſſage of People and Goods.

XII. Divers Brickerys going on, many Cellars already Ston'd or Brick'd, and ſome Brick Houſes going up.

XIII. The Town is well furniſh'd with convenient Mills; and what with their Garden Plats, (the leaſt half an Acre) the Fiſh of the River, and their labour, to the Country-man, who begins to pay with the proviſions of his own growth, they live Comfortably.

XIV. The Improvement of the place is beſt meaſur'd, by the advance of Value upon every mans Lot. I will venture to ſay, that the worſt Lot in the Town, without any Improvement upon it, is worth four times more then it was when it was lay'd out, and the beſt forty. And though it ſeems unequal that the Abſent ſhould be thus benefited by the Improvments of thoſe that are upon the place, eſpecially, when they have ſerv'd no Office, run no hazard, nor as yet defray'd any Publick charge, yet this advantage does certainly redound to them, and whoever they are, they are great Debtors to the Country; of which I ſhall now ſpeak more at large.

Of Country Settlements.

1. WE do ſettle in the way of Townſhips or Villages, each of which contains 5000 Acres in ſquare and at leaſt Ten Families: The regulation of the Country, being a Family to each five hundred Acres: Some Townſhips have more, where the Intereſt of the People is leſs then that quantity; which often falls out.

2. Many that had right to more Land, were at firſt covetous to have their whole quantity, without regard to this way of ſettlement, tho by ſuch Wilderneſs vacancies they had ruin'd the Country, and their own intereſt of courſe. I had in my view, Society, Aſſiſtance, Eaſy Commerce, Inſtruction of Youth, Goverment of Peoples manners, Conveniency of Religious Aſſembling, Encouragement of Mechanicks, diſtinct and beaten Roads, and it has anſwer'd in all thoſe reſpects, I think, to an Univerſall Content.

3. Our Townſhips lie ſquare: generally the Village in the Center; the Houſes either oppoſit, or elſe oppoſit to the middle, betwixt two houſes over the way, for nearer neighborhood. We have another Method, that tho the Village be in the Center, yet after a different manner: Five hundred Acres are allotted for the Village, which among ten families comes to fifty Acres each: This lies ſquare, and on the outſide of the ſquare ſtand the Houſes, with their fifty Acres running back, whoſe ends meeting, make the Center of the 500. Acres, as they are to the whole. Before the Doors of thoſe Houſes, lies the high way, and croſs it, every mans 450 Acres of Land, that makes up his Complement of 500 ſo that the Conveniency of Neighbourhood is made agreeable with that of the Land.

4. I ſaid nothing in my laſt of any number of Townſhips, but there were at leaſt FIFTY ſettled before my leaving thoſe parts, which was in the moneth call'd Auguſt 1684.

5. I viſitted many of them, and found them much advanc'd in their Improvements. Houſes over their heads, and Garden-Plots, Coverts for their Cattle, an encreaſe of ſtock, and ſeveral Encloſures in Corn, eſpecially, the firſt Commers; and I may ſay of ſome Poor men, even to the beginings of an Eſtate: The difference of labouring for themſelves and for others; of an Inheritance, and a Rack Leaſe, being never better underſtood.

Of The Produce of the Earth.

1. THe EARTH, by Gods bleſſing, has more then anſwer'd our expectation; the pooreſt places in our Judgment, producing large Crops of Garden Stuff, and Grain. And though our Ground has not generally the ſymptoms of the fat Necks, that lie upon ſalt Waters in Provinces ſouthern of us, our Grain is thought to excell and our Crops to be as large. We have had the mark of the good Ground amongſt us; from Thirty to Sixty fold of Engliſh Corn.

2. The Land requires leſs ſeed: Three Pecks of Wheat ſow an Acre; a Buſhel at moſt, and ſome have had the increaſe I have mention'd.

3. Upon Tryal, we find that the Corn and Roots that grow in England, thrive very well there, as Wheat, Barly, Rye, Oats, Buck-Wheat, Peaſe, Beans, Cabbages, Turnips, Carrets, Parſnups, Colleflowers, Aſparagus, Onions, Charlots, Garlick, and Iriſh Potatos; we have alſo the Spaniſh, and very good RICE which do not grow here.

