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 &UCE COTTEN 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 NORTH CAROIHNJANA 
 
 . , ,■ ...i, .',.. Mil ' , '■:■■ 
 
O N S 
 
 C E 
 
 I N A, 
 
 N ISLES 
 
 D. 
 
 iND, 
 
 Vgow, 
 
 :, Edinburgh 
 
INFORMATION S J 
 
 CONCERNING THE 
 
 PROVINCE 
 
 O F 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA, 
 
 ADDRESSED TO 
 
 EMIGRANTS 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 HIGHLANDS and WESTERN ISLES 
 
 O E 
 
 SCOTLAND.' 
 
 BY AN IMPARTIAL HAND, 
 
 KOS PATRIAM FUGIMUS, 
 
 GLASGOW: 
 
 Printed for James Knox, Boole feller, Glafgow, 
 And Charles Eli, ioT,BookfeJler Parliament Glofe, Edinburgh, 
 
 MDCCLXXHI. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/informationsconcOOscot 
 
A T I O N S 
 
 CONCERNING THE 
 
 PROVINCE 
 
 O F 
 
 ORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 IGR.ATIONS to America from many parts of 
 Britain, particularly to the province of North Ca- 
 rolina, from the Highlands and ifles of Scotland, have, of 
 late, become very frequent and numerous, and are likely 
 to continue fo. Whatever this may be owing to, the 
 matter is ferious, and, to fome, the confequences are very 
 alarming. The natives of the Highlands and ifles have al- 
 ways been remarkable for the ftrongeft attachment to the 
 place of their nativity, and for the higher! refpecl: towards 
 their mailers and fuperiors. In thefe, they were wont 
 to find kind patrons and protectors, and cherifhing, indul- 
 gent fathers to themfelves and families. This endeared 
 to them a foil and climate to which nature has not been 
 very liberal of its favours, in fomuch, that they have e- 
 ver {hewn the utmofh averfion at leaving their country, or 
 removing to happier regions, and more indulgent climates,, 
 That this is true of the Highlanders in general, will be 
 acknowledged by thofe who are in the leafl acquainted 
 with them. The caufe, then, that could induce a people 
 of this caft, to forfake their native lands, in fuch num- 
 bers, and make them feek for habitations in countries far 
 diftant and unknown, muft, doubtleTs, be very cogent 
 and powerful. And, here, let the prefent land-holders 
 and proprietors confider, whether, of late, they are not 
 greatly to blame? whether they have not begun to fliake 
 
 A 
 
[ 4 ] 
 
 the iron rod of opprcffion too much over them ? Let pr<*~ 
 prietors of the largeft eftates among them, fuch whofe 
 fortunes enables them to figure it away in life, aik them- 
 felves, if they have not ufed every means to eftrange the 
 affections of the Highlanders from them ? whether they 
 have not contributed all in their power, and, in a man- 
 ner, exerted themfelves to make their home intolerable 
 and difagreeable to them, and lefTen their once ftrong at- 
 tachment towards their beloved, though poor country, fo 
 as to make them forget their native prejudices, furmount 
 every apparent difficulty, and become emigrants and ad- 
 venturers to other climes and regions far remote. 
 
 The luxury, duTipation, and extravagance of the times, 
 may chiefly account for this change cf conduct in the 
 land- holders towards their tenants. Formerly the pro- 
 prietors refided moftly among them upon their eftates, 
 converfed freely, and were familiar with them, were ten* 
 der of them, cherifhed, and patronized them ; to them 
 the tenants were devoted; to them they had recourfe up- 
 on every emergency : they were happy, they grew up and 
 profpered under them. The modern lairds, unlike their 
 fore-fathers, live at a great diftance from their eftates. 
 Whatever misfortunes may befal the tenants, whatever 
 grievances they have to complain of, whatever oppreffion 
 they may groan under, they have no accefs to their maf- 
 ters; they fcarce know where he lives, or where to find 
 him; or, if they fhould, it is a long and expenfive jour- 
 ney to go where he is; and complaints at a diftance are 
 feldom liftened to, or properly redreffed. Carelefs and 
 unconcerned the mafter lives in the circle, as it is called, 
 of the gay and the great. There, in a round of merri- 
 ment and whim, in a vortex of airy amufements, of gid- 
 dy and unfubftantial pleafures^ and at the height of an ex- 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 penfive, though falfe and unnatural tafte, he fquanders a- 
 way his fortune, and waftes his time and his health at 
 once. 
 
 Seldom does he vifit his effote, or if he deigns to do it, 
 it is only with an intention to fqueeze and opprefs the te- 
 nants ftill more, and then betake himfelf in hafte to the 
 fame fcenes of diflipation and luxury, where, what he has 
 extorted from the over-awed and deluded tenants, foon 
 runs fhort, and is exhafled. In thefe vifits to their eftates, 
 they are commonly attended with minions and fyco- 
 phants, ever ready to foothe and flatter them, and ex- 
 cite their predominant paflions, to the great hurt of the 
 tenants, whom they are taught to look upon, only as inftru- 
 ments whereby to gratify their avarice and extravagance. 
 And when the poorexpe£t relief and protection from their 
 mafters, as formerly, they find every avenue and all ac- 
 cefs to them fhut up, or, if admitted into their prefence, 
 they find fuch an awful diftance and ftate kept, that they 
 are fpurned away with looks exprefiive of the utmofl 
 contempt, or difmifled with a volley of oaths and cur- 
 fes, in « language ftrange and unknown to the mofl of 
 them. 
 
 Thefe gentlemen too, accu domed to live in large and 
 wealthy cities, or in the mod fertile and bell cultivated 
 provinces of Britain, are greatly mocked, in their vifits, 
 at the rude afpecf., and fteril face of the Highlands, and 
 at the fmall progrefs that agriculture makes in thefe re- 
 mote parts. The natives are exclaimed againft, as an in- 
 tractable, idle, and ufelefs fet of beings. "Without means, 
 without encouragement, at a diftance from market, a- 
 gainft climate, and foil too, in many places, it is expect- 
 ed of them, that they fbould cultivate and enclofe wide 
 extended heaths, ragged mountains, and large barren mo- 
 A 2 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 raffes. But, may it not be afked, if the proprietors them- 
 felves have (hewn any extraordinary fpecimen or examples 
 ot this fort among them ? have they done any thing effec- 
 tual towards bringing on, or eftablifhing fifheries, trade, or 
 manuiactorit^ on their eftates? Such of them as do improve 
 and enclose heir ground, is it not at an immenfe cx- 
 pence, tar beyond the reach of moft tenants in the High- 
 lands? Are not thefe things carried on Irom father to 
 fon, through a long tract of time? And, in general, 
 may it not be aiked, whether much advantage has, as yet, 
 been made of them ? and whether they are not ftill at a 
 very low pafs over all the Highlands? But, at any rate, 
 can it be expe£led, that tenants, upon fhort leafes, 
 can do any thing remarkable in this way, efpecially at 
 this period, when, inftead of that tender indulgence and 
 encouragement requifite to bring forward agriculture 
 in a country ftill lying in a ftate of nature, nothing is 
 heard of but new impofitions, new graffums, and a rife 
 of rents equal to, if not beyond, what the grofs produce 
 of the ground can amount to? But if, in the opinion of 
 thefe gentlemen, the native Highlanders are deemed fo 
 ufelefs and lazy a people at home, why is any bar at- 
 tempted to be thrown in the way of their emigrating from 
 their native country? why rather not contribute to fend 
 them off, in order to make room lor another '* let of te- 
 *' nants more able and induitrious, that will foon make 
 " the country put on a different afpe£t, that, by dint of 
 " labour or magic,, (hall make their barren waftes, and heath 
 Ci grown mountains, rival, in verdure and produce, the 
 <« fertile plains of Lothian, or the Carfe of Falkirkj" te- 
 nants that can bear any load laid upon them by their ten- 
 der-hearted landlords, with chearfulnefs, and without 
 murmuring? "Whajt a happinefs for thefe needy and ar-» 
 
I 7 T 
 
 bitrary lairds to rule over a parcel of fitch tame and paffive 
 fubjeelis? 
 
