THE MODEL OF THE GOVERNMENT Of the PROVINCE OF EAST-NEW-JERSEY IN AMERICA And Encouragements for such as Designs to be concerned there Published for Information of such as are desirous to be Interested in that place EDINBURGH Printed by John Reid And Sold be Alexander Ogston Stationer in the Parliament Closs Anno DOM. 1685. TO JAMES Earl of PERTH Lord DRVMMOND and STOBHALL c. Lord High Chancellour of SCOTLAND JOHN Viscount of Melfoord Lord Drummond of Gilston Secretar of State for the Kingdom of Scotland one of the Members of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Councill in both Kingdoms GEORGE Viscount of Tarbet Lord Mccloud and Castle Haven Lord Clerk Register of Scotland and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council there My Noble Lords AS your Lordships concern in East-Jersey makes it appear to all intelligent persons that it is a Nationall interest to advance in generall the design of a Plantation hence to America so that in particular East-Jersey is the most proper place seeing your Lordships have chosen it among all the other parts of that continent to settle your interest there Yet my Lords there are to our shame a parcell of people who whether out of Ignorance or Malice I cannot well determine decry the design I believe they have a share of both and thereby weakens not a little the hands of a number of well meaning people who would gladly promot the same effectualy were they not imposed upon by the false rumours industriously spread abroad to stiffle any such inclinations I have been advised to consent to the publishing of the following sheets at first collected only for my own divertisement and more clear information in the affair As what may tend some what to prevent any foolish misrepresentation when by the perusall of the accompts from thence the least jealousie is removed of any cheat in the thing it self so advantagious a Character of the place coming from so many different hands I have had too many demonstrations of your Lordships favour to fear your displeasure upon accompt of my presuming to send the same abroad under your Patrociny yea I dare further adventure without the least apprehension of your dissatisfaction with me upon that head to mind your Lordships that as you have laid the foundation of this design as to any concern of this Countrey in that place so it is expected your Lordships will continue to encourage the same in process of time your Lordships may render your Names and Families as considerable in America as they are in Europ My Lords having resolved to dedicate my self Family and Fortune to the promoting of this design I should the more easily digest any frauns of Providence I have been trysted with were I so fortunat as to find the opportunity in Jersey of testifying my resentments of the favours I have received at your Lordships hands in Scotland by noticeing any of your Lordships concerns there and contributing what in me lyes to advance the same nothing shall be wanting in me to testifie how much I am My Noble Lords Your Lordships most humbly devoted Servant George Scot. Advertisement be the Printer to the Reader That whereas the Authors other pressing affairs hindered him from overseeing the Press as otherwayes he would there is not that correctness requisit in the following sheets it is hoped the Reader will upon this reason pardon the same and with his pen help what he finds amiss The pages 62 and 63 are misplaced and are to be read according to the number An Account of the Incouragement for promoting a Design of Planting in East-New-Jersey containing the Constitutions and Model of Government of that Province in a Letter from a Gentleman at Edinburgh concerned there to his Correspondent in the Countrey Sir PErceiving by your last Discourse that you not only appeared somewhat resolved to be your self concerned in promoting the present Design of carrying on a Plantation in America but to endeavour to engage several of your Friends in the same undertaking when you found any probability of its taking effect I find my self obliged for your more full Information 〈◊〉 let you know at more length the Reasons inducing me to be so much concerned in the promoâ—ing this Affair submitting very willingly the grounds prompting me hereto to your most narrow scrutiny whether in so doing I act Rationally or not Having at London in the year 1679 the opportunity of frequent converse with several Substantial and Judicious Gentlemen concerned in the American Plantations I had thereby the opportunity of understanding throughly the great advantage redounding to that City from Undertakings of this nature and rational grounds of Conjecture That their Commerce with that place of the World hath been one of the greatest Improvements of that Trade they have for many years enjoyed which hath rendered it now one of the most considerable Cities in Europe the Customes thereof which in Queen Elizabeths time were farmed at Fifty thousand pounds paying now in to the Exchequer near seven hundred thousand pounds yearly which great Improvement may be much attribute to their Trade with America brought now in a great manner to Perfection which at that time was but in its Infancy From that time I began to have strong inclinations to be more fully informed in that Affair and to be at all imaginable pains to notice the same verie concernedly and for my more full satisfâ—ction I judged