of the Soils the temperature of the Climats the healthfulness of the places the Constitutions of the several Governments the conveniences of Access the advice given to Phaeton appears very apposite medio tutissimus ibis and so East-Jersey upon the River of Hudson is the place I find my self oblidge to preferr to any other of the English Plantations upon that coast upon some or other if not most of the above named considerations That you may be convinced of the truth of this I here send you what discription I have of that place as it is narrated in a Treatise thereanent emitted lately by the Scots Proprieters I send you also the doubles of several letters from thence all agreeing in one to the advantage of that place confirming all spoken in the said Treatise after your perusal of what does follow you will see whether I have ground or not to make this choise It is time now to show how some of our Countrey-men in order to so advantagious a Project have already purchased an considerable Interest in a Plantation which is justly esteemed not Inferiour if not beyond any place upon the whole continent of America belonging to the English Dominions called East-New-Jersey The deduction of the right of it is thus The KING by Patent to the Duke of York granted a great tract of Land lying betwixt Virginia and new-New-England It was formerly in the hand of the Dutch and considerably improved by them and called New-Netherlands And by treaty after the first Dutch Wars Surrendered to the King that part of it lying betwixt Delaware and Hudsons River called New-Cesaria or New-Jersey which is betwixt the 39. and 41. Degree of Northern Latitude was by the Duke of York granted to John Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright That part which belonged to the Lord Barkley being assigned to Edward Billings Afterwards by a deed of Partition betwixt the said Edward Billings and Sir George Cartwright The West Part lying upon Delaware River was allotted to Edward Billings for his share and the East part lying upon Hudsons River nearest to the Province of New York was appointed to Sir George Cartwright for his share Which part now called East-New-Jersey is from Sir George Cartwright conveyed to twelve Persons in and about London who have since conveyed an half to other twelve so that as well the Right of Government as the Soyl standeth now in 24. Proprietors in favours of some of whom the Duke of York has been latey pleased to make a new Grant of Confirmation both of Soyl and Government to the twenty four Proprietors with the same Power and Priviledges he has in his Patent from the King which are as large as any other Plantation hath for the Words of the Dukes Patent are as followeth The Patent from the King to James Duke of York c. CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Men to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Know ye that WE for diverse good causes and considerations Us hereunto moving have of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion Given and Granted and by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Do give and grant unto Our dearest Brother JAMES Duke of York his Heirs and Assignes All that part of the Maine-Land of New-England beginning at a certain place called or known by the name Saint Croix next adjoyning to New-Scotland in America and from thence extending along the Coast unto a certain place called Pamaquin or Pemaquid and so up the River thereof the farthest Head of the same as it tendeth Northward and extendeth from the River Kenbequin and so upwards by the shortest course to the River of Canada Northward and all that Island or Islands commonly called by the several name or names of Mattawax or Long-Island scituate and being towards the West of Cape-cod and the narrow Heggansets abutting upon the main Land between the two Rivers there called or known by the several names of Conectecute and Hudsons River together also with the said River called Hudsons River and all the Land from the West-side of Conectecute River to the East-side of Delaware Bay And also all those several Islands called or known by the name of Martins-Vineyard and Hantucks alias Hantuckett together with all the Lands Islands Soyls Rivers Harbours Mines Mineralls Quarries Woods Marshes Waters Lakes Fishing Haukings Huntings and Foulings and all other Royallities Profits Commodities and Hereditaments to the said several Islands Lands and Premisses belonging and appertaining with their and every of their Appurtenances and all Our Estate Right Title and Interest Benefit and Advantage Claime and Demand of in or to the said Islands or Premisses or any part or parcel thereof and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders together with the Yearly and other Rents Revenues and Profits of the Premisses and every Part and Parcel thereof To have and to Hold all and singular the Lands and Premisses with their and every of their Appurtenances