be
placed thereon; and 3,000 acres for the support of the Governor, for the
planting of which 100 more men were sent; and what was now become
absolutely necessary, there were no less than 90 young women, of a
healthful constitution, and unspotted reputation, sent out to be married
to the planters, instead of diseased and profligate strumpets, _as is
now_ the ridiculous practice.... Thus the company and colony began to be
in a thriving way: but now they began to be oppressed by the Government
here, for in November they were ordered to send over to Virginia, at
their own charge, 100 felons or vagabonds, then it may be supposed in
prison, which they were obliged to comply with.'

The same writer says of Maryland:

'The convicts that are transported here sometimes prove very worthy
creatures and entirely forsake their former follies; but the trade
has for some time run in another channel; and so many volunteer
servants come over, especially Irish, that the other is a commodity
much blown over. Several of the best planters, or their ancestors,
have, in the two colonies,[14] been originally of the convict
class, and therefore are much to be praised and esteemed for
forsaking their old courses.'

In 1751 (p. 293) is printed the following:

'A LETTER LATELY PUBLISHED IN VIRGINIA.

'SIR: When we see our papers filled continually with accounts of
the most audacious robberies, the most cruel murders, and infinite
other atrocities perpetrated by convicts transported from Europe,
what melancholy, what terrible reflections must it occasion! What
will become of our posterity? These are some of thy favors,
Britain! Thou art called our mother country; but what good mother
ever sent thieves and villains to accompany her children; to
corrupt some with their infectious vices, and murder the rest? What
father ever endeavored to spread the plague in his family! We do
not ask fish, but thou givest us serpents, and worse than serpents!
In what can Britain show a more sovereign contempt for us, than by
emptying their gaols into our settlements, unless they would
likewise empty their offal upon our tables? What must we think of
that board, which has advised the repeal of every law we have
hitherto made to prevent this deluge of wickedness overwhelming us;
and with this cruel sarcasm, that these laws were against the