VIRGO TRIVMPHAN● OR, VIRGINIA In general, but the South part thereof in particular: Including the fertile CAROLANA, and the no less excellent Island of ROANOAK, richly and experimentally valued.  
Humbly presented as the Auspice of a beginning year, To the Parliament of ENGLAND, And council of STATE.  
By Edward WILLIAMS, Gent.  
LONDON, Printed by THOMAS HARPER, for JOHN STEPHENSON, and are to be sold at his Shop on Ludgate-Hill, at the sign of the sun, 1650.   

To the Supreme Authority of this Nation, The Parliament of ENGLAND.  
Right honourable:  
THis Dedication in itself unworthy the honour of an address to your Grandeurs, and of a foil too dead i●●h●ddow to approach near your most vigorous luster, reposes itself yet upon a confidence that in imitation of that God (of whom you are in power the proper Representatives) who vouchsafed graciously to accept a p●ore pair of Turtles from those whose abilities could not ascend t● a more rich oblation, you will be pleased to cast a favourable aspect upo● this humble offering, as proceeding from a grateful clear and sincere intention, whose desire being strong●y passionate to present Your honours with something more worthy the auspice of a beginning year, is circumscribed by a narrowness of abilities and fortunes.  
And indeed my lowness had prompted me to have found out a more humble Patron for this Treatise; but since the Interest of that Nation you have so happily restored to its just and native liberty is the principal aim intended in it, since the public acknowledgement of the world unites in this common testimony, That God hath subscribed to all your heroic and Christian undertakings with his own broad seal of Victory● with his own field word, Go on and prosper: led you through the red sea of blood into the Land of Canaan, into the Harvest and Vintage of Israel, since Pharaoh and his mighty ones have been swallowed up in the rapid current in the hideous cataracts of their ambit●ous opposition; and have by loud and convincing testimonies (testimonies attracting the admiration of your friends, and confounding the malice of your enemies) made it a blessed object of your consideration, that the preservation and fixure requires a bl●ssing no less sublime, and a vert●e no less● ex●l●●d, than the acquisiti●n and tenure of conquests, m●de good in the 〈◊〉 Christ●ndome by vindicating the English Honour up●n the British Ocean with a ●u●ssant Navy, a formidable subject of ●●●●●ment to the foreign Enemies of your Zion, by a strong winged prosecution of the Irish Assassinates, a spacious lettred example to teach English Mutineers what they may expect by the re● sentence of justice upon Irish rebels: All endeavours holding forth the way to improve the interest of this Nation, are improperly addressed to any other than yourselves, who as you have been the unexampled instruments of our unpinion● liberty, aught to be the sole judges of whatsoever may relate to our future felicity.  
We should have suspected the sincerity of History in its delineation of the Majesty which sat upon that August, and venerable Roman senates, after having made the Land tremble under the terror of their Armies, the sea to labour under the burden of their numerous Navies, after having delivered all power oppressing the universal liberty to the revenging beak of their victorious Eagles● and minted the Governments of the world by the Rom●n Standard; had not the Concentrici●y of your undertakings had not the homogeneousness of your actions and felici●y, vindicated and asserted the honour of antiquity, and raised your reputations upon so high a wing of glory, that Posterity will be los● in the same mist of jealousy and incredulity of your own augustness, yet for ever want the revival of such examples the restauration of such precedents to confirm them.  
And to the end you may in all things either parallel or transcend that Roman greatness, of which you are the inimitable exemplary, who enriched the heart and strengthened the arms of their Dominions by dispersing Colonies in all Angles of their Empire, Your pious care hath already laid a most signal foundation by inviting incouragemen● to undertakers of that nature: In the pursuit whereof let me beg the liberty in this Paper, under your honour's Patronage to publish the many pressing and convincing reasons which have and may induce you to prosecute a design of such universal concernment.  

1. It will disburden this Nation of many indigent persons, who having formerly perhaps enjoyed a fullness of abused or ●orfeyted plenty, & at the present reduced to an inequality of such subsistence, are commonly prompted to their own● and other me●s ruin by making the high way●s (which should be as public and inviolable a sanctuary as the most sacred places) an ambuscado to innocent Travellers, by which interruption of passages, there is commonly occasioned a decay and disincouragement of commerce, and daily examples inform us, that Prisons at present are almost as full of crimi●all as indebted persons.  
2. It will take off all Parish charges, in providing for destitute Minors and Orphans, whereof there are at presen● a burdensome multitude, whereby the Parishes so freed, m●y with greater alacrity and ability, part with c●ntributory moneys to maintain, recrui●e, and encourage your Armies and Navies.  
3. Those Orphans so provided for may by God's blessings upon their labours become happy and wealthy instruments, advantageous to the place of their nativity in particular, and their whole Nation in general. Whereas the condition of their birth and the usual way of exposing them● makes them capable of no more gainful calling then that of day-labourers, or which is more frequent hereditary beggars.  
4. The republic in its present constitution abounding with so dangerous a number of male contents, who commonly like Shrubs under high and spreading Cedars, imagine the spacious height of others to be the cause of their own lowness, may by this means be honourably secured, and such men removing their discontents with their persons, will have a brave and ample theatre to make their merits and abilities emergent, and a large field to sow and reap the fruit of all their honest industrious and public intentions.  
5. It will to admiration increase the number of Ships and seamen, (the brazen wall of this Nation) all materials to advance Navigation, being abundantly to be furnished out of those Countries, and the more ingenious Passengers by conference and disputation with the k●owing Mariner, will take a great delight, satisfaction, and ambition, to attain to the Theory of that knowledge, while the less capable being accustomed and assigned to an usual part in the toil thereof, and instructed by the ordinary Seaman, will be brought to a good readiness therein and speedy perfection.  
6. All materials for shipping, as Timber, Cordage, sails, Iron, brass, Ordnance of both metals, and what ever else we are necessitated ●o supply our wants with out of the E●sterne Countries, who make it not unusual to take advantages of their neighbour's necessity, a●d often times upon a pretence of difference or misintelligence betwixt us, embrace an occ●sion to overrate or over-custom their commodities, or (a real quarrel widening) sell it to other Nations from whence we are forced to supply ourselves at a second or third Market.  
7. It will give us the liberty of storing a great pa●t of Europe with a larger plenty of incomparably better fish, than the Holander hath found means to furnish it withal, and will make us in no long tract of time, if industriously prosecuted, equal, if not transcend him in that his most beneficial staple.  
8. It will be to this Common wealth a standing and plentiful Magazine of Wheat, Rice, Coleseed, R●peseed, Flax, Cotton, Salt, Pot-ashes, soap-ashes, Sugars, Wines, silk, Olives, and what ever single is the staple of other Nations, shall be found in this jointly collected.  
9 It will furnish us with rich furs, Buffs, Hides, Tallow, beef, Pork, &c. the growth and increase of Cattell i● this Nation, receiving a grand interruption and stop, by killing commonly very hopeful young breed to furnish our markets, or store our shipping, merely occasioned by want of ground to feed th●m, whereas those Provinces afford such a large proportion of rich ground, that neither the increase of this or the succeeding age can in any reasonable probability overfeed the Moiety.  
10. By it many of your honour's Reformadoes and disbanded soldiers being dismissed with the payment of such part of their arrears as your own judgement (guided by the rule of your immense disbursements) shall think a convenient recompense, by transporting themselves thither may change their desperate fortunes into a happy ●ertainty of condition, and a contented livelihood, which will be a means not only to disburden this republic (as before) but to remove all those clamours usualy disturbing your public consultations, and to win upon them by your bounty to invert all those fearful imprecations, with which they would (as much as in them lies) unblesse your proceedings, into a joyful and fervent concurrence of prayers to the Almighty to shower down blessings upon your heads, who, next under him, are the glorious and visible instruments of their increasing happiness.  
11. It will be a generous and moving encouragement to all industrious and public spirits, to employ those parts with which God and nature hath blessed them in the discovery of such happy inventions as may drive on hopeful designs with a lesser number of hands than is usually assigned to them, which issues of the brain are legitimate and genial to beginning Plantations, where the greatest want is that of people: but for our own or other popular Kingdoms where we are commonly overpressed with a greater multitude of labourer● then employers, by much less acceptable, since our indigent people look upon such engines merely as monopolies to engross their livelihood  
12. It will add a very considerable increase to the Revenue of your Honours own Customs, and I shall assume the liberty in all humility to offer up to your more advised deliberation by way of supplement to your incomes, whether such malefactors as the letter of the law doo●s to death, yet leaves a latitude for extent of mercy in the bosom of the Judges, whose release oftentimes proves not only ruinous to them so discharged, since not seldom they return to their vomit, but pernicious to the commonwealth reinvaded by their insolences and disorders, might not be made instrumentally serviceable to the State, if (as it is frequent in other Countrey●, where they are condemned to the galleys) by way of reparation for their crime, they were sentenced to serve a quantity of years according to the nature of their offences, which expired, they should enjoy all immunities with others, and by this course be reduced and accustomed to a regular course of life. Of these a thousand transported and employed by an understanding improver, would by their labour advance an income of forty thousand pounds sterling per annum, at the least, and so proportionably according to their number.   
That all these, and many inestim●ble benefits may have their rise, increase, and perfection from the South parts o● Virginia, a Country unquestionably our own, devolved to us by a just title, and discovered by John Cabot at the English expenses who found out and took seizure, together with the voluntary submission of the Natives to the English obedience of all that Continent from Cape Florida Northward, the excellent temper of the air, the large proportion of ground, the incredible richness of soil, the admirable abundance of Minerals, vegetables, medicinal drugs, timber, situation, no less proper for all European commodities, than all those Staples which entitle China, Persia, and other the more opulent Provinces of the East to their wealth, reputation, and greatness (besides the most Christian of all improvements, the converting many thousands of the Natives) i● agreed upon by all who have ever viewed the Country: To which the judgement of the most incomparable Ralegh may be a convincing assertion, whose preferring of that Country before either the North of Virginia or New-England, though it may sufficiently command my submission and acquiescence; yet for more particular satisfaction be pleased to accept these reasons for such praelation.  

1. The apparent danger all the Colonies may be in if this be not possessed by the English, to prevent the Spaniard, who already hath seated himself on the North of Florida, and on the back of Virginia in 34, where he is already possessed of rich silver Mines, and will no doubt vomit his fury and malice upon the neighbour Plantations, if a prehabitation anticipate not his intentions, which backed with your authority, he understands too much of your power, and is too sadly acquainted with your admirable successes and generous resolutions, not to sit down by any affronts offered to those under the wings of your protection, to attempt any thing against such who are immediately your own Colony, lest thereby he administers matter of a fire, to which his own fortunes in the Indies must be a fuel, and himself raked up in its ashes.  
2. But the South of Virginia having a contiguous Ledge of at the least one hundred lands, and in the midst of those the incomparable Roanoak, the most of them at the same distance from the Continent that the I'll of Wight is from Hampshire, all of hazardous access to foreigners, and affording a secure convenience from surprisal by the Natives, will if possessed and protected by your power, be as an inoffensive Nursery to receive an infant Colony, till by an occasion of strength and number, we may pour ourselves from thence upon the Mayneland, as our Ancestors the Saxons from the Isle of Tanet into Britain.  

3. It dispenses a moderate equality of heat and cold between the two violent extremes thereof in Barbadoes and New England.  
It will admit of all things producible in any other part of the World, lying in the same Parallel with China, Persia, Japan, Cochinchina, Candia, Cyprus, Sicily, the Southern parts of Greece, Spain, Italy, and the opposite Regions of Africa.   
4. It hath besides all Timber for shipping, the best and reddest Cedars● and cypress trees that may be found in any country.  
5. And lastly, the planting of this colony will open a most compendious passage to the discovery of those more opulent kingdoms of China, Cochinchina, Cathaya, Japan, the Phillipines, Summatra, and all those beauteous and opulent Provinces of the East Indies, which beyond dispute lie open to those Seas which wash the South-West parts of Virginia, through whose bosom all those most precious commodities which enable the chinesy, Cathayan, Persian, and Indostant Empires, may more conveniently, speedily, with more security and less expenses be transported thence from Spawhawn, of other remoter Provinces to Gombroon, by a long dangerous and expensive Caravane, and from thence to Surat, where when arrived the doubling of the Line, Calentures, Scurvies, with a long train of diseases and Famine attend its transportation into our own country.  
6. Whereas by expanding ourselves to both sides and Seas of Virginia, our commerce to those noble Nations lies open in short and pleasant voyages to the encouragement, enriching and delight of the S●amen, and personal adventurers, who will share in the delicacies and profits of those Kingdoms, without participating in the miseries attending our present voyages thither. The Cargason being easily conveyed, by much the greater part of the way, through Navigable Rivers, and from the Eastern shore of Virginia in a month, or at the largest six weeks' time into England.   
And by this means the Hollander, Spaniard, and Portugal, who (by the supine negligence of this Nation, and its Merchant Adventurers) do with insufferable insolence Lord over us in both the Indies, when they shall to the unknitting of their joints perceive by your nursing care ●ver the Infancy of your Colonies, that they are arrived under your au●pice, to cover both the Seas with numerous Navies, and your honour's eye of indulgence and providence waking to their security, will be content laying aside all other passions to wave future affronts and injuries, or fall ● deserved sacrifice to your offended justice.  