thereby given and granted or herein before mentioned to be given or granted unto Our said Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies for ever To be Holden of Us Our Heirs and Successors as of Our Manner of East-Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knights Service Yeeld and Rendering And the same James Duke of York for himself his Heirs and Assignes DOTH Covenant and Promise to yeild and render unto US Our Heirs and Successors of and for the same yearly and every year Fourty Beaver skins when the same shall be demanded or within ninety dayes after such Demand made And WE do further of Our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion for Us Our Heirs and Successors give and grant unto Our said Dearest Brother James Duke of York his Heirs Deputes Agents Commissioners and Assignies by these Presents full and absolute Power and Authority to Correct Punish Pardon Govern and Rule all such Subjects of Us Our Heirs and Successours or any other Person or Persons as shall for time to time adventure themselves into any the Parts or Places aforesaid Or that shall or do at any time hereafter inhabit within the same according to such Laws Orders Ordinances Directions and Instructions as by Our said Dearest Brother or his Assignes shall be Established and in defect thereof in cases of necessity according to the good Directions of his Deputie Commissioners Officers or Assignes respectively as well in cases and matters Capital and Criminal as Civil and others so alwayes as the said Statutes Ordinances and Proceedings be not contrary to but as near as may be agreeable to the Laws Statutes and Government of this Our Realm of England AND Saving and Reserving to Vs Our Heirs and Successors the Receiving Hearing and Determining the Apeale and Apeales of any Person or Persons of in or belonging to the Territories or
their Airs or Assignes every five and twenty day of March the English accompt of _____ Lawfull money of England for every of the said Acres to be holden of the Manner of _____ in free and Common Soccadge The first payment of which Rent to begine the five and twenty day of March which shall be in the year of our Lord one Thousand Six hundreth and seventy according to the English accompts Given under the Seal of the said province the _____ day of _____ In the year of our Lord 1666. 2ly To which Instrument the Governour or his Deputie hath hereby full power to put the Seal of the said Province and to Subscribe his name also the Council or Major part of them and subscribe their names And then the Instrument or grant is to be by the Register recorded in a book of records for that purpose All which being done according to the Instructions We hereby declare the same shall be effectual in Law for enjoyment of the saids Plantations and of all the benefits and profits of and in the same except the half part of mines of gold and Silver paying the rent as aforesaid Provided that if any Plantation so granted shall by the space of 3 years be neglected to be planted with a Sufficient number of Servants as is before mentioned That then it shall and may be Lawfull for us otherwayes to dispose thereof in whole or in part this grant notwithstanding 2ly Item We do also grant convenient Proportions of Land for Highwayes and Streets not exceeding one hundreth foot in breadth Cities Towns and Villages c. And for Churches Forts Wharfes Keys Harbours and for publict houses and to each parish for the use of their Ministers two hundreth acres in such as the Generall Assemblie shall appoint 4ly Item The Governour is to take notice that all such Lands laid out for the uses and purposes aforesaid in the next proceeding Articles shall be free and exempt from all Rents Taxes and other charges and duties whatsoever payable to us our Aires and Assignes 5ly Item That in laying out of Lands for Cities Towns Villages Burghs or others Hamiletts The said Land be devided into 7 parts one seventh part whereof to be Laid out by Lott for us and the rest to be devided to such as shal be willing to build thereon they paying after the rate of one pennie or half pennie per Acre according to the value of the Land yearly to us As for their other Lands aforesaid which said Lands in Cities and Towns c. is to be assured to each Possessor by the same way and Instrument as is before mentioned That all rules relating to the building of each street or quantitie or ground to be alloted to each house within the said respective Cities Burghs and Towns be wholly lâ—ft by Act as aforesaid to the Wisdom and discretion of the Generall Assemblie 6ly Item That the Inhabitants of the said Province have free Passage through or by any Seas bounds Creeks Rivers c in the said Province through or by which they must necessarily pass to come from the Main Ocean to any part of the Province aforesaid 7ly Lastly It shall be lawfull for the Representative of the Free-holders to make any address to the