 But, in the name of wonder ! why are fuch low arts u- 
 fed to hinder the Highlanders from quitting their coun- 
 try? why fo much ridicule thrown on America? why lb 
 many falfe representations, and difcouraging accounts 
 given of it, in the public papers ? and, when thefe feem. 
 to be difregarded, and of no cffe£t, why is recourfe 
 had to the daring effrontery of fome puny fcribbler, to 
 threaten the interferance of adminiftration againft depo- 
 pulating the Highlands, and that a parliamentary inquiry 
 was to be made, to prevent any more emigrations, as 
 if the Highlanders were totally ignorant of the world, 
 and of the laws of their country ? The Highlanders are 
 not to be intimidated by bugbears; nor are they fo little 
 verfant in the hiftory and conftitution of their country, 
 as not to know that they are free born, and that they have 
 a right to emigrate into any part of the Britifh domini- 
 ons that they chufe. Such mean hints, and defpotic no- 
 tions, might well enough fuit the meridian of Mofcow, 
 or of I^aris, during the reigns of Peter the Great, or Lewis 
 XIV. How fatal to France was the opprefhon and per- 
 fection of the Huguenots? what a reproach to the me- 
 mory of Lewis? and how vain were his fevere edi£ts, and 
 all his endeavours, to prevent their emigrating from that 
 country? are fadts too well known and afcertained. What 
 io-norance 5 then, of the laws and conftitution of Britain, 
 do writers of this ffcamp betray? how unworthy are they 
 of the protection and bleffing of thefe laws ? what friends 
 are they to domeftic tyranny and private oppreffion, when 
 they thus talk of getting them fandtified, and our chains 
 faftened and rivetted by the authority of a Britifh legiflature. 
 It is indeed aftonifhing, how far ignorance, partiality, and 
 
t « 3 
 
 prejudice, will often carry people. But,furely, it muft be a 
 new thing in thefe enlightened times, for one to publi ih l'uch 
 glaring abfurdities, fuch grovelling fentiments, concern- 
 ing the right of Britifh fubjecls to change their place of 
 fettlement under the fame happy government. None but 
 a rapacious, defpotic land- holder, or his greedy, difap- 
 pointed factor, or agent, could be capable of it. Theiis, 
 then* be all the praife of this generous and well-timed 
 fuggeftion! theirs alfo be the glory of falling upon thofe 
 lucky expedients, by which the Highlanders are forced 
 from their dwellings, and reduced to the hard neceflity 
 of making ufe of emigrating from their country, which, 
 by all laws, human and divine, they know they are, and 
 ought to be poffeffed of! 
 
 A moderate rife of rents, is what every proprietor has 
 a right to expecl:, at certain periods of time, in a coun- 
 try advancing in agriculture, trade, and manufactures. 
 How far back the Highlands in general are, in thefe re- 
 fpe£r.5, is too obvious to the view of every vifiting travel- 
 ler: yet no fet of people would be more difpofed, or rea- 
 dy to give additional rents, and graffums, than the High- 
 landers, according to their circumftances; for they com- 
 monly think it a hardfhip to change their mafter, and 
 look upon it asworfe than ban iff) ment to be obliged toquit 
 the fpotwhere theyandtheir fore-fathers havelived. Some 
 of their land-holders, not ignorant of the prejudices and 
 ftrong attachments of this fort that prevail among them, 
 and prompted by their own avarice or extravagance, both 
 equally infatiable, have laid down fchemes for railing 
 their lands to three or four rents, with graffums. Some 
 of the poor tenants were over-awed, and fome others de- 
 luded, to take their lands at this immenfe rife, and, 
 Xaving fcarce flood it two years, h^ve become bankrupts 
 
[ 9 J 
 
 and beggars. Thus, though they and their fore-fathers 
 might have formerly lived eafy, and made fome fmall 
 provifion for their families, they are now, by one fweep 
 of graffum and additional rent, reduced, at once, to the 
 lowed date of indigence. 
 
 It is a well known and received maxim, in farming, 
 that the grofs produce of the land fhould be, at leaft, e- 
 qual to three of the current rents, or by what means (hall 
 the farmer fupport himfelf ? But, in thefe modern 
 fchemes, this maxim is quite laid afide, and another o£ 
 a very different and ftrange complexion is attempted to 
 be fubflituted in its place, viz. " That the more rent is 
 " laid upon any farm, the better (hall the tenant be able 
 " to improve the land, to pay his rent, and to live well, 
 * s than when he paid a fmall rent." In conformity to this 
 refined maxim, fome of thefe gentlemen fet part of their 
 lands, and fobn found their expectations difappointed. 
 With true tyrannic perfeverance, they have tried one fet 
 of tenants after another, by the fame rule, and have feen 
 them all beggared in their circumftances. When they 
 perceived fome tenants of more fpirit than the reft, dis- 
 cover an impatience of the oppreffions they bore, throw- 
 up their tacks, convert the remainder of their fubje£t 
 into cam, and attempted to try their fortunes in another 
 country, and open a door for themfelves and friends in a 
 land of liberty and plenty, by a few going this year, 1 77^, 
 and numbers following the next 5 then it was, that 
 thefe gentlemen, with their wonted candour, began to 
 entertain the public with exclaiming againftall emigra- 
 tions in general, with running down a country and its 
 climate, both of which they are equally unacquainted 
 with, and by giving falfe accounts of it, depreciating its 
 produce, its cuftoms, and its trade, though utter Grangers 
 
to them all. How eagerly do they catch at any difcou» 
 raging tale, picked up from fome failor or fkipper that 
 has but touched on the coaft of North Carolina, though 
 at a great diftance from our Highland fettlers in that pro- 
 vince, and having never had any intercourfe with them, 
 who wanted both underftanding and opportunity to judge 
 properly of their advantages and mode of living? how 
 ready are they to publifh thefe vague and indiRincl ac- 
 counts, as ample and fat is factory? But all fhip- mafters 
 are not of the fame caft ; fome there are who have pene- 
 trated among the Highland fettlers there, who formerly 
 knew their fituation in their own country, and can do juf- 
 tice to that flate of eafe and happinefs in which they now 
 live. Nay, I am well aware, that fome few among the 
 Highland gentlemen are no ftrangers to the truth of what 
 is reported concerning North Carolina; and that, if they 
 would fpeak out, they know it to be a country no way in- 
 ferior to what it is reprefented. Some of them were offi- 
 cers in America, and our common men fervedas foldiers 
 there during the laft war, and both acquired immortal ho- 
 nour. It would feem as if they had made fuch important 
 conquefts in that quarter of the globe, in order to fecure 
 to themfelves, and their countrymen, an agreeable and 
 happy retreat, and a large and fertile field for them and 
 their pofterity to flourifh in. To fuch as are unprejudi- 
 ced among them, we might appeal for the truth of the 
 moft flattering accounts of North America in general; 
 but, padet hoc opprobrium, they difguife or conceal what 
 they know of it; felf-intereft biafles them, and makes 
 them fupprefs the truth, till it is now too late to do fo; 
 it is in vain to carry on the farce, for the truth will re- 
 main no longer concealed. 
 
