THE MODEL OF THE GOVERNMENT Of the PROVINCE OF EAST-NEW-JERSEY IN AMERICA; And Encouragements for such as Designs to be concerned there.

Published for Information of such as are de­sirous to be Interested in that place.

EDINBURGH, Printed by John Reid, And Sold be Alexander Ogston Stationer in the Parliament Closs. Anno DOM. 1685.

TO JAMES Earl of PERTH, Lord DRƲMMOND and STOBHALL, &c. Lord High Chancellour of SCOTLAND. , • JOHN Viscount of Mel­foord, Lord Drum­mond of Gilston, Secre­tar of State for the King­dom of Scotland, one of the Members of His Ma­jesties most Honourable Privy Councill in both Kingdoms. , and • GEORGE Vis­count of Tarbet, Lord Mccloud and Castle—Haven, Lord Clerk Regi­ster of Scotland, and one of His Ma­jesties most Honou­rable Privy Council there. 

My Noble Lords,

AS your Lordships concern in East-Jersey, makes it appear to all intelligent persons, that it is a Nationall interest to advance in generall the design of a Plantation, hence to A­merica; so that in particular, East-Jersey [Page] is the most proper place; seeing your Lordships have chosen it among all the other parts of that continent, to settle your interest there; Yet my Lords, there are (to our shame) a parcell of people, who whether out of Ignorance or Malice, I cannot well determine, decry the design; I believe they have a share of both, and thereby weakens not a little the hands of a number of well meaning people, who would gladly promot the same effect­ualy, were they not imposed upon by the false rumours, industriously spread abroad to stiffle any such inclinations.

I have been advised to consent to the publishing of the following sheets, at first collected, only for my own divertise­ment, and more clear information in the affair; As what may tend some what to prevent any foolish misrepresentation when by the perusall of the accompts, from thence the least jealousie is removed of any cheat in the thing it self, so ad­vantagious a Character of the place com­ing from so many different hands.

I have had too many demonstrations, of your Lordships favour, to fear your displeasure upon accompt of my presum­ing [Page] to send the same abroad under your Patrociny; yea, I dare further adventure, without the least apprehension of your dissatisfaction with me upon that head, to mind your Lordships that as you have laid the foundation of this design, as to any concern of this Countrey, in that place; so it is expected your Lordships will continue to encourage the same: in process of time your Lordships may render your Names and Families as con­siderable in America as they are in Europ.

My Lords, having resolved to dedi­cate my self, Family, and Fortune, to the promoting of this design; I should the more easily digest any frauns of Providence I have been trysted with; were I so fortunat as to find the opportunity, in Jersey of testifying my resentments of the favours I have received at your Lordships hands in Scotland, by notice­ing any of your Lordships concerns there, and contributing what in me lyes to ad­vance the same; nothing shall be want­ing in me to testifie how much I am,

My Noble Lords,
Your Lordships most, humbly devoted Servant, George Scot.

Advertisement be the Printer to the Reader.

That whereas the Authors other pressing affairs hindered him from overseeing the Press, as other­wayes he would; there is not that correctness re­quisit in the following sheets; it is hoped the Rea­der will upon this reason pardon the same, and with his pen help what he finds amiss. The pages 62, and 63, are misplaced: and are to be read ac­cording to the number.

The Patent from the King, to James Duke of York, &c.

CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of GOD, King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all Men to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting, Know ye that WE, for diverse good causes and considerations, Us hereunto moving, have of Our special Grace, certain Know­ledge, and meer Motion, Given and Granted, and by these presents for Us▪ Our Heirs, and Successors, Do give and grant unto Our dearest Brother JAMES Duke of York, his Heirs and Assignes, All that part of the Maine-Land of New-Eng­land, beginning at a certain place, called or known by the name Saint Croix, next adjoyning to New-Scotland in America, and from thence extending along the Coast, unto a certain place called Pamaquin, or Pemaquid, and so up the River thereof, the farthest Head of the same as it tend­eth Northward, and extendeth from the River Kenbequin, and so upwards by the shortest course, to the River of Canada [Page 56] Northward; and all that Island or Islands commonly called by the several name or names of Mattawax, or Long-Island, scitu­ate and being towards the West of Cape-cod, and the narrow Heggansets, abutting up­on the main Land between the two Ri­vers, there called or known by the se­veral names of Conectecute and Hudsons River, together also with the said River called Hudsons River, and all the Land from the West-side of Conectecute River to the East-side of Delaware Bay; And also all those several Islands called or known by the name of Martins-Vineyard, and Hantucks, alias Hantuckett, together with all the Lands, Islands, Soyls, Rivers, Har­bours, Mines, Mineralls, Quarries, Woods, Marshes, Waters, Lakes, Fishing, Haukings, Huntings, and Foulings, and all other Roy­allities, Profits, Commodities, and Heredi­taments to the said several Islands, Lands and Premisses belonging and appertain­ing, with their and every of their Ap­purtenances, and all Our Estate, Right, Title, and Interest, Benefit and Advantage, Claime and Demand of, in or to the said Islands or Premisses, or any part or parcel there­of, and the Reversion and Reversions, [Page 57] Remainder and Remainders together with the Yearly and other Rents, Re­venues and Profits of the Premisses, and every Part and Parcel thereof; To have and to Hold all and singular the Lands and Premisses, with their, and every of their Appurtenances thereby given and granted, or herein before mentioned to be given or granted, unto Our said Dear­est Brother, James Duke of York, his Heirs and Assignies for ever. To be Holden of Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, as of Our Manner of East-Greenwich in the Coun­ty of Kent, in free and common Soccage, and not in Capite, or by Knights Service, Yeeld and Rendering. And the same James Duke of York; for himself, his Heirs and Assignes, DOTH Covenant and Promise to yeild and render unto US, Our Heirs, and Successors, of, and for the same yearly, and every year, Fourty Beaver skins, when the same shall be de­manded, or within ninety dayes after such Demand made. And WE do fur­ther of Our special Grace, certain Know­ledge and meer Motion, for Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, give and grant unto Our said Dearest Brother, James Duke [Page 58] of York, his Heirs, Deputes, Agents, Commissioners and Assignies, by these Presents full and absolute Power and Authority, to Correct, Punish, Pardon, Govern and Rule all such Subjects of Us, Our Heirs and Successours, or any other Person or Persons, as shall for time to time adventure themselves into any the Parts or Places aforesaid; Or that shall or do at any time hereafter inhabit within the same, according to such Laws, Orders, Ordinances, Directions, and Instructi­ons, as by Our said Dearest Brother, or his Assignes shall be Established, and in defect thereof in cases of necessity according to the good Directions of his Deputie Commissio­ners, Officers or Assignes respectively, as well in cases and matters Capital, and Criminal, as Civil, and others; so alwayes as the said Statutes, Ordinances and Proceedings be not contrary to, but as near as may be agreeable to the Laws, Statutes, and Government of this Our Realm of England; AND Saving and Reserving to Ʋs, Our Heirs, and Successors, the Receiving, Hear­ing, and Determining the Apeale, and A­peales of any Person or Persons, of, in, or belonging to the Territories or Islands [Page 59] aforesaid, or touching any Judgement or Sentence to be there made, or given: And further, that it shall and may be Lawful to and for our said Dearest Bro­ther, His Heirs, and Assignes, by these Presents, from time to time, to No­minate, Make, Constitute, Ordain, and Confirm such Laws, as aforesaid, by such Name, or Names, Stile or Stiles, as to him or them shall seem good: And like­wise to Revoke, Discharge, Change, and Alter, as well all and singular Gover­nours, Officers, and Ministers, which here­after shall be by him or them thought fit, and needful to be in, or used within the aforesaid Islands and Parts: And also to Make, Ordain, and Establish all manner of Laws, Orders, Directions, Instru­ctions, Formes, and Ceremonies of Go­vernment and Magistracy fit and necessar for, and concerning the Government of Territories and Islands aforesaid. So al­wayes as the same be not contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Our Realm of Eng­land, but as near as may be conformable there­unto, and the same at all times. hereafter to put in Execution or Abrogate, Revoke, or Change, not only within the Precincts of [Page 60] the said Territories or Islands, but also upon the Seas in going and coming to and from the same, as he or they in their good Discretion shall think fittest for the good of the Adventurers and Inhabitants. AND We do further of Our special Grace, cer­tain Knowledge, and meer Motion, Grant, Ordain, and Declare, that all such Gover­nours Deputes, Officers, and Ministers, as from time, to time, shall be Authoriz­ed, and appointed in manner and form aforesaid, shal and may have full power, and Authority within the Territories a­foresaid, to use & exercise Martial Law, in cases of Rebellion, Insurrections, & Muti­ny, inas large and ample a manner as our Leiutenents in our Countries within Our Realm of England, have or ought to have, by force of their Commissions of Leiute­nency, or any Law, or Statute, of this our Realm. And We do further, by these presents for us our Heirs and Suc­cessours, grant unto Our Dearest Brother James Duke of York, his Heirs and Assig­nes, that it shall and may be Lawful to and for the said James Duke of York, his Heirs and Assignes, in his or their Discretions, from time to time, to ad­mit [Page 61] such & so many person or persons, to Trade & Traffique into & within the Ter­ritories and Islands aforesaid, to every and any part & parcel thereof, & to have, pos­sess, and enjoy any Lands, and Heredita­ments in the part and places aforesaid, as they shall think fit according to the Laws, Orders, Constitutions, and Ordinances, by our said Brother, his Heirs Deputies, Commissi­oners and Assignes, from time to time, to be made and established, by vertue of, and according to the true intent and meaning of these presents, and under such Conditions, Reservations, and Agreements, as our said Dearest Brother, his Heirs and Assignes, shall set down, Order, Direct, and appoint; and not otherwise, as afore­said. And We do further, of Our spe­cial Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer motion, for US, Our Heirs, and Succes­sors, Give and Grant, unto Our said Dearest Brother, his Heirs and Assignes, by these presents, that it shall and may be Lawful to, and for him, them, or any of them, at all and every time or times hereafter, out of any of our Realms, or Dominions whatsoever, take, load, carry, and transport, in, and unto their Voyages, [Page] for and towards the Plantations, of our Territories and Islands aforesaid, all such and so many of our loving Subjects, or any other Strangers, being not prohibi­ted or under restraint, that will become our loving Subjects, and live under our Allegiance, and shall willingly accom­pany them in the said Voyages, together with all such Cloathing, Implements, Furniture, or any other things usually Transported, and not Prohibited, as shall be necessary for the Inhabitants of the said Islands, and Territories, and for the use and defence thereof, and Mannaging, and carrying on the Trade, with the people there. Yeelding and pay­ing unto Us, our Heirs and Successors, the Customes and Duties thereof, due and payable, according to Laws and Customes of this our Realm. And we do also for Us, our Heirs and Successors, grant unto our said Dearest Brother JAMEs Duke of York, his Heirs and Assignes, and to all and every such Go­vernour or Governours, or Deputies, their Officers, or Ministers, as by ou [...] said Brother, his Heirs or Assignes shall be appointed, to have Power and Autho­rity [Page] of Government, and Command in, and over the Inhabitants of the said Territories, and Islands, that they and every of them, shall, and may lawfully, from time to time, and at all times for ever hereafter For their several Defence and safty, Encounter, Repulse, Expel, and Resist, by force of Armes, as well by Sea, as by Land, and all wayes and means whatsoever, all such person and persons, as without the special Licence of our Dearest Brother, his Heirs and Assignes, shall attempt to In­habit within the several Precincts, and Limits, of our said Territories and Isl­ands; and also all, and every such per­son, and Persons whatsoever, as shall Enterprize, and Attempt, at any time hereafter, the Distruction, Invasion, Detriment, or Annoyance, to the parts, places, or Islands aforesaid, or any parts thereof. And Lastly, our will and pleasure is, And We do hereby de­clare, and grant, that these out Letters Patents, or the Inrollment thereof, shall be good and effectual, in the Law, to all intents, and purposes whatsoever, notwithstanding the not well, and true [Page 64] Receiting, or mentioning of the premis­ses, or any part thereof, or the Limits, or Bounds thereof: or of any form, or other Letters Patents, or Grants what­soever made, or Granted of the premis­ses, or of any part thereof, or the Limits or bounds thereof, or of any former, or other Letters Patents, or Grants, whatso­ever made, or Granted, of the Premis­ses, or of any part thereof, by US, or any of Our Progenitors, unto any Person, or Persons, whatsoever bodies, Politique, or Corporate, any other Law or other restraint, in certainty, or imperfection, whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, Al­though, express mention of the true year­ly Value, or certainty of the Premisses, or any of them, or of any other Gifts or Grants by Us, or by any of our Proge­nitors heretofore made to the said James Duke of York, in these presents is not made or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, Provi­sion, Proclamation, or Restriction here­tofore had, made, enacted, or provided, or any other matter, cause, or thing whatsoever to the contrary, in any wise notwithstading: In witness whereof, We caused these Letters, to be made Patent, [Page 65] Witness our self, at Westminster, the 29. day of June, in the 16. Year of Our Reign.

The SCOTS Proprietors are the Earl of Perth, Lord High Chancellour of SCOT­LAND, his Brother, the Viscount of Met­foord, Secretar of State for this Kingdom, and the Viscount of Tarbit, Lord Register, Five hundred thousand Acres, being seven parts of the 24. belongs to these three, and some other Gentlemen.

This Province or Collony lyes betwixt 39. and 41. Degrees of Latitude, being about 12. Degrees more to the South, then the City of London. It is in the same Climate with the Kingdom of Naples, and Montpelier in France. The Summer is hotter, and longer then in England, and the Winter colder and shorter, the dayes about an hour longer in Win­ter, and as much shorter in Summer. Is bounded South-East with the Maine Sea, East by that vast Navigable Stream, called Hud­sons River, which divides this from the Pro­vince of New-York, West by a Line of Division, which separates this Province from West-Jersey, and North upon the Maine-Land. And extends it self in length upon the Sea-coast and alongst Hudsons River, one [Page 66] hundred English myles and upward.

The scituation of this Countrey is just, as it were, in the Center of the English plantati­ons in America, betwixt the South parts of Carolina, which is over hot; and the North parts of Pemaquitte, next New Scot­land which are coldest; so that its convenien­cie of scituation, temperature of the Aire, and fertility of the Soyl is such, that there is no less then seven Towns considerable already, (viz.) Shretsburry, Midletonn, Berg­hen, New-wark, Elizabeth-town, Woobridge, and Piscataway, which are well inhabited by a sober and industruous peo­ple, who have necessary provisions for them­selves and families, and for the comfortable entertainment of Travellers and Strangers.

And the Quit-rents, or Fewes (as they are called) of these Towns and other plantations, already in the Countrey, yeelds to the 24 Pro­prietors above 500. lib. sterling, yearly Re­venue, and the Air of this Collony, is experi­mentallie found generally to agree well with English Constitutions, and consequently with Ours.

For Navigation it hath these advantages, not onely to be scituate along the Navigable [Page 67] parts of Hudsons River, but lyes also fiftie myles along the Main Sea, and near the midest of this Province is that notted Bay for ships within Sandy-Hook, very well known, not to be inferiour to any Harbour in Ameri­ca, where ships not only harbour in greatest storms, but there Ride safe with all Winds, and sail in and out thence as well in Winter as Summer. For Fishery the Sea-banks are very well stored with variety of Fishes, not only such as are profitable for Exportation, but such as are fit for Food there; There are Whales, Coad-fish, Colling, and Hake-fish, and large Mackeril, and also many other sorts of smal Flate-fish; The Bay, also, and Hudsons River, are plentifully stored with Sturgeon, and other Scal-fish, Eills, and Shel-fish, as Oysters, in abundance.

This Countrey is also plentifully, supplied with Lively-springs, Rivolets, Inland-Ri­vers, and creeks, which fall into the Sea, and Hudsons-River, in which also there is varietie of Fresh-fish, and water Fowl.

There are little hills from Rariton-River, which is about the middle of this Province, that go to the verie North-West-bounds of [Page 68] it, in which are aboundance of good Mill-Stons to be had, and there is many, both Corn, and Saw-milnes set, and setting up already, also on the other side of these Mountains, there is brave fresh Rivolets, fit for setting of In-Land-Towns, and a great deal of Meadow-ground upon the banks thereof, So that there is abun­dance of Hay to be had for Fodering of Cattle in the Winter time, and these Meadows shows the Countrey is not altogether covered with timber.

Its true, the first difficulty meets People in Planting there, is the cutting down Wood (Tho having some Meadow intermixt already well covered with Hay, is a great ease) yet the trouble is compensed by the advantage, which the timber being cut down, yeelds, being good Oake, fit for Shipping and Masts; and also Chesmite. Walnut, Poplar, Cdar, Ash, Fir; And also, by the fertility of the Soyl, being cleared, which yeelds a vast increase not only of Indean Corn, which is a very wholsome Food, but of English grain, as Wheat and Barley, where­of it usually yeelds betwixt the 20. and 30th. fold, and with far less labour (the timber be­ing once removed) then in Britan. And to show the labour of the cutting down the Trees, and clearing the ground, is not so great as [Page 69] some may Imagine; It is known by experience, that two men arriving there in September, or October, may clear as much ground, as usually brings by Harvest following twenty Quarters, that is ahout 40. Scots Bolls of grain.

This Countrey also, produceth good Flax, and Hemp, which they now spine, and Manu­facture into Linnen Cloath, & the very Barrens there (as they are called) are not like most in Britain, but produceth Grass fit for Graz­ing Cattle in Summer time; There is also u­pon Ground (already cleared) store of good English Claver Grass growing; the Countrey is well stored with wild Deir; Connies, and wild Fowl of several sorts; As Turkeys, Pigeons, Partridges, Plevers, Quaills, wild Swans, and Geese, Ducks in great plenty; It produceth variety of good and delicious Fruits; as Grapes, Plumes, Mulberries, and also Appricocks, Peaches, Pears, Apples, Quin­ches, Water Millons; which are in England planted in Orchards and Gardens; but grow there with fare less labour; and many more Fruits, which come not to perfection in Eng­land, are the more natural product of this Countrey. It is thought Olives would grow well there; and being store of [Page 70] Mulberrie Trees, Silk-worms would do well there; for they were tryed in Virginia, and proved very well, if the laziness of the Peo­ple, and there being wholly set upon Tobacco, and the Interest of Merchants, who were a­fraid it might spoil their Silk-Trade from the Straits, had not hindered.

To shew how Fruit-Trees do advance in that Countrey, it is credibly reported, that about Burlingtoun, in West Jersey, which is Northernly then the greatest part of this Pro­vince, from an Apple-tree-Seed in four years, (without grafting) there sprung a tree, that in the fourth year bore such a quaintitie of Apples, as yeelded a barrell of Syder.

There is there also, great store of Horses, Cowes, Hoggs, and some sheep, which may be bought at reasonable prices with English, money, or English Commodities, or mans labour; where goods and money are wanting.

For Minerals, It is thought there are not wanting of several sorts, For there is an Iron-work already set up, where there is good Iron made; And also, there is discovered al­ready abundance of Black-Lead.

It is exceeding well furnished with safe, convenient Harbours, for shipping, which is of great advantage; and affords already for Exportation, great plenty of Horses, and also Beef, Pork, Pipstaves, Bread, Flow­er, White, Barley, Rye, Indian Corn, But­ter, and Cheese, which they export for Bar­badoes, Jamaica, Mevis, and other adja­cent Islands; As also to Portugal, Spain, and the Canaryes, their Whale Oyl, and Whale-Fins, Beaver, Mink, Racon, and Martine-skins (which this Countrey pro­duces) they transport for England.

The Indian Natives in this Countrey are but few, comparative to the Neighbouring Collony; And these that are there, are so far from being Formidable, and injurious to the Plan­ters and Inhabitants, that they are really serviceable and advantagious to them, not only in hunting, and taking the Deer, and all other wild Creatures, and catching of Fish, and Fowl fit for food, in their seasons; But in the killing and destroying of Bears, Wolves, Foxes, and other Vermine, whose Skins and Furs they bring the English, and sell them at less price, then the value of the time, [Page 72] that people must spend to take them. Like as, that this Collony may be founded in Justice, and without any thing of Oppression, as all that is already Planted; is is truly Purchased from the Indians, so there is a great deal more of the Province cleared by their consent; and all is intended by paction with them to be obtained; so that whoever Purchase; or Plant under the Proprietors; shal be fred of that incumbrance; and if there were any hazard from the Indians as really there is none; yet this Province could hardly be in any danger; In respect that to the North, upon the Main-Land; from whence the hazard; if any must come; the Province of New-York comes betwixt it and them, and 20. miles and more, above upon Hudsons River, there is a Fort called New-Albany.

There were Constitutions of Government made by the Lord Barkley, and Sir George Cart­wright, in which such provision was made, both for Liberty of Religion, and Propertie, that the Province hath been considerably Peopled and many resorted there from the Neighbour­ing Collonies, so that the Planters are able al­ready to Muster 500. well Armed Men.

The Concessions and Agreement of the Lord Proprietors of the Province of New-Caesarea, or New-Jersey, to and with all and every the Adventurers, and as such as shall settle or plant, there granted by Lord John Barclay, and Sir George Cartwright the then Lord Proprietors upon their sending thir peo­ple to Plant, Anno 1664.

IMprimis, We do consent and agree, that the Governour of the said Province hath power by the advice of his Council to depute one in his place and Authority, in case of death, or removeall, to continue untill far­ther order, unless we have Commissionated one before.

2. Item, That he hath (likewise) power to make choice of, and take to him six Coun­sellors at least, or twelve at most, or any even number betwixt six and twelve; with whose consent and advice, or with at least three of the six, or four of a greater number, (all being summonded) he is to Govern ac­cording to the Limitations and Instructions following, during Our Pleasure.

[Page 74] 3. Item, That a Chief Secretary or Regi­ster, which we have chosen or shall choice, we faillieing that; he shall choice, shall keep, exact entries in fair books of all publict affaires; and to avoyd Decreets and Law Suitts, shall re­cord and enter all grants of Lands, from the Lords to the Planters, and Conveyances of Lands houses or from man to man, as also all Leases for Land house or hous [...]s made or to be made by the Land-Lord to any tennant, for more then one year, which Conveyance or Lease shall be first acknowledged by the Gran­ter or Leaser, or proved by the each two wit­nesses, to the Lease or Conveyance before the Governor, or some cheif Judge of a Court for the time being, who shall under his hand upon the back side of the said deed or Lease, attest the acknowledgement or Proof as aforesaid; which shal be a war­rand for the Register to record the same, which conveyance or Lease so recorded shall be good and effectuall, in the Law, notwith­standing any other conveyance, Deed or Lease, for the said Land, house or houses, or any part thereof, although dated before the Conveyance, Deed or Deed, or Lease so recorded as aforesaid. And the said Re­gister, shall do all other thing or things, that [Page 75] we by our Instructions shall direct, and the Governor, Counsel, and assemblie shall ordaine for the good and wellfaire of the said Province.

4ly. Item, That the Suerveyour generall, that we have chosen or shall choice such fail­lieing, that the Governour shall choice, shall have power by himself, or deputie to Survey Lay out and bound all such Lands, as shall be granted from the Lords to the Plan­ters; and all other Lands within the said Province, which may concerne particular men as he shall be desired to doe. And a particular thereof certified to the Register to be recorded as aforesaid. Provided, that if the said Register and Surveyer, shall so mis-behave themselves as that the Go­vernor and Counsellor, Deputie, Governour or Counsellor, the Major part of them, shall find it reasonable, to Suspend their actings in their respe­ctive employments; It shall be Lawful for them so to doe untill further order from us.

5ly. Item, That the Governour, Coun­sellors, Assemblie Men, Secretarie, Sur­veyer, [Page 76] and all other Officers of Town shal Swear or Subscribe in a book to be provided for that purpose, That they will bear true alle­giance to the King of England, his Heirs and Successors. And that they will be faith­full to the interest of the Lords Propietors, of the said Province, and their Heirs exe­cutors and Assignes and endeavor the peace and wellfair of the said Province, and that they will truelie and faithfullie discharge their respective trusts in their respective officses, and doe equall Justice unto all men accord­ing to their best skill, and Judgement; without corruption, favour, or affection. And in the names of all that have Sworne to Subscribe to be entered in a book; And who­soever shall Subscribe and not Sweare, and shall violate his promise in that Subscription, shall be lyable to that same punishment, that the Persons are or may be that have Sworn and brok­en their Oaths.

6ly. Item, That all persons that are, or shall become Subjects to the King of England, and Swear and Subscribe allegiance to the King; and faithfulness to the Lords, shal be admitted to plant and become a Free man in [Page 77] the said Province; and enjoy the Freedomes and Immunities hereafter exprest untill some stop or contradiction be made by us the Lords, or els the Governor, Council and Assem­blie, which shall be in force untill the Lords see cause to the contrarie. Provyded, That such stopes, shall not any wayes prejudice the right or continuance of any person that hath been received before such Stop; or order come from the Lords or Generall Assemblie.

7ly. Item, That no person as aforsaid within the said Province at any time shall be any wayes molested, punished, Disquyeted, or called in question for any Difference in Opi­nion, or Practise in matters of Religious Concernments, who doe not actuallie disturb the Civil peace of the said Pro­vince. But that all and every such person and persons may from time to time, and at all time freelie and fullie, have and enjoy his and their Judgement and Consciences in matters of Religion throughout all the said Province, They behaving themselves peace­ablie and quyetlie and not useing this Liberty to Licentiousnes to the civil injurie or out­ward disturbance of others; Any Law, Statute, or Clause contained, or to be contain­ed [Page 78] Ʋsage or Custome of this Realm of Eng­land to the contrarie thereof, in any wise not­withstanding.

8ly. Item, That no pretence may be taken by us, our Airs, or Assignes; for or by rea­son of our right of Patronage and power of Advousone granted by his Ma [...]esties Let­ters patents, unto his Royall Highness, James Duke of York, and by his said Royall Highness, unto us thereby to in­fringe the Generall Clause, of Libertie of Conscience aforementioned. We doe hereby grant unto the Generall Assemblie, of the said province power by Act to Constitute such and so many Ministers or Preach­ers, as they shall think fit, and to establish their Maintainance, giving Libertie besides to any person or per­sons to keep and Maintain what Mini­sters or Preachers they please.

9ly. Item, That the Inhabitants being Free men or chief Agents to others of the province aforesaid, do, as soon as this our Commission shall arryve, by vertue of a Writ, in our names by the Governor to be for the present (untill our Seall comes) [Page 79] Sealled and Signed; make choice of twelve De­putes or Representatives, from among them­selves, who being chosen are to joyne with the said Governor and Council for the making such Laws, Ordinances and Constitu­tions as shal be necessarie for the pr [...]sent good and welfare of the said Province. But so soon as Parishes, Divisions, Tribes, and o­ther Distinctions are made, that then the In­habitants or Free holders of the several and respective Parishes, Tribes, or Dominions and Restrictions aforesaid, (do by Our Write under Our Seal, which we engage shall, and be in due time issued,) annually meet on the first day of January, and choise Free-holders for every respective Division, Tribe or Parish to be the Deputies or Re­presentatives of the same; which body of Representatives or the major part of them, shall with the Governour or Counsel afore­said be the General Assemblie of the said Province, the Governour, or his De­pute being present unles they shall wilfullie re­fuse, In which case, they may appoint themselves, a President during the absence of the Governour, or Depute Governour.