Lords touching the Governour or Council or any of them or concerning any grievance whatsoever or for ny other thing they shall desire without the Consent of the Governour and Council or any of them Given under our Seal of our said Province the tenth day of January In the year of our Lord one Thousand six hundreth sixty and four John Barclay G. Cartwright By this Constitution of Government by the Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright such provision is made both for Liberty of Religion and Property that the Province hath been considerably peopled many resorting thither from the Neighboring Collonies beside what have gone from England and this Kingdom within this few years so that the planters are able to muster 600 well Armed Men. The Proprietors have framed a new Schem of Government which is not yet fully concluded on but it is intended rather to be an enlarging than an abbreviating of the former and making more easie and advantagious for the Inhabitants the chief parts of it are That the 24. Proprietors shall chuse a Governour 16. of them has a Conclusive Vote in it after the death of him now chosen he shall continue but for 3 years and be lyable to the Censure of the Proprietors and great Council and punishable if he transgress There is a great Council to meet once a year and sit if they see meet for three Moneths consisting of the 24. Proprietors and 28. chosen by the Planters and Inhabitants two thirds Conclude the one half of the Proprietors assenting and no money can be raised or Law made to touch any mans Libertie or Property but by this Council There is a Common Council to sit constantly Consisting of the 24. Proprietors or their Proxies and nine chosen out of the Representative of the Planters in all 33. to be divided into three Commities 11. to each one for the Publick Policie One for the Treasurie and Trade and one for Plantations To aviod Lording over one another No Man can purchase above the 24th part of the Countrey And on the other hand least any should squander away their Interest â—nd yet retain the character of the Government that belongs to Property and thence be capable to betray it as not being bound by Interest there must be a suteable quantity retained otherwise the Title in the Government extinguishes in him and passes to another to be Elected by the Proprietors that Dominion may follow Property and the inconveniency of a Beggarly Nobility and Gentry may be avoided No man can be judged in any cause either Civil or Criminal but by a Jury of his Peers and to avoyid in that all Caballing the names of all the County or Neighbourhood Capable to be Chosen are to be write in little pieces of Parchement and the number of the Jury to be taken out by a Child under 10. years of age And the Proprietors as well as others are to be lyable to the like tryall and not under any Exception Libertie in matters of Religion is established in the fullest manner To be a Planter or Inhabitant nothing is more required but the acknowledging of One Almighty GOD and to have a Share in the Government A simple profession of faith of Jesus Christ without descending into any other of the differences among Christians only that Religion may not be a cloak for disturbance who ever comes into the Magistrature must declare they hold not themselves in conscience obliged for Religions sake to make an alteration or to endeavour to turn out their partners in the Government because they differ in Opinion from them and this is no more then to follow that great Rule To do as they would be done by These are the Fundamentals which are
call our habitation solitarie for what with the publict employ I have little less companie at my house dayly then I had in George Yeard although not so many pass by my doors The people are general a sober professing people Wise in their Generation Courtious in their Behaviour and Respectful to us in Office among them As for the Temperature of the Air it is wonderfully scituated to the Humours of Mankind the wind and weather rarely holding in one point or one kind for ten dayes together It is a rare thing for a Vessel to be wind-bound for a week together the wind seldom holding in a point more then 48. hours in a short time we have weet and dry warm and cold weather which changes we often desire in England and look for before they come Yet this Variation creats not cold nor have we the tenth part of the cold as we have in England I never had any since I came and in the midst of Winter and Frosts could endure it with less cloaths then in England for generally I go with that same Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you but warm cloaths hurt not I bless the LORD I never had better health nor my Family my Daughters are very well improved in that respect and tell me they would not change their place for George Yeard nor would I People here are generally settled where the tyde reaches and althoughs this is good Land and well