4. Our Low Lands are excellent for Rape and Hemp and Flax. A Tryal has been made, and of the two laſt, there is a Conſiderable quantity Dreſs'd Yearly.

5. The Weeds of our Woods feed our Cattle to the Market as well as Dary: I have ſeen fat Bullocks brought thence to Market before Mid-Summer. Our Swamps or Marſhes yeeld us courſe Hay for the Winter,

6. Engliſh GRASS-SEED takes well; which will give us fatting Hay in time. Of this I made an Experiment in my own Court Yard, upon ſand, that was dug out of my Cellar, with ſeed that had layn in a Cask, open to the weather two Winters and a Summer: I caus'd it to be ſown in the beginning of the month called April, and a fortnight before Midſummer it was fit to Mow: It grew very thick: But I ordered it to be fed, being in the nature of a Graſs Plott, on purpoſe to ſee if the Roots lay firm: And though it had been meer ſand, caſt out of the Cellar, but a Year before, the ſeed took ſuch Root, and held the earth ſo faſt, and faſtened it ſelf ſo well in the Earth, that it held and fed like old Engliſh Ground. I mention this, to confute the Objections that lie againſt thoſe Parts, as if that, firſt, Engliſh Graſs would not grow; next, not enough to mow; and laſtly, not firm enough to feed, from the Levity of the Mould.

7. All ſorts of Engliſh fruits that have been tryed, take mighty well for the time: The Peach Excellent, on ſtanders, and in great quantities: They ſun-dry them, and lay them up in lofts, as we do roots here, and ſtew them with Meat in Winter time. Muſmellons and Water Mellons are raiſed there, with as little care as Pumpkins in England. The VINE eſpecially, prevails, which grows every where; and upon experience, of ſome French People from Rochel, and the Iſle of Rhee, GOOD WINE may be made there, eſpecially, when the Earth and Stem are fin'd and civiliz'd by culture. We hope that good skill in our moſt Southern Parts will yeild us ſeveral of the Straights Commodities, efpecially, Oyle, Dates, Figgs, Almonds, Raiſins and Currans.

Of the Produce of our Waters.

1. MIghty WHALES roll upon the Coaſt, near the Mouth of the Bay of Delaware. Eleven caught, and workt into Oyl one Seaſon: We juſtly hope a conſiderable profit by a Whalery. They being ſo numerous and the Shore ſo ſuitable.

2. STURGEON play continually in our Rivers in Summer: And though the way of cureing them be not generally known, yet by a Receipt I had of one Collins, that related to the Company of the Royal Fiſhery, I did ſo well preſerve ſome, that I had of them good there three months of the Summer, and brought ſome of the ſame ſo for England.

3. ALLOES, as they call them in France, the Jews Allice, and our Ignorants, Shads, are excellent Fiſh, and of the Bigneſs of our largeſt Carp: They are ſo Plentiful, that Captain Smyth's Overſeer, at the Skulkil, drew 600 and odd at one Draught, 300 is no wonder, 100 familierly. They are excellent Pickled or Smokt'd, as well as boyld freſh: They are caught by nets only.

4. ROCKS are ſomewhat rounder and larger, alſo a whiter fiſh, little inferior in relliſh to our Mallet: We have them almoſt in the like plenty. Theſe are often Barrell'd like Cod, and not much inferior for their ſpending. Of both theſe the Inhabitants increaſe their Winter ſtore: Theſe are caught by Nets, Hooks and Speers.

5. The SHEEPSHEAD, ſo called, from the reſemblance of its Mouth and Noſe to a Sheep, is a fiſh much preferr'd by ſome, but they keep in ſalt Water; they are like a Roach in faſhion, but as thick as a Salmon, not ſo long. We have alſo the Drum, a large and noble fiſh, commended equal to the Sheepshead, not unlike to a Newfoundland Cod, but larger of the two: Tis ſo call'd from a noiſe it makes in its Belly, when it is taken, reſembling a Drum. There are three ſorts of them, the Black, Red and Gold colour; the Black is fat in the Spring, the Red in the Fall, and the Gold colour believed to be the Black, grown old, becauſe it is obſerv'd that young ones of that colour have not been taken. They generally ketch them by Hook and Line, as Cod are, and they ſave like it, where the People are skilful. There are abundance of leſſer fiſh to be caught of pleaſure, but they quit not coſt, as thoſe I have mentioned, neither in Magnitude nor Number, except the Herring, which ſwarm in ſuch ſhoales, that it is hardly Credible; in little Creeks, they almoſt ſhovel them up in their tubs. There is the Catfiſh, or Flathead, Lampry, Eale, Trout, Perch black and white, Smelt, Sunfiſh, &c. Alſo Oyſters, Cockles, Cunks, Crabs, Muſsles, Mannanoſes.