And that this address may appear the more seasonable, I have (without any privity or relation to his person) taken leave to intimate to your Honours, that there is a Gentleman whom the public reputation and testimony of those who have the happiness to know him render of excellent abilities, integrity, and a never shaken affection to your cause● in all its crisis and dangers● through which God with a clew of success hath been your conduct) who hath already undertaken for the transportation of some men thither, and only waits for your honour's approbation and authority, the world taking notice, hopes and encouragement from thence, that as this Colony is like to be the eldest of your legitimate daughters in that nature, so by your indulgence she shall have the happiness not to be the youngest in your affection.  
May that God who hath begirt your house with a Grove of laurel, continue the advance of those Victories till the whole Nation be crowned with Olives: May no sin, no ingratitude of ours divert his protecting ●and from us, his assistant arm from you: May the generations to come in admiration of your virtue and gratitude for their by you● derived happiness, make every heart your monument, wherein to embalm your memory whilst the Histories of all Nations and times every their Annals with your names as the most serious and triumphant part of all examples and transactions. And lastly may your own thankfulness to him from whom these dispensations of mercy have distilled like the dew of Hermon upon your ●eads and borders, so continue in your bosoms, that when you shall be ripe for translation, he whose instruments you are, may welcome you with the approbation of,  
Well done good and faithful servant, Which are the undisguised wishes of Your honour's most humble, obedient, and faithful Servant. Ed. Williams.   

To the Conservers and Enlargers of the Liberties of this Nation, the Lord President, and counsel of State.  
My Lords:  
THere is the same nearness of relation betwixt your Lordships and the Parliament of England, which is betwixt the sun and sunbeams. They from their illustrious Luminary dispensing. You disposing those bounties of warmth and animation, which have enriched the commonwealth with all the Ornaments of verdure, repullulation and beauty, which at present she is in production of, and by the blessing of the Sun of righteousness (guiding and fortifying your virtual and healthful influences) may arrive to an absolute perfection, and be perpetuated to their happiness, to your glory.  
This Introduction which acknowledges so much of your power and greatness, may make people admire why a Treatise of this means for form and delivery, a Presenter of such inconsiderablenes for parts and fortunes, should presume to cast themselves upon your lordship's protection. But my Lords, such disincouragements cannot direct any who know Humility, and a condescending Clemency are the ordinary attendants upon your extraordinary virtues, which take into their Patronage the restauration of the public liberty, and the felicity of Nations.  
The scope of it is the public benefit of a Nation; to whom should it be dedicated, but to its Supporters, to its Atlantes, to those who design the aggrandissement of it in their counsels, perfectionate that design by their Armies? it were impatriotism not to publish it, sacrilege to address it to any other.  
It is an indelible brand to the high-named policy of the 7. Henry, who gave away as rich Provinces as any the eye of the World views to Spain from England, out of avarice, incredulity or contempt (or indeed all of them together) of Columbus his motion and condition. Your Lordships move in too high a Sphere of prudence and circumspection to become his seconds in that his heresy of wisdom. And who knows but providence has reserved the present opportunity to your times, that under his conduct and auspice you might be designed his glorious instruments of promoving a work which carries in its bosom the advancement of the Gospel, by reduci●g the Natives, in its forehead the enlargement of the English greatness by extending its Empire.  
My Lords, the Parliament of this Nation, and yourselves (like the Twins of Hipocrates) having an inviolable correspondence of tears and smiles, of disasters and blessings of life and death together, the threads of both your human emergencies twisted and wound up in the same bottom, makes it impiety to divide the apprecation of blessings. All which may be fitly and mutually added is, that your living Persons and Posthume counsels may be had in just reverence and due estim●tion: That you may shine like Luminaries in our English Hemisphere, while the Sun completes his daily, the moon her nightly Circles, till a total dissolution of Nature usher in the great day appointed for a general audit; Where when an account is to be given of human actions, May the memory of your own illustrious generous, and Christian undertakings be a cordi●ll to your consciences, the justice and public conducement of them, a reproach to others, who have abused equal Talents of parts and power, and the divine approbation of their sincerity, a conviction to all those who know not how to be grateful for their own, or the general happiness.  
And these as they ought to be the public exorations of all truly English; So in particular are they the devout wishes of,  
My Lords, Your most humble and faithful Servant, Edward WILLIAMS.   

To the Reader.  
IT is not out of any particular vanity, to publish my many imperfections in Print, nor am I to my best self understanding, infected with the disease which domineers in this scribbling age, if the public benefit of the Nation, to which by the condition of our birth, we owe a particular duty, had not bee●e the clear and uninteressed centre of my intentions, I should be too sensible of my own weakne●se, to expose myself to the pity of the wise, the criticism of the capricious, or the laughter of the ignorant; and above all to be fastened by the ●ares upon a post, to beg a six penny contribution to buy me, to the trouble of their eyes and patience. Ill books having the same unhappiness which follows bloodshot eyes, the very inspection of whom oftentimes contracts the disease always a kind of abhorrency to the beholder.  
But my aims are more public: he which reads this● shall discover the beauties of a long neglected Virgin the incomparable Roanoake, and the adja●ent excellencies of Carolana, a Country whom God and Nature has indulged with blessings incommunicable to any other Region. Here you may take view of an Island and Maine, fertile to admiration, and (which is more admirable in works of this nature) nothing but incorrupted truth in her discovery.  
It shows a way to the wealthy to improve their riches, to the necessitous and such as have lost their old, the means to erect new fortunes: in a word, it delivers an expedient to this Common wealth, how it may shake off the disease growing upon her poverty and decay of trading. Nothing but hands and hea●ts wanting to make this Country a Magazine of all things to the Nation, a Sanctuary to the afflicted, a treasure to the indigent, and an inimaginable revenue to the Adventurers, all grounded upon those never-failing foundations of reason and experience.  
Neither do I appropriate the honour (if any due) of being the sole author of this Tractate, the whole substance of it full of good wishes and general intentions, was communicated to me by a Gentleman of merit and quality, upon perusal o● which, I found an obligation upon m● not to b●ry those advantages which may arise to our ●ountry by keeping it locked up in silence: the Gentl●mans nam● whose permission I obtained to make it public, is Mr. John Farrer of G●ding in Huntingdonshire, a person of quality & fortunes, who has made good his affections to that incomparable Co●ntry, by hazarding a considerable s●mme towards the advancing of the first Plantation, and is yet so good a Patriot to be ready i● promoving any good design in the Southern parts of the (there) unequalled country. Nor is there here inserted any thing but what my own experience of the place, and a public consent of uninterested Authors and people, will subscribe to; there is little of mine in this, but the Language, and some few additional collections● the Substance is entirely the gentleman's above mentioned, which I thought fit to declare, that the Reader may ascribe and owe what ever is materially good to him; what is less acceptable or unskilful in the contrivement, to the imperfections of  
Edward WILLIAMS.   

Virginia in general, but particularly CAROLANA, which comprehends Roanoak, and the Southern parts of Virginia richly valued.  
THE situation and Climate of Virginia is the Subject of every Map, to which I shall refer the ●uriosity of those who desire more particular information.  
Yet to show that Nature regards this Ornament of the new world with a more indulgent eye than she hath cast upon many other countries, whatever China, Persia, Japan, Cyprus, Can●y, Sicily, Greece, the Sou●h of Italy, Spain, and the opposite parts of Africa, to all which she is parallel, may boast of, will be p●oduced in this happy country. The sam● boun●y of Summer, the same mild remission of Winter, with a more virgin and unexhausted soil being material a●guments to show that modesty and truth receive no diminution by the comparison.  
Nor is the present wildness of it without a particular beauty, being all over a natural Grove of O●kes, Pines, Cedars, cypress, Mulberry, Chestnut, laurel, Sassafras, Cherry, Plum-trees, and Vines, all of so delectable an aspect, that the melanchollyest eye in the World cannot look upon it without contentm●nt, nor content himself without admiration. No shrubs or u●derwoods choke up your passage, and in its season your foot can hardly direct itself where it will not be died in the blood of large and delicious Strawberries: The Rivers which every way glide in deep and Navigable Chan●els, betwixt the breasts of this uberous country, and contribute to its conveniency beauty and fertility, labour with the multitude of their fi●hy inhabitants in greater variety of species, and of a more incomparable delicacy in taste and sweetness then whatever the European Sea can boast of: Sturgeon of ten feet, drums of six in length; Conger, E●les, Trout, Salmon, Bret, Mul●et, Cod, herrings, Perch, Lampreyes, and what ever else can be desired to the satisfaction of the most voluptuous wishes.  
Nor is the Land any less provided of native Flesh, Elkes bigger than Oxen, whose hide is admirable buff, flesh excellent, and may be made, if kept domestic, as useful for draught and carriage, as Oxen. Dear in a numerous abundance, and delicate Venison, racoons, Hares, coneys, Bevers, squirrel, bears, all of a delightful nourishment for food, and their furs rich, warm, and convenient for clothing and Merchandise.  
That no part of this happy Country may be ungrateful to the Industrious, The air itself is often clouded with flights of Pigeo●s, Partridges, Blackbirds, Thrushes, dotterels, Cranes, Hernes, Swans, Geese, Brants, ducks, Widgeons, Oxeyes, infinites of wild turkeys, which have been known to weigh fifty pound weight, ordinarily forty.  
And the native corn of the Country Maiz, is so grateful to the Planter, that it returneth him his entrusted seed with the increase of 2 or 3 hu●dred interest, so facilely planted, that one man in 48 hours may prepare as much ground, and set such a quantity of corn, that he may be secure from want of Bread all the year following, though he should have never so large an appetite to consume it, and have nothing else to live upon. Nor is it above three, or at the mo●t four months' interval betwixt the time of planting and gathering: Plan●ed in March, April, or May, it is ready for the barn in June, July, and August; and of this by a provident management, you may have yearly three or four Harvests. The stalk bruised yields a juice as big as Rice, pleasant as Sugar, and the green Ears boiled in such juice is comparable in agreeableness to the palates to what ever our Pease, Sp●ragus, or artichoke, hath either for satisfaction or delicacy. Nor is the corn difficult in preservation, for in six or seven years there is scarce any sensibility of its corruption.  
But lest our p●lats should have so much of curiosity as to dislike what ever is not native to our own Country, and wheat is justly esteeme● more proper this happy ●oyle, though at the first too rich to receive it, after it hath contributed to your wealth by diminution of its own richness, in three or four crops of Rice, Flax, Indian corn, Coleseed, or Rapeseed, will receive the English wheat with a grateful retribution of thirty for one increase, every Acre sowed with wheat will produce six, seven, or eight Quarter of the grain entrusted. And though Mr. bullock be pleased to underrate at it half the crown the bushel, which in the Canaries ●ill yield ten and twelve shillings, and in Spain eight, yet even in that proportion you are recompensed with six, seven, or eight pound the Acre, of which two men by a discreet division of their time, will plow, reap, and in at the least 60 Acres.  
Which though it may appear a matter of admiration, yet I shall easily make it apparent by the following Narration, in which such is the exactness of the air in this Country, that you may have five successive Harvests of the same grain in different seasons. For though a man and a boy with much ease may plow an Acre every day, the ground being pliable of a rich black and tender mould, and no frosts or snows, no usual droughts or reins to hinder the going of the plow, yet I shall allow a month for the ploughing of twelve Acres, and thus ploughing in September, October, November, December, and January, you may have your several Harvests in June, July, August, and September, which may easily be inned by the same hands the labour not falling in a glut upon them, but the corn ripening according to its several seasons.  
And thus by two men's labours only you have a grateful return of at the least three hundred and sixty Quarters of Wheat, which will at that under rate formerly mentioned, viz 2s. 6d. yield so many pounds sterling: Nor is there such difficulty in the threshing, as may be at first sighed suspected, since it may easily be tread out with Oxen, as it is usual in Italy and other Countries.  
The first Wheat being reaped, if you desire a crop of Barley, the same Land ploughed in July, will return its ripe increase in September, so that from one and the same piece of ground you may have the benefit of two different Harvests.  
But the Rice (for production of which this country is no less proper than those Lands which have the greatest reputation of fertility) sowed, ●eelds a greater increase with the same labour 40 Acres of this ploughed if valued but at 7s. 6d. the bushel, will yield 600l. all done by two men and a team of Oxen, who may by other labour in the interval betwixt the committing the seed to ground, and its ripening, fall upon Cole●seed or Rape-seed, infinitely rich Commodities with the same facility.  
The objection, that the country is overgrown with Woods, and consequently not in many years to be penetrable for the Plough, c●●●ies a great feebleness with it. For there are an immense quantity of Indian fields cleared already to our hand by the Natives, which till we grow over populous may every way be abundantly sufficient, but that the very clearing of ground carries an extraordinary benefit with it, I will make apparent by these following Reasons.  
