hey have
fine children, and almost every house full: rare to find one of them
without three or four boys and as many girls; some six, seven, and
eight sons. And I must do them that right; I see few young men more
sober and laborious.

The Dutch have a meeting-place for religious worship at Newcastle; and
the Swedes three; one at Christina, one at Tenecum, and one at Wicoco,
within half a mile of this town.

There rests that I speak of the condition we are in, and what
settlement we have made; in which I will be as short as I can. The
country lieth bounded on the east by the river and bay of Delaware and
Eastern Sea. It hath the advantage of many creeks, or rivers, that run
into the main river or bay, some navigable for great ships, some for
small craft. Those of most eminency are Christina, Brandywine,
Skilpot, and Sculkil, any one of which has room to lay up the royal
navy of England, there being from four to eight fathom of water.

The lesser creeks or rivers, yet convenient for sloops and ketches of
good burthen, are Lewis, Mespillion, Cedar, Dover, Cranbrook,
Feversham, and Georges below; and Chichester, Chester, Toacawny,
Pammapecka, Portquessin, Neshimenck, and Pennberry in the freshes:
many lesser, that admit boats and shallops. Our people are mostly
settled upon the upper rivers, which are pleasant and sweet, and
generally bounded with good land.

The planted part of the province and territories is cast into six
counties: Philadelphia, Buckingham, Chester, Newcastle, Kent, and
Sussex, containing about four thousand souls. Two general assemblies
have been held, and with such concord and despatch that they sat but
three weeks, and at least seventy laws were passed without one dissent
in any material thing. But of this more hereafter, being yet raw and
new in our gear. However, I cannot forget their singular respect to me
in this infancy of things, who, by their own private expenses, so
early considered mine for the public, as to present me with an impost
upon certain goods imported and exported, which, after my
acknowledgment of their affection, I did as freely remit to the
province and the traders to it. And for the well-government of the
said counties, courts of justice are established in every county, with
proper officers, as justices, sheriffs, clerks, constables; which
courts are held every two months. But, to prevent lawsuits, there are
three peacemakers chosen by every county court, in the nature of
c