Timbered and plentifully supplied with Salt-Marish yet there is much better Land up higher on the River where they may go up with small boats where many now are settling there 's extraordinary Land fresh Meadows overflowed in the Winter time that produces multitudes of Winter Corns and it s believed will end are 20 30 or 50 years flowing without intromission and not decay such Land there is at Sops on Hudsons River which hath born Winter Corn about 20. years without help and is as good as at first and better William Penn took a view of the Land this last moneth when here and said he had never seen such before in his life All the English Merchants and many of the Dutch have taken and are desirous to take up Plantations with us Our Countrey here called Berghen is almost Dutchmen at a town called Newark 7. or 8. miles hence is made great quantities of Syder exceeding any we can have from new-New-England or Rood-Island or Long-Island I hope to make 20. or 30. Barrels out of our Orchard next year as they have done who had it before me for that it must be as providence ordered Upon our view and survey of Amboy-point we find extraordinary well scituate for a great Town or City beyound expectation at low water round about the point are Oysters There are Oysters of two kinds small as English and others two or three morsells exceeding good for roasting and stewing The people say our Oysters are good and in season all Summer The first of the third Moneth I eat of them at Amboy very good The point is good lively Land 10. some places 20. foot above the water mark About it are several Coves with small Coasts may lay up Vessels as in a decke besides great Ships of any burthen may all ryde before the town Land-loked against all winds There Rariton-River runs up or rather down 50 far larger some say 100. mylles for small boats I saw several vines upon the point which produces as they say good grapes in their Season this Countrie is very full of them but being no present mother of profite few regard them more then to pick them as they lay in their way when they are rype We have store of Clamms esteemed much better then Oysters one Festivals the Indians feast with them there are Shallops but in no great plentie Fish we have great store as our relation set forth but they are very good when catcht as the proverb is I have several Barrels by me now which are good for our Table and for Sale I brought a Sea-Net over with me which may turn to good account Sea-Nets are good Merchandise here mine cost me about 4. or 5. lib. and can have 20. lib. for it if I would sell it now I may writ of many such matters in our Province which may invite persons here but so am resolved to conclude knowing that in probability there is not an Industrious man but by GODS blessing may not only have a comfortable but plentifull supplie of all things necessary for this life with the salutation of my true affection to all c. I rest thy affectionat friend Tho. Rudyard A Letter from Samuell Groome Surveyour General in East-New-Jersey dated at East-Jersey the 11th of August 1683. Friends and Fellow-Proprietors SInce my last I have now sounded the Channell from Amboy to Sandy-hook and finds it to be a broad and bold Channell in no place less then 3. fathom at high water in ordinary tydes 4 5 or 6 fathom except in one short place Rariton River is a good River and hath a good tyde of flood overpowering the freshes about 30 miles above Amboy after its flood the tyde hath no force against the Freshes which comes out of several branches of Rariton and joyns in one 40. or 50. miles above Amboy I have spent a considerable time in making discovery I have not as yet had times to lay out much land for you only about 17. or 18. thousand Acres in one tract good upland near Elizabeth Town I have now seen the tract of Land against or nigh Amboy point formerly laid out by Vanquillian it is on the West-side of a Creek called Chingeroces about eight thousand Acres And I intend shortly to lay as much or twice as much more to it but first we must talk with the Natives about that and other tracts of Land they are not yet paid for The last day of this moneth is appointed to treat with several Indians to buy several exceeding good tracts nigh the head of Rariton The tenth of the next Moneth is also appointed to treat with other Indians to buy other tracts of choice Meadowing and Vp-land that lyeth about 12. or thirteen myles up into the Countrey which I have seen and when we have accomplished these two things we shall he able to lay out for you much land and when I have been up in the Countrey towards and at Barnagate and agreed with the Indians thereabout for such land as we may see occasion to purchase presently in order to a setlement there for here are many both of New-England New-York and some parts of this Province stands ready to sit down in that part of the Countrey not only for the sake of the good Vp land and Meadows which report saith is much thereabouts but also for the sake of the Whale Trade and other fishing trade which is like to be there shortly New-England Men and others were aâ— tampering with the Indians to have purchased there before
