and molest the Rich and the Honest.

But certainly Means might be invented and practised for easing our
Nations of these Burdens, for promoting our Trade and Plantations by
their Industry; and not for the Oppression (whatever some may imagine)
of the Poor and Needy, but for their Maintenance and Felicity. And I
believe this may be done without putting any Stop to the Importation of
_Negroes_, rather than fail, since they might be kept on in their
present Course of Life and Business; only they must raise more _Stock_
and Grain for the Support of the additional _English_, who should stick
solely to the Arts and Employments to which they were bred, or in which
they are most expert. Indeed while Tobacco is the only _Staple_
Commodity of any Consequence to Virginia, the Country may be easily
over-stock'd with _Negroes_, because the Trade can't find _Vent_ for
near all the Tobacco that so many _Hands_ will make; so that the Market
being over-charged, is thus spoiled; for too much of any Commodity is as
bad, if not worse, for the Planter, the Merchant, and the Publick, than
too little. For which Reason the Honourable the Assembly of _Virginia_
has from Time to Time endeavoured to make prudent Provision against
raising too much Tobacco.

For this Cause they lately had a Duty of 5 _l._ a Head for every new
_Negroe_, which Law in a great Measure is now revived; and though this
Addition in the Price of a _Negroe_ made no sensible Decrease in the
Number imported; yet it did this good, _viz._ it brought a great Sum
into the Treasury of the Country, which they have ready to disburse upon
any noble Occasion; such as their late Donation to the College, to
_Williamsburgh_, and their additional Reward for the Apprehension of
Pyrates.

Besides their Attempts for the Prevention of too many _Negroes_, they
have a Law against _Seconds_, which is most serviceable in confining
the Quantity of Tobacco to its proper Bulk. The Intent of this Law is
to prohibit all Persons from manufacturing a second Crop from the Leaves
that sprout out from the Stalk after the first Leaves are cut off; with
a Penalty upon the Offender, and a Reward for the Informer.

The Tobacco and the _Negroe_ Trades might be carried on after the
present Methods, or with any such Regulations as may seem more proper to
those concerned in these Affairs; without any Hindrance to Arts,
Handicrafts, useful Inventions and Cultivations in _Virginia_, for the
Interest and present