 And now, is there any wonder, if, under their prefent 
 
[ II ] 
 
 difcouraging circum fiances, and confiderzng the dark 
 and gloomy profpeels they have before them at home, 
 that the Highlanders fhould feek for refuge in fome hap- 
 pier land 5 on fome more hofpitable fhore, where freedom 
 reigns, and where, unmolefted by Egyptian tafk-mafters, 
 they may reap the produce of their own labour and indus- 
 try. For this purpofe, where can they better betake 1 them- 
 felves than to the large continent of America, to that part 
 of it efpecialiy, to which fome of their countrymen went 
 fometime ago, where their pofterity ftill live well and in- 
 dependently, and to which, of late, numbers have gone, 
 who (hew no inclination to return; but, on the contrary, 
 fend the moil favourable accounts to their friends and ao 
 quaintance in the Highlands, and the molt preiling invi- 
 tations for them to follow after them acrofs the Atlantic. 
 Here they ftill belong to the Britiin empire, and are happy 
 under the benign influence of its adminiflration. Here, at 
 eafe, they may enjoy all thofe civil bleffings which the 
 nobleft conftitution under heaven was intended to com- 
 municate to all ranks belonging to it, and to make thefe 
 bleflings permanent and fure. 
 
 In the following pages, I mean to give my country- 
 men a fhort fketch of the province of North Carolina, 
 with regard to its climate, foil, produce, and manner of 
 fettling there, founded upon unquestionable evidence, as 
 well as perfonal obfervation, by which it will appear how 
 little credit is due to the ridiculous and difcouraging ac- 
 counts given in the public papers, at the defire of fome 
 of the land-holders, by which alfo will be fhewn, that of 
 ail our colonies it is the moft proper for Highlanders of 
 any degree to remove to, if they want to live in a ftate 
 of health, eafe, and independence. No circum ftance 
 fhall be exaggerated, as it is not intended to deceive or 
 miflead any perfcn ; the fimple truth fhall be told, and 
 
r ** 
 
 [ X2 J 
 
 let facts be judged of as they really are. And as no rrwni 
 would chufe to b.e deceived himfelf, nor would any ho- 
 ned man impofe upon others, confcious no charge of 
 this kind can juflly be laid againft me, when I fairly hy 
 before the world, and my countrymen, the prefent filia- 
 tion of that province, in the above refpecTts, by which I 
 candidly own, that I myfelf am fwayed, and led to rifque 
 my all, and fix my refJdence there for life. Whether 
 others fhall follow my example, or whether matters (hall 
 ftrik'e them in the fame light, is what I know not, nor 
 am I much foliqtous about; but, in juftice to a country 
 fo falfely arraigned, fo undefervedly depreciated and ridi- 
 culed, I venture this brief account under the eye of the 
 public, and as it may be fupported by th° concurring tef- 
 timony of many gentlemen of repute and credit who 
 have been among our fettlers in North Carolina, who were 
 at pains to be thoroughly acquainted with their method 
 of fettling, mode of living, and every thing relating to 
 them. To fhew that they have made a happy exchange, 
 and no people can be in more eafy circumftances, or bet- 
 ter fatisfied with their prefent condition, I might appeal 
 to numberlefs letters from thofe very fettlers, to their 
 friends and acquaintance in the Highlands, which may 
 be eafily feen, and might, if neceflary s be produced. In 
 thefe letters, we find parents inviting over children that 
 were left behind, children their parents, hufbands their 
 wives and families, and brothers their filters, all defcrib- 
 in^ their ftate there, as far preferable to what they ever 
 "knew before in every refpecl; and earneftly wifliing their 
 relations and connections of every tender tie would go 
 and partake of the fame happinefs, and no longer remain 
 under home oppreffion. Surely, if thefe people, artlefs 
 and undefigning as they are, could mean to deceive, it 
 muft be reckoned a very uncommon and mod unnatural 
 
[ 13 ] 
 
 deception ; nor will it be eafy to explain how they fhould 
 all confpire in the fame tale, and, without varying, ftum- 
 hle upon the fame favourable accounts. 
 
 That thefe accounts are genuine and true, we hope, 
 will appear from the following general defcription of the 
 province in queftion, in which all that is intended, is to 
 lay before my countrymen things moft effential for them 
 to know, without launching into the favourite topics of 
 mere travellers, or attending to an exaft form and me- 
 thod, like writers on geography. 
 
 North Carolina lies between 31 and 36 degrees, and 31 
 miles N. Lai.. 76 and 19 W. Long, from London on the 
 eaft, it is bounded by the Atlantic ocean, and has about 
 400 miles of a fea coaft; on the north it boarders with 
 Virginia, and on the fouth with South Carolina; but 
 its boundaries to the weft are unknown and unlimit- 
 ed. It furrounds a part of South Carolina, extending it- 
 Mi\ on that fide, to places as yet imtf iiited, which are in- 
 habited by Indian tribes. The climate is agreeable and 
 whoifome in general; and, compared with the reft of the 
 northern hemifphere, may be looked upon as the moft 
 temperate part of the earth on the north fide of the equa- 
 tor. It agrees, in general, with that of Virginia; but 
 where they differ, it is much to the advantage of Carolina. 
 The fummers are Avarmer than in Virginia; but the win- 
 ters are milder and fhorter; nor are there fuch fudden 
 tranhtions from heat to cold, nor fuch violent extremes 
 as in Virginia. The winters are feldom fevere enough. 
 to freeze any confiderable body of water, and affect only 
 the mornings and evenings, when the air is felt as (harp 
 as in the Highlands; but thefrofts have feldom ftrenrth 
 to refift the noon-day fun; fo that many tender plants, 
 that do not ftand the winter of Virginia, flourifh here. 
 The fey in winter is commonly clear and ferene, and no 
 