Of Proviſion in General

1. IT has been often ſaid, we were ſtarv'd for want of food; ſome were apt to ſuggeſt their fears, others to inſinuate their prejudices, and when this was contradicted, and they aſſur'd we had plenty, both of Bread, Fiſh and Fleſh; then 'twas objected, we were forc't to fetch it from other places at great Charges: but neither is all this true, tho all the World will think we muſt either carry Proviſion with us, or get it of the Neighbourhood till we had gotten Houſes over our heads, and a little Land in tillage. We fetcht none, nor were we wholly helpt by Neighbours; the Old Inhabitants ſupplied us with moſt of the Corn we wanted, and a good ſhare of Pork and Beef: tis true, New-York, New-England and Road-Ifland, did with their proviſions fetch our Goods and Money, but at ſuch Rates, that ſome ſold for almoſt what they gave, and others carried their proviſions back, expecting a better Market neerer, which ſhowed no ſcarcity, and that we were not totally deſtitute in our own River. But if my advice be of any Value, I would have them buy ſtill, and not weaken their Herds, by killing up their Young Stock too ſoon.

2. But the right meaſure of information muſt be the proportion of Value of Proviſions there; to what they are in more planted and mature Colonies. Beef is commonly ſold at the rate of two pence per Pound; and Pork for two pence half-penny; Veal and Mutton at three pence, or three pence half penny, that Country mony; an Engliſh Shilling going for fifteen pence. Grain fells by the Buſhel; Wheat at four ſhillings; Rye, and excellent good, at three ſhillings; Barly two ſhillings ſix pence; Indian Corn two ſhillings ſix pence, Oats two ſhillings, in that money ſtill, which in a new Country, where Grain is ſo much wanted for ſeed, as well as food, cannot be called dear, and eſpecially if we conſider the Conſumption of the many new Commers.

3. There is ſo great an encreaſe of Grain, by the dilligent application of People to Husbandry, that within three Years, ſome Plantations have got Twenty Acres in Corn, ſome Forty, ſome Fifty.

4. They are very careful to encreaſe their ſtock, and get into Daries, as faſt as they can. They already make good Butter and Cheeſe. A good Cow and Calf by her ſide may be worth three pounds ſterling, in goods at firſt Coſt. A pare of Working Oxen, eight pounds: A pare of fat ones, Little more, and a plain Breeding Mare about five pounds ſterl.

5. For Fiſh, it is brought to the Door, both freſh and ſalt. Six Alloes or Rocks for twelve pence, and ſalt fiſh, at three fardings per pound, Oyſters at 2 s. per buſhel.

6. Our DRINK has been Beer and Punch, made of Rum and Water: Our Beer was moſtly made of Moloſſes, which well boyld, with Saſſafras or Pine infuſed into it, makes very tollerable drink; but now they make Mault, and Mault Drink begins to be common, eſpecially at Ordinaries, and the Houſes of the more ſubſtantial People. In our great Town there is an able Man, that has ſet up a large Brew-Houſe, in order to furniſh the People with good Drink, both there, and up and down the River. Having faid this of the Country, for the time I was there, I ſhall add one of the many Letters that have come to my hand, becauſe brief and full, and that he is known to be a Perſon of an extraordinary Caution as well as Truth, in what he is wont to Write or Speak.

Philadelphia the 3d. of the 6th. month (Auguſt) 1685. Governour.