1. If we consider the benefit of Pot-ashes grown from ten to fifty pound the tun, within these twenty years, and in all probability likely to increase by reason of interdicting Trade betwixt us and the Muscovite, from whence we used to supply ourselves; We shall find the employment of that very Staple will raise a considerable sum of Money, and no man so employed can (if industrious) make his labour less than one hundred pound, per annum: For if we consider that those who labour about this in England give twelve pence the bushel for Ashes, if we consider to how many several parts of the country they are compelled to send man and horse before they can procure any quantity to fall to work upon● if we consider some of the thriftiest, and wise, and understanding men, fell Wood on purpose for this Commodity, and yet notwithstanding this Brigade of difficulties find their Adventures and Labours answered with a large return of profit, we who have all these things, already at our own door without cost, may with a confidence grounded upon reason expect an advantage much greater, and a clearer profi●.  
Nor can we admit in discretion, that a large qu●ntity of those should not find a speedy Market, since the decay of timber is a defect grown universal in Europe, and the Commodity such a necessary S●aple, that no civil Nation can be conveniently without it.  
Nor are Pipestaves and Clapboard a despicable commodity, of which one man may with ease make fifteen thousand yearly, which in the country itself are sold for 4l. in the Canaries for twenty pound the thousand, and by this means the labour of one man will yield him 60l. per annum, at the lowest Market. If all this be not sufficient to remove the encumbrance of Woods, the Saw mill may be taken into consideration, which is in every respect highly beneficial by this Timber for building houses, and shipping may be more speedily prepared, and in greater quantity by the labour of two or three men, then by a hundred hands after the usual manner of sawing.  
The planks of Walnut-trees for Tables or cupboards, Cedar and cypress, for Chests, Cabinets, and the adorning magnificent buildings, thus prepared will be easily transported into England, and sold at a very considerable value.  
But that in which there will be an extraordinary use of our Woods is the Iron mills, which if once erected will be an undecaying Staple, and of this forty servants will by their labour raise to the Adventurer four thousand pound yearly: Which may easily be apprehended if we consider the dearness of Wood in England, where notwithstanding this great clog of difficulty, the Master of the Mill gains so much yearly, that he cannot but reckon himself a provident saviour.  
Neither does Virginia yield to any other Province whatsoever in excellency and plenty of this oar: And I cannot promise to myself any other then extraordinary success and gain, if this noble and useful Staple be but vigorously followed.  
And indeed it had long ere this grown to a full perfection, if the treachery of the Indians had not crushed it in the beginning, and the backwardness of the Virginia Merchants to reerect it, hindered that country from the benefit arising from that universal Staple.  
But to show something further, what use may be made of Woods besides the forementioned walnut oil, at the least a fourth part of the Trees in Viginia being of that species, is an excellent Staple, and very gainful to the industrious Labourer.  
Nor is it a contemptible profit that may be made of Woods, if by boring holes in divers trees, of whose virtues we are yet ignorant, and collecting the juice thereof, a scrutiny be made which are fit for medicinal liquour and balsams; which for gums, Perfumes, and dies, and here I may justly take occasion to complain of our own sloth and indulgence, if compared to the laborious Spaniard, who by this very practice have found out many excellent drugs, Paints, and Colours, merely by bru●zing and grinding Woods, probably convenient for such experimen●s: which if boiled, and a white piece of cloth s●eeped in the boiling liquor● will by its tincture discover what colour it is capable to give, and if many should fail in the trial, yet does it not fall under the probability, but that divers noble and useful mysteries of Nature may be discovered by some such perforations and scrutinies. Nor are the many Berries commonly of an excellent colour and lustre unfit for such experiments; since the labour is little or nothing, and the issue if successful of remarkable advantage. And this the Spaniard hath experimented to the increase of gain and reputation; and above this is so signally curi●us and industrious, that he hath disco●ered many rare and delightful colours, not only by the means before mentioned, but by bruising and boiling divers Fish-shells, the brightness and variety of colours giving him a just reason to pursue such curious examens.  
The French relations of their Voyages to Canada, tell us, that the Indians and themselves falling into a contagious disease, of which physicians could give no Reason or Remedy, they were all in a short space restored to their health merely by drinking water, in which Saxifrage was infused and boiled, which was then discovered to them by the Natives, and we justly entertain belief that many excellent Medicines either for conservation of Nature in her vigour or restauration in her decadence may be communicated unto us, if projection of this stamp be so much encouraged by hopes of reward or honour, as to be put in practice.  
By this Improvement of Woods, the Ground coming to be cleared, we have a soil fit to produce what ever is excellent in Nature, the Vine and Olive which Naturally sympathize together, will thrive beyond belief, nor need it be any interruption to Tillage, since the Vintage and Harvest always fall but in different Reasons.  
That wild Vines run naturally over Virginia, ocular experience declares who delighting in the Neighbourhood of their beloloved Mulberry-trees inseparable associates over all that country, and of which in this their wildness Wines have been made, of these Wines if transplanted and cultivated, there can be made no doubt but a Rich and Generous Wine would be produced: But if we set the Greek Cyprian Candian or Portuguese Grape, those Countries lying parallel with this, there need not be made the smallest question● but it would be a Staple which would enrich this country to the envy of France and Spain, and furnish the Northern parts of Europe, and China itself where they plant it not, (of which more hereafter) with the Noblest Wine in the World, and at no excessive prices.  
And from this Staple 'tis not unworthy of our most serious con●ideration, what an occasion of wealth would flow upon this Nation: Virginia when well peopled being able to match Spain in that his sovereign Revenue, and the State by addition to their customs for exportation thereof according to the mode of France and Spain, would in no short time be sensible of this most inestimable benefit: To which if we join the Profits of our Olives● we may (God's favourable hand blessi●g our industry) be the happiest Nation in Europe.  
Nor need we be at that charge for cask under which Spain● labours, where ever we cast our eyes upon this Fortunate country we may find Timber proper for it.  
For the advance of which noble Staple, I should propose that the Greek, and other Rich Vines, being procured from the Countries to which they are genial, every Planter in that country might be enjoined to keep a constant Nursery, to the end when the ground is cleared, that they may be fit for removal, and the Vineyard speedily planted.  
Further that some Greek, and other Vignerous might be hired out of those Countries to instruct us in the labour, and lest their envy, pride, or jealousy of being laid aside when their mystery is discovered, may make them too reserved in communicating their knowledge, they may be assured, besides the continuance of their Pension of a share in the profits of every man's Vintage, which will the more easily persuade them to be liberal and faithful in their instructions, since the public advance of this design cannot miscarry without a sensible loss to their particular interest.  
That before their going over a general consultation may be had with them what ground is proper, what season fit, what prevention of casualties by bleeding or splitting, what way to preserve or restore Wine when vesseld, which species of Wine is fittest for transportation over, or retention in the country, which for duration, which for present spending: It being in experience manifest that some Wines refine themselves by purge upon the Sea, others by the same means suffer an evaporation of their Spirits, join to this that some Wines collect strength and richness, others contract feebleness and sourness by seniority.  
These consultations drawn to a head by some able person, and published to be sent over in several Copies to Virginia, by the inspection of which people might arrive at such competent knowledge in the Mystery, that the reservation or jealousies of those Vignerons, could not but be presen●ly● perceived and prevented.  
But from hence no occasion should be derived to break or fall short of any contract made with those Vignerons, who are to be exactly dealt with in performance of Articles, every way made good unto them, with all just respects to win upon them, and the non-performance of this hath been the original cause why Virginia at this day doth not abound with that excellent commodity. Those contracted with as hired servants for that employment, by what miscarriage I know not, having promise broken with them, and compelled to labour in the quality of Slaves, could not but express their resentment of it, and had a good colour of justice to conceal their knowledge, in recompense of the hard measure offered them, which occasioned the laying aside of that noble Staple, the diligent prosecution whereof, had by this time brought Virginia to an absolute perfection in it, and to a great degree of happiness and wealth which would attend it.  
And had this been as happily followed as it was prudently intended● that excellent Country had not hung down its desolate head in so languishing a condition as the disr●spect cast upon her, till of late years had reduced her to. Nor had the poor Planter (who usually spends all the profits of his labour in foreign Wines) been impoverished by the want of it: but with delight might have shaded himself under his vine, reaped the benefit of it in autumn, and buried all the memory and sense of his past labours in a cheerful rejoicing by his own hearth with the issue of his own vineyard.  
And from hence might Barbadoes, St. Christopher's, and all our Islands in the Indies, have richer, better, and by much cheaper, wines transported to them from a place much nearer in distance than Spain or the Canaries) and which doubles the benefit such intercourse together, would draw them to an association in power as well as communication of Staples.  
Were this brought to a just perfection no other Nation could upon a quarrel betwixt Us, and Spain, and France, reap a benefit by selling us their Wine at a third Market. And what we vend now for it (that being made Native to us) might be returned in Bullion, to the apparent enriching of the commonwealth, and the impoverishing of our Enemies, or at the least Friends deservedly suspected.  
All authors of Agriculture unanimously consent that neither Arable Pasture, Meadow, or any other Grounds are so benign genuine, or proper for planting Vines in, as those cleared Lands are, wherein not Shrubs, but Tall Trees were standing. And we must want a parallel in any part of the World to compare with Virginia for tall and goodly Timber-trees cleared of all under Woods, to which when cleared your Vines may be remov●d (the very removal of them, as indeed of all other, giving an addition to their perfection (the excellency of transplantation being more particularly insisted upon hereafter.) But in the clearing of these woods it will be a saving of labour, and a delight to the Vine, besides other profits following to leave the Mulberry trees standing there, being such a happy correspondence together such a mutual love engrafted in them by Nature, that we well may conclude with this axiom, that the same Nature joins all her excellencies together by an association of sympathies.  
Nor does she wave that her happy order in Incomparable Virginia, where the soil and climate that fits the one, is equally amiable to the other, their loves and hates happily according, what the one shuns, the other flies from, what the one affects, challenges the others embraces, and were not this soil and climate most genial and proper Nature herself (whose production● are never useless) would never have crowned the Virgin Brow of this unexampled country, with such a universal plenty of them, or with such a voluntary League have united them everywhere together.  

VIRGINIA compared to PERSIA.  
BUT to illustrate this with another argument: Let us compare this felicity-teeming Virginia, as it is situated from 31 degrees of Latitude to 40● with other Countries, ●eated in the same degrees which opens us a method of observing what Commodities Nations so planted abound with, which found we shall discover in this excellent Virgin a disposition engrafted by Nature to be Mother of all those excellencies, and to be equal (if not superio●) as well in all their noble Staples, as in nea●enesse to their particular enricher the perpetually auspicious sun. And this to whom Virginia owes the publication and po●tract of her incomparable beauty; Mr. Harri●t the noble Mathematician delivers us by a happy instance in finding out for her ● noble Sister of the same Latitude, the most glorious Persia, ennobled as much by thi● comparison as in her Empire. And those who have traveled and viewed Persia; unanimously relate wonders of her admirable fertility in all sorts of grain and Fruits, with an unexpressible abund●nce of silk and Wines: In which this her rich-bosomed Sister claims an equality in her plenty of Mulberries, silk, and Gums, Vines, Maiz, Rice, and all sorts of grain: only as a fuller-dowried Sister she merits a priority in fertility, pleasure, health, and temperature, a Virgin country, so preserved by Nature out of a desire to show mankind fallen into the Old age of the Creation, what a brow of fertili●y and beauty she was adorned with when the World was vigorous and youthful, and she herself was unwounded with the ploughshares, and unweakened by her numerous futur● teemings.  
Another eye-witness of this Victorious Empire, delivers to memory that Go●●●●● in a Province of that country, is so incomparably fruitful, that Dearths are never known, nor Famine ever suspected in it● th●t in one only City called E●y● there is such an inestimable store of silk, that there might be bought in one day in that City as much silk as will load three thousand camels. And he is little conversant with experience or History, who is ignorant that the abundance of silk Native to that country and Climate, is almost the sole Staple of that mighty Empire, by which never tobe exhausted Treasure of silks the sinews and vitals of the Persian Empire, the Sophy to the general good of Christendom, keeps both the horns of the Ottoman moon from completing their ambitious Circle. And if the English East-India Company of Merchants were not wrong-byassed by the factions and sinister ambition of some men in Authority amongst them, a great part of that wealthy Staple might be transported into England, and by that means dispersed over all parts of Europe to the enriching and honour of this Nation.  
The digression upon this parallel hath diverted me from ampliation upon the public benefit, which may devolve into this republic by the Olive, which being genuine to the Vine, will by a happy consent of nature indisputably flourish in a vast abundance, and by a transportation into the warmer Regions, where the heat or scarcity of Cattle causeth a like indigence of Butter, will be a Staple of inestimable value, and of no smaller conducement to our own shipping, into those provinces near the Equinox, or in those voyages where the doubling of the Line either putrifies, or makes it of a taste little pleasing or agreeable to the palate.   

VIRGINIA compared to CHINA.  
BUt to leave Persia and descend to a more wealthy and powerful parallel, the richest and mightiest Empire in the World, lies in the same latitude and climate with our fortunate Virginia; namely China, divided from it only by the Southsea, and (which will be a part of another discourse) not of any long distance from it, agreeing with it in multitude of Staples. China is stored with an infinite number of Mulberry trees to feed silkworms with, and vends silk in such a vast proportion, that in one only City Lempo, which some call Liempo, the Portugese, have with no small admiration, observed that one hundred and sixty thousand pound weight of silk hath been carried out in one ship in the only space of three months.  