Which ASSEMBLIES are to have Power,

1. To appoint their own time of meet­ing, and to adjourne their Sessions from time to time, to such times and places as they shall think convenient; As also, to as certaine the number of their Quorum; Provided, the said number be not less then the 36. part of the whole, in whom (or more) shall be the full power of the General Assemblie, viz.

2ly. To Enact and make all such Laws, Acts, and Constitutions; As shall be ne­cessarie for the well Government of the said Province, and them to repeall; Provided, That the same be consonant to Reason, and as near as may be Convenientlie agreeable to the Laws, and Customes of his Majesties Kingdom of England; Prvided also, that they be not against the Interest of us the Lords Proprietors, our Airs, and Assignes, or any of these our Concessions; Especially that they be not repugnant to the Article for Libertie of Conscience abovementioned; which Laws, &c. [Page 81] so made shall receive Publication from the Governour and Councill (but as the Laws of us, and our General Assemblies) and be in force for the space of one year and no more, unless contradicted by the Lords Proprietors, within which time they shall be presented to us, our Heirs, &c. for our ratification; And being confirmed by us, they shall be in continual force, till expyred by their own Limitation, or by Act of Repeal, in like manner to be passed (as aforesaid) and confirmed.

3ly. By Act as aforesaid, to constitute all Courts, together with the Limits, Powers and Jurisdictions of the same; and also the several Offices, and number of the Officers be­longing to each Court, with their respective Salaries, Fees, and Perquisits, their Appel­lations and Dignities, with the Penalties that shall be due to them, for the breach of their several and respective Duties and Trusts.

4ly. By Act as aforesaid, to lay equal Taxes and Assesments equally to raise Mo­neys or Goods upon all Lands, (except us the Lords Proprietors before settling) or Persons within the several precints, hundreds, [Page 82] Parishes, Manours, or whatsoever other Divisions shall hereafter be made, and esta­blished in the said Province, as oft as necessi­ty shall require; and in such manner as to them shall seem most equal and easie, for the said Inhabitants in order to the better sup­porting of the publick Charge of the said Government, and for the mutual Safety, Defence and Security of the said Province.

5ly. By Act as aforesaid, to erect within the said Province such and so many Ma­nours, with their necessary Courts, Juris­dictions, Freedoms and Priviledges, as to them shall seem meet and convenient. As also to divide the said Province into Hundreds, Tribes, Parishes, or such other Divisions and Districtions as they shall think fit, and the said Divisions to distinguish by what man­ner we shall Order or Direct; And in default thereof, by such names as they please; As also within the said Province to creat and ap­point such and so many Ports, Harbours, Creeks and other places, for the convenient Loading and Ʋnloading of Goods and Mer­chandise out of Ships, Boats, and other Ves­sels; and shall be expedient with such Juris­dictions, Priviledges and Franchises to [Page 83] each Ports, &c. belonging, as they shall judge most conducing to the general good of the said Plantation or Province.

6ly. By their enacting to be confirmed as a­foresaid, to Erect, Raise and Build within the said province, or any part thereof, such and so many Forts, Fortresses, Castles, Ci­ties, Corporations, Burrows, Towns, Villages, and other places of Strength and Defence, and them or any of them to incor­porate with such Charters and Priviledges as to them shall seem good, and the Grant made unto us will permit; And the same or any of them to fortifie and furnish with such provisions and proportions of Ordnance, Pow­der, Shot, Armour, and all other Wea­pons, Ammunition, and habiliments of War, hoth Offensive and Defensive as shall be thought necessary, and convenient for the Safety and Welfare of the said Province; But they shall not at any time Demolish, Dismantle, or Disfurnish the same without the consent of the Governour and the Major part of the Councill of the said Province.

7ly. By Act as aforsaid, to Constitute, Train-bands, and Companies with the [Page 84] number of Souldiers, for the Safetie, Strength and defence of the said Province, and of the Forts, Castles, Cities, To Suppresse all Munities and Rebellions, to make war, Offensive and Defensive with all Indian Strangers, and Forrainers, as they shall see cause. And to pursue an enemie by Sea, as well as by Land, (if need be) ou [...] of the Li­mitts and Jurisdictions of the said Province, with the particular cons nt of the Gover­nour and under his conduct, or of our Com­manders in chief or whom he shall ap­point.

8ly. By Act as aforesaid to give unto all Strangers, as to them shall seem meet, a Naturalization and all such Freedomes and Priviledges within the said Province as to his Majesties Subjects do of right belong, they Swearing or Subseryving as afores [...]id, said Stranger so Authorized and Privi­ledged shall be in all respects accounted in the said Province as the Kings naturall Sub­jects.

9ly. Item, By an Act as aforesaid, to prescrive the quantities of Land, which shall be from time to time allotted to every Head, free, or servant, Male or Female; and to [Page 85] make or ordain Rules, for the casting of Lots for Lands, and the laying out of the same; provided, That they do not in their pre­scriptions exceed the several proportions, which are hereby granted by us, to all persons arriving in the said Province or adventuring thither.

10ly. The General Assembly by Act, as aforesaid, shall make provision for the Main­tain [...]nce and support of the Governour; And for the defraying all necessary Charges of the Governm [...]nt; As also, the Constables of the sa [...]d Province shall collect the Lords Rents, and shall pay the same to the Receiver, that the Lords shall appoint to receive the same, un­less the said Gene [...]al Assembly shal pre­scrive some other way, whereby the Lords may have their Rents duely collected without charge or trouble to them.

11ly. And Lastly, To Enact, Constitute and Ordain, all such other Laws, Acts, and Constitutions, as shall or may be neces­sarie for the good, property, and setle­ment of the said Province (excepting what by these presents is excepted,) and conforming to the Limitations herein exprest.

The Governour with his Council be­fore exprest, is,

First, To see that all Courts established by the Laws of the General Assembly, and all Ministers and Officers, Civil and Milita­ry, do and execute their several Offices and duties respective, according to the Laws in force; and to punish them for swerving from the Laws, or Acting contrary to their Trust, as the nature of their Offence shall re­quire.

Sccondly, According to the constitutions of the General Assembly, to nominate and commissionate the severall Judges, Members and Officers of Courts, whether Magistra­tical or Ministerial, and all other civil Of­ficers, Coroners, &c. And their Com­missions, Powers and Authorities to re­voke at pleasure; provided, That they appoint none but Free-holders in the Province aforesaid, unless the General Assembly consent.

Thirdly, According to the constitutions of the General Assembly, to appoint Courts [Page 87] and Officers in cases Criminal; And to im­power them to inflict penalties upon Offen­ders against any of the Laws in force in the said Province, as the saids Laws shal ordain, whether by Fine or Imprison­ment, Banishment, Corporal punish­ment, or to the taking away of Member, or of Life it self, if there be cause for it.

Fourthly, To place Officers and Souldiers for the safety, strength, and defence of the Forts, Castles, Cities, &c. according by the number appointed by the General Assembly, to nominat, place & Commissionat all Military Officers under the dignity of the said Gover­nour, who is Commissionated by Ʋs, over the several Trained Bands, and Com­panies constituted by the General Assem­bly as Collonels, Captains, &c. And their Commissiones to revoke at plea­sure. The Governour with the advice of his Counsel (unless some present dangers will not permit them to Advise,) To Muster and Traine all the Forces within the said Province, to prosecute War, pursue an Enemy, suppress all Rebellions and Mu­ [...]inies, as well by Sea as by Land, and to exercise the whole Militia, as fully as we [Page 88] by the Grant from his Royall Highness can impower him or them to do; provided, that they appoint not Militia Forces, but what are Free-holders in the said Province, unless the General Assembly shal consent.

Fifthly, Where they see cause after Con­demnation, to reprive until the cause be presented, with a copy of the whole Tryal, proceedings and proofs to the Lords, who will accordingly either pardon or command execution of the Sentence on the Offen­der, who is in the m [...]an time to be kept in safe Custodie till the pleasure of the Lords be known.

Sixthly, In case of Death, ot other re­moval of the representative, within the year to issue summonds by write to the respective di­vision or divisions, for which he or they were choosen, Commanding the Free-holders of the same to choose others in their stead.

Seventhly, To make warrands, and to seall grants of Lands, according to these our Con­cessions; And the prescriptions by advice of the General Assembly, in such forme as shall [Page 89] be at large sett down in our Instructions to the Governour in his Commission, and which are hereafter exprest.

Eightly, To Act and do all things, that may conduce to the Safety, peace, and well Government of the said province, as they shall see sit, so that they be not contrare to the Laws of the said province.

For the better security of the Pro­vince of all the Inhabitants.

First, They are not to impose, nor suffer to be imposed, any tax, custome, subsidie, tal­ladg assesmant, or any other duty whatsoever upon any collour or pretence, upon the said pro­vince, and Inhabitants thereof, other then what shall be imposed by the Authority and con­sent of the Generall assembly, and then only in manner as aforesaid.

Secondly, They are to take care that Land quietly held, planted and possessed seven years, after its being first duely surveyed by the Sur­veyor or General, or his order, shall not be subject to any review, resurvey, or altera­tion of bonds, one what pretence soever [Page 90] by any of us, or any Officer or Minister under us.

Thirdly, They are to take care, that no man, if his cattle stray, or range, or graze on any ground within the said Province not actually appropriat, or sett out to particu­lar persons shall be lyable to pay an [...] trespase for the same to us our Heirs, &c. provided, that custom of Commons be not there­by pretended to, nor any person hindered from taking up and appropriating any Lands so grazed upon; And that no per­son do purposely suffer his cattle to graze on such lands.

And that the planting of the said Province, may be more speedi­ly Promo [...]ed.

First, Wee doe hereby grant unto all persons who have already adventured unto the said pro­vince of New Cesarea, of New-Jersey, or shall transport themselves, or Servants before the 1. of January which shall be in the year of our Lord 1665. these following proportions; [Page 91] viz. To every freeman that shall go with the first Governor from the poart where the Embarks (or shall meet him at the rendezvous he appoints) for the setle­ment of a plantation, there Armed with a good musket, bearing twelve bullets to the pound, with ten pounds of powder, and and twenty pounds of Bulletts, with ban­deliers and match convenient, and with six months provision for his own person arriving there, One hundreth and fifty Acres of Land English measure. And for every able Man Servant, that he shall carrie wi [...]h him armed and provyded as aforesaid, and arryving there; the like quantitie of 150. Acres of land English measure. And who soever shall send servants at that time shall ha [...]e for every able man servant, he or she shall s [...]nd so Armed, and provided as aforesaid and ar­ryving there, the like quantity of 150. Acres. And for every weaker servant or slave, male or female, exceeding the age of 14. years, wh [...] h any one shall send or carrie, arryving there 75 Acres of land. And to every Christian Ser­vant, exceeding the age aforesaid after the ex­piration of their time of service 75. Acres of Land for their own uses.

[Page 92]2ly, Item, To every Master or Mistris, that go before the first day of January, which shall be in the years of our Lord 1665. One hundreth and twenty acres of Land, and for every able man servant that he or she shall carrie, or send Armed, and pro [...]yded as afore­said and arryving within the time aforesaid, the like quantity of 120 Acres of and. And for every weaker Servant or slave, male or fe­male, exceeding the age of 14. years, arryving there, 60 acres of Land and to every Chri­stian servant to their own use and behoof 60 acres of Land.

3ly, Item, To every Free-man or ree-woman that shall arryve in the said Province armed, and provyded as a aforesaid within the second year, from the first day of Ja­nuary 1665, to the first day o [...] January 1666. with an intention to pl [...]nt 90. acres of Land English measure; and for every able man servant that [...]he or she shall carrie or send armed and provided as aforesaid, 90 acres of Land of like measure.

4ly, Item, For every weaker servant or Slave, aged as aforesaid, that shall be so carri­ed, or sent thither within the second year a­foresaid, [Page 93] 45 acres of Land of like measure. And to every Christian Servant- that shall arrive th [...] second year 45, acres of Land of like measure, after the expiration of his or their time or service, for their own use and behoove.

5ly. Item, To every freeman and free wo­man armed and provided as aforesaid, That shall go and adventure with an intent to plant within the third year from January 1666, To January 1667, 60 Acres of Land of like measure. And for every able man-ser­vant, [...]hat he or they shall carrie or send over, within the said time, Armed and provided as aforesaid, the like quantity of 60. Acres of Land. And for every weaker Servant or Slave aged, as aforesaid, that he or they shall carrie, or send, within the third year, 30. Acres of Land, and to every Christian Servant so carried, or sent, thirty 30. Acres of land, of like measure after the expiration of his or their time of ser­vice. All which land and all other that shall be possessed in the said Province, are to be held on the said Terms and Conditions, as is beforementioned; and as hereafter in the fol­lowing Paragraphs is more at large exprest: Provided alwayes, that the fore­mentioned land, and all other whatsoe­ver [Page 94] that shall be taken up, and so settled in the said Province, shall afterwards from time to time, for the space of 13. years from the date hereof, be held up­on the conditions aforesaid, containing one able man servant or two such weaker servants, as aforesaid, on every 100 acres, a Master or Mistress shall possesse, besides what was granted for his or her own person. In failȝie of which on notification, to the p [...]es [...]nt occu­pant, or his assignies there shall be 3 years gi­ven to such for their compleating the said num­ber of persons, or for their sale, or other dispo­sure of such part of their Lands as are not so peopled, within which time of three years if any persone holding any Lands, shall fail by himself, his agents, executors, and assig­nies, or some other way to provide such number of persons, unless the General Assembly shall without respect of partie, Judge it was impos­sible, for the party so failing to keep or procure his or her number of servants to to be provided as aforesaid. In such case we the Lords, to have power of disposing of somuch of such lands as shal not be plant­ed with its due number of persons as afor­said, to some other that will plant the same Provided alwayes, that no persons arryving in­to [Page 95] the said province, with purpose to settle (they being Subjects or naturalized as a­foresaid, be denyed a grant of such proporti­ons of Land, as at the time of ther arryvall, there are due to themselves, or servants, by concession from us, as aforesaid. But have full licence to take up and settle the same in such order and manner, as is granted and prescrib­ed. All Lands (notwithstanding the powers in the Assemblies aforesaid) shall be taken up by warrand from the Governor, and Confirmed by the Governor and Coun­cil, under a Seal to be provided for that purpose in such order and method as shal be set down in this declaration, and more at large in the Instructions to the Gover­nor.

And that the Lands may be the more regu­larly laid out, and all persons be better ascer­tained of their titles and possessions. The Go­vernor and Council, and General Assem­bly (if any be) are to take care and direct that all Lands be divided by General Lots, none less then Two thousand one hundreth acres, & no more then twenty one thousand acres in each Lot. Excepting Cities, Towns, &c. And near Lots of Township, and that the [Page 96] same be divided into seven parts, one seventh part by Lot to us our Heirs and Assignies, The remander to persons as they shall come to plant is such proportions as is allowed.

2ly, Item, That the Governour or whom he shall depute, in case of Death or absence, if some one be not before Commissionated by us as a­forsaid; doe give to every person to whom Land is due, a warrant signed and sealed by himself, and the Major part of his Coun­cil; and directed to the Surveyor generall or his Deputie, Commanding him to Lay out, Limit, and bound Acres of Land (as his due proportion) for such a person in such Alottment, accor­ding to the warrand. The Register having first recorded the same, and attested the re­cord upon the warrand; The Surveyor Generall or his Deputie, shall proceed and certifie to the Chief Secretary the name of the person for whom he hath Laid out Land, By vertue of what Authority, and the date of the Authority or warrand, the number of Acres, the bounds, and on what point of the Compass the severall Limits thereof Lye which certificate the Register is likewayes to enter in a book to be prepared for that purpose, [Page 97] with ane Alphabetical table referring to the book, that so the certificat may be the easier found, and then to fill the certificats, and the same to keep Safelie. The certificat be­ing entered, a warrand comprehending all the particulars of Land mentioned in the Certifi­cat aforesaid, is to be signed by him, and his Council, or the Major part of them as aforesaid, they having seen the entrie, and direction to the Register, or Chief Secretarie, for his preparing a grant of the Land, to the partie to whom it was laid out, which grant shall be in the form follow­ing, viz.

The Lords Proprietors of the Province of New-Cesarea or New-Jersey, do hereby grant unto A: B: of the [...] in the Province aforesaid, a Plantation Containing. [...] Acres English Measure bounding (as in the certificat) To be holden to him (or her) his or her Airs and Assignes for ever: Yeelding and paying yearly unto the saids Lords proprietors their Airs or Assignes, every five and twenty day of March the English accompt of [...] Lawfull money of England for every of the said Acres: to be holden of the Man­ner [Page 98] of [...] in free and Common Soc­cadge. The first payment of which Rent to begine the five and twenty day of March, which shall be in the year of our Lord, one Thousand Six hundreth and seventy, according to the English ac­compts. Given under the Seal, of the said province the [...] day of [...] In the year of our Lord 1666.

2ly. To which Instrument the Gover­nour or his Deputie hath hereby full power to put the Seal, of the said Province, and to Subscribe his name; also, the Council, or Major part of them, and subscribe their names, And then the Instrument or grant is to be by the Register recorded in a book of records for that purpose, All which being done according to the Instructions; We hereby declare the same shall be effectual in Law for enjoyment of the saids Plantations, and of all the benefits, and profits of, and in the same (except the half part of mines of gold and Silver paying the rent as aforesaid. Provid­ed, that if any Plantation so granted shall by the space of 3 years be neglected, to be plant­ed, with a Sufficient number of Servants, as is before mentioned: That then it shall and [Page 99] may be Lawfull for us, otherwayes to dispose thereof in whole or in part, this grant not­withstanding.

2ly. Item, We do also grant convenient Proportions of Land for Highwayes and Streets, not exceeding one hundreth foot, in breadth Cities, Towns, and Villages, &c. And for Churches, Forts, Wharfes, Keys, Harbours; and for publict houses, and to each parish, for the use of their Mini­sters, two hundreth acres in such as the Generall Assemblie shall appoint.

4ly. Item, The Governour is to take notice that all such Lands laid out for the uses and purposes aforesaid, in the next proceeding, Articles shall be free and exempt from all Rents, Taxes, and other charges and duties whatsoever payable to us, our Aires and Assignes.

5ly. Item, That in laying out of Lands for Cities, Towns, Villages, Burghs, or others Hamiletts, The said Land be de­vided into 7 parts, one seventh part whereof to be Laid out by Lott for us, and the rest to be devided, to such as shal be willing to build [Page 100] thereon they paying after the rate of one pen­nie or half pennie per Acre (according to the value of the Land) yearly to us; As for their other Lands aforesaid, which said Lands in Cities, and Towns, &c. is to be assured to each Possessor by the same way; and Instrument as is before mentioned. That all rules relating to the building of each street, or quantitie or ground to be alloted to each house within the said respective Cities, Burghs, and Towns, be wholly l [...]ft by Act as a­foresaid to the Wisdom and discretion of the Generall Assemblie.

6ly. Item, That the Inhabitants of the said Province, have free Passage through or by any Seas, bounds, Creeks, Rivers, &c, in the said Province; through or by, which they must necessarily pass to come from the Main Ocean to any part of the Province aforesaid.

7ly. Lastly, It shall be lawfull for the Representative of the Free-holders, to make any address to the Lords touching the Governour or Council, or any of them, or concerning any grievance whatsoever, or for ny other thing they shall desire, without the [Page 101] Consent of the Governour, and Council or any of them. Given under our Seal of our said Province the tenth day of January In the year of our Lord, one Thousand six hundreth sixty and four.

  • John Barclay,
  • G. Cartwright.

By this Constitution of Government by the Lord Barclay, and Sir George Cart­wright, such provision is made both for Li­berty of Religion, and Property, that the Province hath been considerably peopled; many resorting thither from the Neighboring Collonies, beside what have gone from Eng­land, and this Kingdom, within this few years, so that the planters are able to mu­ster 600 well Armed Men.

The Proprietors have framed a new Schem of Government, which is not yet fully concluded on, but it is intended rather to be an enlarging; than an abbreviating of the former, and making more easie, and advantagious for the Inhabitants, the chief parts of it are.

That the 24. Proprietors shall chuse a [Page 102] Governour, 16. of them has a Conclusive Vote in it, after the death of him now chosen, he shall continue but for 3 years, and be lyable to the Censure of the Proprietors, and great Council, and punishable if he trans­gress, There is a great Council to meet once a year (and sit, if they see meet, for three Moneths) consisting of the 24. Proprietors, and 28. chosen by the Planters, and Inhabi­tants, two thirds Conclude, the one half of the Proprietors assenting; and no money can be raised, or Law made, to touch any mans Libertie or Property; but by this Council. There is a Common Council to sit constantly, Consisting of the 24. Proprie­tors, or their Proxies, and nine chosen out of the Representative of the Planters, in all 33. to be divided into three Commities; 11. to each one for the Publick Policie: One for the Treasurie and Trade, and one for Plantations.

To aviod Lording over one another, No Man can purchase above the 24th. part of the Countrey; And on the other hand, least any should squander away their Interest, [...]nd yet re­tain the character of the Government, that belongs to Property, and thence be cap­able to betray it, as not being bound by Interest, [Page 103] there must be a suteable quantity retained, o­therwise the Title in the Government extin­guishes in him, and passes to another, to be Elected by the Proprietors, that Dominion may follow Property, and the inconveniency of a Beggarly Nobility, and Gentry may be avoided.

No man can be judged in any cause, either Civil, or Criminal, but by a Jury of his Peers, and to avoyid in that all Caballing, the names of all the County or Neighbour­hood, Capable to be Chosen; are to be write in little pieces of Parchement, and the num­ber of the Jury to be taken out by a Child un­der 10. years of age, And the Proprietors as well as others are to be lyable to the like tryall, and not under any Exception.

Libertie in matters of Religion is esta­blished in the fullest manner. To be a Planter or Inhabitant, nothing is more required but the acknowledging of One Almighty GOD, and to have a Share in the Go­vernment, A simple profession of faith of Jesus Christ, without descending into any other of the differences among Chri­stians, only that Religion may not be a cloak for disturbance, who ever comes into the Magistrature, must declare, [Page 104] they hold not themselves in conscience obliged, for Religions sake, to make an alteration, or to endeavour to turn out their partners, in the Government, because they differ in Opinion from them, and this is no more then to follow that great Rule, To do as they would be done by.

These are the Fundamentals, which are not alterable by any Act of the great Council, as other things, by the voices of 2 thirds, but only by an universal agreement; so it is hoped, that this hint will satisfie all sober and understanding people, what Encouragement such a Government may give.

For Husband-men that hes a Stock, able to transport themselves and Families, with a few Servants, and to have but a 100. pound Scots, or a 100. Merks more, to carry over in Commodities, they shall have upon their arrivall 100 Acres of good ground, mea­sured out to them, or above, not exceeding 500. Acres: And for their encouragement, shall for the first 7. years pay nothing, and then have what they please, not under 100. nor exceeding 500. Acres, confirmed to them, and their heirs for ever, paying half a Crown an Acre, never to be raised upon them: And [Page 105] for the Charge of the first year, they may easily Calculate, carrying over as much Oat-meal, as will serve them Bread, and the fraught will be inconsiderable, and they will get flesh enough in the Countrey for killing, without charge, and will be able to clear more ground the first winter, then will▪ double serve their Families after the first harvest, so that they will only have to buy with the Commodities they carry over with them, Seed, and Beasts.

The Charge of transportation, is, for every Man or Woman 5. lib. starling, pas­sage and intertainment, for children un­der 10. years of age, 50. shilling, and Sucking children nothing, 40. shillings for the tunn of goods, and often under.

The Voyage is judged lesse Sea hazard then either to Holland, or London, and if there be any tollerable winds, it is easily made in 6. weeks, There went a ship last harvest to West Jersey, from the Road of Aberden: and they came to Delaware-River-mouth in 8. weeks, though they had great Calmes, and of betwixt 30. and 40. Passengers that went out of Aberdeen several women, and children, not above 4. of them had been at Sea before, not one dyed, nor was sick by the way.

For Ordinary servants, who are willing to go over, after 4. Years service from the time of there arryvall there, during which time they shall be well entertained in meat and cloathing) they shall have set out to each 25. Acres to them and theirs for ever, paying 2. pence an Acre, as much Corn as will sow an Acre, and a Sute of now cloaths; Now, Considering that there is 5. pound Sterling payed for their Passage, this is good termes; and that after the terme of their Service is expired, they will gain more in one year there, then they can do in two at home, towards the gaining of a Stock to their land, and it may be easily conceived that they will be well treated by their Masters, since it is their Interest to do so there more then here, for that they would be Considerable Lo­sers, either by their Death, or sicknesse, be­ing out so great an advance for them, if, by any hard-ship, they shall be disabled to serve out their times.

All Sorts of Tradesmen may make a brave Livelyhood there, such as Carpenters, Ship-wrights, Rope-makers, Smiths, Brick-makers, Taylors, Tanners, Cow­pers, Mill-wrights, Joyners; Shooe­makers, &c. and any such like, who are [Page 107] willing to go serve the four years, not having to transport themselves, shall in considera­tion of their Trade, have (after the expir­ing of their Service) 30. Acres, 2. pence the Acre, as much Corn as well sow 2. A­cres, a cow and a Sow: And for the in­couragement of any such Trasdmen, who are willing to go over and transport themselves, they shall have the like quantitie of Land, at the same rent, and the Proprietors will ob­lidge themselves to find them work for a year, after their arryval, at as good Rates as they can have here, untill they furnish themselves with some Stock to make better advantage up­on the Place.

We will not encourage any to go there in ex­pectation of Gold and Silver mines; yea, tho there were such in the Countrey, we should not be curious nor industrous to seek them out: being besides the Toyl, and Labour, but oc­casions envy, and Emulation: Nor yet is their Suggar or Indigo there, or Cotton, nor any store of Tobacco, tho it grows there very well. But We consider it not our in­terest to imploy much ground on it; The Riches of this Countrey Consists in that which is most Substantial and necessar for the use of men, to wit, Plenty of Corn and Cattle (and they have [Page 108] besides Vines, and Fruits in abundance, as be­fore has been said) so that who dwell here, need not to be oblidged to any other Plantati­on, for any thing necessar for Life; and all other Plantations are beholden to them for necessaries, without which, their other Curiosities would little avail them: This with the Province of New-York, being the Granary or Store-house of the West-In­dies, without which Barbadoes and the Lee­wards Islands▪ could not subsist; Yea, New-England is forced to come there every year for Corn, this, with the advantage of Fishe­ry, being considered, will easily induce Sober and industrious People, to prefer a Plantation here to most other places.

