i 7 4 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. n. 



this day considerable property. Another regiment, 

 commanded by Col. Moore, arrived in the beginning 

 of 1657 from Ireland, and some industrious planters 

 followed soon afterwards from New England and Ber- 

 mudas. 



Brayne's first accounts are very discouraging. He 

 complains that he found all things in the utmost con- 

 fusion; that violent animosities subsisted among the 

 troops; and, above all, that there was a great want 

 of men cordial to the business ; such is his expression. 

 He desires a remittance of . 5,000, to enable him 

 to erect fortifications, and a further supply of provi- 

 sions for six months; strenuously recommending, at 

 the same time, a general liberty of trade between the 

 island and all nations in amity with England; an in- 

 dulgence which he thinks would speedily encourage 

 planters enough to settle in, and improve, the coun- 

 try. 



But Brayne, though a man of sagacity and penetra- 

 tion, wanted firmness and fortitude. The troops still 

 continued unhealthy, and sickness spreading rapidly 

 amongst the new comers, Brayne, alarmed for his 

 own safety, became as little cordial to the business of 

 settling as the rest. He prayed most earnestly for 

 permission to return to England. In the mean while, 

 by way (as he writes) of precaution against a fever, he 

 weakened himself to a great degree by copious blood- 

 letting ; a practice which probably proved fatal to him ; 

 for he died at the end of ten months after his arrival. 

 A few days before his death, finding himself in im* 