Into Camb●la the chief City of Tartary (as Authors of great repute and credit, and one who was personally there, reports) there comes ●very day from China, a thousand wagons laden with silk. Nor is China less happy in its multitude of navigable Rivers, in its wonderful fertility of all sorts of grain, Maiz, Rice, &c. of which it receiveth every year three or fo●re most plentiful Harvests. Rivers stored with an incredible quantity of Fish and fowl, enriched a●d ennobled with numerous Mines of Gold, Silver, brass, Iron, and other metals, Quicksilver, Nitre, All●m, precious stones, P●arles, musk, Cotton, Sugars, rhubarb, China Root, vast proportions of Flax, furs extraordinary rich. To this happiness of soil and situation, they associate an equal felicity of parts and industry, by which they pretermit not one span of ground which they assign not to particular and profitable uses, and by an ingenious division of the ground according to the quality of the soil, design the drier part for wheat and barley, That which is more visited with an improving moisture, to Rice and Sug●r; Ascents and mountains to grov●s of Pines and Chestnuts, between which are planted Maiz pannicle, and all kind of Pulse. In other proper places are Mulberry Groves, Gardens● Orchards, Flax, and in a word no spot of ground misemployed from its proper advantage.  
And that Virginia is parallel in nearness of Staples, as well as neighbourhood to the sun, to that celebrated Empire, what multitudes of Fish to satisfy the most voluptuous of wishes, can China glory in which Virginia may not in justice boast of? What fowls can she make ostentation of, in which Virginia can be esteemed inferior? Can China, insolent with her prosperity, solely lay claim to a more singular honour for her affluence in Maiz and other grain, for the maintenance and luxury of her plenty-wanton Inhabitants, without an open injury to her equal, to her maiden sister, to our incomparable Virginia? Are her Mulberries springing from a voluntary bounty of Nature less numerous or useful than those to which China hath added all the assistance which could be expected from advantages of transplantation, or an industrious people? If China will descend to particulars, to compare Quantity and Quality of Fish and fowl, Let her show us turkeys of 50 pound weight, Let her instance an example of one hundred and fifty fowl, to reward the labour of three charges of shot and powder, Let her publish a precedent so worthy of admiration (and which will not admit belief in those bosoms where the eye cannot be witness of the action) of five thousand fish taken at one draught near Cape Charles, at the entry into Ches●peak Bay, and which swells the wonder greater, not one fish under the measure of two feet in length. What Fleets come yearly upon the coasts of New found Land, and New England for Fish, with an incredible return? Yet 'tis a most assured truth, that if they would make experiment upon the South of Cape Cod, and from thence to the coast of this happy country, they would find Fish of a greater delicacy, and as full handed plenty, which though foreigners know not, yet if our own Planters would make use of it, would yield them a Revenue which cannot admit of any diminution, whilst there are ebbs and floods, Rivers feed and receive the Ocean, or Nature fails in (the elemental original of all things) Waters.  
There wants nothing but industrious spirits and encouragement, to make a rich Staple of this commodity; and would the Virginians but make Salt pits, in which they have a greater convenience of Tides (that part of the Universe by reason of a full influence of the moon upon the almost limitless Atlantic causing the most sp●cious Fluxes and Refluxes, that any shore of the other divisions in the World is sensible of) to leave their pits full of Salt-water, and more friendly and warm sunbeams to concoct it into Salt, than Rochel, or any parts of Europe. Yet notwithstanding these advantages which prefer Virginia before Rochel, the French King raises a large proportion of his Revenues out of that St●ple yearly, with which he supplies a great part of Christendom.  
And if from this Staple the miserable French can procure a subsistence, some of them a comfortable livelihood, notwithstanding all the private oppressions of their grinding Landlords, the public Tallies, Subsidies, aids, Imposts, and other hard Titles of authorised Rapine. What shall we imagine the freeborn English in a country where he owes no Rent to any but to God and Nature, where he has Land to satisfy his desires in its extent, his wishes in its fertility, where freequarter is a word only understood by Report, may expect of profit and content both in this Staple of Salt, in that of Wines made in those Countries, where either the Spanish insolence and exactions, the French extortions, or the Turkish imperial Robberies, though in the highest degrees of exorbitance, are not of force so to disincourage the Inhabitants from attendance upon the Vineyard, which notwithstanding all those Horse-leach●● of Imposition, returns them such a profit as make them keep ● middle path between the ●scent of Riches, and precipice of Poverty.  
Nor would it be such a long interval (Salt being first made) betwixt the undertaking of this Fishing, and the bringing it to perfection; for if every servant were enjoined to practise Rowing, to be taught to handle sails, and trim a vessel, a work easily practised, and suddenly learned, the pleasantness of Weather in fishing season, the delicacy of the Fish, of which they usually feed themselves with the best, the encouragement of some share in the profit, and their understanding what their own benefit may be when their freedom gives them an equality, will make them willing and able fishermen and Seamen.  
To add further to this, if we consider the abundance, largeness, and peculiar excellency of the S●urgeon in that country, it will not fall into the least of scruples, but that one species will be of an invaluable profit to the buyer, or if we repeat to our thoughts the singular plenty of Herrings and mackerel, in goodness and greatness much exceeding what ever of that kind these our Seas produce, a very ordinary understanding may at the first inspection perceive that it will be no great difficulty to out-labour and outvie the Hollander in that his almost only Staple: Which we may also sell at a cheaper Market then in common estimation; if we revolve the Salt to be our own, which they buy from France, or fetch from the Isle of May, and that the very freight of Passengers (of which allured by this improvement, and the public approbation, there will be constant multitudes) in our own ships will at the least defray 3 fourths of the charges.  
I should not unwillingly hear (though I despair ever to know it for a certainty) that China did exceed us in fishing; for were it granted, we should not imagine those wa●ry Inhabitants so circumscribed and limited to one part of the Ocean especially the same Climate and Latitude, inviting them as not to visit our opposite shore of Southwest Virginia in as great variety and plenty.  
And to the more curious and able Persons I shall offer what singular object it were of variety and plenty, if they would take the advantage of some tides and seasons, when the resort of fish is greatest to stop the return of them out of some creek perpetually flowing with Salt by Sl●ces, or such other invention: here would those great ones generate and produce till even they laboured with their own Multitude, if permitted to increase two or three years, who might with very small charge be maintained, and yearly render to the proprie●●r an Ocean of Fish in a narrow confine of Water.  
Nor were it unworthy the labour to make an experiment whether the S●urgion himself might not receive a kind of Domestication in that narrow circumscript●on, especially if we let it descend into our thoughts, that (by small perforations in the sluices he perpet●ally admits a Renovation and change of salt Water) he may receive the same benefit of Liberty, namely variety of Water, which he delights in when unconfined, and admitting the original Breeder not to thrive well by such imprisoning, yet customs ascending as high as Nature in the Breed, would make that Familiar to them, which peradventure might have been offensive to the first Spawner, and should they delight (as in some seasons of the year Fishes do vary their Resorts) at any time in fresh water; A large Pond digged near having either Springs to fe●●e it, or rains to fill it, might by communication of a sluice receive both them and Salmon, when they s●eke after the Freshes.  
And that Fishes may be unwilded, and become domestic, History will sufficiently inform us, wherein are delivered Reports of some who grown more particularly intelligent, were distinguished by names, and understood themselves so called: and Mar●iall in one of his Epigrams to Caes●r, (I mean Domitia●) tells the Prince speaking of Fishes so instructed, Quid quod nomen habe●t & ad Magistri Nomen quisque sui venit citatus? And further, Manumque lambit, a thing, which though a Poet, and con●equently bold, ev●n to untruths, yet he durst never have obtruded upon Caesar, whom himself makes a party in the experiment.  
And to add something to what hath formerly been delivered of balsams and Colours, why from the Livers and most unctuous parts of those more delicate Fishes, may not curiosity find a means to extract an oil; which (if it be not medicinal, though I am inclined by several Reasons to bel●ene the affirmative) may notwithstanding artificially distilled after its first extraction prove a delic●cy for the Tables of Princes and Great Ones, especially for Sauces, and other Confections which Luxury hath found out for the irritation of dull and retreating appetites. But I cannot believe it to be deprived of its particular virtue in physical operations, and the industrious conclusions of our Ancestors have by such probations discovered many rich Mysteries of Nature; whilst we either glutted with our own plenty of Receipts, or out of a too fond a Reverence we pay to antiquity acquiesce in their prescriptions, as in the ne plus ultra, the Hercules Pillars of wisdom, beyond which there were no passage, or else fear every innovation brings inconveniences in his train, which opinion if it had possessed those our Ancestors, the World had continued in ignorance, and must for ever have lain sick of an incurable folly in the fool's hospitals.  
For what concerns the Flax of China, that we may not lose the smallest circumstance of parallel with Virginia, Nature herself hath enriched this her bosom Favourite with a voluntary plant, which by art, industry, and transplantation may be multiplied and improved to a degree of as plentiful, but more excellent Nature: Which because of its accession to the quality of silk, we entitle silk grass: Of this Queen Elizabeth had a substantial and rich piece of Grograine made and presented to Her. Of this Mr. Porey in his discovery of the great River Chamonoak, to the South of James River delivers a Relation of infinite Quantity, covering the Surface of a Vast Forest of Pine-trees, being 60. miles in length.  
It had been wished that the injun●tion given to every Planter to set so many thousand Plants of this kind had been effectually prosecuted: The intermission whereof hath been a prejudice not easily imaginable: Nor is it yet too late to effect it, and in all probability by transplantation it may thrive beyond comparison larger, and the skin of it grown more tender and delicate, may arrive to some equality with the labour of the silkworm, if it be managed by such Rules of Nature best suit with its production.  
For hemp there is a natural kind of hemp, a species of Flagg in that country, from which being boiled you may strip a long and fine skin, not only proper for Cordage● but the ●iner sort singularly useful for linen; of this two hundred weight hath been sent into E●gland, of which hath been made excellent Cordage, and very good linen. This, by observation of the soil it grows in, and transplanted into Grounds of like, but richer property, would together with that silk-grass make a Staple of admirable return and Profit; Provided every Planter had an injunction for this, as well as the former to sow or set a convenient proportion, to which his own profit (Quickened with the imposition of a mulct in case of neglect) would easily invite him. And by this means would Virginia not only furnish her own people, but supply other Nations with stuffs and linen.  
To the brass of China, we shall oppose the Virginian Copper (or Gold, for yet it is doubtful) for by a concurrent Relation of all the ●ndians, justified to several English of Quality, particularly to the Earl of Southampton in Mr. Poryes Narrative, to Sir William Berkely, all seconding Mr. heriots' Report, that within ten days' West toward the setting of the sun, the Natives of that country gathered a kind of a Red Sand falling with a stream issuing from a mountain, which being washed in a sive, and set upon the fire speedily, melts and becomes some Copper, which they show us, but as they say much softer. We shall only suppose it to be Copper, contrary to the opinion of divers knowing men, who apprehend it for a Richer metal; but melting with such ease two parts in five turning to a Solid metal, the other three parts being peradventure not any thing of the oar, but only such rubbish, as joined to the oar in rolling, and this falling merely from the superficies of the mountain, yet a Rich Copper; what eye enlightened with the smallest beam of Reason, will not conclude it for an extraordintry accession of Wealth to this country? and why may not the entrails of this mineral be Gold, since the skin and crust of it is Copper? Nature herself oftentimes dealing after the mode of divers great men, delighting to lay an unregarded outside over her Richest Linings.  
To proceed in contin●ation of our compa●ison with China, if it abound more in visible Silver (of which with our abundance of Staples may quickly put us into a ●ondition of entering into completion with) yet cannot Virginia in all probabili●y be destitute of that metal: For besides divers conjectures grounded upon natural circumstances: Mr. Gage in his Relation of the Indies, as●ures us that the Spaniards have found out a rich Silver Mine on the back side of Florida Westward, in 34 degrees of Latitude, and the farther they extend their search Northward, the more Rich and Pure the Mines discovered improve themselves.  
Nor shall we plead inferiority in pearls with China or Persia, since Mr. Heriot assures us of a large quantity of pearls found amongst the Natives, spoiled by their ignorance in boring of them, and defacing their Oriental lustre, by exposing them to the fire. These were found amongst the Indians at Roanoak, and the Relations of the Natives on all hands unanimously concur that the South and West of this opulent country was stored with such abundance and variety, that the Indians used to make and adorn Babies with them: And one of the English had collected a Bracelet of very Oriental pearl, to the number of five thousand, which were all lost in the return to England.  
If China suppose a merit of precedency in musk, Virginia may justly oppose them with her Musk Rat, or Muscassus, which in all probability cannot but be the same; for it is a tradition received into the Number of truths, that the Confection of their musk in that country is bruising and burying a certain Creature to putrefaction, of which this Odour is effected, and it is very open to conjecture that this Musk-Rat or Muscassus, whose flesh and skin are extraordinary redolent and durant, and of which there is an infinite plenty, by such order may be brought to the same perfection. Neither is it so improbable that this Odour should proceed from putrefaction, which is naturally an abhorrence to the nostril: for if you apply too near to the substance of the musk, there is an occult subolency of such a putrefactive original. Neither are all excretions of Nature in themselves offensive to the sense of smelling, for the flux of the Civet-Ca● is accounted amongst our most sovereign Perfumes: And this experimented will be a Staple of noble use, and no less benefit.  
