of North Carolina. 41 



liciously endeavoured to represent, not only the Province, but 

 its Inhabitants, in a wrong Light; but as they intirely take 

 the Opportunity to talk either before those who were never 

 there, or before Persons incapable of judging, it is to be 

 hoped, that the scandalous reports of such, will not be re- 

 garded. Several of those trifling Nusances have to my knowl- 

 edge, scarcely been out of the Town or Port where they first 

 arrived, during their Residence there : How therefore cou'd 

 they be acquainted with the Fertilty of the Country, the Con- 

 stitution, and Temper of the Inhabitants ; before the learn'd, 

 by whom they can be convicted, they dare not appear ? And 

 if the credulous and ignorant wdll be amused, all the Argu- 

 ments Man can produce will not avail. 



The People live to as gTeat Ages as most Europeans, they 

 are entire Strangers to Consumj)tions, a Distemper fatal to 

 us; but they are much addicted to aguish Disorders, which 

 is incident to all Strangers, for they generally have their Sea- 

 sonings at their first Arrival, or soon after, though it seldom 

 proves mortal, and is easily carried off by Emeticks, and 

 other Medicines properly given. 



This Colony boasts more Advantages than several others 

 on this Continent, both for Pleasure, Ease, and Profit : Were 

 the Inhabitants as industrious as the Soil is bountiful, they 

 might supply themselves with all the Necessaries of Life. 

 With little Industry they may have Wines, Oil, Silk, Fruits, 

 and many sorts of Drugs, Dyes, &c. Here the Curious may 

 have a large Field to satisfie and divert their Curiosity ; here 

 they may collect strange Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Rep- 

 tiles, Shells, Mines, Herbs, Flowers, Plants, Shrubs, Trees, 

 Gums, Tears, Rosin, Stones, and several other things that 



F yield 