Oysters Fish Foul Pork is 2. pennies the pound Beef and Venison 1. penny the pound a whole fat back at 5. or 6. per Bushell Indian Corn for 26 per Bushel Oats 20. pennies and Barley 2. shill per Bushell We have good brick earth and stone for building at Amboy and elsewhere the Countrey Farme houses are built very cheap A Carpentar with a mans own Servants builds the house they have all materialls for nothing except Nails their Chimneys are of stones they make their own Ploughs and Carts for the most part only the Iron work is very dear The poorer sort set up a house of two or three Rooms themselves after this manner The walls are of cloven Timber about 8. or 10. Inches broad like planks set on end to the ground and the other nailed to the raising which they plaister within they build a Barn after the same manner and these cost not above 5. lib. a peece and then to wâ—rk they go 2. or 3. men in one year will clear 50. Acres in some places 60. and in some more They sow Corn the first year and afterwards maintain themselves and the encrease of Corn Cows Horses Hogs and Sheep comes to the Landlord several Merchants of New-York have left their several Plantations there to come to East-Jer-sey 2. or 3. joyn together be 12 15 or 20. Servants and one Overseer which costs them nothing for the first year except some Shoes Stockings and Shirts I have been to see these Plantations and find they make a great increase by them maintains their Families at New-York with all provisions sell a great deal yearly and for Servants our English people are far better Husbandmen then the new-New-England men the Servants work not so much by a third as they do in England and I think feed much better for they have Beef Pork Baccon Pudding Milk Butter and good Beer and Cyder for drink When they are out of their time they have land for themselves and generally turn Farmours for themselves Servants wages is not under 2 shill a day besides Victuals and at Amboy point 2 shill 6 pen per day at Amboy we have one setting up to make Malt but we want a Brewar I wish thou would send over some to set up a Brewhouse and a Bakehouse to bake Bread and Bisket for a Bisket-maker we must have to vend our meat to the Plantations send over some Husband Men and Countrey Fellows that Plough Sow Reap Thresh and look after Cattle A Carpentar or two and a Smith for Ploughs and Horse and a Cowper which we want very much If thou will send a dozon of Servants most of them Countrey men I will set thee out a gallant Plantation of 500. or 1000. Acres upon a River side but thou must send over some goods to stock it withall I desire thee to encourage some of our Friends especially the Proprietors to send over some servants to stock some Land And when they have cleared it if they have a mind to lett it here are tennents to take it and if they will sell it here are also purchasers there is one man since I came here sold his Plantation for 1500. lib. the whole was 1600. or 1800. Acres whereof only 120. Acres were cleared upon which he had a house Garden and Orchyard and Barn planted I know several men who lett cleared Land at 6. shil 8. pennies and at 10. shil the Acre yearlie rent which is a good encouragement for sending over servants to plant I write not this as idle story but as things realy and truly are I have sent for servants my self to setle a farme for if the Proprietors will not do so I see not what they can exect The Scots have taken a right course They have sent over many servants and are likewayes sending more They have likewayes sent over many poor Families and given them a small stock and these Families some for 7. some for 10 years give the half of their increase to the Land-lord except the milk which the tennent hath to himself I have set them out land and they are at work I beleive they will have 40. Acres cleared this Spring and this Summer I am to sett them out more so that in a short time they will have a great increass coming in this will raise the price of the Land here And is the reason that several from New-York bounds come to me to take up Land for they beleive now this Province will be improven And our Land is beeter then theirs so that every Proprietors sending over 10. people will be a great advantage to himself encourage others to take up Land and bring all the division that hath been here to an end for these men seing that they shall be ballanced are already more complyant then they were Now I have layd these things before thee and desire thee to impart them to some of the Proprietors and other friends that they may consider of the same I am thy Loving friend Sic subscribtur Gavin Laury A Letter from Gavin Laury to the Scots Proprietors of the same date KNowing you do