 B -> 
 
[ '4 ] 
 
 deep fnow is to be feen. The climate in fummer is faid, 
 by people of obfervation, to refemble that of Italy and 
 Lifbon, and indeed they lye in pretty near the fame la- 
 titude. Many are made to believe, that in Carolina, as 
 in Jamaica and the Leeward Iflands, the whole year is one 
 continual fummer; but this is a miftake; they have the 
 four revolving feafons as in Britain; the tranfitions to 
 eac!; are gentle and imperceptible. In the months of 
 March April, and May, their fpring, all things are alive; 
 the birds make the wood-iands ring with mirth; and the 
 kingdom of vegetables, under the Divine care, fpringing 
 forth in rich profufion, adorning gardens and meadows 
 with gay and gloving colours; the trees produce their 
 buds and foliage, promifing rich fruits in their appoint- 
 ed feafons ; and no place can exhibite a richer carpet, and 
 more beautiful verdure. The jeffamin, the laurel, the 
 bay, the faffafras, the pines, the honeyfuckle, the dog- 
 wood, and mo it kinds of flirubs, enrich the air with their 
 fragrant odours, and the woods are covered with the 
 greateft variety of flowers and bloffoms. The mariners, 
 going upon the coaft in fpring, have fmelt the pines 
 when feveral leagues at fea. About this time the farmer 
 fees his work begin to profper, and his induftry rewarded. 
 The fummer, which is in the months of June, July, and 
 Auguft, may indeed be called hot; the mercury, in an 
 approved thermometer, keeping up from 70 to 80 degrees 
 at noon. Near the coaft, and in the fandy parts, the 
 heat would be intolerable, were a not for the cool breezes, 
 which come from the fea; but, by not cxpofing the body 
 to the warm fun-beams at noon, a man may always keep 
 himfelf cool and comfortable in the hotieftday; the hou- 
 fes are built airy, fo that they always have a cool room to 
 • go into. Up the country, and on river fides, the warmth 
 is lefs intenfe, the foil being deep and moift, and covered 
 
f 15 1 
 
 -with verdure; nor does the heat hinder people to travel 
 eafily and comfortably the whole day in fummer, as they 
 go over a level country under the (hade of lofty trees in 
 the woods, which are widely feparated, and clear of un- 
 der-wood. The longeft day in Carolina, the fun rifes at 
 four, and fets after eight. 
 
 September, October, and November, are the autumn 
 months j the firft of which, together with part of Auguft, 
 are their rainy and windy months; but, in the month of 
 October, there cannot be a more temperate air, and finev 
 climate, than here, the weather being mild and dry fof 
 the fpace of forty or fifty days. 
 
 In the low and marfhy parts of the country, the inha-. 
 bitants, particularly new-comers, are apt to fall into thofe 
 difeafes incident to a moift climate, efpecially in July 
 and Auguft, when the weather is hotteft, and the air be* 
 comes ftagnant; and, in September, when the weather 
 changes, and the rains fall heavy; then, I fay, they are 
 fubjecl to agues, fluxes, and intermitting fevers; but 
 thefe do not prove mortal; and, in general, it is allowed,, 
 that the inhabitants are not affected by any particular 
 diftemper, except fuch as proceed from intemperance, 
 and a negledt of themfelves upon their firft arrival. The 
 dropfy is very rare; as for confumptions, they are not 
 very deftt u£tive ; perhaps it may carry off a perfon in 
 nine or ten years; and that dreadful complaint, anaflh- 
 ma, is not known, unlefs brought from other places; in 
 which cafe, the climate affords great relief to the afflict- 
 ed. The three remaining months are the winter feafon : 
 the air is ferene, the weather dry and wholefome, and 
 intenfely cold but for a fhoit time; the mercury in the 
 thermometer being all the winter between 30 and 50 de- 
 degrees, and, when carried into the open air, has never 
 been known to fink lower than 20 degrees. The fhort- 
 
[ i6 J 
 
 eft day, the fun rifes half an hour before fix, and fets at 
 five. At this feafon, the country is very agreeable to 
 iportfmen, having plenty of all forts of game in the great- 
 eft perfection; fuch as deer, which are as numerous as 
 flieep in Scotland; wild turkeys, in flocks, throng as 
 rooks or crows, and weighing about thirty pounds, which 
 fhews they are of a large fize; geefeand ducks, of which 
 laft great quantities are taken ; eight or ten, when fitting, 
 is but a middling fhot. There are alfo great quantities 
 of partridges, doves, larks, woodcocks, fnipes, plovers, 
 fend blackbirds, befides a great number of fea fowl ; and 
 in the back woodlands, where the chefnut grows, they 
 have the pheafant and the peacock. 
 
 This colony is but in a manner in its infancy, and new- 
 ly fettled in refpecT; to its neighbouring ones. There is a 
 £reat coincidence between the foil, produce, and face of 
 "the country with thofe of Virginia; but, in the fertility 
 'of nature, Carolina has the advantage. In a word, the 
 northern parts of it produce the fame things with the 
 fouthern parts of Virginia, and in greater perfection. The 
 fouthern parts of it produce the fame things with which 
 the northern parts of South Carolina abounds; and, as 
 in the back parts it fldrts or runs along a great part of 
 South Carolina, the produce is much the fame as in that 
 country, and is conveyed by rivers or land carriage to 
 Charleftoun, and other ports of that province for fale. Its 
 commodities and general produce are very valuable, con- 
 fifting of rice, indico, hemp, tobacco, fir, deer fkins, tur- 
 pentine, pitch, tar, raw hides, tanned leather, flower, 
 flax-feed, cotton, corn, peafe, pottatoes, honey, bees- wax, 
 Indian corn, barrelled beef and pork, tallow, butter, ro- 
 fin, fquare timber of different forts, deals, ftaves, and all 
 kind of lumber. This fhort defcription will not admit 
 of entering into the manner in which the above commo- 
 
t *7 1 
 
 ditles are cultivated; but the late fettlers there from the 
 Highlands are afliduous in their employments; and this, 
 joined with the hofpitality, friendfhip and harmony, that 
 iubfifts among them in genera], from whatever country, 
 cannot fail, in a fhort time, of making the province flou- 
 rifh, and of rewarding their labour with independence 
 and wealth, the offspring of ingenuity and induftry. 
 
 The province is divided into feveral counties, and in- 
 terfered by many large navigable rivers ; the chief rivers 
 are, Albemarle, Pentaguen, Neufe, Cape Fear or Claren- 
 don, Watere, Santee, Pedee, &c. The only fea border- 
 ing on this coaft is the Atlantic ocean, which is reckon- 
 ed mallow for fhips of burden to come nigh the coaft, ex- 
 cept in few places. The coaft is low land, and the {hal- 
 lows come on gradually, fo that, by founding, it is eafily 
 known when vefTels are near enough, fo as to make for 
 their deftined harbours, which are now found to be equal- 
 ly convenient with the molt noted in other provinces, and 
 they are alfo feateel at proper diitances along the coaft : it 
 is true, that hitherto they have been looked upon as in- 
 commodious, but, from the increafe and goodnefs of the 
 commodities raifed in the colony, fhips begin to find their 
 way with eafe, and many ports are frequented with fhips 
 from a great part of the trading world. The harbours of 
 Roanack and Pimlico are famous and well known: many- 
 others are good and fafe. The moft remarkable promon- 
 tories are Cape Hatteras, in 35 degrees N. Lat. and Cape 
 fear to the fouth of it. At the mouth of the river here, 
 veffels of large burden have ready accefs ; and this is the 
 principal and moft centrical river in the province for trade. 
 From the entrance of Fort-Johnfton to Brunfwick, the 
 former feat of the governors, it is 12 miles up the river^ 
 from thence to Wilmington about 15 miles. Wilming- 
 ton is well fituated for trade, as it lies at the confluence of 
 