Nor shall we yield the laurel of preeminence in richness of furs to China, if the furs of Beavers, Otters, Martin's, and above all Black Foxes (which are upon some part of this Continent) may pretend any title to richness: And yet have we been hitherto so supinely negligent to permit the Dutch and the French to carry away most of this precious Commodity, to trade in our Rivers, undersell us, and which discovers either an ●mplacable malice or insatiable avarice, trade with those Indians (of whom we have no reason to nourish any great confidence) for Muskets and Powder.  
To conclude, what ever else China may presume to boast of: Whether Nitre, alum, Quicksilver, Rhubarb, and China Root, of which some we have already discovered: If we consider the parallel in Latitude, the equality of temperate Climate, the parity in soil, and its fertility, the similitude in brave Navigable Rivers, the unanimous congruity and consent in divers known Commodities, we shall have an ample basis to ground conjectures upon, that what ever singularity of Nature that Nation may imagine herself Victorious over others, will be found equal in this Garden of the World, this emulous rival of China, Virginia: And the Chineses may with as great justice deny the Europeans the benefit of both eyes, as boast that they precede in any thing except Antiquity of habitation and a long experienced industry, this great Luminary of the new World Virginia.  
What ever other commodities, the Novelty of inhabiting this amorous Virgin hath made it appear defective in, as Sugar, Indigo, Cotton, Ginger, and other advantageous Staples, we shall appeal to all who have seen this unexampled country; (we mean Roanoak, and the more Southern parts, and those Countries towards the fertile Mangoack) whether it be guilty of any contrariety, distemper, or extremity, which might hinder their production. The sun, which in other countries makes his visit in Flames and Droughts, here casts his auspicious beams, and by an innocent and complemental warmth, courts the bosom of this his particular favourite, hastening and disposing its womb for ripe productions, which salute him in an absolute perfection. Winter snows, Frosts, and other excesses, are here only remembered, never known. The purling Springs and wanton Rivers everywhere kissing the happy soil into a perpetual verdure, into an unwearied fertility: no obstructions in your expectations, attempt and hope them, prosecute and enjoy them.  
Nor have we in design to lay any imputation upon the Barbadoes, which already aboundeth to admiration, with the Staples last mentioned, yet it will become our charity to wish the Country as healthful, as it is fruitful; that it may answer the expectation and merit of its most industrious and public spi●ited Planters● who have given a brave example to all, by the effects of their industry and unwearied constancy. From a thing almost lost to memory, (at the least to reputation) they have raised the honour of that Island, to be a subject of admiration for wealth and Staple, and that so little a circumference of Ground should be able to vent the value of two hundred and fifty thousand pound yearly, as so●e Merchants have maintained, not only adds to the weight and measure of their just estimation, but increases the favourable wishes of all lovers of industry, that they had a larger proportion of ground to improve upon.  
And if an invincible sloth doth not possess us in Virginia, (We mean the South) why should not we raise an equal or greater profit upon as fertile and convenient a soil? especially if we consider the populousness of the place, has so raised the price of Land there, which we have here gratis, where number of inhabitants do so little take from our abundance, that they add to our wealth, security and plenty, and the sole means to increase and improve upon Staples.  
We have made it apparent that what ev●r China hath of St●ple or delicacy, is produced or producible in this above-example Virgin. But to show that even China herself must in some t●i●gs giv● plac● to this more happy maiden, Te●ra sigillata, or Lemnia, (as peculiar an income to the Grand signior's Treasury, as that of Salt is to the French Kings) and of which China can no way boast, is native to this Cou●trey; Vin●s are either not natural, neglected, or not understood by the Chineses, but in this incomparable soil the Grape presents itself everywhere to your delighted prospect. And what shadow can there be of scruple that Wines well cultivated, and issuing from a rich Grape, will not be as commodious a Staple to that voluptuous and gluttonous Nation, who wanton away their wealth in banquets, as the Wines of France and Spai● are to the more Northern and less abstenious Nations of Europe?  
There needs no objection be made against this Staple; for the Southw●st part of Virginia being once discovered, the Sea laid open and that passage complete in all its numbers, the pleasure of the commerce, the richness of returns, and the extraordinary quickness of the profit, will invite so m●ny to come over and plant that commodious quarter of Virginia, that as we shall never labour with too numerous a multitude of inhabitants, so we shall not have any great occasion to complain of the pa●city of Planters.  
Nor is Tobacco in those Indian seas (especially cured as in Virginia, and of that strength and excellency) a commodity of inconfiderable commerce, particularly if we call to mind what gain there is by the exchange for Indian commodities, so that any ordinary understanding may comprehend that although Tobacco should yield but three pence the pound in India, yet by way of barter with those Nations where the return quadruples the value in England, the gains gotten by it might be very considerable.  
But if we may believe Printed Relations (and the person delivering it so clearly, is, in my opinion, worthy of all credit) Tobacco from Surat to Moco yield ten for one profit, returned in Eastridge feathers to England you have six to one profit; but this is for those Planters who are so infected with that disease of the country, that they cannot admit of any other Staple, though more gainful and less laborious. Yet is not Tobacco without its virtues: for the Spaniard hath found out, besides the use of it in smoke, (or the smoky use) that the juice thereof (when green) applied to any wound cut, sore, and without any distinction, whether green, festered, or cankered, will heal it speedily, and almost miraculously; the leaf bruised or stamped, and applied to any bite or sting of a venomous quality, to any wound made by a poisoned arrow, the green leaf heated in hot ashes, and laid upon any part of the body afflicted with aches, will work effects answerable to the most powerful operations of Nature.   

The Benefit and part of the silkworm mystery treated of.  
BUT to show to the World that we may equal the best of the Western kingdoms in this noble mystery of Nature the Silk-g286 worm: That France and Italy are much below this Mignon of Glory and Profit, the universally advantageous Virginia, we shall ●pon those in●●llible demonstrations of Nature, make evident, having the clew of truth, reason, and modesty to direct us.  
It will not be denied by any, whose forehead is not too brazen, that no country is so proper for adventitious as its own Native Commodities● the seeds of things suffer a deterioration by changing the propriety of that soil which was genial to them, and the exact order of Nature suffers a diminution, if we imagine any other Climate or Region more proper for the perfection of any thing, than where it is originally produced.  
T●lli●r aff●rmes that this mystery of the silkworm hath not been experimented in Europe above a thousand years, being transmitted to our Climate out of the Asiatic World, in so much that Italy hath not been above 200 years enriched with this industrious Creature, France received it from Italy, and it is observed, that the warmer the Region, by so much larger and stronger increase and texture receive they from the labour of this admirable and natural Weaver. France being of a colder temper than Italy, their Wo●mes are weaker, in the more Northern part of that kingdom from one ounce of seed they profit five or six pound of silk increase, worth at the least ● os. per pound, in Languedock, and the warmer Provinces the same quantity is increased to 7, 8, or 9l. but in Brescia, of Calabria seed, they use usually to make eleven or twelve pound of silk from the same original proportion.  
The poor people in both those kingdoms buy their Mulberry leaves to feed this profitable and industrious Spinner, and the very charge of those leaves amounts to a full half of all other their expenses.  
The Nobility of Italy and France (the Grand Duke of Tuscany himself, descending into a part of this profit) make up a considerable part of their Revenue from their Trees, the Leaves of every one b●ing valued according to their goodness and quality, from five shillings to twenty and upwards, so that divers make an income of three, four, five, sometimes a thousand pounds per annum from the sole profit of their Mulberry trees.  
The Grand Duke from the sale of his, raises an income communibus annis, of sixty thousand Duca●s,  
Yet divers Gentlemen in Italy make a larger increase of profit, by setting out their Mulberry trees to necessitous people, for half the gain arising from the worm so fed. Those poor contribute their seed, employ their labour, and are at all expenses in bringing the silk to perfection; yet notwithstanding when completed, the Gentleman who sets out his Trees, divides the moiety of the entire profit, for the hire of his Leaves only, y●t are these people, ma●gre this difficulty, comfortable gainers.  
And the same Tellier is bold to affirm, that non obstante the disagreeableness of the Country to that worm, in the kingdom of France from the sole revenue now of silk, arises a greater intrade then from their corn, oil and Woad put together, which grow in that kingdom in vast proportions. And another French Author affirmeth, that the benefit of the silkworm, (of which France hath had no trial till within these fifty years) ariseth to four Millions per annum, ste●ling, and this he pretends to have all circumstances of truth and certainty, drawn from an exact computation to confirm it.  
If France (an almost improper country for this improvement) can raise within the verge of fifty years, so large and numerous a revenue, what shall we imagine Italy (a warmer Region, and by much more convenient, although not altogether Native for this enriching creature) may merely upon this Staple return in their Treasury, having besides the advantage of Climate, a hundred and fifty years' precedency in the mystery, and their seed more s●rong, better fed, and less subject to diseases and casualties?  
But Virginia a country which Nature hath no less particul●●ly assigned for the production, food, and perfection of this Creature than Persia or China stored naturally with infinites of Mulberry-trees, some so large that the leaves thereof have by Frenchmen been esteemed worth 5l● in which the indigenall and natural worm hath been found as big as walnuts, and thriving, in the South thereof in admirable plenty and excellence; if this mystery were but duly followed, and industriously promoved, might be a Magazine for all the Western World, and singly in herself outvie France, Spain, and Italy, in all their advantages collected.  
Here the Leaves are only sold by nature, who requires no other satisfaction than industry to make use of her bounty. Timber to erect their fabrics is provided, and costs no more than preparing a benevolent sun, and a Serene Sky● contributing their indulgence to its perfection. No n●rrow assignation of Ground (richer than the most fertile France or Italy can pretend to, or boast of) to plant those Trees on, if not near enough to the settled Plantations; in brief, all the conveniences imaginable to assist and advance this to the Noblest Commerce in the World, if neglect and sloth make us not ingrateful to ourselves, and nature, by abusing ourselves, by not using her bounty.  
To further this happy design, let us d●scend into an unequal comparison: Let us compare our most incomparable Virginia, where the Mulberry and the worm are aboriginall to Italy, where they are only adventitious: Let us imagine our own worm of that strength and greatness only equal to those of Brescia and Italy, where the usual of come from six ounces of seed is 72, o● at least 60 pound weight of silk, and adhering to this parallel; let us see the apparency in the profit●  
A man and a boy, if their hands be not sleeping in their pockets, will feed as many worms as come of six or eight ounces of seed till they be past their four first sicknesses, and within some 14 days of spinning: Indeed the last 14 days require a more extraordinary diligence and attendance, a more frequent and careful feeding, because in that time they conceive, gather, and store up the disposing matter from whence the silk comes, which by an incomprehensible mystery of Nature, they after as it were vomit out of their mouths, and spin out of their bowels. At this more particular season, there is a necessity of adding the labour of three or four helps more (to which Women or Children are as proper as Men) which is an inconsiderable accession considering the gain arising from it.  
That you may know the reason why Women, Children, lame and impotent persons are as ●itting to attend the last fourteen days, as Men, will appear by their labour, which is nothing but to feed them within doors, cleanse, dry and perfume their lodgings, with some strengthning● but not overstrong odour.  
And as one skilful in this noble mystery is sufficient for the employing, overseeing, and directing hundreds under him, so (the skill being rather experimentally to be taught, then built upon long and ambiguous precepts) he may be able to perfect all those under him, within the five or six weeekes' time of their employment in the full understanding the mystery. And the better to encourage both the teacher and learner of the mystery, the master should be invited by reward to be liberal in communicating his knowledge, and those under his instruction encouraged by arguments of honour and profit proposed to the best proficient, would disperse seeds of emulation and diligence, since every one would employ himself seriously to engross and appropriate to himself the reputation and advantage in the victory.  
And in boys and children, disputations frequently set on foot, with some slight distinction of merit, would make all that are ingeniously disposed, quicken their observation and diligence, to gain the credit of prelation. Though to take off all disincouragement or despair, from those less apprehensive and docible, in this noble and gainful Trade of silk, there is no such absolute necessity laid upon them to be superstitiously and precisely curious in observing the book Rules, and written Precepts, that upon the omission or unpunctuall observation of any of those Precepts in hatching, lodging, feeding, and tending of the silkworms, we should imagine such minute deviations might occasion an improsperity or general failing: for we will admit something may be wanting either in materials, accommodation, or preciseness of knowledge; yet may the work (a higher and irresistible cause not interrupting it) prosper and succeed, notwithstanding such defect, to the great contentment and gain of them which keep them.  