expect from us an account of this Countrey we have for your encouragement and for the encouragement of all our Countrey Men who may be inclinable to come into this Countrey given you this breef and true account of it according as we have seen and are credibly informed for having seen little yet save the Winter Season we must writ what is to be seen in Summer upon Information which we have just ground to believe to be true because what we have seen alread in it notwithstanding of all that we heard of it before we came surpass our expectation in many things the Aire in this Countrey is very wholesome and though it alter suddenly sometimes being one day hot and another cold yet people are not so subject to catch cold or be distempered by it as in our Countrey of England the land lyes for the most part pretty high but on the River and Creek sides are many Meadows which lye low of which the Countrey people getts their Hay whereby their stocks are maintained in the Winter Season Provisions here are pentifull and cheap There is Beef Pork Venision Mutton Foul and Fish aboundance to be had at easie rates and for drink they have good Beer and Cyder and these that are desirous may have Wine of several sorts and other kinds of strong Liquor so that we see little wanting here that a man can desire and we are here sure that a sober and industrious People might make this a rich Countrey and enrich themselves in it especially poor people who are hard put to it to gain bread at home notwithstanding of the excessive Labour for we see that people here want nothing yet there labour is very saml they work not so hard by one half as the Husband men or Fermors in our Countrey and many of these who have setled here upwards of
That fancie of a Common Improvement will not take but whoever expects profiâ—e from their Interests here must Impâ—ove them a part I have sold some of your Gloves aâ— 2 shil and 6 pen 3 shil 4 pen. a pair being what I câ—uld gett for â—hem the money five and a half part less then Inglish and shal make an account thereof at meeting Presâ—nt my service to all Friends I am Your very humble Servant Sic scribitur George Mackenzie A Double of a Letter from New-Perth daâ—ed the 1 of the seventh Moneth 1684. From Iohn Reid who was Gardner to the Lord Advocat to a Friend at Edinburgh SEing it hath plâ—sead God to bring me and mine safe unto this part I took upon my self as oblidged to writ something according to my promise of this Countrey indeed I must saâ— its a brave place but I have nor had time to take such observations as I wâ—uld being so ingadged to attend my other businesse Here is no ouâ—ward want especially of provisions and if people were industruos they might have cloaths also within themselves by the report â—f all it s the best of all â—he Neighbouring Collonies it is very wholesome pleasant and a fertill-land there are also some barren land viz. whit Sandy land full of Pin trees it lyes betwixt South-River and Barngate on Neverssink albiet there be also much good land in that precinct yet it s a good place for raising a stock of cattle providing they have large room to run in for cattle finds gâ—od food there in winter when none is in the best land and therefore do the inhabitants provide little hay in winter The soyl of the countrey is generally a red marle earâ—h with a surface of blak mould nor doth it appear that realy it is to their eyes who cannot penetrat beyond the surface full fraughted with grass pleasant hearbs and flowers and in many places little or no wood but most places full of large timber as walnut especially oak there be some places here and there in the Woods they call swamps whick is low Ground amidst or betwixt rising ground full of bushes which holds water in winter tho most of them be dry in summer but these being cleared and some of them that needs being drained are the richest land here are great conveniencies of Bay Sounds Rivers Creeks Brooks and Springs all over the Province but one of the best things is the large quantities of brave Meadowes both falt and fresh which makes the people here able to supply their Neighbours as they doe throw the abundance of their cattle I know one Planter who hath a hundred of cattle not above three years setled and no wonder for some of the grasse is al 's high as my head Its pity to see so much good land as I have been over in this province lying wast and greater pity to see so much good and convenient land taken and not improven As soon as any of the land here comes to be cultivated it over-runs with small Claver-grass by the pasturage and dunging of cattle and so supplants the naturall grass and hearbs notwithstanding of their quick and strong growth Fruit trees also prosper well here Newark made about a thousand barrell of sider last year a barrell is 8 Scots gallons this is like that of Woodbridge who made 500 barrels of pork in one year before the law was made against the swins trespasses