[ is ] 
 
 two large branches of Cape Fear river, by which means 
 all commodities from the fouthern and middle parts of 
 the province centre there; confequently it is, of late, be- 
 come a place of elegance and wealth : there are many e- 
 minent merchants there, and much (hipping from the 
 neighbouring colonies, from the Weft Indies and Bri- 
 tain; fo that, for commerce, and a wellfurnifned market 
 of all neceffaries, it is at prefent reckoned the moft flou- 
 rifhing; and is frill greatly increafing. Here the river is 
 as broad as the Thames at London. The north-wefl 
 branch of this river, along which I travelled, is navi- 
 gable about 40 miles above Wilmington for large vef- 
 fels; but long boats, lighters, and large canoes, carry- 
 goods for above 100 miles farther up. On this north- 
 wefl branch of the fame river, lies Crofs Creek, or New 
 Campbletoun, about 100 miles diflant from Wilmington 
 In the courfe of the river. This town is fituated in Cum- 
 berland county, and the inhabitants moftly Highlanders, 
 emigrants from Argylefhire, and the weftern ides, are 
 fettled in faid county. The land, in general, along the 
 fea coiift, is light and fandy, and promifes little in appear- 
 ance to a flranger; it is, however, of a generous nature, 
 and helped by a kindly fun, yields corn and tobacco ex- 
 tremely well, and, when flooded, yields rice plentifully. 
 But, along the fides of rivers and creeks, there is a fine 
 black mold, and rich foil, for about a mile and a half back 
 from either bank of the river, which, without manure, 
 returns plentifully whatever is committed to it. This 
 good foil fpreads ftill wider, and improves continually, 
 as you advance in'-o the country, and then it is uniform- 
 ly good and fertile for immenfe tracts of land. The whole 
 country is in a manner one foreft, where our planters have 
 not cleared it. And at a too miles from the lea, where 
 it begins to grow hilly, and mixed with rifing grounds, 
 
[ l 9 J 
 
 the foil is of an amazing fertility, fitted for ever purpofe of 
 human life. Nor can any thing be imagined more pleafant 
 to the eye, than the variegated appearance of this back coun~ 
 „fry. The air is here pure and wholefome, and the heat in 
 iummer much more temperate than on the flat fandy'coa [fo 
 It is diversified in the moil agreeable manner, with arable 
 lands, meadows, and woods; here and there appear riling 
 hills; and its forefts abound with excellent timber, fucri 
 as oak of feveral forts, Cyprus, hickory, the pine, the wal- 
 nut, theafh, the poplar, the beech, the elm, the fycamore s 
 the laurel, the bay, the gum, and the mulberry, with many 
 others not mentioned. This furriifhes the inhabitants with 
 plenty of fire-wood, and the beft of timber for (hip-build- 
 inp- and other ufes. The woods in general wear a refrefh- 
 ing verdure through the year: and the earth is rendered 
 
 O CD J 
 
 rich and delightful by the fine rivers and dreams which glide 
 through them. Where I travelled, the banks of the .tvers 
 from Wilmington to far above Crofs Creek, were agreeably 
 adorned with fine feats, villas, and pleafant farm-houfes, a£ 
 moderate distances, on either fide, which afforded a moft 
 enchanting fcene of the eafe and happinefs which the pre- 
 fent fettlers enjoy: and, in general, mod; of the prefent 
 planters may be laid to have a river at their door, and an 
 eafy conveyance for their commodities to market. 
 
 The land in Carolina is eafily cleared, as there is little 
 or no under-wood, and the woods -moftly confift of tall treesj 
 at a considerable diftanee; and, by the different fpecies of 
 thefe, the quality of the foil is eafily known. The grounds 
 which bear thecal:, the walnut, and the hickory, are reckon- 
 ed the beft; they are of a dark fand intermixed with loam= 
 The pine barren is worfl, being almoft ail fand; yet it bears 
 the pine tree, and feme ufeful plants, naturally yielding 
 -rood profit, in pitch, tar. and turpentine. When this foi t 
 ■of land is cleared, which is done very eafily, it produces, 
 
 G 
 
[ 2° ] 
 
 for two or three years together, very good crops of Indian 
 corn and peafe; and, when it lies low, and i3 flooded, it 
 anfwers for rice. Their low rich fwampy grounds bear rice, 
 which is one of their ftaple Commodities. It is, as before 
 obferved, that on the fides of the rivers, all the good tim- 
 ber, and large ufeful trees, are found in abundance; behind 
 thefe ftretches of good land, the country is covered with 
 pines and firs, from which tar, turpentine, and rofin arc 
 made, and for which articles there is a fund inexhauitible 
 for many years. In the forefts, the trees a're far feparate, 
 as I obferved, and free of fhrubs and under- wood; they are 
 lofty, and very ftraight, fo that a perfon may ride through 
 them, in any direction, without danger or inconveniency. 
 I have ken the inhabitants hunting foxes, bears, and deer, 
 through the woods, galloping very hard. Nothing furprifes 
 an European more, at fir ft fight, than the fize of the trees 
 here, and in other American colonies. Their trunks are 
 often from 50 to 70 feet high, without a limb or branch, 
 and frequently above 30 feet in circumference, ot which 
 the natives audlndians make canoes, fome of them fo large, 
 that they will carry 30 or 40 barrels of pitch, though form- 
 ed of one entire piece of timber. Curious pleature- boats 
 are likewife made of thefe. Vegetation is amazingly quick 
 in this province; the foil, in general, will produce moll 
 things; the climate has fomething fo kindly, that the foil, 
 when left to itfelf, throws out an immenfe quantity of flow* 
 ers and flowering fhrubs. All kinds of European grain grow 
 there, fuch as barley, wheat, oats and rye, clover and iucern 
 grafs. Plants from Europe arrive at perfection here, be- 
 yond what they do in their native country. Wine and iiiks 
 with proper culture, might be had here. For variety of roots 
 and herbs, I believe, it rivals any country. The faflafras, 
 farfaparilla, the China root, the Indian pink, the golden 
 rod, the horoun, and the fnake root of various forts, are 
 
[ ~-l ] 
 
 natives here, and found fcattered through the woods, toge- 
 ther with other medicinal and aromatic herbs. There is a 
 kind of tree, from which runs an oil of an extraordinary 
 virtue for curing of wounds, and another that yields a balm 
 thought to be little inferior to that of Mecca. Eefides thefe, 
 there are other trees that yield gums, liquorice, rhubarb; 
 and other phyfical roots are found to thrive extremely well.. 
 The power of vegetation has been found fo great, that a 
 peach tree will bear in three years after putting of the 
 Hone into the ground. The fig-tree will bear two crops in 
 the year, of large and lufcious fruit. Melons, the Canada 
 peach, and the white common peach, grow well and large, 
 as do grapes, and all kinds of fruit, (except currants, goofe- 
 berries, and the red cherry) from the fmall cherry to the 
 large melon, nothing can be more lufcious. The fruit here 
 has fuch a delicious flavour, that they who once tafte of it, 
 will defpife the watery tafte of that in Britain, where fruit- 
 trees are not natural to the foil. Prodigious quantities of 
 honey are found here, of which they make excellent ipirits, 
 and mead as good as Malaga fack. It is incredible to think 
 what plenty of fifh is taken both in their fait and frefh wa- 
 ter rivers, which fifher-men fell for a trifle. The fifh moll 
 admired are the whiting, the angel fifh, the king fifh, the 
 fat-back, the forgey, the frefh water trout, and the rock 
 fifh. Neither herring, turbot, or falmon, can exceed thefe 
 in richnefs and delicious tafte. Oyfters too of a fine fla- 
 vour are got in the rivers, and on the coaft. With all thefe 
 kinds of fifh the market at Wilmington abounds. Here, 
 one may buy all kinds of meats, from the fquirrel and o- 
 pofum to the bullock, and all very good, nothing in Eng- 
 land coming up to their pork. Beef and pork is fold from 
 id. to 2d. a pound, their fatteft pullets at 6d. a piece, 
 chickens at 3 s. a dozen, geefe at rod. turkeys at 18 d, 
 a piece. But fifh and wild fowl are kill cheaper in 
 C 2 
 
