The Present State of Virginia

To which are added, Schemes and Propositions for the better Promotion of Learning, Religion, Inventions, Manufactures, and Trade in Virginia, and the other Plantations.

For the Information of the Curious, and for the Service of such as are engaged in the Propagation of the Gospel and Advancement of Learning, and for the Use of all Persons concerned in the Virginia Trade and Plantation.

GEN. ix. 27.

God shall enlarge JAPHETH, and he shall dwell in the Tents of SHEM, and CANAAN shall be his Servant.

By HUGH JONES, A. M.

Chaplain to the Honourable Assembly, and lately Minister of James-Town, &c. in Virginia.

LONDON:

Printed for J. CLARKE, at the Bible under the Royal-Exchange. M DCC XXIV.

THE CONTENTS.

THE INTRODUCTION Page i

PART I.

CHAP. I.

Of the Original of the Indians, Europeans, and Negroes. 1

CHAP. II.

Of the Government, Religion, Habits, Wars, Lives, Customs, &c. of the Indians of North America 7

Of the French Settlements and Apelachian Mountains 13

Of the Tramontane Order and Expedition, and of Christanna 14

Of Indian Worship and Principles 15

Of the Conversion of the Indians 19

PART II.

CHAP. I.

Of the English Settlements in Virginia and Maryland 21

CHAP. II.

Of the Metropolis Williamsburgh, the College Capitol, Governor's House, and the Church, &c. 25

CHAP. III.

Of the Situation and Nature of the Country of Virginia, and its Coasts, &c. 33

CHAP. IV.

Of the Negroes, with the Planting and Management of Indian Corn and Tobacco, and of their Timber, Stock, Fruits, Provision, Habitations, &c. 36

CHAP. V.

Of the Habits, Customs, Parts, Employments, Trade of the Virginians; and of the Weather, Coin, Sickness, Liquors, Servants, Poor, Pitch, Tar, Oar, &c. 43

CHAP. VI.

Of Germanna, the Palatines, Wine, Hemp, Flax, Silk, Sumack, Trees, Fruits, Coals, Tracts of Land, Health, Militia, the Mannacan Town, Titles, Levies, Burgesses, Laws, and general Assembly 59

PART III.

Of the State of the Church and Clergy in Virginia 65

PART IV.

Of Authors concerning Virginia, and its publick Officers, Guard-Ships, and the State of Maryland and North Carolina, &c. 75

APPENDIX.

1. Scheme. Of Education in Virginia 83

2. Scheme. Of Religion in Virginia 95

3. Scheme. Of Arts, Projects, Inventions, and Manufactures in Virginia 112

4. Scheme. Of Trade in Virginia, and the other Plantations 138

INTRODUCTION.

Dedications and Prefaces, which are prefix'd to most Books, being regarded by few Readers, I think it best for my present Purpose briefly to mention in an Introduction, what I would have known concerning the Occasion, Nature, and Use of this Treatise, before I enter upon the main Work it self.

When I considered the great Benefit that arises to the Publick, from the large Colony of Virginia, I observed, that tho' it be thus advantageous, yet it is capable of great Improvements still, and requires several Alterations, both with Regard to its own Welfare, and the Interest of Great Britain. Observing moreover, that few People in England (even many concerned in publick Affairs of this kind) have correct Notions of the true State of the Plantations; and having been eagerly applied to frequently, by Persons of the greatest Figure, Experience, and Judgment in political and national Concerns, for Information concerning all the Circumstances of Virginia, I was requested to digest methodically, and publish, what I knew and thought of these Matters; and being in a great Measure injoined to it by a noble Patron, I have here complied with his Commands, with the best of my Knowledge and Judgment.