Here they sow most Indian corn and Wheat some Rye Barly Oats Indian corn the first year that they break up or plough the second they sow Wheaâ— because the spontaneous grouth of the weeds is done away by howing the Indean corn as we do cabboge here is one planter makes accompt That he hath about three thousand bushels of wheat reapt this year I suppose he hath above a hundred acres of it but I doe not make these instances as so many precedents I know nothing wanting here except that good Tradsmen and good Husbandmen and Labourers are scarce a Labourer may have a bushell of Corn per day when he is a little acquainted with the work of the country but Tradsmen much more Smiths Carpenters Masons Weavers Taylors Shoemakers are very acceptable any who comes let them bring some cloaths and their proper tools with them as used in England and provide butter bisket wine and especially beer and ale for their Sea-voyage besides the ships allowance and they need not fear when they come here albiet they have no more yet they will be the better if they have something either in money or Scots linning and stuffs to buy a little provision at first to set them up a house and buy a cow or two and tho a man be rich I would not advise him ro bring many servants at least not to keep many at first untill he see about him and know what he is doing I Cannot tell what goods are best to bring David Barclay can tell better But he who brings money may expect 15. d. For the English shil some may bring a Little of the best Wheat for a change of seed and some barly and Oats for the same use also a Litle Scots field pise there being none such here bring also some great clower seed There are great store of Garding hearbs here I have not had time to inquire unto them all nether to send some of the many pleasant tho to me unknown plants of this Countrey to James Sutherland Physick Gardiner at Edinburgh but tell him I will not forget him when opportunities offers I had forgot to writ of Ambo or New-Perth therefore I add that it is one of the best places in America by the report of all Travellers for a town of trade for my part I never saw any so conveniently seated this with my love and my Wifs to all friends and acquaintances I Rest thy friend John Reid David Mudies Letter to his Wife New-Perth the 12. December 16â—4 My heart I Hope this shall find you and your Children in Good-health and I wish in as much satisfaction as I and our Children are here far beyond my expectation and others my well-wishers who are with you my last to you was upon my arrival here dated the 8th of November and at that time I could give you but a small account of my Judgement anent it it would take a great deale of time to inform you of every thing as it truelie is But to be short I have travelled through a part of it and it is far larger than ever I heard it reported in Scotland I dare say above a third more ground and there is abundance of brave Rivers through â—t all â— better then ever I did see in any place brave Meadows alâ—â—â—st all the River sides and lands above the Meadâ—w ground abundance of Fresh water Brooks and Springs plenty of Fishes in all the Rivers in the Summer time and that very good Fishes such as they preserve for Victual in the Wâ—nter and in
Christian Servant exceeding the age aforesaid after the expiration of their time of service 75. Acres of Land for their own uses 2ly Item To every Master or Mistris that go before the first day of January which shall be in the years of our Lord 1665. One hundreth and twenty acres of Land and for every able man servant that he or she shall carrie or send Armed and proâ—yded as aforesaid and arryving within the time aforesaid the like quantity of 120 Acres of and. And for every weaker Servant or slave male or female exceeding the age of 14. years arryving there 60 acres of Land and to every Christian servant to their own use and behoof 60 acres of Land 3ly Item To every Free-man or ree-woman that shall arryve in the said Province armed and provyded as a aforesaid within the second year from the first day of January 1665 to the first day oâ— January 1666. with an intention to plâ—nt 90. acres of Land English measure and for every able man servant that â—he or she shall carrie or send armed and provided as aforesaid 90 acres of Land of like measure 4ly Item For every weaker servant or Slave aged as aforesaid that shall be so carried or sent thither within the second year aforesaid 45 acres of Land of like measure And to every Christian Servant that shall arrive thâ— second year 45 acres of Land of like measure after the expiration of his or their time or service for their own use and behoove 5ly Item To every freeman and free woman armed and provided as aforesaid That shall go and adventure with an intent to plant within the third year from January 1666 To January 1667 60 Acres of Land of like measure And for every able man-servant â—hat he or they shall carrie