[ 22 J 
 
 their feafons; and deer are fold from 5 to 10s. a piece. 
 Met chants in the town, and confiderable planters in the 
 country, are now beginning to have a taite lor living, and 
 feme gay equipages may be feen; they are generous, well 
 bred, and drefs much ; are polite, humane, and hofpitable; 
 and never tired of rendering ftrangers all the fervice in their 
 power: nor is this mere pageantry and fhew; their beha- 
 viour at home is confident with their appearance abroad. 
 Their houfes are elegant, their tables always plentifully co- 
 vered, and their entertainment fumptuous. They are fond 
 of company, living very iociabie and neighbourly, vifiting 
 one another often. Poverty is almoftan entire ftrangera- 
 mong them, as the fettlcrs are the moil hofpitable and cha- 
 ritable people that can be met with to all ftrangers, and e- 
 fpecially to fuch as by accident or misfortunes are render- 
 ed incapable to provide for themfelves. 
 
 The method of fettling in Carolina, is to find out a fpace 
 of King's land, or unpatented land, and to get an order 
 from the governor, which order is given tp a furyeyorj 
 when the furvey is finifhed, he clraAvs a plan of that fpace 
 of land, which plan is returned into the office for record- 
 ing patents, &c. then he gets his patent or right figsed bv 
 the governor, which is good for ever after; the expence of 
 all this is commonly about ten guineas, and fometimes not 
 fo much : fuppofmg the run of land taken up be 640 acres, 
 only there is 2 s. and 6d. quit rents paid yearly for the 
 hundred acres. 
 
 Befides the Highlanders that arc fettled in Cumberland 
 county, fome late emigrants have betaken themfelves to 
 Anfon county, which abounds in good ground. In thefe 
 counties, former fettlers difpofe of plantations, with fome 
 open ground upon them, to new-comers, and retire farther 
 back into the country. Plantations of about 3 Quarters of 
 a mile fquare, have been fold for between 40 and 50 1, 
 
[ 23 ] 
 
 which produce indico, tobacco, cotton, rice, wheat, Indian 
 corn, barley, rye, and oats, without ever being dunged; for, 
 as all the land abounds with nitre, it is a long time before 
 it is exhaufted, and they ufe no manure. I have been in- 
 formed, that if a fettler can keep three fervants or negroes 
 clearing his grounds for two years, he may fell 700 bufhels 
 of wheat, and 5000 weight of tobacco for every year after- 
 wards, befides many other articles. Two men and four hor-. 
 fes will work a large plantation in their befh land, after 
 cleared. They often plow with one horfe. Wheat is fown 
 in October and November, and fome in March. They plant 
 Indian corn and tobacco between April and May. Some 
 lands give three crops in the year. They fow flax-feed the 
 firft of March, which they pull the fir ft of May, then they 
 plant the ground with corn, which is ripe the latter end o£ 
 September, and then fow it with turnip for the winter, which 
 grow very large. The worft growth of Indian corn in good 
 land is 200 bufhels for every bufhel fown, the bed betwixt 
 4 and 500 for one. The fowing of 2 or 3 bufhels of this 
 grain is as much as any planter can attend to; for, in fum- 
 mer, it muft be plowed and howed 2 or 3 times, to keep 
 down the weeds, efpecially in fat ground. Settlers of any 
 fubltance, when they go over, commonly take up a piece 
 of ground of 640 acres, or a mile fquare in the plains, or 
 on river fides. At the back of thefe fettlements it is all a, 
 common, that is unpatented, or King's lands, till you come 
 nigh another river or creek. The commons are moftly hilly~ 
 and unbroken ground, and not likely to be foon occupied or 
 taken up ; fo that the cattle of the neighbouring plantations 
 and farms feed and wander over large trails without interfer- 
 ing with any body's property, and they are not reftricted to 
 any number. I may here obferve, that there were neither 
 horfes, cows, fheep, or hogs, in America, till carried thither 
 by the Europeans; and now they are multiplied fo extreme- 
 
[ ^4 ] 
 
 Jy, that many of them are allowed to run wild in fome 
 provinces, Hsre the fettlers have plenty of all European 
 animals. To have 2 or 300 cows is very common; fome 
 have 1000 and upwards. I knew a few planters who had 
 500 calves in a feafon, and fome have more. In the months 
 of May, June, and July, they gather all their cattle into 
 one place on the great common; they range all day at 
 pleafure through the foreft; but the calves are feparated, 
 and kept in fenced paftures. In thefe months they make 
 their butter and cheefe, and mark all their young cattle, 
 (for each has a particular mark given him by the province, 
 and this mark is recorded) and then they arc turned loofe 
 into the common again till that time twelve months, ex- 
 cept a few milk cows for their families. The cattle here 
 are of a tame breed; and if any of them fhould Itray 100 
 miles, they are advertifed, and returned to the owner, 
 being known by the mark; fo that few of them are loft. 
 Their fize is larger than that of any cows in the High- 
 lands; fat ones weigh well, and give a good price. It is 
 computed, that from this province there are annually drove 
 to Virginia about 30000 head of black cattle, without men- 
 tioning hogs, befides large quantities fold to veffels in their 
 own ports, together with great cargoes of beef, pork, live 
 flock, and all forts of grain, conftantly fent to the Bahama 
 ifles and the Weft Indies. The whole expence of taking up 
 fuch a run of land as I have mentioned, I mean 640 acres 
 for a plantation to a new fettler, will not exceed 10 gui- 
 neas, between patent, furveyor, and the different offices; 
 a genteel treat is all that is often taken. The moft of their 
 labour and toil, then, confifts in opening and clearing their 
 grounds, which, as I have obferved, is not fuch a heavy cr 
 laborious work, as the trees are far afunder, and there are 
 few fhrubs, and no under-growth, and the nature of the 
 foil is loofe, and free of ftones or any rocks. If one gets 70 
 
t 2J ] 
 
 or 3 3 acres once opened upon his plantation, it is fufficient 
 for the fupport and employment of any fingle family. 
 