Let us imagine it to be granted that the indigency of the person improving the incommodiousness of the place, or want of houseroom, which the books exactly tie us to, be in many things preterr●gular (though such a supposition may fall upon any other part of the World more justly than Virginia, where all materials and conveniency answer our exactest wishes) yet will daily examples confirm us, that in Languedoc, Provence, and other parts of France, and as many in Spain and Italy, amongst the common sort of that exaction tired people, that one poor low-rooft Cottage, and one room in it is all the house extent they have to take their sleep in, dress their miserable diet, and serve themselves of for use and retirement; yet does this industrious Creature (such are the blessings with which God rewards the sweat of Industry) thrive as happily (and sometimes answer labour with a greater fellcity) as tho●e which the curiosity of Richer persons fit with all commodiousness of Chamber feeding, and attending, which is a speaking enco●ragement that no man should despair, but reposing a cheerful confidence in the blessing of the Almighty, with this Resolution, that what ever means, what ever curiosity, art, or precept, may contribute towards the preparing and fa●ilitation of a work, yet the end, the event must depend on his eternal goodness to crown it, and all our labours projected with never so great a talon of human wisdom and experience, must conclude with this never failing truth: That except the Lord build the house their labour is but lost that build it● Except the Lord keep the City, the Watchman watches but in vain. We must therefore lift up our hearts and eyes with thankfulness unto the Hills, unto the mountain of Israel, and Rock of David, from whence those streams of blessings must acknowledge their sole, their original fountain, which may serve as an admonition, that neither the whole, nor any part of the work should be begun without applying our devotions to him: Let it therefore be the Morning Omen to the work, and the Evening auspice, Lord prosper the work of our hands, prosper good Lord our handy works. After the reposal of this confidence in God; let him apply himself with his greatest industry and ability, with this comfort and assurance, that he cannot but make a considerable return: Though we should be much injurious to Art (the noble right hand and Midwife to Nature) if we should deny a more promising probability of a riper and fuller gain the more curious and observant he is in following all the approved experiments, Rules, directions, and precepts thereunto belonging.  
But the chiefest aim and intention of those Rules are to illustrate the perfection of this Art, and to inform your knowledge, and better your future experience and preventional care, if any misadventure arrive, or miscarriage in the silkworms, or if they prosper not equally this year with the last; for by inspection upon them you may understand the cause and reason of such misadventure, and with it the remedy; and this also takes away all despair or disincouragement for men, commonly men till they are convinced in the natural cause of a disaster or failing attribute, all such mischances to Nature, or else impute the non-thriving to their own misfortune by a ridiculous opinion that they are not ordained to be fortunate in this or that Mystery, so freequently does Fortune incur the blame of human neglect or ignorance.  
Besides we are to imprint in our knowledge, that no Rules c●n have so much of generality and exactness, which will not admit of deviations arising from some particular and variable circumstances. We must not therefore conform the nature of the Climate to our Rules, but our Rules to it, in which we must resume to your deliberation how, and in what one Climate differs from another, how the constitution of this year varies from the next, or the precedent, the immediocrities of heat, cold, drought, and moisture, serenity, or mists, &c. The manner of their lodgings, the quality of the wind to be admitted or excluded: To ●emper a season inclining to a preternatural coolness with an artificial heat, to refresh and infrigidate the air in times of immoderate heat, by admitting the cooling air and winds proceeding from a cooler Quarter, and this to be observed with a more particular care; when they spin their silk, that Creature then being very obnoxious to be stifled with too much heat.  
There must be likewise a providential regard in a moist season, that the Mulberry leaves be carefully dried after their gathering, before they be administered for food to the silkworm: But if the season partake more of drought it will be wisdom to let the leaves lie and shade a little after their gathering, that they may have them cool and refreshing, and in seasons of temperature and continued droughts, it may be very requisite to water the Roots of the Mulberry-tree, which will be a refreshing to the leaves, and this is usually practised in Spain; especially if the Mulberry-tree be seated in a hot or dry ground, which otherwise must not be so prescribed without particular caution.  
Nor is it below our consideration to weigh the condition of the place in which the Mulberry is planted, if in a sour foul or wet soil to collect what inconvenience that food may bring unto your worm, and therefore if your necessity will admit it to avoid such wholly, if not to use them with such qualifications as may make them l●ast offensive.  
After having regard to the nature of the ground your Tree receives ●ts juice from, the quality of the season, in which you gather them; it falls next to your consideration to compare the kind and nature of the Tree, together with the kind and nature of their seed, worm, and silk, and directing yourself by an exact observation of particular circumstances, so to make exceptions, and to order every thing with judgement and discretion thereafter, that your books and experience may by that means walk hand in hand together.  
But time and observations will afford you many experiments, out of which perhaps some more rules of Art may be framed, in divers particulars, more consenting to the Country and Climate of Virginia. Which finding, after good trial thereupon made, it will become the reputation of a good Patriot in general, and a good Master of a family in particular, to digest them into such a regular order and method, that the publication thereof may be a common benefit to all, and a private memorial to particulars.  
For since in Persia and China it does not fall under likelihood, that they can oblige themselves to observe all particulars in its strictest limitation, where such an infinite quantity of silk passeth through the hands of the people, it is very agreeable to reason that in a Climate of the same nature and parallel, namely Virginia, there may be rules found out of far l●sse brevity● and more pertinency, then have yet been considered or published.  
And yet where all these Rules are curiously observed, they make not on●ly in Spain and Italy, but in the colder parts of France a far greater gain (the quantity of adventure and time considered) by thus chargeably fe●ding of silk-worms, then by any other commodity whatsoever.  
But to avoid that inconvenience of fetching leaves a far off, or attending the growth of your own Mulberries, or that necessity which makes the poorer sort of our own miserable people to lodge them in that room which is their kitchen, their Chamber, their all. With what ease and conveniency may there be a house set up in the middle of a Grove of Mulberries, naturally growing, where the silkworms, in a dry Cabinet of boards, after the manner of Sicily, may be kept (described more largely in the books which treat of this silkworm, then can be expected in this paper) set up with stones in it, in case the country and season require it, either to correct the ill scents, or (if so be they are seated in cold● moist, or shady places, of which your own sense and experience will quickly acqu●int you) to give the air a temper and qualification, which if not prevented, may destroy your work by killing the silkworm.  
And this Lodge built for them, the season of the year will invite yourself and family (I mean such part of your family as you assign to this work) to lodge there also, the time being at the most but six weeks, and for the first month, one third of your family will be sufficient to feed them, but the last 14. days; the other 2. thirds will be requisite that the worms may be more often and plentifully fed● the well feeding at that time contributing much to their strength and perfection, and consequently to the improving your expected silk, both in quantity and quality.  
That all may be invited and courted to this undertaking, in this glorious country, Nature hath left us destitute of no materials. To erect these slight silken lodgings, will be no more expenses, than your labour; nor is that any greater, then to cut out some posts and studs, fit them, and set them up● then to cleave and saw out small quarters, rafters, planks, pales, and boards, to make and set up the sides of the house, in stead of more substantial walls, and to cover the roof in stead of Tile. For the effecting of all which with the le●ser trouble, that country affords abundance of Woods, which will run out, slit, and cleave into long lengths and br●adths, which by the directness of the Ground will rive in a manner, as if they had been sawen for the work. All which must be so close laid, joined, and nailed together, the one still leapt over the other, that no wind or Raine may penetrate therein to offend that labo●rious Creature, and this may easily be prevented, if such chinks and open places as you shall discover be stopped up with Lome, Clay, and Lime, of which materials in those countries you will find no want. And to this purpose the Indian Mats, and the like things may be made good use of in this way, which will be sure to keep out wind and perhaps rain: But to these things your own inventions, pro re nata, will abundantly furnish you with matter of preventing casualties: Nor will it be unseasonable to repeat the extraordinary convenience of Saw-mills, which in this case will be in a high degree serviceable to you, and of this the whole Colony will be beneficially sensible in boards, ●lankes, housing, Silk-worm-lodgings, Timber, shipping, and all particular kind of uses.  
And this once erected, with what speed may such a house be clapped up together, with a few nails ●ne lopping over another, either long like a Bowling-Alley, that the functions of the Family may be distinct, and no offensive heat or sent disturb the worm in his curious operations.  
Or being in doubt of surprisal, some Families going into the Woods together may equally join together, and those wooden houses (still observing that the rooms where the worms are may be set end and end together, that so the kitchens and their lodgings may be still the two extremes) may be cast into the form of a Fort which pall●sadoed, and your house sentinelled by half a dozen of good dogs, will be a sufficient defence against all the Natives of the country.  
And this may be in case they work not in common, which if by compact they agree upon, the Lodging for the worms may be cast in the middle of such a circle, the Timber houses round about shading them from over much heat, wind or moisture, and the necessary fires there made, will throughly clear the air of all vapours and mists which may disorder this innocent Spinner. The silk Harvest ready, and the increase brought to a just estimation: The Cohabitors may according to the agreement made betwixt them, return with their Dividends, and this removal into the Woods will have the same nature of content which the Citizens take in a time of vacation and City weariness ●Citizens being never so weary as when they have no work) to visit the delights of the country, though with different ends; since these in their Voyages of pleasure expend, the other both save and increase their stock and treasure. These Boards (the work ended) being taken down are serviceable for seven years together, and easily erected or renewed.  
I am not altogether of advice, that the Indians be hired to assist you in these Remoter works, as sensible how apt they and the devil t●eir Tutor may be to embrace an occasion of being treacherous; but if they could be brought to work by Parties (well watched and spies amongst themselves set over them) in the midst of our most populous Plantatio●s, with their Wives and Childr●n, who will easily run through this curious, but not heavy labour and may be sufficient pawns for the Indian fidelity, if cunningly divided, they would be very serviceable in this kind for a small Reward, and peradventure might be made great use of for this work hereafter by undertaking it themselves, which may be manifested for these Reasons.  

1. First, the Indian is naturally curious and very ingenious, which they show in all their works and imitations: the only thing that frights them from bringing any work to perfection, is the labour attending it.  
2. But to feed his curiosity, there is nothing in the world more proper than this curious atom of Nature the silkworm: to see this untaught Artist spin out his transparent bowels, labour such a monument out of his own entrails, as may be the shame, the blush of Artists, such a Robe that Solomon in all his glory might con●esse the meanness of his apparel, in relation to the workmen, c●nnot but bring them to admiration; and that those spi●i●s whose t●oughts are of a higher wing then ordinary, may be convinced of a divine power of the hand of God in the Creation: which gained upon him, it will not be impossible to drive him to an acknowledgement of Redemption, if private ends or any other respect then that to God's glory, possess not those who should cover a multitude of sins, by winning a soul to his Creator, and forcing him from the jaws of his Destroyer.  
3. In this curiosity there is little or no labour (a thing which they abhor) their women and children will be sufficient to go through with it: and if they could but be brought to it, our T●ade with them for silk would be of greater consequence, than all their Furs or other commodities put together.  
4. By this means it were possible to fasten clothes upon them, which if once it were effected, that which Mr. bullock excellent patly calls, The universal not of Nature. Ambition would cement them to a more orderly course of life, and one still striving to outvie the other in bravery of habits: there would be no labour under Heaven like this, to reduce them to civility, the toil thereof being inconsiderable● and the profit great to him in respect of his now trifling Merchandise: and to us by trading with them, might be returned for 5●. the pound at the most in commodities.  
5. By this means would he be brought to plant great quantities of Mulberry trees round about his Plantation, which according to hi● constant inconstancy, evermore shifting, would necessarily, our ●wne numbers increasing, fall into our hands and possession, or if he should against the tide of his nature abide by them, yet a very inconsiderable trifle would buy the propriety from him.  
6. The silkworm harvest lighting at such a season of the year, wherein he by improvidence hath wasted all his bread-corn, at which time he usually retires into the Woods to seek a thin s●bsistence, by the allurement of this great profit he would undoubtedly s●ay at his Plantation, and allow us a share in his increase of silk, for such provision of Maiz as would maintain him, and this would be a large accession of profit to the English.  
7. Admitting Virginia in its whole extent from Cape Henry Southward (as a work so easily compassed, and such profit ensuing thereupon, especially to the Weroances or Reguli● who have many Wives, Slaves, and Children, would hardly fail from being a universal labour) to contain in all thirty thousand people, of which the fourth part or more men, if this Staple be followed by them, and our vigilance preventing any traffic of other Nations with them, it will yield the Colony of course a trade with them worth clear a hundred thousand pound per annum.   
Neither do I comprehend a sufficient Reason why in so happy a Climate as that of Virginia; there may not be a double silk Harvest: This I am sure of, that there are secrets in Nature of retardation as well as acceleration of Springs, and both being industriously brough● to the experiment, the acceleration ante●eeding the first Spring, and the retardation postvening the latter by three weeks, (which may easily be effected by election and distinction of ground to plant in) and at the latter end of the Harvest the seeds being disposed and ripened for production, will without doubt produce an effect answerable to the most inestimable profit intended by it.  
That the election of Ground may do this, we may see by frequent examples betwixt things well cultivated, and that which is never transplanted from its first wildness, and there are many precedents round about us, where in one and the same Towne● one and the same fruit have oftentimes three weeks distance of time betwixt their unequ●ll maturity; the natural warmness or coldness of the Ground occasioning the advance or procrastination of fruits according to its several disposition.  
Nor can such a course be any interruption to Harvest or Vintage, both coming much after the season of the silkworm, though I should (in submission to better judgement) conceive that with transplantation of trees (such as they would have come later than ordinary, for that purpose being loosed from the Ground near upon the as●●nt of their sap would spring for that season according to ●heir expectation later than is usual, and the next year its novelty of ground having made it wanton will come much earlier, and more improved than those whose fixure to the place of its first pullulation keeps itself to its former constancy, and by this means the later Harvest would not be at the most three weeks time a●ter the (Usual) income of the first.  