HAving an opportunity by a Ship from this River, (out of which ſeveral have gone this Year) I thought fit to give a ſhort account of proceedings, as to ſettlements here, and the Improvements both in Town and Country. As to the Country the Improvements are large, and ſettlements very throng, by way of TOWNSHIPS and VILLAGES. Great inclinations to Planting Orchards, which are eaſily raiſed, and ſoon brought to perfection. Much Hay-Seed ſown, and much Planting of Corn this Year, and great produce ſaid to be, both of Wheat, Rye and Riſe; Barly and Oates prove very well, beſides ••• ian Corn and Peaſe of ſeveral ſorts; alſo Kidny-Beans, and Engliſh Peaſe of ſeveral kinds, I have had in my own Ground, with Engliſh Roots, Turnaps, Parſnaps, Carrets, Onions, Leeks, Radiſhes and Cabbidges, with abundance of ſorts of Herbs and Flowers: I know but of few ſeeds that have miſt, except Roſemary ſeed, and being Engliſh might be old. Alſo, I have ſuch plenty of Pumpkins, Muſmellons, Watermellons, Squaſhes, Coſhaws, Bucks-hens, Cowcumbers and Simnells of Divers kinds; admired at by new Commers, that the Earth ſhould ſo plentifully caſt forth, eſpecially the firſt Years breaking up; and on that which is counted the WORST SORT OF SANDY LAND. I am ſatisfied, and many more, that the Earth is very fertil, and the Lord hath done his part, if Man uſe but a moderate Diligence. Grapes, Mulberies, and many wilde Fruits, and natural Plums, in abundance, this Year have I ſeen and eat of. A brave Orchard and Nurſery have I planted, and thrive mightily, and Fruit the firſt Year. I endeavor choice of Fruits, and Seeds from many parts; alſo Hay-Seed; and have ſowed a field this ſpring for tryal. Firſt, I burn'd the leaves, then had it Grub'd, not the field, but the ſmall Roots up, then ſowed great and ſmall Clover, with a little old Graſs-ſeed, and had it only raked over, not Plowed nor Harrowed, and it grows exceedingly: alſo for experience I ſowed ſome patches of the ſame ſort in my Garden and Dunged ſome, and that grows worſt. I have planted the Iriſh Potatoes, and hope to have a brave increaſe to Tranſplant next Year. Captain Rapel (the French man) ſaith, he made good WINE of the Grapes (of the Country) laſt Year, and Tranſported ſome, but intends to make more this Year. Alſo a French man in this Town intends the ſame, for Grapes are very Plentiful.

Now as to the Town of PHILADELPHIA it goeth on in Planting and Building to admiration, both in the front & backward, and there are about 600 Houſes in 3 years time. And ſince I built my Brick Houſe, the foundation of which was laid at thy going, which I did deſign after a good manner, to incourage others, and that from building with Wood; it being the firſt, many take example, and ſome that built Wooden Houſes, are ſorry for it: Brick building is ſaid to be as cheap: Bricks are exceeding good, and better then when I built: More Makers fallen in, and Bricks cheaper, they were before at 16 s. Engliſh per 1000, and now many brave Brick Houſes are going up, with good Cellars. Arthur Cook is building him a brave Brick Houſe near William Frampton's, on the front: For William Frampton hath ſince built a good Brick houſe, by his Brew-houſe and Bake-houſe, and let the other for an Ordinary. John Wheeler, from New-England, is building a good Brick houſe, by the Blew Anchor; and the two Brickmakers a Double Brick Houſe and Cellars; beſides ſeveral others going on: Samuel Carpenter has built another houſe by his. I am Building another Brick houſe by mine, which is three large Stories high, beſides a good large Brick Cellar under it, of two Bricks and a half thickneſs in the wall, and the next ſtory half under Ground, the Celler hath an Arched Door for a Vault to go (under the Street) to the River, and ſo to bring in goods, or deliver out. Humphery Murry, from New-York, has built a large Timber houſe, with Brick Chimnies. John Teſt has almoſt finiſhed a good Brick Houſe, and a Bake-houſe of Timber; and N. Allen a good houſe, next to Thomas Wynns front Lot. John Day a good houſe, after the London faſhion, moſt Brick, with a large frame of Wood, in the front, for shop Windows; all theſe have Belconies. Thomas Smith and Daniel Pege are Partners, and ſet to making of Brick this Year, and they are very good; alſo, Paſtorus, the German Friend, Agent for the Company at Frankford, with his Dutch People, are preparing to make Brick next year. Samuel Carpenter, is our Lime burner on his Wharf. Brave LIME STONE found here, as the Workmen ſay, being proved. We build moſt Houſes with Belconies. Lots are much deſir'd in the Town, great buying one of another. We are now laying the foundation of a large plain Brick houſe, for a Meeting Houſe, in the Center, (ſixty foot long, and about forty foot broad) and hope to have it ſoon up, many hearts and hands at work that will do it. A large Meeting Houſe, 50 foot long, and 38 foot broad, alſo going up, on the front of the River, for an evening Meeting, the work going on a pace. Many Towns People ſetling their liberty Lands. I hope the Society will rub off the Reproaches ſome have caſt upon them. We now begin to gather in ſome thing of our many great Debts.