iâ— requisit to trace the verie beginnings of all the English Plantations and their gradual progresses ere they arrived at that perfection they presently are at I could not rest satisfied with the first Methods I proposed to my self in Order to this of discoursing at large with such as had been in the several Plantations by putting such interrogators to them thereanent as I judged most proper for informing my self in all things relative to that knowledge I judged requisit for my own clear information and for being a foundation to a Design I then began to frame of being therein my self some way interested And tho I found one and the same accompt given me in Solution of the most material Questions I proposed Yea from several hands who were such whose knowledge in other things with the good Character they generally went under obliged me to notice their information as truth without the least jealousing the verity of the accompt they gave me yet for my more full satisfaction I proposed what I judged would contribute more clearly to my full understanding that affair to wit the perusal of all the Geographicall descriptions of these places in America inhabited by the English The first thing which offered to my view in this search was a question in it self both pleasant and material What way the continent of America came first to be inhabited after the Flood it being a World wholly unknown to the Europeans Asiaticks and Africans till the late discovery thereof by Americus Vesputius and Cristophorus Columbus since by all ciâ—cumstances it
Fowlings and all other Royalties Profits Commodities and Hereditaments unto the said premises belonging and appertaining with their and everie of their appertainances And all his said Majesties Estate Right Title Interest Benefite Advantage Claime and Demand of in and to the said Provinces or any part or parcell thereof and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders together with the yearlie and other Rents Revenues and profits of the same And of every part and parcel thereof To hold unto his Airs Royall Highness the said James Duke of York his Airs and Assignes for ever To he Holden of his said Majestie his Airs and Successors among other things therein granted as of his Majesties Manour of East Greenwich in his Majesties County of Kent in free and Common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knight Service under the yearly-rent therein mentioned And whereas His Royall Highness The said James Duke of York Did theretofore by Severall good and Sufficient Conveyances and assurances under his hand and Seall duely executed and daited the Twenty third and Twenty fourt dayes of June in the Sixteen year of his said Majesties Reign for the Consideration therein mentioned Grant and Convey the said Tract of Land and Premisses before mentioned to John Lord Barclay Baron of Stratton and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council And sir George Cartwright of Saltram in the County of Devon Knight and Barronet and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council and their Heirs the said Tract of land and premisses particularly before mentioned And the Reversion and Reversions Remander and Remanders of the same to hold unto the said John Lord Barclay and sir George Cartwright their Heirs and Assignies for ever under the yearly Rent of twenty Nobles Sterline payable as the same is therein reserved to be paid And whereas his said Majestie did by others his Letters Patents dated the twenty ninth day of June in the six and twentieth yeaâ— of his said Majesties Reign grant and convey unto his said Royal Highness and his Heirs for ever aswell the said tract of Land and premisses herein before recited to have been granted and conveyed by his said Royall Highness unto the said John Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright as aforesaid As all other the Lands and Hereditaments in and by the said herein first before recited Letters Patents granted or mentioned to be granted And whereas His said Royall Highness by his indentures of Lease and release bearing date the _____ dayes of July in the six and twenty year of his said Majesties Reign Did grant and convey the said tract of Land and premisses to the said Sir George Cartwright his Airs and Assignes as by the said Indentures Relation being thereunto had may appear And whereas upon a partition made of the said whole and entire premisses between the said Sir George Cartwright And William penn of Worminhurst in the Countrey of Sussex Esquire Gavin Lawrie of London Merchant Nicolas Lucas of Hertford in the Countey of Hertford Malster Edward Billing of West-minster in the Countey of Midlesex Gentleman In whom the Fee Simple of the said John Lord Barclays undivyded Moyeties of all and Singular the premisses by good and sufficient conveyance was then vested The said William Penn Gavin Lowrie Nicolas Lucas and Edward Billing did bargian sell release and confirm unto the said Sir George Cartwright his Heirs and Assignes all that Easterly part share and portions and and all these Easterly parts shares portions the said whole and entire Tract of Land and Premisses beforementioned Extending Eastward and Northward alongst the Sea-Coasts and the said River called Hudsons River from the East-side of a certain place or harbour lying on the Southren part of the same tract of Land and commonly called or knâ—wen in a