or send over within the said time Armed and provided as aforesaid the like quantity of 60. Acres of Land And for every weaker Servant or Slave aged as aforesaid that he or they shall carrie or send within the third year 30. Acres of Land and to every Christian Servant so carried or sent thirty 30. Acres of land of like measure after the expiration of his or their time of service All which land and all other that shall be possessed in the said Province are to be held on the said Terms and Conditions as is beforementioned and as hereafter in the following Paragraphs is more at large exprest Provided alwayes that the forementioned land and all other whatsoever that shall be taken up and so settled in the said Province shall afterwards from time to time for the space of 13. years from the date hereof be held upon the conditions aforesaid containing one able man servant or two such weaker servants as aforesaid on every 100 acres a Master or Mistress shall possesse besides what was granted for his or her own person In failÈie of which on notification to the pâ—esâ—nt occupant or his assignies there shall be 3 years given to such for their compleating the said number of persons or for their sale or other disposure of such part of their Lands as are not so peopled within which time of three years if any persone holding any Lands shall fail by himself his agents executors and assignies or some other way to provide such number of persons unless the General Assembly shall without respect of partie Judge it was impossible for the party so failing to keep or procure his or her number of servants to to be provided as aforesaid In such case we the Lords to have power of disposing of somuch of such lands as shal not be planted with its due number of persons as aforsaid to some other that will plant the same Provided alwayes that no persons arryving into the said province with purpose to settle they being Subjects or naturalized as aforesaid be denyed a grant of such proportions of Land as at the time of ther arryvall there are due to themselves or servants by concession from us as aforesaid But have full licence to take up and settle the same in such order and manner as is granted and prescribed All Lands notwithstanding the powers in the Assemblies aforesaid shall be taken up by warrand from the Governor and Confirmed by the Governor and Council under a Seal to be provided for that purpose in such order and method as shal be set down in this declaration and more at large in the Instructions to the Governor And that the Lands may be the more regularly laid out and all persons be better ascertained of their titles and possessions The Governor and Council and General Assembly if any be are to take care and direct that all Lands be divided by General Lots none less then Two thousand one hundreth acres no more then twenty one thousand acres in each Lot Excepting Cities Towns c. And near Lots of Township and that the same be divided into seven parts one seventh part by Lot to us our Heirs and Assignies The remander to persons as they shall come to plant is such proportions as is allowed 2ly Item That the Governour or whom he shall depute in case of Death or absence if some one be not before Commissionated by us as aforsaid doe give to every person to whom Land is due a warrant signed and sealed by himself and the Major part of his Council and directed to the Surveyor generall or his Deputie Commanding him to Lay out Limit and bound Acres of Land as his due proportion for such a person in such Alottment according to the warrand The Register having first recorded the same and attested the record upon the warrand The Surveyor Generall or his Deputie shall proceed and certifie to the Chief Secretary the name of the person for whom he hath Laid out Land By vertue of what Authority and the date of the Authority or warrand the number of Acres the bounds and on what point of the Compass the severall Limits thereof Lye which certificate the Register is likewayes to enter in a book to be prepared for that purpose with ane Alphabetical table referring to the book that so the certificat may be the easier found and then to fill the certificats and the same to keep Safelie The certificat being entered a warrand comprehending all the particulars of Land mentioned in the Certificat aforesaid is to be signed by him and his Council or the Major part of them as aforesaid they having seen the entrie and direction to the Register or Chief Secretarie for his preparing a grant of the Land to the partie to whom it was laid out which grant shall be in the form following viz. The Lords Proprietors of the Province of New-Cesarea or New-Jersey do hereby grant unto A B of the _____ in the Province aforesaid a Plantation Containing _____ Acres English Measure bounding as in the certificat To be holden to him or her his or her Airs and Assignes for ever Yeelding and paying yearly unto the saids Lords proprietors