I do underſtand three COMPANIES FOR WHALE CATCHING are deſigned to fiſh in the Rivers Mouth this ſeaſon, and find through the great Plenty of fiſh, they may begin early. A Fiſherman this Year found the way to catch Whiteins in this River, and it's expected many ſorts of fiſh more then hath been yet caught, may be taken by the skilful. Fiſh are in ſuch plenty, that many ſorts on tryal, have been taken with Nets, in the Winter time: The Sweeds laughing at the Engliſh for going to try, have ſince tried themſelves. The River ſo big, and full of ſeveral ſorts of brave fiſh, that its believed, except frozen over, we may catch any time in the Winter. It's great pity, but two or three experienced Fiſhermen were here to Ply this River, to ſalt and ſerve freſh to the Town. A good way to Pickle Sturgion is wanting; ſuch abundance in this River, even before the Town: many are Catcht, Boyld and Eaten. Laſt Winter great plenty of Dear brought in by the Indians and Engliſh from the Country. We are generally very Well and Healthy here, but abundance Dead in Maryland this Summer.

The Manufacture of Linnen by the Germans goes on finely, and they make fine Linnen: Samuel Carpenter having been lately there, declares, they had gathered one Crop of Flax, and had ſowed for the Second, and ſaw it come up well: And they ſay, might have had forwarder and better, had they had old ſeed, and not ſtayed ſo long for the Growth of the new ſeed to ſow again. I may believe it, for large hath my experience been this Years, though in a ſmall peece of Ground, to the admiration of many.

I thought fit to ſignify thus much, knowing thou wouldſt be glad to hear of the People and Provinces welfare; the Lord preſerve us all, and make way for thy return, which is much deſired, not only by our Friends, but all ſorts.

I am, &c. thy truly Loving Friend. ROBERT TVRNER.
Of Further Improvements for Trade and Commerce.

THoſe things that we have in proſpect for Staples of Trade, are Wine, Linnen, Hemp, Potaſhes, and Whale Oyle; to ſay nothing of our Proviſions for the Iſlands, our Saw-Mills, Sturgeon, ſome Tobacco, and our Furs and Skins, which of themſelves are not contemptible; I might add Iron (perhaps Copper too) for there is much Mine; and it will be granted us, that we want no Wood, though I muſt confeſs, I cannot tell how to help preferring a domeſtick or ſelf ſubſiſtance, to a life of much profit, by the extream Toyl of forraign Traffick.

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

IT is fit now, that I give ſome Advertiſement to Adventurers, which way they may lay out their Money to beſt advantage, ſo as it may yeild them fair returns, and with content to all concerned, which is the laſt part of my preſent task; and I muſt needs ſay ſo much wanting, that it has perhaps given ſome occaſion to ignorance and prejudice to run without mercy, meaſure or diſtinction againſt America, of which Pennſylvania to be ſure has had its ſhare.

1. It is agreed on all hands, that the Poor are the Hands and Feet of the Rich. It is their labour that improves Countries; and to encourage them, is to promote the real benefit of the publick. Now as there are abundance of theſe people in many parts of Europe, extreamly deſirous of going to America; ſo the way of helping them thither, or when there, and the return thereof to the Disburſers, will prove what I ſay to be true.