The Duke of Yorks grant of East-New-Jersey, to the twenty four Pro­prietors.

THis Indenture made the fourteenth day of March, in the five and thir­tieth year of the Reign of our Sove­raign Lord CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of GOD, of [...]ngland, Scotland, France and Ireland King, Defender of the [Page 109] Faith, &c. Anno Domini, 1682. be­tween His Royal Highness, the most Illustri­ous Prince, James Duke of York, and Al­bany, Earl of Ulster, &c. only Brother to our Soveraign Lord the King, of the one part, And the Right Honourable James Earl of Perth, of the Kingdom of Scotland, the right Honourable John Drummond of Lundin, Scotland Esquire, Robert Bar­clay of Urie in the Kingdom of Scotland, Esquire, on the other part, &c. Whereas our said Soveraign Lord the Kings Majestie, in, and by Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of England, bearing date the twelfth day of March, in the sixteenth year of His said Majesties Reign, did amongst several other things therein mentioned, Give and Grant unto His Royal Highnes James Duke of York, his Heirs and Assignies, all that tract of land adjacent to New-England, in the parts of America, and lying, and being to the Westward of Long-Island, and Man­hattas Island, and bounded on the East part by the Main Sea, and part by Hudsons Ri­ver, and extendeth Southward to the Main Ocean, as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Delawar Bay; and to the Northward as far as the Northern-most branch of the said Bay, [Page 110] or River of Delawar; Which is one and fourtie Degrees, and fourty Minuts of Lati­tude; and crosing over thence in a straight line to Hudsons River, in one and fourty De­grees of Latitude; Which said tract of Land was then after to be called by the name of New-Cesaria or New-Jersey, with all the Lands, Islands, Soylls, Rivers, Har­bours, Mynnes, Minerals, Quareries, Woods, Marishes, Waters, Lakes, Fish­ings, Hauckings, Huntings, and Fowl­ings, and all other Royalties, Profits, Commodities, and Hereditaments, unto the said premises belonging, and appertain­ing with their and everie of their appertain­ances. And all his said Majesties Estate, Right, Title▪ Interest, Benefite, Ad­vantage, Claime, and Demand of, in and to the said Provinces, or any part or parcell thereof, and the Reversion, and Reversions, Remainder and Remain­ders, together with the yearlie, and other Rents, Revenues, and profits of the same; And of every part and parcel thereof. To hold unto his Airs Royall Highness, the said James Duke of York, his Airs, and Assignes for ever: To he Holden of his said Majestie his Airs, and Successors, among [Page 111] other things therein granted as of his Majes­ties Manour of East Greenwich, in his Majesties County of Kent, in free and Common Soccage, and not in Capite, or by Knight Service, under the yearly-rent therein mentioned. And whereas, His Roy­all Highness, The said James Duke of York, Did theretofore by Severall good and Sufficient Conveyances, and assurances under his hand, and Seall duely executed, and daited the Twenty third, and Twenty fourt dayes of June, in the Sixteen year of his said Majesties Reign, for the Considera­tion therein mentioned; Grant, and Convey the said Tract of Land, and Premisses before mentioned, to John Lord Barclay, Baron of Stratton, and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, And sir George Cartwright of Saltram in the County of Devon, Knight and Barronet, and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, and their Heirs, the said Tract of land, and premisses particularly be­fore mentioned. And the Reversion and Re­versions, Remander and Remanders of the same, to hold unto the said John Lord Barclay, and sir George Cartwright their Heirs and Assignies for ever, under the year­ly [Page 112] Rent of twenty Nobles Sterline, payable as the same is therein reserved to be paid. And whereas his said Majestie did by others his Letters Patents, dated the twenty ninth day of June, in the six and twentieth yea [...] of his said Majesties Reign, grant and convey unto his said Royal Highness and his Heirs for ever; aswell the said tract of Land, and premisses herein before recited, to have been granted, and conveyed by his said Royall Highness, unto the said John Lord, Barclay, and Sir George Cartwright as aforesaid: As all other the Lands and Hereditaments, in, and by the said herein first before recited Let­ters, Patents, granted, or mentioned to be granted. And whereas His said Royall Highness by his indentures of Lease and re­lease bearing date the [...] dayes of July, in the six and twenty year of his said Majesties Reign. Did grant and convey the said tract of Land, and premisses to the said Sir George Cartwright, his Airs and Assignes as by the said Indentures, Relati­on being thereunto had may appear. And whereas, upon a partition made of the said whole and entire premisses between the said Sir George Cartwright, And Wil­liam penn of Worminhurst in the Countrey [Page 113] of Sussex Esquire, Gavin Lawrie of Lon­don Merchant, Nicolas Lucas of Hertford, in the Countey of Hertford Malster, & Ed­ward Billing of West-minster, in the Countey of Midlesex, Gentleman; In whom the Fee Simple of the said John Lord Barclays undivyded Moyeties of all and Singular the premisses, by good and sufficient conveyance was then vested. The said Wil­liam Penn, Gavin Lowrie, Nicolas, Lucas, and Edward Billing, did bargian sell, release, and confirm unto the said Sir George Cartwright his Heirs and Assignes, all that Easterly part share and portions and and all these Easterly parts, shares & portions the said whole and entire Tract of Land, and Premisses beforementioned, Extending East­ward, and Northward alongst the Sea-Coasts, and the said River, called Hud­sons River, from the East-side of a certain place or harbour, lying on the Southren part of the same tract of Land, and commonly called, or kn [...]wen in a Mape of the said tract of Land by the name of Little Egge harbour, to that part of tho said River, called Hud­sons-River, which is in fourty one de­grees of Latitude being the farthermost part of the said Tract of Land, and Premisses; which is bounded by the said River, and cros­ing [Page 114] over from thence in a Straight Lyne, ex­tending from that part of Hudsons-River, aforsaid to the most Northermost branch of the aforementioned River, called Delawar River, And to the most Northerly point and Boundarie of the said entire Tract of Land and premisses, now called the North-par­tition Point. And from thence (that is to say) from the North partition point. Extend­ing Southward, unto the more Sou­therly point, by a straight and direct Lyne, drawen through the said tract of Land from the said North partition point, unto the said South partition point; by the consent and agreement of ohe said par­ties, now called the Lyne of partition, And by them intended for the dividing and making a partition of the said Easternly part, Share and portion from the Westernly part, Share, and portion of the said tract of Land, and premisses; And all and every the Isles, Islands, Rivers, Mynnes, Mineralls, Woods, Fishings, Hawkings, hunt­tings, and Foullings, and all other Roy­alties, Governments, powers, Forts, Franchises, Harbours, Profits, Com­modities, and Hereditaments, whatso­ever unto the said Easternly part, Share, [Page 115] and portion, of the said Tract of Land and premisses belonging, or in any waves apper­taining, with their and every of their apper­tenances; And all the Estate, Right, Tittle, Interest, Property, Claim, and De­mand whatsoever, of them the said Wil­liam Penn, Gavin Lowrie, Nicolas Lucas, and Edward Billing, and of each and every of them, of, in, to, and out of the said Easternly part, Share, and portion of the said Tract of Land and Premisses, and every part, and parcell thereof, And the Re­version, and Reversions, Remainder and Remainders of the same, and every part and parcell of the same; All which said Easternly part, Share, and portion, parts, Share, and portions, was, and were then, and now is, and are by the Consent and agree­ment of the said parties to the said partition, called and agreed from thenceforth, to be called by the names of East-New-Jersey, and is all that, and only all that part, Share, and portion, and all this parts, shares, and portion of the said Tract of Land and pre­misses, so conveyed by his said Royall Highness, as aforesaid; as lyeth extended Eastward from the Eastside of the said Lyne of partition before mentioned; To hold un­to [Page 116] the said Sir George Cartwright, his Heirs and Assignes in severaltie, to the use of him the said Sir George Cartwright, his Heirs and Assignes for ever. Ʋpon which partition so made and such conveyances so exe­cuted as aforesaid; He the said Sir George Cartwright became Seazed of all that Eas­ternly part of the said premisses, now called East-New-Jersey, with the appertenances in Severaltie. And whereas, the said Sir George Cartwright, being by vertue of the said Assurances, and partition aforesaid, soll Seazed to him, and his Heirs of the said premisses, called East-New-Jersey, by his Last Will and Testament in writing, bear­ing date on about the first day of December, in the year of Our Lord, one Thousand six hundreth seventie, and eight, Did devise the same, and all his Estate therein, amongst other things, To the Right Honour­able Edward Earl of Sandwich, the Right Honourable John Earl of Bath, The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Crew Barron Crew of Steane, The Honourable Bernard Greenvile Esquire brother of the said Earl of Bath, The Honourable Sir Ro­bert Atkins Knight of the Bath, and the Honourable Sir Edward Atkins Knight, [Page 117] one of the Barrons of his Majesties Court of Exchequer, and their Heirs in trust, to sell the same for payment of his Debts and Legacie, as in, and by the said will, rela­tion being thereunto had may appear and short­lie after d [...]ed. And whereas, the said John Earl of Bath, Thomas Lord Crew, Bernad Greenvile, Sir Robert Atkins, and Sir Edward Atkins by Indentures of Lease, bearing date the fifth and sixt dayes of March, in the 32▪ year of his Majesties Reign, Conveyed, the said Premisses amongst other things, to Thomas Cremer of the Parish of Sanct Andrews Holbern, in the Countey of Midle sex Gentleman, and Thomas Pecock of the same Gentleman; As by the said Indentures; Relation being there­unto, had, it may appear. And whereas, the said Earl of Sandwick by his Indentures, bearing date the Twenty day of February last past, Hath released all his Estate, In­terest, and trust in the said Premisses, To the said Earl of Bath, Lord Crew, Bernard Greenvile, Sir Robert Atkins, and Sir Edward Atkins, and their Heirs, As by the said Indenture, relation being there­unto had may appear. And whereas, the said Earl of Bath; Lord Crew, Bernard [Page 118] Greenvile, Sir Robert Atkins, and Sir Edward Atkins by the Consent and directions of Dam Elizabeth Cartwright Relict and Executrix of the said sir George Cartwright and the said Thomas Cremer, and Tho­mas Pecock by the consent and directions of the said Dam Elizabeth Cartwright; Earl of Bath, Lord Crew, Bernard, Greenvile, sir Robert Atkins, and Sir Edward Atkins, Have by Indentures of Lease, and Release bearing date the first and second dayes of February last past, Granted and conveyed to the said William Penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Sa­muell Groome, Thomas Hart, Ri­chard Mew, Thomas Wilcox of Lon­don Goldsmith, Ambrose Rigg, John Haywood, Hugh Hartshorn, Clement Plimisted, and Thomas Cowper, their Heirs and assignes all the said premisses, cal­led East-New-Jersey, Together with all Isles, Islands, Rivers, Mines, Mine­ralls, Woods, Fishings, Hawkings, Hun­tings, Foulling, and all other Royalties, Priviledges, Franchess, Forts, Har­bours, Profits, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever thereunto be­longing; As in, And by the said In­dentures, [Page 119] relation being thereunto had may more at large appear. And whereas, the said William Penn, Robert West, &c. Have since conveyed one Moyties of that said tract of Land, called East-New-Jersey, and of all other the Premisses to the said James Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Ro­bert Barclay, Robert Gordon, Arent Sonmans, Gavin Lowrie, Edward Bil­lings, James Branie, William Gibson, Thomas Barker, Robert Turner, and Thomas warne, who are hereby become tennents in common of the said Premis­ses called East-New-Jersey, with the said William penn, Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuell Groome, Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Thomas Wilcox, Ambrose Rigg, John Hay Wood, Hugh Harthorns, Clement Plumsted, and Thomas Cowper. And whereas, the said Thomas Wilcox hath since conveyed all his Share, Estate, and Interest, in the said Premisses to the said David Barclay, and his Heirs, And whereas, by the said severall recited Letters Patents made by his said Majestie, unto his said Royall Highness, as aforesaid, several powers and Authority are, and were, Given [Page 118] [...] [Page 119] [...] [Page 120] granted unto his said Royall Highness his Heirs and Assignes, to be execut by his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes or by the Deputies, Agents, or Commissioners, of his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes, which are necessarie as well for the Planting, Peopleing, and Improving of all and every the respective Lands, Places, and Territories there­by granted, And for the Transporting thither from time to time such of his Majesties Sub­jects as should be willing to go, or be Tran­sporting into these parts, or any of them, As for the Defending, Guarding, and keeping of the same. As also, for the well governing of the same, and of all such as are, and shall be inhabiting in the same. And for the mak­ing, ordaining, and executing of necessarie and convenient Laws and, Constitutions, in order to such Government, and the Punishing and Pardoning Offences, and Offenders, as oc­casion shall require. And to Nominat, Make, Ordain, Constitut, and Confirm, And al­so to Revock, Discharge; Change, and Alter, all, and Singular Governours, Of­ficers, and Ministers, which by his said Roy­all Highness his Heirs or Assignes, shall be from time to time thought fit, and needfull to be made ordained, appointed, or used [Page 121] in the saids parts, or places or any of them; And to do all other things needfull, usefull, and necessarie, for the well Governing, keep­ing, Defending and preserving the said re­spective places, and Territories and of every of them, and all such as are or shall be In­habiting there; Now These Presents Wit­nesseth, That for, and in consideration of a com­petent sume of Lawfull English money, un­to his said Royall Highness in hand payed; And for the better Extingushing all such claimes and Demands as his said Royall Highness, or his Heirs, may any wayes have of, or in the Premisses aforesaid, now called East-New-Jersey, or any part of them, And for the further and better settling, and convey­ing, Assuring and Confirming, of the same, and of every part thereof according to the purport and true meaning of these presents, His said Royal Highness, the said James Duke of York, hath granted, bargained, sold, released, and confirmed; And by these presents, as far as in him lyeth, Doth grant, bargaine, sell, release, and confirme, unto the said James Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Robert Barclay, &c. their Airs or Assignes. All that part, share, and por­tion, and all these parts, shars, and por­tions, [Page 122] of all that entire Tract of Land, and all these entire premisses so granted by his said Royal Highness, unto the said John Lord Barclay, and Sir George Cart­wright, and their Airs, as in, by, and u­pon the said partition was, and were Vested in the said Sir George Cartwright, and his Airs, and then agreed to be called by the name of East-New-Jersey; Together with all Islands, Bays, Rivers, Waters, Forts, Mines, Querries, Royalties, Franchises, and Appurtenances whatsoever, to the same belonging, or in any wayes appertaining. And all the Estates, Rights, Title, Interest, Re­version, Remainder, Claime, or De­mand whatsoever, as well in Law as in E­quitie of his said Royal Highness James Duke of York, of, in, to, or out, of the same or any part or parcell of the same; As also the free use of Bayes, Rivers, and Waters, leading unto or lying between the said Premisses, or any of them, in the said parts of East-New-Jersey for Navigation, free Trade, Fishing or otherwayes; To have, and to hold unto the said Earl of Perth, John Drummond, Esquire, &c. their Airs and Assignes for ever. To the only use and behoove of them, the said Earl of [Page 123] Perth, John Drummond, Esquire, &c. their Airs and Assignes, for ever. Yeelding and paying therefore yearly for the said whole entire premisses unto his Royal Highness, his Airs and Assignes; the yearly rent of ten Nobles of Lawfull English money, at or in the middle Temple-hall of London, at, or upon the Feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel yearly. And the said James Earl of Perth, John Drum­mond, &c. do for themselves severallie, and for several and respective Airs, Exe­cutors, Administrators, and Assignes, Cove­nant, Promise and Agree to and with his said Royal Highness, his Airs or Assignes to pay or cause to be paid the said Annualrent of Ten Nobles on the dayes, and times herein before limited for payment thereof. And these presents, farther witness, that for the better enabling the said Earl of Perth, John Drum­mond, Esquire, &c. their Airs and Assignes to improve and plant the said pre­misses with people, and to exercise all necessary Government there, whereby the said pre­misses may be the better Improved and made more useful to them their Airs and Assignes, and to the Kings Majesty, His said Royal Highness, hath likewise Given, Granted, [Page 124] Assigned and Transferred, And doth by these presents, Give, Grant, Assign, and Transfer unto the said Earl of Perth, &c. their Airs and Assignes, Proprietors of the said Pro­vince of East-New Jersey, aforesaid for the time being all and every such, and the same Powers Authorities, Jurisdictions, Govern­ments and other matters, and things whatso­ever, which by the said Respective before re­ceived Letters Patents, or either of them, are or were granted, or intended to be granted to be exercised by his said Royal Highness, his Airs, Assignes, Deputies, Officers, or Agents in, or upon, or in Relation to the said pre­misses hereby confirmed, or intended to be confirmed, and every of them in case the same were now in the actual seazing of his said Royal Highness, to be held, enjoyed, exercised, and executed by them, the said Earl of Perth, John Drummond, &c. their Airs and Assignes, Proprietors of the said Province of East-New-Jersey, for the time, being as fully and amplie to all intents, constructions and proposes, as his said Royal Highness or his Airs might, could, or ought, to hold enjoy, use, exercise, or execute the same by force and vertue of the said several & respective before recited Letters Patents, or either of them, [Page 125] or of any thing in them, or either of them con­tained, or otherwayes howsoever provided, al­wayes, that these presents be entered with the Auditor General of his said Royal Highness within two moneths next after the date hereof. In Witness whereof, the par­ties abovenamed to these presents, Indenturs, Interchangablie, have set their Hands and Seals, day and year first above written,

JAMES.

This contains an absolute Grant and Convey­ance of the moyety of New-Jersey, called East New Jersey, unto the Right Honour­able James Earl of Perth, John Drum­mond, &c. under the yearly rent of Ten Nobles payable on the Feast of St Michael, in pursuance of a warrant from your Royal Highness, dated the second of March, 1683.

Geo: Jeffrey.
Sealed and Delivered by his Royal High­ness in presence of
  • Ro: Worden.
  • Will: Crofts.
  • Jo: Ashtone.
Sir,

BY what is above written. I hope you are sufficiently convinced of the justness of the Title of the Proprietors, to what is contained in the Patent granted by the late King of hap­py Memory, to his Royal Brother James Duke of York, now Our Most Gracious Soveraign: And now conveyed by him as you see, as also that by the constituti­on of the Government, these who subject themselves thereto may rationally pro­pose comfortable and peaceable life, with­out any just ground of Fears of any in­croachment upon their properties or liberties, even in matters of Opinion when the Proprietors are so far by their own concessions, from exempting them­selves from being subject to the Law, that they declare themselves lyable thereto, as the meanest Inhabitants are, by one of the fundamental Constitutions; It re­mains to give you als good ground to believe the above writen discription of the place, to be consonant to truth, and I shall offer you no other proof of this then what sufficiently convinced my self, that there can hardly be any cheat in the [Page 127] affair, to wit, the perusal of the follow­ing Letters from that place: which I have been at great pains to collect for my own satisfaction in the particular. Yea, I have been so much upon my guard that I might not be imposed upon in this, that I have my self seen the principals of many of them, when you consider they come from several hands, at several times from People of Different perswa­sions, and yet not the least contradicti­on to be observed, amongst them all; and that the accompt given therein to the Generall Advantage of the Countrey, is homelogat by severall Gentlemen and Merchants, in this city, who to my self have Declared, they have been eye witnesses to the truth of the most materi­all Passages in these accompts, narrated to the advantage of the place, I hope you will, find your self oblidged to rest Satisfied therewith.

An Account of the settled Towns, and most part of the Plantations, or Tract of Land, taken up in the Province of East-New Jersey, beginning at the outer­most Southerly parts towards the Sea; So going up Northerly on Hudsons River to its outmost extent; This was the Condition of the Province Anno 1680. Given under the hand of Captain Ni­colas, Sacretary for the Duke in New-York.

Shrewsbery, A Town in that Province, lyes without Sandy-point, and hath the far­thest plantation to the Southward; Its Sci­tuate on the side of a River; not far from its entrance, and extends up into the Land; a litle distant from the said River, about eight mylles, near unto Collonel Morice, his Iron Mill and Plantation.

There is within its Jurisdiction Collonel Morice his Mannour being of [...] thousand Acres, wherein are his Iron Mills, his Man­nours and diverse other buildings, for his Servants and dependants there, together with [Page 129] 60. or 70. Negres about the Mill and Hus­bandries in that Plantation.

There are diverse out-plantations, accounted to belong to the Jurisdictions of the Town, some in necks of Land by the Sea side, others within Lands, and towards Midletoun bounds, and others on the northside of the Ri­ver, below Collonel Morice, his Iron mills; The computation of Acres taken up by the Town may be 10000 Acres, and what is taken up by Collonel Morice, and the other Out-plantation 20000. Acres, the number of the Families in Town are so, and of Inhabi­tants Men Women, and Children 400.

Midletoun, is nixt 10. or 12. myls o­ver Land, Northward from Collonel Mo­rice Iron Mills, being 9. or 10: Myles up from the entrance of that River, that which is pro­perty, the Town may consist of 100: Families, and of Inhabitants 500: and of Acres taken up for the Town 10000: and for the several Out-Plantations 20000.

This was the second place settled in, till Nichols time, 1664. but there are many con­siderable Plantations within the Jurisdiction of that Town, viz. Captain John Broun and [Page 130] others that first settled, who removed out of the Town and settled greater plantations abroad Richard Hartshorn hath a Plantation, with considerable Land belonging to it, part with­in, and part without Sandy Hook, which with a part of Coney Island, and Long Island opposite to it, makes the entrance into the Bay that goes up to Now-York, and also to the Lands of East-New-Jersey; the Town is above 5: myles from the entrance of the Creek or River that goes up to it from the Bay.

There was a Plantation one the Norths side of the Creek at its entrance first settled by Nicol­as Davis, having a large tract of Land be­longing to it, of 2. or 3000. Acres, since de­vided to deverse, besides several Out-plantati­ons, and there is a great Deall of waist Land, and other Improveable betwixt this said Pis­cattaway, for about 20. myles, There was a court of Sessions held twice or thrice a year, for these two Towns, and their Jurisdictions.

Thirdly. Piscattaway, Lyes next 25. or 26. myles from Midletoun, Irs up Rari­ton River 5. or 6. myles westward in, and there is about half myle within Land, The entrance into Rariton River is at the bottome [Page 131] of the Southren bay, and opposite to the Sou­thermost point of Staten Islands the Northwest point of the entrance is called Amboy point, where is a fair tract of Land formerlie reser­ved by the proprietor for his own use.

There are several Plantations all along on the North side of the River as you goe up to the Town, and some on the South-side, among which are considerable belonging to one Tho­mas Lauernce a baker at New-York, his wife son, about 3000. Acres.

Ʋp higher on Rariton River near the falls which are about 3. miles over Land, there are severall Plantations a good big vassel loaden may goe up to; the falls, and so may above it for several myles in the River; At the falls its foordable for horses and other cattle, unl [...]s in great Floods when men may goe over [...] boats and Canows; and horses will swim over, though the River be a good breadth.

About the falls, there are severall tract o [...] Lands some upon on side some on the other si [...] the River, viz: a place called by the In [...] ans Rachahova-Wallaby, Captain John Palmer of Staten Islands, Mr. Thom [...] Coddrington, Mr. White; and Com­pany [Page 132] Merchant at New-York, in part set­led there on 6. or 7000. Acres.

M. John Robison, Mr. Samuell, Edsall, and Company of New-York, on 6. or 7000. Acres.

Captain Palmer, Mr. Whyte Cap­tain Corsen, and Company on 5. or 6000. Acres.

There is some other Land taken up by Milstoun River, which comes into Rariton River, and is near the midle bounds between the two Province of East and West-Jersey, you pass Milstoun River to goe over Land from Piscataway to Meltinsed in Island in Delaware River, which is near Burling­toun.

The Town Consists of about 80: Families, and of about 400. Inhabitants, and of Acres about the Town about 10000: and for the out-Plantatations 30000.

Woodbridge is over Land from Piscatta­way about 7. or. 8 miles it lyes up a River, the entrance whereof is about 5: or 6: miles to [Page 133] the North of Amboy-Point the side ebbing, and flowing betwixt the Main Land of New-Jersey and Staten Island on the Westside, as it doeth on the East-side of the said Island and Long Island.

On the South side of the entrance into the River or Creek, Mr. Delapairs Surveyour Generall hath a neat Plantation, and he hath severall tracts of Land in the Province: There are other Plantations on the South side of the River, or Creek, within Land and di­verse on the Northside, lying along the water side, opposite to Staten Island untill you come to a Creek or River that divydes their bounds from these of Elezabeth Town, the mouth of it being 8. or 9. myles from Woodbridge.

There are severall Plantations up the South­side of the Creek to the Road that goes along from Woodbridge to the Town, and passeth over that River, it being foordable over the Plantation on the north side, Sayling to Eli­zabeth Town, Its reckoned from one Town to the other ahout 15. or 16. miles: over-Land, but its more by water.

This Town pretends to have more priviled­ges [Page 134] them any other Town in the province, and hath a Charter of Corporation, It hath a Court house and a prison built on their charge; It con­sists of about 120 Families, and 600. Inhabi­tants; The Acres taken up by the Town, may be about 10000. and for the Out-plantations about 20000.

Elizabeth Town is the first new place that was settled, 1664. by vertue of a patent from Mr Nicolas to Captain John Baker, before the Lord Barclay, and Sir George Cartwrights Tittle was knowen; This Town lyes up 3. myles within a Creek, the entrance whereof is almost opposite to the North-west-end of Staten Islands.

There are several Out-plantations on the North side of the River, which devides the hounds between this Town and Woodbridge, particularlie where the roads pass over, to which place is about 7: or 8: myles.

There are other plantations at the point or entrance of the Creek on the North side if it, comonly called Governour Cartwrights point, where there is another ferme, between the pro­prietor and him, Its but a narrow passage there [Page 135] over to the Meadows of Staten Island, then on Northward there are other Plantations fron­ting to the Bay that lyes to the North part of Staten Island, beside some other within Land from the Town to New-York bounds.

There is in this Town a house, orcheards and ferm within the Town in partnership between the Proprietor and Governour, Philip Cart­wright it being one of the first house built there, and hath all along been the residence of the Go­vernour, untill of late he hath finished his New-house.

The Town is built on both sides of the Creek, and Consists of 150. Families, and of 700. Inhabitants, The Acres taken up by the Town are computed to be 10000. and for the Out-Plantations 30000.

Newark alias Millfoord, is a Town dis­tant to the Northward over Land from Eli­zabeth Town about 6: or: 7: myles.

It lyes on a River called Newark River, which emptieth it self into the Bay about 4: or 5: myles down opposite to the Town, on the North side of the River lyeth a great tract [Page 136] of Land belonging to Mr. Kings-Land and Captain Sanfoord, the quittrents where­of is purchased.