 Young healthy negroes are bought there for between 25 
 &nd 40 1. Five of thefe will clear and labour a plantation 
 the firfh year, fo as you fhall have every thing in abundance 
 for your family, with little trouble to yourlelf, and be able 
 to fpare many articles for market; to which every year a- 
 gain,as the ground advances in being cleared, you may fend 
 great quantities of flower, flax-feed, indico, rice, butter, 
 tallow, peafe, potatoes, live ftock, pork, beef, and tobacco. 
 And I cannot help mentioning here, the happinefs in which 
 blacks live in this and moil of the provinces of America, 
 compared to the wretchednefs of their condition in the fu- 
 car iflands. Good ufage is what alone can make the negroes 
 well attached to their mailers intereft. The inhabitants of 
 Carolina, fenfible of this, treat thefe valuable fervants in an 
 indulgent manner, and fomething like rational beings. 
 They have fmall houfes or huts, like peafants, thatched, to 
 which they have little gardens, and live in families fepa- 
 rated from each other. Their work is performed by a daily 
 talk allotted by their mailer or overfeer, which they have 
 generally done by one or two o'clock in the afternoon, and 
 have the reft of the day for themfeives, which they fpend 
 in working in their own private fields, confifting of 5 or 6 
 acres of ground, allowed them by their mafters, for plant- 
 ing of rice, corn, potatoes, tobacco, &c. for their own ufe 
 and profit, of which the induftrious among them make a 
 great deal. In iome plantations, they have alio the liberty 
 to raife hogs and poultry, which, with the former articles, 
 they are to ditpoie of to none but their mafters (this is done 
 to prevent bad confequences) for which, in exchange, when 
 they do not chufe money, their mafters give Ofnaburgs, ne- 
 gro cloths, caps, hats, handkerchiefs, pipes, and knives. 
 They do not plant in their fields for ftibfiftence, but for a- 
 
r =6 i 
 
 mufemenr, pleafure, and profit, their matters giving therri 
 clothes, and fuflicient provifions from their granaries. The 
 immenfe incrcafe of India coin furnifhes plenty for hogs 
 and horfes. The breed of horfes here is much the fame with 
 that of Virginia, hardy and fpirited ; they eafily break to the 
 faddle, and are bred to pacing; and, as the country is level.) 
 and free of (tones, and the roads foft and good, they per- 
 form great journies in the day, and travel pleafantly. A 
 horfe that would give 12L in Britain, may be bought at 8 1. 
 and fo in proportion to their fize and value. From 4 to 61. 
 is a common price for a working horfe Every planter has 
 abundance of fheep of an excellent kind, which bear good 
 wool ; the new emigrants fpin and drefs it, and get it made 
 into courfe cloths and kerfeys for their common wear : this 
 manufacture muft rife in time. The new emigrants fettling 
 up the country are far more induftrious than the old fettlers 
 or natives; they may live as well and happy as lairds at 
 home. It is computed by people of judgment and obferva- 
 tion, that if a perfon can carry 500 1. cafh with him into 
 that country, he may live as eaiiiy as a proprietor of 500 1. 
 a-year in Sc tland, as to the neceffarics and conveni- 
 ences of life, and fo in proportion -to the flock he car- 
 ries over, and his prudence and management in laying 
 it out. It is not pretended, that they, all at once, can en- 
 ioy life in the fame tafte and elegance as they do in Scot- 
 land. Mean time they have abundance, nay affluence, and 
 enjoy independence, which, we all know, is a grea: fweet- 
 ener of life and every bleffing, and makes up for many hi- 
 perfluous refinements in what is called polite fociety; and 
 it is univerfaily allowed that the civil arts of life foon take 
 place, and flourifh, where mankind become numerous, and 
 are bleffed, at once, with affluence, independence and cafe; 
 many of the old refidenters in the inland counties of this 
 province finding themfelves foon eafyand independent, and 
 
[ 27 I 
 
 being far feparated, and not linked together by country, or 
 a clofe neighbourhood, have become idle, lazy, and much 
 devoted to fport and hunting; and, perceiving that many 
 new fettlers are, of late, come among them, they forefee 
 that the deer and other game mull, confequently, become 
 fcarcer; and ihey have, in general, little inclination to min- 
 gle with the new-comers, who now arrive in fuch crouds; 
 they alfo know, that the iarther they go back into the coun- 
 try, the land turns richer and better; on thefe accounts, they 
 willingly quit and fell their prefent fettlements along the 
 rivers, and neareiithe coaft, to new-comers, fome of them 
 induced, merely, by the love of hunting, others from pru- 
 dential confiderations, becaufe of the fertility and pleafant- 
 nefs of the country backwards, and the eafe with which it 
 may be wrought and cleared. One of thefe plantations, con- 
 fiding of 640 acres, and 70 or 80 acres of it clear, with a good 
 maniion-houfe,and all necelTary office-houfes upon it, may 
 be purchafed for 1 60 1. 1 have feen one of not much lefs extent 
 bought for 60 h and the very nrft year the purchafer made 
 1 1 hogfheads of brandy of the peaches and apples in hi3 
 garden, and fome cyder, befides what he difpofed of in cat- 
 tle, grain, and live Hock. Here a poor man need not fear 
 the want of meat or employment, moft victuals being very 
 cheap. From the granaries, on the farms, a man for 6d. 
 Sterl. may buy what will maintain him 8 days, at 3 meals 
 a-day; and, if he carries over with him, as much coarle 
 cloth and linnen, as will ferve him for a year or two, he 
 needs not doubt of foon being well fixed, and at eafe for vhe 
 reft of his life. A friend of mine, a few years ago, earned 
 over paffengers tq Cape Fear ; among thefe there were many 
 poor people unabie to pay for their paffage, who therefore 
 went as redemptioners ; that is, if in 40 days after landing,, 
 th : j ycould not find money among their friends or acquaint- 
 ance, or by fome ihift of their own, to pay for their paifage, 
 
 D 
 
t 28 ] 
 
 they were then bound to ferve for 3 years after landing ; 
 there was none of them but relieved themfclves before the 
 time; many of them having no friend or acquaintance in 
 the place, got people there to take them by the hand, and 
 pay for their paffage, and foon fixed them in fuch a man- 
 ner, as that they had plenty to live on: the prefent fitua- 
 tion of the colony will eafily account for this ; a number of 
 the firft fettlers there, and of the late emigrants, who have 
 made any confiderable purchafe, have large traces of land 
 lying wafte and uncleared for want of hands; they have a 
 good part of a plantation open, with fome fervants and ne- 
 groes upon it, by which they raife great ftores of provifi- 
 ons, and they have plenty of cattle; the owner of an eftate, 
 that has 80 or 90 acres open upon it, has a fcope of many 
 hundreds, fome of thoufands of acres, equally good with 
 his open ground, but not cleared for want of hands ; thefe 
 fettlers are continually on the watch for new emigrants, 
 and engage as many of them as they can to fix upon lome 
 of their wood-lands, for clearing part of them; thefe are 
 fupplied with plenty of provifions the firft 1 2 months, and 
 have permiffion to fell as much tar, turpentine, and ftaves, as 
 they pleafe, for their own ufe; they are furnifhed with all im- 
 plements for clearing the ground, and improving it; negroes 
 are often given them to affift them ; then they get fo many 
 milk-cows,fo many hogs to breed,&c. they fow Indian corn 
 and other grain for their own ufe; their tafk is to attend to 
 the rearing of cattle, and breeding of hogs, and to take care 
 that they clear, properly, as much ground as they and their 
 families, with the affiftance of negroes, are able; for their 
 trouble, they have from the owner the 3d part of whatever 
 the land fo cleared produces, the 3d bufhel of whatever 
 grain, the 3d calf, the 3d pig, &c. This is a great fpur to 
 their diligence, and an ample reward for their toil, which 
 is far from fevere, and foon puts the new-comer in condi- 
 