And without doubt the Chineses and Persian could not vend such vast quantities of silk, with which they fa●shion so huge a part of the World with one single Harvest, which though we are at present ignorant of, yet what should discourage us from delivering such conjectures to a trial, since the examen of it is not without probability, nor the discovery without an extraordinary certainty of profit?  
Those who will object that notwithstanding ●00 years practice Italy hath not discovered this mystery, or if discovered, found it destitute of success, may be pleased to receive this Answer: That there is an immense disproportion betwixt the happiest Region of Italy, and the South of the excellent Virginia. Italy (and that annually) is subject much to inclemency of Winters, in respect of our more temperate Maiden, where Snows and black Swans are alike Prodigies; the cold there is rather like a Phletomy to tame the plethoric abundance of Springs, then dead it: Nor are the Springs of Italy so early as ours in that Climate, and the Mulberry shooting forth later than all other T●ees by much, may by this means of transplantation and heat of soil, be equal with the first, and by that early appearance give daylight to this and other more abstruse Magnalia.  
I have ins●sted so much the longer upon this Mystery of the silkworm, because (if it were handled by a better pen, judgement, and ability) it is every way noble and sublime, so much worthy the knowledge, not only for the benefit (which is extraordinary rich how ever) but for the admiration of Nature, who hath ab●eviated all the Volum● of her other Miracl●s into this her little, but exact Epitome, like that Artist who contracted the whole body of Iliads and Odysses into a Nutshell.  
Besides what we have said of silk we shall find the Indian profitable to himself, and as in the Staple of Wines, of which when he has received the whole knowledge, we cannot make the least tittle of doubt, but he will with all eagerness prosecute it: First, because it concerns his belly, to which no people unde● Heaven are more indulgent; and secondly, his Wife and Children who plant his corn may take the charge of the Vineyard with not much more labour. But that which turns to our advantage is, that the Indian communicating the knowledge of the Grape to his Neighbours, and they transmitting it all along as far as New Spain, will stir up the Spanish jealousy to interdict all Viti-culture amongst them, and as far as the extent of his power can fathom to prosecute severely all such Natives as shall make it a subject of their industry to the prejudice of Spain. This must of necessity make strong combinations and leagues against the Spanish Tyranny, which though they are not of themselves able to shake off, yet will the Spaniard fear to extend himself further (except in such strength as at present his condition denies him) knowing the Indians untinguishable thirst of Revenge, and his laying hold of all opportunities to put it in execution, with all the powers of his understanding cruelty and malice.  
And thus shall the Spaniard in case he attempts our supplantation be constantly discovered by the siding Indian, and if there be a necessity to prevent his malice, by turning his design upon his own head, infinite occasion of intelligence may we have from the enraged Native, how to attaque him in his strongest security, where either the distance or impassability of the way will make him confident and careless.  
Further use may be made of the Native in fishing after pearl, to which if we allure him by a constant Trade with him for them, his own profit will quickly enlighten his desire of more, and that desire quicken his industry.  
That Virginia affords multitude of pearls, Mr. Lane is sufficient to give public information, where he tells us a Relation delivered to him of a Weroance, who had so great quantity of pearl, and did so ordinarily take the same, as that not only his own skins that he weareth, and the better sort of his Gentlemen and Followers are set with the said pearl; but also his beds and houses are garnished with them, and that he hath such quantity of them that it is wonder to see: These are Mr. Lanes words exactly.  
Nor is there any difficulty in the discovery of this, or engrossing the Trade; especially since we are the Masters of the country, and if any other Nation should attempt to partake in the benefit of our Trade, the strength of Virginia is at present such as may repel by violence, all foreign encroachments upon their trade and livelihood.  
The Indians unanimously consent that twenty two mil●s beyond the Falls, is a rock of crystal, and this they evidence by their a●rowes very many whereof are headed with it. And that 3 days' journey from thence, is a rock or Hill of Silver oar. Beyond which, over a ledge of Hills, by a concurrent Relation of all the Indians, is the Sea, which can be no other but that Sea which washes the shore of China, &c.  
That this report of a great Sea Southwest beyond the Mountains, cannot have the least of fiction or confederacy, since all the Indians from Canada to Florida, do unjarringly agree in the Relation, is obvious to the meanest apprehension.  
The discovery whereof, if we fall upon it by degrees, will be a work of no long time or difficulty, but the unexpressible profit and glory of the action, will raise the noble head of this above example country to such a high Zenith of wealth, power, and lustre, that it will be reputed a very remarkable degree of felicity to any Nation which shall reach to such a vertical point of glory, as to be reputed but our second in these most noble considerations.  
By this means what wealth can there be in those richest provinces of the World, in those Countries which Nature created for h●r Cabinets of excellency, which we shall not discover? What discover without a power of Appropriation? What opulency do●s China teem with which shall not be made our own by the midwifery, by the Juno Lucina of this virtual passage? This by a happy transmigration, by an innocent magic will convert that country, (which by a swelling denomination, yet without not some preten●e of Reason its Natives call by a Title signifying all under Heaven) into our Maid of admiration and envy Virginia. Her silkworm shall spin for Carolana, her Cloth of Gold be weaved for Roanoak. The English name shall keep company with the sun, and those Nations who owe him a particular adoration shall honour it as the next thing sacred. The E●sterne Nations oppressed with the slavery of those ill●strious horseleeches their princes, will come under our shadow, and by a thick repair to our most glorious and happy maiden, live with us in that liberty, which Nature in their Creation intended to the noblest of his creatures Mankind. And by this recourse all those curiosities of Art, in which those Eastern Nations transcend Europe, will be conveyed to us with their persons. Cattle and Horse in which they abound, will be sold to us for nothing, for European trifles, whilst the more necessary Stapl●s of this our Western World, will be sold at advantages not convenient to be mentioned. The voyage short, easy, rich, and pleasant. No doubling of the Line, no calentures, s●urvies, or other long passage diseases, to affright or distaste the laborious Seaman: whereas now the enfeebling and destroying of Mariners is almost an unavoidable consequence of those long and dangerous, rather circumferences● than voyages.  
But lest we should sing a Paean before a Victory, it will not be unworthy our labour to discourse what means m●y be used in this Discov●ry. Which if it should miss in its prosecution, (for which failing there is not the least shadow of probability) yet might carry a vast profit to recompense all your pains and expenses.  
That it must not be attempted at the first heat, but must have more recourses than one to the fire of a trial, will be made apparent by these reasons.  
First, the inconveniency or non feysibility of carrying so much provision as will serve the Discoverers, whose number, in my opinion, cannot be lower than two hundred, if we let slide into our deliberation the many unknown Nations, through whose territories we are to make our passage, and which by common estimation, are much more numerous in the Inland, then Marine countries.  
Next admit we undertake and compass it with such a number, yet the discovery not being capable of secrecy amongst such a multitude of undertakers, the public resentment of such a felicity approaching, not suffering people to be silent; we should have this arrive to the Spaniards knowledge, who will roll all stones under Heaven to dispossess or prepossess, and indeed the danger his Peru, Chili and Philippines, by such seating, may lie obnoxious to, will add spurs to his inclination to prevent us, which till we be in in a condition to resist, may be effected with our absolute ruin.  
The safest way therefore is, by degrees to steal upon the design, and take our way thither, by ceasing of places of advantage, very frequently found in that country, which we may progressionaly fortify at every twenty or five and twenty miles' distance, and to these places we may constantly ●end supplies of victu●lls and ammunition, not only for the men there garrisoned, but for our own reception and maint●nance in the Discovery: and these men standing continu●lly upon their guard, may (I mean those most rem●te) by conference with the Indians, discover with much ease, of what distance, what access, what harbours, what frequentation, and by what people the neighbour Sea consists of; to take with them exemplars of all minerals, drugs, Dies, Colours, Birds and Beasts, drawn ●o the life in colours, which (by an invitation of reward) will be a surer means of discovery, (if any such be) then by multitudes of people, whose number commonly (as in the ●x●mple of Fernando Soto in Florida) hastens no other discovery, but that of unavoidable famine, and being usually, either through nec●ssity, or a disordered manner of living irregular and ●ngoverned, fright the inhabitants from all commerce and conference or else make them join in a confederacy to abuse and remove them by telling their unwelcome Company, golden lies, and miracles of countries farther distant, where they are likely to find small satisfaction for their covetousness or hunger.  
Reason and experience will cond●mne us of folly, if we should refuse to profit by commendable examp●es, though proc●eding from Enemies or Friends suspected: It will be therefore an incitement irreprovable to commend to our own imitation the custom which the industrious Spaniard practiseth in his design of discoveries: Every one of the associates carry a little horn abou● their necks in such journeys, by which means if the error of the night or thickness of the Woods occasion any separation betw●x● them, or an Ambuscado of Enemies make the passage doubtful, by winding of that horn, p●esently notice is given to the rest, who upon receiving the sound give the ●irst window notice of their residence, to which they may repair, or testify their apprehension and readiness to prevent all hostile stratagems.  
The same indefatigable Nation in their passage over Rivers, presently make themselves light canoes after the Indian mode, with which entering themselves and swimming their Horses (whose heads they keep above water by a collar fastened to the Boat) they overcome difficulties of currents, which to any other but those seem● insuperable, and indeed their labour in this kind show them of admirable Resolution and Constancy.  
Though we may entertain grounds of hope and confidence, that this discovery of the South Sea may be made without any tedious Land-journey, since it is certain that from the great confluence of Waters in the gulf of St. Laurence, four mighty Rivers receive their source, the first whereof pouring itself North into Canada, another running Eastward into the Sea called Hunsons' River, the third running Westward into the Maine are already discovered, but the fourth upon which we have reason to fix high expectation be●ding Southward to Florida, washes all the backside of Virginia, and may in all probability discharge itself into the South Ocean, which if it suit with our conjectures, Virginia will have by that means a double accession of security and convenience.  
For our security it will be a natural bar betwixt us and the jealous Spaniard, who if he shou●d injustly continue the possession of ou● Florida, which is indisputably English; yet thus dividided from us by a vast River full of ●slands, and places convenient to command the channel fortified and maintained by our Nation, he is too full of providence and caution to attaque us, if once in so good a posture.  
For the conveniency which sufficiently speaks itself the ease of transportation by water, and all in our own channel, the saving of Land charges, and probability of a more speedy passage, are prespicuous arguments to commend it.  
And to confirm the probabilities of this passage by the Lake the more strongly, the Indians of Canada confessed to James Cartier that it is but a months sailing, from thence to go to a Land where Cynanon and Cloves are gathered. Others told the same person, that from the place where they left their Pinnace, there is a River which goeth South-West, from whence there is a whole months sailing to go to a certain Land, where there is neither Ice no● Snow seen, where the Inhabitants do continually War one against the other, where there is great store of oranges, Almonds, Nuts, and Apples, with many other sorts of Fruits. What ever belief other men bestow upon this Relation, I know not; but tru●ly in such a general concordance of Reports, where there can b● no room left for confederacy or design, to be persuaded of the truth therein, cannot have any vicious tincture of facility or credulity.  
But it is time to remit these high and noble achievements to the prosecution of those who have more power and ability, who may give such a discovery the honour of their names, and transfer a perpetual illustrious memory to posterity, we shall only suppose it feasible and hope the effects will answer such supposition.  
Which if it should fail, why may not Virginia in her future felicity of silk be a new China and Persia to Europe? why may not all the spicery of the East flourish with an equal success in this our most justly tempered Climate? already can Virginia boast of cinnamon, which if transplanted might not be inferior unto any? why may not the Cloves perfume Virginia with as aromatic redolency as the Philipine Gardens.  
Our air is more serene, better tempered than theirs, nor have we any more sense of Winter to hinder the ascent of sap than the Moluccians, if it be any thing more harsh in cold, yet is it but a check to a peradventure too forward Spring. What multitude of flowers have our late Gardens in England seen non native to this soil or Climate? Fruits thought solely proper to Italy and Spain flourish here to the envy of those Count●ies, who see often times the Colonies in a happier degree of prosperity than the Mother, for Fruit and Flowers.  
But these designments must be the Daughters of time, curiosity and industry, to whom away may be made passab●●, and easy, by that uncabinetting and deciphring of Nature, Garden Philosophy, what harsh disposition in the World will not be lenified and refined by these curious conclusions? Dioclesian could postpose the science of governing mankind to the knowledge of managing his Scions, to see those Plants grow up, which his own laureld hand had set, watered and attended● and accordingly flourish, was in a manner the production of so many Children, who in this have the advantage, that their florescence is not subject to self-deprivation, give them but an acceptable ground● a bounteous air, and an arriding sun and they answer the most exact desires of the Setter or Ingrafter; but Children, let them have all the Auxiliares of a full Fortune, warmth of education, and heat of encouragement, by some private disease of the genius, by some secret malignity in nature, or its right hand custom, seldom or never thrive according to the wishes of the Parent, they are either too rank with insolence, too much parched with rashness, or withered with infamy and luxury, that those which planted them instead of delight in that which they esteemed their masterpiece, have nothing but a Spring of indignation, or an Autumn of melancholy to answer their expectation, and are so far from contentment at their groweth that they would have reckoned it amongst the Smiles of their Fortunes, that no warmth of theirs had contributed to their production, no indulgence to their continuance and education.  