There is another great tract of Land taken up higher in the River by Captain Berrie, who hath disposed of a part of it; There are several Plantations setled there; Its said he hath about 10000. Acres there, farther up the water is an Island of about 1000. Acres, belonging to Mr. Christopher Hoogland of Newark, if it be not an Island, it is tyed by a very narrow slip of Land to the Con­tinent.

Above that again is a greater tract of Land above 8. or 9000. Acres, purchased by Lease of the Governour, according to the Concessions, by Captain Jacques Cartelayne, and part­ners, Who have begun some settlement.

All these tracts of Land are within the Ju­risdiction of Newark.

In this Town hath been a Court of Session, held between this and Elizabeth Town; It is the most compact Town in the Province, and consists of about 100: Families, and of [Page 137] about 500. Inhabitants; The Acres taken up by the Town may be about 10000: And for the Out-plantations, over and above beside Mr. Kings Land, and Captain Sanfoords, 40000: Acres.

At the bottom of the Bay upon over-prok-Creek-side near Hackinsack River, There is a River settled by severall Valleys having a brave mill belonging to it, they have taken up a brave piece of Land, into their plantations, for the which Mr. Nicolas of New-York hath a patent, but gave Leave to their setle­ment at the request of Governour Cartwright, on promise of as much more in a better place.

Near unto Snoke-hill is a brave Plantati­on on a piece of Land almost an Island contain­ing 1000: or 1200. Acres, belonging to Mr. Penhorn a Merchant at New-York, and one Edward Eickbe, Its well improven and Stockt, Mr. Penhorn payed for his half 500: lib.

There are other Plantations upon Hackinsak River, which goes a great way up the Coun­trey almost North-West, there are other al­so on the East-side of another Creek or River at Hackinsak River.

There is a large neck or Tract of Land, for which one Mrs. Sarah Kirk-stead, of New-York hath a Patent, given here by on old Indian Sachem, in recompence for her In­terpreting the Indian Language into Dutch, as there was occasion, there are some little Families thereon.

Between 2: or: 3: myles up there is a great Plantation setled by Captain John Berrie, where he now Lives, there is a good house thereon, and a good quantitie of Land cleared and Improved by 20. Negers or more, he hath about 2000. Acres of Land there.

There is another Plantation adjoyning, which belongs to his son in Law, Mr. Michell Smith, who hath about 1500: or 2000: A­cres, who by 16: or more Negres, hath impro­ved a good quantitie of that Land.

And there is another Plantation more near to Captain Berrie, belonging to Mr. Baker, who came from the Barbadoes, and bought the Land from Captain Berry, being about 7: or 800: Acres part of which he hath Impro­ved by 7: or 8: Negres.

On the West-side of the Creek opposite to Captain Berry, there are also other Plantati­ons, but none other more Northerly; up above these Plantations on that side of the neck of Land that is betwein Hudsons-River and it, the neck of Land is in breadth from Cap­tain Berries now Plantations on the West­side where he lives over to his old Plantati­ons, to the East at Hudions-River-side, about 3: myles, which distance, severs to Con­stables-Hook upward of 10 myles.

To goe back to the South part of Berghen­neck that is opposite to Staten Issand, where is but a narrow passage of water, which ebbs and Flowes between the said Island and Berg­hen point, called Constable-Hook.

There is a considerable Plantation on that side of Constable-Hook, Extending in Land above a myle over from the Bay, on the East-side of the neck that leads to New-York, to that on the west that goes to Ha­kinsak and Snokehill, the neck running up between both from the South to the North of Hudsons-River to the outmost extent of their bounds.

There belongs to that Plantation about 12: or 1500: Acres, and its well stockt and im­proved; it was Settled first by Samuel Edfall in Collonel Nicholls time, and by him sold 3: years agoe for 600: lib.

There are other small Plantations along that neck to the East, between it, and a Little village of 20. Families, called by the Indians. [...] of Penelipe, [...] then further one to another cottadge, there are more, where Lawrence the Draper lives a Dutchman, there may be 16: or 18 Families, then one to George Umpane, which is over against New-York, where there is about 40. Fami­lies, within which, about the medle of the neck, which is here about 3: myles over stands the Town of Berghen, which gives name to that neck, then again Northward to the wa­ter side going up Hudsons-River, there lyes out a point of Land, wherein is a Plantati­on, and a water belonging to a Merchant in New-York.

Southward there is a small Village about 5: or 6: Families, which is comonly called the Dukes Ferme, and harh alwayes [Page 141] paid a small annualrent to the Governour of New-York, who first granted it out for two lives, but leased out now for some years, yet is under the Jurisdiction of New-Jersey for Government; further up is a good Plantation in a neck of Land almost a Island, called Ho­buk, It did belong to a Dutch Merchant, who formerly in the Indian war, had his Wife, Children and Servants Murthered by the Indians and his house, cattle, and Stock destroyed by them; Its now setled again, and a mill erected there, by one dwelling at New-York.

Ʋp Northward along the river side are o­ther Lands near to Mr. William Laurance, which is 6. or 7. miles further opposite there­to, there is a Plantation of Mr. Edsall, and above that Captain Beinfields Plantation, both without Tennents, this last is almost opposite to the northwest and Manhattas Island on the south part is New-York town, and Fort; there are other smal Plantations up the River to Havercham, near the High-lands, be­tween which the River leads up to Lepus and Albany.

Here are the outmost extent of the Northren [Page 142] bounds of East-Jersey as alwayes com­puted.

There was here taken up a great Tract of Land by Governour Philip Cartwright for himself, and another for an Campyne, and Company; Its supposed to be little Impro­ven yet, some Plantations are said to be there, under the Jurisdiction of this Town of Berg­hen are all the Plantanions on both sides of the Neck, to its outmost extent, as also these at Hakinsak: Here is a Town Court held by Select Men, or Overseers, who use to be 4. or more as they please to choose annually, to try small causes, as in all the rest of the Towns, and two Courts of Sessions in the year, from which if the Cause ex­ceed 20. lib. they may appeal to the Governour, and Council, and Court of Deputies in their Assemblie, who meet once a year. The Town is compact and hath been fortified against the Indians; There are not above 70. Families in it. The Acres taken up by the Town, may be about 10000. and for the Out-plantations 50000. and the number of Inbabitants are computed to be 350. but many more abroad. The greatest part of the Inhabitants which are in this Jurisdiction [Page 143] are Dutch, of which somo have setled here, upwards of 40. years agoe.

Patents have been given out by the Governour and Council, for the greatest part of the Land here discribed, all Lands Patented, are to pay the quitrents, whi­ther improven or not; what is set forth here, relating to New-East-Jersey is only Computation of the Neighbours of that Collony; not declaring every thing to be just as he hath written, but sets it down as a good part to his own know­ledge, the rest guessed at, and is to the best of his remembrance particularlie about the quantity of Acres and num­ber of Inhabitants,

 Acres,
Shrewsberry town and Plantation.30000
Midleton and Plantation.30000.
Piscattaway and out Plantations.40000.
Woodbridge and out Plantations.30000.
Elizabethtown and Plantations.40000.
Newark and out Plantations.50000.
Berghen and out Plantations.60000.
 in all 280000.
 Acres,
Shreusberry Families080.
Midletoun.100.
Woodbridge.120.
Elizabeth.150.
Piscattaway.080.
Newark.100.
Berghen.070.
 in all 700. Families.

And reckoning 5. to all Families, the old Inhabitants in the several Towns estimate to be 3500. Persons.

These besides the out Plantations that cannot be so well guessed at, for Families or Persons, as the Towns.

I desire Sir, you may here stop a little, and consider the Incouragment to be had from the above written Information, which will by any understanding Person be judged of very great import, you come not to a place altogether void of Inhabitants; But on the contrar to a Coun­trey, where at your first landing you have houses, which can accommodat you with all necessars whatsoever: If you look back with me to the great trouble these were redacted to, who first went to that place of the World, [Page 145] who were necessitat to carry over with them, Horses, Cows, Sheep, Hoggs, &c. Yea, all sorts of provisions, you will certainly ac­knowledge that it is a very easie business now, in comparison of what it was then, when so soon as you come to land, you have houses to affoord you good and comfortable accommoda­tion, till you make provision for one of your own; when you have some way accommodat your self with Lodging, you may from all hands provide your self with Horses, Cows, Sheep, Hoggs, &c. all sorts of Poultry, all sorts of Seed for sowing, this consideration does in my apprehension, make the Design far more easie, then would appear at first to any who would be necessitat to lay before his eyes great difficulties to be rancountered, when come from Ships, lodging is wanting upon the shore, no other Victuals are in readiness but what is brought along from the place they came from, none of these other accommodations to be fur­nished, but what is brought a great way off: Sir, you will be oblidged to say we have even upon this one consideration, a great advantage of our Countrey-men lately settled at Port-Royal in Carolina, to mention nothing else in this place.

But now let us return to the perusal of se­veral [Page 146] Letters from that place, and I desire you to mark narrowly if you observe the least contradiction in any matterial point, contained in any of them, or if you do not find the above written Discription quadrat in the least parti­cular with the said Letters.

A Letter from Thomas Rudyard Deputy Governour of New-East-Jersey, to a Friend at London, dated at East-Jersey the 30th. of the 3d. Moneth called May, 1683.

Dear B. G.

TO be as particular in my return, were but thy due, yet I cannot promise so much, However I may give thee some general account of the Province, and of our satisfaction with our present Lot, the short time I have experienced this.

But to give thee also, as thou desires a Character of Pensalvania and West-Jersey; that will be a task I must be excused to undertake, least I give offence, or at least bring me under censure as partial: Were [Page 147] I not concerned in any of the Provinces I might satisfie thy curiositie: But be­ing chieflie interested in this, I'le be very cautious medling with my Neigh­bours more then here, one with another, so I may use my freedom with my Neighbours which they take not ill, but writ that they may take otherwayes; They lye so near adjacent, that they may be said in a sence, to be but one Coun­trey; And whats said for one in General may serve for all: I have been at Bur­lingtoun, and at Pensilvania, as far as Phi­ladelphia, which lyes about 20, miles be­low Burlingtoun: That journey by Land gave me some view of all the Provinces, and made me now considerably to esti­mate this of East-Jersey; having some Conveniences esteemed be me, which the others are not so plentifully furnish­ed withal, viz. fresh and salt Meadows, which now are very valuable and no man here will take up a Tract of Land without them; being the support of their flocks in Winter, which other parts must supplie be store, and taking more care for English Grass; But know where salt Marisshes are not; there is no Musket­tos, [Page 148] and that manner of Land, the more health, and this was often answered me, when I have been making comparisons; I must tell thee, their Character in Print by all that reads it, here is said to be modest, and much more might have been said in its Commendation. We have one thing more particular to us, which the other want also: which is vast Oysters banks, which is Constant fresh Victuals during the winter to Eng­lish as well as Indians; of these there are many all along our Coasts from that Sea as high as against New York, whence they come to fetch them, so we are sup­plied with salt fish at our doors, or with­in half a tydes passage, and fresh Fish in aboundance in every little brook, as Pearch, Trout, Ells, &c. which we catch at our doors. Provisions here are very plentiful, and people generally well stockt with Cattle: New-York and Bur­lingtoun hath hitherto been their Mer­cat, Few or no Trading-Men being here in this Province, I believe it hath been very unhappily heretofore under an ill managed Government, and most of [Page 149] the people who are such, who have been invited from the adjacent Collonies by that goodness of its Soill, and convenient Scituation, at Amboy we are now build­ing some small houses of 30. foot long, and 18. foot breadth, fitting to enter­tain Work-men, and such who will go and build larger, the stones lye exceed­ing well and good up that Rariton River a Tydes passage, and Oyster-shells upon the point to make lyme withall, which will wonderfully accommodat us in building good houses cheap, warm for Winter, cool for Summer, and durable, covering for houses are Shingles, Oak, Chesnut and Cedar, we have plentiful here of all, the last endures a mans age if he live to be old; There is 5. or 6. Saw­mills going up here this Spring, two at work already, which abates the price of boords half in half, and all other timber for building, for although tim­ber coast nothing; yet workmanship by hand was London price, or near upon, or sometimes more, which these Mills a­bate; we buy Oak and Chesnut boords no cheaper then last year; My habita­tion with Samuell Groome is at Elizabeth [Page 150] Town, and here we came first, it lyes on a fresh small river, with the tyde, Ships of 30. or 40. Tuns come before our doors, throughout this Town is good English grass and (bears) a very good burthen; we cannot call our habitation solitarie, for what with the publict employ I have little less companie at my house dayly then I had in George Yeard, although not so many pass by my doors. The people are general a sober professing people, Wise in their Generation, Courtious in their Behaviour, and Respectful to us in Office among them. As for the Tem­perature of the Air, it is wonderfully scituated to the Humours of Mankind, the wind and weather rarely holding in one point, or one kind for ten dayes toge­ther: It is a rare thing for a Vessel to be wind-bound for a week together, the wind seldom holding in a point more then 48. hours, & in a short time we have weet and dry, warm and cold weather, which changes we often desire in England and look for before they come; Yet this Variation creats not cold, nor have we the tenth part of the cold as we have in England; I never had any since I came, [Page 151] and in the midst of Winter, and Frosts could endure it with less cloaths then in England, for generally I go with that same Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you, but warm cloaths hurt not. I bless the LORD, I never had better health nor my Family, my Daughters are very well improved in that respect, and tell me, they would not change their place for George Yeard, nor would I; People here are generally settled, where the tyde reaches, and althoughs this is good Land and well Timbered and plentifully supplied with Salt-Marish, yet there is much better Land up higher on the River, where they may go up with small boats, where many now are settling, there's extraordinary Land, fresh Meadows overflowed in the Winter time, that produces multitudes of Win­ter Corns, and its believed will end are 20, 30, or 50, years flowing without in­tromission, and not decay; such Land there is at Sops on Hudsons River, which hath born Winter Corn about 20. years without help, and is as good as at first, and better. William Penn took a view of the Land this last moneth, when here, [Page 152] and said, he had never seen such before in his life: All the English Merchants, and many of the Dutch have taken, and are desirous to take up Plantations with us. Our Countrey here called Berghen is al­most Dutchmen, at a town called Newark 7. or 8. miles hence is made great quan­tities of Syder, exceeding any we can have from New-England, or Rood-Island, or Long-Island; I hope to make 20. or 30. Barrels out of our Orchard next year, as they have done who had it before me, for that, it must be as providence ordered: Upon our view and survey of Amboy-point we find extraordinary well scituate for a great Town or City, be­yound expectation, at low water round about the point are Oysters; There are Oysters of two kinds, small as English, and others two or three morsells, ex­ceeding good for roasting and stewing; The people say our Oysters are good and in season all Summer; The first of the third Moneth I eat of them at Amboy very good; The point is good lively Land, 10. some places 20. foot above the water mark, About it are several Coves with small Coasts may lay up Vessels as [Page 153] in a decke, besides great Ships of any burthen, may all ryde before the town Land-loked against all winds: There Rariton-River runs up, or rather down 50 (far larger,) some say 100. mylles for small boats. I saw several vines upon the point, which produces, as they say, good grapes in their Season, this Coun­trie is very full of them, but being no present mother of profite, few regard them more then to pick them as they lay in their way when they are rype. We have store of Clamms esteemed much better then Oysters; one Festivals the Indians feast with them, there are Shallops, but in no great plentie. Fish we have great store, as our relation set forth, but they are very good when catcht. (as the proverb is) I have se­veral Barrels by me now, which are good for our Table, and for Sale. I brought a Sea-Net over with me which may turn to good account. Sea-Nets are good Merchandise here, mine cost me about 4. or 5. lib. and can have 20. lib. for it if I would sell it now; I may writ of many such matters in our Pro­vince, which may invite persons here, [Page 154] but so am resolved to conclude, knowing that in probability, there is not an In­dustrious man, but by GODS blessing may not only have a comfortable, but plentifull supplie of all things necessary for this life, with the salutation of my true affection to all, &c. I rest thy af­fectionat friend,

Tho. Rudyard.

A Letter from Samuell Groome Surveyour General in East-New-Jersey, dated at East-Jersey, the 11th. of August, 1683.

Friends, and Fellow-Proprietors.

SInce my last I have now sounded the Channell from Amboy to Sandy­hook, and finds it to be a broad and bold Channell in no place less then 3. fathom at high water, in ordinary tydes 4, 5, or 6, fathom, except in one short place, Rariton Ri­ver is a good River, and hath a good tyde of flood, overpowering the freshes about 30: miles above Amboy, after its flood, the tyde hath no force against the Freshes, which comes out of several branches of Rariton, and joyns in one, 40. or 50. miles above Am­boy, [Page 155] I have spent a considerable time in mak­ing discovery, I have not as yet had times to lay out much land for you, only about 17. or 18. thousand Acres in one tract, good upland near Elizabeth Town; I have now seen the tract of Land against (or nigh Amboy point for­merly laid out by Vanquillian; it is on the West-side of a Creek called Chingeroces, a­bout eight thousand Acres. And I intend shortly to lay as much or twice as much more to it; but first we must talk with the Natives about that, and other tracts of Land they are not yet paid for; The last day of this moneth is appointed to treat with several Indians to buy several exceeding good tracts nigh the head of Rariton.

The tenth of the next Moneth is also appoin­ted to treat with other Indians, to buy other tracts of choice Meadowing, and Ʋp-land that lyeth about 12. or thirteen myles up into the Countrey, which I have seen; and when we have accomplished these two things, we shall he able to lay out for you much land; and when I have been up in the Countrey towards and at Barnagate, and agreed with the Indians thereabout, for such land as we may see occa­sion to purchase (presently) in order to a setle­ment [Page 156] there; for here are many both of New-England, New-York, and some parts of this Province, stands ready to sit down in that part of the Countrey, not only for the sake of the good Ʋp land and Meadows, which re­port saith, is much thereabouts; but also for the sake of the Whale Trade, and other fishing trade, which is like to be there shortly. New-England Men, and others were a [...] tampering with the Indians to have purchased there, be­fore and since we came, but now they are out of hopes of coming in at that door; so now they make their Addresses to us, and would have us to purchase, and let them come in our Ten­nents, otherwayes as we may agree. I intend to attempt these things, this fall I have not been much on the South side of Rariton, only upon some upland at severall places, and upon the tract of 8. thousand 3. hundreth and 20. Acres of yours aforementioned; and also on the Meadowing that lyes on the southside of Ra­riton above Amboy, a year or two since, purchased of the Indians in the name of Dam Cartwright, though it was never intended for her, nor for any Proprietor, but as it fell out, they quarrelled about disposing and shar­ing thereof, so it is now without controversie yours: Now know that Rariton River is [Page 157] accommodate on both sides with salt and fresh meadows, salt as far as the salt sea water flows or predominats, and fresh above as the River of Thames. We have about 3000. Acres of meadowing butting on the river, I hope it will never hurt Amboy town, besides re­port saith, that the upland next adjoyning to this meadowing, beginning over against Am­boy, and so up 10, or 12, miles to a River that stricks out of Rariton south, and is cal­led South River, is but mean land.

It may be well if you would agree to take each one a 24th part of Lands as we lay them out whither it be more or less, or else take 500. Acres Lots, and let these Lots be cast when 24. times 500 Acres is laid out, & where we can make greater Lots we may; we have now got up three houses at Amboy, and three more ready to be set up, but workmen are scarce, and many of them base; the best will work but when they can spare time out of their plantations, (if no help comes it will be long are Amboy be built, as London is) housing will bring a Trade to that place, the Indians comes thither to get Fish, Foul, Oy­sters, Clams, Mussels, &c. (as people go to mercat for things they want) and these In­dians [Page 158] brings at Seasons great quantities of skins down Rariton, so by Amboy and to New-York, where they have a continuall supplie of things they want.

Well here is a brave Countrey, the ground very fruitfull, and wonderfull inclinable to English grass, as Claver, &c. It Predominats over the more wild grasse, very little barren, much dry up-land and good meadow, some phenny, swampy land, and small running brooks and rivers throughout all the parts of the Countrey I have been, and these phenny and swampy Land hears great burdens of grass; in short, the land is four times better then I expected, we must needs be out some money at present to purchase lands of the Indians, but that will be soon got in with profit, as people come to Inhabite and take up Land, and pay as alwayes they have done their part of purchase from the Indians; Here is great talk of the braveries of the place and land, Barnagate I intend to see shortly, after the season is fit­itng, to go by land and water to it, I intend to go by water in a Sloop, to see how convenient its by water, and from thence come by Land, so then I shall tell you more; Ye must expect to be at charges for doing these and such other [Page 159] things I purpose shortly to writ to, and de­mand in all places of the Quitrents, and Ar­riers, they generally say, they will pay Captain Berry his two or three hundreth pounds be­hinds in arriers, as is said because his caice dif­fers from others a little, I'le (GOD permit­ting) begin with them first of all about his rent, &c. and either have rent or land, what you write concerning building and repairing shall be ohserved, I wish I were freely rid of all the goods I have of yours, and my own at 28. per cent. Excepting such as are for the In­dian Trade, These part of America, are com­modated with English goods; Nevertheless when I pay Workmen and Labourers, I pay them goods rated cent per cent; New-York mo­ney, but then I must pay them 2. or 3. silver, and part paction, which I procure with goods as well as I can.

The houses at Amboy are 30. foot long and 16. foot wide, 10. foot betwixt joynt and joynt, a double Chimney made with Timber, and clay as the manner of this Countrey is to build, will in about 50. lib. a house, this pay procur­ed here, for 25. in goods the first coast, I shall make you no return this year, seing we are about purchasing and surveying all, which will run [Page 160] out money in this place, where Mint are so scarce to be had on such accounts, I must as well as I can turn your goods into money, pro­vision and goods for Indians, I have laid out Amboy into 150. Lots, and have sent home a draught of it,

your S. G.

Abstract of a Letter from Gavin Laurie De­puty Governour of East Jersey, to the Proprietors at London, dated from Elizabeth Town the 2. of March, 1684.

I Took up several dayes with Coun­trey men and others, to view the Ground and Water, at last I pitch­ed upon a place where a Ship of 300. Tun may ride safely within a plank length of the Shoar at low water, and joyning thereto is a peece of marish ground, about 12. pearch broad, and 20. pearch long, and high land on each side like our Keyes by London Bridge; this may be easie cut quit round for smal Vessels to come to the Key, and lye safe round this Island, I set out Lots, 1. Acre a peece, [Page 161] viz. 4. pole at the Key, and 40. pole back­ward, from thence along the river, near half a mile I lay'd out the like lotts ve­ry pleasant for scituation where they can see the ships coming in the Bayes of Sandy-Hook; for near 20 miles the Ships may ride alongs by the Town as safe as at Lon­don, just at the point by the Town; Ra­riton-River runs up the Countrey a great way, there boats of 40 tun may goe, and the River, by the Town goes to New-York, Hudsons-River Long Island, Staten Island, and so to New-England; there is no place in all England for Conveniency and plea­sant scituation; There are 60 Lotts upon the River, and 40 backward between these and the River, and these backward have a highway 100 foot broad, where I have laid out a place for a mercat, with cross Streets from the River to the Mar­ket where the Town-houses are to be built; when this was done I laid out 400 Acres to be divided in 48 parts, viz. 36 to each Proprietor, and those who have Lotts in the Town, I grant them half Lotts in this to pay for the Lotts in the Town, 20 pound or if a half Lott of 36 Acres [Page 162] 40 pounds; I laid 400 Acres to ly untill the Proprietors agree to devyd it as people comes over; There is 16 Lotts taken up by the Scotish Proprietors, and 8 Lotts by the Proprietors that are here; There are 20 Lotts taken up in the Town by other People; I engadge all to build a house of 30 foot long, and 18 broad, and 18 foot high to the raising, to be finished within a year, To pay for laying out 40 shil: a Lot, and 4d per Annum, Quit-Rent there are several begun already to build, I have laid out between 40 and 50 Acres for the Go­vernours house. The high way and wharfe between the Hooks and the Ri­ver a 100 foot broad; And to [...]eave a raw of trees along upon the River before the houses for shade & shalter exceeding plea­sant: I have agreed for two houses of like demensions, to be built for the Proprietors; and also a house for the Governour of 6 foot long, & 18 foot broad And if the quit rents come in, I intend 3 or 4 houses more for the Proprietors, I can easily let them this work took me up 5 weeks After I had finished this work I set the people to work, Scotish and English, about 50 persons, some preparing, for building, other on [Page 163] clearing ground to get Corn sowne, this spring, then came in a Boar privatly to Elizabeth Town the 12th. past next morn­ing; I went to New-York to visit the Go­vernour, stayed there two or three days; He was very kind and promised a fair correspondency, so I did not publish my Commission untill this day before the Council; They have been kind and cour­teous: Now is the time to send over people for settling these. There is 30000 Acres of Land in several places belonging to Proprietors formerly taken up by Cartwright, so here is land enough. The Scots and William Dorkwrans people coming now and settling, advance the Province more then it hath been advan­ced these ten years. Therefore Proprie­tors send over some Families and Servants; I shall presently set them out Land, and it well presently bring them in consider­able profite in a few years here wants; nothing but people; There is not a poor body in all the Province, nor that wants; Here is abundance of Provision, Pork and Beef. At 2 d per pound, Fish and Fowl plenty; Oysters I think would serve all England, Wheat 4. shil. Ster. per. [Page 164] Bushell, Indian Wheat 2. ss. 6. d. per bus­shell; It is exceeding good food every way, and 2. or 300. fold increass; Sider good and plenty for 1. d. per Quart; Good drink that is made of water and Molasses stands in about 2. ss. per. Barrel wholesome like our 8. ss: Beer in Eng­land, Good Venision plenty brought, us in at 18. d. the quarter, Eggs at 3. d. per Dozon; all things very plenty, Land very good as ever I see; Wines, Walnuts, Peaches, Straw-berries and many other things plenty in the woods; The Proprietors have 150. or 200. Acres 3. miles from the town upon Rariton River, salt Marsh where I intend to let the people of Amboy cut grass for hay to their Cattle in Winter, untill we otherwayes order it, by Lots to them; I reckon there is laid out for the Town Governours house, and publick high wayes, near or about 200. Acres, so there rests 1800. Acres, I laid 400. Acres as I said the rest to ly in common untill divided; I have put two houses in repair upon the River called the Point, 2. m: from Elizabeth Town, have let one of them with 10. Acres of Pa­sture ground, and 10. Acres of Woody ground for 7. years at 26: lib. per annum; the [Page 165] man to clear the ten Acres of Woody ground, and make it fit for Pleuching or Pasture; I intend to let the other also with some land, all the houses were like to drop down, all the land lying wothout fence, and an barn quit falen down, and destroyed, another without any cover; And that other next to the house where I dwell all to peices, and all the fences and out-houses is down, but repairsd before I came; I am setting up a Ferry-Boat at Perth, for Men and Horses to go and come to Bur­lingtown, Pensalvania, and New-York; Also I am treating with one to set up a house midway to Burlingtown, to entertain Tra­vellors, and a Ferry-Boat to go to New-York, all which is for promotting Perth, that being the center; also you should give me power to set out a Line between the Governour of New-York and us; he calls on me for it, because several Plantations on the River are settled, and we know not yet what side they will fall to; I cannot at present mention all particulars, which you must supply by some general clauses or words, for it is not possible for you to un­derstand what is for the good of the Province as I do, that am here; and be not sparing to send over people, it will bring you it again with large profits; for here is a gallant plentifull [Page 166] Countrey, and good land; I bave given you a large account of the little time I have been here; I have none to writ for me; but you must send a Coppy of this to Scotland, and with it your further Instructions to be signed, and send me forth; I will be bound till it come, I rest your friend, Sic subscribitur,

Gavin Laury.