Mape of the said tract of Land by the name of Little Egge harbour to that part of tho said River called Hudsons-River which is in fourty one degrees of Latitude being the farthermost part of the said Tract of Land and Premisses which is bounded by the said River and crosing over from thence in a Straight Lyne extending from that part of Hudsons-River aforsaid to the most Northermost branch of the aforementioned River called Delawar River And to the most Northerly point and Boundarie of the said entire Tract of Land and premisses now called the North-partition Point And from thence that is to say from the North partition point Extending Southward unto the more Southerly point by a straight and direct Lyne drawen through the said tract of Land from the said North partition point unto the said South partition point by the consent and agreement of ohe said parties now called the Lyne of partition And by them intended for the dividing and making a partition of the said Easternly part Share and portion from the Westernly part Share and portion of the said tract of Land and premisses And all and every the Isles Islands Rivers Mynnes Mineralls Woods Fishings Hawkings hunttings and Foullings and all other Royalties Governments powers Forts Franchises Harbours Profits Commodities and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the said Easternly part Share and portion of the said Tract of Land and premisses belonging or in any waves appertaining with their and every of their appertenances And all the Estate Right Tittle Interest Property Claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said William Penn Gavin Lowrie Nicolas Lucas and Edward Billing and of each and every of them of in to and out of the said Easternly part Share and portion of the said Tract of Land and Premisses and every part and parcell thereof And the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders of the same and every part and parcell of the same All which said Easternly part Share and portion parts Share and portions was and were then and now is and are by the Consent and agreement of the said parties to the said partition called and agreed from thenceforth to be called by the names of East-New-Jersey and is all that and only all that part Share and portion and all this parts shares and portion of the said Tract of Land and premisses so conveyed by his said Royall Highness as aforesaid as lyeth extended Eastward from the Eastside of the said Lyne of partition before mentioned To hold unto the said Sir George Cartwright his Heirs and Assignes in severaltie to the use of him the said Sir George Cartwright his Heirs and Assignes for ever Vpon which partition so made and such conveyances so executed as aforesaid He the said Sir George Cartwright became Seazed of all that Easternly part of the said premisses now called East-New-Jersey with the appertenances in Severaltie And whereas the said Sir George Cartwright being by vertue of the said Assurances and partition aforesaid soll Seazed to him and his Heirs of the said premisses called East-New-Jersey by his Last Will and Testament in writing bearing date on about the first day of December in the year of
Our Lord one Thousand six hundreth seventie and eight Did devise the same and all his Estate therein amongst other things To the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Sandwich the Right Honourable John Earl of Bath The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Crew Barron Crew of Steane The Honourable Bernard Greenvile Esquire brother of the said Earl of Bath The Honourable Sir Robert Atkins Knight of the Bath and the Honourable Sir Edward Atkins Knight one of the Barrons of his Majesties Court of Exchequer and their Heirs in trust to sell the same for payment of his Debts and Legacie as in and by the said will relation being thereunto had may appear and shortlie after dâ—ed And whereas the said John Earl of Bath Thomas Lord Crew Bernad Greenvile Sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins by Indentures of Lease bearing date the fifth and sixt dayes of March in the 32 year of his Majesties Reign Conveyed the said Premisses amongst other things to Thomas Cremer of the Parish of Sanct Andrews Holbern in the Countey of Midle sex Gentleman and Thomas Pecock of the same Gentleman As by the said Indentures Relation being thereunto had it may appear And whereas the said Earl of Sandwick by his Indentures bearing date the Twenty day of February last past Hath released all his Estate Interest and trust in the said Premisses To the said Earl of Bath Lord Crew Bernard Greenvile Sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins and their Heirs As by the said Indenture relation being thereunto had may appear And whereas the said Earl of Bath Lord Crew Bernard Greenvile Sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins by the Consent and directions of Dam Elizabeth Cartwright Relict and Executrix of the said sir George Cartwright and the said Thomas Cremer and Thomas Pecock by the consent and directions of the said Dam Elizabeth Cartwright Earl of Bath Lord Crew Bernard Greenvile sir Robert Atkins and Sir Edward Atkins Have by Indentures of Lease and Release bearing date the first and second dayes of February last past Granted and conveyed to the said William Penn Robert West Thomas Rudyard Samuell Groome Thomas Hart Richard Mew Thomas Wilcox of London