1738.] T0 JOHN BARTRAM. 313 



was twice as long in travelling from Philadelphia as the writer was, 

 when he favoured us with his company here. I am glad you met 

 with so many curiosities, as to recompense the fatigue of a long 

 journey ; and it is with particular satisfaction that I hear of your 

 having got safe home to your family, and that you found them in 

 perfect health. It is always a pleasure to look back upon labour 

 past, especially when it procured an improvement of knowledge 

 that continues to the end of the chapter. 



I am surprised to understand that M. S. turns out a knave, 

 because he had the appearance of a plain, honest man. But no 

 faith is to be given to outward appearances, since we are told that 

 the Devil himself puts on the clothing of an Angel of Light. How- 

 ever, I have learnt, by long experience, to be upon my guard against 

 all strangers not well recommended, so that they can cheat me of 

 nothing but my civilities, to which all mankind are welcome. 



I expect every day the arrival of a little ship, with Switzers and 

 Germans, to settle upon part of my land at Roanoke. But they 

 have been now thirteen weeks at sea, so that I am under great 

 apprehensions for them. They have purchased thirty-three thou- 

 sand acres only, in one body ; so that there are seventy-two thousand 

 still remaining, to which your friend, Gasper "VYister, is very wel- 

 come, if he, or any of his countrymen, are so inclined. I am 

 greatly obliged to you for your good character, and by the grace 

 of God shall endeavour never to forfeit it upon any temptation of 

 advantage. The land is really very good, for so large a quantity ; 

 the climate moderate and wholesome ; the river navigable to the 

 great Falls ; and the road to James River very dry and level. 

 Besides, I have now a bill depending before our Assembly, to make 

 all foreigners that shall seat upon our frontiers, free from taxes for 

 seven years, which I have reason to believe will pass. 



If these, and many other advantages, which I have not room to 

 mention, will tempt any of your Germans to remove hither, I shall 

 be very glad upon the easy terms mentioned in my paper ; and if 



persecuted French Protestants arrived in the Colony, he received them with the 

 affection of a father, and gave them the most liberal assistance. His generous 

 charity to the poor foreigners is particularly described by Beverly. He had re- 

 ceived a liberal education in England, and was distinguished for his literary 

 taste, and his patronage of science. He had one of the largest Libraries on the 

 continent. In 1723, he was one of the commissioners for establishing the line 

 between North Carolina and Virginia. He died about 1743, at an advanced age. 

 Blake's Biographical Dictionary. 