An Letter from Gavin Laury to a Friend of his at London.

Loving Friend,

I Promised to write to thee when GOD brought me to Jersey, but had not time till now, I shall give thee a breef, ac­count of the Countrey, no fiction but the truth; It is beyond what I expected, It is scituate in a good Aire, which makes it healthy; and there is great conveniency for travelling from places throw the Province in Boats, from a small Canoa to Vessels of 30, 40, or 50, Tun, and in some places 100; In the Bay coming up to Amboy point, where the Town of Perth is now in building, a Ship of 300. Tun may asily ride closs to the Shoar, within a plank [Page 167] length to the Shoar, and the houses of the Town, and yet the land there, nor other in the Province is not low, Swampy Marish ground but pretty high ground, rising from the water side at Amboy point, the bank of the River is 20. foot, in some places 30, and in some 40. foot high; And yet hath many convenien­cies for landing goods, The soile is generally black in some places a foot deep, beareth great burthens of Corn, and Naturally bringeth forth English grass 2. years pleuching, the ground is tender and the ploughing is very easie, the trees grow generally not thick, but some places 10, in some 15, in some 25, or 30. upon an Acre; This I find generally, but in some particular places there is 100. upon an Acre, but that is very rare; The trees are very tale and straight, the generall are Oak, Beech, Walnut, Chasnuts, and Accorns ly thick upon the ground for want of eating, Peaches, Vines, Strawberries [...]nd many other sorts of Fruits grow commonly in the Woods; There is likewayes Gumtree, Cedar, White-Wood, like our Fir-tree, Walnuts, Chesnuts, and others lye tick upon the ground; there is great plenty of Oysters, Fish, Foul, Pork is 2. pennies the pound, Beef, and Venison 1. penny the pound; a whole fat back at 5. or 6. [Page 168] per Bushell, Indian Corn for 26 per Bushel, Oats, 20. pennies, and Barley 2. shill: per Bushell; We have good brick earth, and stone for building, at Amboy and elsewhere the Countrey Farme houses are built very cheap, A Carpentar with a mans own Ser­vants builds the house, they have all materi­alls for nothing, except Nails; their Chim­neys are of stones, they make their own Ploughs and Carts for the most part, only the Iron work is very dear; The poorer sort set up a house of two or three Rooms themselves after this manner, The walls are of cloven Timber about 8. or 10. Inches broad, like planks set on end to the ground; and the other nailed to the raising which they plaister within; they build a Barn after the same manner, and these cost not above 5. lib. a peece, and then to w [...]rk they go. 2. or 3. men in one year will clear 50. Acres, in some places 60. and in some more; They sow Corn the first year, and afterwards main­tain themselves, and the encrease of Corn, Cows, Horses, Hogs and Sheep, comes to the Landlord; several Merchants of New-York, have left their several Plantations there to come to East-Jer-sey; 2. or 3. joyn together be 12, 15, or 20. Servants and one Overseer, which costs them nothing for the first year, except some Shoes, [Page 169] Stockings and Shirts; I have been to see these Plantations, and find they make a great in­crease by them, maintains their Families at New-York with all provisions; sell a great deal yearly, and for Servants our English people are far better Husbandmen then the New-England men, the Servants work not so much by a third as they do in England, and I think feed much better, for they have Beef, Pork, Baccon, Pudding, Milk, Butter, and good Beer; and Cyder for drink: When they are out of their time, they have land for themselves; and generally turn Farmours for themselves; Servants wages is not under 2: shill: a day besides Victuals; and at Amboy point 2: shill: 6: pen: per day, at Amboy we have one setting up to make Malt, but we want a Brewar, I wish thou would send over some to set up a Brewhouse and a Bakehouse to bake Bread and Bisket, for a Bisket-maker we must have to vend our meat to the Plantations, send over some Husband Men and Countrey Fellows that Plough, Sow, Reap, Thresh and look after Cattle; A Carpentar or two, and a Smith for Ploughs and Horse, and a Cowper, which we want very much; If thou will send a dozon of Servants, most of them Countrey men, I will set thee out a gallant Plantation of [Page 170] 500. or 1000. Acres upon a River side; but thou must send over some goods to stock it with­all, I desire thee to encourage some of our Fri­ends, especially the Proprietors to send over some servants to stock some Land, And when they have cleared it, if they have a mind to lett it, here are tennents to take it, and if they will sell it, here are also purchasers; there is one man since I came here sold his Plantati­on for 1500. lib. the whole was 1600. or 1800. Acres, whereof only 120. Acres were cleared, upon which he had a house, Garden and Orchyard, and Barn planted; I know several men who lett cleared Land at 6. shil 8. pennies and at 10. shil. the Acre yearlie rent, which is a good encouragement for sending over servants to plant; I write not this as idle story, but as things realy and truly are; I have sent for servants my self to setle a farme for if the Pro­prietors will not do so, I see not what they can exect. The Scots have taken a right course, They have sent over many servants, and are likewayes sending more; They have likewayes sent over many poor Families, and given them a small stock, and these Families some for 7. some for 10 years give the half of their increase to the Land-lord, except the milk, which the tennent hath to himself, I have set [Page 171] them out land, and they are at work, I beleive they will have 40. Acres cleared this Spring; and this Summer I am to sett them out more, so that in a short time they will have a great in­creass coming in, this will raise the price of the Land here; And is the reason that several from New-York bounds come to me, to take up Land, for they beleive now this Province will be improven; And our Land is beeter then theirs; so that every Proprietors sending over 10. peo­ple will be a great advantage to himself, en­courage others to take up Land and bring all the division that hath been here to an end, for these men seing that they shall be ballanced are already more complyant then they were, Now I have layd these things before thee, and desire thee to impart them to some of the Proprietors, and other friends that they may consider of the same, I am thy Loving friend; Sic subscribtur,

Gavin Laury.

A Letter from Gavin Laury to the Scots Proprietors of the same date.

KNowing you do expect from us an account of this Countrey, we have for your encourage­ment, and for the encouragement of all [Page 172] our Countrey Men who may be inclin­able to come into this Countrey, given you this breef and true account of it, ac­cording as we have seen and are credibly informed, for having seen little, yet save the Winter Season, we must writ what is to be seen in Summer, upon Information which we have just ground to believe to be true, because what we have seen al­read in it (notwithstanding of all that we heard of it before we came) surpass our expectation in many things; the Aire in this Countrey is very wholesome, and though it alter suddenly sometimes be­ing one day hot and another cold, yet people are not so subject to catch cold, or be distempered by it as in our Countrey of England; the land lyes for the most part pretty high, but on the River and Creek sides are many Meadows which lye low, of which the Countrey people getts their Hay, whereby their stocks are maintained in the Winter Season, Pro­visions here are pentifull and cheap; There is Beef, Pork, Venision, Mutton, Foul and Fish, aboundance to be had at easie rates, and for drink they have good Beer, and Cyder, and these that are de­sirous [Page 173] may have Wine of several sorts, and other kinds of strong Liquor, so that we see little wanting here that a man can desire; and we are here sure that a sober and industrious People might make this a rich Countrey, and enrich themselves in it, especially poor people who are hard put to it to gain bread at home; notwithstanding of the excessive Labour, for we see that people here want nothing, & yet there labour is very saml; they work not so hard by one half as the Husband men or Fermors in our Coun­trey; and many of these who have setled here upwards of sixteen years, have lived upon the product of the Land; They cleared the first two years after they came (and cleared none since) which pro­duced not only Corn to maintain their own Families, but to sell every year, and the encrease of their Bestial whereof they have good store of several Sorts, Cows, Oxen, Horses, Sheep, and Swine, yeelds them other provisions and to sell; besides, yet there be some more Indu­strious among them who have continu­ed clearing and Improving Land, and these have got Estates, and would not [Page 174] sell their Plantations for several hundred pounds, we have late up a little way on the Rariton River, but could not go so far as we intended being prevented by Rainy weather, but so far as we went was very rich land, and yet that above it is said to be richer, a great deal of it is natu­rally clear of wood; And which is not so, is easily cleared, the trees being but small and a good distance from one an­other, so that the Land yet untaken up so far as we can understand, is easier to clear then that which is taken up; the Towns that are already seated, being seated in woodiest places, the Merchants in New-York both Dutch and English have many of them taken up Land and setled Plantations in this Countrey, and seve­rall from that Collony are desiring to come and take up land among us, though they might have land in their own Col­lony without paying Quittrents; The wood here is not so hard to clear as ma­ny think, they do not pull it up by the Roots, but them about a foot or more from the ground; and one man may cut down many in a day, four of our men the first day they began, cut down seven­ty [Page 175] the best Trees they could find fit for building; there are not many of great Trees, but straight and tale, and there be of many sorts, Oak, Walnut, Ches­nut, Cedar, Popler, Gumtrees, Firrs, Pines, Birth and Beech, and other sorts which we remember not at present; there are many good Orchards of Fruit trees, and they make abundance of good Cy­der, especially at one Town called New-wark, which is esteemed at New-York and other places where it is sold, beyond any that comes from New-England; there are Peaches, and Vines grow wild about the River sides, which in Season bears good Fruit, and Grapes, and there are Strawberries over all the Woods and many other kind of goods and Fruits, and at Amboy point and several other places there is abundance of brave Oy­sters: There will be many houses built there quickly, for many have taken up lots and all that have taken are oblieged to built within a year; there is good en­couragment for Tradsmen to come over, such as Carpentars, Massons and Brick-layers, for they build not only of Wood, but also of Stone and Brick, yet most [Page 176] of Countrey Houses are built of Wood, only Trees split and se [...] up in end on the Ground, and Coverings to their Houses are mostly Shingles made of Oak, Chesnut and Cedar wood, which makes a very neat Covering, yet there are some Houses covered after the Dutch manner with pantikles; the Towns are all settled upon Rivers, where Vessels of 30, or 40, Tuns may come up to their doors, and the out plantations generally upon some Brooks or Rivelets which are as plenty here as in our own Countrey, and curious clear water, and in many places are good Spring walls; but in the Towns every man for the most part have a well diggd by his own hand: Among all the towns that are Setled here, there is none lyeth so convenient for trade as New-Perth, for Shipps of great burden may come up closs to the houses, and may come up any time in the Winter; There came a Ship of 300. tuns in there this winter, in the hardest frost we had, and lay hard by the town, so near that she was tyed to a tree: The Land here; brings furth most sorts of English grain, and great encrease, Wheat, Rye, Barly, [Page 177] Oats and others sorts of grain, such as Indian Corn, which is very good and wholesome kind of Grain; and also Buck-Wheat, and those Corns are to be had at easie rates, either for money or for goods, and those that have not m [...] ney or goods may have abundance for their work.

We shall now answer so far as we are capable, your Quarries sent over to us.

To the first, we cannot positively answer to give an account of the whole length and breadth of the Province, But we are informed that it is a great deale broader then ye expected, for these that have travelled from the extent of our bounds on Hudsons-River straight over to the Delawar-River, say it is 100. myles or up­wards; we shall know that certainly after a while, for the Line betwixt us and New-York is to be run straight over to Dela­ware-River, about 3. weeks hence, and after that the Line betwixt us and West-Jersey, After which we shall be able to give a true ac­count of the bounds of that Province.

[Page 178]2ly. When the bounds is so exactly laid out we can the easier guess at the Number of Acres, and by that time may be able to give an account what number of Acres is already ta­ken up, but there is no fear of want of Land.

3ly. The quantity of Meadow ground we cannot determine, having travelled as yet but litle in the Province, but the way we have travelled, there is meadow abundance, both on the water sides and on the up Land.

4ly. There is also other good ground in some places great quantities free of wood, which is fit either for Corn or Grass, and the ground all over brings furth good English grass naturaly after it is ploughed.

5ly. There are also Commons upon the Countrey, but what quantity we cannot tell, there is litle keept in them save wild horses, which the people take up when they have occa­sion; There is also Land fit for pasturage for Sheep, and there is their Sheep in the Coun­trey; but what number the ablest planters have we know not, but some we see have good flocks.

[Page 179]6ly. An exact Mapp of the Countrey is not yet drawn nor can you quickly expect it, for it will tak up a great deale of time, charge and pains to doe it.

7ly. There are also hills up in the Coun­trey, but how much ground they take up we know not, they are said to be stony and covered with wood, and beyond them is said to be ex­cellent land.

8ly. To the Eight we cannot answer as yet.

9ly, There be People of several sorts of Re­ligion, but few very Zealous; The People be­ing mostly New-England men, doe mostly in­cline to their way, and in every Town there is a meeting house where they worship publickly every Week; They have no publick Law in the Countrey for mantaining publick Teachers; but the Towns that have them makes way within themselves to maintain them; We know none that hath a setled Preacher that followes no o­ther Imployment, save one Town New-wark.

10ly. The method of building their houses is mentioned already.

[Page 180]11ly. There are not many Out Plantations that are not within the bounds of some Town; Yet there be some, and these are the richest, what number are there we know not, some have great quantities of Land and abundance cleared.

12ly. The richest Planters have not above 8. or 10. Servants, they will have some of them 1 Dozon of Cowes, yea some 20. or 30. 8. or 10. Oxen, horse more then they know themselves, for they keep breading Mears, and keep no more horses at home then they have occasion to work; The rest they let run in the woo [...] both Winter and Summer, and take them as they have occasion to use them; Swine they have in great flocks in the wood, and Sheep in flocks also, but they lett them not run in the woods for fear of being destroyed by wolves; Their profite arises from the Improvement of their Land, and Increase of their Bestial.

13ly. There will be in most of the Towns already settled at least 100 Houses, but they are not built so regular as the Towns in our Countrey, so that we cannot compear them with any Town we know in Scotland; every house in the Town hath a Lott of 4. Acres ly­ing to it; so that every one building upon his [Page 181] own Lott makes the town Irregular and scatter­ed; There streets are laid out too large, and the Sheep in the Towns are mostly mantained in them; They are so large that they need not trouble to pave them.

14ly. Betwixt Sandy-Hook, and Lit­tle Egg harbor lyes 2. Towns Midletoun and Shrewsbery, there is no Land taken up that way but what is in the bounds of these two Towns; what kind of land it is, we know not, having never travelled that way, Bor­nogate or Burning-Holl is said to be a very good place for fishing, and there is some desir­ing to take up land there, who inform us that it is good Land, and abundance of Meadow lying to it.

15ly. There are no Fisher-men that follows only that trade, save some that salt Whales upon the Coa [...]ts, and other Fishes, there is abundance to be had every where through the Countrey in all the Rivers, and the People commonly fish with sives or long netts, and will catch with a sive 1. sometimes 2. barrels a day, of good fish, which they salt up mostly for their own use, and to sell to others.

[Page 182]16ly. There is no Ships belonging to this Province particularly, or built here, save one which Samuel Groome built here the last Summer, which stands yet in the Stocks (a stop being put to it by his death;) there is conveniency enough to build Shippes, the Shippes in this part trade mostly to the West-Indian Islands, and some to New found-Land, where the Provisions of this Countrey vends.

17ly. There is land here in several places, after it is cleared and brought into a farm sett out for Rent [...], as in out Countrey at 5.8. and 10. shil. per Acre. According to the goodness and scituation of the said Land, and those that will be at charge to clear land may get tennents to take upon these termes; But whither it will turn to good account or not because little experienced as yet with the Charge of clearing of Land. I will not positivly inform.

18ly. There is several places of rhe Coun­trey fit for mills, and several both Corn and Saw mills already sett up, and good encou­ragment to sett up more.

19ly. The Acres are here reckoned accord­ing [Page 183] to the English Account; There is 16 foot goes to the Rude, and 20. Rude long and 8. Rude broad, makes an Acre; One English butt of Wheat which is 8 English Gallons or Scots Quarts, commonly sows an Acres 2. bushells of Barlay also an Acre, and 2. bushells of Oats an Acre, and half Acre; English peck which is 4. English quarts or Scots Shopens, of Indian Corn plants one Acre.

20. There are but few Indian-Natives, in this Countrey; Their strength is inconsi­derable, they live in the Woods, and have small towns in some places far up in the Coun­trey; They plant a little Indian Corn, shoots Deer, and other wild Beasts and Fowls for their food; They have Kings among themselves to Govern them; for Religion, they have none at all, they do not refuse to sell Land at occasion.

The prices of Grain and other Provi­sions here at present,

Indian Corn, 2. ss. 6. d. the Bushell, Wheat 4 shill: Rye, 3. shill: Oats, 1. ss. 8. d. the Bushel, Beef, 1 d. Pork 2. d. Ve­nison 1 d. Mutton 3 d. the pound, this English Measure and Weight; But mark [Page 184] these things being valued in this Coun­trey money, there is a fifth part diffe­rence betwixt it and Sterling money, So that Wheat being valued here at 4. ss. the Bushel, is but 3 ss. 3. d. Sterling, and so of the rest proportionally.

Here you have an Account of things as far as we are capable to give you at present, with which we hope you will be satisfied, while further opportunity and better experience give us occasion to writ more; And so we rest your Fri­ends and will wishers to all our Country Men.

Sic subscribitur,
  • David Barclay.
  • Arthur Forbes.
  • Gavin Laurie.

This I have heard read, do also subscrive to the truth there is, and so rests, G. L.

For the Scots Proprietors of East-Jersey.

A Letter, from George Mackenzie Merchant in Edinburgh, to Mr. George Alexan­der Advocat there.

Mr. Alexander,

I Doubt not but you expect here a particular ac­count of the province of New-Jersey, but that I thought needless, The person David Barclay whom this comes alongst with, being more able to give you that satisfaction, as whose interest oblidgeth him to a more narrow observation of its natural advantages, and whose place being one of the Council, gives a larger liberty and occasion to inspect the concerns of this Province; But in general its a healthfull, plea­sant fruitful Country, in many places of a most Luxu­rious Soyle, rewarding the labour of the Country­man sufficiently, its well watered with many fair and pleasant Rivers and Creeks, stored with seve­ral sorts of fish, and most of the Rivulets convenient for mills, whereof there are severall both for sowing of wood and grinding of Corn. They raise great store of Hogs & Cattle; and fowls they have in abun­dance; The Countrey for ten or fifteen miles up from the River and Sea is generally plain; farther up Mountains, besides the Towns mentioned in the publick paper since Governor Lawries arrivall, there is laid out at Amboy-point 1000. Acres for the City of Perth divided into 96. Lotts, 9 Acres to a Lott, the Remainders is for the streets, Mercat place, Go­vernours house, and other publick conveniencies. How large the Countrey is, is a question hard to re­solve, [Page 186] and how much bought by the Proprietors (if any) David Bar [...]lay can satisfy you, The inhabi­tants are English, with a few Scots, French, and Dutch of sufficient number, to defend thems [...]lves against any prejudice may be offered them by the Inhabitants. That fancie of a Common Improvement will not take, but whoever expects profi [...]e from their Inte­rests here, must Imp [...]ove them a part, I have sold some of your Gloves a [...] 2 shil: and 6 pen: 3 shil: 4: pen. a pair, being what I c [...]uld gett for [...]hem; the money five and a half part less then Inglish, and shal make an account thereof at meeting, Pres [...]nt my ser­vice to all Friends.

I am Your very humble Servant, Sic scribitur, George Mackenzie

A Double of a Letter from New-Perth, da [...]ed the 1 of the seventh Moneth, 1684. From Iohn Reid, who was Gardner to the Lord Advocat, to a Friend at Edinburgh.

SEing it hath pl [...]sead God to bring me and mine safe unto this part, I took upon my self as oblidged to writ something according to my pro­mise of this Countrey; indeed I must sa [...] its a brave place, but I have nor had time to take such ob­servations as I w [...]uld, being so ingadged to at­tend my other businesse; Here is no ou [...]ward want, especially of provisions, and if people were in­dustruos they might have cloaths also within them­selves; by the report [...]f all, its the best of all [...]he Neighbouring Collonies, it is very wholesome, pleasant, and a fertill-land, [Page 187] there are also some barren land, viz. whit Sandy land, full of Pin trees, it lyes betwixt South-Ri­ver, and Barngate on Neverssink, (albiet there be also much good land in that precinct) yet its a good place for raising a stock of cattle, provid­ing they have large room to run in, for cattle finds g [...]od food there in winter, when none is in the best land, and therefore do the inhabitants provide little hay in winter. The soyl of the countrey is generally a red marle ear [...]h, with a sur­face of blak mould (nor doth it appear that rea­ly it is to their eyes; who cannot penetrat beyond the surface) full fraughted with grass, pleasant hearbs, and flowers, and in many places little or no wood, but most places full of large timber, as walnut, especially oak, there be some places here and there in the Woods, they call swamps, whick is low Ground, amidst or betwixt rising ground full of bushes, which holds water in win­ter, tho most of them be dry in summer, but these being cleared, and some of them that needs being drained, are the richest land; here are great conveniencies of Bay, Sounds, Rivers, Creeks, Brooks, and Springs, all over the Province; but one of the best things is the large quantities of brave Meadowes, both falt and fresh, which makes the people here able to supply their Neighbours as they doe, throw the abundance of their cattle. I know one Planter who hath a hundred of cattle, not above three years setled, and no wonder for some of the grasse is als high as my head; Its pity to see so much good land as I have been over in this province lying wast, and greater pity to see so much good and convenient land taken, and not improven.

As soon as any of the land here comes to be cul­tivated, it over-runs with small Claver-grass, by the [Page 188] pasturage and dunging of cattle, and so supplants the naturall grass and hearbs, notwithstanding of their quick and strong growth, Fruit trees also pros­per well here; Newark made about a thousand barrell of sider last year (a barrell is 8 Scots gallons) this is like that of Woodbridge; who made 500 barrels of pork in one year, before the law was made against the swins trespasses.

Here they sow most Indian corn, and Wheat, some Rye, Barly, Oats, Indian corn the first year that they break up or plough, the second they sow Whea [...], be­cause the spontaneous grouth of the weeds is done a­way by howing the Indean corn, as we do cabboge; here is one planter makes accompt, That he hath ab­out three thousand bushels of wheat reapt this year; I suppose he hath above a hundred acres of it, but I doe not make these instances as so many precedents.

I know nothing wanting here, except that good Tradsmen, and good Husbandmen, and Labourers are scarce; a Labourer may have a bushell of Corn per day, when he is a little acquainted with the work of the country, but Tradsmen much more, Smiths, Carpenters, Masons, Weavers, Taylors, Shoe­makers, are very acceptable; any who comes let them bring some cloaths, and their proper tools with them, as used in England, and provide butter, bisket, wine, and especially beer and ale, for their Sea-voyage, besides the ships allowance, and they need not fear when they come here, albiet they have no more, yet they will be the better if they have something, either in money or Scots linning, and stuffs to buy a little provision at first, to set them up a house, and buy a cow or two; and tho a man be rich, I would not advise him ro bring many servants, at least not to keep many at first, untill he see about him, and know what he is doing.

I Cannot tell what goods are best to bring, David Barclay can tell better; But he who brings money, may expect 15. d. For the English; shil: some may bring a Little of the best Wheat for a change of seed, and some barly, and Oats, for the same use; al­so a Litle Scots field pise, there being none such here, bring also some great clower seed.

There are great store of Garding hearbs here, I have not had time to inquire unto them all, ne­ther to send some of the many pleasant (tho to me unknown plants of this Countrey, to James Suther­land Physick Gardiner at Edinburgh, but tell him, I will not forget him, when opportunities offers.

I had forgot to writ of Ambo, or New-Perth, therefore I add, that it is one of the best places in Ame­rica, by the report of all Travellers, for a town of trade; for my part, I never saw any so conve­niently seated; this with my love, and my Wifs to all friends, and acquaintances,

I Rest thy friend, John Reid.

David Mudies Letter to his Wife.

My heart,

I Hope this shall find you and your Children in Good-health, and I wish in as much satisfaction as I and our Children are here, far beyond my ex­pectation, and others my well-wishers, who are [Page 190] with you, my last to you was upon my arrival here, dated the 8th of November, and at that time I could give you but a small account of my Judgement anent it, it would take a great deale of time to in­form you of every thing, as it truelie is; But to be short, I have travelled through a part of it, and it is far larger than ever I heard it reported in Scotland: I dare say, above a third more ground, and there is abundance of brave Rivers through [...]t all, [...] better then ever I did see in any place, brave Meadows a­l [...]st all the River sides: and lands above the Mea­d [...]w ground, abundance of Fresh water Brooks, and Springs, plenty of Fishes in all the Rivers, in the Summer time, and that very good Fishes such as they preserve for Victual in the W [...]nter, and in very few days they use to take more then they make us [...] of in Winter; as for wild Meat there is of all sorts; Cows, sheep and Oxen as large as in England, and aboundantly cheap, considering their good­ness, Corns and all Sorts of Fruit in great aboun­dance, and no less then they are called in Scotland. Mo [...]y within this three years is become pretty plentiful, Servants dear and scarce, I have taken up sex Acres of Land in New-Perth, which pleases me exceeding well, in regard it is good Land, and f [...] [...]r building of a City, and Persons of Good For­tune a [...]e come from New-York, and other places in th [...] Countrey, and are very busy building; and I a [...] begun to build a house, and have near digged the ground, which is very hard, it being under a great part of it Oker, which is hard to digg, and the least deepness is eight foot: I have my two Wrights Squaring of Timber for it, and I resolve to have it a good Handsome House, six Rooms off a floor, with a Study, two stories high above the Sellers, and the Garret above; And I doubt nor [Page 191] if the Frost bide away, but I shall have the Sellers finished, and the gests laid above it, against the let­ter end of this moneth; for the Land that lyes to the house, I resolve to fence in two Acres of it for an Orchard. and an Yeard, and to have hat done before the middle of February, and to have it plant­ed with fruit trees; for I find a man in three years will have more Fruit in such in Orchard then he kn [...]ws how to make use of.