Goldsmith Ambrose Rigg John Haywood Hugh Hartshorn Clement Plimisted and Thomas Cowper their Heirs and assignes all the said premisses called East-New-Jersey Together with all Isles Islands Rivers Mines Mineralls Woods Fishings Hawkings Huntings Foulling and all other Royalties Priviledges Franchess Forts Harbours Profits Commodities and Hereditaments whatsoever thereunto belonging As in And by the said Indentures relation being thereunto had may more at large appear And whereas the said William Penn Robert West c. Have since conveyed one Moyties of that said tract of Land called East-New-Jersey and of all other the Premisses to the said James Earl of Perth John Drummond Robert Barclay Robert Gordon Arent Sonmans Gavin Lowrie Edward Billings James Branie William Gibson Thomas Barker Robert Turner and Thomas warne who are hereby become tennents in common of the said Premisses called East-New-Jersey with the said William penn Robert West Thomas Rudyard Samuell Groome Thomas Hart Richard Mew Thomas Wilcox Ambrose Rigg John Hay Wood Hugh Harthorns Clement Plumsted and Thomas Cowper And whereas the said Thomas Wilcox hath since conveyed all his Share Estate and Interest in the said Premisses to the said David Barclay and his Heirs And whereas by the said severall recited Letters Patents made by his said Majestie unto his said Royall Highness as aforesaid several powers and Authority are and were Given granted unto his said Royall Highness his Heirs and Assignes to be execut by his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes or by the Deputies Agents or Commissioners of his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes which are necessarie as well for the Planting Peopleing and Improving of all and every the respective Lands Places and Territories thereby granted And for the Transporting thither from time to time such of his Majesties Subjects as should be willing to go or be Transporting into these parts or any of them As for the Defending Guarding and keeping of the same As also for the well governing of the same and of all such as are and shall be inhabiting in the same And for the making ordaining and executing of necessarie and convenient Laws and Constitutions in order to such Government and the Punishing and Pardoning Offences and Offenders as occasion shall require And to Nominat Make Ordain Constitut and Confirm And also to Revock Discharge Change and Alter all and Singular Governours Officers and Ministers which by his said Royall Highness his Heirs or Assignes shall be from time to time thought fit and needfull to be made ordained appointed or used in the saids parts or places or any of them And to do all other things needfull usefull and necessarie for the well Governing keeping Defending and preserving the said respective places and Territories and of every of them and all such as are or shall be Inhabiting there Now These Presents Witnesseth That for and in consideration of a competent sume of Lawfull English money unto his said Royall Highness in hand payed And for the better Extingushing all such claimes and Demands as his said Royall Highness or his Heirs may any wayes have of or in the Premisses aforesaid now called East-New-Jersey or any part of them And for the further and better settling and conveying Assuring and Confirming of the same and of every part thereof according to the purport and true meaning of these presents His said Royal Highness the said James Duke of York hath granted bargained sold released and confirmed And by these presents as far as in him lyeth Doth grant bargaine sell release and confirme unto the said James Earl of Perth John Drummond Robert Barclay c. their Airs or Assignes All that part share and portion and all these parts shars and portions of all that entire Tract of Land and all these entire premisses so granted by his said Royal Highness unto the said John Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright and their Airs as in by and upon the said partition was and were Vested in the said Sir George Cartwright and his Airs and then agreed to be called by the name of East-New-Jersey Together with all Islands Bays Rivers Waters Forts Mines Querries Royalties Franchises and Appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wayes appertaining And all the Estates Rights Title Interest Reversion Remainder Claime or Demand whatsoever as well in Law as in Equitie of his said Royal Highness James Duke of York of in to or out of the same or any part or parcell of the same As also the free use of Bayes Rivers and Waters leading unto or lying between the said Premisses or any of them in the said parts of East-New-Jersey for Navigation free Trade Fishing or otherwayes To have and to hold unto the said Earl of Perth John Drummond Esquire c. their Airs and Assignes for ever To the only use and