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

3. The firſt of theſe may be entertained in this manner. Say I have 5000 Acres, I will ſettle Ten Families upon them, in way of Village, and build each an houſe, an out-houſe for Cattle, furniſh every Family with Stock; as four Cows, two Sows, a couple of Mares, and a yoke of Oxen, with a Town Horſe, Bull and Boar; I find them with Tools, and give each their firſt Ground-ſeed. They ſhall continue Seven Year, or more, as we agree, at half encreaſe, being bound to leave the Houſes in repair, and a Garden and Orchard, I paying for the Trees & at leaſt twenty Acres of Land within Fence, and improved to corn and graſs; the charge will come to about ſixty pounds Engliſh for each Family: At the ſeven years end, the Improvement will be worth, as things go now, 120 l. beſides the value of the encreaſe of the Stock, which may be neer as much more, allowing for caſualties; eſpecially, if the People are honeſt and careful, or a man be upon the ſpot himſelf, or have an Overſeer ſometimes to inſpect them. The charge in the whole is 832 l. And the value of ſtock and improvements 2400 l. I think I have been modeſt in my computation. Theſe Farms are afterwards fit for Leaſes at full rent, or how elſe the Owner ſhall pleaſe to diſpoſe of them. Alſo the People will by this time be skilled in the Country, and well provided to ſettle themſelves with ſtock upon their own Land.

4. The other ſort of poor people may be very beneficially tranſported upon theſe terms: Say I have 5000 Acres I ſhould ſettle as before, I will give to each Family 100 Acres, which in the whole makes 1000; and to each Family thirty pounds Engliſh, half in hand, and half there, which in the whole comes to 300 l. After four years are expired, in which time they may be eaſie, and in a good condition, they ſhall each of them pay five pounds, and ſo yearly for ever, as a Fee-farm rent; which in the whole comes to 50 l. a Year. Thus a man that buys 5000. Acres may ſecure and ſettle his 4000 by the gift of one, and in a way that hazard and intereſt allowed for, amounts to at leaſt ten per cent. upon Land ſecurity, beſides the value it puts upon the reſt of the 5000 Acres. I propoſe that there be at leaſt two working hands beſides the wife, whether ſon or ſervant; and that they oblige what they carry; and for further ſecurity bind themſelves as ſervants for ſome time, that they will ſettle the ſaid land accordingly, and when they are once ſeated, their inprovements ſecurity enough for the Rent.

5. There is yet another expedient, and that is, give to ten Families 1000 Acres forever, at a ſmall acknowledgement, and ſettle them in way of Village, as afore; by their ſeating thus, the Land taken up is ſecured from others, becauſe the method of the Country is anſwered, and the value ſuch a ſettlement gives to the reſt reſerved, is not inconſiderable; I mean, the 40 •• Acres; eſpecially that which is Contiguous: For their Children when grown up, and Handicrafts will ſoon cover to fix next them, and ſuch after ſettlements to begin at an Improved Rent in Fee, or for long Leaſes or ſmall Acknowledgements, and good Improvements, muſt advance the whole conſiderably. I conceive any of theſe methods to iſſue in a ſufficient advantage to Adventurers, and they all give good encouragement to feeble and poor Families.

6. That which is moſt adviſeable for People, intended thither, to carry with them, is in ſhort, all things relating to Apparel, Building, Housholdſtuf, Husbandry, Fowling, and Fishing. Some Spice, Spirits and double ear, at firſt, were not amiſs: But I adviſe all to proportion their Eſtates thus; one third in Money, and two thirds in Goods. Upon peices of eight, there will be almoſt a third gotten, for they go at 6 s. and by goods well bought, at leaſt fifty pounds ſterl. for every hundred pounds; ſo that a man worth 400 l. here, is worth 600 l. there, without ſweating.

Of the Natives.

1. BEcauſe many Stories have been prejudicially propagated, as if we were upon ill terms with the Natives, and ſometimes, like Jobs Kindred, all cut off but the Meſſenger that brought the Tidings; I think it requiſit to ſay thus much, that as there never was any ſuch Meſſenger, ſo the dead People were alive, at our laſt advices; ſo far are we from ill terms with the Natives, that we have liv'd in great friendſhip. I have made ſeven Purchaſſes, and in Pay and Preſents they have received at leaſt twelve hundred pounds of me. Our humanity has obliged them ſo far, that they generally leave their guns at home, when they come to our ſettlements; they offer us no affront, not ſo much as to one of our Dogs; and if an of them break our Laws, they ſubmit to be puniſht by them: and to this they have tyed themſelves by an obligation under their hands. We leave not the leaſt indignity to them unrebukt, nor wrong unſatisfied. Juſtice gains and aws them. They have ſome Great Men amongſt them, I mean, for Wiſdom, Truth and Juſtice. I refer, to my former Account about their Laws, Manners and Religious Rites.