And about the middle of February, according as the Weather is, I resolved to go out where I have tak [...]n up my Land, which is upon a River, called the South-River, which is an exceeding pleasant River, and place, there goes onely with me [...]here Mr David Violent. I can go from New- [...]erth [...]o it in a Boat, in two houres and a half, let the wind blow as it will, and come ba [...]k again in as much time; I wish I had as many Servants here as I could make use of. Any man that is [...]rugal, and hath 300. lib. Sterling in Stock, to come over here, and bring over 7. or 8. g [...]od Servants with him, I could assure him in 3. years time he sh [...]uld make a stock better then 1000. if not 1500. lib. if he bestow his money right in Scotland, and take advice to bring all things here which is necessary for him to have in this Countrey. I am uncertain of the time I wil be at Home, but I resolve you shall come over with me again, and ye will both think and say, when ye see the Countrey, that ye wish it had been done twenty years agoe. I thought it not fit to trouble my friends and relations; since I could not write short Lettèrs to them, but any of them that desires to know the condition of this Countrey, ye may shew them this Letter, since there is no secret in it, you will find by William Burnets Letter, that he desires some of his Sons to come over, and John Geddis [Page 192] writs for some of his Brethren; the which Letters cause deliver them carefully, and get an answer that if they be to come over, ye may speak for their pas­sage timely; he tells some of them are good Wrights; which is all at present, but keep a good heart to your self, and take care of your Children, and I hope to see you with more Comfort then we parted, and I am your ever loving Husband while I breath,

Dauid Mudie.

James Johnston of Spotswoods Letter to his Brother, John Johnston Drougest in Edinburgh.

Loving Brother,

I Have taken up a part of my Land, 9. miles from Amboy, and 4. miles from Piscataway, and as far from the nearest part of Rariton, on a Brook side, where there are exceeding great plains with­out any Timber, there is excellent Gunning for Dear and Turkies, of which there is great plenty, and easily shot. But I resolve to see a place called Bernagate, which is 60. or 70. miles from this, on the Southermost place of the Province, where there is a good River and Harbour, the best Fishing and Gunning in any place in America 30. or 40. miles from any Plantation. The Indians here are nothing to be feared, the Place being as peaceable as any where else; I had occasion to travel through Long-Island. and Stallen Island, and for many miles found as many towns and plantations in the way, as in any so much Land in Louthean, there are no Bears [Page 193] nor Ravinous Beasts but Wolves, which are no­thing to be feared, neither are the Countrey People afraid to be among them all night, in so much as I oft-times going wrong, and lying out all night, and hearing their yells about me, and telling that I was afraid of them, the Countrey People laught at it; neither are the Snakes any thing to be noticed, for nothing can come near them, but they give warn­ing with the ratling of their tail, so that People may either kill them, or go by them as they please. Oxen are so well taught that they go sometimes in a Plough, or Cart, without Horse, or without a Gade-man; Horses and Cattel are as cheap as in Scotland, considering their goodness and the differ­ence of the Money; All sorts of Scots goods sells well here, ye will be advised with the next Occasi­on, what goods sells best in this place. I have great reason to thank GOD, that I am in a place which abundantly answers any thing I expected; The Air is healthful, and the Soil fruitful; the Indian Corn yeelds commonly 2. or 3. hundred fold, Oats 20. fold, as I am informed; the Indian Corn is an ex­cellent grain, I have eat it and likes it very well in Pottage and Bread; there are several reasonable good towns in this Province, most of them hath more then eighty Families; there is no poor persons here, but all are half idle in respect of what they work with you. Flax twice heckled, sold at 9. d. per pound, Wool is very cheap, only work is dear; the Liquor we most use is Sider; we have great store of Fruit. In many places untaken up there are many plains and not a tree; I have never since last part­ing had any sickness to keep me from one Dyet, for which I render thanks to GOD. The Indians here make it their trade to kill Venision, and sell it to us: for a smal matter, I will have my Family served with [Page 194] Flesh all Winter; one of their Sashiams, (which is their King) came to the Governour when I came first here, desiring he might be suffered to trade amongst us, and not to be beat out of our houses, when they were drunk, but only that we might bind them, and permit them to cut timber, and some such things: At New-Perth, we have a good Stationers Shop of Books, the land is no where diffi­cult to clear, albeit trees be 100. foot long and 3. or 4. foot over; I would heartily wish and perswade any to come over that intends to live well, plenti­fuily and pleasantly: Neither is there any Tradesman or Servant that could come wrong to this place, and I could wish my best friends no better but in the same place with me; the old Inhabitants are a most careless and infrugall People, their profession are most part Protestants, few Quakers, some Anabap­tists, it is most desired there may be some Ministers sent us over, they would have considerable Bene­fices, and good Estates; and since it would be a matter of great Piety, I hope ye will be instrumen­tall to advise some over to us, the place is aboun­dantly healthfull, as any else; there are a great dif­ference betwixt the people here, who are Strong and Vigorous, and the people more Southerly in Mariland, we have great store of Venision which is sometimes as fat as Pork; one good Buck is sold at 5. shil. and by the Indian at 2. shil. Oats are sold at 18. pence the Bushell; all sorts of Fish is here exceed­ing plentifull, the poorest Persons ea [...]s no Meat that is Salt, except Pork; in Summer, they live much on Milk. I would no more value the Sea coming through if I had occasion, then ye would riding of of 20. miles; let me be rememberd to all friends, to Patrick Fortune who most carefuly disswaded me from this Voyage; which I doe not repent, but would [Page 195] as carefully perswade others, who study their own good; what I most earnestly desire of you, for the encouragment of this Plantation, is, you would be Instrumental to send us over some Ministers, who I dare engadge shall afterwards ever be thank­full, and I oblidge to be your ever affectionate Bro­her,

James Johnston.
Dear Brother.

HAving accidently met with the Bearer, had not time to give you any particular accompt of this Countrey, only assure you, that it is beyond (not only) all our expectations, but all that ever you have heard spoken of it, we (praised be GOD) all of us arrived safely without the loss of any on [...] Pa [...]ger; scacely any of them was ever sick, only we had much troubles coming from Mariland by land, our Skipper having for his own advantadge put in first at the Capes of Virginia; but we have had a brave Prospect of the Countrey, and all the way as well as in this place where now we are, we found plenty of Corn, and all Kinds of Fruit, with Fish, Venision and wild Fowls, in such abundance, that a Deer may be had for 2. shilling Countrey money, and Turkies for 6. pence, which will be at least as big as any 2. Turkies in Scotland, and are realy Turkies only blacker then tame Turkies that you have seen; I shall give you full satisfaction with the next oc­casion, [Page 196] pray you fail not to writ to me, when you meet with any, otherwayes you disoblidge him who is ever yours,

D. M'kgregor.

Writen to his Brother Munivard, in Scotland.

Patrick Falkconers Letter to Maurice Trent.

Sir,

MY last was dated the 22. Current, from Phi­ladelphia, at which time I could give you but a small account of the Countrey; and as yet its but a small account, I can give by reason that I have had but a little time here as yet; I have tra­velled on Foot more then a 100. miles in East and West Jersey, and Pensilvania; I have also Travelled in Maryland, I cannot but say it is a good Coun [...]y, but its possessed with a Debauched, Idle, Leasie People, all that they Labour for is only as much Bread as serves them for one Season, and als much Tobacco as may furnish them with Cloaths, I be­lieve it is the worst improved countrey in the world; for the Indian wheat is that they trust to, and if that fail them they may expect to starve. I find Pensil­vania and the two Jerseyes are the places which set themselves out most for Planting of Corn; As for the Jersies I need not insist in commending of them, for David Barclay and Arthur Forbes who had a lon­ger stay here than I have had, will give you a more all account; for I intend to write no more than I [Page 197] am able to make good. I may say, that it is a pleasant Countrey, I did never see more pleasant Meadows, and Grass, then I have seen in both the Jersies, I have seen plains of good Hay consisting of about 30. Acres of ground, hardly one Tree to be seen upon the whole spot. And there are seve­ral places so; I can say, its a well watered Coun­trey, and good waters, and if they were desirous, they might have very good Quarrie here both for Stone of any sort, and Lime-stone likewise; but so long as Timber is so plenty, they will not be at the pains to seek after Stone; there are some houses in the Countrey built with stone, but very few. Having fallen in here, the end of the year, I cannot be capable to give an account what may be the product of the Countrey, but I hear that all sorts of Grain hath very good Increase, I see the Countrey abounds with Apples, Quinches, Peat­ches, Walnuts, and Chasnuts, and Strawberries in great abundance, wild-Wine-Grapes are plenti­full, wild-Fowl of all sorts, a great number of Deer, Turckie-Fowls-wild, in great abundance and very bigg, I have seen these things in great plenty: I hope ye will excuse me, because I am not capable to give an ampler account of the Countrey, for I have not been two dayes in one place, I will tell you this is a good Countrey, for men who resolves to be Laborious; any who comes here they must resolve to work hard for the first two or three years, till they get a little Ground cleared, for this must be looked on as a wood-Countrey, tho I must confess the woods are not so thick as people expects; and there are several places in the Countrey where there is little or no Wood; Peo­ple are generally curious to have their Land near Navigable Rivers, but when they are better ac­quaint, [Page 198] they will find that the farther back the bet­ter is the Land, there are aboundance of Fish and Oysters here, this is not a Countrey for idle people but such as will be at pains, they need not doubt but to get Bread here in plenty, so I wish it be the Lords will that we may have a happy meeting again, his will be done, I wish you may be protected by the Lord, this from,

Your affectionate Friend, and humble, Servants Patrick Falconer.

Abstract of a Letter writ by Peter Watson (who went over a Servant with David Barclay, in the year 1683.) to John Watson Messenger in Selkirk.

Cusing,

I Could never write to you before now, because I was never rightly setled, and am not yet fully setled, but I am from among the rest of the Servants, one James Reid and I and our Families are together, set out to a Farm on Amboy; we are to have some Land laid out to us, and we are Stock­ed with two Mares, four Cowes, two Sows, two Oxen; my Wise and I and the Child Richard are very well in health, and hath been so ever since we came out of Scotland: Now as for this Countrey, it is a very good Countrey; indeed poor men such as my self, may live better here then in Scotland if they will but work, a man can have Corn and Cattle or any other Goods for his work, and he can sell these good to some hands for money, it is not for a man that hath a Familie to come bound four years, but young men, who [Page 199] have no trouble, they will do better to come and serve four years here then to serve in Scotland, for they are not so hard wrought as in Scotland, and when the four years are out, they can gain abun­dance to work to other men; or if they desire to setle upon Land of their own, they can have it reasonably Cheap, the hardest work that is here, is clearing of the Ground, and felling of Trees, and the like; the first year is the worst, till they be accustomed with the work of the Countrey, my Neighbour and I did clear from the middle of February till the midst of May, five Acres of Land, and have it planted with Indian Corn, and Indian Beans, and Tobacco for our own smoaking; a man who lives here needs go no where to buy any things, here he can have Corn and Cattle, and every thing that is necessar for mans use, if he be Industrious, only the thing that is dearest here, is Cloathing, for there are but few Sheep to this Countrey, but there are store of all other Beasts, such as Horse; and Cows, and Hoggs, there is here good Fishing, good hunting of Deer; and other kind of wild Beasts; The Countrey is very healthie as I have seen yet, it is cold in the Winter like unto Scotland; But fra once the Summer breaks up, it is hotter then it is in Scotland; There are here very good Religious People, they go under the name of Independants, but are must like to the Prisbyterians, only they will not receive every one to their Society, we have great need of Good and Faithful Ministers; And I wish to God, that there would come some over here, they can live as well, and have as much as in Scotland, and more then many gets; we have none within all this Province of East-Jersey, except one who is Preacher in New­wark; there were one or two Preachers more in the [Page 200] Province; but they are dead; And now the people they meet together every Sabbath day, and Reads and Prays, and sings Psalms in their Meet­ing-houses: this Countrey is very well settled with People, most part of the first Settlers came out of New-England, very kind and loving people, kinder than in Scotland or England. And for the Indian Natives, they are not troublesome any way to any of us, if we do them no harm, but are a very kind and loving people; the men does nothing but hunts, and the women they plant Corn, and works at home; they come and trades among the Christians with Skins or Venison, or Corn; or Pork; And in the Summer time, they and their Wives come down the Rivers, in their Cannoas, which they make themselves of a piece of a great tree, like a little Boat, and rhere they Fish and take Oysters. This Countrey is a very pleasant Coun­trey with Rivers and Creiks to fish in; Only it is full of Wood, such as Oak and Walnut-tree, Chesnut, Poplar, and Cedar; The only thing we want here is good People; I wish that all the poor Friends I or my Wife hath were here: As for my Brother, if he have a mind to come. Brother if you have but as much in the World as would tran­sport you hither and your Family, I would desire you earnestly to come, and bring my Sister with you; if you have as much as will transport you, sell all and come, tho you had not a penny after your passage were payed, you need not fear if you have a mind to work; I was as little brought up with work as any man, yet blessed be GOD, I can work now as my Neighbors, and lives very con­tentedly with my Wife better then ever we did in Scotland; shew my Mother in Law tha [...] my Wife and I would be very well pleased, if she would [Page 201] come over, there are as old Women as she com [...] here out of old England; there was one came a­longst with us elder then she, if she will come, she shall live with her Daughter and me, as easie, and as well as ever she did live in Scotland; and I do know that was well enough; my Wife and I are well at present, as you could wish, GOD be blessed; I can say no more, but my love to my Brother, and his wife, and all Friends,

I rest your loving Cusin, Peter Watson.

A Letter write by John Campbel to John Dobie.

B. John,

I Wrote a line from Philadelphia to you, as we were coming hither, your Cusin James Dobbie the bearer is in such haste, that I cannot write what I would say; but is short, we are come here to a good wholesome Countrey, in which with little industrie a man may have a comfortable life; there is good Wheat and Oats growing here, and Indian Corn, which our Servants likes very well; There is Fish and Fowl abundance, and of Cows and Horse; they labour wi h Horse and Oxen; There is Deer through all the Countrey, and Turkies which some of our Servants has killed a part of already; There is Pertrages and Quails very rife, that my wife yesterday morning saw about 20. of them walking before the door like Chikens. I shall say no more till I see farther, for I am [Page 202] with others going to the Countrey on Munday to see for the Countrey lotts; for I have taken up the Towns already, and cut down the trees of two Acres of ground with six men in three dayes, My service to all Friends, I am

Your most assured Friend, John Campbel.

A Letter from Thomas Fullerton Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber, to his Brother in Law Doctor Gor­don in Montross.

Dear Brother,

BY my last about a Moneth since I dated from Am­boy, you understand that we came to Sandy-Hook, 18. weeks after we sailed from Montrofe, we were 9. weeks at Sea from Killebeg in Ireland, we had ma­ny cross winds, what other accidents we met with by the way were worth the telling, but not the writ­ting; blessed be God we all kept our healths very well, only one Boy fell over boord; what you expect, and I design by this, is a breef, but true accompt, of the Country. The first land we discovered was About the midle of Long-Island, it appeared at first like trees, growing out of the Sea, Towards night we Anchored in Sandy-Hooke; The land is low and levell, that is the reason we were within 8. or 10. mile thereof, before we saw it; the country appears all over Woodie; I landed on a sandie-bank and closs by the flood march, where grew Bayes, sassafax and severall prettie shrubs I knew not; The Woods consists of severall kinds of Oaks, Chesnut, Hic­kacy, Walnut, Poplar, and Beetch, Cedars grow on swamps, and barrens Firrs and Pines only on barrens; The ground generally is 2. or 3. inches [Page 203] deep of black dung as it were, below that is reedish mould, what you heard of the product of the Indian Corn, viz. 100. or 200. fold, of 20 or 30 fold, Inglish wheat, of the abundance of dears and wild horse, and severall turkies and of the great plenty of fishes are all true; There is very much Cider here. In 12. or 14. years you may make 100. barrells from your own planting, the best fleshes of all kinds ever I did see are here, tho this in respect of what you have heard, be generally tautollogie; yet I found my self oblidged to writ it, because I am witness to the truth thereof, without Hyperbole.

Notwithstanding of all this, its very troublesome expensive to settle a plantation here, and when it is done, I cannot promise you a man will grow verry rich; but he needs want nothing, and it is not every one will agree with the solitude of the Woods, these who can, and resolve to lead an countty life, can­not doe better then come hither; a merchant who will come over and set up store in the country, for a year will make cent per cent; of several commodi­ties with which I doe allow none to be acquainted but commerads. I wish I had some money of my stock so imployed, and sent safely here, Johnstouns of spois­wood, and I haue taken up upon a river, 6, or 8. miles in Amboy, your Brother Thomas and Robert, are here also, servants are not easily intertained here, I designed to have shot als many squirles as would have furred a coa [...] for you, but I am other­wise taken up; I have omitted to tell you that the weather here is constantly clear, the sun rises and setts free of clouds; I have obseved none to have the cough in this country tho I have frequently lyne in the woods; aboundance of fire is an excellent counter charm. Now brother as to your own coming over, [Page 204] it will be time to invite you, when I have a good house, and inter [...]ainment to treat you with un­bought; for you must not feel any of the inconveni­encies I have met with; we are all well, I pray God, this may find you also; present my service to all friends, Male or Femal; this letter wil serve that, pre­sent my service to my Grand-Mother; upon Christmass I drank her good-health in Rhumb Madera, and Fial Wine; If I can be frugall, I may be soon rich here; by my next I hope to ensure 60, or 70. lib: to the person, for we want a minister, this from,

Your Affectionat Brotner Tho: Fullertoun.

A Letter from the same hand to the Laird of Brotherstoun in the Mairns, of the same date.

Kind Comerad,

YOu were pleased so kindly to concern your self with my welfare when I was by you (and I find that absence augments true friendship) that I am oblidged to acquaint you with my present fortune, which I hope shall be far better then what I could expect, by so much stock in Scotland. This place is not altogether bowrish; for at New-York you may have railing and Gallanting enough, the inhabitants are generally great spenders. Dear Bro­thertoun writ to me, and give me an accompt of affairs, for I assure you, neither Governour nor Council will medle with yours to me, nor mine to you; by my next I will writ to Cl [...]nie, and John Johnstoun; in the mean time present my service to them, I am in haste to end writ­ing, tho ever being,

Your Oblidged Commerad and humble servant, Tho: Fullertoun

Abstract of a Letter from Robert Hardie, Merchant in Aberdeen, to his Son John Hardie Merchant there, dated from Elizabeth-Town, the 8. of December, 1684.

Loving Son,

I Have writ two Letters already to you at our arrival, an other shewing the death of your Brother William, and something of the country; but knowes not if they be come to your hands, and now having this occasion, know that I am in good health, and your Brother Alexander, praised be God, know that I intend to reside here, and should wish that I had all my childring with me, but your conveniencie cannot permit, neith [...]r am I able to transport them as yet; however I desire you to acquaint your sister Elspeth that I desire her to come over if possible, with her first conveniencie; I in [...]end before her coming to have a new house in New-Perth, and a Plantation near by it; if I had gott an good accompt of that Litle cargo I sent over; I would have lived upon it here, als well as upon 100 lib. Sterling in Scotland; But I have got an bad accompt of it; how ever, I hope to Provide for you all with what is left, if the Lord bless; Shew my brother and brothers in law, that if they would come over with each of them two Servants, they could have good Land here, at one easie rate, they might live better then their masters; and with less trouble, if they took but half the pains; They take in Scotland; for the Land is an brave and plentifull Land; Shew Andrew and David Hardies that if they can but pay their Passage and come to me, I shall make them to live in better condition then ever formerly; I doubt not but some of our neighbours will come over, to bring [Page 206] Servants here, who will give you an true accompt how, I and others can live here; believ [...] me, this is an brave Land, and any who will be Industrous, may live very comfortably here; He who comes first will have the best choise, and most profitable as for idle-men who will neither work nor trade, need never come here, for there are none idle here, I wish you all a blising from God, and so rests,

Your affiectionat father Robert Hardie.

A Letter from James Johnston of Spotswood, to his brother John Johnston, dated the 13. of February, 1685. from Piscatta way, in East-New-Jersey.

Dear Brother,

THese are to remember my kindest affection to you, my Mother, and all friends, we have kept our healths hither to exceeding well, Have endured an short hut very cold witner, now the Weather hath been for some time bygone exceed­ing good, was an Bear-seed season with you; I have been throw several or most places of this Countrey, of late; But am not yet resolved where my first Husbandry shall be; the Land is exceed­ing good, which is yet to take up, much better then what is inhabited; only not so convenient; the difficulty of clearing many places is no wayes con­siderable; I find Land where Several hundered Plughes may be presently set a work, I take all pains I can to be conveniently setled, and the Go­vernour refuses us nothing we desire; I stand in need of 40. pound, value of good, and some Ser­vants; [Page 207] hoping to have Corn for them, and others who come over; I could wish your self were here, we could live competently and quietly; but I doubt how affairs may premit; I wish any Land I had were sold, that you might he furthered; presen [...] my love and service to my Mother▪ and Sister whom I hope to see here; I wish you would send over some Ministers, one or moe to us I am,

Your affectionat and ever, mindfull Brother, James Johnston.

NOw Sir, does not the perusal of thir Letters, obliege you to be­lieve there is no deceit in the a­bove written discription of the place, see­ing you find the same Homollogat by so many different persons; the Hollograph of most of them have been perused by many persons in this City, and are to be seen by any inquisitive thereanent at Captain Hamiltouns Lodging at the Sign of the Ship, for their more satisfaction of the truth thereof.

But tho you appear to be convinced, that East-Jersey is in it self a very desir­able place, and consequently upon se­veral considerations a very proper seat [Page 208] for a Collony; From this yet I have ground to conjecture from some tacit hints and insinuations in yours, that be­cause West-Jersey, Pensilvania, and in a speci­al manner Carolina, are more southerly, therefore you think there is some ground to believe they may have the advantage of the Soyl, seing you oblidge me to tell you freely my opinion in this affair, I will be plain with you; the two first lying, the one upon the one side of the River of Delawar, the other upon the other side thereof, may have in them­selves other advantages; but I cannot be so blind, when I notice the Mapp, as not to discover too palpable an incon­veniencie to be past over; wherewith both the said Countries are much strait­ned; to wit. the Town of Newcastle lying upon the mouth of the River, which doth so absolutly command the River, that whosoever is master thereof, may if they please, lay what imposition they think fit upon both the said Countries; seeing if any dif­ference should fall betwixt the Town of Newcastle, and the Possessors, or Inha­bitants of these two Provinces, they may make themselves very quickly Masters [Page 209] of them, by imposing what conditions they think fit upon them; seeing no. Ship can either conveniently go up or down the said River of Delawar, but by allowance of any Fort, built upon the said Town of Newcastle: Whatever o­pinion others may have of this as a matter of no great import, I have these sentiments of the apparent inconvenien­cies thereof, as after perceiving it never to be any more so much concerned, as to make farther inquiry after these places seeing in my apprehension, no advan­tage to be proposed there could compense that so visible conveniency.

As for Carolina, I confess it is nothing strange that any person who hath read Ogibies description thereof in his America and Wilsons in his Treatise thereanent; Judge it in a maner a Terrestiral Paradise, but notwithstanding of all this, err you pass any judgement upon my choising rather East-Jersey, then Carolina for the seat of a Collony from this, allow me to give my Reasons why I do prefer the one to the other.

We lye here in 56. Degrees of Northren Latitude, Jersey in 41. Carolina in 31. it is very obvious to any understanding per­son, that our removall to 41. is more probably contributive for our health, then to 31, being ten degrees hotter; and consequently more dangerous, what e­ver opinion others may have of this, I judge it a matter of no smal consequence, health being very much preferrable to all other things whatsoever.

But further, our access to East-Jersey is very patent, no apparent obstruction in the way, whereas the coast of Carolina is the most dangerous in all America, there being a bank of sand lying all along the same for 200. Leags and up­wards, so that the entry to any part thereof is altogether hazardous, we have too sad a proof of the truth of this, by the Shipwrack of the James of Air, upon that bank this last Harvest, in which were lost upwards of 60. peop [...]e.

Experience also teacheth that the Cly­mate of Jersey, is far move suitable to our Constitutions, then that of Carolina; [Page 211] You find in all the Letters come from Jersey, this one particular specially mark­ed, That it is a very healthfull Air; no complaints of sickness there, whereas in the few Letters from our Countrey men settled in Carolina; You have an accompt of the death of the greatest part who went hence to that place.

There is one further consideration ob­lidging me altogether, to close my Ears and Eyes against Carolina; whatever specious pretences may flie abroad in fa­vours thereof, and be received by such who are not concerned, to enquire fur­ther, then to hear-say, and that is the con­sideration of the model of their Govern­ment, then which nothing can be more discouraging to any having the sence of a rational Man, or Spirit of a Gentleman. The Offices of Honour and Trust, such, as Chancellour, Thesaurer, Admiral, Secretar, &c. are all Heretably annexed to the Proprietors; by the constitu­tion of their Government, so that let a Gentleman deserve never so well, how­ever eminent his parts may be, he must in the first place purchase a property, err he can attain to any of these places of [Page 212] Trust, or Honor; whereas if you have so much Money as to make this purchase, you may then come to these preferments though you were the arrentest Block head in nature! Money here makes you ca­pable of Preferment, which neither Ver­tue, Merit, nor parts can do! Can there be a greater discouragement to any per­son of Spirit or Honour, than to go subject himself to a Government where he sees himself debarred of any Trust or Prefer­ment, how ever deserving he may be? unless he hath money in a manner to buy it with. Both in this Kingdom and our Neighbour Nations, we see mean Per­sons have by their Parts and Merit raised themselves to places of the highest Pre­ferments in the Kingdoms, and have discharged that Trust conferred upon them with Honour and Applause; So that when I have this consideration before my Eyes, I must conclude any who subjects themselves to that model of Government, are either ignorant of the Constitutions thereof, or of very mean Spirits, to settle themselves in a place where Vertue nor Merit can neither raise them, nor their Posterity!

Let me add another Ground of my dissatisfaction with the Model of that Go­vernment, and you may judge whether the same be reasonable or not; There are eight Proprietors by their Constitutions, it appears clear to me, that they are so many Soveraigns, seing by one express Article of their Fundamental Constitutions, it is declared, That the Proprietors are no waves subject to Law, in so far as to be cen­sured by any Judicatur there; So that be their Actings never so Illegal, or unjust; if any these eight Proprietors should com­mit Murders, or Rapes, or any other Act of Oppression, they cannot be challeng­ed upon accompt thereof in any Judica­tory in Carolina.

These being so matterial Objections, I need not add the apparent hazard of be­ing next Neighbour to the Spainard, whose interest it is to ruine any setling at Port Royal; how little probability there is, that any going at first from this can be of sufficient strength to defend them­selves against their designs, that in case of any assault from that airth; their nixt and only neighbour, Charles-toun, [Page 214] could not give that help, which were requisit in such an exigent, either against the Spainards their nixt neighbours, at St. Augustines Fort, or the Natives, if they should become quarrelsome Neighbors; But from the complext consideration of all together, I must divest my self of my reason, or I judge Carolina a proper seat to settle my self in.