not alterable by any Act of the great Council as other things by the voices of 2 thirds but only by an universal agreement so it is hoped that this hint will satisfie all sober and understanding people what Encouragement such a Government may give For Husband-men that hes a Stock able to transport themselves and Families with a few Servants and to have but a 100. pound Scots or a 100. Merks more to carry over in Commodities they shall have upon their arrivall 100 Acres of good ground measured out to them or above not exceeding 500. Acres And for their encouragement shall for the first 7. years pay nothing and then have what they please not under 100. nor exceeding 500. Acres confirmed to them and their heirs for ever paying half a Crown an Acre never to be raised upon them And for the Charge of the first year they may easily Calculate carrying over as much Oat-meal as will serve them Bread and the fraught will be inconsiderable and they will get flesh enough in the Countrey for killing without charge and will be able to clear more ground the first winter then will double serve their Families after the first harvest so that they will only have to buy with the Commodities they carry over with them Seed and Beasts The Charge of transportation is for every Man or Woman 5. lib. starling passage and intertainment for children under 10. years of age 50. shilling and Sucking children nothing 40. shillings for the tunn of goods and often under The Voyage is judged lesse Sea hazard then either to Holland or London and if there be any tollerable winds it is easily made in 6. weeks There went a ship last harvest to West Jersey from the Road of Aberden and they came to Delaware-River-mouth in 8. weeks though they had great Calmes and of betwixt 30. and 40. Passengers that went out of Aberdeen several women and children not above 4. of them had been at Sea before not one dyed nor was sick by the way For Ordinary servants who are willing to go over after 4. Years service from the time of there arryvall there during which time they shall be well entertained in meat and cloathing they shall have set out to each 25. Acres to them and theirs for ever paying 2. pence an Acre as much Corn as will sow an Acre and a Sute of now cloaths Now Considering that there is 5. pound Sterling payed for their Passage this is good termes and that after the terme of their Service is expired they will gain more in one year there then they can do in two at home towards the gaining of a Stock to their land and it may be easily conceived that they will be well treated by their Masters since it is their Interest to do so there more then here for that they would be Considerable Losers either by their Death or sicknesse being out so great an advance for them if by any hard-ship they shall be disabled to serve out their times All Sorts of Tradesmen may make a brave Livelyhood there such as Carpenters Ship-wrights Rope-makers Smiths Brick-makers Taylors Tanners Cowpers Mill-wrights Joyners Shooe-makers c. and any such like who are willing to go serve the four years not having to transport themselves shall in consideration of their Trade have after the expiring of their Service 30. Acres 2. pence the Acre as much Corn as well sow 2. Acres a cow and a Sow And for the incouragement of any such Trasdmen who are willing to go over and transport themselves they shall have the like quantitie of Land at the same rent and the Proprietors will oblidge themselves to find them work for a year after their arryval at as good Rates as they can have here untill they furnish themselves with some Stock to make better advantage upon the Place We will not encourage any to go there in expectation of Gold and Silver mines yea tho there were such in the Countrey we should not be curious nor industrous to seek them out being besides the Toyl and Labour but occasions envy and Emulation Nor yet is their Suggar or Indigo there or Cotton nor any store of Tobacco tho it grows there very well But We consider it not our interest to imploy much ground on it The Riches of this Countrey Consists in that which is most Substantial and necessar for the use of men to wit Plenty of Corn and Cattle and they have besides Vines and Fruits in abundance as before has been said so that who dwell here need not to be oblidged to any other Plantation for any thing necessar for Life and all other Plantations are beholden to them for necessaries without which their other Curiosities would little avail them This with the Province of New-York being the Granary or Store-house of the West-Indies without which Barbadoes and the Leewards Islands could not subsist Yea New-England is forced to come there every year for Corn this with the advantage of Fishery being considered will easily induce Sober and industrious People to prefer a Plantation here to most other places The Duke of Yorks grant of East-New-Jersey to the twenty four Proprietors THis Indenture made the fourteenth day of March in the five and thirtieth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD of â—ngland Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. Anno Domini 1682. between His Royal Highness the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster c. only Brother to our Soveraign Lord the King of the one part And the Right Honourable James Earl of Perth of the Kingdom of Scotland the right Honourable John Drummond of Lundin Scotland Esquire Robert Barclay of Urie in the Kingdom of Scotland Esquire on the other part c. Whereas our said Soveraign Lord the Kings Majestie in and by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England bearing date the twelfth day of March in the sixteenth year of His said Majesties Reign did amongst several other things therein mentioned Give and Grant unto His Royal Highnes James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies all that tract of land adjacent to New-England in the parts of America and lying and being to the Westward of Long-Island and Manhattas Island and bounded on the East part by the Main Sea and part by Hudsons River and extendeth Southward to the Main Ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of Delawar Bay and to the Northward as far as the Northern-most branch of the said Bay or River of Delawar Which is one and fourtie Degrees and fourty Minuts of Latitude and crosing over thence in a straight line to Hudsons River in one and fourty Degrees of Latitude Which said tract of Land was then after to be called by the name of New-Cesaria or New-Jersey with all the Lands Islands Soylls Rivers Harbours Mynnes Minerals Quareries Woods Marishes Waters Lakes Fishings Hauckings Huntings and
