in accomptinge tobacco to be currant 3s. sterling contrary
to express orders.

"And though we are desirous that marriadge be free according
to the law of nature, yett undervow not to have these maids
deterred and married to servants, but only to such freemen
or tenants as have means to maintaine them; we pray you
therefore to be fathers to them in this business, not
enforcing them to marrie against their wills; neither send
we them to be servants, but in case of extremitie, for we
would have their condition so much better as multitudes may
be allured thereby to come unto you; and you may assure such
men as marry those women that the first servants sent over
by the company shall be consigned to them, it being our
intent to preserve families and proper married men before
single persons. The tobacco that shall be due uppon the
marriadge of these maids we desire Mr. Pountes to receive
and returne by the first, as also the little quantities of
Pitzarn Rock and Piece of Oare, the copie of whose bill is
here returned. To conclude, the company for some weighty
reasons too long to relate, have ordered that no man
marrying these women expect the proportion of land usually
allotted for each head, which to avoid clamor or other
trouble hereafter you shall do well to give them notice of."

[Illustration: Buying wives.]

In another letter written by the company and dated London, September
11th, 1621, they write:--

"By this Shipp and Pinace called the Tyger, we also send as
many maids and young women as will make up the number of
fifty, with those twelve formerly sent in the Marmaduke,
which we hope shalbe received with the same Christian pietie
and charitie as they were sent from hence; the providing for
them at their first landing and disposing of them in
marriage (which is our chief intent), we leave to your care
and wisdom, to take that order as may most conduce to their
good, and satisfaction of the Adventurers, for the charges
disbursed in setting them forth, which coming to twelve
pounds and upwards, they require one hundred and fiftie of
the best leafe tobacco for each of them; and if any of them
dye there must be a proportionable addition uppon the rest;
this increase of thirty pounds is weight since those sent in
the Marmaduke, t