254 The Natural Historg 



As for Trade, we lie so near Virginia, that we might have 

 the advantage of their Convoys, if there were occasion for 

 them, as also Letters from thence in two or three Days, and 

 from some places in a few Hours. The great numbers of 

 ships that come to New-England, New-York, Pensilvania, 

 Mary-Land, and Virginia, make the Provisions scarce in 

 those Places, so that they are frequently obliged to North- 

 Car olhia for those Necessaries, where Provisions and Naval 

 Stores never fail of a good Market. Besides where these are 

 produced and raised in such plenty, there appears good 

 House-keeping, and plenty of all manner of delicate Eata- 

 bles. 



The Porhe is excellent good, from their Hogs feeding on 

 Straw-herries, Wall-nuts, Peaches, Maiz, and several other 

 sorts of delicate Fruits, which, are the natural produce of 

 this Country, and make them the sweetest Meat the World 

 can afford ; as is well known to all Strangers that have been 

 in that Country. And as for their Beef, it proves extraor- 

 dinary good, being fat and well relished. We have not only 

 Provisions very plenty, but Cloaths of our own Manufac- 

 ture, which are made and daily increase in these parts ; such 

 as Cotton, Wool, Hemp and Flax, being all the growth of 

 this Country. But the women do not over burthen them- 

 selves with care and Industry; otherwise there would not 

 be such continual calls for those necessarys from Europe. 

 But this Climate being visited with so mild and short Winters, 

 save abundance of Cloaths. We likewise can go out with 

 our Commodities to any part of the West-Indeas, or else- 

 where in the depth of Winter, whereas those in New-Eng- 

 land, New-York, and Pensilvania, and those Colonies to the 

 Northward of us, cannot stir for Ice, but are fast locked into 

 their Harbours all that Season. 



We 