by Sea or Land to any of His Majesties Forraign Plantations providing such persons to be transported by him be not declared Traitors Rebels Fugitives and that without any Let Impediment or Molestation from any person whatsoever they alwayes behaving themselves peaceably and according to Law Given at Edinburgh the first of January 1685. PERTH Cancell For all Magistrates Officers and Souldiers within the Kingdom of Scotland whom these do or may concern By the perusual of the foresaid Passe it will appear that such who intend to be concerned with the said Mr. George Scot in prosecuting this Design are hereby included as well as himself they being qualified according to the contents thereof And for his further encouragement the Lords of His Majesties Privy Council have been pleased by an Act to condescend That such as are under Bond to compear before them when called shall have up their said respective Bonds upon their going with him Whereby they are secured from the Apprehension of any Process to be in their absence intented against them upon that head Whereas there are several people in this Kingdom who upon accompt of their not going that length in conformity required of them by the Law do live very uneasie Who beside the other agreeable Accommodations of that place may there freely enjoy their own principles without hazard or the least trouble seeing there are Ministers of their own perswasion going along with the said Mr. George Scot who by the fundamental Constitutions of that Countrey are allowed the free Exercise of their Ministry such as Mr Archibald Riddel brother to sir John Riddel of Riddel Mr. Thomas Paterson late Minister of Borthwick and several other Ministers It is hereby signified to all who desire this Voyage That the Henry and Francis of Newcastle a Ship of 350. Tun and 20. great Guns Richard Hutton Master is fraighted for the Transportation of these Families and will take in Passengers and Goods at Leith and Passangers at Montross and Aberdeen and Kirkwa in Orkney and set sail thence for East-New-Jersey against the 20. day of July GOD willing It being resolved by these concerned in the frieght of the Vessel to Accomodate such Passengers as may conveniently done without crouding themselves and their Families the inconveniencies of which they are fully resolved to avoid as what is certainly very troublesome in such a Voyage Suâ—h therefore who desires to go Passangers in this Vessel may apply in time between and the 12. of May to Mr. George Scot of Pitlochie at his Lodging in Baillie Robisons land and at John Johnstoun Drogist at the sign of the Unicorn in Edinburgh to Mr. John Gordonâ— Colinston Doctor of Physick at his â—â—dging in Montross to James Armour younger Merchant in Glasgow To Heugh Broun or James Nisbet Marchant in Irvine To Bailâ—ie Boyd in Kilmarnock To Bailly Mâ— kenen or Ralph Holland Merchant in Air To Bailly Burt in Stirling To Bailly James Gordon in Kirkcudbright William Corbet Apothecary in Dumfries Hery Elphingston Collector of His Majesties Customsâ—s in Aberdeen whereby thâ—â— may have their passage secured upon Reaâ—onablâ— Conditions in the said Vessel And accompts of the Propositions to be made to them in Order to the promoting effectually of that design seeing after the number condesended upon as to be carried without Croud in the said Ship there will be no more admitted there and so such as incline to go the Voyage may loss their passage in the said Vessel delaying to secure their place in time FINIS
would poison themselves There is a Flee by the salt Marishes most troublesome in Summer but is not in the up-lands I am mightily well satisfied with my coming over neither do I think I could live again in Scotland In the Summer there is plenty of Fruits Peaches Walnuts Chesnuts Strawberries and another berry like Currans Vines as good as any where I and all who have come over have kept our health very well our food hath for the most part been Venison we got from the Indians which I like exceeding well The Indian Corn Indian Beans and Pease are pleasant Grains we have very good fishing present my service to all Friends and believe me to be ever Sir Your oblidged Servant James Johnstoun Sir I Nothing question but by the perusall of the above written Letters you are abundantly satisfied that East-Jersey as to all things necessar will accommodat our present design But if some Malevolent Persons who because they have not the courage nor resolutâ— to adventure upon such an undertaking themselves do cavill at the design in others may insinuat that the greatest part of these Letters being written by Gentlemen it may be presumed interest may oblidge them to represent things otherwise then they are to the advantage of