t 29 -J 
 
 tion to plant lands for himfelf ; and he frequently gets free 
 land of his own from his mailer, contiguous to the eftate he 
 Las wrought upon; fo that in a few years, a poor man, with 
 a throng family, may work himfelf into affluence, and lands 
 of his own, and have plenty wherewith to flock it at once, 
 and with little trouble may increafe it every year. From all 
 which it is plain, that no perfon can be in want for any 
 time; nor are beggars or vagrants to be feen in that coun- 
 try. The pooreft fet of people whom I faw there, are fuch 
 as ply as failors, or watermen rather, on boats and lighters, 
 up and down the rivers : they are generally drunkards, and 
 can be of little ufe in any other way ; yet thefe get half-a- 
 crown a-day, and 3 gallons of rum per week. Upon the 
 whole, it is the bell country in the world for a poor man 
 to go to, and do well. The fettlers far back in the province, 
 who are at a diftance from a river, fend their goods for mar- 
 ket in large waggons to the town of Crofs Creek, where, 
 may be feen 40 or 50 of them in a day, and thefe waggons 
 belong to the planters themfelves. At this place, the mer- 
 chants of Wilmington have flores and agents to buy and 
 lay up the goods; and they are conveyed by water to Wil- 
 mington in this manner: thefe merchants, or the fettlers 
 along the river, make large rafts of timber, as is common 
 in Holland; upon thefe they lay their beef, pork, and nower 9 
 in barrels, alfo their live flock, Indian corn, raw hydes, but- 
 ter, tallow, and whatever they have for market : boats and 
 canoes always accompany thefe rafts : on thefe, again, are 
 brought up the river whatever goods are taken in exchange. 
 The planters difpofe of their goods to merchants in town, 
 or to fhips at Wilmington, where there are many now from 
 Britain, the Weillndies, and the different colonies ; to thefe 
 they fell their goods, and, in return, bring back fugar, rum, 
 fait, iron, &c. and the reft in cafh. The credit of the High- 
 landers; though but lately gone thither, is as good with the 
 
[ 3* ] 
 
 merchants at Wilmington as that of the oldeft fettlers ifi 
 the province, as they find them punctual and indudrious; 
 and, for all goods brought down the river, there is com- 
 monly a quick fale, in barter of goods, or in ready mo- 
 ney. As in every rifmg colony, fo in this, tradefmen are 
 much wanted; and the demand for them muftincreafe in 
 proportion to the number of fettlers that refort to it. Ac- 
 cordingly, at prefent, tradefmen of all kinds have the 
 greatei't encouragement here; thofe moll in requeft, are 
 mill-wrights, coopers, wheel-wrights, houfeand (hip-car- 
 penters, black-fmiths. Here farmers would get good em- 
 ployment; fullers, dyers, and flocking- weavers, are much 
 wanted. The fh.ip-carpenr.ers get 13s. per day; the coo- 
 per half-a- crown for every barrel he makes; the taylor 
 from 30 to 40s. for the bare making of a fuit of clothes; 
 the (hoe-maker from 5 to 6s. for making a pair of (hoes; 
 wrights and mafons 5 s. a-day; weavers get every 4th 
 yard for working either woollen or linen cloth, and fo on. 
 To enter into more particulars would require a volume. 
 
 To fuch of my countrymen as incline to emigrate to this 
 country, I would point out the month of Auguft as the fit- 
 ted time for their leaving home, by which means they 
 reach there in the feafon of mod plenty: they have the 
 winter 2lfo before them to work at clearing of ground, and 
 naturalizing themfelves to the climate, which for them is 
 mod dangerous, as I faid, when the heat of fummer, and 
 the rainy feafon comes ; the complaints mod common 
 there, are fluxes, fevers, and agues. Upon their arrival a- 
 mong their friends and countrymen in North Carolina, 
 Highlanders are kindly received, and fumptuoufiy enter- 
 tained, with a variety of rich and freih meats, and the bed 
 of drink. The ferenity of the air creates a keen appetite, 
 and the generality of new-comers, after a long confine- 
 ment during their voyage thither, and not being ufed to 
 
[ 31 1 
 
 fuch luxurious fare, are apt to indulge themfelves too much, 
 tempted by fuch good living, and delicious fruits as abound 
 there, which fometimes produce bad confequences. I would 
 therefore offer them a caution, and recommend temperance 
 and abftemioufnefs to them for the flrfl feafon, till, by de- 
 grees, they are inured to the place; and thus, by ufing 
 gentle exercife, and living moderately, they will efcape the 
 hazards that people run by a change of climate ; and, when 
 once naturalized to it, they are in no danger, but may be 
 out late or early, travel by night or day, go the fame lengths, 
 and ufe the fame freedoms, they were accuftomed to at 
 home, and with equal fafety. 
 
 I have now finifhed the general fketch which I propofed 
 to give of this province to my countrymen, from which, 
 though not arranged in an exa£t, and regular order, I flatter 
 myfelf,itwjll appear to them abundantly inviting in refpect 
 to climate, foil, produce, and manner of fettling there. Here 
 we fee, that a man of fmall fubftance, if upon a precarious 
 footing at home, can, at once, fecure to himfelf a hand- 
 fome, independent living, and do well for himfelf and po- 
 fterity. The poorer! man, if he can but work, procures, 
 at once, plenty of fubfiftence, which grows yearly upon 
 his hands, until, by gentle and agreeable labour, he arrives, 
 at laft, at a ftate of affluence and eafe. None of either fex 
 or profeflion need fear the want of employment, or an 
 ample reward and encouragement in their different oc- 
 cupations and callings. All modes of Chriftian worfhip, 
 not detrimental to fociety, are here tolerated, as in the o- 
 ther royal governments in North America. The church 
 of England is the eftablifhed religion; but the Prefbyte- 
 rians are moft numerous; and divines of that order might 
 here find decent livings; lawyers and phyficians are here 
 refpe£t.ed; profeflbrs of the fciences are as yet few; teach- 
 ers of youth are much careffed, and wanted. A rifing co* 
 
[ 3* 1 
 
 lony is always reckoned a proper field for the honeft, in- 
 duflrious merchant to profper. Tradefmen, mechanics, 
 and labourers of all forts, have here an ample range be- 
 fore them : hither then they may repair, and no longer re- 
 main in a ftarving and grovelling condition at home: 
 they may haften acrofs the Atlantic, and carry over with 
 them fome remains of the true old. Britifh fpirit before it 
 be totally vitiated and extinguifhed : thither let them im- 
 port their yet generous and liberal fentiments : let them 
 tranfport thither the polite arts and fciences, that they 
 may grow up and flourifli in a happier clime, and under 
 more benign Ikies. Here each may fit fafe, and at eafe, 
 undexJiis own fig-tree, indulging himfelf in the natural 
 bent of his genius, in patronizing the ufeful arts of life, 
 and in pra&ifing the virtues of humanity. In a word, let 
 the Highlanders only compare the fituation of the coun- 
 try they now live in, to the country of which I have given 
 them but a rude and imperfect draught, and then, if they 
 can, let them long hefitate about the choice they are to 
 make. 
 
 Portalkaig in May,? SC0 TUS AMERICANS 
 Mayz4th, 1773. > 
 
 THE EN 
 
THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 THE COLLECTION OF 
 NORTH CAROLINIANA 
 
 VCC917 
 SU3i