generality of Mankind are utter Strangers to what I here
specify, and entertain commonly very erroneous and monstrous Thoughts
concerning the Country, Lives, Religion and Government of the
_Virginians_; so that there seemed a great Necessity for a Book of this
kind; which I have made as plain and intelligible as I possibly could,
and composed in the best Method that I could devise for the Service of
the Plantations, more particularly _Virginia_, _Maryland_, and _North
Carolina_, where I have been.

* * * * *

I have industriously avoided the ornamental Dress of Rhetorical
Flourishes, esteeming them unfit for the naked Truth of historical
Relations, and improper for the Purpose of general Propositions.

* * * * *

Besides its Truth and my real Design of publick Service, this mean Piece
has little to recommend it to the Approbation of Mankind, and to
introduce it to a candid Reception in the World. Nevertheless I venture
to present it with the greatest Submission to the Candour of the Reader,
with Hopes that it may meet with a kind Acceptance; humbly requesting
the following Favours of the Readers, _viz._

* * * * *

That they would be pleased to excuse and correct the Errors of the
Press.

* * * * *

That if any material Alterations have happened to be made that I know
not of, since I left _Virginia_ (which is above two Years) they will
give favourable Allowances for my Accounts of such Things, and not
censure me as if I endeavoured to impose Falshoods upon the World; and
I hope the same will be granted for any trivial Mistakes which I may
have made through Forgetfulness, or for want of Opportunity of
Consultation and Advice in any small circumstantial Point, or in any
_proper Name_.

* * * * *

And lastly, since Improvement might be made for the joint Advantage of
_Virginia_ and _Great Britain_ in so many particular Respects; therefore
I hope what I have instanced in the following _State_ and _Schemes_ will
be look'd upon as sufficient for my Purpose, without making Mention of
several other beneficial Things of the Nature and Use of which I have
but little Knowledge; such as Cotton, Pepper, with the large thick Husks
of Acorns for the Diers Use, with the like.

THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.

PART I.

CHAP. I.

_Of the Original of the_ Ind