the place This is easily answered that there are severall persons in this Town who have been upon the place who have perused all their Letters and declare they find nothing contained therein that they can contradict But as for a further proof thereof I have thought fit to conclude with a letter from a Masson sent over as a Servant by Captain Hamiltoun he being a plain Countrey-man it is not very probable he can have any design I had the Letters from his said Master as followeth A Letter from James Cockburn Masson Servitour in East-Jersey in America to Captain Hamiltoun at the Ship-tavern in Edinburgh dated the 12. of March 1685. to his Uncle James Broun Shoemaker in Kelso UNcle these few Lines do testifie that I am well and in good health blessed be GOD for it desiring to hear the like from you for I am very well in this land of America We lake neither wild nor tame to eat the most part of our drink is Rumm Cyder and Beer such as have these to sell drives a very good Trade I am working at my work daily in good weather and have very good incouragment among the old Planters if my Sister Katharin incline to come over she may have good service here and Francie also it is better to be bound some few years then come free except they have a good stock it is dear living here the first year or two The Indians are a harmless People and very kind to us they are not a harie People as was said to us in Scotland a Shoemaker would live very well here if he bring any store of Leather with him the Shoes are five or six shillings a pair there is nothing discourages us more then want of Ministers here but now they have agreed about their Stipends there is one to be placed in New-Perth Piscattaway Woodbridge and Elizabeth Town they have a mind to bring them from Scotland Uncle I hope you will let me know of your welfare and how the Town is repaired again and so I rest your Nephew untill death John Cockburn Another from the same hand to George Fae Masson in Kelso from New-Perth in America the 20. of March 1685. Cusin THese are to show you that I am in good health blessed be GOD for it wishing to hear the like from you We had a long Voyage but we came very well to our Harbour in this place of America within a stone-cast of my Masters Lott it is upon the very Harbour this Town is scituate betwixt two great Rivers the one called Rariton the other Hudsons It is a very pleasant Countrey and good for all Tradsmen You was angry with me for coming away but I repent nothing of it my self for I have abundance of Imployment I am at the building of a great stone house in New-Perth with another Scots-man They build most with Timber but are beginning to build with stone there is as good stone in this Countrey as in Scotland if they were at the pains to find it out there are not many of our Trade in this Province Any who hath a mind to come here will get good wages these who have a mind to come here will do far better then in Scotland I have no more desire to my Native-Countrey then I had never been in it they had better be bound some years with a good Master then come over frree for it is dear living at first here The Natives of this land are a harmless People they do wrong no to no man they are very kind to us tell my sister if she please to come over she may have good service here Remember me to all Friends and Comorads in Kelso and so I rest your Cusing while I live John Cockburn A Breif ADVERTISEMENT Concerning East-New-Jersey in AMERICA THat whereas it hath upon solid grounds been by very Judicious Men judged as well the advantage of the Nation in generall as of the particular Undertakers to have an Interest in some of the America Plantation and that in Order to the Promoting this Design There went in July last 1684. a Vessel from Leith with 160. Passengers or thereby another from Montross with 130. to East-New-Jersey in which two Vessels were some Gentlemen and Merchants of very good Repute the account of their safe Arrivall in eight weeks after their parting from Aberdeen and their several Opinions of that Countrey all agreeing anent the Fertility pleasantness and Wholesomness thereof as being stored with all things necessar for the comfortable Accommodation and Life of Man being compared with former Relations of that Countrey and both confirmed as Truth by several Gentlemen Merchants at present in Edinburgh who have been there The consideration of this as of the reasonable constitution of the Government the Model whereof hath been fully perused and found satisfactory hath ingaged many to pitch upon this Province of East-New-Jersâ—â— as the most proper sâ—â—t for a Collony of this Nation The same being a Climat agreeable to our Constitutions and a place fit for Trade and of great Security being as it were the Centre of the English Plantations and a place affording in plenty all desirable Accommodations And seeing the Approbation of these in Authority is absolutlie requisit for countenancing and encouraging such a Design without which it cannot be expected that any such Attempt can be made effectual Mr. George Scot of Pitlochie resolving to settle his Family in that place hath procured the following Pass By the Right Honourable Earl of Perth Lord High Chancellor of Scotland c. These are Permitting and allowing Mr. George Scot of Pitlochie with his Lady Children and Family and such other Persons as he shall ingage to pass from this Kingdom either