But tho you be oblidged to grant, that East-Jersey, may be the most desirable spott of ground upon the continent of A­merica for such a design, upon the above written considerations; yet I do appre­hend you may incline to think that To­bago, St. Luce, St. Vincent, or some of these Islands were yet more proper as affoording at first view greater ground of expecting suitable returns to the apparent expense & hazards of such a undertaking; witness the great riches of Barbadoes, by the improvment of a Trade, from that place all Europe over.

In answer to this, I must confess, Sir, that there may be greater improvements of such Islands as to trade, when they do come to that length of improve­ment, as to produce Suggars, Cotton, [Page 215] Indigo, &c. But let me also tell you, there is a certain prospect of far greater & more imminent hazards in settling there, then in East-Jersey. It is certainly obvious to the meanest capacities what hardships these must be oblidged to lay their compt to meet with who would interprise such a design, not only from the wants thy might be exposed to throw lake of ne­cessar supplies, wherewith they cannot ex­pect the conveniencie of being furnished. but from other hazards and difficulties. It is not small stock could set such a de­sing on foot, neither can it be expected that such who would ingadge in such un­dertaking from this place could in many years attain to that strength, which were necessarily requisite for defending them­selves even against the Piracy of a Bucca­nier or two, far less against the invasions or assaults of forraign States and Princes.

As for my own part I must confess, I am not very anxious of great Riches, as the result of this undertaking, but to carry my Wife and Children with me; I am bound the best I can to look to their Accommodation; when I land in East-Jersey [Page 216] there are Lodgings, and all other necessars to be had for money, till by our own industry in Labouring the Ground, we provide for our selves, which could not be expected in one of these Islands; If I have a Countrey no worse than the South of France, with these Conveniencies above narrated, I desire no richer Soyl; though greater expecta­tions might be had of the result of such a design of setling in one of these Islands, as to Profit and Gain, when once come the length of a good Trade.

But besides this, our Countrey People which will be the strength of any Collony, to go from this place, knows very well how to labour the Ground, for producing all sorts of Grains, after what fashion, to breed abun­dance of all sorts of Bestial, in both which, will the great riches of Jersey consist; But it cannot he expected, that they know how to im­prove these Islands, for Suggar, Cotton, In­digo, &c. and this being altogether out of their road, we should thus be altogether deprived of the assistance we may rationally expect from them, by proposing to settle in a place where the Nigro Slaves could do more service, and [Page 217] be far more usefull than the most laborious▪ and judicious of our Countrey People.

As for the ordinar Objection against setl­ing in Jersey, upon account of the inconvenien­cies may arise from having a Governour of Principles alledged inconsistent with the stand­ing of any Society; upon this one head menti­oning no other, that a man who professes, he judges it unlawful to draw his sword to defend himself agains [...] a Na ive, if he were coming to cut his throat, can never be so careful in providing such certain and speedy remedies for preventing any hazard that way, as are absolutely requi­site for the security of these who settle there, both against any Designs of the Na­tives or Forraign Invasions. This is very easily answered, that there being several very substantial Citizens of London concerned in this Plantation, who are not of this Principle, who have laid out considerable summs on this Design, as I am oblidged to know by the ac­compt I have from one of them, with whom I have some correspondence; who tells me, he himself hath laid out 1800. pound; It cannot rationally be supposed that they will be so unconcerned, as not to follow such measures as may secure what interest they have there; Me­thods [Page 218] are already laid down, which I know will satisfie you in this particular, that as to defence against any such inconveniencies; East Jersey will be as effectually secured as any of the Neighbouring Plantations.

As for any other Apprehensions you or others may have upon this head, I shall only say, what ever Mr. Barclays Principles may be, he is a Gentleman known to be a­bundantly qualified to advance the inte­rest of that Collony, else the Trust there­of had not been devolved upon him by the Proprietors, who are Men more knowing in their own Affairs, then to have made an escape in so matterial a point; they are Men abundantly sharp­sighted to remark his Actions, and ac­cordingly as they find them for the in­terest of the place, to continue him in that Trust or not; And you may be assured, he understands himself so well, as to behave himself in that station so as becometh a Gentleman, concerned in his own Credit and Interest, seing upon the least malversation, he is als well [...]vable to censure of the Law, as the meanest Inha­bitant. Which consideration abundantly se­cures [Page 219] any reasonable Man against the Appre­hensions of any inconveniencie from his being Go­vernour, tho his inclinations prompted him to act upon a selfish design, to the prejudice of the general interest of that Province, I perswade my self, he is more a Gentleman, than ever to be guilty of any thing that is base, or unbecom­ing a Gentleman.

It is now more then time to bid you farewel, having nothing further to add, hoping from what is here said, you will rest satisfied, that in prosecuting this design, I do act upon so­lid foundations, let the result be what it will; I hope you are convinced I have not pro­ceeded indeliberatly therein; I am not so foolish as to propose no difficulties to my self to be ran­countered, notwithstanding all the incourage­ments above written, I am too well acquainted with all the Spanish, French, Dutch, Portugues, & English undertakings of this nature, and their staits and difficulties they have been trysted with in prosecuting thereof, to think I have any ground to expect to be al­together exeemed from all the inconveniencies they met with; as to this I cast my self alto­gether upon the divine Providence, being con­vinced, I am in my duty; if you please to [Page 220] take a share, it would be not a little incourag­ing to me, you see that we have some Gentlemen of our Countrey settled already there; so that I am hopefull we may have there a very agree­able society if your affairs cannot allow, your good wishes are expected by,

Sir,
Yours, &c. G. S.
Sir,
Since the conclusion above writ­ten, severall other Letters are come to my hand which I had not formerly seen, most of them of a later date; I resolved to add them to the rest for your further Confirmation.

A Letter for Mr. Robert Paterson Princi­pal of Marishal Colledge, in the City of New Aberdeen, in Scotland.

Sir,

I Hope you have heard of our Voyage and safe Arrival here, I thought it my duty to present my dutiful respects to you and all Friends at [Page 221] Aberdeen, and to acquaint you of mine own and all their welfares who came over the last year,, all which intends to settle in the Coun­trey, except [...] who has spent all his means already foolishly on drink, and is returning home for more; you have David Barclay and Arthur Forbes to inform you of this Countrey; when I have seen it through all the Seasons of the year as they did, I shall then give you my opinion, if you be desirous; only in short, what I have seen I may write, that it pleases me better then Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, or West-Jersey, that it is pleasant to mine eyes, and I find it healthful to my body; I am not troubled here (blessed be GOD) with defl [...]ctions, head-aikes, and coughs, as at Edinburgh; that the land is furnished with all conveniencies [...]f Nature, such as Wood, Grass, M [...]adow, and abundance of fresh Water Springs, Brooks and Rivers, and plenty of Deer, Turkies, Geess and Dukes; many ten­der H [...]rbs, Fruits, and Trees grow naturally here that will not grow in Scotland at all; these things are so notoriously known, that it is superfluity to write them, and no unbyassed per­son will deny them, or speak ill of the land: There is about a duzon of 14. houses in New-Perth, and the half of those built since we [Page 222] came, several others are building presently, and many others have taken Lotts to build; Mr. Mudie is building a stone house, and has an Horse Mill ready to set up; Governour Rudyeard intends another Stone house this Summer; The Governours house, and the publick Court-house are abuilding; It is the best scituate for a City of any yet I have seen, or for ought I can learn of any yet known in A­merica. There is great encouragement here for all kind of Tradsmen; I intend my self to follow mostly Planting and Fishing; Let this remember me to all my Friends, Relations, Co­morads and Acquaintances at Aberdeen; I could not write to them all, being busied about mine own setlement, and it is now far, spent in the year, so that I do not expect to do much this year, neither could I settle sooner, by rea­son that my bed-cloaths are not yet come from Maryland; and the land I intend to settle on is not yet purchased from the Indians. I intreat to hear from you on all occasions, and what remarkable News abroad or at home, and how the Civilists place is disposed of; my ser­vice to your self and bedfellow, I am,

Sir,
Your most affectionat and humble Servant, Charles Gordon.

For Mr. Andrew Irvine Merchant, at his Shop, in the East end of the Lucken­booths, in Edinburgh, in Scotland.

Dear Andrew,

I Suppose ye have heard of our voyage from my Brother, and Governour Barclay; I shall only in short tell you that notwithstanding the loss of our masts, we were only 8. weeks betwixt land and land, and entered the Capes of Virginia the same day 9. weeks we parted from Aberdeen. We sailed up Chessapeck bay to the head of Bohemia-River in 2. slowpes, from thence we came to Elizabeth-Town, partly by Land and partly by Water, the storm being the tail of a Hurricane, was not uni­versall, for we heard of no Ships which met with it but our selves; nor the Montrose Ship did not meet with it. There is incourage­ment for several trades here, in the first place Planting, for Wheat, Indian Corn; Beef, Pork, &c. give all ready money in York, and the Neighbour Collonies; Wheat 4. shillings the [Page 224] bushel, Indian Corn 2. ss. or half a crown, Pork and Beef, &c. to be had at an ordinary easie rate. And in the second place there may be Fishing; For the Inhabi­tants averr they swim so thick in the Creeks and Rivers, at certain seasons of the year, that they have hailed them out of the waters with their very hand. In the third place for one to have a Malt-house, a brew house, and a bake-house, to make Malt, brew beer, and bake biskeet for Barbadoes and the Neighbour Collonies, pro­viding he have a ship of his own, and skill to manage his busines, would certainly be a good trad. Lastly for one to buy up the product of the Countrey, such as all kinds of grains, Beef, Pork, &c. and export them to Barba­does, and import Rumm and Malasses, would certainly be a good trade; as likewise change keeping wold be a good trad in Amboy, for the highest designe of the old Buckskine Planters (I am just now drinking to one of them; our Countrey man who was sent away by Cromvel to New-England, a slave from Dumbar, Living now in Woodbridge, Like a Scots Laird, wishes his Countrey men and Native Soyle very well, though he never intends to see it. Pardon this Paren­thesis) is to acquite a piece of monie to drink [Page 225] in the change house. This Countrey, and particularly this Town (showeth it to be the best scituated for a city of any there known in Ame­rica) is but yet in infancie (it not being above 48. years at most since ever there was a Planter in the Province; & that occasioned by their chang­ing so many Masters) yet there are several thou­sands of People already, and not want of good company, and if ye please badd too, as in any place of the world; neither are we altogether destitut of Books and Clergy, for George Keith, (who arrived three weeks since with others, they were all winter in Borbadoes) hath brought Mathema­ticks, and Benjamin Clark a Libra­rie of Books, to sell; so that you may see New Perth begins to be founded upon Cler­gy. Shew my Cusins, George-Burnet, and Richard Maitland, that I hope they will not laugh more at me, for saying, [...]n Edinburgh, I would line my house with Cedar-wood, for all houses here are cover­ed with Cedar; and one just now built in Perth, altogether of Cedar-Wood, it is reckoned a wood of no value here, except for its lastiness. I intend to follow Planting my self, and if I had but the small Stock here I have in Scotland, with some more servants, [Page 226] I would not go home to Aberdeen for a Re­gencie, as was profered me; neither do I in­tend it however, hoping, to get my own safe over; we are not troubled here leading our pitts, mucking our Land, and Ploughing 3. times; one Plouing with 4. or 6. Oxen at first breaking up; and with 2. horse only thereafter, suffices for all; you may judge whither, that be easier Husbandrie than in Scotland; But I know you are no good Hus­band-man. But which of the foresaid trades you will choice, if you will come here you self is more then I can divine, or will advise you to; I have told you how things are, and in Gods-Name take your own choice, as I have done. I shall tell you what I would do, were I in your place, if it shall fall out you do come, I would get some trusty Comorads, Merchants to joyn with me, and sett up a trade in Perth, for I think a mans own trade fitts him best; if you have 5000. Merks it is enough, 4. in goods and one in money, Let none come here destitute of money, it is of great request here, and gets chape Penyworths, and 25. per cent of advantage by it; but I doe not advise you, for if you should meet with such trouble and disopoyntments as we have done by being put by our Post, you would perhapps be dis­couraged, [Page 227] & give me the blame; all our baggadg is not yet come from Maryland, and I want yet my bed Cloathes, and the Land I intend to settle on is not yet purchassed from the In­dians; for after I have viewed all the Province such of it as is yet habitable, I have chosen the South branch of Rariton-River for conveniency of Fishing, Fowling, and Mea­dow, but all the best Land lyes back from the Rivers and the Sea Costs; the further back the better it is, which necessitates me to go a mile back. In breif what you heard of the coun­trey is all true, so I need not spine out long Discriptions of it; no unbyassed and in­different Person will speak ill of the Land, it is both pleasant and wholesome, and industrous People, after some few years Labour, may lead a pleasant, easie Life, and want for no­thing; And I am of opinion, may grow rich too, if they take pains for it, and follow Mer­chandising, and some are actaually grown rich since they came here, who had nothing before; if any shal miscredit what I have said, I shall not think my self baffled for that; but let them live in their opinion and I will live in mine. And if they please they may do with me as I did with John Skeens Wife, cast my Letters in mine own teeth, and when [Page 228] they come upon the place, I shall make good what I say, face to face, as she did to me, and if they come not themselves, they need not trouble themselves whither it be true or false. The goods fit for this Countrey are all kind of house-hold Plenishing, without which and a years provision in victualls, let none come hither; if they would wish not to be preyed on by the old Planters. All course cloath such as hodden-grayes, and Playding, course Stock [...]ns and Linning, no fine things, for an infant Countrey, except for a mans own use; course Bedding and Blankets; Governour Barclay can give you full information as to this point. The Inconveninencies we have met with are, great trouble and charges for want of our baggadge; there is likewise trouble and charges in the first setlement, in carting out ones goods to the woods; fencing is the cheif Difficulty, and if the [...]e be many great trees the logges most be drawn off with oxen and the branches burned, the trees are falled equal to a mans thigh hight, but the roots are no im­pediments, where is much brush the roots most be plucked up with grubbing howes; any man may learn Husbandries here, who was not a­quaint with it in Scotland, (Tobacco would grow here as well as in Maryland, but it is [Page 229] best for European graines; I doe not in­tend, to write more Letters to Edinburgh with this occasion; being busied about mine own setlement, therefore I intreat you will re­member me to all my friends, Relations, Com­arads, and Acquaintances at Edinburgh; and shew them of my wellfair that I had not my health so well this 7. years bygone, as now (Blessed be God) and that I am not troubled here with coughs, and head aikes as in Edin­burgh, which is likewise a great motive for me, to stay in this Countrey. I intreat to hear from them all, you will not readily miss occasions from London every Moneth, to some place in America; And there is ordi­narly occasions hither from the Neighbour Col­lonies; I have received Letters from the Bis­sets, and my Brother, from Mr. Alexan­der since we came; I intreat to hear particul­arly from the Professor of Divinitie, and Mathematicks, Doctor Pitcairn, Mr. George Burnet, Richard Maitland, Mr. George Alexander, and any others who shall ask for me, wishing you and all your con­cerns well,

I continue, Dear Cusin,
Your most affectionate Cusin, and humble Servant, Charles Gordon.

P stscript by the foresaid hand.

If any pleases to tell me what their scruples are, I shall endeavour to answer them, if Servants knew what a Countrey this is for them, and that they may live like little Lairds here; I think they would not be so Shey as they are to come, and during their service they are better used then in any place in America I have seen; you may know my Subscription by the sign I gave you of my Pistoles misserving in the Boat, or at least when you tell your Mother, you may mind on me, for you will miss some pints of wine you spent with me, (that Fridays night, you convoyed me aboard) on the Shore, and in the Ship. If there were a Caball of Merchants here to export the product of the Countrey to Barbadoes, and the West-Indies, and to Import Rumm, Malasses, Suggar and Cot­ton, &c. it would do a great deal of good to this Countrey. I intreat to know what remarkable Revolutions has hap­ned either abroad or at home since I came away. Any Merchants who settles [Page 231] here must take Lotts in the Town, and build houses. Mr. David Mudie is building a stone house, and hath already an Horse-mill ready to set up presently in New-Perth. Adue.

For Mr. James Mudie Merchant in Mon­trose.

Sir,

MY Love ever being remembered to your self, Lady and Children, these are earnestly intreating you to let my Wife have any little thing she stands in need of untill it shall please the Lord I return; and I shall pay you very thankfully; I have left Thomas Parson, and resolves to trade this Summer in the Countrey, and to come home with your Uncle the nixt Spring. I wish you were here and your whole Family, for I doubt not but the Countrey would please you well; For there is abundance of much better Land here then ever Ar­bikie was, and an Earldome to be bought far below in pryce the vallow, of what such pettie Lairdshipps as Arbikie is sold for in Scotland; without purging of the Lands of any incumbrances; For I [Page 232] hope to winn as much monie this year, as will buy a better Lairdship then Arbikie; and if ye resolve not to come over, I re­solve to buy Land before I come from this, and title it Arbikie. But I shall be sorie to take away your title, for if I do, it will be your own fault; and for your better incouradgement I know you love a Gunn and a Dogge, and here ye will have use for both, For Wilde Geese, Turkies, Ducks, and Drake, Partridge, Cunies, Doves and innu­merable more kind of Fowls which I know not their names, are here to be seen every hour of the day, in flocks above Thousands in Number; And for your Skieft which you use to Fish with; bring here with you, or one like her, for I assure you of good employment, and yet ye may catch more Fish in an hour here, than any Fisher in Montrose in two, excepting Podloes at the shore head.

Sir, take this as no jest from me, for what is here written is a reall truth; but ye may think, it is not my dictating, but the Writter and I have set it together the best way we can; But yet not so [Page 233] full as I would have had it; Present my Love to your Sister, Uncle, and all Friends, and I am,

Sir,
Your very loving Friend and Cusin, James Mudie.

A Letter from David Mudie, Merchant in Montrose: For James Mudie of Courthill in Scotland.

Loving Brother,

I Write you a lyne upon my arivall here, and by my last to my Wife, of the date the 12. December, I desired her to let you see it, which I hope she has done if it be come to her hands; I do now understand this Countrie, better then I did at that time, and the longer I travell in it I like it the better; for a frugall man with a small fortune may very soon raise a good Estate, which I wrote formerly to my Wife, in relation to the Coun­trie; I find it most certain and much better then I wrote; this Winter hath been exceeding hard and sharpe, the like not seen by those who have lived 20. or 30. years in it, which hath [Page 234] hindred me of a great deal of work; yet I have cleared three Acres of Ground to be an Orchard and a Garden, which lyes close to the house which I am a building, which is all of Stone work, with Cellars under the Ground, six Rooms off a floor, two Stories high, beside the Garrat; and I have two Massons dayly working at it since the first of February; three Wrights working at an Horse mill, which will be clear against the later end of this Moneth: And I am told that the Mill will be worth 100. lib. a year, but I am sure she will be bet­ter then 50. of clear Money, for every Scots­boll of Wheat or Indian Corn payes here for grinding of it 2. shill: Ster: this house and mill stands me a great deal of Money, but there is none such in this Countrey, nor ever was. I resolve to go out to the Countrey to the Land which I have taken up, which is u­pon a place called the South River, which is 2 hours going from my own house by water; I mind to settle some of my Servants there a­gainst the midle of this Moneth; I am provid­ed with six course Horse, Oxen and Swine sufficiently in number, for any Plantation for the first year; the Land I have settled on, in my Judgement is extroardinary good; If any Friend or Acquaintance hath any inclination to [Page 235] come over here, I can assure them if they be Frugall men, and have but 300. lib. Ster: Stock, they may live better then a Gentleman with us of 40. Chalders of Victuall: I cannot now resolve to come home till this time twelve Moneth, since Thomas Parson hath so much disappointed me, as I have written to my wife; but against that time, if the LORD preserve me in health, I will come home then; present my service to Arbikie, and to my Sisters, and to all our Friends; which will save me a trouble to give them a Line, my love to your wife, and children, I am,

Your Loving Brother, David Mudie.

Let Arbikie, my Sisters, and the rest of my Fri­ends, see this Letter.

Abstract of a Letter from Robert Fullerron, Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber, to his Brothers and Sisters, from Amboy, the 6. of November, 1684.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

By the Mercies of the Most High, we are safe arryved, after a long Demur by [Page 236] contrary winds, we encountered very hapily at first with Long Island, and the next day came to an Anchor in New Jer­sey; The Passengers did all very well, though we had some very rough gusts, and were very throng in so small a ves­shel, being 130. Souls, besids Sea men, of these 27. were women, 6. or 7. child­ren only; one man whom I hyred in your house, called William Clark stand­ing carlesly upon the Forcastle tumbled over boards, and drowned tho we put out our boat and endeavoured in vain to save him. This Countrey pleaseth us very well, and appears to be nothing short of our expectation; We were yes­terday ranging about veiwing our Land, where [...] [...]u shall have accompt by the next; [...] Land in general is good, and a [...]ree [...] [...]th the accompt you have heard; t [...] I [...]ees are no hing so invincible as I did [...]magine, being neither so thick nor so great as we thought. The first plant which I touched was wild Bayes, which row in abundance here, the fruits are gery excellent, such sorts as I have seen, v [...]les the best I believe in the world, some I have seen of a pound weight; [Page 237] Cattle in generall are abundantly plen­tifull, especially Horse and Oxen, the greatness and fatness of the Oxen will Countervail the Difference of the price, being about 5. lib. sterling. The Coun­trey is not altogether leavell, as some o­ther Countries here, but hath easie ry­sings, and Vallies; my new experience cannot give you such an accompt as you may afterwards expect; but in generall the Countrey may satisfie any rationall ingenuous mind; yet I find there be Novices who knows no happiness save home, with a glass of Wine, and Como­rads in a change House; tho there be no want here of more noble devertisments as hunting wild Beasts, wild Horses, and Deer; yesterday I did see severall droves of Deer, and wild Horses, as I did ride up in the Countrey. The Land which we were veiwing is a large plain, under the blew hills, watered with two or three little Rivers about 8. or 9. miles from New-Perth, four from Rariton-Ri­ver Northward; the land downwards is all taken up by the Quitrenters of Pis­catway, Woodbridge, or Elizabeth Town; there shall be nothing of care wanting in [Page 238] your affairs, and I do expect the like from you; I hope my Grand Mother is in health, wish her from me long life, and good health, and assure her, she wronged the Countrey in her opinion; present my love to all my Friends, I am,

Your affectionat Brother, Robert Fullertown.

A Letter from John Forbes Brother to the Laird of Barnla. Directed to Mr. James Elphingston of Lo­gie Writter to His Majesties Signet, in Edinburgh, in Scotland.

Honoured Sir,

I having the occasion of this Bearer Mr. Drum­mond, brother to John Drummond the Factor in Edinburgh, and who came Pas­senger with me to this place from Scotland; I could not omit my duty in acquainting you by [Page 239] this line, of our safe arrival into America; tho being by the Divine Hand of Providence miraculousl [...] preserved from the cruelty of the tempestuous Ocean, occasioned by a mighty storm of wind, (which happened upon the 12. day of September last) and which blew so tem­pestuously, that in short, it carried first away our Bolspret, and afterwards our whole three Masts, Flagstaff, and all by the board, before the Sailers were able to get them cut; it like­wise took away the awning above our quarter­deck, and left not so much as an yard of a rope above our heads, all which was done in the space of half an hour; We lay thus di­stressed like a pitiful Wrack all that night (we having lost our Masts about 12. of the clock in the day) and two dayes thereafter at the mer­cie of the Waves, (which being like mountains occasioned by the great storm of wind,) with­out hopes of recovery, being then above 200. leagues from this land of America, tossing to and fro, expecting that each wave should over­whelm us; Yet at last it pleased GOD to turn the storm into a calm; and having pre­served all our lower Yairds, we made all haste and made Jury Masts of them; with the help whereof, (tho very unsufficient ones, to dryve forward the bulk of so great a Vessel) and of [Page 240] GODS miraculous Mercie and Providence; Who immediatly after we had put our ship in any mean posture for plying out her Voyage, was pleased to send us such a fair and moderate gale of wind, as brought us in sight of the Capes of Virginia, within 15. dayes after or there a­bouts, having never ceased for the whole time, till it brought us thither in safty; So we came within the Capes, and sailed up that great Navigable Bay, called Chessapeik bay, up through all Virginia up to Maryland, where we landed at the place where our ship was bound to take in her Tobacco, for her home­ward Loadning. But being this Disabled, and not being able to ply out her Voyage to this place (where she ought to have landed us, we was necessitat to travel from thence by Land to this place, being upwards of 200. English miles, and having left our Goods behind us, which was thereafter to come about in a Sloup) we was necessitat to stay all Winter in this New and young Citie, where we had but very bad Commodation for Lodging, tho we knew of no want of Victuals of all sorts for mony, tho at a considerable dear rate; This hindered us long from our falling to work about our husbandries, which was a great loss of time to us. However when our sloup came about, [Page 241] (which did not hold the half of our goods; So that every man yet wants the half of his goods. But are dayly expecting them by the same Sloup which we fraghted thither back again. I went out to the Woods to the land we had pitched upon, with several others of our Coun­teey men, such as Tho: Gordon, and Mr. Chat: his Brother, Brothers to the Laird of Straloch, Kinnabers two Sons, Robert and Mr. Thomas Fullertons, James Johnston of Spotswood, and John Barclay the Go­vernours Brother, with some others; where we have all pitched near by one another, upon an piece of excellent land as we suppose; Whereof I judge I have not the worst, (if not the absolute best piece of land in all that Tract, for we had it all at our own choising and not by lots, this land lyes not on a Navigable River, but about 5. or 6. miles from Rariton river, which is Navigable up the nearest place to our Plan­tations; For the best places of the Rivers are already inhabited by the old Planters of this Countrey who have been here some 16. or 18. years agoe. There are many places upon Na­vigable Rivers yet untaken, and some very near this place also, which is intended to be the Metrapolis of this Province; But it is generally sandy barren land, and the best [Page 242] land is compute by all to be in the woods, back some several miles from the Navigable Rivers; So that we rather chuse land for profitablness, then for Conveniences of Towns, and pleasure allennarly. For there is aboun­dance both of good and barren land in this Province; So that a man may chuse some for pleasure, and some for profit and Conveniency, for I intend to take up about 4. or 500. Acres where I have now setled; which is on a very pleasant place and good land, and whereof I have with two hands (not having had time to get many Servants away with me, having come away upon so short advertisement, and whereof I lost one at Maryland by sickness; so that now I have but two, and a Woman for dressing our Victuals and Cloaths, till I get more sent me this year) already cleared, or at least will clear; and have in Corn this year about 8, or 10, Acres of ground; tho it was prettie thick of stately tale Timber, and that since the 26. of January, at which time, I went to the Woods. I have 1000. Acres to take up at this time out of the first Division of 10000. Acres ordained to be laid out to every Proprietor; I having bought a 10. part, whereof my Brother is half sharer. I have al­so taken up 400. Acres of excellent fine land on [Page 243] Rariton River, about 20. miles above Am­boy, whereon I design to set Servants, that I expect over this ensuing Summer; and so to divide our said parcels, and improve them for a year or two to the best advantage, and then to sell them off. If I design to come home, which we can do at good profite. Now for a general description of this Countrey, it is a fine place for those who have a good stock, to lay out upon a stock of Cattel of all sorts, which do greatly multiply here in a short time, and are sold at great rates, and may soon increase a stock greatly; or it is a good Countrey for an Industrious Frugal Man, that designes to fol­low Husbandries closlie; providing he bring but some little stock to stock a Plantation with­all; or it is very good for Tradsmen, as good Carpenters, Smiths, Tailors, &c. who will get large wages a day. But it is not a Coun­trey for idle sluggish People; or those who cannot some times put too their hands, and en­courage their Servants. It is a place that pro­duces many fine Fruits, and Physick Herbs; The Woods are stored with wild Deers, Conies, Woulves, Boars, Racouns, some Bavers, and several other Beasts, which have fine Furrs. There is also abundance of Fowls, and Fish, and Water Fowl for the killing. The Timber [Page 244] are mostly Oak of all sorts, Walnut, Chesnut, whereof there are great abundance where I have planted, tho they bescarce so bigg as these that comes to Scotland, yet large as pleasant. Strawberries grow very thick upon the ground amongst the Trees; so that some places of the Woods are in Summer as it were covered with a red cloath. As I am certainly informed, Fruit Trees advance at a great rate in this place, for a Man may have an Orchard within a few years after the Planting, that may yeeld him a great quantitie of Cydar, which is the chief­est of their drink in this Province, even amongst the meanest of the Planters; So that this Countrey if well improved, may make a fine place; for Nature has been defficient in nothing to it, either for pleasure or fruitfulness of the Soyl; So that a man being once settled two or three years in it, and having Corn, Cattle, and all things necessary for the use of man within himself. And the trouble and hard­ship of his first settling by his hand; He may live as Comfortably here as in any place of the World; Providing he could dispence with the want of his Friends and Relations, and the sa­tisfacti [...]n of their Companie, which is the loss I most regrate in this place; And thus having given yon a short description of the place, I [Page 245] cannot but in the next place, much regrate my misfortune, in not seeing you, and taking your advise before I came to this place; But my Resolution was so sudden, by the encouragement I received from the Chief Governour, and some of the Proprietors at Aberdeen; and having come in onely to see my Sister with my Brother; and by the many Gentlemen that were going a­long in the ship, that I was induced to go along without so much as taking my leave of any of my Friends, save onely these that were then in Town; So that I came of resolution only to see the place, and to settle onlie if I fand conve­niency. And having thus abruptly come away, when I came here, I designed not to return till I took some tryal of the Countrey, that at my re­turn I might be the more able to give an true accompt thereof. I am not as yet of any deter­mined resolution as to my staying for altogether as yet; but I resolved to stay this year, till I see what the ground produces; and to see how my endeavours take effect; and GOD willing, be that time, I may in some measure be resolved what to do, for then the greatest hardship will be over my head; and by that time I will have up an prettie good house, which is near already framed; whereas hitherto I have dwelt for the most part here in a Wigwam, [Page 246] (as we call them here) accounting all our hard­ship in the beginning but short, in expectation of good success in the end. But however I may be resolved hereafter, I intend GOD willing, life and health serving to come home a start within this year or two, and see all my Friends; and apollogize the best manner I can, for my abrupt departure. Now having thus in some mea­sure discharged a part of my dutyfull respects towards you by this line, in letting you know of my welfare and present condition; Earnestly desiring ye will favour me with a return by the first occasion; wherein I shall be glade to hear of your welfare, of your kind Ladies and Children (To whom and others my nearest Freinds and Relations, and Comarads, I desire the favour to be Kindly remembered, begging pardon for this trouble, and your patience to peruse this, when your leasure can permit; and afterwards to communicat it to my Ʋncle, Calder-hall and his Lady, or to my Cusins Harie Lockhart, or George Ersken, if they call for it; I not having time at present to write to them at length, as I have in haste done to you; I shall forbear to give you furder trouble at present; intreating you to remember me kindly to your Worthy and Oblidging [Page 247] Lady, and fine Children, and shall only sub­scrive my self, as I sincerly am, and shall con­tinue,