Of the Goverment.

THE Goverment is according to the words of the Grant, as near to the Engliſh as conveniently may be: In the whole, we aim at Duty to the King, the Preſervation of Right to all, the ſuppreſſion of Vice, and encouragement of Vertue, and Arts; with Libert to all People to worſhip Almighty God, according to their Faith and Perſwaſion.

Of the Seaſons of Going, and uſual time of Paſſage.

1. THO Ships go hence at all times of the Year, it muſt be acknowledged, that to go ſo as to arrive at Spring or Fall, is beſt. For the Summer may be of the hotteſt, for freſh Commers; and in the Winter, the wind that prevails, is the North Weſt, and that blows off the Coaſt, ſo that ſometimes it is difficult to enter the Capes.

2. I propoſe therefore, that Ships go hence about the middle of the moneths call'd February and Auguſt, which, allowing two moneths for paſſage, reaches time enough to plant in the Spring ſuch things as are carried hence to plant, and in the Fall to get a ſmall Cottage, and clear ſome Land againſt the next Spring. I have made a diſcovery of about a hundred Miles Weſt, and find thoſe back Lands richer in Soyl, Woods and Fountains, then that by Delaware; eſpecially upon the SASQVEHANAH River.

3. I muſt confeſs I prefer the Fall to come thither, as believing it is more healthy to be followed with Winter then Summer; tho, through the great goodneſs and mercy of God, we have had an extrordinary portion of health, for ſo new and numerous a Colony, notwithſtanding we have not been ſo regular in time.

4. The Paſſage is not to be ſet by any man; for Ships will be quicker and ſlower. Some have been four moneths, and ſome but one, and as often. Generally between ſix and nine weeks. One year, of four and twenty Sayl, I think, there was not three above nine, and there was one or two under ſix weeks in paſſage.

5. To render it more healthy, it is good to keep as much upon Deck as may be; for the Air helps againſt the offenſive ſmells of a Crowd, and a cloſe place. Alſo to ſcrape often the Cabbins, under the Beds; and either carry ſtore of Rue and Wormwood, ſome Roſemary, or often ſprinkle Vineger about the Cabbin. Pitch burnt, is not amiſs ſometimes againſt faintneſs and infectious ſcents. I ſpeak my experience for their benefit and direction that may need it.

And becauſe ſome has urged my coming back, as an argument againſt the place, and the probability of its improvement; Adding, that I would for that reaſon never return: I think fit to ſay, That Next Summer, God willing, I intend to go back, and carry my Family, and the beſt part of my Perſonal Eſtate with me. And this I do, not only of Duty, but Inclination and Choice. God will Bleſs and Proſper poor America.

I ſhall conclude with this further Notice, that to the end ſuch as are willing to embrace any of the foregoing propoſitions for the Improvement of Adventurers Eſtates, may not be diſcouraged, from an inability to find ſuch Land-Lords, Tennants, Maſters and Servants, if they intimate their deſires to my Friend and Agent Philip Ford, living in Bow-Lane in London, they may in all probability be well accommodated; few of any quality or capacity, deſigned to the Province, that do not inform him of their inclinations and condition.

Now for you that think of going thither, I have this to ſay, by way of caution; if an hair of our heads falls not to the ground, without the providence of God, Remember, your removal is of greater moment. Wherefore have a due reverence and regard to his good Providence, as becomes a People that profeſs a belief in Providence. Go clear in your ſelves, and of all others. Be moderate in Expectation, count on Labour before a Crop, and Coſt before Gain, for ſuch perſons will beſt endure difficulties, if they come, and bear the Succeſs, as well as find the Comfort that uſually follow ſuch conſiderate undertakings.

Worminghurſt-Place, 12fth of the 10th Month 85. William Penn.

PAge 1. Line 24. Read thing. p. 3. l. . r. that. p. 11. l. laſt r. ſoon brought. p. 12. l. 9. r. uckſhorns. p. 14. l. 21. r. Thoſe things. p. 17. l. 2. for Bond, read Land. l. 8. r. on ſmall l. 17. f. there r. their. p. 20. l. 3. r. Improvement.

THE END.