traordinary account, that, after having made
himself known to them, he offered to take care of the lad; but they
would by no means be persuaded to part with him. However, he gave them
20 pounds.

Sec. 142. In November 1698, Francis Nicholson, Esq., was removed from
Maryland, to be governor of Virginia. But he went not then with that
smoothness on his brow he had carried with him when he was appointed
lieutenant-governor. He talked then no more of improving of
manufactures, towns and trade. But instead of encouraging the
manufactures, he sent over inhuman memorials against them, opposite to
all reason. In one of these, he remonstrates, "that the tobacco of that
country often bears so low a price, that it would not yield clothes to
the people that make it;" and yet presently after, in the same memorial,
he recommends it to the parliament "to pass an act, forbidding the
plantations to make their own clothing;" which, in other words, is
desiring a charitable law, that the planters shall go naked. In a late
memorial concerted between him and his creature Col. Quarrey, 'tis most
humbly proposed, "that all the English colonies on the continent of
North America be reduced under one government, and under one Viceroy;
and that a standing army be there kept on foot to subdue the queen's
enemies;" surmising that they were intending to set up for themselves.

Sec. 143. He began his government with a shew of zeal for the church. In
the latter end of his time, one half of the intended building, that is
two sides of the square, was carried up and finished, in which were
allotted the public hall, the apartments and conveniences for several
masters and scholars, and the public offices for the domestics: the
masters and scholars were also settled in it, and it had its regular
visitations from the visitors and governors thereof.

Sec. 144. Soon after his accession to the government, he procured the
assembly and courts of judicature to be removed from Jamestown, where
there were good accommodations for people, to Middle Plantation, where
there were none. There he flattered himself with the fond imagination of
being the founder of a new city. He marked out the streets in many
places so as that they might represent the figure of a W, in memory of
his late majesty King William, after whose name the town was called
Williamsburg. There he procured a stately fabric to be erected, which he
placed opposite to the college, and graced it with the m