Sir,
Your most affectionat Cusin, and oblidged Servant, while John Forbes.

A Leter from Thomas Fullertoun, to his Brother the Laird of Kinnaber, dated from his new possession, in the plains of new Caesaria; January 7. 1685.

Dear Brother,

YOu have above a transcript, con­taining the principal Contents of an abrupt Letter, sent you three or four days after our arrivall; since that time we have possessed our Selves in the above mentioned plain 11. miles from New-Perth, four from Rari­ton Northward; And 12. from Eliza­beth-Town; we have the honour to be the first Inland planters in this part of Ameri­ca, for the former Settlement have been by the River-sides, which are all possessed [Page 248] by the Quit-renters; the which I would have grudged at, had I not found the goodness of the Land, upwards will countervaill the trouble of transportati­on to the water; As to the number and nature of these Quit-renters, they are about 2. or 300. Families, some civill and Discreet, others rude and Malcon­tent with the late Purchassers. and need some thing of austerity to make them Complaisant; We have at present sharp frosts, and a good deall of Snow, three dayes of vitrefying frost, this winter, had not its match for cold these 16. years by gone, as the Inhabitants do in­form us. Against this extream we have a good Defence of Fire, and felling of Trees, and might live warm enough, were we not forced to travell for recruit of Provisions. I reckon the winter to consist only of nights, for the Suns ap­pearance by day moderateth the cold, and melts the Frost; I do not find the cold here to cause obstructions or coughs; the Air is ever transsparent; we have singular good stomachs, which if it con­tinue as they say, it will require a fer­tile Countrey when peopled; the water [Page 249] or temper of the Air keeps mens bellies moderatly looss; I cannot find it necessar to give any particular account of this Country with its product, because ye have had already many, and some very in­genuous of this nature; besides I have not yet proof of all the seasons of the year; we have the Deer to walk the round nightly about our Lodge; this morning I shot a large Hart, and followed his bloody tract in the snow, above two miles before he dyed; I believe the fat­est Deer in the world are here; we have made choise of your land next adjacent to mine, and have placed your Servants there, where they will settle if we find convenient, when the snow is away; this is all at present from,

Your affectionat Brother, Robert Fullertoun.

Another Letter from the same hand, dated the 10. of March 1685.

Dear Brother,

BEfore the dispatch of the above­written, of the date of this In­stant, so that they may both go to­gether; [Page 250] the Winter is now past, and we are providing ground for the seed, the Fields being bare, we can better distin­guish where is good land; we have chos­en our chief Plantation and yours two miles further up in the Countrey, closs under the blew Mountains, where you may reckon you have an Estate of 40. Chalders of Victual, with no more Wood thereon then your self would de­sire and it might yeeld no less yearly presently, if it were all plenished after a little pains to root out the brush; that which wanteth Wood is open plain with short bushes, which we cut at the roots with a how; I wish the adjacent bounds were purchassed, and possessed by our friends, who have any design this way; for it is excellent land, the mould in the Province is Generall, is either like that I possessed at the Northwater, or more marly or clay; but all of it hath 3, 4, or five inches of black rotten mould up­permost, I have not much more to trouble you with, but my respects and love to all Friends; if my Uncle or any other Friends send their Sons here, let them advert to this Maxim, A Gentle­man [Page 251] that is not to work himself, must be well provided with a Stock, and this must be more or less, as he designs his Estate; I question not your care in my affairs; neither need you question in your con­cerns, the care of,

Your affectionat Brother, Robert Fullertoun.

Abstract of a Letter from Charles Gordon, (Brother to the Laird of Straloch,) to Doctor John Gordon, Doctor of Me­dicine at Montrose; dated at Woodbridge, in East-Jersey, 7. of March, 1685.

Dear Brother,

I Design 100. pound Sterling for goods and servants, if Tradse-men and Ser­vants knew they were better used here then in any Neighbouring Collonie, and that after their time is expired, they may gain a stock by their work, and live like some of your Lairds before they dye; they would not so much scrouple to come hither. There are a number of queries proposed by our Bro­ther [Page 252] Thomas to the Fullertouns, which I remember you desired me to answear, the most matteriall of them are answer­ed, by this and my former Letters; I shall therefore superceed any long de­scription of it, till I see it throw all the seasons of the year; in short, I see it pleasant, and furnished with all con­veniencies of Nature, such as woods, grass, meadow; plenty of Fresh Springs, Creeks, and Rivers; I find it whole­some, for I am not (blessed be God) troubled here with Defluction, headakes, and coughs as at Edinburgh, which is a great inducement for me or any vali­tudinary man to stay in this Countrey: People come from Barbadoes, to York, and hither for their healths sake; if you design to come hither your self, you may come as a Planter, or a Merchant, but as a Doctor of Medicine I cannot advise you; for I can hear of no deseases here to cure but some Agues, and some cutted legs and fingers; and there are no want of Empericks for these already; I con­fess you could doe more then any yet in America, being versed both in Chirurgery, Pharmacie; for here are abundance of [Page 253] curious Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees; and no doubt Mediciniall ones for making of drogs; but there is little or no Imploy­ment this way; your Servants are set­led on a pleasant plain beside the Fuller­touns on a brook, called The Vine or Ce­der Brooks; from a swamp of Cedars, from whence it Springs, and the mul­tiplicity of Vines which grow upon it; all your friends and Countrey men here are in good health, blessed be GOD; This hath been the hardest Winter that was almost since ever there were English here. The sound betwixt Jersey and Staten-Island was frozen in January, that carts and horse went upon it; be­twixt Martinmas and Christmas flying shours of snow with clear moderat frosts; in January deep snow and most bitter frosts, which ever I found, but did no wayes affect peoples bodies; the Air be­ing ordinar clear and serene; about the 20. of January, the snow went off in­sensibly; and about 3. weeks in February, it was almost like Summer in Scotland; the end of February and beginning of March for the most part rain and wind; Acquaint me the value of sweet-sent-Gumm, [Page 254] which flowes from the wood-Gum-trees of Sassafras, Sassapatella, and such other things as the Countrey naturally produceth; Be pleased to send me some Medicins for Agues, and ac­cidentall cutts, or sores, in case my self or Servants be overtaken with them; I hope with the blessing of GOD, here to make a livlihood for my self; I intreat to hear what remarkable news, and revolu­tions are either at home with you, or abroad, and so continues,

Your most affectionat brother, and humble Servant, Charles Gordon.

A Letter from Thomas Gordon Brother to the Laird of Straloch. For Mr. George Alexander Ad­vocat, in Edin­burgh.

Dear Mr. George,

THis is the fifth time I have written to you since I came to America, some of which I am confident have [Page 255] come safe to your hands; so that I need not now resume them, for in them I gave you a full account of our danger by Sea, and travels by Land; and therefore I shall now proceed and begin where I left last, upon the eighteen day of November I and my Servants came here to the Woods, and 8. dayes thereafter my Wife and Children came also; I put up a Wigwam in 24. hours, which served us till we put up a better house, which I made 24. foot long, and 15. foot wide, containing a Hall and Citchen both in one, and a Chamber and a Study, which we put up pretty well (with Pallisadoes on the sides, and Shingles on the roof) against Yuill, on which day we entred home to it, and have been ever since, and still am clearing ground, & making fencing; So that I hope to have as much ground, clear­ed, fenced, ploughed, and planted with Indian Corn in the beginning of May, (which is the best time for planting it) as will main­tain my Family the next year, if it please GOD to prosper it; Robert Fullertoun and I are to joyn for a Plough this Spring, con­sisting of 4. Oxen and two Horse, but if the Ground were once broken up, two Oxen and two Horse, or 4. Oxen alone, will serve; so that the next spring I intend (GOD willing) [Page 256] to have a Plough of my own alone; I intend to build a better House and larger, and to make a Kitchen of this I am in; which I will hardly get done this Summer, because I re­solve to build upon my lot at New-Perth; I am settled here in a very pleasant place, u­pon the side of a brave plain (almost free of woods) and near the water side, so that I might yoke a Plough where I please, were it not for want of Hay to maintain the Cattle which I hope to get helped the next year, for I have several pieces of Meadow near me. The first Snow we had was about the midst of November, & went twice away again, and about the end of the Moneth it came on, and continued with very great Frost and knee deep Snow till towards the end of January; And then the Snow dissolved pleasantly and calmly with the heat and influence of the Sun, and now I judge it as warm here as it will be with you in May, and much more pleasant, for we are not by far so much troubled with winds here as ye are in Scotland; the winter was generall very pleasant and calm, altho sometimes very vehement frost; I have spoken with several old Inhabitants here, who assure me they had not seen so hard a winter as this has been these 16 years bygone; and truely [Page 257] if I never see much worse I shall be very well pleased with this Countrie; we have great abundance of Deer, Turkies, &c. here about us; and as for the wild Beasts, and Natives (whereof I was greatly affrayed before I came here) I find no danger, trouble, inconveniency thereby at all; there are abundance of all sorts of Cattle in this Countrey to be had at very reasonable rates, I can buy a good Cow for 4 lib. ster. a good Ox for 5. lib. ster. and a good Horse for 5, or 6. lib. ster. a Hogg for 20. ss. ster. a Bushell of Wheat for 4. ss. ster. of Rye 3. ss. 6. d. ster. of Indian Corn for 2. ss. 6. d. ster. There are 8. of us settled here within half a mile, or a mile of another, and about ten miles from the Town of New-Perth, or Amboy-point, so that I can go and come in a day either on foot or horseback. viz. Robert and Thomas Fullertouns, James Johnstoun of Spotswood, John Forbes, John Barclay, Doctor John Gordon his Servants, Andrew Alexander, and my Self; this is the most of what I can say of this Countrey at present, for I intend to write nothing but what I either see or know to be certainly true, and for my part I am very well pleased with this retired Countrey life; and I love this Countrey very well as yet; altho I hear of [Page 258] some of our Countrey men who are not, neither can it be expected, that any Countrey in the World will please the different humours of all Persons; blessed be GOD, my self and Wife and Children and servants have been and are still in good health which GOD continue; be pleased to communicate this to both yours, and my Friends and Acquaintances, because I have not leasure to writ at great length to e­very one; and let these remember me to all others that give themselves the trouble to in­quire for,

Your most humble and and oblidged Servant, Thomas Gordon.

A Letter from David Mudie of the date of the former, to Mr. Alexander Gairns, one of the Ministers at Edin­burgh.

Sir,

I Did write to you a line upon my ar­rival here, and my last the 12. of December, directed to John Graham, I desired him to let you see his letter, and my wifes, which would inform you [Page 259] as fully as I had written to you; since that time I have travelled throw the Coun­trey, and informed my self of the condi­tions thereof, which still does the better please me; the winter hath been exceed­ing hard, and sharp, which hath much hindered me of work; yet I have clea­red three acres of ground, to be an Or­chard and a Garding, which lyes at the back of my house, which I am building of stone, sex good rooms off a Floor, Sellers all under the ground, two stories high, and garrets, at which I have had Massons since the first of February; and I hope will have it fully Finished this Sum­mer; I have also built an horse-mill, the house is 32. foot wide, 40. foot long, the great wheel 30 foot Diameter, which I will have fully finished against the let­ter end of this Moneth; it is told me, she may be worth 100. pound Sterling a year; I am sure she will be better then 50. clear money, this from,

Sir,
Your humble and obedient Servant, David Mudie.

A Letter from Thomas Fullertoun, Brother to the Laird of Kinnaber, to John Johnstoun Drogust, in Edin­burgh, dated the 9. of March, 1685. from East-Jersey.

Loving Commorad,

YOur Brother and I did write to you about three Moneths agoe, wherein we told you, that we were 9. weeks at sea, after we parted from Killebegs in Ireland, we were all very well; at Sea only we had more Stomachs then meat, to prevent which, if you or any other Commorad come this way, it will be prudence to fortifie themselves with good Cheese, Butter, Bisket, Caks, and Brandie; I believe you are cloyed with descriptions of the Countrey; And therefore this in brief, the reports you hear of it are generally true, some it may be are Hyperbolick in magnifying its Goodness, but as many are detractive from what it really deserves; There is abundance of good Land for the impro­ving; Abundance of Swine and Cattle for the raising, Deers for killing, houses for the building: But some expect all [Page 261] these without pains. Your brother and I and our Servants have had good Veni­son broth once a day, all this winter; to be short, if a man please to live a Countrey Life to labour Land, plant Or­chards, and such like; I believe he cannot come to a place that will better answer his expectations, and when he hath a minde to be merry he will get a Punsh-house, and very good fellows. I hope in a little time I shall want nothing but the company of the prettie Girls, to all whom, who retain any remem­brance of me, Let my service be re­membered, & to all friends; I long exceed­ingly to hear from you, but more to see you; we had many difficulties as our entrance, and in our first indea­vours; But when you come, I hope they shall be prevented by,

Your affectionat Commorad, Thomas Fullertoun.

A Letter from James Johnstoun of Spots­wood, to Alexander Henderson writ­ter in Edinburgh; dated the 9. of March, 1685. from his Plantation at the blew Hills in East-Jer­sey in Ame­rica.

Kind Commorad,

THese are to present my best wishes to you, and all Acquaintances, if any injoyment could make up the want of your Company, I should not complain here; what else can con­tribute to profite or pleasure, being here to be had; neither is there any thing here to dis­courage us; Quakers are not numerous; Wolves are so far from troubling men, that if a man shall lay a Glove upon a Carcass, or their prey, they will yell, but not come nigh it: You cannot come nigh a rattle-Snake, but they will rattle with their taile: whereby a man is advertised either to kill them, or go by them; they frequently charm Squirrels, or other little Beasts of the tops of the Trees unto their mouth, and that without touching them with their teeth; which if they did, they would [Page 263] poison themselves. There is a Flee by the salt Marishes most troublesome in Summer, but is not in the up-lands; I am mightily well satis­fied with my coming over, neither do I think I could live again in Scotland. In the Sum­mer there is plenty of Fruits, Peaches, Wal­nuts, Chesnuts, Strawberries, and another berry like Currans; Vines as good as any where. I and all who have come over, have kept our health very well; our food hath for the most part been Venison; we got from the Indians which I like exceeding well. The Indian Corn, Indian Beans, and Pease, are pleasant Grains; we have very good fish­ing; present my service to all Friends, and believe me to be ever,

Sir,
Your oblidged Servant, James Johnstoun.
Sir,

I Nothing question but by the perus­all of the above written Letters, you are abundantly satisfied, that East-Jersey as to all things necessar will accommodat our present design; But if some (Malevolent Persons) who because [Page 264] they have not the courage nor resolut [...] to adventure upon such an undertaking themselves, do cavill at the design in others, may insinuat that the greatest part of these Letters being written by Gentlemen; it may be presumed; in­terest may oblidge them to represent things otherwise then they are, to the advantage of the place. This is easily answered, that there are severall per­sons in this Town, who have been upon the place, who have perused all their Letters, and declare they find nothing contained therein, that they can contra­dict; But as for a further proof thereof, I have thought fit to conclude with a letter from a Masson, sent over as a Servant, by Captain Hamiltoun, he being a plain Countrey-man, it is not very probable he can have any design; I had the Let­ters from his said Master; as followeth,

A Letter from James Cockburn Masson, Servitour in East-Jersey in America, to Captain Hamiltoun, at the Ship-tavern in Edinburgh, dated the 12. of March, 1685. to his Uncle James Broun, Shoe­maker in Kelso.

UNcle these few Lines do testifie that I am well and in good health, bles­sed be GOD for it, desiring to hear the like from you, for I am very well in this land of America; We lake neither wild nor tame to eat; the most part of our drink is Rumm, Cyder, and Beer; such as have these to sell, drives a very good Trade. I am working at my work daily, in good wea­ther, and have very good incouragment among the old Planters; if my Sister Katharin in­cline to come over, she may have good service here and Francie also; it is better to be bound some few years then come free except they have a good stock; it is dear living here the first year or two: The Indians are a harmless People and very kind to us, they are not a harie Peo­ple as was said to us in Scotland; a Shoe­maker would live very well here, if he bring any store of Leather with him, the Shoes are five or six shillings a pair; there is nothing discourages us more then want of Ministers [Page 266] here; but now they have agreed about their Stipends, there is one to be placed in New-Perth, Piscattaway, Woodbridge, and Elizabeth Town, they have a mind to bring them from Scotland; Uncle I hope you will let me know of your welfare; and how the Town is repaired again, and so I rest your Nephew untill death, John Cockburn

Another from the same hand to George Fae Masson in Kelso, from New-Perth in America, the 20. of March, 1685.

Cusin,

THese are to show you that I am in good health blessed be GOD for it, wishing to hear the like from you; We had a long Voyage, but we came very well to our Harbour in this place of America, within a stone-cast of my Masters Lott; it is upon the very Harbour; this Town is scituate betwixt two great Rivers, the one called Ra­riton, the other Hudsons; It is a very plea­sant Countrey and good for all Tradsmen; You was angry with me for coming away, but I re­pent nothing of it my self, for I have abun­dance of Imployment; I am at the building of a great stone house in New-Perth, with an­other Scots-man. They build most with [Page 267] Timber, but are beginning to build with stone; there is as good stone in this Countrey as in Scotland, if they were at the pains to find it out; there are not many of our Trade in this Province; Any who hath a mind to come here will get good wages, these who have a mind to come here will do far better then in Scot­land. I have no more desire to my Native-Countrey then I had never been in it; they had better be bound some years with a good Master, then come over frree, for it is dear living at first here. The Natives of this land are a harmless People, they do wrong no to no man, they are very kind to us: tell my sister if she please to come over, she may have good service here; Remember me to all Friends, and Comorads in Kelso, and so I rest your Cusing, while I live,

John Cockburn.

A Breif ADVERTISEMENT, Concerning East-New-Jersey, in AMERICA

THat whereas it hath upon solid grounds been by very Judicious Men, judged as well the advantage of the Na­tion in generall, as of the particular Un­dertakers, to have an Interest in some [Page 268] of the America Plantation; and that in Order to the Promoting this Design: There went in July last, 1684. a Vessel from Leith, with 160. Passengers, or thereby; another from Montross with 130. to East-New-Jersey, in which two Vessels were some Gentlemen and Mer­chants, of very good Repute; the account of their safe Arrivall in eight weeks after their parting from Aberdeen, and their several Opinions of that Countrey, all agreeing anent the Fertility, pleasant­ness, and Wholesomness thereof, as be­ing stored with all things necessar for the comfortable Accommodation and Life of Man, being compared with former Relations of that Countrey, and both confirmed as Truth, by several Gentle­men Merchants at present in Edinburgh, who have been there: The considerati­on of this, as of the reasonable consti­tution of the Government; the Model whereof hath been fully perused, and found satisfactory, hath ingaged many to pitch upon this Province of East-New-Jers [...], as the most proper s [...]t for a Col­lony of this Nation; The same being a Climat agreeable to our Constitutions, [Page 269] and a place fit for Trade; and of great Security, being as it were, the Centre of the English Plantations, and a place affording in plenty, all desirable Ac­commodations.

And seeing the Approbation of these in Authority is absolutlie requisit, for countenancing and encouraging such a Design, without which, it cannot be expected, that any such Attempt can be made effectual; Mr. George Scot of Pitlo­chie, resolving to settle his Family in that place, hath procured the following Pass,

By the Right Honourable Earl of Perth, Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, &c.

These are Permitting, and allowing Mr. George Scot of Pitlochie, with his Lady, Children, and Family; and such other Persons as he shall ingage to pass from this Kingdom, either by Sea or Land, to any of His Majesties Forraign Planta­tions, providing such persons to be tran­sported by him, be not declared Trai­tors, Rebels, Fugitives; and that with­out any Let, Impediment, or Mole­station, [Page 270] from any person whatsoever; they alwayes behaving themselves peace­ably, and according to Law.

PERTH, Cancell.
For all Magistrates, Officers, and Souldiers within the Kingdom of Scotland, whom these do or may concern.

By the perusual of the foresaid Passe, it will appear that such who intend to be concerned with the said Mr. George Scot, in prosecuting this Design, are hereby included as well as himself, they being qualified according to the contents there­of,

And for his further encouragement, the Lords of His Majesties Privy Council have been pleased by an Act, to conde­scend, That such as are under Bond, to compear before them when called, shall have up their said respective Bonds, up­on their going with him, Whereby they are secured from the Apprehension of any Process to be in their absence, in­tented against them upon that head,

Whereas there are several people in this Kingdom, who upon accompt of their not going [Page 271] that length, in conformity required of them, by the Law do live very uneasie; Who beside the other agreeable Accommodations of that place may there freely enjoy their own principles, without hazard or the least trouble; seeing there are Ministers of their own perswasion going along with the said Mr. George Scot, who by the fundamental Constitutions of that Coun­trey, are allowed the free Exercise of their Ministry, such as Mr Archibald Riddel brother to sir John Riddel of Riddel, Mr. Thomas Paterson late Minister of Borth­wick, and several other Ministers. It is here­by signified to all who desire this Voyage, That the Henry and Francis of Newcastle, a Ship of 350. Tun, and 20. great Guns; Richard Hutton Master, is fraighted for the Transportation of these Families, and will take in Passengers and Goods at Leith, and Passangers at Montross, and Aberdeen, and Kirkwa in Orkney, and set sail thence for East-New-Jersey, against the 20. day of July, GOD willing. It being resolved by these concerned in the frieght of the Vessel, to Accomodate such Passengers as may convenient­ly done, without crouding themselves, and their Families; the inconveniencies of which they are fully resolved to avoid; as what is [Page 272] certainly very troublesome in such a Voyage. Su [...]h therefore who desires to go Passangers in this Vessel, may apply in time; between and the 12. of May, to Mr. George Scot of Pitlochie, at his Lodging in Baillie Robi­sons land, and at John Johnstoun Drogist at the sign of the Unicorn in Edinburgh, to Mr. John Gordon [...] Colinston Doctor of Physick, at his [...]dging in Montross; to James Armour younger Merchant in Glas­gow; To Heugh Broun, or James Nisbet Marchant in Irvine; To Bail [...]ie Boyd in Kilmarnock; To Bailly M [...] kenen; or Ralph Holland Merchant in Air; To Bailly Burt in Stirling; To Bailly James Gordon in Kirkcudbright; William Corbet A­pothecary in Dumfries; Hery Elphingston Collector of His Majesties Customs [...]s. in A­berdeen; whereby th [...] may have their pas­sage secured upon Rea [...]onabl [...] Conditions in the said Vessel; And accompts of the Propositions to be made to them, in Order to the promoting effectually of that design, seeing after the num­ber condesended upon, as to be carried with­out Croud in the said Ship; there will be no more admitted there; and so such as incline to go the Voyage, may loss their passage in the said Vessel, delaying to secure their place in time.

FINIS.

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