These allu●ements are for those whose delights only are interested and denoted to this retired activity; but those who look further will find (that which is rarely or never contingent to other contentments) this pleasure to be attended with an inestimable p●ofit, and one of the most certain returns in nature: But this fertility-labouring country, especial●y in its Southern beauties, in its Roanoak excellencies, like to a Princess, all composed of Bounty, suffers no address to be made unsatisfied. Gentle Winters to court your seed, warm Springs to marry them to perfect Masculine ripeness, nothing but ingratitude and indiligence to delay or divert its liberality, hitherto (like those confined Virgins in a barbarous Seraglio) it hath suffered the imputation or injury of sterility by a non-complacency in its Savage Amourists, the abundance of perfection having put them into a satiety or incapacicy of enjoyment.  
The truth of this being abundantly manifest, an apparent profit and delight inviting the able and industrious; necessity must be the next Argument to those whose Poverty can plead no excuse for their indiligence; yet this laborious necessity is not so ingrateful as in England, and in other more thick-peopled Countries, what ever you sweat for in this bounteous Region, is crowned with a recompense amazing your expectation; such things as make poverty and life wearisome, contempt of, or impossibility of any melioration to their condition are things here never charged upon honest indigence, or denied to a commendable industry, nor can they palliate their sleep and sloth with a pretence of wanting materials to work upon, or plead that such things as should employ them must be first had out of England, since there is enough abundantly and naturally in that unpresidented country to employ their industry, to enrich their labour.  
Though Silke●grasse is unquestionably a Staple which will be Neighbour to the profit of the silkworm, though the natural hemp-flag may be a merchandise in time equal to English Flax, though the Sarsaparilla be an extraordinary vendible Commodity, though Pipestaves be so beneficiall●, that with not many drops an extraordinary workman may make his labour worth sixty pounds per annum.  
Though he has fish there, and in such abundance that the attending diligently upon two seasons, only returns him a Reward of one hundred pound sterling in sturgeon, Salmon, herrings, mackerel: Pot-ashes a rich and never decaying Staple, &c. Yet since against this an objection may be made what course they may take for their provisional subsistence. Those who apprehend such doubts will be pleased to receive this answer, in which if they are sensible of Reason they cannot fail to receive satisfaction.  
There is no man will ever be denied the loan of corn for his house-spending, and seed till the Harvest; if he be a single man he may prepare as much ground if cleared, and set as large quantity of corn for his own spending and repayment of what borrowed, in two days' space as will abundantly suffice him twelve months.  
Admit there be no cleared Ground, yet if he but unbarke the Trees one foot round after the Indian mode to prevent the shade occasioned by the leaves, which such unbarking quite destroys, the corn (set betwixr those Trees) will thrive and prosper exceedingly, and their greund thus prepared will last seven or more years successively, and this work cannot last him above five days at the longest.  
If he have a Family, his Wife and Children will be able to bear part in that labour, and many others.  
For Provision of flesh, if he can use his piece he may, even at his labour in the Woods, have opportunity of killing Venison, Hares, wildfowl (in their season innumerable) and Fish, of which the rivers are all times plentifully furnished, and of great delic●cy; if in all this abundance he is yet apprehensive of Famine, we shall refer him to the number of those who are afraid to be starved for meat in a cook's shop.  
Besides what a small sum of money will buy your cattle, and Swine in Virginia? Whose feeding co●ts them nothing but thanks to God, who has spread that superficies of that noble ●ountrey with perpetual friut and verdure. Poultry in infinite variety and plenty, the forbearance of whose increase for a small term of years will make them so numerous, that they may always have a full table.  
The W●st Indie potato (by much more delicate and large than what we have here growing● besides that it is a food excellently delicious and strongly nourishing, fixes himself wherever planted, with such an irradicable fertility, that being set it eternally grows: of this an extraordinary pleasing and strong drink may be composed.  
Nor is the Maiz l●sse commendable for bread then malting, of both which in its use it ●ffordeth a peculiar goodness and convenience: And I am much to learn how a poor man can in justice complain of want, when he is as it were besieged with such plenty: This for provision may abundantly satisfy, but if he can be content to forbear debauches and profuseness for t●e first three years he may by any of the means aforesaid arrive to such a condition of ●hriving. that he may allow himself a large latitude of expenses (that first three years once expired) without much impairing his fortun●s.  
But since all men either by constitution of age, oppression of years, or different education, are unable o● improper for the Fi●●●et or Hatchet, I shall offer them a way which may be less laborious and peradventure more gainful; yet before I descend to this, I must take leave by digression to enlarge something which I have already hinted on, nam●ly the benefit of transplantation.  
The removing and transposition of Wild Plants, doth with an ●xperimented happiness wonderfully mitigate and engentile their 〈◊〉 noble nat●●e; whether (as an A●thour delivers it very elegantly) it be by reason that the nature of Plants, as of men, is desirous of Novelty and peregrination, or because that at their parting from their former grounds they leave there that rank wildness virulency and ill quality from the Forest, where is first rooted the grate●ull novelty and allurement of a well cultivated s●yle makes it receive a new by exiling it from the old savageness and indomestication of its first seat and nature.  
Since then the removing of wild Plants adds so much to their improvement and melioration confirmed by natural Reason and unerring experience: Why may not the diligent labour by removal and transposing this excellent Staple of silk grass, make it thrive equally in greatness and goodness, there needs no more art to be used then th●t of comparing the soil (transplantations int● worse grounds being naturally improsperous) and though there appear now somewhat of trouble (though nothing of lab●ur) in peeling the silky skin of, yet that it may be broken as flax or cleared by some Instrument (the Commodity richly rewarding the nobility of any invention) to this purpose; time and further experience will no doubt to the public enriching of the Colony and this Nation make apparent. In this any one which is not sworn a servant to ease and sloth, may with a small toil reap a considerable profit.  
Next, what will n●t those Vines produce if well husbanded after their transplantation, and in this most delightful labour the gain is so appareut that almost the blindest judgement may perceive it.  
Oranges, Lemons, Pine-aples, Plantanes, Peaches, Apricocks, pears, apples, in a word all sort of excellent Fruits will grow there in full perfection; you may sleep whilst they are growing, after their setting or engrafting, there needs no more labour but your prayers, that they may prosper, and now and then an eye to prevent their casualties, wounds or diseases.  
Sugars, Indigos, Cotton, and Ginger, require a greater industry; but if we consider the difference betwixt the two Climates of Barbadoes and Virginia, the immoderate heat of the first and the exact temper of the other, the labour though it may require as frequent handling, yet is by much less toilsome.  
In a word, if a man be yet timorous of a thriving condition in this country; I shall with his pardon believe him, distrustful of God's providence; or if he be so viciously disposed as to hope after a Land where he may enjoy an undisturbed plenty without the sweat of his brows, the Maps are so extremely d●ficient in the description of such a country, that I must desire him to look for a new World and kingdom, for such an easy accommodation.  
If any make an Objection why this country stored with all these Riches, furnished with all these Staples, hath so long held down her head in the lowness of a desperate condition? Why being capable to crown her brows with Garlands of Roses and plenty, she sat desolate amongst the willows of neglect and poverty? Let them but recall their Memory, how by the prevailency of G●ndamore the Co●poration w●s dissolved, their patent canceled, to which if we add the cooperation of the Indian treachery in their first massacre, they will cease their wonder at its languishing condition● and convert it to a full admiration, how that Colony could ever raise her endangered head out of those gulfs of distraction, in which the Gold of Spain, the disincouragement of the Court, the discontent of the better sort of Planters, and the desperate negligence of the more inconsiderable had in human opinion irrecoverably involved her.  
But the incomparable Virgin hath raised her dejected head, cleared her enclouded reputation, and now like the Eld●st Daughter of Nature expresseth a priority in her Dowry; her brows encircled with opul●ncy to be believed by no other tri●ll, but that of experience, her unwounded womb full ●f all those Treasuries which endear Provinces to respect of glory, and may with as great justice as any country the sun honours with his eye-beams, ●ntitle herself to an affinity with Eden, to an absolute perfection above all but paradise.  
And this those Gentlemen to whom she vouchsaf●s the honour of her Embraces, when by the blessings of God upon their labou●s s●ted with the beauty of their Cornefield, they shall retire into their Groves chequered with Vines, Olives, myrtles, from thence dilate themselves into their walks covered in a manner, paved with oranges and lemons, whence surfeited with variety, they incline to repose in their Gardens upon nothing less perfumed than Rose● and gillyflowers. When they shall see their numerous herds wanton with the luxury of their Pasture, confess a narrowne●se in their barns to receive their corn, in bosoms to express fully their thankfulness to the Almighty author of these blessings, will ch●arefully confess: Whilst the Incomparable Roanoak like a Queen of the Ocean, encircled with an hundred attendant Islands, and the most majestic Carolana shall in such an ample and noble gratitude by her improvement repay her Adventurers and Creditors with an Interest so far transcending the principal.   

A valuation of the Commodities growing and to be had in Virginia: valued in the year, 1621.  
And since those Times improved in all more or less, in some ⅓, in others ½, in many double, and in some treble.  

IRon, ten pounds the tun..  
Silk cod, two shillings six pence the pound.  
Raw silk, 13s. 4d. the pound, now at 25s. and 28. per pound.  
Silk grass to be used for Cordage, 6d. the pound: but we hope it will serve for many better uses, and so yield a far greater r●te, whereof there can never be too much planted. Of this Q. Elizabeth had a silk gown made.  
Hemp, from 10. to 22s. the hundred,  
Flax, from 22s, to 30s. the hundred.  
Cordage, from 20s. to 24s. the hundred.  
Cotton wool, 8d. the pound.  
Hard pitch, 5s. the hundred.  
Tar, 5s. the hundred.  
Turpentine, 12s. the hundred.  
resin, 5s. the hundred.  
Madde● crop, 4●s. the hundred: course madder, 25s. the hundred.  
Woad, from 12s. to 20 the hundred.  
Annice seeds, 40. the hundred.  
Powder Sugar, Panels, Muscavadoes an● white, 25s● 40. and 3l. the hundred.  
S●urgeon, and caviar, as it is in goodness.  
Salt, 30s. the weight.  
Mastic, 3s. the pound.  
Salsa Perilla wild, 5l. the hundred.  
Salsa Perilla domestic, 10l. the hundred.  
Red earth Allenagra, 3s. the hundred.  
Red alum, called Carthagena A●lum, 10. the hundred.  
Roach alum, called Romish alum, 10. the hundred.  
Berry grain, ●s. 6d the pound: the powder of grain, 9s. the pound: it groweth on trees like Holly berries.  
Masts for shipping, from 10. to 3l. a piece.  
Pot-ashes, from 12s. the hundred, to 14. now 40. and 35s. the hundred.  
Soap-ashes, from 6s. to 8s. the hundred.  
Clapboord watered, 30s. the hundred.  
Pipe staves, 4l. the thousand.  
Rape-seed oil, 10l. the tun, the cakes of it feed Kine fat in the Winter.  
Oil of Walnuts, 12l. the tun.  
Linseed oyle● 10l. the tun.  
Saffron, 20s. the pound.  
Honey, 2s. the gallon.  
Wax, 4l. the hundred.  
Shomacke, 7s. the hundred, whereof great plenty in Virginia, and good quantity will be vented in England.  
Fustick young, 8s. the hundred.  
Fustick old, 6s. the hundred, according to the sample.  
Sweet Gums, Roots, Woods, Berries for Dies and Drugs, send of all sorts as much as you can, every sort by it sel●e, there being great quantities of those things in Virginia, which after proof made, may be here valued to their worth. And particularly, we have great hope of the Pocoon root, that it will prove better than Madder.  
Sables, from 8s. the pair, to 20s. a pair.  
Otter skin●, from 3s. to 5s. a piece.  
L●zernes, from 2s. to 10 a piece.  
Martin's the best, 4s. a piece.  
Wild Ca●s, ●8d. a piece.  
Fox skins, ●d. a piece.  
Musk Rats skins, 2s. a dozen: the cod of them will serve 〈◊〉 good perfumes.  
Bever skins that are full grown, in season, are worth 7s. a piece.  
Bever skins, not in season, to allow two skins for one, and of the lesser, three for one.  
Old beaver skins in Mantles, gloves or cap●, the more worn, the better, so they be full of fur, the pound weight is 6s.  
The new Bevers skins are not to be bought by the pound, because they are thick and heavy Leather, and not so good for use as the old.  
Pearls of all sorts that ye can find: ambergris as much as you can get: crystal rock: send as much as you can, and any sort of mineral stones, or earth that weighs very heavy.  
Preserve the Walnut trees to make oil of, & cut them not down● so also preserve your Mulberry and Chestnut trees very carefully.  
In the month of June, bore holes in divers sorts of Trees, whereby you shall see what gums they yield, and let them be well dried in the Sun every day, and send them home in very dry cask.    
FINIS.